PG editors and Guest Picker Sonny Landreth share their favorite guitarists you should know.
We all have our favorite guitarists. Many of them are household names—Clapton, Beck, Page,
Hendrix—and then there are others that are under the radar. There is something special about
listening to an amazing guitarist and getting that feeling that you are part of an inner circle.
This month we talk to our staff about who they think deserves more recognition, and slide-guitar
wizard Sonny Landreth sits in.
Jason Shadrick
-- Associate Editor
What am I listening to?
Bret Boyer’s Songs for
Everyone – Boyer gathers
together some of
Austin’s best musicians to create a collection
of fun songs aimed at kids who need something
a little deeper than the Jonas Brothers.
Favorite guitarist that more people should
know about: Jazz guitarist Jody Fisher should
be required listening for all guitarists. I have
seen him play solo guitar for a room full of
teenage metalheads and not only keep them
engaged, but prove to them that distortion
isn’t a necessity.
Shawn Hammond
-- Editor in Chief
What am I listening to?
Family of the Year’s
Songbook – Indie neofolk
with a near-perfect
blend of tasty acoustic
and electric tones, ambient vocal harmonies,
and pristine production.
Favorite guitarist that more people should
know about: Sir Richard Bishop. From eerie
slide work to moody Middle Eastern themes,
bastardized gypsy jazz, off-the-wall paeans to Joe
Maphis, and even a little feel-good fingerstyle,
Bishop takes acoustic guitar someplace new.
Sonny Landreth
-- Guest PickerWhat am I listening to?
Jeff Beck’s Live at Ronnie
Scotts – Each time I
watch this DVD I find
more to marvel at. Jeff is, of course, incredible
and this particular line up of players that back
him is perhaps the best fit ever.
Favorite guitarist that more people should
know about: Monte Montgomery is is an excellent
singer/songwriter and a most remarkable
guitar player. His fingerpicking technique on
acoustic, which he AMPS UP onstage, is impeccable
and full of power and grace. Though he
has amazing chops, it’s his touch, timing and
phrasing that really knocks me out and makes
his guitar voice unique.
Joe Coffey --
Editorial Director
What am I listening to?
Jimmie Vaughan’s Plays
Blues, Ballads & Favorites
and The Steve Miller
Band’s BINGO! – Two blues covers albums from
old faves who haven’t released new full studio
recordings in 9 and 17 years, respectively.
Favorite guitarist that more people should
know about: Gordon Kennedy. The threetime
Grammy winner writes great songs built
around great riffs (think of Clapton’s “Change
the World.”), produced and tours with Peter
Frampton, and played lead on what is widely
known as the best Christian rock album ever,
Whiteheart’s Freedom. Oh, and his studio’s
walls are lined with vintage AC30 grill cloth.
Jordan Wagner
-- Associate Gear Editor
What am I listening to?
Devo’s Something For
Everybody – Beyond the
perfect production and
execution are some of
the best songs, in my opinion, that the band
has ever released. Plus, it’s catchy as hell!
Favorite guitarist that more people should
know about: I’ve been on a pretty big Jesus
Lizard kick lately, so I’d have to go with
Duane Denison. His style is incredibly distinctive,
and I’ve always loved the raw, rockabilly
aggression of his guitar playing.
Andy Ellis
-- Senior Editor
What am I listening to?
Daniel Lanois’
Belladonna. In this
moody masterpiece,
fragments of echo-drenched
pedal-steel guitar drift and weave
through layers of pulsing sound.
Favorite guitarist that more people should
know about: Jim Campilongo takes his ‘59
Telecaster places others have yet to explore.
On his latest album, Orange, Campilongo ricochets
between feedback-spiked solos and achingly
beautiful melodies while paying homage
to Roy Buchanan, edgy mid-’70s Miles Davis,
Chet Atkins, The Stooges, and Link Wray.
Liana Prudencio
-- Assistant Editor
What am I listening to?
Preston Reed – Reed
plays like a guitarist and
drummer at the same
time. After checking out
some of his videos on his website, I “tried” to
mimic his awesome fingerstyle and tapping. It
ended up just looking like I was punishing my
guitar. Lo siento mi Ibanez.
Favorite guitarist that more people should
know about: Mellow singer/songwriter Sam
Beam (a.k.a. Iron and Wine). When I have had a
busy day and want to slow things down, I turn to
Mr. Beam to soothe me with his smooth picking
and vocals.
Adam Moore
-- Senior Editor
What am I listening to?
The Black Keys’
Brothers. It seems like
some fans have had a
difficult time getting
into the Keys’ latest release because it’s so
tough to pin down—that’s precisely why
it hasn’t left my iTunes rotation for weeks.
Favorite guitarist that more people should
know about: Greg Brown. Although he’s
been off the radar for a while, the original
Cake guitarist never quite received the attention
he deserved. Endlessly versatile, totally
unique and unabashedly quirky, Brown’s guitar
work with Cake and Deathray is a must-listen,
especially for Gretsch fans.
Chris Kies
-- Associate Editor
What am I listening to?
Johnny Cash’s At Folsom
Prison – This live masterpiece
features some of
my favorite Cash songs like “Jackson,” “I Still
Miss Someone,” and “Cocaine Blues.”
Favorite guitarist that more people should
know about: Thomas Erak of the recently
defunct The Fall of Troy. Erak uses pull-offs,
hammer-ons, funky chords and quick lead phrases
to tantalize your inner-shredder. He wraps
everything together with a very tight, melodic
style making it all coherent and digestable.
Share what you're listening to, and your favorite guitarist more people should know about in the comments section below.