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.
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
Told you, Vlad . I will track down the Martinez recommendation Thanks.
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
Told you, Vlad . I will track down the Martinez recommendation Thanks.
I've never heard a better version of the Chaconne on guitar than the Platino one. Indeed, I think it one of the best I have heard (in my admittedly limited experience) on ANY instrument.
After some repeated listening, maybe the Martinez disc is not quite as good. I still recommend it, though.
David Russell plays the entire Partita on his "David Russell Plays Bach" disc. IMO, his version of the Chaconne is not quite as good as Platino's but it is still mighty fine and the rest of the disc is very good.
In terms of SQ, the Naxos discs seem to have come on a bit since I last purchased one. The Russell disc is on Telarc - a much richer sound but somewhat veiled and less sparkly at the top-end.
So, the Platino is the one to beat in the Chaconne, but you can't really go wrong with any of these virtuoso guitarists.
Very happy listening,
Vlad
I've never heard a better version of the Chaconne on guitar than the Platino one. Indeed, I think it one of the best I have heard (in my admittedly limited experience) on ANY instrument.
After some repeated listening, maybe the Martinez disc is not quite as good. I still recommend it, though.
David Russell plays the entire Partita on his "David Russell Plays Bach" disc. IMO, his version of the Chaconne is not quite as good as Platino's but it is still mighty fine and the rest of the disc is very good.
In terms of SQ, the Naxos discs seem to have come on a bit since I last purchased one. The Russell disc is on Telarc - a much richer sound but somewhat veiled and less sparkly at the top-end.
So, the Platino is the one to beat in the Chaconne, but you can't really go wrong with any of these virtuoso guitarists.
Very happy listening,
Vlad
My wife, a professional Classical guitarist, is a big David Russell fan, Vlad. However, he never quite seems to 'float my boat' like others I can mention.
The Naxos series is really excellent and consistent. Sound quality is top drawer. If you want to investigate further, try Jason Vieaux and Jeffrey McFadden. However, Platino is rather special.
I've never heard a better version of the Chaconne on guitar than the Platino one. Indeed, I think it one of the best I have heard (in my admittedly limited experience) on ANY instrument.
After some repeated listening, maybe the Martinez disc is not quite as good. I still recommend it, though.
David Russell plays the entire Partita on his "David Russell Plays Bach" disc. IMO, his version of the Chaconne is not quite as good as Platino's but it is still mighty fine and the rest of the disc is very good.
In terms of SQ, the Naxos discs seem to have come on a bit since I last purchased one. The Russell disc is on Telarc - a much richer sound but somewhat veiled and less sparkly at the top-end.
So, the Platino is the one to beat in the Chaconne, but you can't really go wrong with any of these virtuoso guitarists.
Very happy listening,
Vlad
My wife, a professional Classical guitarist, is a big David Russell fan, Vlad. However, he never quite seems to 'float my boat' like others I can mention.
The Naxos series is really excellent and consistent. Sound quality is top drawer. If you want to investigate further, try Jason Vieaux and Jeffrey McFadden. However, Platino is rather special.
Lucky you!
Russell's guitar tone seems to be richer than his fellows, even if I am only going from one recording. His sound is closer to that of an all-steel strung guitar - less obviously "nylon" sounding, if that makes sense.
I will definitely be on the lookout for more CD's in the Naxos "Laureate"series.
Vlad.
No mention of Jerry Garcia - unbelievable. The finest ever.
Also Richard Thompson, David Lindley, Ry Cooder, Micky Jones and Peter Green when with F.Mac and his 1st solo.
+1 for JG.
And what about this guy? A real innovator:
I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned either of these virtuosi, both of whom sound like nobody else and who are both real "feel" players:
Yes to SRV and Segovia but what about Steve Vai? Fast, virtuoso and reads and writes music as well. He put all of the music of Frank Zappa into music as she is written.
We saw him in November last year and that was memorable. Joe Satriani is on in a couple of weeks and he is another for the list.
FF
I'm afraid fretwanking hacks like Vai and Satriani leave me cold.
However, I'm not averse to flashy fretwork. This guy was great back in the day...
Wow, I'm amazed that Frank can recommend 'fret-wanking' Steve Vai and Segovia in the same sentence 
Impressive though
Wow, I'm amazed that Frank can recommend 'fret-wanking' Steve Vai and Segovia in the same sentence Impressive though
Maybe they've formed a splinter group.