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highplainsdem

(57,753 posts)
Fri Jun 27, 2025, 08:23 PM Jun 27

Steve Winwood - Dear Mr. Fantasy (Live at PBS Soundstage 2005) + very long Vintage Guitar article on Steve, June 2008




https://www.vintageguitar.com/3477/steve-winwood/

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.”

-snip-


Much more at the link.
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Steve Winwood - Dear Mr. Fantasy (Live at PBS Soundstage 2005) + very long Vintage Guitar article on Steve, June 2008 (Original Post) highplainsdem Jun 27 OP
Was it 50 years ago? Easterncedar Jun 27 #1
Thank you ILikePie92 Jun 27 #2
Excellent Article ProfessorGAC Jun 28 #3

Easterncedar

(4,791 posts)
1. Was it 50 years ago?
Fri Jun 27, 2025, 08:57 PM
Jun 27

His style always seemed to speak so intimately to each listener. I really loved this song then, and love it still. Thanks for posting.

 

ILikePie92

(223 posts)
2. Thank you
Fri Jun 27, 2025, 10:09 PM
Jun 27

One of the greats of rock and roll. A musician's musician.
Check out Stevie trading solos on Had to Cry Today from Blind Faith in 1969. It had a tremendous influence on the Allman Brothers Bands usage of 2 lead guitarists.

ProfessorGAC

(73,962 posts)
3. Excellent Article
Sat Jun 28, 2025, 01:22 PM
Jun 28

From a while ago. It says he was about to turn 60, but he's 77 now
I have to see if there are more recent articles to see what he's had to say since.

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