British guitarist analyses Tommy Emmanuel's MAGICAL performance (and thumb!)

Tonight I'm taking a look at Tommy Emmanuel, blending different techniques into his playing with sensational results!

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[Sejoevia]

Two funny stories about Tommy. Supposedly Steve Vai said that Tommy was the best two guitarists he knew. And at one concert Tommy asked if there were any guitarists in the audience and a little voice piped up, “Not anymore!”
Glad I found your channel - keep up the good work!

[BoudreauGuitars]

Tommy is an Australian national treasure

[Dreama]

Mid nineties saw him live in a small country town in NSW Albury Wodonga(Australia). We got his autograph after the show and headed home(Amazing show btw), we stopped at our local pizza place for some food and it was around midnight by now. It was late at night hardly a sole around and who walks in! Tommy and two of his roadies looking for a bite. We chatted and told him we'd been to his concert earlier and we shook hands, about 15 minutes later the pizza store owner now realizing who Tommy was brought out an old guitar from the back of the store, the next 45 minutes were INCREDIBLE! The store was closed by now, just a handful of us with Tommy on an old guitar eating pizza, what a night what a guy! Hi again Tommy if you happen to read this, will never forget that night!

[pleasetellmewherego]

Tommy is without a doubt a superb guitarist. I used to know him quite well in the 1970s in Sydney when he played in a band called Goldrush with his brother Phil. Now deceased, Phil was every bit as good as Tommy. Thank you for sharing this. I last saw his one-man show a few years ago. He is a true guitar virtuoso who can play any form of music. That guitar is more like a part of his body than a distinct musical instrument. The joy on your face as you watched him was wonderful.

[mademepickaname]

Not only an amazing player, but he exudes such joy and is so generous with his time and knowledge. You'll find a million videos on youtube of him being interviewed, meeting with fans, giving a lesson, etc. A man who loves what he does and is a great ambassador of the instrument.

[stephendoster]

He played at the Belcourt Theatre (Nashville) a number of years ago. Local session players sitting behind me kept saying things like, "Did you see that!" and "What the ___ did he just do?" Even top-notch players are blown away by his playing.

[geoffreysmith]

I'm a drummer and guitarist. Tommy E is the "Buddy Rich" of guitar. He is in a lane by himself. When you blend technical virtuoso, musicality, and emotion - it is magic. Tommy is a global treasure to us all. Truly God gifted. There will never be another like him.

[McFlySwatter]

Just the fact that Tommy Emmanuel is completely self taught is amazing. And to think for the first few years as a young man he learned to play both the guitar and bass parts of songs at the same time, all because he was listening to records and had no idea what a bass instrument was! Incredible talent.

[toamataafa]

Tommy might be born in Australia but he’s the world’s Treasure👈🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🤙👍RIP Phil Emmanuel🙏🙏🙏

[ChrisB-cvdt]

After watching this, my guitar got up and walked out on me. I haven't seen it since.

[pmRred]

You can’t help but smile when Tommy plays. When I was a young bloke in the early 70’ in Australia I would go to the pubs to watch Tommy and his brother Phil (RIP) …

[macvena]

He's a genuine maestro! It's perfect and he's still rocking it like it's easy.

[christopherwinkler]

The greatest guitarist most people have never heard of. Sad.

[cecilknutson]

Roy Buchannan was my benchmark guitarist from when I saw him at the Crossroads Supper Club in Bladensburg, Maryland in 1971 until I saw Tommy at the Colonial Theater in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania in 2008. A storm blew out the power in the city and the whole show had to be done acoustically and spotted with flashlights. It was the first time I heard Tommy play "Somewhere Over the Rainbow": an orchestral piece done with one guitar. Tears were in my eyes. "Why is a man of this caliber playing at a venue that seats less than 300?" I asked myself. Because he loves to bring joy and enjoyment to people everywhere he can, was the answer I got from the many You Tube videos I watched afterwards. Roy was eclipsed ... dethroned ... replaced. Tommy has enthusiasm for what he plays and how he plays it; exquisite flourishes that are also exactly what is needed to produce the sound he wants; professionalism, congeniality and cooperation with everyone with whom he plays; advanced and impeccable left- and right-hand technique; seemingly unlimited improvisational ability; Hendrix-like control over the voice of his guitar; ability to play any genre; no limits as to the brand or model of guitar he can play; a decent singing voice that he controls as well as he does his guitar; good stage presence and connection with his audiences; respect for everyone; gives credit where credit is due; hasn't expressed nor displayed any social or drug problems; loves his family and friends; declares his intent to continue to develop his guitar-playing; plays with people of all ages; and encourages those who show even the least inclination to join in with him. A benchmark if there ever was one. Please react to more of his pieces (Initiation, Stevie's Blues, Heartbreak Hotel, Amazing Grace, Blue Moon, Just An Old-Fashioned Love Song). Thanks!

[CurzonB]

Tommy Emmanuel is the greatest guitar player alive...period.

[ItsRenzio]

man there is alot of extremely good guitarists but Tommy Emmanuel is one of a kind.

[ronchmiel]

Well done Fil as always! We got to see Tommy about the time of this video in Babeville (Ani DiFranco's wonderful site) and it was such a great performance. Actually, we got to be in the front row along the side, but the lights behind Tommy were in our eyes. As Tommy was playing he noticed us with our hands over our eyes and stood up and played a portion of the set making sure that his body was blocking the light. He just smiled and nodded at us... what a great person and talent!

[mkerrisk]

Without a doubt the best acoustic player on the planet. Bar none !

[colldollm]

Notwithstanding that Tommy Emmanuel is a treasure of the world from a musical standpoint and simply as a wonderful human being, your analysis is so engaging and insightful. Love Tommy, and all your videos and teaching. Thank you!!

[slangelands]

One of the greatest musicians, ever, and I have listened to a lot of virtuosi musicians. Everything he does is in service of the composition. The flashiness of the technique is never only for the sake of bravura, but also adds to the wit of the piece. I hear only exuberance and joy. Indeed Tommy is a Mozart.