Jack Broadbent, Hailed as The new master of the slide guitar

Dave Sky · Post by **Dave Sky** » 2 Dec 2021 8:58 pm

Jack Broadbent, described by the Montreux Jazz Festival as "The new master of the slide guitar" performs Canned Heat's "On The Road Again" live at the 50th anniversary of the Festival, 8th July 2016.I am new to this player. He uses a flask as a slide and sits on a Roland Street Cube amp. Jack Broadbent is opening for Little Feat now. What do you think?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJxkdmBm010

Dave Sky · Post by **Dave Sky** » 2 Dec 2021 8:59 pm

I guess I should have done a search before posting. It appears you folks know about him. And again,, I am late to the party...

Mark Mansueto · Post by **Mark Mansueto** » 3 Dec 2021 4:48 am

I saw him as an opening act at a concert a few years ago. I thought he was fun to watch as I had no idea that there would be an opening act. At that time I thought the flask slide was bit gimmicky but I've never tried it so...

I have played my acoustic lap steel with a beer bottle before though and that was pure gimmick

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 3 Dec 2021 5:23 am

Of course, he's playing lap steel here, and all the slidin' I've seen him do is on his lap. I guess it's all 'slide guitar' to a lot of people. I see nonpedal steel guitar and slide guitar very closely related, but not exactly the same.

Perhaps using a flask looks a bit gimmicky, but I don't think it matters a whit what he uses as a bar. Musically, he's coming from a very long tradition of blues playing, always good to see a younger player taking the torch.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 3 Dec 2021 5:46 am

With a flask that is filled, the sound gets thinner as the evening progresses.

Mark Mansueto · Post by **Mark Mansueto** » 3 Dec 2021 5:57 am

Mike, that's funny! When I played with the beer bottle I started with a full one but it was heavy and the sloshing liquid made it hard to play so I emptied it. Not to be wasteful I drank it quickly in order to get back to playing. I did notice the tone was thinner with the empty bottle but much easier to play

Allan Revich · Post by **Allan Revich** » 3 Dec 2021 10:24 am

Nice bluesy stuff. It looks like the flask is more than a gimmick for him though, it actually prevents him from muting behind the slide. It also moves his hand much higher over the fretboard and he uses the leverage to effect. Unusual, but I guess he considers that to be a big part of his sound.

Fred Treece · Post by **Fred Treece** » 3 Dec 2021 11:00 am

I think the flask forces his more aggressive style, which is very effective and engaging. He establishes a solid groove and stays in it. I looked up some of his other vids. Heâ€™s done his homework and is no one-trick pony. Good singer and plays decent straight guitar.

I had not heard of this fellow. â€œThe New Masterâ€ is way over the top marketing, of course, but I like the music and the attitude. Thanks for posting.

Terry VunCannon · Post by **Terry VunCannon** » 3 Dec 2021 5:55 pm

I have met him before. Nice guy. Developed his style by being a street performer.

Ted Smith · Post by **Ted Smith** » 17 Dec 2021 9:51 am

I know Jack well enough he won't mind me hi-jacking this post a bit and showing another player out of Australia that's doing DUAL bars...so cool, haven't mastered it myself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-AVlxO7E0Q

Love these innovative players reaching outside the box like this!!!