Friday, January 17, 2025

La Fin de la Semaine Essay Question: Special "In Search of Eddie Riff" Edition

Actually, I should have titled today's post with the traditional "Words Fail Me," but bonus points will be awarded to the first reader who identifies the source of the above.

In any event, please behold in breathless wonder as some internet guitar nerd (whose name I haven't been able to determine -- assistance gratefully accepted) shows you how to play the guitar stuff from The Beatles (by way of Buddy Holly) classic "Words of Love."

I don't have a guitar in the house anymore -- not to mention the arthritis in my left hand really sucks -- so I can't do what I would really like to do, which as you have surely guessed would be to put up a YouTube of me playing the part. Nevertheless, I think you'll nonetheless agree that the clip is just so fabulous it hurts.

Of course, if any of you guys out there who play wanna take a shot at it...

In the meantime, this leads us to the weekend's business. To wit:

What guitar riff/part/solo on a post-Elvis pop/rock/soul/folk/country record would you most like to be able to play note for note?

Discuss.

BTW, obviously, you don't actually have to be a guitar player to participate; this is strictly aspirational.

Alrighty then -- have a great weekend, everybody!!!

[h/t Jai Guru Dave]

17 comments:

Cleveland Jeff said...

My all-time favorite guitar break is the great Terry Haggerty's on the The Sons of Champlin's Follow Your Heart. You can hear it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fokzCHyzSqs
The break starts at 2:59

steve simels said...

That's a cool one. I should have mentioned mine, however -- the riff on the Beatles' "And Your Bird Can Sing." That would have been a dream achievement for me....😎

Cleveland Jeff said...

Also a fine pick. Harrison could find just the right line every time. With all the Beatles stuff out there, you don't hear many covers of that one.

Allan Rosenberg said...

Quickly off the top of my head I'd say Dave Davies' playing on the studio version of "Milk Cow Blues" on Kinks Kontroversy.

Captain Al

Anonymous said...

I always liked the opening riff from Ten Years After “I’m Going Home”.
Mike

Alzo said...

I recall a story about some fellow who painstakingly taught himself 'And Your Bird Can Sing,' only to be informed that it's actually two guitars on the record. BTW, it was covered by The Jam. As for my dream solo, I'll go with Ollie Halsall's incredible shredding on Kevin Ayers's 'Didn't Feel Lonely till I Thought of You.'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PL9r74SYVnM

Shriner said...

Admittedly, I haven't dug around youtube videos to figure out how to play them but "Magic" by Pilot and "Junglelove" by Steve Miller have always eluded me to figure them out by ear..

Gardner Campbell said...

Terry Kath’s solo on “Make Me Smile.” Edited out of the single, but there in all its glory on the album version.

M_Sharp said...

"Crossroads" - Cream, Clapton
"Sweet Little Lisa" - Rockpile, Albert Lee
"Mystery Train" - Elvis, Scotty Moore

Anonymous said...

Riff: Substitute - The Who
Solo: Baby’s On Fire - Eno (Robert Fripp on guitar)
Intro/Riff: Begin the Begin - R.E.M.
Riff and solo - Breakin’ In My Heart - Tom Verlaine

- Paul In DK

PS Guadalcanal Diary did a great version of And Your Bird Can Sing on their 2x4 album.

Rob said...

One that comes to mind, among others - Allman Bros.
One Way Out - just one of many Duane/Dickie's dueling guitars
rob

steve simels said...

And may I just add -- Television -- the riff on "See No Evil." I saw Richard Lloyd do it live once, and I remember thinking, I'll just give up the playing of guitar.

Rob said...

This is a song that I have tried to play but Keith's drop tuning has me stumped.
You Got The Silver
rob

steve simels said...

Oh god, that one is simply gorgeous. Never tried to do it -- not sure what tuning it's in. I have a friend who may be able to do it, and I'll ask him.

Rob said...

Steve, iirc, it's drop e tuning.
In addition there is slide also
rob

ChrisE said...

Re guitar solos - a couple of I've always I wished I could play:
1) Marshall Crenshaw's solo on his song "This Is Easy", the lead-off track on his fourth album, MARY JEAN & 9 OTHERS. I love the densely layered guitars, six-string bass and backing vocals on this song anyway, and Marshall's solo is like the cherry on top, so to speak.
2) Neil Young's solo on the song "On The Beach". It's a song about desolation and dissolution, and Neil's solo is simple (he is Mr. One Note) but so effective in conveying those feelings.

Rob said...

Steve, handing this back to you was there one cover song with the Floor Models that you found difficult to master ?
rob