probably either Chester Bennington or Mike Shinoda... Chester has amazing vocal talents and Mike can rap like a mofo

A lot of people, including myself, would argue that Tupac was indeed the greatest musician that we have seen so far. Now, there are other musicians out there that have come pretty close, but Tupac straight up dominated every aspect of his genre: the lyrics and the music.

I know that most of you on here would disagree with me, but Tupac really doesn't get the appreciation he deserves from the majority of people today. Even if you're not into rap/hiphop, I guarantee you there's at least ONE song of Tupac's that you'd like. All it takes is a little open-mindedness. Tupac's music is what got me into rap in the first place.

I'll go with Mr. Freddie Mercury on this one.

Mercury was an interesting and unorthodox pianist, in addition to being a mastermind at creating interesting structural compositions in his songs. Lyrically, he could also shine and vocally he was (is) damn near unparalleled.

you telling me this guy didn't dominate every aspect of his genre?

http://motherjones.com/files/legacy/...o-thriller.jpg

just this one album alone trumps absolutely everything Tupac ever did.

Mr. Doctor

That album had some total shit tracks and you know it.

Right Annie.

Thriller ownssssssssssssssss

I think Pete Doherty is a great all around musician, I dont think I could pick a "greatest all around musician evar"

Bold indicates classic:

1. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"
2. "Baby Be Mine"
3. "The Girl Is Mine" (with Paul McCartney)
4. "Thriller"
5. "Beat It"
6. "Billie Jean"
7. "Human Nature"
8. "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)"
9. "The Lady In My Life"

Not bad.


EDIT: Whoops, I missed one.

I don't speak in absolutes, so I'm not going to say "of all time", but as far as modern musicians go, Sufjan Stevens is rather remarkable.

Really? With the exception of a couple songs I find him rather... pedestrian.

I find it remarkable that he plays virtually every instrument on his albums, and not just to play them, but to compose them impresses me.

Not even a chuckle at my little joke, eh? Oh well...

My problem with Sufjan Steven is that the end result is usually not that interesting. He does have some good songs though, I'll give you that.

Oh, right. I must confess, I've used another username for the last eight years, and having just joined yesterday, haven't adjusted to this one. I'd have laughed if I wasn't so slow.

I'm actually not a big fan of Illinois, which is probably his most grandiose album. I can absolutely see how Michigan or Seven Swans could be dull, but I'm a fan of both.

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, amazing music

Riiiiight. Have fun jamming out to this then. Its just sooooo greaaaat.

[2]

Multi-talented musician and producer, Devin Townsend.

Prince. Whether you like his music or not, he is one mean guitar player (I wish he would do an outright Rock album) and can play virtually any instrument.

Bowie is much more talented than people think and even David Gilmour too can play a wide array of instruments and not just those with strings. His Sax work is very good.

If we're speaking multi-instrumentalism I think the whole of Estradasphere deserves a tad bit of credit.

I like him to. Well, these good artist, I find their mainstream music good. The not so promoted artists, I like their not so promoted music better.

you don't have to like it. but if you can't recognize the significance then... well... we're not going to miss you when you eventually just go away.

Weird Al. NOT kidding. He is one of the most talented human beings on earth.

Props for putting your balls on the chopping block with that one. :laughing:

He can play the accordion. And he's remained relevant since the 80s....so..like.......yay him. But no.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NvsfLrJAJc...foto-10985.jpg


srsly

Stevie Wonder.

I'd have to say at the moment Robert Fripp. He's a great guitarist his style is very unique.

Jimi Hendrix...some revolutionary guitar playing skills right there

Gonna throw it out there...

Damon Albarn.

That will probably stir some controversy!

On many levels, I consider John Coltrane to have reached certain levels of musicality that might never be reached again. His overall dynamic style of playing, mixed with his very spiritual and religious nature made him a force to be reckoned with. Notice how in any ensemble he plays in, whenever he sparks his first note, he takes control of the entire situation. His playing has become so enigmatic and immediately noticeable. He has a tone like no other jazz musician, and is a household name for good reason. Even in his most self-indulgent, overly-spiritual moments, Coltrane's music contains a sense of humanistic realism to it that makes it immediately relatable. Coltrane's late-period avant-garde music is even representative of the time around him, where he was often persecuted for his race, and even his free approach to music which garnered him hatred from some of his peers. Coltrane's music not only defines a specific period of time right down to the bone, but it also defines the human state of mind, which is an eternal thing that won't ever lose impact.

His ability to play fast is one attribute that makes him a very powerful all-around musician, and his ability to do it fluidly and improvised, using the very influences he had at that one moment, is another. I've never heard another musician so unbelievably skilled at his craft, at his compositions, AND at his expressing what was in his heart.

you ever check out Eric Dolphy? he died before he could reach Coltrane's level but could definitely hold his own as a band leader and sideman (including a few spots with Coltrane too). check a track called 'You Don't Know What Love Is' from his Last Date album if you're not already familiar with it. that one track does more for me than the entirety of Interstellar Space.

Rap: Kid Cudi, Eminem, or Notorious BIG

Country: Kenny Chesney

Rock and Roll: Beetles.

you know i may have to agree with you on some level he is quite versitile when it comes to incorporating different styles of music

but i have to say Justin Vernon

Yeah, I've indulged in a few Dolphy pieces.

Personally, Interstellar Space is the worst of Coltrane I've heard, and I could see a lot of things being better than it. Out to Lunch (Dolphy) is great, but I only manage to feel it on a technical level. Maybe that's because I'm unfamiliar with it, but most of Coltrane's music is immediately technical and spiritual to some extent.

Perhaps I'm just too familiar with Coltrane at the point. Dolphy is definitely worth investigating further though.

Yeah, but who's the best all 'round musician? :)

lol@Kenny_Chesney

that's fair, i'm kind of juxtaposed in regards to these two people. Dolphy's stuff tends to formulates images in my mind more than anyone else i listen to. i see life when i hear his music. it's not that the Coltrane i've heard isn't really freaking good, it just doesn't get to that point for me. yet.

really depends on who your talkin about or what style of music. in the past like decade or so tho id have to go with john mayer

Do composers count? If so, Dvořák is the Czech b*tch in charge.

How does Hendrix get left out of this category? Did he not pioneer a lot of things to this day that are still unmatched? I mean from his ingenius style of lyrics to unique style of playing. From chord forms to improvising sound and distortion effects. Improvising with very primative forms of technology. I mean there are just so many variations of talent shown by only one man. Does anyone agree with that?