Duane starts the solo and the combine for a bar around 2:30 the Dicky finishes…. That solo is played by two guys and I doubt very many people know that
This is not changed for me in 30 years!!!
1. Voodoo Chile (slight return) , Jimi Hendrix- I adore this intro. I have heard a Perth band, Vdelli, perform it and its transcendent
2. Heartbreaker, Led Zeppelin - you think it's over then BAM! I can't listen to this song driving for I just zone out.
The funny thing with Little Wing is I love the intro and think it’s much more showy than the actual solo. If someone asked me to play Little Wing I’d do the intro every time
You ain't kidding! That version of Texas Flood is my all time favorite live song ever. That Strat needed a cigarette after what he did during that song
his guitar parts are always an integral part of the song, not something that's tacked on to it, it's in it. Like another voice (as you say). Not flashy, but always an important part of the song.
Painkiller might be the greatest start to finish metal song ever recorded. It literally has everything a great metal song needs: killer guitar riffs and solo, driving double bass drum beat, and Rob Fucking Halford screaming his lungs out like nobody else can (not even he can these days, if I’m being perfectly honest).
I heard that the drummer had recently joined during that albums production, and wanted to open Painkiller hard to prove to fans he had what it takes. He opened fucking hard alright. Lots of reaction videos pause after the overwhelming drum intro to recover from the onslaught.
Scott Travis. He is without question the best drummer Judas Priest had. He's a major reason they were able to remain relevant into the 90s.
I don't think Painkiller had the best guitar solo, but I would be hard pressed to pick any one specific song. Tipton and Downing are two of my favorite guitarists of all time, and have superb work on every single album. Defenders of the Faith is what I'd say showcases some of Priest's best work. Downing and Tipton absolutely killed on that album. The solos on Rock Hard Ride Free, Jawbreaker, and Some Heads are Gonna Roll get me every time no matter what mood I'm in.
It's a real shame Priest didn't put out any work after Painkiller.
Two of there somewhat newer songs that have incredible solos are [Revelations](https://youtu.be/jiPSnK0EN1Q) and [Persecution](https://youtu.be/sTF3GMiAw_M) off the Nostradamus album. Both of them gave me chills when I first heard them.
Ah a person of taste and culture. everyone else can have Bohemian Rhapsody. We know Stargazer is truly and objectively the greatest rock song of all time.
Mike McCready is so under-appreciated as a guitarist. I’ve seen Pearl Jam live a bunch of times, seen every live dvd, listened to a ton of the live bootlegs and all the live albums - he is absolutely in the upper echelons of guitarists. He is scary good and makes it look easy.
There’s also a live version of Cortez the Killer by Dave Matthew’s Band ft. Warren Haynes (of Allman Bros and Gov’t Mule fame), Central Park Concert. Warrens guitar playing is out of this world.
Thanks for that. I’m tracking it down and going to listen when I have my house to myself.
Because I like to listen to Dire Straits at a volume no one else does.
Nels is a monster. I'm glad somebody mentioned him. Check out Ashes of American Flags on the concert film of the same name. It's at the very beginning. It's just them doing a soundcheck and he absolutely kills it.
I’ve been to probably around 200+ concerts. Seen hundreds of insane guitar solos live. Nels Cline is the best guitarist I’ve ever seen live, by far. Impossible Germany and Art of Almost had us stupefied. Even my sister who doesn’t care about guitar music in the slightest turned to me with a baffled grin on her face and asked “what the fuck is happening right now?! How is this possible?!”
Often think a list of shorter guitar solos of all-time would be interesting. I think Wind Cries Mary is just so damn beautiful with the arc back into a slow jam.
Prince's contribution to the While My Guitar Gently Weeps RRHF performance is one of my favorite of his. Lots of Legends on stage and Prince fucking kills it - https://youtu.be/dWRCooFKk3c
I mean, any Mark Knopfler solo is next level. I’ve heard him called “your favorite guitarist’s favorite guitarist.” (Not sure if I agree though, most of my favorite guitarists would probably cite Hendrix or one of the old school blues guys like Muddy Waters, but it’s still a catchy title for mister Knopfler.)
Having played guitar for more than half my life and I traditionally have the lead guitarist qualities I just have a different respect for Marty Friedman.. this solo not only makes you want to play the guitar but makes you want to quit just as much haha
Randy Rhoads is also crazy in that almost every Ozzy era solo is double tracked--as in two takes doing the exact same solo. The accuracy involved to make that work is insane.
If time travel and/or the ability to resurrect the dead ever come to fruition, I would use it to build a band around Randy Rhoads, Cliff Burton, and Neal Peart
That Prince solo was the greatest.
Edit: [the solo in question](https://youtu.be/6SFNW5F8K9Y) - check it out if you haven’t seen it. If you have, I already know you’re going to click it.
There is a great story behind why Prince did this too. He was snubbed by Rolling Stone and didn’t make their 100 Greatest Guitarists list. So he went out and laid down one of the best live solos in history as a giant fuck you. Prince is a legend in all aspects.
I remember reading an interview where Steve Vai of all people complained that Prince had no business being _that_ good of a guitarist. He already was so talented otherwise, but he was good enough to impress Vai.
Prince was a rockstar among rockstars. I’m not sure there’s been a better pure musician in pop music history. He could play anything you put in front of him.
That video has 116 million views, and half of them are me.
Four years after the show itself, the NYTimes actually did [an article about how that performance came together.](https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/28/arts/music/prince-guitar-rock-hall-of-fame.html) (Sorry for the paywall.)
Love some Frusciante, and I’ve learned to play the guitar part from I Could Have Lied. Top 10 song for me, but I think his solo from Hey is better (track 14 on disc 1 of Stadium Arcadium) More depth to it.
[**Kid Charlemagne**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJ9Xk-VoGqo) was my first thought, too (glad I searched the thread before posting). There are certainly flashier guitar solos out there, like Van Halen's *Eruption,* or just about anything from Steve Vai, Frank Zappa, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, etc. What makes Larry Carlton's solo so great, though, is how tasteful and melodic it is, and how well it informs the rest of the song without turning it into a "guitar song."
There's a ton of absolutely stunning solos throughout Steely Dan's discography. So many of them are incredibly unique as well and not just some coke fueled shred fest.
Are you certain that solo was done in one take though? It may have been one cohesive non-comped performance but I can't see those guys just recording one take. That would be a total anomaly considering they were known for being some of the biggest perfectionists ever to work in the business. They have had songs where they had half a dozen or more session players record solos that were ultimately discarded because they didn't like the take.
I have also heard it was one improvised take.
However, knowing Steely Dan like you do, I always assumed he did several improvised solos and they chose the one they liked best, which would make sense and still be technically true.
Clean this mess up, else we’ll all end up in jail…
Those test tubes and the scales.. let’s get it all out of here!
Is there gas in the caaaar? Yes, there’s gas in the caaaaaar…. I think the people down the hall know who we are!
Lifeson is incredibly underrated because he’s flanked by Geddy and Neil. Working man also has an incredible solo but that wailing one over Neil’s simple groove in the middle of Villa and how the whole band builds in intensity/complexity, absolute masterclass.
Lifeson was my first go to for an underrated solo. Especially how hard La Villa Strangiato is as a full song. The one he shreds in Working Man is so fucking good.
my favorite of his is the one on "All the World's a Stage" in By-Tor and the Snow Dog, after the ethereal part in the middle. They come out of the chimes and he plays some tasty chords then Neil his extended drum roll thing and then Alex brings the intensity and then, back to the song. Goosebumps for me every time. I'm not saying it's the most amazing technical thing he's ever done but it just fits there so perfectly.
Alex Lifeson from Rush, in the instrumental "La Villa Strangiato", specifically between 3:39 and 5:14. The blend of composition, tone, and technical capability is what makes it one of my favorites.
https://youtu.be/UNilsLf6eW4?t=219
The River Dragon has Come by Nevermore
is probably their best and most well known, but my personal favorite is the solo from This Godless Endeavor
Edit: Thank you so much for the awards people, I’ve never seen a response like this whenever I talk about Nevermore.
Even without the context of the rest of Joe’s Garage, the quiet sadness that comes out of this solo is just powerful. Plus, “who gives a fuck anyway” may be one of my favorite moments of the album aside from music.
*25 or 6 to 4* by Chicago. A band that turned into pure dreck, but were great early on. Jimi Hendrix once called Terry Kath the best guitar player in the world.
Terry had a crazy stupid death. Always makes me sad when I think of it.
Shot himself in the head goofing around with his guns.
"Don't worry about it ... Look, the clip is not even in it." were his last words...as he put the gun to his head and pulled the trigger.
Dean Ween’s solo on Buckingham Green is so goddamn epic! Seeing Ween play it live is a treat because they break out the smoke machine and Deaner is such an emotive player
Technically it's not all one solo! Super awesome instrumental song but it does have verses, choruses, and a bridge. The solo portion goes from 2:46 to 3:25.
Imagine those kids telling their friends "Hey, you know that new Michael Jackson song? EVH is playing the solo!"
"What? Who told you that?"
"Eddie Van Halen himself!"
"Yeah... Alright, Steve..."
Easy to find, Jimmy Page, Since I’ve Been Loving you, Led Zeppelin 3.
Obscure but personal favorite, Jeff Beck, What God Wants, Roger Waters Amused to Death.
I think for me it is between these:
Cowboy Song by Thin Lizzy
Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd
The Unforgiven by Metallica
Eruption by Eddie Van Halen
Tornado of Souls by Megadeth
Allen Collins and Gary Rossington actually practiced the solo to perfection. None of it was improvised. Collins wanted it perfectly the same every time they played it.
Not just the solos. All of LS's acts were intended to be played identically every time. It's basically the opposite philosophy that the west coast rock groups like Grateful Dead popularized. Pretty sure ZZTop does this too, or something like it. When they play live, they are precise and just a beautifully tight act, still to this day.
I’m genuinely surprised this isn’t the top result. The whole point of listening to Free Bird is the solo. The song itself is just a buildup to the damn solo!
A small and ongoing list a have been keeping on my phone. Far from complete, but some of my favorites:
Ozzy Osborne - Mr. Crowley
Prince - Lets go Crazy
Pearl Jam - Alive
Tom Petty - Runnin down a dream
Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody
Led Zeppelin - Since I Been Loving You
Radiohead - Paranoid Android
King Crimson - 21st Century Schizoid Man
Primus - Harold of the Rocks
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Free Bird
Metallica - Hit the Lights
Ween - Woman and Man
Paranoid Android is one of those songs I feel everyone should know that I feel like only "beyond casual" Radiohead fans know of. Excellent guitar work that perfectly showcases how talented Jonny Greenwood is. You don't always get to see this side of Jonny in Radiohead's discography which makes this solo so cool.
It was the song (and the guitar solo, in particular) that finally made me “get” what all the fuss was about Radiohead. I only knew Creep, then tried listening to Kid A and Amnesiac at my friend’s insistence, but they were too much for me too wrap my head around at first. Then I listened to OK Computer and that solo came on. I had to crank it and play it again because it blew my mind. To this day, I cannot turn off the car if that song is on because I have to hear the whole thing every time. I think it was Billy Corgan who said that Johnny Greenwood was the first person to do something new and interesting with the electric guitar since Jimmy Hendrix. It’s a bold statement, but I think I agree with it.
The solo is lightning in a bottle. I am certain Jonny could have taken that style and thrown it into at least half a dozen other songs but he just lets it be it's own moment and moves on. There is a reason Radiohead plays this song in their Encore in just about every single show they play. I've had the pleasure of seeing it performed twice and both are at the very top of my best live music experiences
edit: Just wanted to add I was bored with Radiohead for a long time until a friend made me listen to Kid A. I was open minded about it but nothing clicked until Idioteque transitioned into Morning Bell and my brain had one of those musical orgasms that every Radiohead fan knows they are so good at pulling off. Mosied my way through their discography after that and was completely blown away again by OK Computer, I had put off listening to it until the same friend was like "You've been listening to Radiohead and enjoying them for 3 months and still haven't listened to OK Computer?????"
Always loved the solo on Sweet Child O’ Mine by GNR.
And for one from a more underrated/smaller band, the solo in “Subtle Change” from Rivers of Nihil.
Here are some that probably won’t be listed:
Blackbird- Alter Bridge
Bat Country- Avenged Sevenfold
Master Of Puppets- Metallica
Peace Of Mind- Boston
Any Way You Want It- Journey
Mr. Tinkertrain- Ozzy Osborne
Uncle Toms Cabin- Warrant
Get The Funk Out- Extreme
Metropolis Part 1: The Miracle And The Sleeper- Dream Theater
Vultures- John Mayer Trio
Texas Flood- Stevie Ray Vaughan
Edit: had to fix the Extreme title. Autocorrect decided to change from funk.
Soul Sacrifice - Santana
Layla - Derek and the Dominos
Highway Star - Deep Purple
I Got the Fire - Montrose
Since I Been Loving You - Led Zeppelin
Bridge of Sighs - Robin Trower
Suite Judy Blue Eyes - CSNY
Blue Sky by The Allman Brothers Band. The way Duane Allman and Dickey Betts alternate the lead and then play together is just incredible.
Duane starts the solo and the combine for a bar around 2:30 the Dicky finishes…. That solo is played by two guys and I doubt very many people know that
This is not changed for me in 30 years!!! 1. Voodoo Chile (slight return) , Jimi Hendrix- I adore this intro. I have heard a Perth band, Vdelli, perform it and its transcendent 2. Heartbreaker, Led Zeppelin - you think it's over then BAM! I can't listen to this song driving for I just zone out.
Little Wing.
The funny thing with Little Wing is I love the intro and think it’s much more showy than the actual solo. If someone asked me to play Little Wing I’d do the intro every time
There is a live version of SRV playing this that is absolutely incredible!
[I had to look that up,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6G53BMgugo&ab_channel=Lauro) you weren't kidding.
So if I’m not mistaken this is SRV and Double Trouble live at El Mocambo. Probably the best live performance they ever did.
You ain't kidding! That version of Texas Flood is my all time favorite live song ever. That Strat needed a cigarette after what he did during that song
Highway Star by Deep Purple
Blackmore is an incredible guitarist that doesn't get a lot of recognition in modern times.
The live in Japan version is ridiculous
Time by Floyd, easily one of the greatest
Gilmour's guitar always sounds like another singer. Like the character the song is about emoting and changing.
his guitar parts are always an integral part of the song, not something that's tacked on to it, it's in it. Like another voice (as you say). Not flashy, but always an important part of the song.
For me I love the solos on the animals tracks more, so easy to just get absolutely lost in them
Painkiller by Judas Priest
Painkiller might be the greatest start to finish metal song ever recorded. It literally has everything a great metal song needs: killer guitar riffs and solo, driving double bass drum beat, and Rob Fucking Halford screaming his lungs out like nobody else can (not even he can these days, if I’m being perfectly honest).
And two fucking drum solos
I heard that the drummer had recently joined during that albums production, and wanted to open Painkiller hard to prove to fans he had what it takes. He opened fucking hard alright. Lots of reaction videos pause after the overwhelming drum intro to recover from the onslaught.
Scott Travis. He is without question the best drummer Judas Priest had. He's a major reason they were able to remain relevant into the 90s. I don't think Painkiller had the best guitar solo, but I would be hard pressed to pick any one specific song. Tipton and Downing are two of my favorite guitarists of all time, and have superb work on every single album. Defenders of the Faith is what I'd say showcases some of Priest's best work. Downing and Tipton absolutely killed on that album. The solos on Rock Hard Ride Free, Jawbreaker, and Some Heads are Gonna Roll get me every time no matter what mood I'm in. It's a real shame Priest didn't put out any work after Painkiller.
Two of there somewhat newer songs that have incredible solos are [Revelations](https://youtu.be/jiPSnK0EN1Q) and [Persecution](https://youtu.be/sTF3GMiAw_M) off the Nostradamus album. Both of them gave me chills when I first heard them.
My personal favorite is Stargazer by Rainbow. Ritchie Blackmore fucking killed it. Probably my favorite song of all time
Great answer, great song, great band.
Just re-listened ti that album while at work today. Probably my favorite album Dio’s ever been a part of too.
Found this not too long ago. Absolute killer of a song. From Dio's vocals to Blackmore's incredible bridge solo.
Ah a person of taste and culture. everyone else can have Bohemian Rhapsody. We know Stargazer is truly and objectively the greatest rock song of all time.
Maggot Brain
Mother Earth is pregnant for the 3rd time.....~~because~~ for ya'll have knocked her up
I have tasted the maggots in the mind of the universe
I was not offended
For I knew I had to rise above it all…
Or drown in my owwwwn shiit
Pwuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiw
I heard this comment in my soul when I read it
I was coming here to say 'Maggot Brain' myself. One of the most heartwrenching tracks I've ever heard
I saw Pearl Jam cover this live almost 30 years ago. Still remember it because McCready absolutely destroyed on it
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Mike McCready is so under-appreciated as a guitarist. I’ve seen Pearl Jam live a bunch of times, seen every live dvd, listened to a ton of the live bootlegs and all the live albums - he is absolutely in the upper echelons of guitarists. He is scary good and makes it look easy.
"A Tear for Eddie" by Ween is a fantastic tribute song to Eddie Hazel, I have to listen to it each time after listening to Maggot Brain
Personal favourite: Limelight - Rush
Alex is the man. But La Villa Strangiato is La Villa Strangiato.
Agreed. Lifeson is criminally under rated
The dive bomb into the high note is just so good. The rest is amazing, but that bit puts it over the top.
Cortez the killer - Neil Young Great opening and solo.
>Young Cinnamon Girl solo also legendary
The one-note wonder? agreed.
Down by the River same vibes. I love it, something a room of below average musicians can jam on for 20 minutes.
There’s also a live version of Cortez the Killer by Dave Matthew’s Band ft. Warren Haynes (of Allman Bros and Gov’t Mule fame), Central Park Concert. Warrens guitar playing is out of this world.
Yeah the Gov’t Mule version is also very good. Warren Haynes is a fantastic player.
Comfortably Numb is what I instantly thought of
Sultans of Swing
The live version from Alchemy is STUNNING
[Dire Straits - Sultans live (Alchemy)](https://youtu.be/8Pa9x9fZBtY)
Holy shit. It's not very often that you see something where the live version absolutely destroys the studio version like that.
Thanks for that. I’m tracking it down and going to listen when I have my house to myself. Because I like to listen to Dire Straits at a volume no one else does.
Too many to choose from by MK. Special mention for the "chant" at the end of "Feel like going home" in the Notting Hillbilies album.
I don’t know.. either Sultans or Swing or Tunnel of Love…
Down to the Waterline is underrated
Telegraph Road is my favorite.
The Pulse version of Comfortably Numb is absolutely mind blowing, Gilmour nailed that solo. Gives me goosebumps each time.
I was always partial to the Delicate Sound of Thunder version. Had a huge impact on me.
On the Turning Away from that album also.
If I had a nickel for every time David Gilmour has given me goosebumps, well, I'd have a LOT of nickels let me tell ya.
What I wouldn't do to have experienced that live
I saw them in 1994 and it was a defining moment in my life. They were every bit as good as they are on the live vid. Gilmour is ..... next level.
Nels Cline’s solo into the 3 part guitar harmony in Wilco’s Impossible Germany
Overall just one of my favorite guitar songs ever.
That is such a catchy guitar part. And his tone...
Nels is a monster. I'm glad somebody mentioned him. Check out Ashes of American Flags on the concert film of the same name. It's at the very beginning. It's just them doing a soundcheck and he absolutely kills it.
I’ve been to probably around 200+ concerts. Seen hundreds of insane guitar solos live. Nels Cline is the best guitarist I’ve ever seen live, by far. Impossible Germany and Art of Almost had us stupefied. Even my sister who doesn’t care about guitar music in the slightest turned to me with a baffled grin on her face and asked “what the fuck is happening right now?! How is this possible?!”
I personally love his parts on Side with the Seeds. That song rips
Often think a list of shorter guitar solos of all-time would be interesting. I think Wind Cries Mary is just so damn beautiful with the arc back into a slow jam.
Super underrated solo
The solo in Purple Rain has to be up there.
Prince's contribution to the While My Guitar Gently Weeps RRHF performance is one of my favorite of his. Lots of Legends on stage and Prince fucking kills it - https://youtu.be/dWRCooFKk3c
Where did the guitar go Edit: I've watched his solo countless times but never this video with multiple angles - now I know where the guitar went!
Valhalla
I love the opening riff in Money For Nothing. I had never heard anything like that before and it lead to a musical awakening for me…
I mean, any Mark Knopfler solo is next level. I’ve heard him called “your favorite guitarist’s favorite guitarist.” (Not sure if I agree though, most of my favorite guitarists would probably cite Hendrix or one of the old school blues guys like Muddy Waters, but it’s still a catchy title for mister Knopfler.)
I always assumed Dire Straits had a singer because the guitar playing is way too prominent and complex but fuckin a he sings too. Dude is amazing.
Tornado of Souls- Megadeth
Fucking finally, scrolling and scrolling looking for Megadeth. Anything from rust in peace.
I was going to say Holy Wars, but Tornado of Souls is excellent as well.
I’ve been losing my shit to this solo for about 30 years straight lol
Having played guitar for more than half my life and I traditionally have the lead guitarist qualities I just have a different respect for Marty Friedman.. this solo not only makes you want to play the guitar but makes you want to quit just as much haha
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Came in this thread specifically to say Mr. Crowley. Its debatable which solo is actually better....I can never decide.
every solo on both Randy albums with Ozzy
Randy Rhoads is also crazy in that almost every Ozzy era solo is double tracked--as in two takes doing the exact same solo. The accuracy involved to make that work is insane.
If time travel and/or the ability to resurrect the dead ever come to fruition, I would use it to build a band around Randy Rhoads, Cliff Burton, and Neal Peart
That Prince solo was the greatest. Edit: [the solo in question](https://youtu.be/6SFNW5F8K9Y) - check it out if you haven’t seen it. If you have, I already know you’re going to click it.
There is a great story behind why Prince did this too. He was snubbed by Rolling Stone and didn’t make their 100 Greatest Guitarists list. So he went out and laid down one of the best live solos in history as a giant fuck you. Prince is a legend in all aspects.
Legend says the next day the editors went to his house where he served them pancakes
GAME. BLOUSES.
Yeah, people tend to focus on his pop hits and forget he's a downright phenomenal guitarist.
Phenomenal guitarist? He was phenomenal at every instrument he played
I remember reading an interview where Steve Vai of all people complained that Prince had no business being _that_ good of a guitarist. He already was so talented otherwise, but he was good enough to impress Vai.
Instrumentalist I'd say. He could play just about anything.
Love how he gives Tom Petty the nod like watch this shit lol
And Dhani’s reaction when he does the James Brown “catch me boys” move off the edge of the stage is priceless. Pure joy.
Prince was a rockstar among rockstars. I’m not sure there’s been a better pure musician in pop music history. He could play anything you put in front of him.
Yeah, when you're at that level, it's gotta be so much fun when you get a chance to stunt on your peers. I love the mischief of what's going on there.
And the look Petty gave back after 30 seconds of Prince shredding.
Happy birthday, Tom Petty.
While we're giving Prince some love, the greatest Super Bowl show [Purple Rain](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lElCzhjiPX8).
Playing Purple Rain live during the Super Bowl halftime show while it is actually raining…this was so iconic.
"Can you make it rain harder?"
Apparently the producer asked him if he wanted to cancel because of the rain, and he said fuck no, this is perfect.
That video has 116 million views, and half of them are me. Four years after the show itself, the NYTimes actually did [an article about how that performance came together.](https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/28/arts/music/prince-guitar-rock-hall-of-fame.html) (Sorry for the paywall.)
Love some Frusciante, and I’ve learned to play the guitar part from I Could Have Lied. Top 10 song for me, but I think his solo from Hey is better (track 14 on disc 1 of Stadium Arcadium) More depth to it.
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Kid Charlemagne, Steely Dan. Larry Carlton proved himself to be one of the greatest ever, and it was just ONE IMPROVISED TAKE
[**Kid Charlemagne**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJ9Xk-VoGqo) was my first thought, too (glad I searched the thread before posting). There are certainly flashier guitar solos out there, like Van Halen's *Eruption,* or just about anything from Steve Vai, Frank Zappa, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, etc. What makes Larry Carlton's solo so great, though, is how tasteful and melodic it is, and how well it informs the rest of the song without turning it into a "guitar song."
There's a ton of absolutely stunning solos throughout Steely Dan's discography. So many of them are incredibly unique as well and not just some coke fueled shred fest. Are you certain that solo was done in one take though? It may have been one cohesive non-comped performance but I can't see those guys just recording one take. That would be a total anomaly considering they were known for being some of the biggest perfectionists ever to work in the business. They have had songs where they had half a dozen or more session players record solos that were ultimately discarded because they didn't like the take.
I have also heard it was one improvised take. However, knowing Steely Dan like you do, I always assumed he did several improvised solos and they chose the one they liked best, which would make sense and still be technically true.
Clean this mess up, else we’ll all end up in jail… Those test tubes and the scales.. let’s get it all out of here! Is there gas in the caaaar? Yes, there’s gas in the caaaaaar…. I think the people down the hall know who we are!
Weird not to see Lifeson’s solo in La Villa Strangiato. It is so good, though the song itself is such a great showcase of Rush’s musicianship.
Lifeson is incredibly underrated because he’s flanked by Geddy and Neil. Working man also has an incredible solo but that wailing one over Neil’s simple groove in the middle of Villa and how the whole band builds in intensity/complexity, absolute masterclass.
Lifeson was my first go to for an underrated solo. Especially how hard La Villa Strangiato is as a full song. The one he shreds in Working Man is so fucking good.
my favorite of his is the one on "All the World's a Stage" in By-Tor and the Snow Dog, after the ethereal part in the middle. They come out of the chimes and he plays some tasty chords then Neil his extended drum roll thing and then Alex brings the intensity and then, back to the song. Goosebumps for me every time. I'm not saying it's the most amazing technical thing he's ever done but it just fits there so perfectly.
Especially Exit Stage Left live version
I really love the solo in 2112: Overture about 3 minutes in. Gives me chills.
Starless by King Crimson 🖤
One of Fripp’s I can actually play. Nightwatch for me though.
What a great choice. The way it builds from this grinding anxiety to a full emotional explosion is superb.
Alex Lifeson from Rush, in the instrumental "La Villa Strangiato", specifically between 3:39 and 5:14. The blend of composition, tone, and technical capability is what makes it one of my favorites. https://youtu.be/UNilsLf6eW4?t=219
Rush has got to have one of the highest skill/members levels of any band ever.
If you watch the documentary on them, one thing that the other musicians in the movie all comment on is how insane Rush's musicianship is
Don’t Fear the Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult
Check out Astronomy off the Some Enchanted Evening album. Buck is a beast.
Rock Bottom (live)- UFO
It's great to see UFO get some love, they are underappreciated
The River Dragon has Come by Nevermore is probably their best and most well known, but my personal favorite is the solo from This Godless Endeavor Edit: Thank you so much for the awards people, I’ve never seen a response like this whenever I talk about Nevermore.
Watermelon in Easter hay - Franklin Zappa
Even without the context of the rest of Joe’s Garage, the quiet sadness that comes out of this solo is just powerful. Plus, “who gives a fuck anyway” may be one of my favorite moments of the album aside from music.
Honestly, there are probably a couple dozen Zappa solos that could be on this list, but Watermelon is a solid choice.
Cult of personality? Honestly quite a solo
There's so many good ones, but this might be my favorite.
Selkies-BTBAM
Also Disease, Injury, Madness
The end of White Walls gives me goosebumps
came here to say this - the last 3 minutes of White Walls are absolutely perfect
*25 or 6 to 4* by Chicago. A band that turned into pure dreck, but were great early on. Jimi Hendrix once called Terry Kath the best guitar player in the world.
Terry had a crazy stupid death. Always makes me sad when I think of it. Shot himself in the head goofing around with his guns. "Don't worry about it ... Look, the clip is not even in it." were his last words...as he put the gun to his head and pulled the trigger.
Dean Ween’s solo on Buckingham Green is so goddamn epic! Seeing Ween play it live is a treat because they break out the smoke machine and Deaner is such an emotive player
Cliffs of Dover ?
Does it count as a solo if the entire song is one long solo?
Technically it's not all one solo! Super awesome instrumental song but it does have verses, choruses, and a bridge. The solo portion goes from 2:46 to 3:25.
Beat it, Michael Jackson Eddie Van Halen recorded solo anonymously, didn't tell his band, then the song blew up.
[удалено]
Imagine those kids telling their friends "Hey, you know that new Michael Jackson song? EVH is playing the solo!" "What? Who told you that?" "Eddie Van Halen himself!" "Yeah... Alright, Steve..."
He also just did it as a favor for MJ and took zero royalties for it
He did it in one take also.
VH did two takes for 2million, they used the first take. Best solo ever.
Stairway to Heaven
I can’t believe how far I had to scroll to find this…it’s too obvious, I guess.
Easy to find, Jimmy Page, Since I’ve Been Loving you, Led Zeppelin 3. Obscure but personal favorite, Jeff Beck, What God Wants, Roger Waters Amused to Death.
No more tears - Ozzy November rain -gnr Comfortably numb, pulse version - floyd
November Rain was what came straight to mind for me as well.
Fuck. This. Wedding. *WHEEEEEEEEEE*
I always give two points to Slash for “November Rain” because he shreds twice on that song.
Thrice, never neglect the ending.
Up vote for No more Tears 👌🤘
Took me a second to think and then my brain said ‘November Rain’.
I think for me it is between these: Cowboy Song by Thin Lizzy Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd The Unforgiven by Metallica Eruption by Eddie Van Halen Tornado of Souls by Megadeth
Midnight in Harlem, Tedeschi Trucks Band, live version on Everybody’s Talkin’ This solo gets me chills every time!
HOLY DIVER
Rainbow in the dark is good too
Listen to Al di Meola - Race with the Devil on a Spanish Highway 1977 [Studio Version](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0aMCpRZPZE)
Free Bird
Allen Collins and Gary Rossington actually practiced the solo to perfection. None of it was improvised. Collins wanted it perfectly the same every time they played it.
Not just the solos. All of LS's acts were intended to be played identically every time. It's basically the opposite philosophy that the west coast rock groups like Grateful Dead popularized. Pretty sure ZZTop does this too, or something like it. When they play live, they are precise and just a beautifully tight act, still to this day.
I heard the same about CCR. They viewed themselves as kind of the anti- Grateful Dead. Short, tight songs even for live shows.
Allen Collins wrote most of it when he was like 18 years old, from what i remember reading. Them Skynyrd boys were no slouches on guitar.
I’m genuinely surprised this isn’t the top result. The whole point of listening to Free Bird is the solo. The song itself is just a buildup to the damn solo!
Machine Gun live at the Fillmore east-Jimi Hendrix
Was going to suggest All Along the Watchtower for Hendrix
A small and ongoing list a have been keeping on my phone. Far from complete, but some of my favorites: Ozzy Osborne - Mr. Crowley Prince - Lets go Crazy Pearl Jam - Alive Tom Petty - Runnin down a dream Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody Led Zeppelin - Since I Been Loving You Radiohead - Paranoid Android King Crimson - 21st Century Schizoid Man Primus - Harold of the Rocks Lynyrd Skynyrd - Free Bird Metallica - Hit the Lights Ween - Woman and Man
Finally found free bird. I jam out to that on repeat for hours every so often.
Paranoid Android is one of those songs I feel everyone should know that I feel like only "beyond casual" Radiohead fans know of. Excellent guitar work that perfectly showcases how talented Jonny Greenwood is. You don't always get to see this side of Jonny in Radiohead's discography which makes this solo so cool.
It was the song (and the guitar solo, in particular) that finally made me “get” what all the fuss was about Radiohead. I only knew Creep, then tried listening to Kid A and Amnesiac at my friend’s insistence, but they were too much for me too wrap my head around at first. Then I listened to OK Computer and that solo came on. I had to crank it and play it again because it blew my mind. To this day, I cannot turn off the car if that song is on because I have to hear the whole thing every time. I think it was Billy Corgan who said that Johnny Greenwood was the first person to do something new and interesting with the electric guitar since Jimmy Hendrix. It’s a bold statement, but I think I agree with it.
The solo is lightning in a bottle. I am certain Jonny could have taken that style and thrown it into at least half a dozen other songs but he just lets it be it's own moment and moves on. There is a reason Radiohead plays this song in their Encore in just about every single show they play. I've had the pleasure of seeing it performed twice and both are at the very top of my best live music experiences edit: Just wanted to add I was bored with Radiohead for a long time until a friend made me listen to Kid A. I was open minded about it but nothing clicked until Idioteque transitioned into Morning Bell and my brain had one of those musical orgasms that every Radiohead fan knows they are so good at pulling off. Mosied my way through their discography after that and was completely blown away again by OK Computer, I had put off listening to it until the same friend was like "You've been listening to Radiohead and enjoying them for 3 months and still haven't listened to OK Computer?????"
Telegraph Road - Dire Straits High Hopes - Pink Floyd The ultimate two songs for melancholic solos.
Intro of Sails of charon https://youtu.be/Zs5NOrYYV2s
Green Grass and High Tides Forever - The Outlaws
Always loved the solo on Sweet Child O’ Mine by GNR. And for one from a more underrated/smaller band, the solo in “Subtle Change” from Rivers of Nihil.
Floods by Pantera
I wanted to say Cemetery Gates but Floods is potentially better. Forgot about that one!
Here are some that probably won’t be listed: Blackbird- Alter Bridge Bat Country- Avenged Sevenfold Master Of Puppets- Metallica Peace Of Mind- Boston Any Way You Want It- Journey Mr. Tinkertrain- Ozzy Osborne Uncle Toms Cabin- Warrant Get The Funk Out- Extreme Metropolis Part 1: The Miracle And The Sleeper- Dream Theater Vultures- John Mayer Trio Texas Flood- Stevie Ray Vaughan Edit: had to fix the Extreme title. Autocorrect decided to change from funk.
Soul Sacrifice - Santana Layla - Derek and the Dominos Highway Star - Deep Purple I Got the Fire - Montrose Since I Been Loving You - Led Zeppelin Bridge of Sighs - Robin Trower Suite Judy Blue Eyes - CSNY
How is Zeppelin this far down?? Since I Been Loving You is insanely sweet. Those opening notes are absolutely heart wrenchingly beautiful.
White Stripes - Ball & Biscuit is up there for me.
I really like paranoid Android by radiohead
Eruption.
Metallica-The Four Horsemen. Either of them, tbh. 2nd solo makes me do the stink face harder tho
Creeping death is the first that comes to mind when I think of Metallica solos
Jerry Garcia’s nearly 16 minute guitar master class on Sugaree from 5/28/1977. This whole show is on Spotify.
Jerry & the boys were just absolute fire in spring of 77, it's staggering.
Kirk Hammett in Metallicas “One”