The 25 Greatest Folk Rock Guitar Solos

Folk rock is not a genre built on long solos, so this list gives weight to arrangements where the guitar carries the song. It covers the Byrds' twelve-string sound, the British tradition led by Richard Thompson, and the acoustic and electric playing of Stills, Young and their peers.

Informed by: Wikipedia – Folk rock, Wikipedia – Fairport Convention, Wikipedia – Clarence White

1. 1
   The Calvary Cross

   Richard & Linda Thompson · solo by Richard Thompson · 1975
2. 2
   A Sailor's Life

   Fairport Convention · solo by Richard Thompson · 1969
3. 3
   Matty Groves

   Fairport Convention · solo by Richard Thompson · 1969
4. 4
   Shoot Out the Lights

   Richard & Linda Thompson · solo by Richard Thompson · 1982
5. 5
   Eight Miles High

   The Byrds · solo by Roger McGuinn · 1966
6. 6
   Bluebird

   Buffalo Springfield · solo by Stephen Stills, Neil Young · 1967
7. 7
   Almost Cut My Hair

   Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young · solo by Neil Young, Stephen Stills · 1970
8. 8
   Tam Lin

   Fairport Convention · solo by Richard Thompson · 1969
9. 9
   Sloth

   Fairport Convention · solo by Richard Thompson · 1970
10. 10
    Mr. Tambourine Man

    The Byrds · solo by Roger McGuinn · 1965
11. 11
    Suite: Judy Blue Eyes

    Crosby, Stills & Nash · solo by Stephen Stills · 1969
12. 12
    1952 Vincent Black Lightning

    Richard Thompson · solo by Richard Thompson · 1991
13. 13
    Can't Win

    Richard Thompson · solo by Richard Thompson · 1988
14. 14
    Running on Empty

    Jackson Browne · solo by David Lindley · 1977
15. 15
    Turn! Turn! Turn!

    The Byrds · solo by Roger McGuinn · 1965
16. 16
    Mr. Soul

    Buffalo Springfield · solo by Neil Young, Stephen Stills · 1967
17. 17
    Embryonic Journey

    Jefferson Airplane · solo by Jorma Kaukonen · 1967
18. 18
    Anji

    Simon & Garfunkel · solo by Paul Simon · 1966
19. 19
    Wasn't Born to Follow

    The Byrds · solo by Clarence White · 1968
20. 20
    I'd Rather Be the Devil

    John Martyn · solo by John Martyn · 1973
21. 21
    Carry On

    Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young · solo by Stephen Stills · 1970
22. 22
    Pentangling

    Pentangle · solo by Bert Jansch, John Renbourn · 1968
23. 23
    Ohio

    Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young · solo by Neil Young · 1970
24. 24
    Never Going Back Again

    Fleetwood Mac · solo by Lindsey Buckingham · 1977
25. 25
    Tear-Stained Letter

    Richard Thompson · solo by Richard Thompson · 1983