Re: Acoustic backing tracks

["Kevin Winn" <kwinn@chrome.com>]

Ken writes:
>Many Who songs from Tommy onward have both an acoustic and electric track.  In 
>most of these, the acoustic is pretty subliminal.  Mainly, you can hear the 
>percussive strumming sound, but if you concentrate, you can hear more.

I've found this to be a consistent trait of most great music from the mid-60's 
through the late 70's.  The Beatles almost always had an acoustic in their 
mixes, and I can't think of too many Who or even Zep songs that don't have it.

The fact is that the acoustic guitar has the distinction of carrying a full 
percussive sound as well as a melodic one.

And, as JeffW said, "the acoustic does not lie."  You can cover a lot of 
shortcomings in your playing ability (and your listening ability) with 
electronic gadgetry.  But when you're playing an acoustic, it's just you.  I 
think that's why I like the concept of Unplugged so much - it forces a different
way of thinking about what you're doing.  Musicians with little depth are 
exposed quickly, while the Real Thing shines.


OK,
KLW