Leaderboard

I like Al di Meola, but he has recorded some of the sleaziest sounding fusion ever. Case in point, a video that I both wonder at due to the playing and laugh at... due to the playing and everything else. If cocaine had a sound, I imagine it would sound like this. http://youtu.be/vGWfDkx4zyY

You know, of his more "easy listening" albums, I bought Secret Story (1992). I remember being disappointed that there wasn't a lot of actual guitar (lots of guitar synth, but not so much straight guitar). After a few listens, however, I found myself completely fascinated by the accompanying Cambodian choir - there were all these microtonal harmonies that were just fantastic! I still listen to that album, but now for the choral arrangements rather than guitar. As JohnnyB pointed out, if you've never heard him with straight guitar, he is definitely an incredibly capable guitarist. http://youtu.be/BWabRD0c_VQ

I've never bought an album because of the guitar player. I like bands & songs.

My first exposure to Blow by Blow was when the cd jukebox company put a copy on the jukebox at the restaurant I waited tables at. If no one payed money fora song, it played songs randomly. So although I initially didn't like it much, I learned to like all the songs on the album via familiarity.

EXACT thing happened to me! Reviews, Premier Guitar article... no guitar on the uber-hyped album (though he can play - saw him on a Crossroads with John Mayer). Fortunately, the 40-something denim-clad recipient of my CD was my wife (a fan of said over-produced "new country" crap). This also happened (around the same time - I was trying to broaden my horizons - not a fan of country music) with an interview with Nels Cline about the new Wilco album. I listened to it once and mailed it to HFCer and Wilco fan, Aceldama - for FREE. Where was Nels on that album? Though I believe Vai has the theory and concept of guitar like no one else and I love to watch him play live, I am amazed at how much of an effort it is to get through some of his music. I've always found Joe Satriani more listenable and blamed the difference on Vai's years with Zappa. I excitedly recorded a friend's vinyl copy of Blow by Blow onto a cassette of my own (around '86), but when I listened to it, I found it tiresome. Great licks, amazing playing, but an effort to get through. Was that not one of the greatest disappointments in a CD purchase? I find Carlton's contributed songs more listenable than Ritenour's, but to me the only song worth repeating on the entire CD is "Remembering J.P." (Carlton), that incidentally, didn't remind me of Joe Pass at all. Again, love seeing either of these guys play live, but the CD was as Johnny B said. Oh my... no you didn't! Are you unaware of Metheny's complete and utter disdain for Kenny G? He has a real REAL problem with Kenny G and seems to share it any time he's given any sort of prompt. Just one e.g. Pray he doesn't read your comment. Totally get Hendrix, but I was a fan way before I played guitar - began in high school with second-hand bootlegs on eight-track given to me by an old stoner type I used to work with. I could listen to him all day, even now. Edited to add: Hendrix, not the aforementioned old stoner benefactor.

Al DiMeola - Casino. Yeah, guy could play, but I just couldn't make it through that album - never tried another one either. To those who didn't like "Beano" or Hendrix; I'm guessing that you listened to them well after they came out. No skin off my nose what anyone likes, I don't get how some of you guys like what you do, but I'd guess if you heard them when they came out, you may have felt differently.

I like the cut of your jib, sir. I did the bolded part to my drummer's girlfriend's sister's copy of Breakfast in America. I also destroyed with the heel of my boot my own 8-track copy of ELO's Out of the Blue, simply one of the worst albums I have ever heard, and a double-album at that. At least I had the good sense to never buy Breakfast in America.

Somewhere in Joisey, Kizanski is having an aneurysm.

Whatever the "breakout" album was for Keith Urban. Read a couple of articles in Guitar mags that all touted his instrumental prowess. The album was nothing but over-produced "new country" crap. I listened to it all the way through, didn't hear a single memorable guitar part, and gave it away to the first 40 something woman wearing denim that showed interest.