What makes a great guitar solo?  Is it how fast or flashy it is, or how slow and soulful it is?  Does it sound like a voice that you could sing to, telling its own story?  Does it start small but then crescendos into a colossal showcase of talent and emotion?  Solos are great for different reasons, but the one thing all great solos have is soul.  The following solos are my favorites, and they’re each here for different reasons.  These aren’t necessarily the best solos I’ve ever heard, but each solo here has soul and shows what can happen when an talented guitarist is in harmony with his instrument.

The Beatles – “Something” (Guitar Player: George Harrison)

Jimi Hendrix & The Band Of Gypsys – “Machine Gun” (Guitar Player: Jimi Hendrix)

Wilco – “Impossible Germany” (Guitar Player: Niles Cline)

John Mayer – “Covered In Rain” (Guitar Player: John Mayer)

Led Zeppelin – “Heartbreaker” (Guitar Player: Jimmy Page)

Prince – “I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man” (Guitar Player: Prince)

Steely Dan – “Kid Charlemagne” (Guitar Player: Larry Carlton)

Sublime – “Santeria” (Guitar Player: Brad Nowell)

The White Stripes – “Ball And Biscuit” (Guitar Player: Jack White)

Pink Floyd – “Money” (Guitar Player: David Gilmour)

Tedeschi Trucks Band – “Midnight in Harlem” (Guitar Player: Derek Trucks)

Dire Straits – “Sultans of Swing” (Guitar Player: Mark Knopfler)

Were there any that I miss? Comment below or hit me up on twitter @HeadfoneNation

And before you say anything, Yes, “Stairway to Heaven” was denied from this list.  Sorry Wayne.

Brady Gerber

Brady is the founder of Headphone Nation. He’s responsible for all this mess. Sorry about that. He’s also on Twitter @BradyWGerber

http://bradygerber.com/