Andy Timmons "Official Live Bootleg (1991/98)" (1999)

Andy Timmons first caught the attention of rock fans as the lead guitarist in the hard rock band Danger Danger, but it was his solo work that revealed just how special a player he really is. Combining blistering technique with a deep sense of melody and feel, the Dallas-based guitarist became a musician's musician, earning a devoted following among guitar fans worldwide. "Official Live Bootleg (1991/98)" collects eight killer live performances spanning those years, and it's long been one of the best ways to understand what makes Timmons so compelling onstage. The mostly instrumental set includes signature pieces like the soaring ballad "Cry For You," the fiery "Electric Gypsy," the heartfelt Stevie Ray Vaughan tribute "I Remember Stevie" and the hard-charging "Down To The Wire." Timmons blazes from beginning to end, but what really stands out is how much emotion he packs into every note - this is a player who can make the guitar sing as easily as he can make it scream. His reputation speaks for itself. He's consistently ranked among the Top 20 favorite guitarists in reader polls of Japan's rock music magazines and was named Musician of the Year four years in a row at the Dallas Observer Music Awards. Respect like that is earned one great performance at a time.