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).
Man, there are a LOT of fantastic guitarists! Here's a few more to try on for size: Hank Garland Laurindo Almeida David Russell Joe Weed Manuel Barrueco David Lindley Duane Eddy Johnny Smith
Eddie Van Halen. He has a unique combination of vituouso muscianship to entertain the "deeper listeners" while being able to write songs that have the mass apeal of someone like Elton John.
If you really want to understand what makes the guy so good listen to Fair Warning or Girl Gone Bad and House of Pain off of 1984. He incorporates a lot of phrasing more reminscent of a jazz clarinet playerthan a straight ahead rock and roller that he is always known to be.
Unfortunaltely all the VH albums are produced terribly and will sound better in your car than in a nice home system....sigh.....
Probably Clapton for one that's still alive. Jonny Lang had potential, but his latest album is absolute crap IMO. Richard Thompson is always good. There's lots of good dead ones.
SRV,Buddy Guy,Jimmy Page,Robben Ford,Freddie King,Jimmy Hendrix,Eric Clapton,Ronnie Earl,Roy Buchanan,Chris Duarte,Bill Perry. SRV was the best! I think most of the great guitar players would agree on that!
While neither is "technically" a great guitarist, to my ears, Keith Richards and The Edge each bring a certain and unique sound to the table that I love. Chet Atkins produced the purist sound I've ever heard from a guitar.
one thing nice about being old was i got to see some great guitarists live.. clapton with cream circa 1968 was top of the list followed by hendrix last show in the U.S. (denver 1969) and jeff beck with jan hammer mid 70's. i couldn't agree more with bealtebum about keith richards- while technically no where near these guitarists, he's one of the best guitarists/writers of our generation--in my opinion. (on a lighter note i saw alvin lee with 10 yrs after @ 1973 put on a truly, truly amazing show which was incredible as he appeared to be so stoned he couldn't even talk between songs)..seeing clapton in "the day" is unforgetable
David Russell. Immaculate taste/interpretaions, glorious tone, all in one of classical guitar's finest technicians. Nobody is ever the best, but Russell's cds will always be appreciated by someone.
Mood dependent: Julian Bream for reflection, Sonny Sharrock to exorcise demons, Buddy Guy to shake the monkey bone, Grant Green for getting the groove on.
Key is orginality as there are so many technically proficient. Orgniality in their solos, or a distinct style/sound...at least to me. That's what truly distinguishes the great from very good
Jimi Hendrix (the baddest of them all), Stevie Ray Vaughn (among all his impersonators only the guy in the band Indigenous can hang), Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Edge, BB King, Buddy , John McLaughlin, Wes Montgomery, John Scofield.....still so many!
Technical poriciency is no small feat! It is the product of prodigious talent, excellent teaching, and a lifetime of hard work - the kind of work which would earn a fortune in almost any other endevor. Perhaps you need to be a (classical) guitar player to really appreciate it, but there are some guitarists, like Jorge Caballero, Tilman Hoppstock, Pepe Romero or Denis Azabagic, who are really sooooo proficient that it is an art in itself. These guys really seem so free of technical problems, even on very difficult music, can simply flow through them unfettered. They are like a really good pre-amp!
Boldstrummer: I am not saying technical proficiency is easy at all...but I still think an artist has to go beyond that to be great. Classical guitarists should be no different...its the case in any art form.
Wow, this is tough. I guess a tie between George Harrison and Clapton.
There were many others listed that I love, too. I remember the first time I heard SRV, and thought, "Wow...this guy is terrific!" Of course, it was right after he died. I have the knack for liking dead artists.
Some excellent picks above, I can't agree more with so many listed, especially Clapton back in the day! I also like some of the newer guys who made a wonderful pressence and still have what it takes to get it on....how about, Pat Metheny, Lee Ritenour and Larry Carlton for the fusion stuff!
Pete Townshend. (He hasn't gotten one mention before me? Ok, he's not the virtuoso that many of the others are on this list. But the question didn't read "Who is the most skillful guitarist?". Who on this list is more FUN to listen to? )
Technique goes far beyond gymnastics. Technique is also the way an artist interprets a given piece of music, their sense of stylistic awareness, their large-scale concept of the music, and their sense of working within the limitations of a given medium (instrument) to impress on the listener that something much more spectacular has occurred. These qualities apply in spades to all the artists I mentioned above. I am not so sure that "greatness" is completely intangible. That said, manual dexterity is one very, very important factor in determining whether an artist can ever achieve this kind of transcendence. The more dexterous the musician, the more complex the musical ideas may be, and also the more depth may be implored into more seemingly simple or otherwise common musical statements. I guess I just don't like to be constantly reminded that I am listening to a guitar every time I listen to a guitar!
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
Overall, my favorite is Pat Metheny. I've been listening to his music since "As Falls Wichita So Falls Wichita Falls came out in 1981. His recent CD "One Quiet Night" is beautiful. I listen to it over and over. Other favorite guitarists, in no particular order- Al Dimeola, Tony Rice, Steve Morse, Chet Atkins, Tony McManus, Phil Keaggy, Michael Hedges, Jim Hall, and Joe Pass.
Thanks Tvad, I'll check it out. Have you ever heard Morse's "High Tension Wires"? This showed me what a virtuoso Morse is. The cut Tumeni Notes is amazing.
There is no right answer here, only opinion - way too many greats and way too many styles. With that said, SRV stands out for me. He's gone now, I rarely listen to his music anymore - shame. But, at 43 years old, I too have seen many of the greats and SRV was one of the few who always made the little hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I don't know what that's called, but SRV physically affected me every time I saw him. He could play jazz, funk, blues, classical, you name it. He must stand at or near the top of the list. I've heard the technical wizards and virtuosos, but if they don't have soul, it just ain't there...IMHO
Here are a few I'd like to add to this excellent discussion: DANNY GATTON, as adept at country/blues Telecaster squeal as Roy Buchannan but also capable of moving into virtually any territory.
Both Danny Gatton and Chet Atkins, when asked the "Who's the BEST?" question had the same answer: LENNY BREAU. In my opinion, Breau is the closest thing on the guitar to what Art Tatum was on the piano. I've never heard anyone better.
JOE PASS, in particular the "Virtuoso" series LPs he cut for the Pablo label are as good as anything in my experience.
LARRY CORYELL. Everyone who plays guitar knows that there is a border within which he or she can play confidently and beyond which it's dangerous to tread. Coryell spens more time on that other side of the fence than anyone. His acoustic recordings are my favorites.
DAVEY GRAHAM, best known as the author of "Anji" and creditied with inventing the DADGAD tuning. Totally brilliant.
MICHAEL BLOOMFIELD imo is the greatest blues-based rock guitarist ever. His solos on Butterfield's "East/West" and the first Electric Flag LP are as good as it gets.
Leo Kottke said that the thing that makes the guitar different from all other instruments is that someone who's been playing a short time can find something, some approach, some way of attack, etc., that noone else has stumbled onto yet.
Few other names: Wes Montgomery, Ralph Towner, Bola Sete, Steve Tibbets, Vernon Reid, Jimi Hendrix, and so on forever.....
Doc Watson, Norman Blake are hard to beat for accoustic. Jimmy Vaughn (Stevie Ray's brother) is bonafide. And the younger guy that is touring with Eric Clapton is ferocious. I can't remember his name.
Jeff Beck and Stevie Ray Vaughn. There are lots of other guys who I think have a bigger "wow" factor, but these two are the ones I really enjoy listening to no matter what the mood...
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