Guitar Tricks Insider November / December Issue | Page 45

DUANE ALLMAN SESSIONS
5
Wilson Pickett
“Hey Jude”
(1968)
6
Duane Allman
“Goin’ Down
Slow” (1969)
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER
Soul star Wilson Pickett joined the trail of
artists flocking to Muscle Shoals to work with
their acclaimed session players and young
Duane. This cover of the Beatles classic is one
of the best pieces of music to emerge from the
studio, a soulful rendering with horns and that
natural, funky backbeat. At 03:20, the song just
explodes with a massive brass arrangement
and Duane Allman’s electrifying guitar solo. Of
the recording, Eric Clapton recalls, “I remember
hearing it and saying, ‘Who’s that guitar player?’
To this day, I’ve never heard better rock guitar
playing on an R&B record. It’s the best.”
Ever hear Duane Allman sing? At
this January, 1969 solo session, you
can hear Duane’s vocals. Better
still, Skydog’s guitar tone here is
super-fat and aggressive—this is
surely one of his vintage Les Pauls,
either one of his ’59 bursts or the’57
goldtop. And dig that lil’ blues bend
he throws in at the end.
DIGITAL EDITION
GUITAR TRICKS INSIDER
45