Every week we give away a voucher worth 25 large to spend at any of the many Golden Discs stores nationwide, including the new branch at Dundrum Town centre (above).
All we ask from you is a tune we can play TODAY.
This week’s theme: Guitar solo.
What is the greatest guitar break in popular music?
To enter, please complete this sentence:
‘To my mind the finest example of a guitar solo would have to be________________________by_________________’
Lines MUST close at 2.45pm
No Stairway.
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No Stairway, deneid.
Jay Graydon on Peg by Steely Dan. An exemplar of tone, melody and, most importantly, brevity. When you learn that jazzbo God, Larry Carlton, couldn’t nail it down on tape, you appreciate what a sublime player Graydon is. Majestic, as Whispering Bob probably never said.
it’s not even his best lead work. not a patch on ‘since i’ve been loving you’.
Tattooed Lady by Rory Gallagher, Irish tour recording
Magnifico
‘To my mind the finest example of a guitar solo would have to be “Impossible Germany” by Wilco (1st a experimental Nels Cline Solo into a Thin Lizzy style Duel Guitar Solo – listen to any live version for that extra pure life affirming joy)
This is a great shout.
Aye.
Love this also.
To my mind the finest example of a guitar solo would have to be Prince’s 3 minute masterclass on ‘While my Guitar Gently Weeps’ when he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame because it is the perfect example of just how disgustingly good the man was. It’s not like they couldn’t have asked Clapton. Seriously, watch it, from 3:15 on is pure filth. Not a note out of place. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SFNW5F8K9Y
Oh yes. Followed by the walk off with an attitude that exudes ‘my work here is done bitches’
“Bye, Felicia”
It really is a pity we didn’t get to see all of the Beatles grow old and just have the craic together like that on stage
To my mind the finest example of a guitar solo would have to be Gimme Shelter by The Rolling Stones. The riff is there all the way thru, but at 2:17 or so, there’s two snare whacks from Charie, suddenly Keef’s up front, sounding effortless and malevolent. And then, just when that dies down, it gives way to Merry Clayton singing like her life depends on it, and Jagger gives a bit of a ‘yeah’…
it actually *doesn’t* get better than that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3rnxQBizoU
‘To my mind the finest example of a guitar solo would have to be on “Sultans of Swing” by Mark Knoffler of Dire Straits.
The opening song lyrics, brilliant too, but it serves as an opening to the excellent solo.
Brilliant version with Clapton playing rhythm guitar to it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jxsnIRpy2E
Slash in November Rain.
Yeah, I know there’s lots and lots better, but when I was a young wee lad watching that on MTV and saw a ciggy handing from a mop of mad hair with that flyover camera angle, that guy oozed a coolness any kid wanted to be back in 1991.
Whenever I hear that song these days, it brings me right back to being that little carefree fellow, spending my summers down the country with my cousins and enjoying every minute.
To my mind the finest example of a guitar solo would have to be “Beat it” by Eddie Van Halen (in the
Mickael Jackson classic)
To my mind the finest example of a guitar solo would have to be Always With Me, Always With You by Joe Satriani – and there is a logical and reasoned motive for this choice. I was born in the late 70’s, I grew up in the 80’s where the film output of Hollywood was a steady stream of Buddy-cop films, Sports-achievements against all the odds type films, generally achieving things against-all-the odds i.e. greedy developer wants to pull down the local youth club for a new 1980’s style residential and office complex, with sexy gym, but a multi-racial group plucky youngsters save the situation for the community, or the rookie fighter pilot becomes an ace fighter pilot, against the odds – due to an industrial accident in his youth that robbed him of his head, arms and a good part of his torso -Chad Bradman wasn’t afraid of a challenge, he was going to try land his 1980’s F16 fighter jet onto a moving Concorde while trying to seduce the Navy aircraft carrier Captains crimp-haired daughter – that kind of thing. All of the above examples have one thing in common – to beat the odds for success – there is always a lengthy preparation-for-the-chalange-ahead Montage – with accompanying inspirational guitar-led rock – I think my choice (see below) would fit comfortably into all of the scenarios previously described, alternatively, you could stick in your earphones and the mundane task of getting the bus home from the office, or walking the dog could become your own personal montage. A montage for success. Yeah! (jump in the air fist-pump combo)
https://youtu.be/b1DzRb4DHGw
To my mind the finest example of a guitar solo would have to be “Highway Star” Live by Blackmore on Deep Purple;s Made in Japan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6-0hL3wtv8
Gets my vote
To my mind the finest example of a guitar solo would have to be Eruption by Eddie Van Halen.
All others are mere pretenders
To my mind the finest example of a guitar solo would have to be the second solo in Pink Floyds Comfortably Numb by Dave Gilmour.
^^^this
Lynyrd Skynyrd “Freebird”
https://youtu.be/D0W1v0kOELA?t=4m42s
To my mind the finest example of a guitar solo would have to be the introductory and/or meandering solo in “Out There” by Dinosaur Jr. The promo “video” is all sorts of bat sh!t, crazy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XelDCDRnboE
To my mind the finest example of a guitar solo would have to be In Bloom by Nirvana, it’s bleedin mental
To my mind the finest example of a guitar solo would have to be Freebird (live version ) by Lynyrd Skynyrd to give your Air Guitar a work out
I concur
*denied.
BS, it would be great to have an option to edit the comments. It would be very handy for the keyboard-typing-challenged people like me.
To my mind, the finest example of a guitar solo would be anything by Hendrix, but in particular the riffs & solo in his definitive version of All Along the Watchtower by a future Nobel Prize winner for Literature. Take it away, Jimi
https://youtu.be/TLV4_xaYynY
To my mind the finest example of a guitar solo would have to be a dead heat between the following three (it would be easy to list a dozen strong contenders from my favourites, but that would be an injustice to what are the finest examples of what the solo can and should be – perfectly suited to the timbre and tone of the song, while simultaneously taking you out of it onto another plane then dropping you seamlessly back in…(went a bit pseuds corner there, sorry))
Still in love with you – Brian Robertson, Thin Lizzy – no explanation needed, still brings a shiver
Comfortably numb – David Gilmour, Pink Floyd – two epic pieces in the one song on a flawless album
Easter – Steve Rothery, Marillion – unfairly overlooked master, and while I would normally automatically go for one of his from Clutching at Straws in the golden era of the Fish days, I think this remains his finest and most powerful piece.
I nearly always prefer live solos, hence my aforementioned Rory Gallagher one.
But the one that has been playing in my mind since is the solo in Black in Pearl Jam’s Live on Two Legs. Not widely heard, and a far superior version to fairly sterile studio version, and the solo in it feels so saw and heartfelt as a follow on from the emotion in kid lyrics that it still makes the hairs stand on the back of my neck after almost 20 years of listening to that same cd.
To my mind the greatest guitar solo has to be lynard skynards free bird. Long and majestic the way a solo should be
To my mind the greatest guitar solo would have to be villanova junction by jimi hendrix.
Reason being, not only is the entire piece itself a barely accompanied solo and played in one take flawlessly even though he had enough “substances” in him to tranquilise an elephant.
But its a sugue from one other greatest guitar solo in voodoo child to another the star spangled banner.
Thats gotta be worth a pony.
segue dammit !
To my mind the finest example of a guitar solo would have to be “Readymade” by John Fruciante of Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Aw clean it up Johnny! (starts at 2:32-ish)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eg3jb8CwFCc
To my mind the finest example of a guitar solo would have to be Marquee Moon by Television – I’m talking about the second solo in the song by Tom Verlaine, rather than the earlier (still excellent) solo by Richard Lloyd. 3 minutes+ of meandering melodic soloing that is stunningly technical without being flashy or fast for the sake of showing off. Starts at 4:50
https://youtu.be/jlbunmCbTBA?t=290
I’m also going to nominate Steve Hackett’s soaring solo on Genesis’s “Firth of Fifth” – an early example of the “tapping” technique later made famous by every fast-fingered hair-metal merchant in the 80s (particularly Eddie Van Halen) but Hackett uses it to beautifully melodic effect here (5:45 onwards):
https://youtu.be/SD5engyVXe0?t=345
All fine examples, well done folks. For me I’m going to put forward the breath-taking acoustic guitar solo on Paul Brady’s “the Island”, as performed by one of the finest scarcely known guitarists out there, Phil Palmer. One I’ve tried to replicate many times, but never as well as the original. :-)
Another Girl Another Planet by The Only Ones
That is a brilliant shout out actually, Con. I’d forgotten about that.
And from a galaxy not a million miles away, Glenn Tilbrook demonstrates how underrated he is as a guitarist. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bTWF7eirJw
McCartney, Harrison and Lennon’s rotating sequence of three, two-bar licks in the The End from side 2 of Abbey Road. All prefixed by a terrific Starr drum solo. A fitting finish to the band’s carrer and a bookend to the sixties in general, or so I’ve read. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oV8PSj-hQvw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlR4XtnmjPc
It’s gotta be each and every solo in this song: Holy Wars…The Punishment Due by Megadeth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-oU2xlViRQ
Honorable mention to Hangar 18 by Megadeth!
The Strokes – Under Cover of Darkness ( about 2 minutes 50 in ) is the perfect accompaniment to standing in front of the mirror with a tennis racket.
https://youtu.be/_l09H-3zzgA
Does sir allow the Tie-as-sweatband fall over the right or left ear?
On a similar theme….Saw a lad wearing headphones walking along North Strand doing magnificent air drumming the other evening, like the ghost of Keith Moon.
To my mind the finest example of a guitar solo would have to be Still In Love With You by Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson of Thin Lizzy from the Live and Dangerous album. now, strictly speaking a solo implies that there is no accompaniment. what we incorrectly refer to as a guitar solo is in fact a lead break. my nomination not only has 2, but also features the best lead outro to a song ever.
AND you can play along with only 4 chords – Am Dm G C – what’s not to love eh? eh?
My favourite non-live live album ever.
I only accept the original recording of ‘Still In Love With You’. That Frankie Miller vocal? Knocks the wind right out of you,
I remember at the time Philo died thinking he was old.
I’m older now than he was.
my grandad’s funeral was the one before philo’s in sutton. we arrived at st fintans to thousands of lizzy fans and us all going ‘jays me granda’s a fukn legend’..
Brillo. That made me laugh
And Scottie,
Great call on that Lizzy track
Love it, I’ll have to plug in the record player later on now just to stop it starting and stopping in me head
I would’a gone for sum’ting from Rory meself
But you nailed it beautifully there
Think it was Christmas ’82 they did the City Hall
What a night, and I don’t think t’was more than a fiver
Btw. Nice to see a few Paddies in the running up there with Jimi Hendrix and ( probably) Allen Collins since he was the original Skynard.
Philo was what – 36?
Yes okay, MUCH older then! ;)
Inadvertent burn – the best kind of burn!