Bob Hansmann wrote:
Luther Grosvenor (pseudonym "Ariel Bender") on guitar (1969):
I gotta disagree with this. I never did enjoy that kind of nervous, almost frantic, vibrato. The phrasing sounds awkward to my ears as well. Tonewise, I hear hints of Martin Barre (Jethro Tull) and John Cippolina (Quicksilver Messenger Service), but I prefer both of those players' phrasing, sound, and technique to what I hear in this solo.
FWIW, I think it's an exercise in futility to argue about the "best" of anything musical, and I could never narrow down my favorites far enough to argue in favor of a single "best." My favorite rock guitar solos include Jimi's in the title cut on "Axis Bold as Love," Jim McCarty's in "Parchman Farm" on the first Cactus album, Todd Rundgren's in "Hang On Paul" on the "Nazz Nazz" album, Larry Carlton's in "Third World Man" on Steely Dan's "Gaucho" album, and lots of others that don't immediately come to mind.
Jay
