Solo steel-string guitarists

By jeff 479 days ago Updated 426 days ago 276 Views 5 Comments

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Introduction

Here are a few guitarists that I particularly like that play solo steel-string guitar (i.e. instrumental guitar music primarily without vocals). This isn't a genre of music that I've been listening to for long; mainly just in the last couple of years. I know there are lots of others out there that I have not yet explored, and I'm always looking for suggestions.

John Fahey

Pretty much has to sit at the top of the list for being a primary figure bringing solo steel-string guitar into the public consciousness. Recorded several really fantastic records and had a great experimental streak.

James Blackshaw

A young guitarist from the UK that can whip up a beautiful drone fury with a 12-string.

Craig Ventresco

Plays a lot of old vaudeville and ragtime tunes mixed in with some country blues; all with a pretty aggressive style.

Jack Rose

A contemporary guitarist that seems to be carrying some of Fahey's ideas forward; a great mix of country blues and ragas. The entire "Kensington Blues" record is excellent.

Steffen Basho-Junghans

Probably shouldn't include him here because I haven't heard much of his music, but the pieces I have heard are great.

Robbie Basho

Very intriguing playing, but had a habit of ruining some tracks (in my opinion) with a vocal style that I find annoying and distracting. Oh well. The instrumental pieces are worth listening to.

Peter Lang

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Bukka White - They don't make 'em like this guy anymore. Check this out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsMpHHSLSlc Makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up!

J_Snowriderposted 479 days ago

John Keane and Robert Randolph. RR can straight thrown down. He's great live too!

Noahposted 479 days ago

Good suggestions. Of course, I'm realizing from your comments that I didn't make it clear that I was listing guitarists who primarily play instrumental guitar music without vocals.

Bukka White is making me think we'll need a "legends of Country Blues" list sometime soon!

jeffposted 478 days ago

T-Bone Walker, B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Bonnie Raitt.

Ol Hippieposted 442 days ago

Thanks for the tips!! I like hearing new stuff!

Check out Ryan Leblanc on you tube! He lives in my area and is a wizard!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ccDixfBPqs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_HWaxdeOQc

RAANTposted 435 days ago