jsc@nbires.UUCP (07/20/83)
Sure, some of these guys may be pretty good. But from the short essays on what they've done, it seems they are restricted to the rock 'n roll genre. Now you take Ry Cooder. Can you name a style of music he hasn't recorded? Bluegrass, bop, hardass rock (U.F.O. Lands in a Ghetto, or whatever that song is called), jazz (the album called, I think, "Jazz," with Earl Fatha Hines is extremely well done!!), etc. He has my vote for best all-round guitarist, if not musician. (David Grisman, *not* "Grismon!" may be runner-up, followed closely by pianist Paul Smith.)
ebs@mcnc.UUCP (07/22/83)
Hooray for whoever mentioned Ry Cooder! He (Ry) is truly a man who
appreciates his roots.
David Grisman, however, does not to my knowledge play guitar (at least
not on record). His last three Quintet/Quartet guitarists certainly deserve
mention though. They are (in chronological order):
TONY RICE - currently with the TONY RICE UNIT, formerly with J D CROWE
MARK O'CONNOR - after leaving Grisman, he played fiddle with the DREGS;
he is a true multi-instrumental genius.
MIKE MARSHALL - still with DG; in Grisman's own words "one of the monster
pickers of our time".
These three guys, of course, are acoustic guitarists. Mebbe we need two
pantheons (acoustic and electric).
Also worthy of mention (needless to say) DJANGO REINHARDT
Eddie Stokes (mcnc/ebs)