Conference napalm::guitar

    Re .0: Oh really?? 
    Personally, I would not include Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, or Jimi
    Page in *my* top ten, in fact, the first two wouldn't even make
    it in my top 100! (but that's my well thought opinion)
    
    Mine??:   (in no order)
    - Steve Morse
    - Steve Howe
    - Al Pitrelli
    - Andres Segovia
    - John Williams
    - Allan Holdsworth
    - Bob Marley
    - Ry Cooder
    - Tony MacAlpine
    - Al Dimeola
    
    Bj

    Here are mine in no particular order:
    
        -Neal Shon
        -Joe pass
        -Stevie Ray Vaughan
        -Rik Emmett
        -Steve Vai
        -Frank Zappa
        -Alan Holdsworth
        -Jimi Hendrix
        -Jimi Hendrix
        -Jimi Hendrix
    
           dennis

    Greatest of ALL TIMES??  That's quite a category.  I think that
    the more general the category, the greater the subjectivity (do
    you prefer apples or oranges?  Who's better -- Segovia or Joe Pass?
    Is either one as good as Jimi Hendrix??  Come onnnnn!!).  
    
    Just the same, this could make for an interesting discussion as
    some people do tend to get emotional about their preferences.  So I 
    might as well take a second to flame, too.  No list at the moment,
    though; I'll have to come back later for that, as there are just too 
    many possibilities and I don't have time right now.  
                                                   
    If greatness can be measured by influence, however, I can't imagine 
    starting such a list without mentioning Django Rhinehart. You can bet 
    your ax that every player mentioned in the previous notes/replies has 
    listened to Django.  With the possible exception of classical greats 
    such as Segovia.  But Django is certainly one of the most influential 
    players of all times.  Consider the sheer number of players who claim 
    to have been influenced by him, and the variety of musical styles 
    transcended by his influence.
    
    steve

    
    In no particular order:
    
    -Jimmy Page
    -Pete Townsend
    -Jeff Beck
    -Eric Clapton
    -The Edge
    -Andy Summers
    -Peter Buck
    -Jimi Hendrix
    -Les Paul
    -David Gilmour
    
    Not exactly what a lot of people would say, but these are MY favorite
    guitarists, maybe not the ten best, but then again these are only
    opinions.
    dan c. 

    Re.3
    
    I've got to agree with this guy! The above lists are similar to
    comparing apples to oranges. Do you thing Hendrix could play the
    1st measure of a Leo Kottke number? By the way you other repliers,
    I too recommend lending an ear to Django.
    
    					Machu Pichu

    	I agree, this is a tuff catagory.  I'd rather say, the most
    influencial, at different times in my life.  (Very important part
    of influence for me was when I was influenced by whom...)

    	In order of time:
    
    	B.B. King
    	Ritchie Blackmore
	Jhonny Winter
    	Jerry Reeves, 	-	(don't laugh, this guy can rip)
	Jhonny Moore 	-	(WHO ??  my old teacher. Who also turned 
    				(me on to Reeves and scale work)
    	Robin Trower
    	Alex Lifeson
	Randy Rhodes
	Mike Mikenick    	
    	Jeff Watson
    	George Lynch
	
	As far as best goes, that's really irrelavant as to who's best is
    	and sometimes a flametory opinion.  (This is one of my complaints
    	about musician-ship in general, too clicky)

    	You hear a great guitarist by todays standards, and maybe he
    aint so great later.  (Take Hendrix as a prime example.)  So who's 
    best ?  Hey, who cares.  Who are the ones whos influnece effected us 
    as we grew and continue to grow is more important than who So-and-so
    thinks is better.  What should be important is, Did So-and-so leave
    anything behind.  Like Hendrix did.  Say he's not a favorite, fine.
    But who started an era ?  Who showed us a different way of approaching
    a six string ?  Of course when you set fire to a Strat with Ronsons
    lighter fluid you don't exhibit much talent.  But listen to some
    of chord inversions in songs like The Wind Cries Mary.  No one did
    that till Hendrix did it.  He had nothing to go on but his own
    inovations.  Like Elvis, Little Richard, James Brown.  These guys
    would get up on stage and do their thing, while most of the audience
    sat with their mouths open looking for a net to throw on "That nut
    up on stage."  15 years later, Enter Alice Cooper,,,, David Bowie, ,,,
    then right up to David Lee Roth [the clown of the 80's] etc.. there'll
    be more..  you can bet on it.)

    	Say what you will about "Could Hendirx make it today ?"  That's
    got nothing to do with it.  He lived "Yesterday"  Not today.  We're
    just following the lead of people like him.    I'm not brandishing
    any swords for Hendrix.  If you'll note, he's not even on my list.
    But I'm thankful for the fact that he and others like him had thier
    day, and we all were able to pick up on it, and grow, advance the art 
    from there.  

    	Someone once asked on a raido, Is Springstien the new King of Rock
    and Roll ?  That clown didn't even realize what he was asking.  What
    did Bruce ever do that wasn't done a million times before ?

    	This will probably not even be read buy other noters, I hope
    someone reads it though, and responds there opinion. Am I crazy
    to feel this way. And that's "Who cares who's best ?" 
    It changes every day.
    
    /ray

    Each distiguished in their own right.
    
    Classical: 		Country:	 Blues:		New Age:
      Andres Segovia	  Chet Atkins	   BB King	  Michael Hedges
      John Williams       Roy Clark

    Rock:		Techno-flash Rock:	   Jazz/Experimental
      Pete Townshend	  Yngwie Maalsteen sp?	     Al DiMeola
      Alex Lifeson 	  Edward Van Halen	     Al Holdsworth
      Neal Schon	                             Stanley Jordan
      Jimi Hendrix
    
    PS:
    For what it's worth, guitar playing is just a theory with Jimmy Page.

	I kind of have to agree with mr. Pelkey.  As far as I am concerned
	I could list 10 guitarists who are **MY** favorites today, but I
	sure wouldn't say that they are the top ten best of all time.
	Best as far as what?  What kind of music?  There have been eras
	in all types of music where one guitarist would rise and influence
	others.  Django Reinhardt for one influenced many, but is he on
	any of the lists given?  Les Paul is another who influenced many
	electric guitarist after him.  He wasn't just the designer of a
	guitar you know.  In country music you have Chet Atkins.  Who
	could ever say that he didn't influence the sound of country 
	pickin'?  This doesn't even consider flamenco players like Paco
	Deluca and classical players like Andres Segovia.  Sure there are
	lots of great players around today, but they got their influences
	from somewhere.  If it weren't for the Djangos, the Hendrixs, etc
	would we have the Becks, the Morses, the Yngvies, etc????

	Just my opinion.  But checking out these 'root' musicians can be
	very fullfilling.  I find that when ever I start to get into a 
	new type of music it is real worthwhile to go and check out the 
	people who started it all.

	-gary

    Don't know about the top ten but here are two:
    
    BEST CLASSICAL GUITARIST:  BENJAMIN BOLT - KNOXVILLE, TN.
    
    BEST ALL AROUND FLAT PICKER: GARY FERGUSON - VIRGINIA

    
    Here's my top ten.
    
    Keith Richards  - Rolling Stones
    Chuck Berry
    Eric Clapton
    Robert Cray
    Ron Wood        - Rolling Stones
    Scott Gorham    - Thin Lizzy
    Gary Moore      - ex Thin Lizzy (& various other bands)
    Mike Campbell   - Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
    Nils Lofgren
    Bruce Springsteen
    
    
    Richards for his solid rhythm and no frills lead
    Berry for his inovations that have influenced countless new guitarists
    Clapton well enough said
    Gorham and Moore for there brilliant harmony lead runs
           and superb string bending
    Lofgren - anyone who can do gymnastics and keep playing has got
    	      to be good
    The Boss 'cause of his ability to cover other peoples songs
    	      and make them sound like his own, and because of his
    	      tremendous stage show and they way he always looks
    	      like he's having a great time.
     
    
    
    

    Oh what the hell:  But I'm going to stick to mostly people who are
    still doing it, and whom I tend to listen to.
    
    1-10.  Steve Morse - simply the best combination of composition,
           	expression, chops, eclecticism, etc.  Entirely deserving
        	of his domination of the GP "Best Overall" for the last
    		5 years
    
    Others
    
    Larry Carlton - Taste, incredible at soloing over changes.  Reminds
      	me of Stephane Grapelli in that his playing seems to come straight
        from the heart.  Has awesome chops, but they are only brought
        in when it's appropriate to the music.  Also writes great
        chord progressions.
    
    Jeff Beck - Master of expression.  "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" may not
      	have anything faster than a quarter note, but in my mind the
        playing on it is flashier than anything Yngwie Malmsteen has
        ever done.
    
    Eddie Van Halen - This guy plays with fire and a sense of the
    	outrageous.  People say he's often imitated.  I've yet to hear
        ANYONE successfully imitate what makes Eddie the great guitarist
        that he is.  (OK, Vai comes close)
    
    Steve Howe - At a time when most people were imitating Page and
   	Hendrix, this guy totally deviated from rigidly followed
        precepts about rock guitar ("are you gonna play 'lead' or
        'rhythm'?") and used it more as an ensemble instrument.
    
    Alan Holdsworth - has invented his own theory of music.  I just
    	wish he'd focus a little more on composition and less on soloing.
        His recent tunes seem to just stop for the solo, and then resume
        afterwards.
    
    Randy Rhoades - Another guy who played with fire.  I think he would
    	have become one of the all-time greats had he not died and that's
        why I mention him here.

    Eric Johnson - Many of Steve Morse's qualities, although not as
    	well developed IMO.
    
    Jimmy Page - He crafted the most significant guitar style of the
     	70's.  The guy was awesome at producing guitar "hooks".
    
    Steve Vai - Perhaps he's not as original as the other people I've
    	mentioned but this guy seems to have captured and perfected
        all the best things that came out during the 70's and 80's.

    And as time runs out, I'll honorably mention:
    
    Brad Gillis - love his singing whammy bar stuff like on "Sister
    	Christian"
    Mark Knopfler - obligatory
    The Edge - very original
    Ritchie Blackmore - love his classically oriented stuff 
    Stevie Ray Vaughan - I just love to listen to him.  Best Hendrix
    	covers ever (Worst Hendrix covers award shared by Roy Buchanan
    	and whatsisname from mahogany rush).  Eric Johnson also does
        incredible Hendrix covers.
    Dave Gilmour - a true stylist
    
	db

    re-11  (from Dave)
    
    	Randy Rhodes was fantastic.  I nearly cried when I heard
    	he died.  I was bumbed.
    
    	Blackmore has always been my cheif influence.  His attack is
    	just incredible.  Every note he plays, wether a 1/4 or a 1/32
    	is equally as distinct as the last.  This guy in my book, is
    	one of the greats.
    
    /ray

    Is it true that the only way I can hear some Randy Rhodes is
    to buy a (yecch!) Ozzie album?  I may have to take the plunge.

    /rick

    re: .13
    
    Those first two Ozzie albums with Randy (Blizzard of OZ and Diary
    of a Madman) are pretty good "despite" Ozzie.  Rhoads essentially
    wrote all the music.
    
    I particularly recommend whichever album has both "Crazy Train"
    and "I Don't Know".   Don't care quite as much for the album that
    contains "Flyin High Again".
    
    BTW, don't bother spending the extra bucks for the CD's.  I find
    them much worse than the vinyl versions.
    
    	db

I've decided two lists are applicable here ... one for the top 10 over time 
(those who have been hailed for making their mark)  .... and my own personal 
top 5.

The movers and shakers			My faves
----------------------                  --------
Django					Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown
Charlie Christian			Albert Lee (Not Alvin Lee)
B.B. King				Ritchie Blackmore
Jimi Hendrix				Jeff Beck
Eric Clapton				George Benson (older recordings only)
Segovia					
Leo Kottke
Chet Atkins
Wes Montgomery
Montoya

    re:13..
    
    	I don't think Randy Rohdes did anything onvynil before he
    hooked up with O.O.  So, guess you'll have to give a little to get
    a little.

    I'm sorry to contradict you Ray, but RR has two albums out before
    he hooked up with the legendary Oz. They are Quiet Riot 1 and 2.
    I'm still looking for `1' as they're both out of print...but I have
    `2'. Its neat, real melodic stuff, only 1 song has real burning
    insane diminished scales and whammy bar stuff Rhoads was god at.
    Also, there are a slew of bootleg live Ozzy albums out that feature
    material not on Blizzard or Diary...they can be found if you look
    for them.
    
    
    WjB_ex_Rhoads_fanatic

    FYI:  Rhodes Bootlegs.
      "Load Up".  That's a boot my freind has.   Has some QR on it, also
    a few live tracks.   Got it down at Wex Rex on Main St.  Hudson,
    MA.
        
    		regards
    
                          

    
    Not necessarily in this order:
    
    Andres Segovia
    John Williams
    Steve Morse
    Allen Holdsworth
    Jeff Beck
    Brian May
    Steve Howe
    Al DiMeola
    Robert Fripp
    Roy Clark
    Chet Atkins
    Jimmy Page
    
    OK OK, so thats not ten, but I could have kept going.  shoulda been
    top 20! :^)
    
    

    Unfortunately, most of my favorites aren't in the mainstream, but:
    
    David Gilmour
    Roger Steen
    Todd Rundgren (incredible versatility)
    Frank Zappa
    Randy Rhoades
    Steve Morse
    Denny Dias
    Larry Carlton
    Steve Stevens 
    David Pack
    
    
    				Phil
    

    O.k. wjb I stand corrected.  I had thought I knew, guess I didn't.
    
    Got any rags for the egg on my face ?
    

    Sure do, I'll give it to ya at the next FP gig! (^;
    Bj

    Interestingly, my guitar idol, Jerry Garcia, was mentioned only once
    in this note. Garcia is stylistic, tasteful, an innovator, and a
    fiery, soulful player, yet most of you ignored him. Do people discount
    him because of his "cultishness"?
    --
    						Seth Jackson

	I CAN'T REALLY NAME A TOP TEN, BUT NO ROCK GUITARIST CAN COMPETE
    WITH EDDIE VAN HALEN. HE DOES IT ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
                                                   CB

    re: -24
    
    Time to listen to Fred Frith and Robert Quine, pal.

    
    RE: 25
    
    DO THESE GUYS PLAY DOWN AT THE CORNER PUB....WHO ARE THESE GUYS?
    IF THERE AS GOOD AS YOU SAY, I'D LIKE TO CHECK'EM OUT.

    Re: -25, -26
    
    Fred Frith......a British guitarist known for a very radical approach
    to his playing...including putting the instrument on a table and
    hitting it with hammers, etc....a member od Henry Cow, the Art Bears
    and Massacre...also can be heard on a number of albums produced
    by Bill Laswell/Material as a sideman and also some Eno albums.
    
    Robert Quine....a bald former lawyer who learned to play guitar
    by listening to Velvet Underground records.  Combines country blues
    with atonality, has played with Richard Hell, Lou Reed, Tom
    Waits...also a duet album with Fred Maher....
             
    
    Both of these guys have a VERY DIFFERENT OUTLOOK ON LIFE...be warned
    
    After you've heard them, check out Zoot Horn Rollo......

    RE-27
    
    	IF YOU GO BACK AND READ MY FIRST REPLY (RE 24) YOU WILL NOTICE
    I SAID THE BEST ROCK-N-ROLL GUITARIST. I DON'T THINK FRITH OR QUINE
    EVEN FIT IN THAT CATEGORY, PAL.

    
    WHAT ABOUT :
                 PAT TRAVERS
                 TED NUGENT
                 ANGUS YOUNG
                 
                               NOW THAT'S ROCK'N'ROLL !!!!          
    
    
    
    

    re: .24, .25 etc...The BEST Rock n Roll guitarist in the world
    is Paul Gilbert of Racer X!

re:.28
>    RE-27
    
>   	IF YOU GO BACK AND READ MY FIRST REPLY (RE 24) YOU WILL NOTICE
>    I SAID THE BEST ROCK-N-ROLL GUITARIST. I DON'T THINK FRITH OR QUINE
>    EVEN FIT IN THAT CATEGORY, PAL.

	You don't think Quine plays rock'n'roll, huh?  Take a listen to
	Lou Reed _Live_In_Italy_ and then tell me that.  Just what DOES
	Quine  play  then?   Or are you using the term "Rock'n'Roll" in
	the  special  restricted  GUITAR  notes  meaning   of   "Boring
	Formalism  In  Which Guitarist Plays As Many Notes As Possible,
	Lead   Singer   Sings   In   Castrato   Range   ala   Sting/Jon
	Anderson/Peter  Cetera,  The Song Lyrics Concern Either Driving
	In Cars And Treating Women As Semi-Animate Objects, Dredging Up
	As  Many  Cliches  About  Love  As Possible In Three And A Half
	Minutes, Or The Metaphysical Pomposity Of Four Thousand College
	Freshman  Creative  Writing  Samples"?  In that case, I have to
	concede:  Quine does  not  play  Rock'n'Roll.   Of  course,  if
	Kansas ever needs to replace Steve Morse . . .  ;^)

				Penn Jacobs

	P.S.   Don't  you  love  it when people use familiar terms like
	"PAL" in order to be just a little intimidating, chum?

    
    	Last few replies, What about Steve Vai? That guy was doing Eddie
    Van Halen licks before EVH even picked up an axe.
    
    
    Steve

    That's true.  Vai has got to be one of the Wierdest axewielders around;
    Bills Private Parts? Little Green Men?  There's Something dead in
    here?  A funny quote from Vai:
    
    	"I was at this John McGlauflin (Spellings' wrong, I know.) concert,
    and john was doing this solo, and the more he played the more his
    guitar went out of tune!  I was in Heaven!)  I think Vai's the type
    of person who likes his guitar out of tune so he can make weird(er)
    noises, but also he can play the hell out of it, too.
                                                                       
    Another Awfully good player: Tony MacAlpine.  wow.
    

        re .32:
        
        If you want to get picky about who was doing what first, the
        first recording I know of with right-handed fingering was
        done by Steve Hackett on Genesis's "Nursery Cryme".  He had
        that technique together before Mr. Vai even thought of applying
        to Berkeley.
        
        as for .24, .26, & .28:

        Will you PUH-LEASE stop SHOUTING?

        R

    I've just all of the previous responses to this note and must conclude
    that the responders (1) have some understood, albeit secret, set
    of standards by which they're judging, or (2) have a fairly restricted
    view of the broad range of guitar styles and techniques there are.
    
    I don't know who the ten best guitar players of all time are.  But
    I do know that some awfully good musicians were not even mentioned.
    Have you folks ever heard:
    
    	- John Fahey
    	- Stefan Grossman
    	- Bert Jansch
    	- Ricky Schoenberg
    	- Rev Gary Davis
    	- Mississipi John Hurt
    
    ...and by the way, just who is this 'DOC WATSON' fellow, anyway?
    
    Regards,

    >
    >  ...and by the way, just who is this 'DOC WATSON' fellow, anyway?
    >

    
    Since there are no smiley faces I will take it for granted that
    you don't know who he is.  
    
    Doc Watson is almost singularly responsisble for the development
    of the acoustic guitar as a lead instrument in the bluegrass
    setting.  In the early sixties he blew audiences off their seats
    with his transcriptions of traditional fiddle tunes for the guitar.
    Along with his late son, Merle, he recorded and toured playing 
    the songs that he heard as a child in Deep Gap, North Carolina.
    These included the songs of Jimmy Rodgers, the Carter Family,
    Merle Travis, Mississippi John Hurt, Bill Monroe, etc.  He has 
    been the influence of almost every 'Flat Pick' artist since his 
    career began.
    
    Oh yeah, by the way, he has been blind since birth.  Actually,
    as is the case with most blind musicians, this is more of an
    attribute than a handicap.  BTW, when he was building his house
    in Deep Gap he wired the electricity himself much to the astonishment
    of the local inspector.
    
    His son, Merle, was recently killed in an accident with a tractor,
    if I remember correctly.  Merle was a good musician in his own
    right using more of a finger picking style rather than the flat
    picking style of his father.  Merle had taught himself to play
    while his father was touring around the country.  Merle surprised 
    his dad upon his return home and began touring with Doc soon afterwards.

    There are many recordings of Doc and Merle Watson available.  A
    landmark recording of Doc's early work is Black Mountain Rag, one
    of the transcribed fiddle tunes that has now become a standard of 
    most flat pickers.

    =ken

    Someone I would like to see added to the list of top
    guitarists is the relatively unknown and underated Steve
    Bartek, the guitarist extrodinaire with Oingo Boingo.
    Bartek is responsible for most of the arrangements of the
    band and along with Danny Elfman, the production as well.
    Also, he writes a lot of the horn charts that they use.
    His style is driving yet tasteful and he uses his instrument
    as another color within the structure rather than the
    leading element.
    
    =ken

    I've heard so many people say "I was doing Eddie Van Halen stuff
    well before Eddie" it's incredible.
    
    I think most of it is baloney and the rest of it is insignificant.
    
    I know this:
    
    	o Eddie does not strike me as a imitator.

    	o Although various elements of his style may have been done
          by other people, he is undeniably an incredible innovator.
    
        o Even if a thousand people finger tapped/whammy barred before
    	  Eddie, Eddie is the guy who managed to find a way to put all
          that stuff in the context of a song in a way that people
    	  liked.  Not much else is important.
    
    	o If all these people have been doin it so much longer than
          Eddie, how come none of them do it as well as Eddie?  IMO,
    	  only a few can even be compared to Eddie.  Eddie always seems
    	  to be 'expressing' something, whereas the other guys all seem
          to be doing it for sheer flash.
    
    	o As far as the breadth of his influence, Eddie is right up
          there with Hendrix and Clapton.  I have yet to hear anyone
    	  mention Frank Marino (of "Mahogony Rush", who claims to have
          invented lots of what we associate with EVH) as an influence.

    	db

    re: .36
    
    Sorry 'bout the lack of a smiley face.  I meant the question about
    Doc Watson facetiously.  I'm very familiar with Watson, having all
    his records and having spent the better part of a year learning
    his 'Deep River Blues'.
    
    I did not know of the death of Merle, an excellent musician in his
    own right.
    
    Regards,

        re .38
        
>	I think most of it is baloney and the rest of it is insignificant.
        
        IMO, facts are not `baloney'.
        But, you are right; arguing about it is insignificant.
        
        R

    re: .40
    
>>	I think most of it is baloney and the rest of it is insignificant.
        
>        IMO, facts are not `baloney'.
    
    What I was saying was that I believe that most of what is offered
    as 'fact' is 'baloney'.  I wasn't referring specifically to what
    you said.
   
	db    

    
    Hey Steve, (re 32)
    
             No doubt that Vai is an outstanding axeman, but I did hear
    him say, on an MTV special, that one of his influences was Eddie
    Van Halen.        
                              CB

GAWD, I LOVE TOP TENS!! JUST TO MAKE IT EASIER ON MYSELF, HERE ARE
MY TOP TEN LIVING GUITARISTS WHO HAVE AT LEAST A NODDING AQUAINTANCE
WITH THE BLUES (I.E. NO CLASSICAL WEANIES ALLOWED)

(IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER)

1) JOHN ABERCROMBIE
2) JOHNNY WINTER
3) JOHN FAHEY
4) RALPH TOWNER
5) LARRY CORYELL
6) JOHN MCLAUGHLIN
7) STEFAN GROSSMAN
8) AL DIMEOLA
9) HENRY KAISER
10) PAT METHENY

    One question:  have you ever seen Yngwie Malmsteen in concert? 
    Let me tell you, he used to impress me, but the concert was
    "snore-city" if you know what I mean.  There are only so many
    "lightning-bolt riffs" that one can hear and still be impressed.
     No substance, no soul, just speed.  BOORRIINNGG!
    My favorites are: (in no particular order)
    Steve Vai (I loved Alcatrazz & the Crossroads score)
    Steve Stevens (from Billy Idol, this boy's got soul, listen for
                   the instrumental theme to that fluffy movie Top Gun.
                   There's a video they show on Mtv--how many guitar
                   instrumentals merit play on MTV??)
    George Lynch (from Dokken - lots of feel)
    Randy Rhoads (R.I.P.)
    Joe Perry (Yes, I'm serious, he ain't too classy, but I like his
               "Go For It" style.)
    Warren Cuccurullo (formerly of that "interesting" band Missing Persons
                       now with (ugh) Duran Duran)
    Jake E. Lee (Ozzy's last)

    
    
          I'm shocked that Edward Van Halen wasn't mentioned much in your
    top ten lists.  First of all,in my personal opinion, I think Eddie
    is the finest and most influential guitarist around today.  Some
    of you mentioned Randy Rhoads on the list regardless of mentioning
    Mr. Edward Van Halen.  Randy told a reporter for Guitar Player Magazine
    that he never really listened to many guitarists growing up, but
    he liked and admired the works of Eddie V.  Eddie is has such a
    broad horizon of musical abilities it's incredible. Listen to Spanish
    Fly, and then listen to Unchained.  Tell me there alike??  In fact,
    on the Starfleet album(those of you who aren't aware of this album,
    Eddie,and Brian May got together and just recorded a jam session)
    he plays like I've never heard him before.  You can tell by his
    playing on the Starfleet Album that Eric Clapton was his main
    influence, although he doesn't imitate him totally... My taste in
    music is pretty broad, but I tend to enjoy the kick-ass music of
    *hard rock?*. Well, to show you an example, I have prepared my own
    top ten list which I think covers the ten-top axemen ever....
    
          1) Eddie Van Halen    
          2) Steve Vai            
          3) Randy Rhoads
          4) Stanley Jordan
          5) Jimi Hendrix
          6) George Lynch          
          7) Tony MacAlpine        (From Springfield,Ma.---anything
                                    can happen!!!)
          8) Alex Lifeson
          9) Allan Holdsworth
         10) Roy Clark             (Believe it or not!!!)
    
    
    *--->  I know my variety of players is somewhat absurd to put into
           the same top-ten list together, but you can't limit yourself
           to just one style. Experience is the greatest teacher!!!
           I expect to hear some varied opinions on this one.....
    
                                                   Mike A.
                                                   Westfield, Ma.
    
    
                                                    
    

    So, has anyone in this conference heard Paul Gilbert yet??
    He has a sound page in this moths Guitar Player. Take a listen,
    my guess is that you'll all hate him, however.
    
    Bj

    I listened to that Racer X demo a bit.
    
    I dunno.  To be honest, somehow it just struck me as yet another
    guy trying to make it on blazing chops without offering anything
    particularly new.  I'd be more impressed if there weren't SO many
    people like that now.
    
    The guys that really impress me these days are the ones who come
    up with something new.  The foremost example of this is probably
    "The Edge" from U2.  The guy is a long cry from being virtuosic
    or even flexible, but he has a distinctive original style.
    
    Brad Gillis also impresses me cause he really sings with the bar.
    I loved the solo on "Sister Christian".
    
    	db

                               
    O.K, my two peneths worth....
    My favourite axe men.........                         
         (axe, no order)                 (Bass)           
    - Gary Moore                         Mark King        
    - E.V.H                              Gene Simmons         
    - Ritchie Blackmore                                   
    - Joe Perry                                           
    - Hendrix                                             
    - Andy Taylor                                         
    - Steve Jones                                         
    - Craig Goldie                                        
    - Adrian Vanderberg                                   
    - Mark Knoppler                                       
                                                          
                                                          
    This are my favourite ROCK guitar men but they aren't the best.
                                                          
    Tony Dallison REO F1/8 3253
                               
                               

    My votes for top ten
      - Not in any particular order, depends on my mood!!
    
           Santana
           Hendrix
           Clapton
           Beck
           Van Halen
           Vai
           Knopfler
           Vaughan
           Howe
           Gilmour
                                     
                               - John
    

    
    	There was some variety in the selections for top10's here, but
    mostly they were rock n roll sets (nothing wrong here, I live on
    that stuff).  Anyway, the basic driving forces behind a rock guitar
    legend are as follows: years of insane hard work, originality, and
    plenty of (are you ready) chord theory and ear training, or you
    can sub perfect pitch here.  If I had a buck for every talentless
    asshole that tried to tell me he had perfect pitch I'd never have
    to work. Anyway The new hot thing for axegods these days is "Oh,I only
    had a month of lessons."
    	Case in point, Adrian Vandenberg,"I had a year of piano lessons,
    and that's it." (Guitar for Prac. Mus.,1988). Uh huh. And I played
    leads for Eddie on 5150. If anyone listened to Adrian's first album,
    first band (Vandenberg, self-titled), they'd here all the unusual
    chord progressions, Bach-based soloing, etc., and know this was
    bullshit.  In today's incredibly competitve guitar world, you have
    to bust your ass just to get noticed, then be original and shimmering
    when you get your chance.  Keeping these comments in mind, here
    goes:
    
    
    	1) 	Edward the V
    			The man who brought in a new soloing style.
    Hendrix and Angus had both previously used tapping on occassion,
    but Mr. V made it a form it its own right, gave it rules, and "feel",
    the last of which a bullshit tapper never has. From Unchained to
    Spanish Fly, from Jump to Mean Street, Eddie has run the gammit
    from staggeringly complex, to the killer hook to simple songs to
    just rock your brains out. Chord knowledge, solo variety, his creation
    of a new generation of guitarists, etc.
    
    	2)Eric Clapton 
    		A man whose guitar has been looked upon as biblical
    by two generations of axmasters.  Unbelievable chord power: Ex.
    Layla, White Room, Tales of Brave uly., Forever Man.  Second point:
    The man who DEFINED the wah pedal on Disreali Gears,Live Vol1. 
    He takes someone else's song, and makes it his own. Try to tell
    me acid bombed Bob shot the sheriff, no; Slowhand did. 
    		Eric writes music almost no one can relate to, and songs
    that are a bastion of rock and American culture (Layla, Crossroads).
    Why Eddie's ahead, better technique player (if I should be shot
    for that, I understand).
    
        3) Jimmy Page
    
    		At his apex, Jimmy's ability to put brilliant guitar
    in highly accessible music was untouched. His "feel" in Dazed and
    Confused, Over the Hill, Rock and Roll , Song Remains the Same to
    this day can't be approached.  Forget the current drugout who fucked
    up Whole Lotta Love at the Atlantic party. Remember the god.
    
    	4)Steve Howe
    
    		A comment made earlier about this player being completely
    his own player hits the nail on the head.  A fusion of jazz, blues,
    classical and everything.  His chordal library is unimaginable
    (All Good People,Sibearian Khatsru, The Clap).  His own chapter
    in guitar history.  
    
    	5)Brad Gillis 
    
    		Listen to Night Ranger's first two albums. Ignore the
    rest, please, ignore the rest.
    
    	6)Yngwie Malmsteen
    
                A technique icon with true perfect pitch. An asshole,
    but an uncompromised brilliant musician.
    
    	7) Jimi Hendrix
    
    		Nothing has to be said.  In case there's a question,
    listen to Little Wing, and you'll have an answer.
    
    	8) George Lynch
    
    		An absolute blur.  Incredible chord knowledge, and
    tasteful,meaningful solos.  The solo to In My Dreams is without
    equal.
    
    	9)AL DiMeola
    
    		A cornerstone for all guitar technique players.
    
    	10)Ritchie Blackmore
    
    Of the guitarists of the psychedelic era whose time is slowly fading,
    Ritchie's notes live on in Yngwie, Eddie, and other greats. HE has
    emerged, through, time out of the sea of three chord '60's hacks
    as a true genius.
    
    
    	That's it.  I'm not even sure of the order, except for the first
    3.
    
    
    			Bruce McCormack
    		
    
    

    re .51:
    
    1. How do you define 'chordal knowledge'?
    
    2. Why don't you think Vandenberg (sp?) could have learned all
       that stuff on his own? 
    
    Just Curious
    
    -Dave

    Here are another list, with no particular order
    
    Doc Watson
    Julian Bream
   john Williams
    Segovia
    Manitas de Plata
    John Hurt
    Kottke
    Jerry Garcia
    John Renbourn
    -- and a few more, because I can't stop counting yet, and some are
    dead...
    clapton, pierre bensousan (sp?), reinhart, yepes, fahey, leadbelly

    WHAT ABOUT JOE SATRIANI?.HE TAUGHT STEVE VAI!!
    

    I,m deeply sad that earlier Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett is
    mentioned only once (149.34) in this note. In my opinion, he's one
    of the most outstanding players ever, playing rythm guitar, lead
    and classic guitar in his tecnically perfect, but still very personal
    style. Listen to his looooong tones, beautiful and dreaming, in
    his guitar solos, or his delicate rythm guitar, acoustic or electric,
    or his classic guitar, doing his own, very original tunes, with
    a tecnique that makes you think of the top of classic guitar players.
    After leaving Genesis, he's done many wonderful solo albums with
    a very personal and strange style of composing, although his last
    recording (as far as I know), together with Steve Howe in GTR, drowned
    in noise, making Steve Howe drop out of my hit list...
    Anybody knows if he has done newer recordings, or what he is doing
    for the time???
    Other guitarists that I like:
    
            Jeff Beck
            Eric Clapton
            Jimmy Page
            Alex Lifeson
            Pete Townshend
            Jimi Hendrix
            Mick Taylor
            Paco Pena
            Segovia
            John Williams
            Julian Bream
    
    
    You are welcome to mail me on COPCLU::SANDGREN...
    
    
    Poul From Denmark
    

    In no particular order.....
    
    Ry Cooder
    David Lindley
    Leo Kottke
    Lonnie Johnson
    Blind Blake
    Willie Mctell
    Sam Mcghee
    Richard Thompson
    Clarence White
    Lowell George
    
    there's more......
    
    andy
    

    
    
    I have been listening to the Stones's "Get Your Ya-Ya's Out" at work
    for a couple of days.  I had forgotten just how good Mick Taylor was! 
    Great vibrato, interesting phrases, great execution.  At one time, I
    used to think of the Stones as a good guitar band and Mick Taylor was
    the reason.
    
    As for Keith?  When I picture the perfect garage band guitarist, I hear
    him playing.  On "Get Your Ya-Ya's Out" he really has some good licks. 
    It's almost as if he gets his solo in and then let's Mick Taylor do the
    "fancy" playing.  Keith is the perfect guy to play Honkey Tonk Woman. 
    The man defines a style of raunchy guitar playing. 
    
    
    Of course he's sloppy! So what?   8-)
                           
    Kevin

    In note .51 there is mention of Eric Clapton having written Crossroads.
    
    The "Crossroads" that Clapton sings was composed by Robert Johnson
    and was recorded about 50 years ago.
    
    Thats where Clapton comes from.
    
    Whilst on the subject of Crossroads (the movie) and all; this talk
    about Steve Vai - please welcome Ry Cooder - responsible for the
    movie soundtrack.....a fact which seems to have escaped many.
    
    andy

    
    In regards to Robert Johnson. The 29 recordings he made in the mid
    to late thirties contain many "familiar" licks and blues melodies
    that have been copied throughout the years.  
    
    Remember the Stones acoustic blues number "You've Got to Move"??
    The melody is taken from an old Robert Johnson tune, though the
    name escapes me now. 
    I think Robert really did sell his soul to the devil...  ;-)
    
    The Cat   /westside_blues_guitarist_now_studying_jazz
    

YOu got to move is  a cover of a Missippi Fred McDowell song, Fred was the 
other "KIng of the Delta Blues"

dbii

    I don't play guitar, but here are my favorites:
    
    1. Brian May
    2. Robin Trower
    3. Mick Taylor
    4. Jimmy Page
    5. Duane Allman
    6. Jeff Beck
    7. Alex Leifson
    8. Eric Clapton
    9. Eddie Van Halen
   10. Roy Clarke(believe it or not) 
                   

    
    	Not is this order
    
    	1.Joe Satriani
    	2.Eric Clapton
    	3.Stevie Ray Vaughan
    	4.Eric Clapton
    	5.Jimmy Page
    	6.Joe Satriani
    	7.Stevie Ray Vaughan
    	8.Jimmy Page
    	9.Joe Satriani
       10.Neal Peart
    
    				Steve       8^)
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    	(confused?)

Here's my pick of the Top Ten Axemen of ALL TIME:

(Not in any particular order)

1. Randy Rhodes - Quiet Riot, Ozzy (RIP Randy)
2. Steve Vai - David Lee Roth, Whitesnake
3. Paul Gilbert - Racer X, Mr. Big
4. Joe Satriani - Himself
5. Alex Lifeson - Rush
6. Chris DeGarmo, Michael Wilton - Queensryche (Team player award)
7. Jamez Hetfield - Metallica (Rhythm player from hell award)
8. Nuno Bettencourt - Extreme
9. Frank Hannon, Tommy Skeotch - Tesla (Team Player award)
10.Jake E Lee - Badlands

>       10.Neal Peart
    
    Isn't this Rush's drummer?
    
    Mike

    
    	re.64
    
    >  Isn't this Rush's drummer?
    
    
    
    Mike,
    
    let me clear somthing up................................
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    IT WAS A JOKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    
    
    
    
    
    						Steve
    

                  
    Yo Jeff, - my list would be almost IDENTICAL (except I would have
    included Zakk Wylde somewhere!).
                  
    Good taste 8^)

Thanks Tone !  (Us metal heads have to stick together ;)

Yes, Zakk's only down fall is that he had to follow in the greatest footsteps
of all time...Randy Rhodes.  Damn, what a terrible waste.

BTW- That wasn't meant as a slam on Zakk, but if I got to pick my first 
pro band, it wouldn't have been to fill Randys shoes, ya know ?  Thats 
a tuff act to follow.

jc

    Although Zakk has big shoes to fill, I think he can handle it.  I've
    heard all the guitarists after Randy's death (even Bernie T.), and Zakk
    plays the Randy stuff the best out of the lot!

Agreed.  Zakk wails...But more importantly, he adds his own flavor.
I like that about him.

jc

    Alario Diaz
    
    #1 Guitarist in the World.
    
    

    
    My hands together to all of you!  (Not trying for Brownie Points!)
    Holding a primary job and playing for the love of it!  I think that
    is something of an appraisal!
    
    J.

    
    
    	Top ten huh...
    
    	1. Al Dimeola (Himself)
    	2. Steve Via  (DLR,Whitesnake) 
    	3. Joe Satriani (Himself)
    	4. Yngwie J. Malmsten (Alcatrazz,himself)
    	5. Paul Gilbert  (Racer x,Mr.Big)
    	6. Vinnie Mooore (Himself,Viscous Rumors)
    	7. Greg Howe     (Himself)
    	8. Jason Becker+Marty Friedman (Cacophany)
    	9. Michael Fath  (Himself)
       10. Ritchie Kotzen (himself)
    
    	M
    	 B

   Finally, a Bob Quine fan!!!
           
    
    
       I am happy to see that someone knows about Quine.
  I was lucky enough to see him perform perhaps seven years ago in 
 The Ritz, in N.Y.C., as the lead guitarist for Dave Edmunds' band.
 He out rocked a rockabilly master, and was later able to catch him
 in a similar motif when he backed Robert Gordon.  I saw him years later
 with Lou Reed, when he displayed a completely different style and command
 of    a totally different genre!...For a similar style and versitili 
 ty, I recommend Chris Spedding.
    
    
    
    
                                     Pat L
    

I love Quine and Spedding!

Whatever happened to Roxy Music's guitarist, Phil Manzanera?

    Today's plug goes to Ronnie LeTekro from TNT...he wails!!!
    
    Buck

And to Steve Vai.

;)

I'll second Ronnie LeTekro.  I've been listening to a lot of TNT lately and 
that guy really screams!

Greg

R U sure you're in the right conference?  

I'm sure Yngwie could blow Frith out of the water . . .

    
    Yngwie couldn't couldn't even blow out a candle.  Only thing he's got
    going for him is his overgrown ego!  He's the most over-rated guitarist
    ever!  1/2 step away from being a poseur.  Who needs scalaped frets?
    People like Yngyang who don't have enough talent to play regular frets.
    
    
    IMHO, of course! 
    
    J-Dot who_felt_like_a_trouble_maker_today

    		Just what I've been thinking about steel strings !

    
    RE: -.1
    
    Hey, dude!  I'll play a tournament set with you anyday!  You are
    referring to synthetic gut tennis racket strings, aren't you?
    
    ;)
    
    J-Dot

    No ! I don't know nothin' 'bout water sports!
    
    I was referring to the disgusting lo-tech mathod of playing promulgated
    by the steel string honk-oes in the world!
    
    Flat fingers, no prehensile thunmb placement, knuckles perpendicular to the
    fingerboard, no indepence of digits, mindless attempts at speed wherein
    40% hits are a good batting average, gawdy colors, plastic bindings,
    and black mascara! What ever happened to day-glo nose grease? Gawk!!!
    Ack, oh-my-gawd-if-thatz-not-disgusting-Ill-do-something-really-gross!
    
    And the worst thing is these dweebies who don't know the classical music
    music was OVER shortly after the American revolution! 
    
    This is the New Age period!  The Modern period of classical music died
    when New Age flushed out that dissonant sound! 
    
    .)        

    
    
    Halleluhiah brother!!!
    
    
    RE.79
         
          The following is a public announcement.
    
    
    
    > I'm sure Yngwie could blows Frith out of the water. . .
    
      The above is a typical example of the dreaded "my guitarist is better
    than your guitarist" disease.
                                
      If any of your friends, relatives, or other loved ones start making
    mindless statements about music or musicians they probably know little
    or nothing about, or just don't like, please turn them in to the 
    Axe Police for a quick brain-wipe.
      Your community will thank you.
    
     
    
    
    
    
    
    RichC
                      
    

    Bout time I updated my note in here.
    
    If you looked back, I probably said my main influeces were people
    like Vai, Ynwgie, Akira, etc.  Bah!  I lump em all together now 
    and throw em out the window!!!
    
    I *hate* Ynwgie now...I put an old record of his on recently and 
    ripped it off in now time!  He really sux as far as emsemble playing
    goes (I don't even think he knows what it is!)
    
    My current Favorite guitarists are:
    
    Tracii Guns
    Mick Crips
    Slash
    Brain Forsythe
    Ronnie Yonkins
    Harry Cody
    Pete Koller
    
    
    See a trend?
    B.

Gee Buck, what about LeTekro ??

For me, the top ten (or so) haven't changed much.
One thing you'll note with my picks;  I like players 
who play WELL together...Not standalone show offs...With 
a few exceptions.


Lesse:

Frank Hannon
Tommy Skeotch (Both of Tesla)

Glen Tipton
KK Downing (Both Of Priest)

Chris DeGarmo
Michael Wilton (Both of Queensryche)

Steve Vai

Joe Satriani

Nuno Bettencourt

George Lynch

And lately, I like the Ronnie LeTekro - Thanks Buck.

jc

    re .85:
    
    yeah, I see a trend. I never heard of any of 'em!
    
    ;-)

RE:.84

If I didn't detest ASCII smiley faces, there would have been fifteen of them in 
reply .79 .


I just noticed the A.Q. (Art Quotient) of this notesfile rising, and thought I'd
comment on it.  I'm an infrequent reader of this file, but maybe now I'll tune 
in a little more.

>    Tracii Guns
>    Mick Crips
>    Slash
>    Brain Forsythe
>    Ronnie Yonkins
>    Harry Cody
>    Pete Koller

Uh..Buck?  The only one's I recognize are Tracii Guns (LA Guns) and Slash
(Guns & Roses).  What groups do the others play with?

gh

>    Tracii Guns    - LA Guns
>    Mick Crips     - LA Guns
>    Slash          - Guns n Roses
>    Brain Forsythe - Kix
>    Ronnie Yonkins - Kix
>    Harry Cody     - Shotgun Messiah
>    Pete Koller    - Sick of it All
    

    I guess I'll join in.  My favorite 10 right now are (in no specific
    order):
    
    Joe Satriani
    Eric Johnson
    Larry Carlton
    Phil Keaggy
    Michael Hedges
    Rex Carroll
    Dana Key
    Eddie Van Halen
    Bob Hartman
    Oz Fox

re: Buck

Gotcha.  Thanks, I see the pattern now.

    Julian Bream is prettygood ?
    
    

    One guy I would like to mention, and hopefully find more about is this
    guy Dan Toler from Greg Alman's band. I think he's been with Greg a
    long time and the guitar work from that (Alman Bros) band has never been
     anything less than great. With the last two Greg Alman releases, "I'm
    No Angel" & "Just Before the Bullets Fly", The sound that Dan gets is
    something I would like to know more about. Its a real warm creamy
    sound. He may use a Boogie or a Kitty, or some hybrid. Anybody know?
    Any body ever listen to this guy? I think I've seen him in ads for
    Kittys at one time, but who knows how that goes these days - Gary the
    guitar hero gets paid to
    have his picture taken with this guitar & equipment and then when you
    see him on MTV he's got something entirely different.
    
    Anyway, the combination of this dude's talent, his taste in pickin and
    in sound makes him one that intriques me probably the most. Anybody
    else? 

    Yeah, Dan Toler has a great sound.  Although he's done some ads for
    Kitty, he just is (or was) using some of their cabs.  So how does he
    get that great tone?  A modified Marshall, naturally.
    
    /rick

    A modified Marshall eh? Like EVH does with a variac? any ideas on how
    he modifies it? You sure about this?
    
    
    "sakman" 

    I'll try to dig up the interview.  It sounded like some sort of power
    boost mod (maybe like Richie Blackmore used to do); he said it had a
    bigger power transformer, so big it didn't fit inside the head!
    
    /rick

    Thanx Rick, I'd really7 like to know. In fact, if you find the
    interview, would you mind copying it and sending it to me? I'm at
    MRO4-2/C19. Thanx again dude, I owe you a brew.
    
    "sakman"

    
    	My favorites:
    
    	Eddie Van Halen
    	Glenn Tipton		[Judas Priest]
    	Fernando Von Arb	[Krokus]
    	Michael Angelo		[Nitro]
    	Viv Campbell		[ex-Dio]
    	George Lynch
    	Aldo Nova
    	Steve Vai
    	Santana
    	Blues Saraceno
    
    							GTI
    

    
     I would have too say, What are my favorites for $500?
    	
    	1. Joe Satriani
    	2. Michael Stern
    	3. Steve Vai
    	4. Richie Kotzen
    	5. Tony MacAlpine
    	6. Paul Gilbert
    	7. Vinnie Moore
    	8. Richie Blackmore
    	9. Marty Friedman   [Megadeath] That the weirdest think?
       10. Jason Becker     [David Lee Roth] What a' Mix?
    
        That's 10. 
       So many more to list.
     
    
    	

    
    	No one's mentioned Dweezil Zappa?
    
    	He SMOKES on "Her Eyes Don't Follow Me" and "My Guitar Wants
    	to Kill Your Mama" ... on the album of which the latter is the
    	title track.
    
    	And a second for the guitarist from Shotgun Messiah ... I list-
    	ened to part of the album last night and he's great!!
    
    							GTI
    

	Lou Reed		VU, etc.
	Neil Young
	Thurston Moore		Sonic Youth
	Keith Richards		Rolling Stones
	Syd Barrett		Pink Floyd
	Arto Lindsay		DNA, Mars, Ambitious Lovers
	Johnny Thunders		New York Dolls
	Brian May		Queen
	Todd Rundgren
	Dr. Know		Bad Brains
	
NNITO

    re: .101
    
    Dweezil strikes me as an example of someone who has more chops than
    they know what to do with. 
    
    Just my opinion.  Certainly not close to being in my top 10.

    jupitr::feraci
            Despite all this Yngwie bashing that seems to be going on here
      and despite the fact that he is a GONAD as a person, I have to say
    that his ability as a guitar player is matched by only a few,but is 
    exceeded by noone.I don't get off by just the speed of his licks but
    more by the composition of his music.I really don't see too many bands
    (guitarists)playing classical-metal fusion to the degree(comp. is more
    to the classical side) that Yngwie does.
           Well, before I further p*ss anyone off, here's my FAVORITE top
    ten axeslingers                             LONG
                Yngwie J Malmsteen                LIVE
                Randy Rhodes                        BACH
                Jeff Beck                              &
                George Lynch                            ROLL
                Jimmy Page
                Jimi Hendrix (nobody can outcool Hendrix)
                Vivien Campbell(whatever happened to him?)
                Joe Satriani
                Jake E Lee
                Edward Van Halen(can't forget Edward)
               
           There is no specific order to this list.     
                                         'Later dudes
                                                FTF

    But Bach & Roll is *so* gauche, *so* de'place'!
    
    Buck, who can't believe you're into Classical Metal as Le Tekro is
    missing from your list!?!?!?!

    Well, to be honest, the only thing I've heard from Malmsteen is "Rising
    Force".  But, I've read a lot of interviewsa, and seen a few on TV.  He
    is a very talented musician, I'll freely admit that ... but there are a
    LOT of players equally talented.  And his ego, takes away from his
    ability (IMHO).  He's a living legend, so he could easily just say
    "thankyou" and bask in the glory, instead of taking a "damn right I'm
    good !" pose.  Eddie Van Halen has pioneered just as many new musical
    ideas in his career, and I haven't heard anywhere near as much negative
    flack about him.  I know this is comparing apples and oranges, but it's
    a point none the less.
    
    As far as Malmsteens classical delivery, that's great, but it's kinda
    like the disco hits from "Switched On Bach".  This ain't new folks ! 
    It's a new delivery, but it ain't new.  Granted, EVH's 2 handed
    technique isn't new either, but I don't see anyone wanting to start a
    religion after the guy, like some of Malsteens would like to.
    
    I'm not trying to stir the toilet - I just think he's not as great as
    he thinks he is - great, sure, but not a diety ...
    
    Scary

    >>But Bach & Roll is *so* gauche, *so* de' place'.
    
      Excuse me for offending your sense of ettiquette.
    
    >>....Le Tekro is not on your list
        
      No, I've never heard of him.
    
        As for the writer of note 106, I agree with you,Yngwie is not as
    great as HE thinks he is.But is their some unwritten law that says you
    shouldn't like or listen to a musician if he is too conceited?
        Even though I've already submitted my top ten, there are a couple
    of other names I'd like to mention mainly because nobody else has.
        Does anyone remember Uli Jon Roth A.K.A. Ulrich Roth, he was the
    guy that Mathius Jabs replacad in Scorpions(incidently, Jabs can really
    kick booty too).
        And how about Loudness' guitarist Akira Takamine ( Like real wow
    )                        
    

    What I meant by Bach n Roll being de'place' (out of place) was that,
    it was a fad...a fad that has passed...it's really uncool to say you're
    into Bach n Roll these days.
    
    Look at Yngwie...he was the king of BnR...now, with his last two
    albums, he has expanded on his BLUES playing!!!  Paul Gilbert, former
    shredmaster, has also switched to a blues-based style with Mr. Big.
    Tony MacAlpine...another (former) Bach n Roller, who shredded with the
    best of them, has ALSO abandonded that style of guitar playing for a
    more popish, straight ahead rock and roll style of guitar playing.
    What is this telling you?
    
    Check out Ronnie Le Tekro's work with TNT...he's faster than Yngwie,
    and has a better guitar sound.
    
    I remember Ulrich Roth...I used to be into OLD Scorpions!  You know,
    if you listen to Ulrich Roth & Ritchie Blackmore you have YNGWIE!!!
    Yng's style is a combination of those two players!  Akira Takasaki
    is a cool player too, but I consider Akira more of a "copy cat"...
    ie...he has his "eddie" licks, his "randy rhoads" licks, his "ynwgie"
    licks, his "Lynch" licks, and he just kinds rolls em all into his own
    style.
    
    B.

    >>...uncool to say you're into Bach & Roll these days. 
         I am well adjusted enough to not let a fad or the passing of a fad
     have any influence on what I like or dislike.And I'm not going to hide 
     the fact that I like Classical-metal or Bach & Roll nor will I stop
     listening to it, just because a certain clique considers it "uncool".
    
    >>Yngwie....expanded on his blues.
    >>Gilbert....same.
                That's OK, they'll be back.They're probably just reacting
    to their many detracters who are always saying they play too many
    notes, or maybe they just want to try something different.But don't
    count on them abandoning completely what they do best.
      
    >>MacAlpine....also abandoned that style for a more popish...
    >>What does this tell you?
                This tells me that he wants to make more money than he has
    been making.(Being a guitar hero doesn't pay as much as being a star
    does.)
    >>...LeTekro...
                 All right, you've aroused my curiosity.Is there a specific
     album you think I should get?                                                                  
    
    Any specific album you think I should check out.
               
              

    For essential Ronnie Le Tekro, check out
    
    TNT - Tell No Tales (this one's more neo-classical in origin but
                         rougher sounding)
    TNT - Intuition (less speed playing, more finesse, better sound)
    
    Take yer pick

After listening closely for a while I'd go for Intuition over Tell No Tales.
It's much more refined and a little more attractive because of it.

MHO,
jc

    As much as I love Intuition, I'd go with Tell No Tales.  It's got more
    of Ronni's great guitar work.  Intution has a lot of heavy synth and
    vocal work and is generally more polished and produced.
    
    Besides, the one song, Sapphire is worth buying Tell No Tales for,
    especially if you're looking to hear Classical based metal.
    
    As Buck says, they're both excellent albums and either is well worth
    the price.
    
    Greg

             I just bought Intuition last night(8-8-90).I haven't had a
    chance to listen to it yet,though.I'll let you know what I think about
    it on monday.
                      FTF

RE:                    -< What is this...SIMON SAYS? >-


	I didn't say anything......;-)

    
    If you're looking for harder edged/rougher sound in music, TNT's
    Knights Of New Thunder.  This album's less popish than their latter
    2.  As far as my **favorite** TNT album, it's a real toss up.  I 
    like the composition on Intuition, but I like Tell No Tales as far 
    as the guitar playing goes.  I think the songs on Intuition is more
    fluid("popish"?).
    
    They gave a kicka$$ concert tho!
    
    J.

           
          Even though this guy doesn't really let loose on this
    album(Intuition),I have to admit he does show signs of being faster
    than Y.J.M. He does some neat things with the whammy too.I loved that
    hook in "Caught between the tigers"(I think that was the
    name).Also,guitar ensembles are reminisent of Brian May which is all
    right with me.
          I'm gonna have to get the "Tell No Tales" album though as I found
    this album a little too popish for my taste(I wish you spoke up sooner 
    "Made in Korea")
           I wanna see what Le Tekra can really do.
    
                                         FTF
                
    
    

    Well, I do consider myself an Yngwie fan, but I don't consider him
    to be a god.
    
    His compositions are good but I think he's just not very adventurous
    musically.  A lot of his tunes fallback on standard metal cliches
    and sound too similar.  As far as technique, I think the ONLY area
    he excels in is speed.
    
    He doesn't have a particularly interesting or effective vibrato,
    no particular talent on the whammy bar, tapping, harmonics, etc.
    
    Compare that to guys like Steve Morse, or Brad Gilbert, or Larry
    Carlton.  While none of these guys may be as fast as Yngwie (with
    the possible exception of LC, except most people wouldn't know that
    because he so rarely uses speed), they are almost complete virtuosos.
    They do A LOT OF THINGS WELL - speed, vibrato, tapping, etc.
    
    To me, Yngwie is the guy that broke barriers in the most attention
    grabbing aspect of guitar playing: speed.   I might even give him
    some credit for popularizing arpeggiato-type runs (there are other
    contenders though).
    
    But in my mind, he's just not as a complete a guitar player as about
    two dozen other people I can think of.  I mean, heck, the guy rarely
    ventures from harmonic minor.
    
    IMHO
    
    	db

Oh what the hell. I said I wouldn't but this is just too darn interesting...

Not most versatile, creative, fast, or anything...just some of my favorites...

	
	Mclaughlin - especially the acoustics in Shakti
	Eric Johnson - articulate and discerning...
	Marc Bonilla - goosebump city!
	Eddie VH - disappointing of late..has he forgotten how to solo?
	Steve Henderson - a bit technical, but can wail!
	Santana - such a distinctive, fluid sound
	Morse - esp. cruise missle - though, I don't care much for the picking...
	Paco de Luca - love that Latin flair
	Beck - but nothing later than '76
	Satriani/Vai - in the same boat, both have mondo talent!
	.
	.
	.
	.

Jp

    I just read this note (better late than never), and need to comment on
    a few things..
    
    
    >Well, I do consider myself an Yngwie fan, but I don't consider him
    >to be a god.
    >
    >His compositions are good but I think he's just not very adventurous
    >musically.  A lot of his tunes fallback on standard metal cliches
    >and sound too similar.  As far as technique, I think the ONLY area
    >he excels in is speed.
    >
    >He doesn't have a particularly interesting or effective vibrato,
    >no particular talent on the whammy bar, tapping, harmonics, etc.
    
    I *totally* disagree.  One of my favorite aspects of Yngwie's playing
    is his vibrato!!  It was the first thing that caught my ear when I
    heard him play.  The second was his "second to none" control of speed
    picking on those minor scales.
    
    And what about sweep picking?  Listen to the solo in JET TO JET and
    tell me Yngwie can't sweep pick...go ahead, I dare you!  His tapping is
    ok...as good or better than Nuno and that like, fwiw...
    

    I too like Yngwie's vibrato.  Can't stand to listen to much of his
    music because it all tends to sound alike to me, but he does have a
    killer vibrato.
    
    Greg

    I also like Yngwie, but can only handle him in small doses.
    
    The reason for me is that his music has but one and only 
    one "mode" - which I would describe as "serious".
    
    I just can't play a whole album of tunes in minor keys.
    
    Of course "too serious" seems to be a reflection of his personality.
    

    I agree, best in small doses!
    
>    Of course "too serious" seems to be a reflection of his personality.
    
    HAHA!  Too true, it seems.
    
    Greg

    	Everbody alway cuts him down,but I don't see anyone cut down
    Eddie's 10 year of the same licks and hammer ons too.
    
    Pierre who likes both Yngwie & Eddie, but everyone baashes Malmsteen
    

    Have at it Buck ...  8^)
    
    Jerry (who likes the newer VH too, but hey, I've gotten older, just
    like VH)

    I didn't like Eddie's licks when they were fresh, let alone when they
    are stale!!
    
    But, he plays great rhythm guitar, and has a cool tone

    I think Eddie's rhythm is more top notch than his leads.  Mainly
    because *everyone* copped his style of lead work.  It's tough to play
    rhythm in a 3 piece and fill all the gaps.  I did that for years and
    *loved* it, but it ain't always easy.
    
    Jerry

    re: Pierre
    
    Maybe the difference is that Eddie's music is happy and easier to
    listen to and he doesn't take it or himself so seriously.  YM has a
    horrid reputation for being a snob.
    
    gh (who heard from someone that met Eddie that he was a snob too)

    	But as they say ,and whoever they are that say it!
    Ha! Ha! A little Frank Zappa humor.
    			"Music is to be listen to and to be enjoyed!!"
    Pierre who knows that Paul Gilbert is not a snob!! 

Actually I met Paul - and he was a RIOT !  I didn't think he was a snob
at all - But I did think that deserved to be !!  What chops !
jc

    	Cooperread the bottom of note .129 again.
    I didn't say he was a snob!!
    Pierre 
    

Okay - So I'm brain dead !!
:)