A highlight of 2003 comeback album Say You Will, “Peacekeeper” possesses some of the old magic–and certainly the glorious harmonies–that made Fleetwood Mac one of the greatest bands of the 70’s.
On the downside, the absence of Christine McVie’s songwriting on the album is keenly felt. Over the course of 18 tracks, all written by either Buckingham or Nicks, a tedium sets in for the average listener. Somewhat ironic that the band who’d cut such gems as “Silver Springs” from past albums gives us too much here.
Next time you want to slow your heartbeat down and find a quiet, reflective–dare I say prayerful–moment, you could do much worse for background music than London boy choir Libera.
Although some tracks are overlaid with electronic effects that would horrify classical purists (I too think they detract rather than adding to the music’s appeal) when the focus is on the sublime vocals and instrumentation is kept to a minimum the results can be spectacular. Such is the case with their rendition of Franz Schubert’s “Ave Maria”.
Having one gigantic hit song can be a mixed blessing for an artist.
It pains me to hear stories of drunken “fans” badgering Don McLean throughout his live concerts for the only song they came to hear, uber-anthem “American Pie”.
This guy was a gifted writer, capable of spinning a set full of thoughtful, diverse and colorful tunes for the patient listener. Trouble is, “American Pie” is the ultimate dive bar sing-along, and it must come at or near the end, otherwise McLean would play the rest of his set to a lot of…empty chairs.
If you like his hit single “Vincent”, this one should find favor with you too.
It’s undoubtedly one of the greatest guitar performances of all time: the late Allen Collins ripping through the monster-sized solo from Lynryrd Skynyrd’s ‘Free Bird’. And you thought it was hard to play on Guitar Hero…
2. Michael Jackson – ‘Beat It’
Here’s Eddie Van Halen solo-ing on Michael Jackson’s ‘Beat It’. Steve Lukather of Toto playing the iconic riff, also available isolated on YouTube – just one reason why Gibson Guitar Corporation named him among the top 10 session guitarists of all time.
3. The Stone Roses – ‘Love Spreads’
If you were in any doubt that John Squire is up there with the greatest British guitarists, listen to this incredible isolated guitar part from ‘Love Spreads’. You can find the other instruments isolated on YouTube too, meaning if you’re incredibly bored you can open all of them at the same time and pretend you’re with them in the recording studio.
4. The Beatles – ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’
It’s not as cleanly isolated as some of the others, but the sound of ol’ slow hands Eric Clapton guesting on George Harrison’s ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ is that of a master at work. He really starts to make it wail at about two minutes in.
5. Red Hot Chili Peppers – ‘Under The Bridge’
Stunningly intricate guitar-work from John Frusciante on this: more fragile than you might imagine.
Every Moment Has A Song 