Joe Ely- David Grissom versus Wilko Johnson ( UK session)

[VintageSG]

If it was a 'battle', fer fuxache let Wilko win or he looks like he'll nut you!, legend that he is.

There's some real tasty bass going off in there too.

[salvadory]

wilcos tele wins over the aqua blue wankery- long live classic class- wilkos a monster

[FullMontyUK]

@salvadory Dissing someone because they've bothered to learn how to play well is a sign of envy or ignorance. ;)

[salvadory]

@FullMontyUK im not dissing him- i just prefer wilko johnsons honesty gear and playing more- i hate guitar wankery and im a player myself- long live wilko! just like i prefer joe strummers voice over someone who can sing

[FullMontyUK]

@salvadory What you 'like' is neither here nor there, it's having a bit of respect. Why is what Grissom plays 'wankery' but Wilko 'honest'? Especially as Grissom is playing what his boss wants him to whilst Wilko is under no such restriction! You remind me of a bass player I used to work with - he just hated guitar solos, whoever played them (although mine came in for some particularly strong criticisms!).

[salvadory]

@FullMontyUK yeah i do hate guitar solos to be honest- i like songs first and foremost- and being into punk and 60s music i just like wilko johnsons playing and style look gear etc better - the song is great i could do without the dueling guitar solos- i still say grissoms a good player - i just dont like his style look sound- to me his solo reeks of guitar wankery-  as in showing off and not keeping in feel with the song

[FullMontyUK]

@salvadory Fair enough. As I said though, it's Ely's song and in the end he dictates what it sounds like. I would say that I'm very familiar with Grissom's playing and he is, generally, a master of taste and tone. He also plays a real variety of styles whilst still remaining, to my ears anyway, very distinctive. Wilko is such a 'one off' it's difficult to make comparisons. His technique is very minimalist and his tone is, well, his own. Feelgood and Wilko were both better together than apart.

[FullMontyUK]

@salvadory Further to that (being a long-winded so-and-so), songs like 'Roxette' and 'Chequebook' could only have come from one place just as Grissom's fusion of musical styles could. I can't think of two players who could play together as they do here yet still be poles apart ..... rather like the opinions expressed on these pages. (0: Enjoy the guitar, whatever style you play, and I hope others enjoy it too.

[stevobath]

@salvadory Totally agree. Tossy self indulgent solos. Give me Wilko anyday. For me ultimately more entertaining.Its not just the guitaring its the whole energy he gives off!

[FullMontyUK]

@stevobath 'Self Indulgent' is, to a large degree, a matter of taste. Wilko, bless him, has frittered away what little talent he has since parting company with Dr Feelgood. If you enjoy his minimalist style then that is your prerogative of course but Grissom is the better musician by far. (:

[stevobath]

@FullMontyUK No doubt about Grissom being a better muso. For me its also about the character of the individual too. I can well admire someone being a great guitarist & accomplished musician. As you say its all about 'taste' whatever that may be. Its a cliche, but sometimes less is more. Also Im not totally against solos, just sometimes 7 minute ones in a song is too much....for me :)The list of those whove frittered talent away, as you know is endless. Thats another rock n roll cliche! :(

[FullMontyUK]

@stevobath Cheers for that. There is nothing worse than hearing a guitarist (or musician generally) playing inappropriately for a song. In my opinion Grissom isn't guilty of that here, if anything it's Ely who is responsible for stretching it out (Grissom is clearly waiting for a cue to end a solo and Ely just waits for him to go around again, and again) beyond what's necessary. Wilko, as the guest, just does his slot and that's it. Imho it's not really adding anything but it is brief.

[andzwe]

Apart from this single, unusual occasion, which doesn't do him justice, I found Wilko Johnson's guitar work and stage presence the most effective in Dr Feelgood.

[leejoliver]

Wilko is a LEGEND. Might not be the best technical guitarist, but he'll machine gun anyone

[Jahnli]

Wilko's look at 3:10 is priceless! 

[LearnerMIC]

Joe Ely's written some great songs. Wilko is a great musician. Dave is a great musician. What's with the spin?

[incongra]

@LearnerMIC Good comment. Why dontcha hang around and explain that to the "awesome" brigade who keep comparing Wilco and Grissom as if it was the Guitar Olympics?

[FullMontyUK]

@incongra It's weird, both guitarists are pretty unique in the way they play and their tones are pretty distinctive too. At a technical level Grissom is doing stuff that is very difficult to match (pedal-steel licks on a PRS anyone?) but beyond that how can the two be compared?

[metallicatt316]

Joe was sucha hottie back then!

[FergR]

I think it's pretty telling that you can hear Wilko's playing easily in the mix. One of only a couple of guitarists to play like that, whereas Grissom, good though he undoubtedly is, just plays like any other sustain merchant...

[armandin2048]

its a wonder Wilco wasn't overcome by the hairspray fumes

[zeymatis]

A few double stop bends and a whole lot of attitude won the duel there by a mile

[mike31jmb]

If this was a "versus" I know who got their butt kicked lol.

[stuagu]

wilco is the man... how does that curly lead stay in that amp! one of a kind right there.

[fendermac]

Don't believe the disingenuous big time players who say it's not a competition...From the Leeds piano competition to 1960 Chicago with 6 bands chasing 5 gigs it is and always will be.The great thing is that it isn't always the obvious best who win.Lol

Keep the 'versus'

[johndregg]

you don't invite someone onstage unless you have a great respect for them. I love Wilco but hadn't heard of grissom before. nice clip!

[CptPattern]

sorry - i meant Wilko.

[CptPattern]

Wilco has a curly lead - no contest.

[jomo56789]

@mrbill1114 Saw Joe this weekend and your right about those "Holy Shit"moments Grissom is SICK!!!!

[mrbill1114]

Johnson seems like a fine, high-energy player – from the notes he played (not necessarily the movement and attitude) plus the use of a Tele, I’d compare him to Jesse Taylor, Joe’s original lead guitarist. The comparison I’ve always made between Taylor and Grissom is that with Taylor I’ve enjoyed many “Yeah!” moments (i.e. shouting out “Yeah” when he pulled off an especially fine solo), but only with Grissom do I experience “Holy shit!” moments. So it went here. Johnson: good, Grissom: amazing.

[smokehouse4444]

OKay, got to chime in here guys. I've seen David Grissom hundreds of times in Austin, Texas with the band Storyville as well as other occasions. He is one of the best guitarists you will ever see/hear. If there is a "versus" here, you need two guitarists of similar skills, even if very different in styles. Sorry, I enjoy Wilko's energy and wildness, but this is like a lion vs a housecat one on one.

[WrixV2]

I grew up with Joe, Jesse and the originals and several of those who jammed with Joe over the years. I met Charlie Sexton when he was 12 and playing with Joe. I was breathing music as a child, in the studio for the first at the age of 12. David is amazing as was Jesse. At some point I will write a memoir, at this time, I am still writing songs...

[bettset]

he reminds me off the mike myers snl skit with nicole kidman when he was an autistic kid. add some chocolate, & he was dragging the play set down the street. i know it gets called a competition, but it is different styles. the theatrics are cool, but i'd rather play dave's pedal steel licks

[metallicatt316]

Joe was a little hottie back then!

[leag451]

Grissom was Joe Ely's guitarist on the tour, Wilco was guesting. What did you think he would do?

[peacepalestine]

really ace stuff!

[ausgang]

Judging by the mullets, this must have been mid to late '80s. Anyone know the recording date? Wilko Johnson is one-of-a-kind.

[PoireauMan68]

mullets/// you have to laugh at them...gee...who invented these things? maybe they were big with TRUCKDRIVERS in the USA...shame they made it across the Atlantic..maybe a couple of mullets hid in a big see container then in no time they had contaminated Europe (especially Germany!) Mullet are just...PORNOGRAPHIC...no other words to describe them...I like Joe's singing...I love WILKO BILKO !

[dublin1996]

@ausgang The show was recorded in The Point, Dublin, Ireland on 18 October 1988.

[BillDoolinDodge]

I'm originally from Lubbock. Grew up watching Joe Ely play. Prior to Grissom, he had another incredible guitar player--Jesse Taylor. Unbelievable talent.

I saw Grissom play at the old Arnett Benson theatre in downtown Lubbock shortly after the New Year in 1986. It was cold--in the mid-teens, if I recall correctly. He was doing a reunion thing with Lou Ann Barton and the Cobras.

He had to be in agony playing in subfeezing. Still put on one helluva show.

Solid, classy guy.

[randyex23]

A comment on the "versus." Any time two guitarists are thrust on stage together, it's a competition. A cutting contest. You know damn well Grissom felt the pride of Texas was at stake here. I'll let the rest of you decide who won, but I recommend keeping "versus" in as entirely appropriate. Oh, and who doesn't hear the amazing Snooks Eaglin in Grissom's initial chorus? Damn....

[incongra]

@randyex23 gotcha. Couldn't agree more.

[kiltyarse]

Is a sin I had to put up with watching a complete set of muso tossers just to see Wilko do his stuff.

[armandin2048]

@kiltyarse LOL couldn;t agree more - there are thousands of trick laden knobs out here but only one Wilco!!!!

[sixaxle]

As a guitarist... there is no comparison to be made, they belong on different stages, different audiences,

[BreekieMe]

If anything, it's a clash of styles, not talent.

[incongra]

Exactamente!

[mike31jmb]

@BreekieMe couldn't agree more!

[teachy99]

I love the comments and the insults - my favourite being 'Poodle Headed Wanks' - Classic.......Trouble is I too am ancient enough to recall this concert and I think it was a split show -50-50 - was John Prine the other act? Anyway it was the best in the whole 'session' series. David Grissom credits Joe as his most important musical experience. He is a unique guitarist here about 28 and just smokes all the other players - not in an Olympian sense - just through sheer musical taste and majesty

[quinoacat]

I think all these guys are great musicians and the people that feel the need to rate and compare seem like jealous egotistical mis-guided wankers...So there, let the hate mail roll from the wanker trolls, I can click block and ignore their stupid remarks as good as anyone.

[incongra]

I have considered removing the word "versus" from the title of this clip many, many times. I think both guitarists are amazing and I think it's a hoot when people compare them. Normally about once a month I go through the comments and delete all the stuff about "who is the most awesome" posted by the bedroom noodlers. Thanks for posting a senssible coimment . I totally agree with you. In fairness, I can hear both Duane A and Clapton in Grissom's playing, whereas Wilco is totally original.

[quinoacat]

Man, truth be known, as long as you play good it is kind of an honor to be blown off the stage by someone who upstages you with respect. Most egotistical wankers could never understand such musical hierarchy. But then most egotistical wankers don't hang around the kind of company I prefer to keep. There actually is a thing in music called "mentoring" which exists elsewhere in the world too. So many YouTube posters have no clue what respect is, let alone mentoring.

[tweed6v6]

Wilco must have been a visionary...he saw where the mullet was headed.

But he did get schooled by David.

[FergR]

Wilko Johnson's style is based around the requirement of a live R'n'B band to crank out a big live rhythm. Dr.Feelgood, like The Pirates before them did this without the aid of a rhythm guitarist hence the lead-and-rhythm technique used by Wilko and Mick Green. Comparing the two guitarists is laughable, Wilko isn't a 'technque' twiddler....he's actually so much more. Grissom is a great guitarist though.

[quinoacat]

Joe is versatile and is known for playing in various genre of musical styles. Wilko is such a wacky character I can't help but find his style fascinating and fun. Joe surrounds himself with the finest musicians, but I still love his solo acoustic performances the best. Just Joe, a guitar and a harp in a rack and I am musically satisfied.

[sixaxle]

You know what's funny? David would never put down or criticize Wilco's playing or style or anything about him, and I doubt that Wilco would talk down David! I guess it's up to others to make comparisons the really don't count for anything... real pro musicians don't have time for these kind of comparisons, they do what they do the best they can and hope people will appreciate their work.

[incongra]

Agreed, I should really remove the word "versus" from the title because it seems to be inviting comments from people with the "who is the most awesome?" mentality. How can you compare two such different artists? - How do you measure "awesomeness" anyway? Let's just enjoy the music. It couldn't happen nowadays, THATS for sure.

[quinoacat]

So perfectly stated, I wish I had written this comment....

[sensorysyrynx]

@sixaxle Bingo! Any GOOD "cutting contest" (and most of them are) is all about the audience-- building tension and releasing it. Despite Wilko's posturing, he's near silent when the music calls for it, playing dutiful, appropriate rhythm when that's appropriate, and playing the role of guitar slinger to the max when his solo turn comes (except the time near the end when, to David's surprise, he missed a cue). Brilliant top shelf showmanship and good music from everyone. :)

[sensorysyrynx]

@sixaxle Bingo! Any GOOD "cutting contest" (and most of them are) is all about the audience-- building tension and releasing it. Despite Wilko's posturing, he's near silent when the music calls for it, playing dutiful, appropriate rhythm when that's appropriate, and playing the role of guitar slinger to the max when his solo turn comes (except the time near the end when, to David's surprise, Wilko missed a cue). Brilliant top shelf showmanship and good music from everyone. :)

[sariamiami]

Gawdamn, Joe Ely is the best!!

And if you ever thought you know how to play guitar. YOU DON'T. These guys do!!

You can almost see the blood on their fingers.

[jbage007]

Grissom doesn't even know Wilco is there

ROFLMAO!!

[knobstick]

That'll be the floppy fringe...

[Retromaniacs]

WOW - what a buzz!

I love Joe Ely, and I have always enjoyed his guitarist.

And Wilko is my guitar HERO (I named my son Wilko!)

Who ever would have thought they would be on the same stage together.

Wilkos style really works with Joe Elys music too, even though you couldnt get more ENGLISH, and more AMERICAN, they work

I completely agree with incongra

Thanks for posting this a real Gem - I would like to hear Wilko doing DALLAS

[knobstick]

It was luck I saw this first time round on tv, good to see it again! Been a fan of Wilko for over 30 years, yes he's a bit limited licks-wise, but he's a one-off, no-one plays quite like him. Grissom's style is totally different, it's like comparing Segovia to Chuck Berry, Segovia had superb technique, a wonderful guitarist but was his duck walk any good? BTW, Grissom repeats at 2.22, 4.58 and 8.15, so nobody's perfect. Wilko wouldn't be there if they hadn't invited him, they're just having fun!

[incongra]

Now you mention it, Grissom also plays a pure Clapton lick at 06:41. You're right, it's all a bit of fun.

[aldurham65]

Grissom repeats because it is the hook lick of the solo/song.

[ColinPRS]

Karmaman, you response shows you're a very arrogant man, or in your case BOY, of very low intelligence and you sound like the type of person I would happily kick in the bollocks. Grow up and stop thinking only your opinion counts, as it's clear from here that you are in the minority.

[bluesmain1]

obviously you dont know david grissom...as the prs ad says...the mccarty model was designed by ted mccarty and paul reed smith for david grissom

[jocklandjohn]

As a pub rock stalwart and a major influence on British, hence world punk rock, Wilco is of incomparably greater significance to popular music that yet another filthy clean-cut middle-class American hippy guitarist whose hairstyle seems to be modelled on early Kevin Keegan and whose soulless playing results from too much "manual work" in the bedroom as a teenager alone with his jazz mags.

[incongra]

I'm not agreing or disagreeing with you. But it saddens me that this kind of thing couldn't happen anymore. Imagine what kind of reception an "Americana" band like this would get in the UK nowadays.

[21Cdaftworks]

Ah, on 2nd listen now I get it - they're MANICURISTS! Wilco's turned up to get his nails done! That explains everything.

[21Cdaftworks]

What's Wilco doing with this bunch of poodle-headed wanks?

[incongra]

Yes,an interesting clash of cultures. When this gig was televised in the UK none of us thought Wilco's behaviour was particularly extreme ( by punk standards?!)... Whereas Grissom's extravagant hair -and his weird cut-off jacket- did attract some negative comment. Ely quite often supported the Clash and he was readily accepted by open minded UK audiences. Grissom's an excellent guitarist and Wilco is an excellent entertainer. Let's just enjoy something that could never happen nowadays.

[xj14y]

According to legend, he did some of the random sounding screaming in "Should I Stay Or Should I Go". It's supposed to be Spanish, but I can never make it out.

Ely has as much punk cred as anyone from the Texas panhandle can have. He has run in punk circles for 30 years. Just because the man doesn't wear shredded clothes...

[ColinPRS]

I'm English, but it's embarrasing to see Wilco Johnson totally out of his depth, Dave Grissom simply blew him away, although we could have fielded much better candidates than the loony Wilco Johnson, I think someone like Gary Moore would have held his own though.

[LittleTed58]

Grissoms perm and fretboard wanking with Moore's grim and unfunky take on the blues. What a nightmare that would be. Grissom appears to have mistaken music for athletics in this clip it would be comical if he didn't go on saying so little for so long.

[karmaman]

out of his depth!!?? what fucking planet are you on...entitled to your opinion of course..what Wilko lacks in wizard of twiddly techniques..(and gazzer is a great exponent of that tedious and mind numbingly boring style)he makes up for in originality style...less is more in my opinion,,,but then again opinions are like arseholes etc etc

[speedsalot]

A soulful technician versus a jumping bean armed with 3 chords. Very entertaining.

[soblueimblack]

He had to jump around like a douche to distract from the blatantly obvious fact that he was clearly out of his league with Mr. Grissom.

[incongra]

You don't seriously beieve it's a competition I hope?

[soblueimblack]

No, I never said it was a competition. I'm just stating who is the superior player.

[incongra]

Ah yes but which one is the most entertaining? - Historically, British pop musicians don't take themselves too seriously.

[speedsalot]

Depends on what you find entertaining, talent or silliness. I usually prefer talent in music and silliness in comedy, but that's me.

[incongra]

Yes I agree. Fortunately I have a scientific method of measuring guitar "awesomeness". On this session, Grissom measured 84% awesome whereas Wilco came in at only 47% awesome. So that settles THAT argument. Isn't it appalling when people think of Rock and roll as a form of entertainment?

[garyguitar]

My awesomeness-o-meter probably needs recalibrating but I got 99.9%(minus .1% for being hair style challenged) for Grissom and .1%(minus 99.9% for being talent challenged) for the idiot.

[ProfTrout]

I love Wilco and Grissom, but I would never of put them on the same stage together in a million years! I kept thinking it was some sort of CGI trickery! Fantastic!

Does anyone know how this came to pass?

[incongra]

I think it all came about because Joe Ely was (surprisingly?) often featured at UK "punk" type gigs. ( although on this occasion the audience was bizarrely made up of cardigan wearing geriatrics). For instance he supported the Clash on numerous occasions. I think this particular gig was in Dublin, Ireland. Ely's band were required to "play host" to an unlikely sequence of scallywags; check out my "Joe Ely- oh boy" clip from the same session.

[ProfTrout]

Thanks for info - just saw your other clip, great to see Grissom playing with Joe Ely, however bizarre the situation! There's a clip of David doing an Austin Texas radio acoustic session, in the interview before he plays, he states that playing with Ely was the highlight of his career - I saw them at Hammersmith Odeon ('91?) blew my mind and blew Robert Cray off the stage (who they were supporting) I so wish Ely would tour with him one more time, when they play together sparks seem to fly!

[incongra]

Yes it says a lot that they came to the UK in that era and were accepted purely on their ability. I always did like Grissom, I hear a lot of Duane Allman in his playing.

[Wisegeorge]

Hey this is just like that Karate Kid against the Devil Movie called Crossroads. Too much fun. Thanks for posting this, it's great.

[incongra]

Yeah I love it too-it's a hoot! Funny yes it reminded me of the Vai/Cooder duel also...