Twitter earlier this evening: 'What's your all time favourite guitar solo?' I didn't have to think twice; I knew the answer straight away. Well, you do, don't you? You'd know too if I asked you, I'm sure you would. Don't get me wrong, there's a longlist in my head, for sure. There's also a (very) select shortlist in there too. And yes, some heavy metal guitar heroes are in the running; as are a lot of jazz greats. In the 12+ years I've been writing this blog you'll find several in my back issues - hidden in plain sight, most of 'em.
But, all time favourite? Well, that's easy, innit? Take a bow, Jerry Donahue...
Fotheringay - ‘The Sea’ (2:47 - 3:53) https://t.co/lJAnxxboYb
— ðđððð ðžððð (@JohnMeddUK) August 25, 2022
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Fotheringay - The Sea (1970)
I'll be honest, familiar with the song though I am, I'm usually too busy struggling to keep my emotions in check as Sandy's vocal gouges chunks out of my heart to have paid full attention to the guitar solo....until now anyway. It's a thing of absolute beauty and restraint that's for sure and I can quite see why it means so much to you.
ReplyDeleteIf you'd asked me ahead of time to guess your favourite guitar solo, considerable amounts of water would've flowed under the bridge before I got anywhere near Fotheringay. Any guesses what mine might be before I reveal all over at my place?
Gets you right *there*, doesn't it?
DeleteYours? I wouldn't be at all surprised if you went with Mick Ronson's deft intro to Eight Line Poem...
Fine song that, and I now need to do a bit of Fotheringay digging - I know the name, but can't honestly say I've heard them before.
ReplyDeleteFor a guitar solo of choice, I go a bit left-field and nominate The Carpenters - Goodbye To Love. Tony Peluso's fuzzed up soloing is a thing a wonder hidden in a cosy MOR staple
A splendid choice Rigid Digit. In my top 10 easily.
DeleteNice one, RD. I was kinda hoping someone would mention the Carpenters; it fits the song perfectly.
DeleteMy favourite solo has to be Sympathy For The Devil especially the ending....the greatest ending to a guitar solo ever.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean.Here is Keith's isolated guitar part.
DeleteI thought I was going to be the one to raise a few eyebrows with Goodbye to Love by the Carpenters, but I see RD has beaten me to it!
ReplyDeleteAlyson
It's a good call, Alyson. I've just played it after not having heard it for eons; and it still sounds perfect. Apparently American FM radio didn't like it at the time and would fade it out abruptly. Philistines.
DeleteIt was always my intention to do a post on what I considered to be the Fuckest Uppest Guitar Solos. I had some written down, can’t remember them all now but The Pixies’ U Mass was one, along with Dum Dum by The Vaselines.
ReplyDeleteArtog! Welcome back! I know where you're coming from; Derwood did something similar on a couple of early Generation X tracks - I'll have to dig 'em out.
DeleteTS puts it perfectly re. the Fotheringay solo - beauty and restraint indeed. You realise, John, you have started a major discussion in this household now and Mr SDS is treating me to various solos that would be in his list. Me - I was tempted to suggest 'Boredom' by Buzzcocks for reasons I wouldn't need to explain, but listening to Jimi's version of 'All Along The Watchtower' this morning I would have to put it up there. Must be others I can't think of right now but the cogs are whirring....!
ReplyDeleteI always like to think my blog is capable of lighting the old blue touch paper.
DeleteBlimey! From the Buzzcocks to Hendrix in one fell swoop - not bad going! If you and Mr. SDS can draw up a list between you then perhaps we can begin to put a little playlist together...