Your all-time favourite MUSICIANS

1. Joni Mitchell
2. George Harrison
3. ... don't know.. Seb Steinberg?
4. Martin Borsanyi of course
5. Ringo
6. Shon Sullivan

1. Favourite singer
2. Favourite guitarist
3. Favourite bassist
4. Favourite keyboardist
5. Favourite drummer
6. Favourite multi-instrumentalist

1. Paul McCartney/Neil Finn
2. Pat Metheny/Michael Hedges
3. Tony Levin/Geddy Lee
4. Lyle Mays/Tori Amos
5. Buddy Rich/Paul Wertico/Dave Weckl/Neil Peart
6. Neil Finn/Sarah McLachlan/Paul McCartney

1. Favourite singer
2. Favourite guitarist
3. Favourite bassist
4. Favourite keyboardist
5. Favourite drummer
6. Favourite multi-instrumentalist

1. Probably Thom Yorke for his vocal and stylistic range.
2. Probably Alex Lifeson for his weird melodic virtuosity.
3. Jean Sullivan, my sister, bassist for Left Hand Does, knows exactly what to play all the time and it's always way cooler than anything I could come up with.
4. Eddie Rayner, again, weird melodic virtuosity.
5. Probably Phil Collins, always has a really strong groove and great SONICS
6. Jonny Greenwood always seems to be able to adapt weird instruments to work in the context of the songs.

Man, if all these people were in one band, that would kick ass.

quote:

Originally posted by Anselm:
[qb]So who are the ones you like the most, and rate the highest? Which ones make your jaw drop by doing things that you couldn't begin to copy? Which ones are so good that you want to tell everyone else about them?

I know a lot of Forum members either make music themselves in an either amateur, semi or professional setting, so it would be particularly interesting to hear from them. Plus we're all fans of music anyway, and we know what we like!

I'll start off with some categories, you can nominate a couple for each:

1. Favourite singer
2. Favourite guitarist
3. Favourite bassist
4. Favourite keyboardist
5. Favourite drummer
6. Favourite multi-instrumentalist

Anybody else that you feel is outstanding on their instrument (in a category not mentioned above), give them a name check here.

My choices as follows:

1. Joni Mitchell/John Lennon
2. Nick Drake/Pat Metheny
3. Jaco Pastorius/Mark King
4. Donald Fagen/Tony Banks
5. Stewart Copeland/Phil Gould
6. Stevie Wonder/Paul McCartney[/qb]

1. Neil Finn/Ella Fitzgerald
2. Johnny Marr/Joao Gilberto/John Flansburgh
3. Mark King/the guy from the Brand New Heavies (don't know his name)/Sting
4. Stevie Wonder/Chris Lowe
5. Tito Puente/Stewart Copeland
6. Neil Finn/John Linnell

1. Favourite singer
2. Favourite guitarist
3. Favourite bassist
4. Favourite keyboardist
5. Favourite drummer
6. Favourite multi-instrumentalist

1. Neil. Tim. Lyle Lovett. Sting. Faith Hill. Jon Bon Jovi. (the latter...laugh all you want, and then go see him live. the guy is an INCREDIBLE entertainer.)
2. BB King. Steve Lukather. George Harrison. Ritchie Sambora.
3. Until I saw Sebastian Steinberg, Flea. But now, Sebastian Steinberg.
4. Jools Holland. Tom Bailey. Billy Joel. Ludwig van Beethoven.
5. (Edited because I just saw someone else wrote Phil Collins and agree 100%)
6. John Lennon.

I'd like to expand the question to include:

7. Favorite composer?
8. Favorite songwriter?

...my answers:

7. Danny Elfman.
8. Randy Newman. Willie Nelson. Don Henley. (and OF COURSE, Beatle members, Lyle Lovett, Shawn Colvin and the Finns...)

LEAST FAVORITES (or my "Most Annoying" list):

1. David Gray
2. Mark Hart
3. Adam Clayton of U2
4. David Bryan of Bon Jovi, and Elton John
5. Ricky Rockett of Poison
6. Lisa Germano
7. Shastakovich
8. Diane Warren

quote:

Originally posted by Heidi in Pittsburgh:
[qb]

LEAST FAVORITES (or my "Most Annoying" list):

1. David Gray
2. Mark Hart
3. Adam Clayton of U2
4. David Bryan of Bon Jovi, and Elton John
5. Ricky Rockett of Poison
6. Lisa Germano
7. Shastakovich
8. Diane Warren[/qb]

Why Mark??

I just think for the amount of experience the guy has, and the amount of talent the guy has, his playing isn't necessarily very original, unusually skillful, or very passionate -- but understated rather than distinctive....things that usually grab me right away. I am referring mostly to his solo work, although can think of a couple CH examples where I felt this was the case.

I think moreso than "annoying" with MH (in his case, that's the wrong word to have used...), it's a case where the guy's music (and playing, and voice) don't do anything for me one way or the other, which was a bit of a letdown for me when you consider his list of credits. I put him on this list moreso for my lack of reaction of any kind than for a strong reaction against, if that makes any sense whatsoever. I guess I was just expecting more musically from someone who had collaborated extensively with Finns.

(Controversial to say in this crowd, I realize, and my intention is not to offend anyone with this position. I'm sure Mark's a very nice guy and I know he's gone through some pretty life-changing, indescribable things in his life. I do respect his place in Crowded House, but feel that his role there was a good SUPPORT player, and that, he did well. And I do recognize that the INCREDIBLE brass arrangement in the song Together Alone was his...which shows that the talent IS THERE.)

And...To those of you who are upset...Try to remember that i'm nobody but a couch critic/frustrated singer-songwriter whose musical career got derailed and who has never had the resources, the luck or the guts to release ANYTHING. In other words, keep the saltshaker handy when reading my post.

I agree with you Heidi that Mark Hart was essentially a "supporting" member of CH.He is talented...yes,he just doesn't affect me musically.And I hate to say it,but there have been more times than I can count when I'm listening to a CH live Cd and groan because to my ears his contributions (especially his keyboard work)sound almost intrusive and (again,to me and my ears)ruins the song.I just never really thought he "fit" with CH..but that's my opinion.
What was the topic?Oh yeh..

1. Favourite singer - David Gilmour
2. Favourite guitarist - Alex Lifeson
3. Favourite bassist - Brian Yale
4. Favourite keyboardist - Eddie Rayner
5. Favourite drummer - Keith Moon
6. Favourite multi-instrumentalist - Neil Finn

1. Favourite singer - John Lennon
2. Favourite guitarist - Jimi Hendrix, John Squire, Johnny Marr, the Edge.
3. Favourite bassist - Paul McCartney (IMHO the most inventive ever, by the proverbial mile)
4. Favourite keyboardist - ugh - they all suck
5. Favourite drummer - Reni from the Stone Roses
6. Favourite multi-instrumentalist - Paul McCartney or Stevie Wonder although Lenny Kravitz isn't too bad

1. Favourite singer - Neil (and now also Liam) Finn, Sarah Brightman, Peter Gabriel, Ani DiFranco, Tori Amos, Meshell Ndegeocello
2. Favourite guitarist - Andres Segovia, Johnny Marr, Peter Buck (REM), Keb' Mo', Neil Finn, Liam Finn and my sister Laura Fuentes (a South American Folk musician)
3. Favourite bassist - Nigel Griggs, of course!
4. Favourite keyboardist - Eddie Rayner, Curly M.C. (aka Michael Cretu = Enigma), Moby, Yanni (go ahead and laugh... then, in a romantic moment...listen), Ryuichi Sakamoto, Blue Man Group
5. Favourite drummer - the ones from Spinal Tap that keep blowing up.
6. Favourite multi-instrumentalist - Noel Crombie!!! From what I hear, he is especially talented on the Sewing Machine...

1. Favourite singer - Tim Finn, Maynard James Keenan, Chris Cornell
2. Favourite guitarist - Phil Judd, Jimmy Page
3. Favourite bassist - Mike Chunn
4. Favourite keyboardist - Eddie Rayner
5. Favourite drummer - Danny Carrey
6. Favourite multi-instrumentalist - Ian Anderson

Ok my turn,

1. Favourite singer - Neil Finn
2. Favourite guitarist - Eric Clapton
3. Favourite bassist - Nick Seymour
4. Favourite keyboardist - Eddie Rayner/Mark Hart
5. Favourite drummer - Paul Hester/Ringo Starr
6. Favourite multi-instrumentalist Neil Finn/Johnny Marr

1. Favourite singer : Thom Yorke
2. Favourite guitarist : John Frusciante
3. Favourite bassist : Colin Greenwood
4. Favourite keyboardist : Mark Hart
5. Favourite drummer : Ringo
6. Favourite multi-instrumentalist : Neil Finn or Dave Grohl

Can't believe the amount of votes for Ringo. I do appreciate his role in the Beatles success, and the fact that helped to underpin the group's closeness, as well as providing a steady backbeat for the band. But sheer drumming ability? Never been impressed by him at all. I think he was really a case of "in the right place at the right time".

Mind you, he's been there and done it, hasn't he, unlike armchair critics like me. Let his gold discs speak for themselves

1. Favourite singer
2. Favourite guitarist
3. Favourite bassist
4. Favourite keyboardist
5. Favourite drummer
6. Favourite multi-instrumentalist

1. Neil Finn, Patsy Cline, Rufus Wainwright
2. George Harrison, Neil Finn - can't think of a rhythm player I prefer over Neil. Some of Phil's stuff was pretty good too - Never, Never.
3. Macca - Missing Person said it best.
4. Monsieur Rayner and perhaps Rufus Wainwright.
5. Ringo - Tommorow Never Knows, shut the gate.
6. Nothing springs to mind of any import.

Most Overrated:

1. Guitarist - Hendrix, I can tell he knows his way around a guitar (or at least DID ) and maybe it's just that it hasn't dated well but I don't get what the big deal is.

2. Band - The Doors. Annoying voice, pretentious and tedious "deep" lyrics, ordinary songs. Backing band wasn't the problem I suppose.

....I feel a 'Most over-rated musician' topic coming on....

quote:

Originally posted by MissingPerson:
[qb]Favourite drummer - Reni from the Stone Roses
[/qb]

YAY!! Isn't Reni the best?! I think his drumming on "One Love" is the best I've ever heard!

1. Favourite singer
F) Kate Bush or Shawn Colvin
M) Tim or Neil

2. Favourite guitarist
Jerry Garcia before his coma...

3. Favourite bassist
Sebastian is impressive...

4. Favourite keyboardist
Thomas Dolby

5. Favourite drummer
Dave Grohl

6. Favourite multi-instrumentalist
Wendy Melvoin is a start, Sheryl Crow knows her way around a few instruments...

1. Favourite singer:Neil Finn, Ella Fitzgerald, Elvis Costello, Joni Mitchell, Peter Gabriel
2. Favourite guitarist: Eric Clapton, Robbie Robertson, Neil Young
3. Favourite bassist: Bernard Edwards, Tony Levin
4. Favourite keyboardist: Donald Fagen, Tony Banks,
5. Favourite drummer: Stewart Copeland, Neil Peart, Phil Collins
6. Favourite multi-instrumentalist: Prince, Dave Dobbyn

1. Favourite singer - Thom Yorke (singer), Perry Farrell, Anthony Keidis, Mike Patton (vocalists).
2. Favourite guitarist - John Frusciante (not sure about live though...), John Squire.
3. Favourite bassist - Peter Hook, also Seb Steinberg.
4. Favourite keyboardist - no idea
5. Favourite drummer - Dave Grohl , Reni.
6. Favourite multi-instrumentalist - Dave Grohl, Johnny Greenwood.

Jenn, some great calls for Bernard Edwards and Prince. But Phil Collins....?

Anselm

Originally posted by Anselm:

quote:

Jenn, some great calls for Bernard Edwards and Prince. But Phil Collins....?

First, I love when Phil Collins does the tandem drumming thing with Chester Thompson. I guess I could have put Chester Thompson on my list too, I think it just kicks a** when they do that!!

And, I also like how Phil puts the drums out in front when he produces and does his solo stuff (at least he used to, not sure if he still does). Maybe that has nothing to do with how he plays but, I think it has influenced how a lot of his music sounds.

And by the way, just a couch critic here, not any expert on drummers or any other musicians. I can't even play an instrument...

Phil's written a lot of great music, and is a respectable drummer.

I have to disagree on both counts!

Hmmmmmmm, I take it Anselm you are a fan of the Peter Gabriel Genesis but not the Phil Collins era Genesis. Apples and Oranges my friend!

I'm sorry, I adore Phil Collins, I'm not into what he's doing now but I love all his music both Genesis and solo from the 80's...

quote:

Originally posted by Anselm:
[qb]I have to disagree on both counts![/qb]

Great minds think alike.

1. Otis Redding/Chris Isaak
2. Jimmy Page
3. Stanley Clarke/Mark King
4. Thomas Dolby/Keith Emerson
5. Keith Moon/John Bonham
6. John Paul Jones

Bez - greatest dancer.

quote:

Originally posted by Anselm:
[qb]Can't believe the amount of votes for Ringo. I do appreciate his role in the Beatles success, and the fact that helped to underpin the group's closeness, as well as providing a steady backbeat for the band. But sheer drumming ability? Never been impressed by him at all. I think he was really a case of "in the right place at the right time".
[/qb]

Anselm - even though I didn't vote for him, Ringo is a great drummer IMHO. Sure he kept a steady beat but there was a lot more to his style than meets the eye (or ear).

Because he is left handed he has always played some unusual fills. If you listen to some of the tracks on the White Album (Sexy Sadie is a good example) his drumming is quite complex and difficult to emulate. Rain is also a good track to hear some good Ringo drumming, I Feel Fine shows his ability to transform a track with highly unusal drumming (for the time anyway). And of course there's Ticket To Ride . . .

You have to remember a lot of what he came up with has been copied to death by a lot of bands that followed. So, I say give the lad his due.

quote:

Originally posted by jenn:
[qb]I'm sorry, I adore Phil Collins, I'm not into what he's doing now but I love all his music both Genesis and solo from the 80's...[/qb]

Don't be sorry Jenn, I'm right there with ya and got your back. - As suenotsusan pointed out, Great minds think alike. The guy can't have done too much wrong to stay in the business almost 30 years, win a ton of Grammys, and hell, even an Oscar.

Oh, don't worry geddy, I guess my being sorry was kinda just an expression - like, "sorry to disagree" I guess.
As a matter of fact, I feel really feel the urge to go home and listen to some Phil Collins music for some reason...

And, much appreciated that you've "got my back"!!

Hastily considered -

1. Chris Knox/Matt Hales/Aimee Mann
2. Dion Palmer/Dave Dobbyn/Jon Auer/Ken Stringfellow
3. The guy from the Violent Femmes - I'm not sure if its Brian or Victor? Brilliant either way
4. Eddie Rayner/Matt Hales/VF's drummer (see above)
5. Ross Burge/Paul Crowther/Matt Vincent-Brown
6. Matt Hales/Don McGlashan/Graeme Downes

quote:

The guy can't have done too much wrong to stay in the business almost 30 years, win a ton of Grammys, and hell, even an Oscar.

That Oscar should have gone to Randy Newman for When She Loved Me. Toy Story 2 Vs Tarzan? Cha... No freakin contest. (Plus, I mean, don't tell anyone, but I actually cried during that scene. My son, 3 at the time, had to console me. That is how much RNs song did for that scene, no words, only the song).

singer:toss up...jonatha brooke/neil finn.
gtr:dave gregory , mike stern or david grissom.
bass:mark king or vic wooten.
keys:mike lindup ,dolby or ben folds.
drumsmar hakim or dennis chambers.
multirince.

songwriters:john&paul,tim & neil,andy partridge ,mike viola,ty tabor & doug pinnick.

1. Favourite singer
2. Favourite guitarist
3. Favourite bassist
4. Favourite keyboardist
5. Favourite drummer
6. Favourite multi-instrumentalist

1.Tim. Rickie Lee Jones. Al Bowlly. Peter Dawson
2. Deniz Tek (radio birdman)
3. Brian Wilson
4. Eddie
5. Marcel Rodeka (Mother Goose)
6. Jonathon Richman

I'd like to expand the question to include:

7. Favorite composer? Brian Wilson
8. Favorite songwriter? George and Ira Gershwin/Neil Diamond

LEAST FAVORITES (or my "Most Annoying" list):

1. Bob Dylan
2. Jimi Hendrix - way too many notes!
3. The Seinfeld slap guy
4. Rick Wakeman
5. John Bonham
6. Kirk Pengilly (INXS)
7. Miles Davis
8. Miles Davis is the anti-songwriter- he spent his life ruining other people's lovely melodies - I see him as the musical equivalent of a shipworm - slow and corrosive.

This has been a really interesting thread to read - I'm surprised that the slick nashville stuff hasn't come in formore of a pasting! For the record, I play bass in our pub rock band, but prefer piano for swing stuff.
matthew

bah!!
you stole a bunch of my favorites!
=op

[1. Favourite singer - thom yorke, bjork, neil, joni mitchell, marvin gaye
2. Favourite guitarist - jonny greenwood, pat metheny, bela fleck, johnny marr
3. Favourite bassist - jaco pastorius, victor wooten, colin greenwood
4. Favourite keyboardist - stevie wonder, herbie hancock, joe zawinul
5. Favourite drummer- stewart copeland
6. Favourite multi-instrumentalist- can't decide
7. Favourite songwriter- thom yorke, neil, joni mitchell, nick drake, jeff buckley, badly drawn boy, peter gabriel, morrissey ('82-'87)

1. Favourite singer: Neil Finn, Sheryl Crow, Tim Finn, Danny Elfman, Midge Ure
2. Favourite guitarist: Neil Finn, Robyn Hitchcock
3. Favourite bassist: Mark King
4. Favourite keyboardist: Eddie Raynor, Mike Lindup
5. Favourite drummer: Phil Gould, Dave Grohl, Neil Peart
6. Favourite multi-instrumentalist: Neil Finn, Dave Grohl, Sheryl Crow