"BB King a one hit wonder imo."
BB King was one of the most influential blues guitarists of his generation. The three "Kings" provided a huge foundation for some of the most prominent guitar players of our time.
OT: Guitar / Guitarist Appreciation Thread
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BB King was one of the most influential blues guitarists of his generation. The three "Kings" provided a huge foundation for some of the most prominent guitar players of our time.
Indeed. Many of the guitarists very high up on that list , especially from the ‘60s and ‘70s were heavily influenced by the “three Kings”, Albert, Freddie and especially BB King. BB was one of the very first guitarists to mix major and minor pentatonic scales into his soloing. BB had a jazz influence in his playing, he was a big fan of French Gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt. Hendrix, Clapton, Page, Beck, Allman etc all fans and influenced by BB.
Everyone's got an opinion lol... personally I prefer Brian May's solo in We Will Rock You over Bohemian Rhapsody.Another site another list--this includes live clips.Rolling Stone has come out with another one of their guitar lists. This one is their top 100 guitar solos of all time. Their lists have been controversial and often criticized. There are some great solos listed here and some not so great. I don’t necessarily agree with the rankings. Of course it’s all subjective and fodder for debate. For me, I would’ve like to see many more blues and jazz guitar solos. This is mostly rock with some electric blues players included:
The 100 Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time
We rank the best guitar solos, from Hendrix to Prince and morewww.rollingstone.com
Top 10 Guitar Solos Of All Time | Watch
The 50 greatest solos of all time: 10-1 - The 50 greatest guitar solos of all time - Page 5 | Guitar World
- 10. "Crazy Train" – Ozzy Osbourne (Guitarist: Randy Rhoads, 1980)
- 9. "Beat It" – Michael Jackson (Guitarist: Eddie Van Halen, 1982)
- 8. "Free Bird" – Lynyrd Skynyrd (Guitarist: Allen Collins, 1974)
- 7. "Sultans Of Swing" – Dire Straits (Guitarist: Mark Knopfler, 1977)
- 6. "Sweet Child O’ Mine" – Guns N’ Roses (Guitarist: Slash, 1988)
- 5. "Hotel California" – Eagles (Guitarists: Don Felder & Joe Walsh, 1977)
- 4. "Stairway To Heaven" – Led Zeppelin (Guitarist: Jimmy Page, 1971)
- 3. "Comfortably Numb" – Pink Floyd (Guitarist: David Gilmour, 1979)
- 2. "Eruption" – Van Halen (Guitarist: Eddie Van Halen, 1978)
- 1. "Bohemian Rhapsody" – Queen (Guitarist: Brian May, 1975)
Having seen it live at MSG almost exactly 57 years ago, I insist that "Voodoo Child - Slight Return" (Hendrix) makes the Top 5.
Charlie Christian should be on any best solo list and more people should be aware of him. Christian was one of the first electric guitar players to elevate the instrument to a soloing entity. Christian contracted TB in 1939 and died at age 25 in 1942. This was recorded in 1941 at Minton’s Playhouse in Harlem, NYC. Some great soloing on “Swing To Bop”:
Mr Jimi was before my time, but Voodoo Child is one of the greatest hard rock songs ever. I'm a fan of Brian May too, but no way his Bohemian Rhapsody solo matches Hendrix in Voodoo Child.
Well, they did say that Jeff Beck could have had 100 entries. He certainly should have been on there more than once. I don't have a problem with Funkadelic. Maggot Brain has been covered by bands in multiple genres. Even some of the alternative bands that their edgelord critics worship have covered it.
Hendrix, like Beck, could have had 100 entries. Machine Gun from the Fillmore East in 1970 is an all time great solo, as is Voodoo Child (Slight Return).
One player who I did not see on any of these guitar lists (unless I missed it) and who absolutely belongs is Brian Setzer from the Stray Cats . A great and underrated player. Here he is with Jeff Beck playing in the “rockabilly” style that he is known for:
All three original members on tour this summer!
Aug 15 Atlantic City
August 16 Morristown
They're gonna Rock Those Towns inside and out!!
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I don't listen to guitarists for "influence'. Every time I hear BB King at a gig (who I like) he's playing "The Thrill is Gone." I know Blue Öyster Cult had more songs than "Don't Feat the Reaper" but the other stuff is forgotten.
Plus in BBs case I don't like those kind of "woe-is-me" type` blues. I never liked old jazz either. Skiffle, Leadbelly, Bluegrass, honky tonk, juke joint music is not for me even though I dont blame others if they like it. I like some old folk like Rhiannon Giddens performs
Giddens is fabulous, her music is a mix of blues and bluegrass. As you know, blues , bluegrass, country and folk music are all interconnected. Traditional bluegrass is a mixture of blues, jazz and folk music. As for BB King , of course he played “The Thrill is Gone”. It’s like The Stones playing “Satisfaction” or The Eagles playing “Take It Easy”. Check at his album “Live At The Regal” from 1965. Some great playing and singing. Not all his stuff or blues is “woe is me”. People that don’t listen much to blues think that. There is a lot of humor, self awareness, the need for love and dignity in it. It’s a very unpretentious music and has- to use a popular phrase- “ authenticity” to it. It reflects life experience . Besides all that, it sounds really good.
I think Joe Bonamassa is one of the better guitarists around but he's one of those players that likes blues because its more challenging. I've noticed a lot of off players like blues because its fun and challenging for them to play. But I cant listen to Joe much. A blues guitarist I like is Roy Buchanan . I like his Wayfaring Pilgrim a lot but not so much his "Sweet Dreams" that seems to get the most acclaim. I've seen guitarists work their pots as they play but not like Buchanan. The way he bends and uses tone and volume swells at the same time is more impressive than any shredding (which I hate)
Buchanan was a legendary player. The ultimate guitarist's guitarist. Jeff Beck's Cause We've Ended As Lovers was a tribute to him. Very influential. Saw him live at RU in the mid '80s. He was incredible.
My favorite musician today and for quite some time is Derek Trucks. Not only for his talent but the type of person he is. He is very grounded, knowledgeable and respectful of the great music and musicians that came before him. Here is a clip of him with accolades from BB King and John Mayer. The key to playing blues well is understanding the rhythm and using great phrasing and the right note selection when improvising. Here Trucks plays an incredibly emotive short solo, the note selection and emphasis is just about perfect over the chord progression:
Live version of 25 or 6 to 4 at Tanglewood in 1970 speaks volumes about his insane guitar mastery. Hendrix revered Terry.
…hopefully link works. Speaks volumes about Terry Kath.
Rick Beato and Nuno Bettencourt cover “The Boys Are Back In Town”:
I've never seen the tuners/pegs on the downside (?) of the headstock before. Is this common, a preference of Nuno or something else?
That is one his custom guitars. He has several electric guitars for sale, and all of them are made that way.
Many consider Nuno as one of the heirs to Eddie Van Halen's throne as the greatest living guitarist. He is a very humble and cool guy. Have seen Extreme twice, and they are fantastic live.
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His solo on Rise is mesmerizing- using one of his custom made guitars:
That is one his custom guitars. He has several electric guitars for sale, and all of them are made that way.
Many consider Nuno as one of the heirs to Eddie Van Halen's throne as the greatest living guitarist. He is a very humble and cool guy. Have seen Extreme twice, and they are fantastic live.
All Guitars
Explore the complete lineup of official Nuno Guitars. High-performance, made-to-order instruments designed for precision, tone, and percussive rhythm. Secure your build today.
His solo on Rise is mesmerizing- using one of his custom made guitars:
Thanks. Maybe I'll buy one and then play better. If only............
Soooo, I bought a cheap guitar (against the OP's advice going cheap), a small ORANGE brand amp and a "fuzz" pedal. I have played it definitely less than 5 times. I also purchased Rick Beato's video/online course on how to play guitar. Never logged on or took a lesson. Years ago, I took bass lessons--I may revert to that, as I was reading an article/interview on Keanu Reeves and why he gravitated towards bass versus six string. He said he always liked the low end, and I am much the same way, and I find myself focused more on rhythm sections while watching live music. I asked my better half for a bass guitar and drum set for my upcoming birthday. . . .
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What worked for me with guitar over the years was to find a balance between playing songs and learning theory. That balance has shifted back and forth over the years but generally leaned more towards playing songs. If I had had to play scales and study theory 100% of the time I wouldn’t have stayed with it.Soooo, I bought a cheap guitar (against the OP's advice going cheap), a small ORANGE brand amp and a "fuzz" pedal. I have played it definitely less than 5 times. I also purchased Rick Beato's video/online course on how to play guitar. Never logged on or took a lesson. Years ago, I took bass lessons--I may revert to that, as I was reading an article/interview on Keanu Reeves and why he gravitated towards bass versus six string. He said he always liked the low end, and I am much the same way, and I find myself focused more on rhythm sections while watching live music. I asked my better half for a bass guitar and drum set for my upcoming birthday. . . .
My journey on the instrument is very similar. I’m completely self taught. Initially I bought a fairly cheap acoustic guitar and a few music books on chords, scales, theory and songs. I committed to learning on the acoustic for 2 years before buying any electric stuff. I’m glad I did, was able to strengthen my hands and fingers. I’ve gone through stages of trying to learn some theory, chords and then scales. I think the thing that has helped me most is learning songs. Trying to get the rhythm down and then the melody. I usually work on parts of songs and will practice on usually 2 songs at the same time and go over both for weeks. Having fun and gravitating toward the sounds that inspire you is important to keep interested in my opinion.
Your last sentence says it all!!!, at least for me. I got my first guitar from a friend for $14 and the John Barleycorn Must Die album. Horrible guitar… A friend taught me three cords and then went off to Vietnam in 1970. lots of selt teaching over the decades. It’s been a wonderful journey. For me, there is nothing better than learning a song you love and nailing it.
Listening to this for the first time ever. Fantastic stuff in this guys opinion.
This clip from Joe Rogan podcast is burning up X right now, with Eric Weinstein making a strange claim about what DLR meant to Eddie Van Halen's career. Left unsaid was that EVH was a huge proponent of Allan Holdsworth. With all that said, non guitar players are wondering out loud how Holdsworth is so revered. Can someone post a clip and explain Holdsworth being great?
Holdsworth was a jazz fusion / progressive rock guitarist. He was an extremely advanced player who used advanced theory and more complicated scales. Sounds like he utilized a lot of diminished scales in the below clip. A technician. He is very highly regarded by the guitar nerd crowd. Rick Beato is a big fan of his. Not my type of stuff, way too many notes and not enough space and accessible melody:
If Weinstein had that clip ready for Rogan, that clip would have made his point. And one can see why EVH revered Holdsworth. For an average rock, particularly hard rock fan (assuming that is what Rogan is), this is boring. I found it interesting and parts of it remind me of the Rush instrumental song YYZ. But back to the average rock or even blues fan, I am reminded of Brad Wesley's command to Jeff Healey in the movie Roadhouse to "Play something with some balls!"
'Elvis! Play something with balls!' | Road House Clip
Watch the clip 'Elvis! Play something with balls!' from the movie Road House on Clip.Cafe. Brad Wesley: Elvis! Play something with balls!
clip.cafe
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If Weinstein had that clip ready for Rogan, that clip would have made his point. And one can see why EVH revered Holdsworth. For an average rock, particularly hard rock fan (assuming that is what Rogan is), this is boring. I found it interesting and parts of it remind me of the Rush instrumental song YYZ. But back to the average rock or even blues fan, I am reminded of Brad Wesley's command to Jeff Healey I'm the movie Roadhouse to "Play something with some balls!"
'Elvis! Play something with balls!' | Road House Clip
Watch the clip 'Elvis! Play something with balls!' from the movie Road House on Clip.Cafe. Brad Wesley: Elvis! Play something with balls!
As a teen I was exposed to a fairly broad musical landscape through a friend who grew up in a musical household. I was turned on to some jazz and listen to it as a change of pace. I only like certain types of jazz and progressive rock, it has to be melody driven. For guitar music, the only type of “fast” playing I like is bluegrass and some jazz. I don’t like fast playing in rock music. My musical ear was formed with blues and blues/country rock sounds. Music doesn’t have to be complex. For me, emotiveness, space, tone , feel are the most important traits.
That seemed very uninspiring to me. The fact that that is deep 80's probably doesn't help.If Weinstein had that clip ready for Rogan, that clip would have made his point. And one can see why EVH revered Holdsworth. For an average rock, particularly hard rock fan (assuming that is what Rogan is), this is boring. I found it interesting and parts of it remind me of the Rush instrumental song YYZ. But back to the average rock or even blues fan, I am reminded of Brad Wesley's command to Jeff Healey in the movie Roadhouse to "Play something with some balls!"
'Elvis! Play something with balls!' | Road House Clip
Watch the clip 'Elvis! Play something with balls!' from the movie Road House on Clip.Cafe. Brad Wesley: Elvis! Play something with balls!
But you did make me think of a guy who I think would be considered a Jazz guitarist who was popping up a bunch while listening to the Ska channel on Pandora. I think this guy is great.
Buckethead came up once in this thread. I try to get past the bucket on his head an his mask, but have difficulty taking him seriously. But he gets a lot of buzz on YouTube. Thoughts from the guitar players? He played with Guns n Roses for bit. He is on a solo tour right now.
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He is another virtuoso player. I’ve been aware of him for quite a while . I’ve heard some of his stuff, but have never done a deep dive into his music. I believe he is a purely instrumental musician, does not sing. Years ago I read an article about him. Early in his playing career, he was approached by a record label who were interested in signing him. They said , “we have one request, you have to lose the KFC bucket on your head”. He reportedly replied “FU”. He didn’t get signed. I got a kick out of that and kind of like the guy. Not exactly my type of stuff once again but a great guitarist.
i respect his talent but what I perceive to be his general approach of atonal dissonance that seemingly never resolves is not my style and not to my liking. Just my opinion but I strongly prefer a more structured approach.
Yes, his style seems unstructured, somewhat like Holdsworth. I don't have the "chops" to explain it well, despite having several family members who are musicians, but to me, there has to be a groove or a flow, and for me being a fan of heavier rock and blues, the guitar being in sync with the rhythm section.