If we’re going to unplug - then Leo Kottke is the man.
You can hear a ton of his influence in Don Ross’ playing.
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Quoted for Truth. I got to see Leo in concert, and I will never be the same. He combines the best parts of acoustic virtuoso playing and folk storytelling. He joked around a lot with the audience and told lots of stories between songs. Absolutely flawless connection to the listeners.
Favorite from him is Morning is the Long Way Home. Specifically as performed on his LP Best Of 1971-1976. He’s played many of his songs different ways and different tempos, but I like this version the best.
Found a video. This is him in 1977, pretty much a 32 year old kid. Sound quality is off b/c of the old recording, but you hear enough to stand in awe.
And anything by ‘The Humbler’, Danny Gatton – the best guitarist you’ve never heard of.[/quote]
Danny is a huge influence of mine, as well as (3 guitar players no one has ever heard of) Brent Mason, Albert Lee and Johnny Hiland (a Gatton disciple himself). Chances are, if you’ve heard a smokin’ chicken pickin’ lead in a country/country rock song in the last 15 years, it’s Brent Mason or Albert Lee.
Albert Lee:
Brent Mason:
Johnny Hiland (you can almost count the Gatton licks):
@jakshafter-- no, “SteelyD” is just a name my singer calls me when I’m chicken picken or playin’ “pedal steel” style. My last name starts with “D”. You have to say it like a rapper: “STEELY-DEE, YO!” (you have to be there)
[quote]AngryVader wrote:
SinisterMinister wrote:
If you like his style, check out Pierre Bensusan – my CURRENT favorite guitarist in the world.
I just wanted to say thank you for posting that. I’ve never heard of him before and I really enjoyed it.[/quote]
If you enjoyed that song, I can’t recommend highly enough the album it appears on – ‘Intuit’. It will most likely be found in the ‘New Age’ section, but it’s not ‘New Age’-sounding at all. It’s the most stunning instrumental guitar album I own – I’ve been listening to it for years and appreciate something different each time. Give it some time to grow on you…
When I was a kid I thought that John McLaughlin’s solo in Dawn (from the album Inner Mounting Flame - Mahavishnu Orchestra) was the be all and end all of guitar solos.
I’m not a guitar player so I don’t understand the intricacies of technical difficulties so maybe that puts me at a disadvantage. OTOH I’m not at all distracted by those things and am purely open to the emotional force of the music. So in a sense, I’m a blank canvas who is left to be inbued by the spirit of the moment. Anyway, these are a few songs that always seem to move me or put me in a slight trance.
And anything by ‘The Humbler’, Danny Gatton – the best guitarist you’ve never heard of.
Love Danny Gatton, what a sad loss of talent.
Another personal favorite who killed himself is Roy Buchanan.
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Ah yes, Roy was the man. He’s the most emotive blues player I’ve ever heard – just gut-wrenching stuff. If any man ever made an electric guitar shed actual tears, it was Roy. His solo on ‘Down By The River’ belongs in this thread.
Agreed, very lyrical, melodic phrasing. Willie’s guitar phrasing is so similar to his vocal phrasing, it really comes from that same unique place in him. There’s an ‘Unplugged’ CD of him with Cash, just the two of them telling stories, and his playing is great on it. Willie’s lifelong hero has been Django…
MacAlpine and V.Moore-- Both are definitely guitar player’s guitar players-- Shrapnel records had some real gems! I love Vinnie’s early Vicious Rumors material as well.
Here’s another gem – Bireli Lagrene and John Mclaughlin jammin’ All Blues. I love just watching that ‘communication’ going on – you can see them both thinking, and smiling when the other guy throws out a good idea.
[quote]SteelyD wrote:
MacAlpine and V.Moore-- Both are definitely guitar player’s guitar players-- Shrapnel records had some real gems! I love Vinnie’s early Vicious Rumors material as well.
Here’s another legendary soloist:
Al DiMeola:
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I was a huge Return to Forever guy.
Saw Steve Morse, John Mclaughlin, Al DiMeoa and Paco DeLucia together in Phoenix during the all acoustic tour.
Apparently they’ve gotten together again since that first tour. This looks like a bout 20 years after I saw them int he early 80’s. Steve Morse was a guest performer who more than held his own on the progressive/classical/flamenco-ish end.
