Mitch,
LB is certainly not for every taste. (Who is?). If your taste runs to the understated - and particularly if you're anything of a blues purist - it's no surprise that LB would not be your cup o' tea. The showier stuff at the end of the long solos doesn't sit well with everyone, but I think he locked himself into that 35 years ago and the audience expects it now. Notwithstanding that, and notwithstanding personal preference, he is undeniably a highly skilled player.
Apropos to your metaphor - his magic is in his right hand. And I can assure you that his technique is both highly developed and awfully tricky to ...ahem...pull off.
Marty
PS His acoustic stuff usually involves less in the way of gymnastics and, while it is no less daunting on degree of difficulty, it might be better suited to some tastes.
LB is certainly not for every taste. (Who is?). If your taste runs to the understated - and particularly if you're anything of a blues purist - it's no surprise that LB would not be your cup o' tea. The showier stuff at the end of the long solos doesn't sit well with everyone, but I think he locked himself into that 35 years ago and the audience expects it now. Notwithstanding that, and notwithstanding personal preference, he is undeniably a highly skilled player.
Apropos to your metaphor - his magic is in his right hand. And I can assure you that his technique is both highly developed and awfully tricky to ...ahem...pull off.
Marty
PS His acoustic stuff usually involves less in the way of gymnastics and, while it is no less daunting on degree of difficulty, it might be better suited to some tastes.