Yngwie Malmsteen and the Rising Force Solo

Yngwie Malmsteen is one of the most loved and hated of all guitarists. Loved and admired because he elevated the visibility of neoclassical shred, and hated by some for creating what my be considered emotionless, technical guitar songs. Whichever side of the debate you stand on, it is clear the Malmsteen must be given his due for technical prowess. Here is is performing Rising Force solo, taken from the song Rising Force on his 1988 album "Odyssey". There is smoke and fog surrounding the performers, but I swear you can almost see the smoke wafting of the fretboard from Malmsteen's warp-speed chops!

Frank Zappa's Interesting Muffin Man Guitar Solo

Frank Zappa is one of the strangest and most experimental musicians ever, but none can deny his impact on the industry. He has put out several solo albums and others with his band the Mothers of Invention. One of his most famous songs is "The Muffin Man", a strange creation with a spoken word intro and occasional vocals by Captain Beefheart. The rest of the song is a amazing, soulful, solo. It is played in a somewhat sloppy style which adds the 'feeling' of the song. The best version is that released on the live album "Bongo Fury" which was recorded in Austin. But here is another rendition of the Zappa solo at a concert.

Kirk Hammett takes on Jimi Hendrix's Little Wing

Here we have an interesting combination. Metallica's Kirk Hammett begins to warm up the crowd with his trademark pentatonic shredding. The crowd is digging it, yelling and shouting for more. Then all of a sudden Kirk switches gears and busts out none other than the solo from Little Wing by Jimi Hendrix. This soulful rendition is given a metallic distortion edge which works surprising well.