Pale Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 What are your favourite piano solos in popular music (rock, pop, soul, fusion, funk etc.)? Jazz excluded since it would be worthy of a separate topic. Solos/piano parts that are memorable and have become recognizable part of the song (not necessarily your favourite) count too (i.e. Sweet Home Alabama piano outro). I'm gonna start with Chuck Leavell's Southbound and Jessica solos. [video:youtube] [video:youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll1_SmbUDSI P.S. Youtube links are more than welcome! Custom handmade clocks: www.etsy.com/shop/ClockLight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonksDream Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Shock G's piano solo in Digital Underground's "Doowhutchalike"! and Bruce Hornsby's solo on "That's The Way It Is". Instrumentation is meaningless - a song either stands on its own merit, or it requires bells and whistles to cover its lack of adequacy, much less quality. - kanker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
non ce futuro Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Kenny Kirkland solo on Sting's Bring on the night live version, but that probably fall into the jazz category although it's a pop song. Anyway, that solo really kick some arse! I remember when I was young that I was thrilled by Elton John's solo on Bennie and the Jets, and that solo really add something to the sound and became as famous as the song itself.. PS love Kenny Kirkland's play, music lost a lot when he dissapeared... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yannis D Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Kenny Kirkland solo on Sting's Bring on the night live version, but that probably fall into the jazz category although it's a pop song. Anyway, that solo really kick some arse! I remember when I was young that I was thrilled by Elton John's solo on Bennie and the Jets, and that solo really add something to the sound and became as famous as the song itself.. PS love Kenny Kirkland's play, music lost a lot when he dissapeared... +1 Be grateful for what you've got - a Nord, a laptop and two hands Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StartRun Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 ...the starting point for me was/is Ray Charles' "What'd I Say". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
16251 Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 I've edited this since I just noticed no jazz solos for this thread... Light my fire solo - Ray M. Soul sacrifice organ solo - Greg Rollie Squibb cakes - Chester Thompson Time of the season She's not there Piano solo by (saxophonist)Fred Lipsius on Smiling Phases AvantGrand N2 | ES520 | Gallien-Krueger MK & MP | https://soundcloud.com/pete36251 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickey Keys Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 I remember when I was young that I was thrilled by Elton John's solo on Bennie and the Jets... :thu:x10 to this. Arguably one of the biggest reasons I took up the piano in the first place, and opened my eyes to other great ones: Chuck Leavell on "Jessica" Hornsby - "The Way It Is" Joe Jackson - "Cancer" And I'll push the definition a bit by nominating a Rhodes solo - Ray Manzarek's break in "Riders On The Storm" -Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
non ce futuro Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Ray Manzarek's break in "Riders On The Storm" yes!! +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Mike Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 +1 on Jessica. Others: Paul Schaffer's piano solo on "Almost" off the first Blues Brothers album. It's very short, but says a lot. Billy Joel on "Angry Young Man" and "Scenes From an Italian Restaurant" Bob Mayo's Rhodes solo on the long version of "Do You Feel Like We Do". That was the solo that made me want to get a Rhodes. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnchop Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 - Thomas Dolby "I Love You Goodbye" and "Sylk Pajamas" - Pretty much anything Hornsby has done ("Sad Moon" is a cool solo + hand independence exercise at the same time!) What... no "Total Eclipse of the Heart"? I make software noises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Zeger Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 +1 for Kenny Kirkland Victor Feldman's Rhodes solo on Steely Dan's "Black Cow" has always been a favorite. Not flashy, not overplayed, just right. I could hear that same solo coming out Michael Brecker's tenor, Phil Woods' alto, or Chuck Findley's flugel. I've borrowed Feldman's licks more times than I should admit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eric Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 This one is a bit obscure and really not mind-blowing, but I wanted to call it out as it was the very first "rock piano solo" that I learned when I was in high school. This is Pulling Mussels from a Shell by Squeeze. Piano solo starts about 2:12. Squeeze is a great band! I have seen them live and love all their music. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravisR Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Fusion: Jan Hammer's solo on Snoopy's Search is a classic. Yamaha CP1, Yamaha C3, Optimism and patience Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EscapeRocks Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 I have always liked the late Billy Powell's (Skynyrd) solo on Call Me The Breeze. Also, Billy Joel's Root Beer Rag live always pleases. (granted the entire song is a solo in the concert context) David Gig Rig:Depends on the day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Zeger Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 This is Pulling Mussels from a Shell by Squeeze. Big +1. Jools' solo is brilliant. Though he's been out of the band for a long time, I don't want to hear the song live unless the current keyboard player delivers that solo note for note. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Force Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Fusion: Jan Hammer's solo on Snoopy's Search is a classic. Thanks for this suggestion! [video:youtube] Check out the cats on this recording.. AMG: Drummer Billy Cobham was fresh from his success with the Mahavishnu Orchestra when he recorded his debut album, Spectrum, which is still his best. Most of the selections showcase Cobham in a quartet with keyboardist Jan Hammer, guitarist Tommy Bolin, and electric bassist Lee Sklar. Two other numbers include Joe Farrell on flute and soprano, and trumpeter Jimmy Owens with guitarist John Tropea, Hammer, bassist Ron Carter, and Ray Barretto on congas. The generally high-quality compositions (which include "Red Baron") make this fusion set a standout, a strong mixture of rock-ish rhythms and jazz improvising. Steve Force, Durham, North Carolina -------- My Professional Websites Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mate stubb Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Is it pop, is it jazz? This cat woke me out of a deep sleep shredding on this tune: [video:youtube] Moe --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobadohshe Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Can we not go Synth at all? Even if it's in a pop context? Because if we can, I'd nominate David Paich's solos on Africa, Rosanna and Waiting For Your Love. Kawai C-60 Grand Piano : Hammond A-100 : Hammond SK2 : Yamaha CP4 : Yamaha Montage 7 : Moog Sub 37 My latest album: Funky organ, huge horn section https://bobbycressey.bandcamp.com/album/cali-native Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicale Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Of course a few of my favorites in addition to those already posted. Get Back - Preston Mercy Mercy - Zawinul Empty Pages - Winwood Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pale Posted September 5, 2011 Author Share Posted September 5, 2011 No synths! I propose someone opens a different thread for synths, it's a big enough topic for a separate thread. In addition, Joe Sample's solo on Soul Shadows: [video:youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWqGzH9vKg8&feature=player_detailpage#t=170s Custom handmade clocks: www.etsy.com/shop/ClockLight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adan Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 favorite solos on any keyboard instrument in any kind of music? That's a pretty broad category! But the first thing that popped into my head, free association-like, was Max MIddleton's playing on Jeff Beck Group, such as his solos in Ice Cream Cakes and Going Down (the whole song is sort of a solo). If I searched my memory for Nicky Hopkins solos, I'd probably find something I like even more. Gigging: Crumar Mojo 61, Hammond SKPro Home: Vintage Vibe 64 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pale Posted September 5, 2011 Author Share Posted September 5, 2011 I have always liked the late Billy Powell's (Skynyrd) solo on Call Me The Breeze. Yep, that's a flashy one. I always liked his solo on I know a little. Short and sweet. Custom handmade clocks: www.etsy.com/shop/ClockLight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mate stubb Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Have we forgotten the Booker T solo on Green Onions? No, we have remembered that the topic is PIANO solos. It's hard to leave jazz out, because pop rock and soul seem to have lots more memorable synth and organ stuff than piano. I nominate Tony Banks' intro to "Firth of Fifth". [video:youtube] Moe --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pale Posted September 5, 2011 Author Share Posted September 5, 2011 favorite solos on any keyboard instrument in any kind of music? That's a pretty broad category! Actually, my original idea was piano only solos in popular music (jazzy solos in pop music are also fine) , but it kinda got expanded to electric pianos (which is also fine). Maybe we should allow jazz as well. Organs and synths are bit of a strech since it's a point really where thing get too broad. We could get a separate thread for those though. Custom handmade clocks: www.etsy.com/shop/ClockLight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Many of the ones mentioned plus: - Anytime Chuck Leavell got to shine on Eric Clapton's Unplugged. - Bruce Hornsby, "King of the Hill." Does Herbie's solo on Stevie Wonder's "As" count? My Site Nord Electro 5D, Novation Launchkey 61, Logic Pro X, Mainstage 3, lots of plugins, fingers, pencil, paper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marzzz Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Mike Garson's solo (and entire piano track, for that matter) on David Bowie's Aladdin Sane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Jx Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 I love the phrasing in Bruce Hornsby's solo in "Resting place" off of spirit trail. I couldn't find a youtube link. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Nathan Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 As many folks around here know, I'm a sucker for nearly every solo Ralph Sharon has ever played w/Tony Bennett. I also really love the solo on Natalie Cole's version of "Our Love (is Here to Stay)" from the Unforgettable Album which I think is Clare Fisher (but I can't swear to it). Of course, at the other end of the spectrum is John Jarvis's madman moment on Hank Jr.'s "Born to Boogie" Don't rush me. I'm playing as slowly as I can! http://www.stevenathanmusic.com/stevenathanmusic.com/HOME.html https://apple.co/2EGpYXK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksoper Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 John Jarvis's madman moment on Hank Jr.'s "Born to Boogie" My god, yeah...a real bear to cop. 9 Moog things, 3 Roland things, 2 Hammond things and a computer with stuff on it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobadohshe Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 As many folks around here know, I'm a sucker for nearly every solo Ralph Sharon has ever played w/Tony Bennett. Oh God yes. Kawai C-60 Grand Piano : Hammond A-100 : Hammond SK2 : Yamaha CP4 : Yamaha Montage 7 : Moog Sub 37 My latest album: Funky organ, huge horn section https://bobbycressey.bandcamp.com/album/cali-native Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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