1) Bert Jansch
Bert Jansch is one of the most influential musicians for many guitarists. Guys like Jimmy Page, Johnny Marr, and Graham Coxon were among some guitar greats that were highly inspired by Bert's unique finger picking technique. Bert masterfully intertwined folk and blues, something that was highly innovative for his time. Bert passed away in 2011, but he still influences so much music still popular today. Some of Bert's most popular songs are "Needle of Death", "Blackwaterslide", and his arrangement of "Angie".
2) John Renbourn
John Renbourn was also an innovator of folk guitar playing along side Bert Jansch. Together, they played in an incredible Folk-Jazz band Pentangle. Unfortunately, we lost John Renborun in 2015. Songs to check out by Pentangle include "Light Flight" and "Lord Franklin". To hear some of John's incredible fingerpicking technique, check out "I Know My Babe", "The Hermit", and "Can't Keep from Crying".
3) Daniel Bachman
Daniel is a modern day folk singer songwriter who is comparable to the great John Fahey. Daniel plays with a lot of soul and incorporates open tunings and slide in his songs. Many modern day guitar players like to use pristine guitars and feel that string buzz and the intricacies of a vintage guitar should not be picked up in a recording. However, Daniel's recordings are nostalgic and are played flawlessly, as if he is playing right in front of you. Check out "Honeysuckle Reel" and "Sarah Anne" to hear his playing.
4) Robin Pecknold
Robin Pecknold is in a phenomenal indie folk band called Fleet Foxes. Although they haven't released an album since 2011, Robin has been touring with Joanna Newsom and has new music in the works. Although Robin is not a flashy guitar player, even the simplest guitar parts are brought to live by this man. Some of Robin's best guitar moments can be heard on "The Cascades", "The Shrine/ An Argument", and "Sim Sala Bim".
5) Steve Gunn
Steve Gunn is an incredible singer-songwriter who keeps churning out amazing records. Originally a guitar player for Kurt Vile's backing band, he's been putting out his own records since 2007. Some great songs to hear his unique approach to the guitar are "Ancient Jules", "Water Wheel", and "Way Out Weather".
6) Daniel Rossen
Daniel is a guitar player from the band Grizzly Bear. Although they are a very popular indie rock band, Daniel Rossen's playing is incredibly underrated. His style is very unique and innovative. He is so great at what he does, I would argue that he is the best guitarist in indie rock. If you want to hear some incredible guitar playing by Daniel, check out his unique riffs in "While You Wait For The Others", "Sleeping Ute", and "On a Neck, On a Spit" by Grizzly Bear. You can really hear Daniel 's folk style in "Return to Form" and "Golden Mile" off his 2012 ep. Also, check out his live KEXP performance if you need further convincing as to why this guy is wrecking the scene.
7) Fionn Regan
8) Mark Kozelek from Sun Kil Moon
Mark is a singer-songwriter from Ohio. Mark's guitar playing is highly by classical music. Check out the album Benji by Sun Kil Moon to hear his impressive guitar playing, and get ready for an emotional experience.
9) Elliott Smith
One of the great contemporary guitar players. If you haven't heard his work, you should listen to "Angeles" and "Somebody That I Used to Know". His songs used interesting chord progressions and incorporate a wildly fast fingerpicking technique that's nearly impossible to imitate.
10) Joni Mitchell
Yes, you've probably heard of Joni Mitchell. People admire Joni Mitchell for her beautiful songs. Even though she's a great songwriter, she is also a great jazz singer and guitar player. Funny enough, she considers her painting to be more important to her than her music. Joni Mitchell is definitely one of the most amazing living guitar players, and it seems as though people tend not to take too much notice of her chops. To hear Joni Mitchell's beautiful works, check out "Little Green", "The Circle Game", and "Carey".
11) Nic Jones
Nic Jones is an English guitar player. Nic Jones has an incredible fingerpicking and flat pick guitar playing technique. Some beautiful songs to check out by Nic Jones are "Courting Is A Pleasure", and "Farewell To The Gold".
