The fact that all these songs are from a different era is telling. Who cares about guitar solos anymore? Not me. In fact I’ve always shied away from music that shows off musicianship- because I don’t care. I like songs.
That being said: all of the solos show a high degree of musicianship, but that’s not why I love ‘em. I love ‘em because of the notes chosen. Melody. Speed is nothing. Although they don’t feature here (neither were really soloists), my favourite guitarists are George Harrison (George’s solo on 'Something' nearly made it in) and Mick Ronson, because of their ability to pick the right notes at the right time to elicit the biggest emotional response. Because that’s what music- at it’s best- does of course. If it doesn’t fill you with joy, make you cry or want to smash stuff up then it’s noise pollution. Down with this sorta thing.
There were a few others that didn’t quite make the cut plus some honourable mentions: Elliott Randall on Steely Dan’s 'Reelin’ In The Years'; Tony Peluso on 'Goodbye To Love' by The Carpenters; Prince for 'Purple Rain' amongst many others; Brian May for 'Bohemian Rhapsody', 'Brighton Rock', 'Seaside Rendezvous' and more; Eric Stewart’s slide solo on 10cc’s 'Blackmail' is awesome - such an underrated guitarist; I’d have to mention Jonny Greenwood and Matt Bellamy who’ve taken the electric guitar to new heights and places Les Paul never imagined; some twin guitarists whose interplay was key- Dick Wagner and Steve Hunter for 'Sweet Jane' on Lou Reed’s 1973 album Rock ’n’ Roll Animal and Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd for Venus from Television’s seminal 1977 album Marquee Moon; Eddie Van Halen (above) was amazing...a game changer- particularly on 'Eruption'; as is Todd Rundgren whose motorbike solo on Meatloaf’s 'Bat Out Of Hell' is astounding.
As for those that did make the cut: James Honeyman-Scott’s solo on 'Kid' is elegant, simple perfection in it’s construction and execution. Nils Lofgren’s solo on 'Two By Two' is beautiful acoustic guitar playing at its best. No FX needed. All the other solos simply tug on my heartstrings - every searing, soaring, yearning note exposing my stupid, emotional fragility.
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