Alex Chilton could make you cry with a 12-string and harmony

[Taverner]

Name another artist THAT GOOD, to bring you to utter melancholy and beautiful tears with just a 12-string, and the harmony of the others in Big Star?

Hell - even when he covered other works, he got the feel better than the originator. Take "Femme Fatale" - after listening to this it sounds like a warning from a destroyed ex. Not a confession (nudge nudge, wink wink) from Nico.

[taterguy]

1. Richard Thompson's guitar has inspired countless tears but I'm not sure if it's a 6 or 12 string

You make a good point though.

If artists got paid by how many tears people shed while listening to them Chilton would have been one of the richest musicians of all time.

[Taverner]

2. He played both - but on Radio City the 12 String is prominently featured

And yes, that album, like all of Big Star, is amazing.

Good to meet another Big Star fan!

[taterguy]

3. I could fill a keg with tears I've shed listening to to Back of a Car

And I don't even like cars.

[Taverner]

4. Amazing song

Shit, that whole album is amazing

Life in suburbia - unlike the other shit, that gets it

[tigereye]

5. Robyn Hitchcock makes me cry on occasion. Not sure about the 12 string..

but Chilton was a master of it.