In defence of shredding:
1) music without musicality is just noise. Yoko Ono?
2) People often criticize the likes of Yngwie, Michael Angelo etc. for having no emotion. The last time I checked joy was an emotion and I take great joy listening to them.
3) Incredibly, some people criticise Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Nuno and Andy Timmons for being mindless shredders!!! Music is subjective and we all take different things from it. I would just refer back to the OP and if you haven't watched a live version of Cliffs of Dover I would ask that you do. Eric is shredding. It seems that some forms of music get a free pass when it comes to fast playing. If it's Rock it's tuneless drivel, if it's jazz then it's the highest form of expression in music. I listened to some Alan Holdsworth recently and while there is absolutely no doubt he is a great player, his music left me completely cold.
Coincidentally, I recently discovered a song from Andy Timmons called "On Your Way Sweet Soul". I've swapped it in to my songs to be played at my funeral. I expect tears. ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
Finally, thanks again to CS. I'll add the Katana to my shopping list.ðŸ‘ðŸ‘
