I saw Jimi Hendrix live one night at the Fillmore Aud in San Francisco in 1968. He had a vibe like Miles Davis! Also, he came across like a very nice guy. I wasn't a Hendrix or Cream fan at the time; I went because Albert King was on the bill. I also heard a 19 year-old Mick Taylor with John Mayall. The Fillmore was packed! 350 people ha ha! It was $4 at the door with no reservations and I got a free poster! I sat front row, middle, balcony)
Saw John Scofield in Leeds twice about 1997/1998. He played at the Irish Centre and then he came back a few weeks later ...and he said he came back to Leeds because the audience impressed him so much, they really loved him. Sneaked an extra date in on his way back to the USA. Gary Grainger, Mitchell Forman...they were unbelievable gigs. I'll never forget them.
Hi Andy, I fully agree that John McLaughlin's solo from Lila's Dance should be on the list. It's brutal, intense and beautiful at the same time, and the fact that it's in 20/8 (6+6+6+2) is, of course, a bonus for us drummers! ;)
I like McLaughlin's solo work on the Shakti track Lady L. It's possibly one of the best acoustic guitar solos on a studio recording. Also, McLaughlin on Miles Out from the Inner Worlds album.
@@Oneness100 That's possibly my favouorite (Lady L, I mean). Or else John's solo on Shringar from the Remember Shakti Saturday Night In Bombay album: czcams.com/video/BDwGmaHczrg/video.html
I have a top 9 list of rock only guitar solos, studio versions only, no live versions, instrumentals or duets (duals are OK). In alphabetical order of song title, they are: Analog Kid - Alex Lifeson Driven To Tears - Andy Summers Friends - Eric Johnson Hotel California - J Walsh/D Felder Machine Gun - Jimi Hendrix Montana - Frank Zappa My Old School - Jeff “Skunk” Baxter Since I’ve Been Loving You - J Page Situation - Jeff Beck OK, all you haters, I know what you’re going to say (“Eagles and especially Hotel CA are stupid, lame, boring and cliché!”). Personally, I could do without ever hearing that song again but the trade off from one soloist to the next is seamless and sounds like just one guitarist. That and the highly creative lead lines by them both are why it is on my list. There are way too many to choose from for a tenth solo but I stand firm on these 9
Great video! Here's my 12 : 1- Jimi Hendrix : Machine Gun 2- Allan Holdsworth : Hazard Profile (Soft Machine) 3- Andy Latimer : Lunar Sea (Camel) 4- Frank Zappa : Ocean is the Ultimate Solution 5- Adrian Smith : Caught Somewhere in Time (Iron Maiden) 6- Steve Howe : Sound Chaser (Yes) 7- Al Di Meola : Land of the Midnight Sun 8- John Petrucci : Under a Glass Moon (Dream Theater) 9- Brendt Allman : Cliffhanger (Shadow Gallery) 10- Nuno Bettencourt : Cupid's Dead (Extreme) 11- Robert Fripp : Sailor Tale (King Crimson) 12- Ian Crichton : Framed (Saga)
My top ten atm, pretty diverse stylewise, but all fabulous! Rory Gallagher - Moonchild (Stage Struck version) Buck Dharma - Astronomy (Some Enchanted evening version) Mike Slamer - Cigarrettes George Kooymans - Vanilla Queen (Live 1977 version) Steve Hackett - Every Day Jan Akkerman - Hamburger Concerto Andy Powell - Persephone (Live Dates II version) Knut Euroboy Schreiner - Gimme Five Jeff Beck - Where were you Frank Zappa - Po jama People Terry Kath - 25 or 6 to 4 (Tanglewood 1970 version) Phil Keaggy - David & Goliath
One of my favorite guitar solos is "Alice in Blunderland". It's on the album "The Spotlight Kid" by Captain Beefheart, the solo is played by Elliot Ingber, aka The Winged Eel Fingerling. While I'm at it, quite possibly, but not necessarily, my favorite Frank Zappa solo is "Watermelon in Easter Hay". I think it's just absolutely beautiful. Thanks for the fun videos, by the way.
Hi Andy. Great list and comments; I would add David Sancious & Tone's album Transformation (The Speed of Love), the song "Sky Church Hymn #9". David and his drummer had just left Bruce Springsteen's E-Street band in order to play more Jazz/Jazz Fusion. As a multi-instrumentalist and innovator, Sancious wanted to set the "Tone" for his next project. Sky Church is his commemoration od Jimi Hendrix and the Guitar/Bass & drums are blazing and Bluesy at the same time - Highly recommend!
Cheers Andy. Your enthusiasm for the music is infectious and I've been inspired to go back and listen to a lot of stuff that I haven't heard for a while. If you decide to make a Santana video give a listen to an album called Borboletta. It's one of Carlos' jazzier efforts and for my money has some of his best guitar work, and I'm a big fan so I don't say that lightly. In fact the whole band really cooks on that album. Just a suggestion. Keep em coming.
Just came across this list. It's a good one. But everything you said about Allan Holdsworth... I completely agree and then some. At times Holdsworth is truly sublime in multiple directions, beyond technical or physical parameters. Sometimes I feel like I've never heard such a level of innocence, purity or yearning come so clearly through an instrument. He wasn't just a special musician. Having never met, except through his work, I recognize he was a special person.
Solid list. Here is my twelve: John McLaughlin, The Wall Will Fall (Mahavishnu, Adventures In Radioland) Trevor Rabin, Shoot High Aim Low (YES, Big Generator) Vernon Reid, Information Overload (Living Colour, Time's Up) Doug Boyle, The Way I Feel (Robert Plant, Now and Zen) Alan Murphy, SOS (Go West, ) Robert Fripp, God's Monkey (Sylvian and Fripp, Damage) Jeff Beck, Seasons (Jeff Beck, Jeff) Reeves Gabrels, Dead Man Walking (David Bowie, Earthling) Django Reinhardt, Sweet Georgia Brown George Benson, Collaboration (Benson and Earl Klugh, Collaboration) Allan Holdsworth, City Nights Carlos Santana, Victory Is Won (Santana, Shaman)
No. 1 for me Jay Graydon's solo on Steely Dan's "Peg." Unlike anything else I've heard. Just brilliant. As fpr the remaining eleven: Sails of Charon - Uli Jon Roth w/Scorpions Rock Bottom (live version) - Michael Schenker w/UFO Machine Gun - Jimi Hendrix (Band of Gypsys) Jumping at Shadows (live) - Peter Green w/Fleetwood Mack Funky Mamma - Danny Gatton His Drums Were Yellow - Allen Holdsworth Led Boots - Jeff Beck The Attitude Song - Steve Vai Fire in the Engine Room - Richard Thompson Eric Johnson - Desert Rose Shawn Lane - Rice with Angels w/Jonas Hellborg and Jeff Sipe
Enjoyed this! Thanks, Andy. Some of my faves: Neil Schon’s solo in Taboo, from Santana lll is a masterclass in rising intensity. John McLaughlin’s solo in Dawn - the way he blazes through the chord changes is hair raising. Adrian Belew’s whammy solo in Talking Heads’ The Great Curve. Jeff Beck - Ambitious (naffish song, but what a solo). Fred Frith (Henry Cow) - Teenbeat Reprise. Frank Zappa: The Ocean is the Ultimate Solution. Scott Henderson: Tore Down House. Holdsworth: Sixteen Men of Tain. Agree re Gary Moore, btw.
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer Well, I’m finding plenty of interface with your choices. I came to Henry Cow quite late, and I found them a tough listen at first, but I’ve really grown to appreciate their unique compositions. Lotsa Zappa influence, especially on the first two albums. Fred Frith is a true original, both as a player and as a composer. Looking forward to your next instalment. Cheers.
Let's not forget: - Ritchie Blackmore: Child in Time (Deep Purple) - Roy Buchanan: The Messiah Will Come Again - Jeff Beck: Cause We've Ended as Lovers - Stevie Ray Vaughan: Pride and Joy - Rory Gallagher: Walk on Hot Coals - Dickey Betts: Jessica (The Allman Brothers Band) - Frank Zappa: Muffin Man - Peter Frampton: Do You Feel Like We Do - Eric Clapton: Mainline Florida - Jimmy Page: Stairway to Heaven (Led Zeppelin)
Alan's solo on Ponty's composition Nostalgia is as good as it gets for me. He takes his time but doesn't compromise on technique. My greatest musical memories are seeing Holdsworth, Zawinul, and Zappa live. Took me 30 years to do it though. Wonderful stuff. Thanks. JT
Ollie Halsall was doing the whole shred and wang bar thing prior to EVH. Go listen to Kevin Ayers "Didn't Feel Lonely Till I Thought Of You "and "Blue" .
SUNPYG is my Desert Island Disc... I think Frank saw the special relationship that he had with Vinnie Colaiuta as something that needed to be documented along with the nuggets of the previous few years for the original 3 record set... Andy, you have nailed Deathless Horsie and it is my all time favorite Zappa guitar track where the rhythmic interplay between the guitar and drums is magical. That whole side of the record with SUPYGSM and Pink Napkins is definitely my favorite album side of all time. The thing with Zappa guitar solos is that he NEVER EVER played the same solo twice as he loved to spontaneously compose new pieces of music on the spot which gave audiences reason to never miss a show and definitely reason to mine his "bootleg" recordings for his solo guitar work.
What Vinnie did with Zappa is equal to what Elvin did with Coltrane. They created a new way of improvising where the the cadences are created rhythmically and modally. It's a huge break through for improvised music. And yes you are right, Zappa knew this so that is why there is this three disc document of this.
I knew I will not be disappointed. I did a video like that half a year ago, and failed at 10 as well - ending up with 16... But a lot of the same guitarists. Allan Holdsworth was at my #1 as well. Incredible innovator and a beautifully stubborn artist.
I have a hard time believing this guy doesn’t bring up hardly anything from Eric Johnson. He’s a super virtuoso, with his own unique sound and style, and has influenced many newer players. His guitar tones (clean and lead sounds) are considered by many to be unbelievably out of this world. His lead playing is so fluid and intervalic, and his chord playing is almost inarguably the most colorful and complex in the rock genre. His songwriting is very mature, sometimes simple, sometimes sophisticated, and always classy. I’m not saying this guy should put one of Eric’s solos on his “favorite” list here, (maybe he never heard Desert Rose), but I’ve watched quite a few (a lot, to be exact) of Andy’s videos (I enjoy them) and I don’t recall him ever talking about Eric. Well, at least he recognizes Shawn Lane.
I like Eric Johnson a lot, a fantastic player with his own virtuoso approach. I have done a video coming out soon where I look at 10 bands that I don't cover on my channel and why. Eric comes into a group of guitarists who I think are fantastic but were never on my radar. I think although his compositions are great, I never chimed with them that much...
Holy shit, I did not know that about Allan's amp. The greatest(not influential) musician of the 20th century(in my mind) passes away broke, one of the saddest things I know. You are absolutely correct in "why try to sound like Allan?". I hope along my journey that the only thing I can have from Allan is his open-mindedness. Allan said it at a masterclass, when someone asked him about going down his route, Allan said "Go your own way". I might get that tattooed on my forehead. I have been using Allan's advice to shape myself. He mentioned he felt foreign on the piano when he was young. I played guitar for about 10 years off and on and never liked my playing, then one day I was at a music store getting my guitar worked on and noodled on a piano. I immediately felt more musical on it than my guitar of 10 years. Having that quote from Allan in my mind, I immediately sold my guitars and bought a piano, haven't looked back. Great vid as usual and I have some new listening to do today.
Thanks for your comments, they are really appreciated! A great example of the AH is Bill Connors. In the seventies he was incredible, his solos with RTF and on the Stanley Clarke album could have easily made this list. Then he hears Holdsworthx...check him out on the album Assembler, incredible play and an amazing version of Allan's style, but you do think,,,'Whats the point?'
Andy, I’m a huge fan of Fripp and had never heard Disturbed Being before. Thanks for the pointer, and thanks for calling out Teenage Wildlife, which is my favorite Fripp appearance on other people’s albums. Also, thanks for recognizing Zappa as a great guitarist.
In fact it was a golden era in terms of seeing the best musicians in Leeds at that time. The year before, at the Irish Centre, we saw John McGlaughlin, with Jeff Berlin and Trilok Gurtu. They came back a year later and it was the same band, but with Kai Ekhardt replacing Jeff. We were really spoiled in Yorkshire then.
For some reason I was really surprised when I discovered that John McLaughlin was born in Doncaster. In effect, playing in Leeds is almost like "coming home".
Hi Andy, thanks again for a great video with some great guitar solos. I new before the start that you would have John McLaughlin, Allan Holdsworth and Carlos Santana included as I probably would myself they are so incredible. I have to tell you that I have only just recently bought "Visions Of The Emerald Beyond" by Mahavishnu Orchestra and my god what an album and I do agree that "Lila's Dance" is fantastic. I also want to mention I'm glad you picked a Frank Zappa track, which I kind of expected too, and there are so many Zappa solos that you could choose from it's so difficult and the "Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar" album is incredible, it surprised me a little that you chose "The Deathless Horsie" but it is fantastic as is the whole album, I've listened to it many many times and as you said the improvisation on it is superb. Here's just a couple of tracks of it that I would have chosen from:- "Pink Napkins", I just love the sound he gets from the strat with the Di-Marzio pick ups and "Return Of The Son Of Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar" is also a favourite of mine, I can listen to Zappa all week long he is one of the greatest.
why are people leaving comments about their personal choices ? ....he's told you that they are his own personal favorites......they only have relevance to that.
I had never heard an Alan Holdsworth solo until this vid and I went straight to the live Devil Take...Alan plays where the music goes, he will not be co-opted. His solo convinces me that I should continue to play like me.
A bit late, but my impossible to choose list would be: Machine gun by Jimi Hendrix Dreams. Mahavishnu O ft. John McLauglin. The thrill is gone by BB King. Do what you like. Blind Faith ft. Eric Clapton. Race with the devil on a Spanish highway by Al Dimeola. Odyssey by Terje Rypdal. Timeless by John Abercrombie. Heavy tune by Gong ft. Allan Holdsworth. Drive home by Steve Wilson ft. Govan Guthrie. Shine on you crazy diamonds by Pink Floyd ft. David Gilmour. Anything by Carlos Santana or Frank zappa is magic.
Like yourself Andy I find it impossible to pin this down & wouldn't call the following definitive. However, & in no particular order: John Scofield Protocol, Pat Metheny 3rd Wind, Jimi Still Raining Still Dreaming, Frank Inca Roads, Bill Frisell Samurai Hee Haw, Kevin Eubank The Oracle (Dave Holland, John Abercrombie Timeless, John McLaughlin Florianapolis, Mike Stern Fat Time, Allan Holdsworth Devil Takes The Hindmost to name just a few. However I could listen to anything by any of the above especially Sco,, McLaughlin & Allan. I would recommend Sco's So You Say from a live outdoor gig in Germany, July 1987 during which he plays several choruses accompanied by Dennis Chambers. A stunning performance.
Scofield, techno, still warm, Metheny, three flights up, Questions and Answers, Santana, Europa moonflower, Zappa, St. Etienne, Jazz from hell, and yes, oh yes, Holdsworth, devil take the hindmost, metal fatigue, do you remember Steve Via transcribed that solo, in guitar player, "I'm sure the notes are correct, but I'm really not sure what fingers are going where" another great video Andy thanks,
Here's my 12 before I watch yours. (Subject to change) Joe Satriani - Flying in a Blue Dream Greg Howe - Birds Eye View Steve Vai - For the Love of God Yngwie Malmsteen - Black Star Al Dimeola - Race w/Devil on Spanish Highway Shawn Lane - The Way it Has to Be Buckethead - Soothsayer Mateo Mancuso - Drop D Frank Gambale - Little Charmer Joe Satriani - Rubina Scott Henderson - Dolemite Gary Moore - Cold Hearted
Nice guide. One of my favorites ever is Bill Frisell, on Paul Motian's "Live at the Vanguard" record (this version, yes) -- the tune "Yallah". I could not even begin to do what you did (as you say at the beginning) and pick just 12, and I certainly couldn't rank them in any order. You did an amazing job, as usual. And I don't know all of these tunes, at least not well enough to remember solos, so I love being sent back to the stacks to pull these things out. I have almost all of them in my library at least....
Sometimes I think these top tens are a bit silly but its a good excuse to talk about music. I would love it '12 guitar solos I really like' but people wouldnt click. I do think there is nothing quite like Allan Holdsorth though...
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer Yeah, I can't settle on a "greatest" (anything pretty much) for all the obvious reasons, but I totally get why Holdsworth would be that for you and A LOT of people! And your caveats about "different day, different list" put the whole "top tens" into perspective!
I saw the Jimi Hendrix Experience at Wolverhampton Gaumont in 1967 when I was 10 years old. So bragging rights out of the way here is my best of guitar solos list. 1. Comfortably Numb - Gilmour - Floyd 2. Since I've Been Loving You - Jimmy Page - Zeppelin 3. Thirty Years - Alan Holdsworth - UK 4. All Along The Watchtower - Hendrix 5. Lark's Tongue In Aspic Part 1 - Fripp - King Crimson 6. Kid Charlemagne - Larry Carlton - Steely Dan 7. Firth Of Fifth - Steve Hackett - Genesis 8. Watermelon In Easter Hay - Frank Zappa 9. Dance Of The Uncle Sam Humanoids - Bill Nelson - Bebop Deluxe 10. Tom Morello - Killing In The Name - Rage Against The Machine 11. George - Something - The Beatles 12. John McLaughlin - Lila's Dance - The Mahavishnu Orchestra
Coryell and Di meola on Venusian summer is wonderful. Riveria Paradise by SRV, something coming our way Frank Marino - getting it down to 12 is a feat in itself
Another superb vid Andy. I will definitely check out some of your picks. I have my Allan holdsworth Tempest album on repeat! The best guitar solo's for me have always had an emotional intensity but also a simplicity that may not be as technical or virtuosic but can leave you breathless. My favourite, hands down is Jimmy Page 'No Quarter' live on the song remains the same film from 1973. A masterpiece that encapsulates everything mentioned above. Followed by Peter Green 'Got A Mind To Give Up Living.' Live in New Orleans 1970. Both solo's are grounded in minor blues that always leaves me deeply moved. Jimi Hendrix 'Little Wing.' From the Albert Hall 1969 is as great as Jimi ever got! Thanks again and looking forward to the next vid in my musical journey.
I really love Billy Gibbons...so simple but so cool, and Robin Trower, SVR, and I have worked with some amazing Blues guitarists like Ian Parker, Aynsley Lister and Joanne Shaw Taylor...so many amazing guitarists out there
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer Absolutely. Thank you for the recommendations. Please could you do an Allan holdsworth vid? I have his nucleus, soft machine, lifetime albums but struggling beyond the 70's. Any help would be gratefully received. ... I'm sure you have some stories to share which I'll look forward to in a future vid. All the best.
@@nickfryearson1531 I met Allan once and saw him a few times. I am thinking of doing a long video that looks at his solo and sideman appearances all together and discusses his legacy. I just cant think of a carchy title for it....
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer sounds perfect! As there is a wealth of material to cover would it be better to do several vids covering the various topics you mentioned, solo albums, different bands etc. Similar to the approach you took with John McLaughlin? Either way I cannot wait to see the results! It'll be brilliant. Thanks again for all your hard work and sharing of knowledge. All the very best.
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer Taking a leaf from Motorhead's What's Words Worth how about What's Holdsworth's Worth or Whats the Worth of Holdsworth? and if going into more depth with him would you give a shout out to some or any of his influences - particularly Ollie Hallsall?
Amputation is always painful, but at least it's only temporary and infidelity is permissible when it comes to picking 12 favorite guitar solos: -Holdsworth - Strang-her on the first Tempest album moved the bar in a big way. -Hendrix- All Along The Watchtower -FZ- Muffin Man -Ollie Halsall- Money Bag (Patto) -Reeves Gabrels- Heaven's In Here (Tin Machine 1) -Mick Ralphs- Sweet Jane (Hoople/All The Young Dudes) -Larry Coryell- Further Explorations For Albert Stinson (Fairyland album) -Buck Dharma- Last Days of May (B.O.C. Live in Chicago) -Peter Wolbrandt- Holiday am Marterhorn (Kraan Live) -Sonny Sharrock- Dick Dogs (Seize The Rainbow) -John McLaughlin- Purpose of When (Devotion) -Robert Fripp-Asbury Park (Crimson USA album)
Hello from the u.k. Same here with voodoo chile, just getting into the good stuff Rock and prog, aged 14, first heard voodoo chile in the local Youth club. And thought W.T.F. was that! The rest is history! Fresh every time I hear it.
Impossible to choose just 12, but I will throw some into the mix: Jan Akkerman - Hocus Pocus Mick Ronson - Time Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd - Marquee Moon Rory Gallagher - Crest of a wave Steve Cropper - Stone Cold Sober Duane Allman - Loan Me A Dime Dickey Betts - Jelly Jelly Joe Walsh - Rocky Mountain Wsy Mick Taylor - Shine A Light Stevie Ray Vaughan - Life Without You Eddie Hazel - Maggot.Brain Hiram Bullock - Little Wing (Sting) Nail Young - Like A Hurricane Lindsey Buckingham - Go Your Own Way (The Dance) Jimi Hendrix - Hear My Train a comin (Valleys of Neptune) Jim Cregan - I Was Only Joking (Rod Stewart) Laurie Wisefield - Lady Jay (Wishbone Ash) Albert King - Personal Manager
A few favorites in no particular order: Richie Blackmore - You Fool No One (DeepPurple - Live in London 1974) from hard blues to extreme shred Gates of Babylon (Rainbow - Long Live Rock and Roll) Stargazer (Rainbow Rising) improves an epic song Alex Lifeson - La Villa Stangiato (Exit Stage Left) soundtrack to a torrid sex scene George Lynch - When Darkness Calls (Lynch Mob) outrow is more than half the song, epic dog fight viewed from the cockpit George Lynch - Mr Scary (Dokken Back from the Attack) George’s Eruption Mastodon - The Czar (Crack the Sky) wonderfully disjointed. Steve Lothgar - Grendel (Marillion) the ending solo Petri Walli - Shine on Me (Kingston Wall 11) Michael Schenker - Rock Bottom(UFO - Phenomenon) this set the bar in 1974. It slowly builds until suddenly shifting into overdrive. Lonesome Crow(Scorpions) 1972 Michael is 16 years old and way ahead of his time. Mikael Åkerfeldt - Harlequin Forest (Royal Albert Hall) first solo, Simple’s but seems to my ear to allude to early 70’s sci-fi space music. Randy Rhoads - Mr Crowley (Blizzard There are more, but these come to mind first.
I've said this before. But the guitar solo on the Dylan cover of Going Going Gone, done by Bill Frizell on the Electra Rubaiyat album is pretty darned good.
I expected t see John Mclaughlin and Pat Matheny amongst the great jazz fusion guitarists ... but I humbly admit I never heard of Allan Holdsworth (the Eddie Van Halen neck style mimic of Holdsworth is fascinating). When I heard Santana's instrumentals Europa; and Aquamarine (Marathon) I knew Santana had become my favorite guitarist. Oh, Super Boogie/Hong Kong Blues is a phenomenal blues electric jam (I first heard on Viva Santana! compilation). Should I be surprised Gabor Szabo not on Andy's list?
another excellent video. I'm a drummer but also a guitar fanatic. Anytime Gary Moore is mentioned I am quite happy. My number 1 guitarist. I don't think he gets the recognition he deserved. Gary was ferocious!
A fine list. I much prefer Steve Vai's batshit soloing on Ease from Public Image Ltd.'s Album. So unlikely, so out there. Hendrix - Little Wing (mistitled Little Ivey) on the posthumous Experience Live vol. 2. On Shut Up 'N Play I have to go for the opening Five-Five-FIVE - that fantastic controlled feedback that Zappa floats over those beautiful chords. Shivers every time. There are so many others. I'll give a special mention to Rick Derringer on Comes a Woman from his Derringer album. A quick irrelevance: I'll always rank Zal Cleminson high on the list of massively underrated guitarists. His playing with the Sensational Alex Harvey Band back in the 70s was great. Amazing tone. Right, I'll carry on rambling to my disinterested family. Aloha!
It might be obvious and overplayed but I would definately put hotel california in the top 10. Thats a masterpiece of a solo(s). The whole thing is hummable and hooky. Mark Knopfler would make my top 10 also. Your choices are all good
we have very similar taste ,The cozy Powell record, the Fripp solo on the Eno record and believe it or not the Steve Vai fire garden were new to me ! ,cool stuff , I agree don't copy people be influenced by all your favs and create your own voice !
An impossible task. Blackmore's solo(s) on Catch The Rainbow on the On Stage album would be my ultimate favourite(s). Gut-wrenching power and emotion. Multiple Jan Akkerman solos - Birth from Hamburger Concerto being just one. Buck Dharma - Last Days Of May (the live version On Your Feet Or On Your Knees) Sweet Home Alabama solos. Obviously Hotel California. A cliche maybe, but it is just perfect. Multiple Knopfler solos. Blackmore again - Stargazer. And one of my favourite Blackmore solos, much overlooked: Hey Joe. There are many many more great solos, by many many great guitarists. So many, I can't even think of them. Oh, Slash. He's done plenty.
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer actually, on Fat Time I think the peak is Mike's comp for Bill Evans emotionally insane soprano solo. That solo hits me every time...heart and gut wrenching ❤️
Andy, I might have a track to beat them all. Have you heard of the album " The bride said no" by Nad Sylvan.? On this album is a song called " What have you done" . It has a guitar solo that good, it took two guitarists!! It starts with Steve Hackett and half way through Guthrie Govan takes it to a shivering climax!! Best I have ever heard. Goosebumps are guaranteed😁😁
You’ve given me another headache, Andy……trying to choose favourite guitar solos! Mick Box on Salisbury, Guthrie on Steven Wilson’s Regret #9, or Drive Home, Gary Moore on Dr Strangely Strange’s Sign On My Mind, Steve Hackett on Firth of Fifth, Robert Fripp on The Emperor In His War Room………..even if it is quite short! But there’s so many awesome guitar solos……….
Beyond the Realms of Death - Judas Priest, has one of my favourite solo's. Also a Carlos Santana, Hendrix and Alex Lifeson fan... in fact all yhe guys you mentioned 😂 I got to see Gary Moore in Osnabrück, Germany during his Blues tour... excellent live show.
Thanks, Andy, for exposing me to so many guitar solos that I had not heard before. “Voodoo Child” and “Devil Take the Hindmost” I’ve known for 40 years, but all the others were new. Fripp’s jarred me in a way that only his playing can, as did McLaughlin’s attack on the fretboard, and while I would have made more obvious selections for Moore, Santana, Zappa, and Vai, I appreciate being exposed to them, as well as Mike Stern, who I was unfamiliar with. John Scofield? I’m sorry, I just don’t hear it. However, I am mostly alone here as many experts such as yourself have repeatedly cited him as an all-time great. But, the revelation here for me was Pat Metheny’s “Third Wind.” While his playing has never “moved” me, it has always intrigued me. This was the first time, though, that he made my toes tap.
AFA Holdsworth - I would choose two categories: Best extended improvised solo: "letters Of Marque". Best solo squeezed into 8-bar format: "In the Mystery"..also improvised on the spot. In fact here is no record of Holdsworth repeating any solo!
Hey Andy. Love the videos - keep them coming! It would interesting, if there was made a video, where you talked about the albums that help form your musical taste. Including maybe some of the early 80s metal albums, you have talked about from time to time.
How come back to Eddie Van Halen I just want to comment that one of my favorite guitarists Roy Buchanan said he was a school teacher very poor making some recordings but not really catching on with people and a friend of his bought him a ticket to go see Hendrix and one of the things he was taken back was Hendrix was using a foot pedal and Roy had never seen one and Roy had already figured out how to make all those sounds put just his hands on the neck of his guitar amazing I'd suggest that you revisit Roy Buchanan listen to whatever albums you can get your hands on I have at least half a dozen and talking about Eddie Van Halen at a concert I saw with John Fogerty as a solo musician he announced that there was a new Young guitarist he really wanted to thank Mr Eddie Van Halen for showing him how to use a guitar technique double tapping that they had been doing since the 60s but never knew how to incorporate it into a song and at that moment he kicked into Old Man Down the Road and in the middle of that he just blistered it with double tapping so as King Solomon had said there's really nothing new Under the Sun we just tend to forget Henry discover
Interesting and informative as ever. Great upload. I'd like to point out a couple of lesser known guitarists who need to be heard by more people. I know you like Moon Safari. Have you heard the playing of Pontus Åkesson on Seventh Day Of Seven by The Syn? Several solos but just beautiful playing throughout the song. No technical maelstroms just gorgeous sensitive and stylish. Going back to the 1980s and Twelfth Night - Andy Revell was an amazing guitarist in a group of vastly underrated musicians. Check out Sequences and The Poet Sniffs A Flower amongst others.
At some point I will do a prog guitarists list, but I've worked with many of them! Some of the greats I've worked with would be Mike Holmes, John Mitchell, Luke Machin, Nick Barrett, Chris Fry, Dec Burke and now Mirron Webb...the list goes on and on...
I’m with you Andy. I could pick 100 solos easier than 10. But the video would take 4 hours. Even Taylor Swift would call bullshit on that! But some of my favorite solos are Duane and Dickie from Allman Brothers before motorcycles, and two or three guitars in Lynyrd Skynyrd. But for me ZZTop has to be on there because nobody played that tight with such a drive as Mr. Gibbons.
I've tried to get into Pat Metheny, and I respect his harmonic virtuosity. But I am drawn to strong, masculine, dark feelings and he provides a different, perhaps more sensitive and pretty voice. I find a feminine quality in his solos and there is nothing wrong with that. I absolutely love Scofield, so I am not saying that I just need Mclaughlin and Holdsworth. And I also love Emily Remler who has both masculinity and femininity in her soloing voice for me. I like that album Pat did with Scofield. I think that helped me open up to his playing a little bit more. I certainly respect his amazing virtuosity and knowledge. I would not be suprised if someday it clicks for me and I start to like him. I need to go back and put on some of his albums. Edit: It might also be that I crave a burst of speed every once in a while in a solo, and it seems to me that Pat doesn't have that in his solos.
What a fantastic list. Great to see Cozy Powell's Tilt get a mention, fantastic album - my favourite Gary Moore are his Colosseum 2 records and Back on the Streets almost Colosseum 2 tracks. The only one on the list I havent heard is Fripp on that Eno album so will need to check that out. As you say the list tomorrow could well be different form today and yesterday . Thats the problem with lists. Suprised though, and maybe these were in the next ten or fifty, not to see Jeff Beck, Larry Coryell or Al DiMeola.
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer Yes, one of my all time favourite guitarists - a left hander who played it right handed. I've always thought though that Flight of the Snow Moose was a wee bit McLaughinesque, shall we say. And Variations is my favourite work by mr Lloyd Webber, mainly because of the use of Colosseum 2, Rod Argent and Barbara Thompson alongside hubby Jon Hiseman (who I oftentimes think isnt always given the plaudits in best or favourite drummer lists that he deserves). And Gary did loads of guest appearances and sessions but I do believe he's one of those genius musicians who wasnt able to or didnt bother to read music, he could just pick things up and do them and do them brilliantly. He is still very much missed.
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer Have you heard Skid by Skid Row (no, not that one), which Gary played on when he was 17? It was arguably years ahead of its time and, while Moore would have said his style hadn't fully developed then, what you get is a young, raw Gary, going wild over quite jazzy and unpredictable changes. I had the great pleasure of informing the band's drummer, the late, great Noel Bridgeman, that it was in my opinion by far the best rock album recorded in Ireland. It even features an alt-country track (before alt-country was a thing). The last track, Felicity, is mesmerisingly brilliant. czcams.com/video/sfswJ7daAPQ/video.html
@@terryjohnson5275 Apparently Doon Airey taught Gary to read music, along with some theory for Colosseum II - but he hated sight-reading, and said he never used the theory after leaving that band. Also, if you haven't hear it, pleaser give Skid by Skid Row, featuring a raw, 17 year-old Gary Moore, a listen if you haven't already heard it. I posted the link in my reply above.
I saw Ella Fitzgerald in 88 (?) exit her Bentley, with help from an assistant cuz she was really old. She had one or two prosthetic legs at this point. "Thanks for everything, Ella, I love you!" and she gave a little wave before entering the frozen yogurt shop on Santa Monica Boulevard. Jimi - Machine Gun. Eric - Crossroads (so it's a cliche for a reason!). Albert Lee - Cocaine (live with Eric). "Can't get more pretentious than that!". Yup.
One thing I find extremely interesting about Eddie Van Halen is that he and his brother Alex swapped instruments Eddie was a classically trained drummer and Alex play guitar one of the unique things about Eddie's guitar playing to me it is time signatures and that may have been one of the things that Drew you to Eddie whether you knew this or not anyhow I'm jumping in early because you've mentioned Eddie has number 12 I'm putting my seat belt on and I'm ready for the ride
I saw Jimi Hendrix live one night at the Fillmore Aud in San Francisco in 1968. He had a vibe like Miles Davis! Also, he came across like a very nice guy. I wasn't a Hendrix or Cream fan at the time; I went because Albert King was on the bill. I also heard a 19 year-old Mick Taylor with John Mayall. The Fillmore was packed! 350 people ha ha! It was $4 at the door with no reservations and I got a free poster! I sat front row, middle, balcony)
"Those were the days, my friend,
We thought they'd never end ..."
They did. Long live rock 'n' roll!
I will never get tired of stories like this. Lucky you!
The sublime 'Sometime World' solo off the album 'Argus' by the truly great and underrated Andy Powell !!!!
Cause we ended as Lovers, so melodic, soulful, intense. RIP Jeff
Saw John Scofield in Leeds twice about 1997/1998. He played at the Irish Centre and then he came back a few weeks later ...and he said he came back to Leeds because the audience impressed him so much, they really loved him. Sneaked an extra date in on his way back to the USA. Gary Grainger, Mitchell Forman...they were unbelievable gigs. I'll never forget them.
Todd Rundgrens motorcycle guitar bit in Bat Out Of Hell morphing from motorbike growl to soloing...one of rocks best moments
Paul McCartney on "Taxman"
Or maybe Ry Cooder, "Dark End of the Street." Not flashy or fast, but full of feeling.
Hi Andy, I fully agree that John McLaughlin's solo from Lila's Dance should be on the list. It's brutal, intense and beautiful at the same time, and the fact that it's in 20/8 (6+6+6+2) is, of course, a bonus for us drummers! ;)
I like McLaughlin's solo work on the Shakti track Lady L. It's possibly one of the best acoustic guitar solos on a studio recording.
Also, McLaughlin on Miles Out from the Inner Worlds album.
@@Oneness100 That's possibly my favouorite (Lady L, I mean). Or else John's solo on Shringar from the Remember Shakti Saturday Night In Bombay album: czcams.com/video/BDwGmaHczrg/video.html
I have a top 9 list of rock only guitar solos, studio versions only, no live versions, instrumentals or duets (duals are OK). In alphabetical order of song title, they are:
Analog Kid - Alex Lifeson
Driven To Tears - Andy Summers
Friends - Eric Johnson
Hotel California - J Walsh/D Felder
Machine Gun - Jimi Hendrix
Montana - Frank Zappa
My Old School - Jeff “Skunk” Baxter
Since I’ve Been Loving You - J Page
Situation - Jeff Beck
OK, all you haters, I know what you’re going to say (“Eagles and especially Hotel CA are stupid, lame, boring and cliché!”). Personally, I could do without ever hearing that song again but the trade off from one soloist to the next is seamless and sounds like just one guitarist. That and the highly creative lead lines by them both are why it is on my list. There are way too many to choose from for a tenth solo but I stand firm on these 9
Great video!
Here's my 12 :
1- Jimi Hendrix : Machine Gun
2- Allan Holdsworth : Hazard Profile (Soft Machine)
3- Andy Latimer : Lunar Sea (Camel)
4- Frank Zappa : Ocean is the Ultimate Solution
5- Adrian Smith : Caught Somewhere in Time (Iron Maiden)
6- Steve Howe : Sound Chaser (Yes)
7- Al Di Meola : Land of the Midnight Sun
8- John Petrucci : Under a Glass Moon (Dream Theater)
9- Brendt Allman : Cliffhanger (Shadow Gallery)
10- Nuno Bettencourt : Cupid's Dead (Extreme)
11- Robert Fripp : Sailor Tale (King Crimson)
12- Ian Crichton : Framed (Saga)
Once you listed “Machine Gun” as your favorite solo ever you won me over. It’s the greatest guitar performance ever recorded, in my opinion.
@@bangcolt yes it's mindblowing
So happy you mentioned sound chaser
My top ten atm, pretty diverse stylewise, but all fabulous!
Rory Gallagher - Moonchild (Stage Struck version)
Buck Dharma - Astronomy (Some Enchanted evening version)
Mike Slamer - Cigarrettes
George Kooymans - Vanilla Queen (Live 1977 version)
Steve Hackett - Every Day
Jan Akkerman - Hamburger Concerto
Andy Powell - Persephone (Live Dates II version)
Knut Euroboy Schreiner - Gimme Five
Jeff Beck - Where were you
Frank Zappa - Po jama People
Terry Kath - 25 or 6 to 4 (Tanglewood 1970 version)
Phil Keaggy - David & Goliath
I think we need a full video talking about Jimi's Electric Ladyland.
One of my favorite guitar solos is "Alice in Blunderland". It's on the album "The Spotlight Kid" by Captain Beefheart, the solo is played by Elliot Ingber, aka The Winged Eel Fingerling. While I'm at it, quite possibly, but not necessarily, my favorite Frank Zappa solo is "Watermelon in Easter Hay". I think it's just absolutely beautiful.
Thanks for the fun videos, by the way.
Fripp’s playing on anything involving Eno, Bowie, Sylvian is incredible-Baby’s On Fire, It’s No Game, Darshan… brilliant stuff
...St.Elmo's Fire...
Hi Andy. Great list and comments; I would add David Sancious & Tone's album Transformation (The Speed of Love), the song "Sky Church Hymn #9". David and his drummer had just left Bruce Springsteen's E-Street band in order to play more Jazz/Jazz Fusion. As a multi-instrumentalist and innovator, Sancious wanted to set the "Tone" for his next project. Sky Church is his commemoration od Jimi Hendrix and the Guitar/Bass & drums are blazing and Bluesy at the same time - Highly recommend!
Amazing keyboardist and guitarist!
Search Kazumi Watanabe & Resonance Vox or just Kazumi Watanabe
O-X-O "Unlucky Heaven"
Cheers Andy. Your enthusiasm for the music is infectious and I've been inspired to go back and listen to a lot of stuff that I haven't heard for a while. If you decide to make a Santana video give a listen to an album called Borboletta. It's one of Carlos' jazzier efforts and for my money has some of his best guitar work, and I'm a big fan so I don't say that lightly. In fact the whole band really cooks on that album. Just a suggestion. Keep em coming.
I'm going to do my favourite Santana albums and Borboletta will def make the list
Just came across this list. It's a good one. But everything you said about Allan Holdsworth... I completely agree and then some. At times Holdsworth is truly sublime in multiple directions, beyond technical or physical parameters. Sometimes I feel like I've never heard such a level of innocence, purity or yearning come so clearly through an instrument. He wasn't just a special musician. Having never met, except through his work, I recognize he was a special person.
I come here to learn.
Solid list. Here is my twelve:
John McLaughlin, The Wall Will Fall
(Mahavishnu, Adventures In Radioland)
Trevor Rabin, Shoot High Aim Low
(YES, Big Generator)
Vernon Reid, Information Overload
(Living Colour, Time's Up)
Doug Boyle, The Way I Feel
(Robert Plant, Now and Zen)
Alan Murphy, SOS
(Go West, )
Robert Fripp, God's Monkey
(Sylvian and Fripp, Damage)
Jeff Beck, Seasons
(Jeff Beck, Jeff)
Reeves Gabrels, Dead Man Walking
(David Bowie, Earthling)
Django Reinhardt, Sweet Georgia Brown
George Benson, Collaboration
(Benson and Earl Klugh, Collaboration)
Allan Holdsworth, City Nights
Carlos Santana, Victory Is Won
(Santana, Shaman)
Luv your list…it’s thoughtful.
No. 1 for me Jay Graydon's solo on Steely Dan's "Peg." Unlike anything else I've heard. Just brilliant. As fpr the remaining eleven:
Sails of Charon - Uli Jon Roth w/Scorpions
Rock Bottom (live version) - Michael Schenker w/UFO
Machine Gun - Jimi Hendrix (Band of Gypsys)
Jumping at Shadows (live) - Peter Green w/Fleetwood Mack
Funky Mamma - Danny Gatton
His Drums Were Yellow - Allen Holdsworth
Led Boots - Jeff Beck
The Attitude Song - Steve Vai
Fire in the Engine Room - Richard Thompson
Eric Johnson - Desert Rose
Shawn Lane - Rice with Angels w/Jonas Hellborg and Jeff Sipe
Sails of Charon and Machine Gun are indeed more than awesome.
Great video.Just listened to the Eno track and........what a blazing solo!Monster!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Django Reinhardt - Minor Swing. Tears my head and heart apart everytime.
Enjoyed this! Thanks, Andy. Some of my faves: Neil Schon’s solo in Taboo, from Santana lll is a masterclass in rising intensity. John McLaughlin’s solo in Dawn - the way he blazes through the chord changes is hair raising. Adrian Belew’s whammy solo in Talking Heads’ The Great Curve. Jeff Beck - Ambitious (naffish song, but what a solo). Fred Frith (Henry Cow) - Teenbeat Reprise. Frank Zappa: The Ocean is the Ultimate Solution. Scott Henderson: Tore Down House. Holdsworth: Sixteen Men of Tain. Agree re Gary Moore, btw.
Ha Ha...I could do an alternative list and many of those would make my list. I have missed out on Henry Cow, its a big gap in my knowledge....
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer Well, I’m finding plenty of interface with your choices. I came to Henry Cow quite late, and I found them a tough listen at first, but I’ve really grown to appreciate their unique compositions. Lotsa Zappa influence, especially on the first two albums. Fred Frith is a true original, both as a player and as a composer. Looking forward to your next instalment. Cheers.
Great list. Nice to see Scott Henderson on there - great player and a really nice guy too
Let's not forget:
- Ritchie Blackmore: Child in Time (Deep Purple)
- Roy Buchanan: The Messiah Will Come Again
- Jeff Beck: Cause We've Ended as Lovers
- Stevie Ray Vaughan: Pride and Joy
- Rory Gallagher: Walk on Hot Coals
- Dickey Betts: Jessica (The Allman Brothers Band)
- Frank Zappa: Muffin Man
- Peter Frampton: Do You Feel Like We Do
- Eric Clapton: Mainline Florida
- Jimmy Page: Stairway to Heaven (Led Zeppelin)
My vote for the greatest guitar solo of all time is Jimi Hendrix on "All Along the Watchtower."
Alan's solo on Ponty's composition Nostalgia is as good as it gets for me. He takes his time but doesn't compromise on technique.
My greatest musical memories are seeing Holdsworth, Zawinul, and Zappa live. Took me 30 years to do it though.
Wonderful stuff.
Thanks.
JT
Absolutely love your videos Andy. Just my kind of thing
Thanks Chris...very appreciated
Ollie Halsall was doing the whole shred and wang bar thing prior to EVH. Go listen to Kevin Ayers "Didn't Feel Lonely Till I Thought Of You "and "Blue" .
great video - loved the talk on Holdsworth, he was such a genius.
He sure was.....
SUNPYG is my Desert Island Disc... I think Frank saw the special relationship that he had with Vinnie Colaiuta as something that needed to be documented along with the nuggets of the previous few years for the original 3 record set... Andy, you have nailed Deathless Horsie and it is my all time favorite Zappa guitar track where the rhythmic interplay between the guitar and drums is magical. That whole side of the record with SUPYGSM and Pink Napkins is definitely my favorite album side of all time. The thing with Zappa guitar solos is that he NEVER EVER played the same solo twice as he loved to spontaneously compose new pieces of music on the spot which gave audiences reason to never miss a show and definitely reason to mine his "bootleg" recordings for his solo guitar work.
What Vinnie did with Zappa is equal to what Elvin did with Coltrane. They created a new way of improvising where the the cadences are created rhythmically and modally. It's a huge break through for improvised music. And yes you are right, Zappa knew this so that is why there is this three disc document of this.
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer "almost Chinese, huh"... very comparable to the Indian raga form...
I have a suspicion that this will finally be a guitar solo list with actually interesting guitar solos. Looking forward to it!
I knew I will not be disappointed. I did a video like that half a year ago, and failed at 10 as well - ending up with 16... But a lot of the same guitarists. Allan Holdsworth was at my #1 as well. Incredible innovator and a beautifully stubborn artist.
Just pick any ten extended solos by zappa
cool I'm hearing solos and records in general of players I love I never heard before !
Miles nicknamed Mike Fat Time ....saw him in NYC at the 55 Bar..super nice guy too !
Great list Andy. I would have put something in by Larry Carlton, but your right, I find just doing 12 to difficult.
#1 Stairway To Heaven.
I have a hard time believing this guy doesn’t bring up hardly anything from Eric Johnson. He’s a super virtuoso, with his own unique sound and style, and has influenced many newer players. His guitar tones (clean and lead sounds) are considered by many to be unbelievably out of this world. His lead playing is so fluid and intervalic, and his chord playing is almost inarguably the most colorful and complex in the rock genre.
His songwriting is very mature, sometimes simple, sometimes sophisticated, and always classy.
I’m not saying this guy should put one of Eric’s solos on his “favorite” list here, (maybe he never heard Desert Rose), but I’ve watched quite a few (a lot, to be exact) of Andy’s videos (I enjoy them) and I don’t recall him ever talking about Eric.
Well, at least he recognizes Shawn Lane.
I like Eric Johnson a lot, a fantastic player with his own virtuoso approach. I have done a video coming out soon where I look at 10 bands that I don't cover on my channel and why. Eric comes into a group of guitarists who I think are fantastic but were never on my radar. I think although his compositions are great, I never chimed with them that much...
Holy shit, I did not know that about Allan's amp. The greatest(not influential) musician of the 20th century(in my mind) passes away broke, one of the saddest things I know.
You are absolutely correct in "why try to sound like Allan?". I hope along my journey that the only thing I can have from Allan is his open-mindedness. Allan said it at a masterclass, when someone asked him about going down his route, Allan said "Go your own way". I might get that tattooed on my forehead.
I have been using Allan's advice to shape myself. He mentioned he felt foreign on the piano when he was young. I played guitar for about 10 years off and on and never liked my playing, then one day I was at a music store getting my guitar worked on and noodled on a piano. I immediately felt more musical on it than my guitar of 10 years. Having that quote from Allan in my mind, I immediately sold my guitars and bought a piano, haven't looked back.
Great vid as usual and I have some new listening to do today.
Thanks for your comments, they are really appreciated! A great example of the AH is Bill Connors. In the seventies he was incredible, his solos with RTF and on the Stanley Clarke album could have easily made this list. Then he hears Holdsworthx...check him out on the album Assembler, incredible play and an amazing version of Allan's style, but you do think,,,'Whats the point?'
I love the guitar solo by Antony Paluso on Carpenters song Goodbye To Love.
Some pop songs have great guitar parts
Thanks for the video, your words about Allan really touched me.
Andy, I’m a huge fan of Fripp and had never heard Disturbed Being before. Thanks for the pointer, and thanks for calling out Teenage Wildlife, which is my favorite Fripp appearance on other people’s albums.
Also, thanks for recognizing Zappa as a great guitarist.
In fact it was a golden era in terms of seeing the best musicians in Leeds at that time. The year before, at the Irish Centre, we saw John McGlaughlin, with Jeff Berlin and Trilok Gurtu. They came back a year later and it was the same band, but with Kai Ekhardt replacing Jeff. We were really spoiled in Yorkshire then.
For some reason I was really surprised when I discovered that John McLaughlin was born in Doncaster. In effect, playing in Leeds is almost like "coming home".
Hi Andy, thanks again for a great video with some great guitar solos. I new before the start that you would have John McLaughlin, Allan Holdsworth and Carlos Santana included as I probably would myself they are so incredible. I have to tell you that I have only just recently bought "Visions Of The Emerald Beyond" by Mahavishnu Orchestra and my god what an album and I do agree that "Lila's Dance" is fantastic. I also want to mention I'm glad you picked a Frank Zappa track, which I kind of expected too, and there are so many Zappa solos that you could choose from it's so difficult and the "Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar" album is incredible, it surprised me a little that you chose "The Deathless Horsie" but it is fantastic as is the whole album, I've listened to it many many times and as you said the improvisation on it is superb. Here's just a couple of tracks of it that I would have chosen from:- "Pink Napkins", I just love the sound he gets from the strat with the Di-Marzio pick ups and "Return Of The Son Of Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar" is also a favourite of mine, I can listen to Zappa all week long he is one of the greatest.
why are people leaving comments about their personal choices ? ....he's told you that they are his own personal favorites......they only have relevance to that.
Hendrix : May this be love - accept no substitute - greatest guitar solo ever in any genre
I had never heard an Alan Holdsworth solo until this vid and I went straight to the live Devil Take...Alan plays where the music goes, he will not be co-opted. His solo convinces me that I should continue to play like me.
A bit late, but my impossible to choose list would be:
Machine gun by Jimi Hendrix
Dreams. Mahavishnu O ft. John McLauglin.
The thrill is gone by BB King.
Do what you like. Blind Faith ft. Eric Clapton.
Race with the devil on a Spanish highway by Al Dimeola.
Odyssey by Terje Rypdal.
Timeless by John Abercrombie.
Heavy tune by Gong ft. Allan Holdsworth.
Drive home by Steve Wilson ft. Govan Guthrie.
Shine on you crazy diamonds by Pink Floyd ft. David Gilmour.
Anything by Carlos Santana or Frank zappa is magic.
Great video, interesting choice with the Vai solo. I had that album on cassette tape and pretty much wore it out. Great album and a great solo!
Like yourself Andy I find it impossible to pin this down & wouldn't call the following definitive. However, & in no particular order: John Scofield Protocol, Pat Metheny 3rd Wind, Jimi Still Raining Still Dreaming, Frank Inca Roads, Bill Frisell Samurai Hee Haw, Kevin Eubank The Oracle (Dave Holland, John Abercrombie Timeless, John McLaughlin Florianapolis, Mike Stern Fat Time, Allan Holdsworth Devil Takes The Hindmost to name just a few. However I could listen to anything by any of the above especially Sco,, McLaughlin & Allan. I would recommend Sco's So You Say from a live outdoor gig in Germany, July 1987 during which he plays several choruses accompanied by Dennis Chambers. A stunning performance.
all favourites including that outdoor Scofield solo...even though he has no harmonic backing you can hear the changes all the way through...
Really enjoying your videos and your take on music, must admit I just want to listen to all your records
Oh...and Dennis Chambers. Another alien musician x
Scofield, techno, still warm, Metheny, three flights up, Questions and Answers, Santana, Europa moonflower, Zappa, St. Etienne, Jazz from hell, and yes, oh yes, Holdsworth, devil take the hindmost, metal fatigue, do you remember Steve Via transcribed that solo, in guitar player, "I'm sure the notes are correct, but I'm really not sure what fingers are going where" another great video Andy thanks,
just thought of another one, Scott Henderson, jean-luc ponty, album fables, Cats tales,
Here's my 12 before I watch yours.
(Subject to change)
Joe Satriani - Flying in a Blue Dream
Greg Howe - Birds Eye View
Steve Vai - For the Love of God
Yngwie Malmsteen - Black Star
Al Dimeola - Race w/Devil on Spanish Highway
Shawn Lane - The Way it Has to Be
Buckethead - Soothsayer
Mateo Mancuso - Drop D
Frank Gambale - Little Charmer
Joe Satriani - Rubina
Scott Henderson - Dolemite
Gary Moore - Cold Hearted
Nice guide. One of my favorites ever is Bill Frisell, on Paul Motian's "Live at the Vanguard" record (this version, yes) -- the tune "Yallah". I could not even begin to do what you did (as you say at the beginning) and pick just 12, and I certainly couldn't rank them in any order. You did an amazing job, as usual. And I don't know all of these tunes, at least not well enough to remember solos, so I love being sent back to the stacks to pull these things out. I have almost all of them in my library at least....
Sometimes I think these top tens are a bit silly but its a good excuse to talk about music. I would love it '12 guitar solos I really like' but people wouldnt click. I do think there is nothing quite like Allan Holdsorth though...
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer Yeah, I can't settle on a "greatest" (anything pretty much) for all the obvious reasons, but I totally get why Holdsworth would be that for you and A LOT of people! And your caveats about "different day, different list" put the whole "top tens" into perspective!
I saw the Jimi Hendrix Experience at Wolverhampton Gaumont in 1967 when I was 10 years old.
So bragging rights out of the way here is my best of guitar solos list.
1. Comfortably Numb - Gilmour - Floyd
2. Since I've Been Loving You - Jimmy Page - Zeppelin
3. Thirty Years - Alan Holdsworth - UK
4. All Along The Watchtower - Hendrix
5. Lark's Tongue In Aspic Part 1 - Fripp - King Crimson
6. Kid Charlemagne - Larry Carlton - Steely Dan
7. Firth Of Fifth - Steve Hackett - Genesis
8. Watermelon In Easter Hay - Frank Zappa
9. Dance Of The Uncle Sam Humanoids - Bill Nelson - Bebop Deluxe
10. Tom Morello - Killing In The Name - Rage Against The Machine
11. George - Something - The Beatles
12. John McLaughlin - Lila's Dance - The Mahavishnu Orchestra
I beleive he played the Kingfisher on the Kiddy-Wolves road too. My best friend toured and jammed with him
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer I think I played there in about 1978. Moved south when I turned pro in 1981.
Coryell and Di meola on Venusian summer is wonderful. Riveria Paradise by SRV, something coming our way Frank Marino - getting it down to 12 is a feat in itself
If I did it today I think it would change. And if you have checked this channel out you know how much I love Venusian Summer!
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer just watched that one! Majestic collaboration
Another superb vid Andy. I will definitely check out some of your picks. I have my Allan holdsworth Tempest album on repeat! The best guitar solo's for me have always had an emotional intensity but also a simplicity that may not be as technical or virtuosic but can leave you breathless. My favourite, hands down is Jimmy Page 'No Quarter' live on the song remains the same film from 1973. A masterpiece that encapsulates everything mentioned above. Followed by Peter Green 'Got A Mind To Give Up Living.' Live in New Orleans 1970. Both solo's are grounded in minor blues that always leaves me deeply moved. Jimi Hendrix 'Little Wing.' From the Albert Hall 1969 is as great as Jimi ever got! Thanks again and looking forward to the next vid in my musical journey.
I really love Billy Gibbons...so simple but so cool, and Robin Trower, SVR, and I have worked with some amazing Blues guitarists like Ian Parker, Aynsley Lister and Joanne Shaw Taylor...so many amazing guitarists out there
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer Absolutely. Thank you for the recommendations.
Please could you do an Allan holdsworth vid? I have his nucleus, soft machine, lifetime albums but struggling beyond the 70's. Any help would be gratefully received.
... I'm sure you have some stories to share which I'll look forward to in a future vid. All the best.
@@nickfryearson1531 I met Allan once and saw him a few times. I am thinking of doing a long video that looks at his solo and sideman appearances all together and discusses his legacy. I just cant think of a carchy title for it....
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer sounds perfect! As there is a wealth of material to cover would it be better to do several vids covering the various topics you mentioned, solo albums, different bands etc. Similar to the approach you took with John McLaughlin? Either way I cannot wait to see the results! It'll be brilliant. Thanks again for all your hard work and sharing of knowledge.
All the very best.
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer Taking a leaf from Motorhead's What's Words Worth how about What's Holdsworth's Worth or Whats the Worth of Holdsworth? and if going into more depth with him would you give a shout out to some or any of his influences - particularly Ollie Hallsall?
Amputation is always painful, but at least it's only temporary and infidelity is permissible when it comes to picking 12 favorite guitar solos:
-Holdsworth - Strang-her on the first Tempest album moved the bar in a big way.
-Hendrix- All Along The Watchtower
-FZ- Muffin Man
-Ollie Halsall- Money Bag (Patto)
-Reeves Gabrels- Heaven's In Here (Tin Machine 1)
-Mick Ralphs- Sweet Jane (Hoople/All The Young Dudes)
-Larry Coryell- Further Explorations For Albert Stinson (Fairyland album)
-Buck Dharma- Last Days of May (B.O.C. Live in Chicago)
-Peter Wolbrandt- Holiday am Marterhorn (Kraan Live)
-Sonny Sharrock- Dick Dogs (Seize The Rainbow)
-John McLaughlin- Purpose of When (Devotion)
-Robert Fripp-Asbury Park (Crimson USA album)
Hello from the u.k.
Same here with voodoo chile, just getting into the good stuff
Rock and prog, aged 14, first heard voodoo chile in the local
Youth club.
And thought W.T.F. was that!
The rest is history!
Fresh every time I hear it.
Uncle Frank decorated the air beautifully.
SUAPYG is the pinnacle of guitar playing, for me.
it blew my little 20 year old mind, many years ago
Impossible to choose just 12, but I will throw some into the mix:
Jan Akkerman - Hocus Pocus
Mick Ronson - Time
Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd - Marquee Moon
Rory Gallagher - Crest of a wave
Steve Cropper - Stone Cold Sober
Duane Allman - Loan Me A Dime
Dickey Betts - Jelly Jelly
Joe Walsh - Rocky Mountain Wsy
Mick Taylor - Shine A Light
Stevie Ray Vaughan - Life Without You
Eddie Hazel - Maggot.Brain
Hiram Bullock - Little Wing (Sting)
Nail Young - Like A Hurricane
Lindsey Buckingham - Go Your Own Way (The Dance)
Jimi Hendrix - Hear My Train a comin (Valleys of Neptune)
Jim Cregan - I Was Only Joking (Rod Stewart)
Laurie Wisefield - Lady Jay (Wishbone Ash)
Albert King - Personal Manager
A few favorites in no particular order:
Richie Blackmore - You Fool No One (DeepPurple - Live in London 1974) from hard blues to extreme shred
Gates of Babylon (Rainbow - Long Live Rock and Roll)
Stargazer (Rainbow Rising) improves an epic song
Alex Lifeson - La Villa Stangiato (Exit Stage Left) soundtrack to a torrid sex scene
George Lynch - When Darkness Calls (Lynch Mob) outrow is more than half the song, epic dog fight viewed from the cockpit
George Lynch - Mr Scary (Dokken Back from the Attack) George’s Eruption
Mastodon - The Czar (Crack the Sky) wonderfully disjointed.
Steve Lothgar - Grendel (Marillion) the ending solo
Petri Walli - Shine on Me (Kingston Wall 11)
Michael Schenker - Rock Bottom(UFO - Phenomenon) this set the bar in 1974. It slowly builds until suddenly shifting into overdrive.
Lonesome Crow(Scorpions) 1972 Michael is 16 years old and way ahead of his time.
Mikael Åkerfeldt - Harlequin Forest (Royal Albert Hall) first solo, Simple’s but seems to my ear to allude to early 70’s sci-fi space music.
Randy Rhoads - Mr Crowley (Blizzard
There are more, but these come to mind first.
Good choices. I would add Larry Coryell from the album Offering.
So many amazing Coryell solos. I love his solo on Kowloon Jag too
Good choice! One of my top 3 Coryell albums is Offering
I've said this before. But the guitar solo on the Dylan cover of Going Going Gone, done by Bill Frizell on the Electra Rubaiyat album is pretty darned good.
I expected t see John Mclaughlin and Pat Matheny amongst the great jazz fusion guitarists ... but I humbly admit I never heard of Allan Holdsworth (the Eddie Van Halen neck style mimic of Holdsworth is fascinating).
When I heard Santana's instrumentals Europa; and Aquamarine (Marathon) I knew Santana had become my favorite guitarist. Oh, Super Boogie/Hong Kong Blues is a phenomenal blues electric jam (I first heard on Viva Santana! compilation). Should I be surprised Gabor Szabo not on Andy's list?
another excellent video. I'm a drummer but also a guitar fanatic. Anytime Gary Moore is mentioned I am quite happy. My number 1 guitarist. I don't think he gets the recognition he deserved. Gary was ferocious!
A fine list. I much prefer Steve Vai's batshit soloing on Ease from Public Image Ltd.'s Album. So unlikely, so out there. Hendrix - Little Wing (mistitled Little Ivey) on the posthumous Experience Live vol. 2. On Shut Up 'N Play I have to go for the opening Five-Five-FIVE - that fantastic controlled feedback that Zappa floats over those beautiful chords. Shivers every time. There are so many others. I'll give a special mention to Rick Derringer on Comes a Woman from his Derringer album. A quick irrelevance: I'll always rank Zal Cleminson high on the list of massively underrated guitarists. His playing with the Sensational Alex Harvey Band back in the 70s was great. Amazing tone. Right, I'll carry on rambling to my disinterested family. Aloha!
Great picks.
Fat Time is burning!
My favourite Holdsworth solo at the moment (it changes frequently) is Questions off Warrenclyffe Tower.
I love AH's synth guitar solo on the track Wardenclyffe Tower. But I'm so glad to meet another Fat Time fan...I thought I was the only one!
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer I particularly love Allan's solo Sand: It's exquisite.
the 4.15 Bradford executive is so sensible. ever heard the great Alex Machacek ?
@@frankfertier34 yes! Alex is awesome 👌
@@mattdowie92 have you heard "Bradford" by Andrey Korolev? what a talent ! czcams.com/video/tIUNZRygDTg/video.html
It might be obvious and overplayed but I would definately put hotel california in the top 10. Thats a masterpiece of a solo(s). The whole thing is hummable and hooky. Mark Knopfler would make my top 10 also. Your choices are all good
we have very similar taste ,The cozy Powell record, the Fripp solo on the Eno record and believe it or not the Steve Vai fire garden were new to me ! ,cool stuff , I agree don't copy people be influenced by all your favs and create your own voice !
Check out Alan Shacklock's solo in King Kong from Babe Ruth's First Base album
An impossible task. Blackmore's solo(s) on Catch The Rainbow on the On Stage album would be my ultimate favourite(s). Gut-wrenching power and emotion.
Multiple Jan Akkerman solos - Birth from Hamburger Concerto being just one.
Buck Dharma - Last Days Of May (the live version On Your Feet Or On Your Knees)
Sweet Home Alabama solos.
Obviously Hotel California. A cliche maybe, but it is just perfect.
Multiple Knopfler solos.
Blackmore again - Stargazer.
And one of my favourite Blackmore solos, much overlooked: Hey Joe.
There are many many more great solos, by many many great guitarists. So many, I can't even think of them.
Oh, Slash. He's done plenty.
Oh. Steve Hunter and Dick Wagner - Intro/Sweet Jane on Rock n Roll Animal.
My top 3 -
3) Dave Alvin - Common Man (live in Downey)
2) Jimmy Page - Ten Years Gone
1) Mick Taylor - Time Waits for No One
Compose as you go, and never bore yourself, which requires enormous honesty. Speed is not excellence, speed is speed, it's part of the language.
Check out Santana’s Song for a Fisherman. It’s definitely my favorite solo of his.
That Mike Stern solo is insane!!
Yes!!!
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer and that was the solo that made Miles name the track after Mike's nickname Fat Time 😊
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer I actually know Mike pretty well...studied and played a little with him
@@steffenbrix One of the greats
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer actually, on Fat Time I think the peak is Mike's comp for Bill Evans emotionally insane soprano solo. That solo hits me every time...heart and gut wrenching ❤️
Andy,
I might have a track to beat them all. Have you heard of the album " The bride said no" by Nad Sylvan.?
On this album is a song called " What have you done" . It has a guitar solo that good, it took two guitarists!!
It starts with Steve Hackett and half way through Guthrie Govan takes it to a shivering climax!!
Best I have ever heard. Goosebumps are guaranteed😁😁
You’ve given me another headache, Andy……trying to choose favourite guitar solos! Mick Box on Salisbury, Guthrie on Steven Wilson’s Regret #9, or Drive Home, Gary Moore on Dr Strangely Strange’s Sign On My Mind, Steve Hackett on Firth of Fifth, Robert Fripp on The Emperor In His War Room………..even if it is quite short! But there’s so many awesome guitar solos……….
Beyond the Realms of Death - Judas Priest, has one of my favourite solo's.
Also a Carlos Santana, Hendrix and Alex Lifeson fan... in fact all yhe guys you mentioned 😂
I got to see Gary Moore in Osnabrück, Germany during his Blues tour... excellent live show.
Thanks, Andy, for exposing me to so many guitar solos that I had not heard before. “Voodoo Child” and “Devil Take the Hindmost” I’ve known for 40 years, but all the others were new. Fripp’s jarred me in a way that only his playing can, as did McLaughlin’s attack on the fretboard, and while I would have made more obvious selections for Moore, Santana, Zappa, and Vai, I appreciate being exposed to them, as well as Mike Stern, who I was unfamiliar with. John Scofield? I’m sorry, I just don’t hear it. However, I am mostly alone here as many experts such as yourself have repeatedly cited him as an all-time great. But, the revelation here for me was Pat Metheny’s “Third Wind.” While his playing has never “moved” me, it has always intrigued me. This was the first time, though, that he made my toes tap.
AFA Holdsworth - I would choose two categories: Best extended improvised solo: "letters Of Marque". Best solo squeezed into 8-bar format: "In the Mystery"..also improvised on the spot. In fact here is no record of Holdsworth repeating any solo!
Hey Andy. Love the videos - keep them coming! It would interesting, if there was made a video, where you talked about the albums that help form your musical taste. Including maybe some of the early 80s metal albums, you have talked about from time to time.
Joe Walsh's slide guitar solo on 'Rocky Mountain Way' is stellar.
George Harrison's telecaster solo on 'Octopus's Garden' is George at his best RIP
How come back to Eddie Van Halen I just want to comment that one of my favorite guitarists Roy Buchanan said he was a school teacher very poor making some recordings but not really catching on with people and a friend of his bought him a ticket to go see Hendrix and one of the things he was taken back was Hendrix was using a foot pedal and Roy had never seen one and Roy had already figured out how to make all those sounds put just his hands on the neck of his guitar amazing I'd suggest that you revisit Roy Buchanan listen to whatever albums you can get your hands on I have at least half a dozen and talking about Eddie Van Halen at a concert I saw with John Fogerty as a solo musician he announced that there was a new Young guitarist he really wanted to thank Mr Eddie Van Halen for showing him how to use a guitar technique double tapping that they had been doing since the 60s but never knew how to incorporate it into a song and at that moment he kicked into Old Man Down the Road and in the middle of that he just blistered it with double tapping so as King Solomon had said there's really nothing new Under the Sun we just tend to forget Henry discover
Interesting and informative as ever. Great upload.
I'd like to point out a couple of lesser known guitarists who need to be heard by more people.
I know you like Moon Safari. Have you heard the playing of Pontus Åkesson on Seventh Day Of Seven by The Syn? Several solos but just beautiful playing throughout the song. No technical maelstroms just gorgeous sensitive and stylish.
Going back to the 1980s and Twelfth Night - Andy Revell was an amazing guitarist in a group of vastly underrated musicians. Check out Sequences and The Poet Sniffs A Flower amongst others.
At some point I will do a prog guitarists list, but I've worked with many of them! Some of the greats I've worked with would be Mike Holmes, John Mitchell, Luke Machin, Nick Barrett, Chris Fry, Dec Burke and now Mirron Webb...the list goes on and on...
14:58 I'll be checking out the Zappa 😎
18:03 Santana is a must listen
I hope I agree with some of this... I probably won't though.. 😎
I’m with you Andy. I could pick 100 solos easier than 10. But the video would take 4 hours. Even Taylor Swift would call bullshit on that! But some of my favorite solos are Duane and Dickie from Allman Brothers before motorcycles, and two or three guitars in Lynyrd Skynyrd. But for me ZZTop has to be on there because nobody played that tight with such a drive as Mr. Gibbons.
The greatest guitar solo of all time is Hendrix on Hey Joe.
I've tried to get into Pat Metheny, and I respect his harmonic virtuosity. But I am drawn to strong, masculine, dark feelings and he provides a different, perhaps more sensitive and pretty voice. I find a feminine quality in his solos and there is nothing wrong with that. I absolutely love Scofield, so I am not saying that I just need Mclaughlin and Holdsworth. And I also love Emily Remler who has both masculinity and femininity in her soloing voice for me.
I like that album Pat did with Scofield. I think that helped me open up to his playing a little bit more. I certainly respect his amazing virtuosity and knowledge. I would not be suprised if someday it clicks for me and I start to like him. I need to go back and put on some of his albums.
Edit: It might also be that I crave a burst of speed every once in a while in a solo, and it seems to me that Pat doesn't have that in his solos.
Terry Kath, Aire by Chicago.
UFO, Michael Schenker (still a teenager), Rock Bottom (Phenomenon, 1974)
What a fantastic list. Great to see Cozy Powell's Tilt get a mention, fantastic album - my favourite Gary Moore are his Colosseum 2 records and Back on the Streets almost Colosseum 2 tracks. The only one on the list I havent heard is Fripp on that Eno album so will need to check that out. As you say the list tomorrow could well be different form today and yesterday . Thats the problem with lists. Suprised though, and maybe these were in the next ten or fifty, not to see Jeff Beck, Larry Coryell or Al DiMeola.
I love Gary on Andrew Lloyd Webber's Variations! He could play anything....
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer Yes, one of my all time favourite guitarists - a left hander who played it right handed. I've always thought though that Flight of the Snow Moose was a wee bit McLaughinesque, shall we say. And Variations is my favourite work by mr Lloyd Webber, mainly because of the use of Colosseum 2, Rod Argent and Barbara Thompson alongside hubby Jon Hiseman (who I oftentimes think isnt always given the plaudits in best or favourite drummer lists that he deserves). And Gary did loads of guest appearances and sessions but I do believe he's one of those genius musicians who wasnt able to or didnt bother to read music, he could just pick things up and do them and do them brilliantly. He is still very much missed.
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer Have you heard Skid by Skid Row (no, not that one), which Gary played on when he was 17? It was arguably years ahead of its time and, while Moore would have said his style hadn't fully developed then, what you get is a young, raw Gary, going wild over quite jazzy and unpredictable changes. I had the great pleasure of informing the band's drummer, the late, great Noel Bridgeman, that it was in my opinion by far the best rock album recorded in Ireland. It even features an alt-country track (before alt-country was a thing). The last track, Felicity, is mesmerisingly brilliant. czcams.com/video/sfswJ7daAPQ/video.html
@@terryjohnson5275 Apparently Doon Airey taught Gary to read music, along with some theory for Colosseum II - but he hated sight-reading, and said he never used the theory after leaving that band. Also, if you haven't hear it, pleaser give Skid by Skid Row, featuring a raw, 17 year-old Gary Moore, a listen if you haven't already heard it. I posted the link in my reply above.
Do a top 10 live solos ranking.
For Gary Moore I would choose the solo from Shapes of Things.
firth of fifth has got to be mine
I saw Ella Fitzgerald in 88 (?) exit her Bentley, with help from an assistant cuz she was really old. She had one or two prosthetic legs at this point. "Thanks for everything, Ella, I love you!" and she gave a little wave before entering the frozen yogurt shop on Santa Monica Boulevard. Jimi - Machine Gun. Eric - Crossroads (so it's a cliche for a reason!). Albert Lee - Cocaine (live with Eric). "Can't get more pretentious than that!". Yup.
One thing I find extremely interesting about Eddie Van Halen is that he and his brother Alex swapped instruments Eddie was a classically trained drummer and Alex play guitar one of the unique things about Eddie's guitar playing to me it is time signatures and that may have been one of the things that Drew you to Eddie whether you knew this or not anyhow I'm jumping in early because you've mentioned Eddie has number 12 I'm putting my seat belt on and I'm ready for the ride
Stevie Ray Von’s version of little wing and Steve Carlton’s work on Kid Charlemagne,
Larry Carlton
Listen to the intro of VH girl gone bad. Its same as song remains the song song from from LZ