Zappa. Eric gale phil upchurch. Kenny wayne shepherd. Samantha fish. Johnny lang. eric johnson. Eddie Hazel (big RIP) poppa chubby. Steve Rothery (of Marillion). Alex Lifeson, steve Hackett. Martin Barre. Alan Holdsworth. Robin Trower. Peter green. Paul Chapman (rip Tonka) steve Wilson Trevor Rabin …..etc
Favourite Guitarists
This discussion was inspired by the recent article about our 3 favourite female singers.
Because it was impossible for me to pick just three female vocalists ( I love women singers), I will not put a limit as to how many you wish to vote for. I limited myself to a dozen. However, if you list more that 50 I will seriously question your decision making skills.
In no particular order, except for Rory at number one.
1. Rory Gallagher
2. Peter Green
3. Roy Buchanan
4. Joe Bonamassa
5. David Gimour
6. Slash
7. Johnny Winter
8. Duane Allman
9. Stevie Ray Vaughn
10. Mark Knopfler
11. Glen Campbell
12. Guthrie Govan
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Nick Johnston's Remarkably Human is the best guitar album I've heard in 30 years. I didn't list him here because, as a guitarist myself, I judge based on skill with the instrument, not skill writing a tune, and while Johnston is very skilled (although not what I would call a virtuoso - I'm very picky with that term), this album is more of a compositional masterpiece. For acoustic, anything by Ewan Dobson is a virtuosic treat and usually a little different than the norm. My favorite may be his self-titled album. Also, some albums from Estas Tonne. If you're into progressive metal, Michael Romeo's War of the Worlds Part 2 is an epic cinematic compositional masterpiece with virtuosic guitar. Romeo's guitar skills are up there with the likes of Petrucci. And if any classical snobs think rock guys can't write symphonic cinematic music equal to the best the movie world has to offer, well, they are sadly mistaken. Romeo plays, programs and orchestrates all the instruments. Great vocals by Dino Jelusick. |
Does Jack Johnson merit a mention or is he just a hippy surfer who is gifted at making cute songs that are more than competent? On topic, yes, his pleasant and sometimes quirky guitar playing is a favourite of mine. |
On deck this weekend- period presses from the late, great Jeff Beck Truth Beckola Blow by Blow Wired The Jeff Beck Group- Jeff Bech Group &Rough and Ready Yardbirds-For Your Love Any remember "Guitar Boogie"? mashup with Clapton, Page and Beck? LONG LIVE JEFF BECK!! One of the lead guitarists in the all-star lineup for the "great gig in the sky." |
I cannot imagine omitting Hendrix, a king of guitar, as well as Jimmy Page. I would also add John Schofield, John Abercrombie, John McLaughlin, Carlos Santana, Steve Hackett, Greg Lake, Frank Zappa, Terje Rypdal, Ralph Towner, Bill Friesel, Pat Metheny. We should add Eric Clapton (and even George Harrison not Benson - except his early jazz years, then he got too commercialized and more like a singer). I would neither omit Joe Pass and Jim Hall, also Kenny Barrel. I agree on Gary Moore but he is a base player, as well as Eberhard Weber. |
You know too well that Chisel was just a limp little pub band from Australia. This is an example of the pathetic attempt playing in the sandpit. I am embarrassed at a band who has obviously no sense of fun or talent. |
Allan Holdsworth / Masterful technique, otherworldly imagination. John McLaughlin / Technique galore, emotive and ecstatic soloing. Steve Hackett / Great acoustic and electric playing, solos that sound like they are from another planet. Robert Fripp / phenomenal composer, innovator, player. Franco Mussida / Guitarist for Italian prog band PFM. Amazing player, with loads of beauty and emotion. Pat Metheny / Fusion great. Pat Martino / One of the orginal fusion players. Innovative with technique. Does not get the credit he should. Steve Howe Frank Zappa Ralph Towner / Ridiculous acoustic technique. Beautiful compositions. Others: Alex Machacek, Al Di Meola, Paco de Lucia, Steve Hillage, Corrado Rusticci. |
With apologies for not reading all the previous posts, I’d submit Eddie Hazel, who played with the early Funkadelics. Listen to the track Maggot Brain and he deserves the mantle of successor to Jimi as much as anybody. There’s a somewhat obscure guitarist named Ollie Halsall who was a vibraphonist and had that touchtone harmonic thing going on the guitar- he could play these ripping lead lines with harmonic overtones. You can find his work on the two Patto albums released on Vertigo Swirl. I always loved Leslie West for his tone- his Theme for an Imaginary Western with Mountain is very moving and powerful, with props to Jack Bruce as the songwriter. |