Word.

I think a true virtuoso is a blend of technique and melody. Vai often does this perfectly. Satriani and Malmsteen can too, as Surfing With The Alien and Black Star shows, but they spend most of their time showing off and neglecting melody alltogether IMO. I would like to see them take a chill pill, not get so caught up in their egos and focus on actual songwriting.

Agreed.

I don't think Satriani shows off too much though - his songwriting on Surfing with the Alien, Strange Beautiful Music and Crystal Planet is superb IMO.


Also, check out Camel if you haven't already. Andy Latimer is an excellent guitarist and songwriter in the vein of Gilmour.

Yeah, Latimer is amazing.

I don't get the Gilmour comparisons though, they dont really sound alike to me. Latimer is a much more technical player, though like Gilmour he has a great ear for tone and melody.

In addition to his guitar talents, he's also an accomplished flautist.

If i had to pick one of the three it would be Vai.

Having been to loads of gigs i tend to judge guitarists on whether they bore the sh1t out of me with endless wanking off solo's. The only gig where i've not been bored was Gary Moore on the "Still Got The Blues" tour. Whilst Vai and Satriani are great for a few minutes, Malmsteen bores me rigid just by walking on the stage.

I guess I just compare Latimer to Gilmour because they're both in prog rock bands, both show an incredible depth of emotion in their writing/performing and are both quite bluesy at times.

Gary Green (Gentle Giant) is another guitarist who fits that discription. Very underrated player.

If I could recommend one Malmsteen album that is really worth a listen, it would be 'Concerto Suite for Electric Guitar'. It's a departure from his usual sound. It's done with a symphony orchestra...but before you dismiss it as what Metallica did a few years ago by playing their songs with an orchestra in the background, these songs are actual symphonic pieces with Yngwie playing as a member of the orchestra. The result is the best work he's ever done in my opinion.

Give it a listen!

Thanks for the heads up on CAMEL people. To think I only smoked the f[u]ckers until now!

ahh the blues king ... Amen

Listening to Public Image LTD's 'Album' Album.

It years since I heard it & listening to Lydon singing in songs that have Steve Vai guitar solos just sounds really really odd.