Best female guitar players?

Subject: RE: Best female guitar players?
From: GUEST,John James
Date: 19 Jan 12 - 10:59 AM

To those who know ,there has never been any question as to who the most accomplished guitarists are. This has got nothing to do with popularity or composing etc. Some of the finest composers were not virtuosi.
IDA PRESTI has long been recognised in the guitar world as one of the top three,ever since her debut in Paris as a teenager all those years ago.The other two in the top three will vary..Seqovia, Bream, Assad brothers, Barrueco, David Russel, Williams and of course the astounding Alirio Diaz.
But there has never been a question of being the top woman..IDA PRESTI was the top guitarist.!!

Subject: RE: Best female guitar players?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 19 Jan 12 - 10:50 AM

Maggie Holland - Fine guitarist , banjo and bass player and a very good songwriter too

Subject: RE: Best female guitar players?
From: Trevor Thomas
Date: 19 Jan 12 - 10:49 AM

I'm also a fan of the guitar playing of Hazel Wrigley, of the Wrigley Sisters.

I believe they're doing a UK tour soon, (April?) and I'm very much looking forward to seeing them when they play Sheffield.

Subject: RE: Best female guitar players?
From: Charmion
Date: 19 Jan 12 - 10:21 AM

Anna Massie is amazing, and has been since she was a wee lass.

May I point out that women had a hard time getting gigs as instrumentalists back in the day because the prevalent image of a female musician was the Chick Singer.

My other favourite female guitarists are also singers: Joan Baez and Kathy Moffat, who never let the guitar get in the way of the song, and of course Bonnie Raitt.

Subject: RE: Best female guitar players?
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 19 Jan 12 - 10:01 AM

Ana Vidovic

Julie Ellison

Rory Block

Sharon Isbin

Subject: RE: Best female guitar players?
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Jan 12 - 09:59 AM

Anna Massie (Scotland) is pretty handy with the guitar, banjo, fiddle.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRAUovccFWE&feature=related

Subject: RE: Best female guitar players?
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 19 Jan 12 - 09:48 AM

Just remembered Bonnie Raitt - she's still alive.

Subject: RE: Best female guitar players?
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 19 Jan 12 - 09:46 AM

The trouble is, all the one's I can think of are dead: Jo Ann Kelly, Memphis Minnie, Elizabeth Cotton, Etta Baker, Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Maybelle Carter, to name a few.

Subject: RE: Best female guitar players?
From: Trevor Thomas
Date: 19 Jan 12 - 09:44 AM

Guest above was me, sorry.

Subject: RE: Best female guitar players?
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Jan 12 - 09:42 AM

I've seen Muriel Anderson (American guitarist) playing at a gig of Tommy Emannuel's. She's amazing. Clearly Tommy rates her as well.

I've seen Gabriela of Rodrigo y Gabriela. They're from South America, but were resident in Ireland a few years ago. They do instrumental guitar stuff, with latin influences. They're both very good, but Gabriela's especially good.

I've seen Julie Ellison (English guitarist). She plays all sorts, but is particularly good at the ragtimey, rolling-bass stuff.

But in general, yes it's rare. There are plenty of women who'll play some guitar to accompany their singing, but they're more interested in being The Singer rather than The Guitar Player. With men, it's often the other way round - I can think of a few who started off wanting to be The Guitar Player, taking up singing later in order to be able to get gigs.

I've no idea why this is the case. Lack of role models?

Or perhaps guitar music doesn't appeal to women?

Every time I go to a gig that's mainly instrumental guitar music, (For example Tommy Emannuel, Pierre Bensusan, Bob Brozman) it's at least 95% blokes, and a smattering of bored looking wives and girlfriends. If women don't like to listen to it, then they're not likely to want to learn to play it I suppose.

Subject: RE: Best female guitar players?
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 19 Jan 12 - 09:40 AM

Sharon Isbin is as highly regarded in the classical guitar field as any of her male contemporaries.

And Vicki Genfan is a great finger/tap stylist.

Subject: RE: Best female guitar players?
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 19 Jan 12 - 09:24 AM

Jo Ann Kelly.

Subject: RE: Best female guitar players?
From: GUEST,Big Nige
Date: 19 Jan 12 - 09:04 AM

Don't think there are any great Female Guitarists, there are some very good ones, but no great ones, and before all the whole folk world descends on me, check out Tommy Emmanual. He really is great.

Subject: RE: Best female guitar players?
From: Silas
Date: 19 Jan 12 - 08:49 AM

Helen Marshall

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hq1KLOQluSQ

Subject: RE: Best female guitar players?
From: Silas
Date: 19 Jan 12 - 08:47 AM

Sarah McQuaid

Subject: Best female guitar players?
From: Tigger the Tiger
Date: 19 Jan 12 - 08:46 AM

From the 1960's on, I was really as interested in the guitar work as in vocals. I only had one femals friend who could really play.   Could some of you send me some names of current female performers who really do some good work on the guitar?I am looking for people who really do some work rather than just accompany a pretty singing voice. Preferably solo. I am curious to see what the girls can do these days. Thanks.