Under(and over)rated guitarists

[techweenie]

Originally posted by Sebring77
Whaddya mean?-I picked him too. Pretty sure at least 2 more did. I agree-BIA=fantastic peice of work.

I forgot Jack White of the White Stripes as underrated. Then again, maybe he's not-I don't read music mags. Anyway, he's incredible.

Well, you have a good ear, Sebring. As for the White Stripes, can you explain to me what Jack's sister contributes?

[VINMAN]

Originally posted by techweenie
Well, you have a good ear, Sebring. As for the White Stripes, can you explain to me what Jack's sister contributes?

Her very large tom-toms!

[techweenie]

Originally posted by VINMAN
Her very large tom-toms!

Yes, but they don't come across well in audio-only media!

[aways]

Al Di Meola... best I've heard.

http://www.aldimeola.com/

[SLO-BOB]

this is a test....

[mike f]

Not under or overrated, but simply one of the finest guitar players was Frank Zappa. Amazing composer as well. As I am writing this I had to put on a live version of Black Napkins. Those who are familiar with his music will understand.
Jimi Hendrix is overrated IMO.

[Fidalgo911S]

Old thread, yes I know, but only two votes for The Edge?!

I saw U2 a couple of times this past tour....he carried the show. I no longer call them U2, it's "The Dave Evans Band" to me.

I think the rest of you are just about spot on with everything else. You mentioned some great guitarists.

[rswannabe]

I'll throw in Richard Thompson as underratted.

[wdfifteen]

BUDDY GUY

Underrated & under appreciated. He didn't open the door for Clapton and the rest of the youngsters, but he showed them where it was.

YouTube - Buddy Guy : Mustang Sally

[jcommin]

Most of the people all of you mentioned are in the top 100 guitarists. All of them are good - I would have a hard time picking the over/under.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Great topic!

I have to agree with a lot of what's been said. I think David Evans is one of the most underrated out there - what he does with timing/delay is nothing short of genius, and he's been doing it for years. AND he pushes the envelope constantly, not getting caught in a particular sound or style like so many others - yet you can still always tell its him... He's very, very good.

Just D/L-ed a bunch of old Eric Johnon faves on iTunes, I don't tire of his stuff (ditto Satriani) but some of his other material just gets old quickly (too many minor pentatonic scales). Malmstein bores the hell out of me for exactly that reason. How many damn scales can a guy listen to - no matter how quickly they're played?

Surprised nobody's mentioned Steve Vai. I think he thinks he's better than he really is, but he's still talented. Don't particularly care for his style, but I can appreciate it. I think Nuno Bettencourt's stuff is pretty good too, but again not my cup of tea for style in most cases.

Alex Lifeson is definitely underrated. If you're a Rush fan, pick up "Victor" (his solo album). You'll be pleasantly surprised at what else he can do. He's a good and talented musician and it's fun to hear him just unloading and having fun without being "burdened" by the high expectations of Rush fans for technically-composed music. "Victor" is more him just screwing around jamming and having fun.

Hendrix is always fun to listen to - ditto OLD Clapton and Mike Rutherford (Genesis). All solid and competent. Same with Bobby Kreiger (Doors). None of them are particularly "genius" in the sense of having timeless vision or irreversibly changing the direction of the art (exception: Hendrix) but all are good and solid and fun and have cranked out some timeless pieces individually.

I find Yes' old stuff good also.

[sammyg2]

Over-rated: zappa. faux-intellectual.
The words great and guitar and Keith Richard don't go together either AFAIC.
He has a very subtle laid back style that I admire, but I don't see him as anything but a good rhythm or back-up man.

Under-rated: Peter frampton. The guy can really play, but he got type-cast as a pretty boy teen idol and it nearly ruined his career.

Satriani is well-respected within the industry but doesn't get the press or publicity he prolly deserves.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

Over-rated: zappa. faux-intellectual.

If you try not to listen to too much of what came out of his mouth, what came out of his guitar was masterful. The guy could really play. Too bad he tried so hard to offend. He succeeded...

[Noney]

OK...gotta chime in with some underrated players. These guys are great because they've all found their own voice and each one can be identified within 5 secs. of hearing them:

Mike Campbell -- would TP be who he is without Mike?
Daniel Lanois -- think he's only a producer? You need to check out his solo material.
Danny Gatton -- RIP Danny. Check out his videos of him doing his famous "beer bottle solo". And that's barely scratching the surface of what he was capable of.
Mark Knopfler -- pretty well known, but a better tone you'll not find anywhere.
Robin Trower -- just saw him two weeks ago and he's STILL killing it.
Roy Clark -- a true showman and musician. He made it look so easy...

[LSA]

Overrated Kurt Cobain I guess it's my prejudice against grunge music as a whole but I just don't understand why he's hailed as innovative and profound.

A lot of good underrated ones listed already, Ross the Boss, Vito Bratta, Vai, Satch, PG and Yngwie although within the guitar community I think the latter 4 get the respect they deserve.

Reb Beach of Winger has some great chops and lays down awesome rhythms I really like this song, it was on an instructional vid I just think it's a really cool jam. His 2 handed tapped string skipping is really killer.
YouTube - Reb Beach Cuts It Loose

Tony MacAlpine also a pianist, played keyboards/Guitar for Steve Vai for a while has some solo stuff which is fantastic shred along the lines of Yngwie. My favorite though is his album with Rudy Sarzo, Tomy Aldridge and Rob Rock M.A.R.S. Project Driver

Marty Friedman, Jason Becker and George Lynch are a few more great guitarists also Buddy Guy is no way Overrated he is absolutely incredible and live he is such a character!

[Rick Lee]

Gawd, I love Vito Bratta. I spent most of my sophomore year in college learning every note of Big Game. I think he has stopped playing and is totally off the grid.

[madmmac]

Underrated.....

Old Buck:



Young Buck:

[hawaiipcar]

Just went throught this thread need to add Shawn Lane, Gary Moore , Mike Hedeges all (RIP).

Aloha

[Mike C]

I always like Nils Lofgren back in the Grin days & nice to see Alvin Lee mentioned!

[Arizona 911]

I think the late Jerry Reed was way under rated. Look him up on you tube. He makes it look easy to play.