This question had occurred to me before, but it was the video of a song from Teatro that finally made me post it. I’ll have to buy that album. Produced by Daniel Lanois, an appearancy by Emmy Lou – can’t beat that.
I’ve always thought that Willie’s vocal style and guitar playing had a slightly jazzy, improvisational feel. Interesting to know that the jazz approach goes deeper, into his chord changes (a subject on which I am utterly ignorant).
The fact that he uses a classical-style guitar and strings is interesting, too. Good to know I wasn’t nuts in thinking there was some of that in his playing.
Who are some other pop/country guitarists with some unique styles that mingle different influences?
One of my favorites is Mark Knopfler, formerly of Dire Straits. He plays strictly with his fingers, no pick, and his style is heavily influenced by country giant Chet Atkins. The Atkins influence isn’t totally obvious in Knopfler’s Dire Straits and solo work, but on an album Knopfler made with Atkins, 1990’s Neck & Neck, it is difficult to tell them apart.
I love Willie’s playing. He’s a player who is instantly recognizable, nobody sounds like him. His style shows Spanish influence, old-time jazz, and western twang. I hear a lot of Django Reinhardt in his licks.
He’s more complex than most people realize. In the early days, Nashville studio cats hated him. His songs were not the same 3-chord changes they could play in their sleep. Patsy Cline nearly had to be wrestled to the microphone to sing Crazy, and you can’t blame her. It’s full of weird intervals and the timing is daft. It’s perfect.