My taste runs to "musical" guitarists, ones whose both song parts and solos serve the music, not just show off their chops. Call me old fashioned! I wear the badge proudly. There are many examples of extraordinary guitar playing where the part greatly enhances the song (The Band’s Robbie Robertson comes to mind), but the topic here is solos. Here are some of my favorites:
- Paul Burlinson in Johnny Burnette And The Rock ’n’ Roll Trio’s recording of Tiny Bradshaw’s "Train Kept A-Rollin’". Yes, it was later done fairly well by Jeff Beck in The Yardbirds (and also lamely by Joe somebody in Aerosh*t), but this is THE version.
- James Burton in Ricky Nelsons "Young World".
- Steve Cropper in Booker T & The MG’s "Green Onions".
- George Harrison in The Beatles "Nowhere Man".
- Dave Edmunds in his 1970 recording of Smiley Lewis’ "I Hear You Knocking". In this song, Dave creates the most intense "tension and release" I've ever heard. Very sexual!
- Robbie Robertson in The Band’s "Jemima Surrender", "Look Out Cleveland", "Jawbone", "The Unfaithful Servant", and "King Harvest (Has Surely Come)". All these songs are found on the best album ever recorded and released by a Rock ’n’ Roll Band, the Band’s 2nd (the "brown") album.
- Ry Cooder in John Hiatt’s "Lipstick Sunset".