#96 – “Honky Tonk Women” – solo & tutorial

When I saw this on the list, I couldn’t remember anything about the solo from this song. I was, of course, familiar with the song, but the solo totally alluded me. When I pulled up the track and gave it a listen, I discovered why: the lead lines are totally buried in the mix!

This was Mick Taylor’s first track with the Stones. Brian Jones was fired during the recordings and Mick was brought in to help finish it. The track was apparently all there when Mick came in and both he and Keith overdubbed an extra guitar part where they just noodle around. I’m not sure if it’s Mick or Keith doing the solo. I assumed it was Mick, but Keith plays it live, so it’s probably him.

There’s some cool stuff in here, but if were I playing this live, I’d simply improvise everything. That’s what Keith does live too, so mine the record for ideas then do your own thing. It’s more rock and roll that way.



ALSO: I found the official list on the Guitar World website. Turns out “Cherub Rock” wasn’t actually on it (or it was and they have since altered the list). “Beyond the Realms of Death” was #97. Next up is “Yellow Ledbetter”, and I’m really excited to learn that, so that’s for next week. I will try to throw “Beyond the Realms of Death” in at some point in the future, perhaps I’ll post that when I’m down in Mexico with Judas Priest next month…