I could have put in Albert King, but he repeats himself all the time. Which is great, that's his signature, he's awesome, but it limits him in scope. Sorry, not a SRV guy. I turn the radio channel when he comes on.
My wife and I "experienced" Jimi Hendrix and The Experience at Festival Hall, London, in 1967...bloody hell, never ever heard guitar-playing like that before or since!
I appreciate you rounding it out. That's a much better description of Jerry than to just say he's old jazz. He's all of those things. His father was an influence musically. I believe he played the sax before he drowned in front of Jerry when Jerry was a little boy. Yeah I get it. He's not like all the Brits who just robbed the old blues men, sped it up and ran with it. I still don't think you saw the Grateful Dead in the '80s when they were at their peak. There were nights I walked away with my hair standing on end. And it wasn't no old jazz. It was fresh and ethereal.
As for "Good Loving", I always hated it. A showcase for Bobby and his stupidity and antics on stage. No, it's not just like the original. And yeah I guess it swings but it's not Jerry's song. He probably didn't even arrange that take. If I never hear that, Shakedown Street (Disco), Touch of Grey and a number of other things ever again, I'd be happier.
PS: Bob Weir was one of the best rhythm guitar players I've ever seen. He's almost peerless in his own dyslexic way. He ain't no Keith. But there are few like him out there if any way n his realm.
I never did see the Dead live. I've listened mostly to the two americana albums, Workingman's and American Beauty. For me, that's the core best. Those records are perfect and transcend time, Robert Hunter's lyrics stand among the best lyrics anywhere. I have seen them on video doing whole concerts, I watched the Long Strange Trip series, which was great. Bob Weir is probably THE best rhythm guitar player, I don't know anyone else who does what he did. Here's the jazz thing again, JB, see? Weir is playing chords like a jazz guitarist comps different positions and voicings behind the lead, and he often took Jerry into areas of improvisation because of the chords he'd use. by the way, i don't use the term 'old jazz' in any derogatory way. That shit still swings. Ellington, are you kidding? East St Louis Toodle-oo? Steely Dan do a faithful modern take on it that's great. But those really deep songs, Ripple, Box of Rain, Uncle John's Band, High Time, Dire Wolf, those are like something made out of preindustrial materials. Hewn from split logs. That's where the Dead really get to me. i have a funny story about them. I heard those two above albums as a teen, but a friend of mine owned them, so we listened to his and i never bought them. then time went on, I heard Dead music but still didn't have any records, so one day I was out and went into a record shop and on a whim bought Skeletons, Best of, just so I've have the big songs. I went home and on the news that day, the big story was Jerry Garcia had died.
Damn shame you didn't see them live. Especially in the '80s. Less and weir. Absolutely doing the things that you said, but when they added Brent Midland as Jerry said Brent gave him a canvas on which to paint his strokes. Brent and Jerry had their own little thing going on. Once in awhile ornette Coleman and then Clarence Clemons stood between them. Jamming.
But you're pigeonholeding again. The albums you mention are unbelievable Americana some of the best ever made.
Seeing them live and seeing them on TV are two different things. You missed the experience.
There were nights when they were in the arrow between songs where they were so strong in a fusion way that it was mind-blowing to witness. Looking into each other's eyes and communicating.
Damn shame you didn't see them live.
Bill Graham said it best. "They're not the best at what they do. They're the only ones that do what they do."
But that being said, I'll take the Dwayne Allman era Allman Brothers live over anybody in that 70 to 71 time frame. Look for the Gatlinburg tapes on YouTube. Listen to them doing Coltrane's version of My Favorite Things. They were so far ahead of the Dead in jazz and blues, it wasn't even funny.
A sad glimpse at what could have been.
I subscribed. I enjoy talking to you. You're the kind of guy I could talk to for hours on the telephone. I had a best friend like that. He saw everybody at the Fillmore East and the Fillmore West. He was in that magic spot that he was just a little bit older than I was. He saw it all. The flag that's hanging in the band of gypsies picture from the Fillmore East. I believe it was in New Year's Eve and it's hanging from the loge. That was my best friend's flag.
He OD'd 33 years ago.
I really haven't had anyone intelligent on his level to talk to about music since.
I saw led Zep in Boston 1st week of Jan 70. They did a 4 night stay at The Boston Tea party. I'm not sure which night I went, they were incredible. Maybe 750 people? That was one of my lucky to have experienced shows. The last night of the stay they played for like 4 hours or something, just kept coming back because the audience wouldn't let them go. I don't listen to Pink Floyd.
Thanks Vincent. All good choices there, there's a lot to say for each of them. That's the trouble with lists, there's tons of great players. `Those were just my personal likes.
This isn’t even a list without Dimebag Darrell Abbot. Dude put “Dean” guitars on the map, dude grew up with his brother Vinny Paul idolizing Kiss… became the greatest metal guitarist of all time… to me.
I'm happy that you also mentioned Jeff Beck, who I saw with Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Steve Vai. And I was remiss in not adding the late great Alan Holdsworth to the list.
It's hard to believe we're coming up on 8 year anni of his death. His music is avail on YouTube. He was very well known with musicians and had a custom fretless guitar. Tourists from Japan would often come see him and take pics of his guitar.
He did recordings with Jack Bruce. The last time I saw him play in LA Jack Bruce made a brief appearance. As they had a falling out, Al didn't acknowledge him, so there was no jam and he left as quickly as he came in.
Not true, I actually saw John McLaughlin live in the Tony Williams Lifetime in 1969, in Boston. My friends and I were big into Mclaughlin, fusion jazz, Larry Coryell... I loved his Lady Coryell record, played that to death. If I'd made a list of 100 Guitarists...
I could have put in Albert King, but he repeats himself all the time. Which is great, that's his signature, he's awesome, but it limits him in scope. Sorry, not a SRV guy. I turn the radio channel when he comes on.
That’s just like, your opinion man. Richard Thompson I can agree with and Jimi though I dont really enjoy his playing
It is! That's exactly what it is and all it is! Exactly! Thank you!
Gimme Shelter: great then and still current. The king of song openings.
My wife and I "experienced" Jimi Hendrix and The Experience at Festival Hall, London, in 1967...bloody hell, never ever heard guitar-playing like that before or since!
His live recordings are really miraculous. When he does long improvised solos, it's like going into a different dimension, cruising the universe.
Non-stop Bach-like inventions and variations.
Great article. I learned of a few players I was not aware of. Let me affirm “Blow by Blow!”
I appreciate you rounding it out. That's a much better description of Jerry than to just say he's old jazz. He's all of those things. His father was an influence musically. I believe he played the sax before he drowned in front of Jerry when Jerry was a little boy. Yeah I get it. He's not like all the Brits who just robbed the old blues men, sped it up and ran with it. I still don't think you saw the Grateful Dead in the '80s when they were at their peak. There were nights I walked away with my hair standing on end. And it wasn't no old jazz. It was fresh and ethereal.
As for "Good Loving", I always hated it. A showcase for Bobby and his stupidity and antics on stage. No, it's not just like the original. And yeah I guess it swings but it's not Jerry's song. He probably didn't even arrange that take. If I never hear that, Shakedown Street (Disco), Touch of Grey and a number of other things ever again, I'd be happier.
PS: Bob Weir was one of the best rhythm guitar players I've ever seen. He's almost peerless in his own dyslexic way. He ain't no Keith. But there are few like him out there if any way n his realm.
Peace. JB
I never did see the Dead live. I've listened mostly to the two americana albums, Workingman's and American Beauty. For me, that's the core best. Those records are perfect and transcend time, Robert Hunter's lyrics stand among the best lyrics anywhere. I have seen them on video doing whole concerts, I watched the Long Strange Trip series, which was great. Bob Weir is probably THE best rhythm guitar player, I don't know anyone else who does what he did. Here's the jazz thing again, JB, see? Weir is playing chords like a jazz guitarist comps different positions and voicings behind the lead, and he often took Jerry into areas of improvisation because of the chords he'd use. by the way, i don't use the term 'old jazz' in any derogatory way. That shit still swings. Ellington, are you kidding? East St Louis Toodle-oo? Steely Dan do a faithful modern take on it that's great. But those really deep songs, Ripple, Box of Rain, Uncle John's Band, High Time, Dire Wolf, those are like something made out of preindustrial materials. Hewn from split logs. That's where the Dead really get to me. i have a funny story about them. I heard those two above albums as a teen, but a friend of mine owned them, so we listened to his and i never bought them. then time went on, I heard Dead music but still didn't have any records, so one day I was out and went into a record shop and on a whim bought Skeletons, Best of, just so I've have the big songs. I went home and on the news that day, the big story was Jerry Garcia had died.
And if we're talking old jazz, I'll go with Bird.
Every time.
Damn microphone.
I *miss* those calls.
*Duane*
*Lesh*
Damn shame you didn't see them live. Especially in the '80s. Less and weir. Absolutely doing the things that you said, but when they added Brent Midland as Jerry said Brent gave him a canvas on which to paint his strokes. Brent and Jerry had their own little thing going on. Once in awhile ornette Coleman and then Clarence Clemons stood between them. Jamming.
But you're pigeonholeding again. The albums you mention are unbelievable Americana some of the best ever made.
Seeing them live and seeing them on TV are two different things. You missed the experience.
There were nights when they were in the arrow between songs where they were so strong in a fusion way that it was mind-blowing to witness. Looking into each other's eyes and communicating.
Damn shame you didn't see them live.
Bill Graham said it best. "They're not the best at what they do. They're the only ones that do what they do."
But that being said, I'll take the Dwayne Allman era Allman Brothers live over anybody in that 70 to 71 time frame. Look for the Gatlinburg tapes on YouTube. Listen to them doing Coltrane's version of My Favorite Things. They were so far ahead of the Dead in jazz and blues, it wasn't even funny.
A sad glimpse at what could have been.
I subscribed. I enjoy talking to you. You're the kind of guy I could talk to for hours on the telephone. I had a best friend like that. He saw everybody at the Fillmore East and the Fillmore West. He was in that magic spot that he was just a little bit older than I was. He saw it all. The flag that's hanging in the band of gypsies picture from the Fillmore East. I believe it was in New Year's Eve and it's hanging from the loge. That was my best friend's flag.
He OD'd 33 years ago.
I really haven't had anyone intelligent on his level to talk to about music since.
I missed those calls.
Peace.
*Mydland"
The guitarists I'd be more interested in adding would be like - Hubert Sumlin and Jimmy Reed...
There's a ton a great players, lots to hear. If you like them, then listening to them puts them on your own top list.
I saw led Zep in Boston 1st week of Jan 70. They did a 4 night stay at The Boston Tea party. I'm not sure which night I went, they were incredible. Maybe 750 people? That was one of my lucky to have experienced shows. The last night of the stay they played for like 4 hours or something, just kept coming back because the audience wouldn't let them go. I don't listen to Pink Floyd.
Wow. How was Chuck Berry?
Frank Zappa, of course
Thanks Vincent. All good choices there, there's a lot to say for each of them. That's the trouble with lists, there's tons of great players. `Those were just my personal likes.
This isn’t even a list without Dimebag Darrell Abbot. Dude put “Dean” guitars on the map, dude grew up with his brother Vinny Paul idolizing Kiss… became the greatest metal guitarist of all time… to me.
I'd add Eddie Van Halen and Stevie Ray
Vaughan.
Thanks for reading!
I'm happy that you also mentioned Jeff Beck, who I saw with Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Steve Vai. And I was remiss in not adding the late great Alan Holdsworth to the list.
I've heard Alan Holdsworth's name come up often in guitar circles. I haven't heard him, and he's another I have to go back and listen to.
It's hard to believe we're coming up on 8 year anni of his death. His music is avail on YouTube. He was very well known with musicians and had a custom fretless guitar. Tourists from Japan would often come see him and take pics of his guitar.
He did recordings with Jack Bruce. The last time I saw him play in LA Jack Bruce made a brief appearance. As they had a falling out, Al didn't acknowledge him, so there was no jam and he left as quickly as he came in.
You accidentally left Tony Iommi off the list. 🥸
Ummm, not a big fan, sorry.
🍻
You forgot, and likely seldom listen to John McLaughlin. Even Pat Metheny calls him the greatest guitarist ever.
Not true, I actually saw John McLaughlin live in the Tony Williams Lifetime in 1969, in Boston. My friends and I were big into Mclaughlin, fusion jazz, Larry Coryell... I loved his Lady Coryell record, played that to death. If I'd made a list of 100 Guitarists...
In 1973 I saw Larry Cornell live in a tiny little venue in Philadelphia. Wonderful show. I'm envious that you got to see McLaughlin.