Buds - Can only speak for myself. EC wouldn't be on my personal list of such artists but not because of a lack of "esoterica" (Metheny's not exactly esoteric). While I consider myself a fan, I don't find his output at a consistently high level to qualify. Thinking of some of the solo albums he put out as the main "disqualifiers". That's just me though. Is he immensely talented and one heck of a fine blues/rock guitar player? Yes. One of the best, if not THE best, in my O-pinion. Watching the DVD of the Cream Reunion at Royal Albert Hall renewed my esteem for EC. FWIW - Neil Young would not be on my list, either...and with way more prejudice than against EC.