Mind-blowing live guitar performances

[dindude]

And one from the master, LOVE the drummer and not a bad bass player too!

[flanging_fred]

[uncle_psychosis]

This is an absolutely horrible version of a fantastic song, but Prince redeems it by showing off just how good he is:



I'm not into guitar solos, as a rule, but I make an exception for Prince. Genius.

[Not_the_DJ]

Can't do youtube from here right now, but a few jawdropping perfomances I've seen:

The first time I saw Steve Vai perform "For the Love of God". That was at the NEC on the G3 tour (IIRC the first one to hit the UK with Adrian Legg opening).

The first time I saw Richard Thompson performing "Vincent Black Lightning 1952" at the Warwick Arts Centre. Must have been around the time of the Mock Tudor album in '99/'00

Nils Lofgren with Bruce Sprinsteen and the E-Street Band. Both that solo Stickyfiddle posted from Hyde park this year, but also at the O2 on the Magic tour (same song, but I was a lot closer to him!)

Howie Day supporting Tori Amos at the Wolverhampton Civic in '98. He did the most amazing acoustic singer/songwritter looping set I've ever seen (using two Line 6 DL4s, one for guitar one for vocals).

[DynamiteKid]

Holy fuckballs that Lindsay Buckingham performance was amazing. I might actually have to start listening to Fleetwood Mac.

This is an absolutely horrible version of a fantastic song, but Prince redeems it by showing off just how good he is:



I'm not into guitar solos, as a rule, but I make an exception for Prince. Genius.

I loathe Prince's music, but as far as I can tell he is the most gifted musician walking the planet today. The guy is absolutely fucking insane.

For my first pick (I'll be back, believe me):
Wilco have a few songs which kind of follow the formula of 'folk rock song arrangement for 2 minutes, 3 minute guitar wig-out.' 'Impossible Germany' isn't my favourite of these, but I love that it has three guitarists and doesn't waste any of them. Two guitars play a harmony underneath the solo, and it just locks together perfectly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7I79m7_kAnA
(I don't know how to embed on here)

And fuck it I'll include my favourite for good measure, 'At Least That's What You Said,' because it starts off with one guitar soloing and then ends up with duelling guitar solos because fuck it why not?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDkUOPmlpHc

[Lixarto]

Wilco

Which has reminded me of the proper Wilko:



My son and I saw him earlier this year: he has less hair but more energy, if that's feasible.

[monquixote]

I'm not the worlds biggest vai fan, but I really enjoyed this Zappa performance.

I think restrictions bring out the best in artists and playing other peoples material seems to bring out the best in Vai. (I love his work with PIL as well)

It's nice to see him letting it get ugly at times as well.

[Kebabkid]

Good call FF! This made me revisit the album and at one point in the 80's, this was never off my turntable!
Cheers for the jog down memory lane.

[Pyroman]

Neil has some amazing tone in that "Cortez the Killer" video!! It's his fault I finally bought a guitar.


Some killer live guitar performances for me are:

Floyd "Sorrow" from one of their many live CD's. David's fade out solos on "Comfortably Numb" and "On the Turning Away" just blow me away, earning full volume on my car stereo and wild air guitar playing...

I recently encountered some videos on youtube from '75 of Skynyrd at the Old Grey Whistle Test. Wow- they sounded even better live than on the records!! As I recall, my favorites were "Travellin' Man" ( my all time favorite anyway!) and "I Ain't the One" Gary and Allen both ripped it up!

I also own a recent CD called Skynyrd Nation, that has live versions of "Travellin' Man" and "Red White and Blue" on it. The former is done as a duet, via the magic of a recording, of Johnny and Ronnie. Both sound fantastic. I especially love Gary's slide guitar solo on RW&B- it just sends chills down my spine. Rickey may not be Allen, but he's an accomplished guitarist in his own right. So is Sparky. ( I do prefer Leon's backing vocals to just about anyone, and the Honkettes to Dale and the other lady.)

I've always loved Gary's tone. Even more so since it is just him, his Les Paul, and a Peavey amp- that's it!! Plays slide right on his LP, too. Apparently, the only time he uses a different guitar, is on "Freebird", where he plays an SG.

Some other killer guitar is on " Tyrants of the Rising Sun" from Arch Enemy. Both Michael and Chris have sweet extended solos, and the guitar work is great throughout. Much of this is posted on youtube as well. Sharlee has some of the best bass guitar tone around on this CD. I also gotta love how the Japanese audience sings along throughout- to the MUSIC, not the words!

[equalsql]

Derek Trucks with the missus at the Crossroad festival. His slide outtro to Midnight In Harlem is beyond words..
check it out at 3:29 into the song