Carlos Rios is one of the most overlooked guitarists on the planet. A lot of players, unfortunately, are not familiar with him, but they should be. His solo on Chick Corea's COOL WEASEL BOOGIE is sublime!
Ask Gino Vannelli what he thinks about him. I still think "Santa Rosa" it is a guitar masterpiece and it looks so easy to play... (edited: I was confused, it was Mike Miller! Anyway they are both exceptionals)
If it were anyone else I'd say it was just "Flexing". With Rick however he's putting everything into it for all of us. We are indeed very fortunate to have him, he's so very generous.
Carlos' friend and mentor at that time was Larry Carlton, which definitely informed his intervallic ideas and bending style. Larry also hand picked the ES 335 for Carlos which he used on the record, and was very instrumental in getting Carlos this gig. (Carlos has said all this in interviews over the years, it's not my speculation.) I wore out this album when it came out. There's not a note on the whole record that isn't great, and it contains many Carlos solos. Terrific job on the playing and breakdown, Rick!
@@bobg4657 Yup, there's a ton of Larry in there. And the other big influence he used to speak of years ago was playing Pat Martino records and tapes on half speed to cop licks.
This entire album is absolutely nuts. So many amazing changes and grooves. Carlos is a star of the album. His solos have been etched in my mind since I was a kid. Every tune in this record is a banger. Love it. Now i am off to learn this solo. :)
My son and I saw Gino 4 years ago and it was jaw dropping; his band was of the highest caliber. I’m a top shelf bassist and after seeing Damien Erskine play, I turned to my son and said “ I quit”. What was most impressive was the clean stage; not a cord to be found anywhere. Gino’s music is amazing.
As always...I'm freaking amazed, astounded, awestruck, and astonished; while at the same time confused, dumfounded, confounded and stupefied! But, if I'm honest with myself... I'm mostly JEALOUS! Great video, Rick...AGAIN! :)
Speaking as a drummer . . . this is music that's almost 45 years old ( I'm dating myself because Brother to Brother wasn't that old when I got hip to it, and Mark Craney's drumming, and everybody else's playing on it) . . . but it doesn't **sound** 45 years old . . . to me, anyway. So I'll ask younger guys, especially guitarists, if this music sounds, well, old. Whaddya think?
To me, it sounds old but not out-dated if that makes sense. Nowadays it seems like metal bands incorporate jazz more than rock bands. I could be completely wrong though.
Ginos 70s projects are still among my alltime favourite records. I may not listen to Ginos music for extended periods, but will always return to Powerful People, Storm at Sunup and my favourite Gist of the Gemini.
That early Gino V stuff is great. My keyboard player got me into Gino back in the day. I never expected there to be such killer guitar on his "all keyboard" band's recording. 'Appaloosa' is one of my favorites from this album . . . which I still have, along with several others. I used to cry a little inside every time I'd see Carlos Rios wasting his talent with Lionel Ritchie.
If you're a Gino fan, I imagine you're familiar with Jay Graydon's guitar work on the Storm At Sunup album. Some really special playing by Graydon over some wonderfully sophisticated changes.
Wasting his time with Lionel Ritchie? That's a huge gig. Although I have tremendous respect for Gino, and especially Joe, Lionel Richie is light years ahead of Vannelli in numbers of singles, top albums, albums sold 100 million vs 10 and net worth. Gino's only hit was I Just Wanna Stop. You may cry a little inside, but Carlos playing with Richie is pinching himself. A dream gig. Big money gig. I like Carlos' playing on Brother to Brother, but the tone was not there. Then again after listening to Holdsworth, many guitar players tones were not there...
Indeed!!. I loved the B2B solo at the time, without knowing the artist. Only got to know about Carlos when I became a CCEB fan in the late 80s. Shows what a great guitarist he is. Only the best ever performed on Chicks projects. ( Al di Meola, Paco de Lucia, Scott Henderson, Frank Gambale and several more)
This was my favorite album for a long time. They guy who introduced me to it was a recording engineer in LA at the time. I was amazed how few people new of this great album.
its still a problem. as someone selling vinyl, gino's records sit in the crates, no one has heard of him. always a good idea to put on the Brother to Brother track on the lp and everyone is asking who is that. lol. go check out the V section.
The first time I heard Carlos Rios playing was on the Cick Corea Elektric band LP. His solo on the track Elektric City impressed me right away, it's just amazing! On the other tracks too. Scott Henderson performed on the same LP, wonderful playing too!
I also love Mike Miller's version of 1991 "Live in Montreal" (with an amazing Enzo Todesco on drums). Very similar but more "modern" sounding. Gino Vannelli has always been surrounded by phenomenal musicians
@@fusionfan6883 I saw Gino live some 5 years ago and Koder was very impressive with the material. Authoritative as fuck and great tone throughout the show. An unsung fusion virtuoso with a great blues touch!
@@BebopHardRock Yes I felt he did a good job of honouring the original work Carlos did whilst putting his own little stamp on it. Interestingly I thought he fitted in better than Daryl Steurmer who toured the album as Gino’s guitarist back in the day, although I must clarify that I have nothing but respect for what Daryl has done in his stellar career. Strangely enough I recognised Jay from his early days when he appeared on some Jeff Lorber albums which had their fusion elements.
Well it certainly is an amazing solo from a virtuoso. I don'y know if you can really classify this song or the solo as ROCK. though. I gues Fusion -Rock might fit.
Carlos was a big Martino fan back then... Rick, would be great if you could get Carlos for an interview. One of my heroes, sadly submerged too early into the pop world....
I think I first got that CD about 30 years ago. Gino has such complex songs and great misicians. Gist of the Gemini is also a great CD. Carlos is one of those players that makes me feel like I should quit playing.
So glad you featured this! Maybe my all time fav groups and albums. Big gino fan. Mike Craney was fantastic on drums. Incredible group. Thanks man. Jim Baugh JBOTV
Rick, I really believe you would love Gino's much newer CD, "Wilderness Road". No guitar solos, but great jazz chords, and unbelievable singing, the real kind. Almost entirely played by Gino.
Awesome break down of this epic solo! Is it me or do I hear a Larry Carlton-esque influence in this solo? Another nice solo from the Brother to Brother album is Evil Eye. It's not as long as B to B, and also more straight forward rock as opposed to jazz-rock, but that lightning fast passage during the last few bars has a bedazzling effect to the ear. Daryl Stuermer does a great rendition of it on Gino's 1978 tour; you can find it on YT.
Carlos rios played that solo with a Gibson 335 that Larry Carlton bought for him! Interesting , isn't it? There is a Video in RU-vid that Carlos demonstrate the Guitar and tell that story.
Rick, Any chance you can get Carol Kaye on your show? I watch a lot of musician interviews and I find her to be one of the most interesting artists. She has an amazing career, a great personality and an incredible memory for detail. Such a fascinating person to listen to. Every time I hear her speak I learn tips about jamming with others, and she’s jammed with the best, and she’s one of them! Please consider her for a future episode🙂
Rick why do you never do death metal what makes this song great. Necrophagist perhaps … I think they will blow your mind. Talking about some sophistication. Death metal has a lot.
Two simple questions because you've left me bewildered. 1. Are you left handed? 2. Having never noticed your noise gate in the past I'm intrigued by what tote of gate you prefer and how you like to apply it in any myriad of situations. As well as why you chose it to be so evident in this situation Oh do tell
Wow I just got introduced to a song and playing I've never heard. Yes it's an incredible, unique and intricate. I've watched so many of your mini lessons and videos (usually over my head but so inspiring) And wow you again show your skills as a versatile musician breaking this one down. I love this style of playing.
Years ago, I was totally obsessed with this Jazz/Rock fusion solo, one of the greatest of all time. Another one was Scott Henderson's solo, on Cat Tales, a tune from a Jean Luc Ponty album, almost similar in style. Great job on that Rick! How about an interview with Carlos Rios?
Yeah!!! Amazing solo Rick, but I also like the one by Mike Miller on the live version, have you heared it?? Have a good day, greetings and blessings from Mexico 🇲🇽
Love it. What amazes me the most, though, is when someone takes something harmonically simple and makes it burn. That will separate the men from the boys, not having all that harmonic motion to lay back on. Perhaps, Rick, you could give us some good examples and walkthroughs of this idea?
Absolute truth you have spoken. Guys like Schenker, Ronson, could deliver goose bumps with one bend. But that quality might be coming from somewhere beyond, and beyond the mechanics of operating a musical instrument, and difficult or impossible to teach, although it is combined into the operation of the instrument.
Really good point. Frank Zappa was a genius (and a a genius generally)at playing hair raising improvised solos over relatively simple harmonic structures. ‘Yo Mama’ is a good example. There are literally hundreds on his many live recordings. Neal Schon comes to mind, too. His solo on ‘Taboo,’ off Santana lll, is sensational.
Love this, thanks for introducing me to Gino Vanelli and Carlos Rios playing - jazz, fusion, progressive soul yacht rock?! Somehow this led me recently to jay gradons playing and solo on Steve Kipners ‘the ending’ love to see that one broken down also. Great channel - new listener / watcher
most rock players do not have that kind of phrasing you almost have to be a player like alan holdsworth or al di mola etc to play those fusion lines but im gonna try to learn it
Great video Rick. I actually played with Gino Vannelli a couple of years ago. He's a monster. Absolute relative pitch and a super creative multi-instrumentalist and world class vocalist. He reminds me of Rick Beato. I asked Gino one why he didn't keep Carlos Rios for the tour back in the 70s.
@@kma5699 Gino praised Mr Rios as a great player and musician. However, Gino meant that he wasn't prepared for playing at big stages back then. He only had a small combo amp and did not have any experience to perform at big venues.
I loved that album I bought it back in the 70's when it came out in New Zealand played it at full volume constantly. Great musicians especially the drummer Mark Craney RIP. Well done with the solo Rick.!
I played guitar in a band with the drummer on this album, Mark Craney. This was in '74-75. We were covering the fusion of the moment. Return to Forever, Rundgren's Utopia, etc. He went on to great heights, the best of which is on this album with the Vanellis and Carlos Rios.
Thanks for bringing this solo to light! One of the hardest things for non-guitarists is writing for the guitar. It would really be a great service if you did one or two videos on guitar concepts for composers. I guarantee there's a need for it, and you're the guy!
Carlos Rios is indeed masterful to thrive over these changes, and not merely survive. I hadn't thought about this song in 40 years, so hearing it now with my education is electrifying. Gino Vannelli knocked it out of the park on this outing!
Worth noting that for many years, Carlos Rios has been playing alongside Waddy Wachtel in Stevie Nicks' band. Rios is the left-hander on the stage. And it is great to see this solo get the spotlight. Dittos the focus on Peter Frampton's works. There is so much that is taken for granted that when put under the spotlight reveals itself as being really complex, unique, and more more than it initially appears to be. Which is why this solo is so deserving.
That whole band was awesome, at that time. The speed and synergy with which they could play, amazed me. That album is yet in my regular listening rotation.
Most complex and incredible guitar solo... for the song "Devil Takes the Hindmost", by Allan Holdsworth. It's just monstrous. Would like to see you analyzing it.
Congrats Rick! Carlos Rios played with Chick Corea, in Elektrik Band album... the 1st one. I mean great confidence with harmonization in solo with jazzy chords
I must have watched this video 20 times so far, and I don't even play guitar. I remember listening to this solo for the first time in '78. I was dumbfounded, not even realizing those were bebop lines. So impressed with this video and your channel, so I subscribed! Thank you Rick!
Great job Rick but I don’t consider this a rock solo. I saw them do it live. GREAT CONCERT. they sound incredible even though we found out later all the high-end speakers had blown. this is a jazz fusion solo. IMHO.
Nice solo selection. That said, while I can understand the desire, I honestly don’t understand how you have the time or patience to learn these solos in their entirety, unless you’ve pretty much learned/played them before.
Before Rick mentioned the song He was going to play I knew it was going to be the hardest solo. I mean if Rick beato is saying This is complicated I'm willing to believe him I've seen this guy play everything
The most bizarre solo and most complex guitar work I've ever heard is from Robert Fripp on King Crimson's Fracture. God, that's some really weird stuff, with Construkction Of Light in a close second.
Always loved Gino and his band. Loved Bother to Brother, and the live version is also great (Mike Miller, guitarist on Live in Montreal). Carlos Rios, fantastic!
