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Ana Popovic's All-Time Favorite Slide Guitar Players -- Count Five

Marco van Rooijen

Though she was born in Belgrade, Ana Popovic sings and shreds like the legends of the Mississippi Delta. In August, the 35-year-old released her sixth LP, 'Unconditional,' and she was gracious enough to tell Spinner about her favorite all-time slide guitarists. Check out her list below.

1. Elmore James
Sharp-blade-knife slide sound, love everything this man did. Simplicity and passion, hard driven slide in support of his powerful vocals. Nobody sounds like him, and haven't in the past either. Couple of iconic slide licks that made history, like the one in 'Dust My Broom' -- everyone from Eric Clapton to Peter Green used them continuously.

Favorite song: 'Done Somebody Wrong'

2. Roy Rodgers
Keeping the legacy of Robert Johnson, at its best. He figured Johnson's phrasing, his timing, his laid-back, behind-the-beat licks switching with the rushed ones to make it more dramatic. Love the fact that he did not try to copy Robert's singing -- he tastefully added something new with his style of singing and a modern approach to blues. Almost mainstream singing meets Robert Johnson slide.

Favorite song: 'Walkin' Blues'

Ana Popovic Performs 'Unconditional'

3. Duane Allman
Open tuning at its very best. Sultry, well-thought, perfect control of the vibrato, sound, tension, full, rich, very unique and recognizable tone. Very singable. Just perfection.

Favorite songs: 'One way out', 'Statesboro blues',

4. Ry Cooder
Fabulous movie music. With his slide guitar, he would precisely go for the mood of the song. He could switch between a Texas record and a Mexican record and later on, of course, his biggest success: A Cuban record. Master at vibrato, long tasty notes, the right feel, chops and amazing technique, never overdone, and always in the service of the song,

Ffavorite song: 'Paris Texas'

5. Sonny Landreth
Master at tunings, outside scales, amazing right hand technique: Playing at the pickup position or right on the neck, switching between playing with and without a pick, and of course his very own technique of playing before the fret and even strumming with his right hand above his left hand, strumming close to or on the head stock. Great choice of songs: Blues and outside of blues, profound superb tone and technique, he adds the dramatic by pressing the strings softer and harder. Using different scales and different tunings makes each song sound new and different.

Favorite song: 'Native Stepson'

How to Play Slide Guitar

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4 Comments

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YouLoveTheHock

Sorry, Derek*. Welp, there goes my credibility...

April 06 2012 at 2:23 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
YouLoveTheHock

All great players, but you forgot Derrick trucks...

April 06 2012 at 2:19 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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