St. Vincent Celebrates the Timeless Brilliance of Larry Carlton’s ‘Kid Charlemagne’ Solo
As Rolling stone refreshes its list of the top 100 guitar solos ever, acclaimed guitarist St. Vincent has shared her thoughts on a standout favorite – emphasizing the importance of preserving the original artistry of this revered solo.
A Solo That Stands the Test of Time
St. Vincent, known offstage as Annie Clark, has chosen “Kid charlemagne” from Steely Dan’s fifth album, The Royal Scam, as her top pick.This track holds a prestigious No. 8 position on the list, and St. Vincent insists that the solo,performed by Larry carlton,should be experienced exactly as it was recorded in 1976.
The Evolution of Steely Dan’s Sound
By the time The Royal Scam was released, the duo of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker had begun to lean heavily on session musicians. The album showcases a remarkable lineup of guitarists, including founding member Denny Dias and seasoned session player Dean Parks.
St. Vincent’s Passion for Precision
“I want to hear the Larry Carlton solo note-for-note. That’s the testament to how great it is. It’s sacrosanct, compositionally.”
– St. Vincent
St. Vincent elaborates, “The guitar solos on The Royal Scam are so iconic that I want to hear them exactly as they were played. I’m not interested in improvisation or extended solos, even from the most talented guitarists.”
The Craft Behind the Solo
The narrative surrounding Carlton’s solo reveals that he initially recorded multiple takes using a fender Stratocaster before switching to his beloved Gibson ES-335.It’s believed that this prized semi-hollow guitar was paired with a late-’50s Fender Tweed Deluxe amplifier, a departure from the Fender Princeton he used on Joni Mitchell’s “Help Me” two years prior.
Carlton’s Humble Reflection
Despite the acclaim, Carlton has expressed surprise at the solo’s legendary status. ”I’m honored that people talk about this middle guitar solo so much,” he shared with Guitar Player. However, he initially didn’t see it as anything particularly special.
“I thought it was good when I played it, but I didn’t think, ‘Yeah, I played the shit out of that tonight.’”
– Larry Carlton
he recalls listening to the record with his wife after its release, stating, “I don’t know. It just sounds like me.”
Legacy and Influence
Despite his modesty, Carlton’s improvised solo has solidified its place in music history, surpassing other iconic solos, such as Eric Clapton’s on “While My Guitar gently weeps,” which ranks at No. 10.
Interestingly, St. vincent also makes an appearance on the list with her 2015 track ”Rattlesnake,” which occupies the No. 50 spot.The solo,crafted on her Ernie Ball Music Man signature guitar,channels influences from sonic pioneers like Robert Fripp,Adrian Belew,and Marc Ribot. She describes their playing style as the kind that “makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up as the note is, like, hurty.”
Musical Beliefs and Industry Insights
In previous discussions with Guitar Player,St. Vincent emphasized her belief in the power of musical instinct over technical prowess – a sentiment echoed by fellow guitarist and recent Rock and Roll hall of Fame inductee Jack White, known for his unconventional approach to music.
Meanwhile, Mark Knopfler has recounted the exhausting 10-hour session he endured while recording with Steely Dan, a marathon that resulted in mere seconds of music. Longtime Steely Dan guitarist Jeff ”Skunk” Baxter has also shared anecdotes about some of the most unusual studio experiences of his career.
