Dickey Betts dies at 80

[Uke]

I don't mean to be a loser, but I am not a Clapton guitar fan. I mean, I think his best guitar work is the live version of Crossroads., That one song and effort he does/did is probably one of my all time top 5 Guitar efforts, period. Outside of this one event, I could care less outside of historical guitar significance. but if you grow up a rabid Pete Townshend guitar fan, it's hard to really like other guitar players lol.

Even Clapton once admitted that he wasn't as good as he was earlier in his career. I agree with TwoCorgis, Clapton just mails it in most of the time now. I almost never listen to him anymore.

 

[Wilmywood]

And the one I am speaking of w Cream:

Yes, that's the one I meant as well. IMO the 2nd of those two lead breaks may be the best rock break ever.

It's also noteworthy that THAT Clapton played Gibsons, a 335 (in that video in fact) and an SG and also an LP at times, NO Strats.

 

[Westerly Wood]

It's also noteworthy that THAT Clapton played Gibsons, a 335 (in that video in fact) and an SG and also an LP at times, NO Strats.

I just realized this. That is astounding, as he is such a strat guy.
Btw, side note, his Martin signature acoustic strings are pretty darn good.

 

[Westerly Wood]

The 2 times I’ve seen him I was bored to tears…as was Clapton, seemingly.

Check out the vids where he joins Beck during his set at the Crossroads fest. Ol’ Slowhand actually takes it out of second gear!

This is funny and really well said. But part of my problem is I think the blues in general is boring.

 

[Westerly Wood]

Even Clapton once admitted that he wasn't as good as he was earlier in his career. I agree with TwoCorgis, Clapton just mails it in most of the time now. I almost never listen to him anymore.

I remember Kottke saying something similar, but different: "I don't even recognize that guy anymore"...in talking about his younger super fast playing.

 

[zulu]

From Berry Oakley Jr

Berry Duane Oakley:
1989. Shoreline amphitheater SF ABB “dreams” tour.
Uncle Dickey believed in me, pushed me, took me on the road many times, took care of me, he and his family always looked out for me. Betts and Oakley’s have always been close. My father would not join Duane Allman’s band without his friend and brother Dickey!!
In 1989 uncle Dickey stepped up and should me the way, gave me my fathers bass, told me about my family history, his deep connection to my father, all about ABB and what my father meant to him and the band. I was fortunate to talk with uncle Jaimoe and advise him of the news before he heard it in another less friendly way. this is sad day for our Allman Brothers Band family so please be kind to the BETTS family and give them space!!!
I owe so much to Dickey and his family. If not for him, I don’t think I would be a touring musician.
The cat in the hat will never be forgotten, and he will always be remembered and honored not only for the wonderful life he lived, but the wonderful music he has left behind for all of us to share and remember.
Long live the ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND . DUANE, GREGG, DICKEY, BERRY, JAIMOE & BUTCH

 

[Midnight Toker]

This is funny and really well said. But part of my problem is I think the blues in general is boring.

Oh no 4 bar blues here!! Clapton comes in swinging for the fence!!!

 

[wileypickett]

I remember Kottke saying something similar, but different: "I don't even recognize that guy anymore"...in talking about his younger super fast playing.

Some people feel similarly about Kottke! No slight intended, but most people's favorite Kottke album is 6 and 12-string Guitar (a/k/a "The Armadillo Album"), which was issued in 1969.

 

[tonepoet]

The John Mayall Bluesbreakers and Cream era was when I liked Clapton the best. I lost interest when "I Shot the Sheriff" and "Cocaine" was on the airwaves.

 

[Rocky]

Dickey was a great songwriter, and had great chops and tone, but the thing that made him rise above the rest was his melodicism. You could hum his solos in Blue Sky or Elizabeth Reed from memory, they're so tuneful.

 

[Zelja]

RIP Dicky. What a great musician he was! Perhaps often unfairly overshadowed somewhat by the Duane legend. Best lead tone I have heard from a Les Paul neck pickup (not sure how he did it!) & just great melodic, lyrical playing. A master of his instrument and a great singer & songwriter too.

 

[bobouz]

The John Mayall Bluesbreakers and Cream era was when I liked Clapton the best. I lost interest when "I Shot the Sheriff" and "Cocaine" was on the airwaves.

Clapton’s Les Paul tone on the Beano album, along with a few similar Yardbirds solos, was my favorite stuff from his body of work. He was primarily after Freddie King’s gorgeous tone from the ‘50s (when King played an LP with P90s). Crossroads is probably the only thing from the Cream era I might still want to hear these days, and then Unplugged closes the Clapton door.

 

[Prince of Darkness]

Clapton’s Les Paul tone on the Beano album, along with a few similar Yardbirds solos, was my favorite stuff from his body of work. He was primarily after Freddie King’s gorgeous tone from the ‘50s (when King played an LP with P90s). Crossroads is probably the only thing from the Cream era I might still want to hear these days, and then Unplugged closes the Clapton door.

Clapton's tone on the Beano album was considered as groundbreaking. A major factor in this was producer Mike Vernon, who was a big fan of Clapton. When Eric Clapton wanted to use his stage amplifier with stage settings, he agreed, at a time when other producers were vetoing other guitarists who wanted to do this.
Mike Vernon has quite an amazing career, producing John Mayall, David Bowie, Champion Jack Dupree, Savoy Brown and Ten Years After, before setting up his own label, Blue Horizon, for which he produced Fleetwood Mac, Chicken Shack, Otis Spannand Bukka White, amongst others. After this his production credits include Focus, Freddie King, Climax Blues Band, Edwin Starr, Dr. Feelgood, Roachford, Level 42 and John Primer. He is also a blues singer, having performed as Mike Vernon & The Mighty Combo and currently with Cat Squirrel. He had also stood in as singer with The Yardbirds, when Keith Relf was ill, prior to Clapton leaving.

 

[tonepoet]

Crossroads is probably the only thing from the Cream era I might still want to hear these days

I still like to listen to "Sunshine of Your Love" from the Cream era as it takes me back to a lot of good memories.

 

[Minnesota Flats]

Nice tribute:

 

[crank]

I love Clapton. For me he was at his best post Cream. During Derek and the Dominos and then the short lived Blind Faith. Not to mention the reimagining fo his songs on Unplugged.

To my mind he went from show off virtuosity ro musicality during that period. I know it's just me, but I find most of Cream to be self indulgent crap.

I apologize to DB though for this thread becoming other than a tribute to him. Because he deserves accolades for all those great riffs and tones ringing in our ears to this day. I've seen Warren Haynes an Derek Trucks and a whole bunch of great guitarists over the years and I appreciate them all, I really do, but, none of them had tone as good as Dickey Betts.

 

[Westerly Wood]

Some people feel similarly about Kottke! No slight intended, but most people's favorite Kottke album is 6 and 12-string Guitar (a/k/a "The Armadillo Album"), which was issued in 1969.

it's the only vinyl record I own. Of course I have no record player to spin it on, but the cover art sure is cool.

 

[Prince of Darkness]

I love Clapton. For me he was at his best post Cream. During Derek and the Dominos and then the short lived Blind Faith. Not to mention the reimagining fo his songs on Unplugged.

To my mind he went from show off virtuosity ro musicality during that period. I know it's just me, but I find most of Cream to be self indulgent crap.

I apologize to DB though for this thread becoming other than a tribute to him. Because he deserves accolades for all those great riffs and tones ringing in our ears to this day. I've seen Warren Haynes an Derek Trucks and a whole bunch of great guitarists over the years and I appreciate them all, I really do, but, none of them had tone as good as Dickey Betts.

You're a little out with the timeline. After Cream, Clapton first formed Blind Faith, then toured with Delaney & Bonnie and Friends and took Bobby Whitlock, Carl Radle and Jim Gordon from that band to form Derek and the Dominos.

 

[MartyG]

Compare this to anything on TV today. Oh, right...you can't.



I used to pray the Tonight Show band would be featured on the show rather than just taking them in and out of commercial. Once in a while my prayers were answered.