"Everything Is Hard On Guitar"--Matteo Mancuso

[Jazzjourney4Eva]

Clapton was an adequate singer, a damn good guitarist, and a top notch writer. No guitar picker will excel in all three areas. Each player is blessed with their own talents.

Cerebral jazz dudes aint putting cash in my tip bucket. I respect the average listener more than most musicians when it comes to opinions because they pay the bills. If I want the harshest most nasty criticisms about my playing I look inward. I think every serious musician should be their own worst critic.

No question the singing helped. It helped Hendrix too, even though his was horrible. But the guitar was the main attraction, fo sho.

[Jazzjourney4Eva]

what is jazz virtuosity?

A serious question. There’s a lot to this music obviously, and not all the challenges are to do with technical mastery.

Specific example…. Even from the point of view of something very obvious like Giant steps. playing exciting fast shred over a slowish Giant Steps (Matteo) is a different problem to playing a highly melodic and coherent solo on fast Giant Steps (Peter Bernstein.) To unfairly compare them, PB hasn’t Matteo’s chops (he has them tho, don’t be fooled) and yet he to me possesses a very high level of jazz virtuosity. The way he makes fast tempos feel relaxed so you don’t notice how fast he is playing sometimes is a classic example - what I’ve heard called the beginner-professional sound.



Well I honestly don’t think most shredder fusion guys could play this stuff. That Gradus ad Parnassum thing broke my brain just from a technical perspective. He’s kind of made these very smooth and even cross picked pianistic things his trademark. Most players avoid doing that like the plague.

Not that it matters but I think of “Master” and “Virtuoso” as two separate things, although people can be both. I think that there are many more masters than there are virtuosos. Many more.

You know the old take about virtuosos. Their wizard like capability can have a downside at times, depending on their choices. Meaning, many have been criticized for showcasing musical athleticism over art - just because they can and others can’t.

[ragman1]

Age related limitations to what he’s doing, huh? Like what?

You see it or you don't.

[kris]

You see it or you don't.

[wintermoon]

I don't know if this is necessarily my kinda blues but there's no denying his talent--give him a break, kid can really play, I think he was 20 or so here.
granted they're not the same type of player but when Jimmy Bruno finally hit the scene he caught a lot of flack for being just a 'speed demon' that never took a breath. and I think he was almost 40 when he released his 1st cd, but he chilled/matured over the years.
be really interesting to see what direction MM goes in later in his development.

[kris]

I don't know if this is necessarily my kinda blues but there's no denying his talent--give him a break, kid can really play, I think he was 20 or so here.
granted they're not the same type of player but when Jimmy Bruno finally hit the scene he caught a lot of flack for being just a 'speed demon' that never took a breath. and I think he was almost 40 when he released his 1st cd, but he chilled/matured over the years.
be really interesting to see what direction MM goes in later in his development.

He plays in a similar style to Robben Ford/ maybe it's just a coincidence/.
Matteo's playing is fresh and very interesting.
A technically impeccable playing with a great feel.

[frabarmus]

give him a break, kid can really play, I think he was 20 or so here.

I suggest a new title for this thread: "Everything Is Hard On Guitar And Everyone Is Hard On Matteo!"
(Just kidding...)

[kris]

I suggest a new title for this thread: "Everything Is Hard On Guitar And Everyone Is Hard On Matteo!"
(Just kidding...)

Poor kid - why does he exercise so much....?

[Boss Man Zwiebelsohn]

I don't know if this is necessarily my kinda blues but there's no denying his talent--give him a break, kid can really play, I think he was 20 or so here.
granted they're not the same type of player but when Jimmy Bruno finally hit the scene he caught a lot of flack for being just a 'speed demon' that never took a breath. and I think he was almost 40 when he released his 1st cd, but he chilled/matured over the years.
be really interesting to see what direction MM goes in later in his development.

He plays in a similar style to Robben Ford/ maybe it's just a coincidence/.
Matteo's playing is fresh and very interesting.
A technically impeccable playing with a great feel.

That he sounds like Robben Ford is no coincidence. "Hi guys! I had some doubts recording this shuffle since I'm not a pure blues guy, but I enjoyed it a lot! Some Robben Ford- Bonamassa inspired phrasing here! Hope you enjoy it!Hi guys! I had some doubts recording this shuffle since I'm not a pure blues guy, but I enjoyed it a lot! Some Robben Ford- Bonamassa inspired phrasing here! Hope you enjoy it!"

Yes, this kid has tons of technique (and I freely admit that I lack a lot thereof) but playing the blues is about making love in a way that pleases your partner as well, not about wanking. One note by e.g. Roy Buchanan blows Matteo away to the other end of the universe. And that guy knew how to shred as well ...

And the blues is colourful and mellow. Yesterday I by random came across this Kenny Barron masterclass.

At the beginning of the video he talks about how his first encounter with music was the blues and plays what he heard as a little kid. Those colours are what I mean when I say the feeling for the blues gets lost more and more unfortunately.

I hope one day Matteo goes back a little further in music history than Ford (whom I liked live much better than on record) and Bonamassa (a few years ago I was asked to help out at his merchandise so I saw him live as well and was very disappointed).

What really strikes me is that in this thread when someone (e.g. me) having been a critical listener all of his life (otherwise I would still listen to Yngwie Malmsteen and BTW I am the biggest critic of myself) expresses some criticism regarding something he has listened to and which was presented to him as the greatest thing on earth is immediately accused of negativity. I did never simply say "This guy sucks!" nor did I question his technique. I stated my case of what his playing lacks feeling-wise to me and tried (and still try in this post) to show what I mean by examples. How should mankind ever develop further if we cannot stand criticism any more? Or did I step on some people's toes?

I really understand Branford Marsalis ...

[Boss Man Zwiebelsohn]

I suggest a new title for this thread: "Everything Is Hard On Guitar And Everyone Is Hard On Matteo!"
(Just kidding...)

Why does everyone get a hard-on listening to Matteo?

[James W]

Why does everyone get a hard-on listening to Matteo?

Because they think he sounds good? I wouldn't go so far as to say eargasmic though. But I think he sounds great. I don't have much time for people who think a guitarist who plays lots of notes fluently, who has great technique therefore necessarily lacks feel. People like Matteo, get over it. And it's absolutely OK to shred on the blues - just ask John Coltrane...

[ragman1]

Bop Head -

Takes a bit more than that, buddy :-)

I've already seen that blues vid. I was going to post it because it wasn't his usual thing but then forgot. Pretty good, no question.

If it's in G, what's that fluffy thing on the end of his guitar?

[frabarmus]

Why does everyone get a hard-on listening to Matteo?

Good question!
But does everyone, really, get a hard-on listening to Matteo?
Based on some of my previous posts I could come across as having been critical, which I don't mind. Though I've had to clarify that personal tastes must be accepted and that I intend my criticism, if any, to be "constructive", rather than "demolishing".

[kris]

That he sounds like Robben Ford is no coincidence. "Hi guys! I had some doubts recording this shuffle since I'm not a pure blues guy, but I enjoyed it a lot! Some Robben Ford- Bonamassa inspired phrasing here! Hope you enjoy it!Hi guys! I had some doubts recording this shuffle since I'm not a pure blues guy, but I enjoyed it a lot! Some Robben Ford- Bonamassa inspired phrasing here! Hope you enjoy it!"

Yes, this kid has tons of technique (and I freely admit that I lack a lot thereof) but playing the blues is about making love in a way that pleases your partner as well, not about wanking. One note by e.g. Roy Buchanan blows Matteo away to the other end of the universe. And that guy knew how to shred as well ...

And the blues is colourful and mellow. Yesterday I by random came across this Kenny Barron masterclass.

At the beginning of the video he talks about how his first encounter with music was the blues and plays what he heard as a little kid. Those colours are what I mean when I say the feeling for the blues gets lost more and more unfortunately.

I hope one day Matteo goes back a little further in music history than Ford (whom I liked live much better than on record) and Bonamassa (a few years ago I was asked to help out at his merchandise so I saw him live as well and was very disappointed).

What really strikes me is that in this thread when someone (e.g. me) having been a critical listener all of his life (otherwise I would still listen to Yngwie Malmsteen and BTW I am the biggest critic of myself) expresses some criticism regarding something he has listened to and which was presented to him as the greatest thing on earth is immediately accused of negativity. I did never simply say "This guy sucks!" nor did I question his technique. I stated my case of what his playing lacks feeling-wise to me and tried (and still try in this post) to show what I mean by examples. How should mankind ever develop further if we cannot stand criticism any more? Or did I step on some people's toes?

I really understand Branford Marsalis ...

"One note by e.g. Roy Buchanan blows Matteo away to the other end of the universe. And that guy knew how to shred as well ..."
A few notes of Matteo blows this guitar forum away....

[kris]

[CliffR]

Just saw that - fantastic, isn't it? (Did actually remind me a little of Guthrie Govan at times.)

[Christian Miller]

Tl;dr… He’s a guitar player who likes to check out a lot of other guitar players. He’s incredibly good at being a guitar player.

[Christian Miller]

Good question!
But does everyone, really, get a hard-on listening to Matteo?
Based on some of my previous posts I could come across as having been critical, which I don't mind. Though I've had to clarify that personal tastes must be accepted and that I intend my criticism, if any, to be "constructive", rather than "demolishing".

Some people simply like to hear a guitarist sounding like a great guitarist to a high level. I don’t hate it! I can’t bloody play like that even with a pick - it’s gobsmacking.

But I also feel unsurprised I guess… his influences (aside from Ralph Towner which comes out in his acoustic playing) are all the sort of players who have been imitated a lot as well - players that all my undergrad students liked for example - there’s a lot to be said for copying someone obscure haha. I’m keen to hear something more particular and individual from him. I find it more in his acoustic music.

[DawgBone]

"Had some trouble recording this shuffle as I'm not a pure blues guy"

You aren't a blues guy at all kid.

Then someone complained about it and posted Roy Buchanan. He isn't blues either.

"Simple music is the hardest to play, and blues is simple music"-Albert Collins

[Jazzjourney4Eva]

Seriously gents? All blues is Delta blues? BS! Does this really have to be sorted out on a jazz site? Firstly, it said shuffle blues on the title. Full stop. Secondly, he plays jazz and "progressive" lines that blue guys don't attempt. We all know that jazzers play the blues with blues phrasing and feel (on a variety of blues forms) - BUT - with MUCH more sophisticated improvised melodies. Jazz and blues are both African-American, but jazz has more of the American (i.e. European) influence in it.

So. Players typically play everything that they can. Could Matteo play like BB? Sure, if he were to lose a couple of fingers and sustain a head injury. Then one of you could coach him to twist his head around and grimace on EVERY note, as if he'd just bitten into a rancid piece of Cajun shrimp, lol.

Finally, The Blues came from call and response when picking cotton, not from "making love". SMH.

[DawgBone]

Seriously gents? All blues is Delta blues? BS! Does this really have to be sorted out on a jazz site? Firstly, it said shuffle blues on the title. Full stop. Secondly, he plays jazz and "progressive" lines that blue guys don't attempt. We all know that jazzers play the blues with blues phrasing and feel (on a variety of blues forms) - BUT - with MUCH more sophisticated improvised melodies. Jazz and blues are both African-American, but jazz has more of the American (i.e. European) influence in it.

So. Players typically play everything that they can. Could Matteo play like BB? Sure, if he were to lose a couple of fingers and sustain a head injury. Then one of you could coach him to twist his head around and grimace on EVERY note, as if he'd just bitten into a rancid piece of Cajun shrimp, lol.

Finally, The Blues came from call and response when picking cotton, not "making love". SMH.

Who said all blues must be delta blues? You did.

If I posted a clip of me doing Donna Lee with huge multi step bends and nothing but pentatonic slurring on a skinny string guitar and said "this is jazz" you would disagree with me and likely be annoyed by that especially if other players chimed in and were like "awesome jazz playing bro". That isn't jazz. It would be an insult to others who have spent their life working the jazz genre. Just like his clip ain't blues music. It's pentatonic soloing, rock guitar. Pentatonics do not automatically equal blues.

Few can play like BB King. And he isn't the exception.

[Jazzjourney4Eva]

Who said all blues must be delta blues? You did.

If I posted a clip of me doing Donna Lee with huge multi step bends and nothing but pentatonic slurring on a skinny string guitar and said "this is jazz" you would disagree with me and likely be annoyed by that especially if other players chimed in and were like "awesome jazz playing bro". That isn't jazz. It would be an insult to others who have spent their life working the jazz genre. Just like his clip ain't blues music. It's pentatonic soloing, rock guitar. Pentatonics do not automatically equal blues.

Few can play like BB King. And he isn't the exception.

1. Nah. 'Twas not I that narrowed "the blues" into it's simpler styles, herein.
2. Donna Lee - the playing that you describe is not what he did. I'd say "nice try", but it really wasn't.
3. Yes, it's the blues. Make up your mind, is blues diatonic or is it pentatonic? If it's pentatonic then its back to the early guys so according to your logic he did it "right". Oh, and Blues/Rock is still the blues, just rocked.
4. If you're going to open the whole can of worms about what jazz is and isn't, go ahead, but just know that was done already - back in about 1969.
5. It's 2023, not 1923. One could easily play the jazz style police on this side of the pond when it comes to the "modern" guys fusing jazz and hip-hop and god knows what else into it. One could even say that about Latin Jazz for that matter. You could put your jazz police hat and and say "Hey! That doesn't sound like Satchmo, or Basie, or Elllngton", etc., etc. Yawn.

That ship has sailed my friend, but knock yourself out.

[Boss Man Zwiebelsohn]

[...] Finally, The Blues came from call and response when picking cotton, not from "making love". SMH.

Apart from the simplistic misconception of something that origins from Africa way before slavery days there is a fine difference between the words "to come from sth." and "to be about sth.".

[DawgBone]

1. Nah. 'Twas not I that narrowed "the blues" into it's simpler styles, herein.
2. Donna Lee - the playing that you describe is not what he did. I'd say "nice try", but it really wasn't.
3. Yes, it's the blues. Make up your mind, is blues diatonic or is it pentatonic? If it's pentatonic then its back to the early guys so according to your logic he did it "right". Oh, and Blues/Rock is still the blues, just rocked.
4. If you're going to open the whole can of worms about what jazz is and isn't, go ahead, but just know that was done already - back in about 1969.
5. It's 2023, not 1923. One could easily play the jazz style police on this side of the pond when it comes to the "modern" guys fusing jazz and hip-hop and god knows what else into it. One could even say that about Latin Jazz for that matter. You could put your jazz police hat and and say "Hey! That doesn't sound like Satchmo, or Basie, or Elllngton", etc., etc. Yawn.

That ship has sailed my friend, but knock yourself out.

Well before we become mortal musical enemies, lol, let me say that I appreciate your counterpoint though I completely disagree.

1. I don't know what you're referencing here

2. I was describing me, not him, on how asinine it would be if I put blues bending and pentatonic slurring on DL and called it jazz. It would be insulting and I would look very ignorant to others on the forum who are heavily invested into actual jazz music. No doubt you will tell me I am ignorant anyways, but that's ok. You are an expert on your own opinion the same way everyone else is with theirs.

3. Blues-rock is rock formatted music with heavy use of blues licks and tricks. Rocking blues is blues with a heavier, more aggressive electric feel and a driving band. If you don't know the difference then it's just your ignorance of the genre(s) showing. There are few people left who understand the difference but they are out there. Blues is neither diatonic nor pentatonic. You can't boil it down to scale. White scholars assigned regional labels to black music which aren't particularly accurate but are just a basic reference point for a generalized sound. So your "has to be delta blues" comments are off in outer space.

4. Yes, what jazz "was". Post 1960's it became everyone trying to make a buck by incorporating popular rock music techniques and mostly discarding the swinging rhythm, which is the core that lies at the center of jazz music and made it accessible to the average listener. We discussed this ad nauseum in the hotly contested Wynton thread where Wynton himself suggested jazz return to swing which was relevant to listeners i.e danceable. Fusion is more rock and less jazz the way blues rock is more rock and less blues.

5. I don't really care what mashup people mix with jazz because I don't pay bills with jazz music. I'm not invested in that. If I was I would use good material selection to make my act relevant and interesting, not hire a rapper as the frontman.

[Boss Man Zwiebelsohn]

Because they think he sounds good? I wouldn't go so far as to say eargasmic though. But I think he sounds great. I don't have much time for people who think a guitarist who plays lots of notes fluently, who has great technique therefore necessarily lacks feel. People like Matteo, get over it. And it's absolutely OK to shred on the blues - just ask John Coltrane...

First of all I could not resist a really daft play of words. And if you read my post above I never denied you could shred on a blues but it matters to me how you shred on a blues. First of all Coltrane as a tenor player is naturally connected to his breath. And he had a real background in blues. Here is a collaboration between the former employers of Charles Parker Jr. and John Coltrane.

EDIT: BTW some say that Cleanhead was the real composer of "Four".