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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 |
Maybe I missed it, but I was surprised that no one mentioned Django Reinhart. Most likely the inspiration behind many of the ones chosen. |
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. |
Nighthawk, if you haven't already, check out the Dregs' live CD "Bring 'Em Back Alive". Really good stuff from Steve Morse and the guys. |
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. |
Wow! nobody's mentioned Russ Freeman from the Rippingtons. |
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 |
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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! |
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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? )
Tom |
Carlos Santana for rock and Pat Metheny for fusion. |
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! |
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. |
A slight tangent to the "Overall Favorite Guitarist"...I recently discovered Dean Peer, who is a solo bass guitar artist. His CD "Ucross" is an amazing collection of mind bending harmonics and finger work. Worth checking out. |
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. |
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! |
Henryhk, I like your thinking...
Scofield! |
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!
So all time favorite....have to go w/ Jimmy
among the living: John Scofield |
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. |
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Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton |
one of my other favorites is Mick Ronson, Bowies old guitarist,also has a couple killer solo albums esp Slaughter on Tenth Avenue,, |
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. |
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 |
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. |
Listening to '88 Elmira Street'...yep...still Danny Gatton |
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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! |
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Jroth try the DCC produced "Van Halen" CD sounds absolutely amazing compared to the original Warner Brothers release |
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. |
This is a nearly impossible question to answer. One's choice could easily vary from day to day...mood to mood. Nomad's mention of Brian Setzer is refreshing and true. See his Christmas Extravaganza concert if you possibly can. Simply stunning!
Ultimately, my choice of one guitarist who I can go back to again and again is Stevie Ray Vaughan. Very sad that he died so young. |
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..... |
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 |
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I'll say one thing for "Old Lonesome George", he sure had a nice guitar!!! |
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Brimac, I mentioned BB King way back there on Jan 4, along with Jorma Kaukonen, who I'm glad to see others remember, and Doc Watson and Merle Travis. |
Roy Buchanan. If you don't have the blues, you will after you hear him play. I don't believe that anyone played with more feeling or expression than he did. I've listened to all the great ones over the last 40 years, and I still love listening to them all. But Roy Buchanan was a cut above. You don't listen to him play, you feel the playing. |
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No BB King? Anyone who can say so much with ONE note has my vote. I mean, it's not how fast you play, it's what you say! It's the space between the notes that moves me, usually. |
I don't know if I could pick a favorite but, here's short list: Kirk Hammet (Metallica), Michael Einziger (Incubus), Frank Zappa (Frank Zappa), John Petrucci (Dream Theater). |
Are people still reading responses to this thread from January? If so:
Jorma
Richard Thompson
Bruce Cockburn
Steve Howe
Wes
Kenny Burrell
Tal Farlow
But most of all Django!
(I'm shocked that some included Clapton, Jeff Beck, Santana, Eddie Van Whatever, Stevie Ray Whatever; what a joke in comparison). |
I have been going through a Ralph Towner (solo) phase lately. |
John McLaughlin. Larry Coryell. Sonny Sharrock. Pat Martino. Chops aren't everything, but Johnny M wins out. |
Pat Metheny. Magnificent. |
Al Dimeola, Pat Martino, Kenny Burrel, Steve Vai, Scott Henderson, Duane Allman, and if I may include, Jaco Pastorious (bass guitar) |
Although they aren't 'guitarists', but 'mondolinists', David Grisman & Chris Thile |
Hey Rosstaman, that's my friend Steve's brother-in-law. He was invited and went to San Francisco from L.I. a number of years ago for a Jimi Hendrix concert bash. I don't know what his favour boutique amp and guitar of the month is today but if it has TONE he owns it. |
I once saw a guitarist named Randy Hansen perform all Hendrix
songs. I was very impressed with his abilities. |
