PopTodd Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 Riffing off the "Favorite Guitar Players" thread—pun definitely intended and deeply apologized for.In no particular order, except for the #1. Yo La Tengo - "Pablo and Andrea" (Ira Kaplan)(The SECOND solo— the one that starts around 2:40. But, to get the full-effect, I think that you really need to listen to the entire song, both leading up to, and following the solo, to understand its full power. It's transcendental.)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mj3gv64BR4 Richard Hell - "I'm Your Man" (Robert Quine)Both of them—particularly the second one and the way that it starts with those heaving, seasick ejaculations—but I'll count 'em as one. I love being surprised and Quine always surprises me, Plus, something about his style just makes me clench my sphincter, but in the best-possible way.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSZT4rj1AXw Television - "Marquee Moon" (Tom Verlaine)Yeah, just the second solo, which is Verlaine. I love the way that it builds, starting with just that single, jangling open D string ringing out, and then builds in intensity to a fever pitch. Although, truth be told, I think that the entire band deserves credit for this one, as they are the ones that really build the intensity behind the solo and Verlaine matches and reflects that intensity. Better chemistry (musically) than I've ever heard in any band, anywhere. Reminds me of the Dead. But better.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlbunmCbTBA Cream - "Badge" (Eric Clapton)I am generally so totally over Clapton. However, this is a gorgeous, beautiful, lyrical solo that makes a song that is just kinda a so-so 60s pop tune, and pushes it over the top into something really special. Seriously, take the solo away from this tune and what do you have? Meh.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hjVjYfLMjI Squeeze - "Is that Love?" (Glenn Tilbrook)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhbEAu7-MRII mentioned that I like solos that surprise me. This one takes lots of little twists and turns over a very short time span, and yet never loses the thread, melodically. I still cock my head at certain points of this solo and go "Huh?" But there is always a smile on my face when I do so. And I've heard it hundreds of times. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GtrPlyr Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 Not my definitive list, but some that pop to mind: Steely Dan - Kid Charlemagne (Larry Carlton) - A masterclass in taste and melody.Cheap Trick - I Want You to Want Me [live] (Rick Neilsen) - love all the fills and solos in this one.The Rolling Stones - Sympathy for the Devil (Keith Richards) - Jumps out of the speakers and grabs me every time.Big Star - September Gurls (Alex Chilton) - Simple, melodic and perfect for the song.Funkadelic - Maggot Brain (Eddie Hazel) - So much feeling and emotion.The Only Ones - Another Girl, Another Planet (John Perry) - Just another one of those that fits the song so perfectly. Okay, that was 6 and I still didn't even get to All Along the Watchtower, Comfortably Numb, Marquee Moon... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted July 24, 2015 Author Share Posted July 24, 2015 Yup, I know. I always think of more with lists like these.And yeah, that Stones one (Keef's shining moment as a lead player)… and the Big Star one are probably top 50 for me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Blackberry Rust Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 Chronological order. Ry Cooder, Tony Rice, Marc Ribot, Robert Fripp, Annie Clark and Clarence White miss out this time around. The Byrds - Everybody's Been Burned (Roger McGuinn) [1967]McGuinn's electric 12 string Rickenbacker - a gorgeous modal lead against David Crosby's understated accompaniment. Jimi Hendrix - Machine Gun (Jimi Hendrix) [1970]Hendrix's guitar playing is like a lucid stream of consciousness. So highly charged and gut wrenching - you can hear the strings being hacked at and sense the heat and smoke coming off everything. Brian Eno - Baby's On Fire (Robert Fripp) [1974]A completely unhinged guitar solo; enhanced by the 'ghosted' doubled solo by virtue of having Fripp's guitar routed through Eno's synthesiser. Searing stuff. Richard Thompson - Shoot Out The Lights (Richard Thompson) [1982]By this point, it's fair to assume I'm a sucker for guitar solos of a lyrical, yet oblique and dissonant variety. RT's two solos on "Shoot Out The Lights" are an exercise in cliche-avoiding virtuosity. When the solo veers towards referencing the familiar, it betrays expectations and suddenly veers somewhere else; criss-crossing the neck and strings. Sonic Youth - Unmade Bed (Thurston Moore/Lee Renaldo/Jim O'Rourke) [2004]So many SY tracks to choose from, but this wins. Though Thurston's guitar is the primary focus, this just wouldn't work without the interplay of Ranaldo and O'Rourke's guitars - keeping things tethered (and occasionally doubled) whilst Thurston unleashes the maelstrom. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
uncool2pillow Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 Prince - Let's Go CrazyBob Mould - Wishing Well Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GtrPlyr Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 Prince - Let's Go Crazy Prince has done some great solos. The solo in Purple Rain or I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man are right up there for me too, any of those could easily make my list Richard Thompson - Shoot Out The Lights (Richard Thompson) [1982]By this point, it's fair to assume I'm a sucker for guitar solos of a lyrical, yet oblique and dissonant variety. RT's two solos on "Shoot Out The Lights" are an exercise in cliche-avoiding virtuosity. When the solo veers towards referencing the familiar, it betrays expectations and suddenly veers somewhere else; criss-crossing the neck and strings. Oh yeah. Richard Thomspon is another one that should be on my list too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted July 24, 2015 Author Share Posted July 24, 2015 As other folks post their lists, there are always several that make me slap my head and think that i missed one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Winston Legthigh Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 Zappa - Inca Roads, is the solo that melts my mind and gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. I've always loved Zappas solos the most because they're little songs themselves - he definitely knows where he's going with the solo. It's a little song within the song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYxaoRVofE8 Brian May - We Will Rock You. The tone he gets in this song is perfection. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMLiqEqMQyQ David Hidalgo - Mas y Mas. So so so great. A rip your face off latin rocker. Keeps going up up up.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQw1pqxsrT4 Jimi Hendrix - Drivin South (from the Radio One sessions). I know I read a description somewhere a while back on this forum - there's a part where there's feedback, then Hendrix plays a few notes, then bends the note right back to match the feedback note - mindblowing.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VmGyZAH4lY Jonny Greenwood - Paranoid Android. Great song - builds up to the explosive solo, then slows down and departs gracefully.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPLEbAVjiLA Honorable mention:Dan Auerbach - All You Ever Wanted. Another song with great tension leading up to a release/solo. But maybe it's more about the Hammond Organ...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyA9f9fA8_s Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 Toni Iommi - Planet Caravan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jw harding Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 Allman Bros - Blue Sky Quote Link to post Share on other sites
winterland121072 Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 Dark Star / Jerry Garcia 18 July 1972... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chez Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 I wish I hadn't seen this thread -- now I'm not going to get any work done the rest of the day! Here's my first reaction (not in order): 1. Richard Thompson -- Wall of Death or Night Comes In. The greatest guitar player I've ever seen. Close your eyes and you think there are three guys on stage playing guitar. 2. Pete Townshend -- Pure and Easy. The last 2 minutes of the Who's version is pretty amazing. 3. Steve Howe -- The Wurm (Last Part of Starship Trooper off The Yes Album). 4. Mick Taylor -- Can't You Hear Me Knockin.' Yeah, Keith is pretty good on this one too! 5. Eric Clapton -- Badge . For all the same reasons mentioned above by PopTodd. Five solos from five Brits! I'm sure I will have others . . . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jw harding Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 Dark Star / Jerry Garcia 18 July 1972...Well played. That accounts for the top 5, right? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Atticus Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 This will changes 900 times in the next week, but... 1. Jerry Garcia - Althea (either 10/14/83 or 03/15/90) In the 10/14/83 version, from about 5:47 on puts tears in my eyes just about every time. There is simply no way to reproduce Jerry's timing--the way he seems like he isn't going to get to a note or fit a run of notes in, but always does. The interplay between this solo and Mydland's organ is just phenomenal. You can't teach that. The 03/15/90 version is flawless. Like a bird crying. Outside of Wilco, these two songs have probably brought more comfort to me than any other music. 10/14/83:https://youtu.be/gZK22n3RNf0 03/15/90:https://youtu.be/S3gaA4r_07Q?t=29m29s 2. J Mascis - Get Me The easiest to play of my pics, but I've never heard such lovelorn pain out of a guitar. I always feel like giving J a hug when it's over. https://youtu.be/aQIPJqvFrIc 3. Trey Anastasio - Harry Hood 10/23/94 From 9:21 on is the most unrehearsed, unbridled, frenetic joy I've ever heard in a live music performance. People can bitch about Phish's noodling all they want but sometimes they just plain nailed it. I have to be careful listening to this one in the car. https://youtu.be/6E5JkPMB2DY 4. Jeff Tweedy - At Least That's What You Said (it will take days to pick a version) As much as I love the album version, some of the interplays between Jeff and Nels over the years live on this song are just haunting. The most compelling expression of angst I've ever heard in a solo. I've never, ever skipped a version of this song on shuffle. 5. Willie Nelson - Whiskey River (live from Honeysuckle Rose) How someone does that to gut strings on a classical Martin is just craziness. https://youtu.be/tyHJzuNDI-8?list=PLEDkKKt8DCbFrhW5XSIWvqnRNt-eJ-2l_ Highly honorable mentions: Marc Ford - Hotel IllnessChris Whitley - God Thing & Living with the Law from Live at Martyr'sEdge - All I Want Is You Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Atticus Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 why doesn't the media function work with youtube videos anymore? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted July 24, 2015 Author Share Posted July 24, 2015 Edge - All I Want Is You"New Year's Day" too.Damn. Like a siren blaring out at the beginning of that solo -- just grabs you.He's not know for his solos, but he sure knows how to craft them when he decides to play one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shug Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 Intensely Climactic Blues Rock Electric Guitar Solos: Garcia/Grateful Dead - Tennessee Jed on Europe '72 or Hard To Handle from the Hollywood Paladium 1971 (This one sounds surprisingly perfect and composed for a live Garcia solo, and its part of huge all-band/all-audience crescendo, everyone is getting off!!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Na9a79rdjxs Betts/Dudek in Allman Brothers - Ramblin' Man studio version SRV - Things I Used To Do on Couldn't Stand The Weather https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxsUM-tMQk0 Clapton - Don't Think Twice Its Alright on Bob Dylan Tribute Concert (staggering, stupdendous, maybe my favorite of all time by anyone ever) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZphtG5koFlo Nugent - Wang Dang Sweet Poontang on Double Live Gonzo ( a guilty pleasure, for sure) I second Larry Carlton on Steely Dan's Kid Charlemenge I'm also a big fan of Richard Thompson. Hard to choose one of his solos, I love all the ones mentioned, but I also love the call and response ones with the accordian, mandolin and crumhorn on When I Get To The Border and the spooky twangy droney intro to the studio version of The Calvary Cross not to mention the epic live solos on that song and You Can't Win, Night Comes In, etc. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Doug C Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 One of my favorite solos has always been Highway Star. I remember how much I obsessed over it all those years ago. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. Heartbreak Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 Zappa - Inca Roads, is the solo that melts my mind and gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. I've always loved Zappas solos the most because they're little songs themselves - he definitely knows where he's going with the solo. It's a little song within the song. This was the first thing I thought of when I saw the title of this thread. Check out the Helsinki concert for the original unedited solo. Fun stuff. Other candidates: Hendrix - Voodoo Chile (Slight Return) - That descending riff at the end never gets old. Bruce Cockburn - Water Into Wine - Technically a song, not just a solo. Incredible finger picking. Hard to believe it's one person, not overdubbed. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7qyK4fzbF3w Jerry Garcia - Chinacat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Grateful Dead, Europe '72 - These are definitive versions, and the solos are a big reason why. Syd Barrett - Astronomy Domine, Pink Floyd, BBC 1, 1967 (live) - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=arXEDRZHyvg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moss Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 Alright, let's see: 1. Jimi Hendrix - Voodoo Chile from Band of Gypsies.2. Ozzy Osbourne - Over the Mountain3. Pink Floyd - Comfortably Numb4. SRV - Tin Pan Alley5. Steely Dan - Kid Charlemagne Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Smith Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 HmmmmRy Cooder on Sister MorphineMichael Schenker - Lights Out on the live albumNeil Young - Down by the River/Cowgirl in the SandAll kinds of solos on the Girl Friend albumWhen the Levee Breaks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted July 25, 2015 Author Share Posted July 25, 2015 All kinds of solos on the Girl Friend albumMy 2 favorite guitar players of all-time were the guys on that record—Robert Quine and Richard Lloyd. Just awesome. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ghost of Electricity Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 off the top of my head: Blue Mask Lou Reed/Robert QuineTake me with you when you go Jayhawks Gary Lourisat least that's what you saidmaggot brain - p funk Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mountain bed Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 OK, I could probably do this all day long, but we'll go with the "first thought, best thought" philosophy for now. It will change a dozen times after this! Duane Allman/Dickey Betts - In Memory of Elizabeth Reed (The Fillmore East version). I could probably just do an all Allmans top 5 with ease. Robert Fripp - Starless (the Red LP). One note, with Wetton's dark, brooding bass work wrapped around it. One of the best examples of tension/release I've ever heard Steve Howe - Siberian Khatru (Yessongs version) - frenetic, unhinged, virtuosic John McLaughlin - On The Way Home To Earth (Visions of the Emerald Beyond LP) - I HAD to put a JM solo in here. The tone on this one is just SO strange. Zappa - Black Napkins (Zoot Allures LP) So gloriously nasty - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ALSO - James Patrick Page - Achilles Last Stand (Presence) - one of his very best performances ever captured in the studio. A masterpiece KEEF - Sympathy for the Devil (Beggar's Banquet version) - chilling Trey Anastasio - Harry Hood ( A Live One version) - life affirming, melodic, soaring ANY early '80s Jerry Garcia Sugaree where he's coked up like a motherfucker and starts in with those blindingly fast triplets! 6/21/80, 10/17/83, and 12/31/85 immediately come to mind Jeff Beck - Cause We've Ended As Lovers (Blow By Blow) - Beck showing why he's one the greatest interpreters of other people's songs. A TRUE original. AND FINALLY - Hendrix - Red House 7/17/70 (The Hendrix Concerts) - Interstellar Blues. "I didn't say a damn thing about company though". SOMEONE STOP ME! lol Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Yaz Rock Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 Pearl Jam - Daughterhttps://youtu.be/RiqgTPmkfek?t=99 (1:40 in) Short but sweet - amazed they haven't really extended this one much live. Los Lobos - Road To Gila Bendhttps://youtu.be/2qx_uraT9dk?t=127 (2:07 in) I saw Trey guest with LL around 2007 or so, and he took the solo. David Hidalgo had to wave him off to finish! Trey would have kept going and going...That's like the only show of theirs I haven't found on tape too, would like to revisit that night. The Jayhawks - Martin's Songhttps://youtu.be/LyQCoB186RY?t=104 (1:45 in) Pearl Jam - In My Treehttps://youtu.be/FZU0SvCfHJs?t=203 (3:25 in) I don't know that Mike and Stone usually do a double outtro "solo" but I think there is a good tape out there, maybe Melbourne 1998, where you can hear them both clearly. Soul Asylum - Some to Returnhttps://youtu.be/U_lGnFtKJrk?t=155 ( 2:35 in) SA don't have many long guitar solos, at least on their albums, but ten seconds here is pretty sweet.Actually, Dan Murphy's solo in Cartoon is at about twice as long, but I'll give the nod to the solo on Sometime to Return. BonusSteve Cropper with Pearl Jam - (Sittin' on the) Dock of the Bayhttps://youtu.be/Wl3NeDo99GE?t=160 (2:40 in) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.