I don't want to sound pretentious, but I was fortunate enough to have taken guitar lessons from this man when I was attending school in Alabama. He would show me everything he knew, and even let me use his floor rig for a gig one night. Hands down the Michael Jordan of guitar. And he could hear every note, best ear ever. R.I.P. brotha. There's only one Spanky!
The man who bridged Gospel Quartet Guitar with Jazz, Blues, Funk, and Neo-Soul. RIP Chalmers 'Spanky' Alford(May 22, 1955 - March 24, 2008), thanks for giving us a sound and standard to aspire to.
As good as he was on guitar, he was actually a better person. Taught me so much. Miss recording with, playing with and learning from Spanky. Miss you man.
Thanks for posting this bro. My jaw dropped so many times. Lots of people have chops but there is so much heart and soul in his playing and his personality, such a reverent and worshipful piece. Thanks again.
Some of the most powerful, beautiful, exotic playing. You can tell how much the Holy Spirit was moving him and guiding him through this whole piece. May God rest his soul forever and may he enjoy his rewards in Heaven for all eternity, playing with notes that don’t even exist on earth (I’m sure he’s loving that part right about now.) God Bless anyone reading this, that’s all. Peace.
No offence to no one. Pls don’t take it the wrong way, but when God bless BLACK PEOPLE WITH GIFTS He really give them something that seems unreachable. It’s embarrassing to the world of music when Spanky Alford is not AS FAMOUS as the other legends like B.B King, Stevie Ray Vaughn, George Benson $ the rest.
Amazing playing. So much touch, sensitivity...he is not playing an instrument. He is playing his emotions and soul. This is a state where the think on his knees are in his heart. Few musicians regardless of the instrument ever achieve this.
I still come here to watch this man over and over and over again...he was indeed a virtuoso and master of his craft. Rest in Peace Brother Alford...you have influenced so many of us with your gift.
Sometimes you just have to sit in awe and watch the masters work at their craft. You can technically learn what he's doing and go through the motions, but the FEEL of what he's doing is what is amazing. It's like he's actually speaking through the guitar. For a lot of people, singing moves them (nothing wrong with that at all), but for me it's pouring your heart and soul out through an instrument such as a guitar that moves me.. Spanky was truly a legend, RIP..
Gone @ 52 yrs old? That’s entirely too young to die. Wow 😮 I didn’t know he was that young when he passed. One of the best quartet, Gospel guitarists ever.
Kevin, thank you so much for sharing this mans gift. Hearing someone like this just lay it all bare and serving something greater than himself. Your ears start to dance ! Bless this man and his gift.
Thanks so much Charles Pone He was very great at what he did and i was there for the whole thing! He was my uncle. So it makes me feel really good to know ppl still enjoy good Guitarists!!
Wow. I knew he died from his battle with diabetes. I'm just now noticing that he was missing his foot. God bless the man for continuing to share his craft while he was able to.
I was truly blessed to have this man in my life for a few years and I was fortunate enough to be able to help him out at a time when he really needed it. I will never forget all the good times and all the laughs we shared. He was truly one of the greats! Miss you, bro! Hope to see u again one day. RIP
