Great Guitar Instrumentals

I would have listed these separately, but this video showcases both pieces together, so there you go.

Have you ever turned on the radio and caught a song half-way through, where you knew every note, every nuance, every stop, etc., but couldn't for the life of you think what it was? With instrumental pieces it's tough, since there aren't any words to help you remember. Well, that's what happened to make me re-remember "The Clap", and thank heavens the DJ came through with the title and the artist at the end. This piece originally came out on The Yes Album, which was also the first release by the band that featured Steve Howe's phenomenal guitar work. Not the celebration of an STD, this tune was actually written in honor of Howe's baby son trying to put his hands together in a...clap!

I had never bothered to research information on "Mood for a Day" because I simply loved the song. In my mind's eye I walked through purple heather on an innocent summer day, so when I discovered the tune was actually influenced by the classical Spanish Flamenco I felt a little busted. Listening again after reading the truth, I thought, well, of course, how obvious was that? Still, I think there's something Celtic about it in places. You can take the Brit out of England, but... In any case, there are still days when "Mood for a Day" from the Fragile LP can bring a tear to my eye.

Without getting into the possible state of mind I was quite probably in at the time, I did see Yes in concert at the Richfield, Ohio Coliseum a number of years ago, therefore I can claim that I may have actually seen this performed live. This video however, is obviously of a more recent vintage, and all I have to say is, Thanks Steve -- we're still with you. Rock On!

Guns 'N Roses/Velvet Revolver fans already worshipping Slash most likely will have listened to this already, (although you were all shocked - I read your posts!) You may also have come across this if you're into Guitar Hero. However, if you are neither of the above or had only a passing interest in hard rock to begin with, "Obsession Confession" might be something new. The song was first featured on the soundtrack to Quentin Tarantino's dark comedy thriller Curdled, and appears again on an album titled, Gypsy Soul: New Flamenco. Not only is this one of my all-time favorite tunes, I really have to admire Slash for crawling out of his box and doing something so completely different, so incredibly well. Great art in this video, too! Who'da thought?

My brother turned me on to this tune, and it's been a favorite of mine from the get-go. Apparently there is a great deal of discussion going on over who's better: Antoine or Andy (McKee), both of whom recorded on Candyrat Records, but I reserve the right to stay out of the debate and say simply that there's something about this PARTICULAR SONG that touches me. You can find it on the album Naissance, DuFour's first original solo project.

A word about style here: for me, technical complexity, while interesting , amazing, nay, even mind-boggling, has never been what attracted me to the guitar, acoustic or otherwise. If the composition doesn't stick to my brain emotionally, with a certain amount of passion, or, (dare I say it), a melody, I tend to forget about it. Maybe it's a chick thing. Ladies? What do you think?