Thread where we discuss Nels Cline.

[Birds in Hell]

This fucking guy.







My favourite guitarist in the world.

[washing machine]

Nels brings so much to whatever song he's contributing to.

I'm going with Robert Fripp for my favorite guitarist, but the more I listen to Nels, the more similarities I find between the two. Both guitarists have a knack for playing jazzy, free melodies while still sounding calculated, and both guitarists often show up inexplicably when I'm wondering to myself just who laid down that stunning guitar line on that one song on that one record.

[Strat]

Obviously incredible but I dont like what he brings to WIlco. At least a good chunk of what he brings. SOmetimes its too much.


That being said - dude is a mind blowing guitarist.

[Birds in Hell]

I love Fripp too.

[Birds in Hell]

This thread is a Wilco-free zone.

[Strat]

Gotcha. I will be checking out more of his work so that I can contribute meaningfully!

[Birds in Hell]

I've never heard his playing in Wilco.

Do any of the videos above tickle your fancy, Strat?

[washing machine]

Obviously incredible but I dont like what he brings to WIlco.

I used to feel the same way, and I would often deride Sky Blue Sky as that band's least impressive collection of songs. Then I started listening to more jazz and Neil Young and generally accepting that my favorite bands' careers and sounds are in a state of constant flux, which led me to take Cline's playing in Wilco on its own terms. From there, I began to become more and more impressed with what he brings to that band. He's such a good emotional foil to the rest of the music. It creates a nice contrast to some of the sunnier stuff on those recent Wilco albums.

[washing machine]

This thread is a Wilco-free zone.

I guess you made this post as I was typing the one above this one.

Oops.

[Kevin Davis]

He was always my favorite character on "Frasier"--there's a great episode in the final season where he buys a pot brownie from Roz that inadvertently gets switched with his dad's brownie from the cafe. Needless to say, hilarity ensues.

[VinylGuy]

i love his work with Mike Watt..that how i discover him...i had this burnt cd from Bullhog and i keep listening to this amazing guitar stuff..who the fuck is this guy?? This were the pre internet days, so i asked and asked and we were all trying to figure him out...maybe john frusciante? maybe its all j mascis?
After a while i got a copy of the original record and saw his name. I couldnt afford the damn thing though.

[washing machine]

That Ballhog record is astonishing when it comes to the roster.

[Oh, Jimmy]

Don't really know much of his work outside of Wilco and I love his approach to lead playing and noise making there. Such a unique style. Some sweet gear too.


That stuff above just doesn't cut it for me.

[Norah]

He was always my favorite character on "Frasier"--there's a great episode in the final season where he buys a pot brownie from Roz that inadvertently gets switched with his dad's brownie from the cafe. Needless to say, hilarity ensues.

[washing machine]

Nels at about 1:30 on this track is unmistakeable. He and Ranaldo should collaborate more often.

[Jorge]

Nels Cline
Bill Frisell
Marc Ribot

My three favorite guitarists working today.

[Fuzzcharger]

Although I've seen Nels name about the place a gazillion times I only knowing heard his playing last week when a friend told me to check out this Wilco tune....



Those solos in the first half of the song are great!

[Kevin Davis]

"New Monastery: A View Into the Music of Andrew Hill"



Edit: Weird that I would get the urge to throw this on today and then bump this thread -- apparently today is his birthday. Dude is 59 -- talk about some creative stamina!

[Birds in Hell]

Indeed, Nels is an inspiration - I really hope I get the chance to see him play one day.

I haven't heard that one, Kevin - I'll have to make a mental note to add it to the collection at some point.

[Kevin Davis]

I've seen him a couple times with Wilco -- he is incredible to watch in any setting, but I'd like to see him with his own group someday as well, where the spotlight is solely on him.

"New Monastery" is a lot more "horn-centric" than "Initiate" -- more a work of the ensemble (a septet, I think) than a showcase for the guitar work, but Nels's wonky spirit is reflected throughout. An ambitious work.