(“Hooker’s Hands,” pen and ink by Roy Newton, quietpond@aol.com)
The Greatest Guitarist in the History of the World
For several years, I’ve been working on a sequel to my book Guitar: An American Life, to be entitled The Greatest Guitarist in the History of the World.
Needless to say, this is the kind of title that gets people leaping to their feet and reaching for blunt instruments, or at least rolled-up copies of Rolling Stone.
What I have in mind, though, is to go beyond rabid, name-yelling fanaticism (attractive though that is) and into a variety of unexpected and thought-provoking ways of approaching the issue.
What does “greatest” mean, anyway? Let’s break it down a bit. Who, for example, is the most influential guitarist? The loudest? The most courageous? The most imitated? The fastest? The one who sold the most guitars?
And I’ll also be examining some curious concepts. Why is it that we expect our great violinists to be interpreters, but we expect our great guitarists to be composers or even improvisers? Is a great guitarist one who masters and exemplifies an idiom or tradition—or one who starts a new idiom or tradition? If you play expressively with an electric guitar, are you really playing expressively not with an instrument but with an amplifier and a series of effects? Once you’ve seen someone play with his or her fingers—Paco de Lucia, for example, or Dominic Frasca–can anyone who plays with a pick really be taken seriously? Does Django get double points for playing with only two fingers?
Over the next few months, on the evenings when I’m trying to avoid jamming a sharp carving tool into my left hand, severing tendons and ending my modest guitar career, I’ll be putting together a few fragments from The Greatest Guitarist in the History of the World and posting them here so you can sink your fangs into them, toss them in the air and shred them to tiny pieces.
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15 users responded in this post
before we start, forgive any grammatical errors, my mother tongue is french, the greatest guitarist in the world is undouptedly, me, i have been playing for 30 years and realized early on that my gift was not talent, i have very little of that, speed?, snails are faster, tone? my farts have better tone, BUT, one thing i do have is the complete enjoyment of the guitars i play, i really love to come home from work, open a beer, grab the axe and start playing, this is my idea of fun, a great guitarist simply is one who knows the limit of what he can do, and not be frustrated, but spurred on to create either from his own composition or someones else’s a moment of pure joy, i can do that and that makes me in my world, the best guitarist. Merci, Daniel Perrier
We’re looking forward to your next tome on the greatest icon in American history.
Me too!
Seems like a really roundabout way to write a book about Jimi Hendrix? 🙂
(Seriously; Looking forward to it. Just reading “Guitar” now and enjoying it immensely. I am sure there will be lots of interesting twists and turns in the search as well as some more records I gotta go out and buy…)
Thanks, Niilo–and as for Jimi, I have four words for you: Yamandu Costa and Andreas Kapsalis. Check ’em out on YouTube. They may or may not be greater than Jimi, but they’re a sign that the “greatest” tag is constantly evolving and expanding….
Cheers!
Having read your book, Guitar an American Life and your article the Voyage-air guitar, I think that the greatest pleasure should come in the playing and not performing. At 60, I’ve been playing only a couple years, but it gives me couple hours of joy each day. I look forward to reading your new book. The greatest should not be one. It should vary by the style, form of the instrument, and cultural heritage. The greatest may be some undiscovered recording or some semi-hermit living up the Good Pasture River in the interior of Alaska. Good look on your quest. It may end up unfulfilled.
Aha. Let’s just say that I have a lot of sympathy with your point of view, and I don’t think you will be disappointed. And also that I plan to cheat a great deal.
Tim
So, how do you cheat? All you need to do is credit your sources and provide an amusing, well written, thought provoking, and sufficiently documented narrative. Those that disagree can write their own book. Enjoy the project. I am certain that I will.
Oh, I’m going to do all those things. As to how I plan to cheat–well, I don’t want to give too much away, but I’ll say that I’m right with you when you say, “The greatest should not be one.” And also when you hint that an unfulfilled quest may be more rewarding than a fulfilled one….
Tim
I certainly look forward to your entries regarding Andres Segovia, who had more influence than most realize when attributing to the spanish classical guitar–the instrument I aspire to share and enjoy while feigning mastery. Not only does he influence technique, proper recognition for the instrument, but also the style of music. With so many entries in his way, his taste greatly affected what the majority have come to know as standard repetoire.
One of my favorites would be Bill Kirchen. There would never be an agreed upon choice, would there? Some of the best I’ve ever seen are total unknowns.
I just found and started your book. One of my acoustics suffered the same fate as your Fylde. I glued it back, but now it just hangs on the wall like decoration while I play the other one.
Looking forward to the next book.
My favorite player is Steve Howe. I have seen him live several times and have been amazed at his playing. As a lifelong YES fan I have followed his group and solo efforts. I’m sure others have mentioned his skills as you develope your list. I first became aware of your work as I attended the Ellnora Guitar Festival on the U of I campus. Thanks for thr opportunity to voice my biased opinion! best of luck in your work! peace!
Hey, it’s always great to hear from an Ellnora-goer. You know, I’ve never seen Steve Howe play. I’m going to go on YouTube right now and see what’s out there.
Thanks!
Tim
Hows the new book coming?
Just finished Guitar – terrific book. I listened to the audio version. Nice narration.
Is there any way to see pictures of your guitar?
Thanks, Mark! Check out the photos here.
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