I have to say Varg Vikernes of Burzum. I don't think raw technical skill or writing good riffs or something is a good measure of musical talent. I personally am really impressed when I listen to Burzum. Even though it doesn't generally have epic kick ass melodies (quite the opposite), but it sounds so hypnotic and awesome and takes me 15-30 minutes to stop having a massive brainfuck. Though it requires a certain type of mental state to work properly
+ Show Spoiler +

Burzum - Jesus' Tod

+ Show Spoiler +

Burzum - Det som en gang var

Kamakiri

Sweden312 Posts

October 12 2011 18:29 GMT

#163

The best and most accomplished musician that I have ever heard is Donald Fagen from Steely Dan. He is a musical genius that deserves endless credit.

The pieces of his solo career includes countless gems.

Donald Fagen - New Frontier

OminouS

Sweden1343 Posts

October 12 2011 18:31 GMT

#164

I would probably say Chris Cornell, I'm in love with his voice.

Deleted User 176289

169 Posts

October 12 2011 18:35 GMT

#165

--- Nuked ---

Destro

Netherlands1206 Posts

October 12 2011 18:37 GMT

#166

Joe strummer. nuff said.

JLew

Canada353 Posts

October 12 2011 18:37 GMT

#167

I am a big fan of the weeknd as well. I don't know if I can narrow it down to one person so easily but for me the first person who comes to my mind whenever I hear a question like this is...

John Butler Trio

Seriously the sickest guitar player..such a cool relaxed style combined with intense speed, please do yourself a favor and listen to this entire song...the end will blow your mind it seriously sounds likd there is 3 people playing the guitar at once.

LiaT

Sweden58 Posts

October 12 2011 18:37 GMT

#168

Burial - Archangel

BlindSC2

United Kingdom435 Posts

October 12 2011 18:37 GMT

#169

Hiatus and Shura - Fortune's Fool

Anything made by either Hiatus is amazing, coupled with the voice of Shura it's amazing, they've done a few collabs, this is the best imo

EDIT: How do you embed the video so it shows up in the thread, instead of a link to the video on youtube like I have? I should know this, in fact I remember doing it in the past, but it isn't working for me atm

Falco252

France197 Posts

October 12 2011 18:39 GMT

#170

I'll say Shoji Meguro, but it's more like ambiant sound, tho a big amount of his songs can be heard but still haha.
I'd say Poets Of the Fall, they're dudes who never lost and won't ever lost their head with money, and meh, I met Marko, you can't know that he is an artist if you never listened :

Lift(Esp for the clip)

Illusion&Dream, one of the very firsts one I heard(well, I knew the band with Max Payne 2 haha)

Desire : Not the best song of the band, but I have a big story behind it, so that's why it's my favorite I think.

PandaCore

Germany553 Posts

October 12 2011 18:42 GMT

#171

Don't forget Carnival Of Rust by Poets of the Fall, great one too. Video is very good as well

n00b3rt

Bulgaria890 Posts

October 12 2011 18:43 GMT

#172

Maybe Garm from Ulver <3 But it's a tough call

Werx

United States54 Posts

October 12 2011 18:44 GMT

#173

Antoine Dufour.

Gladiator6

Sweden7024 Posts

October 12 2011 18:46 GMT

#174

I have always liked film soundtracks, immediate music and trailer music. It would be tough choice between many. But I guess I would pick these guys:

Cycle

United States300 Posts

October 12 2011 18:47 GMT

#175

I'm really surprised no one's mentioned Miles Davis.

Especially how the OP defines the musician as someone "you could listen to for the rest of your life", Miles Davis has such a broad spectrum of styles, and his compositions, improvisation, and overall feel to the music are all brilliant. Not only that, but he had a great ear for picking talented musicians. His bands were always top-notch players who are also some of my favorite musicians: John Mclaughlin, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and plenty more.

Here are some of my favorites:

And abstract music that most people won't enjoy

Whitley

United States238 Posts

October 12 2011 18:50 GMT

#176

Andrew Bird

Riskr

Germany403 Posts

October 12 2011 18:51 GMT

#177

best songwriter in my opinion.
And it would be also my dream,to be inducted into the Rock ´n Roll Hall of Fame by Lou Reed.

StarGirl

United States5 Posts

October 12 2011 18:53 GMT

#178

there's plenty of great and amazing musicians out there. i have eclectic taste. but the most influential and most favourite group of musicians in MY life would be the beatles. everyone's heard the popular songs like yesterday and hey jude like i have, but when beatles rockband came out, i was instantly smitten by the less unheard of songs and delved deeper into the world of beatles. the songs are sweet, sometimes naive, but calming.

Sephy90

United States1785 Posts

October 12 2011 18:54 GMT

#179

Nujabes.. has officially done it for me <3 his music just somewhat perfect for my tastes.
Maynard James Kennan, damn I love his vocals~ seriously his voice has this seductive calmness to it.

I can't just not list any Korean musicians here! Gummy and Zia just make me drool and it's one of the many artists I listen to, to relax.

bangsholt

Denmark138 Posts

October 12 2011 18:55 GMT

#180

The lack of Dire Straits in here is disturbing - I'd better correct it!

First off one of my favorite tracks, but not a very well known one.

Then there's a THIS one... Yea, it's a live version, it kicks the studio versions butt.

As a finisher, another live track

Personally, I've loved Dire Straits ever since I first heard them, and I'll hopefully continue to do so for a long time. Been fortunate enough to catch Knopfler live 3 times here in Denmark as well, though I dislike the way he've turned recently with his music, I would've preferred him to turn into the oldest Dire Straits style, the "let's tell a story and throw in some guitar/bass/drum" style.