Official Luthiers Forum!

Who is the female guitarist that plays an Ovation, two handed tapping is her signature, methinks....

http://www.jaquiegipson.com/

Jaqui plays Taylors and McCollum's. She is a very talented artist and I have a couple of her CD's. She has demo'd my guitars in the past too, via the "road trip" on the 13th Fret.

_________________
tim...
http://www.mcknightguitars.com

Terry
Your thinking of Kaki KingLanceK38568.8841782407

_________________
Support the OLF! Bookmark our STEWMAC link Today!
Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Yes, it's Kaki King.

***opinion***

She plays an Ovation, not a guitar. Her fast-paced wandering riffs have been recorded, and are available on CD, in spite of the fact that she is still struggling to learn how to write a coherent song or find a melody line.

I think her lack of humility bothers me even more than her lack of compositional skills.

There are a number of great female guitarists alive and performing today. I know in a male-dominated field, a female of note does stand out from the crowd, but I fail to understand why most of the great female artists get less attention than this person whose claim to fame is rapid tapping while wearing a bra.

***opinion***

Dennis

_________________
Dennis Leahy
Duluth, MN, USA
7th Sense Multimedia

Wow... My opinion would differ. While I agree she is not your standard solo guitar player. She is quite unique and I would argue that she has compositional skills though she strays quite far (sometimes) from the I-IV-V or similar progressions that some have come to accept as "western music", I think she is musical none the less.

As they say though, different strokes for different folks. I believe I'll go back and order her album.... oops, CD.

Opinion on various webrings is pretty much divided on her, Dennis, often to the point of coming to blows. I'm with you, incidentally - I don't think she's half as talented or innovative as she seems to think she is. As I've said on other webrings, I'm reminded of a review I read of Dweezil Zappa - "astonishing speed, dexterity and unmusicality".

Although it's not to my taste I have to agree it's very skilful, Ronn, but it's not unique, similar stuff has been done before. She has just managed to get a lot more media exposure for it.

_________________
Pete
http://www.petewoodmanguitars.com

I think of Phil Keaggy and Preston Reed, regarding the technique.

Can you think of any others that might be worth listening to and learning from that might inspire?

Thanks Tim, I'll check out Jaquie's samples!Terry Stowell38569.2933449074

Terry, I know you've heard of Michael Hedges? Kaki is a self described prodigy. Hedges is my favorite solo acoustic guitarist. LanceK38569.3053819444

_________________
Support the OLF! Bookmark our STEWMAC link Today!
Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Yeah maybe "quite unique", was a bit strong.

I've certainly read interviews where Phil Keaggy names Michael Hedges as one of his inspirations.

_________________
Pete
http://www.petewoodmanguitars.com

[QUOTE=Terry Stowell]Can you think of any others that might be worth listening to and learning from that might inspire?[/QUOTE]

Preston Reed, especially the "Ladies Night" CD.

Billy McLaughlin (before the accident that nearly destroyed his hand.)

Michael Hedges, especially the "Aerial Boundaries" CD, and an all-instrumental posthumus compilation of some of his very best, "Beyond Boundaries."

Don Ross occasionally taps on the fingerboard, and every CD he recorded is worth buying.

Michael Gulezian, especially the "Language of the Flame" CD.

To my ears, the three best living fingerstyle guitarists (in terms of compositional skills, technique, and emotion/passion) are Pierre Bensusan, Don Ross, and Michael Gulezian. Of the three, Pierre Bensusan does the least tapping, but the other two use it mostly to musically embellish compositions rather than just show off technique. (I would include Tommy Emmanuel as a fourth in that list, but IMO, he makes up for a bit less in compositional skills with his stunning technique and passion.)

Dennis

_________________
Dennis Leahy
Duluth, MN, USA
7th Sense Multimedia

[QUOTE=Tim McKnight] http://www.jaquiegipson.com/

Jaqui plays Taylors and McCollum's. She is a very talented artist and I have a couple of her CD's. She has demo'd my guitars in the past too, via the "road trip" on the 13th Fret.[/QUOTE]
Tim, Thanks for the heads-up on Jaqui. She reminds me a bit of a superb fingerstyle guitarist, Jim Earp, who just happens to have made his own guitar in Bozo Podunavac's school. I would also highly recommend 2 of Jim Earp's CD's (though I can think of hammering-on, but not tapping in his material): "Smiles to Go" and "Rosewood." He makes Chet Atkins sound like a sloppy player!

Dennis

_________________
Dennis Leahy
Duluth, MN, USA
7th Sense Multimedia

I have to agree with Dennis, I'm less than impressed with Kaki's music. I have some friends who aren't musicians who love it and I know a few people who are musicians who hate it. I personally think that it is too gimicky. Just my taste. I think you have to learn what the rules are before you can break them, that's the only way to be a legitimate pioneer.

-Joe

_________________
Joe Breault
Merrimack, NH
Perpetual novice

I probably should say that it is not a good idea for anyone who is or has aspirations of becoming a professional luthier to make any comments about any professional guitarist's weaknesses, or lack of talent, etc., in a public forum. I can afford to; I am working toward becoming a hobby luthier, and Kaki King will never play one of my guitars. You pro luthiers need to sell your instruments to anyone with enough cash to buy one, not just to the artists you respect and/or enjoy listening to.

As for Kaki King, let's just say that for those of you who also might agree that there is not much substance there yet, that perhaps she will take her kernal of talent, add her drive, gain some humility with time, and may one day show more than promise. I actually hope she does. Maybe one of you will supply her with a guitar that inspires her!

Dennis

_________________
Dennis Leahy
Duluth, MN, USA
7th Sense Multimedia

[QUOTE=LanceK] Terry, I know you've heard of Michael Hedges? Kaki is a self described prodigy. Hedges is my favorite solo acoustic guitarist. [/QUOTE]

Yep, Michael came to mind

I would also highly recommend 2 of Jim Earp's CD's (though I can think of hammering-on, but not tapping in his material): "Smiles to Go" and "Rosewood." He makes Chet Atkins sound like a sloppy player!

Dennis[/QUOTE]
Yes, I've got samples of Jim Earp. Amazing, strong guitarist!.Probably not well known, but I'm gonna get a couple discs from him..

Thanks for all who chimed in . I gotta jot this stuff down.

I'm helping a young man (a great bluegrass player) build his first guitar. He's giving it to his pastor, whose guitar is breaking apart. My "young padawan" has introduced me to a bit of music lately. I want to expand my musical horizons.

Thanks againg guys

Here's a tip for YOU!
www.acousticmusicresource.com

They sell samplers at $5 each, 70 min music per disc. That's where I learned of some new great players. They also feature lovely handmade guitars on the CD covers too!

Ah, Kaki King...buy all my pants there!

_________________
http://www.presnallguitars.com

[QUOTE=L. Presnall] Ah, Kaki King...buy all my pants there! [/QUOTE]

Is that the 2 legged variety or huff and puff

_________________
Don Atwood
Arlington, VA

I am quite sure that most of you have probably heard Doyle Dykes, but for those who haven't, he is quite extraordinary. He gets so much out of one guitar it's unbelievable. He is also a very humble guy and full of spirituality. I have seen (and met) him twice and I must say, I can only describe it as a moving experience, not a concert. I also felt so inadequate as a guitar player afterwards, that I felt like going home and burning my guitars. Instead, I started building them.

Yes, I agree! Met here a few years back doing a clinic for Taylor. GREAT guitarist. I enjoy getting his newsletter too!