Don't feel bad my friend, you're not the only one, we talking about the Niccolo` Paganini Capriccio N5. At Paganini concerts there was recorded the first exemples of female hysterical screaming in the history of music and to see that again the world waited few hundred years until the Beatles come over on the scene.
never thought about that way, at around 6 minutes he starts looking nervous. I've seen this movie hundreds of times. I was 16 when it came out and they played they hell out of it on HBO back in the day. This is the movie that turned me onto blues, delta blues that is. I might add Danielson does a damn good job of acting here, when I was a kid I thought man that dude can seriously play and all my friends thought he was really playing too.
@@jjw3956 LOL, I noticed that at the same time. Before that I think he switched to "this is going to be a worth my time"; a serious but still confident take.
He did the big Ralph solo. Ry Cooder did all the bluesy slide guitar work. This is one great 10 minutes of music! Always enjoy this scene, corny as it is. 🙂
Huge props to Vai for this. Too many legends wouldn't want to go on screen and lose a scripted duel... that takes some humility. But aside from that, he acted the $%^&* out of the scene! He did an impressive job being edgy, intimidating, condescending, and more, all without a word. I saw that in an article he wasn't the first choice for the scene, (too much "rock" in his look and sound), but I actually think that worked out phenomenally. You can really see and feel the difference between the two characters, and get a sense of how one bargained for his talent, while the other earned it.
@@karaokehammick5215 right? I genuinely cant imagine another person on Earth that is more suited for that part. Sullen, angry and angular. Theatrical AF
Was Vai a legend yet in 1986? He is certainly top 10 on just about everybody's list now, but in 1986? Asking because I don't know? All that aside, GREAT acting by him!
Steve Vai is a superb actor. He is exactly what the devil's ace would look like, act like, and be like. If they would have only put in another contestant beforehand, who got destroyed and carted off to the furnace.
actually they did plan such a scene, the music for said scene is called fried chicken and can be found. however the scene was ultimately deleted and didn't turn up on the final cut
@@hammr6133 youre not missing much.... i found in my later years my musical tastes have been going back in time... the 70's and 80's were a great decade for music... rock, r&b reggae, jazz and hip hop and Pop Country I've not sought out classical music as yet....
This whole scene was the sole inspiration for the inclusion of guitar battles in the guitar hero franchise and the base to which they were all structured.
For anyone wondering about the first riff Steve Vai played, it's from his instrumental "Bad Horsie" from the 1995 "Alien Love Secrets" EP. Six minutes of pure crunching and wailing guitar!
@@professormonty5111 when he plays this song in concert, he shows this part of the movie on the big screen behind him and plays along live. It’s pretty cool!
@rexmaximilian9548 do you know if he still plays bad horsie in concert?? I'm going to see him this month for his Inviolate tour and I'm really hoping to see that song live
Agreed man, this last scene is a pretty sharp departure from the movie prior to this point. The producers weren't sure it was going to work, but holy smokes did it work. We wouldn't be talking about this movie if not for the ending.
Yep, but on rewatch... the scene before this when they're at the crossroads is pure movie magic and sets the stage perfectly. Scratch (The Devil played by Robert Judd) has never been portrayed better.
I mean, almost everything originated from classical. Also, what he is playing is a piece from Paganini. A virtuoso violin player who played with such speed and accuracy in his time that people believed he sold his soul to The Devil to play the way he played.
@@kostikyoda1078 yup. A classical guitarist from Germany played the acoustic version at the beginning of the film. Vai tweaked it up a bit to make it better for electric, which works in the film as Machio's character realizing how the two techniques (classical and blues) could be properly combined - that measure of musicianship that only comes from experience. but the core melody is the Paganini, and its all cool. If you really like classical music on guitar, go google for "Rite of Spring on guitars" - it is an absolutely perfect arrangement and performance.
My favorite part of this scene is the quartet of young men singing “Hush (Somebody’s Calling My Name).” It was the most authentic moment of all-no gimmicks. Just four guys delivering a classic spiritual in a beautiful, haunting manner, undergirded by a true bass singer. This was probably Ry Cooder’s idea, as he was a huge fan of this genre. A tip of the hat to Joe Morgan as the cocky MC.
I love it, too. I watched this movie for the first time a long time ago as a young student of the guitar, and never really appreciated it back then, but now it's probably one of my favourite parts of the whole thing.
Chicken Skin Music is the name of the group that was singing, "Somebody's Calling My Name" and they have been a big part of Ry Cooder's sound from the mid 1970's through to the early 90's, but he would still have them on some projects and tours when they're available. 1st lead singer is Bobby King (Also playing the keyboards during the guitar duel scenes) Willie Green Jr is the name of the bass singer The other lead vocalist is Arnold McCuller I have forgotten the name of the guy playing the bass guitar
AMAZING. i will never forget when our music teacher showed us this movie, that was the point i decided to become a guitarrist, i admire you teacher Ricardo.
This changed my life, I'm still playing 32 years later, and this still gives me chills everytime I see it. Hearing it is one thing, but seeing what goes with what you hear is powerful.
It's a level of attention to detail that most movies/shows don't botter with, mostly because of dificulty with matching beats in the editing. I am telling you that took a lot of effort, but that's just what makes this duel so rewarding to re-watch
This is such a masterful scene. I believe the piece Eugene plays at the end (written by Vai) is derived from Paganini’s Caprices (no. 5 to be exact.) Paganini was also believed to have sold his soul to the devil to play the violin like no other. It seems Eugene plays this piece to show Old Scratch he can play this impossible song without selling his soul.
it sure is, and Vai played a few bars of several classics during the first solos of "Drowning Witch" while touring with Zappa in Italy and Spain. Vai and Zappa were an amazing pair and brought out the best in each other for a year or two.
The scene is not masterful. Macchio's character was playing Paganini with an open tuned guitar. When was the tuning performed? And Macchio was missing notes. Also seeing Vai break down and not be able to play, is ludicrous. The scene was typical Hollywood imagination super hero garbage. The Good the Bad and the Ugly final scene, now that's a masterpiece.
@@TheAnimeist I’m giving them more credit because it’s mainstream Hollywood and those guys are in it simply for profit and no artistry. It’s gotten a whole lot worse now
I was a young woman when I first saw this movie when it came to our local theatre. Now I am way older, a grandma, and I STILL love this movie and this scene in particular. It's hard for me to sit still and be quiet. So good.
My favorite part was at 7:00 when Steve Vai did the whammy bar to the face. Something Ralph Macchio could not duplicate because he didn't have a whammy bar on his guitar.
I know Steve Vai played both parts. That being said, the reason this scene works is that it's the soulless vs the soul music. I'm sure other people have long been able to pick this out, but the dichotomy of the two styles is spectacular. Evil is flamboyant, bombastic, and surely there to please. Good is there to show Evil that what makes a great artist is what is in the heart.
It's even deeper than that. So Ralph wins with one of Paganini's Caprices. Paganini was alleged to have sold his soul to the devil for his violin skills, with his playing sometimes referred to by the pearl clutchers of the time as demonic. So there's this huge irony there, that the devil got hoisted on his own petard. I also feel it would've been fun to have the devil cast a dirty look skyward after tearing up the contract. Because clearly Ralph was blessed in that final battle, and God inspiring him to use the devil's own composition against him seems like the type of humor God would have.
Considering Steve Vai actually recorded the audio for both sides of this guitar duel and was filmed playing in the shots where Ralph's head is not shown (as I understand it) really speaks to how good of an actor Vai actually is to basically lose a guitar duel to himself and sell it xD
Experienced guitarists with years of training and practice stand slack jawed and dumbfounded by Steve Vai. He possesses a level of skill that is incomprehensible to most mortals.
The 80's were such an awesome time for guitar music. Eat 'em and Smile, Joe Satriani's Surfing with the Alien, Crossroads, etc. Great memories...... Side note, Ry Cooder killed those blues slides.
* *Imagine........* * Steve Vai having to purposely *SCREW-UP* his own licks. That's tough right there, ladies and gents. That's - just - gotta - hurt.
The hidden messages, symbolisms in this film; as well as the actors and who they represented, are amazing !! Young ignorant man goes out to learn about blues music who runs into an old sage who can show him the way. Finds out his mentor sold his soul to the industry to be famous and didn’t get anything although he had what he wanted. Had a deep resentment for his decision. Kid has a decision to offer and sell his soul to Legba (one of Satans chief fallen angels) but fights from doing so and actually saves his mentors soul and helps get out of the industry. Legbas helpers: man represents pride, arrogance and earthly lusts, and the woman representing harlot, Jezebel etc…an amazing film in all aspects!!
Also broke the contract against his opponent. Who probably sold his soul to be "the best" so when Macchio's character beats him, he's not the best. Also, Macchio's character won with his God-given talent: classical guitar.
I'm high right now, and this has been my thought process on this scene: More than likely, Mr. Jack Butler is playing his guitar in standard tuning, EADGBE. Now, Eugene, being an up and coming bluesman, plays his guitar in an open tuning. My stoned reasoning is he emulated his favorite blues guitarists. Many bluesmen and blueswomen used open tunings. And, here is stoned reasoning... Since there was no scene of him retuning his guitar, he played Paganini in an open tuning. Again, I'm kinda high right now.
I've watched The Duel many times while high, it was a different trip every time, I was 17 when I felt inspired to take classical guitar lessons, did so for many years
I like how the demons who essentially were the audience applauded and gave credit where it was due. Lesson learned from this brilliant film is that you can't beat God given talent, and it's a beautiful message.
What's amazing to me about this, is that they had to reshoot Steve Vai messing up several times, he couldn't. He had to literally take his hand off the fretboard to give the impression that he messed up
@@jatinbajpai3472met vai and he said to my face that they had to go back for reshoots because him ‘messing up’ wasn’t convincing enough, he messed up ‘too well/neatly’ rather than what we see in the movie.
The most underrated rock/guitar movie ever. Steve Vai (a Zappa student) and Ry Cooder absolutely kicked arse all throughout this movie. "Crossroad" is the GOAT.!!!
Watching this older, I like the message. He finds an authenticity by leaning into his own experiences and journey rather than searching for it in past legends and heroes. We're all amazing if we allow our truths to shine through.
This is such a great piece of film. Not only the head cutting but also that beautiful sorrow song before it begins, and that absolutely drop dead gorgeous black woman, man she can move!!!!!
Steve Vai was still a young man here -he could have been branded "The Devil's Guitarist" from that point on but he just kept getting better and more high profile as time went on. So much so that this masterpiece hardly ever gets referenced anymore when Vail comes up in the media.
The person who wrote this duel is a genius!! Macchio's responses to Vai's shredding by going lower in energy and octave and bringing it back up was epic.
There are many layers to this scene, which you can't miss if you know about history of music: 1) The 'Headcuttin' musical duel' was an old tradition in New Orleans marching bands that passed on to jazz, swing and blues bands. The winner used to be the band/musician who would fire up the audience, not with just skills but also with SWING. This tradition lives on, the "Battle of the Bands" still being a thing. 2) The place of this battle looks like a barn, the people dressed in black, like funeral service. Robert Johnson, was killed in a place just like that, by a jealous husband who poisoned his drink. 3) Arlen Roth, who taught and coached Ralph Macchio for this scene, wondered why they did metal guitar in a blues themed film... The original blues duel scene wasn't working, so the directors hired the hot shot guitar wizard of the moment (1986) who was Steve Vai. What we see here is an adaptation of the blues/jazz tradition to the 80's, because that heavy metal/80's guitar style, was very popular and would inspire many young kids to play guitar. 4) Eugene/Ralph Macchio wins the duel by playing stuff form Paganini's 24 Caprice (a violinist who allegedly sold his sold to the devil for outstanding musical talent... he was was also flashy and loved to show off his skills, just like Jake Butler/Steve Vai). This may be also is a quote on the rising influence of neoclassical music in rock guitar during the 80s. Up until then, rock music (which is basically the grandchild of American Rural Blues) mostly took from blues/jazz tradition. And the acting... spot on.
I went to a Steve Vai concert 2 days ago in Antwerp Belgium. I’m still buzzing. Steve only for better ! Cant believe I’ve been listening to him for 35 years or so and this was the first time live… what an experience !
I love that part at 2:50 It feels like Eugene walked right into Jacks den. That stare he gives Eugene is so cold and heartless while playing a more arrogant version of bad horsey.
Mr. Martone was about to leave classical guitar studies to pursue blues studies. In the final part of the battle he shows off the same piece he played on classical guitar at the beginning of the movie. Beautiful!
what I love about this long scene is that no word is spoken from Ralph Macchio (Eugene Martone), just facial expression and guitar play. From both contrahents, actually! Steve Vai does not say one line as well in this scene, just pure body expressions and music
It's interesting to note that Niccolò Paganini was also known as "The Devil's Violinist". This was because his violin playing was so amazing that people said it was a "gift from the devil". Hats off to the writers of this film and their subtle allusion. I think that's called an allusion. Am I correct or is it called something else?
Have been watching this battle clip on youtube for years. Why now am i just seeing one not recorded by a Beta or VHS machine??? Outstanding sharpness. How did I watch tv in the 70-90’s??? No wonder my eyes suck.
One of the best music films I've watched. Reminds me of my dad who taught me all about the blues, introducing me to the core of how it started. Blues music is the music!
I like how at the very end after he won the contest... He literally gives no warning and a one count and starts playing guitar and the entire band catches on after the one count.. including the invisible brass section
I always love how Willie looks down and away from Eugene after Jack shreds, like he's just seen the man die and he's mourning him. Such a great character moment.
I fell in love with this movie when I was a little girl. My dad got a vhs player from a pawn shop and didn’t know what was in it until he plugged it up and turned the tv on 😂😂😂😂😂 thank God it was this movie! I had no idea it was based on a true story until I was much older.
Me too. My dad used to have it on vhs back in the 90s and little me would be watching this scene over and over again. Back in '99 my dad gave me his Fender Strat imitation as a christmas gift, 'cause i had already "played" it alot and harmed it in one way or another. (Scratches, etc). That sound, when Ralph Macchio plugs in the cable.... That alone is music to my ears. 😎👍🏼 This video has been on an monthly to-watch-list for years. 😄
I listen to this all the time. Never gets old for me. I'm just a bass and drum guy. Never got guitar down. My favorite music scene. Deliverance is second. But it doesn't even come close. I almost want to add lyrics to it.
I grew up in the age of guitar. Hearing EVH changed my life. I thought I would never hear anything like "Eruption" again. Then I saw this scene. And I knew that something can always blow you away all over again.
there are movies of legends,then there are legendary movies.this is by far the best friendship movie of all time.blues make some sad others it reaches the soul.thank u steve vai and Ralph macchio.beyond classic this and princess bride shall always be my favs.
i tried to learn how to play the last part, but then i decided to learn something easier like quantum physics
The Steve Vai Uncertainty Principle
EXACTLY
Don't feel bad my friend, you're not the only one, we talking about the Niccolo` Paganini Capriccio N5. At Paganini concerts there was recorded the first exemples of female hysterical screaming in the history of music and to see that again the world waited few hundred years until the Beatles come over on the scene.
Physics major here. Can confirm quantum mechanics is easier than Steve vais guitar parts
quantum physics is not even a real science
Not sure what's better acting Ralph pretending to be able to play or Steve pretending he can't 😅😂😂
Very good point
Too true
Lol....yeah, pretty much
Vai's acting is pretty impressive here. He doesn't have to say a word...his eyes, expressions, and body language convey everything.
never thought about that way, at around 6 minutes he starts looking nervous. I've seen this movie hundreds of times. I was 16 when it came out and they played they hell out of it on HBO back in the day. This is the movie that turned me onto blues, delta blues that is. I might add Danielson does a damn good job of acting here, when I was a kid I thought man that dude can seriously play and all my friends thought he was really playing too.
Agree. This time watching I'm really grooving on the physical performance differences between the two. This is some excellent stuff.
@@jjw3956 LOL, I noticed that at the same time. Before that I think he switched to "this is going to be a worth my time"; a serious but still confident take.
He really is a super good actor…
Also his ability to act like he couldn’t play that last part blindfolded.
What's awesome is that Steve did the music for both guitars.
It was Steve Via , Ry Cooder, Arlen Roth, and Bill Kanegiser. Via and Kanegiser played the classical in the movie including the dual.
He did the big Ralph solo. Ry Cooder did all the bluesy slide guitar work. This is one great 10 minutes of music! Always enjoy this scene, corny as it is. 🙂
It was Arlen Roth who taught Macchio to look like he was playing. The acting by guy playing the Devil makes this movie.
No, that's Ry Cooder on the slide guitar sequences.
Seriously? I always thought that Steve Vai & Joe Satriani did all this mind-numbing guitar work!
Very cool!!
The acting was superb in this film. The movie is an overlooked gem.
Daniel-san!! Hammer on, pull off, hammer on, pull off
Underrated comment
Slide up...slide down...locka wrist....UP....DOWN!!! BONSAI!!!
@@RoryO_O by who exactly?
Beautiful! 😄
Daniel-san...show me pentatonic scale in E flat!!!! At at at at....
I think they should make the remake for this, when Eugene establish his guitar school and also Steve Vai. The movie will be called Cobra Vai. LOL
That is GOLD, I just about spat out my drink
Dear Sonny A.
👍👌👏😁😂 LOL
Best regards, luck and health.
Omg. 🤣
😂😂😂
LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
fun fact: this was the only time Steve Vai was recorded missing notes
They had to re-shoot that scene 58 times, because he kept accidentally beating Eugene.
@@ianrarity3783
Lol,I can believe that!
I really must watch this again,as I waited so long to get it on DVD!
Vai is NOT acting when it looks like it pains him to play it wrong.
@@duanevigue1603 the tantrum he threw at the end, was not in the script! lol (joke)
(Stolen comment) Macchio should get an Oscar for acting like he can play guitar and Vai cause he can't.
Most awesome guitar battle in a movie
Huge props to Vai for this. Too many legends wouldn't want to go on screen and lose a scripted duel... that takes some humility. But aside from that, he acted the $%^&* out of the scene! He did an impressive job being edgy, intimidating, condescending, and more, all without a word. I saw that in an article he wasn't the first choice for the scene, (too much "rock" in his look and sound), but I actually think that worked out phenomenally. You can really see and feel the difference between the two characters, and get a sense of how one bargained for his talent, while the other earned it.
The rock look is appropriate because that is exactly what you envision when you think of someone selling thier soul to be good at playing guitar.
He fucking owned this scene. Great delivery.
@@karaokehammick5215 right? I genuinely cant imagine another person on Earth that is more suited for that part. Sullen, angry and angular. Theatrical AF
Was Vai a legend yet in 1986? He is certainly top 10 on just about everybody's list now, but in 1986? Asking because I don't know? All that aside, GREAT acting by him!
@@colalightyear7859 I think he deserved an Oscar just for the look on his face after Eugene hit him with the Paganini.
This scene alone feels like a short film
It’s the only scene worth watching in the entire movie.
@@ganjabobby as someone who loves tf outta this movie, you right lmao
It's got that bit too gay, Michael Jackson, Moonwalker kind of feel to it.
@@ganjabobby that and the devil scenes at the crossroads
Reminds me of Mike's Smooth Criminal video
This NEVER gets old!!!
Indeed
Ik I never seen this till 2 says ago ive watched 10 times
Ever
Never!
Like Ralph Macchio. Lol.
Steve Vai is a superb actor. He is exactly what the devil's ace would look like, act like, and be like. If they would have only put in another contestant beforehand, who got destroyed and carted off to the furnace.
actually they did plan such a scene, the music for said scene is called fried chicken and can be found. however the scene was ultimately deleted and didn't turn up on the final cut
The soundtrack that Steve Vai put out regarding this movie actually does have the contestant that he blows away before hand. Take a listen.
nowadays, Scratch would probably look like Sean ''puffy'' combs, or Birdman, and the "what you waiting for huh!" girl might be Cardi B or Nicki Manaj
@@asher6657 I wouldn't know who those people were if I saw them.
@@hammr6133 youre not missing much.... i found in my later years my musical tastes have been going back in time... the 70's and 80's were a great decade for music... rock, r&b reggae, jazz and hip hop and Pop Country I've not sought out classical music as yet....
This whole scene was the sole inspiration for the inclusion of guitar battles in the guitar hero franchise and the base to which they were all structured.
For anyone wondering about the first riff Steve Vai played, it's from his instrumental "Bad Horsie" from the 1995 "Alien Love Secrets" EP. Six minutes of pure crunching and wailing guitar!
So he DID reuse the riff!
@@professormonty5111 when he plays this song in concert, he shows this part of the movie on the big screen behind him and plays along live. It’s pretty cool!
Thank you for the info! 🤘
@rexmaximilian9548 do you know if he still plays bad horsie in concert?? I'm going to see him this month for his Inviolate tour and I'm really hoping to see that song live
@@HairyOldMen-n6q UA-cam has a lot of live performances of Bad Horsie that seem fairly recent. I'd say it's a staple song in his concerts.
Steve Vai didn’t actually know there was a film being made. He was just doing his typical pre-show warmup.
Oscar to Vai. No dialogue and scared the hell out of any of us guitar loving kids in the 80s. Bravo. Seneca and Macchio too.
I love that Ralph doesn't say a single thing, just let's his guitar do the talking
yeah, the music(and the dancing/energy in the crowd) absolutely is doing the acting in this scene which is awesome
Up to this point, “Crossroads” was a decent road movie. This scene, which comes out of nowhere right at the end, elevates it to a rewatchable classic.
Agreed man, this last scene is a pretty sharp departure from the movie prior to this point. The producers weren't sure it was going to work, but holy smokes did it work. We wouldn't be talking about this movie if not for the ending.
Yep, but on rewatch... the scene before this when they're at the crossroads is pure movie magic and sets the stage perfectly. Scratch (The Devil played by Robert Judd) has never been portrayed better.
@@ytube777 yes. that scene sets this one up perfectly and those two scenes alone could be a short film
Vai totally fit this role so perfect. His look, and his playing.
Yes indeed! And his playing is instantly recognisable!
Can we just appreciate the fact that Eugene wins this battle by playing classical music, meaning that CLASSICAL MUSIC ROCKS!!!
Yngwie Malmsteen. Classical not only rocks, its metal, it shreds, and dare I say it even djents.
I mean, almost everything originated from classical. Also, what he is playing is a piece from Paganini. A virtuoso violin player who played with such speed and accuracy in his time that people believed he sold his soul to The Devil to play the way he played.
Dear God, you win the Internet
But it’s not strange at all considering Joe Satriani taught Steve Vai and Kirk Hammett, who all weaved classical music into their playing styles.
Classical is one of the hardest generes to play, if not the hardest.
I'm a bluesman!!!Steve deserves an acting award for pretending he can't play that riff,and that is funny!!
Even more so because it was himself that played it in this very scene in the first place
Ry cooder played a lot of parts in the movie as well
@@kostikyoda1078 yup. A classical guitarist from Germany played the acoustic version at the beginning of the film. Vai tweaked it up a bit to make it better for electric, which works in the film as Machio's character realizing how the two techniques (classical and blues) could be properly combined - that measure of musicianship that only comes from experience.
but the core melody is the Paganini, and its all cool.
If you really like classical music on guitar, go google for "Rite of Spring on guitars" - it is an absolutely perfect arrangement and performance.
Yes!!
Especially since it was actually he who played it for Ralphs character.
Tasty Steve Vai licks before Bag Of Tricks starts:
4:20 D Dorian/Blues
6:13 E Blues - 16ths then 8th triplets
6:42 Shred
I can’t believe Steve Vai didn’t win an Oscar. For him to make you believe he can’t play that last part is incredible acting👏🏼
Really? An Oscar for this? Lmao
he should have won Nobel prize
@@GFM_90 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
I'm being sarcastic@@mr.tryhardguitarguy2842
After watching this scene about 30 times. I finally saw the movie for free today on tubi. Awesome movie
8 mile brought me here.
Lmaooo
Top ten greatest final movie scene! Handsdown
When the producers called Vai he feared Macchio wanted to whip his ass.
Oh absolutely
Yep
Absolutely
It's #1 as far as I'm concerned.
The most unrealistic part of this is Eugene just plugs in his guitar and plays without fucking around with the tone on his amp for 40 minutes.
Which would have put the film past the usual 2 hour length.
It's just a movie
@@brucericigliano6682 It’s just a joke.
Or how he plugs in his guitar almost instantly without having to flip it to find the input jack
@@RussianFeds Most guitarists can find the jack without having to see it if it's a guitar they've played a lot.
My favorite part of this scene is the quartet of young men singing “Hush (Somebody’s Calling My Name).” It was the most authentic moment of all-no gimmicks. Just four guys delivering a classic spiritual in a beautiful, haunting manner, undergirded by a true bass singer. This was probably Ry Cooder’s idea, as he was a huge fan of this genre. A tip of the hat to Joe Morgan as the cocky MC.
Those are the guys who always were singing w/Cooder...also, u mean Joe MORTON...great guy to work and hang with is Miss. too!
I love it, too. I watched this movie for the first time a long time ago as a young student of the guitar, and never really appreciated it back then, but now it's probably one of my favourite parts of the whole thing.
yeh it has a resounding quality i absolutely LOVED
These are the same guys who sing same song in Oh Brother Where Art Though. Excellent!
Chicken Skin Music is the name of the group that was singing, "Somebody's Calling My Name" and they have been a big part of Ry Cooder's sound from the mid 1970's through to the early 90's, but he would still have them on some projects and tours when they're available.
1st lead singer is Bobby King (Also playing the keyboards during the guitar duel scenes)
Willie Green Jr is the name of the bass singer
The other lead vocalist is Arnold McCuller
I have forgotten the name of the guy playing the bass guitar
AMAZING. i will never forget when our music teacher showed us this movie, that was the point i decided to become a guitarrist, i admire you teacher Ricardo.
This changed my life, I'm still playing 32 years later, and this still gives me chills everytime I see it. Hearing it is one thing, but seeing what goes with what you hear is powerful.
You choice was well intended and i hope it result great as well.
Nice story. I understand completely!
It's a level of attention to detail that most movies/shows don't botter with, mostly because of dificulty with matching beats in the editing. I am telling you that took a lot of effort, but that's just what makes this duel so rewarding to re-watch
I hear you but with me it was roy c lark on the odd couple when he played malaguena. I too get chills when I see that too
Vai soloing at the start of this video is so F*cking tasty no seasoning needed. Nobody plays like him
Correct what makes Steve's playing unique - this is one of my favourite guitar playing pieces from Steve.
You mean 'Bad Horsie'? ua-cam.com/video/jHubmkOe-MQ/v-deo.html :D
He played both parts for this scene. That's him on Ralph's guitar.
Only for the classical peice at the end, Ry Cooder played the slide parts.@@rtphotos4691
@@rtphotos4691 Even the slide bits in the duel? I thought that was Ry Cooder.
This is such a masterful scene. I believe the piece Eugene plays at the end (written by Vai) is derived from Paganini’s Caprices (no. 5 to be exact.) Paganini was also believed to have sold his soul to the devil to play the violin like no other. It seems Eugene plays this piece to show Old Scratch he can play this impossible song without selling his soul.
it sure is, and Vai played a few bars of several classics during the first solos of "Drowning Witch" while touring with Zappa in Italy and Spain. Vai and Zappa were an amazing pair and brought out the best in each other for a year or two.
The scene is not masterful. Macchio's character was playing Paganini with an open tuned guitar. When was the tuning performed? And Macchio was missing notes. Also seeing Vai break down and not be able to play, is ludicrous. The scene was typical Hollywood imagination super hero garbage. The Good the Bad and the Ugly final scene, now that's a masterpiece.
@@TheAnimeist I’m giving them more credit because it’s mainstream Hollywood and those guys are in it simply for profit and no artistry. It’s gotten a whole lot worse now
@@TheAnimeist you got insane standards my man. Machio mimed the shit out of his guitar parts
@@TheAnimeist Your not a guitarist, are you?
I was a young woman when I first saw this movie when it came to our local theatre. Now I am way older, a grandma, and I STILL love this movie and this scene in particular. It's hard for me to sit still and be quiet. So good.
My favorite part was at 7:00 when Steve Vai did the whammy bar to the face. Something Ralph Macchio could not duplicate because he didn't have a whammy bar on his guitar.
That whammy thing was great for a "scare scene" in the film. It worked. Ralph nailed it.
I know Steve Vai played both parts. That being said, the reason this scene works is that it's the soulless vs the soul music. I'm sure other people have long been able to pick this out, but the dichotomy of the two styles is spectacular. Evil is flamboyant, bombastic, and surely there to please. Good is there to show Evil that what makes a great artist is what is in the heart.
That’s pretty amazing I really want to watch him now. I hope he comes to my city
It's even deeper than that. So Ralph wins with one of Paganini's Caprices. Paganini was alleged to have sold his soul to the devil for his violin skills, with his playing sometimes referred to by the pearl clutchers of the time as demonic. So there's this huge irony there, that the devil got hoisted on his own petard.
I also feel it would've been fun to have the devil cast a dirty look skyward after tearing up the contract. Because clearly Ralph was blessed in that final battle, and God inspiring him to use the devil's own composition against him seems like the type of humor God would have.
Well said. This is an extremely underrated film. Great writing, great acting, great themes, great music.
All tension from this scene aside, they really made a masterpiece here.
Considering Steve Vai actually recorded the audio for both sides of this guitar duel and was filmed playing in the shots where Ralph's head is not shown (as I understand it) really speaks to how good of an actor Vai actually is to basically lose a guitar duel to himself and sell it xD
The bluesy slide stuff was recorded by Ry Cooder. When Eugene transitions to classical, that's when Vai takes over.
Experienced guitarists with years of training and practice stand slack jawed and dumbfounded by Steve Vai. He possesses a level of skill that is incomprehensible to most mortals.
My dad showed me this when I was like 10 and its the reason I learned how to play guitar
The 80's were such an awesome time for guitar music. Eat 'em and Smile, Joe Satriani's Surfing with the Alien, Crossroads, etc.
Great memories......
Side note, Ry Cooder killed those blues slides.
* *Imagine........* * Steve Vai having to purposely *SCREW-UP* his own licks. That's tough right there, ladies and gents. That's - just - gotta - hurt.
And it only took 58 tries to do it
But he does a good job of acting like he can’t play it and owns the scene.
Easily one of the greatest scenes in film history
You can hear Eddie's influence on Vai's playing, his riffs and licks, but Vai makes some greeaaaat sounds!!!
As much as i love EHV, i personally don't hear any EVH when i listen to Vai. Vai is very much his own guy IMO.
@@thagreatadante this
@@thagreatadante oh stop child and listen to the tones that didn’t exist until eddie invented them.
@@CorePathway They both played guitar is where any similarities end.
2:55 the moves , Steve Vai rules - such a rockstar attitude.
There is no one on earth, past or present, that is a better fit for this role than Steve Vai.
Netflix: hold my beer 🍺 i have a Chinese black transvestite with an ukulele.
Angus Young?
@@catlikemeew Good call!
Eddie could have pulled it off but Steve aside from playing the part, Looks the part as well.
Frank Marino would have been a good choice
The hidden messages, symbolisms in this film; as well as the actors and who they represented, are amazing !! Young ignorant man goes out to learn about blues music who runs into an old sage who can show him the way. Finds out his mentor sold his soul to the industry to be famous and didn’t get anything although he had what he wanted. Had a deep resentment for his decision. Kid has a decision to offer and sell his soul to Legba (one of Satans chief fallen angels) but fights from doing so and actually saves his mentors soul and helps get out of the industry. Legbas helpers: man represents pride, arrogance and earthly lusts, and the woman representing harlot, Jezebel etc…an amazing film in all aspects!!
only seen this part of the movie... im glad there is some lore behind it.. gonna check it out.. ty bruh
👍🏼🍺
its based on a true story.... Nickelback
Also broke the contract against his opponent. Who probably sold his soul to be "the best" so when Macchio's character beats him, he's not the best.
Also, Macchio's character won with his God-given talent: classical guitar.
Legba is just a spirit you must call if want to talk to other spirits, he's the guardian of the gates of this world to another's
steve vai is actually very impressive in this - so natural
Holy crap I've never seen this movie. This has got to be one of the best guitar battles I have ever seen in my life!
I'm high right now, and this has been my thought process on this scene:
More than likely, Mr. Jack Butler is playing his guitar in standard tuning, EADGBE.
Now, Eugene, being an up and coming bluesman, plays his guitar in an open tuning.
My stoned reasoning is he emulated his favorite blues guitarists.
Many bluesmen and blueswomen used open tunings.
And, here is stoned reasoning...
Since there was no scene of him retuning his guitar, he played Paganini in an open tuning.
Again, I'm kinda high right now.
bruh holy shit
Bro I'm completely sober but yeah your right. The way he plays with a slide and hits full chords he's gotta be. Crazy dude
Lmfao, one of the funniest things I’ve ever read on UA-cam!
I've watched The Duel many times while high, it was a different trip every time, I was 17 when I felt inspired to take classical guitar lessons, did so for many years
Dude are you high right now?
I like how the demons who essentially were the audience applauded and gave credit where it was due. Lesson learned from this brilliant film is that you can't beat God given talent, and it's a beautiful message.
I like to think the people in the audience are just people coming there to bet on who wins, or to just observe the show.
@@Kinetexno, they’re all dead. It’s a blues bar in hell, hence all the red lighting.
What's amazing to me about this, is that they had to reshoot Steve Vai messing up several times, he couldn't. He had to literally take his hand off the fretboard to give the impression that he messed up
LOL- That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard- how silly.
Actually that's a myth, Vai has stated that he actually struggled a good bit with playing some of the stuff here
@@jatinbajpai3472met vai and he said to my face that they had to go back for reshoots because him ‘messing up’ wasn’t convincing enough, he messed up ‘too well/neatly’ rather than what we see in the movie.
The most underrated rock/guitar movie ever. Steve Vai (a Zappa student) and Ry Cooder absolutely kicked arse all throughout this movie. "Crossroad" is the GOAT.!!!
You mean Joe Satriani?
Watching this older, I like the message. He finds an authenticity by leaning into his own experiences and journey rather than searching for it in past legends and heroes. We're all amazing if we allow our truths to shine through.
The most unbelievable thing about this whole scene is that all those old blues guys would be impressed by that 80's shredder guitar playing stuff
Hot licks is hot licks
It’s like a mockery of the blues. Vai’s playing is so tasteless, it’s unbelievable.
This is such a great piece of film. Not only the head cutting but also that beautiful sorrow song before it begins, and that absolutely drop dead gorgeous black woman, man she can move!!!!!
Yuck... 🤢 🤮
Steve Vai was still a young man here -he could have been branded "The Devil's Guitarist" from that point on but he just kept getting better and more high profile as time went on. So much so that this masterpiece hardly ever gets referenced anymore when Vail comes up in the media.
The person who wrote this duel is a genius!! Macchio's responses to Vai's shredding by going lower in energy and octave and bringing it back up was epic.
There are many layers to this scene, which you can't miss if you know about history of music:
1) The 'Headcuttin' musical duel' was an old tradition in New Orleans marching bands that passed on to jazz, swing and blues bands. The winner used to be the band/musician who would fire up the audience, not with just skills but also with SWING. This tradition lives on, the "Battle of the Bands" still being a thing.
2) The place of this battle looks like a barn, the people dressed in black, like funeral service. Robert Johnson, was killed in a place just like that, by a jealous husband who poisoned his drink.
3) Arlen Roth, who taught and coached Ralph Macchio for this scene, wondered why they did metal guitar in a blues themed film... The original blues duel scene wasn't working, so the directors hired the hot shot guitar wizard of the moment (1986) who was Steve Vai. What we see here is an adaptation of the blues/jazz tradition to the 80's, because that heavy metal/80's guitar style, was very popular and would inspire many young kids to play guitar.
4) Eugene/Ralph Macchio wins the duel by playing stuff form Paganini's 24 Caprice (a violinist who allegedly sold his sold to the devil for outstanding musical talent... he was was also flashy and loved to show off his skills, just like Jake Butler/Steve Vai). This may be also is a quote on the rising influence of neoclassical music in rock guitar during the 80s. Up until then, rock music (which is basically the grandchild of American Rural Blues) mostly took from blues/jazz tradition.
And the acting... spot on.
I went to a Steve Vai concert 2 days ago in Antwerp Belgium. I’m still buzzing. Steve only for better !
Cant believe I’ve been listening to him for 35 years or so and this was the first time live… what an experience !
Steve Vai was, and still is, the man! Many of today's leading shredders still pay homage to this legend.
I love that part at 2:50
It feels like Eugene walked right into Jacks den. That stare he gives Eugene is so cold and heartless while playing a more arrogant version of bad horsey.
"Alright Steve, we need you to play both parts"
"Alright"
And lose to yourself"
"WHAT"
Vai's opening riff, 2:50 chugging along still gives me chills. Eugenes opening slide riff has so much attitude in it. Love it!
BAD HORSIE
Never gets old I'm here almost every week
just the first 45 seconds alone is pure fire
Mr. Martone was about to leave classical guitar studies to pursue blues studies. In the final part of the battle he shows off the same piece he played on classical guitar at the beginning of the movie. Beautiful!
favorite scene in the whole movie. steve vai is INSANE
what I love about this long scene is that no word is spoken from Ralph Macchio (Eugene Martone), just facial expression and guitar play. From both contrahents, actually! Steve Vai does not say one line as well in this scene, just pure body expressions and music
It's interesting to note that Niccolò Paganini was also known as "The Devil's Violinist". This was because his violin playing was so amazing that people said it was a "gift from the devil". Hats off to the writers of this film and their subtle allusion. I think that's called an allusion. Am I correct or is it called something else?
Is some of this Paganini?
Yeah, you’re right. Allusion was used correctly here.
@@therespectedlex9794 The last part is based on Paganini's Caprice No. 5 for violin if I'm not mistaken.
Honestly, I will always love the tone that Telecaster gets. So gritty, tough and old. Perfect guitar for the setting.
Because Lightning served two masters, he saved two souls.
One of Willie Brown, and the other, his own.
Such a beautiful twist of fate.
oooh nice; his classical teacher even uses that phrase at the beginning of the film doesn't he; ''serve two masters''
Ye
This scene feels like just a fun but competitive jam session on it's own, but within the context, it's a huge emotional climax.
Best movie argument ever for learning classical guitar first... ☺️❤️
Have been watching this battle clip on youtube for years. Why now am i just seeing one not recorded by a Beta or VHS machine??? Outstanding sharpness. How did I watch tv in the 70-90’s??? No wonder my eyes suck.
Best movie i ever watched! 10/10. High on weed and bored picked it up, at 2am at the video store! I watched that battle 10+ times!
One of the best music films I've watched. Reminds me of my dad who taught me all about the blues, introducing me to the core of how it started. Blues music is the music!
Absolutely killer intro, Vai's best melodic intro. First 47 secs of the video.
Rock and roll never gets old, whether you on the highway to hell or the stairways to heaven, rock and roll can save your soul.
When Vai took his jacket off is like when you fight a seemingly invincible boss and then they change form and then you know you're doing damage
I like how at the very end after he won the contest... He literally gives no warning and a one count and starts playing guitar and the entire band catches on after the one count.. including the invisible brass section
Harmonica not horns. Willie is playing. Also there’s a guy on keyboard.
I always love how Willie looks down and away from Eugene after Jack shreds, like he's just seen the man die and he's mourning him. Such a great character moment.
Yeah..... terrible for morale 😂
One of the best movies ever made depicting heaven and hell, soul contracts, and redemption
I love watching Steve Vai's face while he's playing both sides of this duel
I played this on my ukelele and it was tremendous, but then i woke up and it was just a dream... damn it..
I've watched this thousands of times, literally, it keeps getting better every time!
Carvin Amps, Jackson and Fender, and a brilliant concept. Watched many times and still marvel at the majesty of the music. Timeless.
I fell in love with this movie when I was a little girl. My dad got a vhs player from a pawn shop and didn’t know what was in it until he plugged it up and turned the tv on 😂😂😂😂😂 thank God it was this movie! I had no idea it was based on a true story until I was much older.
Never bored watching it again and again.... 🎸🔥
Me too. My dad used to have it on vhs back in the 90s and little me would be watching this scene over and over again.
Back in '99 my dad gave me his Fender Strat imitation as a christmas gift, 'cause i had already "played" it alot and harmed it in one way or another. (Scratches, etc).
That sound, when Ralph Macchio plugs in the cable.... That alone is music to my ears. 😎👍🏼
This video has been on an monthly to-watch-list for years. 😄
Still could watch this scene over n over!!!!
Pull out Paganinis 5th caprice!
And Paganini “ sold his soul” too.
Such a classic!!!!
This is well established but for those who don't yet know, Steve Vai played all of what you hear (both parts).
He did not. Ry Cooder plays the slide guitar parts.
@@olderman7166 did not know that. Thx!
Steve Vai did a heck of justice to his role that he definitely deserves an Oscar.
All these years later and I'm watching this again with such glee. Now check out Matteo Mancuso, another Italian phenomenon.
I listen to this all the time. Never gets old for me. I'm just a bass and drum guy. Never got guitar down. My favorite music scene. Deliverance is second. But it doesn't even come close. I almost want to add lyrics to it.
I grew up in the age of guitar. Hearing EVH changed my life. I thought I would never hear anything like "Eruption" again. Then I saw this scene. And I knew that something can always blow you away all over again.
Wow, that was an awesome acting of Vai, i cannot imagine how hard it was for him to miss those notes at the end
That’s the mark of a master musician to be able to purposely make mistakes. Trust me it ain’t easy.
Steve Vai is absolutely amazing
I guess the "mojo hand" is where he got all that chorus and delay. Great!
there are movies of legends,then there are legendary movies.this is by far the best friendship movie of all time.blues make some sad others it reaches the soul.thank u steve vai and Ralph macchio.beyond classic this and princess bride shall always be my favs.
Vai has such animated expressions and an amazing stage presence. They couldn’t have found anyone better at the time for this role.