Entries Tagged 'Blues' ↓

Robert Johnson’s Crossroads has been recorded many, many times by many different artists. But the definitive version has to be the Cream live version, featuring Eric Clapton on guitar and vocals, which has appeared on just about every Cream and Eric Clapton compilation ever released.

Clapton has continued to play the song live throughout his career varying it from the full on blues of the Cream version to funk, and even a low tempo jazz-style version.

It’s the Cream version, however, that displays both the song and Clapton’s guitar playing at its very best. And then there’s Jack Bruce’s virtuoso bass and Ginger Baker’s driving drums.

That’s the version being taught in the lesson below, by one of my favourite You Tube teachers, Justin Sandercoe of Justin Guitar. Justin’s explanation of the notes and chords and his laid back style of presentation make it very easy to play along.

Below the video of Justin’s lesson is one of Cream playing Crossroads at the band’s farewell concert in London’s Royal Albert Hall in 1968.

I enjoyed last week’s BB King technique video so much, that I decided to find some more video on You Tube teaching how to play in the style of the great man. There are literally dozens showing everything from how to play various licks, how to get the sound and the BB King technique, to how to play songs like Thrill is Gone.

To my mind, and ears, however, this one beats them all, simply because BB King himself is the teacher.

The video is an excerpt from DCI Blues Masters Vol 3 and features BB showing the presenter of the series how he would phrase licks over a chord progression in the key of G.

BB King has such a great, easy going manner and a terrific voice, which makes me want to grab my guitar and get practicing. There is, of course, a whole lot more to BB King’s technique and style than just the way he puts notes together and how he uses that famous vibrato, but by watching and listening carefully, we can all learn a huge amount from this blues legend.

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