Posted 2013-10-05 6:35 AM (#477716) Subject: OT- Best ACOUSTIC intros
Joined: January 2009 Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw
Yeah, okay, we discussed best ROCK intros already. but there are some killer acoustic intros too. (some are both rock AND acoustic). For me, here are 10 standouts that everyone should know (and learn)...
Wish You Were Here (Pink Floyd)
Stairway To Heaven
Hotel California
Fire and Rain
Tears In Heaven
Over The Hills and Far Away (Zeppelin)
Pinball Wizard
Leader Of The Band (Fogelberg)
Ventura Highway
Amie (Pure Prairie League)
What are some other great, instantly recognizable intros?
Posted 2013-10-06 7:19 AM (#477751 - in reply to #477716) Subject: Re: OT- Best ACOUSTIC intros
Joined: January 2009 Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw
It seems to me that, in years past, the acoustic guitar was more of a featured part of the performance of many hit songs. Today it seems pushed WAY back in the mix. Sure, the 70's were the "singer/ songwriter" years, so that figured into it in part.
A relatively recent hit song (#1) with a nice acoustic intro is "The House That Built Me", but they are few and far between. For me, it's kind of a shame.
Posted 2013-10-06 3:36 PM (#477765 - in reply to #477751) Subject: Re: OT- Best ACOUSTIC intros
Joined: December 2006 Posts: 6995
Location: Jet City
darkbarguitar - 2013-10-06 5:19 AM Today it seems pushed WAY back in the mix...
Define "Today". Do you mean in the now pop bands like Avett Bros, Head and the Heart sorta stuff? I think it's more styles than instruments. It's definately more folksy now, very 70's-ish, but I don't think it's more or less in the mix than before. Over the past 20 years songs like "Nothing Else Matters" or "Tears In Heaven" or a whole ton of Alice and Chains stuff (followed by several others in that genre) really brought the acoustic guitar forward, and it's the forward acoustic pieces that make those songs totally stick in my brain. Dave Matthews is a big influence on my acoustic playing and he hit the limelight 22 years ago.
But if you're referring to that 70's singer/songwiter/folksy sound, yeah.... 'cept the stuff in the 70's was better. This new stuff is a bit boring, to me anyway. There are a few gems, but it's really hard for me to tell the bands apart.
Posted 2013-10-06 9:44 PM (#477770 - in reply to #477716) Subject: Re: OT- Best ACOUSTIC intros
Joined: August 2005 Posts: 616
Location: cincinnati, ohio
"Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" CSN
Just about anything by James Taylor - "Carolina In My Mind;" "Shower the People;" "Mexico;" "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight;" and - goes without saying (and you already said it) - "Fire and Rain."
Posted 2013-10-06 9:47 PM (#477771 - in reply to #477716) Subject: Re: OT- Best ACOUSTIC intros
Joined: January 2006 Posts: 2120
Location: Chicago
Speaking of acoustic and Alice, the whole "MTV Unplugged" explosion that started in the late '80s was really cool. As much as I love Cantrell, Staley & co. in their electric suit, the "Unplugged" CD is the one I reach for most often. The songs just "pop"; the vocals and acoustic accompaniment blend beautifully. Another favorite that deserves mention is the acoustic tribute to Sabbath by the Estonian collective Rondellus. It's called "Sabbatum"; downright WICKED:
OT- Best ACOUSTIC intros
