Could Axl write an album by himself?

[Johnnyblood]

Tommy has often mentioned how much different Axl is from his old bandmate Paul Westerberg, in that Axl is very collaborative in the creative process. At first I thought how cool that was, Axl letting the other guys be involved. But the more I think about it, could Axl actually even write an entire album without help from other musicians? He's actually kind of depending on them, isn't he?

When you think about it, the only instrument Axl can play is the piano, and by his own admission his piano playing is very minimalist. Even the big "Axl songs" (November Rain n' Estranged chief among them) written on piano are not necessarily great compositions if you take away his vocals and the contributions of Slash/Izzy/et al. They are good, but not breathtaking musically on their own (imagine listening to a strictly piano version of Estranged or NR, minus guitar and vocals.... probably not too exceptional).

I'm wondering what everyone else thinks about this.

[dave-gnfnr2k]

Tommy has often mentioned how much different Axl is from his old bandmate Paul Westerberg, in that Axl is very collaborative in the creative process. At first I thought how cool that was, Axl letting the other guys be involved. But the more I think about it, could Axl actually even write an entire album without help from other musicians? He's actually kind of depending on them, isn't he?

When you think about it, the only instrument Axl can play is the piano, and by his own admission his piano playing is very minimalist. Even the big "Axl songs" (November Rain n' Estranged chief among them) written on piano are not necessarily great compositions if you take away his vocals and the contributions of Slash/Izzy/et al. They are good, but not breathtaking musically on their own (imagine listening to a strictly piano version of Estranged or NR, minus guitar and vocals.... probably not too exceptional).

I'm wondering what everyone else thinks about this.

Not true, Axl can always play guitar and very well according to Gary Sunshine.

[Johnnyblood]

I can play guitar too (hardly, but I can strum a few cords), so can a lot of people. But we can't write good music on guitar. There must be a reason he's so painstaking about utilizing all the members writing process.

[D]

if you are asking if Axl is Prince then No he cant.

Axl u can tell by how he played madagascar at rir3 that he is a piano player playing guitar, just the way he made the chords and his form etc.

there is nothing wrong with having great musicians to help you out, axl's voice and lyrics more than make up for his inability to master a great volume of instruments

[dave-gnfnr2k]

Gary said of Axls guitar playing something to the effect that even tho he was been just playing for a few years he sounds llike someone who has been playing for much longer or something like that.

[the dirt]

Gary said of Axls guitar playing something to the effect that even tho he was been just playing for a few years he sounds llike someone who has been playing for much longer or something like that.

That's pretty cool, if he's that good...

Do you have any source for this, by any chance?

[Johnnyblood]

But we're expecting huge things from CD. What I'm asking is, if CD is .5 as good as everyone hopes it is, will it be due to the talent of Axl, or the people he hired?

[Acquiesce]

No, I don't think he is capable but like D said there is nothing wrong with that. There are a lot of bands out there that rely on the sum of it's parts rather than one great songwriter. It doesn't make me respect those musicians who need others any less.

[estranged.1098]

But we're expecting huge things from CD. What I'm asking is, if CD is .5 as good as everyone hopes it is, will it be due to the talent of Axl, or the people he hired?

I think the original question you made was: "would a solo album by Axl Rose be any good?"

We won't find that out, at least with Chinese Democracy. From what the guys are saying the songs are written mainly by all of them, so the quality of the album will be a reflection of their skills. All of them.

[marknroses]

No.
Is Axl capable of doing that? Perhaps - but he never would, and wouldn't be comfortable putting himself in that position.
While he is an incredible talent, I believe he's the kind of guy who likes to focus mainly on his own role as lead singer, and preoccupies himself with helping others to construct the songs that he feels proud to sing and is willing to back it up 110% in his efforts. He may perform some instruments on the side, but only when he feels that it adds to the feel of a record or a song (such as his guitar on "Dead Horse" or the synthesizer on "Paradise City".
I think he feels it better when he has talented musicians around him with their own influences and tastes and techniques. He then can "shop" different sounds rather than having  to bring it out of himself. I think he also likes havinng other opinions in the composition of the music. He would never force a musician to play something that he didn;t ultimately like or was proud of, though he does have an encouraging rlole to have players dig deep in themselves to find the right music for the right melodies and songs and lyrics.

Funny thing is that despite the changes in GNR's personnel, the technique in making the albums hasn't really changed from AFD, except maybe in the kinds of instruments now being brought to the table.
 
MNR

[November Rain 91]

Axl's piano playing on extended November Rain in Live Era and on the Tokyo DVDs was absolutely amazing. Those don't seem to be very minimal skills to me. But, if he said it himself, who knows. I think he could do well enough on his own, but why would he want to?

[Stupid Head]

Gary said of Axls guitar playing something to the effect that even tho he was been just playing for a few years he sounds llike someone who has been playing for much longer or something like that.

That's pretty cool, if he's that good...

Do you have any source for this, by any chance?

I read something similar to that in a 1996 interview with Sorum talking about the new album they were making in the studio(Slash and Duff were still in the band). Matt said that Axl might be playing rhythm on the album and that he plays as if hes been playing for 10 years.

[D]

one reason he couldnt would be guitar solos, i dont think he could pull off the solos

[Mikkamakka]

one reason he couldnt would be guitar solos, i dont think he could pull off the solos

Almost anyone can learn how to play guitar, but it doesn't mean they'd be good players. The ones who start to play a new instrument when they are adults (25, 30, 40 years old), and this instrument is really different from the previous one they know (like guitar vs. piano), these people will be only some third-class players. It's not because they aren't talented, but you have to start things to learn when it's the right time. So Axl will never be even a mediocre guitar player, but his guitar playing can be improved, so he'll understand much better how a guitarist thinks, and he can create some riffs (I think he can write much better riffs than Josh Freese's(?) Chinese Democracy intro). But Axl as a lead guitarist? No way.

[SON OF A PREACHER]

"Imagine" from John Lennon is not hard at all to play in the piano. Doesnt take away the fact that it is a great song. If you want really complicated playing and shit go listen to Ingwie Malmsteen.
(most boring guitar player ever, and he is an awesome technical player).

[Slipdisc]

Ingwie Malmsteen.
(most boring guitar player ever, and he is an awesome technical player).

Yngwie is awesome and because of "Rising Force" deserves a spot among the best guitarplayers ever, both in a technical and musical fashion. Maybe after that he never achieved this brilliance ever again, but hey the same thing can be said for the things all (ex)members of the original GNR are doing nowadays.

Before you call him boring make sure you spell his name right.

-PEACE-

[MadmanDan]

Why would anyone expect Axl to do an album entirely by himself??

Oh,and the piano-only demo version of November Rain is great.

[dave-gnfnr2k]

Why would anyone expect Axl to do an album entirely by himself??

Oh,and the piano-only demo version of November Rain is great.

It could be all Piano ala Billy Joel or Elton John.

[ppbebe]

Why would anyone expect Axl to do an album entirely by himself??

I wouldn?t. I always prefer Band efforts to solos.
Perhaps it's because I enjoy the outcome of interactions between different individuals.
I may find listening to music to judge and compare each players "talent" very entertaining when the music is dull.

Off topic, Precisely speaking, I doubt anyone can make an album(for sale) single-handedly. It involves many other people and relies on the technology accumulation.

[dave-gnfnr2k]

Why would anyone expect Axl to do an album entirely by himself??

I wouldn?t. I always prefer Band efforts to solos.
Perhaps it's because I enjoy the outcome of interactions between different individuals.
I may find listening to music to judge and compare each players "talent" very entertaining when the music is dull.

Off topic, Precisely speaking, I doubt anyone can make an album(for sale) single-handedly. It involves many other people and relies on the technology accumulation.

Billy corgan did it with SP, Trent with NIN and Dave Grohel on the first foo album.