His critics will say that MT could be indulgent, that he overplayed, overpowered a song....
Taylor is revered as a blues guitarist, and its warranted.
But blues to me is too limited to fully describe MT's genius and beauty as a musician. Its in those clean lines, grace notes and melodic flourishes - that he really makes his mark as one of the greats, if an under-the-radar great.
Name some solos, or guitarists who come close to those qualities.
I'm talking about guitarists who find something sad or happy or romantic in a song and make it take flight, like Taylor in WInter, Moonlight Mile etc....
Its a rare thing, but there are a few who can do this.

Mark Knopfler could do it. Just listen to the fade-out of ROmeo and Juliet....(I can't find the recorded version on youtube)
I know there are more that escape me right now. Here is a more recent one:
John Mayer with Leon Russell: starting at about 2:15







Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2011-11-22 04:51 by stupidguy2.

michael houser (former wsp...died back in the 90's) had a very similar tone and attack as mt...

Mmmm...yes indeed...especially from 4:10 on...




JustLikeMick

Wayne Perkins on "Hand Of Fate".

Carlos Santana. Not the choice of music-style but the way to play...

2 1 2 0

he reminds me a little bit of Brian May

MT is unique, no one sounds like him. Is so special................. but he is not God

This is a good question. I have to say that Santana was the first name that popped in my head. I think that may have to do with a sound.
Taylor in 72/73 had a very fat Gibson sound that he used well. Another thing about MT though is that he came from the Blues, yet has an incredible sense of melody. Never plays same solo twice. And at the drop of hat pulls out hook lines. His solos are not scale noodling up and down, but actual phrases.
John Mayer I would not consider because JM is so wrapped in a Stratocaster.

I'd have to say David Gilmour. He reminds me of Taylor.

David Gilmour is unique, not technically, but musically richer. That is why more of his solos are classical anr known by the majority of people.

MT solo on the John Mayall song Marriage Madness is one of his best moments

Jan Akkerman




Dave Clem Clempson

Humble Pie, soooo great!

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pagodapete
Humble Pie, soooo great!

I know I repeat myself, but I take any opportunity to give props to Greg Ridley, my favorite rock bass player.

Well, we can rule out Chuck Berry.

Eelco Gelling

there are a lot of really talented virtuoso rock guitar players

none of them sound or play like Mick Taylor

Mark Knopfler was sort of similar, but then again, different..

We've had the chance to hear Knopfler and Taylor side by side on Dylan's INFIDELS. I think they're both fantastic, but I don't see much in the way of similarities. Rich Robinson did a pretty good Taylor impression on the first Black Crowes album. Otherwise, I'd agree with Wayne Perkins as both "Hand of Fate" and "Worried About You" proved.

Funny no one has said Ronnie Wood...

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Come On
Carlos Santana. Not the choice of music-style but the way to play...

Ummmmm... no

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jpasc95
he reminds me a little bit of Brian May

not even close

Jeff Healey and Stevie Ray Vaughan; not that they remind me of Taylor's playing or anything but because both those guys could propel a song out of the stratosphere if they wanted. Stevie's tone when he opens it up in 'Life Without You' just after the 3.00 minute mark always sends chills up my spine. The emotion just drips off of that sound.

[www.youtu.be]

And Healey, well, he lived music. Jazzy little solo at 2.15 turns into a ripper about a minute later.

[www.youtu.be]

The only thing better is both of them together, I guess. RIP, both.

[www.youtu.be]

Dickey Betts DOES remind me of Taylor. I dunno why; just does. And of course Duane wasn't bad, either. ..

[www.youtu.be]

good call on dickey...his tone on his les paul is sometimes reminiscent of mt's...

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stupidguy2
I'm talking about guitarists who find something sad or happy or romantic in a song and make it take flight,

Based on these criteria, Ben Harper and Ry Cooder.

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keefbajaga
Eelco Gelling

yes he surely comes closest .

TWO great guitarists here

Joe Cocker

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Erik_Snow
Joe Cocker

his tone on his air guitar is very similar

...and his vibrato.

This is in Swedish, but I can really recommend checking the lead guitar out. It's very Taylorish, in my opinion:





(Lead/solo starts at 3:05, especially 3:50 and on)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011-11-22 19:33 by LieB.

John Perry, lead guitar player in The Only Ones, formed in 1976 by Peter Perrett, sounds a lot like Taylor. Incidentially, he is also author of the book Classic Rock Albums - Exile On Main St.

Marc Ford

I was about to say Marc Ford and very good call on John Perry. Very underrated and very tasteful, melodic player.

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KeithNacho
MT is unique, no one sounds like him. Is so special................. but he is not God

You re correct sir. He is not. That would be Clapton...