One reason why greatest guitarist lists are redundant

[Baloney Balderdash]

8 minutes ago, Cato said:

Might seem slightly odd from someone who's spent a fair chunk of my life both playing with guitarists and as a guitar player myself but a while ago I came to the conclusion that there's only really two guitarists I genuinely enjoy hearing solo for more than about 30 seconds.

 

Dave Gilmour of Pink Floyd and J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr.

 

Very different players and probably not the most technically profficient but in terms of listenability and 'playing for the song' for me no one else gets close.

100% agree with J. Mascis, one of the absolute greatest rock guitarists of all times.

 

It's just astonishing the amount of emotion he is capable of channeling into his otherwise usually relatively shreddy solos.

 

When it comes to jazz though Bill Frisell is unparalleled.   

 

Edited November 10, 2023 by Baloney Balderdash

[ahpook]

My favourite guitarist is bigger than your favourite guitarist, so nuuuuurgh !

 

 

[grady]

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/16mkpchKM3/

[Bilbo]

These kinds of lists provoke discussion. For that reason, I am all for them. They are a bit harmless fun.

[diskwave]

On 10/11/2023 at 11:23, Cato said:

listenability and 'playing for the song

This in spades. That criteria alone rules out for me the vast majority of players. Simply knowing the board inside out does not neccesarily make for good music.  I love Nile Rodgers playing style and what he brought to popular music, but is he 'great guitarist' of course not but he is an extremely distinct and influential musician by the way he plays. 

[12stringbassist]

At best, they are a matter of personal taste and merely something to skim over and not take seriously.
They also suffer from the critics trying to be pseudo-intellectual and nominating unlistenable obscure people to show off how hip they are in choosing these people.

If I listed my top 5 guitarists, people would disagree. I rarely bite when topics about 'best' players come up.
Favourites maybe... best what's the point?