Who is the most talented instrumentalist and prolific musician in the world?

Question

Not too many performers these days write/play their own music. Somebody else does everything and they just get up on stage, look pretty, and sing someone elses work....without and instrument in hand becuase they can't play anything.

How many one man bands are out still there? We could probably count them on one hand. Is anyone able to write lyrics and then the music and play EVERY instrument on the album?

I really only know of one "famous" musician that doesn't need anyone else to produce a whole album on his/her own.

This individual plays over 30 something instruments.

Can anyone name any musicians with this much talent?

Answer 1

There are a few. Todd Rungren has done it a few times. Stevie Wonder is superlative at three different instruments and excellent at several others.



But for me it will always be Prince. About half of his albums are completely 'produced, arranged, composed and per4med by Prince', and there are a whole bunch of albums ('by' the Time, Vanity 6, Appolonia 6, Sheila E., the Family, Madhouse, Jill Jones, Carmen Electra, Ingrid Chavez, Mayte, etc. and the upcoming one by Tamar) where effectively the only thing he didn't do was sing.



He's been pumping them out at a rate of at least once a year for almost 30 years now. And he still kicks.



But 'over 30 instruments'... Do you mean Mike Oldfield?

Answer 2

Musicians as Tex Williams, Jimmy Reed, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Ray Dorset of Mungo Jerry, and Alanis Morissette used a simple guitar and harmonica combination. They wrote/write their music and lyrics.



One of the most famous exponents of multiple instruments was Jesse Fuller, who invented a foot-operated bass. Another was Fate Norris(The Skillet Lickers). Don Partridge was a British musician who made the classic one man band outfit (three song in British top ten in 1968).



If you count the artists who use studios for their work Todd Rundgren, Stevie Wonder, and Beck are some artist that easily name as "one man band" because they did all.



Rundgren who is musician, singer, songwriter, record producer and a computer expert, a genius.

Wonder who sings, writes, plays the drums, bass guitar, congas, and most famously the piano, harmonica and keyboards.

Beck who is musician, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.

Answer 3

Yeah. Soundtrack composer JOHN BARRY, my nominee for the greatest living composer. Composes arranges and conducts. Music that gets all the way to the brain stem.



Jazzy classical pianist Peter Nero wrote and performed a 15 minute jazz tribute to Richard Rogers that will be performed 50 years from now (Nero also wrote his own piano concerto about 30 years ago). There's a Siberian pianist improviser and composer who'se only 20: Eldar Djangirov --superb, up there with the legandary Art Tatum!



Dare I put in a word for Sir Paul McCartney? And for Curtis Mayfield? And for photographer/movie director/soundtrack composer Gordon Parks? You can splice together a righteous one hour CD of the best of Andrew Lloyd Webber, too.



But I put John Barry first because he pierces to the center of the soul -- gotta listen to Born Free, You Only Live Twice, Walkabout, Body Heat (rare! the crown jewel of my record collection) and Dances with Wolves... composing and arranging and conducting that dances on the edge of catharsis...

Answer 4

Bruce Springsteen (plays 2 instruments at once in the song "Devils and Dust") - Santana - Matisyahu - Phil Collins - Elton John -Rickie Lee Jones - Tom Waits - Rich Mullens - Kenny G - Willie Nelson - James Taylor - Annie Lennox - Stevie Nicks - Sade - Eric Clapton - Paul Simon are just a few.

Answer 5

Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails - he writes all the music, performs every instrument on the album, and sings it. He only brings in other musicians to go on tour, because he cant play it all at once.



Dave Matthews- writes, sings, plays it all.



Greg Graffin of Bad Religion, did one album of just him doing all the instruments and production.

Answer 6

Trent Reznor writes, sings, and produces his own music, he runs all the equiptment and plays an astounding number of instruments.

Answer 7

Me. I sing, write and play.



(I also copyright with the office in d.c.)



But I haven't gotten to 30 instruments yet.

Answer 8

Bob Dylan.

Answer 9

Paul McCartney?

Answer 10

As far as popular music goes, Paul Simon is pretty talented.

Answer 11

Alicia Keys? I know she is young, but she is a good choice...



Wait, did you say 30? I have seen her play a guitar AND a piano, but I think she could play others...

Answer 12

Dr. Dre rulez.

He's a totally pimp-tight game-in-your-face producer.

Answer 13

give musicians a break with your crap

jeez.....

many bands of today work together to do that all because of public demand.

Answer 14

eric clapton

Answer 15

mitchell colver

Answer 16

me