Scott Henderson Discussion

Matt · Joined: 28 Oct 2015 Posts: 27 Location: London

Hi Scott
I want to ask you a couple of questions about your playing on Gary Willis's tune 'Tunnel Vision' from the Tribal Tech album Nomad. I love that composition and consider the guitar solo not only one of your best but also one of the great guitar solos...period. For anyone who doesn't know it, here it is. Scott's solo starts at 1:12

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b68IyLS7Db0

Was the opening eight bars 'worked out' before the recording? It seems like such a nice mini-composition over those chord changes. Also do you have any other thoughts about that tune and/or the recording? To my ears, it sounds like a real purple patch for your playing and also for the band.

Cheers Scott and thanks,

Matt

TaeKwonDonut · Joined: 20 Apr 2015 Posts: 101

I just wanted to chime in and say that is also one of my faves. Willis told me back in the day that no way would he want to do it live.. too many chord changes.. and it's his tune lol

Scott Henderson · The Man Joined: 20 May 2004 Posts: 2124

The opening 8 bars is good because it's not me - it's a melody I'm playing written by Willis. I start playing after the first 8 bars and things get considerably worse. ha ha We had a good laugh when a critic who reviewed the album commented on how great the beginning of my solo was. Then the tune was put into one of the new Real Books, and that 8 bar melody was mis-labeled as my solo. Willis said to me "wow, I'm really making you look good."

TaeKwonDonut · Joined: 20 Apr 2015 Posts: 101

Hah! You probably hate listening to that now but back then that was a serious influence both the writing and playing. Another one of my fave things from back then were the volume swells on Ominous from Hee.. loved those records from back then.. even a lot of that Players record had some great stuff. I'm getting nostalgic now, which is dangerous for music.

Matt · Joined: 28 Oct 2015 Posts: 27 Location: London

Haha, ah right, that explains it... The rest of the solo ain't too shabby though.

nigel · Joined: 10 Jul 2004 Posts: 35 Location: germany

The "Tunnel Vision" solo is a lesson in melodic elegance...I LOVE IT!

And I transcribed it years ago...so if anyone is interested just email me:-)

Greetings,
Nigel

e123ms · Joined: 31 May 2016 Posts: 10

wow, I've never heard this one before. Sounds like Scott was a massive influence on Jimmy Herring, see Only When It's Light and Transients from the Lifeboat album.