Un or under-heralded guitarists

I was watching Kenny Greenberg play guitar as part of Pat McLaughlin's stellar band, and thinking there's no way the guitar can be played any better than that. There are many famous guitarists, but so many more that are un-heralded or under-heralded who are as good or better. Aside from some wildly talented but well known on ND guitarists like Dave Alvin, Chuck Prophet and Kelly Joe Phelps, here are a few off the top of my head who are just incredibly talented guitarists who could teach a thing or two to some far more famous names:

Kenny Vaughan
Andrew Hardin
Chris Miller
Thad Beckman
John Jackson
Joe Eddy Hines
D. Clinton Thompson
Scrappy Judd Newcomb
Willie Porter

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Permalink Reply by Seth Hajian on September 16, 2010 at 5:24pm
They did an anniversary show where they had everyone from all of the different versions of the Q since '69....even Steve Ferguson was there (Flat Foot Flewzy).....Big Al was such a part of the sound of the Q and I miss the lineup...I also appreciate the time Johnny Spampinato did with them too. I'll add another guitar player to the list...Dave Davies of the Kinks. Listening to him from his primitive and raw solo's and rhythm work from the mid 60's up to the absolutely ripping stuff he did on the song "Do It Again".....he's inspiring.
Permalink Reply by Jack on September 17, 2010 at 6:27am
Joey & Johnny Spampinato are playing at Fitzgerald's in Berwyn IL (Chicago area) on Sept. 24. I've seen Terry Adams there a few times in recent years (wildly entertaining shows). Guess the bits and pieces will have to do for now...
Permalink Reply by ron victor on November 16, 2010 at 11:15am
last yr i found mint condition big als first solo lp and sold for $50 online to a person in japan!!
Permalink Reply by Rob Macgregor on May 2, 2012 at 5:59pm

I'm working a little backwards here having read the later posts, but wholeheartedly agree with Big Al,  and later posts including David Hidalgo, David Lindley, Bill Kirchen, Richard Thompson, Mike Henderson, Ry Cooder  and many more.

Was thrilled to see Big Al join Los Lobos on-stage in Northampton MA 2 years back.  Even David Hidalgo  put hand to heart with Big Al's entrance.  Cesar stepped it up  a notch or two that night as well.

   Haven't seen Jorma Kaukonen mentioned yet either....or Duke Robillard-  This begs the question of the other blues guys..... and then there's David Bromberg too....

    One more question though, are we including the first generation flat-pick guys?  Doc Watson, Don Reno, Norman Blake,  Tony Rice, Dan Crary,  and then David Grier,  etc?

   

Permalink Reply by Jim Moulton on May 25, 2012 at 4:28am

To me, those guys are all first rate.

Permalink Reply by Hotdogs & Roadmaps on September 20, 2010 at 1:51pm
James McMurtry
Mason Ruffner
Jonny Hickman of Cracker
Martin Barre of Jethro Tull
Pete Anderson of Dwight Yoakams band
Permalink Reply by John Graveling on September 21, 2010 at 6:15am
I should also give mention to Nashville's 'king of tone' Mike Henderson. You can check out his work with Kevin Welch, John Hiatt and his own Bluebloods.
Permalink Reply by Gregg South on September 21, 2010 at 7:52am
I vote for Richard Thompson...not underrated critically or to his "cult" as much as unknown to the masses. As good as it gets both electric and acoustic in a variety of styles.

Five best recorded electric solos...
Shoot Out the Lights
Waking on a Wire
Calvary Cross (live)
Can't Win (live)
Hard on Me (live)

Also Roy Buchanan (R.I.P.) who cut a couple very tasty live albums featuring mid 70's performances...Live Stock and Live in Japan.
Permalink Reply by Misner & Smith (my-zner & smith) on September 21, 2010 at 10:14am
Dan Lebowitz of the Animal Liberation Orchestra is a magnificent guitar player! I only just discovered him and he is someone to follow, he's got amazing chops.
Also, Scott McMicken from Dr. Dog reminds me a lot of George Harrison and together with Frank McElroy on rhythm guitar, they really make that band.
Permalink Reply by modernacoustic on September 21, 2010 at 10:29am
I did a whole issue on this a while back, complete with readers' poll. Check it out HERE
Permalink Reply by Rudyjeep on September 21, 2010 at 11:13am
Maybe I missed it, but I haven't seen Prince mentioned. He's a huge name as a performer but I've never seen him on any list of great guitarists. As anyone who saw his performance on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions can attest he's pretty amazing.
Permalink Reply by ron victor on September 29, 2010 at 4:52pm
well just about all i was going to mention have been mentioned
but these few
dave edmunds
alvin lee
richie blackmore
john pizzarelli
charlie byrd

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Created by No Depression Feb 17, 2009 at 9:06pm. Last updated by No Depression Sep 24, 2012.