OK, so it's late and trying to finish writing a column for tomorrow, and I'm listening to some CDs ridiculously loud so I don't fall asleep. The last portion of the Dire Straits' "Sultans of Swing" just kicked in ... I forgot how beautifully phrased the solo to end that song is. It has always been one of my favorites of all time. What are yours? I need to get back to the column, so I'll come back later to figure out which solos by the Edge, Hendrix, SRV and others make my list, but how about yours? C'mon BobFinn, Jeff, Manny -- don't let me down! p.s. Worst solo of all time: the break in the Doors' "Touch Me."
These might be obvious, but my own personal favorites were: The Wind Cries Mary (JH) -probably the hardest thing I ever tried to play (I'm not a musician) Eruption (EVH) - still incredible to me, and led in to another one of my favorite remakes... x34
I'm going all-Steely this time: Kid Charlemagne - Larry Carlton My Old School - Skunk Baxter FM - Walter Becker Your Gold Teeth II - Denny Dias Aja - Denny Dias, Walter Becker, Larry Carlton Third World Man - Larry Carlton Reelin' In the Years (Page's favorite guitar solo) - Elliott Randall Peg - Jay Graydon Third World Man - Mark Knopfler
Ooh, good question here, wok. Let me say right now "Crazy Train", the Ozzy song, with work by Randy Rhoads for now and maybe add some more later.
Jimmie Vaughan's guitar solo in the Fabulous Thunderbirds' version of "Tip On In", the Slim Harpo classic, is the greatest guitar solo ever recorded.
I'll go with Eddie Van Halen, but not in a Van Halen song... That solo he did on "Beat It" by Michael Jackson is just sick...or, to paraphrase Kenny Smith, "That guitar solo has the flu!"
Okay, here are some more that I thought of: Billy Gibbons - LaGrange Kurt Cobain - In Bloom Adam Jones - Stinkfist Plus these 2 but I don't know who was playing the guitar, maybe someone can tell me: Free Bird - Lynyrd Skynyrd Master of Puppets - Metallica Also want to plug Billy Corgan on "Rocket" off Siamese Dream, which is an overall great guitar CD. I know that I should include stuff by SRV, Vai, Hendrix, Page, Clapton, and Eddie Van Halen, but I'm only going by what I have.
I'm not a big fan of guitar solos. But I will second x34s nomination of Hendrix's "The Wind Cries Mary." "Little Wing" is another obvious one, although I hate SRV's version. While we're on the topic of guitar solos, can anyone explain to me what is the big deal about Neal Schon (Journey)? I've never heard him play anything other than cliches, yet he's often listed as a great guitar player. Am I missing something?
Alex Lifeson of Rush - Working Man (cause that's what I am) Honorable mentions - YYZ, Spirit of the Radio, Limelight By the way, I'm not a Rush fan .
I had a chance to watch a DirecTV showing of a recent Journey concert with their new singer. I believe Journey only has one guitarist so it must be that burley dude who likes to wear blue jeans with a key chain dangling about. I have to say this guy is quite impressive on guitar. I was actually blown away at his playing. He was lightning fast and turned those old Journey songs and solos into a delectable delight. No telling what his real potential is. I would say he deserves to be listed based on what I saw in that concert. Let's not forget about Lindsay Buckingham. Some of those songs from their recent reunion DVD may qualify as solos in themselves where he jammed alone on the nylon acoustic guitars for a few songs. The fact that he could play that stuff the way he did was mindblowing as is. The fact that he could sing while playing that stuff did blow my mind. I had to get a new brain. Surf
David Gilmour - Comfortably Numb Kirk Hammet - Fade to Black Joe Satriani - always with me, always with you(he has many good ones, this one came to mind)
This is not really a solo like the rest, and I doubt many people have heard it. The instrumental "Fine Jung Thing" by Michael Bloomfield off the soundtrack of the movie "The Trip".
Not to mention he played with Santana when he was 15!! Neal Schon is baad.... and yes Lindsey Buckingham is a bad ass when it comes to his fingerstlye playing!!
Guys, Neal Schon is the real deal. Someone described his 'licks' as being cliche. That's because of the framework that he has to work within. A power balad band. Check out some of the old Santana video's and you'll see Neal at age 15 doing a great deal of the solo work. IMO, Neal has some of the best phrasing in his solos that I've heard. I'm sure seeing him play live would change anyone's mind about him being a whimpy power balad artist. He's done several side projects, including some with Sammy Hagar and John Waits of the Baby's. Just a little more background on ole Neal for those who were asking. And no, I'm not the president of his fan club...........just a member Back to the topic: Fav guitar solos....... Eruption -EVH Voodo Chile (whole damn song) - SRV Hotel California (this is what I mean by phrasing) Beat It - King of Pop......w/EVH Hey Joe - Henrix I could go on and on....but why bore everyone?
Greatest solo ever recorded (IMHO) would have to be Hendrix on the Band of Gypsys Album (CD). It was a live performance recorded on New Year's Eve 1969-70. The song is Machine Gun. Lenny Kravitz said it best, "After listening to Jimi's solo in Machine Gun on Band of Gypsy's, I have to take a nap." George Benson is another great soloist. "Breezin" is an instrumental by Benson, where he flexes some of his muscle. Give it a listen.
