[tcsned]

It is obviously subjective, but many say Gatton was not only the best "unknown" guitarist, but the best ever.

I would tend to agree, I saw him 20-30 times beginning in the early 80s and "The Humbler" never ceased to amaze. I think he considered the title "best unknown guitarist" as kind of a dubious distinction. Actually got his start with Roger Miller.

I would also have to include Jimmy Rosenberg, Bireli Lagrene, and Angelo DeBarre the modernish gypsy jazz guys.

[amyjared]

Excellent thread! I had the pleasure of meeting Stanley Jordan (used to see him play on the streets of NY) in college when he came to UNC-W and played for a whopping $2! Went back to his hotel room and partied late night since I knew the program board crew. Nice guy! I love Danny Gatton, but was more partial to Albert Lee...love many of the others mentioned (although for some reason Richard Thompson never thrilled me...even saw him live several times...just never did it) but my vote is Monte Montgomery, since he's got it all: leads, chords, rhythms, chops, etc., plays acoustic and has a killer singing voice:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rqame6CRS8A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1vg2HjNQh0

Plus I just saw him for $10 at a small venue and was left awed...

[alcorelectric]

Used to live across the street from me

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=v ... P8SoU790Kg

[tcsned]

Excellent thread! I had the pleasure of meeting Stanley Jordan (used to see him play on the streets of NY) in college when he came to UNC-W and played for a whopping $2! Went back to his hotel room and partied late night since I knew the program board crew. Nice guy! I love Danny Gatton, but was more partial to Albert Lee...love many of the others mentioned (although for some reason Richard Thompson never thrilled me...even saw him live several times...just never did it) but my vote is Monte Montgomery, since he's got it all: leads, chords, rhythms, chops, etc., plays acoustic and has a killer singing voice:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rqame6CRS8A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1vg2HjNQh0

Plus I just saw him for $10 at a small venue and was left awed...

I agree wholeheartedly about Albert Lee - he is absolutely the best country guitar player not born in the US. I hadn't thought about him in while - great stuff with Emmylou and Rodney Crowell among many, many others.

Richard Thompson is kind of a licorice guitar player - love him or hate him - he's got something that speaks to me. I do see why folks don't like. I like "earthy" guitar playing.

It's funny I kinda feel the same way about Stanley Jordan that you do about Richard Thompson. I find him a bit sterile and unemotional. One helluva player though.

It is cool to see the other players that influence all of us who have at least one thing in common.

[ugly rumor]

Well, Bill Kirchen tops my list; also, Shawn Lane, Lonnie Johnson, Freddie Green, Joe Pass.

Tom, Keith Carper died last year, thought you might like to know. We used to play together when he was about 14, before I switched to bass. I saw him at his father's funeral last year, and he told me he had always had a crush on my sister! Then, a couple months later, he died, at 50, in a hospital in N.C.

[mttourpro]

Another great player/composer that people should know but I'm guessing some don't is Col. Bruce Hampton. Not necessarily the greatest player, but a major influence and ground-breaking kind of guy. And, if you ever wondered how where Otiel Burbich, Jimmy Herring and Jeff Sipe "came from", they're all on my favorite Col Bruce (and the Aquarium Rescue Unit) album called Mirrors of Embarrassment. It was released in 92 so all those guys are in the earlier stages of their careers. It is (IMHO), one of those Desert Island albums. Other projects of his have been Fuji Mariner and Bronze Age. He's done other stuff too like a film with Mike Gordon called Outside In which is highly entertaining.

Check out his website--it's a hoot.

And, the best part is, he's still playing especially in the South.

I saw him with Jimmy Herring and Bobby Lee Rodgers a couple years ago when the Codetalkers album first came out---and BTW, he's the one who "discovered" and promoted BLRodgers' music from the get go.

http://www.bratoganibe.com/

[tcsned]

Tom, Keith Carper died last year, thought you might like to know. We used to play together when he was about 14, before I switched to bass. I saw him at his father's funeral last year, and he told me he had always had a crush on my sister! Then, a couple months later, he died, at 50, in a hospital in N.C.

That's a bummer. I didn't know him well. Mark Mc knew him from Roanoke - I think they went to high school together. Too young.

[jeffm725]

I guess in the Jam band circles he is a bit more well known these days because of his work with both Kreutzmann's band and Mike Gordons band, but Scott Murawski has to fall into any Best player but not well known category. His chops are just mind blowing.

[RiverRat]

.

[bodiddley]

John McEnroe...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXUEgJuODRU

[tcsned]

Steven Seagal...

lol - my late friend Bob [from my earlier post] either played with or gave lessons to Segal - maybe both. I remember him telling a story about him but can't remember the details.

[jackr]

3 points about Segal

1) he has nice tone
2) he has a really nice gold top les paul
3) he cant play for shit

[bodiddley]

[quote="jackr"]3 points about Segal

1) he has nice tone
2) he has a really nice gold top les paul
3) he cant play for shit

And he's in a world of shit right now with the allegations against him.

[jackr]

how about Johnny Depp. I dont like his tone here but he has some chops. I would love to be able to play with iggy pop and chrissy hynde

[RiverRat]

.