“There has never been a better guitarist.” – as a retired guitarist, I dispute that. I can think of quite a number of better guitarists… Tommy Emmanuel, Biréli Lagrène, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Michael Hedges, Eric Clapton, Chet Atkins, and so on. Past a certain level, one cannot say that Guitarist A is better or worse than Guitarist B.
For your enjoyment, if you have an hour to spare. Tommy Emmanuel 😀 :
The reason for my disputing your claim is that I was about as good as Tony Rice on the guitar (until osteoarthritis took my hands over). Yes, I was very, very good indeed, but so very aware of the fact that there were many guitarists who were far, far better than me.
In the seventies, in Stockholm were I then lived, I jammed, in two different private venues, for hours with John Renbourn and the late Bert Jansch when they were on tour and had gigs in Stockholm.
The reason why I didn’t make a career of my guitar playing and my singing, despite dozens of recording offers from many record companies – all of which I refused – was because I was a single mom, and a music career is not compatible with raising a child by oneself, and my greatest responsibility and priority was towards my son. However, I did have some gigs in clubs now and then.
Here is a picture of me from that time in Stockholm:
Tony’s playing always fit the song. He never overplayed. Trying to be fancy or flashy in a song like Pride of Man, would detract from the sheer power of the lyrics. Tony knew this.
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Hey, no fair playing the Tommy Emmanuel card, that just shuts down all discussion. Excellent Tommy video though, so thanks.
I would add Charlie Christian, Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell, Julian Bream, John Williams, Narciso Yepes and Chuck Loeb to the list. All have provided me delight. We are all so fortunate that the list is nearly endless.
I would add a great many more too, but the list is too long and I have a poor memory for names.
Glad you enjoyed the video. I met Tommy and his lovely young bride in Geneva a few years ago when friends of mine organized his concert here. Lovely man, very friendly and open.
Tommy’s delightful personality is always front and center. His brother, Phil, is also a superb guitarist. Youtube videos of them playing together are a hoot.
Nice list of players you’ve come up with. Tommy Emmanuel is a superb player as you suggest.
One player I’ve followed for decades is Ry Cooder. I love his collaborations. Talking Timbuktu with Ali Farka Toure comes to mind. As does this session with V.M. Bhatt, Ganges Delta Blues is a favorite:
Okay, lets make things a bit simpler now and reduce the number of strings to… say… just three, and tune them to EEA with the 2nd and 3rd string tuned to the same note, okay? 🙂
Making it even simpler with only 2 strings (I bet you didn’t know about this one!):
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One of the more intense players I’ve come across is Bob Brozman. He mastered a variety of guitar styles, and is particularly noted for his mastery of the slide guitar. If you like his Hawaiin slack key stylings, be sure to search for Led Kapaana on YouTube, another great player.
“There has never been a better guitarist.” – as a retired guitarist, I dispute that. I can think of quite a number of better guitarists… Tommy Emmanuel, Biréli Lagrène, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Michael Hedges, Eric Clapton, Chet Atkins, and so on. Past a certain level, one cannot say that Guitarist A is better or worse than Guitarist B.
For your enjoyment, if you have an hour to spare. Tommy Emmanuel 😀 :
“Past a certain level, one cannot say that Guitarist A is better or worse than Guitarist B.”
That’s why I can confidently make the statement.
The reason for my disputing your claim is that I was about as good as Tony Rice on the guitar (until osteoarthritis took my hands over). Yes, I was very, very good indeed, but so very aware of the fact that there were many guitarists who were far, far better than me.
In the seventies, in Stockholm were I then lived, I jammed, in two different private venues, for hours with John Renbourn and the late Bert Jansch when they were on tour and had gigs in Stockholm.
The reason why I didn’t make a career of my guitar playing and my singing, despite dozens of recording offers from many record companies – all of which I refused – was because I was a single mom, and a music career is not compatible with raising a child by oneself, and my greatest responsibility and priority was towards my son. However, I did have some gigs in clubs now and then.
Here is a picture of me from that time in Stockholm:
https://imageshack.com/i/5pvierotchka1976sm3gw0j
🙂
I agree that the Tony Rice piece above does not commend itself as exceptional. Nice voice and all, but give me Doc Watson any day.
Tony’s playing always fit the song. He never overplayed. Trying to be fancy or flashy in a song like Pride of Man, would detract from the sheer power of the lyrics. Tony knew this.
Hey, no fair playing the Tommy Emmanuel card, that just shuts down all discussion. Excellent Tommy video though, so thanks.
I would add Charlie Christian, Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell, Julian Bream, John Williams, Narciso Yepes and Chuck Loeb to the list. All have provided me delight. We are all so fortunate that the list is nearly endless.
I would add a great many more too, but the list is too long and I have a poor memory for names.
Glad you enjoyed the video. I met Tommy and his lovely young bride in Geneva a few years ago when friends of mine organized his concert here. Lovely man, very friendly and open.
Tommy’s delightful personality is always front and center. His brother, Phil, is also a superb guitarist. Youtube videos of them playing together are a hoot.
Hi vierotchka and all,
Nice list of players you’ve come up with. Tommy Emmanuel is a superb player as you suggest.
One player I’ve followed for decades is Ry Cooder. I love his collaborations. Talking Timbuktu with Ali Farka Toure comes to mind. As does this session with V.M. Bhatt, Ganges Delta Blues is a favorite:
The fidelity of this recording is nearly faultless.
And all the music is improvisational.
Superb recording. John Mclaughlin has also dipped a toe or two in this stream.
Leo Kottke leaps to mind.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QOf_fl9Sp8
http://youtu.be/vK7lNkkVMp8
A lute is not a guitar, a lutenist is not a guitarist! :p
Okay, lets make things a bit simpler now and reduce the number of strings to… say… just three, and tune them to EEA with the 2nd and 3rd string tuned to the same note, okay? 🙂
Nice. Who and what is this?
He is Alexey Arkhipovsky and he plays the balalaika. There are many videos of him on YouTube. He is quite extraordinary!
Reminds us once again of the Anglo-centrism in a large part of the word, though the world doesn’t end there.
Yup, the World’s a large place. This is perhaps not the most representative of Tolgahan’s impressive artistry; I just happen to like Gamelan music.
Sorry, I posted Tolgahan’s Dowland piece. This is the Balinese Gamelan piece on microtonal guitar. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISmsi1QKbLo&feature=c4-overview&list=UUf7D886oBahxSSwBRVIib0A
I like it! Here’s more balalaika – a contrabass:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxqiVIoSQBE
And I’ll raise you a shamisen:
Happy to oblige.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha5mAX1WaMM
From Iran:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxCB923_QOY
With less brio but a lot of eye candy from Mongolia:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zw4wdca8oVg
Making it even simpler with only 2 strings (I bet you didn’t know about this one!):
One of the more intense players I’ve come across is Bob Brozman. He mastered a variety of guitar styles, and is particularly noted for his mastery of the slide guitar. If you like his Hawaiin slack key stylings, be sure to search for Led Kapaana on YouTube, another great player.