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Greatest Guitar Band

I thought just before Christmas I'd get a good thread going. IMHO,the greatest guitar band was the Yardbirds, not because E Clapton,or J Beck, or J Page was in it but because Chris Deja, and Paul Samwell-Smith were great rhythm and bass guitarists that could rock and keep up with the above. Plus Jim McCarty the drummer could keep the group in line and fine harmonica work from Keith Relf(ok not the greatest vocalist, more of a finesse singer).They had it all, I cannot think of another band that had three great guitarists in the band at one time(J Beck, C Deja, P Samwell-Smith). In 1967, when J Beck and J Page were in the band togther as co-lead guitars, they were the lead in band for the rolling stones, they just blow them away,ok, that is not a fair comparison considering the rolling stones still cannot play their instruments very well. But in comparison to say Led Zepplin, LZ did not have a rhthym guitarist(except J Page would overdub that part on recordings). That made them sound not as well rounded live as far as guitar work is concerned. I am not saying LZ was a bad band on the contrary,they put on probably the best show ever, but I do not consider them a guitar band per se. Besides, J Page stole vitually from his former band anyway. Remember "How Many More Times" is a repackaged version of the YBs "Smokestack Lightning", a Howlin Wolf tune. YBs version is in my mind the best rock song ever. So what do you think????
shubertmaniac
dekay's avatar
dekay
5,556 posts
 
Garfish: Yes, I used to like and listen to JJ Cale (Mr. Mellow), also liked Humble Pie although I thought they had more of a top 40 sound, but were good players. Quicksilver Messenger Service, The Tubes and early electric Neil Young come to mind as well. From the late 70's on I feel that David Byrne of the Talking Heads was/is a good, refined, guitarist, not nearly as simple as he appears to be from a musicians standpoint. The real problem is remembering what and who I listened to at that time in my life. LOL.
exley_9971b9
13 posts
 
While some great individual guitar players have been named, you did ask for guitar bands. I would ditto Fleetwood Mac and Wishbone Ash, give a hearty yes for the Allman Brothers, add Lynyrd Synyrd, and mention one of my favorites; Stephen Stills and Manassas. "The Treasure" is one great guitar work-out. Brian
jazze22
13 posts
 
Rosstaman, you and i have the same taste Mike Bloomfield was one of the all time best.super session with Al Kooper,Stephen Stills WOW Blues Project,Stevie Winwood,Boz scaggs,and last but not least Jimi Hendrix.
dekay's avatar
dekay
5,556 posts
 
I think that Greg Allman did the solo on Scaggs version of "Brother Can You Spare Me a Dime".
ramstl
342 posts
 
Listen to Dark Star. Maybe it is not white boys from England overdriving their guitars and trying to sound the part of a 60's or 70's blues band. But, it goes where few have gone before! Hey, I like those bands to....but I feel Jeff Beck was better on Blow by Blow and Wired. Also, when it comes to white boys playing the blues you have to mention Johnny Winter. Check out Johnny Winter's Second Winter. Great guitar and not bad sound. And, I would also include Frank Zappa. His albums are clearly guitar driven and he has to be one of the greatest!!!!
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