Cheap Trick - Stiff Competition - Cover

Cheap Trick's Stiff Competition off the Heaven Tonight album! This is one of my fave songs in the entire 1970s Rock catalogue. This is what they sounded like in rehearsals, I expect. And what a fine vocal from Robin. That guy is the best American Rock singer of his era. By far. He can scream in harmony, as he does here. Man can he sing! Wowza. I put him above Elvis. Really, I do. In addition, there is a superb Tom Petersson Bass line here, so inventive. Bun E's drums sound like machine guns all over this record, and no more so than on this track. And finally, Rick Nielsen's guitar. More on him below. This is what Power Pop is supposed to sound like.

These videos serve as lessons on how I play this bunch of Pop, Rock, and Reggae songs - sometimes as a single guitarist playing the only guitar part, though that's rare. And sometimes if there is more than one guitar part, then trying to find the single good path through the tune. I complete one pass, demonstrating different Rhythm parts, styles, and techniques. There is no talking. No discussion. No note-for-note explanations. As such, for clarity, my guitar is supposed to be louder in the mix than it would ever be in a live setting. But, if you really want to hear what I hear, do what I do and put on a good pair headphones with great bass response! It's worth it.

Why this is important to Rhythm Guitar:
You know when he plays live he's always been a mess. But, in the studio he's pretty damn exacting. I think he doesn't let playing well get in the way of performing. But, with this song it's this wicked combination of right on the money chording and power chording and money chording and power chording...

Get it?

#artofrhythmguitar #rhythmguitar #echohead

[antonchigurh]

Fantastic! Three of my favorite Trick songs of all time. Thanks for the covers. Hope to one day find an upload by you of the entire Side One from their eponymous debut. Cheers.