<![CDATA[EZGuitarZ - E'z Blog]]>Sun, 13 Jul 2025 08:40:58 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[My Top 10 Favorite Guitarists! (Part 1) - Classic Rock]]>Thu, 04 Jan 2024 16:48:03 GMThttps://www.ezguitarz.com/ez-blog/my-top-10-favorite-guitarists-part-1-classic-rockI know what your saying "Crap not another top 10 guitarist list" and I get it. There are pretty much meaningless as they are all a matter of personal opinion. Mine is no different. Over the next few days/weeks/months/years I will post my top 10 in several categories and my overall favorite top 10. I do want to be clear, this list is my list of FAVORITES which may differ from who I think are the best guitarists. Who am I to say who is actually better than the next guy. Then again who CAN really say if Jimi Hendrix was actually a better guitarist than Eddie Van Halen or Eric Clapton? There are very few if any that can. These lists are always more opinion than fact. Having said that I welcome your comments/praise/criticism/suggestions for my list, but, remember these are based on MY opinion and therefore cannot be wrong. I may forget someone off a list and if so I will be more than willing to adjust it.

 I plan on listing top 10 in the following categories (in no particular order): Classic Rock (1970's and earlier), Rock, "Hair" Metal, Heavy Metal, Shred, Blues, Flamenco, Jazz, Classical, & Overall.
* I reserve the right to add additional categories at a later time.

The first entry is for my top 10 favorite Classic Rock guitarists                                  ​
My Top Ten Favorite Classic Rock Guitarists:

         In order to qualify the candidates must have recorded and had success in the 70's or before. They may have also gone on to equal or greater success after the 70's and that may be a contributing factor in their placement, but the primary factor was the amount of quality material released prior to 1980.  Enjoy!

Their primary band and essential albums are listed next to each.


10. Keith Richards (The Rolling Stones) - Sticky Fingers, Exile On Main St, & Hot Rocks
9. Rory Gallagher (Taste, Solo) - Irish Tour '74, Top Priority, Live In Europe
8. Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple, Rainbow) - Machine Head, Rising, Long Live Rock And Roll
7. Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath) - Black Sabbath, Paranoid, The Mob Rules
6. Angus Young (AC/DC) - Let There Be Rock, Highway To Hell, Back In Black
5. Jeff Beck (Solo) - Truth, Blow By Blow, Wired
4. Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) - Houses Of The Holy, Physical Graffiti, Led Zeppelin IV (ZOSO)
3. David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) - Meddle, Dark Side OF The Moon, The Wall
2. Eric Clapton (Cream, Solo) - The Cream Of Clapton, Complete Clapton, Me & Mr Johnson
1. Jimmy Hendrix (Solo) - Are You Experienced, Band Of Gypsies, Electric Ladyland, 


                                                         
]]><![CDATA[Top 10 Favorite Guitarists (Part 2) - Hair Metal]]>Thu, 04 Jan 2024 16:43:06 GMThttps://www.ezguitarz.com/ez-blog/top-10-favorite-guitarists-part-2-hair-metalPicture
Hair Metal? This is probably one of the hardest categories to define. Is it just any guitarist with long hair? Is it a guitarist with long, blonde hair? Hair metal began in the late 70's and carried over to the 80's. It is primarily recognized by big hairdo's, make-up, and power ballads. They became immensely popular in the mid 80's. Even classic rock bands began to appear as hair bands since they were so popular and it sold records (see Aerosmith).  Many of these bands were not the most talented musicians, but they knew how to write a catchy hook and the aforementioned power ballad. However, there are many hidden gems among the many hair bands of the era. Some amazing players are still to be found. In fact, one or more of those appearing in this list, may also appear in my overall favorite list.

While researching these guitarists, I noticed that several appear in other lists on the 'net that I will not be including in mine. I do not see Ozzy Osbourne, Van Halen,  or Aerosmith as hair metal bands nor Ted Nugent as a hair metal guitarist. Yes, they all had big hair at some point, but they all had established careers before and after the hair metal era and were known more for their music than for their look.


Here's my list of my top 10 favorite "Hair" Metal guitarists 
As a reminder, these are MY favorites and is not necessary a reflection of who are the best guitarists of the genre.

Their primary band and essential albums are listed next to each.

10. Tommy Skeoch (Tesla) - Mechanical Resonance, The Great Radio Controversy
9. Dave "The Snake" Sabo - Skid Row, Slave To The Grind
8. John Norum (Europe, Solo) - Wings of Tomorrow, The Final Countdown
7. Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme) - Extreme, Pornograffitti
6. Slash (Guns 'n Roses) - Appetite For Destruction, Use Your Illusion (I & II)
5. Ritchie Sambora (Bon Jovi) - Bon Jovi, Slippery When Wet
4. Reb Beach (Winger) - Winger, In the Heart Of The Young
3. Brad Gillis (Night Ranger) - Dawn Patrol, Midnight Madness, Seven Wishes
2. Warren Di Martini (Ratt) - Out OF The Cellar, Invasion OF Your Privacy, Detonator
1. George Lynch "Mr. Scary" (Dokken, Lynch Mob, Solo) - Tooth And Nail, Under Lock And Key, Back For The Attack

Yes, George Lynch will make my top 10 overall favorite list. Not sure where he will place yet, but he's up there. I expect to have left out many others that one would expect to find on this list like the guitarists for some bands that are THE definition of "Hair" metal like: Poison, Cinderella, Warrant, & Motley Crue. These bands were huge hair metal bands, just did not have any of my favorite guitarists. 

As usual, I am interested in differing points of view or reminders of who I may have forgotten.
Thanks!    
]]><![CDATA[Top Ten Favorite Guitarists (Part 3) - Jazz - Jazz/Fusion]]>Thu, 04 Jan 2024 16:34:58 GMThttps://www.ezguitarz.com/ez-blog/january-04th-2024Picture
        Jazz is said by many to be the only true American music. Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States: it was born from a confluence of African and European music traditions.  Jazz can be difficult to define. Travis Jackson, Professor of Music and Humanity and the University of Chicago, states that "it is music that includes qualities such as swinging, improvising, group interaction, developing an individual voice, and being open to different musical possibilities". I especially enjoy Jazz live because of the improvisational aspect. Just a bunch a great musicians jamming together.
          This category is one of a few that I expect to leave off a great many players. Although I know more than the average person, I am in no way an expert in Jazz guitar. I have listened to a lot and have made my list based on my favorites. I also included both Jazz and Jazz/Fusion in order to have enough qualified candidates. This allows me to include players such as Allan Holdsworth and Al Di Meola.


Here's my list of my top 10 favorite Jazz - Jazz/Fusion guitarists:
As I mentioned I am sure I am leaving out a lot of great guitarists, as I listen to more I am sure I will need to amend this list.

Essential Albums are listed after each:
1. Al Di Meola – Elegant Gypsy, Kiss My Axe
  2. Allan Holdsworth – Metal Fatigue, Secrets
  3. John McLaughlin – Extrapolation, Birds of Fire
  4. Mike Stern – Standards (and other songs)
  5. George Benson – Breezin’
  6. Wes Montgomery –  Smokin’ at the Half Note
  7. Larry Carlton – Last Nite
  8. Pat Metheny – Bright Size Life
  9. Kenny Burrell – Midnight Blue
  10. Joe Pass – Virtuoso

As usual, I am interested in differing points of view or reminders of who I may have forgotten.
Thanks!    
]]><![CDATA[Top 10 Favorite Guitarists (Part 4) - Shredders]]>Thu, 04 Jan 2024 16:28:05 GMThttps://www.ezguitarz.com/ez-blog/top-10-favorite-guitarists-part-4-shreddersPicture
              Welcome to part 4 in my series of my favorite guitarists. This time I will be listing my favorite shredders. So, what is shred? How do we define shred? Well, it is a very subjective term. Many people have differing opinions on this subject.  There is also some debate as to who were the first players to exhibit this playing style and in turn created the term "Shred".
I'll get to my opinion in a moment. In the meantime, here are some common definitions or descriptions: 

- Many consider any form of guitar playing with fast solos as shred. You may have heard the expression "that guy can really shred!!!!" when a listener describes someone's playing. 

- Some consider playing as shred when guitarists use specific techniques like (listed in the parentheses are players that are known for each technique):

   - Sweep-picking or sweep arpeggios (Yngwie Malmsteen)
   - Two-hand tapping (Eddie Van Halen)
   - Diminished and harmonic minor scales (Yngwie Malmsteen)

- Many think only instrumental guitarists can be considered shredders

Most "shedding" involves more complex compositions than the regular playing heard in "normal" guitar oriented music, not just the usual pentatonic and major scales usually heard.
Many believe the term is exclusive to rock and heavy metal music. This is short-sighted if you ask me.

Anyway......

Here's my "definition" of shred and my top 10 favorite shredders: "Read More"
  Before I get to my description of shred, I mentioned earlier that there was also debate as to who was the guitarist that introduced shred to the world. Some say Uli Jon Roth (Scorpions) because he used many of the techniques considered shred as early as 1974. Some say Eddie Van Halen after "Eruption" came out in 1978. Other consider Yngwie Malmsteen the father of shred as although he didn't invent sweep arpeggios, he certainly popularized them. He also played music that was heavily influenced by classical music like J.S> Bach and Nicolo Paganini. There are many other opinions. Do you want to know who I think was the first?

WHO KNOWS and WHO CARES!!!!!!!  Let's just enjoy the music and be done with it, shall we???

Ok Shred - My defintion:
I, like many, believe that fast, complex solos are a key component of shred. However, I do not think the term is confined to rock and heavy metal music. I also agree that the techniques mentioned earlier can be components in a shredders repertoire but not exclusively. Many of the shredders on my list are in fact players that have released instrumental albums or mostly instrumental albums, but once again, I don't consider that to be a necessity either.

Wait a second, my definition seems to be pretty vague.....LOL. Anyway, here are my favorites.

As usual, Their primary band and essential albums are listed next to each:
 10. Marty Freidman (Cacophony, Megadeth, Solo) - Dragon's Kiss, Speed metal Symphony
 9. Vinnie Moore (Solo) - Mind's Eye, Time Odyssey
 8. Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple, Rainbow) - Machine Head, Rising, Long Live Rock 'n Roll
 7. Randy Rhoads (Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne) - Blizzard of Oz, Diary Of A Madman
 6. Eddie Van Halen (Van Halen) -Van Halen 1, Fair Warning
 5. Steve Morse (Dixie Dregs, Deep Purple, Solo) - The Introduction, High Tension Wires
 4. Steve Vai (Alcatrazz, Whitesnake, Solo) - Passion & Warfare, Where The Wild Things Are
3. Joe Satriani (Solo, Chickenfoot) - Surfing With The Alien, The Extremist
 2. Al Di Meola (Solo) - Elegant Gypsy, Kiss My Axe
 1. Yngwie Malmsteen (Alcatrazz, Solo) - Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force, Marching Out, Magnum Opus


As usual, I am interested in differing points of view or reminders of who I may have forgotten.
Thanks!    ​
]]><![CDATA[Top 10 Favorite Guitarists (Part 5) - The Blues]]>Thu, 04 Jan 2024 16:12:52 GMThttps://www.ezguitarz.com/ez-blog/top-10-favorite-guitarists-part-5-the-bluesPicture
  What is the blues? Well….according to the World renowned source
of information (LOL), Wikipedia: "Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States around the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads"….BLAH BLAH BLAH……..Basically the blues is all about feeling, pain, emotion. Many blues guitarists don'y play their songs the same way twice. The music just flows our of them.  Most blues songs are formatted in a, 8 Bar 12 bar format, consisting of the I,  IV, and V chords.  In fact it may very well be technically the simplest form of guitar playing. A person picking up the guitar  for the first time can be  taught how to play a simplified version of the 12 Bar Blues. Don’t let that statement fool you – there are many incredible blues guitarists.  If you want to know what the Blues is all about, read the lyrics to Gary  Moore’s classic “Story of the Blues”

Story of the Blues by Gary Moore

 My baby she left me, my baby she's gone.
My sweet little angel has spread her wings and flown.
Can't think of a reason for going on.
 From this day I will play the blues.

She said it was over, this time it's the end.
Bad luck and trouble gonna be my only friend.
I still can't believe it, after all we've been through.
Everyday I will play the blues.

Everybody knows what the blues is all about.
It's a pain you can't live with.
It's a woman you can't live without.
She came from Chicago.
She read me the news.
In the headlines was a story of the blues.

They say a broken heart can always mend.
Time is the healer and sadness will end.
But I've done so much crying, when will I laugh again?
Till that day I will play the blues.

Everybody knows what the blues is all about.
It's a pain you can't live with.
It's a woman you can't live without.
Could have cried me a river
when they told me the news.
On that day was a story of the blues.

 
 
Well, I’m not going to provide a complete history or definition
of the blues. If you want to know more, I recommend the Blues mini series  presented by Martin Scorcese from 2003.
Well, on to my lists – yes LISTS. I am providing 2 lists: one of my 10 favorite traditional Blues artists and another of my 10 favorite Rock/Blues guitarists. 
​Top 10 Traditional Blues Guitarists (in reverse order and with some essential albums):


10 - Lightnin’  Hopkins - Lightnin' Strikes, The Complete Prestige/Bluesville Recordings, Blues Masters Vol 16
9 - T-Bone Walker - Stormy Monday Blues, T-Bone Blues, The Complete Imperial Recordings
8 - Freddy/Freddie King - Getting Ready, Let's  Hide Away and Dance Away, Hideaway: The Best of Freddy King
7 - Muddy Waters - Hard Again, Folk Singer, Father and Sons, The Anthology 1947 - 1972
6 - John Lee Hooker - House of Blues, ...And Seven Nights, Alone, Mr Lucky, The Healer
5 - Albert Collins - Ice Pickin', Don't Lose Your Cool, Showdown (w/Robert Cray & Johnny Copeland)
4 - Robert Johnson - The Complete Recordings
3 - Albert King - Born Under a Bad Sign, Years Gone By, I'll Play the Blues For You
2 - BB King - Completely Well, Live at the Regal, King of the Blues (1989)
1 - Buddy Guy - Stone Crazy, Buddy Guy and Junior Wells Play the Blues, Alone & Acoustic, Damn Right I've Got the Blues, Feels Like Rain, Sweet Tea, Blues Singer, Living Proof, and so many more!!!

Top 10 Rock/Blues Guitarists (in reverse order and with some essential albums):

10 - Mike Bloomfield - Super Sessions, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band -East-West
9 - Billy Gibbons - Tejas, Fandango, Deguello, El Loco, Eliminator
8 - George Thorogood - George Thorogood and the Destroyers, Move it on Over, Bad to the Bone, Maverick
7 - Joe Bonamassa - Had to Cry Today, Sloe Gin, The Ballad of John Henry, Dust Bowl
6 - Eric Clapton - From the Cradle, Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs, Unplugged, Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton, Disraeli Gears
5 - Rory Gallagher - Irish Tour, Photo Finish, Tattoo, Calling Card
4 - Jimmy Thackery - Empty Arms Hotel, Trouble Man, Wild Night Out, Sinner Street, Guitar
3 - Stevie Ray Vaughan – Texas Flood, Couldn’t Stand the Weather, Step By Step, Live Alive
2 - Jimi Hendrix  - Are You Experienced, Electric Ladyland, Axis: Bold as Love, Band of Gypsys
1 - Gary Moore – Still Got the Blues, After Dark, Blues Alive,  Blues For Greeny, Back to the Blues, Power of the Blues, Best of the Blues, and so many MOORE.....
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