Whenever I'm feeling low and in need of a good laugh, I reach for my copy of this jumpin' 1951 R+B classic by Billy Love (wrongly credited on the label to Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats). The unforgettably enthusiastic guitarist is Calvin Newborn. Those with perfect pitch may find his solo contribution (45secs in) a painful experience. OTOH if micro-tonal experimentation is your bag, you may differ! Either way, I guess this is why we have clip-on electronic tuners nowadays. I've always wondered why nobody in the studio noticed how exquisitely off-pitch he was. Maybe they were all JUICED!
That's my candidate for the "most unbearable guitar solo" prize - what's yours?
Re: The world's most unbearable guitar solo?
Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2021 4:51 am
by doctorwho
There isn't a recording of what probably is the worst I heard .. it was a live performance of Rare Earth in Peoria IL in the early 1970s, they played some song (I don't remember what it was, it wasn't one of their hits at-the time), and the lead player started on a long lead solo ... and kept cranking the volume up ... and up ... and up. My friends and I (along with a lot of other people) got up and left, as it was at painful levels, and wasn't very good, to boot. Oddly enough, Flash Cadillac was the warm-up band, and they were great and well received by all (the crowd wanted encores from them, but of course they could not keep playing).
Re: The world's most unbearable guitar solo?
Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2021 2:17 pm
by scott_s
Rock and roll is supposed to be a little dangerous and out of control, I loved it personally! Dude's been listening to his Charlie Christian, that's for sure.
Nowadays, pop music is "perfect" and doesn't sound like a real performance anymore.
Re: The world's most unbearable guitar solo?
Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2021 2:37 pm
by sloop_john_b
espidog wrote:Whenever I'm feeling low and in need of a good laugh, I reach for my copy of this jumpin' 1951 R+B classic by Billy Love (wrongly credited on the label to Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats). The unforgettably enthusiastic guitarist is Calvin Newborn. Those with perfect pitch may find his solo contribution (45secs in) a painful experience. OTOH if micro-tonal experimentation is your bag, you may differ! Either way, I guess this is why we have clip-on electronic tuners nowadays. I've always wondered why nobody in the studio noticed how exquisitely off-pitch he was. Maybe they were all JUICED!
Cool phrasing in that solo, but yes, the pitch at time physically turned my stomach.
Re: The world's most unbearable guitar solo?
Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2021 11:25 pm
by gellkeller
Can confirm that this sounded much better after drinking some juice.
