Guitar heros and muscial influences 2

So this is the follow up to my last post about my guitar/musician heros. This is not meant to be a best of the best guitarists list, but my own personal list of musical influences. Some of these have links attached to videos of the artist and others have actual videos of the artists themselves.

So who to start with? Umm...in no particular order.....

Django Reinhardt - He is my definition of a guitar hero! His left hand was badly disfigured in a fire and he had to re-learn how to play with, basically, 2 fingers. But what he did was invent a new genre of music and a style of guitar which most people have a hard time playing with all their fingers. His music inspires me and i listen to him in many times when i have hit a musical wall. Please watch the vid




Jimmy page...YES! Who doesn't love this guy! I mean, now everyone wants a double neck guitar or how to use a bow.

Nickel Creek - So creative, especially 'Why should the Fire die'. Its not a country album nor a bluegrass album, it is a Nickel Creek album. They have their own style almost created their own genre. They know their instruments and seem to be draw every so much emotion and life out of them it makes me so jealous, yet i love them.


Chile Thile - AMAZING! let me say that again AMAZING!! His solo work, Punch Brothers and random recordings with other amazing artists, he makes me want to give up and try harder all at the same time.


The Edge - I know he is very "pop" and simplistic, but he just makes good music.

Jars of Clay - I call these guys the Weezer of the Christian music world. 1st album was great, then second album...well....not so well (at least at first for me). Then with time, i got to know the 2nd album better and now really like it. (note - Pinkerton is still my favorite weezer album)

Kaki King <- (please click on link if you have never seen her play) She rocks....this girl can play. I am still trying to learn playing with pink noise. i have been working with this song on and off for almost a year, and well, am no where near close to being able to perform this song.

Andy McKee - His attack is intense! He has no problem in what seems like he is beating the crap out of he guitar, but knows exactly what he is doing. He is one of the reasons i started to play in the "tapping" style.

Antone Duifor - This is what i would love to sound like one of these days. He is clear, complex and very good. It seems like he has poured over his songs over and over, not just practiced.


Jon Brion - I have seen him play live and his ability to improv is out of this world. Really, when you watch him play it brings you into the music. He can also play every single instrument under the sun. What makes him an influence on me is that he has such mastery over the guitar, he can pick up and play anything and i do mean ANYTHING he hears.


Jim Croche - My mom and dad introduced me to Croche. At first i thought of him as 'old people music' along with John Denver, and well, now he is one of my favorite song writers. I think about his lyrical style and ability to tell a story through song.

Robert Johnson - So eerie yet so captivating. One of my first CD's was his collection. The first song, Crossroads, grabs you, or it grabbed me. It was the first time i made the distinction in how finger picking can add so much to a song. I know more appreciate this skill as i have my own feeble attempts at this craft. He made me see this skill stand out.


Stevie Wonder - I love the musically and arrangement of his music. There is just something about the songs, "Superstition" and "I wish" that makes me want to better my skill at arranging my own work.

Elton John - He has probably one of my favorite rock voices. When i have tried to learn his songs, not only do i learn some new chord progression, but i have to learn some new vocal skill. i love it.

Christopher Parkening - A craftsman of the guitar. He has a great story too. I love his arrangements of several classical pieces, especially, Romanza. Every time i hear that song, i have to pause and take it in for at least a little while.


Andres Segovia - He is the 'Grandfather' of the guitar. Without him the guitar probably would have had a hard time getting out of the bars italy and spain. He drew the guitar into the spot light and made it a respectable instrument for study.

Modest Mouse - Listening to these guys makes you question what is really going on in their music. They have a great hand on their effects and bring out quirks and subtleties that bring a song to a new level. Listening to these guys have made me think so much more about what else is going on in my songs besides the melody and chord prgression.

Resse Roper - The singer for Five Iron Frenzy and Brave Saint Saturn, while not my favorite singer, there are a few songs that he has written that are probably some of my favorite worship songs. There is no way you could play them at church, but that is what is good about them. He has helped me find out that there can be worship songs beyond the set church/acoustic guitar.

George Harrison - When i heard that he didn't play the solo to While my guitar gently weeps, i almost cried. But then i started to really listen to the Beatles and have found out, that it is ok....he is still a great guitarist.

Wes Montgomery - The man can play! He doesn't use a pick, everything is done with his thumb and that makes it all the more amazing. I know there is no way i could explain his music with any authority, but for me personally, his music moves me. I makes me think about how i play, what i am putting (as in way of emotions or skill) into my music.


Well that is it for now. I mean, there are way more than this, but i thought this would do for now. In an upcoming blog, i would love to show off some of my on friends who are musicians. In the mean time, please comment and enjoy the music.

In Christ,
Allan