Honestly, whenever I think of strange solos I always go with Larry LaLonde's playing with Primus. Like, the stuff he plays on My Name Is Mud, Jerry Was A Race Car Driver, Wynona's Big Brown Beaver and pretty much everything he does in Primus is so weird but it fits the vibe of the band so well. As for other players, George Harrison on The Beatles' All You Need Is Love is a bit of an oddity as well but I still really like it

@krazykchaos6088

2 жыл бұрын

Couldn't say it better myself. Primus' whole catalog is just a library of unique solos, weird phrasing, offkey and offbeat descending and ascending climbs

@mosesgarner2404

2 жыл бұрын

I thought of 'Ler too!!!

@mauro12mdp

2 жыл бұрын

I know nothing about LaLonde but judging from his playing style, there must be something not in place inside his head. And that makes it more cool

@robzilla69

2 жыл бұрын

I agree 100%

@MrAKbass

2 жыл бұрын

This Btw. Larry, he has the ability to create solo's that are both weird AND catchy and that's imho a pretty amazing feat.

Adrian Belew needs a mention, especially for his solo in The Talking Heads’ “Great Curve”

@dust4magnet

2 жыл бұрын

Yes! I thought Belew for sure would be in this list. Many of his solos are brilliantly oddball.

@UjwalAroor

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah exactly or the dial up telephone solo on born with punches

@georgesonm1774

2 жыл бұрын

yes! or the one in KC's Elephant Talk!

@thpeter

2 жыл бұрын

@@Enneque absolutely! I saw him live with the Bears. Phenomenal show! “Big Electric Cat” etc. No one sounds like him!

@jamesdignanmusic2765

2 жыл бұрын

His work on Laurie Anderson's "Sharkey's Day" is worth the price of admission, too.

Kim Thayil was always going to be in here. A tab book of Soundgarden way back when simply said ‘random combination of notes and scratchings with an absence of musicality’ for one of his solos instead of any tablature.

@markspin4596

4 ай бұрын

lol.

@curcumin417

3 ай бұрын

Love Kim Thayil- Atonality, and jazz/prog is my jam.

Always thought that Friedman solo was WICKED. It doesn't even sound strange to me. It's expertly crafted and teeters perfectly between being "outside" and right on point.

@RkicF8

2 ай бұрын

Marty Friedman is an A++, cant be touched. Love playing Freidman's licks, the best of the best. So sad he left Megadeth, RIP Nick. Rust in Peace is one of the best albums EVER made.

Another vote for Vernon Reid and "Cult Of Personality." All his solos really remind me of Coltrane's "sheets of sound" technique from his later years.... which is a HUGE compliment for any guitarist. I remember that song dropping in the middle of an era of sound-alike glam metal and it blew my teenaged mind!

@paulsalinas1524

2 жыл бұрын

When it first came out, there was nothing in my world that sounded even remotely close to it. It was like, "What is this dude even doing? Does he even know how to play? Whoa! That was epic! Genius!"

@jimford7649

2 жыл бұрын

Yep, Vernon Reid immediately came to my mind, too. Any number of his solos could fit here. Can't say I like all of them, but I do admire the guy for trying something different.

@breizoid4719

2 жыл бұрын

Exactly!

@spodey8484

2 жыл бұрын

Exactly what came to mind for me too 👍

@thomaslutro5560

2 жыл бұрын

Agree. On Vernon Reid being weird and wonderful at the same time, I might suggest the intro to Information overload, though.

Rick Beato is a better guitar player than I am but I absolutely destroy him at air guitar…

@chrislane3228

Жыл бұрын

Yeah? So, what? I destroy him at air drums.

@ApolloVSTheWorld

Жыл бұрын

He may be a better bass guitarist, however he is not the bass hero

@deanmasini9768

Жыл бұрын

omg, that's hilarious and I totally agree. Love hearing him talk about music and crack up watching him look goofy 😂.

@paranoidandroid4270

Жыл бұрын

Rick’s one of the few people better at real guitar than air guitar 😂

@bakerbrown6

Жыл бұрын

He’s got that move: the Bobblehead 😂

Kim Thayil is always underrated and that’s why i always like those solos! Feel on Black Days is a masterpiece!!!

@thomasoegerli7762

4 ай бұрын

It indeed is, but it's actually called "Fell on Black Days"...

I've always considered the Robert Fripp solo on Bowies Fashion is one of the greatest strange solos

@user-lg1oh3hb5f

4 ай бұрын

Great, but the relentless harmonic logic on Baby's on Fire from Brian Eno's Here Come the Warm Jets gets my Fripp's Best vote.

@foudroyaume

3 ай бұрын

"Up the Hill Backwards" would be my pick.

@cag4

3 ай бұрын

Swastika Girls II is pretty odd too. Was surprised not to see any Fripp solos mentioned…

@richardgraham7055

2 ай бұрын

Most of these first few sounded pointless, squawking metal that had no interest for me when they came out, and still don't interest me.

@richardk6659

2 ай бұрын

I never liked Robert Fripp. He's too strange. It scares me.

Theres a real Miles Davis philosophy to all these...."you gotta learn to play inside before you can play outside" - all these guys can play inside if they wanted but instead chose some weird notes to make it oddly perfect. Great idea for a list, Rick! (and PS - I think Adrian Belew should have been on this list. The master of stunt guitar)

@RockinRobbins13

2 жыл бұрын

Zappa really couldn't play inside. He had no sense of rhythm, was always trying to make some obscene jokes that didn't quite work, was his own worst enemy all wrapped up in a freakin' genius workaholic. He could twist a phrase or a guitar with equal virtuosity.

@trickfinger1177

2 жыл бұрын

Exactly, i think john frusciante said the same thing once: ‘you have to learn the rules to be able to break them with finesse’

@HalfHeartedFanatic

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, I'm a little bit mad that Adrian didn't make this list.

@mwfmtnman

2 жыл бұрын

I was thinking these all had a jazz feel in the sense of expressing angsty emotion,

@Hevvvyyy

2 жыл бұрын

That reminds me of Josh homme since he has weird but badass guitar riffs as well as solos

I reckon Adrian Belew's solo from "Elephant Talk" should have been included if only for its weird sound. (though his note choices weren't exactly ordinary either.)

@herbyverstink

2 жыл бұрын

that solo rules!

@alexandremello6913

2 жыл бұрын

Great call!

@davidhuther9965

2 жыл бұрын

I expected his "modem solo" from Born Under Punches to be in this list

@robh9079

2 жыл бұрын

King copy-write-strike....

@randymurphy

2 жыл бұрын

Yup - How he missed that one in a collection of "All Time" solos is almost sacrilegious.

Adding to the large pile of suggestions for Belew and Fripp. Belew’s playing on Remain In Light is mind-melting, particularly that solo for the Great Curve. Also Verlaine/Lloyd for Television have some excellent phrasing on Marquee Moon. Ichiro Agata from Melt Banana is also incredible.

@clawspace

2 ай бұрын

Yes, came here to say this!

Alan Holdsworth is one of my heroes. Thank you for including him here. RIP Alan.

Some of Rick's videos feel like you're just hanging out in a music shop with a guy who seems to work there but just shows you all the cool stuff he's found.

@MirkoReaper

4 ай бұрын

Same vibes here dude!...

@TheTrendDoctor

4 ай бұрын

Definitely he will be fun to hangout with

I've always been fascinated by Alex Lifeson's guitar solo in "Limelight." It sounds so eerie and otherworldly.

@mattbailey7049

Жыл бұрын

Epic song and solo!

@edwardx.winston5744

Жыл бұрын

The best solo, by far, of Lifeson’s entire career, was the lead from “Free Will.” Somehow both an utterly raw emotional outburst and a statement of musical sophistication, “Free Will” also features his best use of effects and his most epic structural climax. That show-stopping transition from the 6/8 lead break into the 4/4 pre-chorus near the end is a moment of sublime beauty that moves me every time I hear it. I’m not sure a bastardization such as the “progressive rock single” should even exist, but “Free Will” was Rush’s best argument against that bias. It is easily the best sub-six-minute song of their four-decade run.

@egg979

Жыл бұрын

Oh yeah

@jamesmurray6883

11 ай бұрын

i also think his solo at the 3.35 mark on Spirit of Radio is really unusual. I'm not sure it would really be called a solo but it's an abrupt, radical shift in the song's rhythm and timbre, leading into two additional slightly less jarring shifts and a final reprise of the song's opening section.

@glitchmon

9 ай бұрын

@@edwardx.winston5744 I love the Freewill solo. Alex gets the crown for making his guitar sound like Godzilla! Go ahead.... try to listen to Freewill without hearing Godzilla's ROAR! You can't do it. It is now forever implanted in your brain. You're welcome ;o)

And Ler LaLonde remains one of the most underrated guitar wizards of my era...

@reubenhopkins1996

4 ай бұрын

Came here to mention Larry LaLonde. Criminally underrated player!

@ghostandbell2006

3 ай бұрын

I love playing Larry's parts and solos on drumset... here's to sharn' love for Ler

“Saint Elmo’s Fire” - Robert Fripp on Eno’s Another Green World. Love that solo

@JoaoGabriel-lk9cv

2 ай бұрын

So good

That's fun seeing Rick who is a masterful guitarist himself playing air guitar and geeking out to his favorite weird solo's of all time. Never change Mr Beato we love ya for your intense and unyielding passion for music.

Let's not forget about Adrian Belew. The stuff he did with King Crimson back in the 80s was insane. Super exciting contrast to Fripps style. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🚀

@davidehrobat8950

Жыл бұрын

I'd also suggest to check his work with Talking Heads: The Great Curve has one of the strangest and most badass solo ever.

@grahamhannah2108

Жыл бұрын

Adrian Belew and Robert Fripp are both absolutely geniuses on guitars.

@elusivelectron

Жыл бұрын

I agree. I also feel like you can't have this list without Larry LaLonde from Primus. My contribution would be Professor Nutbutter from Primus.

@roguecheddar7545

Жыл бұрын

In my mind I thought Rick was going to pick anything by Adrian Belew as number one, but alas we settled for Jeff Beck :) lol

@jerryeberts

Жыл бұрын

Adrian was in Capt. Beefheart's Magic Band, was he not?

What made Zappa's solos so strange, and so unique, is that he hardly ever wrote or rehearsed his solos, except in the earliest years of the Mothers. Most of his recorded solos, especially LIVE solos, were entirely improvised, on the spot. I once read an interview where he said they were, for him, one of most exciting parts of playing a show, because "I don't know what I'm going to do, and you don't know what I'm going to do, so let's find out together." And the one in this video, "five-five-FIVE," is an example of one of those live improvised solos.

@gj8683

5 ай бұрын

I was thinking his solo on "Zomby Woof" (studio) would qualify, but maybe it got blocked. Never heard a whammy bar sound like that anywhere else.

@danu6718

2 ай бұрын

Yo Mama 🎉❤

Robert Fripp's solo in Brian Eno's "Baby is on fire" must be there

ANY solo by Adrian Belew could fit on this list. Fantastic guitarist with an incredible resumé who still somehow often flies under the radar.

@lamecasuelas2

2 жыл бұрын

I had the solo from Larks' part 4 as a ringtone and surprisingly i never got tired of heating that

@gregwixted

2 жыл бұрын

His solo on Talking Heads, Born Under Punches from their Remain in Light album.

@peterz4427

2 жыл бұрын

Elephant Talk!

@DidactDude

2 жыл бұрын

The Great Curve

@kaewonf8

Жыл бұрын

I'll throw in "Genius of Love" by Tom Tom Club

I would love to see a sequel like "ANOTHER 20 strange guitar solos". Because let's be honest, it's the strange ones that drive innovation in the instrument and there are sooooo many interesting pieces.

@zaraak323i

2 жыл бұрын

Well said!

@porkbelly0713

2 жыл бұрын

and there are so many others that could be included. C'mon Rick we need a part two to this asap

@ccelik97

2 жыл бұрын

@@porkbelly0713 I too would like this to turn into a series. Like, put together 5-10 more like these every few months and see how much more influential they'll be, especially for the younger audiences (not to mention the new players & bands on the internet).

@stilldisorder

2 жыл бұрын

Well said! I love all of these videos, but this one spoke to me on another level.

@porkbelly0713

2 жыл бұрын

@@ccelik97 I also would like to see this, and not just a part two. This has been some kind of great discussion on this topic. I am subscribed so it will pop up for me if he does another one

Trevor Rabin is so amazing, his solos are often between the strange and the beautiful. Each time I listen to his music the more I love it!

@PierreGarrabrant

5 ай бұрын

One of the most talented people in Yes and planet Earth 🌍

@louise_rose

4 ай бұрын

Trevor's solo on "Owner" makes a lot more sense if it's seen as a duet with Squire's bass, they're jiving together closely. Also, he leaves out some notes and lets you "fill them in", suggesting them as part of the solo curve without actually playing them, a device also used by Jimi Hendrix and Jeff Beck.

Anything by Vernon Reid of Living Colour could be in this list. Took me a while to get used to his style but now I love it.

I don’t understand how Adrian Belew didn’t make a single appearance. His work with Bowie, Talking Heads, and King Crimson is a total master class in “outside the box” guitar work, ESPECIALLY, when it comes to solos. Just listen to Bowie’s live version of Station to Station.

@nathanchampionmusic

2 жыл бұрын

I second that your honour 🎶🎶🎸

@zaraak323i

2 жыл бұрын

I came here to say this. You also forgot his tenure with Frank Zappa. Anyone that's played with Zappa should probably be on this list. I'm happy that Elliot Easton got some love, I think he's underrated. I've always loved that Andy Summers solo, just _because_ it's so WTF? I really do agree with this list.

@pierenricobonalumi7850

2 жыл бұрын

Totally agree. His solo on Elephant talk (and the one of Robert Fripp) is brutal

@alexleontin

2 жыл бұрын

...and those solos with Talking Heads (Remain in Light, just to mention one)

@Copaceticness

2 жыл бұрын

We will be having none of that elephant talk here. (No, I agree.)

“Are You Experienced” - Jimi Hendrix. Love this song, very strange and psychedelic sounding

@mattmiller3673

2 жыл бұрын

Oh yeah, great suggestion! That one still sounds strange but must have been scary-strange back when it first came out.

@Dwoed

2 жыл бұрын

Its that reverse delay thing

@jacobfife7273

2 жыл бұрын

Surprised Hendrix didn't make the list. Maybe copyright problems

It's about time you mentioned Frank!!! Do more of him.

@terry2158

3 ай бұрын

Yes! 😊

@pooletranslation7581

2 ай бұрын

Yeah what the hell, I'm a big fan of Rick's but with regard to the topic of Zappa he's like the boy staring at the hottie the other side of the disco afraid to go up and talk to her.

Paranoid android by radiohead definitely came to mind. Jonny is such a guitar wizard

@K0rp0

2 ай бұрын

Absolutely

I would also say that the 1966 song "Eight Miles High" by The Byrds has some of the weirdest soloing going on. There certainly wasn't anything like it during that era.

@joaquinlezcano2372

2 жыл бұрын

Finally someone mentioned it

@kenkoellner9421

2 жыл бұрын

Definitely the ORIGINAL strange guitar solo.

Marc Ribot on Tom Waits' Rain Dogs "Clap Hands" is a bit of a head-scratcher that I've always loved.

@gLittle807

Жыл бұрын

yes!

@Etrigan2112

Жыл бұрын

Agreed, Ribot is terribly underrated, I would also recommend his solo on "Hoist That Rag."

@sonnyhenriksen284

Жыл бұрын

@@Etrigan2112 my favourite solo, of any Waits song.

@Etrigan2112

Жыл бұрын

@@sonnyhenriksen284 you have exceptional taste good sir.

@mattgilbert7347

Жыл бұрын

The Skronkiest of Skronk.

Trevor Rabin guitar solo on the song Big generator to me was always just so wildly strange and perverse. Such an awesome solo

Excellent choice for number one! Personally, I would have put Belew and Fripp on the list, but definitely Jonny Greenwood.

@secretdecoder

2 ай бұрын

I thought for sure Paranoid Android would make it. That one at the 3 minute mark is so wonderfully weirdo!

I think what I like most about this channel, is the pure celebration of music. We're talking about the top 20 strangest guitar solos of all time and nowhere is Rick saying these are in poor taste or quality. Instead it's like "hey check this out. It's different." I love that.

@Nicky-T

Жыл бұрын

That is what makes Rick Rick. What a breadth of musical styles.

"Driven to Tears" was definitely the first thing to come to mind. One "strange" solo not included but that still gets a lot of airplay is Vernon Reid's work in "Cult of Personality". Love him or hate him, he definitely had his own thing going on. Glad to see Rick finally give Uli some love, too (maybe Michael Schenker next?)

@markwestaway7207

2 жыл бұрын

Vernon Reid's shredding is insane.

@markcheetah4960

2 жыл бұрын

Not that I agree, but both of those solos make it onto the "worst solos" lists. I think it's great how blatant and "in your face" they are.

@ElBrazoOnofre

2 жыл бұрын

Those two solos were my first thought, as well. Driven to Tears I like. Cult of Personality's solo, not so much.

@DustinKreidler

2 жыл бұрын

Came here to say 'Cult of Personality.'

I got to see Buckethead perform live with John Zorn / Bill Laswell’s Painkiller back in 93 (?). Stood literally 3 feet from him. He’s not human. His fingers are freakish. Have been a fan ever since

Black Hole Sun, Heart Shaped Box, Just What I Needed, Symphony of Destruction, and especially Owner of a Lonely Heart's guitar solo are just iconic

I would personally add "Paranoid Android" by Radiohead. Jonny Greenwood absolutely kills it with 2 mind-boggling solos.

@whitestplayer3014

Жыл бұрын

Same here, that solo have it all when it comes to weirdness like strange tone and effects, atonality and the syncopated bends. So strange it wasnt included here!

@manum9851

Жыл бұрын

I was thinking exactly the same while watching the video. Maybe not for top 10, but I missed to see it in the list.

@seidelswitcher

Жыл бұрын

@@whitestplayer3014 I was waiting for it too.

@patchoulicyanide

Жыл бұрын

This song and Cult of personality would be my +2

@andrewpappas9311

Жыл бұрын

Oh yeah, Jonny is definitely up there for odd solos but I still love his playing

Fripp's last solo on Starless (King Crimson) is glorious. After the sax solo. Really intense. Fripp really have the gift to set the mood.

@caelenselke-minogue

2 жыл бұрын

Fripp is objectively underrated... possibly my favorite guitarist.

@manuafee

2 жыл бұрын

Exactly! Fripp was forgotten here.

@chairmankaga101

2 жыл бұрын

It’s too bad anytime anyone posts any Fripp anything it gets taken down. Although he could’ve tossed up something Belew.

@PaulTheSkeptic

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, every time he said "All his solos are weird." which was quite a few times, I thought "Here is comes. Robert Fripp." But it never came. I also thought Syd Barrett could go on this list.

@guitarjag1

2 жыл бұрын

King Crimson blocks everything

Every one of these is amazing. Such fine musicians and in the case of Beck and Holdsworth such fine aliens from another realm! Great video

I think one of the most beautiful guitar solos is by you, Rick. Your solo on "Cardinal Motion" by Crowfield is off the charts and gives me goosebumps! It's a beautiful and loving song and your solo fits in perfectly. Love it!

I think having something from Adrian Belew (King Crimson, Talking Heads, Zappa, David Bowie) would be worth looking at. I feel like he’s criminally underrated for the acts he’s been involved with.

@squirtlesquad28

2 жыл бұрын

was gonna say it’s a crime his solos on Remain in Light are nowhere to be seen

@brendanoshea1472

2 жыл бұрын

He’s one of those “musician’s musicians.” He’s criminally underrated for a reason, I think. Same thing goes for Ty Tabor and Ian Thornley. Both guitar masters and nobody’s ever heard of ‘em…

@consulentecomunicazionestr3072

Жыл бұрын

To me, one of the best guitarist. Innovation, originality ever. To go beyond.

@consulentecomunicazionestr3072

Жыл бұрын

@@brendanoshea1472 musicians'musician? No, my friend. I lightly disagree. Who played with Bowie, Talking Heads, King Crimson is not a musicians'musician. He's a musician for evoluted ears. He researches ever something more, something new, something that go beyond the same old song. To me, one of the GOAT

@toniearl3497

Жыл бұрын

Adrian Belew on Thela Hun Ginjeet (King Crimson - Discipline, 1981). There's a live version on YT...amazing to see how he works with feedback.

So often overshadowed by Les’s huge presence but I was kinda surprised none of Ler LaLonde’s eclectic solos made the list. Primus really threw music a curveball and I love it!

@ewehmu21

2 жыл бұрын

I was just scrolling through to see if anyone else noticed!

@shawarmageddonit

2 жыл бұрын

Beat me to it.

@jasonp5918

2 жыл бұрын

I concur... The solo in Mr. Krinkle is pretty out there.

@shawn4189

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, Primus could have taken at least six spots on this list for me.

@balamx2802

2 жыл бұрын

When you said "Les" my mind immediately went to Les Paul. In that time period there was nothing else even close. Sped up tracks and sound effects! LaLonde should have definitely been included in this list, too.

Hugely enjoyable thank you and some great new discoveries 🙏🏻

living colour - time's up (with 3 following solos in between the song by vernon reid) frank zappa - rat tomago mahavishnu orchestra - the nooonward race (by john mclaughlin) soft machine - hazard profile (by allan holdsworth) jimi hendrix - hear my train a comin' (live berkeley 1970 on rainbow bridge) steve wilson - home invasion/regret #9 (by guthrie govan) morbid angel - where the slime lives (by trey azagthoth) tribal tech - rocket science (by scott henderson) jeff beck - scatterbrain (performing at ronnie scotts) jonas hellborg - time is the enemy (by shawn lane) jonas hellborg - solitude (by mattias ia eklundh)

@K0rp0

2 ай бұрын

Jon McLaughlin ❤

Can’t have a “strange guitar solos” list without Buckethead! Glad you included him. I remember seeing Buckethead play with Primus in the late 90’s. That dude blew my mind!

@ohiorunwithme

2 жыл бұрын

Anything Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead) Just, Paranoid Android, to name 2 that stand out. Anything Nels Cline (Wilco) Impossible Germany**, One Wing

@CHARLESAUVET

2 жыл бұрын

i.e: look at my pfp

@thiagofreitas4409

2 жыл бұрын

Buckethead is the king of strange guitar solos.

@buzzcrushtrendkill

2 жыл бұрын

Buckethead is in his own guitar world. Hence why he is much better being a solo artist.

@nitedreamer23

2 жыл бұрын

Good ones! Especially Nels Cline’s.

“Sails of Charon”-love that pick. That’s always been a fave. Also like the “Cut to the Chase” choice. _Counterparts_ is one of Rush’s harder albums but doesn’t get as much love as it should.

I love watching these videos because I feel like I’m just hanging out with a friend 🤙 Rick, you’re an awesome dude with a gnarly take on life.

@janeamandaford4199

4 ай бұрын

💥YES!💥 O! Yes! Indeed!

I wasn't expecting to see so many of the obscure musicians I love so much. Great list.

Would love to see you do a feature of King Crimson, maybe even an interview with Robert Fripp. I met him many years ago, he was was very courteous and brilliant.

@ferleiva7080

2 жыл бұрын

His solo in Brian Eno's ''Baby's on fire'' should have been on this list.

@brucewalker7865

19 күн бұрын

@@ferleiva7080 Absolutely!

It's great to see the love for Frank Zappa. He was such an incredible guitarist and for some reason slips under so many peoples' radar.

@petermuller161

2 жыл бұрын

The meandering and complex nature of Zappa tunes can be a bit… much.

@zman890

Жыл бұрын

@@petermuller161 I’ve been listening to Frank for 35 years and I have no idea what you’re talking about. Lol Hes definitely an acquired taste.

Bumblefoot is ridiculously amazing.He was actually a music teacher at a local music store in Staten Island.great to see him break out.

This list is great, but I would've included Marc Ribot's solo from "Clap Hands" by Tom Waits, Adrian Belew's solos from "The Great Curve" or "Born Under Punches" by Talking Heads, and Ronald Jones' guitar solos from "Turn It On" by The Flaming Lips.

Jonny Greenwood definitely deserved a mention. 'Paranoid Android' is probably the first song I think of when it comes to strange solos. Also Stephen Malkmus from Pavement has a couple of weird ones, my favorite one has to be the 'Rattled by the Rush' solo.

@WilliamLithgowGuitars

2 жыл бұрын

Was gonna mention Jonny alongside Graham Coxon but forgot! Is that how his names spelled! You confuse me even more now!

@dvanmartin9842

2 жыл бұрын

Both guys are so unique in their style.

@Heath.houston

2 жыл бұрын

Jonny Greenwood's solo from "Just" blows me away every time, barely restrained chaos on a digitech whammy.

@croushnaff

2 жыл бұрын

yeah malkmus's solo in "rattled by the rush" is great on yhe album version!!

@descono0cido

2 жыл бұрын

@@WilliamLithgowGuitars Graham Coxon is an absolute shout. The 'Coffee & TV' solo is a beautiful mess.

I was so happy to see Holdsworth make it near the top.. Amazing player. He was my little brother's idol and was a huge influence. His band opened for Allan once and each time he returned he requested that Brian open for him. I even once saw him drinking a beer on the side watching Brian play and giving him "the nod". When my brother became terminally ill Allan called several times, sent him some stuff and asked me to call him when Brian passed. The Bruford album with Allan and Jeff Berlin on bass was amazing.

@joehook145

2 жыл бұрын

@Rick Milan , sorry to hear about your brother, getting a nod from Alan Holdsworth is monumental. Hopefully they’re jamming together now… Are there any links to your brothers playing? I’d love to have a listen. Holdsworth has been a favorite of mine since I first heard him with Soft Machine when the “Bundles” album came out… many years ago

I thought you always hated Frank Zappa but delighted to see "Five Five Five" on the list. I'd love to see you do an episode on him. I guess Gail Zappa was such a blocker when she took over his catalog? And now Ryko owns his catalog? Such a shame that so many people can't hear his playing, you bring great exposure and exposition and analysis. I'd love to see you review some of his work on Joe's Garage like 'Packard Goose' or 'He used to cut the Grass' He's one of my favourite guitarists. And putting Beck and Holdsworth in top spots puts him in good company! That Rush solo blew me away too. Great video!

GREAT LIST and what a tough chore. FWIW, Phil Keaggy's solos on Sounds (4:20 ish mark) and The Wall (1:20 ish) have always intrigued me.

One of the things I love about Rick's videos is that he gets so excited about the awesomeness of the music. Even though he has spent decades in the music industry, he still finds music exciting. And that love for music comes through when he explains the theory behind some of it.

Lots of strange solos from Adrian Belew and King Crimson - Elephant Talk comes immediately to mind. And speaking of King Crimson, Robert Fripp's Satori in Tangier is definitely "out there".

@walrus0972

2 жыл бұрын

My go to for odd guitars is Scary Monsters.. Go TEAM FRIPP~!!! Word~!!!

@fernandodebiase2239

2 жыл бұрын

And the weird solo on Sailors Tale from Islands.

@talastra

2 жыл бұрын

Satori in Tangiers for sure :)

@joedyer502

2 жыл бұрын

Belew for sure.

@RedwoodGeorge

2 жыл бұрын

Saw Belew in concert - man were there some strange sounds coming out of his guitar! (In a good way, of course)

Fiery Gun Hand by Cardiacs has a fantastically schizophrenic solo. Would love to see it incorporated into a future list. Sartori in Tangiers by King Crimson is also a fun listen.

@HugoFrederick

4 ай бұрын

first thing I thought of when I thought of a crazy solo

@RoryLynott

4 ай бұрын

Cardiac own. They're unreal.

@jannelehtinen7705

4 ай бұрын

Cardiacs absolutely! Another one for this list would be Tom Verlaine (Television) and his solo on "Foxhole".

@w1521

4 ай бұрын

Absolutely going to back this one up. Incredible piece of music from a strange, unique and wonderful band.

@weaversproduction4044

4 ай бұрын

Its brilliantly unhinged - would love to see a Cardiacs deep dive of Ricks channel at some point

Holdsworth's style is so unique because when he was a kid and his father asked him what instrument he wanted to learn and play, Alan's answer was the saxophone. Well, dear old dad bought him a guitar instead and taught him to play, but Alan never lost the desire to play sax - so he adapted his guitar style around saxophone scales. Knowing this, if you listen to ANY of Alan's guitar work, you can easily imagine and almost "hear" the same piece being done on a sax.

I think that “do it again” by steely dan should definitely be on the list, I’ve never heard anything like it and I just love the sound

@da5idnz

2 жыл бұрын

Played by Denny Dias, I believe, who never bent strings.

@Anautistictherapist

2 жыл бұрын

That's a Sitar and not a guitar I do believe.

@rowenlampe7426

2 жыл бұрын

@@Anautistictherapist sitar guitar, its a guitar but it has a thing by the bridge that just basiclaly gives it permenent fretbuzz, giving it a sitar sound. basically a guitar with a built in effect

@RedwoodGeorge

2 жыл бұрын

Funny, I saw the title of this video and thought "Oh, there has -got- to be at least one Steely Dan song on this list!"

Andy Summers Driven to Tears solo is actually my favorite on the list. It fits the driving desperateness and despair of the song. It's strange but fits so well. And many of Tom Morello's solos could have been on here as well. Great list. And like everyone said...I want more!!

@BluegumCounterpoint

2 жыл бұрын

Same. I thought #1 on this list as i clicked play.

@neozentruth

2 жыл бұрын

I have to add myself to the list of those who thought first of Andy Summers brilliant solo on Driven To Tears which I understand was played on a fretless guitar.

@mgbasinski

2 жыл бұрын

+1

@jeffreybell436

2 жыл бұрын

I feel that was meant ironically. In his book he says that "No Solos" was the slogan of The Police, although he did play some solos at live shows.

@pitapocketortwo

2 жыл бұрын

It's a great song but without the freakazoid solo it would just be something nice to hum.

Andy Partridge of XTC has quite a few very strange solos. Check out "Train Running Low on Soul Coal," "Garden of Earthly Delights," "Complicated Game," "Day In, Day Out," "Love at First Sight"

@arthurroberts5025

3 ай бұрын

Love at first sight, for sure. Great minimal solo

Kim Thayil always sounds like he's not even listening to the song he's soloing on, but they always fit perfectly for Soundgarden.

Some great picks! Belew on "Elephant Talk" would be a great addition. This is all rock stuff, though - a lot of free improvisors traffic in strangeness on a daily basis. Anything by Derek Bailey or Sonny Sharrock is stranger than anything on this list. Fred Frith, Nels Cline.. plus many many younger musicians too.

@realobama1100

2 жыл бұрын

He cant include KC because it would be striked

@KeeperOfPoops

2 жыл бұрын

@@realobama1100 he did get blocked by king crimson once in one video and he made a stream about it

@bernab

2 жыл бұрын

I agree about Adrian Belew, Fred Frith, etc

@bernab

2 жыл бұрын

I respect Rick Beato. But I knew he would use examples of those groups. I wouldn't expect for example a guitar solo of those giants or musicians from other countries. For example, Ángel Ontalva and October Equus.

How you managed to list 20 strange guitar solos with none of them by Robert Fripp astounds me.

@CHodgy

Жыл бұрын

Agreed, but Fripp never got played on radio or TV like the rest of em

@TheRoadhammer379

Жыл бұрын

It's his list, it's not your list. Opinions vary.

@evansteidtman962

Жыл бұрын

@@CHodgy do you ever hear Heroes by David Bowie on the radio?

@CHodgy

Жыл бұрын

@@evansteidtman962 I know! As soon as I typed I remembered

@sargentoinkwinson4888

Жыл бұрын

@@CHodgy Um, Heroes by Bowie was quite a big hit. And that solo is influenced by the Oblique Stratagies.

I was waiting for Zappa..... and not disappointed... great list!

I think you missed Eight Miles High by the Byrds. That song with the solos was years ahead of its time.

The 2nd solo on "Paranoid Android" by Radiohead might be my favorite one. I love how at one point Jonny is playing along with the melody and seconds later he's playing totally alien stuff. And it goes back and forth on that. Mind-blowing.

@Sklounst_Actual

2 жыл бұрын

Also his solo on "Go to Sleep", especially live

@lluewhyn

2 жыл бұрын

I'm surprised he didn't include "Just" on here, as that's one of his favorite songs. The outro solo at the end is pretty odd.

@varandapub9072

Жыл бұрын

I was expecting Jonny as number one. Epic fail by Rick. Search for Paranoid Android live performance on Jools Holland, on BBC channel

@davidlowery3111

Жыл бұрын

My thoughts exactly

@varandapub9072

Жыл бұрын

In "What makes a song Great" (Paranoid Android episode) Rick just ignored Jonny's insane solo as well, AGAIN

The Robert Fripp solo in David Bowie's "Fashion" is one of the top ones for me. I saw an interview with Fripp where he basically thanked Bowie for letting him play... that.

@KPJohnson

2 жыл бұрын

When I saw the video this solo was my first thought. That song blew my mind as an impressionable 13 year old and I have tended to prefer solos like that ever since.

@QuickEyedSky

2 жыл бұрын

Voilà. Fripp. And Steve Howe. And ughhhh Richard Pinhas!

@marcelogarciasoto9860

2 жыл бұрын

I was about to comment the same

@NickGeraldPeterson

2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely expected this solo on the list, also thought Rick would refer to the #20 Andy Summers solo as a Fripp ripoff; a "Fripp-off" if you will. In my attempts to learn it, my transcriptions always were titled, "Fripp Insanity Interval Rip"

@carlodave9

2 жыл бұрын

Exactly. Crazy fast, quasi-scales noodling is not strange to me at all. In fact they sound conformist. It's the solos that are minimalist, dissonant, off-beat, but perfectly fitting that are the real miracles of creativity. No Fripp? No Belew? GTFOH! Even early Devo managed more outlandish, rule-breaking solos than half of what's on this list.

Props for remembering Uli John Roth! I'm always so torn about his departure from the Scorpions. I love Uli's playing but I think Matthias ended up being exactly what they needed to hit the next level. Absolutely not a knock on Uli and I still love it when I hear him play. Old Scorpions still make it to my CD player all the time though.

I don't know if anyone commented here but the UK band Cardiacs have a 'marmite' solo in the song "Is This The Life" - I love it, you gotta hear it to believe it - a beautiful tune! Have a great day!

@RoryLynott

4 ай бұрын

I'll never forget hearing The Cardiacs for the first time. Hell, whenever I listen to them it's almost like I had never heard them before. Unreal.

“Driven To Tears” is automatically the first thing that pops into my head when thinking about oddball solos. Some other strange solos: Adrian Belew on “Elephant Talk” (or really any other of his solos.) David Fiuczynski on “Time Out” from Hiromi’s first Sonic Bloom album.

@Siskiyouoffroad

2 жыл бұрын

Same here 🤣I saw the video title and thought of that lol

@michaelwine

2 жыл бұрын

Yep, that was my first thought too. Love it!

@thebiggianthead8364

2 жыл бұрын

Sorry, but now I will definitely not subscribe. While I enjoy a few of your videos, despite an over emphasis on 80's music, I struggle with your request for 3 million subscribers, when many folks with better channels struggle for a small percentage of that? I see a guy with a bunch of guitars behind him worth more than some peoples house, trying to get more money. For a while I thought you might be about the art and music, but your plead this time just rubbed me the wrong way. As usual, it's about greed and status, as if your own standard of living is too low. Everyone should be so lucky as to have a rack of Les Paul's. Do you not appreciate what you have?

@scottgregory6129

2 жыл бұрын

oh man, elephant talk. Good call.

@kelvendyson1508

2 жыл бұрын

That solo on Driven to Tears is f'ing awesome!!

Robert Fripp’s scalene-triangle solo on David Bowie’s “Fashion.” That will melt your head.

Awesome list of unique guitar solos. Marty Friedman era of Megadeth are the absolute best. His solos always amazed me. It was great seeing Painkiller on there. I never thought that it was a strange solo but seeing it on your list for being unique I’ll have a deeper appreciation for it.

I miss Robert Fripp and Adrian Bellew. I think they both have the most original ideas how the guitar solo should sound like.

0:31 Driven to Tears by The Police (Andy Summers) 1:18 Painkiller by Judas Priest (K. K. Downing) 2:13 Black Hole Sun by Soundgarden (Kim Thayil) 3:03 Heart-Shaped Box by Nirvana (Kurt Cobain) 3:34 Just What I Needed by The Cars (Elliot Easton) 4:15 Symphony of Destruction by Megadeth (Marty Friedman) 5:12 Cut to the Chase by Rush (Alex Lifeson) 5:58 The Sails of Charon by Scorpions (Uli Jon Roth) 6:43 Zero by The Smashing Pumpkins (James Iha) 7:12 Bulls on Parade by Rage Against the Machine (Tom Morello) 7:54 Goodbye Divinity by Sons of Apollo (Ron Thal) 8:37 Sunny Days by The Drills (Phil X) 9:07 Jordan by Buckethead) 9:54 The Attitude Song by Steve Vai 10:34 Fives by Guthrie Govan 11:35 Owner of a Lonely Heart by Yes (Trevor Rabin) 12:35 Sinner's Swing! by Van Halen (Eddie Van Halen) 13:05 five-five-FIVE by Frank Zappa 14:06 Tokyo Dream by Allan Holdsworth 15:14 Scatterbrain by Jeff Beck

@nakedhookandfloridaoutdoors

Жыл бұрын

What's the point of the summary list? Watching it is the fun part.

@markpell8979

Жыл бұрын

Ooh dittoes to K.K.'s wild ride on "Painkiller." Sick. In the best way.

@toddgarci1966

Жыл бұрын

El 99 %de los solos de Zappa son raros ...para un análisis exhaustivo. Pero parece ser que Zappa no es de los músicos favoritos de Rick.... siendo uno de los compositores más importantes del siglo XX .. jamás le dedicó ni un programa..tampoco a cientos de músicos negros estadounidenses precursores..tampoco a varias bandas de rock y músicos de Sudamérica...en fin tú te lo pierdes Rick. Me gustan tus programas pero te falta mucho " background"

@Moment-14

Жыл бұрын

There's so many you could draw on....Jerry Garcia, I suppose that could be an episode all in it's own...

@Yossarian921

Жыл бұрын

@@toddgarci1966 He said that everything that he has tried use by Zappa had gotten blocked. The song he used on this list just one of the rare few is that only one that wasn't blocked.

Fripp's solo on Baby's on Fire (Eno's Here Come the Warm Jets) is like nothing else, even for him. Strange & masterful exploring a variety of sounds that he crafts into retching emotion. It knocks down the doors, the walls and half the buildings down the street!

@ChrisDenDaas

2 жыл бұрын

it's on my list as well

@paulbrocklehurst3639

2 жыл бұрын

Check out Fripp's solos on 'Distributed Being' by Brian Eno's Nerve Net album or 'Super Heathen Child' by Grinder man!

@ChrisDenDaas

2 жыл бұрын

@@paulbrocklehurst3639 Grinderman is on my list as well ;-)

@briancaulfield7251

2 жыл бұрын

I came here to post this one. I start sweating profusely every time I hear it.

@leosonic

2 жыл бұрын

And it was long before most solos in this list.

I thought I was the only one who loved Cut to the Chase by Rush. And I agree that that guitar solo is absolutely insane.

@melnikov_m

4 ай бұрын

Absolutely love it too

@melnikov_m

4 ай бұрын

I love the entire Counterparts album. It’s amazing record

@Tanyth2112

2 ай бұрын

That is a great song and an awesome album.

Steve Hackett in the early days of genesis has some pretty strange and amazing solos, too.

@lucianosorcinelli1690

4 ай бұрын

Exactly!! "Can Utility and the Coastliners" features one of the weirdest solos out there

@jeannemar2949

3 ай бұрын

And "The Lamia" guitar solo !

@haroldgardner9463

3 ай бұрын

Firth of Fifth!😮

@K0rp0

2 ай бұрын

He was too musical for the list 😉 fantastic solos in the context of Genesis, unique tone.

I was really waiting to hear Robert Fripp's incredible three -minute two-part (at least) solo from Brian Eno's "Baby's on fire"

@donnh6522

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed

@halbvaras5002

Жыл бұрын

YES!

Steve Howe's close to the edge solo in the beginning is crazy

@fabrikk60

2 жыл бұрын

Heard the one he does on "Sound Chaser"?

@davekirkley6699

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely. HOW does one miss Howe!

Rick you are the man!!! I wish I could hang out and jam with you.........that's on my bucket list.......I've learned so much watching you and I think your skills in the "musical" realm of life are nothing less than spectacular, phenomenal, amazing, staggering, astounding, bewildering......etc......I like your channel and I think you're a really cool dude!!! I wish nothing but the best for you and I hope to keep learning and being inspired by you and your knowledge!!!!!! Your chops are pretty fantastic as well!!!! by the way your studio is kick-a$$...........so many toys..........It's like your very own music store lol........How many guitars do you own in total?? I', very curious.........If I had to guess.........I'd say at least 50????????................................Stay thirsty my friend and keep on rockin in the free world!!!

If I was going to nominate an addition, it would be Reeves Gabrels. Just, in general. He can play straight-ahead rock then out of nowhere lob in a totally wonky break that hurts my head it's so perfect. 😮 Plenty of examples on the first Tin Machine (Bowie) album, as well as his collab with Bill Nelson ("Fantastic Guitars"), but if anything he's only gotten more otherworldly over the years.

@AfterFab

3 ай бұрын

I kind of expected Reeves to be somewhere on this list. He can be really "out there," very often.

Glad to see Jeff Beck getting recognition for being the best guitarist from whatever planet he came from. I wasn’t sure if you were going to go with sidetracked painter Syd Barrett for his avant-garde sprawling guitar-noise collages throughout his catchy little pop tunes. They sound like noise at first, but upon further review, a great deal more interesting.

Robby Krieger's solo from "When the Music's Over" definitely qualifies for this list. Just an amazing psychedelic solo.

@asymptoticspatula

2 жыл бұрын

Robby Krieger is so awesome. Wonderfully unique guitarist.

@rodbran8286

2 жыл бұрын

Yes

@jamesbarta5452

Жыл бұрын

Robbie has always been ignored..Alvin Lee,as well..

Adrian Belew’s solo on Talking Heads’ The Great Curve (Remain in Light) outstranges several of the other solos on your top 20 list.

Great list, Rick.

The "Just What I Needed" solo is one of my favorite solos of all time. I don't consider it that crazy though, as it is very "tasty" and fits so well. I was really expecting Vernon Reid's solo from "Cult of Personality" to be on this list, though.

@TheHawk3007

2 жыл бұрын

The fact that Reid did not back down from having a Hendrix tribute in his shows says a lot. To me, anyway!

@toddpeterson2992

2 жыл бұрын

Eliot Easton's middle name is Tasty.

@georgejeffries3566

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed. That solo is beautifully melodic, and certain notes are expertly accentuated. I don’t think of it as crazy or odd.

@dbe2700

2 жыл бұрын

Correct. Strange inclusion.

@Bob.Silverstein

2 жыл бұрын

💯

Eliot Easton is terribly underrated. He’s a phenomenal player who always served the song.

@youmothershouldknow4905

2 жыл бұрын

Contrary to Rick’s assessment, this Easton solo isn’t weird; it’s perfect.

@jimdixon3470

2 жыл бұрын

I was thinking "This is a new wave George Harrison special" as I listened to the Easton solo (which I've heard a million times, of course).

@loubandiera

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, exactly. I don't find that solo strange at all. It outlines the chord changes perfectly, and then throws in that cool kinda rockabilly double-stop bit at the end. I played this song with my band and it was really fun to learn the solo.

@daveseesmovies

2 жыл бұрын

Love this solo. “Shake it Up” is a classic, too.

@davidgeisler9885

2 жыл бұрын

@@Wizardofgosz I don’t think this list is meant to be negative as such. “Weird” in this context means “very different” but not in a bad way. He says he likes them

Love your videos, subscribed! More unusual guitar vids please. Maybe vol 2 weird solos etc.....

Jeff becks playing as an example of the strat and how capable it is at expressing itself when it's really pushed more so than most other Guitars

There's a really out-there solo in The Mars Volta's "Goliath" that sounds more like Omar and his guitar fell down the stairs than played an instrument but it just sounds so *right* in the context of the other blistering and chaotic instrumentation that it's just one of my favourites ever.

@skullgarden2417

2 жыл бұрын

Heck yeah lol Goliath is a trip of a song anyway

@TheCarbunkleofTruth

2 жыл бұрын

I was thinking of that exact solo! Also surprised Omar isn't in this list at all

@devinarney

2 жыл бұрын

I think Take The Veil Cerpin Taxt at around 3:45 would've been a great candidate.

@evandettling7134

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah no Omar on this list is a shame

@mauimarcus

2 жыл бұрын

Yes

Adrian Belew on King Crimson's 'Indiscipline', and Fripp playing on Brian Eno's 'Baby's on Fire' surely deserve honourable mentions.

@arthurfarias7662

Жыл бұрын

Sure thing! I don't actually know, but it seems Rick Beato and a lot of other KZreadrs gradually stopped putting Fripp's/ King Crimson music on those videos because almost all of them were copyright claimed by them, so yeah. On the other hand, Belew's solo on Deadwing by Porcupine Tree should be in this list!

@whitex4652

Жыл бұрын

Not only honourable mentioning...

@edwarddore7617

Жыл бұрын

Love Indiscipline

@kenmcbride6515

Жыл бұрын

Snake guitar

@orfeusdissenting685

Жыл бұрын

THANK YOU. "Baby's on Fire" deserves Top 5, easy.

I've got to agree with all the Larry LaLonde comments. I listened to Primus a lot in high school, and his leads on "Sailing the Seas of Cheese" and "Pork Soda" live in the most primitive part of my brain stem, as benchmarks and reference points for meaningful, advanced improvisation. They're so expressive even though they're off the wall, without a hint of shred or technique; Ler seems to come by his weirdness honestly. Kim Thayil was a great choice for the same reason. . Several black guitarists have also been on the cutting edge of "strange" lead playing, aside from Jimi Hendrix. I would plug Willie Johnson (who played raunchy overdriven leads in the early 50s on Howlin' Wolf's Memphis recordings), Sonny Sharrock (I've only listened to his last CD, "Ask the Ages," which also has an all-star band) and Pete Cosey (listen to Miles Davis's live 70s records, especially the first disc of "Agharta").

Great video Rick , I agree with #1 but would have put number # 20 at # 2 - that simple odd solo on Driven to tears is brilliant yet simple and definitely very crazy

Glad you put Jeff at the top, he astounds me every time I watch him. The whole Ronnie Scott’s gig is brilliant.

@eristicfreethinker2098

Жыл бұрын

Maybe the best video recording of a guitar player I’ve ever seen. No stupid rapid cuts. No shots of the back of the drummers head during an amazing guitar solo. Just great musicians. Great songs. Great venue and sound.

@gabrvalete

Жыл бұрын

And that Scatterbrain performance makes my jaw drop every single time I watch and listen to it

@SoWhat.BigDeal.

Жыл бұрын

@@eristicfreethinker2098 And right there with it, honorable mention for the Tokyo 2014 show, "Live in Tokyo", with Nicolas Meier as the 2nd guitar. Great performance of all of Jeff's best stuff, just a terrific show.

Holdsworth’s playing is just so fluid - like a horn player who never needs to pause for a breath

@asmrdadbod2483

2 жыл бұрын

I saw Allan at thebakedpotato in Los Angeles in 2009 and my jaw was onthe table for most of the show... I was pleased to meet him and he's the coolest guy ever

@asmrdadbod2483

2 жыл бұрын

It sounds like he must be hammering on or two handing his s9los, but yet he doesn't 3xcept on a rare occasion

@asmrdadbod2483

2 жыл бұрын

Single pick and left hand do everything

@asmrdadbod2483

2 жыл бұрын

I seem to remember that guitar world magazine included a little thin plastic vinyl record with devil take the hindmost on it

@asmrdadbod2483

2 жыл бұрын

What an incredible solo

Love first place!! Always been curious as to how Jeff's mind worked; always fantastic, and fantastically odd❤❤❤

Cadaverous Mastication, Future Breed Machine, Neurotica, Perpetual Black Second, Glints Collide, and so many more - Fredrik Thorendaal. Either sounding like beautiful fusion inspired majesty or actual robot having an aneurysm, Fredrik is an amazing and bizzarely unique soloist.