Attention Savatage Fans!

This isn't a joke thread, I would really like to know.

Ok so he was pretty good and I respect his legacy, but what makes Criss Oliva such a popular guitarist after his death? He sure wasn't being praised much when he was alive, other than maybe at your house.

What was it that he did when he was alive that Chris Caffrey didn't duplicate after his death?

Write great songs and have style.

Temple of Blood wrote:

Write great songs and have style.

Did Criss write alot of the songs, or was Jon the primary songwriter? How was his style different than the other guitarists of the time?

For me, he just played things in such a way that he created his own distinctive style. It wasn't that he was faster or more technical than other players, although he certainly had the chops. It was just an emotive, expressive playing style that was unique to me.

And his premature death probably has something to do with it as well. He was gone far too soon. Jon's making the continuation of Savatage his legacy to Criss probably factors into it as well.

Tall Tyrion wrote:

For me, he just played things in such a way that he created his own distinctive style. It wasn't that he was faster or more technical than other players, although he certainly had the chops. It was just an emotive, expressive playing style that was unique to me.

And his premature death probably has something to do with it as well. He was gone far too soon. Jon's making the continuation of Savatage his legacy to Criss probably factors into it as well.

Agreed on all points.

Temple of Blood wrote:

Write great songs and have style.

Exactly! I'm surprised you can't hear the difference.

He was a great guitarist but I think his untimely death makes him seem so much more special.And by that I mean you realize what he was and wish he could still be here.

thrasher73 wrote:

He was a great guitarist but I think his untimely death makes him seem so much more special.And by that I mean you realize what he was and wish he could still be here.

exactly

Quote :

For me, he just played things in such a way that he created his own distinctive style. It wasn't that he was faster or more technical than other players, although he certainly had the chops. It was just an emotive, expressive playing style that was unique to me.

And his premature death probably has something to do with it as well. He was gone far too soon

Quote :

He was a great guitarist but I think his untimely death makes him seem so much more special.And by that I mean you realize what he was and wish he could still be here

That's odd. If I said the same thing about Dimebag Darrell, the floodgates of negativity comes pouring out. I don't mean to hijack this thread. I don't have much of an opinion about Savatage (I like 'em). I'm just reading the responses and thinking how they could apply to Dime. Just my 2 cents. Please don't turn this into a Dime vs. Criss thread as it's pointless. We've all been down that road.

:

No really MG,speak your peace will pretend to listen

thrasher73 wrote:

No really MG,speak your peace will pretend to listen

That's all I ask. My wife does it all the time.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

That's odd. If I said the same thing about
Dimebag Darrell, the floodgates of negativity comes pouring out. I
don't mean to hijack this thread. I don't have much of an opinion about
Savatage (I like 'em). I'm just reading the responses and thinking how
they could apply to Dime.

Dime was more of a polarizing figure. Great guitar player, but people
tended to either love him or hate him. With Criss, it's usually "Love
him!" or "Who?"

It's a simple fact that dying young always increases an artist's
reputation. Randy Rhodes, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, John Bonham, Janis
Joplin, the list is endless.

Criss said it best himself. There is no mystery to the way I play, it's hands, heart and soul. Criss had more heart than ten guitar players. That's what makes him special. I remember the thread about what band's music get inside your soul. Savatage was all over that thread.

Quote :

He sure wasn't being praised much when he was alive, other than maybe at your house.

I don't think being praised by a billion people makes somebody great. He is the most underratted guitar player in metal, imo. Nothing wrong with being underrated.

Good posts, Nick.

There are only a handful of guitar-players that plays more with their heart and soul than they do with their mind. I don't know how to say it, but Criss and Randy both had that unique skill.

Spectrefate said...

Quote :

What was it that he did when he was alive that Chris Caffrey didn't duplicate after his death?

Caffrey surprised me when I last saw 'Tage at a local dive touring for P & M and it was quite kewl. He had the technique down pat, but like others have said...the heart and soul wasn't there. I still applaud the man for honoring his friend. The guitar work on P & M has Criss written all over it in style.
My take on Criss' playing is this... there is something to playing a song written by a close family member. A brotherly bond reflects itself in alot of ways and I believe it shined in the music Jon and Criss created together. My .02

Laterz

His choice of notes and vibrato were outstanding!

Nah, He hasen't been praised more. My friends don't even pay attention to SAVATAGE. they are missing out this great band.