Neil Young - Guitarist

What you say in your last paragraph is absolutely true. However, I think it’s also important to not be biased against technique. Sure, some players need to always show how much technique they have, sometimes at the expense of musicianship; and that goes to what Onhwy61 says about having a lot of chops and still not be a good musician. But, having a lot of chops opens a lot of possibilities. Having a lot of technique doesn’t assume that the player will use it gratuitously. For a great player it can actually enhance his concept when playing very simply and with restraint. A player who has limited technique might be always on the cusp of maxing out chops-wise which can give the playing a sloppy feeling. A player with a lot of chops who is also a good musician can play very simply and musically while being well inside his “chops comfort zone” which potentially gives the playing a lot of clarity. Coltrane was a perfect example; had as much chops as anyone (possibly ever) and yet could play a very simple and incredibly expressive solo when he wanted to. Other times he had so much to say and his chops allowed it. On the other hand a player like Wayne Shorter who can be heard to have tremendous technique early in his career made a point of playing fewer and fewer notes as his career progressed and could still say just as much or more. The proof is in the pudding.