The Weight
Aretha Franklin, 1969, from This Girl's in Love with You. Solo by Duane Allman.
Duane Allman's slide guitar threads through Aretha's version of The Band's song.
Aretha Franklin's cover of The Band's song turns rustic Americana into Southern soul, and Duane Allman's slide guitar threads through the whole recording. His lines are fluid and bright, sliding into notes with a clarity that cuts through the horns and piano without overpowering them. Rather than one big solo, he plays fills and answers around Aretha's vocal, then steps forward for a stinging break. It is one of the recordings that established his reputation as a session player of rare feel. Listen for how his slide phrases echo the bends and swoops in Aretha's voice, two stylists meeting on the same ground.
The Weight by Aretha Franklin is featured in our Funk & Soul (#23) list. The solo is played by Duane Allman and the song was released in 1969.
In our lists
- The 25 Greatest Funk and Soul Guitar Solos — #23
- Slide Guitar — #18
- Guest Solos — #16
- The Best Duane Allman Guitar Solos — #17
Sources
Who played the guitar solo on The Weight?
Duane Allman played the solo on Aretha Franklin's The Weight (1969).