10 Albums Every Guitar Player Should Own
There is a ton of inspiration out there availible for guitarists, But these are ten of the albums availible that you absolutely need to hear at least one in order to become a great guitar player.
10. Chet Atkins - A Master and His Music
Why you should own it: Not the most well known guitarist outside of country music, but his style is undeniable. Chet’s fingerpicking style was intricate and percise, and he could make one guitar sound like three. Every song takes you a journey, and will make you re-think the way you look at the guitar.
9. John Mayer - Inside Wants Out
Why you should own it: This may seem like an odd choice, and yes he is kind of a tool, but this unplugged, pre-label EP shows that even if you don’t like Mayer, you have to respect his talent. Weaving in and out of folk, blues, and jazz, Mayer’s since of harmony and melody, along with his unique songwriting style, make this a must-have for any acoustic guitarist, and a must-listen for anyone else.
8. Metallica - Master of Puppets
Why you should own it: A lot of Metallica’s albums could go here, but this one is probably the best showcase of both Hetfield’s brutal rhythm riffs and Hammett’s blazing solos. There is something for every guitarist to learn here. For beginners, Welcome Home(Sanitarium) Contains one of metallicas easist solos (The intro one, also the first solo I ever learned). while the title track is one of their most challenging and popular works.
7. Stevie Ray Vaughn - Texas Flood
Why you should own it: a truly unique take on the blues, combining old school texas style with the then-modern British styling in a way that is unequivocally SRV. There aren’t many guitarists who has as distinct and as versatile a voice as Stevie Ray Vaughn.
6. Led Zepplin - IV
Why you should own it: A unique take on songwriting and composition, not to mention one of, if the not greatest rock albums of all time. Also, if you can’t play the intro to Stairway to Heaven within six months of getting your first guitar, the guitar police will come and take it away. Unfair I know, but those are the rules.
5. Paginini’s 24 Caprices
Why you should own it: Although not a guitar album, Paginini was in many ways the world’s first rock star, and inspired several classicly influenced guitarists, such as Yngwie Malmsteen.A lot of these pieces can be transposed to guitar, as can be seen in the movie Crossroads (The 1980’s version with the Karate Kid, not the 2000’s piece of crap with Britney Spears)
4. Django Reinhardt - Jazz in Paris: Nuages
Why you should own it: because Django does more with two fingers than most people do with five. Listening to him gracefully and quickly navigate through scales and arpeggios with an injured hand is a huge inspiration.
3. Jimi Hendrix - Are you Exiperienced?
Why you should own it: Jimi is kind of cliche on lists like these, but for good reason. Electric guitar playing would not be the same if was not for his influence. His blazing solos, funky riffs, and use of the wah pedal set the stage for the many guitarists to come after him.
2. Robert Johnson - The Complete Recordings
Why you should own it: First real blues guitarist, who supposedly sold his soul to the devil at the crossroads at midnight. Had a huge impact on every other guitar player on this list, and still has a large amount of influence 80 years later.
1. Steve Vai - Passion and Warfare
Why you should own it: No one plays the guitar quite like Steve Vai. Showing his wide array of influences from past projects, including Whitesnake and Frank Zappa. His song “For The Love of God” is arguable one of the best instrumental guitar pieces ever. The man does thing that really seem like they shouldn’t be humanly or guitar-ly possible. And while he known for his blistering speed, that’s not the best part of this album. Vai’s sense of melody and composition is simply uncanny.
If you’d like to pick up any of these albums, they are all currently availible at Amazon.com, many for under $10. Click on any of the pictures above to be taken directly to their page.
So, is there any album we left out, or one you think shouldn’t have been included? We’d love to hear your opinions in the comment section!
