An amazingly gifted contemporary guitarist? Guthrie Govan.
Except on one of Steven Wilson's albums, I found myself wanting to edit out notes on two songs. I still trip over those parts many, many listens later. His playing on two Steven Wilson CDs and one EP is mindblowing, though Wilson did publicly discuss the challenges of reining him in. -hehe- That said, thankfully Govan no longer plays and tours with Steven Wilson. From the wiki-page: Govan was the lead guitarist in Steven Wilson's band, performing on the critically acclaimed The Raven That Refused to Sing, Hand. Cannot. Erase., and 4½ albums, and was a full-time touring member of Wilson's band until April 2015. These recordings captured what many agree to be some of the finest guitar playing in the history of the progressive rock genre, and introduced Govan to a broader global audience.
Steven Wilson introduced us to Slovak guitarist David Kollar in his last To the Bone album. I am looking forward to more.
chronic over-playing is a thing .............................
An amazingly gifted contemporary guitarist? Guthrie Govan.
Except on one of Steven Wilson's albums, I found myself wanting to edit out notes on two songs. I still trip over those parts many, many listens later. His playing on two Steven Wilson CDs and one EP is mindblowing, though Wilson did publicly discuss the challenges of reining him in. -hehe- That said, thankfully Govan no longer plays and tours with Steven Wilson. From the wiki-page: Govan was the lead guitarist in Steven Wilson's band, performing on the critically acclaimed The Raven That Refused to Sing, Hand. Cannot. Erase., and 4½ albums, and was a full-time touring member of Wilson's band until April 2015. These recordings captured what many agree to be some of the finest guitar playing in the history of the progressive rock genre, and introduced Govan to a broader global audience.
Steven Wilson introduced us to Slovak guitarist David Kollar in his last To the Bone album. I am looking forward to more.
There are guitar players who are technically better "musicians" than a lot of those legends listed - guys like John Mayer, Steve Lukather, Larry Carlton, and Joe Bonamassa, but most of the music those guys did doesn't interest me much. Then there are historically great players who I've always enjoyed like Curtis Mayfield (who greatly influenced Hendrix early on) and Steve Cropper, as well as the Telecaster kings, Roy Buchanan and Danny Gatton. In terms of "favorite" or most inspirational guitar players (who have yet to be mentioned) I would list Django Reinhardt. Tom Verlaine, Johnny Marr, Richard Thompson, Vini Reilly, but of course there are so many. Many years ago I went to see Les Paul at a club where he would play once a week in NYC. After the show he sat at the bar autographing people's Gibson pickguards and stuff and I talked with him for a few minutes - he was very friendly (you had to remember to shake his left hand since he couldn't move his right arm). He asked me who my favorite guitar player was and I said something like "there are so many", but I mentioned Reinhardt and Jeff Beck. Then he asked "well who most inspired you to play the guitar" and I said "probably John Lennon".
There are guitar players who are technically better "musicians" than a lot of those legends listed - guys like John Mayer, Steve Lukather (Toto), Larry Carlton, and Joe Bonamassa, but most of the music those guys did doesn't interest me much. Of course, there are probably many others who few people have heard of. Then there are historically great players who I've always enjoyed like Curtis Mayfield (who greatly influenced Hendrix early on) and Steve Cropper, as well as the Telecaster kings, Roy Buchanan and Danny Gatton. In terms of "favorite" or most inspirational guitar players (who have yet to be mentioned) I would list Django Reinhardt. Tom Verlaine, Johnny Marr, Richard Thompson, Vini Reilly, but of course there are so many. About 30 years ago I went to see Les Paul at a club in NYC where he would play once a week. After the show he sat at the bar autographing people's Gibson pickguards and stuff and I talked with him for a few minutes - he was very friendly (you had to remember to shake his left hand since he couldn't move his right arm). He asked me who my favorite guitar player was and I said something like "there are so many", but I mentioned Reinhardt and Jeff Beck. Then he asked "well who most inspired you to play the guitar" and I said "probably John Lennon".
