British guitarist reacts to Stairway played VERY differently by Stanley Jordan!
Vložit
- čas přidán 8. 09. 2024
- Tonight I'm taking a look at Stanley Jordan and his unique take on Stairway to Heaven!
Original video - • Stairway to Heaven Sta...
For more, check out my other sites!
/ wingsofpegasus
www.wingsofpeg...
/ wingsofpegasus
Twitter - @wingsofpegasus
Insta - @wingsofpegasusofficial
I had the pleasure of meeting Stanley when I was in New Orleans. I was a photographer for the day, and it was hard to take pictures because I was so mesmerized by his playing. Nice.
Cool!
No one is mentioning how he can play 2 different melodies simultaneously and blend them in together as one. Like there are 2 different guitarists playing together. He's also playing the bass line, the rhythm and the lead.... AT THE SAME TIME! His technique goes way beyond just tapping. Some people obviously have difficulty accepting something different and innovative
I remember when he came up in popularity in the 80s and we used to just say this guy has to have two brains. It’s not like you’re doing a baseline that’s repetitive while you’re playing a melody which is difficult enough and that’s just pure practice and muscle memory, this is two melodies going in different directions. I just can’t understand how the hell he can do it
@@taxisteve929 The Bi-Cameral Mind. He's a westworld Host. It's the only explanation.
🙂
Luv and Peace.
Agreed. I don’t think that anyone is mentioning that Stanley can play 2 different melodies simultaneously because that’s a skill beyond pop musicians. A few jazz keyboard musicians can do it (Art Tatum) but also that is not very well known.
To appreciate what Stanley Jordan is doing some knowledge of classical piano and even better organ playing is helpful. For instance Bach has many organ compositions where each hand is playing a different instrument part on separate keyboards while the feet play another part using pedals!
That’s the kind of top level skill that Stanley is doing!
They simply don’t understand, you have to be a player to understand I think ,way ahead of his time
Stanley is like a mad scientist of the guitar . I’m not a big fan of the music but I am a fan of his technique. Brilliant
👍
To say the man is a guitar virtuoso is a declared understatement, he's absolutely brilliant...
I'm glad you did Stanley. I've been a fan of his for decades, I think he's amazing. Great job explaining what he's doing.
First time I have seen Stanley in a long time..he impressed me many years ago..thanks for showcasing him, Fil..he is and has always been a virtuoso at two hand tapping.
No problem!
If I have the details right, Stanley caught Al DiMeola, John McLaughlin and Paco de Lucia at one of their acoustic sets and played a bit for them right before they went on. Al wasn't with them at the moment, but he said he was almost glad he didn't see Stanley until after the show, based on how amazed the other two were! He said as if he was that amazed he would've had trouble concentrating during their set. Maybe not verbatim, but that's the story as I recall it.
Cool!
I've seen Stanley on one video playing with Chet Atkins and another video with Les Paul. Amazing how different generations and different styles result in the obvious mutual admiration that is demonstrated. You could see Chet Atkins peeking over at Stanley amazed by what he was doing, and Stanley doing the same when Chet took over the solos.
WOW thanks Fil...this is one of the most interesting and unique renditions of this song that I’ve ever heard....So mesmerizingly beautiful!!..☮️❤️🤘
🤘😁
Amazing skills in this man's hands. Shame I waited all these years to hear about him and his insane music. Thank you Fil!
👍☺
Love for jazz tunes he tossed in towards the end. This was an insane video or I should say Stanley was insane. Fil take Christmas off you deserve it. Cheers and have a🤘n Christmas.
Thanks! Merry Christmas!
Thanks, Fil... loved the performance, loved the video, and loved the analysis. It's difficult to decide what you want to highlight in this performance, isn't it? One of the signs of a real musician is to be able to understand and appreciate different styles of music, and you represent that well, Fil. It's all good, folks... absorb it and make it part of your musical experience. For those of you who say Jazz isn't "your cup of tea," I am sorry you're missing out on a lot of great music and remarkable talent and styles. Same for those of you who won't listen to Country, or Heavy Metal. or Classic Rock, or Classical Music! If you love music, why would you knowingly limit your enjoyment to just one or two genres or styles? There is much in this world to appreciate. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!
Amen! You too!
Well put! When I was growing up there were weekly " variety" shows on TV. Fortunately, I was one of the lucky ones who's parents watched them all! It was a great time. I saw everything from Opera to Rock and in between. A wonderful day and age to learn how to appreciate genre's of music and dance.
Dug the way he jazzed up those pentatonics during the solo! Amazing!! And the jazz fills during the G Am!! Nice! Thanks again Fil!
👍☺
Saw him live late 90's, mesmerizing. For the younger folk out there would be helpful to point out this is not a gimmick approach, it IS how he plays the guitar, years and years of study, period. Ergo the Vigier super flat neck for example.
Cool!
Me too. I discovered him on PBS doing the famous Elenor Rigby and happened to see him at a free show in Rochester NY around that time. Then saw him in a small Jazz club on my Birthday years later. Mesmerizing indeed.
If it's not a gimmick what is it? If it wasn't a gimmick, he wouldn't still be doing it. Fucking shite. Easy-fucking-listening music.
I remember the first time I saw Stanley Jordan back in the 80's and being blown away. I love his rendition of Eleanor Rigby.
Cool!
The first time I saw Stanley Jordan he was on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. He played Eleanor Rigby. My Dad lived on the west coast, so I called him and told him he had to watch the show that night. Good times.
He's basically turning guitar into keyboard. Check out him playing lady my life or Eleanor Rigby, he reminds of a jazzy Jeff Beck, who gets all these sounds using different techniques.
He's a jazzy pianist playing guitar -- especially when he has two guitars going at once!
:43 jesus... that was sweet. This guy is probably the top guitar tapper. I don't know of anyone else who does it better. Anyone else know of someone doing it better?? I can't think of anyone.
Bucketwho?
Nice analysis, Fil. Very insightful and accurate! doing all that with the right hand.... just amazing that he is able to play so accurately and keep the force of the taps so consistent. I wonder if he uses a little compression to help or if it's just straight into an amp. I wonder what Eddie VH has to say about this guy's tapping skills. :)
There is no greater technician in my opinion. What he does is the physical limit of what can be done with two hands on a fretboard.
Yes, other guitarists use the same technique, but none of them uses it as well as Jordan does as far as I’m concerned.
Now from a compositional point of view, though, Stanley is hardly the greatest guitarist out there. The tunes he writes aren’t necessarily bad, but they’re definitely not extraordinary.
Improv, technique, phrasing and emotion, though? Give him a hot standard to cover, and he does more with that stuff than anyone does.
@@richcapo yeah, most are like that. Songwriting is a craft as much as playing. Some are good at playing but not great at songwriting. You have to spend time doing something and if you're studying playing, you are NOT studying songwriting. Hard to master 1 thing, much less 2 or 3.
@@TruthSurge indeed. That's what made Prince so great to me. In his early albums, on the cover it would say produced, arranged, written and performed by prince. In the later years, he mixed and mastered his albums, all be it with technical help. Completely astounding
Look up ichika
@@Jack.Ingoph Ichika was most definitely inspired by this guy. But the difference is that this is live while ichika has as many chances as he wants to get it perfect.
Love it! Stanley is one in a million
The first time I heard Stanley Jordan was in the movie 'Blind Date' with Bruce Willis. When Bruce goes to the guitar studio, Stanley is playing in the background. Stanley is awesome. Do a CZcams search for the scene.
The first time I heard Stanley Jordan was back in 85' with his cover of "The Lady in My Life" Ever since then I've been a fan of his for LIFE. When he released "Stairway to Heaven" I was immediately turned to TEARS and nothing has changed of my reaction everytime I hear that song. I'm totally convinced that this once in a lifetime artist is undeniably THE GREATEST GUITAR PLAYER EVER AND WILL BE ON THIS PLANET.....
Wonder what this sounds like backwards...
Number 9, Number 9, Number 9....
lol I don't want to know. Scary. lol
It probably sounds a lot more like Stairway to Heaven.
Elevator To Hell
👍
I saw Stanley play on Feb 16, 1984 with about 50 other people at Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. I know this as I am looking at his album, Touch Sensitive, that he signed for me that day. He was only 24 years old at the time.
Some people just don't or won't get it. This guy is chording and soloing at the SAME TIME. It's like he's separating his brain and ears. Extraordinary. The detractors sound like haters to me. Unwilling to give this guy credit for the genius of his talent and unable to expand their minds. We all have our preference but if you're a fan of the guitar, then you have to appreciate his talent. To me anyway
Finally! I love his version of "Eleanor Rigby".
👍
So, he's a cover dude. Do we need these fucking covers? No.
@@melvynobrien6193
Name me a great guitarist who don't do covers?
Amazing player... seen him twice in concert...…. great stuff. He occasionally does play in a more traditional manner... I've seen Stairway where he really rocked it out with some nasty distortion.... great stuff.
Cool!
It's been a while since I suggested Stanley to you. I thought you forgot about him! Excellent cover of him, Fil. He was Princeton educated, where he learned hand ergonomics to play the way he does (for a lengthy career). He discusses it some in his Star Licks Master Sessions video (80s). I read his family was very poor and had to sell the piano to survive. He later picked up guitar and tried to apply the two-handed playing (from piano) to guitar. I'd say he did a very good job. In the Star Licks video, he plays rhythm and lead concurrently, one hand on each guitar. The only guitarist I've ever seen to play with 9 of his 10 fingers (right thumb as a pick at times).
Thanks Dan! Yeah I get to everyone eventually!
@@wingsofpegasus Cheers and Happy Holidays!
Stanley took tapping to a extreme and it varied little from PIANO BASED MUSIC. I have seen Stanley live, and you cant begin to fathom how many chordal changes you can throw into ONE SONG unless you view the guitar as a piano. I dont mean from notation BUT AS A ACTUAL PIANO. Tapping DOSENT GET MORE EXTREME THAN THIS and Stanley can play whole songs within other songs in the blink of a eye. If your idea of playing guitar is SPLIT SECOND MODAL CHANGES AND BLISTERING CLEAN TONE NOTATION then Stanley is your man. To myself this was a awakening to what VAN HALEN had done in terms of guitar playing. He turned the instrument into a piano and it was WAY TOO MUCH NOTATION. Stanley is still the master of this style to this day.
Fil, Great analysis & video! I will always be a fan of you! Thanks for all of the work you put into everything you do!❤😎✌
Thanks Kathy! 🤘😎
I love it! I don't know how he does it, finger tapping, but I love the resulting musical sound.
Love this video! Hearing and watching are two different things. I'm old enough to just listen or seeing artists in person. This is amazing. Thanks, Fil. And, Happy New Year!
Thanks! Merry Christmas!
been following him for years. So creative.
Thanks Fil for bringing this amazing talent to my attention. This dude is unbelievable.
☺
I used to see this fabulous guitar player for free in the student union at the University of Wisconsin Madison in 1982!
Cool!
Great analysis, as usual you explain details about what goes into making the music. I noticed that he seemed to get lost a couple times in the song and threw in so riffs that were misplaced. Lots of people that don't like Jazz would say all the riffs are misplaced, haha. Interesting your recognition of his piano beginnings and his reasoning behind his technique now. I wish you would do Rachel Flowers doing Montana with Dweezil Zappa, or Flying in a Blue Dream on Keyboards. She plays the guitar like a keyboard and Dweezil is amazed, or the keyboard like a guitar, and Joe was amazed.
i had a friend in high school who taught me how to play guitar. he had a unique way of playing where he not only picked the notes w/his right hand fingers, he also picked the open strings w/his left hand fingers. he may have also picked fretted notes w/his left hand fingers. i had never seen anyone do that, & it wasn't until i watched this guy (it may have been stanley jordan) many yrs later on the johnny carson show do the same thing, except he played a jazz fusion type music, whereas my friend bill dunbar played more folk/western style music. bill was & probably still is an amazing guitarist, as is stanley. & bill, if ur watching & reading this, THANK U BRO!
Listening to the guitar/violen version of "Carol of the Bells"
Merry Christmas from America!!!!
Merry Christmas Kimberly!
Said it before, Fil covers and appreciates all kinds of music. I've discovered a lot of good things watching this channel!
saw him live in 85. one of the top 3-4 shows ive ever seen.
Great analysis so full of insight on what going on here. Stanley Jordan is new to me a cool perform here. always enjoy the vast ray of musical artist that You feature on your channel. thanks Fil.
👍☺
Came here from today's Benson analysis...early '90s, I caught Stanley Jordan at, of all places, the Va Beach Oceanfront. Outside, hot as hell, & free. I owned maybe 2-3 of his albums...but had never seen him play. The 1st 3 tunes, my jaw dropped. After that initial shock, I just settled in & enjoyed. Still the best impression of Hendrix & Shankar I have ever seen. "Stairway" was mind blowing, too.
HI FIL WOW HE REALLY GOT INTO IT. THAT WAS GOOD. THANKS .YOU ARE SO WONDERFUL .WE NEED MORE OF YOU. STAY SAFE OUT THERE. PEACE AND LOVE
Wow! Stanley is amazing. I have never seen anyone play two guitars at the same time that way. That bass player was jammin too.
👍
Talk about a heavy right hand I love Mr Stanley Jordan I would really love to see him live one day
So glad you did this one! I don't know how many times I've seen this performance, but my jaw still drops every time. The bass player, Charnett Moffett, is also amazing, so when you get a chance, check him out as well.
👍
I'm a huge Stanley Jordan fan. Have been for years. Love to watch his technique. My fav will always be "The Lady In My Life". Gorgeous! Love your analyses!
Thanks!
Both beautiful and magnificent!. Stanley actually takes us there!!!
👍
Thanks for giving your thoughts on the piece, really insightful discussion!
👍☺
There was an Australian TV show called The Money or The Gun where a diverse range of musicians all did their versions of Stairway every week. It was very good. My personal favourite was by The Jeff Duff Orchestra. But The Beatnix (a Beatle cover band ) came a close second. Strangest version was by The Rock Lobsters.
I just stumbled across this video, this morning. I have 2 DVDs of Stanley Jordan which I bought about 15 years ago. I have been truly amazed by this man's talent ever since I first saw him perform. Thanks for the review of this performance.
I think that k saw this man when he was a teen. I remember the style and how unique it is. Great review Fil.
Thanks Joel!
Saw Stanley in concert many years ago. Mind blowing!
Cool!
Damn! I forgot about Jordan! He took finger tapping to a whole different level. Thanks for this one! And yes, still binging.
👍☺
And what is most amazing he is playing with clean tone and no effects pedals. Typically tapping done on an electric guitar has distortion, overdrive or compression to get the tapping to ring out and sustain more. I would love to know what he has the knobs set to, sounds like all neck pickup, no bridge, but can't get a good shot to tell.
Oh yes! this has been a favorite of mine for years. The feels @ :48 to :49 So bright!
👍☺
He's the Miles Davis of the Guirar. One of my favorite players.
I wouldnt say THAT. Miles changed Music like 5 times.
I might compare him to Hendrix however.
That...was...umm... is...a-freaking-mazeing....wow...great job as you always do Fil....Rock!!
I had no idea that he covered this! This is awesome! Thanks again Fil!😎✌️
Another great video is his rendition of Eleanor Rigby.
👍
I have watched Stanley Jordan for almost 30 years. He is one of the players out there that I take as I would a magician. That is, I just want to purely enjoy his art and afterwards say, "WOW" and "AHH!" as I would when watching a good magic trick. I won't even attempt to try to emulate it as it is so far out of my league that I would ruin anything I would attempt. Stanley is perhaps the most innovative player on the planet yet is perhaps one of the least known at the same time. Thanks for exposing his art to many that are unfamiliar with his work.
No problem!
HI FIL...WOW THAT GUY PLAYED COOL. I HAVE NEVER HEARD HIM BEFORE. YOU ARE DOING A VERY GOOD JOB. YOU ARE THE BEST. STAY COOL. STAY SAFE OUT THERE. PEACE AND LOVE
THANK YOU FIL! Been waiting for this one. :)
👍☺
As a few folks have commented earlier, yes, check out some Chapman Stick videos. They've been around since '69/'70(?). My 1st exposure to it was seeing Tony Levin using one with King Crimson. Very interesting concept.
Thanks!
He's working that fretboard more than Eddie Van Halen. He's clearly ambidextrous. I'm surprised he didn't use a double-necked Gibson.
👍
It's just my humble opinion, but it has to do with two completely different approaches on the instrument. Van Halen used tapping in order to extend the melodic possibilities of the guitar, and Jordan thought the guitar like a piano.
Hi I love all kinds of music. But grow up listening to funk. I would love to hear to talk about Parliaments guitarist Michael Hampton. Especially playing Maggot Brain 1978 Houston
Thanks!
As always, you have wonderful insight into the technical guitar techniques and general musical insight. Always worth listening to your commentaries.
I remember this guy from years ago. His playing is truly unique and awe inspiring.
👍
I saw Stanley Jordan play at a small club in Georgetown, Washington DC back in the 90's and while I was (and still am) a longtime guitarist, what he does didn't seem like he's playing the same instrument. He hits some clams here which shows he's human at least. Very unique player.
Cool!
A lot of comments on Stanley's style, the tapping. Tommy Emmanuel said (not specifically about Stanley or Michael Hedges) that after awhile it looks like a "science experiment".
😂👍
This isn't a technical experiment. That's how others may use tapping. To Stanley, his 2 handed fretting is how he thought you were supposed to play the guitar. It's the core of his guitar playing ability. It's far more complex than tapping as others do it. Tommy does a whole lot of tapping, cascading harmonics and other technical wizardry. I love his playing too. He's absolutely fabulous. He's my favorite guitarist currently. Stanley is very unusual and special too.
Usually I fall into the category of those who say there some songs you just do not cover, Stairway being one. The essence seems to get lost in covers. While he didn't capture the essence of the song, it was such a unique and interesting take. I like the bit about the alternate tuning, I am going to have to give it a try.
👍
Whenever I hear stairway it reminds me of Carolan’s Farewell to music.
Talented without a doubt. But for me, a little tapping here and there is cool, but it can be overdone.
👍
I don't regard this as tapping just for it's own sake. This how Stanley learned to play the guitar. Tapping is often used by others as a technical gimmick, but for Stanley, this is how he always plays. So, if you think he should just use tapping for a bit of flair, then go back to playing without tapping, he can't do that. His tapping is much more complex than anyone else. He's often playing 10 notes at once, as if he's playing piano. He is tapping more than just few notes with one or two fingers. No one else has seen the guitar the way Stanley does. Also, despite this mastery, he's not technically perfect. Some people think his fretting and timing are sloppy. I think it brings a unique character to his playing. Thanks Fil for adding Stanley to your list of reviews!
@@billbmsn I guess for him the guitar is more of a percussion instrument.
It's a fucking pain in the ass.
mel obrien Pain in the knuckles anyway
Glad you liked him wonderful artist. Have a great holiday ...
Thanks Scott, you too!
Thanks Fil.. great breakdown.. truly appreciate this .. ✊🏼
👍☺
Pretty cool! Never seen that style before. Beautiful tone, great sound. I like it 👍😎
👍😎
This blows my mind! Merry Christmas everyone.
Merry Christmas Danny!
Hey! Glad you got around to Stanley .. first thing I saw him on was a show called Innovations where he was showing some school kids a synth guitar .. But Al Dimeola found him playing on a street corner .. Busking .. Check ou Eleanor Rigby too ..
👍☺
i'm impressed with your coverage of an extremely unusual and underrated guitarist like jordan - who brings the very vogue style of two hand (and multi finger) tapping, in the eighties rock to jazz - he's bringing the chord melody style known to others like joe pass to electric guitar - and without a plectrum
Thanks!
Yes, is not my cup of tea too, but this guy is an alien ! For sure he belongs to another planet ! The way he plays is so amazing, looks like he is playing magic ! Unbelievable !
Thanks Fil. Stanley is amazing.
First saw him on the old TV show called the tube, I think it was around 1986, I had an album on tape at one point and have searched him on you tube in recent time too, fantastic, other worldly player, also happy Christmas And happy new year to you Fil, I love these videos mate.
Hellacious skills. Love this version with the Jazz infusion.
👍
I first was made aware of Stanley Jordan in the Bruce Willis movie "Blind Date" from 1987. Then I read his story about how he was discovered and became a huge fan.
Thank you . I love it! He has always amazed me with his playing. I saw him live and was just totally amazed at how he got all of the notes out of that guitar! Cheers
Cool!
Absolutely amazing talent but not my cup of tea.
I remember when he first came on the scene. Yes, I'm that old. :-) I guess this kind of tapping was just way weirder back in the day, people were not used to such a radical thing. So it was a bog deal. Surely, there was Eddie Van Halen and such, but nothing this radical. Back in the day this was just freakin amazing, not so much anymore.
@@barrycohen311
Many guitarists of the new generation tend to add this kind of playing to their music.Especially some progressive guitarists and mathrock guitarists.
👍
Wings of Pegasus still ❤️ comments fil. Been here from the start and watched the channel grow and u still showing love to your subs. Top bloke. Wonder how many it’s going to take b4 u can’t keep up lol. Have a great xmas fil. How about a slade riff as IIIITTTTTSSSSS CCCCHHHHHHRRRRRIIIIIIISSSSSSTTTTTMMMMMAAAASSSSS
He ain't tea. He's hot coffee.
Thank you! I've been hoping you would do an analysis of a Stanley Jordan song ever since I discovered your channel. I've been amazed at his technique ever since I heard his Magic Touch album for the first time.
👍☺
I remember hearing this amazing music coming from the PA at an event many years and asked what it was - Stanley Jordan Flying Home - and I went out and bought the CD the next day. Such great music by an amazingly talented musician! I've seen him twice in a couple of smaller clubs and he never ceases to amaze. Great choice in video Fil!
👍
Merry Christmas Fil ! God Bless You in all you do !
Merry Christmas!
Simply amazing!!
👍
Definitely cool, but I'd never be able to do this on my Tele. I'd have to set up something much lighter. Considering turning the SG into more of a speed machine with 10s or so. Edit: BTW, you did Fripp recently. You could do a whole series on King Crimson over their many and varied eras. Maybe some Adrian Belew next? And was the middle of this piece a bit of an excerpt from a Dead song? I could have sworn I heard it in there.
Ditto on the Adrian Belew
Fantastic!!! I have seen quite a few of his videos, but that is the first time I have seen him play two guitars at the same time, I don't know how I missed it. Thanks for that analysis, Fil, it made my day!
👍😁
He was amazing and very unique and his style, this dude really stands out in the crowd! When the drummer came in he was just beating the hell out of his kit, remarkable! And the guy on that stand up bass was one of the best I've ever heard, I could spend an evening just listening to the Rhythm Section! I hope I'm saying this correctly when talking about the drummer and bass player?
Yep!
LOL! I just popped over to enjoy the entire video, as noted above, when the first comment posted there reads: 'The Devil sold his soul to Stanley Jordan!' This cat was a BEAST back in those days. My twin & I tried (and failed) to emulate this technique. Our thought was add a nice twist by creating harmonies. But, we couldn't quite figure our how to set up our guitars to function properly, and simply abandoned the idea. Still a fan of his, though. Thank You, Fil for this -and last nights offerings! Happy Christmas!
No problem, Merry Christmas!
Fantastic! He’s looking good for his age. I remember him in the early 1980s. Interviewed by Jools Holland. He was brilliant then. Excellent ambidextrous technique. It’s his own original style. I didn’t know he tuned differently? Brilliant video again Fil!
No problem!
Nobody notices all the fucking mistakes he's making, eh?
I saw Stanley play solo in San Luis Obispo CA back in the mid 90s. His performance was impeccably executed. You had to be careful when leaving after the performance as there were many jaws that had dropped to the floor.😀👍🏾♥️👍🏾
Have you seen him play two guitars at once? Looks like he has the set-up for it on stage there.
You just get lost and amazed, watching him play!
fantastic!!!! THX Phil
Wow love this version. What a Master of the guitar!!!
👍
great reaction and insight. Never knew that he had his guitar tuned differently. As you mention it makes perfect sense if you're only going to play isolated notes and not chords witch you would have to change your hand position to get the same sound. Having a pianist background must have something to do with that choice.
His technique is amazing!
Absolutely Sic! That man is Freaking Amazing!