Hmmm... being more of an rhythm guitarist (coloring chords/arrangements and stuff myself) I´m not that much into solo in the first place.
Although not under-rated but I am a bit surprised that 10 pages on in this thread and still no mention of Mike McCready (Pearl Jam).
I´m not so fancy of his (or anyones) shredding, but when it sounds like he´s fighting some inner demons and the way he´s working his wah-wah in some of his solos is pure magnificient IMHO... kinda rips up and torching skies with it (Go from album VS are my favourite in that manner).
IF we would have talked about under-rated rhythm guitarist, I would say Thom Yorke (yes, the singer). He´s got some really amazing grooves (i e Bodysnatchers and he´s singing at the same time) and adds great textures sometimes...
Oh, and I love Josh Hommes anti-(guitar)hero attitude!
Yes, I understand the song was done way back when most guitar players were still simmering in the pot of style, flash and technique. Work with me here, I'm just trying to understand what makes a solo underrated and to me it was a perfect example of a well known group that has a "popular song" that contains a solo that is very basic in nature and pretty boring, at least to me anyway... part of what I'm getting at.
I happen to like the Kinks but if the fact that I used one of their songs to make a point makes you feel a little defensive then use any group you want for this example, it really doesn't matter to me.
The question still remains and needs to be qualified, What deems a solo to be "underrated"?
Funny, I think he's the worst part of Pearl Jam (a band I LOVE!). The live 20th anniversary collection has mind-numbingly bad solos on it. Sounds like when we were kids and got stoned and just... wandered all over the place.
But that's what's great about life - we're all different and different things please us.
Yorke is indeed very underrated.
Skunk Baxter, another under-rated 70s studio monster. He had a slew of charted records with Steely Dan, back to Reelin' In The Years/Can't Buy a Thrill days, although I think the actual solo on Reelin' was done in the studio by Elliot Randall (who I think started Randall Amplifiers). Skunk (Jeff, properly) also did a lot of work with The Doobie Brothers. Great player. Love S/D, just great music over a long span.
This is a great thread! Fun to read through everyone's faves. I'm not sure how many of these are "underrated" but here's some of my favorites that haven't been mentioned yet. Frank Zappa - Muffin Man and Carolina Hardcore Ecstasy Jeff Beck - 'Cause We've Ended As Lovers Alex Lifeson - Limelight Terry Kath - almost anything from Chicago @ Carnegie Hall David Lindley - Mercury Blues and many songs from Jackson Browne's first few records Robert Quine - Girlfriend (Matthew Sweet)
Lindley's not exactly a household name
Listen to the work of Glenn Pearce in this video. He solos at 1:50, 3:15 and 4:05. The solo at 3:15 is particularly tasty IMHO. His work throughout the video however, is outstanding and I encourage you to listen to the entire clip. Glenn's choice of tones and phrases are tasty, emotional and ultimately in service of the song.
Michael W. Smith - Secret Ambition - (Live) - YouTube
Terry.
This is a great thread! Fun to read through everyone's faves.
I'm not sure how many of these are "underrated" but here's some of my favorites that haven't been mentioned yet.
Frank Zappa - Muffin Man and Carolina Hardcore Ecstasy
Jeff Beck - 'Cause We've Ended As Lovers
Alex Lifeson - Limelight
Terry Kath - almost anything from Chicago @ Carnegie Hall
David Lindley - Mercury Blues and many songs from Jackson Browne's first few records
Robert Quine - Girlfriend (Matthew Sweet)