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Joe Gavin
Joe Gavin is an outstanding guitarist from Lakeland, Florida. Joe has one song released on a compilation titled "Polk
Salad." The song is titled "The Watchmaker" and exibits Keaggyesque tapping, lush chording, artificial harmonics,
and just about everything else. Joe has a lot of material and is working on his first CD. Joe has become a good friend,
and is the one who inspired me to keep working on the things that are far beyond my reach.
Jim Earp
Jim Earp is a wonderful guitarist from San Diego, California. He has a couple of CD's out, and also included a couple of
tracks on the Inspired! CD -- a collection of pieces inspired by Phil Keaggy. Jim sent me the tab for one of the songs -
"The Twins," which I am still attempting to play [I almost have it up to half speed. :) ]. This tab has now become
available in a book titled "Pierre Bensusan Presents DADGAD Guitar." Phil Keaggy is also in the book. Tab for
the other song, "Catherine," is posted on this site.
Mike Fred
Mike Fred is an excellent guitarist, though he won't admit it. His CD, "Wasatch Boulevard" is very much worth getting,
and features both acoustic and electric work. Mike is working on his second CD. He also had a couple of tunes on the Inspired!
CD. On the first night of what has come to be known as the Wasatch Tour, I got to play three songs during Mike's intermission.
Mike says he's from Florida, but seems to spend most of his time in Utah.
Michael Hedges
The late Michael Hedges was an acoustic guitar pioneer. I especially like "Breakfast in the Field," and "Aerial
Boundaries." The only song of his that I've learned is "Bensusan." The link above takes you to the "Rootwitch"
site, which is a truly excellent Hedges tab/instruction site.
Nick Drake
The very late Nick Drake was a unique voice in the guitar world. His altered tunings, odd picking style, and whispy vocals
help make his music stand apart from just about anything else. Drake is an acquired taste, but once you've acquired it, you'll
want to play some of his songs. The link above leads to a site with the most Drake tab.
Steve Hackett
Steve Hackett is a wonderful guitarist who used to be in the band Genesis. Steve's acoustic work is lush and arpegiatted.
He has lately gravitated toward a classical style, as exhibited on "A Midsummer Night's Dream." The link above
goes to an Italian site that features Hackett tab.
Cat Stevens
When I was in grade school the first two albums I ever bought were "Meet the Beatles" and "Tea for the Tillerman."
While Cat Stevens' songs aren't hard to play, they show the power of simplicity. So many of his songs are simple, yet haunting
and more memorable that much of the fingerstyling that is available today. Unlike Hedges and Drake, Cat is not dead; he simply
gave up music. The link goes to an extensive Cat Stevens tab page.
Groups
Iona
Iona is a progressive Christian group from Scotland. Their guitarist is David Bainbridge. The music is melodically strong,
dynamically interesting, and rich in texture and instrumentation. There is not much tab out there for Iona, but the link
above goes to some of it.
Jethro Tull
Jethro Tull is not for everyone, but they do have a wonderful acoustic side to them, which largely consists of Ian Anderson
on solo acoustic guitar. He mainly flat picks and uses conventional chords, but like Cat Stevens, Anderson is a master tunesmith
who can produce powerful evocative music from simple materials. In particular I like Dun Ringill, Mother Goose, Up the Pool,
and Life's a Long Song. The link leads to a Tull tab site.
Genesis
Known for complex highly-melodic arrangements, Genesis featured the guitar work of Steve Hackett. Many of their songs feature
some elements of acoustic guitar, which was often used to contrast the group's progressive wall of sound. The link is to
a Genesis tab site.
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