Guitar Tricks Insider April/May Digital Edition | Page 8

RIFFING

“THIS BRINGS BACK MEMORIES OF WHEN
WE STARTED BECAUSE THAT’S BASICALLY
WHAT WE STARTED FROM – DOING THIS SONG.”
ALEX LIFESON (RUSH)

on “Oh Pretty Woman” from Crusade,
by John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers
We used to do this song a long time ago when we
played in bars. This brings back memories of when
we started because that’s basically what we started
from – doing this song, doing “Snowy Wood.” I think
they were on the same album. Mick Taylor’s sound
was exceptional for that time. He had that grit,
sustain, and the right kind of smooth distortion. He
impressed me enough to sit down and spend months
trying to figure it out early in my guitar-playing
career. This guy showed me “Snowy Wood” and I
practiced that song for hours every day. That and
“Spoonful” were easy songs to play along with. Of
course after that, Hendrix was just a step away. ■

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Oh Pretty Woman – John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers

8

DIGITAL EDITION

APR/MAY