10/05/2007
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Many believe the art of the guitar solo had faded into oblivion. True, most of today’s rock music focuses on vocals and video aspects, while guitarists have become supporting cast members of rock bands. That’s why most of the songs on this list with great guitar solos fall into the classic rock realm. But that’s okay, it’s not like any of us are getting younger anyway.
"Welcome Innervision," Novo Combo (Animation
Generation)
This is one of those instances where you
hear a song and long for the glory days of the guitar
solo as an art form. Carlos Rios played the lead
in this song, and twenty-five years later it’s
one of the tastiest, raunchiest, beautifully played
solos I’ve ever heard.
"Rapture," Blondie (Autoamerican)
The song may or may not have influenced
early hip-hop artists, but this list is about guitar
solos, and "Rapture" has a short one toward the
end of the track that absolutely screams.
"Since I’ve Been Loving You," Led Zeppelin
(Led Zeppelin III)
A classic, bluesy, epic Zep track that is
a great example of how Robert Plant and Jimmy Page
could intertwine lead vocals and lead guitar in a
way that few bands ever could. With no disrespect
to the rest of the band’s catalog, Page’s work
in this song is his best work ever as a guitarist.
I mean, he makes that baby sing.
"Hurry Sundown," The Outlaws (Hurry
Sundown)
It’s almost redundant to put an Outlaws song on
here, because they were called "The Florida Guitar
Army." But still, the way they harmonized their
instruments, especially on this song, was amazing.
"Heart In Pieces," Chicago (Chicago
19)
This track has a cheesy 80’s feel, especially
with the ridiculous amount of echo on the snare
drum. But with a band known for its horns, you
won’t find a more ripping guitar solo in any of
their music.
"Don’t Take Me Alive," Steely Dan (The
Royal Scam)
There’s so many guitarists listed on this
album, so I’m not sure who played the lead on it.
But that doesn’t matter. There is melodic, distorted
beauty in the bits that are played at the start
and throughout this song.
"Magic Man," Heart (Dreamboat Annie)
Who says men have to dominate this list?
Nancy Wilson is hot AND can play the guitar as
good as any dude. And the way she does this question
and answer thing with the parts in this classic
track is as recognizable as any guitar sequence
in rock history.
"Stranger," Jefferson Starship (Modern
Times)
Somewhere between the Jefferson Airplane
and Starship was a time when this band was called
Jefferson Starship. And while this track may not
be their biggest hit, it sure features some wailing
guitars courtesy of Craig Chaquico.
"End of The Line," TNT (Intuition)
This Norwegian band may have been lost among
the Poisons and Warrants of its day, but the spastically
wonderful guitar work of Ronni Le Tekro, especially
on this ballad of sorts, still rivals anything
those other hair bands could offer.
"Night Owls," Little River Band (Time
Exposure)
When you think Little River Band, certainly
you think about soft rock radio hits like "Reminiscing"
or "Lonesome Loser." But for them, this was an
edgy diversion featuring some smoking guitar work.
The harmonies alone are worth the price of admission.
"Now That The Magic Has Gone," Joe Cocker
(Night Calls)
A melancholy, angst-filled bluesy rocker
that features some nifty guitar work which is a nice
counterpoint to Cocker’s signature growl.
"Hold The Line," Toto (Toto)
Toto was a group of studio musicians that
formed a band, so it should be no surprise that
their musicianship was at another level than most
rock bands. And Steve Lukather’s solo in this
song is pretty much on another planet.
"Light Up The Sky," Van Halen (Van
Halen II)
Yeah, it’s redundant to put Eddie Van Halen
on a list like this. But the blazing guitar work
in this song is even god-like by his standards.
"I Was Made For Lovin’ You," KISS (Dynasty)
People tend to picture these guys in
their makeup and forget that they are damn good
musicians. This song had, dare I say, disco flavors
to it. But it still rocked, and Ace Frehley’s
solo, albeit short, is one of the best he’s ever
put on tape.
"That Smell," Lynyrd Skynyrd (Street
Survivors)
Sadly, this was the album Lynyrd Skynyrd released
just before the plane crash that killed singer
Ronnie Van Zandt and lead guitarist Steve Gaines.
But we can still appreciate Gaines’ remarkable
work on this album, and in particular on this classic
Skynyrd track.