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PRESIDENT’S CHOICE

Robert Godin presents his Top 10 list of killer guitar solos.

Text: MICHEL DEFOY

SEP '04

Famous guitarists including Jesse Cook, Frank Black, Jeff Lynne, Leonard Cohen are loyal patrons of Montrealer Robert Godin, who has been crafting fine guitars for more than 30 years.

1) Peppino D’Agostino: "Close to Heaven," Every Step of the Way (Favored Nations)
Peppino is a fingerstyle guitarist who incorporates alternate tunings and percussive sounds by banging and tapping on the guitar body and sometimes using a shaker in his right hand while playing guitar. It sounds like there are three guitarists on stage.

2) Sylvain Luc: "Night in Tunisia," Sud (Dreyfus); "A Child Is Born," Ambre (Dreyfus); and "Jordu," Trio Sud (Dreyfus)
Because I can’t pick just one. Sylvain is a master improviser; he’s constantly trying new things and is very musically daring. He’s also very spontaneous, which can make for an incredible live performance.

3) George Harrison: "Real Love," the Beatles’ Anthology 2 (Apple/Capitol)
I like the fact that George decided to make the solo sound a little more positive compared to the rest of the song’s mood. I never tire of hearing him play it.

4) Michel Cusson: "And Marie," Michel Cusson & the Wild Unit (Avant-Garde)
A great solo from this composer and arranger – builds a sort of quiet intensity that sneaks up on you.

5) Elliott Randall: "Reelin’ in the Years," Steely Dan’s Can’t Buy a Thrill (MCA)
The first note of the solo alone is the perfect example of great feel and vibrato.

6) Pat Metheny: "Have You Heard," Letter from Home (Geffen)
Pat is constantly re-inventing himself, including his playing on this song, and that’s not easy to do.

7) Robben Ford: "Tell Me I’m Your Man," Robben Ford & the Blue Line (GRP)
Great tone and an incredible feel – enough said.

8) John McLaughlin: Everything
Between his Mahavishnu Orchestra, classic Miles recordings and his group Shakti, how can you pick just one? I was happy to hear him say that the Godin LGXT was the best tracking guitar synth he’s ever played. We don’t give away guitars to artists; John just purchased one from a store in Nice like any regular guy.

9) Paco de Lucía: "Patio Custodio," Cositas Buenas (Blue Thumb)
Paco plays every note like it’s his last. He’s blazing through this tune with so much conviction, and he knows exactly where he’s going and what he’s going to do.

10) The entire CD Passion, Grace and Fire with John McLaughlin, Al DiMeola and Paco de Lucía (Columbia)
Three incredible guitarists get together to record guitar music that is complex and fun and flawlessly performed. Everytime you listen, you hear new things you didn’t catch the time before, and that’s why it’s such a great CD. [ ]

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SEP '04