That's mastery right there, unmistakeable: - Can't tell where his technical limit is, but he's clearly playing a /long/ way inside it - Never uncertain, never a wrong note, never anything short of perfectly clear - Plays technically impressive stuff that's still 100% natural and musical, doesn't even register as technical half the time - Does intricate stuff that's frankly way over my head, but it still makes sense and sounds right to me even if I don't know what he's doing - And of course it all just sounds completely effortless.
Frank is not just a monster on guitar, but he loves to teach it as well. He's done so much more for guitar and music than most other guitarist ever will
I’m currently playing in Frank’s band, and yeah, these heads are burning on guitar, but take some figuring and definitely 2 hands to play on keys! He and Dave Weckl share something that I love: the technique isn’t there to show off, it’s there to make everything flow naturally and easily, MUSICALLY, whatever it is. And he’s a nice cat! Who wears a fedora!
I have to mention that Brecker '92 Barcelona live with Dennis Chambers is one of my all time favourite live recordings ever and your solos and musicmanship in general plays a huge part
Wow! I think I could practice for ten lifetimes and still not come up with technique as flawless as his! Thank you once again for sharing your musical journey.
Anyone who doesn’t want to look like a character from an American comic strip,..in shorts ( of course, what else ? ) with a backwards ball cap, dresses like a seven year old at the age of 49😅😅😅😅..
Yeah, I just got introduced to Rick’s content about two months ago, and I’ve had a good time getting to know him through his videos. Thoroughly enjoying it.
Normally, I don't like reaction videos with the host breaking down little details because I can make up my own mind for myself, and the internet is currently flooded with those types of videos but Rick's reactions are so genuine that it's easy to imagine ourselves geeking out along side him under the sheer power of frank gambale. Rick really does breathe this stuff. This is a great channel.
Saw Frank about 15 years ago in a venue that held 700. Only 30 people there and I brought 4 of them. He commented, "well, this is a small gathering" and went on to give those of us who came a great show! That's what the pros do regardless of the circumstances! :)
Years ago I saw Lonnie Mack under the same circumstances. An audience of about thirty in a local saloon. Lonnie had so much fun the owner locked the doors at closing time - and we all partied with Lonnie for several more hours. Lonnie - a true hero.
@PaulWarrenMusic John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin fame said I always play my best.There may be a person there who saved up money and this is the only time he's going to see (us , me) goes on to say "size of the crowd is not relevant."
I was standing right next to Rick when this all went down and I can tell you without a doubt Frank is among the greatest to ever pick up a guitar. My face hurt from smiling and crying at what I was experiencing that day. It still gives me chills. And it had nothing to do with showing off or playing fast. It’s his note choice and absolute command of watching his hands do anything he can think up to play on the fly…and make it completely musical and funky. And with no excuses he literally turned the rented amp on and had the guy turn a few knobs and was like ok that’s not great but I’ll makebit work. I’ve been to lots of NAMM shows but this one will forever be a highlight that I know will never be topped. Thank you Frank for bringing it and leveling the building 💥💥💥
It sounds like a brief but truly amazing moment to find yourself in. I can only wonder what sort of special wiring is inside the head of Gambale and the few people who can play _this_ well...! 🤯
Frank is a monster. When I first got his instructional tapes in the mid 80's, I just wanted to burn my guitar but sat down and learned what I could from Frank. I will never be able to play anything close to that but the bits I picked up have stuck with me 40 years later, it was worth the effort.
Frank Gambale is not only a virtuoso with refined taste in what he does, he is also an exquisitely kind person I have had the pleasure and honour to hear and see him at several jazz festivals and to chat with him backstage: a lovely, humble, kind person and a genius! Thank you Rick.
Frank was my guitar instructor in 1996 the first year of the Los Angeles music Academy is what it was called back then. I was lucky enough to hang out with him and learn some stuff.
I was a student of Frank Gamble in the 80s. He invited a few of us along when he auditioned for Chick Corea's Electric Band!! He's still the same nuce cat he ever was. Fun fact: Frank is a great R&B singer as well!! Who knew??! 😮
A true master. I saw him at an American Music in ~1989 in Jacksonville, FL. I don’t know if he flew or drove in, but he walked into the store, plugged in a guitar, and proceeded to blow everybody’s mind. No warm up. Just blistering perfection.
I'm a friend of Franks and have heard him play countless times. He always plays like this Video! 100% commitment to the music and to his fellow musicians and fans! Frank you are the best!!
Wow. Ya see Rick? This is your gift to the music world. You shine a spotlight on an endless stream of unbelievable talent. Thank you, thank you ...a thousand thank you's.
And this is why I've not paid rolling stone any attention for the past 20 years. Frank is so clean and articulate in his playing, yet he does it all musically and with feeling. You can be as methodically mechanical as you want in how fast you play, but music should be felt as well as heard, and I felt every note of this clip.
Frank Gambale is good but he is playing the same stuff he played 40 years ago and it has zero crossover potential. Why would rolling stone feature him? listening to Frank and co is like being stuck in a time warp from 1983. It's good and that but i was expecting more. Silly me for falling for clickbait.
What Frank can do is nothing short of astounding. This is not something that anyone can aspire to. Guys that have this kind of flawless technique and amazing feel are gifted with it. Yes, they work hard, they practice, they refine their gift but they are absolutely born with the ability. They are like runners who can run a 2:02 marathon. Some people have the ability to do things that not everyone can do no matter how hard you try. As Rick pointed out, the room was filled with other great players who were scratching their heads.
Frank Gambale's sweep picking is very sax-y. Like he plays sweeped saxophone lines on guitar, and there's no other guitarist who does it like Frank. He's just uncopyable. What a brilliant and legendary guitarist.
The one who I would say is comfortably in the same territory is Allan Holdsworth, who also wanted a sax as a kid but got a guitar instead. It's like they've both gone beyond the guitar, like Coltrane did with the sax.
@@robinstokes5179 Yeah, absolutely, I totally agree. They are very musical and have gone beyond the confines of the instrument. I love Holdsworth as well :)
You really touched on something interesting. Obviously there are a plethora of amazing players out there, some of which we would have never known without the internet and YT. But once in a while someone like Gambale reminds you of what true greatness looks like. It's like marveling at a Transformer, not seeing that Godzilla stands behind it.
I remember back in the seventies, early eighties Frank Gambale"s parents owned a shop in Sydney that was called "Pro Audio" and they had a monthly newsletter that used to list their product catalogue, which was usually about a 20 page plain paper magazine and on the back page they would let the music community know what young Frank was up to at that time in the USA.
It was actually in the Canberra suburb of Dickson .I visited the store a few times .I saw him do a clinic in the late 80's in Sydney .It was a really eye-opening moment as a guitar player.
Yes Sir!!! One of the greatest for sure. I first heard Frank at a small jazz club in North Hollywood called Dantes back in 1986. The month our first son was born. Chad Wackerman was on drums and a friend of mine was one of Frank’s students at GIT and invited me to go. Right after that, I bought his debut album “Brave New Guitar.“ And I’ve been in awe ever since!
I saw Albert Collins in the late ‘80s at Antone’s in Austin. He had a 100ft cord, got up on the bar, walked down the bar (while jamming) got down and walked out the front door into the parking lot. About 20 of us followed him out there and encircled him while he jammed in the parking lot, his music blaring out the front doors. It was the best show ever. Nothing like watching a master ply his craft up close.
That’s what all the old blues guys did - saw Buddy guy in ‘85 do it (the Decade in Pittsburgh), then again in 1990 - but he’d gone wireless. 3000 seat theater operating as a nightclub (currently it’s The Fillmore Detroit). He walked from the stage to the grand lobby, ordered a shot, drank it, bumped the butt of a pool cue of a guy lining up a shot (who freaked out when he turned around to see who’d done it) all without missing a note. The showmanship and soul of the masters… there is nothing like it!
Same for me ten years earlier, late '70s in Eugene. The Robert Cray Band was the house band on Friday and Saturday, and Albert Collins was there a couple of week days. Albert Collins was sensational, living up to his title 'master of the Telecaster.' He did that same slow walk into the audience, and out to the parking lot, which just rocked the crowd into a frenzy. At least half the people followed him out.
This is what’s missing from a lot of the young guys you see shredding on UA-cam. Frank has technique for days. Plays fast enough and technical enough to hold his own with anyone……..but his phrasing and his feel are impeccable. Everything he plays is so musical. Not just fast and technical for the sake of being fast and technical.
I think this is what is missing in most modern music for that matter. Most young musicians these days are too much about the look and politics than actually learning how to use their talents to put emotion and something real into a song. And so many are not on guitar also. I hate the beat driven programmed odd sounds. Bring back more guitar and learn now to play the thing.
@@Mardy72When people say "shredder" I take it with a grain of salt. It ain't worth a poot if I kaint FEEL the music. I don't feel this. I "feel" when I listen to SRV or Albert King...other than that, Frank is a genius on guitar! But personally, for me, it doesn't "feel" right...
Staggering to think of the mental energy he invested into being able to THINK of these solos...let alone getting to the level where he can do this as a series of reactions without letting actual thinking slow him down!
Love your description of “that sense of wonder” - it’s kinda rare as you get older, and so great when somebody delivers a performance with such mastery that it takes you there. Love this clip.
He plays a lot of fusion which for many people is hard to wrap their head around. In his world he is appreciated a lot. He’s not mainstream for sure as many insta players out there
I remember when he was on the cover of Guitar Player magazine, way back in the late 80s. This was when he was a member of Chick Corea's band. Gambale is a beast! He has that same vibe that EVH had, meaning that it's obvious that he's having so much fun playing guitar!
Not everyone can play this fast with this much feel. So many people fast these days, but it all sounds very emotionless and mechanical and this guy puts the feeling in it at that pace, it's really crazy and he can go on for as long as he wants, it doesn't get monotonous or boring and yeah, he does some unexpected surprising stuff all of a sudden
I was thinking the same thing. Malmsteen for me is fast but it's like a party trick. It's tedious and lacks feeling but, Frank plays like a saxophone player. He leaves space, he's got nothing to prove so he slows it down. Then when it serves the music he plays "As fast as (I) he wants" . Speed for speeds sake is boring. Frank is full of surprises and he's so dynamic and lacks that ego that causes others to play fast for the sake of showing how fast they can play. That gets old "Fast" ... gimme David Gilmore over shredders who just do that but don't make music with emotion. Nice comment ✌️🎸🎶🙏
@@stanphillips7277 yes, the smooth playing Rick talks about, i feel the same in Marty Friedman, Trey Azagthoth of Morbid Angel. The fretboards almost feels fretless sometimes and yeah when you say Sax, totally agree. The boundlessness, self confidence, carefree, unafraid, no embarrassment because he's not showing off like you said
@@klaatubarada7556 I see you're point. Apple's and oranges yet I've never liked Malmsteen"s playing. It's possible that I find it difficult to remove the man from the music. I don't like _him_ . His ego ! From the interviews I've seen he's got a big head. No humility. It's not my style of music to listen to even if he had an ego. Tell you what. Recommend something and I'll _really_ try to enjoy it. I'll leave any motions about him personally at the door and try and give him a fair shot. I'll listen and I'll let you know. I have nothing against speed, on the contrary. I'm a player and players should appreciate all genres even if it's not their favorite genre . A lot of my favorites are fast. Van Halen, Zakk and Rhandy of Ozzy's bands, Eric Johnson, Vai, SRV , of course I could go on but ya know. I don't like bluegrass but, I've heard some playing that's blown my mind. So suggest something and I'll check it out without bias. Cool?
I appreciate Frank Gambale, because I play mostly improvisations, and he's a great example of what happens when practice and skill comes together with someone who really appreciates music.
We held a masterclass weekend in my studio at my home with Frank, Alex Hutchings and Luke Lewis last summer it was absolutely mindblowing. It was a real honour and Frank is a true gent.
Frank is one of the most innovative and original guitarists in history. Hearing and seeing him was a huge and pivotal influence for me personally. Changed my whole style of playing completely.
Brett - you've had a similar impact and influence on so many of us, just as Frank has! Thank you for the music you've created over the years, not to mention the incredible inspiration and innovation you've shared with the world.
It’s the early 90’s and I’m watching a jazz festival on PBS. Chick Corea comes on and the guitar player is blowing my mind, absolutely spectacular. So I call a guitar buddy of mine and tell him about it. He says,”yeah that’s Frank Gambale.” I’ll never forget it, the guy is a great, great guitar player.
What a talented guy. His playing was incredible, but you could tell he wasn’t playing to impress nor pulling out all his tricks. When you can impress without trying to impress, that’s real talent.
Been listening to mr gambale forever and his greatness is in his note selection and his restraint his feel , but the quality of tone in his fingers holding a note long enough to enjoy that tone. Like he said he could play as fast as he wants but when he does he adds his string skips and big intervalic leaps are what make him amazing and unique.
He gave a clinic back in 87 or so. Plugged straight into his boogie, along with his backing tracks, blew everyone away, he was selling his books and tapes, which I highly recommend. Like you said, phrasing, feel and chops.
I saw Frank Gambale, Chick Corea, Eric Marienthal, Victor Wooten, and Dave Weckl play together at a club when I was in music school. Everyone was amazing.
I was also Frank at a show at the Blue Note in NYC where Victor joined the Elektric Band when John Patitucci didn't play. Great to see in a small room.
I saw Frank in Guitar Player Magazine back in '88, and my guitar teacher introduced me to Gambale's modal magic. Even after 30 years, he still rocks it, amazing and inspiring me. Gotta grab my guitar. These players, they're something else. Who cares about Rolling Stone's silly list anyway?
Outstanding! Frank is an absolute monster musician! Chick Corea knew *precisely* what he was doing when he found and pulled Frank into the Elektric Band.
I have met Frank numerous times, he is a wonderful gentleman! We remain friends online! I asked him about coming back to the states and he said everything is just too expensive right now. He makes a good living playing around Europe... His knowledge is incomparable! He knows what he is playing whereas most of us improve by ear! In my opinion, he is the best ... period!
Yes, I remember watching his old REH-Video some time in the late nineties. It was absolutely terrifying how good his playing was, I had never heard of him until then. Since then he´s been one of my favorite players and I bought lots of CDs and everything...
Frank the sweeping monster, his tech skills blow away any guitarist on this planet. You love it or you don't, but one thing you have to admit: he is a monster...
I've told this story before, but it's good so here goes. We lived over the road from the Gambale's in Canberra. His older bro', Nunzio and I we mates and in the same class at school. Used to spend a lot of time at Nunz's place listening to music; hearing Frank muck around on his guitar; etc. Btw; Nunz was a fantastic bass player. One day Nunz said "Come over; Frank's learnt a new song". Over I went to hear Frank effortlessly do a stunning rendition of the 'Dead's' / Gerry Garcia's 'Dark Star'. Frank was about 10 years old!
Sadly my dad hasn’t touched his bass in years. That poor incredible Alembic just sits in the cupboard gathering dust. He doesn’t do social media, but I’ll show him this message, Michael. 😊
Rick, thank you for having a channel. I learn more just watching you than any other media that is related to guitars and playing music. I am not a good player myself, but I can sure as hell recognize one!
Franks solo on My Little Viper changed my life. Nothing will ever top the feeling of me hearing that solo for the first time. And I still get chills to this day.
This couldn’t have come out at a more perfect time Rick. I’ve been watching his “Modes No More Mystery” instructional video (essential material if you’re trying to learn the modes on guitar) and listening to him a lot lately. He has the speed and technique but my god, he’s so tasteful and has the feel too. Such a pleasure to listen to. One of the best to ever do it by a long shot. Love Frank
I saw Frank play at a high school in Szczecin, Poland (where I was living) back in late '96 or early '97. I think a ticket cost about $2. I only dropped in on the show because I recognized his name from the ads he used to have in the back of Hit Parader. I assumed he played heavy metal. Needless to say, he didn't - and I, along with maybe 30 other people, watched a completely amazing show. After the show, he hung out with anyone who could speak English. Really nice, down to earth guy.
being a blues guy of 52 years i am not usually into shredding, but with Franks playing i never lost intrest unlike most of the million notes an hour guys. fantastic use of dynamics to twist the ear.
Another insider comment. I will share from GIT… Great fusion player and teacher. Danny Gilbert was doing the class, and he said last night when I was doing this class I was writing out the example and getting ready to go through it, and I was almost done, and then I said to myself. “ Wait, Frank in that class I need to do more”.!!! I swear that’s true, and his mere presence intimidated, the teachers, and again not because Frank was not a great guy. He was. He was just so talented that it was evident to everybody in the school. He was at a different level.!! 🎶😇🙏💜
I was studying commercial music at Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) in the mid-80s and Frank was one of the artists the program featured during it's annual Jazz Week. He did a few performances and masterclasses and was just awesome. Me and another student were charged with picking him up from the airport and taking him to dinner. We took him to the Rendezvous and he at two whole slabs of ribs. Super down to earth cat.
I didn't know about Frank before this video, but you can bet I'm doing a deep dive into his work now! That is some of the cleanest phrasing I've ever heard on a guitar, it's just stunning.
One of Frank's contemporaries, Joe Satriani, was recently filmed in a similar situation - small amp, backing track (Ice 9), and a few pedals - at an art gallery in Boca Raton, Florida, and it's literally jaw dropping. He hasn't lost a thing, well into his 60s. Might be a cool idea to talk about staying on top of our playing as we age. You could feature sone of the types of performaces we see from Frank, Joe, and other elder statesmen of the guitar.
I used to study with Frank when I was young, around the era he did this album and i can tell you the guy can truly play anything from crazy bop chops, sweep picking madness to the best blues i have ever heard what a gift
If you new to Frank Gambale you may also check some of his works: 1. Chic korea - got a match (north sea jazz 2004 and 2017) 2. gambale with vital information 3. Gambale blues namm 2013 4. Gambale - free spirit 5. Gambale live at musician institute (the old one)
Frank rulez! I remember a story, he told about Chick Corea: They just recorded a track with the Electric Band, und Frank just played the solo, that Chick loved most of all of Franks solos. Chick was totally enthusiastic, but Frank wanted to rerecord the ending. He asked Chick to do the ending again, but Chick said: "No!" Frank said: "But I don't like the ending." Chick answered: "Why do you play things you don't like?" The lesson I learned from this story: Love every note you play! It's yours!
Frank is, by far, the best musician I've seen live. His feel and how he just walks through the changes with ease just amazes me, all while doing some monstruous sweeping patterns, with each and every note sounding as clear as possible
I met Frank briefly at a guitar show in Orlando back in '88 or '89, along with Elliot Easton, Bruce Kulick, and Steve Morse. Talk about a great bunch of guys. More talent than that building could hold, but they were approachable and good to all the fans. One of my favorite memories.
Frank is so great and just a terrific guy, what a shredder he is. He is so loose and just loves what he does and also loves sharing that joy. Power to you Frank.
I attended GIT back in 85 timeframe. The faculty always gave a concert for the new incoming students to kick of the year, and I was there with my roommate. The band was playing a standard funk-groove type song like watermelon man or something. They played a bunch of songs easy to throw together and jam to. Anyway, each player was taking a solo and each was better than the last. I can't remember who was on stage, but they were no slouches - I think maybe Don Mock was there, etc. Then, this unknown guy in shorts and a bad haircut, started ripping a solo on this pastel-colored Strat the likes of which I'd never heard before. His fingers are flying all over the neck and he's laying down terrifying "sheets of sound" like 'Trane on acid. I mean the cat was just SHREDDING like an absolute beast! After the solo, the crowd roared its thunderous approval, and my roommate and I, stunned, just looked at each other, jaws dropping, both of us with a kind of "is that the best guy you've ever heard?" look on our faces. We had no idea who the guy was, and we were frantically looking through the program to find out the name of this unknown monster....that was my introduction to Frank Gambale.
I was at MIT in '85 too, as a drummer, and I remember Gambale walking the hallways with a smile on his face like he was someone we should respect but we didn't know better. So weird to be in the company of greatness and just a dumb kid thinking, "Who's this guy?". And I distinctly remember Robben Ford sitting in his office behind the glass, looking so sad because he used to play with Miles but needed to make a living.
I started at GIT in spring 83. Frank was still a student there. Walking down a hall I heard a guitarist in a performance hall who was more than shredding. He was playing the most inventive and funky bebop leads to a funk groove that I had ever heard. Full of gaps and leaps, bluesy licks with a complete command of jumping to alternative ket centers, without ever sounding Intellectual, just BURNING.
Aside from his improvisational and technical prowess, he's a really nice guy. After meeting him twice you always felt like he was genuinely interested in what you had to say.
At this point rolling stone magazine have lost so much audience they NEED to put out outrageous and ridiculous articles to make people talk about them. The whole thing is a joke nowdays.
It’s all about the Reimagine America crowd.They come from Ivy League schools participating in group think and go on to media outlets to promote their propaganda campaigns
As long as people keep reading and getting mad at rolling stone they keep staying intentionally out of touch. We only think Rolling Stones list needs to be definitive Becuase we give it credit. We need to stop reading and talking about it and just move on, same with the hall of fame. It’s a shame that these cultural institutions can’t be better.
Frank instinctively knows every single note on the entire length of the guitar neck. This means he doesn’t have to think about where the next finger placement is as he plays. The video clip is him setting the guitar up, throwing in a few cool riffs and licks then settling into simply cruising through an Epic improvised solo. The man is incredible!
I'm sure, considering the millions like me who merely "play guitar", there are a small (X) number of guitarists who know the neck better than the back of their hand; having watched him play, Birelli Lagrene springs to mind. Allan Holdsworth I recently saw talking about scales / modes & could play the most astonishing stuff without looking & seemed to have an advanced grasp of harmony, extremely uncommon in almost any other player. I've only just heard him for the first time but I suspect Frank is in the same territory.
I saw him with Chick Corea in about 1990. I didn't know what to expect, so when he started playing some of those sweep picking shred lines, I was astonished. I hadn't seen anything like that before. Needless to say, that was unforgettable.
Frank is amazing guitar player. He was THE guitar player for me when i was trying to figure out right hand and economy picking. His runs are unreal, with precision and accuracy just on another level. Rolling Stones should be ashamed for not putting him on the Top 100 list.
I am glad I got the chance to see him on stage with the Ckick Corea Elektrik Band version 2.0 (with Eric Marienthal, Frank, Dave and John). I remember being totally dumbfounded by his sweep picking. It sounded like he was faking it. Really out of this world.
Wow, so fluid. I am not a guitarist, but been around them. I played the drumset years ago, and was in many bands. Frank reminds me of some of Steve Morse's playing in the Dixie Dregs! Rock On!!!.
Frank Gambale, Guthrie Govan and Alan Holdsworth are the three greatest guitarists in my opinion. None of them is on the rolling stone's 250 greatest guitarists.
That is ridiculous. Truthfully, it’s almost frightening = what the hell is happening where a publication of that size can get that far out of touch and still be in business ?
Frank's a character. In 1987, Frank was one of my instructors at MI/GIT. I'm walking by a practice room and I recognize Frank and he's talking with about eight other students. I walk in and he says, "I don't recognize you?". I tell him that I recognize him and I wondered what he's showing the others in the room. He says, " I know two licks," and he blasted off in an end to end arpeggio followed by a simple blues lick. I nodded and walked out of the room. I felt the same thing that most of you felt at NAMM in 2020 - what was that?!? I was staggered by his ability to turn the jets on immediately. I was 18 and there was work to be done. Always appreciated RB!
I saw Frank Gambale play with the Chick Corea Elektric Band twice on the same night at Lincoln Center in NYC in the late 80s. Probably the greatest group of musicians I ever saw perform live. Every one of them soloing after each other nonstop all night, and then playing in unison on some pretty challenging riffs and making it all look so easy. These guys, Frank Gambale, John Patitucci, Dave Weckl, Eric Marienthal, and, of course, Chick Corea, were on a level that I can't even describe. All the Elektric Band albums and each member's solo albums are well worth checking out, especially Frank's.
Thank you Rick! I am learning something every time I watch one of your videos...I didn't know anything about Frank Gambale and now I am off on a deep dive into everything I can find about him. Keep up the amazing videos and thank you!!!
Phenomenal guitarist for sure. When did this solo “break the internet”? I remember Nunos’ solo causing a commotion but I missed this one breaking the internet.
Sounds like keyboard riffs. One of my fav who is mine blowing to me personally is Jimmy Herring, and growing up in mountains of VA playing bluegrass, then teen in Atlanta playing blues and rock in the 90s, i have a soft spot. Opening up for Bruce Hampton at Smith's old bar, and other greats like Leon Russell while I was young really made me an old soul, I like Warren Haynes but not like Jimmy, and Victor, oteil Burbage were clinics that we all gathered to, Everytime there would be just musicians from other bands standing around like me just in awe. I miss those days of the musicians musician just holding clinics and all the musicians in the area flocking to see a behind baseball talk
At 29, i remember listening to frank during highschool, religiously. Hoping to be as good as him, never did, but my dad had one of his old reh videos that he let me watch and learn from. He will always be one of the greata.
Those changes are worth gold.! Song is not called Sixty-eight-shaker. It is called six-point-eight-shaker, where Frank seemingly refers to an earthquake of 6.8 on the Richter-Scale.
Rick Beato's ears can hear the grass grow. This statement is so true, I'm posting it on every Beato video. I wish I could hear half as good as you Rick.
That's mastery right there, unmistakeable:
- Can't tell where his technical limit is, but he's clearly playing a /long/ way inside it
- Never uncertain, never a wrong note, never anything short of perfectly clear
- Plays technically impressive stuff that's still 100% natural and musical, doesn't even register as technical half the time
- Does intricate stuff that's frankly way over my head, but it still makes sense and sounds right to me even if I don't know what he's doing
- And of course it all just sounds completely effortless.
Rick is the only one I know that can get away with playing air guitar while holding a guitar and looking so natural
Even actually playing notes with his right hand 😂
xD
It’s a good example of how artists are inspired by others, I enjoy seeing him “play along”.
Hey Rick need to check out max ostro
It’s cuz he knows air guitar looks kool and feels even kooler ha.
Frank is not just a monster on guitar, but he loves to teach it as well. He's done so much more for guitar and music than most other guitarist ever will
I’m currently playing in Frank’s band, and yeah, these heads are burning on guitar, but take some figuring and definitely 2 hands to play on keys! He and Dave Weckl share something that I love: the technique isn’t there to show off, it’s there to make everything flow naturally and easily, MUSICALLY, whatever it is. And he’s a nice cat! Who wears a fedora!
Wow, cool to see your reply here George!
I have to mention that Brecker '92 Barcelona live with Dennis Chambers is one of my all time favourite live recordings ever and your solos and musicmanship in general plays a huge part
Wow! I think I could practice for ten lifetimes and still not come up with technique as flawless as his! Thank you once again for sharing your musical journey.
Anyone who doesn’t want to look like a character from an American comic strip,..in shorts ( of course, what else ? ) with a backwards ball cap, dresses like a seven year old at the age of 49😅😅😅😅..
Far out, blues brother.
He's Sublime. Kinda reminiscent of Jimi's impact on me in the late 60s/early 70s.
Thank you
I have never heard of Rick Beato or Frank Gambale. I am almost 60 years old. They both have brought me pure joy! Thank you Rick!!!
Check out Rick‘s interviews. Pure joy.
Yeah, I just got introduced to Rick’s content about two months ago, and I’ve had a good time getting to know him through his videos. Thoroughly enjoying it.
That's why you never heard of them
It's never too late
Never read Rolling Stone. You just gave me one more reason why. Frank is fantastic and so are you Rick. Well done.
They fired Matt Taibbi, who was better than the rest of their writers combined.
That first sentence should be the first commandment of music.
@@spindriftdrinker
He must’ve misgendered someone. 🤦
RS hasn't been relevant in years at this point. 😝
@@R3TR0R4V3, was it ever relevant?
Normally, I don't like reaction videos with the host breaking down little details because I can make up my own mind for myself, and the internet is currently flooded with those types of videos but Rick's reactions are so genuine that it's easy to imagine ourselves geeking out along side him under the sheer power of frank gambale.
Rick really does breathe this stuff. This is a great channel.
Saw Frank about 15 years ago in a venue that held 700. Only 30 people there and I brought 4 of them. He commented, "well, this is a small gathering" and went on to give those of us who came a great show! That's what the pros do regardless of the circumstances! :)
Years ago I saw Lonnie Mack under the same circumstances. An audience of about thirty in a local saloon. Lonnie had so much fun the owner locked the doors at closing time - and we all partied with Lonnie for several more hours. Lonnie - a true hero.
@PaulWarrenMusic John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin fame said I always play my best.There may be a person there who saved up money and this is the only time he's going to see (us , me) goes on to say "size of the crowd is not relevant."
I was standing right next to Rick when this all went down and I can tell you without a doubt Frank is among the greatest to ever pick up a guitar. My face hurt from smiling and crying at what I was experiencing that day. It still gives me chills. And it had nothing to do with showing off or playing fast. It’s his note choice and absolute command of watching his hands do anything he can think up to play on the fly…and make it completely musical and funky. And with no excuses he literally turned the rented amp on and had the guy turn a few knobs and was like ok that’s not great but I’ll makebit work. I’ve been to lots of NAMM shows but this one will forever be a highlight that I know will never be topped. Thank you Frank for bringing it and leveling the building 💥💥💥
It sounds like a brief but truly amazing moment to find yourself in.
I can only wonder what sort of special wiring is inside the head of Gambale and the few people who can play _this_ well...! 🤯
Frank is a monster. When I first got his instructional tapes in the mid 80's, I just wanted to burn my guitar but sat down and learned what I could from Frank. I will never be able to play anything close to that but the bits I picked up have stuck with me 40 years later, it was worth the effort.
Frank Gambale is not only a virtuoso with refined taste in what he does, he is also an exquisitely kind person
I have had the pleasure and honour to hear and see him at several jazz festivals and to chat with him backstage: a lovely, humble, kind person and a genius! Thank you Rick.
Frank was my guitar instructor in 1996 the first year of the Los Angeles music Academy is what it was called back then. I was lucky enough to hang out with him and learn some stuff.
You are a lucky guitar player!
Is there a Hammond organ playing with him or an effects pedal hes using ?
Effect pedal. Phaser, maybe some kind of octave.
Hey man, that's a cool lie you just made up
Frank's phrasing is so good, it's damn near tear-inducing. I love this guy.
I was a student of Frank Gamble in the 80s. He invited a few of us along when he auditioned for Chick Corea's Electric Band!! He's still the same nuce cat he ever was. Fun fact: Frank is a great R&B singer as well!! Who knew??! 😮
A true master. I saw him at an American Music in ~1989 in Jacksonville, FL. I don’t know if he flew or drove in, but he walked into the store, plugged in a guitar, and proceeded to blow everybody’s mind. No warm up. Just blistering perfection.
Hey that's my city lol (hence the 904 area code in my pfp)
So much articulation in Frank’s sound. Always love the way he makes that guitar talk
I'm a friend of Franks and have heard him play countless times. He always plays like this Video! 100% commitment to the music and to his fellow musicians and fans! Frank you are the best!!
He is SO expressive. When he plays, it’s like he’s just talking to the audience. Unbelievable.
Impressive too! 😊
Wow. Ya see Rick? This is your gift to the music world. You shine a spotlight on an endless stream of unbelievable talent. Thank you, thank you ...a thousand thank you's.
Frank is the man who can play phrases in an Allan Holdsworth style and not make them sound boring - like Holdsworth - but beautiful.
Frank Gambale is one of the all-time greats.
sure !
fax
That was absurd. His phrasing is unreal. I quit….
He could be in my top ten.
if he's so great, why hasn't he entered jared dines shred collab?
Rick, just cranking out solid content, day in, day out. Thank you for this Frank gem!
This is the kinda of commentary I can relate to:
OH!
Yea!
Effortless!
Love those triplets!
*air sololing with a guitar strapped*
Almost sounds like John Lord with a guitar 😅
And this is why I've not paid rolling stone any attention for the past 20 years.
Frank is so clean and articulate in his playing, yet he does it all musically and with feeling. You can be as methodically mechanical as you want in how fast you play, but music should be felt as well as heard, and I felt every note of this clip.
Very well said! 👍
All them rock and roll writers are the worst kind of sleaze
Rolling stone hasn’t been relevant in decades
Frank Gambale is good but he is playing the same stuff he played 40 years ago and it has zero crossover potential. Why would rolling stone feature him? listening to Frank and co is like being stuck in a time warp from 1983. It's good and that but i was expecting more. Silly me for falling for clickbait.
What Frank can do is nothing short of astounding. This is not something that anyone can aspire to. Guys that have this kind of flawless technique and amazing feel are gifted with it. Yes, they work hard, they practice, they refine their gift but they are absolutely born with the ability. They are like runners who can run a 2:02 marathon. Some people have the ability to do things that not everyone can do no matter how hard you try. As Rick pointed out, the room was filled with other great players who were scratching their heads.
"A feeling that I never get anymore"
That says it all. Thank you Rick!😊
Frank Gambale's sweep picking is very sax-y. Like he plays sweeped saxophone lines on guitar, and there's no other guitarist who does it like Frank. He's just uncopyable. What a brilliant and legendary guitarist.
The one who I would say is comfortably in the same territory is Allan Holdsworth, who also wanted a sax as a kid but got a guitar instead. It's like they've both gone beyond the guitar, like Coltrane did with the sax.
@@robinstokes5179 Yeah, absolutely, I totally agree. They are very musical and have gone beyond the confines of the instrument. I love Holdsworth as well :)
You really touched on something interesting. Obviously there are a plethora of amazing players out there, some of which we would have never known without the internet and YT. But once in a while someone like Gambale reminds you of what true greatness looks like. It's like marveling at a Transformer, not seeing that Godzilla stands behind it.
Truth!
I remember back in the seventies, early eighties Frank Gambale"s parents owned a shop in Sydney that was called "Pro Audio" and they had a monthly newsletter that used to list their product catalogue, which was usually about a 20 page plain paper magazine and on the back page they would let the music community know what young Frank was up to at that time in the USA.
that's actually so cool
I remember that catalogue!
It was actually in the Canberra suburb of Dickson .I visited the store a few times .I saw him do a clinic in the late 80's in Sydney .It was a really eye-opening moment as a guitar player.
I could imagine! Never seen him live, but I had the videos back in the day!!!
I bought my first valve amp from them loved their catalogs too musicians porn 🎸🎸🎸😁
Yes Sir!!! One of the greatest for sure. I first heard Frank at a small jazz club in North Hollywood called Dantes back in 1986. The month our first son was born. Chad Wackerman was on drums and a friend of mine was one of Frank’s students at GIT and invited me to go. Right after that, I bought his debut album “Brave New Guitar.“ And I’ve been in awe ever since!
Frank Gambale playing is sooo good that it literally brings tears of joy to my eyes...
I saw Albert Collins in the late ‘80s at Antone’s in Austin. He had a 100ft cord, got up on the bar, walked down the bar (while jamming) got down and walked out the front door into the parking lot. About 20 of us followed him out there and encircled him while he jammed in the parking lot, his music blaring out the front doors. It was the best show ever.
Nothing like watching a master ply his craft up close.
That’s what all the old blues guys did - saw Buddy guy in ‘85 do it (the Decade in Pittsburgh), then again in 1990 - but he’d gone wireless. 3000 seat theater operating as a nightclub (currently it’s The Fillmore Detroit). He walked from the stage to the grand lobby, ordered a shot, drank it, bumped the butt of a pool cue of a guy lining up a shot (who freaked out when he turned around to see who’d done it) all without missing a note. The showmanship and soul of the masters… there is nothing like it!
I was at a show in Toronto, at Albert's Hall, around the same time and he did the same thing. Was an awesome show.
F yeh! Sure one can play, but, is he or she an entertainer? If they're both... I'll see you there my dude! Rock on! :)
Same for me ten years earlier, late '70s in Eugene. The Robert Cray Band was the house band on Friday and Saturday, and Albert Collins was there a couple of week days.
Albert Collins was sensational, living up to his title 'master of the Telecaster.' He did that same slow walk into the audience, and out to the parking lot, which just rocked the crowd into a frenzy. At least half the people followed him out.
🤣Brilliant!
This is what’s missing from a lot of the young guys you see shredding on UA-cam. Frank has technique for days. Plays fast enough and technical enough to hold his own with anyone……..but his phrasing and his feel are impeccable. Everything he plays is so musical. Not just fast and technical for the sake of being fast and technical.
Couldn't have put it better myself. It's that feel that adds life to the piece, rather than it being just a technical exercise.
Keyword is feel 👍
I think this is what is missing in most modern music for that matter. Most young musicians these days are too much about the look and politics than actually learning how to use their talents to put emotion and something real into a song. And so many are not on guitar also. I hate the beat driven programmed odd sounds. Bring back more guitar and learn now to play the thing.
@@Mardy72When people say "shredder" I take it with a grain of salt. It ain't worth a poot if I kaint FEEL the music. I don't feel this. I "feel" when I listen to SRV or Albert King...other than that, Frank is a genius on guitar! But personally, for me, it doesn't "feel" right...
Clean as a whistle! His note for note definition is always top shelf and his unique flavor is immediately recognizable. Frank is an incredible player.
Staggering to think of the mental energy he invested into being able to THINK of these solos...let alone getting to the level where he can do this as a series of reactions without letting actual thinking slow him down!
Love your description of “that sense of wonder” - it’s kinda rare as you get older, and so great when somebody delivers a performance with such mastery that it takes you there. Love this clip.
It's strange. Frank is way way too often forgotten. And he's nothing short of a phenomenon
Not forgotten by Chick Corea
He plays a lot of fusion which for many people is hard to wrap their head around. In his world he is appreciated a lot. He’s not mainstream for sure as many insta players out there
@@davidscott1052 True. I love his work with the Electric band. Fantastic!
I remember when he was on the cover of Guitar Player magazine, way back in the late 80s. This was when he was a member of Chick Corea's band. Gambale is a beast! He has that same vibe that EVH had, meaning that it's obvious that he's having so much fun playing guitar!
Me and my mate used to call him 'The most satisfied man in the world' due to his regular knowing smirk while he displays guitar mastery.
Not everyone can play this fast with this much feel. So many people fast these days, but it all sounds very emotionless and mechanical and this guy puts the feeling in it at that pace, it's really crazy and he can go on for as long as he wants, it doesn't get monotonous or boring and yeah, he does some unexpected surprising stuff all of a sudden
I was thinking the same thing. Malmsteen for me is fast but it's like a party trick. It's tedious and lacks feeling but, Frank plays like a saxophone player. He leaves space, he's got nothing to prove so he slows it down. Then when it serves the music he plays "As fast as (I) he wants" .
Speed for speeds sake is boring. Frank is full of surprises and he's so dynamic and lacks that ego that causes others to play fast for the sake of showing how fast they can play.
That gets old "Fast" ... gimme David Gilmore over shredders who just do that but don't make music with emotion.
Nice comment ✌️🎸🎶🙏
I agree !@@stanphillips7277
@@stanphillips7277 yes, the smooth playing Rick talks about, i feel the same in Marty Friedman, Trey Azagthoth of Morbid Angel. The fretboards almost feels fretless sometimes and yeah when you say Sax, totally agree. The boundlessness, self confidence, carefree, unafraid, no embarrassment because he's not showing off like you said
@@klaatubarada7556 I see you're point. Apple's and oranges yet I've never liked Malmsteen"s playing. It's possible that I find it difficult to remove the man from the music. I don't like _him_ . His ego ! From the interviews I've seen he's got a big head. No humility. It's not my style of music to listen to even if he had an ego.
Tell you what. Recommend something and I'll _really_ try to enjoy it. I'll leave any motions about him personally at the door and try and give him a fair shot.
I'll listen and I'll let you know. I have nothing against speed, on the contrary. I'm a player and players should appreciate all genres even if it's not their favorite genre . A lot of my favorites are fast. Van Halen, Zakk and Rhandy of Ozzy's bands, Eric Johnson, Vai, SRV , of course I could go on but ya know.
I don't like bluegrass but, I've heard some playing that's blown my mind.
So suggest something and I'll check it out without bias. Cool?
I appreciate Frank Gambale, because I play mostly improvisations, and he's a great example of what happens when practice and skill comes together with someone who really appreciates music.
We held a masterclass weekend in my studio at my home with Frank, Alex Hutchings and Luke Lewis last summer it was absolutely mindblowing. It was a real honour and Frank is a true gent.
Frank is one of the most innovative and original guitarists in history. Hearing and seeing him was a huge and pivotal influence for me personally. Changed my whole style of playing completely.
Brett - you've had a similar impact and influence on so many of us, just as Frank has! Thank you for the music you've created over the years, not to mention the incredible inspiration and innovation you've shared with the world.
Great Brett! Always elegant, musically and with words
ridiculously clean. I first heard him on the Electrik Band Live in Montreux Dvd and his performance is mind blowing. legend
Yes, same here. Master Patitucci was also jaw-dropping.
Master Weckl as well.👍
It’s the early 90’s and I’m watching a jazz festival on PBS. Chick Corea comes on and the guitar player is blowing my mind, absolutely spectacular. So I call a guitar buddy of mine and tell him about it. He says,”yeah that’s Frank Gambale.” I’ll never forget it, the guy is a great, great guitar player.
What a talented guy. His playing was incredible, but you could tell he wasn’t playing to impress nor pulling out all his tricks. When you can impress without trying to impress, that’s real talent.
Been listening to mr gambale forever and his greatness is in his note selection and his restraint his feel , but the quality of tone in his fingers holding a note long enough to enjoy that tone. Like he said he could play as fast as he wants but when he does he adds his string skips and big intervalic leaps are what make him amazing and unique.
He gave a clinic back in 87 or so. Plugged straight into his boogie, along with his backing tracks, blew everyone away, he was selling his books and tapes, which I highly recommend. Like you said, phrasing, feel and chops.
Yep went to his clinic and bought his picking book . That was one of my favourite clinics with his yellow Ibanez guitar
I saw Frank Gambale, Chick Corea, Eric Marienthal, Victor Wooten, and Dave Weckl play together at a club when I was in music school. Everyone was amazing.
I was also Frank at a show at the Blue Note in NYC where Victor joined the Elektric Band when John Patitucci didn't play. Great to see in a small room.
He's so fast his notes are so distinct and clean that in some parts if I didn't know better I would have thought I was hearing a keyboard.
You were! That backing track has a keyboard.
Right!
Frank Gambale’s playing is so precise for such complex arrangements and runs. He makes it look so simple 😂😂Crazy!
I saw Frank in Guitar Player Magazine back in '88, and my guitar teacher introduced me to Gambale's modal magic. Even after 30 years, he still rocks it, amazing and inspiring me. Gotta grab my guitar. These players, they're something else. Who cares about Rolling Stone's silly list anyway?
Outstanding! Frank is an absolute monster musician! Chick Corea knew *precisely* what he was doing when he found and pulled Frank into the Elektric Band.
Frank saying "I can play as fast as I want" then goes freak show had me laughing and smiling so hard
Love how Frank always seems to really really enjoy playing. Always a smile on his face. Sublime playing!
Frank was top of the heap back in the day. unreal skills. that only got better over time.
I have met Frank numerous times, he is a wonderful gentleman! We remain friends online! I asked him about coming back to the states and he said everything is just too expensive right now. He makes a good living playing around Europe...
His knowledge is incomparable! He knows what he is playing whereas most of us improve by ear! In my opinion, he is the best ... period!
Frank is so underrated , his instructional video back in the 80’s was light years ahead of its time 😎
Yes, I remember watching his old REH-Video some time in the late nineties. It was absolutely terrifying how good his playing was, I had never heard of him until then. Since then he´s been one of my favorite players and I bought lots of CDs and everything...
He is still light years ahead lol. You literally won't name any other guitarist who mastered what Frank does )
Frank the sweeping monster, his tech skills blow away any guitarist on this planet. You love it or you don't, but one thing you have to admit: he is a monster...
I've told this story before, but it's good so here goes. We lived over the road from the Gambale's in Canberra. His older bro', Nunzio and I we mates and in the same class at school. Used to spend a lot of time at Nunz's place listening to music; hearing Frank muck around on his guitar; etc. Btw; Nunz was a fantastic bass player. One day Nunz said "Come over; Frank's learnt a new song". Over I went to hear Frank effortlessly do a stunning rendition of the 'Dead's' / Gerry Garcia's 'Dark Star'. Frank was about 10 years old!
Very cool 😎
Wow! I didn’t know he was from Canberra.
Dude…
LoL. Another reason i love the internet. Thank you for sharing this story!!!!
Sadly my dad hasn’t touched his bass in years. That poor incredible Alembic just sits in the cupboard gathering dust. He doesn’t do social media, but I’ll show him this message, Michael. 😊
Rick, thank you for having a channel. I learn more just watching you than any other media that is related to guitars and playing music. I am not a good player myself, but I can sure as hell recognize one!
Franks solo on My Little Viper changed my life. Nothing will ever top the feeling of me hearing that solo for the first time. And I still get chills to this day.
This couldn’t have come out at a more perfect time Rick. I’ve been watching his “Modes No More Mystery” instructional video (essential material if you’re trying to learn the modes on guitar) and listening to him a lot lately. He has the speed and technique but my god, he’s so tasteful and has the feel too. Such a pleasure to listen to. One of the best to ever do it by a long shot. Love Frank
I saw Frank play at a high school in Szczecin, Poland (where I was living) back in late '96 or early '97. I think a ticket cost about $2. I only dropped in on the show because I recognized his name from the ads he used to have in the back of Hit Parader. I assumed he played heavy metal. Needless to say, he didn't - and I, along with maybe 30 other people, watched a completely amazing show. After the show, he hung out with anyone who could speak English. Really nice, down to earth guy.
A place that starts with Szcz- can only be in Poland ;)
F'n Hit parader! woh! Yeh the dude learnt properly how to play. Mega credit him and yourself for being able to recognise it :) Rock on dudes...
being a blues guy of 52 years i am not usually into shredding, but with Franks playing i never lost intrest unlike most of the million notes an hour guys. fantastic use of dynamics to twist the ear.
Another insider comment. I will share from GIT… Great fusion player and teacher. Danny Gilbert was doing the class, and he said last night when I was doing this class I was writing out the example and getting ready to go through it, and I was almost done, and then I said to myself. “ Wait, Frank in that class I need to do more”.!!! I swear that’s true, and his mere presence intimidated, the teachers, and again not because Frank was not a great guy. He was. He was just so talented that it was evident to everybody in the school. He was at a different level.!! 🎶😇🙏💜
I was studying commercial music at Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) in the mid-80s and Frank was one of the artists the program featured during it's annual Jazz Week. He did a few performances and masterclasses and was just awesome. Me and another student were charged with picking him up from the airport and taking him to dinner. We took him to the Rendezvous and he at two whole slabs of ribs. Super down to earth cat.
Hey man! Do you know if Shawn Lane also went to the same school around the same time?
Frank Gambale is a genius in the fusion genre. What a monster musician. Thank you Rick.
I didn't know about Frank before this video, but you can bet I'm doing a deep dive into his work now! That is some of the cleanest phrasing I've ever heard on a guitar, it's just stunning.
I hadn't heard of him either, but need to see and hear more of him.
'Rocks', with Allan Holdsworth.
I discovered him while doing deep dives learning about sweep picking. As it turns out, he invented it
Another great player from the same era is Vinnie Moore. He's another one that we don't hear from these days. Definitely from the same camp as Frank.
@@TheMrAMT he wrote a book on it but he didn't invent it. sweep picking was around since he was born in the 50s
One of Frank's contemporaries, Joe Satriani, was recently filmed in a similar situation - small amp, backing track (Ice 9), and a few pedals - at an art gallery in Boca Raton, Florida, and it's literally jaw dropping.
He hasn't lost a thing, well into his 60s.
Might be a cool idea to talk about staying on top of our playing as we age. You could feature sone of the types of performaces we see from Frank, Joe, and other elder statesmen of the guitar.
I saw that clip! Basic pedal board and a Marshall just plugged in and played. The best can just do this on the fly without any fuss!
"... a cool idea to talk about staying on top of our playing as we age." Yes, this is a Brilliant idea!
I used to study with Frank when I was young, around the era he did this album and i can tell you the guy can truly play anything from crazy bop chops, sweep picking madness to the best blues i have ever heard what a gift
If you new to Frank Gambale you may also check some of his works:
1. Chic korea - got a match (north sea jazz 2004 and 2017)
2. gambale with vital information
3. Gambale blues namm 2013
4. Gambale - free spirit
5. Gambale live at musician institute (the old one)
Frank rulez! I remember a story, he told about Chick Corea: They just recorded a track with the Electric Band, und Frank just played the solo, that Chick loved most of all of Franks solos. Chick was totally enthusiastic, but Frank wanted to rerecord the ending. He asked Chick to do the ending again, but Chick said: "No!" Frank said: "But I don't like the ending." Chick answered: "Why do you play things you don't like?" The lesson I learned from this story: Love every note you play! It's yours!
Frank is, by far, the best musician I've seen live. His feel and how he just walks through the changes with ease just amazes me, all while doing some monstruous sweeping patterns, with each and every note sounding as clear as possible
I met Frank briefly at a guitar show in Orlando back in '88 or '89, along with Elliot Easton, Bruce Kulick, and Steve Morse. Talk about a great bunch of guys. More talent than that building could hold, but they were approachable and good to all the fans. One of my favorite memories.
I love how Frank is just relaxed and smiling the whole time. Just exudes joy.
Frank is so great and just a terrific guy, what a shredder he is. He is so loose and just loves what he does and also loves sharing that joy. Power to you Frank.
I attended GIT back in 85 timeframe. The faculty always gave a concert for the new incoming students to kick of the year, and I was there with my roommate. The band was playing a standard funk-groove type song like watermelon man or something. They played a bunch of songs easy to throw together and jam to. Anyway, each player was taking a solo and each was better than the last. I can't remember who was on stage, but they were no slouches - I think maybe Don Mock was there, etc. Then, this unknown guy in shorts and a bad haircut, started ripping a solo on this pastel-colored Strat the likes of which I'd never heard before. His fingers are flying all over the neck and he's laying down terrifying "sheets of sound" like 'Trane on acid. I mean the cat was just SHREDDING like an absolute beast! After the solo, the crowd roared its thunderous approval, and my roommate and I, stunned, just looked at each other, jaws dropping, both of us with a kind of "is that the best guy you've ever heard?" look on our faces. We had no idea who the guy was, and we were frantically looking through the program to find out the name of this unknown monster....that was my introduction to Frank Gambale.
I was at MIT in '85 too, as a drummer, and I remember Gambale walking the hallways with a smile on his face like he was someone we should respect but we didn't know better. So weird to be in the company of greatness and just a dumb kid thinking, "Who's this guy?". And I distinctly remember Robben Ford sitting in his office behind the glass, looking so sad because he used to play with Miles but needed to make a living.
Ha! I remember when I was learning guitar back in the 90s I had both Frank’s soloing theory book and one of Robben Ford’s. Great stuff!
I started at GIT in spring 83. Frank was still a student there. Walking down a hall I heard a guitarist in a performance hall who was more than shredding. He was playing the most inventive and funky bebop leads to a funk groove that I had ever heard. Full of gaps and leaps, bluesy licks with a complete command of jumping to alternative ket centers, without ever sounding Intellectual, just BURNING.
Aside from his improvisational and technical prowess, he's a really nice guy. After meeting him twice you always felt like he was genuinely interested in what you had to say.
Cool story! 👽✌️
One of the best! So Holdsworthian but still with his own signature style. Simply in a league of his own!
There is one namm show where gambale was playing and holdsworth was in the audience just chilling 😂😂
@@ooferrelland Jeff Berlin wandered over a didn’t realise he was standing beside Holdsworth!
@@irena7777777 was he done one who realized then went and hugged him?
@@derkybernetiker8356 that's a good album
@@ooferrell yeah, you’re right act
At this point rolling stone magazine have lost so much audience they NEED to put out outrageous and ridiculous articles to make people talk about them. The whole thing is a joke nowdays.
Same with the Rock and roll Hall of Fame
They r not rolling any longer. Their stones have too many flat edges. Need some fine chiseling to get them rolling like they did in the 80's.
It’s all about the Reimagine America crowd.They come from Ivy League schools participating in group think and go on to media outlets to promote their propaganda campaigns
As long as people keep reading and getting mad at rolling stone they keep staying intentionally out of touch.
We only think Rolling Stones list needs to be definitive Becuase we give it credit. We need to stop reading and talking about it and just move on, same with the hall of fame. It’s a shame that these cultural institutions can’t be better.
Who frikkin' reads RS, man? We have RB here :-)
Frank is the GOAT of technical ability in the guitar. Such a HUGE musician. I'm humbled just at being able to hear him play. Beautiful.
Frank instinctively knows every single note on the entire length of the guitar neck. This means he doesn’t have to think about where the next finger placement is as he plays. The video clip is him setting the guitar up, throwing in a few cool riffs and licks then settling into simply cruising through an Epic improvised solo. The man is incredible!
I'm sure, considering the millions like me who merely "play guitar", there are a small (X) number of guitarists who know the neck better than the back of their hand; having watched him play, Birelli Lagrene springs to mind. Allan Holdsworth I recently saw talking about scales / modes & could play the most astonishing stuff without looking & seemed to have an advanced grasp of harmony, extremely uncommon in almost any other player. I've only just heard him for the first time but I suspect Frank is in the same territory.
I saw him with Chick Corea in about 1990. I didn't know what to expect, so when he started playing some of those sweep picking shred lines, I was astonished. I hadn't seen anything like that before. Needless to say, that was unforgettable.
Frank is amazing guitar player. He was THE guitar player for me when i was trying to figure out right hand and economy picking. His runs are unreal, with precision and accuracy just on another level. Rolling Stones should be ashamed for not putting him on the Top 100 list.
Frank is like a sonic sauna for the musical soul while keeping a musicians vibrancy. Highway to the heart!
That's a beautiful comment.
I am glad I got the chance to see him on stage with the Ckick Corea Elektrik Band version 2.0 (with Eric Marienthal, Frank, Dave and John). I remember being totally dumbfounded by his sweep picking. It sounded like he was faking it. Really out of this world.
I have listened to this album so many times since 90s that the disc almost desintegrated. Master piece. Best Gambale's album ever.
Wow, I've never seen this one. That was some of the most melodic, tasteful shredding I've heard in a long while.
Wow, so fluid. I am not a guitarist, but been around them. I played the drumset years ago, and was in many bands. Frank reminds me of some of Steve Morse's playing in the Dixie Dregs! Rock On!!!.
Frank Gambale, Guthrie Govan and Alan Holdsworth are the three greatest guitarists in my opinion. None of them is on the rolling stone's 250 greatest guitarists.
Unbelievable.
It just shows that whoever put together the list, doesn't really know what they are talking about. Three incredible guitarists.
@@tosh96 If Holdsworth is not on top, then start over! lol
That is ridiculous. Truthfully, it’s almost frightening = what the hell is happening where a publication of that size can get that far out of touch and still be in business ?
I'm guessing that Danny Gatton also did not make their list.
Frank's a character. In 1987, Frank was one of my instructors at MI/GIT. I'm walking by a practice room and I recognize Frank and he's talking with about eight other students. I walk in and he says, "I don't recognize you?". I tell him that I recognize him and I wondered what he's showing the others in the room. He says, " I know two licks," and he blasted off in an end to end arpeggio followed by a simple blues lick. I nodded and walked out of the room. I felt the same thing that most of you felt at NAMM in 2020 - what was that?!? I was staggered by his ability to turn the jets on immediately. I was 18 and there was work to be done. Always appreciated RB!
I saw Frank Gambale play with the Chick Corea Elektric Band twice on the same night at Lincoln Center in NYC in the late 80s. Probably the greatest group of musicians I ever saw perform live. Every one of them soloing after each other nonstop all night, and then playing in unison on some pretty challenging riffs and making it all look so easy. These guys, Frank Gambale, John Patitucci, Dave Weckl, Eric Marienthal, and, of course, Chick Corea, were on a level that I can't even describe. All the Elektric Band albums and each member's solo albums are well worth checking out, especially Frank's.
Thank you Rick! I am learning something every time I watch one of your videos...I didn't know anything about Frank Gambale and now I am off on a deep dive into everything I can find about him. Keep up the amazing videos and thank you!!!
Phenomenal guitarist for sure. When did this solo “break the internet”?
I remember Nunos’ solo causing a commotion but I missed this one breaking the internet.
Click bait title for sure. But....Frank does deserve more coverage, that's for sure
@The FratHouse69 How are you going with 'Flight of the wounded bumblebee'?
Anywhere near?
Sounds like keyboard riffs. One of my fav who is mine blowing to me personally is Jimmy Herring, and growing up in mountains of VA playing bluegrass, then teen in Atlanta playing blues and rock in the 90s, i have a soft spot. Opening up for Bruce Hampton at Smith's old bar, and other greats like Leon Russell while I was young really made me an old soul, I like Warren Haynes but not like Jimmy, and Victor, oteil Burbage were clinics that we all gathered to, Everytime there would be just musicians from other bands standing around like me just in awe. I miss those days of the musicians musician just holding clinics and all the musicians in the area flocking to see a behind baseball talk
yeah...I thought the same...sounds like insane keyboard riffs if you close your eyes
At 29, i remember listening to frank during highschool, religiously. Hoping to be as good as him, never did, but my dad had one of his old reh videos that he let me watch and learn from. He will always be one of the greata.
Those changes are worth gold.!
Song is not called Sixty-eight-shaker. It is called six-point-eight-shaker, where Frank seemingly refers to an earthquake of 6.8 on the Richter-Scale.
The Kiesel guys in the back are Bandon Ewing and Jesse Michel. Both are amazing players! Highly recommend checking them out!
Wish Rick would do a feature with Brandon Ewing and his work in Gold Necklace and Eternity Forever, incredible player!
@@robotfo0d absolutely! Gold necklace is on another level! Super talented guys!
Frank is a Guitarists guitarist! Us who know, know! He is a monster player.
Maybe the only one on par with Guthrie... not forgetting Tommy E..
They're very different - but it's the level of mastery that very few achieve.
@alguitarchristie who are you?
Following FG since his first solo record came out. What really hits me is when he solos with a clean tone.
Indeed, he can make an archtop with a clean tone sing too!
Rick Beato's ears can hear the grass grow. This statement is so true, I'm posting it on every Beato video. I wish I could hear half as good as you Rick.
Tears. Just to hear you describe your transcendental experience. Thank you. I can relate.