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This article is for anyone who thinks AC/DC’s Thunderstuck is quality guitar work. Ok, that’s actually a stab at someone I know. But in all seriousness, I’ve heard far too many conversations about ‘great’ guitarists that seemed to exclude the obvious choices. I’m not saying I’m listing the best 5 guitarists ever, just that these are a few of the great guitar players that aren’t referenced enough by the common listener.
Steve Morse. Now he’s one of those guitarists I like to throw out there becuase so few people seem to know who he is. That is, until I remind them that he played guitar for the Dixie Dregs. No, that’s not true. No one knows them either. How about Deep Purple? Maybe. Guitar Hero II actually has a track by them. Kansas? Now we’re getting somewhere. Honestly, you should know all three bands. But he’s got some really good solo albums too. Both the clips I picked to show him off are from his solo album High Tension Wires (1989), Tumeni Notes and Looking Back. By the way, did I mention he won Guitar Player Magazine’s Best Overall Guitar Player five years in a row?
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Al DiMeola. That should be the first name out of your mouth when talking about great jazz guitarists. Sadly, it seems to rarely be the case even though he has won the title of Best Jazz Guitarist four times in the Guitar Player Magazine’s Reader Poll. And it’s not like this guy is new to the scene. He’s been pumping out albums since the 70’s and is still hard at work. He’s fast, technically articulate, pleasing to the ear, and easily one of the best guitarists around. You can find the full version of the two clips I’ve selected on Land of the Midnight Sun (1976) and Elegant Gypsy (1977), Land of the Midnight Sun and Race with the Devil on a Spanish Highway.
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Eric Johnson. It’s pretty hard to have never heard of this guy if you’re a serious guitar player. He was part of at least one of the G3 tours. To be honest, I don’t know much about him to give a brief bio, but if you click on his name it’ll take you to his website where you can find several reviews and transcripted interviews. Then again, you don’t really need to know someone to know they’re phenomonal at the guitar. I selected Cliffs of Dover from Ah Via Musicom (1990) and S.R.V. from Venise Isle (1996). By the way, those initials better mean something to you.
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Joe Satriani. You’ve been waiting for this name haven’t you? He’s possibly the most known of the four I’ve mentioned thus far. I know I said was gonna mention the guitarists I feel aren’t mentioned enough, but damn is he good. Joe has taught many guitarists who have gone on to make rather prominent carrers in the music industry (e.g. Kirk Hammett (Metallica), Larry LaLonde (Primus), David Bryson (Counting Crows), Kevin Cadogan (Third Eye Blind), and Steve Vai). He’s also been on every G3 tour. It’s hard not to appreciate this guy, even if his music does remind you of the soundtrack to Sonic the Hedgehog… I just so happen to like Sonic the Hedgehog. I’ve selected House of Bullets from Crystal Planet (1998) and The Mystical Potato Head Groove Thing from Flying in a Blue Dream (1989).
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Stevie Ray Vaughan. Now you’re gonna say that any respectable guitarist or guitar enthusiast knows him. This is true. However, I still think not nearly enough people know about him and too many know of him but haven’t bothered to check out his music. Here’s your chance. Two of my favorites, Crossfire from In Step (1989) and Tin Pan Alley from Couldn’t Stand the Weather (1984).
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