Originally Posted by: WilldridgeYes, yes and yes...I absolutely agree with your statements on Joe. I think he, as is Steve Vai and Eric Johnson, et al, are always striving to be better - and I think what set's them apart from other virtuoso's is that they know there's thing's they don't know...(did that come out right? Think I lost myself there!).

To pick up on your Yngwie statement - I can't deny that he can play...but from a personal perspective, when I listen to his albums, all they make me do is want to play more accurately - they don't inspire me to write or play "music". Joe's, Steve's and Eric's, (along with many other's) however do - and I know a lot of non-guitar player's who enjoy their music because of this. I don't think Yngwie "sucks" as such, I just feel that you hear a Malmsteen solo...then you hear it again on another track...and the next, and the next and - well, you get my point...the notes may be different, but the content's much the same.

Exactly, my point about Yngwie. While I can't deny his greatness at what he does, the guy has thought that he was soooo great for so long that he hasn't grown any. I don't hear any growth in his playing since Rising Force (which I still find brilliant). Yngwie exudes the attitude "I am so great, it must be true because I said so" and therefore doesn't see the need to progress, which only traps him....like spinning your tires to prove how great your car is, it doesn't get you to a new destination, rather you just stay in one place blowing smoke.

I'm sure if he ever wrote a biography the title would have to be "Yngwie J. Malmsteen - A legend in my mind"