Simviation Forums

I got into a heated debate with a classmate today over whose the best white blues guiatist and it filed down to either Eric Clapton or Stevie Ray Vaughan.  I was rooting for Stevie Ray and my friend for Mr. Clapton.

In my opinion, Clapton is a bit more talented guitarist but can't hold a candle to the heart and soul Vaughan put in his music.  I think he put more feeling into the songs he wrote and played while Clapton's music to me just doesn't have that free flowing feeling that I think makes the blues what it is.  Also I believe that Clapton reached his musical zenith with the Derek and the Dominos album "Layla" (which is one of my favorates but... ) while Steive's music seemed to get better as he put out more material.

So whats your opinion on these two talented musicans?  And no fence-sitting!  But if you feels there is an even more talented white Blues guitarist out there feel free to say who and why.  :)

Stevie Ray Vaughn by 14530

I really like clapton, so I would have to pick him.  But there are so many great blues guitarists.  I think that B.B King is my favorite

Stevie-Ray is my best. He kicks Claptons arse in the live shows. It has been said that no two shows were the same with Stevie as he could improvise with the best of them.

Its been said that he never played a song exactly the same way twice.  :o  

I do love Clapton but I would go even further than you Sock and say that he reached his musical Zenith while he was in Cream.

I always viewed "Layla" as a very well thought out album, and arranged more like an orcastra piece than a Rock n' Roll record.  I like that a lot for some reason, even though I seem to like SRV's improvised style better.  After that though, I really don't think you can do much to top a record with such manolithic porportions as "Layla, and Other Assorted Love Songs".  ;)

Us here in Up-State New York are lucky enough to have a really really amazingly good SRV and Double Trouble tribute band called Direct Drive, and I've been lucky enough to see them on several occasions.  This guy was one of the best guitarists I've ever seen!  I wish these guys would write some original material, because, record industry willing, they could be huge with Blues fans.  I think its about time more Blues and Blues influenced music hit the big time!  Tired of screaming kids playing a bad guitar.  :P

P.S.  You'll be getting a PM soon, Pete.  8)

I just prefer SRV's sound and feel, I guess.
But what's with the "white" category, anyway? What, are we handicapped when it comes to feeling the blues, or something, and can't compete with the "authentic" bluesmen?
Just to be more annoying , I'd like to mention, off the top of my head:
Johnny Winter (very white!)
Phil Alvin
Steve Cropper
etc., etc.

Clapton for "musician / technician", Vaughn for "raw emotion/feeling", and Winter for "closest to the source".

The commercial music biz is as much about being in the "right place at the right time" as it is about talent.  For every blues player that you have HEARD of......... there's 10 guys sitting on front porches somewhere that can kick their butts.  ;)  Most folks will never be lucky enough to hear them.


best,

..................john

I hate to confess that I know very little about Stevie Ray Vaughan so I can't really compare the two. Clapton is an excellent blues guitarist & he improves all the time.
I first heard him on record when he was with the Yardbirds. He stayed with them for a while but got disillusioned when they went commercial. I saw the Yardbirds live with his replacement Jeff Beck & his guitar playing almost blew my mind.

Clapton then joined the John Mayall band when he did some of what I think is his greatest work. I have the original 'Bluebreakers with Eric Clapton' album on vinyl & also the CD. There's some excellent guitar work on this classic album including two instrumentals. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005K9QP/002-8607148-9064038?v=glance
This was before he went on to form Cream. I've never been to one of his concerts but I'm told you never know what to expect. He's famous for his long solos which can go on for 30 minutes & is reputed never to play the same one or repeat a phrase during the whole show. He might just as easily decide to do the whole thing unplugged on acoustic guitar or not play at all & feature guest guitarists like Buddy Guy.

Gary Moore is one of my favourite blues guitarists but there's so many great guitarists out there it's hard to say which one is the best. I enjoy listening to them all.

Gotta' add the thought that Stevie Ray is the only guy that I have heard that can "do Jimi" better than Jimi himself could.

Among many others Ive heard Clapton, Beck, BB, Johnny Winter, and Jimi all live.

My favourite Blues guitarists are the ones who never made the news/charts..
The negro's who sat in their rocking chairs, on their verandas, strumming away on their beat-up acoustic guitars and singing about tales of their misery, from a time long, long ago... ...!

..everything else is just a copy... ...!

Cheers all...

Pablo...12 bar Blues... ...!

Don't listen to either