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Who is your overall favorite guitarist?

At 44 years of age, I personally feel fortunate to have lived in an era along with some of the finest guitarists who have ever lived. I have always had an overwhelming love of music. As I look back to my earlier years of music appreciation (I took formal piano training for 17 years) I remember how my instructor would suggest exposing myself to the many different styles and disciplines of music.

These were such valuable words of wisdom. Considering the fact that this suggestion, more or less, forced me to be more open to musicians other than those that played in strictly rock and roll bands.

Wow, was I surprised to find that I could be as entertained by Chet Atkins and Les Paul as I could be by Ritchie Blackmore or Carlos Santana. Just think about some of the finest from our time. Jimi Hendrix, John McLaughlin, Robin Trower, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eric Johnson, Steve Howe, Al DiMeola, the list could seem almost endless. All such incredible musicians.

Although it's very hard to pick one person or style in particular, let's remember the key words, "overall favorite".
I would probably have to say that my overall favorite would have to be Steve Morse (from Dixie Dregs fame).

Who is your favorite?
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Showing 4 responses by robm321

robm321
932 posts
 
My favorites are Randy Rhoads (not only very talented but very musical - who knows what he would have been capable of had he lived long enough), Steve Vai and Al dimeola (for talent and innovation), Frank Gambale (sheer talent - although not my favorite music)

My favorite and I think one of the best musicians of all time:

ANDRE SEGOVIA

and fortunately he recorded several LPs with Decca Records - the sound quality is great -- I'm close to having all of his LPs
robm321
932 posts
 
Andre Segovia - One of the greatest musicians of all time.

As far as favorite rock guitarist - Randy Rhoads

Most talented IMHO - Frank Gambale or Steve Vai.

Rob
robm321
932 posts
 
henryhk,

I agree. Steve Vai has some songs that are great, and he can play anything at any speed. But he chooses to play off the wall stuff with sound effects to the point where it just gets silly. Another one that has talent on Vai's scale is Frank Gambale.

Van Halen had his day and wrote some great music. But he sucks by today's standards. He should have stayed retired. If fact, Randy Rhoads was a much better guitarist at the same time Eddy was popular, but he didn't live long enough to really be noticed at the time. He has been noticed ever since.
robm321
932 posts
 
"08-25-05: Henryhk
there are simply too many....so let's turn this around. Who is the most over-rated? To start out a bit controversially...for me one is Steve Vai. Great technique, no soul nor character. It ain't music to me. Don't get me wrong I do like metal at times. Eddie Van Halen is kool when he is on (well in the early days)."

A late reponse to Henryhk's post: I agree. I wouldn't say Steve Vai is overatted since he has one of the best techniques of the top players. I agree that he is not the greatest composer, and frankly, I think his music sucks. He's like a watered down Frank Zappa - but the post didn't say best composer; would you fault Andre Segovia because he doesn't write the classical songs that he plays? I mean he just plays it with his technical ability - does that make him the most overrated?

For the most overrated, I would say Yngwei Malmsteen(sp?). He plays the same crap at the same speed, and it's repetitive even before 1 song is over. It's a torture session to listen to him. Nothing but Speed Speed Speed. He would do good in a 100 meter dash, but sucks as a musician.
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