My Top Two (2) Guitarists Of All Time

[@TheRamsberg]

Been listening to Fahey and Kottke for 20+ years, and to me what really sets them apart from others, is their singularity. They don't play "songs", as much as they play what they hear in their head, and feel in the moment. That fluidity and freedom is so incredibly unique. One of the few I can think of who're young and active today, continuing on in a similar playing style, and also with their own singularity, is Gwenifer Raymond. Thanks for putting this compilation together! It was delightful to watch and listen to!

[@peterhodes6708]

Thanks for all these clips, much appreciated.Just happen to be my favourite acoustic guitarists too.

[@StoyTheOld]

Kottke and Fahey are my top two as well. I managed to see Leo a bunch of times and was introduced to him backstage at the Vogue Theater in Broad Ripple Indiana. Only saw Fahey perform live one time, but it was special. It was at the old Hummingbird Bar in Indianapolis, and I had a beer with him during his break. I wish I had written some notes; because I can't remember anything about our conversation. Thanks for bringing back some memories.

[@gbunton]

John Fahey, founded Takoma records in Bladensburg, Maryland I met Leo K there in 1969 Fahey is really responsible for encouraging Leo to become the professional he became. Fahey, was and Kottke still is a great musician. Their styles vary greatly, but everyone can appreciate the immense talent of both.

[@davidcooper7339]

Bukka White kicked ass! Wow, what a great little film you put together. Kotke and Cotton were excellent. I can't say enough good about John Fahey who's always been one of my favorite guitar players. Thanks for editing and sharing this little film of yours. Very cool!

[@greatsilentwatcher]

I was fortunate to work at Kicking Mule Records in the 1990s and got to know the late ED Denson as a friend. It took me a while to learn that he and John Fahey were the co-founders of Takoma Records. Back when I lived a few miles from Takoma Park, Maryland in the 1970s, I came across some of Fahey's recordings on vinyl and got hooked to the music. It continues to give me listening pleasure to this day.

[@russkolisnyk8909]

Appreciate you pulling all these clips together (been watching them for a couple of years now after finally finding the joys of John and Leo (and Peter, Arvid, Michael, Basho, et al)). This music has changed my life and my love for playing the guitar (which I started back in 1975 but didn't actually start playing until October of 2020). I love playing John's work. Such a unique sound that when you really listen you can hear his influence on many modern performers.

[@lowellcalavera6045]

Mine too. ❤ Jack Rose took up the "American Primitive" torch, and now Gwenifer Raymond has it.

[@1blastman]

I wish you could post the two versions of "In Christ, There Is No East or West". Fahey does it on a Tacoma album where Kottke and Peter Lang and Fahey do four cuts each. Then in his Greenhouse album, Kottke covers it. It's wonderful to listen to both versions back to back. I haven't done it a while, but falling into this post, I will go back to it.

[@Steve_K2]

Great video, many thanks. Liked your comments, too.

[@SteveMccart]

Two awesome picks my friend. Reminds me of McCabes in Hollywood. And thanks to John for mentenioning Ry Cooder , my first concert in 1969

[@ron88303]

Kottke has been one of my favorites since the seventies. As for his great riffs (and there are many), for me nothing tops his Open Country Joy: Them and Adhesions.

[@outtathyme5679]

I just really enjoy Leo’s playing

[@JeffHIII]

I talked to John once after a concert and he told me he was just making up stuff as he went along. Leo’s voice has vastly improved over the years. (I saw him last week.) His version of 8 Miles High is the best one out there. Great clips. Thanks.

[@g.polychronis]

Wow, that's awesome! Thanks!

[@1blastman]

Kottke's voice - "Geese farts on a muggy day" - has that improved? Wow.

[@NickRaths-gy3xk]

The geese farts thing wasn’t Leo’s idea but he went with it anyway and now it’s history. When the armadillo album came out and hit the charts there was nothing more to be said.

[@openmodalguitar61]

Guitar technique came very naturally to Leo but vocal technique challenged him, on one of his early albums he recorded the vocals lying on his back. On some of his material the vocals are clearly not to the very high standard of his playing. The notable exception is the 'Burnt Lips' album, where the standard of playing is extraordinary even for Leo (that tone) and the vocals are every bit as good. Listen to 'Sonora's Death Row' or 'Voluntary Target', Leo's voice really gets into the dark themes of the songs on this album, which has seven vocal tracks and six instrumentals, all peak Kotkke, including 'A Low Thud' and 'Orange Room' . I think gravitas may be the trigger for Leo, he also sings very well on 'Great Big Boy' another album with heavy themes, songs like 'Driver' and 'Big Mob on the Hill' bring something out in Leo's voice, a deeper part of his character.

[@mikecalhoun5374]

Let's not forget Doc Watson. RIP 😢

[@jackstraw4129]

Well done.

[@g.polychronis]

Hey everybody! Thanks for the positive feedback! I decided to make another guitar-themed video, so feel free to check it out

[@alvistd2168]

I had 2 friends at the conservatory. One a brilliant Bach player-they really liked these guys.

[@scottlee-benner6610]

Well, G. Polychronis, this video was VERY entertaining and informative! I'm glad I stumbled across this video of 2 very eclectic guitar-picking genius's! I will certainly subscribe to see what you release next!

[@g.polychronis]

Thank you very much! I have a couple of new video ideas, hopefully I'll get to make them in due time

[@williamwoolcock]

Mine too. Fahey is a raga that explains it all, Fare Forward Voyagers. In Christ there is no East or West- sang it in Episcopal Church Choir, then it came home to me with Fahey, really accents Christmas.. Kotke carried Fahey forward but with humor and stagecraft, plus vocals.

[@evanmuller1967]

Both absolute giants in the American Primitive scene. I also consider Will Ackerman to be right there among them (especially his first record, which is very much in this style).

[@purnabangere836]

Many thanks!🙏

[@msherer260]

That is what makes us love the Guitar, so many wonderful players doing all kinds of awesome things with the guitars. I think there are a few thousand greatest guitar players for the millions of guitar lovers. I think we all have the ones we just love what they do for some reason stands out in our minds when we hear them, my favorite was the constant and perfect cadence Bob Wootton played on so many Johnny Cash records. Not a great guitar player so much as a great guitar player at what he was ask to do.

[@DjNikGnashers]

Both of these two guitarists are incredibly talented. Where I think they fall down a bit, is in their accessability to the average listener, most of their music is quite hard work to listen to. It's a bit like the most skilled jazz musicians, incredible skills but the average listener is turned off by the actual music. I find the same with John Martyn, some of his stuff is amazing but it's not easy listening, other stuff he does is just wonderful and I can listen over & over never getting bored of it. My favourites are John Renbourn, Bert Jansch, Dave Evans.

[@NickRaths-gy3xk]

I use to see Leo at Grandma’s on Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis back in the 70s. It was an after hours recording session hang out. Michael Johnson was usually there and joined us. We would shoot the shit about right hand technique over a stack of pancakes. I’ve treasured my right hand fingernails ever since. ONR

[@ahhhlindsanityyy]

Great video:)

[@Cbcw76]

I'd also nominate Joni Mitchell's guitar work on her FOR THE ROSES album, like COLD BLUE STEEL, BARANGRILL, ELECTRICITY and the others. AND she's singing, too.

[@larryoilund3377]

agreed.

[@wyattlaw4952]

John played tunes that resembled funeral dirges. Kottke took fingerstyle to a different level.

[@ibtm]

Have you ever heard Dolye Dykes?

[@ToniMtl78]

Jack Rose is up there in the same league to me

[@SteveMccart]

What about Kotkes Ring Ring , Emilys house or Pamela Brown...oh there it is

[@williewonka3574]

Id like to add one to the list..... Bob Hadley.

[@kimodeutschmann5237]

Leo makes music..Fahey makes noise.

[@richardseegman803]

Leo Kottke is the greatest guitarist of all time. I can't believe you wasted so much time on him singing songs. He has been known to call his own voice "wild geese farts." Never heard of Fahey and didn't listen to a bit of that.

[@alicasoto4497]

hay man.. . just change it to Basho and Fahey or fahey and basho... kotkee at 3.. and we wont have any problems.

[@g.polychronis]

Haha, Basho is great obviously, so is Peter Lang, but I am not actually ranking them here. I think Kottke said it best when he wrote that Fahey "found a new happiness for all of us", even though they all went and did their own thing

[@myanbeach]

I was a fanatic of Kottke for years. Fahey, not so much.