You head to YouTube to show your friends the most impressive guitar playing ever captured. What name do you search for? Tommy Emmanuel? Tony Rice? Django? Perhaps someone else?

Another possible scenario -- you head to YouTube only for your own pleasure. What name do you search for? And is it the same name as above?

I'm not trying to pick the world's greatest player because too many factors enter the equation and it get's complicated - this is just about pure enjoyment as a listener/viewer.

I guess I should mention my own opinion.

I mentioned Tommy because his playing seems to capture and hold my attention the most. It's hypnotic for me. Like a drug. There may be players more versed in music theory, or raw technique, or speed, or musical repertoire, but as an overall player and entertainer there are few better.

And Django... what needs to be said about Django.

Tommy ... Kelly Joe Phelps ... James Taylor ... redavide ...

Totally depends on the day.

I agree, though, that for entertainment value there is nothing like a Tommy concert. All of the air seems to be sucked out of the theatre until he finishes piece (at which point everyone exhales).

[QUOTE]Originally posted by elambo:

most impressive guitar playing ever captured.

QUOTE]

I think Cody Kilby was playing a D2H then, sooooooo in the flatpicking, love songs about a pig while backed up by the Boston Pops category, I choose:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wejj8G9ZoXY&feature=related

I think hearing Bryan Sutton play was what caused me to buy a Bourgeois. I was trying to play just like him? I believe that they played this song a little faster on their Live at Charleston Music Hall cd.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVhWx36GFpI

This message has been edited. Last edited by: El Jefe,

I look for Ry Cooder stuff for obvious reasons, plus his content is often taken down soon after it is posted on You Tube, so the window of opportunity is sometimes short. Here's one.

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

Ever notice how there is never any Prince on You Tube, or is this not the right Forum? Just a note about Prince - try to catch his solo at the end of While My Guitar Gently Weeps at an All-Star Jam done at a George Harrision tribute concert. Tom Petty, Dhani Harrison, Jeff Lynne, and the usual suspects; Prince comes out for the final solo and puts a smile on Dhani's face (and mine). Jeez, he can play.

Not being one that is enamored by virtuoso muscians...they usually play too fast and too many notes...I like to hear players with an individual,unique sound so I can't pick a best or favorite but do enjoy these atrists and usually know them immediately when hearing something new by surprise because they are saying something musical that I understand:

Pierre Bensusan
Richard Thompson
Mark Knopfler
Norman Blake
Ry Cooder
Tony Rice

I've seen Martin Simpson,Ed Gerhard,BoB Brozman,L. Juber,D. Dykes and all the Taylor cilinicians,Pat Donahue,etc. and really enjoyed them all but don't know that I have a favorite among them. I think the artists in my first list have multi-dimensional things going on along with great playing...songwriting,singing...to me that's more interesting and in each phase they are unique.

Segovia,Chet,Merle,Robert Johnson,Rev. Davis,Blind Blake,Django,Jorma....all great.

My "Top 10" list, some in order of preference, some not :

1. TR
2. David Grier
3. LJ
4. Tommy
5. Bryan Sutton
6. Norman
7. Andres Segovia
8. Kenny Smith
9. Al Petteway
10. And of course...Clarence White

Oh, good night nurse. where to start. styles. Segovia, absolutely. Django, a no brainer. Manitas de Plata, the most amazing flamenco player I ever saw, and I saw all of 'em that came to the bay area in the sixties (Sabicas, Carlos Montoya, etc). Clarence White. Doc Watson. Gotta have a Brazilian music representative, so Jobim. Blues? Son House made time stop; he taught Robert Johnson how to play, for cryin' out loud. Rev. Gary Davis, who gave me an impromptu lesson in August of 1966, of which I absorbed maybe five percent. Pete Huttlinger, who can play anything. any. thing. I don't know Petteway well enough to know, but I suspect he can, too. I'm not big into gymnastics, although I'm in awe of them, so Hedges and Tommy knock me out, but they don't really break my heart, which is the test for me.

CC & TF:

If I could play and sing like anybody, it would be--

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

Just a couple, and in no order:

Alex de Grassi
Tim Sparks
Pete Huttlinger
Pat Donohue

if I could play and sing like anybody it might be Nora Jones, but that's a whole 'nother topic. Vince Gill is an amazing singer and player, but he's not really acoustic (but he's sure 'nuff electric). If you throw singing into the mix, it's not just a tangent, not just a chapter, it's a whole bleedin' book. Ok- early Joni Mitchell, as far from bluegrass as you can get, but utterly original guitar stylings and an angelic voice. all that and songs that passed the word "genius" by her second album. And she plays a Collings (and anything else she lays her hands on). tom

Have to agree with you Boss....being Norman...musically speaking... would be a fine thing if only for a day.

Thanks for that clip,he makes it look effortless and all the soul and swing is in there. I got to see Norman,Nancy,and James probably on that same tour at Lock Haven State U. in PA...one of my all time favorite shows.They may have been at their peak in those years but have mellowed and matured ever since into legends.

Tom,ever hear that John Mellancamp quote about Joni? It went something like...Artist? there's only one true artist,that's Joni Mitchell.