Top 15 All-Time Acoustic Guitar Players: Agree/Disagree/Discuss! (Video Included)

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Permalink Reply by Mark Bedard on April 16, 2012 at 12:05pm

I'm honestly not too familiar with many of these names, but here's a few I think are conspicuously absent:

• Andres Segovia
• Carlos Montoya
• John Fahey
• Leo Kottke

Nice to see Michael Hedges at #1 though, I listened to "Taproot" so many times in my car as a teenager that I wore the tape out!

Permalink Reply by Jud Hair on April 16, 2012 at 12:10pm

I've been a big Michael Hedges fan since his days with Wyndam Hill ... sort of wonder though it Michael Hedges were alive and Tommy Emmanuel were dead, would the choices have been switched?

 

I'd also like to see Doyle Dykes somewhere on that list.

Permalink Reply by Bernie on April 16, 2012 at 5:44pm

I agree with you Doyle should be on the list along with Clarence White

Permalink Reply by Marty on April 16, 2012 at 12:59pm

I really need to listen to Michale Hedges music! Great as Tommy is I just can't click with his music. John Fahey is great!!  Great list.

Permalink Reply by Jud Hair on April 16, 2012 at 1:13pm

Marty  ... I'm kinda like you ... as much of a virtuoso T. Emmanuel is, I find that a little bit of his music goes a long way for me.  I'm that way about most fingerstyle instrumental wizardry.  I'm impressed, but quickly bored.  That's just me.  I recently passed on going to see Tommy Emmanuel live in Raleigh in favor of seeing a little concert by Sarah Jarosz.  I'd rather listen to someone like James Taylor, Neil Young, Shawn Colvin, Joni Mitchell, or any number of singer songwriters for 30 minutes than these wiz-bang fingerstyle guys all day. Their talent is amazing!!  But, it's just not something that interests me a whole lot.

Permalink Reply by Jason Derrick on April 20, 2012 at 8:03am

I was a little worried that I'd get bored a bit with TE, but he really does a nice job of mixing talking, anecdotes, and even some teaching along with his music. Plus, he does have a handful of songs where he sings as well, and he does have a nice voice! Personally, I was memorized by his wizardry, however, I was also close enough to be able to see his hands and really tried (somewhat failingly) to analyze some of his songs. No such luck in reproducing any of them, though. :-( He really does a good job of organizing his set list so the audience doesn't get bored, which is often a challenge for instrumental artists.

Kaki King is another one who really does a good job of keeping her performance interesting. She's mostly instrumental, but when I saw her, she was surrounded by (and played) at least 8 instruments, which really helped to keep things interesting. Plus, her off the cuff remarks about various topics were hilarious!

Permalink Reply by FloridaGull on April 16, 2012 at 4:34pm

What I posted earlier in the Taylor group (that might have started this discussion) was inaccurate. The 15 year old is Ben Lapps. Look up "Unbelieveable 15 year old guitarist!!!" and you'll see the one I mean. I'm on a smartphone - will need to ask someone to post the link - it'll be worth it!

Permalink Reply by Jason J. on April 16, 2012 at 7:29pm

If you are looking at youth, do not forget Sungha Jung.