rocketman Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 I've heard arguments that Lifeson's solos took a turn down after Moving Pictures. Some have argued that he has never been able to top the solo to Limelight. But I beg to differ. Here are four examples that are mind blowing examples how he wrote some wicked solos since that time. The first is the solo to Digital Man. It's starts at 3:50 with a dive down on the whammy bar. The solo is pretty much written using a classic blues scale. It's very melodic and his use of pinch harmonics and vibrato are out of this world. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCFcWdco1nw The second is the solo to Kid Gloves. This starts at 2:34 with some really nice rhythm work. Then he goes into some harmonics that simply make me scratch my head (where the hell did they come from???). Then he goes into a country kind of feel. This solo is one of Alex's favorites. I can see why. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qJmYCY7q1U Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketman Posted August 28, 2013 Author Share Posted August 28, 2013 The third is the solo to Cut to the Chase. It starts at 2:43. He definitely uses his PRS SE 24 on this solo because he hits a high E on the 24th fret. It's written in mixolydian mode (mostly), which is a scale that Lifeson likes a lot (the solo to Tom Sawyer is written using this scale). This is extremely melodic with great lines that flow nicely together. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCrCTN-yVrU The fourth is from the latest album. It's the solo to The Garden and starts at 4:24. It epitomizes how less is more. Lifeson said he did it in one take and that is was "easy" to write. Well maybe for him!! The solo just sings. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wztuqskio8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaleb Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsTxxPOqzc4 He shines on this one. The riff is amazing, and the solo blows my mind. What amazes me is how little distortion he actually uses. It was also his 60th birthday yesterday so I posted my top 15 Lifeson moments (not counting his sense of humor!) on my Facebook. This song, as well as Working Man, Before And After, Beneath Between & Behind, Anthem, The Necromancer, 2112-Presentation, By-Tor and The Snow Dog (the live version from All The World's A Stage), La Villa Strangiato (the live version from Exit...Stage Left), The Trees, Freewill, Jacob's Ladder, Red Barchetta, Stick It Out, and I Think I'm Going Bald made the list. Of course, the list is imperfect... Could never forget Finding My Way, What You're Doing, Best I Can, In The End, Bastille Day, A Passage To Bangkok, The Twilight Zone, Limelight, Natural Science, Headlong Flight, The Garden, Cut To The Chase, etc.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaleb Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 As you can tell, I'm partial to early Rush... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted August 29, 2013 Share Posted August 29, 2013 I'm with Rocketman & Kaleb on the solo for The Garden. The guitar work in that song is fantastic. one of my favorites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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