Best Guitarist (reconsidered)

Posted by: dave marshall on 04 March 2013

Hi Gang,

 

Been watching a few hours of Joe Bonamassa in concert, and, really, he is something special.

 

I know that there's all the usual suspects, Ry, Keef, Gilmore etc. but this guy is simply amazing.

 

As a player myself, I'm dumfounded at what he can achieve live,  so any thoughts?

 

Aw ra best........and somewhat humbled,

 

Dave.

Posted on: 14 March 2013 by Marou

If you can find a copy of Coryell by Larry Coryell, in the same league as Hendrix 

 

I've gigged and recorded with Larry Coryell, and while he is indeed one of the great guitarists, he would be the very first to say that he is not in the same league as Jimi Hendrix ... in fact, he would say that no one is, and he'd be right.

 

'One of the great guitarists' puts him in the Hendrix league as far as I'm concerned.

Posted on: 16 March 2013 by Wugged Woy
Originally Posted by George Fredrik:

My vote goes to Segovia.

 

George,

 

Whilst the importance of Segovia in the development of Classical Guitar as a major Classical music instrument cannot be underestimated, I feel that modern players have even greater technical abilities together with musical understanding (hope you know what I mean !). I think of amazing players like David Russell, Jason Vieux and especially Franco Platino.

 

Regarding the later, if you love Classical Guitar, you MUST grab hold of this : 

 Simply phenomenal. His version of Bach's Chaconne is 'truly to die for'.

 Regards.

Posted on: 16 March 2013 by mtuttleb

Here are some of my favourites

 

Gerardo Nunez (heard live in Darmstadt Centralstation thanks to Thomas K ).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WE1Q_1iPgqc

 

goran söllscher on DGG from the following set

 

 

Regards,

 

Mark

Posted on: 16 March 2013 by Wugged Woy

Mark, try to grab a copy of the Franco Platino. You won't be disappointed. I'll will give the Sollscher disc a try - silly of me not to mention Goran earlier !!

Posted on: 16 March 2013 by ewemon
It has to be Hendrix.
Posted on: 16 March 2013 by northpole

Ask me any day of the week or even time of day and I'll more than likely give you a different answer.  Today, at time of writing I'll pitch my vote Jimmy Page's direction - as much for setting down the licks that are forever being lifted by others as for his technical guitar playing abilities.

 

Peter

Posted on: 16 March 2013 by osprey
It surprise me that so far no one has mentioned Mick Ronson - the man who played what he wanted not only what he could, respect!. One of my all time favourite, no doubt.
Posted on: 16 March 2013 by sonic

Don´t forget Jeff Beck!

Posted on: 16 March 2013 by sonic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fALdOkf_eCM

Posted on: 16 March 2013 by DrMark
Originally Posted by Wugged Woy:

Regarding the later, if you love Classical Guitar, you MUST grab hold of this : 

 Simply phenomenal. His version of Bach's Chaconne is 'truly to die for'.

 Regards.

Isn't he a Barrueco understudy?

Posted on: 17 March 2013 by Wugged Woy
Originally Posted by DrMark:
Originally Posted by Wugged Woy:

Regarding the later, if you love Classical Guitar, you MUST grab hold of this : 

 Simply phenomenal. His version of Bach's Chaconne is 'truly to die for'.

 Regards.

Isn't he a Barrueco understudy?


Yes, Dr., you are right. He did study under the great Manuel Barrueco. He also recorded music for two guitars with him, I believe. He really is something special. The above CD of him playing solo music by Scarlatti, Bach, Mertz etc. is a 'must buy' if you are a Classical Guitar fan ............ trust me.

 

For information, he has his own website www.francoplatino.com.

Posted on: 17 March 2013 by GraemeH

Wes Montgomery should be on the list. G

Posted on: 17 March 2013 by FangfossFlyer

For me the greats I still listen to and love, showing my age but what a great era to grow up in, are:

 

- Jimi Hendirix,

- Peter Green,

- Jeff Beck.

 

not forgetting some fine guitarists of the era such as:

 

- Bert Jansch;

- Nick Drake;

- Paul Kossoff;

- Rory Gallagher;

- David Gilmour;

- Eric Clapton;

- ......

 

 

all bassed on enjoyment, soul and not technical virtuosity or speed of playing.

 

Richard

Posted on: 17 March 2013 by DrMark

Not mentioned but certainly worthy of consideration; as there is no such thing as the "greatest guitarist".

 

Steve Howe

Lindsay Buckingham

FZ

Jimmy Bruno

Lenny Breau

Chet Atkins

Julian Bream

 

and many others...

Posted on: 17 March 2013 by IanG

+1 for Jimmy Page although for me, Jack White runs him close. Best 'modern' guitarist by a long way.

Posted on: 17 March 2013 by DanailT

David Gilmour!!!

 

Cheers!

 

D

Posted on: 17 March 2013 by PureReader
After reading the OP I checked out Joe Bonamassa youtube channel ( http://m.youtube.com/user/JoeBonamassaTV ). Now I I'm not really the competent person to judge a blues or rock guitarist - I know too few, and it is not the kind of music I grew up with.
But if you take a listen to the video of Bonamassa playng with Clapton, ... well,  the difference between the two as I hear it (and see it) is like listening to a  Master  and a  Disciple.

(And there's absolutely nothing wrong with being a "disciple", standing next to someone like Clapton, especially if your 20 years or so younger (estimation) )

I think Clapton is a great personality, whether playing guitar or singing, he emits joy and creativity, power and expression, amazing presence of personality, humility and masterfullness. And there's even something spiritual about the music he plays.
Very complete. Of course technically he doesn't have the virtuosity he once had.

So one more vote for the great musician Eric Clapton.
Posted on: 17 March 2013 by Marou

As someone has remarked, choosing the best has to be subjective (Django Rheinhardt anyone?) but the best I ever saw was Ollie Halsall, guitarist with a band called Patto in the 70s - blistering speed, great melodic invention and played vibes simultanously which even the great James Marshall never attempted as far as I know.

Posted on: 17 March 2013 by George Fredrik

Really it is impossible!

 

Classical, jazz, rock, blues, pop, heavy metal, ....

 

Just like best male or female vocalist would be!

 

ATB from George

Posted on: 17 March 2013 by DrMark

Jack White?  Really?

Posted on: 17 March 2013 by IanG
Sorry DrMark. I was under the opinion this was an open forum where people were allowed to express their opinion. I must have been wrong.
Posted on: 18 March 2013 by DrMark

You are absolutely entitled to your opinion.  And if you like him, then by all means express that and enjoy.

 

I have tried "get" him; but I just don't. He can't sing, & can't play. Sorry, I just don't understand how he made it. As a guitarist myself, I don't like to disparage the work of others, but there's thousands of musicians out there who can play and no one every hears them...to my ears he's not only not close to the best, but I just don't think he is even any good.  At all.

 

So you expressed your opinion, and I expressed mine.  I guess it is an open forum.

Posted on: 14 May 2013 by VladtheImpala
Originally Posted by Wugged Woy:
Originally Posted by DrMark:
Originally Posted by Wugged Woy:

Regarding the later, if you love Classical Guitar, you MUST grab hold of this : 

 Simply phenomenal. His version of Bach's Chaconne is 'truly to die for'.

 Regards.

Isn't he a Barrueco understudy?


Yes, Dr., you are right. He did study under the great Manuel Barrueco. He also recorded music for two guitars with him, I believe. He really is something special. The above CD of him playing solo music by Scarlatti, Bach, Mertz etc. is a 'must buy' if you are a Classical Guitar fan ............ trust me.

 

For information, he has his own website www.francoplatino.com.

 

Just been listening to this recommendation. It really is superb playing. Now listening to the David Martinez album in the same series on Naxos...... May be as good!

 

Vlad

Posted on: 14 May 2013 by Jay Coleman
Richard Thompson.
Posted on: 14 May 2013 by winkyincanada
Originally Posted by PureReader:
After reading the OP I checked out Joe Bonamassa youtube channel ( http://m.youtube.com/user/JoeBonamassaTV ). Now I I'm not really the competent person to judge a blues or rock guitarist - I know too few, and it is not the kind of music I grew up with.
But if you take a listen to the video of Bonamassa playng with Clapton, ... well,  the difference between the two as I hear it (and see it) is like listening to a  Master  and a  Disciple.

(And there's absolutely nothing wrong with being a "disciple", standing next to someone like Clapton, especially if your 20 years or so younger (estimation) )

I think Clapton is a great personality, whether playing guitar or singing, he emits joy and creativity, power and expression, amazing presence of personality, humility and masterfullness. And there's even something spiritual about the music he plays.
Very complete. Of course technically he doesn't have the virtuosity he once had.

So one more vote for the great musician Eric Clapton.

I quite like Joe (we're flying to LA in December to see him), but I find Clapton mostly boring. For me, it is Jeff Beck from that era/genre that shines.