I would like some opinions on people's Top 10 Guitar Based Tracks. I am trying to compile a CD for my friend who thinks Prince can't play guitar very well. And we all know he's nothing but wrong.

"Let's go crazy" is a start, I can't be bothered thinking of anymore I reply later.

Uhh, Computer Blue, Purple Rain, When Doves Cry, Shhh, and Crazy You would be nice.

MrSquiggle said:

let's be less standard....

The Ride, The Undertaker, Joy in Repetition, Instrumental Jam (Small Club), Vavoom (catchy), Morning Papers, Call the Law (hah), something from the Truth, Calhoun Square, I Like it There, One of Us, Rainbow Children, Last December, Saviour, 17 (Madhouse), there are so many songs of his that show off his ability to put in great guitar touches, even though most don't center around the instrument itself. Like Cream. I love the work in that but you barely notice it unless you listen for it.

What else? Keep in mind I'm just talking songs with a dominant guitar voice
Down Home Blues, Cybersingle (I suppose), When Will We Be Paid, Baby Knows, So Far So Pleased, Da Bang, Gold Experience, Endorphinmachine, Papa, 3 Chains of Gold, Dinner with Delores, Why you wanna treat me so bad, Lady Cab Driver, I don't know, there are a lot.

Yeah, I actually just played a friend the Undertaker video and he wasn't too impressed. He thought that it wasn't anything Hendrix couldn't do...and I'd been claiming that Prince had taken it to the next level.

My recommendation is NOT to play the Undertaker material...it isn't all that everybody makes it out to be...there are much better guitar players out there who can shit all over some of the Undertaker shit....but Prince DOES have some incredible guitar work. For example, the same friend was very impressed by the guitar solo in Crystal Ball, which is technically and harmonically more interesting than a lot of the Undertaker stuff, which is basically just Hendrix with heavier distortion.

mrdespues said:

Ironically, a lot of Prince's most impressive fretwork is most effectively showcased on live material or rehearsal sessions, not necessarily on material recorded in the studio.

This is why his dexterity as a guitar player remains largely undiscovered by the general public, hence P's traditional low ranking or no-show in "greates guitarist" polls (although recent evidence suggests that publications are already beginning to sit up and take notice).

Those with just a passing interest in Prince's career would really have to dig deep and conduct a little research of their own in order to discover the extent of Prince's ability as a player of note, precisely the reason why listening to stuff like 'Let's Go Crazy' for the millionth time (or even 'The Undertaker') will just not do for the average lay-person.

Indeed, 'Crystal Ball' is not an obvious example of Prince's technical skills as a guitarist, but then again nobody is mentioning "My Summertime Thang" (the unreleaseed version, would you believe...) where P demonstrates what a versatile monster he can be on both guitar and keyboards.

Just a little example pulled out of the hat, but go check it out.

.

show a long instrumental jam from the last tour.
I could never take a place of you man movie version.
3 chains o' gold
Shh live from hong kong rocks (this is a must)

after shh he will be blown away

1. Bambi

2. Insert other track here.
3. Insert other track here.
4. Insert other track here.
5. Insert other track here.
6. Insert other track here.
7. Insert other track here.
8. Insert other track here.
9. Insert other track here.
10.Insert other track here.

Okay, so this thread inspired me to make a CD for the friend I was talking about in my previous post. I was focusing on songs with good guitar playing and also wanted to make it a good intro to Prince in general.

Here's how I put it together:

1) Guitar Segue (from New Power Madhouse 24)
2) The Rainbow Children (part two; instrumental)
3) Computer Blue
4) Rock Hard In A Funky Place
5) Da Bang
6) The Same December
7) Fascination
8) Beautiful Strange
9) The Ride (from Crystal Ball)
10) Guitar Improv (from Rave Un2 the Year 2000)
11) My Summertime Thang (instrumental)
12) The Morning Papers
13) Habibi
14) There Is Lonely
15) West (edited - only includes first slow section)
16) Family Name (edited - computer talk omitted)
17) Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic (live - Small Club - edited in various places for time)

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[This message was edited Tue Jun 22 4:57:20 2004 by mrdespues]

i always loved seeing him do santana medly, but i guess that wouldn't count given that its a blend of someone elses songs.

It depends...

What artists or bands does your friend like?

Once we know this, I'm sure we can come up with the right songs.

You gave him a track from SMALL CLUB - and it wasn't "Just My Imagination"? I'm really surprised. To me, that's the all-time greatest live Prince guitar track.

2nd best would be "I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man" from Wonderboy (aka SIGN O'THE TIMES concert film)

3rd would be the first 5 or 6 tracks on side 1 of WHOLE LOTTA LOVE 4 PARIS... then DOLPHIN from side 2

JordanGold said:

If you're talking about me...the guitar is great on that song, but I'm trying to impress in other areas, too...sadly the vocals are recorded too low (especially at the start) for me to count this one.

The question of u?!?!?!