It's about time.
I haven't posted in quite awhile. I know, I suck. But, a couple things have drawn me back. I got a new guitar that has renewed my love of the instrument and I found a link to an article entitled 20 Greatest Guitar Solos Ever, With Videos and it got me thinking.
Now, I think the list is pretty good. There are some very good solos on this list, very influential guitarist. But, as a guitarist myself, I was thinking about what solo's have influenced me. I realized that my list would be very different from this one mainly because I don't generally listen to a lot of mainstream artists.
So, here goes, my list of guitarists/solos that have influenced me. Not that they've actually influenced my style, I'm not that good actually, and I don't learn solos generally. But, I love the electric guitar in capable hands and I'm sure that I've come away with something at least subliminally from all of these guitarists/solos.
1. The reason why I, and thousands of other players in my generation picked up the guitar, is the obvious first choice on my list. Eddie Van Halen and his guitar masterpiece "Eruption" has to be on my list. Can I play it? Hell no. Do I sound anything like him? No again. But, he and this piece are brilliant.
2. One of the few solos that I have ever taken the time to learn is my second choice. "Man In The Box" by Alice In Chains. When I played in the bands I was in this was my guitar showcase. I loved playing this song and this solo. It's such a great lead and truly stands out and makes a statement within the song which I feel any great solo should.
3. Jimi Hendrix's "Purple Haze" is just one of many Hendrix solos that could be listed. Is it his greatest? Don't know. But I know this song and the solos contained in it never bores me. fantastic song.
4. Little known band by the name of Coroner (guitarist Tommy Vetterli) makes my list with their song "Masked Jackal". These guys deserved much more attention than they received back in the day. They were one of my first more extreme bands that I got into. The lead in this song has so much going on. Two hand tapping, blues licks, neo-classical lines. Amazing player. Amazing solo.
5. Dimebag Darrell/Pantera's song "Cowboys From Hell" makes the list. Great intro to a great guitarist. Just stunned me with his playing from the first time I heard him. He made what he did look so easy.
6. "Pride And Joy" by Stevie Ray Vaughn. This is the first song that I listened to with my daughter after we brought her home from the hospital after she was born. The leads in this song are classic Stevie. Firmly rooted in the blues but rockin' out like no other.
7. "Sunshine Of Your Love" by Cream/Eric Clapton. Another guitarist/solo very much based in the blues. Clapton just does it. Amazing.
8. Now, back to my "roots" for my next choice. Another not so well known metal band Annihilators (guitarist Jeff Waters) song "Alison Hell". Yeah, I know, the lyrics and vocals are cheesy as hell, but I'm not talking about that. This guy can play. Another metal player who can throw around styles within the same solo effortlessly. Awesome player.
9. "Master Of Puppets" Metallica / Kirk Hammet This song is amazing the solo fits the song, raging, angry and nasty. Amazing band/performers at the height of their creativity. Still had the hunger that they would lose only a couple of albums later.
10. "La Grange" ZZ Top/Billy Gibbons ZZ Top is just a great band. Billy Gibbons is a huge influence on me. Blues based, very soulful, while kicking ass and rockin' out.
11. Another boogie/blues band ala ZZ Top makes my list with "Don't Dog Me" by Raging Slab (Greg Strzempka and Elyse Steinman guitar) Very much influenced by southern rock and blues this song has just always stuck with me since I heard it way back in 89 or 90 for the first time. Great players.
12. "Satch Boogie" Joe Satriani I remember going to buy the album this song was on with my brother and a friend of his in tow. They were making fun of me for buying something by an unknown guitarist. When this song started playing they shut up. Just an amazing player in total command of his instrument.
13. "The Attitude Song" Steve Vai Once a student of Satriani. Played with Frank Zappa, David Lee Roth amongst many others. This song floored me the first time I heard it. Still does. This guy brings so much to the instrument and does some of the craziest things with it. I hear new things in this song all the time.
That's enough. Are these the only solos that have influenced me? No. These are just the songs/solos/artists that stand out in my musical growth. Do I sound anything like them? Not even close. These guys (and one woman) are amazing players that I can only wish I could have a tenth of the talent they have. Am I jealous? Yeah, but I'll keep trying. I just love the instrument. I love the music that can be created with it. It makes this world that much better.
Now, I know that (if anyone reads this) people will have different opinions about the greatest solos ever. They'll think I'm crazy (another fine debate that one). That's fine. But this list isn't about album sales or radio airplay. It's about who I've listened to in my musical journey that have made me pick up my guitar and try and emulate them. It's about those players that have made me stare at my stereo, scratch my head and say "WOW". That's it!
Gotta go.
Now, I think the list is pretty good. There are some very good solos on this list, very influential guitarist. But, as a guitarist myself, I was thinking about what solo's have influenced me. I realized that my list would be very different from this one mainly because I don't generally listen to a lot of mainstream artists.
So, here goes, my list of guitarists/solos that have influenced me. Not that they've actually influenced my style, I'm not that good actually, and I don't learn solos generally. But, I love the electric guitar in capable hands and I'm sure that I've come away with something at least subliminally from all of these guitarists/solos.
1. The reason why I, and thousands of other players in my generation picked up the guitar, is the obvious first choice on my list. Eddie Van Halen and his guitar masterpiece "Eruption" has to be on my list. Can I play it? Hell no. Do I sound anything like him? No again. But, he and this piece are brilliant.
2. One of the few solos that I have ever taken the time to learn is my second choice. "Man In The Box" by Alice In Chains. When I played in the bands I was in this was my guitar showcase. I loved playing this song and this solo. It's such a great lead and truly stands out and makes a statement within the song which I feel any great solo should.
3. Jimi Hendrix's "Purple Haze" is just one of many Hendrix solos that could be listed. Is it his greatest? Don't know. But I know this song and the solos contained in it never bores me. fantastic song.
4. Little known band by the name of Coroner (guitarist Tommy Vetterli) makes my list with their song "Masked Jackal". These guys deserved much more attention than they received back in the day. They were one of my first more extreme bands that I got into. The lead in this song has so much going on. Two hand tapping, blues licks, neo-classical lines. Amazing player. Amazing solo.
5. Dimebag Darrell/Pantera's song "Cowboys From Hell" makes the list. Great intro to a great guitarist. Just stunned me with his playing from the first time I heard him. He made what he did look so easy.
6. "Pride And Joy" by Stevie Ray Vaughn. This is the first song that I listened to with my daughter after we brought her home from the hospital after she was born. The leads in this song are classic Stevie. Firmly rooted in the blues but rockin' out like no other.
7. "Sunshine Of Your Love" by Cream/Eric Clapton. Another guitarist/solo very much based in the blues. Clapton just does it. Amazing.
8. Now, back to my "roots" for my next choice. Another not so well known metal band Annihilators (guitarist Jeff Waters) song "Alison Hell". Yeah, I know, the lyrics and vocals are cheesy as hell, but I'm not talking about that. This guy can play. Another metal player who can throw around styles within the same solo effortlessly. Awesome player.
9. "Master Of Puppets" Metallica / Kirk Hammet This song is amazing the solo fits the song, raging, angry and nasty. Amazing band/performers at the height of their creativity. Still had the hunger that they would lose only a couple of albums later.
10. "La Grange" ZZ Top/Billy Gibbons ZZ Top is just a great band. Billy Gibbons is a huge influence on me. Blues based, very soulful, while kicking ass and rockin' out.
11. Another boogie/blues band ala ZZ Top makes my list with "Don't Dog Me" by Raging Slab (Greg Strzempka and Elyse Steinman guitar) Very much influenced by southern rock and blues this song has just always stuck with me since I heard it way back in 89 or 90 for the first time. Great players.
12. "Satch Boogie" Joe Satriani I remember going to buy the album this song was on with my brother and a friend of his in tow. They were making fun of me for buying something by an unknown guitarist. When this song started playing they shut up. Just an amazing player in total command of his instrument.
13. "The Attitude Song" Steve Vai Once a student of Satriani. Played with Frank Zappa, David Lee Roth amongst many others. This song floored me the first time I heard it. Still does. This guy brings so much to the instrument and does some of the craziest things with it. I hear new things in this song all the time.
That's enough. Are these the only solos that have influenced me? No. These are just the songs/solos/artists that stand out in my musical growth. Do I sound anything like them? Not even close. These guys (and one woman) are amazing players that I can only wish I could have a tenth of the talent they have. Am I jealous? Yeah, but I'll keep trying. I just love the instrument. I love the music that can be created with it. It makes this world that much better.
Now, I know that (if anyone reads this) people will have different opinions about the greatest solos ever. They'll think I'm crazy (another fine debate that one). That's fine. But this list isn't about album sales or radio airplay. It's about who I've listened to in my musical journey that have made me pick up my guitar and try and emulate them. It's about those players that have made me stare at my stereo, scratch my head and say "WOW". That's it!
Gotta go.
posted by Kenny at 9:06 PM
1 comments
