Dez's Top 30 Guitarists: #'s 6 and 5

6. David Gilmour (Pink Floyd, solo)

David Gilmour's playing is never really that fast or complex. But he picks just the right notes at the right moments (much like Clapton, at his best. But Gilmour does it more often than Clapton, hence his higher ranking). Roger Waters's often cold lyrics and arrangements are offset by Gilmour's warm tone and playing, which is one of the things that makes Pink Floyd's dynamics so interesting. Gilmour is the most melodic and lyrical guitar player I've ever come across. His famous solo in Floyd's classic "Comfortably Numb" stands out as one of the all time greats, but check out his work in the epic "Echoes" for the best of what Gilmour can do.


ABOVE: Latterday Gilmour-led Pink Floyd plays one of the most beautiful songs in all of rockdom, "Wish You Were Here"



#5. Jam Man: Duane Allman (Allman Brothers Band, Derek & the Dominoes, session work)

It is not Duane Allman's fault that many subsequent guitar players mistake length of jam for greatness. Just because he sustains interest in a 22-minute titanic version of "Whipping Post" on the ultimate jam album of all time, the Allman Brothers Band's Live at the Fillmore East, does not mean that every axe-slinger to come along since should try the same. Go back and listen to the inventiveness of "Whipping Post," where it must be said that Allman is aided by second guitarist Dickey Betts and bassist Berry Oakley.

Allman was the greatest slide player in rock history. What made his and his band's music so exciting is that while rooted in blues and country, they took those roots to new places. Duane Allman was like a John Coltrane or Miles Davis. He approached improvisation wide open, and had the chops to take it wherever he wanted to take it. That is really the key, he had the skills and adventurous spirit of a jazz musician, but used it in rock, blues and country settings.

His work with The Allman Brothers Band aside, he was also an impressive session player. Duane's tasty licks grace tunes from the likes of Aretha Franklin and Wilson Pickett. His slide playing is all over Eric Clapton's opus, Derek and the Dominoes' Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. Duane's presence pushed Clapton to his highest peaks, just so he could keep up with Duane. It is Duane Allman playing the glorious slide guitar line through the song and coda of "Layla." But my favorite Allman solo comes on the Fillmore East album. He takes the second solo (after Dickey's) on "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed." This is one of the most ferocious and passionate solos I've ever come across. Goosebump inspiring stuff.

It is a tragedy that Duane died so young (in a motorcycle accident), because as talented as he was, he was still developing and probably had not even reached his peak as a player.


ABOVE: This isn't the exact version I was talking about, but it is still a smokin' "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" from the Duane-era Allman Brothers Band. Duane takes the second solo near the latter part of the song. Listen and enjoy.