2:53 I reckon Greg's not really "covering" Giant Steps, he's internalised it and made it part of his vocabulary, and the drummer is playing sort of matter of fact, perfect. Like a party on the deck of a Kenworth Truck...
I liked this version but......."for me"...... the drummer is way too loud and playing quite tasteless and with no dynamics (hes just like....loud.....loud...loud). Maybe he just had like a lot of energy and very into Hendrix Land.
I feel i have been unfair to judge this because Greg's point of view maybe is that there is no point of making the same giant steps most people do and trying to make it sound more up to date so people who don't like jazz or don't like that old stuff can get into it.I still don't like this version but this doesn't mean that it's not good.Greg is great guitarist and i don't need to like it to say that is good.
Greg is good rock guitarist but there is very few ideas that i heard here that are jazz improvisation.So i can relate this more to Hendrix than to Coltrane.
wat kind of pickups for an hss guitar wud get me a sound like greg howe i no that dimarzio makes gh pickups but those are only in his sig. laguna model any help would be great thanx
holy shit THAT FUCKING BASSIST DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO FUCKING PLAY GIANT STEPS!!!!! HE RUINS THE SONG AAAGGGHHH! THOSE NOTES ARE SOOOO WRONG!!! STOP IT GAAH!
This is what happens when you leave a John Coltrane CD next to a guitar for too long.
But, it does take a lot of musical knowledge to play through even an altered version of Giant Steps. It just kind of sounds like it could be a song on Guitar Hero.
While I love most fusion adaptations of jazz standards, Giant Steps never seems to work. . . I guess it was just perfect when Coltrane laid it down. I know I wouldn't have the balls to rehash something as beautiful as. . . Well, any Coltrane composition really. . .
I love Greg Howe and I put him on top of the best jazz-rock guitarists out there, he's probably every bit as articulate as my favorite Pat Metheny, but I'm not too crazy about the arrangement of this song.
Fact... Greg Howe is a talented mother fucker! opinion (not my opinion)... this is a shit arrangement... fact this is how greg felt like playing the tune and i doubt he cares what you think... fact THEY DEFINATELY SOLO OVER BOTH THE VAMP AND GIANT STEPS CHANGES!!! it is not a loose jam as someone said its just giant steps with a vamp section!
I like this arrangement on the most part. I could do without the 7#9-sounding chords hits in the main melody though. I'm all for new, creative takes on classics.
I'm really getting sick of the jazz purists bashing Greg so much. especially when they talk about his shredding. Greg has so much more under his belt than the typical jazz player. he can be funky, he can rock, he can be smooth, he can do anything. His phrasing is beyond any jazz player IMO and his timing is good as any other guy. Much more complex and filled with character. he never plays the same thing twice in any of his solos. He sounds original unlike all of those john Scofielfd wannabes.
@SirJamestheIII I agree. Why does anyone have to bash anyone? This is music not football,. We all play and listen to what we love. Musical maturity is strange and elusive
@SirJamestheIII If you are sick of jazz purists bashing Greg so much - why do you then take stand of a guitar guy who is now bashing all of the jazz players? Greg Howe is a great musician, and his soloing over these chord changes is incredible. But to say that is phrasing is beyond any jazz player has got to be the stupidest statement I've heard in a long time.
I'm really getting sick of the jazz purists bashing Greg so much. especially when they talk about his shredding. Greg has so much more under his belt than the typical jazz player. he can be funky, he can rock, he can be smooth, he can do anything. His phrasing is beyond any jazz player IMO and his timing is good as any other guy. Much more complex and filled with character. he never plays the same thing twice in any of his solos. He sounds original unlike all of those john Scofielfd wannabes.
TO ARP78!Listen Moron! it's obvious you haven't a clue who this man is or you wouldn't blasphemy a master. You are an idot and saying that probably to draw a negetive responce, so here you go dumb moron!
somehow i don't really like this arrangement/version...especially that rock&roll snare drum at 2 and 4...it's a bit like a bull in a china shop in my opinion...and the 7#9 chord bit gets to me too..it's not a naturally called for IMO...
Yeah but think about it ....how many players have been able to transgress from neo-classic to rock to fusion to straight ahead jazz. The theory alone for just one of the genres is all incompassing! Howe can blow and I doubt if Coltrane or Hendrix were alive today they would disapprove! If only I had a tenth of his skill!
the cool thing is, howe can play pretty much any style out there including rock, fusion, metal, neo classic, and yes, jazz as well (did i mention he can play all those exceptionally well?) just putting jazz together like this, especially with a coltraine song, doesnt really work too well. but i do commend him for his efforts.
He didn't transgress from Neoclassical music. He did 2 albums in between (Vitalij Kuprij - High definition and his own album "ascend") , he was pretty much rock from the beginning and jazz/fusion since early 90's, listen to albums like "Five", "parallax", "Uncertain terms" and "intropspection", all very jazz/fusion, way before his Neoclassical stuff. Thank goodness he didn't pursue that, this is way more fun to listen to!
nice modern take, sometimes we've heard the same set up and rhythm section swinging groove on songs like Giant Steps too many times; sometimes it's good to hear the same song from a different stand point.this guy can clearly play bebop amazingly, just listen to his lines in the solo sections, but he's just taking something from a long time ago and giving it a modern taste. i don't like this as much as i like the original, but this definitely stepping outside the square whch takes nuts! nice job!
are u kiodding ? predictable and boring? i agree with that with most of the 'shredders out there, but this guy is greaqt FUSION player, who can also"shredd" ( i hate that word)... hes way more harmonically deep than the otehrs that your comment would more appropriatley apply to..IMHO
Boring, boring, boring...that's all those guitar shredders know how to do is just run the board. They're so predictable. I mean there's not kind of lyrical content in Howe's playing whatsoever.
Dude, seriously? Like 80% of Coltrane's version is arpeggiating the changes. Sure, that's a lot of changes, but how is that different from "running the board"?
Boring to you, and yes your comment is extremely valid however, if it makes him happy, so be it. That's what music is about. we don't all eat the same food. Some people like to walk, others like to run...get the idea?
By the way...the "coltrane-Hendrix" remark is amazing because thats exactly what I felt before I read the comments!,,however I would say.."Coltrane Hendrix Howe" because some of the "jazz" lines played here are neither Hendrix nor Coltrane but are fantastic especially with the syncompated feel of them. As for critics-they wouldnt have liked Coltrane either if they lived in his era.
I third the Coltrane/Hendrix comparison! I can understand wanting it to sound more like a jazz guitar, but I think the rougher feel Howe is using really works out.
One of the BEST interpretations Ive ever heard! ..(mostly because John Coltrane would have loved it!..its true to his spirit and where he wouldve have taken it today. ..people just arent "listening".Also the licks really complement those classic chord changes...Giant steps was never meant to sound the same, it was a platform for great musical expression and expansion,thanks for palying it.Kevin
this vid spells everything out: Guitar music is pretty lame. The saxophone is a million times more expressive and beautiful to listen to. This is heresy. I hate that I play guitar. the instrument pretty much sucks used like this. Compare this to coltrane and its just depressing. one is spiritual and technically brilliant. the others smooth jazz on steroids. there's no respect for what music really is anymore. this is a circle jerk. and just look how these cats dress! a shame
agree with just about everything you said here except that it doesn't matter how they dress and also it's not really the guitars fault here just the guitarist. I think the problem is that a lot of guitarists set the guitar on a pedestal and seperate being a guitarist from being a musician which sucks. See like Hendrix is considered the greatest guitarist of all time but really in speed and fingering he can't compete with names like Yngwie (I hate that guy) but since he's more about sound . . .
. . . (con't) since he's more about sound, music, and overall good aural qualities he's a much better guitarist. Though Hendrix's legacy has been dragged down by the disgusting group that would call this music aswell. The comparison is valid but don't take it out on the instrument. Bad music is bad music. A good remedy is for guitarists to become multi-instrumentalists I think.
he is good but i am still thankful that players like John Sco and Metheny are still alive.
so i actually can listen to a guitar music instead of this guitar sport :D
btw i've seen Howe jamming on Sunny on youtube, he did much better there then here. simplifying giant steps into noteshredding above 1 note funk groove - well, not my game at least.
I feel good about this keyboardist. I thought I was the only one who had the tendency to play one hand solos but I guess I'm not...and then I go back to chords with both hands when done...not that I can't do them both but it's a comfort zone of sorts. This band is kick arse!!!
It took me a couple of times listening to it to understand what they were doing. I like it a lot more now. 5 stars. I probaly gave it one the first time sorry!
whoah, smokin'! impro-tapping through coltrane-changes, ha ha :-) now THAT takes some serious guts! man, seriously... i coudln't decide right now, who's the "better" player greg or frank gambale?(i know, i know... no such thing as "best one", but still) in any case, mr. howe is without a shadow of a doubt among the most advanced guitarists/musicians on the face of the planet right now, both technically and musically. what a genius!
Love Greg Howe, and love the way he plays Giant Steps. But... I wish the solo on this video was a bit more different than the one on the album. But that's a killer solo ! It took me an entire day Non-stop to learn it !
I don't see how that is relevant. This music about music, not music about stage antics. It's like saying, "Einstein was brilliant, but needed a better barber."
I've been into Coltrane and Miles since the early '60's and this is one of the more inspired renditions. Anyone recognize the guitar? I thought he'd played ESP's earlier but this looks like an Ernie Ball.
I love the Coltrane version as well. He's an awesome musician, it isn't my favourite of his songs though (naima is more beautifull)! I think Greg's solo is stunning! He's got so much ideas! I want to be like him someday but that's not gonna happen :-P
I agree...amazing player but I don't really like the arrangement. He sounds great when it goes to the extended vamp in the 2nd video, but the soloing over the Giant Steps changes isn't great.
I actually love it! Those hard core funk #9 chords really rock, I think it fits the sound really well and Greg's solo on it is (as always) mind blowing IMO. I like this part way better than the E dorian modal part in the second vid..
THE BEST DAMN PART OF THIS VIDEO FOR ME IS THE VERY INTRO before the band started playing. Greg Howe getting all the noise and hum on his guitar. even professional have to deal with that. Here I thought I was going crazy. Noise is not just for us amateurs. haha
Lately I've been hearing hum on the radio, on million dollar cd's, so I don't worry about it so much anymore. I do manage it onstage, but it doesn't consume my every thought like it used to...and I've always preferred single coils distorted and crunchy in a lot of situations over humbuckers.
Great playing but as some have said it's really more a homage to Giant Steps...the whole point of the song is jumping to all those different 2-5-1's in different keys. At least it was clearly done during the bass solo
2:53 I reckon Greg's not really "covering" Giant Steps, he's internalised it and made it part of his vocabulary, and the drummer is playing sort of matter of fact, perfect. Like a party on the deck of a Kenworth Truck...
TwoMunchuTwo 1 month ago
Coltrane>Greg Howe
Dmoran94 5 months ago 3
@Dmoran94 i think there's no comparison, by the way both are giant!
c1r1770 4 months ago
@Dmoran94 @Dmoran94 Coltrane played the sax in the 1940's, 50's and 60's... Greg is a guitarist from the present... Wtf man.
Lahed92801 2 months ago
This was done in a very origianl way...gives "Giant Steps" justice but makes it something new...gives a different vibe...a fusion, Greg Howe vibe
arpeggios070590 5 months ago
This is reckless, burning, boiling fusionjazz with the pedal pushed all the way down, and I a really like it.
tisenderbluesman 5 months ago
Ah nice this is Giant steps oh yeah
mikko522 6 months ago
la zorra : D
monometal69 8 months ago
I liked this version but......."for me"...... the drummer is way too loud and playing quite tasteless and with no dynamics (hes just like....loud.....loud...loud). Maybe he just had like a lot of energy and very into Hendrix Land.
rexmiguechidoto 9 months ago
Great job !!!
ogdTo 10 months ago
I feel i have been unfair to judge this because Greg's point of view maybe is that there is no point of making the same giant steps most people do and trying to make it sound more up to date so people who don't like jazz or don't like that old stuff can get into it.I still don't like this version but this doesn't mean that it's not good.Greg is great guitarist and i don't need to like it to say that is good.
PetarAtanasov87 10 months ago
yea nice nice except with this Hendrix feel inserted into Giant Steps the sense of changes of the tune has vanished...i don't like it
PetarAtanasov87 10 months ago
What tune is this again?
martyg374 10 months ago
this is not giant steps
novembrinewaltz90 10 months ago
Greg is good rock guitarist but there is very few ideas that i heard here that are jazz improvisation.So i can relate this more to Hendrix than to Coltrane.
AtanasovPeter 11 months ago
dude this is TOO GOOD
shredder1500 1 year ago
wat kind of pickups for an hss guitar wud get me a sound like greg howe i no that dimarzio makes gh pickups but those are only in his sig. laguna model any help would be great thanx
cjrocker1 1 year ago
holy shit THAT FUCKING BASSIST DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO FUCKING PLAY GIANT STEPS!!!!! HE RUINS THE SONG AAAGGGHHH! THOSE NOTES ARE SOOOO WRONG!!! STOP IT GAAH!
mynameaborat993 1 year ago
Cool stuff
flatnine 1 year ago
This is what happens when you leave a John Coltrane CD next to a guitar for too long.
But, it does take a lot of musical knowledge to play through even an altered version of Giant Steps. It just kind of sounds like it could be a song on Guitar Hero.
iJiggsy 1 year ago
I love it, there.
dennoow 1 year ago
Great skills but no charisma
foppe71 1 year ago
Really good guitar work and all, but please don't do this to "Giant Steps."
spynae 1 year ago 2
While I love most fusion adaptations of jazz standards, Giant Steps never seems to work. . . I guess it was just perfect when Coltrane laid it down. I know I wouldn't have the balls to rehash something as beautiful as. . . Well, any Coltrane composition really. . .
Twistchawa 1 year ago
@deeasheman.... Right On!!!
MarvinSheats 1 year ago
I love Greg Howe and I put him on top of the best jazz-rock guitarists out there, he's probably every bit as articulate as my favorite Pat Metheny, but I'm not too crazy about the arrangement of this song.
vampiroangelico 1 year ago 3
No offense but this makes me sick. This song is meant to be played on a tenor sax or something similar. You are reading a comment from a 14 year old.
ChimpGuy9966 1 year ago
they had good intentions i i love jazz rock fusion sexyness but i don't think these guy pulled it off right
alsharpton666 1 year ago
i do not like this.
LedZeppelinisgod100 1 year ago
this why the fuck i hate rock they ruined a perfect jazz peace im saying this and im 16
vre313 1 year ago
@vre313 Well done you remembered your birthday!
tommie997 1 year ago
I've been having trouble feeling inspired with my instrument the last couple of days. But listening to this guy has been helping.
erasedcitizen77 1 year ago
Fact... Greg Howe is a talented mother fucker! opinion (not my opinion)... this is a shit arrangement... fact this is how greg felt like playing the tune and i doubt he cares what you think... fact THEY DEFINATELY SOLO OVER BOTH THE VAMP AND GIANT STEPS CHANGES!!! it is not a loose jam as someone said its just giant steps with a vamp section!
tmrlindner 1 year ago
why don't he just call it Foxy Giant Steps and be done with it
AtanasovPeter 1 year ago
Whats with the "Purple Haze" interlude?
buddingtonparker 1 year ago
I like this arrangement on the most part. I could do without the 7#9-sounding chords hits in the main melody though. I'm all for new, creative takes on classics.
szelag 1 year ago
like this comment for the bass solo
fatalbert51888 1 year ago
This is actually a Jeff Richmond arrangement. I was subbing for Alphonso Johnson who plays with Richmond and we did this exact same arrangement.
BassBen 1 year ago
Coltrane meets Hendrix
rapidtranq 1 year ago 2
I'm really getting sick of the jazz purists bashing Greg so much. especially when they talk about his shredding. Greg has so much more under his belt than the typical jazz player. he can be funky, he can rock, he can be smooth, he can do anything. His phrasing is beyond any jazz player IMO and his timing is good as any other guy. Much more complex and filled with character. he never plays the same thing twice in any of his solos. He sounds original unlike all of those john Scofielfd wannabes.
SirJamestheIII 1 year ago
@SirJamestheIII I agree. Why does anyone have to bash anyone? This is music not football,. We all play and listen to what we love. Musical maturity is strange and elusive
deeasheman 1 year ago
@SirJamestheIII If you are sick of jazz purists bashing Greg so much - why do you then take stand of a guitar guy who is now bashing all of the jazz players? Greg Howe is a great musician, and his soloing over these chord changes is incredible. But to say that is phrasing is beyond any jazz player has got to be the stupidest statement I've heard in a long time.
mcj3691 1 year ago
I'm really getting sick of the jazz purists bashing Greg so much. especially when they talk about his shredding. Greg has so much more under his belt than the typical jazz player. he can be funky, he can rock, he can be smooth, he can do anything. His phrasing is beyond any jazz player IMO and his timing is good as any other guy. Much more complex and filled with character. he never plays the same thing twice in any of his solos. He sounds original unlike all of those john Scofielfd wannabes.
SirJamestheIII 1 year ago
l'arangement ....nickel..la classe
ginologie 1 year ago
he is a terrific talent. That being said, I feel he's losing the audience with his speed.
FatMaro 1 year ago
These self-indulgent guitar solos are so pedestrian & boring. Thank god a sax doesn't have a whammy bar or more mow-rons would play it.
beau5375 1 year ago
TO ARP78!Listen Moron! it's obvious you haven't a clue who this man is or you wouldn't blasphemy a master. You are an idot and saying that probably to draw a negetive responce, so here you go dumb moron!
NOTEWORKERnm1 1 year ago
Decent player but harmonically this does not work for Giant Steps. Get rid of the distortion and really hear the man!
befjazz 1 year ago
Reminiscent of Steely Dan, but definitely more edgy... I can dig it...
regionboy13 1 year ago
The frightening part is that Greg Howe's timing is still insane even though he's playing through those hard changes!
dennoow 1 year ago 2
bass player = BEAST
jagheterjonteh 2 years ago
jon reshard, really awesome
denonin 2 years ago
On to part II >>>
arp1978 2 years ago
a unique arrangement... haha
r3ck0rd 2 years ago
These men are tight!! The bass player has a raw feel!!!
cpayton314 2 years ago
i prefer the bassist to greg in this. just what i think
youngun550 2 years ago
Yeah, he can play some.
arp1978 2 years ago
THE BASSIST HAS A TREMOLO!!!!
Megamaniac610 2 years ago 4
@Megamaniac610 i know how weird lol
vheadfacelegs 2 years ago
HAha this is great!!
bungholio80 2 years ago
Thinking out of the box...
MovingMutant 2 years ago
Great take on Giant Steps (heard a little Hendrix in the mix, Purple Haze?) but PLZ consider a shield for your percussionist- he's to heavy!
JulieGEORGIA 2 years ago 3
deja de mentir!!!!!
pablosatek1 2 years ago
lol this is not fucking giant steps
Erikolson99 2 years ago
Yes it is! Listen more closely, its a loose jam around it, but there is definately giant steps in it.
Joowhahn 2 years ago 15
are you aware of the term "adaption"
louisguitarslinger 2 years ago 8
This arrangement was interesting yet bored me half to death.
fenderbender92 2 years ago 32
probably because greg howe is as enthusiastic as a schoolboy
wasian666 2 years ago
@fenderbender92 ur right giant steps is supposed to be a jazz song
musickk810 1 year ago
Bass w a whammy!!
zacharianpez 2 years ago
greg howe the best
anyfunky 2 years ago
is that a north stage piano?
andreajazz 2 years ago
LOVE IT! Beautifully hardcore!
78proto 2 years ago
i dont really like it. i think its good but it strays out to far from the actual song sometimes.
thenamesfrancisco 2 years ago
maybee you would prefer the robot that plays it note for note, look in related videos
tgraham76 2 years ago 3
lol
78proto 2 years ago
thats jazz for you :0)
1madaboutguitar 2 years ago
Hey, in jazz and it's subcategoriess you never play the same thing twice. That's called the improvisation :)
KsiazeIgor 2 years ago 6
greatttt
gsayles 2 years ago
Do I see a capo?
joetube1 2 years ago
jazz, fusion, neoclassical, whatever!
great song, and equally great musicians
chaoticreaper 2 years ago 4
I think it's a beautiful rendition, Howe's sings in this one.
dreamwebs 2 years ago
such an awesome interpretation....
rapidtranq 2 years ago 2
somehow i don't really like this arrangement/version...especially that rock&roll snare drum at 2 and 4...it's a bit like a bull in a china shop in my opinion...and the 7#9 chord bit gets to me too..it's not a naturally called for IMO...
lunarstrat 2 years ago 4
i completely agree, don't mix Coltrane with Hendrix haha
johnyprestige 2 years ago 3
Agreed. Although I like Howe as a shred-rocker, I'm not convinced of his jazz vocabulary. Still needs a lot of work, but he's a great rock player.
sonicpsychiatry 2 years ago
thats why this is called jazz / rock fusion
ljguitar91 2 years ago 2
Yeah but think about it ....how many players have been able to transgress from neo-classic to rock to fusion to straight ahead jazz. The theory alone for just one of the genres is all incompassing! Howe can blow and I doubt if Coltrane or Hendrix were alive today they would disapprove! If only I had a tenth of his skill!
stonepolismusic 2 years ago 4
the cool thing is, howe can play pretty much any style out there including rock, fusion, metal, neo classic, and yes, jazz as well (did i mention he can play all those exceptionally well?) just putting jazz together like this, especially with a coltraine song, doesnt really work too well. but i do commend him for his efforts.
xdivinebladex 2 years ago
He didn't transgress from Neoclassical music. He did 2 albums in between (Vitalij Kuprij - High definition and his own album "ascend") , he was pretty much rock from the beginning and jazz/fusion since early 90's, listen to albums like "Five", "parallax", "Uncertain terms" and "intropspection", all very jazz/fusion, way before his Neoclassical stuff. Thank goodness he didn't pursue that, this is way more fun to listen to!
dennoow 2 years ago 2
nice modern take, sometimes we've heard the same set up and rhythm section swinging groove on songs like Giant Steps too many times; sometimes it's good to hear the same song from a different stand point.this guy can clearly play bebop amazingly, just listen to his lines in the solo sections, but he's just taking something from a long time ago and giving it a modern taste. i don't like this as much as i like the original, but this definitely stepping outside the square whch takes nuts! nice job!
joebandana 2 years ago 2
damn!!! AMAZING!!!!!
Bjorlin1 2 years ago
Mr Howe is a king!
InsanoGerbil 2 years ago
It's just my personal opinion, but personally I think he takes all the life and fury out of this tune and turns it into music for drinking to.
lexo30 3 years ago 4
You're spot on. It sounds just like another heavy rock guitar solo. Very 70s.
cliverich 2 years ago
Allan Halsworth.
oldpython 2 years ago
I'll say Scott Henderson
tomacoexperiment 2 years ago
Allan Holdsworth
Vinniemoore89 2 years ago
are u joking?
Bishn0zle 2 years ago 6
Catchy remix =)
PSPGENIUS714 3 years ago
His sound and his phrasing are very similar to early Scott Henderson...and that's definitely a compliment.
Modes9 3 years ago
are u kiodding ? predictable and boring? i agree with that with most of the 'shredders out there, but this guy is greaqt FUSION player, who can also"shredd" ( i hate that word)... hes way more harmonically deep than the otehrs that your comment would more appropriatley apply to..IMHO
augfive 3 years ago 7
coltrane lived his time, greg is doing that.
locobeis 3 years ago
Is that a custom Fodera Monarch?? I think I´m in love.
rikfly 3 years ago
Hi Guitar Lessons Are Offered From Greg Howe!!!!....Become A Guitar Virtuoso In Just Minutes!!!!!!
shredd99 3 years ago
holy mole-a-crime. greg is insane
Undercurrentuk1 3 years ago
He can play the changes, all right...check out out Scott Henderson/Vital Tech Tones's version...similar approach...
tiluriso 3 years ago
Boring, boring, boring...that's all those guitar shredders know how to do is just run the board. They're so predictable. I mean there's not kind of lyrical content in Howe's playing whatsoever.
bluemonk82 3 years ago
Dude, seriously? Like 80% of Coltrane's version is arpeggiating the changes. Sure, that's a lot of changes, but how is that different from "running the board"?
jongpilyun 3 years ago 7
Boring to you, and yes your comment is extremely valid however, if it makes him happy, so be it. That's what music is about. we don't all eat the same food. Some people like to walk, others like to run...get the idea?
Fulltondano 3 years ago 2
maybe you cant do those kind of things. and maybe you cant even do a simple "shred" lick... hahahahah!
satchboogie 3 years ago
hahaha
You clearly don't know an ounce of music theory
Vinniemoore89 2 years ago
By the way...the "coltrane-Hendrix" remark is amazing because thats exactly what I felt before I read the comments!,,however I would say.."Coltrane Hendrix Howe" because some of the "jazz" lines played here are neither Hendrix nor Coltrane but are fantastic especially with the syncompated feel of them. As for critics-they wouldnt have liked Coltrane either if they lived in his era.
deylite 3 years ago
I third the Coltrane/Hendrix comparison! I can understand wanting it to sound more like a jazz guitar, but I think the rougher feel Howe is using really works out.
manedible 3 years ago
One of the BEST interpretations Ive ever heard! ..(mostly because John Coltrane would have loved it!..its true to his spirit and where he wouldve have taken it today. ..people just arent "listening".Also the licks really complement those classic chord changes...Giant steps was never meant to sound the same, it was a platform for great musical expression and expansion,thanks for palying it.Kevin
deylite 3 years ago
I would like to listen his rendition in the standard way of the jazz guitar. This take is not too bad, is just different.
jassbo 3 years ago
I NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO
anyone want to chat Ms
BongDon420 3 years ago
all guitarists have their own goods, and moments/songs in which they shine, i also prefer Sco/Metheny most of the time
most "giant steps" fans dont like this (including me, who is also a die-hard G. Howe fan) owing to particular style that Greg adopts here.
I am quite certain that G. Howe can play this in numerous different styles, including very orthodox and "trane-compatible" ones.
He ain't one of these guitarists who simply shred over anything they are not able to musically elaborate.
nurikara 3 years ago
this vid spells everything out: Guitar music is pretty lame. The saxophone is a million times more expressive and beautiful to listen to. This is heresy. I hate that I play guitar. the instrument pretty much sucks used like this. Compare this to coltrane and its just depressing. one is spiritual and technically brilliant. the others smooth jazz on steroids. there's no respect for what music really is anymore. this is a circle jerk. and just look how these cats dress! a shame
gomachols 3 years ago
agree with just about everything you said here except that it doesn't matter how they dress and also it's not really the guitars fault here just the guitarist. I think the problem is that a lot of guitarists set the guitar on a pedestal and seperate being a guitarist from being a musician which sucks. See like Hendrix is considered the greatest guitarist of all time but really in speed and fingering he can't compete with names like Yngwie (I hate that guy) but since he's more about sound . . .
findingusernamesucks 3 years ago
. . . (con't) since he's more about sound, music, and overall good aural qualities he's a much better guitarist. Though Hendrix's legacy has been dragged down by the disgusting group that would call this music aswell. The comparison is valid but don't take it out on the instrument. Bad music is bad music. A good remedy is for guitarists to become multi-instrumentalists I think.
findingusernamesucks 3 years ago 2
how is this bad music??
kewl2006 2 years ago
John Coltrane + Jimmy Hendrix = what you see.
kakvostava 3 years ago 2
Jimi
=)
jazzforano 3 years ago
I didn't like the arrangement at first, but after a couple of listens, I now really like this performance. Greg's soloing is very nice!
EmphaticItalic 3 years ago
I like it, has a gospel swing feel to it and little bit of a Hendrix overtone. Keep Coltrane going!
xiec 3 years ago 2
I dont' think John Coltrane aproves this version. Howe is great but this things is heresy.
killthepixelnow 3 years ago
ié ! :)
bizelli07 3 years ago
Quite slow
beanabus77 3 years ago
What a monster player (Greg) even though they butchered Giant Steps.........
orlandoCF1 3 years ago
this is not very good at all. greg howe is one of the few fusion guitarist i don't like.
jazzcombo251 3 years ago
I don't know why you wouldn't like this guy he is awesome!
guitarttimman 3 years ago
he is good but i am still thankful that players like John Sco and Metheny are still alive.
so i actually can listen to a guitar music instead of this guitar sport :D
btw i've seen Howe jamming on Sunny on youtube, he did much better there then here. simplifying giant steps into noteshredding above 1 note funk groove - well, not my game at least.
vekkth 3 years ago
I mean the musicians are good, but I don't like these modern versions of classic jazz history!!!- it sounds terrible, a distortion of good tunes!
Mazinga 3 years ago 2
I feel good about this keyboardist. I thought I was the only one who had the tendency to play one hand solos but I guess I'm not...and then I go back to chords with both hands when done...not that I can't do them both but it's a comfort zone of sorts. This band is kick arse!!!
cbmuzik 3 years ago
It took me a couple of times listening to it to understand what they were doing. I like it a lot more now. 5 stars. I probaly gave it one the first time sorry!
Finallythankyou 3 years ago
whoah, smokin'! impro-tapping through coltrane-changes, ha ha :-) now THAT takes some serious guts! man, seriously... i coudln't decide right now, who's the "better" player greg or frank gambale?(i know, i know... no such thing as "best one", but still) in any case, mr. howe is without a shadow of a doubt among the most advanced guitarists/musicians on the face of the planet right now, both technically and musically. what a genius!
bluepowder01 3 years ago
Man, the rock version of the single most difficult stuff in the jazz world. Not that bad actually, very good actually :).
ReminiscenceHr 3 years ago 2
wow! spectacular!
danbojitsu 3 years ago
Love Greg Howe, and love the way he plays Giant Steps. But... I wish the solo on this video was a bit more different than the one on the album. But that's a killer solo ! It took me an entire day Non-stop to learn it !
FlowJazz 3 years ago
greg howe is a talented guy, but damn he needs to move around a bit on stage.
vinvinvin 3 years ago
I don't see how that is relevant. This music about music, not music about stage antics. It's like saying, "Einstein was brilliant, but needed a better barber."
danbojitsu 3 years ago 3
Man this is so lame.
prehensiledream 3 years ago
I can't believe,i'm into your account in you tube,i think that you are one of the BEST MUSICIANS on the earth.
milagrosmiamor 3 years ago
anyone kno wut kinda of bass the bass plyers playin? looks a bit like a monarch but im not sure...
50Stringbass 3 years ago
A Fodera of some sort.
Thrashman1990 3 years ago
Nice, a bit confusing on first listen, fantastic bass solo. A brilliant contemporary interpretation of one of jazz's landmark tunes.
blunt1 3 years ago
I've been into Coltrane and Miles since the early '60's and this is one of the more inspired renditions. Anyone recognize the guitar? I thought he'd played ESP's earlier but this looks like an Ernie Ball.
Binastarion 3 years ago
that's a Peavey HP Special
STRATOCASTER1992 3 years ago
greg, you must play live with livio lamonea
metallurgiko 3 years ago
Trane would be proud of greg. Trane was always in search of new sonic landscapes, you damn bop Nazis.
Lahed92801 3 years ago
it sounds like some pretty good stuff ^^. i love the original even though im 14. i love jazz...
redbigdaddy1 3 years ago
so,.. im aint even born yet,.. :p
frndstr 3 years ago
how does age affect love of jazz?
slapshot2940 3 years ago 7
the only one who killed the fucking changes is the keyboardist! everyone else bullshits quite obviously. you would know if you played it before
mynameismudd33 3 years ago 3
Definitely.
dec10 3 years ago
lulz to the guy below me
i understand you like the coltrane(original artist?) version
being my age i suppose leads me to think this is fucking incredible
the starts and stops on the first part of the video are just so fun to me
the original owns face too though ;)
ICreamsodAI 3 years ago
I love the Coltrane version as well. He's an awesome musician, it isn't my favourite of his songs though (naima is more beautifull)! I think Greg's solo is stunning! He's got so much ideas! I want to be like him someday but that's not gonna happen :-P
dennoow 3 years ago
are u fucking kidding me? u dont know who this song is written by
mynameismudd33 3 years ago
haha what a bunch of purists out here ;)
dennoow 3 years ago
He's a really good player, but I definitely don't like the arangement
rexdeodium 3 years ago 7
hes a good player but, eh, not too fond of the rendition
SLAYER0429 3 years ago 4
I agree...amazing player but I don't really like the arrangement. He sounds great when it goes to the extended vamp in the 2nd video, but the soloing over the Giant Steps changes isn't great.
saxmatt 3 years ago
But Greg Howe is a tremendous player, great technique and wonderful ideas in his soloing. I just didn't like the version of the tune
giopagoda 3 years ago 2
I actually love it! Those hard core funk #9 chords really rock, I think it fits the sound really well and Greg's solo on it is (as always) mind blowing IMO. I like this part way better than the E dorian modal part in the second vid..
dennoow 3 years ago 2
Don't mean to be a downer or anything, but reharmonize Giant Steps as a mediocre pop rock instrumental tune...is interesting...?
NO need for agressiveness, just my opinion, ok?
giopagoda 3 years ago 3
Greg has great flow, The head in was cool, nice reharm.
durtmagert 3 years ago
typical guitarist, cuts off the video in middle of the keyboard solo...
vunmenbend 3 years ago
complete madness
mutatedpig3 3 years ago
The Best...
Marcelo maya
steelguitar7 3 years ago
A true guitar Master ! Bravo.
Anthowtzen 3 years ago
a bass with floyd???????
GODCORRUPTED 3 years ago
hey who are the other guys in the band? its jon reshard on bass?
ManelRuivo 3 years ago
yeah John Reshard on Bass, don't know the others!
dennoow 3 years ago
greg rules!!!
to greg fans: pls check out my vids if you have time.
andyvicius 3 years ago
AH YEAH !
Milessoul 4 years ago
THE BEST DAMN PART OF THIS VIDEO FOR ME IS THE VERY INTRO before the band started playing. Greg Howe getting all the noise and hum on his guitar. even professional have to deal with that. Here I thought I was going crazy. Noise is not just for us amateurs. haha
Gregrg7 4 years ago
Lately I've been hearing hum on the radio, on million dollar cd's, so I don't worry about it so much anymore. I do manage it onstage, but it doesn't consume my every thought like it used to...and I've always preferred single coils distorted and crunchy in a lot of situations over humbuckers.
ricaard 4 years ago
I think he's doing it on purpose :D
HaydnMozartBeethoven 3 years ago
Great playing but as some have said it's really more a homage to Giant Steps...the whole point of the song is jumping to all those different 2-5-1's in different keys. At least it was clearly done during the bass solo
Vayshen 4 years ago