My Fave Solo Guitar Albums From Band Guys That We Love

Photo Credit Joe Frazz

GUITAR! As rockers, it’s “Who We Are”! When Guitar Gods go solo, it’s always interesting.

Do they sing? Do they Tour? Depends on the player. I decided to put together a list of some of my favorite “Band Guitar Masters” and their impactful solo work. It’s Terrie Carr- Rock- A Holic- This list has classics, new releases, and resets some of the guitar heroes that have stepped aside from massive bands and brands to have “THEIR” music heard on their terms.

The one common thread of the list? Each player is a unique, epic talent- and each record was instrumental in the artists’ creative journey. Oh, and they are all records that I really personally like. Authenticity. That’s what counts. These guitar masters are the real deal. The greatest. The GOATS.

Some Of My Personal Fave Photos

From the Terrie Carr collection of these incredible artists and their time spent at the station promoting their band music and solo work.

Photo Credit- Neil Seiffer

TC Collection

Photo Credit- Joe Frazz

Photo Credit- Joe Frazz

As you can see, WDHA has been a beacon of rock for close to 50 years and our friends have stopped by to help us celebrate! 

And Slash caught up with me recently to discuss his epic, long awaited blues masterpiece – Orgy Of The Damned- Check out my convo with the master here – What a day for me………..

Photo Credit- Neil Seiffer

For all of my music nuts and guitar fanatics- I love you, and thank you for your passion. Hit me up with your questions, musical topics and feedback at [email protected] and follow me on Instagram (I’ll follow you back) TC Rock Dog On Instagram 

And of course for all of my rock interviews – check out the Reconnect With Rockers Page here – 

Terrie Carr’s Reconnect With Rockers Video Interview Series

• 1. Richie Sambora- Stranger In This Town

  1991 was the year that Richie Sambora released the under appreciated “Stranger In This Town” – with “Ballad Of Youth” being the first single. Bon Jovi bandmates David Bryan , Tico Torres and the legend Eric Clapton all made guest appearances and Richie handled lead vocals on the record and nailed it. “Stranger” was a departure for Richie with a blues inspired sound and BIG production from Richie and Neil Dorfman. There is not a mediocre song on this record- masterful. Richie came to WDHA to promote it. What a fun day that was.

• 2. Joe Walsh- The Confessor

  This 1985 masterpiece from James Gang and Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh was always a favorite of mine. Why? I have no idea. It was a record that was all over the place, but Joe’s guitar work is brilliant, featuring some of the most creative tone and lyrical content of all time.

  “If you look at your reflection in the bottom of a well, What you see is only on the surface. When you try to see the meaning, hidden underneath, The measure of the depth can be deceiving. The bottom has a rocky reputation” …….. LOVE!

• 3. Jerry Cantrell - Boggy Depot

   

  Now, I’m going with Jerry’s first here- 1998’s “Boggy Depot”- BUT “Degradation Trip” OR “Brighten” could have both been included as well.

  It has been said that Jerry Cantrell never writes a bad song. I agree. And “Boggy Depot” also features Les Claypool from Primus, AIC bandmates Mike Inez and Sean Kinney, and Rex Brown from Pantera. It’s one of the greatest records of the 1990’s and underrated is an understatement.

• 4. Slash- Orgy Of the Damned

  Slash first debuted his solo skills (out of GNR and Snakepit) in 2010 with a cool record that featured everyone from Ozzy, to Lemmy to Fergie.

  The Myles and The Conspirators records came next and this summer we got Slash’s long awaited blues extravaganza “Orgy Of The Damned” that exceeded every expectation I could ever have for any record! Haven’t heard it? WHY??? It’s amazing!

  From Paul Rodgers, to Dorothy, Demi Lovato, Billy Gibbons, and Slash’s over the top blues band, “Orgy Of The Damned” is my record of the summer- Maybe my record of the year.

• 5. Billy Gibbons - Hardware

  Billy F. Gibbons. The GOAT, the master, the man. No fancy —t, three chords of glory, the tone, the feel that is only one unique, amazing set of fingers.

• 6. Tremonti - All I Was

  While  some may argue “Tremonti” is technically Mark Tremonti’s band and not solo project, his 5 solo albums are all Mark,
  (his 6th- The End Will Show Us How is coming in 2025) –
  I chose the 2012 Tremonti solo debut because it was the introduction to one of the planet’s greatest guitar players as a solo artist beyond Creed and Alter Bridge and defined Mark as a metal master.

• 7. Joe Perry Project- Let The Music Do The Talking

   

  Ahhhh the Aerosmith drama! When Joe put out his first (of many) solo/Joe Perry Project albums in 1980, I picked it up at a local record store as a kid just because he was on the cover.  “Let The Music Do The Talking” is super raw, and as I grew more seasoned as a music fan I understood how solid the song was and had a greater appreciation for this record beyond the cover that drew me in. “Rockin’ Train”,  “Discount Dogs” and the legendary title track that went on to be included on Aerosmith’s “Done With Mirrors”  still hold up today.

• 8. Jack White- No Name

  A new Jack White record? Sign me up! The sixth solo release from White Stripes, Raconteurs, and Dead Weather frontman and master mind,  the brilliant Jack White- “No Name” just came out this summer and is quickly becoming one of my favorite records of 2024.

  Jack’s brand of garage, fuzz and blues infused banging has always been sonically appealing to me. It’s so yummy! The first single “That’s How I’m Feeling” is an instant classic.

• 9. Eric Clapton - 461 Ocean Boulevard

   

  There is no way to make a list of Guitar Gods gone solo and leave Slowhand off. No way.

  “Journeyman”, “Behind The Sun” and “Another Ticket’ rank as some of my favorite solo records from the man who played with Cream, Derek and The Dominoes, The Yardbirds and more…but 461 Ocean Boulevard was transformative, and very successful for EC after battling drugs and creating a beautiful album.

• 10. Peter Frampton- Frampton Comes Alive

   

  First stop- Humble Pie- THEN…….creating one of the greatest live albums of all time.

  This iconic release needs no explanation.

• 11. Keith Richards- Main Offender

  Keef- When. he went solo he found an awesome solo band in The Wino’s – “Talk Is Cheap” is a dynamite record, but “Main Offender” is my favorite.