Johnny Marr: Guitar Anti-Hero

[Hootad Binky]

Plays a bit and discusses his first exposure to guitar:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6-him0F6g8

Anyone else like him?

http://philspector.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/johnny-marr.jpg

(He was the lead guitarists of The Smiths)

Discussing working with "lead men" (Morrissey)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeomBHt6ZFU&feature=related

Guitar that meshes seamlessly with melody & lyrics:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYp2LGKOF_M&feature=related

Haunting tremolo + distortion to create a classic yet unique sound, with Page-like sonic smears over top:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2NrIALcNOw&feature=related

More guitar-oriented, layers of tracks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5DE8UQnM5Y&feature=related

[rh]

One of my very favorite musicians.

[Hootad Binky]

http://images.contactmusic.com/dn/johnny+marr_855_18745125_0_0_7000466_300.jpg

http://i.rollingstone.com/assets/rs/5/2045437/images/00317308_lg.jpg

[Hootad Binky]

http://www.okletsgo.com.au/gallery/modestmouse_03.jpg

[A-Bone]

One of the underpraised titans of guitar playing and composition. Not too much flash, and a great deal of substance from Johnny Marr.

[Hootad Binky]

http://foreverill.com/interviews/post87/guitarplayer1.jpg

http://foreverill.com/interviews/post87/flowers.gif

10 WAYS TO AVOID BECOMING A GUITAR HERO


Quit a wildly successful band -- and turn down offers from other successful bands -- for musical reasons.
Avoid solos whenever possible.
Play few single-note passages.
Put songs before showmanship.
Don't clutter your records, even if it means laying out.
Be subtle in your innovations: Don't pose with a four-necked guitar; instead, concentrate on offbeat harmonic ideas, unusual tunings, weirdo chord voicings, and finely detailed accompaniment.
Paint with a feather, not a firehose.
Cite unfashionable influences.
Violate pop music conventions whenever possible.
Denounce guitar heroism loudly and frequently.


http://foreverill.com/interviews/post87/flowers.gif

http://foreverill.com/interviews/post87/antihero.htm

[John Alexander]

One of my very favorite musicians.

...me too! I used to sit down and try and cop his Smith's-era parts (pre-youtube)...I think he is a very creative player...some of his parts and rhythms are really cool and tricky...but always extremely musical...


...I love his parts on The Headmaster Ritual, Rusholme Ruffians, and Girl Afraid...bad-ass!

[jimfog]

He seems a bit of a Townshend wannabe in that 1st clip.

[groutfulone]

I love his playing, arrangements and all of the tones he ever used. He is a master.

[shane88]

the bloke's a genius

[studiodunn]

His skin must be thicker than Oprah to withstand years of Morrissey.

[Anthony M]

That is a killer shot!

http://www.okletsgo.com.au/gallery/modestmouse_03.jpg

[Jahn]

My favorite guitarist.

[daphil]

the bloke's a genius
+ 1

[fretless]

I'll take Marr over all of the Vai's, Malmsteen's combined. Very, very musical in his approach.

[jgyn]

i'll take marr over all of the vai's, malmsteen's combined. Very, very musical in his approach.

+1.

[donostia13]

Marr is a great musician all 'round. I have every Smiths album and he's a big reason why they're still a pleasure to listen to...

[Scott57]

i'll take marr over all of the vai's, malmsteen's combined. Very, very musical in his approach.

++100

[fuzz_factor]

Marr is a great musician all 'round. I have every Smiths album and he's a big reason why they're still a pleasure to listen to...

+1000. Although I'll admit to liking Morrissey too!

There's lot's of love for Jonnny Marr around here. There was a nice thread about Marr in the Pub a while back.

[Hootad Binky]

Doesn't his name mean something in French slang?

[eBay]

I like his ideas a lot. He is my kind of player; very into the space between notes.

[roomservice]

Brilliant player, innovative, imaginative and truly original

[Knuckles]

Nice guy as well. Turned my head around about a lot of textural accompaniment.

[robelinda2]

Brilliant player.

[Frankee]

www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=394569

Started a Johnny Marr lovefest a while back.......It was surprising to see that there were no detractors over the eight or so pages.......

[ReddRanger]

"How Soon is Now" is one of the most brilliant pop recordings ever IMO.

If Johnny and the Smiths had only done that, he would have still been aces in my book. Everything else is gravy.

I liked his solo stuff he came out with in recent years.

[sonic romp]

His skin must be thicker than Oprah to withstand years of Morrissey.

Ah...a common misconception. I believe that it was an amiable and equitable relationship.

[RanaldoNecro]

I have to admit I like how he walked away just before things were going to get crazy in 87'

I also find it inspiring that he plays with a younger band half a world away...Always goods in his music, no ego..

Keep going Johnny...

[RanaldoNecro]

I am waiting for Smiths remasters...

[johneeeveee]

http://www.okletsgo.com.au/gallery/modestmouse_03.jpg

Johnny is actually holding the '59 Jazzmaster I sold him in that pic.
One of my guitar idols for sure.

Peace - jv

[phatster]

Anyone who gives Rory Gallagher their due is OK in my book!

[mcp]

I like the Johnny Marr + The Healers record better than the Smiths though. It also has Zach Starkey on drums, it is a great record.

[DaveinLondon]

One of my favourites. He's playing with The Cribs now.

Some good interviews:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=GFZJkJrVgGg (plays some solo snippets of 'What Difference Does It Make?' and 'How Soon Is Now?)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=MWivXLXeyLI (plays 'There Is A Light That Never Goes Out')
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=uNOqNbIcz_Y (talking about Fenders)

[sonic romp]

I always knew that you were that cool, JV!!!

[changeling]

one of my fave studio guitarists in rock...wonderful texturalist.
r

[heavysoul]

Johnny Marr is probably more influential than most think.

[hudpucker]

One of my favorite players. I found (find) his rhythm playing to be mesmerizing, frankly.

[johneeeveee]

I always knew that you were that cool, JV!!!

I'm not so sure that selling a guitar to someone as cool as Johnny Marr somehow rubs off some cool on me, but I appreciate the kindness.

The guitar was probably thrilled, since it now got to be played by someone who knew what to do with it :)

His guitar tech also lives here in PDX and I'm bringing him some work next week. Maybe he can put some magic into them for me?

Peace - jv

[shallbe]

I really dig him as well. Musical is a great word to describe him. I really enjoy the Marr and the Healers album as well.