Youtube Playlist: Lead Guitar 1 a Survey of Lead Guitar Styles from 1967 to 1995

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YouTube Playlist: Lead Guitar 1 A Survey of Lead Guitar Styles From 1967 to 1995 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDL49rh1iMkT480P4QOuniXY2bJiuMU6W

PURPOSE This playlist will help you to get a feel for the evolution of lead guitar from its beginnngs as an electrified folk instrument to the instrument of choice for single-line leads. Lead guitar solos replaced saxophone solos starting in the 1960s. But the sound of modern lead guitar wasn’t established until the release of the Bluesbreakers album featuring Eric Clapton in 1967. Overnight, the bar was raised for professional guitarists. Clapton, Peter Green, and a handful of practitioners of this new art form showed the rest of the world a way forward. The songs in this playlist each contain elements that you should recognize, know how to reproduce, and know how to respond to as a musician. One reason why we need to go back to the birth of lead guitar is that it is important to learn what the electric guitar sounds like without electonic processing. The first few songs in this list were recorded before there were any guitar effects. In some of these recordings the overall recording quality isn’t very good. So you have to “hear through” these recordings, past their flaws, to understand the most important aspects of lead guitar, and rock music.

SECRET AGENT MAN - JOHNNY RIVERS – 1966 This is an example of the sound of a typical ‘60s guitar solo, pre- Clapton. This is a good-sounding lead, even though the articulation is a little jagged. HIDEAWAY – ERIC CLAPTON – 1967 This is the first of two instrumentals from the Bluesbreakers LP that feature Clapton’s fiery lead guitar style. These solos show more fluidity and precision than typical solos of the day. Clapton didn’t invent this tone. Howard Roberts and a handful of obscure rock and blues guitarists developed the tone, and the precise articulations, but Bluesbreakers showcased those tones in a new way. Clapton has played Stratocasters for nearly his entire career, bu the guitar he used here was a Gibson Les Paul. STEPPIN OUT – ERIC CLAPTON - 1967 The second instrumental selection from Bluesbreakers with Clapton on lead guitar. This track features a more driving blues beat with a backing brass section. Also played on a Les Paul. DRIFTING – FLEETWOOD MAC – 1967 Peter Green exploded onto the British blues scene with the original Fleetwood Mac, and the release of the original “Black Magic Woman.” This is the same song that Santana would make popular again about five years later, though the original sounds almost nothing like Santana’s version. BMW is one of Santana’s signature songs today. “Drifting” is a better example of Green’s blues playing. Many guitar players like myself have copied this track, not just for some of the great riffs, but also for the mood and the feel. Even though this track has a driving beat, it also has a lot of dynamic highs and lows. The emotional high point is where Green creates suspense with a repetitive, soft figure, before exploding into a machine-gun like blues volley. Played on a Les Paul. DEAR MR FANTASY – TRAFFIC – 1968 This track has a blues feel, even though it isn’t a blues progression. This is a jagged, heavy handed guitar solo. Not pretty by any means. It’s a great example of a screaming Fender Stratocaster in the context of a blues. Many lead guitarists have studied this Steve Winwood solo in detail, both for the lines and the overall tone. The master recording is, unfortunately, not very good. Traffic was one of the supergroups of the late 60s. This is the only track of its kind Traffic ever did. Mr Fantasy is more similar to jam tracks on the Blind Faith album that Winwood recorded with Eric Clapton before Traffic.

WOODEN SHIPS – CROSBY, STILLS & NASH – 1969 This track features the unique guitar stylings of Stephen Stills. What sounds like two guitars trading leads is really just Stephen changing between tones on his Fender Telecaster, with treble tones a little more brash than a Fender Strat. SINCE I’VE BEEN LOVING YOU – LED ZEPPELIN – 1970 Before there was any such thing as heavy metal music, there were the Blues-based hard rock bands like Led Zeppelin, Trapeze, Free, and the early Black Sabbath. This song is typical of other blues songs performed by a number of pre-metal hard rock bands. Lots of dynamic highs and lows. Jimmy Page playing – you guessed it – a Les Paul. FOR YASGUR’S FARM – MOUNTAIN – 1970 Even though this song has a driving beat, it has an almost hymnal feeling. Even though it’s all electric guitar, organ, bass and drums, this track is hard rock’s version of a pastoral mood. The song is in a minor key, but it ends on a major chord. That was called ending in “Picardy major,” and it was considered old- fashioned in JS Bach’s era. This track, like other Mountain tracks, is a catalog of essential guitar tones, lead lines, lead fills, and chord/melody figures which can be used in both rhythm and lead guitar parts. LAZY – DEEP PURPLE – 1972 Another example of blues based hard rock. The music press invented a term for Deep Purple and the other emerging progressive rock bands who were raising the bar on technical proficiency. For a few years, the term “precision rock” was used to describe these virtuoso groups. “Lazy” is a 12 bar blues, but with several twists. It changes keys twice, and has several pre-planned breaks. One of Deep Purple’s best-arranged tracks, and the crowning example of 12 bar played by a hard-rock band. Ritchie Blackmore on, as always, a Stratocaster. FRANKENSTEIN – EDGAR WINTER – 1972 This early prog-rock instrumental classic from Edgar Winter, brother of Johnny Winter, features several interesting lead lines on guitar and synthesizer. It’s a complicated composition. THE KING WILL COME – WISHBONE ASH – 1972 This is Wishbone Ash’s biggest hit song, along with “Blowin’ Free.” This song is notable for it’s exotic lead hook, and the extended lead solos. GOOD DAY – NEKTAR – 1973 This song is not well known today, though Nektar got their share of airplay on early FM progressive rock stations. They are better remembered for their epic, “Remember the Future.” This song also demonstrates an effective use of dynamics. It goes from delicate and ornate, to screaming over-the-top. It’s the first song in the list that isn’t a 12-bar blues. It’s also the first one played on a Fender Stratocaster. There’s only one guitar on the track, switching almost effortlessly between chords and leads. DAYDREAM – ROBIN TROWER – 1973 The live version of this song got a lot of radio airplay, but most people have never heard the studio version of this one-of-a- kind rock gutiar ballad. HYPNOTIZED – FLEETWOOD MAC – 1973 The lead guitar fills in this song are played in octaves. It’s a jazz technique that you practically never hear used this way in rock. Hypnotized is a spooky, one of a kind arrangement. There’s not another one like it in rock. The octave guitar sound used throughout this track appeared in 90s grunge in a completely different context. MY LOVE – PAUL McCARTNEY – 1973 A slow, low-key love song from Paul McCartney. The minimalist arrangement is contrasted by an edgy, distorted guitar lead. FOUNTAIN OF SORROW – JACKSON BROWNE – 1974 This multi-part ballad from Jackson Browne has just one 16-bar solo. This is an example of a soft-pedal solo. Tasty guitar fills create an interesting chemistry with the piano and bass guitar. Another example of a contrast between the mood of the solo and the mood of the song overall. Excellent songwriting, arranging and playing. David Lindley on gutiar.

FREE BIRD – LYNYRD SKYNYRD – 1974 The unofficial anthem of Southern Rock is famous for its soulful slide part in the first part, and the long, double-guitar lead section at the end. PERSEPHONE – WISHBONE ASH – 1974 This deep cut from Wishbone Ash contains some of their best guitar work, on both rhythm and lead. Of all of the tracks on this list, this one is the most interesting collection of usable lead lines. The guitar parts on this track are worth looking at in detail. Played on a Strat and a Gibson Flying V. DAY OF THE EAGLE – ROBIN TROWER – 1974 The first song from Robin Trower’s groundbreaking Bridge of Sighs album, one of the best rock guitar albums of the 70s. Every serious lead guitar player should hear this album. Many players have learned it note for note. RIDE THE TIGER – JEFFERSON STARSHIP – 1974B After they were the Jefferson Airplane. Craig Chaquico’s most famous solo. SHINE ON YOU CRAZY DIAMOND – PINK FLOYD – 1975 This is a great introduction to copying leads from recordings. Played on a Stratocaster. GREEN GRASS AND HIGH TIDES – THE OUTLAWS – 1975 The official anthem of Southern Rock is famous for being one of the greatest dual guitar tracks of all time. Only two guitars compared to Skynyrd’s three, and even more smoking than Free Bird. The Les Paul and Stratocaster guitar tones compliment each other beautifully. SHE’S A WOMAN – JEFF BECK – 1975 Jeff Beck’s Blow By Blow was another of the top guitar albums of the 70s. All of the tracks on this album got lots of airplay, though modern “classic rock” radio has completely forgotten it. Beck is one of the strangest, most imaginative, and technically formidible guitarists in the business. Among rock guitarists, he’s one of the greats. DIAMOND DUST – JEFF BECK – 1975 An etheral composition in 10/8 time signature. Strings arranged by the Beatles’ Sir George Martin. LINES ON MY FACE – PETER FRAMPTON – 1976 A slow rock ballad with a lot of dynamic highs and lows. There are two very good solos. The second solo is the emotional high- point. A great example of how a solo should announce itself, loud and proud. THE CHALLENGE – CHRISTINE McVIE – 1984 From Christine McVie’s superb 1984 solo album. This track features Eric Clapton on guitar, this time playing a Stratocaster.

LOVE WILL SHOW US HOW – CHRISTINE McVIE – 1984 Another track from Christine’s solo album. This guitar part is an example of a typical power pop guitar part. Lots more challenging than “The Challenge.” FUNHOUSE – DANNY GATTON – 1989 A fun instrumental by the master of the Telecaster, Danny Gatton. PRETTY BLUE – DANNY GATTON – 1991 Danny Gatton in a sophisticated 12 bar blues arrangement. BIG SHOULDERS – BIG SHOULDERS – 1989 The title song of the self-titled album of the same name. Just a great instrumental by another obscure band no one is ever going to hear about. There are a thousand more just like it. Great combination of chromatic harmonica, Hammond organ and the Fender Strat. Truly great chord/melody playing. (It would be almost impossible to find this song on your own. Try searching on “big shoulders” on Google or YouTube. Keep that in mind when you’re naming your band.) SOUL SHINE – THE ALLMAN BROS – 1994 A modern, bluesy rock ballad from the last incarnation of the Allman Brothers featuring Warren Haynes and Derrick Trucks on guitars.

WAITING IN VAIN – ANNIE LENNOX – 1995 Great sounding, complex chord melody fills on acoustic guitar over synthesized strings and percussion are as subtle and nuanced and Annie Lennox’s voice in this imaginative Bob Marley remake.

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THROUGH THE DECADES https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDL49rh1iMkRdETYcv2LVBeclPTP498r0 A survey of hit songs from the 1960s throught the 1990s. Includes several Afro-Pop numbers.

70s PICKS – KZEW PART 1 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDL49rh1iMkThXdU5HWKrnFe6iZBP-kRt Selections from the playlist of legendary Dallas rock radio station KZEW 98 FM. Songs from 1973-1978.

70s PICKS – KZEW PART 2 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDL49rh1iMkRF7ZKRqJhBRdWXkY2tLwtt Selections from the playlist of legendary Dallas rock radio station KZEW 98 FM. Songs from 1973-1978.