who are your top ten acoustic guitarists?

Alphabetically:

1. Ian Anderson
2. Ian Anderson
3. Ian Anderson
4. Ian Anderson
5. Ian Anderson
6. Ian Anderson
7. Ian Anderson
8. Ian Anderson
9. Ian Anderson
10. Ian Anderson

... making up for the lack of respect.


Martin Barre
Liona Boyd
Neil Young

to those that picked Ian. You know.

 

One that is ALWAYS overlooked who's fantastic and still alive:
WILLIE NELSON

 

Pete Townshend
Paul McCartney
Marshall Crenshaw
Michael Nesmith
Paul Simon
Don Everly

 

What I like about Willie's playing is that stylistically it's just like his singing: mellow, sly, slightly behind the beat, a little world-weary.

Willie recorded an alll-instrumental album of standards a few years ago on some small label, but I never got around to picking it up. Anyone have it? How is it?

 

Someone mentioned her already on the first page, but here's another shout out to Nancy Wilson (of Heart). She plays a mean acoustic in concert when she goes into solo mode.

 

#1 Hank Marvin (of The Shadows)
#2 Claude Ciari ( ex lead of 60's instro band Les Champions).
IMo
Alex

 

I think all have been mentioned:
Andres Segovia
Doc Watson
Tony Rice
John Williams
Leo Kottke
Charlie Byrd
Narcisso Yepes
Jorma Kaukonen
Tal Farlow
Michael Hedges
Must add a plug for dobro master Jerry Douglas

 

Numero Uno: Lenny Breau! Beyond that I'd list Michael Hedges, Richard Thompson, Ralph Towner, John McLaughlin, David Bromberg, Larry Coryell (I like his acoustic stuff better than electric!) and of course Robert Johnson. But Lenny Breau was THE MAN!
------- Chris

 

Haven't seen David Russell mentioned. He is still putting out music on the Telarc label. I believe at one time he did study with Andres Segovia.

 

A couple of weeks ago I was persuaded by Delta Steve and Coypu to go and see Martin Simpson at a folk club a few miles away. I'd heard of him but didn't have any of his music and had not, in fact, heard a single thing by him.

I was assured by the pair of them that I'd really enjoy his guitar playing but, quite frankly, that really was an understatement. I haven't seen many great acoustic guitarists "live" - John Hammond, Keb Mo', Nils Lofgren are probably those best known to other Forum Members - but Martin Simpson, in my opinion, bettered them on the night.

Add to that pretty good vocals; a really wide range of musical styles from classical to Dylan (completely different takes on "Boots of Spanish Leather" and "Highway 61") to "down and dirty" slide; some enlightening and amusing anecdotes; excellent original material and a sociable bloke as well. He's playing the Canmore and Edmonton Folk Festivals this August so any Canadians who want to hear a really excellent performer just go along

I'm afraid I can't recommend any of his albums as the only one I have is the one I bought on the night which he autographed for me even after I'd told him that I'd came along with absolutely no knowledge of him whatsoever.

For those whose curiosity may be piqued here's the link to his website: http://www.martinsimpson.com/

 

When I first posted, I left him out on purpose to see how long it would be before he got mentioned. My daddy played him a lot when I was a kid. I appreciate Segovia. That's cheating giving Jerry Douglas a nod but since he also plays get-tar, he is spec-tack-lar, ain't he.....

I haven't given 10 yet, all together, so I get to add Kaoui Muraji....I really enjoyed her SA-CD and her XRCD, Pastorale.

 

In no particular order and adding no new revelations to this thread-

Richard Thompson
Django Reinhardt
John Fahey
Leo Kottke
Kelly Joe Phelps
Merle Travis
Bruce Cockburn
Chet Atkins
John McLaughlin
Ry Cooder

 

It's too late to pick 10 right now.

Paul McCartney - he is the father of my acoustic guitar playing, and David Gilmour is the father of my electric guitar playing (well, soloing at least)

My holy grail of epitomizing how well the acoustic can sound is that beautiful glassy "top and bottom" thumb and forefinger pick followed by the strum he employs on Blackbird, Mother Nature's Son, San Ferry Anne, Man We Was Lonely, Vanilla Sky, Great Day, Junk, Your Way, and so forth. Best example of all time is Blackbird on "Wings Over America". It just sounds so good!

 

In no order ....

Davy Graham
Bert Jansch
Robert Johnson
Stephan Grossman
Martin Carthy
Paul Simon
Nick Drake
Paul McCartney
Julian Bream
Andres Segovia

 

If the OP is also allowing nylon string (classical, flamenco) guitarists to be added, these are my choices:

Al Di Meola
Joni Mitchell
Paco De Lucia
John McLaughlin
Michael Hedges
Steve Stevens
Strunz & Farah
Vicente Amigo
Larry Carlton
Badi Assad

 

No order - just some faves -

Kottke, Leo
Giltrap, Gordon
Jansch, Bert
Allen, David (Of Flamenco/Rock group Carmen)
Campbell, Larry
Carroll, Clive
Petrucci, John
Shindell, Richard

 

Chris Whitley--great national steel body / dobro slide player

'Dirt Floor' gets regular rotation.

 

Jansch and Hedges. Redefined the form.

 

Richard Thompson
Lindsey Buckingham
Steve Hackett
Shawn Colvin
Pete Townshend
Steve Howe

 

Leo Kottke
Al Di Meola
John McLaughlin
Ry Cooder

 

Most of my favorites have been mentioned -- Kottke, Drake, Stills, etc. A guy who hasn't been mentioned, and kind of flies under the radar, is Michael Gulezian. Reminds me of Kottke in his younger days.

http://www.timbrelinemusic.com/video.html

 

Kelly Joe Phelps is amazing

also like Page for his acoustic stuff, and Stills too

 

He's not been mentioned yet.
Given time he may become a fixture on such lists.
The young British guitarist James Blackshaw.
Robbie Basho fans need to check this guy out.

Jerry