One of Britain's most underrated guitarists Vini Reilly is probably a name you have never heard, but have probably heard his music on various records and TV commercials.
Lots of customers come into the store looking for new guitar players they may not have heard of before and I always recommend
Vini, along side the Knopflers, Claptons and Stevie Ray Vaughans.
Red Hot Chili Pepper guitarist John Frusciante rates Vini as the best in the world and he would be in my top five favourites.
When you listen to Vini play, it is like a classical and religious experience rolled into one, which leaves you trying to figure out what you have just heard and, even better, you want to hear it again.
Very relaxing it takes you out of yourself with it's very clean sound.
One of the things I love about his recordings are the vocal sampling of great singers like Tracy Chapman, Annie Lennox, soul singer Otis Redding and opera singer Joan
Sutherland.
Bizzare, but it works! And then you have Vini a virtuoso player on electric and acoustic guitars. Vini also sings in his own unique style.
If you're looking for something different and out of the box, this is the boy for you! The Durutti Column, named after the Spanish Civil War anarchist movement, has basically always been Vini and guest drummers and musicians. This guy has an impeccable technique, which reminds me of the Shadows guitarist Hank Marvin in some way.
Born in Manchester in 1953, Vini was a delicate boy who suffered with his health. He doesn't play live much because of it, but has been recording since 1977 - the punk years, which introduced so many great musicians.
He signed to Tony Wilson's Factory Records in 1978, which allowed him the freedom to develop his own style.
His first band was the classic punk band named Ed Banger & The Nosebleeds.
He recorded the debut sandpaper sleeved album called The Return of the Durutti Column in 1979 with long time collaborator Bruce Mitchell on drums who is now in his 70s.
This is probably my favourite album.
With it's sandpaper sleeve it would rub up against the other LPs in your collection and damage their sleeves, another way for Vini to separate himself from the rest of us.
The group has released, to this point, a staggering 29 albums and each has reached cult status to a growing number of loyal fans worldwide.
In 1988, Vini joined Morrissey on his solo album Viva Hate playing some excellent guitar, but declined to be involved with Morrissey's follow-up album, preferring to follow his own experimental path.
In America, Vini's work was used on TV commercials for Pacific Bell TV in California.
In September 2010, Vini suffered a minor stroke. Please join me in wishing him a speedy recovery and all the very best for the future.
A mighty talent. Check him out! Frankie Nielson owns The Beat Merchant Record Store in Steveston Village.
