Shadow Play guitar solo
Rory Gallagher, 1978, from Photo-Finish. Solo by Rory Gallagher.
A driving riff opens up into a raw, fast Stratocaster solo that shows Gallagher's live energy on a studio take.
Shadow Play opens with a driving riff that sets up a raw, fast Stratocaster solo from Rory Gallagher. Even in the studio, his playing has the energy of a live performance, with aggressive picking, stinging bends and a sense of spontaneity. His tone is bright and gritty, with a raw edge that cuts through the band. Gallagher was known for his charged concerts, and this song captures that spirit. The solo is fast and intense, but always rooted in the blues. Listen for the aggressive attack in his picking, and for the way the solo builds in intensity, pushing the song forward with relentless energy.
Shadow Play by Rory Gallagher is ranked #343 in our consensus of 80 guitar-solo lists. The solo is played by Rory Gallagher and the song was released in 1978. It appears on 1 lists, placing as high as #45 (uDiscover Music).
In our lists
- The 25 Greatest Blues Rock Guitar Solos — #16
- The Best Rory Gallagher Guitar Solos — #4
- Top 20 Guitar Solos of 1978 — #9
- The Greatest Irish Guitar Solos — #5
Sources
Who played the guitar solo on Shadow Play?
Rory Gallagher played the solo on Rory Gallagher's Shadow Play (1978).
What guitar was used on the Shadow Play solo?
A fender stratocaster, according to widely reported accounts.
Where does Shadow Play rank among the greatest guitar solos?
#343 in the GreatestSolos consensus of 80 published lists; it appears on 1 of them.