The Steel Guitar Forum

Question from a relative Country music newbie:

I love lists. The internet(s) and guitar/music magazines are filled with them.....some are pretty good, some are laughable. It's not hard to find the "Top 100 Rock Guitarists" or "25 Blues Solos You Must Know" or "Top 10 Norweigen Black Metal Albums", ect....you get the point.

I'm having a hard time finding good "best of" or "essential recordings" for Country guitarists....famous and obscure. I know some of the basics, but I (and my iTunes library) would love your input.

So what is your top 5/10/(or whatever) favorite/best pickers, solos and/or albums?


Thanks!!!

James Burton and Ralph Mooney-Corn pickin' and slick slidin' for one.

It's very subjective, but my list would include: (in no particular order)

James Burton
Brent Mason
Leon Rhodes
Hank Garland
Chet Atkins
Scotty Anderson
Jimmy Olander
Thumbs Carlille
Jimmy Bryant
Albert Lee
Lenny Breau
Jerry Reed
Doyle Dykes.....

RR

Thanks for the input so far.

I think the main reason I'm asking is that so many of those great players worked as sidemen and might not have had alot of output on there own. (And it's my luck that I'll pick up the "wrong" album or the one that was made to get out of there recording contract....) So what tracks or albums for what artists?

I'd have to add Bobby Caldwell.

Matt,

Jimmy Olander plays with Diamond Rio (lots of B and G bender licks). Brent Mason played, and still plays on a TON of N-ville records, starting in the early 90's. His most recognizible work is probably with Alan Jackson. Pete Anderson w/Dwight Yoakam is one to check out. And of course, Brad Paisley is a monster picker.

Another great resource is www.tdpri.com. I know there's been several threads like this on there, if you do a search you'll find a few.

Jimmie Rivers guit Vance Terry steel
Brisbane Bop album Killer!!!

Can't forget Roy Nichols' many solos....especially on "Honky Tonk NightTime
Man" and Grady Martin and Phil Baugh also.

Lot's of good choices and I'll add one more:

Clarence White. As far as solos go, any one on which he used the Tele with the "Parsons B-Bender". "Nashville West" for example.

Thanks, Glenn - I nearly got back on-line and added Clarence' name to my list, but the moment passed.

Did you hear his Tele work with the Everly Brothers?

RR

What about Grady Martin's lead ride on Merle's "What am I gonna Do" and Reggie Young's lead ride on "stay here and drink"? No doubt that there are plenty of lead rides out there that are faster and more intricate but in my opinion there's none more tasty!

Bob

Oh by the way I agree whole heartedly with Randy and sorry Randy I missed your mention of Grady until I re-read your post. I'll bet the lead ride on "What am I gonna do" is one of Grady's you were thinking of. Ok I think that's all <font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Bob Martin on 23 September 2006 at 01:13 AM.]</p></FONT>

My most favorite guitarist is Jerry Kennedy.

His solos are awesome. Just click and listen this one:

Ramblin' Man - Jerry Kennedy & Johnny Rodriguez (1973)

Petr http://www.luma-electronic.cz/lp/elpe.htm

Billy,

Right you are. Do you have Vance with Billy Jack Wills?

I'd have to put Randy Corner's work with Fiddlin' Frenchie Burke at the top of the list. I love his solo on Orange Blossom Special on the album "Fiddlin' Frenchie Burke & the Outlaws" which was cut around 1974........JH in Va.

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Don't matter who's in Austin (or anywhere else) Ralph Mooney is still the king!!!

Anything Ricky Skaggs done with Bruce Bouton
on steel and Ray Flacke on guitar.

Highway 40 Blues
uncle Pen
Country Boy
etc
etc
They had the best band in country music!

Terry

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Mullen RP D10 /8x5 / Nashville 112 x 2 / American Tele and Fender
Hotrod Deville 2x12's
Thank God for music.

I like Roger's list. I'd add Clarence White, Ray Flacke, Roy Nichols...(and Vince Gill and Brad Paisley are no slouches).

Also check out Danny Gatton (anything from rockabilly to country to jazz - Danny could pick it with the best of them), Steve Trovato, Jerry Donahue (of the Hellecasters), Steve Morse (primarily a rocker but has a few blazing country instrumentals on his CD's with the Dregs and Steve Morse Band), Bill Hullett, Redd Volkaert, Forrest Lee Jr, Bill Kirchen, and my local favorite Johnny Hiland - check out www.johnnyhiland.com Johnny's rippin' it up in Nashville now but he's back home to Maine Friday nite to play at the state fair.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=50083629 If your lookin for something maybe obscure but noteworthy listen to this guy. He is scary good.<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Bob Smith on 04 October 2006 at 08:47 AM.]</p></FONT>

I second Terry S's nomination.