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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | As it's worth repeating... ANY artist with an Ovation is good :) But yes, an artist of the same focus as the instrument is intended is even better. I think Lenny Kravitz is great, but I don't see him as an "acoustic" musician and although it's cool he's played Ovations, it doesn't really put much weight into "I'll get one because Lenny plays one" whereas if I knew he played exclusively a particular year/config flying-V, I would be inclined to listen.
There are MANY acts now, especially now that men are also filling out the once almost exlusive female "poet" music club. Rather than some punk-rocker who only "inside" people will ever see play an Acoustic... I'd rather see the likes of Dave Mathews or Sting or some of the newer acts I don't know the names of, but see on MTV. They are good guitarists, and play ACOUSTIC guitars primarily.
I guess my point is (and I could have avoided all of the confusing text above).. Is that I'd like to see Acoustic musicians who occationally plug in playing Ovations more in public and endorcing them, then ELECTRIC players who occationally unplug. |
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Location: NJ | I agree with you wholeheartedly, Miles.
Ideally, I'd LOVE to see these guitars in the hands of those like Dave Matthews, John Mayer (although if Matthews played one, Mayer would be right behind him!), David Gray, Sting, James Taylor, Duncan Sheik, Willy Porter, Ian Anderson (whom I just heard was in Nazareth working on a signature Martin), Bare Naked Ladies, Jars of Clay, Peter Case, Tantric, Peter Mulvey, Freedy Johnston, and more. This type of exposure would give the guitars the credibility they deserve as acoustic guitars as opposed to the ancillary guitar the the roadie carts out onto the stage for the occasional obligatory "power ballad".
And like Paul, I have the utmost respect for Melissa (not necessarily for her music, but for her "O'loyalty"). I'm just a bit "peeved" that Ovation's constant cramming of Ms. E down our throats gives the company the analogy of being a "one horse town". Look on Ovation's page and 5 out of 6 "news" items have to do w/her (and those in fact are not very "recent"). Mr. Lukather I'm not overly familiar with, but I would assume he's no "slouch" either. But I feel the message would be better conveyed if perhaps he was portrayed playing the guitar in the studio (or a "live - concert" shot of him on a stool) as opposed to that condescending sneer of a portrayal in the mandatory "power chord" pose bedecked in tattoo nirvana and sporting more chain than a Harley Softail. This type of marketing MAY sell a few Celebrities to those who want an inexpensive acoustic to dress up their "stage image" and have for the occasional C/G Heavy Metal ballad, (which seems to be the marketing posture that Ovation continues to take) but someone who wants a "serious" acoustic guitar is not even gonna think twice about.
- You'll have to excuse me, but I believe I've beaten this horse before! |
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Location: SoCal | All of this (and we've been here before on many occassions), begs the question, is Ovation making any effort to go out the artists known for playing acoustic guitar and asking them, what do you want from a guitar? Can we work together to build you an instrument that you can use, not just on stage but in the studio? My guess is that they are not doing that anymore, but I'd like to think I'm wrong. |
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Location: NJ | Paul;
I think (and I may be wrong & hope I am) that the only person (other than Etheridge) that would fit into that category would be Al DiMeola. While an absolutely brilliant guitarist, his fanbase is a bit finite and esoteric.
Now....if ONLY we could get Shania to do a Playboy spread with an Elite or an Adamas as a "prop", we'd be in "bid'ness"!! |
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Location: SoCal | The only other major talent I can think of who plays an Ovation is Preston Reed. And I don't want to see him in a Playboy laywout, with or without an Ovation. |
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Location: NJ | one word: Survivor |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | Wasn't somebody supposed to follow up on that "Survivor" thing? Another opportunity down the drain?
I'm kind of out of touch with modern music, are there any guitar lead players, acoustic or electric, in the style of a Glen Campbell or Chet Atkins, or is it all blues and rock licks? Seriously, who would be the person that would make an Ovation acoustic stand out if they could be talked into playing one? I can only think of one or two in country that would sound good acoustically outside of bluegrass.
Bailey :p |
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Location: coral springs florida | To Paul
Please, if you're going to use the "opinions are like assholes " thing, finish it right. The whole thing goes like this; Opinions are like assholes, everyone's got one and everyone else's stink but your own! |
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Location: Scotland | Thanks for the correction. I'll remember to use that in future.
Bailey
Players in the style of Chet; Tommy Emmanuel, Thom Bresh, Buster Jones just for a start. Bresh is Merle Travis's son and is yet another guitarist with monster chops who used to be an Ovation player and isn't now. There's any number of amazing musicians/songwriters in all styles who are primarily acoustic players.
Paul
[ October 30, 2002: Message edited by: Paul Templeman ] |
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| In terms of modern (well, in this case, post modern) guitarists playing ovations; Billy Corgan of the former band 'The Smashing Pumpkins' used to play a standard balladeer. |
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Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | Awe, shucks, guys...none of ya like Melissa!? The girl deserves some real credit, and she can kick some ass on her 12 string! Ya may not like her hits, but she's got some really awesome strummin' chops, meaty vocals, and honest songs-especially in the early days of her career.
She just toured last year solo, with no band, and compelled sold out audiences for a full 2 hour shows with just her guitar! That's impressive! Not many can do that!
I credit her '89 debut album as my inspiration to switch to acoustic (back in '89), and specifically ovations. Her bitchin' right hand technique sent me to the woodshed many a time!
Frankly, I'm pleased she's an Ovation endorser because I think she's a damn good musician and songwriter. |
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Location: Atlanta,Ga. | One item of note about Al dimiola is that he really never uses his Ovations on stage.I have seen him in concert and seen some videos of him on stage.He never uses his Ovations.Maybe he uses them for recordings.Whenever there is an article about him they always talk about and show pictures of all his other instrument exept his Ovations..Has anyone ever seen Al Demiola ever play his signature model ? He does not even hold one in the ovation ads that i have seen.He holds an early custom legend in the ads. He has used his older custom legends but i have never seen him play his signature model.Has anyone ever seen him use one??It seems that he endorses Ovation but never really use them..
I heard a story a few years ago about Al playing in CT. and many of the ovation employees went to see the show.They arrived early and went to see him..He did not even have an Ovation with him,he had a Godan on his guitar stand..This left some of the Ovation guys puzzled...Why in the hell would he show up to play in CT. without an Ovation?? I get the impression he does not take his Ovation endorsement seriuosly...If he did he would play his signature model...Maybe someone has seen him us one? Maybe im wrong? |
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Location: Scotland | The latest issue of guitar player magazine has a feature on him. Ovation get a brief mention but the pics show him with everything but his signature model. |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | I don't think anyone doubts Melissa Ethridge's talent, or at least I don't. In the context above, she is known mostly for her songwriting, singing and performing. She is a fine player for sure, but that's not really what she's known for. As another example that's just more dramatic.... I remember one of the Princes Trust concerts where Phil Collins followed Elton John on a Piano song. Phil actually is a really good piano player, but it was a mistake putting him after Elton John in a concert. As many great songs that Phil has written, sang and played... He is still "known" as a drummer. Elton John is known as a Pianist, Melissa is known as a singer/songwriter (and a damn good one...) |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | Paul T
Thanks for the suggestions, I'll see if I can run down some of their work on the net as I'd really like to see what's being done now. When we get older we tend to get into the rut of thinking only your influences are the real thing. I know whats current in blue grass and it's OK, but I've tried to listen to all genres.
Looks like you had some hefty storms on your island as well as Russ's, hope you weren't hit by any of them.
Bailey |
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Location: NJ | Bail;
Being into bluegrass as you are, have you heard Nickle Creek?
[ October 31, 2002: Message edited by: cliff ] |
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Location: coral springs florida | samova
I did see Al D. play his model (that is if a Black deep bowl custom legend looking thing is his model) at a fundraiser for some "Italian American" cross continental TV morning show. Why I was there is a long story (which also involved another Ovation guitar). He played it completely solo and while I've never been a big fan, it's undeniable he is a powerful performer, and his performance moved me. We were seated together, which bonded us. (Or maybe it was the wine) A great guy, and even better player. Mind you this was 7 years ago, so maybe he is using something else these days. |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | Cliff
Yes I have heard a great deal of Nickle Creek and they are super talented young players. They backed Dolly Parton on an Austin City Limits Concert, and were featured on a CMT Life and Times or some such all of which I have taped. What interested me is they are from San Marcos, CA where my son lives and where we used to play bluegrass too (before they were born). Alison Krause has produced their CD's and has made big stars out of them.
Bailey |
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Location: Minneapolis, MN | I saw that performance on Austin City Limits and was duly impressed (although I'm still a novice in the 'new' grass dept). Nickel Creek is set to perform on CBS 'the early show' tomorrow morning. Is San Marcos a suburb of San Diego? I read they're from the latter of the two...
[ November 05, 2002: Message edited by: Rich ] |
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Location: NJ | There's an article (albeit small) in the latest issue of Guitar World(Acoustic) - James Taylor on the cover. |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | San Marcos is in North San Diego County a beautiful part of the country, but in danger of losing it's appeal as is most of CA. It is not far from Palomar mountain, home of an early observatory that had the world's biggest mirror at one time, since eclipsed by larger mirrors elsewhere. If those avocado orchards at it's base are replaced with tract housing, another pleasant place will be gone.
Bailey
[ November 07, 2002: Message edited by: Bailey ] |
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Shania playing a new Viper with Elton
