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Thread: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

  1. #1

    Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    Just relaxing and playing my metal body doing some slide stuff. today.Made me appreciate the often over looked ability and tecnique of slide.
    Also comes to mind, who the most noted electric slide players might be. Thought I would list my pick for top 5 of all time, and see what you guys might suggest as possible candidates, reasons why, and songs to listen to, that highlight their ablities. Here's my top 5

    1. Johnny Winter. Johnny does it all, Electric or Acoustic. One of the first 60'S Rock Blues slide players.Sets the Standard.
    Songs : Hiway 61 , Rock N Roll (Still alive and well) And ANY Album
    2.Rory Gallahger . Rory does the Rock & Blues Electric and acoustic slide as good or better than anyone.Would be recognized for his abilities if he wasn't over shadowed and so little known and appreciated.Exceptional slide playing.
    Songs: Souped up Ford, Secret Agent ,Sinner Boy,Too much Alcohol
    3.Duane Allman: He defined southern rock slide and paved the way for many others. Had Duane lived he would probably have set the standard .
    Songs: Statesboro Blues ( and many others )
    4. Billy Gibbons. Put the Texas flavor in it. Does not display half of what he knows about slide palying.
    Songs : Tush, Sharp Dressed Man (many others )
    5.Warren Haynes Carries on the tradition of Southern Blues rock slide
    Just about any Allman Bros show worth seeing for his great slide palying !!

    Hey that's my pick what's yours ? Any to be added or taken away from the list or put in a different order ?

  2. #2
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    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    Warren Haynes at Allman brothers? Compared to Derek Trucks? Puh-lease. (Just teasing you--but with Derek and Warren on the same stage, does Warren even pick up a slide?)

    Derek Trucks
    Duane Allman
    Sonny Landreth
    George Eberlein

    I only need four.

  3. #3
    Forum Member moonpie's Avatar
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    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    Guitar G :yay


    I can't say he's the best ever, but I can honestly say I've never heard anyone better.


    edit: Damn, five choices.......





    OK..............real quick.......................


    Bonnie Raitt
    Sonny Landreth
    Dave Hole
    Me (bite my ass....this is my list)pie
    If you leave the house, you're just asking for it.

  4. #4

    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    Yea I saw both Derek and Warren play together,did give Warren points for being the Vertran.Derek the main man on slide there.
    Derek is one of the best at that southern style of slide for sure,that slow smooth flowing style.Still think Johnny Winter & Rory Gallagher can do the high gear, high energy, kick it in Rock oriented slide best.
    Must not forget the originator Legends that started it Like Howlin Wolf, Son House,Hound Dog Taylor etc... The Wolf was one awesome slide player !!!
    Saw SONNY at the Montreal International Jazz Fest Last year WOW
    GREAT slide player !!!He IS one of the best !!

  5. #5
    Gravity Jim
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    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    I would nominate....

    Lowell George and Bonnie Raitt

    For producing a lovely vocal-esque tone, and for their astonishing intonation.

    George Harrison

    For forging a style that was not dependent on the blues, and for his impeccable touch and excellent intonation.

  6. #6
    Forum Member Offshore Angler's Avatar
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    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    Good call on George Harrison GJ.

    I guess

    1) Sonny Landreth
    2) George Harrison
    3, 4 & 5 ) Insert your fav blues guys.

    I guess Duane Allman is in my top 3 for the body of work he left behind.

    Someone should also bring up R. Cooder. Probably too rootsey for most, but he does a beautiful job of weaving slide and lyrics.
    "No harmonic knowledge, no sense of time, a ghastly tone, unskilled vibrato, and so on. Chuck is one of the worst guitar players I know" -Gravity Jim

  7. #7
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    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    Ooh, yeah, I forgot about Bonnie Raitt and Ry Cooder. Guess I'm up to 6.

  8. #8

    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    I did think of Ry Cooder he is so good. Didn't he do the slide work for the movie Crossroads ? I know Steve Vai being in the movie did his own thing, and Arlen Roth was also consulted.I do recall it was Ry Cooder doing all the side work for the sound tracks involving the slide !! He's great too !!Brian Jones was a really great slide player too and was the best in the UK in his day, it was his slide playing that caught Mick & Keith's attention.Not much of it was expressed on their records though.

  9. #9

    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    Derek Trucks
    Duane Allman
    Ry Cooder
    Rory
    Muddy Waters (it was always the same riff, I know)
    Fuzz is proof God love us and wants us to be happy. - Franklin
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    Forum Member Tele-Bob's Avatar
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    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    One of the best, and most often overlooked, is Les Dudek. His pitch is perfect on his slide work. No prblem sweeping right up to those real high notes right on key and wailing!
    If you're bored, you're not groovin'.

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    Forum Member moonpie's Avatar
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    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    Quote Originally Posted by Gravity Jim
    I would nominate....

    Lowell George and Bonnie Raitt

    For producing a lovely vocal-esque tone, and for their astonishing intonation.

    George Harrison

    For forging a style that was not dependent on the blues, and for his impeccable touch and excellent intonation.

    First, I'd like to thank my distiguished associtate Gravity J for yielding two of his choices to be named by myself......

    IMHO.......................


    David Lindley and Arlen Roth should have the remaining two spots
    on Jim's list. I yield back the remainder of my time.
    If you leave the house, you're just asking for it.

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    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    I have always enjoyed listening to G. Harrisons slide playing. Duane Allmans slide tone was killer in my book. Winter had some great slide moments on those Muddy Waters albumns he produced. Prol better "unknown to me" players out there, but these guys always hit the "sweet spots" one way or another.

  13. #13
    Forum Member Wilko's Avatar
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    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    David Lindley
    Lowell George
    Bonnie Raitt
    Duane Allman
    Warren Haynes
    Ry Cooder

    is that 5?

  14. #14
    Forum Member Froggy's Avatar
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    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    Johnny Winter
    Duane Allman
    Joe Walsh


    I know thats only three but those are my favorites.
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    Forum Member cooltone's Avatar
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    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    My Faves:
    Derek Trucks
    Sonny Landreth
    Duane Allman
    Chris Whitley
    Warren Haynes

    props to: Ry Cooder, David Lindley, Mick Taylor, Lowell George, Bonnie Raitt, Joe Walsh, Johnny Winter, Dave Hole, George Harrison, Ronnie Wood, Rick Vito.
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    Forum Member Kap'n's Avatar
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    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    Quote Originally Posted by Wilko
    David Lindley
    Thank you. I was hoping I wasn't the first guy to think of him.

    Jesse Ed Davis?
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  17. #17
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    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    Kirby Kelley
    Duane Allman
    Derek Trucks
    Billy Gibbons
    Ry Cooder

  18. #18
    Forum Member Wilko's Avatar
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    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    Quote Originally Posted by Kap'n
    Thank you. I was hoping I wasn't the first guy to think of him.
    Even though Lindley's best stuff was done "overhand" like the lap steel... That solo from Runnin' on Empty should be a lesson to all guitarists. Most slide players are just doing the same ol' blues patterns (yeah, even most of Allman's stuff) Lindley plays melodies.

  19. #19
    Forum Member GuitarG's Avatar
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    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    Duane
    David Lindley
    Derek Trucks
    Ry Cooder
    Sonny Landreth

    PC & Mista Pie:
    Thanks for thinking of me. I am definitely not worthy. ;)

  20. #20

    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    Quote Originally Posted by pc
    Warren Haynes at Allman brothers? Compared to Derek Trucks? Puh-lease. (Just teasing you--but with Derek and Warren on the same stage, does Warren even pick up a slide?)

    Yes
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  21. #21

    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    I need to go check out some GuitarG stuff!!
    Fuzz is proof God love us and wants us to be happy. - Franklin
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  22. #22
    Forum Member mgade's Avatar
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    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    Anybody know this guy?
    http://users.bigpond.com/davehole/profile.htm
    There are audio-files in there

  23. #23
    Gravity Jim
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    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    Wilko, that David Lindley solo on "Runnin' On Empty" is a monster! Even though it got overplayed on Classic Rock Radio, it's still a model of explosive lyricism. All that talk about "saying more with one note" blah blah blah? Man, his entrance on the second half of that solo proves it.

    Tele-Bob, I don't know Les Dudek, but I'll be checking him out. That quality is what I love about Lowell George. When he pulls all way up off the neck and just nails that high note at the end of the instrumental section of "Tripe Face Boogie:" Dang! Makes the hair stand up on my neck every time.

    moonie, I'll tell ya why Harrison rules in my book. A few years a go, a client asked me to create a track for a hospital spot that had a sound and feel similar to "Give Me Love," and so I had to figure out harmony slide parts that sounded kinda of like Mr. Harrysong. Jebus! I ain't lyin', man, it takes some serious, no-nonsense concentration to pull that junk off, 'cause it has to be so in tune it's not even funny. You can't cover with vibrato when you're playing those Harrison lines... they have to be dead-freakin'-on.

  24. #24
    Forum Member NeoFauve's Avatar
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    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    The usual suspects:
    Ry Cooder
    David Lindley
    Derek Trucks
    Duane Allman
    Lowel George...

    But I'd want to add Dave Tronzo (Lounge Lizards[NY] & a couple Hiatt tunes)
    and Jay Bennett (ex-Wilco)

    Oh jeeze! Yeah!
    George Harrison:yay :yay
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  25. #25
    Forum Member Guitar Ray's Avatar
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    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    I'd agree with many of the names already presented, but I see no one has yet mentioned Eric Sardinas. I saw him live in a bar (Dinosaur BBQ). in Syracuse and he plain ole kicked ass.

  26. #26
    Forum Member Kap'n's Avatar
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    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    Quote Originally Posted by Gravity Jim
    moonie, I'll tell ya why Harrison rules in my book.
    I'd settle for letting him rule because he invented a style of slide playing that owed more to Hawaiian than blues, yet was neither.

    Not bad for a member of a "Boy Band.":lol
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    Forum Member Offshore Angler's Avatar
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    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    Isn't t amazing how Sonny keeps showing up and yet nobody ever heard of him or saw him live? The guy is the absolute sland. If you ever get the chance to see him, do it. One of the best guitar slingers in years. Too bad his CD's are so commercial sounding. His live paying is just too "out there" for the GP.

    Honestly, I've seem some great pickers in my day, but never had that sense of awe that I had for Sonny. He's the Hendrix of slide.
    "No harmonic knowledge, no sense of time, a ghastly tone, unskilled vibrato, and so on. Chuck is one of the worst guitar players I know" -Gravity Jim

  28. #28
    Forum Member sabby's Avatar
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    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    Quote Originally Posted by Kap'n
    I'd settle for letting him rule because he invented a style of slide playing that owed more to Hawaiian than blues, yet was neither.
    And a bit of sitar, too. :yay

  29. #29

    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    Seeing Sonny at the Jazz Fest in Montreal was great.He is for sure in the top 5. He had a couple of Les Pauls that are set up automatically to change the tuning while you are playing,forgot the name of the set up? It is very expensive to have installed.He also has and plays an original 1960 sunburst LP that once was owned by a friend of mine in Montreal.Sonny still has it nice bright burst color.
    Looks like Sonny's name comes up as a favorite and rightly so !! He is a great slide master, and one of my favorites too.

  30. #30
    Forum Member Offshore Angler's Avatar
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    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    I once saw him tear the house up with a red Metropolitan!
    "No harmonic knowledge, no sense of time, a ghastly tone, unskilled vibrato, and so on. Chuck is one of the worst guitar players I know" -Gravity Jim

  31. #31

    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    Good calls on Sardinas and Landreth, I'd love to see them live!
    Fuzz is proof God love us and wants us to be happy. - Franklin
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  32. #32
    Forum Member mgade's Avatar
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    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    We're four guy going to see him in Copenhagen October 4. Will leave before Steve Vai takes over :)

    (Nah we'll give him one or two to prove he's worthy, but basically we're going to see Steve's Opening act, Eric Sardinas. Strange world.)

  33. #33
    Formerly Tele-Tubby TT100's Avatar
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    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    To all the above add Dave Melton.

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    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    None of you mentioned Elmore James. I know most of you just think of "Dust my Broom" and other similiar tunes that have been crammed down our throats by white blues bands, but he was a very powerful guitar player and singer. I am also shocked at the lack of Earl Hooker on this list. You guys need to do some record shopping! This is the stuff that your favorites listened to, learn from the original source.

    My picks (in no order):
    Elmore James
    Hound Dog Taylor
    Muddy Waters
    Robert Nighthawk
    Earl Hooker
    Last edited by greentone; 08-31-2005 at 11:03 AM. Reason: spelling

  35. #35

    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    Good picks greentone!

    Elmore James might have made my list if I didn't forget about him. I thought this was an opinion thread?
    Fuzz is proof God love us and wants us to be happy. - Franklin
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  36. #36
    Forum Member Mikey's Avatar
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    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    Well....
    I've been sittin' here a waitin' and nobody at all mentioned Roy Rogers!
    Not THAt Roy Rogers, the real one that plays awe-inspiring slide guitar.

    Anybody remember him?

    Do a google and learn.
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  37. #37

    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    Has anyone heard or know how Sonny Landreth is doing with the recent events and the storm? It hit his home turf pretty hard !! I hope he is OK and didn't lose any family or friends !! Hope all is well with Sonny !!!

  38. #38
    Forum Member Offshore Angler's Avatar
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    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    Wait a minute! I just reread the thread title. So the answer is simple. Who ever was the guitar player for the band Oracle when they recorded The Electric Boogie is the correct answer.
    "No harmonic knowledge, no sense of time, a ghastly tone, unskilled vibrato, and so on. Chuck is one of the worst guitar players I know" -Gravity Jim

  39. #39
    Forum Member sinner's Avatar
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    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    Don't think he was mentioned yet--Mike Bloomfield had a real unique electric slide style (some may hate it)?

  40. #40

    Re: Top 5 Electric Slide Players Ever

    I aggree with Mikey - Roy Rogers is awesome (love the CD title "Chops not Chaps")..

    Here is my list:


    Roy Rogers
    Duane Allman
    Derek Trucks
    Elmore James
    Sonny Landreth


    Joe

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