# Favorite guitar solos **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 12, 2004, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/249941 "2004-06-12T05:12:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2004, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/249941/21 "2004-06-12T22:25:33Z")
**Jack White** is an amazing guitar talent. I never thought so when I first heard the White Stripes, because he plays a lot of simple chords in a lot of songs. Listen to ‘Little Red Shoes’ from the new Loretta Lynn Album. The whole song is Loretta talking while White plays a solo guitar. Very cool. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2004, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/249941/22 "2004-06-12T22:31:51Z")
Speaking of Jack White… Did anyone see this year’s Grammy awards? He did a medly of “Seven Nation Army” segueing into “Death Letter”, and he just blew the roof off the dump. Some pretty good solos in that one, too. ---
**Author:** ![ColonelDax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@ColonelDax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ColonelDax)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2004, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/249941/23 "2004-06-13T19:34:55Z")
Eric Clapton on the Yardbirds’ “A Certain Girl.” Further on Television, I’ll single out the incendiary second solo on “Ain’t That Nothin’” from the double-CD live set issued as _The Blow Up_, but really the whole thing is essential listening for anyone who’s into loud, raucous guitar bands, as Television was much more abrasive and less arty live than in the studio, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2004, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/249941/24 "2004-06-14T02:20:30Z")
Steve Hackett in the live version of “Firth of Fifth” from Genesis’ _Seconds Out_ album. Frank Zappa’s “Watermelon In Easter Hay” from _Joe’s Garage_. Ditto Steve Howe’s solo at the end of “Starship Trooper”. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2004, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/249941/25 "2004-06-14T03:00:14Z")
Just about anything by Duane Allman – there are moments of breathtaking guitar throughout his career but especially on “Whipping Post,” “Layla” (that’s him at the forefront, not Clapton), “Mountain Jam” and anywhere you name. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2004, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/249941/26 "2004-06-14T03:26:24Z")
Bruce Cockburn’s solo in “if I Had a Rocket Launcher” is killer, and even better for being unexpected. Hendrix’s guitar washing through you from channel to channel in “All Along the Watchtower” may be the most powerful and sublime moment in rock. Jorma Kaukonen’s work for Jefferson Airplane was lyrical and gorgeous, and it’s hard to pick a particular solo. Almost anything on the _Volunteers_ album is wonderful, and “Wooden Ships” (very different from the CSN version) has some especially great work in it. The dueling guitars in Tears for Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” are impossible to copy via air guitar, but are sure fun to try. Gary Sanford’s frenzied solo on Joe Jackson’s “Friday.” Phil Manzanera, the lead guitarist for Roxy Music, may be the most underrated lead in rock. The notes blasting open “More Than This” on _Avalon_ could be the greatest album opener of all time. And listen to his symphonic guitars on, say, “My Only Love.” Carlos Santana. “Black Magic Woman.” Or “Everything’s Coming Our Way.” Or… Lindsey Buckingham. “Rhiannon.” ---
**Author:** ![brianjedi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@brianjedi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brianjedi)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2004, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/249941/27 "2004-06-14T04:00:49Z")
Kirk Hammett’s solos in “Fade to Black,” “Master of Puppets” and “One.” Not sure if it counts, but Stevie Ray Vaughan’s cover of “Little Wing.” Not a common choice, but Skynyrd’s “Simple Man” has a nice solo. ---
**Author:** ![if6was9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e47c2d/32.png) [@if6was9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/if6was9)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2004, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/249941/28 "2004-06-14T04:06:15Z")
Jimi - _Machine Gun_ - the one on Band Of Gypsies, New Year’s Eve 1969-70. My fav Hendrix song of ALL TIME Jimi - _Voodoo Chile_ - NOT Slight Return… altho I love that too… Jimi and “Little Stevie” 🙂 back and forth on guitar and Hammond B3, gives me goose bumps! Plus that’s the first song I EVER “jammed” with, I’ll NEVER forget it! Jimi - _Still Raining, Still Dreaming_ - At the same time… Wah-Wah 101, 202, 303, 404, 505, … 😃 Jimi wrote the damn book! Pete Townsend - _Love Ain’t For Keepin’_ - that wonderful acoustic lead (and the whole damn song.) 🙂 Eddie - _Eruption_ - nuff said… Clapton - _Crossroads_ - with Cream. A classic. Jimmy Page - _I Can’t Quit You Babe_ - he plays things that just don’t even belong in that chord structure, and THEY STILL WORK! Just amazing, out-of-the-box playing! For my money, Page is the best pure blues player of all. Gotta give props to Frampton, _Do You Feel Like We Do?_ Blind Willie Johnson - _God Moves On The Water_ - Amazing acoustic slide-piece. Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) - _Cheap Sunglasses_ - Billy has such a nasty, gnarly sound. I love it. Alex Lifeson (Rush) - _2112_ - Just SOOO many interesting parts in that! A masterpiece! many others I’ve left out… MANY others. ---
**Author:** ![if6was9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e47c2d/32.png) [@if6was9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/if6was9)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2004, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/249941/29 "2004-06-14T04:14:51Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > 1983… (A Merman I Should Turn to Be). NOW I read this thread! Great song **Marley**! And also _Dogs_, by Pink Floyd. I used to be able to play that… ---
**Author:** ![if6was9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e47c2d/32.png) [@if6was9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/if6was9)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2004, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/249941/30 "2004-06-14T04:21:03Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > Paul McCartney on the Beatles’ “Taxman.” Yes, it was Paul, and it used to drive George nuts when people would tell him that was their favorite guitar solo ever. No way that was Paul!!! Really??? Hee hee! Cool! Great solo! ---
**Author:** ![if6was9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e47c2d/32.png) [@if6was9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/if6was9)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2004, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/249941/31 "2004-06-14T04:25:57Z")
Last post… :o I forgot Neil Young’s one note solo from _Cinnamon Girl_. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2004, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/249941/32 "2004-06-14T04:26:56Z")
**Frank Zappa** ’s guitar work in **Son of Mr. Green Genes** (off of _Hot Rats_) is beyond reproach. Other Zappa songs come to mind: \ ---
**Author:** ![Ilsa\_Lund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a6a055/32.png) [@Ilsa\_Lund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ilsa_Lund)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2004, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/249941/33 "2004-06-14T04:30:38Z")
John Petrucci on _Once In A Livetime_. ---
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2004, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/249941/34 "2004-06-14T04:34:17Z")
> [@if6was9](#): > > _Dogs_, by Pink Floyd. I used to be able to play that… _shiver_… David Gilmour- _Shine on You Crazy Diamond_. Kirk Hammet- _Sanitarium_ Carlos Santana-_Europa_ Jimmy Page- _Battle of Evermore_ Mark Knopfler- _Brothers in Arms_ ---
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2004, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/249941/35 "2004-06-14T04:40:21Z")
CRUD!! um. Almost forgot: George Thorogood- _One Burboun, One Scotch, One Beer_. GREAT song, _incredible_ solo. ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Clanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2004, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/249941/36 "2004-06-14T10:32:57Z")
> [@1920s Style "Death Ray"](#): > > I love all of the guitar solos on **Dogs** by **Pink Floyd**. A lot of it is very nasty and angular but then there are some soaring duet parts as well, all good stuff. Ye-Har! I thought I was the only fan of this song. The solos are all way edgier than anything off DSoTM or WYWH and can’t think of any other tune where Mr Gilmore plays harmony parts (there’s one phrase in Shine On) and it finishes with a squeal of feedback, I guess he was playing loud? I’ve not read all the posts yet but in case it hasn’t come up, Frank Zappa’s **Watermelon in Easter Hay** off Joe’s Garage. It’s just possible that for once Frank didn’t have his tounge in his cheek. **Ship Ahoy** is cute too. Any one mentioned Steve Vai’s **For the Love of God** yet? They have now. ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Clanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2004, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/249941/37 "2004-06-14T10:44:13Z")
> [@if6was9](#): > > . . ._Dogs_, by Pink Floyd. I used to be able to play that… Still can 🙂 cute chord sequence. What happened **if6** lose your guitar? How about Hendrix stuff? And thanks for bringing up **Love ain’t for Keeping** I like that too but I wouldn’t have thought of listing it as a solo. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2004, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/249941/38 "2004-06-14T12:11:10Z")
I’ve got two that stand out. Neither of which are that awesome but there ya go. Jeff Beck/Yardbirds - Mister You’re a Better Man than I Muddy Waters/Johnny Winter - Manish Boy (the Blue Sky label Hard Again albumn) 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2004, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/249941/39 "2004-06-14T13:08:23Z")
> [@Small Clanger](#): > > can’t think of any other tune where Mr Gilmore plays harmony parts (there’s one phrase in Shine On) and it finishes with a squeal of feedback, I guess he was playing loud? I believe he always plays loud :). There is a song on David Gilmour’s first (self titled) solo album called So Far Away (I think), it has a solo with harmonies quite similar to those on Dogs, played over much the same chord structure as the chorus of Comfortably Numb. I used to be able to play the solos from Dogs as well, I always wanted a Boss Delay/Harmonizer so I could do the harmonies by myself. ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Clanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2004, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/249941/40 "2004-06-14T13:36:11Z")
> [@1920s Style "Death Ray"](#): > > I used to be able to play the solos from Dogs as well, I always wanted a Boss Delay/Harmonizer so I could do the harmonies by myself. Cor Blimey **Ray** you another ex-guitarist? C’mon you can still do the outro from **Sheep** yes? I once had a harmoniser (IIRC actually a vocal processor called the Vocalist) which could do diatonic harmonies. It could make you sound like tracked-up Brain May (not so hot on Thin Lizzy type harmonies). I don’t think it would have worked for Dogs because of the modulations in the chords, you’d have to keep dialling in different keys. I have that David Gil **mour** album somewhere, thanks for the reminder I’ll dig it out tonight. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/249941.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/249941.md?page=3)