As guitar solos seem to be a dying art form as of late, I thought I'd do my part to reinvigorate interest in the craft by enumerating for my readers my six all time favorite guitar solos captured on recording. Now remember, these are my favorites. They are not necessarily the most important or creative or skillfully executed. They are merely my favorties. You'll find no Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai or Eddie Van Halen on this list. Here goes:
7. Song: Just/ Band: Radiohead/ Guitarist: Johnny Greenwood
This is a guitar solo which begins with feedback rather than ends with feedback. A creative little twist. While this solo is not too long, it is perfectly executed and compliments the song. It just rocks, that's all.
6. Song: Umass/ Band: Pixies/ Guitarist: Joey Santiago
This solo sounds like a freightrain full of scrap metal crashing through a garbage truck factory.
5. Song: Voodoo Chile/ Artist: Jimi Hendrix
The Picasso of electric guitar's finest moment?
4. Song: When I Go/ Band: Over The Rhine/ Guitarist: Paul Moak
The solo comes in about 5:20 into this live recording of OTR's "When I Go". Moak is not even really in teh band. he's merely a hired hand, but this solo is one of the greatest I've ever heard. It is visceral and muscular and I love that you can hear the buzz of the amp and the screech of the strings. It ends in a sputtering of feedback. Nearly Perfect in every way.
3. Song: Groaning the Blues/ Artist: Eric Clapton
This solo is on the last track of Clapton's from the cradle. Clapton has always been a minimalist with respect to guitar work and this solo is no exception. He mostly just plays one string. One sustained bending note that can bring you to tears. You must check it out. It makes me want to give him a hug.
2. Song: Sympathy for the Devil/ Band: The Rolling Stones/ Guitarist: Keith Richards
This is what rock and roll is suppose to sound like. Wow.
1. Song: Love is Blindness/ Band: U2/ Guitarist: The Edge
Some guitars gently weep. On this track, the Edge's guitar swallows a bottle full of perscription pills and slides down into the bath tub in despair. This is what a breaking heart sounds like. I challenge you to find another sound as expressive as this one in the entire vocabulary of modern electric guitar work.
If you've got a comment or a favorite or two of your own, be sure to comment here. I'd love to hear what you think.
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7 comments:
Marty McFly at the prom.
What? No Adam Again from the Dig album? I guess only five can fit in a top five list.
Yeah but this is a top seven list.
Oh gosh. oops
the guitar work in alec eiffel by the pixies is also awe inspiring. That is the only time I ever picture myself in a band. When I here alec eiffel, I picture myself beside Frank Black, ripping that out and people staring in awe....
I know it! there are so many excellent guitar moments in the Pixies catalog, it is hard to choose a favorite. Some day I'd like to be in an all Pixies cover band. I couldn't be the singer though. I can't scream like Frank Black. Talk about a voice for Rock and Roll!
In my opinion, Pixies are the greatest band since the beatles.
and Creed. Creed rawks. "Can you take me high-ah?! To a place where blind men see?!" Scott Stapp forever.
speaking of pixies: what about the 1/2 sec. guitar rip in "all over the world?"
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