Wilko Johnson RIP

 

Just the news arrived that one of the greatest guitar player from the last decades sadly past by. CC over at Charity Chic Music wrote great last words about an artist that had an immense influence in modern guitar play. I always loved the way he played guitar and without him Dr. Feelgood wouldn't be the ones they were. Always angry and precise anyway. Now another great artist is gone and probably not the last one this year.

Rest easy Wilko

Searching For The Perfect Riff

A riff is a term in rock music for a short phrase used as a background or as a building block for solos and mostly often repeated. There were a lot of songs where a riff is the main thing of a song. During the last days I was searching the songs I have for the final riff at all. It is difficult because there are so many riffs during the last decades that impressed me very much and finally I always come back to Wilko Johnson. Back in 1979 Dr. Feelgood released their fourth album Sneakin' Suspicion and the title track has everything a riff-based song should have. Only a few chords preparing the ground for a some guitar licks. Especially when Johnson plays rhythm and lead guitar at the same time.

Dr. Feelgood - Sneakin' Suspicion

PS:
If you have any suggestion for another songs - please let me know. Probably we can make a series out of it.

Sneaking Suspicion

Grabbed out a song from the late 70s performed by Dr. Feelgood. Starting as a classical band from the pub rock movement they had a great influence to the uprising punk rock scene. Playing simple Rhythm and Blues like many bands at this time there was one thing that made them unique. And this was their incomparable guitar played by Wilko Johnson.

He achieved his playing style by not using a pick but instead relying on fingerstyle. This enabled him to play rhythm guitar and riffs or solos at the same time creating a highly percussive sound. Good example is this song below, which exists only of riffs. Although he's still on tour he started a career as an actor. Johnson was cast in the role of mute executioner Payne in the fantasy series Games of Throne

Dr. Feelgood - Sneaking Suspicion