And This Why The Car's Elliott Easton Is a Frickin' Genius

[toomanycats]

I've listened to quite a lot of isolated guitar tracks on YouTube. The EVH, Warren DeMartini/Robin Crosby, and Randy Rhoads uploads have generally been my favorites. Do you see a trend here? Yeah, they're all hard rock/metal players.

That's why it may be surprising that I'm singling out Elliott Easton of The Cars. I can remember that Mr. Eastman penned a column for one of the major guitar magazines back in the 80s. At the time I didn't take him seriously. I mean, c'mon, he wasn't exactly a rock/metal shredder guitar hero. To me he looked like a geek with a bad wig. His band was poppy top 40 chart fodder. So I didn't pay too much attention.

But over the years I've listened more closely to some of the earlier songs by The Cars, the more rocking stuff where the guitar is more prominent than in the synth heavy, MTV era incarnation of the band. My appreciation of the band grew.

When I heard the isolated track for "Bye Bye Love" it was a revelation. Elliott Easton is great. He is in fact a guitar genius. The isolated guitar track for this song is a four minute and nineteen second sonic collage of masterful arrangement, eargasmic vintage guitar tones, delicious tube amp timbre, impeccable feel, and supremely tasteful phrasing.

[mickey]

Of course, you mean he is a genius because he is a lefty? Correct?

[toomanycats]

Of course, you mean he is a genius because he is a lefty? Correct?

We all know by now that lefties are "special." If nothing else, hbowner taught us that.

[mickey]

I know Elliot. He is a regular on a lefty forum I participate in.

[toomanycats]

I know Elliot. He is a regular on a lefty forum I participate in.

From what I understand he's a serious collector too.

[Tsukiyomi]

I know Elliot. He is a regular on a lefty forum I participate in.

I talked to him a few times on a FB Gretsch group, he's very cool although drew a lot of ire a while back from some Electro owners when he said something along the lines of they (well, 'we' since I'm one, too) should post in their own Electromatic group and leave the Gretsch one to Pro owners. Ironic given his Electromatic signature guitar... (EDIT: Yes,I'm aware that that's not his only sig guitar)

And going back to the original post, that's a great share. Cheers [mention]toomanycats[/mention]

[Tsukiyomi]

By the way, I've no idea what Elliot's rig was back then, but I'm pretty sure it was his SG Special he was playing on that album.

[tobijohn]

I know Elliot. He is a regular on a lefty forum I participate in.

What lefty forum?

[Bubba Zanetti]

Easton is a GREAT guitar player...I’ve always liked him. I’m also fascinated by New Wave guitar playing...its it’s own thing...you can’t overshadow the vocals and synth, and sometimes it’s aggressive, but not metal or overly bluesy at all. Definitely punk, yet subdued. I love it. Listen to the guitars in Flock of Seagulls...they drive. But are also in the background.

[adad]

Nice tone. He helped make a bunch hit songs. I have never given him much thought till now.

[Tsukiyomi]

Listen to the guitars in Flock of Seagulls...they drive. But are also in the background.

Coincidentally, Mike is one of my good friends' Dad. He's another very cool fella

[Bubba Zanetti]

Listen to the guitars in Flock of Seagulls...they drive. But are also in the background.

Coincidentally, Mike is one of my good friends' Dad. He's another very cool fella

Coincidentally indeed! So

[toomanycats]

By the way, I've no idea what Elliot's rig was back then, but I'm pretty sure it was his SG Special he was playing on that album.

I could easily believe that was P-90s.

[mozz]

"geek with a bad wig" or beard. Did that morph into "hipster"? They were one of the bands that got me through 3 years of high school (Virgin Killer, Animal Magnetism at the other end of the spectrum).

I did read once people who saw them back in the day said it was the most boring concert they ever saw, the band just stood there and played but did every hit exactly note for note like the radio.

[nomadh]

I'm not sold. I never questioned his chops and his tone might have been outstanding but it would never make up for the nails on the chalkboard synth or drums. And it was like he went out of his way to make comic parody voice. If you parody that sound you get exactly that sound. I still have a lot of resentment to them for all the airtime they got and how I couldn't escape that sound.

[adad]

Speaking of Flock of Seagulls check out this" how to" video by the original band. Shows all the parts of I Ran. Plays through a Rat and a Roland Chorus Tape Echo.
Great Song.

[Rollin Hand]

Listen to Elliot's solo on "You Might Think." It's just right.

And I even thought that in my "notes per second" days.

[toomanycats]

I did read once people who saw them back in the day said it was the most boring concert they ever saw, the band just stood there and played but did every hit exactly note for note like the radio.

This live performance from 1978 is pretty compelling. Great charisma and musicianship.

[JeffBeck]

Easton is a GREAT guitar player...I’ve always liked him. I’m also fascinated by New Wave guitar playing...its it’s own thing...you can’t overshadow the vocals and synth, and sometimes it’s aggressive, but not metal or overly bluesy at all. Definitely punk, yet subdued. I love it. Listen to the guitars in Flock of Seagulls...they drive. But are also in the background.

I've never really understood why Easton is sort of looked down on - he's a fantastic guitarist.

And I think Paul Reynolds was a ground-breaking mf'er. The first time I heard Flock of Seagulls I knew I was listening to something (to me) brand new. His guitar work was so light and etherial and drenched with delay rather than the power chords I had always been so in love with. That band and The Fixx (Jamie West-Oram is another tasty guitarist, btw) really turned me on to New Wave in a big way.

[toomanycats]

Easton is a GREAT guitar player...I’ve always liked him. I’m also fascinated by New Wave guitar playing...its it’s own thing...you can’t overshadow the vocals and synth, and sometimes it’s aggressive, but not metal or overly bluesy at all. Definitely punk, yet subdued. I love it. Listen to the guitars in Flock of Seagulls...they drive. But are also in the background.

I've never really understood why Easton is sort of looked down on - he's a fantastic guitarist.

And I think Paul Reynolds was a ground-breaking mf'er. The first time I heard Flock of Seagulls I knew I was listening to something (to me) brand new. His guitar work was so light and etherial and drenched with delay rather than the power chords I had always been so in love with. That band and The Fixx (Jamie West-Oram is another tasty guitarist, btw) really turned me on to New Wave in a big way.

Love Jamie West-Oram's playing with Tina!

[JeffBeck]

[mention]toomanycats[/mention] I don't think I ever knew he played on that! Thanks for telling me - I knew there was a reason I always liked that song. I think he actually is still playing that same strat these days. Jesus. Cy is even in the video! How did I miss this for decades?

[toomanycats]

@toomanycats I don't think I ever knew he played on that! Thanks for telling me - I knew there was a reason I always liked that song. I think he actually is still playing that same strat these days. Jesus. Cy is even in the video! How did I miss this for decades?

He plays on Tina's entire Private Dancer album. That's about as iconic 80s as it gets.

[Bubba Zanetti]

Easton is a GREAT guitar player...I’ve always liked him. I’m also fascinated by New Wave guitar playing...its it’s own thing...you can’t overshadow the vocals and synth, and sometimes it’s aggressive, but not metal or overly bluesy at all. Definitely punk, yet subdued. I love it. Listen to the guitars in Flock of Seagulls...they drive. But are also in the background.

I've never really understood why Easton is sort of looked down on - he's a fantastic guitarist.

And I think Paul Reynolds was a ground-breaking mf'er. The first time I heard Flock of Seagulls I knew I was listening to something (to me) brand new. His guitar work was so light and etherial and drenched with delay rather than the power chords I had always been so in love with. That band and The Fixx (Jamie West-Oram is another tasty guitarist, btw) really turned me on to New Wave in a big way.

Amen. You've inspired me to look deeper into New Wave guitar playing, it's a change of pace from what I've been playing lately.

[Bubba Zanetti]

Speaking of Flock of Seagulls check out this" how to" video by the original band. Shows all the parts of I Ran. Plays through a Rat and a Roland Chorus Tape Echo.
Great Song.

Thank you very much for posting this. Tutorials from the source are gold. Going to get my delay settings right today...

[Bubba Zanetti]

I've listened to quite a lot of isolated guitar tracks on YouTube. The EVH, Warren DeMartini/Robin Crosby, and Randy Rhoads uploads have generally been my favorites. Do you see a trend here? Yeah, they're all hard rock/metal players.

That's why it may be surprising that I'm singling out Elliott Easton of The Cars. I can remember that Mr. Eastman penned a column for one of the major guitar magazines back in the 80s. At the time I didn't take him seriously. I mean, c'mon, he wasn't exactly a rock/metal shredder guitar hero. To me he looked like a geek with a bad wig. His band was poppy top 40 chart fodder. So I didn't pay too much attention.

But over the years I've listened more closely to some of the earlier songs by The Cars, the more rocking stuff where the guitar is more prominent than in the synth heavy, MTV era incarnation of the band. My appreciation of the band grew.

When I heard the isolated track for "Bye Bye Love" it was a revelation. Elliott Easton is great. He is in fact a guitar genius. The isolated guitar track for this song is a four minute and nineteen second sonic collage of masterful arrangement, eargasmic vintage guitar tones, delicious tube amp timbre, impeccable feel, and supremely tasteful phrasing.

Yeah, listening to the isolated guitar track is an great exercise. The tones and arrangement ate classy, especially the tone on the solo! Very tasty,