I just checked, and you know what? I think that you're 100% correct. Buckethead actually burns Vai on several levels. Not just that, but he may also be the the best guitarist ever. He literally makes Zakk Wylde sound unpolished, and that's saying a shit load. Zakk can play intricate pieces using his mouth, but is unable to leave his comfort zone. Buckethead Has put out more solo albums than any guitarist ever, and these are quality pieces of fine art. I've never heard anything like this before. He should put an Ass Kicker sticker on his guitar.
I'm not really a fan of Buckethead, sorry. I prefer guitarists with context (i.e. in a band and not just showing off kinda thing – I'm not a Steve Vai fan, either) and all the vids of Buckethead I've seen on youtube weren't particularly spectacular or impressive. Do you have any particular pieces you can recommend me that exhibits his greatness? I'm always up for getting into something new and I like getting past initial reactions to artists (although I have tried with Buckethead a number of times).
Jimi Hendrix is overrated as a 'technical guitar player' – none of his live stuff has a scratch in technical ability to Jimmy Page, and I'm not saying that as opinion, it's just true. However, you can't knock him for his innovation or feeling. The way I see it, Page set the standard for virtuoso playing so like hard rock and heavy metal and solo guitar and Hendrix (along with the VU) basically created alternative/noise rock as a concept, so in theory I should prefer Hendrix. Yet I still listen to way more Led Zep than Hendrix. But at the end of the day, they're the two Jimi/Jimmys. Can't knock 'em at all.
Edit: another thing re. Hendrix, though: he sang and played at the same time. No small feat there, his rhythm guitar/lead combo style of playing is un-****able with.
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Last edited by Scribble on Feb 17th, 2015 at 10:24 AM
I'm listening to Buckethead right now, and this man is AWESOME.
Listen to Look up there off of the Look Up There album. He brought the 70's psychedelic vibe out in this tune, but he super spiked it with incredible technicality (tune is funky as hell). Buckethead's main strength is that he can cater to any medium, and remain seemingly unfazed by leaving a self imposed comfort zone. I don't think he has a comfort zone per say, he's just comfortable. I mean if that makes any sense. This is what makes him the best ever.
Oh and Passageway, is a really decent, and mellow album. It's one song broken up into 5 parts. Buckethead is a sketch artists dream IMO. So yeah I recommend those two albums.
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Last edited by Stoic on Feb 26th, 2015 at 12:37 AM
Cheers for the recs, man. I liked Passageway quite a bit – great texture work, quite haunting and beautiful. I can see why he's so heralded now. I can't say that I'll probably listen to him too regularly but that's only because I prefer listening to bands and songs to solo guitar stuff, but if I was into solo guitar, I'd lap this stuff up. I'd like to hear him in the context of a full band, do you have any albums like that you could recommend?
Buckethead is clearly incredibly adept in what he does, and has a great sense of melody. I do think however there are plenty of guitar players on similar (if not higher) levels of accomplishment; if you haven't heard Guthrie Govan yet, give him a listen (check out the Erotic Cakes album, it's a grand work, that), and if you don't know Jason Becker then check out his Perpetual Burn album. Mother****er can seriously shred. Becker is more traditional metal/rock, but Govan is something unique, a lot funkier, you'd probably like him if you like Buckethead.
But anyway, this is what I mean about "there's no such thing as the greatest guitarist ever" – there are too many geniuses who are on top of their game at all times. Govan has like, one album whilst Buckethead has over a hundred, but I don't think you can judge greatness on prolificness alone. Nor can you judge it on speed, melody, or anything else. I really do think it's a specific matter of taste with it, even though there are plenty of guitarists who could be considered among the greatest, Buckethead being one of them.
Again though, thank you for the recs, was a great way to start my day.
I'll definitely give those guys a listen. I really enjoy the guitar (always have) Solo is my favorite, because I feel as if I'm fully immersed in pure talent. Well as long as the guitarist can play the strings off of their instrument. It's a huge reason why I used to love listening to Vai's Passion and Warfare album, but now Buckethead has pretty much destroyed any and everything that Vai's put out, and I'm hooked. We live in a time that's filled with guys rapping about girls enthralled with their trowsers, and wowsers so when i have the opportunity to hear real talent I go ape-shit.
Enough of that rant though . So you liked Passageway huh? Well I've got another for you. Buckethead just put out what feels like the sequel in an album called (you ready for this brother?) The Left Panel, and let me tell you, if you enjoyed Passageway, you will go crazy for this. There are only 2 tunes, but the album lasts for 4 seconds shy of 30 minutes. It's just pure cosmic win.
This is the reason why he is the best. He just keeps putting out album after album. 109 Albums? Good lord that's simply unheard of, so if anything, this man deserves his props for bleeding his fingers off just to deliver an awesome form of art. Or you can listen to the guy talking about his trowsers, and how wowsers he feels about that sort of thing LOL. Hope you enjoy the new album, and glad you liked Passageway.
Oh yeah man, I know, it's an awesome song. You have to check out the Pikes #150 Heaven is your home album. Song 2 is even better IMO. It's called Always Watching.
Why is everyone so infatuated with, Buckethead. He is certainly good but comparatively speaking i don't see how anyone would mention him amongst the greats. IMO he hasn't shown anything other than technical ability. In that vein he's not in the league of guitarists such as, Joe Satriani, Stevie Ray, Van Halen or Page.
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Last edited by jinXed by JaNx on Aug 24th, 2015 at 04:55 AM
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Dec 2nd, 2014 07:13 PM
Thanks Scribble!
. So you liked Passageway huh? Well I've got another for you. Buckethead just put out what feels like the sequel in an album called (you ready for this brother?) The Left Panel, and let me tell you, if you enjoyed Passageway, you will go crazy for this. There are only 2 tunes, but the album lasts for 4 seconds shy of 30 minutes. It's just pure cosmic win.
