greatest guitarist in past 15 years

George Lynch

Pete wrote:

I know it's not guitar, but how 'bout the hillbilly kid who played the banjo in "Deliverance?"

Pete,

If I'm not mistaken, that kid in Deliverance isn't really playing that banjo. They had a banjo player sitting behind him, and those are the banjo player's arms and hands you see in the movie - kind of like when they give those dogs human hands - that kid couldn't play a note on that banjo.

Ronny Cox on the other hand really is playing his instrument - he can play.

malmo,

thanks for posting that link. I agree the listing is a bit skewed, but the list was from a Guitar World reader's poll, and so are skewed toward the tastes of that magazine's readers. Still, some pretty good picks in the top 100.

Pete. You're right.

But Curt Cobain? C'mon. That shit was pop music with amplifier feedback and the dial turned to "11". Nirvana was little more than Britney spears with a drug problem. On second thought - make that Donny Osmond with a drug problem...

15 years?

There has not been a single guitarist to come along in 15 years that can compete with Clapton, Hendrixs, Van Halen and the other all-time greats.

That Guitar World list is pretty mainstream and predictable and hardly insightful, but it does have reminders of a few major players. Neil Young can't be overlooked. His influence is enormous. Plus, listen to "Cortez The Killer"...there are three solos, each of which stretches and reaches and helps build the masterpiece that song is

Danny Gatton was an incredible player, as was Jerry Garcia. But the best ever was Duane Allman.

Well, if we're gonna take a historical view, I guess nobody can really compete with Robert Johnson...

But let's stick to the present, shall we?

(or whatever)

At least someone mentioned the player that most of these wannabes idolize--Eliot Fisk. You guys are also forgetting players like Pepe Romero, McLaughlin, DiMieola and de Lucia. Any real guitar fan will have a copy of Friday Night in San Francisco in their collection. If you don't, get one, and then repost with your reconfigured list of all-time greats. Also, Charlie Hunter, anyone?

Glad to see somebody else finds Clapton technically adept but not particularly imaginative. His best stuff always seemed to come out when he was paired with another player (Harrison, Allman, BB, etc.).

Somebody lists a group of decent jazz players, then dismisses Jimi? Needs to see outside their own box.

Thanks to DA2 for mentioning Skydog - long gone, but definitely one of the all-timers.

A lot of quick fingered but boring high end noodlers mentioned. Anybody else appreciate the non-solo focused, like Peter Buck?

In the last 15 years:

Page Hamilton of Helmet - MA in jazz and capable of hitting you like a brick wall, plus his solos are like an acid hurricane.

Ben Weinman of Dillinger Escape Plan - ultra-fast, technical, creative, avoids boring blues-scale wanking, sounds like a computer spitting out alien rhythms in jazz scales.

The guys in Mastadon - similar to but heavier and moodier than Metallica during "Ride the Lightning" and "Master of Puppets"

Finally someone picked John McLaughlin. I've seen him 6 times now in various incarnations: Tony Williams Lifetime, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Shakti, One Truth, Free Spirits- holy cow, can he play. Also, no one has mentioned Jeff Beck.

What about drums? In rock, Neil Peart and Christian Vander. In jazz, Elvin Jones, and Dennis Chambers.

eddie van halen SUCKS so bad it's not even funny. even the guys from ween kick his ass technically, and deaner only recently really learned how to play. i'd like to see van hagar try to handle shit from the bends or daydream nation.

add frank black/black francis of the pixies to my list (i think you underrate cobain, malmo)

if we're being absolutely technical about the 15 year parameter, neil young and zappa kill everyone. especially zappa - can you imagine, him and vai on the same stage?

at least no one's mentioned navarro or "the edge"... blech

Agreed. Clearly John Williams has the greatest technique of anyone to have played in the last 15 years.

Others up there, particularly when you throw in interpretive ability:

Manuel Barrueco

David Russell

Fabio Zanon

Scott Tennant

Paul Galbraith

Sérgio & Odair Assad (they play as one!)

I have to agree with the aforementioned votes for Carlos Santana, Eric Clapton, and Joe Perry (one guy mentioned him, I'm a huge fan). On the more recent side of the past 15 years I'd say both Jack Johnson and Ben Harper should be on the list.

who cares about solo's, they are so boring anyways, especially those cheezy metal/rock bands like van halen. the best bands in the world and the only ones that matter are the ones that are passionate about what they are doing, not necessarily the best musicians. malmo i'm glad you don't like nirvana they wouldn't want guys like you listening to their music anyway. besides the only one in that band with the drug problem was kurt (not curt). i'm not gonna argue that they weren't a pop band because they were popular but that was only because the high school jocks started to like them and started wearing flannel. nirvana never compromised their music for anybody or anything which can't be said for britney or mr osmond.

I saw Ben Harper (and the Innocent Criminals) at the Ottawa Bluesfest last month.

Lotsa freaky teenagers at that show. I did pick up a CD, but haven't listened to it yet (I also picked up about 20 other CDs, in case you're wondering why...)

I know a bit off topic, but I'll throw out a bass guitarist:

Les Claypool of Primus - When I saw Spinal Tap in concert (yes SPINAL TAP) Les Claypool came out and jammed with those guys and it was amazing. Plus, even though I don't play bass, I like it.

It kind of scares me that Malmo knows who Danny Gatton was. Certainly an interesting and innovative player, however my favorite would have to be Marc Ribot from New York. Anyone ever heard of him? Truly a unique guitarist who seems to approach everything with new ears. Wonder how fast he can run a mile?