well, I own Mama Said already
Circus is the one I need

I read someone call Erykah Badu
a "tribute" artist here
I'd DEFINITELY consider Lenny
to be a "tribute artist"

abigail05 said:

Ace sucked?! Blasphemous! Hell nah, I think "suck" is a harsh description. U may not liked Ace's playing but the cat could play. Was he a Randy Rhoads? Of course not. Besides, I just picked a popular rock band that had two popular guitarists, as an example. My point wasn't about how good Ace was as a lead guitarist. My point was how Lenny isn't a lead guitarist and how Craig Ross is. That's all.

The last 3 albums of his have all been just about the same. He has a formula and doesn't stray too far from it. Every album seems to have the same rocker/retro/spiritual/epic/ballad songs.

He stopped really innovating after "5", but I also love "Lenny".

One of my major gripes about Lenny is his lyrics - they're painfully rhyming at times, and at other times just bad.

Now, for highlights: he is a great singer, great guitarist, and charismatic showman. Some of my favorite performances of him lately are covering other people's songs, because his songwriting skills don't even come into play.

Side note: his Absolut Vodka song and remixes were a nice surprise . . . track them down if you can.

I personally enjoy Lenny's music and don't understand all the hate. "Are You Gonna Go My Way" is a great album. But my personal favorite is "5". That is one hell of a funky album. "Live", "Supersoulfighter", "Straight Cold Player" are gems.

purpleworld said:

supersoulfighter is incredible!!!!!

alphastreet said:

there isn't a lot of middle ground for that song on the org, peeps here either love it or hate it. I happen to love it!

listen close to the background chicks singing. "Soulfightah..." That kind of old school soul is something you will only hear on a Lenny record. That's why I love him - he cares enough to do that.

abigail05 said:

I dig the song as well, abigail!

blackguitaristz said:

shouldn't folks respect him more for this, rhythm guitar can at times be more challenging and more technical than lead, see Little Wing, not a Lenny song but just as an example

Meloh9 said:

I can dig it...BUT a rhythm like Little Wing was largely executed because of Jimi's LEAD skills. A cat would be very hard pressed to be able to play a pattern like Little Wing if he wasn't a lead guitarist. Or I'll say, it would be MORE difficult than it would for someone who has the fluidness of a lead guitarist. But understand, I respect Lenny. Always have. Any brother that can hang in the biz for as long as he has definately earns my respect.

blackguitaristz said:

are you sure? little wing was concieved and inspired out of rhythem playing style he picked up from curtis mayfield, it has a lot R&B style chord changes adding his trademark thumb embellishments. I dont disagree with you but break down what you mean, prince even once said, learn your rythem guitar first, if all you play is lead then you might as well take up needle point or something to that degree

Meloh9 said:

No u should DEFINATELY learn rhythm FIRST. I did. And DEFINATELY Jimi's style on Little Wing, Castle Made Of Sand, Wind Cries Mary are all Curtis. No doubt. And Curtis is a big influence on Lenny as well. All I'm saying is that the better dexterity u have as a guitarist, the better u are at adopting cool chord positions and phrasing as shown on Jimi's Little Wing. Sure, u can develop that without playing lead. Many a good lead guitarists can't play rhythm well. That's why I adore Hendrix, Prince, Roger Troutman , God bless his soul, Eddie Van Halen...these cats smoke on rhythm and lead equally. Van Halen was a very funky rhythm player. Neal Schon of Journey, very underrated cat, plays beautiful rhythm guitar. And yet he smokes on lead.

blackguitaristz said:

Can't leave out Ernie Isley.

Can't leave out Nile Rodgers! I love him and Roger cause to me they were superb rhythm players who could also play great lead. Check out Nile's solo album "B-Movie Matinee" for great rhythm and lead guitar playing from a master.

How could I forget about 'Mama Said' what an
amazing song-I love Lenny on this one especially!










"Sign of the times, will mess with your mind. Hurry before it's too late." Prince