OT: Our Favorite Guitarists

[Frodo]

Many years ago, I had the opportunity to see Andres Segovia at the Bushnell in Hartford. He was 80 something then, I think, and his fingers danced. Still the best I've ever seen. John Williams is probably second.

I'd include Julian Bream as well...maybe over John Williams.

 

[JimGunther]

I'm embarassed to say I've just "discovered" the greatness of Mark Knopfler in the last couple years - mostly through Pandora. Sure, I knew Dire Straits and his duets with Emmy Lou Harris but, I guess I had never focused on his virtuosity.

Better late than never, I suppose.

 

[Icebear]

I'm embarassed to say I've just "discovered" the greatness of Mark Knopfler in the last couple years - mostly through Pandora. Sure, I knew Dire Straits and his duets with Emmy Lou Harris but, I guess I had never focused on his virtuosity.

Better late than never, I suppose.

Chet Atkins who was no slouch in his own right considered Knopfler one of the best. His note formation is wonderful and has a clarity few approach and to my ear none exceed

 

[Kibitzer]

Did I miss Eric Clapton here?

What about Jerry Reed. Leona Boyd.

And, since someone opened this up to "resonophonic" instruments, I must suggest two of America's greatest musicians (IMO): Bela Fleck and Edgar Meyer.

Bela Fleck is to the banjo what Lionel Hampton was to the vibraharp: the transcental performer.

Edgar Meyer plays several instruments, but the string bass is his specialty. I know professional classical musicians who consider it to be ridiculously impossible to play Sarasate's "Ziguerneweisen" (no spell check, sorry) on a string bass. Meyer recorded it. They listened. Shook their heads, rolled their eyes, still said it was impossible.

Similarly, check Bela's recording of classical music on his "Perpetual Motion" album. Your ears will never be the same.

 

[huskyblooz]

It never ceases to amaze me how complementary talented people tend to find each other; As if by providence.

Jimi Hendrix said that Terry Kath, the original guitar player of Chicago, was the best in the world. Eddie Van Halen, when asked what it's like being the best guitar player in the world said "I don't know. Go ask Steve Lukather". Lukather is best known for Toto, but has been a studio musician for over 1000 different artists.

 

[huskyblooz]

It's hard to narrow it down because so many great ones will be omitted.
Off the top of my head, my favorites (right now) are:
SRV, Knopfler, Warren Haynes, Sonny Landreth and since the topic is 'favorite' I'll add Angus Young. I know he's not as technically sound as some I didn't mention, but his hooks are immortal.

 

[grizz36]

Did I miss Eric Clapton here?

What about Jerry Reed. Leona Boyd.

And, since someone opened this up to "resonophonic" instruments, I must suggest two of America's greatest musicians (IMO): Bela Fleck and Edgar Meyer.

Bela Fleck is to the banjo what Lionel Hampton was to the vibraharp: the transcental performer.

Edgar Meyer plays several instruments, but the string bass is his specialty. I know professional classical musicians who consider it to be ridiculously impossible to play Sarasate's "Ziguerneweisen" (no spell check, sorry) on a string bass. Meyer recorded it. They listened. Shook their heads, rolled their eyes, still said it was impossible.

Similarly, check Bela's recording of classical music on his "Perpetual Motion" album. Your ears will never be the same.

You're right on. I've had the pleasure of meeting and talking to Edgar Meyer, as well as Jerry Douglas and an accomplished guitar player not mentioned in this thread, Russ Baranberg. They've recorded several albums together. During the period of the meetings, I once had my face so close to Jerry Douglas' dobro, while he was playing his 7 1/2 minute "New Day Medley", that he could have used my nose as a pick.

I've also caught Andres Segovia at Symphony Hall in Boston and Carlos Montoya (5th row) at the Fox Theater in San Diego. While Montoya's Flamenco music had a touch of sameness to it after a while (for me), one of his encores was a composition of the entire Spanish Civil War by just him and his guitar that was fantastic.

 

[Kibitzer]

Ooops! I meant "transcendental" in my spiel above. DOH!

 

[Kibitzer]

I remember when Chet Atkins performed with the Boston Pops (Symphony Hall, tuxedo, Arthur Fiedler conducting). As he adjusted the strings on his instrument, he engaged in a little banter.

Said, "I knew I was a good picker when I finally made enough money to install a carpet in my bathroom."

[pause for effect.]

"Then I knew I had really made it big when I was able to afford to run that carpet from the back door of the house and through the back yard all the way to that bathroom."

 

[Icebear]

Ooops! I meant "transcendental" in my spiel above. DOH!

Well, if you are talking transcendental then John Mahavishnu McLaughlin jumps directly into the conversation. HE did an album with Carlos Santana who was another student of Sri Chimnoy was Love, Devotion, Surrender was soaring transcendentalism.
Al Di Meola is another great who has gone unmentioned and, also, recorded with McLaughlin and Paco de Lucia.

Another jazz giant is Joe Pass whose work with Oscar Peterson was a match of giants. Peterson who was the antithesis of Count Basie could play a couple dozen notes where one might do for the Count but Pass could swing with both and played with all the jazz greats. LINK Peterson and Pass LINK 2 Joe Pass solo Summertime

 

[VAUConnFan]

I'm embarassed to say I've just "discovered" the greatness of Mark Knopfler in the last couple years - mostly through Pandora. Sure, I knew Dire Straits and his duets with Emmy Lou Harris but, I guess I had never focused on his virtuosity.

Better late than never, I suppose.

Don't be embarassed. I am just discovering a number of these artists by virtue of this thread. A real education.
Hopefully, computers will not dim the tide of music virtuosity.

 

[VAUConnFan]

Jimi Hendrix said that Terry Kath, the original guitar player of Chicago, was the best in the world. Eddie Van Halen, when asked what it's like being the best guitar player in the world said "I don't know. Go ask Steve Lukather". Lukather is best known for Toto, but has been a studio musician for over 1000 different artists.

Steve Lukather appeared on a couple of my favorite Quincy Jones albums.

 

[Icebear]

Couple of links.

di Meola's outrageous Speed Enough to make Yngwie Malmsteen the big Swede jealous.

di Meola and Frank Zappa

Hendrix and John McLaughlin jammin'

 

[VAUConnFan]

Not among the all time greats, but one cannot help but be a little partial.

 

[wire chief]

Oh, oh. Admittedly, I am not at all familiar with David Gilmour. Research and some intense listening forthcoming.

You have much to make up. Try "Comfortably Numb".

 

[wire chief]

It's hard to narrow it down because so many great ones will be omitted.
Off the top of my head, my favorites (right now) are:
SRV, Knopfler, Warren Haynes, Sonny Landreth and since the topic is 'favorite' I'll add Angus Young. I know he's not as technically sound as some I didn't mention, but his hooks are immortal.

Sonny Landreth's version of Taylor's Rock is the best rock instrumental I've ever heard.

 

[wire chief]

There are simply too many great guitarists and a multitude of styles. Hendrix of course should be on any list. I saw him at Woolsey Hall when I was in 8th grade. It was a transcendent experience. For those loving jazz Django and Les Paul belong on any list.

Duane Allman, Leo Kotke, John Fahey and Santana are four more to toss into the discussion as were Jeff Beck and Mike Bloomfield mentioned earlier.
Classically Julian Bream and a host of others exist.

Ah, Duane Allman, such a bright, clean middle-riff on Blue Sky.

 

[Shenandoah]

Jimi Hendrix
Duane Allman
Carlos Santana
Muddy Waters
Johnny Winter.....

 

[VAUConnFan]

Ah, Duane Allman, such a bright, clean middle-riff on Blue Sky.

Allman was superb on Boz Scaggs' Loan Me a Dime.

 

[CTBballfan243]

I'll go with the Guitarist from the "current" Worlds Greatest RocknRoll Band

You know him as "The Edge"

 

[boontonbomber]

pete narvaez,mason williams

 

[Alexmia]

When it comes to music I have multiple personalities:

Rock- Tom Petty

Bluegrass- Tony Rice

 

[CCinCT]

Favorites -

Angus Young
Mark Knopfler
Eric Clapton

 

[Buzzyboy]

Favorites -

Angus Young
Mark Knopfler
Eric Clapton

What about guys like Yngwie Maalmsteen, Joe Satriana, Steve Vai???? Maybe even Vinnie Moore?????

 

[Kibitzer]

What a great off-season thread!

But shame on every one of us (including me).

How in the name of Rosemary Ragle did every contributor (so far) did we all overlook B.B. King?

B.B. King!!

"Let the good times roll."

(good motto for next season.)