Superfly From Thailand, joined May 2000, 38599 posts, RR: 79 Posted (10 years 10 months 2 weeks 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 3047 times:
After seen that 'popularity' poll for guitarist, I'd like to point out some guitar players that don't get the attention they deserve as 'skilled musicians'.
I can care less about popularity/commercial success and attitude which seem to be the determining factor in many cases , I'd like to hear about guitar players that are actually good.
I've been playing guitar since I was 12 and I like to hear players/songwriters who are good regardless of style of music.
My favorites would be:
Alex Lifeson of RUSH
Mike Campbell of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
and
Phil Keaggy.
As for RUSH, you have to go beyond Tom Sawyer (the radio song) to hear what he is capable of. Listen to Hemispheres (all 18:07 of it), All of Permanent Waves and even Power Windows (which has a lot of synth) and you will be amazed. A great guitar player does more than shred or bend every note like the blues guys, an excellent player can paint a picture and get the most sound out of 6 strings (or 12).
I was lucky to meet him at a music & tennis festival back in 1990. Very funny and down to earth guy who like to crack a lot of jokes. Our style of humor was so alike it almost scarred me.
Mike Campbell is great because of all the fills and colors he adds to the music. He is one of the few rockers who can solo on a Rickenbacker 12-string. Any guitarist who has played one of these knows that's not an easy task. Those slim necks with all of that lacquer can make things very hard to move around.
Phil Keaggy is simply amazing. Excellent songwriter/composer and player. He is missing two fingers on one hand and can pull off what many can't do with all 10. He is unknown to many because he is on the Christian record labels and is mainly in to singing religious songs and doesn’t really care for all of the fanfare and hype.
A good album to get a dose is ‘Love Broke Through’ (1976) and The Master and the Musician (1978)
I've actually met him too at a church once to see him put on a small show. Very nice guy.
BTW, I am not one of those ‘holy-roller’ types.
Lortab 7.5mg From United States of America, joined Nov 2001, 805 posts, RR: 12 Reply 1, posted (10 years 10 months 2 weeks 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 3005 times:
Leopold From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 2, posted (10 years 10 months 2 weeks 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 3015 times:
too many people mistake loudness for talent. i think that just about all of todays so called guitarists have little talent beyond making those shrill, ear piercing buzz saw noises. some people think thats talent. i think its garbage. i don't care about how loud or shrill it is. I want to hear a good melody.
Jessman From United States of America, joined Jul 2001, 1506 posts, RR: 8 Reply 4, posted (10 years 10 months 2 weeks 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 3001 times:
I wondered when someone would mention Phil Keaggy. He is really good.
Superfly From Thailand, joined May 2000, 38599 posts, RR: 79 Reply 5, posted (10 years 10 months 2 weeks 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 2976 times:
Leopold:
You are right!
No guitarist that's been on MTV for the last 10 years don't even belong on a list with talented guitarist.
To think that Kirt Cocaine made that list with real musicians is a crime. I can't believe that guitarist of the group Cum...err... I mean Creed gets endorsments for Paul Reed Smith guitars.
They are nothing but a boy-band that can play instruments and screem.
Eric Clapton is OK but he just seems like the guitarist that's safe for mam & dad to listen to.
Lortab 7.5mg From United States of America, joined Nov 2001, 805 posts, RR: 12 Reply 7, posted (10 years 10 months 2 weeks 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 2966 times:
MDL_777 From United States of America, joined Aug 2001, 267 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (10 years 10 months 2 weeks 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 2942 times:
One of my favorites is Pat Metheny - an outstanding jazz guitarist, and probably one of the best guitarists in the world.
NormalSpeed From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 12, posted (10 years 10 months 2 weeks 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 2919 times:
Speaking of under-rated guitar players, I just returned from John Mayer concert. He's relatively new on the scene, but he puts on a great show. Better live than on the CD.
Sammyk From United States of America, joined Oct 1999, 1686 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (10 years 10 months 2 weeks 3 days 1 hour ago) and read 2753 times:
I always thought Oz Fox of Stryper was very underrated. Wasn't really into their music lyricswise, but always liked the music itself.
Bimmer202 From United States of America, joined Jan 2000, 134 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (10 years 10 months 2 weeks 2 days 21 hours ago) and read 2745 times:
Robbie Robertson from The Band. He was dominant!
Who let the billy goats out? No serioulsy, who let the friggin billy goats out? This aint no joke anymore children.
Trickijedi From United States of America, joined May 2001, 3266 posts, RR: 5 Reply 19, posted (10 years 10 months 2 weeks 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 2715 times:
I think Johhny Marr from The Smiths is very underated.
Excellent guitarist! Very talented!
Its better to be on the ground wishing you were in the air than be in the air wishing you were on the ground. Fly safe!
Stratofish From Germany, joined Sep 2001, 1019 posts, RR: 6 Reply 20, posted (10 years 10 months 2 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 2704 times:
Good question...:
Pat Metheny
John Pettrucci
Dave Murray
John Jorgenson
Jerry Donahue
Stefan Elmgren
the guy that played the guitar on the last BILLY JOEL album
to name but a few
also many guitarists I have worked with, there was one guy from Peru whose name I forgot who was incredible, played everything of all the Vai, Satriani, etc... bunch at the age of 18 (!) but with much more heart and esteem as those.
AMRAAM From United States of America, joined Aug 2002, 75 posts, RR: 0 Reply 22, posted (10 years 10 months 1 week 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 2669 times:
Superfly From Thailand, joined May 2000, 38599 posts, RR: 79 Reply 23, posted (10 years 10 months 1 week 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 2657 times:
AMRAAM:
Oh yes I am very aware of Eric Johnson. I saw him open for RUSH in 1991.
Another guitarist I forgot to mention was Michael Hedges.
He is an outstanding New Age guitarist.
His album 'Aerial Boundaries' (1984) is a masterpiece.
Toady From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2001, 724 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (10 years 10 months 1 week 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 2668 times:
Trickijedi, maybe Johnny Marr is under-rated in the US but you'll be pleased to hear that he is VERY highly thought of over here. Not only as a guitarist but as a composer. And rightfully so.
26 Toady: And many more! Theirs was a different kind of partnership to that of Lennon & McCartney but I think Morrisey & Marr are responsible for some of the fi
28 Toady: And some girls' mothers are bigger than other girls' mothers!
29 Trickijedi: Hi Toady, ...but I think Morrisey & Marr are responsible for some of the finest songs ever recorded. I agree, I think Morriseey is one of the greatest
Sponsor Message: 
From Thailand, joined May 2000, 38599 posts, 
From United States of America, joined Nov 2001, 805 posts, 
From , joined Dec 1969, posts, 
From Canada, joined Dec 2001, 2364 posts, 
From Netherlands, joined Apr 2001, 10213 posts, 
From Germany, joined Sep 2001, 1019 posts, 
From Mexico, joined Apr 2001, 1726 posts, 
From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2001, 724 posts, 
Printer friendly format 
