Iconic solos

[Nick Bidmade]

There are some songs that have what I'll call iconic solos. In this instance, I'm practicing some songs on pedal steel to accompany a singer/guitarist. One of the songs he does is 'These Days' by Jackson Browne. This has a stunning slide guitar solo by David Lindley which is an absolutely integral part of the song, in my opinion. So, when faced with such a solo, do colleagues try and replicate the solo (which would have to be tone and note perfect to do it justice), do you do something completely different, or try and take the elements of the original but add a different 'flavour' to it? I guess attempting this on pedal steel rather than plank would naturally make it different but I'd be interested in how players tackle interpreting these kind of solos.

[Zumbilly(Murdoch)]

Nick,
I had not heard that song before,Stunning solo.
Some lucky players are able to hear and copy solos note for note,I am not one of those, which is My excuse for playing a solo MY way.However,If I were able to play the solo in question I would doubt I could produce the tone and technique David has so My rendition would sound nothing like His.I would therefore play something similar and do My best at getting some soul in the tone,Unfortunately You cannot get it in a tin.
Many times the simplest sounding solo is the hardest to replicate,have a listen to Dan Dugmore on Blue Bayou by Linda Ronstadt
classic example of a tuneful simple sounding bunch of notes played with feeling and timing which had the great Buddy Emmons saying it was one of the best solos He had heard
Good luck
Billy

[Nick Bidmade]

Thanks Zumbilly. Pretty much my thoughts. If you think the solo on These Days is a cracker, try 'Late for the Sky' again by Jackson Browne. This solo can still reduce me to tears, and I have known the song for the best part of 40 years. Lindley's tone, touch and musicality are outstanding.
BTW, agree with what you say about Dan Dugmore. He did some great stuff with Linda Ronstadt and with John Stewart. 'Tracks of my Tears' is another simple solo, beautifully constructed and executed.

[Donny Johnston]

I HAVE JUST PURCHASED A CD COPY OF THE SIMPLE DREAMS ALBUM LAST WEEK, JUST TO HAVE THAT SOLO BACK IN MY LISTENING CATALOGUE. WHEN THE ALBUM WAS RELEASED I HAD STOPPED PLAYING AND WAS WORKING IN MY OWN BAKERY, THIS SONG CAME ON THE RADIO ABOUT THREE IN THE MORNING, I SHUT OFF THE MIXERS AND LISTENED. THE STEEL GUITAR CAME BACK OUT FROM UNDER THE BED THAT AFTERNOON. ICONIC.

[Tony Russell Davis]

Good thread Nick.
On a couple of occasions I have had to copy the record because that was what the band wanted; and paid for! But I can't say I like listening to a player (guitar or steel or whatever, but mostly lead guitar) that slavishly copies the record when playing covers. I know a few that do this and they're good players, I just would prefer to hear them being "themselves".
But you added the additional word "iconic" into the mix and that needs to be considered separately. I know a few iconic parts that are intros, and if it's perceived as integral to the song you probably have to do it - but there's not many songs where you can't play your own solo for the lead break. As much as possible - be yourself, I say. Your's may become a better "icon"
And remember:- there's nobody can play like you better than you can!

As a PS - maybe we need a separate thread to share some of our favourite solos?

[elparkirio]

Hey Nick. I did a version of the of 'These Days' with Kristina Train. This may give you a different angle on it.



Kristina Train, vox
All instruments, me

[Nick Bidmade]

Nice one Matt. I have a tendency to be too 'busy' on this - lovely steel playing on your example with lots of gaps for voice and guitar to be heard. Definitely a case of 'less is more'!

Food for thought indeed. Back to the steel!

All the best to you.

Nick

[mick hearn]

My daughter has been playing about recording various songs one of which is "Baker Street". This has such an iconic sax part that everyone looks for that. She has suggested I do the sax part on steel so gonna give it a go. I will play the same melody but with harmony so should be recognised but different I hope.

yeah I know - it's not country.

[Nick Bidmade]

Not country - but definitely pedal steel! The steel is a very adaptable instrument - check B J Cole on YouTube, Jim Cohen on the US Forum - completely different but both recognizable as psg. I think Baker Street would sound great with a pedal steel solo - go for it, and post the result!

[mick hearn]

Yeah I certainly will.
The general tone of this topic is one of the thoughts I have had for a long time. In order to sound like the original player you have to know the amp settings, the way the guitar is picked - in fact so many variables that you will never ever sound like the original - but the one thing you will never ever get is inside the mind of the player. The thing that we all call "soul" and that is the most important part. There are many examples out there of the way players play. Albert Lee plays "Country Boy" but his technique is flat picking with a few other fingers thrown in. I play "Country Boy" but I use banjo roll technique using the nails of thumb, first and second singers so it will never sound the same. In the end I have discovered "Me",and whilst I will copy other players it will be me that comes through. My wife reckons she can always hear when I am playing guitar and that's because of the "me" that comes through. I played the solo to "Blue Bayou" years ago on a recording for a band but it never did sound the same because I did not capture the soul of the original player although it is recognisable.

We are all different and that's the way it should be. Learn the licks by all means for the sake of learning technique - but eventually be yourself.