Picking up on the "Price/Hendrix thread and others.

My answer is yes.

First of all, as far as technical ability goes, he clearly has it along side MANY others that are mentioned in these types of discussion.

Where Prince BECOMES the GREATEST EVER (IMO) is in his overall understanding of MUSIC ITSELF that allows him to transcend the early (Hendrix) and the UNBELIEVABLY GIFTED (Santana, EVH etc) and assume the title.

No other musician has ever been on the cover of Guitar, Bass, Drums and Keyboard magazine.

His abilities on those instruments speak for themselves.

On guitar, his playing reflects his UNDERSTANDING of those other (accompanying) instruments.

I would say that it CAN BE HARD to HEAR Prince as a transcendant player because most of his best work is improvised--especially at aftershows-- and so an extensive bootleg collection or access to one is necessary to get the full range of his ability.

All the more reason for him to just open the vaults and let us have hte stuff.

On that subject, as much as I respect Him and love his music I feel like I have NO CHOICE but to search and aquire the unreleased music.

I know He is possesive as only someone who was VERY poor growing up can be, but this stuff belongs to the world.

JUST MY IMAGINATION BELONGS TO ME.

I would be lost without it.

No. Not even close. I could get technical and explain away your technical ability/musical knowledge argument, but there's no need.

There are and endless number of people who can physically do things on theguitar that Prince cannot.

There are an endless number of people who know music theory backward and forward and who have amazing ears, perfect pitch in many cases.

Prince makes music you like. His music is quite forward-thinking in comparison to his contemporaries.

If you say is he your favorite guitarist, (he's one of mine) then that's your subjective opinion and no one can argue with you.

If you give specific criteria, (in this case his dexterity on the instrument and his musical knowledge) then you get into deeper waters and there is absolutely an objective, certain answer.

That answer is no. Not by a mile.

Enough of the hendrix comparisons, Prince is a powerhouse in his own right.

And yes, he is the greatest.

steakfinger said:

No. Not even close. I could get technical and explain away your technical ability/musical knowledge argument, but there's no need.

There are and endless number of people who can physically do things on theguitar that Prince cannot.

There are an endless number of people who know music theory backward and forward and who have amazing ears, perfect pitch in many cases.

Prince makes music you like. His music is quite forward-thinking in comparison to his contemporaries.

If you say is he your favorite guitarist, (he's one of mine) then that's your subjective opinion and no one can argue with you.

If you give specific criteria, (in this case his dexterity on the instrument and his musical knowledge) then you get into deeper waters and there is absolutely an objective, certain answer.

That answer is no. Not by a mile.

Then who is, and why?

steakfinger said:

No. Not even close. I could get technical and explain away your technical ability/musical knowledge argument, but there's no need.

There are and endless number of people who can physically do things on theguitar that Prince cannot.

There are an endless number of people who know music theory backward and forward and who have amazing ears, perfect pitch in many cases.

Prince makes music you like. His music is quite forward-thinking in comparison to his contemporaries.

If you say is he your favorite guitarist, (he's one of mine) then that's your subjective opinion and no one can argue with you.

If you give specific criteria, (in this case his dexterity on the instrument and his musical knowledge) then you get into deeper waters and there is absolutely an objective, certain answer.

That answer is no. Not by a mile.

And by all means, get technical on my musical knowledge arguement. I have been playing for 30 years, but it is never too late to learn.

In a word or two...hell yeah!

Prince for sure brings something special with his guitar playing. He has a certain feel and emotion in the way he plays. Have yet to see another guitar player like him!

fbueller said:

He's my favorite guitar player. But saying someone is "the greatest" or "the best" is always subjective. There is never a Definitive answer when it comes to things like that.

Revolution said:

In a word or two...hell yeah!

He's one of the best ever along with Jimi Hendrix. Some people say Eddie Van Halen. Some people say Vai or Satriani.

I ain't never heard Van Halen do a Question of U(?) or Let's Go Crazy(Rock) or Batdance(Heavy Metal) or Sign of the Times(blues) type of song. So, Prince has my vote.