What about keyboardists, guys?

[Dave2112]

Seems we've missed an instrument in the recent "best of" threads. Who do you rate as the best wizards of the keys? My faves:

1) Keith Emerson (ELP) - Hands down the all-time best.

2) Rick Wakeman (Yes) - His solo showcase, Journey to the Center of the Earth, is a complete mind-fuck.

3) Geoff Downs (Asia, The Buggles) - As an unknown, stepped in to fill Wakeman's huge shoes in Yes, then founded Asia. Hell, he was Asia...

4) Chick Corea - One of the best concerts I've ever seen.

5) Mark Kelly (Marillion) - One of the few who still rely heavily on analog synths. Roll a fat joint, slap on the headphones and listen to Misplaced Childhood or Fugazi and you will not be back for quite some time...

6) Jens Johannsen (Yngwie Malmsteen band) - He once did a solo with slight distortion that I swore was an Yngwie guitar solo until I saw them live. If not the best, he's probably the fastest soloist out there.

7) Neil Doughty (REO Speedwagon) - A piano, a Hammond organ and one synth is all he's ever used live. I love the way this guy plays a Hammond.

8) Page McConnell (Phish) - One of the all-time best improvisationalists.

9) Tony Banks (Genesis) - One thing always remained the same no matter who was in Genesis, and that was Banks' sheer originality and innovation.

10) Me - Hey! No ego here! I put myself last, didn't I? 😀

 

[TklDuo-Drew]

My list would have guys mainly from jazz:

Jimmy Smith
Jimmy McGriff
John Patton


Drew

 

[tickledorange]

The only popular keyboardist I know is Rick Wakeman, sooooo....besides that, is the one from my friends' band.

 

[daddy]

I don't know if this really counts as "keyboards" but Number 1 on my list would be Elton John. I also liked the guy who played keyboards in NightRanger but I can't remember his name off hand....oh, and Eddie Van Halen got pretty good there for a while too!!!!

peace out,
daddy

 

[TummyDragon]

10) Me - Hey! No ego here! I put myself last, didn't I? 😀

LoL, damn keyboardists.. I never met one without an ego!

Actually, I couldn't have come up with a better list than you posted there. While no virtuoso, I might add the guy from the original Boston group just for his decent Hammond work which added a unique flavor to their sound that I really enjoyed.

I'd definately add Billy Joel and Elton John for their excellent song writing skills (and Joel and John both put on an excellent live show).

And who could forget that innovator of glamrock so much ahead of its time - Liberace! heh

 

[Dave2112]

Daddy, Night Ranger's keyboardist was Alan "Fitz" Gerald. He was good. One of my old bands did a few Night Ranger tunes, and "Rock in America" had one of the great arpeggiated synth lines.

 

[red indian]

Well , depends what you mean lads.......

....do you mean who is best in the "bedroom musician" sense i.e. the most famous, the biggest earner, the best song writer? or do you mean the best player? which is an entirely different question.

The only name mentioned so far who falls in to the latter, is Chick Corea. The rest dont even get close. Elton John is a great song writer of course, but I dont think even he considers himself to be a great keyboard player.

Others who would fall in to the great player catergory would be guys like Herbie Hancock, Oscar Peterson, Ahamed Jamal, Bill Evans, Phineaous Newborn, Victor Feldman, Junior Mance, Boby Timmins, Lyle Mays, Jeff Lorber, Kieth Jarret, Les Mcann. Now these guys are PLAYERS, they dont spend much time in front of a mirror, and they are not pop stars (Apart from maybe Hancock)and their idea of recreation is practising eight hours a day, rather than snorting coke of a *****s butt cheeks.

 

[Dave2112]

You could very easily put at least Emerson, Wakeman and Downs in the same catagory as Corea. Not popstars by any stretch of the imagination, nor notorious *****-bangers. Just highly professional and virtuoso musicians. The rest is just a matter of personal taste. 😎

 

[red indian]

Dont get me wrong Dave............

.....sniffing coke of a ho's ass is just fine by me!

 

[red indian]

As usual.......

....I find myself the lone torch bearer for American jazz musicians. I hope you all appreciate my efforts on their behalf. Bird Lives!

 

[TklDuo-Drew]

Didn't you see my above post mentioning jazz keyboardists, Red?

What am I? Chopped liver? (and no wisecracks!)


Drew

 

[leafstk]

Many great selections here, but Richard Wright was a key member of the Floyd and their distinct sound. Gotta give him a plug 😀

 

[socksoff]

This is a tough one:

1)Keith Emerson
2)Rick Wakeman
3)Jon Lord
4)Rick Wright
5)Edgar Froese,Chris Franke & Peter Baumann (Analog Tangerine Dream)
6)Tony Banks
7)Brian Eno
8)Rod Argent
9)Jan Hammer
10)Kraftwerk -Sorry! The last 2 were difficult!

 

[Dave2112]

Thanks for bringing up John Lord, socksoff. I almost forgot. Another honorable mention goes to Ken Hensley of Uriah Heep. If I remember correctly, he was the one who inspired John Lord to overdrive a Hammond organ.

 

[TummyDragon]

Re: Well , depends what you mean lads.......

The only name mentioned so far who falls in to the latter, is Chick Corea. The rest dont even get close.

Interesting. I have several Chic Corea albums. And yes, he's completely amazing, but the rest don't even get close? I had to look at the list again. Jens Johannsen is, without a doubt in my mind, the fast and cleanest on the keys I've ever seen. I think it must be a style/genre issue. The first six on Dave's original list are "players".

Another jazz keyboardist worth a mention is Bob James (who I heard for the first time because of his duo stuff with Earl Klugh - another very smooth guitarist).

 

[red indian]

Sorry Draggsy old chap..........

.....I just think you are wrong, get yourself a copy of "Tracks" (Oscar Peterson) or "The Trio" (Peterson,Pass,NHOP) these lads are the dogs bollocks!!

 

[TummyDragon]

Re: Sorry Draggsy old chap..........

.....I just think you are wrong, get yourself a copy of "Tracks" (Oscar Peterson) or "The Trio" (Peterson,Pass,NHOP) these lads are the dogs bollocks!!

LoL, I'm not quite sure what "dogs bollocks" are, but I do have a pretty vivid imagination! heh

It's kinda strange, when I was younger and in bands all the time, I practiced anywhere from 5 - 8 hours a day, 6 days a week. I never really listened to new music all that much except to analyze and learn it to improve my own skills.

Now that I'm out of the band scene and play strictly for my own enjoyment, I've found that I appreciate music more than ever, especially music which expands my horizons into new genres. I'll definately check out those you mention.

 

[Mephistopheles]

I'm not into names

but I'd give the keyboardist of Finntroll absolutely 1st place

and Children of Bodom's keyboardwiz 2nd

 

[Ticklebell]

I still dig Tori Amos and Ben Folds. Mwah!

~Bell

 

[TklDuo-Drew]

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned Booker T. Jones, of Booker T and the Mgs.

"Green Onions", anyone?


Drew

 

[red indian]

Sorry drew........

....for missing your backup in my quest to support the jazz world on the TMF, very ignorant of me to miss it.

 

[red indian]

Top man draggsy!!!.......

....hope you enjoy them, my copies are worn out. It sounds like a stereo recording of a coal fire burning out of controll!

Also check out Art Tatum playing "Tiger Rag" i have heard it used as a quiz question on the radio, the question was "listen to this and tell tell me how many hands are playing?" they all got it wrong, most said it was four hands or three, but no, its just art tatum.

 

[TklDuo-Drew]

I forgot about the great Art Tatum, Red. I'd also add Jimmy Yancey and Willie "the lion" Smith to the list.


Drew