Guitarists that hold back

[susiwong]

Off the top of my head I've got to suggest Richard Thompson and Mark Knopfler. Both remarkedly gifted players with unique styles, yet neither goes for fretboard wankery for it's own sake, particularly RT, both solo when it's needed and then it's done with taste and restraint imo.

Two of the masters.
Andy Latimer and Pete Anderson, Keith Scott, BB King to represent that blues school of restraint, in a trio format certainly Robin Trower, even in mainstream rock (arguably) Richie Sambora or Mark Kendall come to mind.
Again different, Keef, Dave Grissom, Billy Gibbons, Carl Carlton, Dan Baird ...
There are lots of tasteful folks around, unfortunately they don't get too much MTV time nowadays.
Ymmv,
susiwong

[lfm]

I think headline for topic should be - musicians that do what is needed.

When did playing on a song become - look at me what I can do?

I don't get that.

There are far too many players that don't know when it's enough and it becomes boring and you reach for the FF-button.

And quite often they just repeat themselves.

As mentioned I think Mark Knopfler is a master at picking the right notes. Mike Campbell with Tom Petty is another example.

There are execellent guitarplayers in Black Crowes, but it sometimes becomes too long and boring. They don't always know when to stop.

[susiwong]

Mike Campbell with Tom Petty is another example.

Classic, just like Petty himself !
Cheers,
susiwong

[morelia]

I think headline for topic should be - musicians that do what is needed.

When did playing on a song become - look at me what I can do?

Sounds about right. And ultimately any musician that over does it detracts from the song in most cases. Although I don't personally think that just because someone is showing what they can do it is a "look at me" thing.

[IIRs]

also the time signature change in Money was interesting as well

I seem to remember an interview from years back where one of the band said that the time signature change was in there to make it easier for the sax player to play his parts.

Actually the sax solo is in 5/4. They switch to 4/4 for the guitar solo..

<edit> 7/4 sorry, not 5/4

[Hink]

also the time signature change in Money was interesting as well

I seem to remember an interview from years back where one of the band said that the time signature change was in there to make it easier for the sax player to play his parts.

Actually the sax solo is in 5/4. They switch to 4/4 for the guitar solo..

<edit> 7/4 sorry, not 5/4

I was trying to remember if it was for the guitar to be honest or the sax, I watched that too recently and my short term memory sucks. But i think I also recall the song was in 7/8 not 7/4 but I could be wrong.

wiki says 7/4 while this link says 7/8

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Pink-Floyd-5 ... estion.htm

sorry I'm not going to watch it again right now (but that's what is nice about netflix...I coud if I wanted

edit: better link

http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=1689

also says 7/8

[egbert]

also the time signature change in Money was interesting as well

I seem to remember an interview from years back where one of the band said that the time signature change was in there to make it easier for the sax player to play his parts.

Actually the sax solo is in 5/4. They switch to 4/4 for the guitar solo..

<edit> 7/4 sorry, not 5/4

I was trying to remember if it was for the guitar to be honest or the sax, I watched that too recently and my short term memory sucks. But i think I also recall the song was in 7/8 not 7/4 but I could be wrong.

wiki says 7/4 while this link says 7/8

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Pink-Floyd-5 ... estion.htm

sorry I'm not going to watch it again right now (but that's what is nice about netflix...I coud if I wanted

edit: better link

http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=1689

also says 7/8

If you listen to the way the drums go when it comes in it seems like its Kick, Snare on the first two pulses. That could be 7/8 I suppose but it feels more like 7/4 and the way the bass walks back to the beginning feels more like it is walking the beat rather than quavers. I guess it all depends on your reference points (eg whether or not you're seeing regular 4/4 rock feel as the point of departure) because pretty much anything you can write as 7/4 can be written/construed as 7/8.

[metalifuxx]

Brian Setzer, even though he does do the wild solo here and there. Does jazz chord soloing count? This guy could easily be on a G3 tour.

[PurpleCatfishBettie]

How about the dude from The Cars (Elliott Eastman?). A lot of his solos are really tasteful.

As a teen, the Cars' songs used to just 'flow by on the radio.'

Then, after having played guitar myself for a couple or three years; one day I was mentally dissecting the cat's riffs/solos and was like, 'whoah, that's some great playing!' With just a touch of 'understatement,' his playing totally fit the songs.

[Systasis]

Exactly. But sometimes, and i'm sure some could agree, its about the music. Adding a crazy solo to a chill, peaceful, easy song wouldnt fit.