there are only 3 strings
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
260 responses Add your response
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. |
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. |
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." |
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. |
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. |
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 |
Too right. As is Ian, and Steve, the drummer who penned when the war is over in the link I provided. |
@noske - I'm a big Cold Chisel fan, and just recently got that super-deluxe set of 'Circus Animals', with the framed signed photo and all. Yeah, Mossy is a superb guitarist - he sure lets it rip on songs like 'Letter To Alan' and 'Hound Dog'. They are still going strong and playing gigs down under. And Don Walker is such a good songwriter. |
Another rather significant Aussie band from the 70s and early 80s was Cold Chisel. Lead guitarist Ian Moss. This is an example (not the best recording or rendition). Ian was not the lead singer. An example of an original Chisel song, somewhat better recording. |
if "taste" is in the running versus "flash" ... Richard Thompson (if you've seen him LIVE, you'll understand) Stephane Wrembel (see previous comment) Bruce Cockburn (OK, but try ... Grant Green Bill Frisell
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Fun thread, thx OP @tony1954 Did anyone mention Robert Johnson??? |
As an Aussie, I must mention Red Symons who was guitarist for the band Skyhooks which found fame in the 70s for many reasons. Nobody outside of Australia has probably heard of them - six songs from their first record were banned from radio airplay. Not unlike Brian May, he has an astonishing intellect. |
I think I remember Clapton (or was it George Harrison?) praising J.J. Cale once upon a time. Naturally, I went straight to the record store and bought the guy's album. The only words I could think of after listening carefully to the record for about a week were "low wattage" and "anonymous." It wasn't long before I brought the LP to the used record store. What can I say? |
