Bill Kirchen takes his old Telecaster to new heights
(Jim #14) – Candace has heard me rave about “just seeing the greatest guitar player ever” several times in the past few years. She usually replies, “You just said that about (so-and-so).”
But, really, Bill Kirchen might be the best Fender Tele player I’ve ever seen. (I just saw him Sunday night at the Big Room at the Sierra Nevada Brewery in Chico).
Actually, it’s silly to call anyone “the best player ever.” The truth is, there is an endless sea of amazing players out there. Some of my favorite guitarists include Dave Gonzalez, Jerry Garcia, Freddie King, Junior Brown, Stevie Ray, Jimi and Keith Richards.
Kirchen looks like your uncle who’s really into radio controlled airplanes. But don’t let that fool you — he’s just a monster of rockabilly guitar. He can play smooth or dirty or everything in between and he just does it with so much class and taste. He played the same guitar all night (it’s a well-worn Telecaster that he’s had since the 1960s) and he created so many killer tones out of it using a few simple effects pedals and his own hands.
Kirchen is an alt-country/rock icon stemming from his days as the leader of Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen. He ventured into new and old material and played two outstanding Dylan covers — “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues” and “The Times They Are A Changin’.”
Commander Cody had one top 10 hit back in the day — “Hot Rod Lincoln.” Kirchen and his impressive band were rocking through that number on Sunday, when they suddenly started blending in snippets of songs from all the music greats. It was amazing. Each time they went into a new song, Kirchen played in the exact style of the famous star — Chuck Berry, B.B. King, Freddie King, Albert King (he even pulled up his hair and said “here’s Don King”), Muddy Waters, Link Wray, the Ventures, Bo Diddley, Stevie Ray, the Beatles, the Stones, Jimi and dozens of others.
He also did a super classy thing in dedicating a tune to the great Chris Gaffney, who has recently been diagnosed with liver cancer. Area music fans might know Chris through his work with Dave Gonzalez in the Hacienda Brothers. The super soulful Gaffney has also long been a sideman with Dave Alvin.
Chris Gaffney
There’s a Web site set up to help the Gaffney family with medical expenses. Kirchen’s mention of Gaff reminded me of the wonderful bond that exists between artists.
So when did radio-controlled airplanes become so uncool? Hell there are worse hobbies. I know because I do ‘em…
Sad news about Gaff. Checked out the site and just put a check in the mail. Wish I could give more. That guy’s a stud.
Kirchen is a real deal alright. As my memory can be deservedly suspect, I can say I THINK he was the first electric (or any kind) guitarist to play at the Redding Civic Center, as Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen were the very first band to play there. As I recall, and I’m open to correction or embellishment.
A carload of us went from Castella to Paradise around 1980 to see Kirchen play with Cody’s band the Moonlighters at a big honky-tonk barn/bar up there. Whatta show. Kirchen plays smart, some appropriate notes where needed, NEVER too many. Some of the guitarists you cite lose me when they seem to think they’re getting paid by the note.
Chris Gaffney has really brought a balance to the Hacienda Brothers, a serious, soulful aspect. I’m sad to hear he’s afflicted. He reminds me of a guy running a saw in the mills, or driving a log truck in the woods. Salt of the earth.
I’ll look for you out at Ash Creek, Lou!
I was lucky enough to see Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen open for the Dead at the Hollywood Bowl circa 1974. Does anybody remember the bullet-headed Commander Cody that flew (cheezily) through the old 50’s movie serials from whence the name originated? Just an afterthought, after all…
Derral, didn’t mean to imply I’m a radio-controlled airplane guy, just that I’m not above unhip hobbies (like golf for example).
Mostly I was trying to give Dyar a hard time. That’s the burden he has to bear for droppin’ out of the rat race….
Derral,
Your point about “paid by the note” is well taken. My relationship with these players has gone through several stages. Jerry Garcia is a good example. Years ago I might have described him as more “a mindless wanderer” with his lines. That changed after listening to him more, especially hearing him play acoustic guitar and even banjo. The guy was an inspired, brilliant player.
Maybe your comments were more directed on Stevie Ray and Jimi. That’s a pretty serious charge, considering how massive their influence has been. Perhaps your angst lies with the many Stevie Ray clones out there. Also, I’ve certainly learned to love subtle players as much as these big hitters. But have you ever really really listened to Stevie’s version of “Little Wing”? Both these guys have been jammed down everyone’s ears, but at the heart of it, there’s a reason for that. They both changed music and even someone like Albert King has acknowledged that Stevie Ray created a huge resurgence in the blues.
A guy like George Harrison should be mentioned more in terms of what great guitar playing is. There’s a zillion incredible cats out there. Some of the best ones are the ones who blend into the context of amazing music in a seamless way.
When I think of guitar players who may, in my opinion, be prone to excess, I think of guys like Steve Vai. Now, I know that as a technician he has few peers, and I’m not saying everything he does is crap, but sometimes less is more.
I prefer listening ro players who know how to fill a space and, more importantly, when not to. I never tire of listening to string-benders like James Burton, Steve Cropper, J.J. Cale, George Harrison, Robbie Robertson, Ry Cooder and Mark Knopfler.
I still listen to a lot of Clapton (I know, I know) and I really love his recent playing. Have you heard any of his stuff with Steve Winwood these days? (I have a bootleg of the February Madison Square Garden gig if you’re interested, they do a Little Wing/Voodoo Chile tribute to Jimi that literally smokes, their tandem playing on Dear Mr. Fantasy is unbelievable) I swear, the guy is peaking as a player. Maybe its maturity, or sobriety, but he seems to have finally completely absorbed his influences and started playing with his ears.
Just my two cents.