Barry Greene
I want to try and get some good audience participation going with today’s thread. As I’ve written about before, the hater community is very much alive and well among guitarists. So what I would like to do today is flip the script a little bit and get some publicity for those players that we love that aren’t the most well-known. Think of it as the “hidden gem” post where you get to tell everyone about players you like and want everyone else to know about.
I’m going to tell you about two guitarists that I really like and who deserve much more recognition than they probably get. What I want you to do is a two-parter:
1. Check these guys out! They deserve recognition and support. Visit their websites, buy one of their CDs, watch their videos!
2. Recommend two players of your own liking. Let’s try to stick with people that aren’t Steve Vai and Kirk Hammett, please.
Let’s spread around some guitar love!
Barry Greene
Florida-based jazz guitarist Barry Greene is a monster. From the Pat Martino school of playing, Barry can pretty much do it all. He’s got chops, he’s got a great sense of melody, and he swings! In addition to selling CDs on his website (check out his latest “Trio” CD – it’s great!) he also sells video lessons. The prices are reasonable, and he always packs a ton of great information into each one.
Circa Survive
Everything that The Mars Volta was supposed to be and more! Guitarists Colin Frangicetto and Brendan Ekstrom brilliantly play off each other to create sonic soundscapes that both mesmerize and captivate. I find their guitar work to be beautiful and incredibly creative, and their songwriting ability (the band) continues to impress me with every passing listen. Though Circa Survive is “signed” to a label, I don’t think they have nearly the amount of exposure or kudos that they deserve, so I’m including them here.
So tell me, who do you dig? Who should we show guitar love to?
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Rodrigo y Gabriela
http://www.rodgab.com
They are an amazing guitar duo. They do a flamenco/speed metal thing that you just have to see to really understand. It’s not Kirk Hammett per se, but here they are covering Metallica’s Orion:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0CsLefLisE
Great choice!
Circa Survive better than TMV? Nice joke sir! I listen to both bands and TMV is infinitely better.
Well, everyone’s mileage certainly varies. Thanks for chiming in, Dante!
If you ever get the chance to check out Jamie Kime, he is amazing. Very unique in his guitar solos and not afraid to step outside of the box. He plays with Zappa Plays Zappa and when he’s not on tour with them he is at The Baked Potato in Los Angeles.
Here’s a sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFOHksG6VMY
And yet another guy I’ve never heard of. This is excellent, folks; keep it up!
My first pick is Jimmy Rosenberg. He plays in the gypsy jazz style and besides Django himself, is the best I’ve heard. I think he’s only 12 in this clip. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpaT2khTRQ8
My second pick is Scotty Anderson. He mixes country and jazz in an amazing way and has the uncanny ability to sound like two guitarists playing at the same time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul3tsDFmpZA
Love the other choices, and I really dig your site Josh.
Hey Marc,
Thanks for stopping by! I’m a big Scott Anderson fan, but I’ve never heard of Jimmy Rosenberg. I will check out these clips. Thanks for the suggestion.
Two probably not well known guitarists are in fact my favourite guitarists; both primarily fingerstylists; Tommy Emmanuel and Rodrigues Da Silva (or just “Naudo”).
Words are useless, choose a song, any song: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Tommy+Emmanuel http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Naudo
JAW
I’ve never heard of Rodrigues Da Silva. Now I have someone new to check out. Thanks, JAW!
Paul Waggoner from Between the Buried and Me is quite possibly THE single best guitarist I’ve ever heard. Although they are usually conisdered a metal band BTBAM has become more Prog Rock on their lateste 3 releases. Check out The album “Colors.” Paul does metal, jazz, funk, you name it. Awesome.
Also I was pumped you mentioned Circa Survive. Brendan and Colin are favorites of mine as well and have been a great influence on my playing, and while their licks may not be as impressive as those by TMV, Circa Survive have managed a more listenable neo-prog sound that they can actually reproduce at a live show. Hands down a more successful act.
Circa Survive is a brilliant band that, unfortunately, I feel will never get the critical acclaim AND success that they truly deserve. They are awesome. I don’t know BTBaM’s material at all. I’m just slowly getting into that style of music, but I admit I’m having trouble getting past the vocals. I do very much enjoy the new Fair to Midland CD, however.