Albums that made an impact on me.

1.) Joe Satriani - Crystal Planet
Everyone talks about Satriani's album "Surfing with the Alien", but this was my first exposure to him. I feel it is his best work.   I was sixteen at the time when I first heard it and it blew me away. This man has one of the smoothest legato techniques I have ever heard.  The solo on "Secret Prayer" probably my fav.

2.) Chick Corea - My Spanish Heart
This was my first exposure to Chick, I love how all the songs are themed and tied together.

3.) Savatage - Edge of Thorns
Criss Oliva is so tasty on this album, as well as his brother Jon, check out their guitar and piano together on "labyrinths".  I love Criss's leads and fret tapping on this entire album.  The song follow me has a cool horse whinny sound in the solo that is just killer.

4.) Prince - Purple Rain
I went a year in college where this album was played at least once a week.

5.) Stevie Ray Vaughan - Texas Flood
I grew up out in the country in the early 90s and didn't have many resources to draw from when it came to learning guitar.  I didn't have internet and anytime I wanted to learn something about guitar it was when I either went to the super market to read the guitar magazines that I couldn't always afford or we made a trip into the local guitar store which was an hour drive from home.  Anyways one eventful day a friend from that store sent me a box in the mail full of stuff that he wanted to pass on.  It had magazines, guitar books, and cassette tape of Texas Flood.  That was great day for me :)  The first tune I heard was "Rude Mood".  His tone was awesome and was so clean.