My All-time Favorite Musicians
1- Gary Moore
Gary Moore is an Irish blues guitarist and singer. As I’ve already mentioned in my older posts, Gary has always been my guitar idol since my very early guitar experience. His guitar tone is unique and warm. I never watched him live yet, but I will definitely do. I guess it’s still very early for him to quit the blues world. What really makes this guitarist amazing is his bendings! they’re just perfect. His music is very easy to assimilate due to the pattern he always follows but in the same time, you cannot expect the next note.
My favorite tunes for Gary Moore are “Still Got The Blues”, “Parisienne Walkways (watch my video)” and “Story of the Blues”.
2- Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong, a cornet, trumpet player and singer, is the king of Jazz Ballads. When I listen to Louis, I can think of a bottle of wine, a cheminee or an old cosy house in the mountain :). Louis’ topics are all based on optimistic romance unlike the blues musicians. His music is very joyful and goes straight to the heart. One funny thing about Louis is that he had always claimed to be born on the USA Independence day (July 4, 1900), but in fact, he was born on July 4, 1901 and he was recorded as an illegitimate black child. Louis died on July 6, 1971.
My favorite tunes for Louis Armstrong are “What a Wonderful World” and “A Kiss to Build a Dream on”.
3- Nat King Cole
Nat King Cole is originally a Jazz Pianist but he has the most amazing tenor voice I’ve ever heard. Nat King was a symphony leader and composer, he also played the well known classical Jazz pieces like Autumn Leaves. Nat King was also running a TV Show that was canceled because he was black, meanwhile, he had always been fighting racism. Natalie Cole, Nat King’s daughter, is also a Jazz & RnB singer! You must listen to her album dedicated to her father “Unforgettable: With Love”.
My favorite tunes for Nat King Cole are “The Christmas Song” and “Fly me to the moon”. (Knowing that he performed so many covers)
4- Freddy Mercury
Freddy Mercury, a british musician, was known as the lead singer of the Queen band. He had a freaky awesome soprano voice and he was able to sing very high frequencies. The interesting thing about Freddy that he was gay and he died of AIDS that he confessed about it just one day before his death. Freddy wasn’t just a lead singer, he was the dynamo of the Queen band. He composed “Bohemian Rhapsody” which I think it’s a symphony itself. He was great in composing vocal harmonies and his voice on stage was incredible.
My favorite tunes for the Queen band are “Bohemian Rhapsody”, “The Show Must Go On” and “We Are The Champions”.
5- B.B. King
B.B. King’s original name was Riley B. King. Born in Mississippi, the land of blues, B.B. started performing in an early stage. He got famous after releasing his version of “The Thrill is Gone” which was sold heavily and it stayed on the top of the charts for years. He’s one of the very early blues guitar players who gave a lot to this kind of music. B.B. is known to be very friendly with his fans and very down to earth. He’s currently running a pub and he quit the music business after recording his last album “B.B. & Friends - 80″. B.B. King is a very funny guy on stage, he makes fun of the current life style.
My favorite tunes for B.B. King are “Just Like a Woman” and “Help the Poor”.
6- Diana Krall
Diana Krall, a glamourous Canadian Jazz pianist/singer, started performing at the age of 15 in restaurants. Diana is very influenced by Nat King cole and has dedicated an album for him “All For You - Dedication to Nat King Call”. Her main style is Jazz Swing and Bebop. Her piano performance is killer, she sings and solos on the piano in the same time! This is really tough. She has also performed with Natalie Cole (The daughter of Nat King Cole). What can I say more? She’s so damn sexy (as a jazz singer :P), isn’t she?
My favorite songs for Diana are “The Girl in the Other Room” and “Squeeze Me”.
7- Miles Davis
Miles Davis, a trumpet player & composer, is the legend of Jazz. When I think Jazz, I think Miles Davis. His trumpet performance is very smooth! His compositions were covered by 100s of Jazz artists later on. Miles was racist, he was an african american and he really hated white people. I read somewhere that he didn’t allow white people to watch his concerts but I’m not sure how true that is.
My favorite tunes for Miles are “So What” and “All Blues”.
8- Stevie Ray Vaughan
Oh Stevie! You left us very early, you were the king. Stevie Ray Vaughan is the Texan blues guitarist and singer that is loved by almost every blues guitar player. He has given to the blues as much as Jimi Hendrix did. He died after one of his biggest concerts in Chicago! The fucking helicopter crashed that day. He has a statue now in Austin Texas which I would definitely visit if I visit Texas someday (Hopefully soon).
My favorite songs for Stevie are “The Sky is Cryin”, “Riviera Paradise” and “Pride & Joy”.
May 19th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
what about steve vai and joe satriani?? :O
May 19th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Hayfa wehbe ?
May 19th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Oh!! yes, I will have a list of the “Worst Musicians Ever” one day. Thanks for reminding me
May 19th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Wonderful taste Elie.
What do you think of Jim Morrison? or John Lennon?
May 19th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Jim Morrison, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley … !
May 19th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
@Lisa:
I’m not a big fan of Jim Morrison and the doors. He’s very psycho :)! John Lennon is cool though but he didn’t make it to my top list haha.
@Don:
Frank Sinatra is someone to add to the list!
Elvis the king is cool but I think of him as the sign of rock n roll not as a perfect musician.
May 19th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
You’re right about Elvis, but not Morrison! Excuse me!
Anyway, we forgot one of the grand masters of them all … Ray Charles!!
May 20th, 2008 at 12:11 am
@Don:
Well I can’t compare Ray Charles to Miles Davis! He’s great of course but he didn’t make it to my top list too
After all this is my taste, let me see yours on your blog.
May 20th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
what about Diana Krall? Ella fitzgerald? Norman Brown? Scott henderson? Frank Gambale? kanne telmizo la elie hehehe
Yngwie Malmsteen
May 26th, 2008 at 4:11 am
Good list, I have very similar music tastes. Stevie Ray was/is a legend, I live in Texas and it was a sad day for all Texans and blues lovers around the world when he died.
July 13th, 2008 at 9:31 am
[...] As I said in an earlier post, that if I make it to the US, I will definitely go to Austin to take photos with Stevie Ray Vaughan’s statue. I’ve been in the US for a month and here I am today in Austin, have taken a photo with the Statue :D. [...]
July 21st, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Wow thats a great list! I agree with a lot of them! My favorites are Louis Armstrong and Nat King Cole too!!!
My modern day favorite artist is Eric Solomon- hes totally new and funky! you should try him you might like him- seeing as we have the same taste in music!
July 21st, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Thank you Mary… I’ll check out Eric Solomon! I guess I’ve heard some songs for that artists.