For our first 10 to Spin playlist of 2013, we turn to 17-year-old guitarist Jack Skuller, who, judging from the songs he selected, has fine taste indeed. America’s youth, baby! Represented right here on SiC.
Find Jack Skuller on Facebook here.
Chuck Berry – Maybelline
With his guitar, Chuck took the attitude of the blues and the heartbeat of country music and created rock and roll. This was his first single on Chess Records and the first of many songs to come that would permanently change the way people interpreted music.
Eddie Cochran – Somethin’ Else
Eddie took a guitar that was made for country music and rearranged it, adding a couple parts that would give it a dirtier tone. He was innovative in not just his guitar playing but in his style and his gritty, don’t-mess-with-me sound, too. This song exhibits all of this in the first two seconds.
The Beatles – While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Though there has been “showier” guitar playing, George Harrison is probably the most tasteful guitarist ever. This song gives the listener a closeup sense of how attached this Beatle was to the guitar.
The Rolling Stones – Gimme Shelter
Keith Richards’ guitar playing is simply great. Not too much, not too little. His style emanates his blues roots combined with his growth from being in The Stones. “Gimme Shelter” intensely captures and focuses on the energy of Keith’s guitar.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Foxy Lady
Jimi was ahead of his time. This is one of many of his songs that proves that. Classic Hendrix.
Freddie King – Have You Ever Loved A Woman
Freddie was another player of simpler style, but he was incredible. This classic song just gives you that feeling that makes you say something along the lines of “This is really, really good.”
Peter Frampton – Do You Feel Like We Do (Live)
Frampton was a jazz player first, then blues. Combining the two genres, another innovative concept in the guitar world, Frampton took over the radio. Using his guitar talk box in “Do You Feel Like We Do,” he had the crowd in the palm of his hand.
Lenny Kravitz – Are You Gonna Go My Way
As most music was moving forward in the nineties, Lenny Kravitz dug back to his roots. His distinctive voice and grooving lead guitar playing go great together. You can just pull so many styles from this song, along with Lenny’s cool, retro-modern style.
The White Stripes – Seven Nation Army
Jack White is just awesome. He incorporates slide guitar playing into heavy modern rock with blues styling. He is so influential, and “Seven Nation Army” is the evidence.
Gary Clark Jr. – Bright Lights
A new, upcoming artist with tasteful guitar skills. Blues/rock. Awesome song. Can’t wait to see where he goes!!!