Pat Metheny:

New Chautauqua:(1979)

Not an album I would usually own... But, when I was fourteen, getting into guitar playing pretty heavy, my godfather gave me most of his record collection. This album in particular, he wanted me to take because of the guitar playing. Now, I'll admit, I haven't listened to this record much at all. At fourteen, I just wasn't into instrumentals. Let alone new age jazz instrumentals. In fact, I probably haven't listened to this record for fifteen plus years. But I kept it, and all the records my godfather gave me, out of respect to him. And now, as I sit here this morning listening to this, it's not so bad. There's some interesting stuff in there. Still not going to be one I put on a lot though.

Stanley Jordan:

Touch Sensitive:(1982)

My parents bought this album at the World's Fair in Knoxville, TN in 1982. I was two, and was in need of a nap. So they found a tree near a small stage where a man was playing solo guitar, and selling his first record out of a cardboard box. Obviously, that man was Stanley Jordan, and he graciously autographed the album for my folks. Now, jazz guitar is a tricky thing for me, because there is a very fine line between cool, and sterile tedious musical masturbation. This album hovers near that line, but doesn't quite cross it. I find it to be a pleasant Sunday morning kind of album. But, maybe it was engrained in me from long ago sleeping under a tree.

Lightnin' Hopkins:

Lightnin' Hopkins:(1969)

Double Blues:(1972)

I got my first Lightnin' Hopkins album on a cassette when I was about thirteen on a trip to Denver. I remember it had been harder than I imagined to track down something by the Texas blues great. No one has ever played quite like Lightnin', and that's what jumped out at me on the very first listen. To this day, I've never heard anyone who could pay so laid back, and yet aggressive at the same time in a mesmerizing swirl of hard won rhythm, and life story repeating lead that didn't require a band. But, when a band was added it was so simple and atmospheric that it conjured other worlds out of thin air. I still find the best times to listen to Lightnin' Hopkins to be early in the morning or at night. That to me is the highest honor a purveyor of the Blues can achieve.  

Jimi Hendrix:

Are You Experienced:(1967)

Band of Gypsys:(1970)

Jimi Hendrix Vol 2:(1976)

The Essential:(1978)

Extremely few people have expanded the boundaries of music in the way Jimi Hendrix accomplished. Fewer still have been able to maintain fame after such a tragically short career. For all those reasons and more it's important to keep a few Hendrix albums around at all times. That said, if I was picking favorite Hendrix songs, I tend to gravitate toward the more melodic less bombastic guitar driven stuff, i.e. May This Be Love, Have You Ever Been (to Electric Ladyland), and The Wind Cries Mary. But the tune of his that gets stuck in my head most is Gypsy Eyes.  OK, enough naming songs...time to go listen to some Jimi Hendrix!

Buddy Guy & Junior Wells:

Play The Blues:(1972)

Well, shit...this is Buddy Guy and Junior Wells, enough said. Two masters in their prime!

Just listen to it!

James Cotton:

High Energy:(1975)

Mid-Seventies Blues albums were an interesting blend of blues and R&B, as artists wanted to hit crossover success, and this is the case on this James Cotton album. So in addition to great blues harp playin', you also get some funky guitar work from Matt "Guitar"Murphy, and Allen Toussaint laying down some tasty piano. Highly recommend this album.

Albert Collins:

Ice Pickin':(1978)

There has never been a guitar player that sounded like Albert Collins. I was about thirteen the first time I heard his name or his music, and I was mesmerized. The odd and cool way he kept rhythm by popping his thumb against the low E, and the palm of his hand against the bridge cap of his telecaster was intoxicating. Not to mention the power with which he attacked the instrument. I had many cassettes of his albums, but this one, this one is my favorite. That's why it's one of the only ones I have on vinyl. There's not a back track on this record. I was in Denver at a record sale, and a buddy of mine was selling some records of his. I pulled out this one, and the first Roxy Music album. When I tried to pay him, he said "Ah, Man, I can't take your money. It'll just be nice to know those are going to a good home." Thanks, Justin.

Showdown: (1985)

The interplay between these three is really good. I bought the album because Collins, and Copeland were on it, I've never been a fan of Robert Cray's guitar tone. On this album, it seems like all parties involved had a great time. Key track here would be, Black Cat Bone or Blackjack.

Adrian Belew:

Lone Rhino: (1982)

This album was given to me by an older friend who said, "You have to have a copy of this album." I liked Adrian Belew's contributions to Talking Heads, and Bowie albums so of course I took it. Who am I kidding, I rarely turn down vinyl. Usually when an artist described as a guitar wizard, and connected with a band like King Crimson releases an album I find it tedious and over worked. However, that's not the case here. This album is quirky and fun with darkly satirical lyrics. The guitar trickery is mainly used as atmosphere, which I always dig. This album also has a funny surreal cover that I love, and in a rare case, it perfectly fits the music contained in the grooves. If you've never heard this record the tracks to look up are The Lone Rhinoceros, and Big Electric Cat. Those two will tell you all you need to know about this album.

Chet Atkins:

In Hollywood: (1959)

Chet Atkins is one of those towering figures in music of the last century. For a long time he was the music business. His guitar playing shaped so many players like George Harrison, Mark Knopfler, and Brian Setzer to name a few. That said, among his records some are better than others. In Hollywood is pretty snoozy, and to my ear, uninteresting. 

Mr. Guitar: (1959)

This album on the other hand is the kind of Chet Atkins record I want to hear with great straight ahead guitar jams like only Chet can deliver. After all, he was Mr. Guitar.

Teensville: (1960)

More uptempo ditties from Mr. Guitar, this time trying to get in on the music those crazy teenagers were diggin'. From the perspective of many decades removed, it seems like an interesting piece in his catalogue, but thinking of it in its time, it seems very out of touch. Key track to look up here is Boo Boo Stick Beat, cool tune for sure with a great bassline.  

The Most Popular Guitar: (1961)

When I was five or six I saw this album in my grandmother's house. I thought it was the best album cover I had ever seen...can't imagine why... This is still one of my favorite Chet Atkins records. It's a nice blend of his guitar work with orchestration, and multiple genres. Check out track one, It Ain't Necessarily So. 

Chester and Lester:

    Chester & Lester: (1976)

    Guitar Monsters:(1978)

As a guitar player it's hard to pass up a record with two of the greats playing together...even when they get snoozy. Here of course are Les Paul and Chet Atkins cakewalking through impossible guitar riffs that they could play in their sleep. No doubt the two men had fun making these records. Chet made good duet records. I really loved the first Mark Knopfler/Chet Atkins album Neck'n'Neck. These are great lazy Sunday morning albums to toss on when the sun is shining.