Lindsey's best guitar solo?

[Matt Lucas]

Hello all---

My 12-year-old daughter and I were in the car this morning, and she asked to hear some music. With literally thousands of songs on my iPod Classic from which to choose, I decided to surprise her with a favorite of hers that she hadn't requested in months: "Landslide."

I've mentioned here before that I probably fall mostly in Lindsey's corner, though I probably keep a few toes in Christine's corner, too. But having said that, I think "Landslide" might just be my favorite FM song. Perhaps it's even their best song, though I really think whatever song earns that title should feature the whole band.

Anyway, I hadn't heard the song in quite some time. I heard "Landslide" with new ears today, and I was stuck by the simple beauty of Lindsey's guitar solo. I felt every tiny detail, each graceful note. It's a marvel, really. So eloquent and perfect. I hear more than a little Chet Atkins in Lindsey's phrasing, which is no surprise.

That solo may be the best example of one of Lindsey's greatest strengths as a musician---his ability to play a solo that fits the song, that carries the melody into some uncharted, yet familiar territory.

Don't get me wrong, I like Lindsey's loud, rock solos as much as anyone. But he's done so many of them---so many great ones---that sometimes it's hard to pick one that stands head and shoulders above the rest. And so, his solos that are different, like the ones in "Landslide" and "Steal Your Heart Away" and "You Make Loving Fun," are the ones that stand out most to me.

So...what is your favorite Lindsey guitar solo, and why?

Matt

[pattyfan]

I can only limit myself to the top 3. :)

1. His solo at the end of Tango in the Night. It fits the song so well and it's such a contrast to other parts of the song where he is finger picking notes.

2. The solo at the end of Gypsy, especially the long version. As with many of Stevie's FM songs, this song really benefitted from Lindsey's arrangement and beautiful solo.

3. I also love his solo at the end of Sisters of the Moon.

Kevin

[Macfan4life]

This is a tough one. I will stick with the question and solo...not just his best guitar work.
Go your own way is right off the top of my head

But really this is easy for me but its not from a Mac song. I think his best guitar solo is from Loving Cup from Go Insane.

[jbrownsjr]

The Chain (Mirage Tour).. just wow
Isn't It Midnight
Tango In The Night
ISA (Live Album)

[louielouie2000]

I agree with everything I'm seeing in this thread. However, I just have to throw some love towards some of Lindsey's more subdued guitar solos, as they often get no appreciation at all. Songs like Mystified and Wish You Were Here have gorgeous, understated solos in their outros. No, they aren't rocking or epic... but they leave me feeling dreamy and contemplative after each listen.

[Iamwilliame]

One of my all time favorite guitar solos by LB is the one for Hold Me. The way he plays alongside the acoustic guitar, percussion and Chris's keys all the way through the outro........Fleetwood Mac doesn't get any more sublime than that.

As for rocking out.........The Chain from the official 82 tour video. All other arguments are invalid.

I really think he peaked as a guitarist and producer in the early 80s.

[WayOfTheDragon]

My favorite is "Hold Me". That slow, high-pitched solo is my favorite part of the song.

[jkmaletic]

The solo in Frozen Love is my favorite of all. Just awesome.

[jbrownsjr]

The solo in Frozen Love is my favorite of all. Just awesome.

Forgot about that one... it gives me goosebumps..

[elle]

Forgot about that one... it gives me goosebumps..

the only good part of that song, actually, as far as i'm concerned.

i love many, but one that nobody mentioned yet comes to mind: Destiny Rules outro. just gorgeous. can be nicely heard at the start of the Destiny Rules doc, as well as several of SYW tour bootlegs when they performed the song.

fast (although lifted from other songs) outro in many of the live versions Of Eyes of the world.

the Chain John and Lindsey guitar parts make the song for many, myself included.

[jbrownsjr]

I agree with everything I'm seeing in this thread. However, I just have to throw some love towards some of Lindsey's more subdued guitar solos, as they often get no appreciation at all. Songs like Mystified and Wish You Were Here have gorgeous, understated solos in their outros. No, they aren't rocking or epic... but they leave me feeling dreamy and contemplative after each listen.

I agree. Only Over You has nice guitar parts, too.

[KenB]

I agree. Only Over You has nice guitar parts, too.

Does the long acoustic guitar intro to "Don't Look Down" (from Out Of The Cradle) count as a "solo"? If it does, that's my vote. But really, is an intro a solo?

[Macfan4life]

Does the long acoustic guitar intro to "Don't Look Down" (from Out Of The Cradle) count as a "solo"? If it does, that's my vote. But really, is an intro a solo?
Lindsey picks his strings so to some it may be confusing what a guitar solo is from him. There is no guitar solo in The Chain but there is amazing guitar work live from 1982 in that song.

I still vote Loving Cup but definitely Hold Me and Isnt It Midnight are tops too.

[KenB]

I still vote Loving Cup but definitely Hold Me and Isnt It Midnight are tops too.

Hold Me would be my #2 after Don't Look Down.

[Wdm6789]

Gypsy. The long version.

[Montclare]

The Chain, both album and 82, ISA 1980, GYOW Japan 1977. And I second SOTM. I think that's the best guitar work on Tusk. Oh, and the LIB version of Come. I only feel so so about the song, but love the solo in it, especially where he keeps hitting the same note again and again. Orgasmic.

[jbrownsjr]

Does the long acoustic guitar intro to "Don't Look Down" (from Out Of The Cradle) count as a "solo"? If it does, that's my vote. But really, is an intro a solo?

Stop teasing me!! THat's some amazing work he does on that intro. It's unique and pleasing.

[mylittledemon]

This is a really tough one for me. If I had to pick one that really moves me, I'd have to go with the outro guitar on "Street of Dreams."

2nd choice might have to be "I'm So Afraid" from The Dance.

[SorcererJP]

So Afraid might be an obvious choice, the outro of Tango in the Night is similar to the recent live-incarnations, still very good. But, after the last three tours no surprise anymore ...

I do like his guitar-solo's/riffs on the Live in Boston-version of 'Come' a lot as well as the all time classic Frozen Love.

[aleuzzi]

Isn't It Midnight

Smile I Live For

Go Your Own Way (the second of the two set guitar pieces)

Frozen Love

The live versions of Rhiannon from the 75-76 period

This Is the Time

[aleuzzi]

Does the long acoustic guitar intro to "Don't Look Down" (from Out Of The Cradle) count as a "solo"? If it does, that's my vote. But really, is an intro a solo?

Yeah--it's funny. I was thinking at first of the electric pieces, but a whole other list comes up when one considers the finger-picking work:

Big Love Live (some say it's easier than it sounds, but it's very effective)
Red Rover
Say Goodbye
Don't Look Down
Family Man
Eyes of the World

[jbrownsjr]

Isn't It Midnight

Smile I Live For

Go Your Own Way (the second of the two set guitar pieces)

Frozen Love

The live versions of Rhiannon from the 75-76 period

This Is the Time

The Smile I Live For is so amazing! I wish they would not have faded it out and let it keep going...

[Macfan4life]

The Smile I Live For is so amazing! I wish they would not have faded it out and let it keep going...
A-men
As soon as he gets hot...it fades out :(
Another great selection

[aleuzzi]

The Smile I Live For is so amazing! I wish they would not have faded it out and let it keep going...

Agreed. And she begins to burn on the piano right at the fade, too...

[jbrownsjr]

Agreed. And she begins to burn on the piano right at the fade, too...

They do the same thing on Wish You Were Here... it kills me... :distress:

[Iktomi]

I absolutely love the live solo to Never Going Back Again. It's beautiful.

[michelej1]

Agreed. And she begins to burn on the piano right at the fade, too...

I feel this way about the end of Northern Star. The end sizzled and should have continued for another 30-60 seconds.

Michele

[aleuzzi]

I feel this way about the end of Northern Star. The end sizzled and should have continued for another 30-60 seconds.

Michele

In the words of David, "she taunts, she tantalizes"...

[Jezzup]

Don't Let Me Down Again from the Live album.

[michelej1]

In the words of David, "she taunts, she tantalizes"...

I bet David doesn't even know Northern Star, which saddens me. Michele

[Montclare]

Don't Let Me Down Again from the Live album.

Funny, I was just thinking today that this has some of my favorite of Mick's parts.

[iamnotafraid]

Funny, I was just thinking today that this has some of my favorite of Mick's parts.

There's a joke written somewhere in that statement.

[Montclare]

There's a joke written somewhere in that statement.

Yeah, I was thinking that too, but was too tired to reword it. :D

[Villavic]

Now that the album is re released, I've been reading some reviews about it and specially about the guitar solo of Frozen Love, finding phrases like,,,

Buckingham’s guitar riff might be one of his best, second only to classics like “The Chain” and “I’m So Afraid.”
a climatic guitar solo,
Frozen Love – the proggy, shape-shifting holy grail of Fleetwood Mac’s most combustible couple – so impressed Mick Fleetwood,
brilliant guitar fingerpicking,
one of my favorite Buckingham guitar solos ever,
Buckingham’s guitar work alone is something special,
It draws from folk-rock and country music, weaving in a shot of jazz straight down the middle to create something that would help to define rock guitar playing for the rest of the decade.

No one can question that Lindsey is a great guitarist, one of the greatest for many people. I still get that thrill when I listen his guitar in GYOW, YMLF, The Chain, etc. no matter that I've heard them a trillion times. But sorry though I think it's a great solo, I wonder if some critics overrates FL's guitar solo influenced by the story of how Mick met and chose Lindsey. Just my opinion as a fan, I'm not a music professional.

Anyway to anwser the topic question, my favorites are I'm So Afraid live and Tango In The Night.

[jbrownsjr]

The Chain (Mirage Tour).. just wow
Isn't It Midnight
Tango In The Night
ISA (Live Album)


These still hold for me.

Add Carnival Begin
Delete ISA Live and add ISA Mirage Live Forum (HBO version)