• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Two Incredible Interpretations of Stairway to Heaven These Are Talanted Guitarists!

M

Mister Pig

Pigamus Maximus
Friend of mine brought a disc over from Rodrigo y Gabriela, and it had this version on it. It's just freaking awesome!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNc5o9TU0t0

They were inspired by the performance of Stanley Jordan, so I looked that one up. All I can say is WOW! It blows me away too.

http://www.guitar-tube.com/watch/stairway-to-heaven-stanley-jordan.html

Which one do I like better? I really can't say. Curious to know what others thoughts are on this remarkable work. Or is it an affront to the original?

Regards
Mister Pig
 
Register to hide this ad
I have the concert DVD if you want a copy.

Mister Pig said:
Friend of mine brought a disc over from Rodrigo y Gabriela, and it had this version on it. It's just freaking awesome!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNc5o9TU0t0

They were inspired by the performance of Stanley Jordan, so I looked that one up. All I can say is WOW! It blows me away too.

http://www.guitar-tube.com/watch/stairway-to-heaven-stanley-jordan.html

Which one do I like better? I really can't say. Curious to know what others thoughts are on this remarkable work. Or is it an affront to the original?

Regards
Mister Pig
Click to expand...
 
The album version by Rodrigo y Gabriela is amazing. They do a nice job of retaining the intensity of the original song. Very talented guitarists, for sure.
 
Funny thing: I'd heard of Rodrigo y Gabriela before, but had never heard any of their music until I was driving to AK Fest this past Saturday, listening to Ann DeLisi's Essential Music program on WDET (101.9). This song came on the radio just as I was pulling off I-275, so I had to sit in the parking lot and listen to it finish before I went in.

I love music with that kind of power.
 
Stanley Jordan?

No love for the Stanley Jordan piece? Watching him play both guitars at the same time is stunning. His version is more melodic in some ways. I know he is highly regarded, but watching him play is a treat.

Regards
Mister Pig
 
buy their first (I believe) CD and it comes with a DVD that includes some of their performance --- I don't know how to describe them other than 'a force of nature'!

Interestingly, they once were heavy metal musicians in Mexico before beginning their career as acoustic based guitarists, which happened while they were street musicians in Ireland ...
 
barkerd said:
I like Randy California's version ...oh wait ...that actually written before Zepp's version ;)
Click to expand...

Maybe so, but when Randy California was asked about the song he typically responded that he did not consider the "Stairway" intro to be a rip-off, but simply a reworking of this piece. Page and the band took the song beyond what Randy could have imagined.

On a side note, I like Zep's version of "Fresh Garbage" much better than the Spirit version



;)
 
of course I meant that tongue in cheek : however the verb "took" when discussing Page's work is quite appropot . I used to be a real Zepp fan ...... but I am having a real tough time since I have been made aware of the amount of "borrowing" that marked their career. The fact that "additional credits" on many old numbers appear , apparently out of nowhere, on the new compilations is quite telling.
 
Rodrigo y Gabriels are AMAZING! I first heard of them about 4 years ago and have sen them twice live. Incredible musicians, they were former thrash metal players ( well, actually Rodrigo was and asked Gabriela to fill in ). They do incredible covers of Metallica, Stryper, Dream Theater, and ofcourse the incredible Stairway to Heaven. Their latest CD is 11:11 and is incredible. I just can't say enough
about them.
 
barkerd said:
of course I meant that tongue in cheek : however the verb "took" when discussing Page's work is quite appropot . I used to be a real Zepp fan ...... but I am having a real tough time since I have been made aware of the amount of "borrowing" that marked their career. The fact that "additional credits" on many old numbers appear , apparently out of nowhere, on the new compilations is quite telling.
Click to expand...

Yeah I hear ya. I've been listening to Zep for 30 years and agree they "borrowed, stold, took, and re-hashed" many tunes. It still doesn't take away from the music that they made.

When I listen to Robert Johnson, or Howlin Wolf, or Muddy or BB or any of the greats from before Zeppelin's time, it is more raw and of course more original, but the the production and layering that Page mastered in the studio really made these songs come to life.

Speaking of life...it was a lot simpler back when we(I) was a teenager listening to Zep and not thinking about who they should or shouldn't give credit to, I just enjoyed the music. Since the corporate music lawyers took over everything in the late 70's everyone wants a piece of the pie. I agree artists should give credit where deserved, but sooner or later there are only so many chord combinations on a guitar neck that something is bound to "re-surface" from songs in the past. Hearing Mary J Blige sing Stairway to Heaven on American Idol makes me sick, but what the hell...someone might get turned on to Zep because of it, then trace it back to Randy California and enjoy Spirit's music. It's all good! :banana:
 
I love the emotion in the Rodrigo e Gabriela version, but I am surprised no one has commented at all on the Stanley Jordan piece. While I am not a guitar player, I would think that what he does in the performance requires huge amounts of skill and talent. His interpretation is quite compelling also. The bass player on the song really gets after it too, he deserves some recognition for a wonderful bit of playing.

Regards
Mister Pig
 
JimmyNeutron said:
Rodrigo y Gabriela are AMAZING!
Click to expand...

Agreed. I've seen them on TV a couple times, watched them on YouTube and purchased a couple tracks on iTunes. They are very good on acoustic guitar. I have difficulty following which player is producing which percussive sounds, chords, or melody.

For some unknown reason the talent of Stanley Jordan had escaped my audio radar until today. OMG - that was truly amazing! I agree with Mr Pig - his version was slightly more melodic and enjoyable to listen. I was less sure what direction he was going to take the song - hence it was more exciting. "R y G" were more true to the Led Zep version, but didn't capture my attention as much.

YMMV.
 
1koolcat said:
.... I have difficulty following which player is producing which percussive sounds, chords, or melody. ....
Click to expand...

Get that first CD of their's with the DVD -- you can see for yourself. Rodrigo plays the leads and Gabriela is the "rhythm" guitarist and drummer .... she beats the cr*p out of her guitar at 110 MPH -- like I said, a force of nature.

Here's their website, and this is the album with the DVD too.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom