Music Appreciation

It would seem contradictory to describe someone as both underrated and a virtuoso, but such is the case with Steve Winwood, particularly regarding his guitar playing. The reaction of even longtime fans when they see him perform live is invariably, “I had no idea he could play guitar like that!” But, ironically, their surprise has less to do with his six-string talents and more to do with his stature as one of rock’s greatest keyboard players – outstripped only by the fact that he possesses one of the great singing voices in pop music.

He’s also no slouch on bass, mandolin, harmonica, and drums, and he’s helped write a catchy tune or two – from “Gimme Some Lovin'” and “I’m A Man” with the Spencer Davis Group to solo hits “While You See A Chance,” “Higher Love,” and “Roll With It,” with classics like Blind Faith’s “Can’t Find My Way Home” and Traffic’s “Paper Sun,” “Pearly Queen,” and “Low Spark Of High-Heeled Boys” in between.

In point of fact, the lead guitar on the vast majority of Winwood’s recordings was supplied by him – from his teenaged years with the Spencer Davis Group through Traffic’s many incarnations, with a brief stop to trade solos with Eric Clapton in Blind Faith.

“He had the unique ability of covering not only keyboards and bass, but guitar,” the late Jim Capaldi said in an interview for the DVD of The Last Great Traffic Jam reunion. “Steve had guitar at any level that you like. Steve’s one of my favorite guitar players.”

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