Totally agree. Also seen him twice. Arguable the most tasteful dude out there. If I could magically inherit someone else’s guitar skills and feel, it would probably be Blake.
Blake is a beast of a musician! My intro to Blake was through Vulfpeck Rango III - Check it out. Of course along with everything else he has touched! His solo stuff is really great and he is also featured on the lastest Bob Dylan record. Has some really killer riffs
That was where I first encountered Blake too, my ears pricked up immediately when I heard that fat crunchy slide tone, I thought perhaps I was listening to the lovechild of Ry Cooder and Derek Trucks. If I'm Unworthy is a phenomenal track though, the lyrics are beautiful and the playing is just God like.
I am DEEP into a Heigh Ho binge that I absolutely cannot get out of. I just don't wanna hear anything else. Front-to-back perfect record that I legit catch myself chuckling at how tasteful and patient these songs are. His sense of space is impeccable. The attention to detail in all his recordings is immaculate. I don't know, man. One of those musicians that I feel lucky to exist at the same time as.
This is one of my favorite videos on the internet. Blake is easily one of the best guitar players alive today, but he's an even better producer (some amazing records in his resume). Truly a genius level musician.
Blake Mills is a legend! Love his playing! & pretty sure that guitar of his is a custom Coodercaster style guitar Strat body with Tele neck with Ricki style lap slide & gold foil pickups...so incredible!
You mentioned Blake's timing and sense of space. Those, plus dynamics and touch and monster tone good taste and so on, all of which Blake also has, are why Ry Cooder has been my number 1 for so long. I feel like Blake will be ready to take over that spot when Ry leaves us.
Man so glad you’re seeing this. I’ve been listening to this song for months blake is a special individual one of the most scary innovative expressions of his craft
Blake mills is not only a killer player he also is a outstanding producer. My buddy has three Grammys from the record he produced. Glad you are finding him. Roll Tide
Blake rules dude. Look up his resume, to say the least its pretty impressive. In some ways he's our modern day Ry Cooder but much much more as well. Blake plays and writes like a film scorer, very un-guitar-like, lots of beautiful harmony and arrangement but rooted in visceral, rootsy guitar
Blake has been one of my favorite musicians for a long time! Got the chance to meet him a couple years ago and he played my Martin HD-28 and it was one of those things where I was like holy crap I'm never changing these strings again in order to hopefully absorb some of his magic lol. Definitely a class act and I've enjoyed seeing where music is taking him, especially his newest album with Pino Palladino..it's all great! Thanks for doing this!!
Just rewatched this for the first time since a few days after it came out. Man it’s even cooler than I remember. I’ll cherish this for the rest of my life. I could never thank you enough, brotha.
so glad you did blake. i recommended dawes a few days ago on guitar gate so this is great timing. blake grew up with taylor goldsmith, and was actually in "simon dawes" before they broke up. blake produced a recent dawes album as well. you've got to check out dawes!
Good stuff happening here. Music is deep and personal. Music is life when performed your way that makes you feel free and inspired! When you get in that groove that you refuse to escape from, when you escape to that place that you always wish to be in. Music always seems to be that therapy, even in the darkest times.
Great reaction/breakdown, Michael. I had the pleasure of seeing Blake perform this song in Glasgow a few years ago. He’s a stunning guitarist, man. Killer tone and a magical feel.
Lost for words!!! Thanks to everyone contributing, there’s so much music/artists I don’t know about , that it just blows my mind!! Wicked, thx Michael!!!!
I love the internet! Found Blake mills on Spotify and now he’s popping up on my feeds. Glad he’s getting the recognition he deserves! Great video and message to the viewers. Sounds like your listeners are discovering purpose and meaning to life. Cheers!
His playing brings to mind Shaky Graves in some ways. The timing, spacing control for both are so unique. Listening to each alone is captivating, if the two somehow played together - mind blowing!! Wow! Another great episode Michael!!
In 2015 I drove 1000 miles round trip to LA and back to see Blake Mills perform. Unless Jerry Garcia came back from the dead, Blake Mills is the only person that I'd drive 1000 miles to see. He used to have a Ry Cooder vibe but his evolved. It's a telecaster neck on his strat.
I feel compelled to point out that this bassline is inspired by "Forty-Four" by Howlin' Wolf, but "If I'm Unworthy" is Blake's original composition. ("Forty-Four" is kickass, by the way.) ❤️
You need to do a follow up to this video. Tune in (down and open) and show us what he's doing please. Love your channel. I'm a huge Ian Moore fan and couldn't believe you found "Satisfied". Blake is kinda of an enigma. His placement is so intentional but so out of left field at the same time. What is it about this song that lets us know how good he is? I NEED MORE OF YOUR INPUT ON THIS SONG!! Nothing but love Mike! I've learned so much much watching you. Cheers - Z
Discovered Blake Mills during his first appearance in Eric Clapton's Crossroads Festival. He blew my mind (and the minds of all the artists in the line up). He's now one of my top 10 guitarists !
I almost submitted Rango II instead! That pinch harmonic he does and Dart’s reaction to it are both priceless. Maybe one day he’ll react to that one too. It’s always awesome to find someone that has similar music taste. Hope you’re having a great day brotha!
Late to this, but Blake is easily one of the best guitarists in the world and probably has the best sensibility and taste in his playing. Watch the Newport festival Dylan cover he did on Dylan’s old guitar. His solo is out of this world. Capable of shredding and all that but every note is purposeful and thoughtful. Unreal playing
Just stumbled upon this video, so cool to see people appreciate Blake and his skills on such a deep level. He's definitely my most skilled cousin that's for sure!
Malibu loc! I wouldn’t call us good friends but we shared love of skating and he was way ahead of everyone in the town in terms of guitar dedication/shredding. Such a trip how big he’s gotten but not suprised. great creator and a nice dude
Mills reminds me a bit of Ian Thornley of Big Wreck. And Damon Fowler. Duane Betts said he would sit in with them when Mills 12 years old. Was a great guitarist at that young age.
I love to see you react to the live John Mayer and Keith Urban cover of Dont Let Me Down. The 6 minute version of this is probably my favorite live cover I've ever heard. Love the videos though, keep it up.
Michael I am a recent subscriber to your channel but have been a fan for a long time. That being said I have watched a lot of your videos but I have not seen any reaction videos to Roy Buchanan. I’m sure you know the name and the fact they call him the most underrated unheard of guitarist in the world but it would be awesome if you could check out Roy Buchanan Sweet dreams live 1976.
You should watch his episode on guitar moves, how he makes it sound like a sitar is amazing But this will forever Be branded into my soul from the first listen, chokes me up every time
Dear Michael, I’ve been following your stuff lately and you’ve truly earned a fan. Not only do you come across as affable and charismatic, but your teaching style is what really cemented me as an avid follower. I continue to learn from you with each new video. It was really neat to see you appreciate Bo Burnham’s meme-esque style and I would love to hear your thoughts on another piece by a band that does something similar but through a different genre. Bilmuri (pronounced Bill Murray), is a band that amalgamates so many genres at once it’s hard to explain in one comment. You really just have to give it a listen for yourself. For a future video it would be a real treat for me as a viewer, and I really believe for you as well, to give ACOWBOYSHEAVYLOAD a listen and reaction. They keep that not too serious on the outside vibe, while having something deep and powerful to say within the content. It would be a genre I haven’t yet seen you take a look into on your channel. Thank you for all that you do! - Aaron
Love it, you should check out Coal Fire by Jeffery Martin or If today doesn’t do me in by Ian Noe, both great songwriters and also I’ve been trying to figure out the guitar part for Coal Fire
Although, I haven't checked in lately, I love your channel. I thought I'd drop a comment that you should check out Jon Stickley Trio. Maybe "Darth Radar" to be specific, but pretty much anything they play.
Huge fan of yours. You do great work. I have a request.. Gary Moore, Red House (Hendrix Cover) From the Fender 50th Anniversary concert. This performance is what brought me into the music scene and persuaded me to buy a guitar in the first place. You will not be disappointed.
Hi Mike, would love to see more on Blake Mills! He's my favorite modern guitarist. Also I'm curious, thoughts on Daniel Rossen and Julian Lage? I hold both of those guys in a similar class as Mills just stylistically different of course. Anyways, cheers and thanks!
