Favourites: my top 5 in order of discovery

Time to reflect on my influences, the guitarists I still listen to regularly, the albums I keep coming back to for inspiration... Over the next few posts, I'll explain why.

First, Ritchie Blackmore

Deep Purple - Made In Japan - 1972
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As a teenager, I first heard Blackmore's studio albums (In Rock, Fireball and Machine Head). When I bought Made In Japan, it was my introduction to improvisation. I was surprised at how Blackmore changed his parts, extended solos and played over bar lines. At the time I'd just switched from classical guitar and I didn't know this freedom was "allowed". Since then I've preferred musicians who deviate from their studio recordings which led me to appreciate jazz. Quite apart from Blackmore's creative attitude live, I've always loved his pick attack and his Strat sound, very dynamic and aggressive.

Second, Peter Frampton

Frampton Comes Alive! 1976

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Lyrically pentatonic but cleverly outlines the harmony with chord tones. Tasteful and subtle playing and to top it off fantastic improvisation in a pop context.
I'm a big fan of his vibrato as well.
I'm glad I discovered Made In Japan and Frampton Comes Alive early.

Then Gary Moore

Corridors Of Power 1982 - We Want Moore 1984

Aggressive right hand, really digs into the strings, heavy Strat tone (on single-coils). Each note weighs a ton.
I remember an interview where he said his technique wasn't based on "pure practice" but on "live energy".
I heard We Want Moore before Corridors Of Power. For me it's the continuation of Made In Japan with lots of improvisation and a great vibrato.
"Cold Hearted" off Corridors Of Power is one of my all-time favourite guitar sounds/performances. It's the European Brown sound.

...Followed by Allan Holdsworth

Tempest 1973 - Soft Machine, Bundles 1975 - Tony Williams Lifetime 1975 -
Gong, Gazeuse 1979
I discovered Holdsworth's solo albums first, starting with Road Games. Then I went back to his early days. His sound between 1973 and 1979 is my favourite because it's raw, unprocessed and you can still hear and feel his pick which later became less prominent with his legato phrasing.

... And finally Roy Buchanan

1st album 1972 - Livestock 1975 - Live From Austin DVD 1976
A late discovery for me. Lyrical, dynamic, lots of headroom in his amp and a cutting pick attack.
Flashy and unpredictable, even on his studio recordings.