“Touches me in a very deep place”: The guitarists Nick Cave called “giants”
Some guitarists make it seem as though the instrument transcends beyond the word itself. While many see it as a means to an end when making music, some have the power to make it seem like a different entity entirely, like a visceral component that feels bigger than its own limitations, like it’s a living, breathing thing of its own. According to Nick Cave, only two figures mastered this completely.
In many ways, Cave is one of the few legacy acts who know and understand the power of nurturing fan communities. While his music would have ensured a lasting legacy on its own, Cave ensures he gives back as much as his fans do, immersing himself in conversations and culture in ways that feel entirely warranted and meaningful.
After all, in today’s world, it’s easy to shut off from the noise and apply more boundaries to safeguard the mind against the constant rubble that comes with being an influential figure in the spotlight. Cave might exercise this kind of detachment from time to time, but for the most part, he remains switched on to the discourse that unfolds around him.
Most of the time, these commentaries and tidbits give glimpses into the man behind the artistry. For instance, whether a film, book, or aspect of modern culture he feels passionately about, Cave involves himself in positive ways, hoping to weigh in on the things that make people tick. Sometimes, these remarks might start their own pool of debate, but mostly, they exist as nice-to-have gems about a mind we all truly care about.
For instance, in 2019, he answered a fan question on his blog about when he last felt proud of himself by divulging the many artists that made him who he became. Starting by setting the scene with his appreciation for ‘Starless’ by King Crimson, he mentioned his lifelong love for rock and prog rock artists, like Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, Procol Harum, and others, before naming Robert Fripp and David Gilmour as his favourite guitarist “giants”.
In doing so, he unknowingly explained the gift of a good guitarist and how, too often, people underestimate or underappreciate the power of a player who can make the instrument venture beyond what most expect. As he explained: “To this day, Robert Fripp and David Gilmour are giants to me, and remain among my favourite guitarists. Fripp and Gilmour are very different players but there is something about the tone of their instruments that touches me in a very deep place.”
Continuing, he added: “The same goes for Funkadelic’s Eddie Hazel (check out Maggot Brain!). These guitarists play as if they are singing, I think. Tonally and emotionally, David Gilmour’s guitar is simply a supercharged version of his voice – satiny, stirring and epic. Robert Fripp’s guitar sound is more radical, dangerous and unpredictable, but even at his most confrontational that lyrical and songlike quality is never far away.”
As someone who is deeply immersed and ingrained in contemporary culture, Cave realised his endearment stemmed from the one thing it always does—emotional resonance. Much like his own discography, Cave enjoys musicians who not only make you think but tap into something you might not have thought you had within, making you challenge everything you thought or felt art should be.
While many guitarists reach for levels that mirror virtuosos like Fripp, Cave’s enamourment proves that that is far easier said than done, and sometimes, it’s about possessing the knack and intuition to do it effortlessly. Some might view guitars as a mere piece to the puzzle, but others have a keen sense of what makes it feel entirely limitless. And that quality, above all else, is what captivates Nick Cave.
