Best professional guitarists

[danielkr94]

I'm all about the slower, emotional playing. Even though i definitely acknowlegde the amazing talent of guitarists such as Joe Satriani and Stevie Vai, their music and playing in general just doesn't "talk" to me. With that said my favorite guitarists of all time would have to be:
Carlos Santana
B.B. King
David Gilmour
Jimi Hendrix
Jimmy Page
Eric Clapton

[Nymerriu]

I have one disagreement here, regarding fast playing as less emotive. The way I see it, the more advanced your musical skills become, and the more you musically mature, the more you combine elements of speed, and simplicity.
My favorite guitarists are John Petrucci, Michael Romeo, and definitely Vai. They're all so skilled, and creative.

[jazzboCR]

Are you people for real? 4 pages on alleged wizards and not 1 mention of Classical guitarists?? Talk about heads firmly ensconsed in anuses. Try these: Andres Segovia, Sabicas and Christopher Parkening. If you just have to stay in Pop mode: Tommy Emmanuel. Lenny Breau was mentioned and I like him too. Oh and I guess Roy Clark gets no love either.
Sr. Segovia http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBQfHJA2Lng and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBOqnSvVlI8 and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zf00PYvWWvI << 44 minutes of pur-D heaven
Sabicas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3Iq0Qs0GAI and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2VROY01EAg and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uqwOkJqpf4
SPECIAL NOTE The above 2 gents remind us that the guitar, indeed most lap-held string instruments are Arabic and came to Spain vis the Moors (Muslims). What would your fave rock/blues players sound like if forced/choosing to play nylon strings and barely-amplified axes?

Mr. Parkening http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qs1STvDBV0A << alert Sister RebelGirl to this committed gent. No, that is certainly a NOT a joke or a taunt but sincerity. And http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iX8tsA0N7E and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPpW-_ixWEk << stunning duet of a piece by one of Spain's greatest composers (though DeFalla and Granados have their fans). And http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MCnIuVnS0I Finally: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCbrZFAGifA

Tommy Emmanuel Australia's gift to the world and we'd be in a lesser place without him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cHeNscKZN0 << great imagination and technique, totally realized. And http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apXSU8F8zWs << I got your "fuddy duddy" right here, pal. And http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jabnOm0WzIs << ...and the 'Rads went bonkers (well, as crazy as Chinese 'Rads get) and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G353LZWD52E << This is NOT a jokey, 1-off thingie--they played several stops together on Tommy's tour. Question: I can understand an 11-y/o having that skill but how can he have that tortured a soul, that he has to get out? He's gonna be a music monster, that one...or do 99 years busting rocks. There's a couple of WTF, spit-up moments in this. And http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-k8EQ1aPzcw << a complete artist and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JS8SBw5Omhk
BONUS: The Kings of Strings: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJjBJWDoc3I and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1rtZRwrhL4

Lenny Breau Ignorant was I--no more. It's "the late Mr. Breau" now, unfortunately.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DX9re6k9k8c << master class in how to make a chestnut your own.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f06FvJgk5...7992271F3F << second half is a tune by a master jazz melodist, GiGi Gryce and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcWUt3iGqWc << coupla guys get together (finally about 26 minutes in) to talk stuff and play some tunes...an hour later they're tired and we're enthralled.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Dp809Zi9lE << crap optics; music plays fine and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFdETRF87o0 << a showcase, w/nice backing. Did somebody say "taste" and "sensitivity to interiorizing the tune"? I agree.

Roy Clark Frequently played the clown but his playing tells the tale.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsYsbBor9es
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xssnp7R51A << forget the source--how's the playing?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdtFyosOhic << a rah-rah patriotic tune that doesn't grate
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rT2PTetKMU8 << he could and did play it all
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGlyn4XfHPQ << treats the song with respect and simultaneously knocks the pretension out of it--neat trick. Listen again, willya?

[SteveO]

This guy has a Very unique style !!!! I am a fan!

[video=youtube;ieMTgk_4ogs]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieMTgk_4ogs[/video]

[jazzboCR]

Thanks for sharing, SteveO. I'd been aware of Mr. Ribot but had no idea how broadly and masterfully diverse he was. Here's a YouTube mix to demonstrate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VjKKFu83...1qwqwoVsnI << Good news--he's only 57 and seemingly in good health. A guy you want to check back with every year to see what he's up to now.

[SteveO]

The thing I like about him Jazz, is that he plays fairly slow at times a note at a time ...very different !!!!

[video=youtube;7QLbi4E3-hI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=RDHC41qwqwoVsnI&amp;feature=player_detailpa ge&amp;v=7QLbi4E3-hI[/video]

[jazzboCR]

To answer your first question - yes I am an old hippie. (Not hippy by the way)Secondly, while most of the guitarists you mention are undeniably talented, good guitar music does not neccessarily mean playing 10 0000 notes a second. Technical proficiency does not automatically equal a pleasant or emotive listening experience. I would rather listen to a simple emotive piece than a frantic flashy one.Finally, where do you think all these guys got their inspiration from? (maybe that 'old' bandleader Zappa had somehting to do with it ???)PS - you too will be old one day. Those metal studs and leathers are going to look pretty lame at 70 whereas my white hippie beard will look rather distinguished. I hope you see the funny side of this - many can't.Praise the Lord and pass the joint.................

At least all that metal stuff and leathers can be readily doffed. The medical wave of the future is gonna be tattoo-removal: http://www.thetattaway.com/locations/for...oCOzzw_wcB
BTW--I know what a goatee is--I have one--but what's a goater? Can you have one without the other? You can have a yen with no Tang but a yin with no yang? Inquiring minds want to know...

[jazzboCR]

Let me see if I got this right: 4 pages on the best guitarists and Pat Metheny is only mentioned in passing (by SteveO)? Really?? To bring you up to speed, check his wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pat_Metheny If that's too long or taxing, try this: http://www.economist.com/news/books-and-...uitar-hero << by comparison, most of the bluesys/rocksters are 1-Note Johnnies and wannabes. Here's his latest (4-1/2 stars with 5 of 9 tunes Picks to Click):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn0xYBBZhsA << the only vid I could find--somebody want to do the world and us a HUGE by posting more or maybe a live perf? Please, I'm asking you...

PM talking about his first recording: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd6Pzh16LC8 << still has that same great hair. Just sayin'...

[SteveO]

Thanks for elaborating on Pat, Jazz! He's a great player in my amateur opinion...that fluid jazzy blues style gets to me! This is astounding!

[video=youtube;pvaVQZP6A_M]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvaVQZP6A_M[/video]

[SteveO]

Another Pat that I like !

[video=youtube;Wd4ezmC0OJc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd4ezmC0OJc[/video]