The Beat (The English Beat) - Ranking Full Stop - Cover

Ranking Full Stop by the Beat! The English Beat in North America. This was released as the B-side of the first English Beat single, "Tears Of A Clown." The Beat was formed in 1978, during a period of high unemployment and social upheaval in the United Kingdom. Ranking Roger, one of the band's vocalists, added a Jamaican vocal flavour to the band's sound with his toasting style. Jamaican saxophonist Saxa added a Jamaican ska instrumental sound. Saxa had played saxophone with Prince Buster, Laurel Aitken, and Desmond Dekker in the first wave of ska. This is such a fine song.

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:
The Ska Rhythm. This video presents ONE of the guitars in this song - the easy one. The other rhythm is much more odd. It's in time with the song but it has an "up down up" "down up down" strumming pattern. Listen, you'll hear it. Still, it is important to be able to play the part I am playing absolutely perfectly. Otherwise, it's crap. Really everything in this song is backdrop to the rap from Ranking Roger.

He is so awesome.

#echohead #rhythmguitar #powerpop