Who is the Next Great Blues Guitarist?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Eric on -
I'll agree with that Sue. For me...it's never about technical ability and their ability to play lots of notes or lots of licks. It's about their ability to make that guitar convey the emotion of the song...sadness, anger, or just having fun. Most of my favorite blues artists/guitarists aren't great players...but their music moves me...and keeps me moving.
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Permalink Reply by Benton Gardner on -
I agree with you!
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Permalink Reply by Bill Johnson on -
There are so many great guitar players today. There isn't enough contrast for one to stand out. It usually does take someone with exceptional skill though.
Look to the past. Robert Johnson's playing is technically difficult to copy. Then come the great string benders. T-Bone, BB, Albert, Freddy, copying the sound of the slide. That redefined how you play the instrument. Hendrix then pushed the boundries of blues with electronics and even more radical technique. I see SRV in there too as he drew crowds back to blues with pure skill and showmanship.
Maybe the next best thing will be someone who can simply write prolifically, and embody the essence the blues like Jimmy Reed, or Hound Dog Taylor. God, we do need some great writers to lift or spirits these days.
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Permalink Reply by Roddy Gordon on -
I have never subscibed to the gun slinger attitude to music,who is best, fastest THE next great hero etc etc.
I believe music should not be a competion,if you like someones stuff you listen /buy enjoy.and share.So many musicians about so much music .I think the days are gone when we needed to proclaim someone as the next great guitar hero.
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Permalink Reply by PEDRO WYANT on -
well said, Roddy
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Permalink Reply by Patti on -
I totally agree with Roddy...there are soo many great guitarrist out there! many unknown but nevertheless great and probably just as enjoyable as the "best one".....Music is a human necessity, food for the heart and soul..
Thank God for musicians!!!!..
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Permalink Reply by Kaspar on -
There's no doubt about it; there are many great blues guitar players out there!
However, I have to disagree with the statement of "not enough contrast for one to stand out".
In my opinion there's a difference between "great" guitarist and "OUTSTANDING" guitarist. An outstanding guitarist has developed a style of playing which makes him stand out from the rest because of its uniqueness. Most of time, this unique style is supported by a guitar sound that nobody else has.
Take for example BB King; if you heard his guitar once you can recognize his playing on any record right when you hear the very first note he plays.
Another - unfortunately underappreciated - guitarist who certainly belongs into this category is Eddie C. Campbell (who by the way was Jimmy Reed's band director/leader for more than a decade); one of the last originators of the distinctive Chicago West Side Blues.
I'm very confident that I'm not laying when I say there is NO one out there on this planet who plays a shuffle like Eddie C, NO one else who masters the "less is more" concept like him, NO one else who bends the strings like him creating an incredibly unique and hypnotizing feel supported by his trademark; a reverb-drenched sound.
If I only take the part "isn't enough contrast" by itself; I'd say that's correct.
Why? Because there are'nt enough guitarists like BB King or Eddie C. Campbell today who actually are the ones creating the contrast; actually these guys ARE the contrast to the great players simply because they're not great, they are OUTSTANDING!
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Permalink Reply by Jennie Burrell on -
It is down to personal choice, but with so much talent out there, going back for how many years
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Those bends or that few extra seconds sustain, enough to get the goosebumps out - that's what does it for me, you're probably right about emotion, Eric and there's plenty do that.
And then - I look at Michael Angelo Batio or Rusty Cooley, shredding, tapping, sweep picking on the "you can master this too Instructional DVD (!!!)" and how could I not include them. Is it really that easy ? And I know it's fast and lots of notes, but omg !!!
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Permalink Reply by Chad Nordhoff on -
The artiste in me wants to launch into a rant about the historical significance of all the greats and why it can't really happen again. However, I've seen Derek Trucks live as well. He's a fine candidate!
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Permalink Reply by Roddy Gordon on
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Have I missed something ??
The next great blues guitarist ! what is the defination of one ?
I am a fan of Dereck Trucks and have been for MANY YEARS ,in my book he is not a CANDIDATE for recognition ,as he allready has that status.Re his work with the ABB,check out DVD Live at The Beacon Theater,(also Warren Haynes playing)his own band live DVD.also
On Crossroads DVD etc .and constant global touring.
As I said there are loads more with the same ability,who bring fresh stuff to the stage,for all to enjoy.Sonny Landreth is another.
Historically the world has changed,there are loads and loads of great players out there ,compared to the music scene years ago.It is immposible to single out one person.because as soon as you go wow thats brilliant ,you turn the page and there is someone else,just as talented and passionate
Which I personnaly find great ,long may it continue.
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Permalink Reply by Chad Nordhoff on
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I can dig it. Derek Trucks, Sonny Landreth and also Dickey Betts are among the guitarists that I can hardly stand to watch. They are all so mind blowing that I don't even want to pick up a guitar for days. It takes a while to mentally absorb what they just played. Personally, that is why I can't speculate on who the 'next' great one is.
After 80s metal there is a whole new level of technicality in Rock Guitar. Tom Morello really redefined what guitar 'playing' means. In Blues, it may take another generation's perspective to define greatness. They may even get it wrong.
Jimi Hendrix played things in 1967 that haven't quite been figured out yet. Robert Johnson did things in 1937 that Jimi never figured out and so on.
Has anyone contacted Derek Trucks about joining LiveBluesWorld and setting us all straight?
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Permalink Reply by Bill Johnson on
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I've got to vote for Sonny Landreth. He's got a deep bucket of stuff. I've heard him play some completely unique music before. It really left me thinking he was on a different plain.
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