Listen to the isolated guitar of Lynyrd Skynyrd on ‘Freebird’
There are a lot of different guitar riffs that are recognisable within the first couple of seconds of them being played. Most of these riffs open songs, so they are heard frequently and are immediately associated with the song they’re introducing. Having a recognisable guitar solo is completely different, and to create something as complex and simultaneously recognisable as Lynyrd Skynyrd manage on ‘Freebird’ is quite something.
It is harder to make solos as recognisable as riffs because of where they come from in the song and their purpose. A riff should welcome someone into a song and set them up with what they can expect throughout. In that sense, it is a representation of the song, something people can instantly associate with and get excited about. Riffs also tend to be less complicated to avoid overwhelming the listener immediately.
A guitar solo takes what a song has and elevates it. It acts as a bridge and transports a song from standard to extraordinary. In that sense, they are supposed to be complex and overwhelming, which means they often lose the ability to be recognisable and need to be heard as a whole with the song rather than on their own.
Guitars do more than play riffs and solos; however, in the face of rock music, they are two of the most essential elements. Many people will debate who is the best guitarist of all time, but picking a song that truly captures the guitar’s magic and represents its importance in the development of rock is an equally exciting debate. There are many options, but one track that needs to be thrown into contention must be ‘Freebird’.
‘Freebird’ embodies the power of the riff beautifully. The serene introduction lets the listener know that they are settling into a bluesy rock number that is laid back and packed full of soul. The solo is also a beautiful embodiment of the importance of a guitar solo; it takes this song from being a sweet-sounding B-side to a rock classic.
The guitar solo also has a unique ability buried within it, as despite its point being complexity and elevation, it sounds immediately recognisable after the first few notes. The minute they’re played, people immediately know what song the solo is for and that they need to strap in.
When Lynyrd Skynyrd brought on three guitarists, it may have seemed a bit extreme, but the fact it produced beautiful pieces of music like this shows just how imperative all three were to the band’s quality. The song was originally only comprised of the riff and the first five minutes, but the solo was jammed onto the back of it to give singer Ronnie Van Zandt a break when they first started touring. Given what that song has since become to the band and its significance within the world of rock, it is arguably one of the most successful jam sessions of all time.
