Billy Howerdel, A Perfect Circle and an Extended guitar solo from "Orestes"

And now I'd like to pay tribute to one of the most underrated guitarists of our times: Billy Howerdel. Billy is the songwriter behind the unequaled supergroup A Perfect Circle. Formerly a guitar tech for tool and other bands, he joined up with Maynard James Keenan of Tool and several other musicians to realize his artistic vision. Unfortunately, Maynard's fame often overshadows Howerdel's and the latter does not get the credit he clearly deserves.

Howerdel's guitar style is unique, dreamy and a mix of hard and soft. He usually tunes to C# standard and APC's music is marked by chords with open strings, often 6/8 timing, and atmospheric effects shot through with clear lead lines that counterbalance the vocals.

It is extremely sophisticated and artistic guitar music, and APC's two albums must be treasured, for the band has apparently split for good.

Here is Howerdel and co. playing Orestes, a track of their first album "Mer De Noms"

David Gilmour of Pink Floyd: The Soulful Solo From "Comfortably Numb"

David Gilmour's Pink Floyd solos are well known for their soulfulness and 'spacey' nature. The best known example is the ending solo of the song "Comfortably Numb" off of the acclaimed Floyd album "The Wall". This guitar solo is considered as something of a gold-standard for soulful rock outros. It is in B minor and not at all shredlike. Rather, it takes a measured and mournful route, and seems to hit all the right notes.

One definition of a guitar solo is that it is a substitute for a vocal verse and Gilmour's solo almost sounds like the guitar has come to life and is pouring out its pain. David Gilmour rightly has his place among the rock gods and his Comfortably Numb Solo is a clear reason for that status. Here he is in concert, a little older perhaps, but still rocking out

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!