# Who are the acoustic guitar greats? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 13, 2008, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-acoustic-guitar-greats/441211 "2008-03-13T03:03:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2008, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-acoustic-guitar-greats/441211/1 "2008-03-13T03:03:00Z")
This is kind of embarrassing. I’ve started taking guitar lessons, partly as a resume builder and partly for personal interest. And I’m realizing that _I can’t hear acoustic guitar_ in songs. Ever since I started playing Guitar Hero, electric guitar parts have really stood out to my ears (and of course electric guitar is easy to pick out in the first place) but acoustic just somehow fades into the sonic background for me. It’s kind of humiliating because I have a ton of music knowledge - decades of piano, college music minor, and I’m trying to pick up an instrument I just can’t hear! I mean, it’s obvious when it’s that really sing-along-folky Peter Paul and Mary style. And it’s obvious when it’s classical guitar. Bluegrass I have a hard time telling some of the stringed instruments apart, but I can get the essential drift of the guitar part. But can anybody give me some things to listen for the acoustic guitar that are rock or the other kinds of folk or blues or, you know, stuff like that? What does virtuoso acoustic sound like? Is this a stupid question? ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2008, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-acoustic-guitar-greats/441211/2 "2008-03-13T03:11:25Z")
Starting at or very near the top: Tommy Emmanuel doing [Day Tripper and Lady Madonna](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYzajpeAWuA&feature=related), [Classical Gas](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TX0eTp7SoNU&feature=related), [Guitar Boogie](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lbvSBNLLoo&feature=related) and [Somewhere Over the Rainbow](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZNJf-h7F8s&feature=related) - watch the finger work at the start of that last one, just amazing. ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2008, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-acoustic-guitar-greats/441211/3 "2008-03-13T03:12:58Z")
For acoustic, steel-string guitar, your best bet is some of the country/folk influenced rockers - James Taylor Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young Joni Mitchell Bruce Cockburn Melissa Etheridge Don McLean Bruce Springsteen (Nebraska) Most rock music uses acoustic for a quieter, mellow passage, then brings out the electric for the heavier section of a song. Led Zepplin - Over the Hills and Far Away is a prime example. I’m sure you’ll get lots of great recommendations here. ---
**Author:** ![Mongo\_Ponton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Mongo\_Ponton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mongo_Ponton)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2008, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-acoustic-guitar-greats/441211/4 "2008-03-13T03:43:01Z")
Every one should own a copy of this regardless. [Friday Night](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friday_Night_in_San_Francisco) But I think it might be what you’re looking for. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2008, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-acoustic-guitar-greats/441211/5 "2008-03-13T03:45:20Z")
Your basic problem is that “acoustic guitar”, “virtuoso”, almost all “rock” and much “blues” do not go together. There are very few, almost none, who play acoustic in rock. When they do it tends to be rhthym guitar which as you say fades into the background. The first answer in this thread gives the name of someone who is freakishly good at playing acoustic and does play rock, but he’s an anomaly. Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits plays acoustic at times, but on tracks that are not rock. His “Private Investigations” contains some georgeous acoustic, but it’s not really a rock track (his playing on that track is more classical in feel). Most of those listed by \*\*Le Ministre de l’au-delà \*\* play acoustic when playing straight up folk, not rock. And none except Bruce Cockburn would I describe as virtuoso (maybe Joni in her weird and wonderful way, and Neil Young perhaps). There are some superb acoustic blues guitarists but I’m not much into that so I wouldn’t know. Eric Clapton’s Unplugged album has him playing acoustic of course. I wouldn’t say he plays anything outstandingly virtuoso on that album though (which isn’t to say it isn’t great music). If you’re looking for straight out acoustic guitar virtuosity that isn’t classical, it is hard to go past Tommy Emmanuel. Other people can play stuff he does, but I’ve never seen anyone who can play all of it. I first saw him play in a pub in the late eighties. There aren’t too many who can play stunning versions of _Mediterranean Sundance_, then some Beatles, then _Recuerdos De La Alhambra_, then _La Grange_, then \*Guitar Boogie \* all in the space of an hour or two. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2008, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-acoustic-guitar-greats/441211/6 "2008-03-13T03:48:43Z")
[Don Ross](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkidVP0AcQ8) is pretty freaking amazing. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2008, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-acoustic-guitar-greats/441211/7 "2008-03-13T03:49:39Z")
I should add that if you want to hear and see some Tommy Emmanuel, you are best off poking around on Youtube. He’s a stunning guitarist but IMHO his taste in music sucks. In concert he plays other people’s pieces and it’s great. His studio albums contain his own compositions which tend towards saccharine dreck. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2008, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-acoustic-guitar-greats/441211/8 "2008-03-13T04:02:26Z")
[Al Di Meola](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Di_Meola) [Mediterranean Sundance](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7ypeZ6R-t0), from the Friday Night concert mentioned above. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2008, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-acoustic-guitar-greats/441211/9 "2008-03-13T04:16:12Z")
I’ve always been impressed with Paul Simon’s writing, playing, and arranging on acoustic guitar. His eponymous album, as well as the Simon and Garfunkel album _Bookends_ have some of my favorite guitar playing in them. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2008, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-acoustic-guitar-greats/441211/10 "2008-03-13T04:16:50Z")
Led Zeppelin has some really good solo acoustic pieces from Jimmy Page like “Black Mountain Side” and “Bron-Yr-Aur.” I’d also recommend Randy Rhoads’ “Dee” (from Ozzy’s _Blizzard of Oz_ album). Pete Townshend’s live acoustic performance from _The Secret Policeman’s Ball_ is pretty stellar. If you really want your mind blown, listen to Robert Johnson’s _King of the Delta Blues_ album. It’s the best acoustic blues guitar you’ll ever hear. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2008, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-acoustic-guitar-greats/441211/11 "2008-03-13T04:29:14Z")
[QUOTE=Diogenes the Cynic] Pete Townshend’s live acoustic performance from _The Secret Policeman’s Ball_ is pretty stellar. [/QUOTE] Townshend also does some awesome acoustic work in **Tommy** , in the Overture in particular. ---
**Author:** ![flickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7bcc69/32.png) [@flickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flickster)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2008, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-acoustic-guitar-greats/441211/12 "2008-03-13T04:48:56Z")
A few Favorites: **Blues** David Bromberg Ry Cooder **Latin** Jesse Cook Armik Ottmar Liebert **Flatpickers** Tony Rice Doc Watson **Other** Gipsy Kings ---
**Author:** ![octothorpe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/b77776/32.png) [@octothorpe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octothorpe)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2008, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-acoustic-guitar-greats/441211/13 "2008-03-13T04:53:38Z")
For my money, you can’t beat **Leo Kottke** for incredible acoustic guitar. Is it rock? I can’t really say and it doesn’t really matter (although his rendition of _ **Eight Miles High** _ might be considered such). I have him listed under Genre - Unclassifiable. Pick up **The Leo Kottke Anthology** (Rhino R2 72585/72438 19111 29) for a little bit of everything. I agree that **Neil Young** has some excellent acoustic tracks, but **Steven Stills** , during his best days, was the better guitarist (listen to _ **Bluebird** _ from **Buffalo Springfield Again** ). Yeah, DiMeola, McLaughlin, and Paco de Lucia on **Friday Night in San Francisco** is jaw-dropping, although i’m more partial to _ **Fantasia Suite** _ than _ **Mediterranean Sundance** _. Good call **Eonwe** , **Paul Simon** is one of the most overlooked acoustic players. I’d forgotten him myself and agree he needs a mention. # ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2008, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-acoustic-guitar-greats/441211/14 "2008-03-13T05:36:45Z")
[John Fahey](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vQRckvXoJg&feature=related) [John Renbourn](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5C9c0KpTtfo) [Doc Watson](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TILbEd-U3sM) (this is one of the coolest guitar pieces ever!) ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2008, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-acoustic-guitar-greats/441211/15 "2008-03-13T05:42:58Z")
[Michael Hedges](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29CMRsWlDt0). Great acoustic guitarist with a very unique style. Recently passed on. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2008, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-acoustic-guitar-greats/441211/16 "2008-03-13T05:48:10Z")
Michael Hedges. I would give a youtube link but trust me, just look at a few of them. Ok I’ll give you [one](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnaEZaUMk-s&feature=related). Damn missed it by that much. But he didn’t die recently. It was 1999. ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2008, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-acoustic-guitar-greats/441211/17 "2008-03-13T05:50:28Z")
[QUOTE=flickster] A few Favorites: **Blues** David Bromberg Ry Cooder **Latin** Jesse Cook Armik Ottmar Liebert **Flatpickers** Tony Rice Doc Watson **Other** Gipsy Kings [/QUOTE] An excellent list. **Leo Kottke** may be unclassifiable, but I lean toward ungodly guitar-talented “folk”. **Al DiMiola** I consider jazz, but I’m willing to be proven wrong. ---
**Author:** ![jovan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/0ea827/32.png) [@jovan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jovan)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2008, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-acoustic-guitar-greats/441211/18 "2008-03-13T06:48:04Z")
[QUOTE=Le Ministre de l’au-delà] Most rock music uses acoustic for a quieter, mellow passage, then brings out the electric for the heavier section of a song. Led Zepplin - Over the Hills and Far Away is a prime example. I’m sure you’ll get lots of great recommendations here. [/QUOTE] A famous example of a song that’s acoustic and not particularly mellow is **Violent Femmes** ’ [Blister in the Sun](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGGujZ9V4ic&feature=related). A really outstanding use of acoustic guitar in a rock song is Robert Fripp’s playing on **King Crimson** ’s [Cirkus](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCg-caiyGRs). Again, not particularly mellow. **Jethro Tull** have several very nice acoustic guitar pieces as well. [Witche’s Promise](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d2L5-raoIY) is on YouTube, but the best are probably the tracks on Aqualung: _Cheap Day Return_, _Mother Goose_, _Wond’ring Aloud_, _Up to Me_ and _Slipstream_. Mediterranean Sundance has been mentioned already but off the same record, I think [Short Tales of the Black Forest](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOVWqhGXVNA) by **Di Meola** and **John McLaughlin** is another fine example. It’s fusion jazz, so it’s a bit closer to rock than the latin Sundance. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2008, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-acoustic-guitar-greats/441211/19 "2008-03-13T07:05:16Z")
[**Django Reinhardt.**](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Django_Reinhardt) ---
**Author:** ![si\_blakely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@si\_blakely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/si_blakely)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2008, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-acoustic-guitar-greats/441211/20 "2008-03-13T11:53:46Z")
[Newton Faulkner](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newton_Faulkner) is worth a listen for some impressive acoustic guitar. Si [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-acoustic-guitar-greats/441211.md?page=2)