Balthazor Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 HI all, sorry if this has already been posted as a topic. I tried searching, but didn't find much. So the question is: what's your opinion on the best live Heartbreaker solo? I know I've heard some from 71 and 72 that were awesome, but I can't really pick one that I think is the best. I'd love to find one really spectacular example so that whenever someone makes the claim that Page was crappy or sloppy live, I can say oh yeah well listen to this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IpMan Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 Believe it or not, my current favorite is from Rotterdam 1980. Go YouTube it, Jimmy does not just smoke on this, he BLAZES. Everyone in the band is on and Robert gives his best vocals since 72' on this version. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixpense Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 1 hour ago, IpMan said: Believe it or not, my current favorite is from Rotterdam 1980. Go YouTube it, Jimmy does not just smoke on this, he BLAZES. Everyone in the band is on and Robert gives his best vocals since 72' on this version. The guitar on that version sounds very different from the rest of the tour. Possibly the Tone-bender made a rare appearance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badgeholder Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 The first one that pops into my head is Tulsa 1970. Maybe not the best, but I do recall it being a real good one. Recording is only so-so Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnOsbourne Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 My vote would go to NY 7-28-73. Generally speaking most of the HB solos from '73 (incl. the European tour) are outstanding. The 2nd night in Long Beach in '75 (March 12th) is also quite good, worth checking out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klape Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 For me it's Osaka, just incredible .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnOsbourne Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 Forgot to mention Detroit 7-12-73. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nick2632 Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 Ugh that's a tough one, but for some reason I have never cared too much for Jimmy's Heartbreaker solos besides the studio version is perfect and a wicked solo!! While I absolutely LOVE Jimmy's solos in Thank You (greatest guitar solos ever performed by anyone at specific shows, mainly post 1970 but the '70 solos are my favorites too but I personally love when the band would slow down for a minute then speed back up such as Southampton ~ January 22, 1973 which is nearly a 5 minute solo), Stairway To Heaven, and Since I've Been Loving You. I never cared for his solos on Heartbreaker and Over The Hills And Far Away much, but they're still very enjoyable and much better than 99% of other guitarist solos IMHO. That being said, his solo on Heartbreaker (Vancouver ~ March 21, 1970) is pretty damn great, and I love the performance that was constantly requested at the LA Forum ~ June 21, 1977. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmywalnutz Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Hi , first post . I've been reading a lot of this forum the last few months. Thanks for all the great posts and good people here. So many great HB solo's from 70-73 . But I have to give Rotterdam 80 the nod as well. First time I heard it I had to make sure it wasn't an "add on" from an earlier time. It is that good. I tried to find fault with it but still remain awestruck. It's straight forward. No BS meandering interludes. Just blazing ! In Frankfurt , Robert had mentioned something about even surprising themselves sometimes after a particularly inspired Kashmir. I think this counts as one of those times. In '80 Jimmy was in rough shape, worse than ever. I couldn't bear to listen to him fumbling with songs he had once gave virtuoso performances of. I don't know where HB Rotterdam '80 came from! It may be the heaviest thing ever captured on tape from the boys . Having said that, lot of my sets from 77 and 80 have been packed and wrapped. Not Rotterdam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gibsonfan159 Posted February 26, 2018 Share Posted February 26, 2018 9/24/71 for me. Listening to this it's obvious where EVH got his inspiration for "Eruption". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindwillie127 Posted February 26, 2018 Share Posted February 26, 2018 ^ Speaking of tapping.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gibsonfan159 Posted February 26, 2018 Share Posted February 26, 2018 5 minutes ago, blindwillie127 said: ^ Speaking of tapping.... I'm not even talking about tapping, I'm talking about the structure of the solo. The "Eruption" phrasing itself is the Heartbreaker solo on steroids and cocaine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmtomh Posted February 26, 2018 Share Posted February 26, 2018 About six years ago I made myself a Best of 1980 compilation because the tour isn't good enough (IMHO) to listen to entire single shows. Just checked Heartbreaker and sure enough, Rotterdam! For me, though, my all-time favorite live Heartbreakers, including the solo, are 1970 versions. I prefer the earlier ones where he hasn't yet turned the solo into an extended break and it's still more a part of the flow of the overall track. The Royal Albert Hall version cuts off about 60% of the way into the song, but Page's solo is there in its entirety and I think it's great. So too is the 3-7-70 Montreux performance - a real barn-burner including the solo. Also, I think it might change one's view depending on whether or not one counts just the solo guitar break itself, or also the instrumental workout that comes after the break too - Page does a lot of varied and amazing work during that too, and so I view it as a kind of continuation of the solo even though technically it isn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paplbojo Posted February 26, 2018 Share Posted February 26, 2018 I'll also give a shout-out to mudslide which is great, not saying it's the very best though. My favorite Heartbreakers (are blonde) have extended parts like the one here from 2:38 - 3:25 that really get the foot tapping. Earl's court 5-25 also has a great section like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boogie Chillen 82 Posted February 26, 2018 Share Posted February 26, 2018 lol, here's to blonde heartbreakers everywhere Prob my fave. 2nd night LA '71. This one stands out to me because in addition to being (at least to my ears) just about technically perfect it's also kinda soulful. Like, from about 2:15 on he plays with a lotta feeling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnOsbourne Posted February 27, 2018 Share Posted February 27, 2018 From '71 I'd go with Hampton Beach, really heavy (like the rest of the show). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remi Posted February 27, 2018 Share Posted February 27, 2018 Hiroshima 71 ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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