5 Must-Hear Guitar Riffs 1974: Bowie, Skynyrd, & More [Part 2]

[@brianmcdermott281]

Huge Schenker/UFO Fan, glad you included Rock Bottom !

[@jonchilds1637]

Excellent rendition of ‘Rock Bottom’ by the way!!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

I never knew it existed. Upon first listen for this episode I was hooked. It took a moment to get that one down. Total RESPECT.

[@lindsaydouglas381]

Another GOLD video. Every time I watch your videos I discover numerous small mistakes, and some not so small, that make a big difference. I'm so grateful for the gifts you leave us. 🙏🙏🙏

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

That is so so kind. Thank you!!

[@swatprof]

Thank you for the Crimson!! You clearly enjoyed it…..and played it spot on! :-)

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you!!!!!

[@Marine_Ret]

I was 13 in 1974 but it wasn’t until I was 15 that I bought Diamond Dogs. Great Album 🤘🏻

[@eddiecarter9831]

Really enjoying digging into the music of Gentle Giant, thanks to another video where you featured them. Glad to see some Skynyrd included. Rossington, Collins, and King worked so incredibly well together. Never got in each others way and always kept things interesting.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@davidmunoz8215]

Your rendition of Red has a Belew-esque flavor (How he plays it live) to it with the strat and tremolo arm. Nice

[@drkmriggs]

Yes he sounded more like Belew than Fripp. Nice job for sure.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Adrian is an acquaintance of mine and I love both him and his work. I definitely feel a connection with his passionate approach. Glad you picked up on that!!!!

[@Jah_Rastafari_ORIG]

On the original Fripp doesn't bend though; he quickly slides up and back to the next fret...

[@me.roderick]

Carl you have an Epic channel! Quality content Man🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@krismcreynolds984]

Loving the red riff.. nice job

[@MrPhilm00r]

I'll never forget the first time that I heard Red. I was at work with the music just shuffling in the background. It was on some random instrumental station. Red came on and it immediately pulled my attention away from my work. I was like, "this is so cool, what is this!?! I've been in love with the song ever since. Cool to see you cover it here. More people need it in their life 😎

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

I couldn’t agree more!!

[@ericfielding2540]

I moved to Georgia in 1974, so I was very familiar with Lynyrd Skynyrd. You did a great job on their riff but you glossed over what makes that Southern rock sound. I hope you cover that more deeply in the future.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

That is such a unique vibe. It took me a while to get the feel right to approximate their world as an outsider!

[@jonchilds1637]

Can’t remember the context but I DO remember a wonderful description where someone said “Mick Ronson’s guitar sounds like a van full of police dogs”!!

[@monkeysgone2heaven1]

Hearing you play the first few notes of the Rebel Rebel riff made me realise how close it is to the start of Hey Joe

[@j.t.8848]

Love your videos, just found your channel last week and I've watched all of them. Your passion makes me wanna play and practice. Thanks for getting Rock Bottom stuck in my head again before I head into work, best riff ever. More Schenker would be great in the future! Cheers!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you for watching! I hope you subscribed!?

[@j.t.8848]

@@CarlBaldassarreMusic Yes sir! I hope the channel grows immensely - one of the best out there.

[@aert88]

Cool riffs!

[@billhobbs7077]

Bowie had a cool story about renting a suite in some posh hotel and hearing someone destroying the Rebel Riff he went down to tell this fool to stop his noise, only to have John McEnroe open the door

[@williamthrasher8540]

Another great bunch of riffs. Rebel Rebel was my favorite song off the Diamond Dogs Album. Thanks

[@rickfromberlin1722]

thanks Carl! much appreciated!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

My pleasure! Goodnight Berlin, hope to see you soon!

[@Chris-vp1vs]

Another awesome vid keep em coming Carl👍

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thanks 👍

[@JoFandango]

thanks a lot for these riffs and especially the gentle giant one if it could help people to listen to their outstanding music ! but Carl it is impossible you are not making any video about Mick Ronson ? according the way you play and your love of hormony...

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Can you send me 10 of your favorite Robson guitar moments. I’ll put something together and give you a shout out!

[@JoFandango]

@@CarlBaldassarreMusic I am not especially a MR fan but the way you play sometimes reminds me his style (the solo on the prettiest star) . I appreciate his work on "time" on Alladin Sane album too where you can get "cracked actor" and "panic in detroit". he's clever on the ziggy stardust song and famous for his solo on moonage daydream. on acoustic you have "andy warhol" on hunky dory and "the lady grinning soul" on aladdin sane. I don't know if you can catch a lot of views with that but the way bowie used him to build his celebrity (ziggy era) without crediting him is another story but anyway he deserves some kind of consideration.

[@l6srob990]

Ufo awesome choice great video as always

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you kindly

[@garygamble1963]

Awesome collection of riffs Carl. Great taste and playing!

[@chrishughes4285]

Excellent video-UFO Strangers in the Night their live is still a must listen, that will take you down the Michael Schenker rabbit hole. So many heavy hitters in his band over the years, Cozy Powell, Don Airey, Graham Bonnet, Simon Phillips, Billy Sheehan, Stuart Hamm many more that I'm missing. And most importantly thanks for introducing me to Gentle Giant in the back 80's.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Wow!! I never knew that lineage. Someone ruse suggested that live album. Let’s get together and have a listening party!

[@nikha1291]

The first riff that popped into my head when i thought about '74 was Rock Bottom!😁

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Amazing!

[@antarcticorb9197]

When I saw your thumbnail with Bowie, I honestly thought you going to hit the Stay riff, because I'm sure you'll agree that is just devastating.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

I’ll check it out!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Wow! Just listened!! Never heard it. It’s fantastic!!

[@antarcticorb9197]

@@CarlBaldassarreMusic Yes it is, probably one of the most underrated riffs out there.

[@chrisoleary9876]

Thanks Carl!

[@ericgmanmusic]

I love this series! Great idea and awesome playing!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@sixstringhans-tone5574]

Awesome! Same year I was born. Now I gotta check out Part 1…..😂

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

I appreciate you watching!

[@GaryBook]

Great video!

[@georgamann3743]

It's always such a pleasure to see a new video of yours, Sir! :) Thank you for another introduction to Gentle Giant, I love them!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you and you’re welcome!!

[@pjburke131]

Carl, good to see Gary Rossington getting some love. That is a killer riff and I agree it’s difficult to make it sound right. No matter how many times I play it it doesn’t sound like him. I guess that’s why he’s in the rock ‘n’ roll Hall of Fame, and I’m not!

[@mcmillanalex]

J.J. Cale is great! His "Frankenstein" guitar is something else 😄 His music gets a lot of airplay on my favourite internet radio station - Radio Paradise.

[@rockinvida1960]

Carl…you’re the best man, and you always get such a great tone out of your rig…check that Bowie Rebel Rebel riff though…that’s not how it was done…

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

I had a feeling!

[@778899Tammy13]

Another informative, awesome episode, Carl. Love David Bowie,great inspiring advice-if you want to play fast, you have to start slow first,thank you!I'm getting a different electric guitar soon, and I can't wait to start playing with these riffs!😊

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Rock on!

[@peterszakal]

Thank you Carl, you are gold! Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Call Me The Breeze" is the beginner soundtrack of the Terence Hill movie Renegade. The first slide is so great, I remember renting the movie on VHS just because of that riff. :-)

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

That one is sneaky tricky to get the feel if it’s not in your DNA! Total respect for it.

[@lesd2633]

Hey Carl, Thanks for another cool vid. Must say Rebel Rebel brings back years of gigging with that song on the set list. Always got people up to dance. As for UFO, well hell I love Michael and Rudolph Schenker! Lights out in London is a great UFO song and made it on a 45 none the less. Now if you really wanna cover some cool guitar let’s talk Scorpions my brother. Peace!

[@nickcosta8062]

If you really want to get a great sense of the Michael Schenker vibe . Listen to UFO :Strangers in the Night'Live" and MSG (Michael Schenker Group) the first solo effort he put out with Simon Phillips on drums and Mo Foster on Bass that was produced by Roger Glover incidentally. I always thought Michael and Angus Young are kind of like kindred spirits . They have so many similar riffs and licks yet go at it almost completely differently. Of course... I studied the crap out of the Schenkmeister. His blues riffs are great.. outside of Page and Beck.. Id say Schenker, Steve Lukather and Michael Landau have been my biggest influences with all the other obvious cast of charachters. If you really want to hear something cool.. Check this out..Michael Schenker Live From Tokyo and the song Lost Horizons.. I studied the hell out of this.. I love the guitar tone... this just an example of Michaels genius IMHO.kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYPEg5immrJ0ZqM

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Wow! Thank you for this information. Can you suggest 10 great riffs from him?

[@nickcosta8062]

@@CarlBaldassarreMusic hell yeah.. let me compile a list

[@markroylance1584]

Not this year I admit, but as you like a bit of Gentle Giant have a listen to the title track from Three Friends.... Its the final track and it's utterly beautiful.... Lots of mellotron, sublime vocal harmonies and a sinuous bluesy bass and guitar line. When I hear the words 'Gentle Giant' that's the track that comes to mind, Carl x

[@timmytVA]

Carl, you really need to hear UFO's live album "Strangers in the Night". Hard rock perfection ...

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

I’ll check it out!

[@catandtheostrich]

PS Mick Robson is one of my favorite guitarists. He was also a great arranger.

[@stevenrosbury7341]

Awesome dUde!

[@brianl9419]

Great stuff Carl. I'd love you to cover the Led Zep's Song Remains the Same - 1973 MSG Live version. I know nothing about playing the guitar but I find that an astonishing piece to listen to. I'd love to see you giving us a tutorial!

[@ylemscalamity]

First riff I ever learned and song was black dog fork zeppelin lol and that send me on the right path and soloing and noodling around came a lot easier than some of my friends who started with power chords and or open chords

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

You’re lucky!

[@justgivemethetruth]

Dude, your videos are as awesome as your hair! ;-)

[@Guitarplayer724]

Would love to see you breakdown Siberian Khatru by Yes.

[@catandtheostrich]

Have you ever played “How Many More Times,” and then Bowie’s “Jean Genie?” That intro bassline…

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Actually no!

[@D.Hozzie]

Some embarrassment here…..I think this is the first time I’ve actually heard Gentle Giant. Thanks for sharing.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Don’t be embarrassed! First of all you’re not the only one (by far!!). Second…how lucky are you to have years of new listening enjoyment ahead of you. Be patient with their music and let it unfold slowly so you can “acquire the taste”.

[@CraigHollabaugh]

and Skynyrd makes the list! when you do 1973, consider the "Things Goin' On" intro from Pronounced. Thanks for letting your hair down, you old rocker you.

[@LukeBlase]

Thank you SO MUCH for doing Rebel Rebel. That's probably one of my favorite guitar riffs ever, and it would be cool to see more Bowie in your content. Also, I have a question. From what I can tell, it appears that you have Les Paul Custom inlays on what is otherwise a Les Paul Standard. Is that a custom-order guitar, or was that available from the Gibson lineup at some point?

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thanks! I’ve only recently unraveled the mystery of the guitar. It turns out to have been a 70-72 Deluxe that got modded with an Ebony custom fingerboard and full size humbucker pickups by the previous owner(s). I bought it in 1980 from a sound man for my band!

[@keyes223]

Hey Carl,could you cover Automatic Man song My Pearl from 1974?

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Just listened to it. Very cool song!!!! Never heard of them or it!

[@ikefork2606]

Great stuff...enjoyed your guitar playing immensely! If you're open to great rock riff suggestions - please do a guitar riff video on the epic Deep Purple tune called "Rat Bat Blue" off the 1973 Deep Purple album "Who Do We Think We Are". Such a killer riff by Ritchie Blackmore! I think you'll dig it. Tom

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

I will definitely do that!

[@ikefork2606]

@@CarlBaldassarreMusic Thanks....I believe you'll need a Stratocaster to get the Blackmore signature sound of Rat Bat Blue. I've played it using a Les Paul and it doesn't work.

[@bobnolin9155]

Might I suggest 10cc - Sheet Music. 1974. Features "The Wall Street Shuffle". Eric Stewart is an under-rated guitarist, IMO.

[@dakotaforeman]

Can you do a riff review of King Crimson's 21st Century Schizoid Man

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

That’s a must!

[@outtathyme5679]

If you only learn one riff in your life, it has to be Rebel Rebel

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

It’s right up there isn’t it!

[@gregrogers2611]

And Ziggy Stardust

[@jimjamjerry]

Woohoooooo!!!

[@thearistolife]

Which model is your Stratocaster? I love the blue! I don't see Blue very often on a Strat.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Strat Ultra

[@thearistolife]

@@CarlBaldassarreMusic absolutely beautiful

[@DeadnWoon]

The song "Pathfinder" by Beggars Opera has a cool riff! But it's '72.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

I’ll do a ‘72 riff review. Send me a list of 10 and I’ll shout you out on the episode. [e-mail]

[@DeadnWoon]

@@CarlBaldassarreMusic Not sure I'm such a big expert on all such stuff to create a decent list of the kind, unfortunately... I may only probably create the Top 10 or so list of some rather obscure, rare prog rock bands' riffs.

[@seantierson2633]

Working Man could probably be on this too. The start of an era!

[@paulbaluch439]

Carl you had me at 1974 another great year in music I just love how you break these Rifts down the number three riff kind of reminds me of something David Gilmore would have done plus I love how you used Major Tom in the background and as always awesome looking shirt😎👍🎸🎼🎶🍕🍻🏁

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

You are the first to recognize the riff card music source. Well done! My editor Billy Brock likes to make these into Easter eggs!

[@Chris-vp1vs]

By the way beautiful Les Paul

[@yragnellaable]

A lot of people are unaware that Bowie in fact plays all the guitars on the Diamon Dogs album. Also, love that King Crimson song : there's a great progressive metal band up here in Canada called Voivod and they're very much influenced by KC, and you can really hear it in that song. Great video as always, cheers .

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you for the insight and info!

[@stratman9449]

Aahhaa...GG...at last...or again....quite right what you say....nothing before them...and nobody since...yup.....bit of a "contrast" to lynard skynard...😅,,,but i love them too....and of course...in the court of the crimson king...wow...what music we had then...... and yes....David Bowie was the BIGGEST "poser"......EVER....haha....but hey....😅

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

We were lucky, those of us from the late 60’s and 70’s.

[@musicaconqueror5477]

Excellent channel, great idea to bring people closer to riffs, music. Popularization of solid rock. I have many suggestions for the next episodes, but for starters, I will propose something contemporary, something unusual, which I hope will spill over the world. There has been a growing wave of all female bnds in Japan for the last 15 years. They play rock, hard rock, metal... They are technically great, and the songs allow not only guitarists to prove themselves. They are slowly starting touring in the USA and Europe. Band-Maid, Nemophila (8 concerts in March 2023 in the USA), Bridear, Lovebites, Fate Gear, Aldious, Hanabie... They make amazing stylistic combinations (j pop with heavy metal riffs and growls, ... others play more classic). I suggest 5 riffs from this area to review: Mary's Blood - Arcadia: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2SzhZSaeNanpa8 Aldious - 灰の雪 kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoiYpo2khbOLadU Nemophila - Adabana kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6m8moKtqNpprbc Band-Maid - Manners kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3e6poCulNWefpY Mary's Blood - Death Queen's March kzbin.info/www/bejne/pX3afZewqLJ3msk It's so fast.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

This is very very interesting to me. Is their any chance you could email this to me. I can’t copy it to save it. I look forward to looking into this. If I do something I’ll give you a huge shoutout on my channel!! [e-mail]

[@zososhep]

I really like your vids but that isn't exactly how the Rebel Rebel opening riff is played...just sayin.

[@pawelpap9]

Rebel is one of the ugliest songs in the annals of popular music. Way to go, David!

[@keving2372]

Lol rebel rebel isn't so special