Hendrix Slots

We are continuing our theme of unsung musical heroes. They are people have been, or are, fantastically gifted and talented musicians. However, for whatever reasons fame or proper recognition has eluded them. These specific things eluded them either in their particular lifetimes, or altogether.

First up is John Paul Jones. And no, if you are thinking it, I'm not talking about the Pope. John Paul Jones was the bass player, keyboard, and all-around instrumentalist for the 1960s and 1970s super group Led Zeppelin. Jones had the good fortune, and in a way, the misfortune to be in Led Zeppelin. He was overshadowed by flamboyant front man Robert Plant, iconic rock guitarist Jimmy Page, and wild man and legendary drummer John Bonham.

Jones had a submit writing a number of the bands best songs. He wrote the memorable guitar riff for Black Dog. By the way this has a chromatic run in it. If you hear chromatic riffs in Led Zeppelin songs, it was Jones and not Page who developed them. Jones also had a submit writing Kashmir (which many, including me, consider to be their best song), No Quarter, and All of My Love, just to mention a few. Beyond Zeppelin, Jones continued to be very active writing and producing. If you shredded his resume you can probably throw a ticker tape parade in New York City.

Okay, next up is Phil Keaggy. I would bet dollars to doughnuts that Phil Keaggy is the best guitarist you've never heard of. Part of the Keaggy myth is that Jimi Hendrix said Keaggy was one of the best guitarists he'd ever heard. (That myth was debunked. Hendrix never said it. However, Hendrix did complement the playing of Billy Gibbons of later Z.Z. Top fame.) Part of the trouble with Keaggy is he hasn't had a Top 40 hit, and he has mainly been related to the Christian or Gospel genre for most of his career. He's in the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

Other musicians have recognized Keaggy's brilliant playing. At times, he has been voted one of the premiere finger picker or classical guitar players in the world. He's also a fantastic electric guitarist. Keaggy features a mastery of the instrument and numerous playing techniques. His playing is very fluid and smooth. He has done over 50 albums, so he has a lot of material to pick from. If you intend to take a look at Keaggy, I would recommend listening to Beyond Nature. Beyond Nature is an audio album.

The following slot goes to bass player Michael Manring. I bet you've never been aware of Manring either. Manring has played on over a hundred albums. He has released some solo material, but was also a business player for Windham Hill records, among other things. He's my personal favorite bass player. When Manring is in the groove, it's pure bliss. Section of his trademark sound is finger slides on a fretless bass and a vibrato that is angelic.

They can also rip it down with tapping and other pyro-techniques (like playing three basses at the same time). But my favorite is simply listening to him play and making his bass sing like a David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) solo. I've several his solo albums (Unusual Weather, Drastic Measures) that I've practically worn out. They've some of those rare musical traits. Rather than getting tired and bored from listening in their mind over and once again, they still sound better every I time I hear them.

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