We recently asked some of the guitar world’s best-known players to name their favorite lesser-known guitar solos. Here’s what Zepparella axe slinger Gretchen Menn had to say…
1) Deep Purple | “Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming”
From Purpendicular (1996)
GUITARIST: Steve Morse
“This is so tasteful and melodic, with a few bursts of chromaticism that are unmistakably Steve Morse. The solo soars, sighs and reflects on the song’s main instrumental theme.”
2) Daniele Gottardo | “Hansel and Gretel”
From Non Temperato (2014)
GUITARIST: Daniele Gottardo
“There are a handful of solos that consistently make me shake my head and laugh because they’re just that amazing. This one is at the top of that list for me. You wouldn’t realize what lies ahead by hearing the first few minutes of this composition for electric guitar and chamber orchestra.”
3) Django Reinhardt | “Minor Swing”
GUITARIST: Django Reinhardt
“Although this is perhaps the most iconic of all gypsy jazz guitar tunes and solos, it’s on my list because guitarists of any genre should be able to readily appreciate Django’s brilliance – the variety of his melodic ideas, the impeccability of his rhythmic sense, the formability of his improvisatory skills and his complete and utter musical fluency.”
Pick up a copy of The Essential Django Reinhardt here.
“People had so many crazy ideas about what the song meant. But it was complete B.S." His song about a killer and a haunted lake launched an urban legend. Thirty years later, some fans still think "Possum Kingdom" is true
"It came down to saying, ‘Man, you’re playing better than I am. You gotta take the part.’ You gotta be honest with each other, or it’s just going to be crap.” Scott Gorham recalls finding his footing with Thin Lizzy’s 1976 classic “Emerald”
