# Favorite Guitar solos? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 1, 2001, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/84736 "2001-10-01T08:04:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![adizok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@adizok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adizok)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/84736/41 "2001-10-02T01:20:27Z")
J. Satriani’s ‘Live in San Francisco’ has some REALLY nice solos, Vai’s Melissa’s Garden is out of this earth, Django Reinhardt’s solos (if you’re into ‘40s swing), but if you need to shred you gotta (practice) start here: Jimi Hendrix’s Drivin’ South (from Radio One) ---
**Author:** ![Michele\_in\_SoCal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Michele\_in\_SoCal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michele_in_SoCal)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/84736/42 "2001-10-02T04:18:03Z")
I love Mark Knopfler agree with everyone who mentioned him and his many fanatastic performances (vocal as well as guitar). Another favorite is Joe Walsh. I especially like Rocky Mountain Way. ---
**Author:** ![Phlip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Phlip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlip)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/84736/43 "2001-10-02T05:28:49Z")
I think the short but sweet solo in Sevendusts “Bitch” is extremely tasteful. That is one of the few radio bands I can honsetly say I like. Them and Weezer. Both of those bands are so under-rated. If anyone wants to hear nearly unlistenable speedcore metal, check out anything off of Dilenger Escape Plans “Counting to Infinity”. I love all kinds of metal, but that shit is hard for even me to listen to. The music is extrememly hard to imitate. At first when you hear it you think they are talentless, but after a while you realize they are VERY talented. . ---
**Author:** ![DPWhite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d26b3c/32.png) [@DPWhite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPWhite)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/84736/44 "2001-10-02T05:54:11Z")
I gotta go with Layla. During the instrumental portion, there are about three measures where the guitar plays continuous notes like a violin soaring high in the treble. This is the most amazing moment in recorded rock n roll, surpassing Hendrick’s All Along the Watchtower solo. I’ve always assumed this was Duane Allman on this part because Clapton has never done it as far as I know. Does anyone who knows exactly what I’m referring to know for sure? ---
**Author:** ![ndorward](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c2a13f/32.png) [@ndorward](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ndorward)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/84736/45 "2001-10-02T06:24:38Z")
Derek Bailey, “Carminative” (on _Dart Drug_) Sonny Sharrock, “Many Mansions” (on _Ask the Ages_) Bill Frisell, “Strange Meeting” (on _Live_) ---
**Author:** ![Badtz\_Maru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e36b37/32.png) [@Badtz\_Maru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badtz_Maru)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/84736/46 "2001-10-02T07:20:58Z")
Though it’s in one of my least favorite songs on the album, the solo in Metallica’s ‘One’ is one of my favorite guitar solos. ---
**Author:** ![Dragon\_Phoenix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@Dragon\_Phoenix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragon_Phoenix)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/84736/47 "2001-10-02T08:08:52Z")
What? No-one has mentioned Carlos Santana yet? - puts on Samba pa ti \* ---
**Author:** ![Manduck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manduck/32/256_2.png) [@Manduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manduck)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/84736/48 "2001-10-02T08:54:52Z")
If we’re going to talk Santana, give me _Oye Como Va_ ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/84736/49 "2001-10-02T13:18:23Z")
Johnny Winter’s slide guitar on “Highway 61 Revisited” defined the song forever after. Duane Allman’s solos on “Loan Me a Dime” by Boz Scaggs is some of his best work. As far as Clapton is concerned, check out his solo on “Have You Heard” off “Bluesbreakers” with John Mayall. It was this type of work that had people writing “Clapton is God” on London walls. ---
**Author:** ![nitroglycerine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c5a1d2/32.png) [@nitroglycerine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nitroglycerine)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/84736/50 "2001-10-02T13:40:13Z")
Johnny Thunders “Just Because I’m White”. Johnny Thunders was no virtuoso, but great rock and roll isnt about perfection, its about feeling. I’ll take someone like Chuck Berry Or Johnny Thunders over a thousand David Chastains any day. Black Flag’s Gregg Ginn had some great solos as well, my favorite being the one in the live version of “Slip It In” from the Who’s Got The Ten and 1/2 Lp. BTW…someone mentioned Zappa. FZ IS GOD! Damn I miss Frank. He coulda really came up with some great stuff during the Clinton years. OK…I’m going back to lurking now, Jon ---
**Author:** ![rundogrun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5daacb/32.png) [@rundogrun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rundogrun)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/84736/51 "2001-10-02T13:57:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dragon Phoenix \* > \*\*What? No-one has mentioned Carlos Santana yet? > > - puts on Samba pa ti \* \*\* Thank God. I was starting to become very concerned. Put me down for Europa and I Love You Much Too Much. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/84736/52 "2001-10-02T14:07:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by nitroglycerine \* > **great rock and roll isnt about perfection, its about feeling.** In that vein … Elvin Bishop - _Fooled Around and Fell in Love_ On another tack, I should have nominated these earlier: Craig Chaquico, Jefferson Starship - _Jane_ Tommy Shaw, Styx - _Renegade_ Joe Walsh, James Gang - _Walk Away_ Props to **Michele in SoCal** regarding Joe Walsh. Big props to **Lucky Chaarms** nominating Randy Rhoads. No way should Rhoads’ work on _Mr. Crowley_, _Crazy Train_, and _Suicide Solution_ be ignored. Mea culpa. ---
**Author:** ![Acco40](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/58956e/32.png) [@Acco40](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acco40)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/84736/53 "2001-10-02T14:31:26Z")
oh yeah, _Supersonic_ by **Oasis** for its coolness; also, the live version of _Fade In/Out_’s intro is _real_ powerful stuff! Yeah, I’m madferit! ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/84736/54 "2001-10-02T15:51:55Z")
All of Vincent Black Lightning 1952 by Richard Thompson No Quarter - Jimmy Page, especially the TSRTS verion Not technically anything but perfect for the song: Brian May we wil rock you. And not a solo but perfect: Buddy Holly intro to that’ll be the day. And the solo too. ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/84736/55 "2001-10-02T16:59:42Z")
I’ll second Duane Allman on “Loan Me A Dime” and add Duane’s work on “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” on The Fillmore Concerts. Garcia on Shakedown Street (Grugga Halle 1981), Mystery Train (Warner Theater 1978) and After Midnight/Eleanor Rigby (Hartford 1981) are fabulous as well. Not a note out of place. You’d swear he had written them out in advance. Also, let’s hear it for Brian May - an underappreciated player in my book. ---
**Author:** ![panamajack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/47e85d/32.png) [@panamajack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panamajack)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/84736/56 "2001-10-03T00:02:17Z")
A lot of good stuff mentioned so far. I’ll add a few, mostly from the standpoint of ‘good solo, fits the song’ instead of necessarily excellent guitar work (though that fits some too). One of my favorite solos ever : Gary Moore in “Still Got the Blues” combining hard rock & blues guitar. Slash (of Guns’n’Roses) tends to have simple but rather melodic solos, with an unmistakably distinctive tone. In addition to “Sweet Child”, I’m partial to “Nightrain” and “Paradise City”. Mike McCready (of Pearl Jam) has some excellent imitative work (“Yellow Ledbetter” and live cover of “Light My Fire”). He also turns out incredible live solos. Has nobody mentioned George Harrison yet? From “And I Love Her”, “Norwegian Wood” all the way up to “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and his solo work, he’s a master at getting the most out of just a few notes. ---
**Author:** ![Mudshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/84736/57 "2001-10-03T00:05:42Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally Posted by Panamajack_ > Has nobody mentioned George Harrison yet? From “And I Love Her”, “Norwegian Wood” all the way up to “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and his solo work, he’s a master at getting the most out of just a few notes. George Harrison was and still is an excelent guitarist, but Eric Clapton played the solo on _While My Guitar Gently Weeps_ ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/84736/58 "2001-10-03T00:44:16Z")
I think I have to rescind my nomination of Joe Walsh’s work at the end of the James Gang classic _Walk Away_. I hadn’t heard the song in a few months, but I just heard the song on the radio. Unless I’m mistaken, there are TWO rhythm guitars and a bass guitar hammering out the sizzling finish. Hardly a solo effort. D’oh! ---
**Author:** ![Barney111](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@Barney111](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barney111)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/84736/59 "2001-10-03T02:12:08Z")
There are so many excellent guitarists out there, but for killer licks across an entire catalogue, I gotta vote for Steve Morse of the Dixie Dregs. (And he says Eric Johnson is the best.) ---
**Author:** ![frock75](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ad7895/32.png) [@frock75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/frock75)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/84736/60 "2001-10-03T02:55:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dragon Phoenix \* > \*\*What? No-one has mentioned Carlos Santana yet? > > - puts on Samba pa ti \* \*\* I saw Santana a few years ago. He opened up for Dave Mathews. Later on Dave does his version of “All Along the Watchtower”. Carlos Santana comes on stage to do the guitar solo. My Lord!!! I’ve never seen anyone play a guitar like that. It just left me stunned and gave me complete respect and reverance for Carlos Santana. I got a bootleg of that show from a friend, not long after that. The quality of the recording wasn’t spectacular but the solo came out pretty clear. I pop it in the stereo whenever I have debates about greastest musicians with my friends. It never ceases to amaze me. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/84736.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-guitar-solos/84736.md?page=4)