Best acoustic guitarist
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Polls
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URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3257
Printed Date: May 15 2025 at 09:19
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Topic: Best acoustic guitarist
Posted By: Blacksword
Subject: Best acoustic guitarist
Date Posted: January 25 2005 at 16:09
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These immediately spring to mind, but please add to my list.
I love Hacketts acoustic playing, especially on 'Can utility..' and 'Suppers Ready' and the intro to 'Blood on the rooftops' Howes playing on '..and you & I' is also classic. ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
Replies:
Posted By: 70sSoundquality
Date Posted: January 25 2005 at 16:10
| howe is the only real guitarist here |
Posted By: starofsirius
Date Posted: January 25 2005 at 16:15
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Hackett just something about his acoustic playing that is just amazing. Especially in Supper's Ready" and "Blood on the Rooftops" ------------- "I'm in a freefall like a snowflake falling down down down down down." |
Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: January 25 2005 at 16:15
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Or Hacketts momenst of glory as mentioned?? Mind you, I've missed out a great many..Fripp for one.... ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
70sSoundquality wrote:
Posted By: Azrael2112
Date Posted: January 25 2005 at 16:34
sounds like somebody just wants to get a rise out of the other members here... To me Howe and Hackett are incredible in their own ways, not one is better than the other. I do prefer Hackett though  ------------- http://www.flywithjet.com"> 
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Posted By: Fragile
Date Posted: January 25 2005 at 16:36
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Howe. |
Posted By: the musical box
Date Posted: January 25 2005 at 16:40
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among this list; Steve Hackett and Steve Howe are the best. They are both classically trained and have some amazing moments: Hackett: Entangled, The Musical Box, Horizons, Blood on The Rooftops, After The Ordeal Howe: And You and I, Roundabout, Clap, Mood For a Day. (Dave Gilmour's only really great acoustic guitar work is in "dogs" , but thats a different matter. Another great not included on this list is Ian Anderson. In my opinion, Tull's best stuff revolves around his acoustic rythems (thick as a brick). Overall though, Jimmy Page is by FAR the best acoustic guitarist: Moments: Battle of Evermore, Babe i'm Gonna Leave You, Going To California, White Summer/ Black Mountain Side (which i can play ------------- something pretentious |
Posted By: Batts
Date Posted: January 25 2005 at 16:41
Howe  ------------- marching on together!! |
Posted By: 70sSoundquality
Date Posted: January 25 2005 at 16:42
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sorry I didnt mean to offend, but Seriously, Howe is the only guitarist
listed here who is ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS on top of his game. NEVER NEVER
NEVER mediocre. Alex Lifeson's intro to La villa is just a lot of fast
scales, that has nothing to do with inventing an actual style or
technique of playing. These other guitarists are great, but hardly take
the guitar as far as Howe does. |
Posted By: 70sSoundquality
Date Posted: January 25 2005 at 16:44
| what about roger hodgeson's acoustic work? There are so many who can be added to this list |
Posted By: Hangedman
Date Posted: January 25 2005 at 16:57
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In acoustic my personal favourite would be Ian Anderson, also as far as prog goes. But overall it would be presumptious to say that the best acoustic guitarist would be a rock guitarist, even prog-guitarist. |
Posted By: JrKASperov
Date Posted: January 25 2005 at 17:01
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I wóuld have voted for Robert Fripp, as i can remember some awe-alot acoustic pieces on Islands.
------------- Epic. |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: January 25 2005 at 17:43
| Why is Greg Lake even there? - surely not on the back off "Still..You turn me on" or something similar. Its a good song but its not exactly "Clap" is it?? Ace bass player and singer but its the first time I've ever seen him in an acoustic guitarists poll!!! |
Posted By: Richardw
Date Posted: January 25 2005 at 17:51
| Ray Shulman and Gary Green of 'Gentle Giant' are fantastic acoustic players. Just watch/listen to their twin acoustic slot during 'Features From Octopus' on the new 'Giant On The Box' DVD. Awesome stuff. |
Posted By: mirco
Date Posted: January 25 2005 at 17:54
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And what about John McLaughin? Have you hear Acoustic supertrio, live at San Francisco, with Al di Meola and Paco de Lucía? If you don't, try to, it's worthfull. ------------- Please forgive me for my crappy english! |
Posted By: tuxon
Date Posted: January 25 2005 at 17:54
Totally and utterly agree. My personal accoustic favs. Jimmy Page, Steve Howe, Steve Hackett and George Kooijman (Golden earring) ------------- I'm always almost unlucky _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Id5ZcnjXSZaSMFMC Id5LM2q2jfqz3YxT |
Posted By: threefates
Date Posted: January 25 2005 at 17:58
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Where have you been... Greg Lake has played some amazing acoustic guitar pieces... for instance "From the Beginning", "Lucky Man", "The Sage", "SYTMO", "Cest la Vie", Watching Over You", "I Believe in Father Christmas", Affairs of the Heart", ... just to name a few. Actually I think Greg Lake can go up against anyone on acoustic... The sound on this is crappy.. but its beautiful anyway.... http://home.earthlink.net/~muchmusic/much250.wmv - http://home.earthlink.net/~muchmusic/much250.wmv ------------- THIS IS ELP 
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Posted By: chorus of one
Date Posted: January 25 2005 at 18:33
| Being a jazz/fusion fan I'd probably pick somebody like John Mclaughlin or Al Dimeola. I also love latin/flamenco guitar, but I'm not familiar with enough artists apart from Paco DeLucia. |
Posted By: frosty
Date Posted: January 25 2005 at 18:35
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Just started listening to King Crimson lately and Robert Fripp sounds pretty handy but he's only been mentioned a couple of times. Alex Lifeson's intro to La Villa Strangiato on Hemispheres is great, whether it's only scales or not, however take the same piece on Exit Stage Left..... what's THAT all about? Just as well he redeems himself later in the song during the main guitar solo. |
Posted By: Rob The Plant
Date Posted: January 25 2005 at 18:40
That is quite good, although he is playing with EFFECTS which to me doesnt meet the requirements of the thread. ------------- Collaborators will take your soul. |
Posted By: Dan Bobrowski
Date Posted: January 25 2005 at 18:42
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Here here! There is a live recording of John Mclaughlin and Jonas Hellborg, on acousitc guitar and acoustic bass, respectively, and you'll wet yourself at the complexities pulled off with so much style and class. I'm not belittling away of the above mentioned, but ....... The most intriguing and original acoustic player, not prog, but that would have been cool, was Michael Hedges (RIP
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< Beautiful!Posted By: the musical box
Date Posted: January 25 2005 at 18:45
Any other clips 3Fates? Of The Floyd perchance? ------------- something pretentious |
Posted By: frenchie
Date Posted: January 25 2005 at 18:50
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also recommended... stevie ray vaughn, ezio and john petrucci, tho he tends to use an acoustic simulator pedal but listen to "hollow years". steve howe is amazing on mood for a day and clap ------------- The Worthless Recluse 
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Posted By: Ivan_Melgar_M
Date Posted: January 25 2005 at 20:00
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Steve Howe? Please, for 34 years he's been playing the same two accoustic songs in every concert (Clap and Mood for a Day) with the exception of the one played in Yes Symphonic and a pair more. Listen A Midsummer Night Dream by Steve Hackett, that's accoustic guitar. Of course none of them remotely compares to Paco de Lucia, but I assume we're talking about Prog' guitar players. Iván |
Posted By: wallace
Date Posted: January 25 2005 at 20:13
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Lenny Breau
Jukka Tollonen Sabicas Django Reinhardt Coste Apetrae John Renbourn Davey Graham .... The list never stops. |
Posted By: tuxon
Date Posted: January 25 2005 at 20:16
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Wallace, you must be DallasBryan's coherent twin ------------- I'm always almost unlucky _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Id5ZcnjXSZaSMFMC Id5LM2q2jfqz3YxT |
Posted By: threefates
Date Posted: January 25 2005 at 21:01
Actually he's not playing with any effects.. I think you're just hearing the sound of the crappy video... It was only him an his acoustic guitar... ------------- THIS IS ELP
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Posted By: Dan Bobrowski
Date Posted: January 25 2005 at 21:04
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Posted By: threefates
Date Posted: January 25 2005 at 21:06
I do have some Floyd clips...but I need to find a way to upload them to the net.. The funny thing is I have that promo video David Gilmour did for "BLue Light" where he's dancing with what looks like Janet Jackson's back up dancers. Funniest video I've ever seen... I think I also have one of Floyd doing "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun" from 1970 or so. ------------- THIS IS ELP
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Posted By: aqualung28
Date Posted: January 25 2005 at 21:07
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Ian Anderson is my favorite (Obviously) ------------- "O' lady look up in time o' lady look out of love 'n you should have us all O' you should have us fall" "Bill's Corpse" By Captain Beefheart |
Posted By: FloydWright
Date Posted: January 25 2005 at 23:56
| Mikael Akerfeldt really ought to be on this list; his acoustic work is gorgeous without fail, and technically interesting as well. My vote goes to him. |
Posted By: Rob The Good
Date Posted: January 26 2005 at 03:43
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Well my favourite is definitely Steve Howe. Unbeatable, but after him come:
2. Ian Anderson 3. Steve Hackett They're all brilliant! ------------- And Jesus said unto John, "come forth and receive eternal life..." Unfortunately, John came fifth and was stuck with a toaster. |
Posted By: sigod
Date Posted: January 26 2005 at 04:22
How Howe? ------------- I must remind the right honourable gentleman that a monologue is not a decision. - Clement Atlee, on Winston Churchill |
Posted By: sigod
Date Posted: January 26 2005 at 04:28
Michael Hedges was an astonishingly creative guitarist. I love his work and was lucky enough to have seen him live supporting Susan Vega back in the 80's. One man standing on the Wembley Arena stage, just playing an acoustic guitar silenced the ENTIRE room. I swear to god, you could have heard a pin drop! I've never seen anything quite like it.  ------------- I must remind the right honourable gentleman that a monologue is not a decision. - Clement Atlee, on Winston Churchill |
Posted By: chorus of one
Date Posted: January 26 2005 at 05:10
I just noticed that I mentioned all three players from that trio, wasn't on purpose.  Wonderful album though. I'm just listening to Shakti at the moment - more proof of Mclaughlin's mastery of the acoustic.
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Posted By: Dick Heath
Date Posted: January 26 2005 at 05:11
That sounds to be the German recording made in the late 80's - fantastic. One of the best bit of jazz rock of the 90's is Hellborg Buckethead and Shrieve's Octave Of The Holy Innocents, when Hellborg and Buckethead play fast shredding acoustic bass guitar and guitar respectively.
It is a pity the the poll is full of guitarists best known for their electric guitar work, i.e. the acoustic guitar, is at best, their second instrument, while acoustic specialists have been ignored. Michael Hedges was brilliant but did he quite fit the prog criteria? Another is Gordon Giltrap. |
Posted By: Chocolate King
Date Posted: January 26 2005 at 08:33
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Out of this list Hackett is the best classical player, and I would rate Franco
Mussida above any of the other choices, though they are all fantastic electric guitarists. ------------- Trying to get out from under... |
Posted By: oliverstoned
Date Posted: January 26 2005 at 08:35
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Mc laughlin
Steve tibbets Alain marksufeld |
Posted By: Swinton MCR
Date Posted: January 26 2005 at 08:56
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I have never tried to play a Guitar - It looks hard enough seeing my sons primary school teacher strum chords when I go to see concerts and things at School, thus I cannot say what is a more technical piece of Classical guitar, just my preference of the one's I have heard - Thus Howe gets it a short head above Hackett. This lists preference and listenability - not technical ability - I will gladly submit to the choice of an accomplished guitarist on sheer competence ! ------------- Play me my song, here it comes again |
Posted By: hightea
Date Posted: January 26 2005 at 10:10
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Personally give me a classical guitarist over any of the above mention rock guitarists when it comes to acoustic. But John Mclaughlin's body of work is quite good.
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Posted By: Velvetclown
Date Posted: January 26 2005 at 10:11
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John Renbourn !!!!!!!!!!
------------- Billy Connolly Dream Theater Terry Gilliam Hagen Quartet Jethro Tull Mike Keneally |
Posted By: mirco
Date Posted: January 26 2005 at 10:22
------------- Please forgive me for my crappy english! |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: January 26 2005 at 11:59
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I voted that none of the listed choices were the greatest acoustic guitar players. I think Jimmy Page is the best, even though he is not progressive rock. Listen to Bron-Y-Aur Stomp on Led Zeppelin III- or anything off that record for that matter- and you'll see what I mean. John McLaughlin is particularly astounding also. He is very technical and fast. |
Posted By: Dick Heath
Date Posted: January 26 2005 at 12:03
Heavily influenced and borrowing from the master Bert Jansch. |
Posted By: Man Erg
Date Posted: January 26 2005 at 12:24
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I voted for Hackett in the poll but my personal favourite prog-wise has to be Anthony Phillips. One of the best 12 string players on the planet. Martin Barre is very under-rated but my all time favourite acoustic guitarist is Davy Graham closely followed by in no particular order Nick Drake Bert Jansch John Renbourn John Martyn Martin Carthy Leo Kottke John Fahey ------------- 
Do 'The Stanley' otherwise I'll thrash you with some rhubarb. |
Posted By: yarstruly
Date Posted: January 26 2005 at 12:41
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Steve HOWE! ------------- Facebook hashtags: #100greatestprogrockchallenge #scottssongbysong #scottsspotlight |
Posted By: Vibrationbaby
Date Posted: January 26 2005 at 12:43
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Posted By: Swinton MCR
Date Posted: January 26 2005 at 12:48
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Nobody has mentioned "John Williams" - the man shortly wed to a bint off the telly, can't remeber her name, but I'm sure somebody will remind me ! Sue somebody or other.... ------------- Play me my song, here it comes again |
Posted By: Man Erg
Date Posted: January 26 2005 at 13:00
Anna Ford the newsreader? -------------
Do 'The Stanley' otherwise I'll thrash you with some rhubarb. |
Posted By: Swinton MCR
Date Posted: January 26 2005 at 13:40
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Nah it wasnt anna Ford - It was Sue......... I just can't think of the name I can see her face just can't get it - onto the web I suppose ------------- Play me my song, here it comes again |
Posted By: Dick Heath
Date Posted: January 26 2005 at 13:47
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DVD of McLaughlin DeLuca & Coryell recorded at Royal Albert Hall in the early 80's issued in the last 18 months - was originally shown on Channel 4 during it first few weeks of broadcasting, and I recorded it on video - pity it was Betamax!!!! I think it is called Spirits have Flown? |
Posted By: Swinton MCR
Date Posted: January 26 2005 at 13:51
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John Williams was married to Sue Cook - Off the telly - It didn't last long - I remember now coz I had a friend into SKY at the time.... ------------- Play me my song, here it comes again |
Posted By: Dan Bobrowski
Date Posted: January 26 2005 at 13:52
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Dick, what do you think of Holdsworth's acoustic playing, aside from the "oh too few" examples? The intro to Nevermore is amazing. The three cuts from Velvet Darkness; Floppy Hat, Kinder and Last May are brilliant in their brevity. A short piece with Soft Machine on Bundles. A touch (Mirielle?) on Gazuese with Gong. The beautiful Home from Metal Fatigue. The duet album with Gordon Beck, "The Things You See." A really wonderful album, piano and acoustic guitar. Allan's disdain for the squeally sound of the fingers sliding on the strings is his quoted reason for not playing acoustic guitar after MF. Too bad.
Jimbo, any comment on the above named tunes? |
Posted By: Cesar Inca
Date Posted: January 26 2005 at 13:55
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I think that HACKETT has got the most exquisite taste and most amazing skill on acoustic guitar playing regarding prog guitarists - only equalled by another former Genesis axeman, ANTHONY PHILLIPS. The rest of the ones listed in this poll have also done excellent jobs (Howe on 'The Ancient' and 'The Clap', Lake on 'The Sage', Gilmour on 'The Narrow Way', Lifeson on 'A Fareweel to Kings' and 'The Trees'), but I don't have and never will have the prototypical fan's attitude of "voting for one single man just for the sake of it or in the name of some sick conception of loyalty". For instance, Genesis is not my No. 1 in my prog band list: yet I have no problem at admiting that, IMHO, Hackett as an individual acoustic guitarist surpasses the other contenders. Regards. |
Posted By: Swinton MCR
Date Posted: January 26 2005 at 13:58
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Hacket / Howe very close - I gave it to Howe because I think he just edges it on Turn of the Century ------------- Play me my song, here it comes again |
Posted By: Captain Squib
Date Posted: June 26 2005 at 13:48
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Steve Howe, VERY closely followed by Steve Hackett. After that I'd go for Mike Oldfield. Then there are the 3 guys in The Californian Guitar Trio. ------------- He who stands on toilet must be high on pot! |
Posted By: laztraz
Date Posted: June 26 2005 at 13:56
| Does anyone here play guitar?? Has anyone tried to play The Clap or Mood for a Day? They are intricate songs. I'm a mediocre guitarist so probably not the best measure but I'll say Howe is excellent. |
Posted By: Dream Theater
Date Posted: June 26 2005 at 13:57
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Steve Howe by far! ------------- [IMG]http://www.travelwithachallenge.com/Images/Travel_Article_Library/Sacred-Travel/Machu-Picchu-350.jpg"> [IMG]http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a63/panchopc1/machupicchu-1.jpg"> |
Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: June 26 2005 at 14:00
He's done more acoustic stuff than that, and I attended a Yes concert that he did play another acoustic piece. In this list Steve Howe is my favorite. Almost the only one who can really send a shiver down my spine while playing acoustic. Steve Hackett is a close second. Cliche, but true nonetheless. Personally I find A Midsummer's Night's Dream quite boring. But he's a master in acoustic guitar, no doubt. Jan Akkerman is very talented too. |
Posted By: Cesar Inca
Date Posted: June 26 2005 at 17:41
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How culd we all skip this master guitarist? On acoustic guitar and lute he reveals himself as an excellent performer, as refined as Hackett and more refined than Howe. I would have voted for him, indeed!! |
Posted By: spectral
Date Posted: June 26 2005 at 17:55
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Probably Howe, but that's only because we are restricting it to prog. Compared to the greatness of Pierre Bensusan, Howe stands up well. ------------- "...misty halos made visible by the spectral illumination of moonshine." |
Posted By: BaldJean
Date Posted: June 26 2005 at 18:54
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One only has to listen to the classical guitar output of Steve Hackett to know who rules on this instrument.
-------------  A shot of me as High Priestess of Gaia during our fall festival. Ceterum censeo principiis obsta |
Posted By: Anonymous2112
Date Posted: June 26 2005 at 20:18
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For Acoustic its Steve Howe (also for electric) but Alex Lifeson is really good. He is incredible. If you don't think so you probably haven't heard much Rush. (I'm clearly a big fan) |
Posted By: Eetu Pellonpaa
Date Posted: June 27 2005 at 05:20
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Ralph Towner! OK, he's not a progger... |
But much more talented guitarrist IMO that any other mentioned on the pol list (though I like their work too). And he does only acoustic!Posted By: Man With Hat
Date Posted: June 27 2005 at 14:53
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Howe ------------- Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect. |
Posted By: TheProgtologist
Date Posted: June 27 2005 at 23:02
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On your list,Howe.But the best acoustical guitarist ever was Andres Segovia.period. -------------  |
Posted By: Don_Frog
Date Posted: July 01 2005 at 12:24
| I've been playing a lot of Blackmore's Night lately and really like Ritchie Blackmore's style. |
Posted By: DolphinFan
Date Posted: July 01 2005 at 14:51
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Agreed. Blackmore is one of the tastiest players I've ever heard on acoustic. Di Meola's best I've ever heard though. As good as McLaughlin and De Lucia are, Di Meola smoked em on Friday Night in SF...ever heard that one? |
Posted By: Zargus
Date Posted: July 01 2005 at 15:11
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Howe ------------- 
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Posted By: King of Loss
Date Posted: July 01 2005 at 15:35
| Its gotta be Howe! |
Posted By: boo boo
Date Posted: July 01 2005 at 17:19
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yea, steve hackett blows....alex lifeson didnt do anything for rock guitar, other than the whole inventing pinch harmonics and influencing shred guitar thing...david gilmour also sucks despite making some of the most beautiful guitar solos ever... seriously, do you even know what you are talking about?, that being said howe is the best prog guitarist on accoustic. |
Posted By: AcostaFulano
Date Posted: July 01 2005 at 18:14
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Posted By: nousommedusolei
Date Posted: July 01 2005 at 19:33
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Where is Ian Anderson?! ------------- I don't believe in demons I don't believe in devils I only believe in you |