Saw this last night and enjoyed it. The video was unique. He is playing it smart and not trying to be a clone of his father and paving his on road in the music world. 

Years ago Hank Williams, Jr. made that mistake when he came out doing his father's thing. He later wrote his own style and it worked.   Early in the shift some old time Hank, Sr. fans would walk out when they came expecting a recreation of his father's style and songs but got a Nashville version of Lynyrd Skynyrd.

I like this tune.  In particular the bass and drums.  He has some serious chops on both instruments.  He also has a nuance to his style the way he puts those bass and drum fills within the song.  I hear some of uncle Al in his drumming.  

While I understand his wish to set his own path and avoid comparisons to his father, I hope he unleashes himself on the guitar and lets us hear what I suspect are some serious skills with that instrument as well.  His guitar solos fit the songs very well thus far but I'd be lying if I didn't want him to hear him blaze away, if for only a one or two tunes on the forthcoming album.  

He has stated in interviews that he doesn't consider himself a "shredder" type guitar player.  However, in my mind what sets a great player apart from the technical wizardry of otherwise boring shredders is their ability to make a great guitar solo blow your mind as well as speak to the listener in a way that isn't just a wankfest, boring technical display, but a beautiful conversation....If that makes sense.

I'm curious to hear if the Wolfster has that creative and technical ability.  Not in the vein of his father, but in his own way.

Posted by: @chain

what sets a great player apart from the technical wizardry of otherwise boring shredders is their ability to make a great guitar solo blow your mind as well as speak to the listener in a way that isn't just a wankfest, boring technical display, but a beautiful conversation....If that makes sense.

 

Well said on the above and makes total sense and that can apply to anyone, not just WVH.

Lot of great guitar players, but a small sector that can articulate like described above. Blackmore comes to mind first.

Kinda side track here for a minute and could be a different thread topic. It would be interesting to hear a young and upcoming guitar player to revitilize in a sense, the guitar rock driven music.Its something you really dont hear anymore, maybe in small doses, but generally no. I think its a gone by era that I am not sure will ever come back to the degree it once dominated. Its a shame. No really "guitar gods" anymore.

Back to the topic...
I really dig the break down of the instruments that starts at the 2:15 mark and ends at 3:00. You dont hear that too much these days from newer rock bands.

From what I have read and heard from him I think his first choice of instruments was the drums and I think thats what he still favors/prefers/considers himself from interviews. I like the drum sounds on the above track. But leading his band he probably needs to be out front so playing guitar will probably be his "thing" when touring. He might slide behind the kit for a song or maybe jump on bass for a tune or two , but more than likely out leading center stage with vocals and guitar.

I think what impresses me the most is his song writing talent. Whether you like the music or not, you cant deny his ability to craft a song, yet alone playing everything on the album. Songwriting is an art. Yeah alot of people do it, but to do it real well is another story. And what he has shown us already he has the skills and chops to handle it no doubt. I am not saying he is on a Bob Dylan level, but the has presented some pretty nice material.

The only thing I might say negative about what I have heard so far is that the production resembles the 90's -2000's hard rock and has some of that pop flavoring/radio friendly feel sounds. Which is fine, but not my cup of tea. It might be what he wants and envisions. It was produced by Michael "Elvis" Baskette who did bands like Sevendust,Alterbridge,Tremonti,Chevelle..so that can give you an idea of the direction of things.

There is an assumption out there that he needs/should/expected to unload on the guitar considering who his father is. So far his playing rarely resembles anything from his dad. Sure he was an influence, but Wolf is from a different generation musically and has many other tastes and likes. Maybe its not his forte. You might get glimpses of it, no doubt, but he is showing and going his own direction.

There will always be this shadow that will be cast around him because of the greatness of his father and these other wordy expectations. That is unfair and ignorant to think anything of that nature. I am sure Jason Bonham lived through all of that. I really dont think he plays like Bonzo. At times you might here it, but overall no.