Chris Spedding — Cassette

Intro

Chris Spedding sounds like the coolest guy in the room who doesn't need to say a word. His music is a masterclass in economy, stripping rock and roll down to its essential components: a driving beat, a snarling guitar, and a vocal delivery that defines 'deadpan.' There is a tactile, oily quality to his sound, evoking the smell of gasoline and the hum of a tube amp pushed just to the edge of breakup.

What truly sets him apart is his versatility. While he can play the part of the leather-clad greaser perfectly, his background in jazz-rock with Nucleus gives his playing a hidden sophistication. He never overplays, but every note is placed with surgical accuracy. It is pub rock with a high IQ, blending the raw energy of early rockabilly with the sharp, cynical edge of the 1970s London scene.

Start with his self-titled 1976 album or the single 'Motorbikin' to get the full effect. It is the ultimate soundtrack for anyone who appreciates the intersection of high-level musicianship and low-brow attitude. Whether he is producing the Sex Pistols or playing with Roxy Music, Spedding remains the ultimate guitar-for-hire with a soul of pure chrome.

Christopher John Spedding (born Peter Robinson, 17 June 1944) is an English guitarist and record producer. In a career spanning more than 50 years, Spedding is best known for his studio session work. By the early 1970s, he had become one of the most sought-after session guitarists in England. Spedding has played on and produced many albums and singles. He has also been a member of eleven rock bands: the Battered Ornaments, Frank Ricotti Quartet, King Mob, Mike Batt and Friends, Necessaries, Nucleus, Ricky Norton, Sharks, Trigger, and the Wombles. In May 1976, Spedding also produced the first Sex Pistols recordings. AllMusic has described Spedding as "one of the UK's most versatile session guitarists, [he] has had a long career on two continents that saw him tackle nearly every style of rock and roll ...". Spedding, a long-time friend of Chrissie Hynde, was a regular concert feature artist with the Pretenders on their US tour in March/April 1980. He appeared regularly during the band's encores, playing the guitar solos on their version of the Kinks' song "Stop Your Sobbing". As well as his celebrated work as a session musician, Spedding pursued a solo career, releasing his debut album Songs Without Words in 1970. Since then, he has released fourteen studio albums, and two live albums. His only solo hit was 1975's "Motor Bikin'".

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Our Catalog13 Albums · 1970 · 2015