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I've been rather hypnotised by Julian Lage for many months now. He's a jazz guitarist who plays solo, in his own band and with other musicians. Saw him play with saxophonist Joe Lovano last year.
I love watching him play as well as listening to his stuff. He's not only a superb technician, but also plays with real feeling and often with humour which you can see in his facial expressions.
This example is a lovely lazy blues piece:
Who's yours?
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Favourite living guitarist on 19:13 - Apr 1 with 991 views
Favourite living guitarist on 18:59 - Apr 1 by Dorse
I've always had a thing for rhythm players, so people like Malcolm Young and even Rick Parfitt were the sort of guys I loved to watch live. However, seeing as they're both keeping lead players honest in the next life, I would say Scott Ian (Anthrax, SOD and Mr Bungle) makes me smile.
May I present, Mr Bungle: like Frank Zappa got into King Crimson and got them to play thrash.
(Side note: Dave Lombardo of Slayer on drums; Scott Ian from Anthrax on rhythm; Mike Patton of Faith No More on vox; Trey Spruance on lead and Trevor Dunn on bass. What a line up!)
That first album was amazing
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Favourite living guitarist on 19:42 - Apr 1 with 934 views
Favourite living guitarist on 17:49 - Apr 1 by dutch
Pat Metheny John Scofield James Blood ulmer Marc Ribot George Benson
It's all jazz guys for me. Those noisy rock'n rollers don't come close
I've been listening to Pat Metheny for well over 40 years, and still do. He's not to everyone's taste but I've always found him incredibly creative, joyous, melancholic, and fun. I like his contemporary stuff but will always feel he did his best work with Lyle Mays who sadly died 5 years ago.
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Favourite living guitarist on 21:33 - Apr 1 with 819 views
Favourite living guitarist on 20:56 - Apr 1 by dmm
I've been listening to Pat Metheny for well over 40 years, and still do. He's not to everyone's taste but I've always found him incredibly creative, joyous, melancholic, and fun. I like his contemporary stuff but will always feel he did his best work with Lyle Mays who sadly died 5 years ago.
Saw him live at the Barbican this year, solo, magnificent.
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Favourite living guitarist on 08:51 - Apr 2 with 638 views
Not a huge fan of Fleetwood Mac but Lynsdsey Buckingham deserves a mention. Never going back again from Rumours is a master class in acoustic guitar. Also Charlie Burchill of Simple Minds. His early work deserves a mention.
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Favourite living guitarist on 09:06 - Apr 2 with 619 views
Before Kokomo there was Morrissey Mullen, both bands frequently played at the Half Moon in Putney
This is one of those questions where you could reel off 24 guitarists in a minute! Lee Ritenour, Peter White, Larry Carlton of The Crusaders who played on most Steely Dan albums. Jon Herington is amazing, Eddie Van Halen, Steve Lukather, Vic Flick.
Special mention to Davey Johnstone of the Elton John Band for his ability to play just about any stringed instrument. When he walked in to the studio to record his first full album with Elton, Honky Chateau, he had never played an electric guitar before in a studio.
[Post edited 2 Apr 11:45]
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Favourite living guitarist on 11:45 - Apr 2 with 500 views
Favourite living guitarist on 19:58 - Apr 1 by colinallcars
Maybe not best guitarists but best facial expressions.
I saw the Blasters in 1985, opening for Jason and the Scorchers. When they came on and opened with Marie, Marie, I was outraged that they were doing a Shakin' Stevens song. Didn't realise they'd written it. They were so good.
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Favourite living guitarist on 11:46 - Apr 2 with 497 views
James Walbourne is an incredible guitarist. Currently with the Pretenders, but has worked with so many people in so many styles. His side project His Lordship are well worth listening to.
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Favourite living guitarist on 13:44 - Apr 2 with 429 views
Favourite living guitarist on 11:47 - Apr 2 by NW5Hoop
James Walbourne is an incredible guitarist. Currently with the Pretenders, but has worked with so many people in so many styles. His side project His Lordship are well worth listening to.
My favourite all time guitarist is John Fahey but as he’s sadly long gone I’d say Stefan Grossman.
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Favourite living guitarist on 17:18 - Apr 2 with 307 views
Favourite living guitarist on 19:42 - Apr 1 by Toast_R
Brian May Tony Iommi James Dean Bradfield of the Manics was possibly the best of his generation.
Glad someone else mentioned Iommi, he's my pick.
Not many musicians have invented one genre, but, with his Sabbath band mates, he's invented multiple genres, all while having to use prosthetics on his injured fretting hand. This riff!
I'd put Kaki King a close second, Dave Grohl described her as belonging to a genre all of her very own. She has so many styles and uses so many techniques. Studying her two hand tapping style has opened up new ways of playing the guitar for me. She also co-designed a new type of retrofit guitar bridge, the passerelle, which opens up a lot of new sonic possibilities for a common or garden guitar
"Things had started becoming increasingly desperate at Loftus Road but QPR have been handed a massive lifeline and the place has absolutely erupted. it's carnage. It's bedlam. It's 1-1."
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Favourite living guitarist on 18:43 - Apr 2 with 265 views
Favourite living guitarist on 17:18 - Apr 2 by R_from_afar
Glad someone else mentioned Iommi, he's my pick.
Not many musicians have invented one genre, but, with his Sabbath band mates, he's invented multiple genres, all while having to use prosthetics on his injured fretting hand. This riff!
I'd put Kaki King a close second, Dave Grohl described her as belonging to a genre all of her very own. She has so many styles and uses so many techniques. Studying her two hand tapping style has opened up new ways of playing the guitar for me. She also co-designed a new type of retrofit guitar bridge, the passerelle, which opens up a lot of new sonic possibilities for a common or garden guitar
Have you heard of Jon Gomm? He plays in a similar style to Kaki King and may have started earlier than her because he was gigging years before his first recording as he was hyper critical of the industry. He set up his own label to record albums.
Just one example:
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Favourite living guitarist on 20:40 - Apr 2 with 194 views
Favourite living guitarist on 18:43 - Apr 2 by dmm
Have you heard of Jon Gomm? He plays in a similar style to Kaki King and may have started earlier than her because he was gigging years before his first recording as he was hyper critical of the industry. He set up his own label to record albums.
Just one example:
Good stuff, thanks for sharing 👍. I didn't know of him.
"Things had started becoming increasingly desperate at Loftus Road but QPR have been handed a massive lifeline and the place has absolutely erupted. it's carnage. It's bedlam. It's 1-1."
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Favourite living guitarist on 21:08 - Apr 2 with 153 views