Bill Frisell - "Surfer Girl" (at the Fretboard Journal)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ก.พ. 2025
- Jazz guitarist Bill Frisell is no stranger to the Fretboard Journal. He was interviewed in our fourth issue by banjo player Danny Barnes and then, in issue 12, Frisell penned a story where he interviewed his guitar hero, Jim Hall.
On the sixth day of our Twelve Days of Fretboard, Frisell plays "Surfer Girl" on his Fender Esquire (through a Carr Sportsman amp). As always, Frisell sounds incredible.
Watch our entire Twelve Days of Fretboard series here: fretboardjournal.com/features/online/twelve-days-fretboard
Go to the FJ's website - fretboardjournal.com - to see even more exclusive interviews, podcasts, performance videos and more. The Fretboard Journal is the guitarist's bible, featuring in-depth interviews with legendary players and builders, photo essays and more. Every three months, subscribers receive a new, 128 page keepsake issue of the magazine in the mail.
www.fretboardjournal.com
That tone is so pure. It's almost like a Rhodes Piano.
like a piano lol
@@jactodetarabilla2864 what are you loling about
Sounds like a clean Tele on the neck pickup to me. Bill’s playing is fantastic as always
@@ShiningTrapezoidbill frisell's playing is kinda mimicking how a pianist would approach his keys. Like playing chords and melody at the same time
His voice is as gentle sounding as that guitar tone.
Fantastic playing .He made me think of the time he was talking about, and I wasn’t born until 1971.
No guitarist has ever used challenging areas like harmonics or dissonance quite as tastefully and delicately as Frisell. His finesse is so uncanny.
Joseph Oliveri what dissonance?
hahah, i think you should watch this again if you didnt hear any dissonance...
If you haven't heard him before check out Ted Greene - you'll love him, I guarantee
Reminds me of Ted Greene's style as well. Both great guitarist!
bill has a 'tonality kinship' with larry lalonde and zappa
tonality - as in how his chord & harmonic structure relate; and not that marketing 'tone-wood' woo-woo.
Says, "I'm not even sure if I can play it."... then proceeds to play an insanely beautiful version of the song
To give him the benefit of the doubt I think he was talking about surf music, not this song. Obviously he probably could play surf, but it's obviously a different thing stylistically that might take some practice to get back into.
It's precious
This rendition is so peaceful and perfectly stated. I love that he doesn't over do it with melody. He brings out the yearning and shows what a talent Brian Wilson is.
Exactly.
Actually, the fact that he DOES stick with the melody all the way through is what makes this so lovely.
Vomit!
He knows what notes to play and what notes to miss. Genius!
His style of play reflects perfectly with the kind of man he is. Gentle and thoughtful.....
My favourite guitar player of all time playing one of my favourite songs. I might be the only one who cried from the joy of hearing it, but it is ok.
That clashing dissonant chord at 3:16 Pure genius.
"I'm not sure if I can even remember how to play it." OK, Bill.
I know right he says that all the time you ain't fooling me bud
Lmao
Wonderful! Much love from Maria, South of France, Marseilles
Every so often I come back to this video. Simply wonderful.
The chord progression alone brings a tear to the eye. This rendition is super beautiful
Every time I hear Bill, I say "aaahhh" and relax.
Bill Frisell is such an unique guitar player, his feel and his touch are amazing, it's so nice to see and hear him play. I met him two weeks ago and he's such a modest and kind person. His pedal work is also great. He just overall is as good as it gets!
Humble genius.
This makes me weep. The beauty and bittersweet memories of the time. I'm the same age as Bill so I can really relate.
Needed this rendition in my life
Just how beautiful is that melody!! brought me to tears.....
I would love to have a DVD of Bill in this kind of setting playing a bunch of Christmas tunes and talking about his memories of the holidays and music. I don't know... this intimate setting stuff is my favorite.
There is actually a DVD of bill frisell playing solo with loops and stuff, I don’t even seem to see any of it on TH-cam, I’ll have to find my copy and let you know what it’s called, but perhaps you could search on eBay or amazon, it’s great!
I come back here now and again, just to see if he can really play it.
Some of the live versions of Surfer Girl are absolutely exquisite, and I fired one off to our 19YO son who has a college radio show and he was blown away. Bill's a musical hero.
Whenever I hear you playing, I'm always moved. Your mastery of the instrument is at a very high level, of course, but your phrasing and musicality are what grabs me emotionally and pulls me in. Thank you for doing what you do.
Outstanding interpretation. Mind-blowing guitar. Bill Frisell is a genius.
Gorgeous, gorgeous tone from that Tele and a beautiful arrangement. Thank you.
Many don't know it but you are one of the great musicians of this century. Your harmony is magical, they give peace and love. It's not like Thomas Man's "Doctor Faustus" that you had to deal with a secret pact. I respect you because from the "apparent" simplicity of your harmonies you arouse deep emotions
Man his harmonic vocabulary is unreal. I saw him with King Crimson and it was a mind-bending psychedelic freak-out... Bill Frisell can literally play anything.
For real? That must have been incredible.
When did he play with King Crimson?
@@edwnorris sorry I'm old and have a fuzzy memory... he never did.
@@ktwheels44Yeah, you’re thinking of Robert Fripp, who, that said, is also a wonderful guitarist. 😜
@@kenster3554 yup... I saw them both and love them very much. Two killer stylists Fripp being much more violent than Frisell yet they both have an intense avant-garde sensibility. Frisell is a gentle giant...
I’ve watched Carmine Street Guitars a half dozen times just to see Bill strumming Surfer Girl while in Rick’s shop. Glad I found this on YT!
Sonic Bliss....Pure Genuis...what a beautiful rendition of an American Classic! Wonderful!
This will date me so be it when I was age 15 I was the tech person for awhile for the Beach Boys. I use to setup their shows and manually do the lights for each song during their act.....Also I was the runner for their meals and sometimes referee for their many arguments :^)) geeish!
SiggyMe What an awesome job! I envy you.
Please make a video on this someday! I'd watch it for sure!
That was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard. I love when he says he may not remember how to play it.
This musician sounds so fantastic!! It just flows effortlessly off the guitar 🎸!!!
Absolutely beautiful. Bill Frisell, surf music, and the Telecaster - an unbeatable combination!
Great. Bill really reveals the Jazz phrasings to be found in Brian Wilson's music
I keep coming back to this. A true genius playing one of the most inspired early tunes of another genius.
I almost didn’t watch this because of the tune. Then, I thought, “Don’t be a fool - it’s Bill Frisell.” I’m so very glad I didn’t let ‘Surfer Girl’ keep me from watching/listening. As always, thanks Bill for a wonderful experience.
So beautiful even the automated subtitle generator sings along the guitar "Oh.... Oh.... You... You... Oh..." 😆
Amen, brother. It's the electric guitar that inspired all others. After 25 years of playing mostly dual humbucker models from various makers, I was forever changed by the first few minutes I spent with my Tele.
Bill, toto je nejlepší krytí, jaké jsem za poslední roky slyšel!
Amazing Chord melody. I'm sure Brian Wilson would love this.
Every note counts. I like this guy. I like some of his recordings better than others. I am in love with his live recording lp "Small Town". Plays in a deliberate fashion - but not unimaginative. For some reason I think of my older brother a lot when I hear him play music of the era he refers to here. My older brothers were born closer to the mid 50's and I was the whoops baby born later in the 50's. His tone goes right to my center.
Still one of my favorites. Thanks for all you do, Mr. Frisell.
Love how you don't get carried away with harmonies, and keep songs recognizable, yet interpreted and jazzy. Brilliant stuff, as always.
I'm awe struck, what an amazing timeless tune....Thanks so much Bill...you have a way man...
long time guitarist ... I aspire to one day sound like Bill ... what a masterful musician and gentle spirit. Beautiful
O M G what to say? This is beyoooooond beautiful! Bill is an ARTIST
Pure musicianship
This might be my favorite guitar related video. What a great vibe.
Superb Tone. I really admire Bill, such a sensitive and humble musician, a truly living legend.
I wonder if he use any pedal here, this tune is on loop in my head.
no pedals!
+Alex Supertramp He is not even using any amp-based reverb. Straight into the amp. I suspect a Fender Deluxe Reverb Reissue amp, or a Carr Rambler, which seem to be his go-to amps.
+Brad Dietz This video features Bill playing his J.W. Black Telecaster through a Carr Sportsman we have at our office. No pedals.
Those J.W. Black Telecasters are wonderful things. This one is no exception. Ditto with Carr amps. Every time Bill plays one, I'm in my sonic happy place, almost as much as when I see him play live (and other recordings) using at least one or two Fender Deluxe Reverb amps. It's a wonderful, ambient at times, yet elemental sound.
Fretboard Journal Thanks for the info! Love your videos, specially those with Bill, and the ones with Blake Mills. I'm from Spain so it's kind of difficult to see them live, but in these videos sounds like I'm right there in the room.
Superb. Perfect note and chord choices to highlight the great melody. Could not be better.
Somehow his guitar play is very soothing.. the sound and vibe is almost like listening to old records. Thanks for the video!
The sound is incredibly beautiful
Clean,nice,honestly......for me it sounds well!!Thx!
This is so beautiful. Thank you Mr. Frisell!
Bill does the magic, again!
Absolutely beautiful job! My favorite Beach Boy song!
those beautiful chords
A big heart makes big music !!
There is no one like him. Period. Wow.
Thanks the song brings back good memories and I never cease to be amazed at the beauty of your playing. I love the way you blend diverse genres of music together!
Well done Bill as always. Big fan
that tone is golden
Wonder tone, really ! Thanks for posting, Fretboard Journal .
So beautiful! WOW!!
Lovely. Classic. A lovely classic. Nice!
Absolutely beautiful Bill!!
What a nostalgic trip to better times,I can relate to him for I too lived those incredible times.When hope and music guided our way.AND JFK, when the world stood at the brink off destruction thank God we had JFK and Bobby anyhow,sorry i digressed Good old Beach Boys.
And Bill in this lovely ,heartfelt rendition took me there .
Truly a great jazz player,and none other,than with a Telecaster WOW
Fantastic Bill!
I firmly believe that the Telecaster is one of the most versatile, well-built guitars ever made. In the right hands (like Mr. Frisell's, for instance) it's just pure magic.
thank you fretboard journal for this stunning video!
Que Pua usa Bill ?
Terrible sonido saca de sus dedos un Maestro !
So soothing...
he's pure magic, whatever he plays
Simply beautiful.......
thank you for this
It is a Carr Sportsman. We have one at our offices (and love it).
Wow this is awesome -
TONE and TOUCH Bill has it in spades!
Amazing video, I like your story too!
How can some people dislike this?
This man was in an avant-garde grindcore band.
Wait really?
Look up John Zorn's band: Naked City. It's fucking insane (both figuratively AND literally).
yes, he's a legendary guitarist and his Zorn contributions are amazing!
Naked City are great. Like early Swans meets rockabilly meets Anal Cunt. Complete madness.
He was seriously the guitarist for the most aggressive band I have ever heard in my life. Naked City is terrifying.
Beautiful.
amazing feel and story behind it, i one heard the guitar is the physical expression of the human soul on six strings :) i guess he must have a beautiful soul
obviously comes from a time where guitarists were classically trained. Great technique.
beautiful
listen to how he states the melody, that's a lesson in itself.
Love this beach boys rendition!
Masterful!
fantastic :D
wonderful
Great job.....
I would love to do something like these.
Awesome video of Bill ! :)
So beautiful
Way to go Bill!
Well that was more then amazing ...
I guess they recorded two takes? At the end you can hear a short conversation:
Bill: “So either one, you can choose”
FJ guy: “That was great!”
Bill: “I don’t know…”
What humility after laying down such a gorgeous rendition, and what a performance
Great artist
For a 80 yr old ex gig guitarist from way back that was just stunning.no fuzz boxes,etc!just a joyous example of technique and joy.
Magical...!
Sublime.
Brilliant
"im not even sure if i can play it..." sticked to me the whole time listening
to: topopops..Your comments lead me to believe you are either jealous or do not understand what you heard. I'll also include ignorance.. which is fortified by your use of the word "of".Just my take.This was a performance of cosmic proportion. And the cosmos is understandably incomprehensible.I would like to hear more. I will now wander off to more of Bill's Fretboard Journal interviews.Thanks for posting this interview.PSFretboard Journal is my only subscription to any magazine, not just guitar related, but any magazine.