I may have not picked up on what you were saying there, I get it now and I agree with you. Richards was/is (he is still technically alive although many medical tests would probably conclude he was dead) a riff writer and Hendrix's technique has been thought of as "limited", definitely so compared to SRV IMO. If you want to sound like Keith Richards tune your guitar to open G and play pretty much anything, if you want to sound like Satriani, go away and practice 10 hours a day for 10 years and pray you have some talent as well

I have always thought "heavy metal" really applied to a set of bands and a period in time - particularly in Britain. But I guess what else can you call Metallica or Anthrax etc?
RATM had a lot of funk influence, the rhythm was the thing and HM was never about social comment. I know Tom Morello was also influenced by the likes of Andy Gill, the "non-solo solo" , angular and jagged guitar percussion with the added whammy pedal. Tool are just different, I don't have much of their stuff and most of Maynard's stuff I own is in A Perfect Circle, but Tool are as far away from Judas Priest (definitely HM) as Mozart for me.

Funny you mentioned Ian "pacy" Paice, I was watching a documentary the other night about the Deep Purple line up he was part of.

Ry Cooder is a better & more interesting guitarist than any of the heavy metal brigade.

Personal guitar favourites ?

Fairly predictable

Eric Clapton
Bruce Springsteen
Joe Walsh


Predictable, but you get to be predictable by having a loooo-ooong career, and a successful one, and by complete coincidence I first became aware of each of those three around 1973-ish. yes I was a late starter with Clapton.

Mine are

Carlos Santana
Bill Nelson
Mark Knopfler

All brilliant guitarists but I am probably largely influenced by nostalgia. For the same reason I would probably state Thin Lizzy were my favourite band of all time if it came to the push. The impact they had on me in the old tram shed will live with me forever as one of my strongest memories ( better even than Carl Gibson's try in the Yorkshire Cup Final against Cas ).

One of my biggest regrets is never getting the chance to see Be Bop Deluxe play live.

Duane Allman is the best rock/soul guitarist imo. So good Clapton brought him in to play the tricky bits on Layla. Would also mention Neil Young, Carlos Santana, Dickey Betts, Peter Green.

Of more contemporary guitarists I rate Jack White. There's a very funny video on youtube with White, Jimmy Page and The Edge talking about and playing guitars. The Edge is so far out of his depth it's ridiculous.

If you're into jazz guitarists, George Benson was a *mindblowing* player, before he turned into a MOR soul-lite singer. Others to listen to are Grant Green, Wes Montgomery and the West Riding's own John McLaughlin.

Of the more modern breed I too like Jack White. His solo album is brilliant, but I also have all of the White Stripes and Raconteurs albums ( plus the Dead Weather one )...

Jack White is working with Neil Young on a new album together...should be sublime and a must buy

Finally something I can agree with you about!

nantwichexile wrote:...

Jack White is working with Neil Young on a new album together...should be sublime and a must buy

Printer wrote:
Finally something I can agree with you about!

Me too plus the previous post about Wakefield's finest.
A word too for Gary Moore & the unique sound of Mark Knopfler.

Knofler. Or Knophler whatever it is

That is such a cool name. Eddy Knophler. Actually sounds abit gay on second thoughts.

Nobby Knopfler, now THAT would be a name to get on in the world with.

Selling second hand cars, "HI, Nobby Knopfler's the name, this Corsa is a beaut, only done 56,000 miles..."

Financial Advisor, "Good Morning, Nobby M. Knopfler here, I'd really like you in on the ground floor of this investment today..."

Prime Minister, "I, Nobby Mephistopheles Knopfler do swear my allegiance to The Crown..."

That's from the documentary 'It might get loud' I was surprised when I saw Jack White was chosen to be in it, then within 5 minutes if the start he proved me wrong. He pished all over both of them IMO. Incidentally, I'm always amazed by how well regarded Jimmy Page is. Every time I watch him perform I'm always struck by how sloppy he I, and I think he over plays. Richie Blackmore is best guitarist from that 'scene' IMO. I agree with you about Allman. Another whom left us far too soon.

One person that hasn't been mentioned.... Rory Gallagher

Hahaha. It is a great name for a financial advisor you're right.

I once knew a fella called Martin Hallowfinch. Always thought that is a lawyers name if ever I heard of one.