With a tip of the pointy headstock to Laurie Monk here are the guitar instrumentals Steve Vai likes best:
http://www.aolradioblog.com/2009/08/21/steve-vai-unveils-his-10-favorite-instrumentals/
His number one (the “voice of God”) he lists as:
1) Santana: ‘Europa (Earth’s Cry Heaven Smile)’
For me, this song is the closest thing I have heard to the voice of God on an electric guitar. It’s spiritual melodic perfection.
I’d have to agree with him there; Europa – especially the live version on the album “Moonflower” is one the most beautiful things I have ever heard.
I’m not sure what I’d list as my favourites … Let’s have a think …
Shawn Lane … many, and I don’t know if I could narrow it to just one. Not Again, or Get You Back would be strong players, but there are so many … ah: Once Upon a Time in the West – specifically from Paris 1994:
Jeff Beck: Where Were You, or Declan … or his performance of Somewhere Over the Rainbow from the 2006 UDO Festival:
Santana: Europa of course, as mentioned:
I’d simply have to cite Joe Satriani’s Always With Me, Always With You – as it drove me to admire/aspire to Ibanez guitars and technically great playing:
For a change of pace, Andy McKee: Rylynn, which manages to stay absolutely beautiful – something that a lot of fancy acoustic players seem to forget about
There are so many great pieces of classical guitar music I’d find it hard to choose, but this (the Serenata Espanola, here played by Julian Bream) would be up there … ok, it’s originally a piano piece, but yah boo sucks to that :-p
An finally (for this list, this morning, I wouldn’t say it’s my final word on the subject :-p ) I have to include Andy Timmons: Cry For You. This performance, at the Ibanez 90th Anniversary, was my first exposure to his playing – and what an introduction:
Popularity: 2% [?]
Nice list there
It's really hard to come up with a definitive list really!