Lets Talk About the Heartbreaker Solo...

Coda

Coda

Not John Watt
...since it was released, the unaccompanied solo to Led Zeppelins "Heartbreaker" has been a topic of debate among guitarists. There seems to be two sides to the argument...those that think it is a great solo, and those that think it is sloppy gobeldygook (usually people who argue this side have had personal experience with either a mullet, hairspray, spandex, or any combination there of...just sayin :embarrassed: )...

...so weiners, on which side do you stand?...this is no pole, I want discussion for or against...

...do it...


...for reference...

 
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With a few exceptions (Stairway!) I think that most Led Zeppelin songs could probably be improved by removing the guitar solos. And I say that as a fan.
 
I don't have time to listen to it now, but that album is one of my favorites. I turned my 14 year old on to Zeppelin and I think the words I used to describe some of the solos was "spaghetti explosion".
 
I think it's exactly what Jimmy Page wanted for the solo and wouldn't have released it that way if it wasn't. Certainly he was capable of producing something more technical, but it's a rough, sloppy, black-motorcycle-jacket-with-a-hundred-zippers-and-big-sunglasses, right-up-in-your-face solo, like a guitar saying "Fuck you".
That's what that solo brings to mind.
 
I have always thought that Page was the weakest link musically in Zep. That really isn't a knock, JPJ and Bonzo are two of the best ever on their instruments. I have always thought his solos were pretty sloppy, even though I like most of them. It wasn't until I watched It Might Get Loud followed by some Zep concert on VH1 classic that I saw how good he can be. He is so much better live. I almost couldn't believe it was the same guy that played on the records.
 
This resonates with me:

"Page's lead work is sometimes [often?] dismissed as sloppy. Certainly, it deteriorated during his Led Zeppelin years, as the band's hedonistic lifestyle took its toll. But his early playing was precise, fiery, and intense - all qualities that the legions of one-dimensional shred players just don't have."
​
It's from a lick book by Phil Capone, to give proper credit.

If I were to paraphrase it, I'd say, "Rock-n-fuckin-roll, man."
 
It is obviously what Page & Co decided to go with, and at that point in his playing Page was probably in his prime so it was not for lack of ability. I'm guessing it just had the vibe he wanted for the song. That said, even in HS when I listened to Led Zep II, which happened quite often, I never really cared much for that solo.
 
:love:

delicious. couldn't believe it the first time i heard it. page is a huuuuge inspiration for me as a guitar player.
 
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