18/09: One Man's Opinion: The Top 15 John Petrucci Solos
This post is something I have been meaning to do for quite some time now. My buddy Joe has harassed me to do something similar called "The Top 10 John Petrucci Solos, and me playing them" however I don't have the 15 years it would require me to learn the top 10 John Petrucci solos, so this will have to do.
I have very carefully selected these solos from the entire Dream Theater, John Petrucci, and Liquid Tension Experiment catalog of both live and studio recordings. Of course there will be some omissions, it's like asking me to pick the Top 15 hottest playmates of all time: there's bound to be some good shit left out. Anyway, this is just one man's opinion, mine, but my opinion is the only one that matters anyway, you fuckers.
On with the list!
15. This Dying Soul
Facemelt: Extreme X 1000
Expressiveness: Low/Moderate
Style: Angry, Extreme Speed
From: Studio Dream Theater Album "Train of Thought"
John Petrucci in aggressive mode. Starts out with an extremely quick shredfest with a couple excellent pauses and moves into an extreme unison cockwave session. I love this solo.
Listen!
14. When the Water Breaks
Facemelt: Moderate
Expressiveness: Very High
Style: Melodic tracking, with nice flow.
From: Studio Liquid Tension Experiment Album "Liquid Tension Experiment: 2"
When the water breaks was written to express the birth of one of Petrucci's kids... I wish all childbirth was this cool (and didn't include taking home a child). Starts off smooth and expressive and moves into some quick and tasty stuff. Very cool solo indeed.
Listen!
13. Goodnight Kiss
Facemelt: Low / Moderate
Expressiveness: Very High
Style: Smooth and Expressive with hints of pentatonic raunch.
From: Studio Dream Theater Album "Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence"
The minor key change in the middle of this solo gets me every time, and I am a huge sucker for the slow expressive intro. Some wicked blues riffs in the 2nd half.
Listen!
12. As I am
Facemelt: Extreme
Expressiveness: Low / Moderate
Style: Standard Heavy Shred
From: Studio Dream Theater Album "Train of Thought"
Another extreme shredfest from Train of Thought, the heaviest dream theater album to date. Not only does this feature some lightning quick shredding but the pauses and bends are perfect. Great angry tune.
Listen!
11. Lost without you
Facemelt: Low transitioning to High
Expressiveness: Very High
Style: Smooth Blues, building, extreme legato
From: Studio John Petrucci Solo Album "Suspended Animation"
This is without a doubt my favorite song from this album. This may be one of John's most expressive solos, I'm glad he finally took the time to record this and put it out there. Thanks John.
Listen!
10. Another Day
Facemelt: Moderate
Expressiveness: Extreme
Style: Guitargasm
From: Studio Dream Theater Album "Images & Words"
The first "successful" Dream Theater album was successful for a reason, this song fucking rules god damn you. Why does it rule? Because John decided to unload all over the back of his guitar during the recording of "Another Day", that's why. Also, John's semen is corrosive, so he had to throw that fuckin' guitar out after.
Listen!
9. Blind Faith
Facemelt: Extreme
Expressiveness: High
Structure: Emotional Power Shred
From: Studio Dream Theater Album "Six Degress of Inner Turbulence"
This is one of those solos I forgot about until I was listening to the song again one day recently and went "oh yeah, this fucking rules". Short and sweet (short by Petrucci standards anyway).
Listen!
8. The Glass Prison
Facemelt: Face Destroyer
Expressiveness: I could feel myself getting kicked in the face.
Style: Petruccinuts
From: Studio Dream Theater Album "Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence"
This is one of those things that you listen to and go "How is that even possible" and then you look it up on youtube and find a bunch of Guitards trying to duplicate it and failing miserably. This is one of those solos I will never attempt to learn, or if I do, I wont ever tell anyone until I have to go in to get my arthritis fixed. Half sweep, half WTF, potentially the best 40 seconds in music history.
Listen!
7. Freedom of Speech
Facemelt: Low transitioning to High
Expressiveness: Very High
Style: Pants Creamer
From: Studio Liquid Tension Experiment Album "Liquid Tension Experiment"
This solo gives me chills every time I hear it. There really is no other way to describe its awesome powers. I'd love to see this one live, that's for sure.
Listen!
6. In The Name of God
Facemelt: Extreme
Expressiveness: Possible cure for cancer.
Style: WTF Gypsy!?
From: Studio Dream Theater Album "Train of Thought"
Potentially one of the greatest songs ever created, this solo is among the more unique sounding solos from Dream Theater. I realize that some of this is a unison but whatever, it starts as a solo. Wicked bass backing track and some serious gypsy jam shred.
Listen!
5. Under a Glass Moon
Facemelt: Insane.
Expressiveness: High.
Style: "I know every technique, ever."
From: Studio Dream Theater Album "Images & Words"
This is what I think happened during the recording of this solo:
*Lucifer enters room*:
The Devil: "Hey John, I bet you $3 can't make my face, which is constructed entirely of molten lava, melt off..."
*John Petrucci eats a fist full of broken glass*
*John Petrucci picks up guitar and records Under a Glass Moon Solo*
John Petrucci: "... and I fucked your sister."
*Lucifer's head explodes*
The End.
Listen!
4. Live Scenes from New York - Through Her Eyes
Facemelt: High.
Expressiveness: Very High.
Style: On-stage orgasm.
From: Studio Dream Theater Album "Life Scenes from New York"
Thought not his cleanest work, this half-improvised solo builds very nicely and unloads with large copious amounts of explosive guitarrhea all over the audience. Another one of the few solos that give me chills when I listen to it. This is just proof that John Petrucci can shit on a guitar and that shit will contain nothing but excellence.
Listen!
3. Never Enough
Facemelt: High.
Expressiveness: Extreme.
Structure: Technical Wizardry.
From: Studio Dream Theater Album "Octavarium"
I never really considered Octavarium to be a guitar-centric album, and this song isn't really an exception to that, except for about 1 minute where one of the coolest unison in the universe takes place. Some fantastic sweeps that express at the speed of light.
Listen!
2. Lines in the Sand
Facemelt: Moderate.
Expressiveness: Extreme.
Structure: Smooth bluesy overload.
From: Studio Dream Theater Album "Falling into Infinity"
Lines in the sand is from way back when Dream Theater was getting pushed around by bullshit record producers to make more "radio friendly" music... This is kind of an example of them really not falling in line... The solo is long, and way too fucking awesome for FM. Fuck you, producers!
Listen!
And now for the moment 1 person has been waiting for.. my only reader really, Greg.. the #1 petrucci solo of all time
1. The Best of Times
Facemelt: Very High.
Expressiveness: Extremely High.
Style: Petrucci Vs. Jesus, Petrucci Wins.
From: Studio Dream Theater Album "Black Clouds & Silver Linings"
John Petrucci had it in the 80s and this proves he still has it today. From their most recent album, released just this year, is the best solo John has ever come up with. 3 Minutes of just about everything, slow expressive playing, extremely fast shred, wickedly TASTEFUL and awesome sweeps... all structured in meticulous detail. I only wish they would have mixed it a bit louder.
Listen!
That's it. Check back one day for "Solos by Michael Angel Batio that gave me ear cancer".
I have very carefully selected these solos from the entire Dream Theater, John Petrucci, and Liquid Tension Experiment catalog of both live and studio recordings. Of course there will be some omissions, it's like asking me to pick the Top 15 hottest playmates of all time: there's bound to be some good shit left out. Anyway, this is just one man's opinion, mine, but my opinion is the only one that matters anyway, you fuckers.
On with the list!
15. This Dying Soul
Facemelt: Extreme X 1000
Expressiveness: Low/Moderate
Style: Angry, Extreme Speed
From: Studio Dream Theater Album "Train of Thought"
John Petrucci in aggressive mode. Starts out with an extremely quick shredfest with a couple excellent pauses and moves into an extreme unison cockwave session. I love this solo.
14. When the Water Breaks
Facemelt: Moderate
Expressiveness: Very High
Style: Melodic tracking, with nice flow.
From: Studio Liquid Tension Experiment Album "Liquid Tension Experiment: 2"
When the water breaks was written to express the birth of one of Petrucci's kids... I wish all childbirth was this cool (and didn't include taking home a child). Starts off smooth and expressive and moves into some quick and tasty stuff. Very cool solo indeed.
13. Goodnight Kiss
Facemelt: Low / Moderate
Expressiveness: Very High
Style: Smooth and Expressive with hints of pentatonic raunch.
From: Studio Dream Theater Album "Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence"
The minor key change in the middle of this solo gets me every time, and I am a huge sucker for the slow expressive intro. Some wicked blues riffs in the 2nd half.
12. As I am
Facemelt: Extreme
Expressiveness: Low / Moderate
Style: Standard Heavy Shred
From: Studio Dream Theater Album "Train of Thought"
Another extreme shredfest from Train of Thought, the heaviest dream theater album to date. Not only does this feature some lightning quick shredding but the pauses and bends are perfect. Great angry tune.
11. Lost without you
Facemelt: Low transitioning to High
Expressiveness: Very High
Style: Smooth Blues, building, extreme legato
From: Studio John Petrucci Solo Album "Suspended Animation"
This is without a doubt my favorite song from this album. This may be one of John's most expressive solos, I'm glad he finally took the time to record this and put it out there. Thanks John.
10. Another Day
Facemelt: Moderate
Expressiveness: Extreme
Style: Guitargasm
From: Studio Dream Theater Album "Images & Words"
The first "successful" Dream Theater album was successful for a reason, this song fucking rules god damn you. Why does it rule? Because John decided to unload all over the back of his guitar during the recording of "Another Day", that's why. Also, John's semen is corrosive, so he had to throw that fuckin' guitar out after.
9. Blind Faith
Facemelt: Extreme
Expressiveness: High
Structure: Emotional Power Shred
From: Studio Dream Theater Album "Six Degress of Inner Turbulence"
This is one of those solos I forgot about until I was listening to the song again one day recently and went "oh yeah, this fucking rules". Short and sweet (short by Petrucci standards anyway).
8. The Glass Prison
Facemelt: Face Destroyer
Expressiveness: I could feel myself getting kicked in the face.
Style: Petruccinuts
From: Studio Dream Theater Album "Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence"
This is one of those things that you listen to and go "How is that even possible" and then you look it up on youtube and find a bunch of Guitards trying to duplicate it and failing miserably. This is one of those solos I will never attempt to learn, or if I do, I wont ever tell anyone until I have to go in to get my arthritis fixed. Half sweep, half WTF, potentially the best 40 seconds in music history.
7. Freedom of Speech
Facemelt: Low transitioning to High
Expressiveness: Very High
Style: Pants Creamer
From: Studio Liquid Tension Experiment Album "Liquid Tension Experiment"
This solo gives me chills every time I hear it. There really is no other way to describe its awesome powers. I'd love to see this one live, that's for sure.
6. In The Name of God
Facemelt: Extreme
Expressiveness: Possible cure for cancer.
Style: WTF Gypsy!?
From: Studio Dream Theater Album "Train of Thought"
Potentially one of the greatest songs ever created, this solo is among the more unique sounding solos from Dream Theater. I realize that some of this is a unison but whatever, it starts as a solo. Wicked bass backing track and some serious gypsy jam shred.
5. Under a Glass Moon
Facemelt: Insane.
Expressiveness: High.
Style: "I know every technique, ever."
From: Studio Dream Theater Album "Images & Words"
This is what I think happened during the recording of this solo:
*Lucifer enters room*:
The Devil: "Hey John, I bet you $3 can't make my face, which is constructed entirely of molten lava, melt off..."
*John Petrucci eats a fist full of broken glass*
*John Petrucci picks up guitar and records Under a Glass Moon Solo*
John Petrucci: "... and I fucked your sister."
*Lucifer's head explodes*
The End.
4. Live Scenes from New York - Through Her Eyes
Facemelt: High.
Expressiveness: Very High.
Style: On-stage orgasm.
From: Studio Dream Theater Album "Life Scenes from New York"
Thought not his cleanest work, this half-improvised solo builds very nicely and unloads with large copious amounts of explosive guitarrhea all over the audience. Another one of the few solos that give me chills when I listen to it. This is just proof that John Petrucci can shit on a guitar and that shit will contain nothing but excellence.
3. Never Enough
Facemelt: High.
Expressiveness: Extreme.
Structure: Technical Wizardry.
From: Studio Dream Theater Album "Octavarium"
I never really considered Octavarium to be a guitar-centric album, and this song isn't really an exception to that, except for about 1 minute where one of the coolest unison in the universe takes place. Some fantastic sweeps that express at the speed of light.
2. Lines in the Sand
Facemelt: Moderate.
Expressiveness: Extreme.
Structure: Smooth bluesy overload.
From: Studio Dream Theater Album "Falling into Infinity"
Lines in the sand is from way back when Dream Theater was getting pushed around by bullshit record producers to make more "radio friendly" music... This is kind of an example of them really not falling in line... The solo is long, and way too fucking awesome for FM. Fuck you, producers!
And now for the moment 1 person has been waiting for.. my only reader really, Greg.. the #1 petrucci solo of all time
1. The Best of Times
Facemelt: Very High.
Expressiveness: Extremely High.
Style: Petrucci Vs. Jesus, Petrucci Wins.
From: Studio Dream Theater Album "Black Clouds & Silver Linings"
John Petrucci had it in the 80s and this proves he still has it today. From their most recent album, released just this year, is the best solo John has ever come up with. 3 Minutes of just about everything, slow expressive playing, extremely fast shred, wickedly TASTEFUL and awesome sweeps... all structured in meticulous detail. I only wish they would have mixed it a bit louder.
That's it. Check back one day for "Solos by Michael Angel Batio that gave me ear cancer".
Greg wrote:
That being said, I can't really argue with the #1 choice (especially after listening to it again and remembering how well balanced it is overall), and I agree with many of the other selections as well. Fortunately for us JP has so many good solos that there's no shortage to choose from.
Could I pick more solos that weren't in this list that I think should have been included? Sure, but Dave had to choose from only 15 and I was threatening to embed my pen in his ear if he didn't post by 3:10PM.
Some great new Dave-words in here mixed with a splash of wit and humour of course. Well done sir.
This kind of inspires me to do my own top 15 music-related list too, although I don't know what I want to do just yet. Wait, yes I do. It came to me as I was writing this, although I don't know if I can fill 15 slots. I'll think about it over the weekend and see what I can find :) Oh man this is going to be great. Dave, I may ask to be a guest poster on your blog since mine kind of expired.