Satriani is cold, a few he warms but overall cold. Vai I don't care for.
Listen to an acoustic cut or to by John Mclaughlin. Like Knopflers stuff. Like the Jeff Healey/Knopfler cut.
Santana is so much better in person than on a alblum.
Robin Trowers early stuff ROCKED.
Stevie was good, saw him with Jeff Beck. Goooood show.
The best in my view ??
There's a lot out there faster.
There's a lot out there louder.
There's a lot out there with "chops"
But NOBODY plays sweeter or can phrase better than David Gilmore. All of his solos' have a begining, a transition, and an ending. They make a statement. They have a reason.
Nobody better.
He plays with "holes"
It's not "just" the notes, but the spaces inbetween that make a passage sweet. Ebb and flow...
He's the master.