This Is Why He's One Of My Favorite Guitar Players EVER

[@AdamLevyGuitarTips]

Rhett - !!! What can I even say? Thank you so much.

[@electricj5]

You the man Adam. Slow burn.

[@mountainhobbit1971]

loved seeing a clip of Adam with drummer Jay Bellerose...Jay's touch and tone on the drums reminds me of Adam's tone and touch on the guitar.

[@j_drichmond]

I saw him for the first time at the Fretboard Summit in Chicago - it was truly lovely.

[@KevinMerinoCreations]

Thank you for doing your artist highlight videos! You are batting 1000! 👏👏👏

[@JonathanAcierto]

His telecaster playing on Norah Jones Live in New Orleans is so tasteful, I still hear it in my head to this day.

[@elbdeltaguitarguru3032]

Thank you for giving Adam this respectful tribute. He deserves this and much more.

[@hacksawowner]

Adam Levy is one of the most underrated guitarists alive. I first heard him and Norah in 07’ with her “Not too late album”. Phenomenal, and a total paradigm shift for me musically.

[@Abutado]

I feel so crappy sometimes for not playing super fast but I play with my heart and watching these artist highlights make me feel like my slower soulfull playing is still enjoyed and appreciated. 😊

[@CerealDust-nStuff]

Same here.

[@electricj5]

Same

[@davidrmorrison]

Same

[@justinajlc]

I bought a Norah Jones live dvd 20 years ago, Adam was on guitar and his playing was everything you described, restrained and tasteful, and sounds like he put his heart into every single note he plays.

[@jeffreyduncan989]

I feel the same way about Julian Lage and Jim Campilongo… they can make the simplest things sound so rich

[@electricj5]

Damn right , 120% agree with both of them.

[@KC25169]

Yes. Saw Jim Campilongo a few weeks ago and he was amazing.

[@breedthischaos]

Truly, Rhett. This video is the best you’ve put up. I love that someone recognizes real guitar playing. And that Tele of yours. Ugly at first sight but now it’s the most amazing shit I’ve ever seen. I just wanna play it. Right now.

[@merseberger]

Perfectly described Adams playing! I follow him since years an I defintively love his tone. Pure, no effects, straight to the amp. Thank you for highlighting this great musician! Still one of my favoutite albums in "Loose Rhymes" from 2006. Thanks a lot!

[@scottkidwellmusic9175]

Thanks for the introduction to Adam Levy, Rhett. great vid! I just watched the Otis Gibbs' video about Adam playing for Norah Jones. Seems like Adam is about to get a bump up from these two videos. Be good to you

[@stevecochrane5376]

Man ,that is so respectful and so generous. It's the sign of serious artist that you would offer this level dignity to another artist. I have found a number of beautiful musicians through your channel . Thanks Rhett , you are the best.

[@jamesmcnamara1837]

Great video Rhett

[@jonathanroyce9692]

Great player, generous with his knowledge. Thanks for featuring him. (And for all your vids! Great content 🙏🏻🙌🏻)

[@willgoodfellow3144]

Adam is one of my favourite players. Great to see you doing a spotlight on him.

[@julesleyhe]

Saw this band at a house concert in Berkeley, CA... sat about 6 feet from the band, it was absolutely beautiful!! Awesome vid, Rhett!

[@dananthony6258]

Anyone who plays a 335 get my attention instantly.

[@netanelgallagher7323]

Even m.g.k?.. that's what get your....?!.

[@dananthony6258]

@@netanelgallagher7323 I've been playing and studying for 33 years and you ?

[@petealba707]

So good! He and the late great Jeff Healy have such amazing feel and vibrato.

[@johnwilliamgould]

Man, I absolutely love his playing. Incredible touch, and so much soul in his playing. Thanks so much for sharing Rhett!

[@jaysigouin]

I have been a fan of Adam for a looong time. It's awsome that he gets this kind of "hommage". Well done.

[@michaelkhorsandi8623]

Adam is amazing. He exudes humble and experienced talent. He is a great teacher and a soulful player - all while staying down to earth human.

[@samuelhatman8995]

I'm sure with 600K+ subs your swamped by suggestions. But!!! "If I'm Unworthy" by Blake Mills. I've played for 65 years. I almost cried as this offering reached my core. It is slide on a Tele Bullit and fingerstyle to boot. There is a youtube video of him doing this solo. It is on a par with the wonderful video I just watched from you Adam Levy is right in the same pocked as Blake Mills. I pray you take a listen and a watch. Your slide will beat Josh's everytime just watching Blake's virtuosic technique! Thanks Rhett, sincerely, Sam Hatman. Ohhh my Gosh!!!

[@fiddlefolk]

Adam has been killing it with taste for a long time! Soulful!

[@1969Donovan]

When we were kids we just wanted to play fast, never realizing the feeling and the emotion of slowing it down. I think Page playing "Since Iv'e been lovin you" taught me that as I got a little bit older.

[@ernieb3626]

How strange that I just found him less than a week ago. He is amazing and so so humble. Thanks Rhett

[@NickGranville]

If ever there was a musician who played like their personality it would be Adam! Love his playing

[@Ironworthstriking]

Bought a guitar from Adam a few years ago before I knew who he was. Amazing guy and incredible player.

[@SK__Guitar777]

Thanks for doing this. I've know Adam since 1998 via San Francisco - he's also a great reader, jazzer and nice dude!

[@aroe3896]

excellent shout out for Adam Levy. I first heard about his backstory on an Otis Gibbs posting and I first heard him play a cover of Buddy Holly's Everyday with another virtuoso with a groovy touch, Molly Miller. What finesse and musicality.

[@iangenet29]

I've seen Adam Levy at Bar Lunatico (the venue in the first clip) a few times and each time it's like a religious experience. I went with a friend who's a professional engineer and we made the same point as you, there was such mastery of the instruments that the band found a way to play the fewest notes and still hold everyone. Truly inspiring

[@goswo]

He is amazing. Thanks for covering “it”. “It” is when playing guitar becomes a real extension of your personality. That noone can copy.

[@darwinsaye]

First time I saw/heard him was on a live video with Norah Jones doing Come Away With Me, a number of years ago, and I was sold right from the first three notes of his solo.

[@KC25169]

This is so great. I love Adam's playing. He is a guitarist's guitarist. What a great talent -- and a total class act. Thanks for doing this Rhett!

[@cardosoguitarra]

Adam Levy is a true Maestro!!! Great video and great tribute, Rhett! 👏👏👏

[@robshaffer2274]

I just watched my first Adam Levy video last night and as your subscriber this comes up today - so very cool. As an 80s metal and classic rock child & player I've recently opened my ear to other genres. Ariel Posen, Al Dimeloa, Adam Levy, Rotem Sivan. My playing is already enriched as a result.

[@jtd3421]

This is awesome... I've always thought one of the most perfect guitar solos of all time was in "Be Here to Love Me" by Norah Jones. Never knew who played it. It's Adam Levy! Thanks so much for putting that together for me.

[@bryansmith6865]

His playing is awesome and really enjoyed his book on shell chord voicings on his band camp page

[@joetaska]

Thanks for the heads up on this player! That idling groove around the 6 and a half minute mark is kind of like John Scofield! You're right, it's not flashy but it's perfect with the song!

[@kendalljamesmusic]

Both Adam and Julian create that Bill Frissell vibe when they play. That kind of subtlety is rare, and sadly under-appreciated today.

[@harshtruth9148]

Just an awesome example of how the "guitar" is just a tool, the real magic comes from within the artist....less is more, more is less....its whatever the artist feels at that particular moment...the guitar is just the tool to express that.....this guy embodies this as it almost seems he is one with that guitar and the sound is oozing from his body.

[@Haku_records]

Got the unicorn chance to see Guthrie trapp and Adam levy at the underdog on an off night on tour!

[@devinwright131]

About space: As I get into my 3rd decade as an improviser I find that my true inner voice has more space to it. Whereas 10 years ago any time I left space it felt contrived. It’s almost a confidence thing too. Not an attitude or a “put on” thing. It’s gotta be true to who you are.

[@stevenrussi5973]

Brilliant analysis that you have been doing lately--the simple feel that profound players achieve through years of reduction of technique.

[@davedewees]

Rhett, thank you for sharing this. As a student of Adam's for the last 4 or 5 years (and a fan for much longer) I can confirm that what you described about his playing extends to his teaching style as well.

[@DrewSuch]

Thank you, Rhett.

[@matta.4816]

Love Adam!!!! Amazing!!

[@DanielHeikalo]

Wonderful! Another player in that school of less is more, is Bill Frisell. His duet with Julian Lage are mind boggling.

[@Lenny-xs8nr]

This is awesome man! You bring so much positivity to the guitar, music community love your channel!

[@escargotomy]

Never heard of him, but definitely cool. It's also as I've known for decades...you can draw a pretty straight line from Chuck Berry to BB King to Eric Clapton to Larry Carlton to Alex Lifeson...to Adam. All these guys knew the secret sauce to GOD-tone is the ES-335. You can have a bonfire with your boat-anchor, one usable sound Les Pauls. Give me a 335 (or 345 or 355) and a decent tube amp and it's all at your fingertips. Sweet as honey or dirty as a dog, and everything in between.

[@kitano0]

Just saw him on Otis Gibbs channel talking about working with Nora....a really cool dude!

[@guilhermezanini4453]

Come Away With Me solo is one of my favourite guitar parts all the time.

[@RobertFHarrison]

He's one of my faves as well!

[@IsomacTea]

"If you have something to say, you don't have to say a lot" Great video, Rhett!

[@bryantcochran5065]

Susinc phrasing, I love his style, only notes that must be there, simply fantastic.

[@joeurbanowski321]

Look up ghost notes in an old dictionary and there’s a photo of the mensch..Adam Levy.. Gotta love him..👍🏼❤️

[@nuthinbutlove]

😉😁

[@scooterk5]

In an entirely different vein, I love to listen to A.J. Ghent. His Live at Terminal West record has everything you could want in soul/R&B/gospel vein. Great songs, great singing, great band, killer guitar playing.

[@gtr1952]

He sounds great! I haven't been able to play with a pick in the last, about 7 years. Arthritis, I can't hang on to it. It makes me play a little like Adam with fingers. Now I don't miss the pick at all. I also play my 335 more... --gary

[@tpap6827]

He plays a Fender Princeton Reverb without pedals sometimes but more often with a very modest understated pedal board consisting of a compressor, boost, light overdrive, analog delay and tremolo all set at the absolute lowest settings to add very subtle color to his tone, when he employs them which is based on the requirements of the song and band. He wants to add subtle colors while still making it sound like an unplugged 335 through a great microphone with a little eq. He says a lot of his effects are designed to keep his guitars bass and other frequencies out of the way of whoever he plays with so that the stereo image or sound stage has separate space where each instrument can exist and provide its own unique qualities to the music without frequencies from one instrument bleeding into some other instruments sonic wheelhouse. In other words, a bass does the best job at holding down the low end and doesn’t need extra low end frequencies from a guitar with a good bass resonance like the ES 335 on the neck pick up for example., he will use a treble boost to tone down the bass.

[@HoneydewOz]

Would love to see a video like this for bill frisell.

[@johnladdsmusic]

Thanks for introducing this player to me Rhett! That last clip was very Scofield like!

[@caseynewton827]

Love seeing Chris Morrissey getting so lit up by Adam’s playing

[@chenks54]

It's about tension and relaxation .. call and echo, changes in intonation in a conversation between two lovers ..

[@mattkozink7488]

Adam's playing/approach reminds me more of Bill Frisell's than Julian Lage. Regardless, like Lage and Frisell, his playing draws me in waiting for what he's going to (or not) play next. I enjoy that aspect of his playing enormously.

[@rondelio8562]

I fully get the whole message here, Rhett, but I would respectfully disagree that guitar is difficult to play. It first depends upon how far you want to go with it. I beginner can start playing chords and singing along with themselves with just a few lessons. But if you want to deep dive into the OCD details of playing, tone, styles, etc, then yes, guitar can be a handful - but the same can be said of piano, bass, or other instruments. Great video, Rhett!! It was an eye opener, since I never heard of Adam until now.

[@leighrushing3956]

I like how you talk about artists that guitarist have played with like we should know them, but I've never heard of em.

[@christophermartin7973]

First saw him on the Norah Jones DVD and loved him great sound.

[@RAkers-tu1ey]

Wonderful. And , if anyone thinks that any part of his playing is accidental, they just don't understand. And, by the way, his bands have great chops as well - they all look very happy together.

[@nuthinbutlove]

Nothing accidental at all. Every note intentional. It's a beautiful thing!

[@murph1017]

If I see a thumbnail with the Rhett stank face, it's an instant watch.

[@dennisvanderauwera8620]

Incredible tastefull player! Thanks for the tip, Rhett

[@admarhermans1]

Great bassplayer too here playing with Adam! Great player and a really nice humanoïd. I did not know of him untill a few weeks ago... Nice man, very inspirational! Nice energy and personality! Love him! A true father figure of sorts for musicians, I think. I don’t mean to be cheesy here. I love his energy. It makes me relaxed and eager to listen to him talk and play. And that tone of his, wow, really reflecting his personality, not? Great video, Rhett! Thanks! 🖖

[@reijerlincoln]

The bass player is having so much fun.

[@chriskondracki7398]

Thanks for sharing 👍

[@EnJoony]

Keep these comin'! Let's give these guys the exposure they deserve. Also check out John Leventhal and the severely under the radar, Nicky Moroch. Decades of session work between them and Moroch's touch and taste on The Sideguys "Gospel Blues" (studio video) is absolutely fantastic.

[@nuthinbutlove]

Soul touching brilliance! ❤

[@laswastedyouth]

I love guitar players like this because they just play what feels great not what they think might impress someone. And you know maybe non guitar players might not be impressed but it WILL sound good to them. And at the end of the day that’s what matters. Music is not a sport!

[@thebennettbrothers]

Love the video!

[@ae3898]

Adam’s work with Norah Jones was a huge part of her sound and success. And thanks to Vulfpeck for spotlighting him in “El Chepe”.

[@arhshields]

Bad player: "I sound bad" Good player: "I sound good" Master player: "I sound bad...*for the vibe*"

[@johnsmith-zf1fd]

Time for a Robin Trower episode

[@JoeyB-h2l]

Love Adam Levy's taste and soulful restraint...Don't know if he's already mentioned it, but does anyone know the make and model of the headphones Rhett is wearing in this video? Thanks...

[@badscrew4023]

He’s a freaking monster

[@petergoddard1960]

I rececntly switched on to Adam. He's stunningly good. I'm sure you will have done already, but you should check out Tobias Hoffmann.

[@heypockyway6652]

Absolutely as tasteful as they get. RHETT you need to highlight Ahren Shreeve next 🙌🎸

[@charliemcgrain]

Yes, "restraint" translates to having good taste and not trying fill up the whole fecking space. Let the notes sit and hang. Look at Dave Gilmore, another guy who understands space. I think it was Gilmore who said painters use color, musicians are playing with silence. I love that. But Adam has this other thing; he is playing with "atonal." Not only does he chose the tight notes that play over the supporting chords but he fecks with the notes in such a confident way, pulling things off center in a really beguiling way. It draws you in and of course his confidence makes you take the ride with him. Very interesting dude.

[@jipes]

On the second clip notably he's apparently playing one of Ry Cooder Coodercaster

[@youKnowWho3311]

I'm hard over on the Chris Buck stuff right now. Space is definitely a note, just as the absence of light denotes darkness.

[@JAMpedals-yt]

Yes.

[@TheSpydersBand]

Adam was a faculty member at the old National Guitar Summer Workshop in New Milford, CT, as were other KZbinrs like Jeff McErlain.

[@TheSpydersBand]

P.S. If you want to listen to an incredibly melodic player, check out Jack Ruch’s KZbin channel. He’s the Bob Ross of guitar KZbinrs.

[@m0j0b0ne]

It USED to be, all the blues players were about 'less is more'. Restraint is still the name of that game; it's still the slow blues that separates the men from the OLD men. The real authority springs from an utter LACK of needing to impress anybody.

[@jesus.gongora]

The face of envy on the thumbnail 😊

[@ElQuintoViernesAzul]

I like the Mustang Bass!

[@girlTurtle85]

niiiiice.....how long have you had the two rock? gorgeous amp my man

[@leeinthesprings]

Roy Buchanan vibes! I dig it!!

[@RC32Smiths01]

There really is something about working towards what you want on guitar. The right tone, technique, gear, etc., make the journey longlasting. Cheers

[@dwightburns6699]

great job,

[@erikthompson404]

Guitarateers. Pick for one and fingers for all. United we jam in the pocket we fall.

[@valdochez25]

I first heard of Adam Levy with Norah Jones. His tone and note choices always feel intentional and with great feel/emotion.

[@Fozzie1481]

Please make something about the late JJ Cale! Such a legend but nobody ever talks about him.

[@madkorova]

I love this series about your fav guitar players. He's probably higher ground, but I'm curious what you think about Marc Ribot.

[@johnandre5558]

Ribot is one skronky player. I really dig his work.

[@electricj5]

Agree, he’s the slow burn man.