I almost mentioned her, too, but didn’t think anyone would take me seriously. She’s damned good.
Find a copy of Leo Kotke doing a piece called “Stealin.’” on the Best of. . . album.
It’s very cool, especially if you are a fan of Doc Watson’s classic “Doc’s Guitar.”
No one else plays either of these pieces.
John Fayhe, Ry Cooder, Merle Watson, Dave Van Ronk are others you should listen to for just plain good acoustic guitar.
Tris
The Nirvana Unplugged album is great. Also if you know the certain sites to visit, do a search for Guns and Roses Unplugged, it’s my new favorite GnR album.
Al DiMeola has been mentioned several times. While he’s most associated with jazz, when he picks up his acoustic guitar, he becomes VERY Spanish sounding.
Adrian Legg is amazing. So is Paco de Lucia.
Not to thread-shit, but I’ve never been a big DiMeola fan, though its been many years since I’ve listened to him. All technique, amazing picking, and no heart. Its like listening to a sewing machine. YMMV. [/hijack]
There is this FretKillr guy on YouTube. I am memerized by his videos.
I’ve been to a few Ottmar Liebert concerts and thought he was pretty darned good.
I have posted this before but it is worth posting again :-
The artists that play in Acoustic Alchemy can hit some pretty decent licks, as can Paul Simon (or has he been mentioned?).
Roy Clark. Yes the guy from Hee Haw. No I’m not kidding.
Certainly not rock but if you want to hear virtuoso guitar playing you can’t beat Christopher Parkening. Stevie Ray Vaughn was starting to do some acoustic stuff before he died. I wish I could have seen what he would turned into.
I suggest you watch this. A Steve Morse (The Dregs, Deep Purple), Rik Emmett (Triumph) acoustic duet. It’s a song that Morse originally did with Steve Howe (Yes). And here they are playing one of Rik’s songs (one of my favorite acoustic pieces when it was originally on the Triumph album Thunder Seven).
And here is Steve Howe playing Clap and Mood For A Day.
I came in to mention Preston Reed. Unfortunately, even the very good sound on that video doesn’t capture what it’s like being in the first row of a small club, ten feet away from him live. He is jaw-dropping good.
Kaki King is another one who doesn’t sound as good on an album as she does live. However, I like her computer-assisted electric work better than her acoustic stuff.
I’ve only seen Rodrigo y Gabriella on television. They also use a thumping technique on the guitar that sounds like a drum corps marching. More classical and flamenco, though, than rock. Their album of the same name is excellent.
Bruce Cochburn has been mentioned, but needs more recognition. His “Mistress of Storms,” an instrumental with vibraphonist Gary Burton, off his Charity of Night CD, is a particular favorite of mine.
Checked out some of her other vids - WOW! All I knew of Charo was what I saw of her guest appearances on various sitcoms in the 1970s. I had no idea she could really play like that!
For the OP, Alex Lifeson does some really nice acoustic work on Rush’s latest CD, “Snakes & Arrows”. Of course, he uses all sorts of alternate tunings.
Don’t know about virtuousity, but these selections are hard-hitting and acoustic:
Places You Have Come to Fear the Most by Dashboard Confessional. Now, their current live shows and later albums are not acoustic (although they do as good a job as any of electrifying an existing whine-rock acoustic song, which is to say, they still do pretty bad at it. Despite having the help of the bassist who played the best bassline in the world (Best Looking Boys – Scott Schoenbeck who was at the time in the Promise Ring.)) Sure, there are several slower acoustic ballads but there are plenty of acoustic rockers on that album too.
Their verison of Gallows Pole is one of the hardest hitting rock songs – bar none – despite its acousticity.
I would like to second whoever mentioned Rodrigo y Gabriela.
They’re about the closest thing you can get to rock stars with classical guitars. When I saw them in concert Rodrigo wore a Testament t-shirt and they covered One by Metallica!
Three times…
Buckethead, as weird as he might be, his talent is 10-fold of that.
If you care to count the ukulele, look up Jake Shimabukuro. I was just recently introduced to his amazing work when he was on Late Night a couple of weeks ago. I wholeheartedly agree with Conan when he said it was one of the greatest acts to appear on the show.
Phil Keaggy is great.
That is teary-eyed brilliant.
That’d be Fleetwood Mac for those unfamiliar with 70s rock. Check out **Landslide ** for a good example. Also, the song title escapes me but the main lyrics are: “been down one time, been down two time, never going down again.” Awesome guitar on that one.
Can I just say how bummed I am that I have been on the road and under hard deadlines? :mad: I would’ve loved to have jumped in earlier - lots of interesting stuff; not much to add!
I wouldn’t skip Dave Matthews either. Say what you will of his voice, his guitar playing is very interesting, oddly complicated, and if you’re taking lessons-quite fun to play along with.
Check out The California Guitar Trio. Good stuff. http://www.cgtrio.com/