Hell of a list you all have going - 99% of which I concur on. Congrats all!
Lots of connotations and wiggle room to the mere definition of "greatest", of course -
what's that mean? Technical prowess? Speed? Accuracy? "Tricks"?
I submit into all that shreddery (hello Yngwie) the notion that, least to me, the ability
to write tasty stuff on the guitar means as much to my enjoyment of their playing as
anything else, eh?
Gotta be able to write hooks - runs - and to improvise as needed, too!
I can't do just three - hell, I can't do just three dozen - but as both an old headbanger and
a bluegrass fan, it makes it even more difficult.
Who hasn't been mentioned yet? I'm gonna cheat like hell here:
1. The Yoda's:
The entire group known as Certified Guitar Players by none other than Mr. Chet Atkins -
Jerry Reed (who even Glen Campbell admired - and Chet deferred to), Tommy Emmanuel
(other-worldly; I think he was born a guitar and evolved into a human over time), John Knowles,
Steve Wariner.
You wanna see total zen mastery of an instrument, there's your master class, right there....
Not just this or that genre', electric or acoustic, fast or slow - those gentlemen know the instrument
better than about anyone walking.
2. The Shredders:
Shredding typically refers to speed, of course - but I'll add to that definition those that can improvise,
performing live - and could do so at the drop of a hat in a way that actually added to the song.
That's a key to being a "great" guitarist I believe - they can be the most talented player walking, but
if it's all just showing off and noodling, I lose interest quick - it's GOT to serve the song or it's wasted
effort.
Most of the best have already been mentioned, but I'll toss a few more into the mix:
- Warren Haynes - dear Lord, the music flows through him like he's a conduit, just like it used to be with
Stevie Ray; it's like it comes from another world and they're the "speaker" it passes through to us.
- Speaking of which - Stevie Ray Effing Vaughn. If guitar was a religion, he's the freakin' messiah.
- (Cheating again) Charlie Sexton and Doyle Bramhall II. Arc Angels. Do yourself a favor, look 'em up...
If you're getting chased down by the likes of Clapton and Bob Dylan to play with them, well - they were.
- Metal shout out to Mr. Jake E Lee. Groove, mastery of many styles and yes....he can blaze as needed.
(He wrote the highest selling Ozzy songs of all time, too - then got shafted over them).
3. The Gifted Creators/Songwriters:
Self-explanatory... here we go:
- Mark Effing Knopfler. His magic is in live performance (you can lose hours just watching some of his
performances on YT), but his songwriting skills, all based on his finger-picking style guitar first, are without
peer. He doesn't just write tunes - he tells stories when he writes songs.
- A surprise entry! Ritchie Kotzen. Blazing skills (no pick, either!), sure, but the man takes the listener on
journeys with his songwriting. Mesmerizing stuff and quite prolific, thankfully.
Dude has a resume' in music gigs that will boggle your mind, too...
- I could not do this "list" without mentioning Alex Lifeson, now could I?
(For you young folks - he's the guitarist from RUSH. Don't get me started...)
- Last total surprise out of left field - with a bit of a caveat (is the dobro a guitar?): Jerry Douglas.
He's been voted best on the planet at his chosen instrument so many times, they ought to just stop giving
it out. Dude is a legend - the excellence just rolls out of him when he plays, ALWAYS to enhance and serve
the song.
How'd I do?
