I'm really sorry. I like your playing and your channel, but I can't rest until I say this: Wilko's guitar playing is extremely difficult to even try and copy. I think there is so much that you missed. His right hand technique is amazing, using his nails, and hand, sometimes almost flamenco - like. His left hand will be muting and using double and single bends...sometimes using vibrato on entire chords. His timing is like clockwork. Take a while to listen to Down By the Jetty album. He is one of the most underrated guitar players of all time. I followed him from the seventies and he is the reason I play guitar. I miss him terribly! Sorry if this seems harsh, but there is infinitely more to his playing that most people realise.
I was Down at the Jetty working at Mobil coryton refinery and saw him at The Kursaal with Dr Feelgood. The sheer energy of that band was awesome. I've recently bought the Down at the Jetty CD!! 1974-2024 - so, just a tribute mate.
100% agree a lot of people think Wilkos playing is simple and basic but it's an extremely hard technique to get correct the right hand especially I don't think I've ever seen anybody else use the same extreme right hand technique but his left hand technique is equally unusual Wilko was a criminally underrated guitarist and song writer etc and Dr Feelgood was one of the best bands to ever come out of England especially live they were amazing Wilkos solo albums are great as well 🤘
I think it would be fair to say this was a poor choice to watch, Wilko wasn't a sloppy player, he was as tight as a tight thing. When he was on form (not here) he sounded like two guitar players. In fact when they first played at my local Uni in 1975, my mate thought they had a backing tape doing the other guitar track. Wilko was unique. Canvey Island Essex UK not American Michael.
I have a copy of a "bootleg" CD sold as "Call Me Doctor Wilkinson". It may be widely available by now but I spent some time looking for it. It's from their US tour in 1976 and was recorded in Cleveland, Ohio and Detroit, Michigan. In Cleveland, they closed the show with a cover version of "Great Balls of Fire" , a Jerry Lee Lewis song. The audio is not great but I'm curious if they had ever played that song before.
Used to watch Wilko almost every week around London town in the Seventies with Dr Feelgood. They were one of the best live bands I have ever seen and I have seen a lot.
Thanks for posting this , Michael - I know it's not your usual thing, but guitar is a big tent! Wilko runs deep in the British music scene and I was sad to see he died. Check out the movie "The Ecstacy of Wilko Johnson" about his battle with cancer, as well as his hit album with Roger Daltrey. Next time I'll send you a Lenny Breau video :)
I've never seen any guitarist play lead AND rhythm..........at the SAME TIME!!! It's hilarious seeing someone critique Wilko, without being able to emulate his technique themselves! The guy was utterly unique, that's why he was such a hero among UK fans, especially in his time with Dr Feelgood, THE true originators of Punk!!
As you will see from my avatar, I'm a big fan of Wilko, having first seen him with Dr Feelgood in 1976, and many more times until we sadly lost him. However, I saw a solo Martyn Taylor gig in the late 1980s play I got rythym. He started off with the melody, added a rythym part, then a bassline playing all three simultaneously. He then improvised the melody, then the rythym part and bassline. Enough to make anyone want to give up playing guitar. I don't think that the song chosen for this review best represented Wilko, and the reviewer just didn't get it at all. My band occassionally do a Feelgoods number, but I'm faking it big time. In the middle of a few high tempo Nine Below Zero covers we get by on energy levels and a good harmonica player rather than accuracy in the guitar department.
Americans seem to enjoy trying to sound like experts on everything and having a view, even write a fucking book , but clearly know that they are spoofing but hoping that no one notices it
Wilko's guitar style was based on Mick Green from the band Johnny Kid and the Pirates, who had a hit with Shakin all Over, Dr Feelgood (Wilko's band) also covered a couple of Mick Green songs, Oyeah and Going Back Home, it is an unusual guitar style I have only heard played by Wilko and Mick Green and I love it
This is brilliant , watching your reaction it’s like taking your Gran to a R&B show and trying to explain “ it’s blues AND rhythm Gran”. This is precision guitar and deffo not sloppy. Admittedly not the best example of Wilko’s style but keep practising it.
Wilko Johnson is a legend. His guitar playing is almost unique. He explains how he plays in some if his own videos, he uses no picks or pedals or anything else. Just moves the dials to the middle and plays. Check out some early Dr Feelgood tracks. Also check out his live videos with Wilko Johnsons Solid Senders. Wilko Johnson R.I.P legend
This is quite funny seeing you perplexed by Wilko Johnson, he is a totally unique player but also hugely influential in the UK, and worldwide, but never broke into America. This was not one of his best performances on video, more for the seasoned fan. One of my favourites would be him in his original band, Dr Feelgood, performing Roxette on The Old Grey Whistle Test 1975, the impact that had on me as a13 year old, and probably countless others can't be overstated. He has a fascinating story that is documented in a film that I believe is available on UA-cam, The Ecstasy of Wilko Johnson, essential viewing! Wilko was a guitar anti hero, the 10 minute solo and obscure chord inversions and substitutions were not for him, he was able to whip the audience up with his combined rhythm/lead style as much as Page, Blackmore etc etc. At a glance his playing might seem rudimentary and sloppy but, is actually pretty tricky to replicate with the same feeling. Gear wise he almost always used a Telecaster, although I think I have seen footage of him using a Strat and a Les Paul Junior? Early on he favoured HH 100 watt transistor amps straight in, no effects.
Wilko Johnson was English, originally in a band called Dr Feelgood, with his beloved Black and Red Telecaster. He was from Canvey Island on the Thames estuary. He was much loved in the U.K. and Europe, I don't know if he ever had any success in America, but to the Japanese he was part of the U.K. music scene and he could rock!
I am a Dr Feelgood and Wilko fan and play a little guitar. I love how he keeps the rhythm going and putting in the licks and frills which I spent hours trying to copy - not very successfully ! The example shown here isn’t his best but having seen him play live a number of times he always entertained.
Hilarious to see a “proper” guitar teacher trying to analyze Wilko Apart from anything else, the excitement generated at Feelgoods and later solo shows was beyond anything else, no one ever rocked like him. Ignorance of who Norman Watt-Roy is and his mind blowing abilities is also funny.
Wilko used to use glue on his fingers to harden the ends. You should watch him with Dr. Feelgood, great player. He also played the King’s Justice - the Executioner - Ser Ilyn Payne, in Game of Thrones.
You need to see him from the 70’s at the Southend shows. He holds the legendary status because his playing is so on point. He says he found his style and then ran with it. It looks easy, but it’s incredibly refined. As for bleeding, I don’t think you could have a 6 decade career if your hands are destroyed after a gif. No he was a genius and so sadly now gone. Watch he book shop piece, when he’ll tell you exactly what he’s doing.
I grew up in Southend on Sea (UK) which is next to Canvey Island as a teenage guitar player in the 1970's - where Wilko was from (and the ground breaking Dr Feelgood). One Saturday I went to Chris Stevens Music Shop with my hard earned £60 to buy (I think) a white Ibanez SG copy (but with a Strat style headstock??!!). As I want up the stairs to the amp room, I heard some very distinctive 'choppy' rhythm playing coming. I turned on my heel and ran. I still - even today - wish I'd had the balls to go up there!
Look at a video of him with Dr Fegood 'You shouldn't call the doctor (if you can't afford the bills) ua-cam.com/video/9S-o2OnD0L4/v-deo.html It's OK sitting down trying to play like Wilko...Now strut around and play the same.
You probably haven't seen many punk concerts Michael, lol. This is the order of the day there, it's what I grew up with at CBGB's in NYC. Totally doing it for the reaction, nothing more, nothing less. The sound isn't important, how the audience reacts to it is.
I loved Wilko's style and I loved his music, and saw him many times, but I did wish When I'm Gone was a tad shorter live. Love the version on his Ice On The Motorway album!
When Dr. Feelgood (with Wilco) came on to the scene in the 70's they sounded like no-one else. They inspired Punk, Ska and many big name musicians, try this one ua-cam.com/video/xJaqARY6e_s/v-deo.html. We had never seen anyone like Wilco before he came on the scene and we never will again!
Never mind his playing technique it's the effect it has on the audience that's the thing. I can absolutely confirm that Wilko J / Dr Feelgood in a small club or bar (Pub) is one of the greatest human musical experience in the history of humanity. I've taken many people to these gigs who had never known this music and they always came out of the gig with same crazed obsessional expression.t It is DOPE! During the same time period the Americans had The Fabulous Thunderbirds who somewhat frequented the same energy space. I can confirm that if the FTB were a solid 4 Wilko / The Feelgoods were a spinal tap 11. The Yanks may have invented the blues but it was the Brits that sprinkled amphetamine on the cadaver to get it moving again.
Wilko was absolutely FEARLESS and he spanked that guitar. Just flailed it. This is a study in how to use/abuse that right hand. But I agree with the folks below: it is easy to miss the subtle and sometimes dissonant things he did with the left hand. It’s basically a bluesy punkabilly. I think about the guitar style of Bill Carter of the Screaming Blue Messiahs, particularly.
Wilko Johnson’s right hand technique is unsurpassed. First of all, Wilko was naturally left handed, but elected to play right handed. He also found that - as hard as he tried, he could not hold a pick. Hence the “back of the knuckles” strumming style. Dr. Feelgood’s song “She Does It Right” is the perfect example of Wilko’s rhythm/lead style. And his real name is John Wilkinson but he swapped it round because there were two other “Johns” in the band. The other “Johns” on bass and drums adopted nicknames. John Sparkes was dubbed “Sparko” and the other John was known as “The Big Figure” to avoid confusion.
You better realize Wilco is a legend for a reason, his style which all starts with Mick Green of the Pirates. Listen to She does it Right or Roxette etc...
First there was Elvis. Then The Rolling Stones then came wilko Johnson in Dr. Feelgood in 1970.first album down by the jetty in 75. Listen to She does it right!!
Norman Watt Roy. Great bass player. Wilko's clean sound used to come from an HH IC100 combo when I used to see the Feelgoods play in the UK back in the day. I can't see the amp in this video. Roland JC?
You'll never sound like Wilko with that guitar. You'll never sound like Wilko with any guitar. Genius can never be copied. I see a lot of people going on about Norman Watt Roy. Wilko's band were great but cannot touch the Big Figure and John B. Sparks. Lee Brilleaux is easily in the top ten frontmen of all time. All of Dr. Feelgood's guitarists are great players but Wilko was the best. After him I love Johnny Guitar and Gyppy Mayo.
If you want another check out Dr Feelgood. Lots of cool I’ve stuff out there. “She Does It Right” and “Roxette,” are two kickass examples of his “Stab” style.
"So American"? While Wilko Johnson and Dr Feelgood (the band that made his name) definitely owe a huge amount to their US influences, the guitar sound and the dynamic is pure Canvey Island.
You might have seen Wilko as an actor. He played the executioner Ser Ilyn Payne in Game of Thrones. In real life he was a wonderful guy and a beast on stage. The bassman is Norman Watts-Roy, formerly Ian Dury and the Blockheads. This song is not the best example of his style, I would recommend Dr. Feelgoods „She does it right“.
To understand Wilco you need to listen to Mick Green Its all really quite an interesting story..Also, you may want to listen to the Roger Daltrey Wilco Johnson album Going back home...I must say you do a really great job..Im not even a musician and I enjoy your take on things,,Well done and, HOLD ON, the rest of this year will be biblical....
Negative comments suggest a total lack of knowledge. Wilko was such a “bad” a guitar player that Roger Daltry of the Who produced, played and toured with him when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
You should have seen him live ...i model myself on him ...im not a carbon copy of wilko but i used him as a vehicle for my learning ...hes my favourite guitarist of all time ..he ueed to be an art teacher and he also has one of the biggest telescopes in the world 🌎 he loved the stars 😂😂😂
Great video! Can we talk homonyms? How about a review of Wilco’s Impossible Germany? At 2:28 the lyrics disappear. The next 3:30 seconds are a mesmerizing guitar arrangement worthy of your time.
Wilko and Dr Feelgood came up in the London Pub Rock boom of the early 70's. He was the antidote to the virtuoso's of the 60's, and inspired punks like me to take up guitar. He created excitement, raw energy, not chin-stroking wonderment like John McLaughlin, say. I saw him many times around London. He was huge in Japan, and he had a red scratchplate on his Tele to hide the blood. Wilko could stretch time like no other, because bassist Norman Watt-Roy was equally gifted. Together, they were tighter than a duck's ass in a frozen pond...
Wilko did not believe in using guitar effects, he would set up his amp and that's it. He's a legend guitarist not many players can imitate the rhythm, and lead and riffs in one like that. He's also good at making a guitar sound like a machine gun too.
I’m glad you say what you see/hear, Michael. This was anti-musical punk for reaction’s sake. Not my cup of tea for listening purposes. It does have its place under the big tent. 😉
This would have been post Dr Feelgood days. Dr Feelgood was an incredible band and in my humble opinion Wiko's best days. As he admits, his style was borrowed from Mick Green but became his own. Dr Feelgood were so tight, original and high energy (pre punk) and I very much enjoyed being part of that scene growing up on Canvey Island in the 70s. The two standout features of his guitar playing were his use of his fingers and not a pick (as you state) and his string damping method. Most player will damp strings with their right palm after playing a chord but he did it with his left fretboard hand by relaxing his grip on the neck whilst playing across the damped strings - that's was what gave him the fluid style but with the chop sound. Easy to explain - only wish I could do it!
As a Southender who used to see the feelgoods when they were a pub band to be in a small packed sweaty boozer was just incredible,Wilco pogoing around a small stage with Lee with his dirty driving voice and harp was punk before punk.Im a rock and roller with a tele and can testifie to how hard it is to play like that. This particular performance wasn't the best example to review for sure.
Great player. Yes he is sloppy here when doing slow solos, but was also extremely tight when he did his signature thing. I also never used a pick because I didnt know they existed until I had already learned to play and I couldnt use it. When I discovered him it was an inspiration because before Wilko all I had was Knopfler and he was very advanced
Wilko always idolised Mick Green and always said he couldn't get anywhere near his playing ability although to us he got bloody close. A genius emulating another genius.
I don't think this is the best example of Wilko, but believe me it aint easy to play in his style. I think you have to remember that Dr Feelgood were around during the punk era in the UK. Also he was a big fan of Mick Green.
Please look at Wilko Johnson Demonstrates His Guitar Technique 9.7.12: ua-cam.com/video/wMlhWvIh7U4/v-deo.html to fully understand why he was such a unique and iconic player, a true legend.
A good film to watch is Oil city confidential that has Wilko and charts the origins of Dr Feelgood and their proto punk R&B hit and run on the 70s music scene 70s Punk owns them a lot
I love players like Wilko, The Edge, and Tom Murillo. Can't play the guitar? Hold my beer. I'll just make up my own GD way, and be awesome. Try picking with your four soft nails and playing with a seventh chord all over the neck, dude was out there. RIP Wilko. Dude only owned one guitar - his famous pawn shop Telecaster, until Fender sent him a Strat that matched it, which he rarely played.
H&H transistor amp I think and he was a punk rock and roller so anti guitar hero. Very cool. Obviously Dr Feelgood in their prime were a great punk rock and roll band.
couple of points here as stated under neath there's more then a shuffle going on in here there's palm/string muting shuffling and already stated that the guitar has a red pick guard ,,covers the blood lol as wilko had already said and the bass player ? really its Norman Watt -Roy if your trying to break down a real legends work ,,takes more then you trying to break it down ,, and making a video about it... blockheads for ever
Hi Michael. I’m a long time struggling guitar learner! Really enjoy how you break down explain everything. Have you checked out any Lianne La Havas? If not I would highly recommend you do. Her live performances are something else. Peace from the U.K! ✌️
![Guitar Teacher REACTS: Tommy Emmanuel "Classical Gas" [Mason Williams]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/GwyXNZZei6E/mqdefault.jpg)
I'm really sorry. I like your playing and your channel, but I can't rest until I say this: Wilko's guitar playing is extremely difficult to even try and copy. I think there is so much that you missed. His right hand technique is amazing, using his nails, and hand, sometimes almost flamenco - like. His left hand will be muting and using double and single bends...sometimes using vibrato on entire chords. His timing is like clockwork. Take a while to listen to Down By the Jetty album. He is one of the most underrated guitar players of all time. I followed him from the seventies and he is the reason I play guitar. I miss him terribly! Sorry if this seems harsh, but there is infinitely more to his playing that most people realise.
I was Down at the Jetty working at Mobil coryton refinery and saw him at The Kursaal with Dr Feelgood. The sheer energy of that band was awesome. I've recently bought the Down at the Jetty CD!! 1974-2024 - so, just a tribute mate.
100% agree a lot of people think Wilkos playing is simple and basic but it's an extremely hard technique to get correct the right hand especially I don't think I've ever seen anybody else use the same extreme right hand technique but his left hand technique is equally unusual Wilko was a criminally underrated guitarist and song writer etc and Dr Feelgood was one of the best bands to ever come out of England especially live they were amazing Wilkos solo albums are great as well 🤘
Couldn’t believe Uve never. Heard of him Wilco legend Johnson oh yeah his hands did bleed 😊
Yep. Wilko never used a pick. Just an open hand. A magician of the fretboard!
Wilko on his clean sound: "Pedals? I'm a guitarist not a fucking cyclist"
He’s not ‘a bassist’ he’s THE Norman Watt-Roy
Sir Norman
using a fender strat bass, not often used by norman
Yeah Colin Norman Watt Roy "solid " is an understatement. He's a wizard on the bass
@@keiranjamesmullen633
Indeed.. "there aint arf been some clever bastards, Lucky bleeders" !!
@@highpath4776 thats a jazz bass, he uses those and P basses a lot.
I think it would be fair to say this was a poor choice to watch, Wilko wasn't a sloppy player, he was as tight as a tight thing. When he was on form (not here) he sounded like two guitar players.
In fact when they first played at my local Uni in 1975, my mate thought they had a backing tape doing the other guitar track. Wilko was unique. Canvey Island Essex UK not American Michael.
I have a copy of a "bootleg" CD sold as "Call Me Doctor Wilkinson". It may be widely available by now but I spent some time looking for it. It's from their US tour in 1976 and was recorded in Cleveland, Ohio and Detroit, Michigan. In Cleveland, they closed the show with a cover version of "Great Balls of Fire" , a Jerry Lee Lewis song. The audio is not great but I'm curious if they had ever played that song before.
Used to watch Wilko almost every week around London town in the Seventies with Dr Feelgood. They were one of the best live bands I have ever seen and I have seen a lot.
Thanks for posting this , Michael - I know it's not your usual thing, but guitar is a big tent! Wilko runs deep in the British music scene and I was sad to see he died. Check out the movie "The Ecstacy of Wilko Johnson" about his battle with cancer, as well as his hit album with Roger Daltrey. Next time I'll send you a Lenny Breau video :)
To see the best of Wilco Johnson check out Dr Feelgood Live at Southend (15 minutes of magic).
WILKO ..LETS GET IT RIGHT ✅️..WILCO IS SOME RUBBISH AMERICAN MUSICIAN 😂
I've never seen any guitarist play lead AND rhythm..........at the SAME TIME!!!
It's hilarious seeing someone critique Wilko, without being able to emulate his technique themselves!
The guy was utterly unique, that's why he was such a hero among UK fans, especially in his time with Dr Feelgood, THE true originators of Punk!!
His comment about the "Rhythm Section" , - did he realise it was all two of them (plus bits of Wilko?)
@@highpath4776
Probably not!
He doesn't strike me as a member of the 'get-it' gang! 🤣
As you will see from my avatar, I'm a big fan of Wilko, having first seen him with Dr Feelgood in 1976, and many more times until we sadly lost him. However, I saw a solo Martyn Taylor gig in the late 1980s play I got rythym. He started off with the melody, added a rythym part, then a bassline playing all three simultaneously. He then improvised the melody, then the rythym part and bassline. Enough to make anyone want to give up playing guitar.
I don't think that the song chosen for this review best represented Wilko, and the reviewer just didn't get it at all.
My band occassionally do a Feelgoods number, but I'm faking it big time. In the middle of a few high tempo Nine Below Zero covers we get by on energy levels and a good harmonica player rather than accuracy in the guitar department.
Americans seem to enjoy trying to sound like experts on everything and having a view, even write a fucking book , but clearly know that they are spoofing but hoping that no one notices it
Wilko's guitar style was based on Mick Green from the band Johnny Kid and the Pirates, who had a hit with Shakin all Over, Dr Feelgood (Wilko's band) also covered a couple of Mick Green songs, Oyeah and Going Back Home, it is an unusual guitar style I have only heard played by Wilko and Mick Green and I love it
Look up the band Screaming blue Messiahs , another 3 piece, the guitarist also played pick less.
Mick green didn't play on shaking all over.
@zog97xy I didn't say he did, I just said he was in the band, and they had a hit with Shakin All Over, not that he was with them at the time
@zog97xy No it was Joe Morreti
This is brilliant , watching your reaction it’s like taking your Gran to a R&B show and trying to explain “ it’s blues AND rhythm Gran”.
This is precision guitar and deffo not sloppy. Admittedly not the best example of Wilko’s style but keep practising it.
WIlko was an absolute legend here over in the UK, one of my grandads favourites!
Imagine going to school and your english teacher is Wilko Johnson, he knew the craft of english poetry and prose
Wilko Johnson is a legend. His guitar playing is almost unique.
He explains how he plays in some if his own videos, he uses no picks or pedals or anything else. Just moves the dials to the middle and plays.
Check out some early Dr Feelgood tracks.
Also check out his live videos with Wilko Johnsons Solid Senders.
Wilko Johnson R.I.P legend
The red pick guard was so that you couldn’t see the blood spattering
Fun fact, it actually started out white
That was the rumour
Wilko is probably one of the hardest guitar players to imitate! lol
This is quite funny seeing you perplexed by Wilko Johnson, he is a totally unique player but also hugely influential in the UK, and worldwide, but never broke into America. This was not one of his best performances on video, more for the seasoned fan. One of my favourites would be him in his original band, Dr Feelgood, performing Roxette on The Old Grey Whistle Test 1975, the impact that had on me as a13 year old, and probably countless others can't be overstated. He has a fascinating story that is documented in a film that I believe is available on UA-cam, The Ecstasy of Wilko Johnson, essential viewing! Wilko was a guitar anti hero, the 10 minute solo and obscure chord inversions and substitutions were not for him, he was able to whip the audience up with his combined rhythm/lead style as much as Page, Blackmore etc etc. At a glance his playing might seem rudimentary and sloppy but, is actually pretty tricky to replicate with the same feeling. Gear wise he almost always used a Telecaster, although I think I have seen footage of him using a Strat and a Les Paul Junior? Early on he favoured HH 100 watt transistor amps straight in, no effects.
...and a curly lead!
Well Michael, that one seemed to fly well over your head, didn't it! His virtuosity is one that cannot be replicated. A legend to behold.
Wilko Johnson was English, originally in a band called Dr Feelgood, with his beloved Black and Red Telecaster. He was from Canvey Island on the Thames estuary. He was much loved in the U.K. and Europe, I don't know if he ever had any success in America, but to the Japanese he was part of the U.K. music scene and he could rock!
He played in Japan a lot and was well respected.
I am a Dr Feelgood and Wilko fan and play a little guitar. I love how he keeps the rhythm going and putting in the licks and frills which I spent hours trying to copy - not very successfully ! The example shown here isn’t his best but having seen him play live a number of times he always entertained.
Hilarious to see a “proper” guitar teacher trying to analyze Wilko
Apart from anything else, the excitement generated at Feelgoods and later solo shows was beyond anything else, no one ever rocked like him.
Ignorance of who Norman Watt-Roy is and his mind blowing abilities is also funny.
Would it have killed him to have watched other videos or listen to his records . ?
Wilko used to use glue on his fingers to harden the ends. You should watch him with Dr. Feelgood, great player. He also played the King’s Justice - the Executioner - Ser Ilyn Payne, in Game of Thrones.
I'm so happy to see you cover this great and unique player Michael
The legendary Norman Watt Roy on bass! ‘Hit me with your rhythm stick’ still causes many a problem for bass players.😊
Your not wrong there. I've been playing it for years and it's still a proper work out for all my fingers. Norm's a legend.
@@mark240862 Same for me …. And if you trip up it’s like a downhill racer wiping out. You can’t fluff your way out of it. 😳
Both Wilko and Norman were in the Blockheads playing for Ian Dury.
You really need to see him playing She Does it Right or Roxette when he was with Dr Feelgood. That's *real* Wilko Johnson.
About half way through the video, it suddenly dawned on this guy what a genius Wilko is
Wilko was one of a kind
You need to see him from the 70’s at the Southend shows. He holds the legendary status because his playing is so on point. He says he found his style and then ran with it. It looks easy, but it’s incredibly refined. As for bleeding, I don’t think you could have a 6 decade career if your hands are destroyed after a gif. No he was a genius and so sadly now gone. Watch he book shop piece, when he’ll tell you exactly what he’s doing.
The bass player is Norman Watt Roy, a superb musician, there are many good videos with him and Wilco.
RIP Wilko God's Rhythm guitarist
"This guy is on another planet." You're not wrong.
Wilko, Norman, Dylan, inimitable.
I grew up in Southend on Sea (UK) which is next to Canvey Island as a teenage guitar player in the 1970's - where Wilko was from (and the ground breaking Dr Feelgood). One Saturday I went to Chris Stevens Music Shop with my hard earned £60 to buy (I think) a white Ibanez SG copy (but with a Strat style headstock??!!). As I want up the stairs to the amp room, I heard some very distinctive 'choppy' rhythm playing coming. I turned on my heel and ran. I still - even today - wish I'd had the balls to go up there!
Used to love going to see them in my local pub in mid seventies. Dr Feelgood were great little band
Bass player is Norman Watt Roy of the Blockheads, who wrote the Hit me with your rythym stick bassline. He's as much of a legend as Wilko.
Not the best clip to get an introduction to the wonderful Wlco. Watch some Dr Feelgood and do the man some justice.
Look at a video of him with Dr Fegood
'You shouldn't call the doctor (if you can't afford the bills)
ua-cam.com/video/9S-o2OnD0L4/v-deo.html
It's OK sitting down trying to play like Wilko...Now strut around and play the same.
You probably haven't seen many punk concerts Michael, lol. This is the order of the day there, it's what I grew up with at CBGB's in NYC. Totally doing it for the reaction, nothing more, nothing less. The sound isn't important, how the audience reacts to it is.
I loved Wilko's style and I loved his music, and saw him many times, but I did wish When I'm Gone was a tad shorter live. Love the version on his Ice On The Motorway album!
When Dr. Feelgood (with Wilco) came on to the scene in the 70's they sounded like no-one else. They inspired Punk, Ska and many big name musicians, try this one ua-cam.com/video/xJaqARY6e_s/v-deo.html. We had never seen anyone like Wilco before he came on the scene and we never will again!
Milk and Alcohol.
Never mind his playing technique it's the effect it has on the audience that's the thing. I can absolutely confirm that Wilko J / Dr Feelgood in a small club or bar (Pub) is one of the greatest human musical experience in the history of humanity. I've taken many people to these gigs who had never known this music and they always came out of the gig with same crazed obsessional expression.t It is DOPE! During the same time period the Americans had The Fabulous Thunderbirds who somewhat frequented the same energy space. I can confirm that if the FTB were a solid 4 Wilko / The Feelgoods were a spinal tap 11. The Yanks may have invented the blues but it was the Brits that sprinkled amphetamine on the cadaver to get it moving again.
Wilko Johnson' man of substances...
Wilko was absolutely FEARLESS and he spanked that guitar. Just flailed it. This is a study in how to use/abuse that right hand. But I agree with the folks below: it is easy to miss the subtle and sometimes dissonant things he did with the left hand. It’s basically a bluesy punkabilly. I think about the guitar style of Bill Carter of the Screaming Blue Messiahs, particularly.
Wilko Johnson’s right hand technique is unsurpassed. First of all, Wilko was naturally left handed, but elected to play right handed. He also found that - as hard as he tried, he could not hold a pick. Hence the “back of the knuckles” strumming style. Dr. Feelgood’s song “She Does It Right” is the perfect example of Wilko’s rhythm/lead style. And his real name is John Wilkinson but he swapped it round because there were two other “Johns” in the band. The other “Johns” on bass and drums adopted nicknames. John Sparkes was dubbed “Sparko” and the other John was known as “The Big Figure” to avoid confusion.
just ' cos you can't fathom it doesn't mean it's not great - and , believe me, it is.
This great man is the only guitarist who could play both rhythm and lead at same time, great artiste, r.i.p Wilko.
You better realize Wilco is a legend for a reason, his style which all starts with Mick Green of the Pirates. Listen to She does it Right or Roxette etc...
First there was Elvis. Then The Rolling Stones then came wilko Johnson in Dr. Feelgood in 1970.first album down by the jetty in 75. Listen to She does it right!!
You ask “what is he doing”. Michael, he is jamming out 😂
Wilko Johnson absolute legend rip _ english rnb
Norman Watt Roy. Great bass player. Wilko's clean sound used to come from an HH IC100 combo when I used to see the Feelgoods play in the UK back in the day. I can't see the amp in this video. Roland JC?
Wilco was a major influence on a young Joe Strummer, his playing style and why he fell in love with the Telecaster.
You'll never sound like Wilko with that guitar. You'll never sound like Wilko with any guitar. Genius can never be copied. I see a lot of people going on about Norman Watt Roy. Wilko's band were great but cannot touch the Big Figure and John B. Sparks. Lee Brilleaux is easily in the top ten frontmen of all time. All of Dr. Feelgood's guitarists are great players but Wilko was the best. After him I love Johnny Guitar and Gyppy Mayo.
If you want another check out Dr Feelgood. Lots of cool I’ve stuff out there. “She Does It Right” and “Roxette,” are two kickass examples of his “Stab” style.
Ever seen Game of Thrones? Wilko played the Executioner, where he put his 'thousand yard stare' to good use
Some good videos where Wilko explains his distinctly different guitar technique.
"So American"?
While Wilko Johnson and Dr Feelgood (the band that made his name) definitely owe a huge amount to their US influences, the guitar sound and the dynamic is pure Canvey Island.
Wilco was one of a kind.
You might have seen Wilko as an actor. He played the executioner Ser Ilyn Payne in Game of Thrones. In real life he was a wonderful guy and a beast on stage. The bassman is Norman Watts-Roy, formerly Ian Dury and the Blockheads. This song is not the best example of his style, I would recommend Dr. Feelgoods „She does it right“.
To understand Wilco you need to listen to Mick Green Its all really quite an interesting story..Also, you may want to listen to the Roger Daltrey Wilco Johnson album Going back home...I must say you do a really great job..Im not even a musician and I enjoy your take on things,,Well done and, HOLD ON, the rest of this year will be biblical....
Negative comments suggest a total lack of knowledge. Wilko was such a “bad” a guitar player that Roger Daltry of the Who produced, played and toured with him when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
can't believe you've never heard of Wilko - Joe Strummer's hero plus the legend that is Norman Watt Roy, plus he was in Game of thrones.......
You should have seen him live ...i model myself on him ...im not a carbon copy of wilko but i used him as a vehicle for my learning ...hes my favourite guitarist of all time ..he ueed to be an art teacher and he also has one of the biggest telescopes in the world 🌎 he loved the stars 😂😂😂
Well done for attempting this 😅
3:03
When you just realize having put yourself in trouble
😅
There was no-one like Wilko!
Great video! Can we talk homonyms?
How about a review of Wilco’s Impossible Germany? At 2:28 the lyrics disappear. The next 3:30 seconds are a mesmerizing guitar arrangement worthy of your time.
You need to see old Dr Feelgood videos to catch Wilko at the height of his powers, along with mean vocalist Lee Brilleaux
He used a HH IC100 or HH Musician solid state amp
He played the tongue-less executioner in Game of Thrones!
He goes for it. Nobody is going to say he doesn't go for it
Wilko and Dr Feelgood came up in the London Pub Rock boom of the early 70's. He was the antidote to the virtuoso's of the 60's, and inspired punks like me to take up guitar. He created excitement, raw energy, not chin-stroking wonderment like John McLaughlin, say.
I saw him many times around London. He was huge in Japan, and he had a red scratchplate on his Tele to hide the blood.
Wilko could stretch time like no other, because bassist Norman Watt-Roy was equally gifted. Together, they were tighter than a duck's ass in a frozen pond...
Wilko did not believe in using guitar effects, he would set up his amp and that's it. He's a legend guitarist not many players can imitate the rhythm, and lead and riffs in one like that. He's also good at making a guitar sound like a machine gun too.
Watch Dr Feelgoods Roxette to see Wilco just tear it up, this guy is a British legend
I’m glad you say what you see/hear, Michael. This was anti-musical punk for reaction’s sake. Not my cup of tea for listening purposes. It does have its place under the big tent. 😉
This would have been post Dr Feelgood days. Dr Feelgood was an incredible band and in my humble opinion Wiko's best days. As he admits, his style was borrowed from Mick Green but became his own. Dr Feelgood were so tight, original and high energy (pre punk) and I very much enjoyed being part of that scene growing up on Canvey Island in the 70s.
The two standout features of his guitar playing were his use of his fingers and not a pick (as you state) and his string damping method. Most player will damp strings with their right palm after playing a chord but he did it with his left fretboard hand by relaxing his grip on the neck whilst playing across the damped strings - that's was what gave him the fluid style but with the chop sound. Easy to explain - only wish I could do it!
As a Southender who used to see the feelgoods when they were a pub band to be in a small packed sweaty boozer was just incredible,Wilco pogoing around a small stage with Lee with his dirty driving voice and harp was punk before punk.Im a rock and roller with a tele and can testifie to how hard it is to play like that. This particular performance wasn't the best example to review for sure.
It's a mistake to try and forensically analyse Wilko's guitar playing.
Great player. Yes he is sloppy here when doing slow solos, but was also extremely tight when he did his signature thing. I also never used a pick because I didnt know they existed until I had already learned to play and I couldnt use it. When I discovered him it was an inspiration because before Wilko all I had was Knopfler and he was very advanced
Went down well on Canvey Island in the late 70s. Has the world forgotten the punk aesthetic?
No wilko, no rory. That's why you're a teacher
You should give Luca Stricagnoli a watch
His Prodigy mashup is crazy, but his Iron Maiden and Gorillaz covers is also out of this world
Wilko always idolised Mick Green and always said he couldn't get anywhere near his playing ability although to us he got bloody close. A genius emulating another genius.
I don't think this is the best example of Wilko, but believe me it aint easy to play in his style. I think you have to remember that Dr Feelgood were around during the punk era in the UK. Also he was a big fan of Mick Green.
Check Wilco's vibe with Dr.Feelgood live footage. It will make all the sense after you see it. Pure UK Pub Rock.
Please look at Wilko Johnson Demonstrates His Guitar Technique 9.7.12: ua-cam.com/video/wMlhWvIh7U4/v-deo.html to fully understand why he was such a unique and iconic player, a true legend.
Alas you have a lot to learn
On Bass is Norman watt Roy Ian Dury and the blockheads bass player
When you can play like Wilko you are a guitarist.
A good film to watch is Oil city confidential that has Wilko and charts the origins of Dr Feelgood and their proto punk R&B hit and run on the 70s music scene 70s Punk owns them a lot
Look what his thumb is doing. Wilko is the best
Standard fare ,check out Jonas Bryssling ,SOP rehearsal.
He's running through the tunes with the drummer.
I love players like Wilko, The Edge, and Tom Murillo. Can't play the guitar? Hold my beer. I'll just make up my own GD way, and be awesome. Try picking with your four soft nails and playing with a seventh chord all over the neck, dude was out there. RIP Wilko. Dude only owned one guitar - his famous pawn shop Telecaster, until Fender sent him a Strat that matched it, which he rarely played.
I love his version of Route 66
H&H transistor amp I think and he was a punk rock and roller so anti guitar hero. Very cool. Obviously Dr Feelgood in their prime were a great punk rock and roll band.
couple of points here as stated under neath there's more then a shuffle going on in here there's palm/string muting shuffling and already stated that the guitar has a red pick guard ,,covers the blood lol as wilko had already said and the bass player ? really its Norman Watt -Roy if your trying to break down a real legends work ,,takes more then you trying to break it down ,, and making a video about it... blockheads for ever
Hi Michael. I’m a long time struggling guitar learner! Really enjoy how you break down explain everything. Have you checked out any Lianne La Havas? If not I would highly recommend you do. Her live performances are something else. Peace from the U.K! ✌️
Your left hands what you know…your right hands who you are(unless yer a lefty)
Dr Feelgoods unique guitarist.
5:30 - There's some truth in it...
Unique Wilco Johnson
Really curious what you think of the guitars in the video by Ren- 'Hi Ren'. A brilliant song but Your breakdown of the guitars would be amazing
Can you react to 'Ren - Violets Tale' you've heard him before in The Big Push but his solo stuff is even better!