Howling feedback madness!
Listening to Comfortably Numb the other day, I was interrupted by my beloved exclaiming that she couldn't see the point of guitar solos.
Normally, I tend to let her dismissal of Pink Floyd ("too much noise and a load of lights" was her description of one show) wash over me. But this comment set me wondering: what is the point of a solo? Do they add something indefinable to a song, or is it just a bit of showing off? I think it's somewhere in between - to me someone like Steve Vai is just a skilful poser in search of a good tune, whereas Dave Gilmour or Mark Knopfler create real mood and emotion with just a few notes.
Q once described Neil Young's Arc as "howling feedback madness". Has there even been a better, more evocative description of a rock show full of guitar solos?
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Personally
I wouldn't give it much thought. Hand her her handbag put on some Girls Aloud and let her off around the kitchen doing the X Factor Boogie. Then put on your ipod go back to Comfortably Numb speed forward to the guitar solo and enjoy.
Thankfully, she can't stand
Thankfully, she can't stand Girls Aloud and we stop watching X Factor once they kick out all the freaks. But still, my iPod is my musical saviour...
The best guitar solos...
are an integral part of the song and add to its overall mood...
For example, George Harrison on 'Something', James Honeyman-Scott on 'Kid' and, yes indeed, David 'Dave' Gilmour on 'Comfortably Numb'.
Lowell George...
...said it all in one brief glissando in 'Long Distance Love'
That...
is another *great* guitar solo (apologies to Mr Hepworth for nicking his trademark use of *)
A connosieur writes...
Clearly mankind is yet to invent a more exciting, passionately expressive sound than the electric guitar at it's best. So the point is it moves you. I think many women would agree in fact. And if it seems it's going on too long well then it's a not a very good example of the art - and I'm not interested in technique for technique's sake. I like all kinds and styles but sometimes you can get too much of a good thing and need to take a break from it, but it always comes back. And when it all starts to sound a bit corny (too Dad rockish) you can always find a more out there, less predictable, intelligent alternative - like Adrian Belew or something.
It's good if it's a vital part of the song but it's also OK for it to be just to be about the sheer exhiliration of playing. Must go now, X Factor is on.
Plank spanking
The best ones are totally integral to the song to the point where they're just incomplete without them. To whit; Comfy Numb, Hotel California and Telegraph Road, all of which are examples of pure genius... And, of course, a truly great guitar solo will involve gurning with eyes closed and a wrist action on the tremelo arm that only men truly get the knack of...
what about that guy
on the Carpenters "Goodbye to Love"???
Come on somebody throw it up on You Tube.
This one ?
You mean this one ...?
about 1.40 in. Who is this guy ? I want his solo album....
Tony Peluso...
and a very fine piece of axesmithery it is too...