Epitome of the Guitar

wirt

So me and a couple of buddies from work had this discussion today: If intelligent aliens from another planet had to visit Earth tomorrow and Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon, in his infinite wisdom and as part of the cultural exchange program, gave you the task of explaining why music-with-guitars-in-it is so awesome to the aliens using just one song, what would you play them?

Basically, which song, to you, embodies everything that is good, excellent, righteous, soulful <insert adjective here> and beautiful about the sound of a guitar?

For me it would be an even toss-up between this:

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and this:

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One Jimmy Page song and one song Jimmy page really likes, both of them featured in the same movie. Figures ?
Both of these put the stupidest grin on my face whenever I listen to them.

I'm very interested in what the denizens of GuitarForum come up with ?

Big-G

Personally, I'd play them 'its not unusual' by Tom Jones, and watch their heads explode! ?

Otherwise, I'd probably choose Marillion 'the Great escape'. Or perhaps 'Encircling' by Iona, which uses both acoustics and electrics! I'll try and post links to both in the morrow!

Regards
G!

studmissile

Toss up between these and many more, to hard to choose!

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or maybe just introduce the aliens to Ray Wylie Hubbard
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AlanRatcliffe

I don't think you can capture the complete glory that is guitar in only one track. It would have to be something epic that had dynamics, with acoustics and also electrics from clean to dirty. So probably something like Stairway.

wirt

Alan Ratcliffe wrote I don't think you can capture the complete glory that is guitar in only one track. It would have to be something epic that had dynamics, with acoustics and also electrics from clean to dirty. So probably something like Stairway.

Of course not. It's an impossible question, but you are allowed, nay, encouraged, to be subjective ?

arjunmenon

This...

or this...

EDIT : I reckon JH will chill them out and PDL, ADM & JL will terrify them, depending on the alien's intentions.

But if i wanted to frighten an alien in a mellow way, i'd probably give him this...

Reinhard

I think if we can get them to tap their feet, there is less of a chance of them wiping us out.

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I always knew Angus Young would save the world :applause:

Malkav

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or

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Bob-Dubery

I'm going to propose that the most awesome thing about the guitar is that enables people to play music with modest outlay and minimal instruction - even just 3 or 4 chords demonstrated by a friend. It fills this roles better than any other instrument I can think of.

So look on youtube for a bunch of people sitting around a campfire knocking out Kumbaya or John Brown's Body or We Shall Overcome or some such.

AlanRatcliffe

X-rated Bob wrote I'm going to propose that the most awesome thing about the guitar is that enables people to play music with modest outlay and minimal instruction - even just 3 or 4 chords demonstrated by a friend. It fills this roles better than any other instrument I can think of.

I was just thinking along these lines too. Give 'em a guitar and a copy of Play Guitar in a Day. ?

Bob-Dubery

When selecting something to present to our esteemed visitors, we should remember that rock 'n roll came down from Mars in a flying saucer. So maybe this is appropriate:

Flying Saucer Rock 'n Roll

studmissile

OR MAYBE THESE WOULD BE MORE MORE APPROPRIATE FOR LITTLE GREEN MEN. MAN I AM THE BIGGEST SURF GUITAR FAN IN THE WORLD!!!!!!! I loved that flying Saucer Rock n Roll Thanks X-rated Bob!
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arjunmenon

Or how about these (ok, they're not guitar heavy...but it sure would blow the alien's mind)....

arjunmenon

I have the solution...and it doesn't involve guitars

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