This is a film documentary due to be released later this year. Here’s the official spiel:
It Might Get Loud tells the personal stories, in their own words, of three generations of electric guitar virtuosos – The Edge (U2), Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), and Jack White (The White Stripes). It reveals how each developed his unique sound and style of playing favorite instruments, guitars both found and invented. Concentrating on the artist’s musical rebellion, traveling with him to influential locations, provoking rare discussion as to how and why he writes and plays, this film lets you witness intimate moments and hear new music from each artist. The movie revolves around a day when Jimmy Page, Jack White, and The Edge first met and sat down together to share their stories, teach and play.
Well, count me in.
Still, I have to express some misgivings about the line-up.
Jimmy Page is an absolute shoo-in, no argument there. I’m a little less convinced about Edge and Jack White. Particularly the Edge. I can see why the director chose each of them, especially in light of the fact that he is trying to offer a generational view of the instrument, but still.
Have you ever seen that Bill Bailey clip where he shows what would happen if there was a technical failure at a U2 concert?:
Cruel, but with a lingering aftertaste of truth imho. Look, I’ve got no problem with the use of effects pedals, but you do get the impression that the Edge is a bit over-reliant. Still, maybe in the context of this film we’ll get to see a bit more of the underlying playing ability while he is jamming with other two. Who knows.
To be honest, I’d be pretty happy if the whole show was about Jimmy Page, so there’s my bias laid bare.
If I had to put in a couple of others, I might be inclined to eschew the generational thing and go for a comparison of different styles. In fact, you could still have a generational aspect as well as a contrast of genres. I’m thinking, Page, Sonny Landreth and Derek Trucks. Though I guess Landreth and Trucks are bit too similar. So maybe Page, Landreth and Doug Pettibone? For something really interesting, I’d like to see Page, Pettibone and Ibrahim Ag Alhabib from North African band, Tinariwen. That’d be a cool combination.
Anyway, the worst thing you can do is review a film other than the one the guy actually made, so I hold in reserve further comment until I see it. Still, it’s a good fantasy topic: what three guitarists to put together for a guitar documentary? In the meantime, here’s the trailer:
(Thanks to @dt_downunder)
4 Comments
Look, I detest U2 but will put a good word in for The Edge. His style developed during the Age of Shred and was a contrast to the thousand notes per second style that reigned during that era of rock guitar. He was about the song and providing a texture and there is a lot of merit in that approach. I don’t think The Edge could pull off a 12 bar blues but why should he need to for U2? His influence is evident in much of the newer crop of textural players that play for the current crop of boring, full of their own self-important bands.
It’s like Eddie Van Halen. He has far more technical ability that The Edge but take him out of Van Halen (or a hard rock format) and his stylistic weaknesses are very much evident. There was a jam session about a decade ago in LA when I was there that I did not witness but heard about. Steve Morse and Albert Lee left Eddie behind during most of it.
But Jack White a “virtuosos guitarist”? Competent I could live with but nothing beyond that.
So my dream three? Bob Brozman, Jeff Lang and Richard Thompson. Yes Thommo is not a slide player but all three can fingerpick like men possessed and Jeff would be the link between Bob and Thommo.
Also the contrast between one musician who has made a career out of exploring traditional (and often obscure) musical styles to two that have developed their own from traditional sources would be very interesting.
Forgot to mention that the doco would be entertaining as hell. All three a great storytellers.
I’m one of those who doesn’t detest U2, but I still think the Edge approach has maybe become, um, limiting. Fair point about providing texture and it being a reaction against guitar godness, but still, he’s been at it since the 70s.
I’d be happy to see Thompson in their too, though would have to say if we were going to choose from that subset, I’d be more inclined to go with Bert Jansch or even John Renbourn. But hey, Thommo will do…
Well Tim, for me the ‘generational’ progression would be Jimmy Page, Robben Ford, Eric Johnson, Doyle Bramhall II, Derek Trucks, John Mayer (yeah yeah I know, that’s six, but hey, just think of the living fossils I have yet to mention, including 2 of my all-time favourite masters, BB and Ry).
I like Jack White’s approach to variation of style/sound. Jack, IMHO, has musical integrity, makes a solid musical statement, definitively, while not forgetting to throw in some down home ‘blues’ here and there. I like it.
I’m with Mr. Cronin on the matter of U2/Edge. I just don’t get it; lord knows I tried. I just don’t get it!
‘boring, full of their own self-important bands’ – Shaun
Ain’t that the truth? Fair dinkum. I mean, any tosser singer (Bono, and his cohorts) who fancies himself at falsetto had better deliver, or be forever banished. ‘My love throws me back a rubber ball’ should have been a solid steel baseball, aimed high, and fast.
For the record, IMHO U2 are responsible for the worst song, and undoubtedly the worst lead riff BB has ever played and is ever likely to play in his very long and distinguished career (’when love comes to town’).
Sheeeesh! Never mind ‘how blue can you get’; how much can a koala bear?