Any discussion about blues guitarists is certain to be full of argument and feud. Depending on whether someone likes conventional blues played on acoustic guitars, or Chicago blues, or West Coast jump style, or the rockin ' blues of lots of today's young blues guitar player, you would get a different answer to the question, 'who is the best blues guitarist?'.
And who's to say they'd be wrong.
The single thing we could probably get anybody to agree on is there are many fashions of blues guitar. And, overtime, any blues aficionado will develop their own favourites and viewpoints.
So that said, this list is exactly my very own opinion and has no foundation in objectivity. Now I'm not a blues neophyte. I've been playing guitar for over 40 years myself and I'm still a part time professional blues musician. So at least my point of view is an educated one.
And part of the problem with choosing a "best of" list for blues guitarists is the recognition issue. The most well liked also played other styles of music. They were at best "part-time" blues guitar players. But many folks think about them as blues musicians when in reality they weren't. But who cares really.
OK Let's Get To The Meat
First we've got to outline our factors. Here's the rules for my list.
1. They have to be predominantly a blues player and play mostly blues music. (That leaves Eric Clapton out).
2. They must have great strategy or at a minimum be very cutting edge in their playing.
3. They've got to be reasonably well-known and have some degree of renown.
4. You must be in a position to recognise them within a few notes.
OK let's get to it. Here's my subjective list of the best blues guitar players of all time and why I put them on this list.
1. B.B. King
B.B. Makes the list as number one usually due to his longevity and influence but also his tone and taste. You can identify a B.B. King solo within the initial few notes.
2. Albert King
Albert is at the head of the list because he taught us all what not to play. His cheap, roomy style and great tone are his trademark. He gets more out of 5 notes than any other musician.
3. Robert Johnson
Robert Johnson's influence on all the other guitarist after him is legendary. There were other great Delta guitar players but he's the one all the others talk about.
4. Stevie Ray Vaughan
SRV burst on the blues scene in the early 1980's. He gave the blues a drop of adrenalin that still hasn't worn out. He helped influence a fresh cluster of blues guitarist and you can still hear his playing in them to this date.
5. Freddie King
He introduced the high-energy Texas type of blues to the world and also wrote many extraordinary songs still played to this very day.
6. T-Bone Walker
T-Bone likely should be rated higher. His novel style and influence on others is still legendary. Very few guitarists can match his style and to this day no-one else sounds like him. And as far as showmanship, he taught all the others who came after.
6. Albert Collins
Another of my person favourites. Again his sound is unique and the straightforward power and spaciousness of his playing is something every good blues player strives for.
8. Hubert Sumlin
Hubert was there from the start of the Chicago Blues. He played on so many great blues songs that to leave him off would be a mockery.
9. Joe Bonamassa
OK this one might be questionable. He's here usually for his technical ability. He can play anything with superb fluidity and tone. But you could disagree he's not strictly a blues guy.
10. Buddy Guy
Much like B.B. King, Buddy Guy has earned his stripes through his longevity. He might be a bit ott often but who else has been there from the start of Chicago Blues and is still playing only the blues.
OK that is my take. Let the argument begin.
And who's to say they'd be wrong.
The single thing we could probably get anybody to agree on is there are many fashions of blues guitar. And, overtime, any blues aficionado will develop their own favourites and viewpoints.
So that said, this list is exactly my very own opinion and has no foundation in objectivity. Now I'm not a blues neophyte. I've been playing guitar for over 40 years myself and I'm still a part time professional blues musician. So at least my point of view is an educated one.
And part of the problem with choosing a "best of" list for blues guitarists is the recognition issue. The most well liked also played other styles of music. They were at best "part-time" blues guitar players. But many folks think about them as blues musicians when in reality they weren't. But who cares really.
OK Let's Get To The Meat
First we've got to outline our factors. Here's the rules for my list.
1. They have to be predominantly a blues player and play mostly blues music. (That leaves Eric Clapton out).
2. They must have great strategy or at a minimum be very cutting edge in their playing.
3. They've got to be reasonably well-known and have some degree of renown.
4. You must be in a position to recognise them within a few notes.
OK let's get to it. Here's my subjective list of the best blues guitar players of all time and why I put them on this list.
1. B.B. King
B.B. Makes the list as number one usually due to his longevity and influence but also his tone and taste. You can identify a B.B. King solo within the initial few notes.
2. Albert King
Albert is at the head of the list because he taught us all what not to play. His cheap, roomy style and great tone are his trademark. He gets more out of 5 notes than any other musician.
3. Robert Johnson
Robert Johnson's influence on all the other guitarist after him is legendary. There were other great Delta guitar players but he's the one all the others talk about.
4. Stevie Ray Vaughan
SRV burst on the blues scene in the early 1980's. He gave the blues a drop of adrenalin that still hasn't worn out. He helped influence a fresh cluster of blues guitarist and you can still hear his playing in them to this date.
5. Freddie King
He introduced the high-energy Texas type of blues to the world and also wrote many extraordinary songs still played to this very day.
6. T-Bone Walker
T-Bone likely should be rated higher. His novel style and influence on others is still legendary. Very few guitarists can match his style and to this day no-one else sounds like him. And as far as showmanship, he taught all the others who came after.
6. Albert Collins
Another of my person favourites. Again his sound is unique and the straightforward power and spaciousness of his playing is something every good blues player strives for.
8. Hubert Sumlin
Hubert was there from the start of the Chicago Blues. He played on so many great blues songs that to leave him off would be a mockery.
9. Joe Bonamassa
OK this one might be questionable. He's here usually for his technical ability. He can play anything with superb fluidity and tone. But you could disagree he's not strictly a blues guy.
10. Buddy Guy
Much like B.B. King, Buddy Guy has earned his stripes through his longevity. He might be a bit ott often but who else has been there from the start of Chicago Blues and is still playing only the blues.
OK that is my take. Let the argument begin.
About the Author:
Rick Honeyboy Hart is a long-time blues guitar player. He teaches blues guitar on his website and talks about blues guitar players like Buddy Guy.
Ditulis oleh:
Unknown - Thursday, October 25, 2012
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