Neil Young’s guitar skills have long divided fans. While some have criticized his technical prowess, others have praised his capacity to use the instrument as a vehicle for conveying emotions.
Neil Young doesn’t prioritize mind-bending riffs, and he even admits to not knowing his scales. In 1992, he told Guitare et Claviers, “The technical part is absolute hogwash as far as I’m concerned.” It bores me to tears. I can’t play fast. I’m not even sure what my scales are. I’m aware that most of the notes I play aren’t where they should be. They simply do not exist. So you can play any note you want. On another level, I don’t care about that nonsense.”
This group of opinions has allowed Young to become immensely popular, with fans still flocking to see him perform live, fascinated by his ability to express himself through his instruments. In his book Shakey, he discussed his favorite guitarists who influenced his approach to music.
Along with Jimi Hendrix, he made time to discuss J.J Cale, the founder of the Tulsa Sound who Young considers to be one of “the best electric guitar players“ ever, even better than Eric Clapton. “What is it about JJ Cale’s playing?” he wrote. You could argue that Eric Clapton is the guitar god, but… he can’t play like JJ. JJ is the one who started all of this nonsense. And he doesn’t play very loudly, which I appreciate. He’s extremely sensitive.”
He stated, “JJ’s my equal, but he lacks business savvy and dealing with the world, unlike me. However, musically, he surpasses me because he possesses that inexplicable quality.”
Cale initiated his career in the late 1950s, gaining recognition as an exceptional player in the subsequent decade. After realizing Clapton covered his song ‘After Midnight‘ on the debut album, Cale gained broader recognition, launching his first record, Naturally, in 1971.
Clapton and Cale ultimately worked together, and their joint album, The Road to Escondido, won the Grammy Award for ‘Best Contemporary Blues Album‘ in 2008. Clapton praised Cale, expressing, “I was tired of gymnastic guitar playing.” When I listened to JJ Cale’s records, I was struck by the elegance, by what wasn’t being played.
This statement is consistent with Young’s belief that “JJ’s the one who played all that shit first,” with Cale paving the way for Clapton’s greatness.
7 comments
JJ plays random notes all over the place and doesn’t crowd them …lets them just ring and resonate.
And here I thought I was some kind of oddball in thinking and feeling that through J.J.’s music and in the natural rhythm of his songs that i could hear the sound of wheels turning on a highway.
How could his music not set a fire in the heart and soul of anyone who ever sought the adventures of the road?
J.j. is truly incredible, that by listening to his music, you realize he had his own unique way of rolling that inspired a whole distinct style of sound.
There was a song by electric Flagg called another county in the middle of the song Michael BLOOMFIELD does a solo that Eric clapton couldn’t play beautiful solo guitar work thar Michael BLOOMFIELD plays that is fantastic reat in peace Michael one of a kind
Neil Young is a fool, although Clapton is not the guitarist he once was. Listening to Clapton play now is like watching an ice skating competition. The rink side announcer whispers what moves we expect from minute to minute.
((whispering)) “Clapton will do a triple axel into a double lutz….. and he nails it!”
I would like to see EC or NY try to replicate Rory Gallager or Chris Whitley music. Don’t think either one has the rawness or skill.
An
People always ragging on Eric Clapton. The man’s a musical genius. He’s 78 years old and still his voice is great. He writes it, plays it, and sings it. For goodness sake he wrote Layla…It wasn’t Cale that George Harrison asked to play the “Gently Weeps” solo. I like Neil Young, a lot, but he and Clapton, their styles are so different that they needn’t be discuss in the same topic. You don’t discuss, compare, an Indy car and a Daytona 500 car why would you compare them? You wouldn’t. J.J. Cale could write songs, but, he could not perform at the level of Eric Clapton. Clapton admired Cale, so, there’s something there. But, listen to the two solos above, as a guitarist, I’ll tell you, they are not in the league.