Most versatile guitarist?

Subject: RE: Most versatile guitarist?
From: GUEST,Auxiris
Date: 06 Jun 00 - 03:55 AM

I'd say Arty McGlynn.

cheers, Aux

Subject: RE: Most versatile guitarist?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 06 Jun 00 - 11:57 AM

Yup David, Josh White is one of my ALL time fave guitarists. I guess folks are just defining the term "most versatile" differently than I am.

Rick

Subject: RE: Most versatile guitarist?
From: Jim the Bart
Date: 06 Jun 00 - 12:52 PM

I want to add a couple of other guys who deserve honorable mention, if not more. They are extremely versatile, but probably not most versatile - I think those have been pointed to altready.

Bruce Cockburn - need I say more?
Duane Allman - no one, I believe mentioned slide guitar (which is why I, personally, think Ry Cooder is the man). And DA played a real nice acoustic, too.
Marty Stuart - He's a little bit country and a little bit rock 'n roll, a real sharp dresser and he's a whole lot more. He's also a monster on the mandolin. Check out a recording called "Busy Bee Cafe" (I think that's the name) for some really fine picking by him and others.

One name I'm gonna put out is a man known for his mandolin playing, but who was a very accomplished all-around musician - the late Jethro Burns. I had the distinct pleasure of working with him a few times and never met a nicer gentleman, or a more inventive, clever, brilliant musician. He has a number of recordings on Flying Fish that show his jazz chops. Or you could hear him on many of Steve Goodman's recordings.
BTW, Jethro's son, John Burns, is an incredible guitarist, singer, writer and all-round good guy. He can be heard on some of John Prine's stuff; he backed up JP for years as part of the Famous Potatoes. And I think he's working on his own stuff in Nashville. I guess growing up with Jethro as father and Chet Atkins as uncle must have rubbed off.

Subject: RE: Most versatile guitarist?
From: Herge
Date: 06 Jun 00 - 04:05 PM

Yes Arty McGlynn would be hard to beat. Herge

Subject: RE: Most versatile guitarist?
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 06 Jun 00 - 06:14 PM

If we are now discussing versatile Celtic players, it is a no-contest situation. Tony McManus wins by a street length, because of his unique virtuosity as both a fingerpicker and flatpicker. If only he could play slide like Martin Simpson .........

Murray

Subject: RE: Most versatile guitarist?
From: mactheturk
Date: 06 Jun 00 - 11:16 PM

Let us not forget Mr. Bert Jansch...

"Bert Jansch's impact on the acoustic guitar is egual to Hendrix's impact on the electric guitar." Neil Young.

Had a major influence on the likes of Jimmy Page, Donovan, Martin Simpson and Richard Thompson.

Mixed elements of folk, blues and jazz.

Formed group "Pentangle" with John Renbourn.

Worth honorable mention, anyway.

Mac

Subject: RE: Most versatile guitarist?
From: tgreenie
Date: 07 Jun 00 - 12:26 AM

Dang, they're all great. But they all listened to Segovia and drooled.

Subject: RE: Most versatile guitarist?
From: ddw
Date: 07 Jun 00 - 12:36 AM

Another guitarist nobody's mentioned is Lorendo Almeda. I never heard him do blues or folk or country, but he could go from classical to flamenco to jazz with complete fluidity.

Also a young Canadian who has been making quite a name for himself in the last few years — Jesse Cook. Extraordinary fusion of latin and jazz, but capable of other things as well.

david

Subject: RE: Most versatile guitarist?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 07 Jun 00 - 01:12 AM

Ummmm, Jethro Burns. Now THERE was a picker!

I've been thinking about this lately and I think there's a problem in only naming "famous" guitarists. I'm more convinced than ever that the MOST VERSATILE person is a virtually unknown sideman. Someone capable of playing many styles really well. My final vote goes to Canada's Tony Quarrington. I can't think of any piece in any style that he wouldn't be able to replicate with a few minutes practice. He's not famous, but has played on hundreds of recordings. Among the famous....I'll still go with Danny Gatton.

Rick

Subject: RE: Most versatile guitarist?
From: bob jr
Date: 17 Jun 00 - 10:43 PM

well i guess versatille i would have to say that jimi hendrix was real versatille and real underated as far as you folks go i reckon cause he gets so much hype and he showboated a fair bit but the man could really really play his instrument . his acoustic style was also real nice and as much as i like richard thompson and bert jansch and john renbourn and all they hardly constitute versatallity david bromberg yeah and i can go along with ry cooder and duane allman if your talking bout players who just ease into any situation..

Subject: RE: Most versatile guitarist?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 18 Jun 00 - 12:38 PM

Another thought just occurred to me. Boy do we have a lot more resources to learn from today than those folks at the turn of the century (or even 1960). Today (if you've got the chops) you can buy a video and learn Joseph Spence's style in an afternoon. If it's raining all day you can sit with a video of Doc Watson and learn "Deep River Blues". He said it took HIM ten years to learn it. No wonder there are so many good pickers around. My hat's still off to the originators. They had to pick it out of thin air.

Rick

Subject: RE: Most versatile guitarist?
From: Lucius
Date: 18 Jun 00 - 09:40 PM

The guitar. Ubiquitous and multifarious. Just popped in from "The World's Greatest Guitarist" chat to plug Jerry Garcia. As an exponent of rock, jazz, bluegrass and traditional--well even a non-deadhead like myself has to appreciate his versitility.

Any chance of starting a "Which guitarist has the strongest personal style" (re: least versitile--but still great) thread for afters?

Lucius

Subject: RE: Most versatile guitarist?
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 18 Jun 00 - 10:11 PM

For pure versatility, Danny Gatton, Chet Atkins, Charlie Byrd, Chris Newman, Gerry O'Beirne in no particular order. All the best. Seamus

Subject: RE: Most versatile guitarist?
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 19 Jun 00 - 03:22 AM

I have to second Murray MacLeod's motion on Tony McManus. The man is equally amazing at accompanying, picking tunes, really just doing whatever he wants to on the guitar. An honorable mention to San Francisco's Steve Baughman.

Subject: RE: Most versatile guitarist?
From: MikeofNorthumbria
Date: 19 Jun 00 - 08:25 AM

"Most versatile guitarist" is not necessarily the same as "favourite", or "greatest" - and it's a harder category to judge than those two. Why? Because many professional pickers can do all sorts of things outside the genre for which they're best known, but rarely reveal this except at informal jam sessions, which few of us are privileged to hear.

But on the evidence of my own ears, there's one obvious contender no-one seems to have mentioned yet:

Davey Graham.

After decades of neglect, Davey is finally getting the recognition he deserves, now that his classic recordings (and some amazing tapes of after hours sessions) are becoming available on CD.

If you haven't heard any of them yet, your education as a guitar afficionado is still incomplete.

Happy listening!

Subject: RE: Most versatile guitarist?
From: barrygeo
Date: 20 Jun 00 - 08:24 AM

Since Mudcat is also dedicated to Blues Hoe about

B.B.King and Rory Gallagher - for the blues vote.

Subject: RE: Most versatile guitarist?
From: Whistle Stop
Date: 20 Jun 00 - 08:42 AM

Barrygeo, I think B.B. King is great; in my early days, one of the records that had a strong influence on my own lead guitar playing was Live At The Regal. But again, we're talking versatility here -- and in my view, B.B. has to be in the running for LEAST versatile guitarist. The man can do a whole lot with one note, but in the end it's still only one note, and he just plays it over and over again.

Subject: RE: Most versatile guitarist?
From: barrygeo
Date: 20 Jun 00 - 10:48 AM

Whistle Stop, Cannot disagree aout versatility but couldn't bear a list of great guitarists without his name there. BArry

Subject: RE: Most versatile guitarist?
From: Whistle Stop
Date: 20 Jun 00 - 11:18 AM

Agreed, Barry; he certainly deserves a place of honor.

Subject: RE: Most versatile guitarist?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 20 Jun 00 - 11:15 PM

Aiee chihuawa! How could I have forgotten Lennie Breau? 'Course I'm still operating with the criterion for "most versatile" and a LOT of us ain't. He went from country, to Chet, to classical to jazz. That's a fair stretch.

Rick

Subject: RE: Most versatile guitarist?
From: M. Ted (inactive)
Date: 21 Jun 00 - 12:52 PM

I am surprised that nobody has mentioned Tommy Tedesco, the great studio guitarist, who made his living by being versatile. I would guess that he played every style at one time or another, for and with the best. And he kept it up for years. He was a great site reader, as well.

There is a difference between being a versatile player and being a great artist, and on that note, I'd have to say that I vote for Bola Sete, who was an incredible Bossa Guitarist, and who was also regarded as a classical guitarist in the rank of Segovia.

There is another area, and that is the area of theory--because, bottom line, in order to play in different styles you have to understand the fundamental musical ideas that are the basis of each style, and how to use them.

Love him or hate him, Dennis Sandoli, who seldom performs, but has taught for many years in Philadelphia, is the master in this area. People like Pat Methany have studied with him, as have Art Farmer and John Coltrane. Sandoli's guitar students are like a a music Mafia in Philadelphia. playing everywhere in everything from the rawest of thrash bands to TSOP style R&B, to all types of Jazz. Sandoli has a rare talent for taking the genre, breaking it down, and putting it back together in a way that you can build on.

(And no, I never studied with him, don't necessarily recommend it, and am not necessarily even an admirer--but that is another discussion)

Subject: RE: Most versatile guitarist?
From: Whistle Stop
Date: 21 Jun 00 - 03:02 PM

Good points, M.Ted. I suspect that the reason people didn't mention these folks is that relatively few of us know who they are or what they have done. Tommy Tedesco occurred to me, too, when I was originally replying to this thread. But then I realized that, while I am aware that he has played on an enormous number of records by a wide range of artists, I couldn't actually name any of them -- I know all this from reading articles about him, and interviews with him, but I can't actually tell you what he played on. Anonymity is part of the deal for session guitarists, especially on older recordings.

[By the way, another legendary session musician, bassist Carol Kaye, was recently the subject of a profile on public radio. She's still around, and has some fascinating stories to tell.]

As for Bola Sete, well, I've heard of him, but that's about it. And your message is the first I've ever heard of Dennis Sandoli. Guess there's still a lot of music out there waiting to be discovered (at least by me).

Subject: RE: Most versatile guitarist?
From: Lucius
Date: 21 Jun 00 - 09:53 PM

Bola Sete is a great one. I especially liked his playing with Vince Giraldi (sp?), my memory is not betraying me, no? However isn't he, like many of these, a great guitarist, but well within one genre. Mark Knoffler comes to mind here for his work on various soundtracts, Dire Straits, Chet Atkins duets and the Notting Hillbillies, but I think that the guy that mentioned Tedesco has this thread pegged.

Lucius

Subject: RE: Most versatile guitarist?
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 21 Jun 00 - 10:27 PM

Rock, blues, country, folk, soul, jazz...Robbie Robertson has demonstrated journeyman skill in each of these genres in his work with Dylan, The Band, John Hammond, and in his solo material.

Subject: RE: Most versatile guitarist?
From: gillymor
Date: 21 Jun 00 - 11:36 PM

I mentioned Hank Garland awhile back because besides being a famous country instrumentalist he produced a jazz album a long time ago called Jazz Winds From a New Direction that contained some of the most joyous and inventive playing I've ever heard. Tony Rice, although he only plays steel string acoustic seems like someone who could (and has) add something great to just about anything he played on. And of course Junior Brown with his guitsteel and his incredible country, blues and rock chops is way up on my list.

Frankie

Subject: RE: Most versatile guitarist?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 22 Jun 00 - 12:38 AM

Welcome back MTed, I missed you. the annoying anonymous flamers have gone to other pastures.

I saw Tedesco in a club once and was a bit disappointed. He did the better part of a set demonstrating how he could play in "any" style. He was quite verbal about it, but when he played country, classical, flamenco, and FOLK(!!) he appeared to play only chiches and phrases that were YEARS out of date. The audience thought it was wonderful but myself and the other two guitarists with me were sorely disappointed. In his last set, he played pop and jazz, which was much more enjoyable. Although technically he was very fast, we didn't find him to be very clean or inventive. I could never begin to approach his skills, so I'm a bit leary about any criticism, but that was my take. I certainly felt that (other than the reading) Lenny Breau was a far more versatile and inventive player. Still put Danny Gatton and Tuck Andress up there. What do you think of them?

Rick

Subject: RE: Most versatile guitarist?
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 22 Jun 00 - 10:48 AM

I remember my dad playing a Lenny Breau album for me when I was in my teens. I was awestruck. I really have to listen to him again.

Going back into the rock arena, there are several players who I really like, but versatility may not be their strong suit. I think that Steve Howe of Yes would fit the category well.

I've seen B.B. a bunch of times, love his tone, his vibrato and his showmanship, but the last time I saw him I found myself thinking 'Learn some new notes, man"

Subject: RE: Most versatile guitarist?
From: M. Ted (inactive)
Date: 22 Jun 00 - 01:18 PM

I am back in a limited capacity, as they say--though I didn't really leave because of the flamers, per se--I have some long term health problems that interfere with my ability to deal life in general, and I got too invested in some not very important things here, and it was starting to affect my overall situation.

Now, as to Lenny Breau and Danny Gatton--Lenny was one of the greats, both in terms of his level of talent and the quality of work--not enough people know about him. As luck would have it, I was on a Lenny Breau listening kick when he died unexpectedly, so I have a (probably somewhat inappropriate) personal attachment to him,

Danny Gatton was the ultimate phenomenon --he had absorbed all of this crazy mishmosh of different genres of music that we are bombarded with, in every aspect of our lives, and he had woven it together and made something greater than the parts. People always talk about his ability to play what seemed technically impossible, but to me, the most important thin about his work was that he played with a subtle sense of humor.

I haven't heard a lot of Tuck Andress, though I have liked what I heard, and was impressed with how well he could hold together any style song with a single guitar. Would really like to hear him live.

Also, Hank Garland is anouther great, who had done a lot of great work and yet is not widely known--

Rick, Tommy had been doing a workshop tour for one of the music companies, and the little bit that he did was from that. Part of the thing about "versatility" is that it means you can take whatever someone throws in your lap and make it work.

This idea of "The Most" or "The Greatest" or whatever, is basically an unreasonable proposition, based in our societies preoccupation with competitive sports, where fastest, farthest, and highest, and the most are really measurable.

Guitarists are usually composers and arrangers as well, and each works with a different set of ideas, and develops different aspects of the music. It makes comparison hard. There are few people who could find enough common ground to compare Jimmy Hendrix and Merle Travis. Given the fact that they both accompanied Elvis, here are such great differences in the styles and techniques of James Burton and Scotty Moore that it is hard to compare them.

Beyond that, it really isn't possible to gauge the depth, widtth and breadth of a musician or performer, by one piece of music, one concert, or one cd.

Performances of all kinds are really contrivances--the audience is not intended to ever know what went into it, to maintain the illusion, it is necessary for them to accept what they see at face value, and be "Amazed".

They never know that their favorite guitar idol spent hours learning to play a solo that someone else (or, often, three other people) created in a studio.

They never know that their favorite "downhome" traditional artist studied at a prestigious preforming arts school, or that he learned his famous guitar licks from his more talented but less successful brother.

Aspiring guitarists never know that the piece that they so carefully studied and copied from a "The Greatest Guitarist of All Time" was actually written by someone else, who was never credited, then multitracked, with the melody notes overdubbed by a guy with funny hair from Brooklyn, because the "Greatest Guitarist" kept clamming the notes.

Fame, or notoriety, doesn't really have much to do with how versatile someone is, in fact, the more famous someone is, the less versatile they can be, because people get to know them for one thing, and they want to hear it.

The most veratile guitarist in the world is some guy that has been playing as the house accompanist on open mike nite for singers, in some small club in Old Town, or Soho, or on Union Street, or a similar place in some other big city.

He plays Jazz for the Jazz singers, country for the country singers, a little Rogers and Hammerstein for the aspiring show singers. He can play fingerstyle, he can fake blues, and he knows the changes to most everything that hit the top ten because he plays weddings, in season. He can cover "Miserlou" and "Usku Dar", or "Allah Zein" for the Middle Easterners, and plays "Sakura" for the Japanese tourists.

Everyone knows his first name, only the nite manager and the bookeeper know his last name. He's been there for ten year, and when he leaves, they'll buy a piano replace him with a Billy Joel wannabee who empties the place by his second week.

And then, someone will hear him, in Boston, or Vegas, or at the Holiday Inn, or maybe it will be someone else, that reminds them of him.

Subject: RE: Most versatile guitarist?
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 22 Jun 00 - 01:30 PM

M. Ted,

I think that about sums it up. Well said.

Subject: RE: Most versatile guitarist?
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 22 Jun 00 - 01:44 PM

M. Ted,

I think that about sums it up. Well said.

Subject: RE: Most versatile guitarist?
From: GUEST,the happy farmer
Date: 23 Jun 00 - 12:44 PM

heheheheh -- M. Ted, I think you must have actually _played_ the guitar at some time -- that appears to make you almost unique in this thread.

a lot of this thread reminds me of that old bit they used to do on the Letterman show (long, long ago when it was actually funny) called "Limited Perspective", where the gag would be something like an orthodontist reviewing movies and rating them according to the quality of the actors' teeth.

it's just a silly, silly, silly concept...

Subject: RE: Most versatile guitarist?
From: M. Ted (inactive)
Date: 23 Jun 00 - 02:01 PM

Some of the others here can play, or at least are reputed to do it. As for me, I've been fooling around with the guitar so long that people have given up trying to argue the point.