NFT: Where do you rank Jerry Garcia in the pantheon...

it was done at one of the peaks of his heroin/cocaine use - and despite the drugs, Jerry remained articulate and extremely insightful throughout the interview. There is some really cool stuff in here from his influences (Django) to playing acoustic v. electric, to how Terrapin Station came about.

If you are a big Jerry fan it is worth reading if you haven't already.
Jerry 1985 Frets Magazine Interview - ( New Window )

.

Love that guy more than anything.

Comparing him to others is futile.

In comment 11871004 Greg from LI said:

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My favorites include Dimebag Darrell, John Petrucci, Dave Murray, Marty Friedman, Jeff Hanneman/Kerry King (kinda have to include them together) and Jerry Cantrell.

Greg that is a perfect example of why you really can't rate guitarists as many have already stated. Cantrell technically and "gymnastically" cannot hold a candle to a lot of the guitar players mentioned (and many, many more NOT mentioned)... however I would rather listen to AiC (or even Boggy Depot) than 95% of the recordings by most of the players mentioned... lol. Not that he's a lousy player either... but technically speaking. The way that he an Layne Staley created and meshed together was unreal. And he is a very good song writer in his own right.

As suggested it's silly to rank them, it's all completely subjective (unless you are basing on specific criteria... who reads more, who knows/uses more scales, etc etc etc) but it is a fun discussion.

Later years, which I know many consider a waste/the Dead didn't have it going -- but this recording right here has a sort of mystical vibe to it - it's poignant, emotional, melodic guitar playing from an older than his years Jerry.
Peggy O - ( New Window )

In comment 11871048 Johnny5 said:

Quote:

In comment 11871004 Greg from LI said: Quote: My favorites include Dimebag Darrell, John Petrucci, Dave Murray, Marty Friedman, Jeff Hanneman/Kerry King (kinda have to include them together) and Jerry Cantrell. Greg that is a perfect example of why you really can't rate guitarists as many have already stated. Cantrell technically and "gymnastically" cannot hold a candle to a lot of the guitar players mentioned (and many, many more NOT mentioned)... however I would rather listen to AiC (or even Boggy Depot) than 95% of the recordings by most of the players mentioned... lol. Not that he's a lousy player either... but technically speaking. The way that he an Layne Staley created and meshed together was unreal. And he is a very good song writer in his own right. As suggested it's silly to rank them, it's all completely subjective (unless you are basing on specific criteria... who reads more, who knows/uses more scales, etc etc etc) but it is a fun discussion.

Yeah. Not to mention the thousands of great players that nobody has ever heard of and never will hear of. These are are the guys playing in bars for a few bucks and teaching in music stores and what not.

here is a RIPE Friend of the Devil with Nicky Hopkins just crushing it on the keys.
JGB - Let it Rock - Friend of the Devil - ( New Window )

Agreed, which is why I said "my favorites" rather than "the best". I'm not a musician, so I couldn't tell you the first thing about the technical aspects of guitar. All I know is what sounds good to me.

In comment 11871071 Greg from LI said:

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Agreed, which is why I said "my favorites" rather than "the best". I'm not a musician, so I couldn't tell you the first thing about the technical aspects of guitar. All I know is what sounds good to me.

Yep, I wasn't calling you out either BTW, just using your post as a good example of why you can't rate guitar players... lol

I really like Dave Murray (and for that matter Adrian Smith)as well. Petrucci is a technically OUTSTANDING player, but his style and where he goes with his solos doesn't really speak to me as much. And hell Dave Murray brings another great point within the same band... Smith is the more technical player with Murray being more of a blues/improve style, and I like both but probably would rather listen Murray solo. Actually, I take that back.... probably my favorite thing about Iron Maiden is the way those two contrast their solos in pretty much every song.

In comment 11870595 Rocky Thompson said:

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Give it some time, you'll see it eventually...

Oh, I can see that Zappa is a great guitarist and gifted composer and all that. I just don't like the music that results from these gifts.

I didn't mention acoustic guitarists because Jerry very rarely played acoustic. Django, Kottke & Fahey are excellent starts. I'd add Tommy Emmanuel, Paco DeLucia, Mike Marshall, Jorma Kaukonen, Phillip Catherine, Emily Remler, Roy Rogers, Roy Clark, Chet Atkins, Glen Campbell, Kaki King, a bunch of bluegrass guitarists & Django disciples Angelo Debarre, Dorado Schmitt, Sylvain Luc & Thomas Dutronc to the list of the most amazing acoustic guitarists (along w/ a few already mentioned on electric).

Check out "Jack Straw" below. (Starts at 6:00).

Fantastic.
9/14/91 @ MSG - ( New Window )

That was outstanding. Thanks ! I think I was at that show. I saw several at MSG with Bruce Hornsby that year.

If there's a better Jack Straw out there, please let me know...lol

Jerry lights it up. Hornsby knew how to push him.

Thanks for linking it.