Bill Frisell - "Surfer Girl" (at the Fretboard Journal)

Jazz guitarist Bill Frisell is no stranger to the Fretboard Journal. He was interviewed in our fourth issue by banjo player Danny Barnes and then, in issue 12, Frisell penned a story where he interviewed his guitar hero, Jim Hall.
On the sixth day of our Twelve Days of Fretboard, Frisell plays "Surfer Girl" on his Fender Esquire (through a Carr Sportsman amp). As always, Frisell sounds incredible.
Watch our entire Twelve Days of Fretboard series here: fretboardjournal.com/features/online/twelve-days-fretboard
Go to the FJ's website - fretboardjournal.com - to see even more exclusive interviews, podcasts, performance videos and more. The Fretboard Journal is the guitarist's bible, featuring in-depth interviews with legendary players and builders, photo essays and more. Every three months, subscribers receive a new, 128 page keepsake issue of the magazine in the mail.
www.fretboardjournal.com

[@ShiningTrapezoid]

That tone is so pure. It's almost like a Rhodes Piano.

[@jactodetarabilla2864]

like a piano lol

[@ShiningTrapezoid]

@@jactodetarabilla2864 what are you loling about

[@GuiitarBilly]

Sounds like a clean Tele on the neck pickup to me. Bill’s playing is fantastic as always

[@_MKSN]

​​@@ShiningTrapezoidbill frisell's playing is kinda mimicking how a pianist would approach his keys. Like playing chords and melody at the same time

[@j.d.o5709]

No guitarist has ever used challenging areas like harmonics or dissonance quite as tastefully and delicately as Frisell. His finesse is so uncanny.

[@NisseOhlsen]

Joseph Oliveri what dissonance?

[@aronkristensen2051]

hahah, i think you should watch this again if you didnt hear any dissonance...

[@andrewstrenio5080]

If you haven't heard him before check out Ted Greene - you'll love him, I guarantee

[@jazzguitarneophyte-christo7988]

Reminds me of Ted Greene's style as well. Both great guitarist!

[@shaft9000]

bill has a 'tonality kinship' with larry lalonde and zappa tonality - as in how his chord & harmonic structure relate; and not that marketing 'tone-wood' woo-woo.

[@jhump2431]

His voice is as gentle sounding as that guitar tone.

[@dcap4545]

Says, "I'm not even sure if I can play it."... then proceeds to play an insanely beautiful version of the song

[@Ironworthstriking]

To give him the benefit of the doubt I think he was talking about surf music, not this song. Obviously he probably could play surf, but it's obviously a different thing stylistically that might take some practice to get back into.

[@angelesrubioandreu5390]

It's precious

[@surferjohnny123]

This rendition is so peaceful and perfectly stated. I love that he doesn't over do it with melody. He brings out the yearning and shows what a talent Brian Wilson is.

[@gannonroberts9392]

Exactly.

[@Mooseman327]

Actually, the fact that he DOES stick with the melody all the way through is what makes this so lovely.

[@Herehear49]

Vomit!

[@chucktowers6630]

He knows what notes to play and what notes to miss. Genius!

[@EamonnSeoigh]

His style of play reflects perfectly with the kind of man he is. Gentle and thoughtful.....

[@BrianCerveny]

"I'm not sure if I can even remember how to play it." OK, Bill.

[@poop__sandwich]

I know right he says that all the time you ain't fooling me bud

[@moussafedior2001]

Lmao

[@markwillingham5343]

Fantastic playing .He made me think of the time he was talking about, and I wasn’t born until 1971.

[@hargoniyamaki5168]

My favourite guitar player of all time playing one of my favourite songs. I might be the only one who cried from the joy of hearing it, but it is ok.

[@jargo101]

Every so often I come back to this video. Simply wonderful.

[@richardroadman2036]

This makes me weep. The beauty and bittersweet memories of the time. I'm the same age as Bill so I can really relate.

[@doekebekius1271]

Bill Frisell is such an unique guitar player, his feel and his touch are amazing, it's so nice to see and hear him play. I met him two weeks ago and he's such a modest and kind person. His pedal work is also great. He just overall is as good as it gets!

[@ktwheels44]

Man his harmonic vocabulary is unreal. I saw him with King Crimson and it was a mind-bending psychedelic freak-out... Bill Frisell can literally play anything.

[@el0blaino]

For real? That must have been incredible.

[@edwnorris]

When did he play with King Crimson?

[@ktwheels44]

@@edwnorris sorry I'm old and have a fuzzy memory... he never did.

[@kenster3554]

@@ktwheels44Yeah, you’re thinking of Robert Fripp, who, that said, is also a wonderful guitarist. 😜

[@ktwheels44]

@@kenster3554 yup... I saw them both and love them very much. Two killer stylists Fripp being much more violent than Frisell yet they both have an intense avant-garde sensibility. Frisell is a gentle giant...

[@kevinjamison123]

I keep coming back to this. A true genius playing one of the most inspired early tunes of another genius.

[@larschristophersen4497]

That clashing dissonant chord at 3:16 Pure genius.

[@TheJofrica]

The chord progression alone brings a tear to the eye. This rendition is super beautiful

[@frejwestberg]

I come back here now and again, just to see if he can really play it.

[@marlon1171]

Just how beautiful is that melody!! brought me to tears.....

[@spadiu]

Many don't know it but you are one of the great musicians of this century. Your harmony is magical, they give peace and love. It's not like Thomas Man's "Doctor Faustus" that you had to deal with a secret pact. I respect you because from the "apparent" simplicity of your harmonies you arouse deep emotions

[@PRSGUITARGolden]

Needed this rendition in my life

[@brandonvu5429]

This man was in an avant-garde grindcore band.

[@dougthealligator]

Wait really?

[@brandonvu5429]

Look up John Zorn's band: Naked City. It's fucking insane (both figuratively AND literally).

[@johnappleseed8369]

yes, he's a legendary guitarist and his Zorn contributions are amazing!

[@atarirob]

Naked City are great. Like early Swans meets rockabilly meets Anal Cunt. Complete madness.

[@interstellish]

He was seriously the guitarist for the most aggressive band I have ever heard in my life. Naked City is terrifying.

[@SiggyMe]

This will date me so be it when I was age 15 I was the tech person for awhile for the Beach Boys. I use to setup their shows and manually do the lights for each song during their act.....Also I was the runner for their meals and sometimes referee for their many arguments :^)) geeish!

[@chambeet]

SiggyMe What an awesome job! I envy you.

[@versnellingspookie]

Please make a video on this someday! I'd watch it for sure!

[@veeshead]

That was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard. I love when he says he may not remember how to play it.

[@pastortimchristensen9436]

Some of the live versions of Surfer Girl are absolutely exquisite, and I fired one off to our 19YO son who has a college radio show and he was blown away. Bill's a musical hero.

[@WillyPDX94]

Whenever I hear you playing, I'm always moved. Your mastery of the instrument is at a very high level, of course, but your phrasing and musicality are what grabs me emotionally and pulls me in. Thank you for doing what you do.

[@jackgriffith9229]

This musician sounds so fantastic!! It just flows effortlessly off the guitar 🎸!!!

[@jorymil]

Every time I hear Bill, I say "aaahhh" and relax.

[@es0r1an0]

Outstanding interpretation. Mind-blowing guitar. Bill Frisell is a genius.

[@gennarogiordano2823]

Gorgeous, gorgeous tone from that Tele and a beautiful arrangement. Thank you.

[@southernmonkey64]

Sonic Bliss....Pure Genuis...what a beautiful rendition of an American Classic! Wonderful!

[@MustafarRecRoom]

I’ve watched Carmine Street Guitars a half dozen times just to see Bill strumming Surfer Girl while in Rick’s shop. Glad I found this on YT!

[@jancorwinrussell8249]

Still one of my favorites. Thanks for all you do, Mr. Frisell. Love how you don't get carried away with harmonies, and keep songs recognizable, yet interpreted and jazzy. Brilliant stuff, as always.

[@enzolan]

Bill does the magic, again!

[@LiberTBo]

I'm awe struck, what an amazing timeless tune....Thanks so much Bill...you have a way man...

[@darkoanton5]

Humble genius.

[@johannesveltmann5181]

This might be my favorite guitar related video. What a great vibe.

[@jeremiah2012]

I would buy a used car from this man.

[@Badgerwurst]

I would buy a used Carr from this man (but I don't think he's selling)

[@fdcentrella0069]

Absolutely beautiful. Bill Frisell, surf music, and the Telecaster - an unbeatable combination!

[@rocketpost1]

Superb. Perfect note and chord choices to highlight the great melody. Could not be better.

[@MelodicDreamers]

I would love to have a DVD of Bill in this kind of setting playing a bunch of Christmas tunes and talking about his memories of the holidays and music. I don't know... this intimate setting stuff is my favorite.

[@AdrianWhyte]

There is actually a DVD of bill frisell playing solo with loops and stuff, I don’t even seem to see any of it on KZbin, I’ll have to find my copy and let you know what it’s called, but perhaps you could search on eBay or amazon, it’s great!

[@laviniacapogna4]

The sound is incredibly beautiful

[@a.9305]

Superb Tone. I really admire Bill, such a sensitive and humble musician, a truly living legend. I wonder if he use any pedal here, this tune is on loop in my head.

[@killlalaland]

no pedals!

[@braddietzmusic2429]

+Alex Supertramp He is not even using any amp-based reverb. Straight into the amp. I suspect a Fender Deluxe Reverb Reissue amp, or a Carr Rambler, which seem to be his go-to amps.

[@fretboardjournal]

+Brad Dietz This video features Bill playing his J.W. Black Telecaster through a Carr Sportsman we have at our office. No pedals.

[@braddietzmusic2429]

Those J.W. Black Telecasters are wonderful things. This one is no exception. Ditto with Carr amps. Every time Bill plays one, I'm in my sonic happy place, almost as much as when I see him play live (and other recordings) using at least one or two Fender Deluxe Reverb amps. It's a wonderful, ambient at times, yet elemental sound.

[@a.9305]

Fretboard Journal Thanks for the info! Love your videos, specially those with Bill, and the ones with Blake Mills. I'm from Spain so it's kind of difficult to see them live, but in these videos sounds like I'm right there in the room.

[@treanatasio7176]

Bill, toto je nejlepší krytí, jaké jsem za poslední roky slyšel!

[@jens9691]

This is so beautiful. Thank you Mr. Frisell!

[@cmkilcullen8176]

Every note counts. I like this guy. I like some of his recordings better than others. I am in love with his live recording lp "Small Town". Plays in a deliberate fashion - but not unimaginative. For some reason I think of my older brother a lot when I hear him play music of the era he refers to here. My older brothers were born closer to the mid 50's and I was the whoops baby born later in the 50's. His tone goes right to my center.

[@themodularmodular]

Somehow his guitar play is very soothing.. the sound and vibe is almost like listening to old records. Thanks for the video!

[@k9dragonfactory]

long time guitarist ... I aspire to one day sound like Bill ... what a masterful musician and gentle spirit. Beautiful

[@PaulCdv]

So beautiful even the automated subtitle generator sings along the guitar "Oh.... Oh.... You... You... Oh..." 😆

[@4578a]

Amazing Chord melody. I'm sure Brian Wilson would love this.

[@ManfredElsingBielefeld]

Clean,nice,honestly......for me it sounds well!!Thx!

[@cassianowogel]

O M G what to say? This is beyoooooond beautiful! Bill is an ARTIST

[@anvilson]

Great. Bill really reveals the Jazz phrasings to be found in Brian Wilson's music

[@soundknight]

obviously comes from a time where guitarists were classically trained. Great technique.

[@brandex2011]

I almost didn’t watch this because of the tune. Then, I thought, “Don’t be a fool - it’s Bill Frisell.” I’m so very glad I didn’t let ‘Surfer Girl’ keep me from watching/listening. As always, thanks Bill for a wonderful experience.

[@jnh73]

Amen, brother. It's the electric guitar that inspired all others. After 25 years of playing mostly dual humbucker models from various makers, I was forever changed by the first few minutes I spent with my Tele.

[@stringbender57]

Absolutely beautiful job! My favorite Beach Boy song!

[@michelbeaugrand3268]

Pure musicianship

[@myaamiaki09]

Thanks the song brings back good memories and I never cease to be amazed at the beauty of your playing. I love the way you blend diverse genres of music together!

[@rillloudmother]

listen to how he states the melody, that's a lesson in itself.

[@justinberumen6979]

that tone is golden

[@maazvdo]

Wonder tone, really ! Thanks for posting, Fretboard Journal .

[@1959whitesox]

Amazing video, I like your story too!

[@gefnuppland4810]

those beautiful chords

[@interstellish]

"I'm not sure if I can really play it..." and then he, uh, *plays* it . like, holy shit.

[@tekz44]

What a nostalgic trip to better times,I can relate to him for I too lived those incredible times.When hope and music guided our way.AND JFK, when the world stood at the brink off destruction thank God we had JFK and Bobby anyhow,sorry i digressed Good old Beach Boys. And Bill in this lovely ,heartfelt rendition took me there . Truly a great jazz player,and none other,than with a Telecaster WOW

[@robertrosejr1]

Well done Bill as always. Big fan

[@PRSGUITARGolden]

thank you for this

[@Dang...]

So beautiful! WOW!!

[@Lanearndt]

thank you fretboard journal for this stunning video!

[@fretboardjournal]

It is a Carr Sportsman. We have one at our offices (and love it).

[@harriheinsoo]

he's pure magic, whatever he plays

[@Steenhollowind]

TONE and TOUCH Bill has it in spades!

[@cyrilbrocard]

So soothing...

[@JukeboxWillie]

Absolutely beautiful Bill!!

[@BebopHardRock]

A big heart makes big music !!

[@reh331]

There is no one like him. Period. Wow.

[@DanolsPlaysGuitar]

I would love to do something like these. Awesome video of Bill ! :) So beautiful

[@TheLouisAttack]

How can some people dislike this?

[@rshel1952]

Lovely. Classic. A lovely classic. Nice!

[@NGBlad]

Fantastic Bill!

[@JackFossett]

Wow this is awesome -

[@matiguitarra]

Que Pua usa Bill ? Terrible sonido saca de sus dedos un Maestro !

[@Ctone1977]

Bill is a genius. That is all.

[@Matt-qx3ne]

I firmly believe that the Telecaster is one of the most versatile, well-built guitars ever made. In the right hands (like Mr. Frisell's, for instance) it's just pure magic.

[@bohemian46]

to: topopops..Your comments lead me to believe you are either jealous or do not understand what you heard. I'll also include ignorance.. which is fortified by your use of the word "of".Just my take.This was a performance of cosmic proportion. And the cosmos is understandably incomprehensible.I would like to hear more. I will now wander off to more of Bill's Fretboard Journal interviews.Thanks for posting this interview.PSFretboard Journal is my only subscription to any magazine, not just guitar related, but any magazine.

[@こふぃ-y9j]

Simply beautiful.......

[@paxtonturner1880]

I guess they recorded two takes? At the end you can hear a short conversation: Bill: “So either one, you can choose” FJ guy: “That was great!” Bill: “I don’t know…” What humility after laying down such a gorgeous rendition, and what a performance

[@2jvman]

Great job.....

[@LarryDepontes]

beautiful

[@tamdam]

Beautiful

[@Galiuros]

This song was featured on KXCI 91.3 in Tucson

[@thomasdominguez4933]

Love this beach boys rendition!

[@xiv1491]

Random thought, but he reminds me of Benjamin Button when he was “young”. Like his vocal tone/cadence, appearance, and even story telling. Beautiful guitar playing too!

[@indiegemsthatjam3986]

Well that was more then amazing ...

[@POLYMATHCENTRAL]

amazing feel and story behind it, i one heard the guitar is the physical expression of the human soul on six strings :) i guess he must have a beautiful soul

[@Novennial]

Way to go Bill!

[@karinjones6192]

wonderful

[@gruber1889]

I think bill along with julian lage and maybe pasquale grasso are the best guitarist working in jazz today :)

[@gruber1889]

what do you mean soulless? As in the fact that he doesn't play soulful or smooth lines? Thats just not his voice as player, his style employs other musical dialects. I think he has a lot of feeling, specially on his acoustic playing. I have also heard him play some great blues, very true and soulful. I do think that he doesn't have enough grit, He is a pristinely clean player.

[@killlalaland]

soulless?! surely you jest!

[@enjoyCarlos]

Magical...!

[@jeashleyiii]

fantastic :D

[@kitano0]

This is so wonderful. But you must check out Molly Miller's version!