Hendrix, Beck, Clapton, Page, Taylor, Green etc all get discussed in this forum, but what do posters here think of Ritchie Blackmore? I’m not a huge Deep Purple/Rainbow fan at all, but have always admired Blackmore’s talent as a guitarist. His style seemed less bluesy than that of Clapton’s, with classical leanings in his style and approach. Are there any fans here?

Blackmore always had great attack - really excellent pick action and sound; it's a legitimate and impressive trademark that can easily be noted on this clip. And of course, a great left hand. Tremendous player.

This recording blows me every time I hear it. Blackmore is wonderful, but it's just a really excellent group effort with flawless musicianship throughout.

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Big Al
This recording blows me every time I hear it. Blackmore is wonderful, but it's just a really excellent group effort with flawless musicianship throughout.

I love that album. Listen to it a lot. I don't think Blackmore gets mentioned enough when talking about past great guitarists.

I also find Blackmore’s pre-Deep Purple beginnings quite interesting. He received some early guitar lessons from legendary session musician Jim Sullivan and made his break, so to speak, with an instrumental group called The Outlaws. As well as releasing a few 45’s, they always acted as the house band for many of producer Joe Meek’s recording artists in the early-mid 1960’s. Live-wise, they also backed the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis and Gene Vincent when they toured the UK circa 1963-64.


One of the more better known early Blackmore performances is on the Heinz hit record, Just Like Eddie, which was a top-ten hit here in the UK, in 1963.

Wish he would go back to Deep Purple. Steve Morse is very good, but he's no Ritchie Blackmore. Ritchie is in my top 5 favorite guitar players. I miss him.

Agreed. Steve Morse is "too good", same story as Bill and Darryl

However, when it comes to Bach:

A great guitarist (caught him live with Rainbow) but doubt we'll see him on the Rock circuit again.Hasn't he recently taken to dressing like a wizard in pointy hat and playing medieval music?

Blackmore was a household name as a guitar player." Made in Japan" came out and there he was. as a 13 year old kid in 1972 and hearing "Smoke on the Water" was totally cool.

How Good is Ritchie Blackmore?

Not good enough to call to call Beck, Clapton and Page all crap guitarists (IMHO).

...but he admits to admire Angus Young...at least he got that right.

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WorriedAboutYou

The only thing I'll say : that's @#$%& weird, Ritchie. But hey to each his own.
Rock and Roll,
Mops



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011-04-10 22:59 by rollmops.

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BluzDude
How Good is Ritchie Blackmore?

Not good enough to call to call Beck, Clapton and Page all crap guitarists (IMHO).

...but he admits to admire Angus Young...at least he got that right.

Yeah no doubt he has a reputation a first class Ahole over the years.

Ritchie Blackmore is one of the greatest guitar players in rock.

Saw him with Deep Purple in 1987, with Rainbow in 1995 and with Blackmore's Knight in 2005. All concerts were very good.

One of my favourites. His guitarwork on the classic albums "In Rock" and "Machine Head" is monumental. "Made in Japan" must be one of the best live albums ever released by any band - and the main reason behind that particular album's sucsess is Blackmore's guitar playing. Deep Purple without Blackmore has always been boring and dull IMO - he was the mad genious who gave their music some edge and artistic identity.
You mentioned all the attention people have paid to Hendrix, Beck, Clapton, Page etc. and I definitely agree Blackmore as a guitarist and musician should be mentioned with the same respect.

Keith Richards is perhaps for must guys here on IORR "the king of riffs", but Richie Blackmore must be close to deserving that title with quality riffs like:
Man on the Silver Mountain, Black Night, Burn, Bloodsucker, Into the Fire, Woman From Tokyo, Space Truckin' - to name a few.
...and of course the most successful riff in history (together with "Satisfaction"), Smoke On The Water.

My favourite Blackmore moment, however, will always be his work on this legendary version of "Strange Kind of Woman" (the first solo starts from 1.50, the second from 3.50). Damn, that man can play play!

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The Worst.
One of my favourites. His guitarwork on the classic albums "In Rock" and "Machine Head" is monumental. "Made in Japan" must be one of the best live albums ever released by any band - and the main reason behind that particular album's sucsess is Blackmore's guitar playing. Deep Purple without Blackmore has always been boring and dull IMO - he was the mad genious who gave their music some edge and artistic identity.
You mentioned all the attention people have paid to Hendrix, Beck, Clapton, Page etc. and I definitely agree Blackmore as a guitarist and musician should be mentioned with the same respect.

Keith Richards is perhaps for must guys here on IORR "the king of riffs", but Richie Blackmore must be close to deserving that title with quality riffs like:
Man on the Silver Mountain, Black Night, Burn, Bloodsucker, Into the Fire, Woman From Tokyo, Space Truckin' - to name a few.
...and of course the most successful riff in history (together with "Satisfaction"), Smoke On The Water.

My favourite Blackmore moment, however, will always be his work on this legendary version of "Strange Kind of Woman" (the first solo starts from 1.50, the second from 3.50). Damn, that man can play play!

Not only does he do a good solo.That song is just so much fun. I remember first hearing it at a young age.But it took me years after that to realize what the song was about.

SKoW (especially live) has always been my favorite from DP

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rollmops

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WorriedAboutYou

The only thing I'll say : that's @#$%& weird, Ritchie. But hey to each his own.

This is no way for a heavy metal God to end up.

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tatters

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rollmops

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WorriedAboutYou

The only thing I'll say : that's @#$%& weird, Ritchie. But hey to each his own.

This is no way for a heavy metal God to end up.

It's better than the way Tommy Bolin ended up.

Blackmore is among the finest players in the history of rock. Truly unique style and tone.

[www.reverbnation.com]

Deep Purple - In Rock. Say no more. Wonderful rock album.

Who didn't dance with his first girlfriend on "child in time"..
But than came that fabulous guitar solo..

That Stratocaster - he got this unique sound out of it; not shrill at all.
The notes, scales - used classical ideas; even on something as Blues based as the improvisation in "Lazy", you can hear thwe classical fundamentals.
The image - not a pretty boy; a bit of old England wizardry, black dresser.
He stands for lots of 70's UK hard rock.

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Amsterdamned
Agreed. Steve Morse is "too good", same story as Bill and Darryl

However, when it comes to Bach:

A bit "robotic" performance, but good. This brings back good memories, as I used to play this song on the piano back in the day. I still remember "Inventionen"



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011-04-11 13:22 by DandelionPowderman.

It's Child In Time, but not as we know it!

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Big Al
Hendrix, Beck, Clapton, Page, Taylor, Green etc all get discussed in this forum, but what do posters here think of Ritchie Blackmore? I’m not a huge Deep Purple/Rainbow fan at all, but have always admired Blackmore’s talent as a guitarist. His style seemed less bluesy than that of Clapton’s, with classical leanings in his style and approach. Are there any fans here?

A much more fluent player than all mentioned above, maybe with the exception of Taylor. I'm talking about getting a solo going, and managing to keep it interesting.

This solo is quite bluesy and funky. Good stuff, imo.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011-04-11 13:21 by DandelionPowderman.

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DandelionPowderman

This solo is quite bluesy and funky. Good stuff, imo.

Yes and if you listen from 02:43 onwards, you can hear how he really begins to attack the instrument with almost Townsend-like force. Blackmore is nothing but superb.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011-04-11 13:15 by Big Al.

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DandelionPowderman

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Amsterdamned
Agreed. Steve Morse is "too good", same story as Bill and Darryl

However, when it comes to Bach:

A bit "robotic" performance, but good. This brings back good memories, as I used to play this song on the piano back in the day. I still remember "Inventionen"

Strange,
I played this one on the piano too, but still it was a guitar..

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Big Al
It's Child In Time, but not as we know it!

I always knew Ritchie liked the Gentle Giant.

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Big Al
It's Child In Time, but not as we know it!

Jimmy Page take note. This could happen to you. It's already happened to Robert to some extent.