Clapton is the "cleanest" guitarist I've ever heard. But one thing he doesn't get enough credit for is the fact that he is a great singer. His guitar playing is versatile and he always plays the kind of music I like. Two examples are Derick and the Dominoes and 461 Ocean Blvd.. His give and take with Duane Allmond is a hard core, toe tappin, fusion of rock and blues that just makes you feel good. 461 Ocean Blvd., whether you like it or not, made reggae internationally popular. And who doesn't like reggea? I'm sorry Joz25 that I'm not being very technical. I'm not a musician but I love Clapton's music. |
I haven't listened to them all but but I have seen Clapton live many times and have most of his televised interviews and recordings. Even most people who think he was overrated give him his due and those who believe him to be the best hands down are fervent in their passion. I always believed Clapton would be the hardest to imitate because of his vibrato, his short,quick, evenly spaced notes , and his ability to pick with such dexterity and precision.[even throughout the lower notes on the neck ]which in fact many other guitar players ignore because these notes are apt to blur[at top speed] if not properly executed I just analyze what I see and hear[only my opinion] Most people don't like to jump on a bandwagon because so many others are on it! That's why Clapton gets the varied opinions he does. SRV Hendrix Trower etc. all are similar in how they play and sound. Does anybody play like Clapton and get the same resulting type style and clarity with accuracy of sound? |
Here, Here tubgroover. From a Tennessean, the guitarist guitarist deseves a shout. |
lots of great choices. One of my favorites I did not see mentioned was Larry Coryell. Well worth a listen
gary |
I am absolutely amazed. Just about every great guitarist (Hendrix is my favorite, btw) has been mentioned except the late Chet Atkins. How can this great talent be forgotten? I'll bet if you asked the guitarists'listed above who the best is this man would be on the short list of most of them. |
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Yngwie Malmsteen (will blow them all away), Johnny Winter, and of course, Jimi Hendrix. In that order also...I was searching for a good rock guitar cd when I ran across him by accident. |
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Me. Well, only if no one else existed . . . Ha, ha! |
Bo Ramsey, he plays with Greg Brown and lately with Lucinda Williams. |
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Buddy Guy. Sorry, he's it! What? |
SRV- Just listen to Voodo Chile once. |
Can't pick just one. Too many styles appeal....
Gilmour, SRV, Hendryx, Ronnie Earl, Knopfler, Hedges, Santana, Buckethead, Ritenour, Tibbetts, B.B.King, Buck Dharma Roeser, Michael Brook, The Edge, Fripp, McLaughlin....
CD |
CLAPTON - his albums are great, but after seeing him 4 times live, there is no question |
Kevin Eubanks, but only his first album on Electra Musician. This is some fresh sounding jazz, especially Monk's "Evidence"--very slick arrangement. I think that you can only get this on vinyl . . . |
Jim Hall for jazz.
Jimi Hendrix when playing with Mitch Mitchell and
Mick Taylor when playing in the Stones for rock.
Richard Thompson for folk-rock.
Elmore James for blues.
Otis Spann overall even though he didn't play gtr because he WOULD have played better gtr than anyone, and
the flying nun because i really really like her. |
Tony F**king Rice, Clarence White, Django Reinhart!!!! |
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Gotta plug Otis Rush. He always seems to have great phrasing. |
Perhaps it is Chris Spedding |
Brian May of Queen. Queen played so many styles of music so convincingly, and much was down to his incredible musicianship. |
Peter Green historically and Bruce Cockburn contemporarily. If you haven't heard Bruce live, keep an eye on your local papers for this guy if he comes to your town. Thoroughly enjoyable troubadour with vast guitar technique and terrific writing skills.
REL2 |
How can Robert Johnson not be mentioned here???? |
Brian Setzer can really rip it up. And I second Johnny Marr! I think seeing the guitarist perform can influence who you might choose as your favorite.
Jeff |
My favorite overall guitarist would have to be Eric Johnson. However, if you are looking for someone who is the most technically proficient and has the most complete mastery of the fretboard, I would have to go with Allan Holdsworth. His mastery of the fretboard is beyond comprehension of most mortals.
Kelvin |
Alex Lifeson, and Geddy Lee (Bass) "RUSH" enough said |
By genre: Classical-Julian Bream, Jazz-Wes Montgomery, Rock- Stevie Ray Vaughn
Best concert I ever saw was Stevie Ray on his Couldn't Stand the weather tour. No opening act, 70 minutes including encore, but what a 70 minutes. Voodoo Chile into Third Stone from the Sun as an encore. My wife (girlfriend then) gave me the tickets for Valentine's day. I sure do love her. |
How 'bout Robben Ford? This guy has technique, versatility, and above all, musicality. He can play in just about any genre of music. A true musician as opposed to a "guitar player." His forte is blues played with jazzy sophistication. Check him out. Larry Carlton is another guy at this level. There's a reason why so many musicians have these guys on their records. |
Well, you hit a couple right off the bat. Santana, for depth and mystical, even cosmic proportion(yup, I'm from the 6's). Jeff Beck had it, I don't know what happened to him, he's still playing, but I don't follow him these days. His best (IMO) were Blow by Blow, and Wired; absolutely fantastic. Jimmy Herring doing Jerry Garcia, very tasty! Steve Howe...
Best to you all,
Joeb |
1.- Mick Taylor
2.- Mick Ronson
3.- Earl Slick (David Bowie)
4.- Frank Zappa
5.- Robin Trower
6.- Pat Travers
7.- Johnny Winter
8.- Brian Robertson (Thin Lizzy)
9.- Peter Haycock (Climax Blues Band)
10.- Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple) |
As for blues guitarists... How about Earl Hooker? He was so great and unfortunately died early of TB. Also Hubert Sumlin is not give the credit he deserves!
Andrew |
Well, I have to put my two cents in on this one. Here is a partial list of my favorite guitarists. There is no order to the list and from all genres of music..Wes Montgomery,Pat Martino,Herb Ellis,Jim Hall,Joe Pass,Grant Green,Kenny Burrell Emily Remler,John Renbourn,Bert Jansch,Terje Rypdal,Mike Bloomfield,Sonny Landreth,Ry Cooder,Peter Green,Chris Smither,Tommy Emmanuel,Phil Keaggy,John Fahey,Richard Thompson,Ronnie Earl.... Many others as well!! |
Keith Richards - RULES!
He may not be the best lead guitarist, but he's the epitome of the rock guitarist. |
Dead: Jimi Hendrix and Joe Pass
Alive: George Benson (Honorable Mention-Jimmy Bruno) |
Ritchie Blackmore...Jon Squire of the Stone Roses... |
There is noone who could play that well in so many styles as John McLaughlin.Not all his albums are great,but it changes nothing.And speaking of technique,only Paco De Lucia can compete. Classical guitarists John Williams and Andreas Segovia or some other named jazz guitar players cannot. |
Lee Ritenour. The most versatile jazz/rock/pop guitarists of all time! This guy is unbelievable. I can't believe nobody has mentioned him (or did I miss it?. I like Clapton too, but no one can do it all like Rit. |
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4yanx:
All right, GO Gobel!!!
I always lusted after his Blonde archtop while playing my cheap Harmony, as a kid (the guitar, not the crewcut:-). |
The Geo. Goble reference is rather apt, really. Well, maybe not in the context of guitar virtuosity, but.... My uncle has often told the story of being in the military and being stationed with George Gobel. Apparently, he carried around a beat up gitter nearly everywhere and entertained with his deadpan humor at every opportunity. Guess there was more than a few grunts who found life at least bearable given the "stylings" of Gobel. Probably more than could be said about many other listed here! :-) |
Michael Hedges
Leo Kottke
David Bromberg
John McLaughlin
Andres Segovia
Doc Watson
Buddy Guy
Duane Allman |
Walter Trout or Otis Grand |
Jimi Hendrix is one that stands out to me. Another one is Lindsey Buckingham. Also, SRV, Eric Clampton, and Eddie VanHalen. B.B. King and Prince both deserve an honorable mention as well. All of the aformentioned guitarists impress me with their talent on the guitar and musically in general. |
How about Earl Klugh, He writes all his own stuff to boot! Great DVD of him in concert available. |
Johnny Marr, of Smiths, Electronic, The The, and now Healers fame. |
Hey: I don't think anybody has mentioned Lenny Breau. |
I have a list of guitarist that have lots in common and I want someone's PO on which one is the best from that list. Certainly the above mentioned by me Akkerman is better but still I want to hear from other people...
Here is the list:
Larry Corryel, Mike Stern, John Scofield, John Mclaughlin |
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Duanegoosen, trouble with you again Huh? I agree. You are well deserving of a flogging. And just so you know, my wife already saw this posting today. That's when she took out her "Miracle Whip" |
