Instrumental Trio Setlist Suggestions

[Thunderthumbs73]

A singer/guitarist from a group I'm in has left. The remaining (lead) guitarist is a monster player and is pretty musical, considering his technique. Thinking about suggesting taking the rock cover band quartet and redirecting it to more of an instrumental trio.

I'm thinking of something like this:
"Big Bulge" by Michael Landau
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTY06yeKarc

...which I think digs a little deeper than rock cover band song with obligatory solos for guitar players. I like that, but just want to think about the possibility of trying something different.

Something musical and listenable and not a yawn-fest for the audience, if possible. Also, the traditional blues trio stuff is not really where I think any of us want to go. Thinking more progressive stuff without going into instrumental metal and neoclassical stuff (ie- Malmsteen, etc...) If I can find (with your help) a set list of songs which I think fits the description, then I may pitch it. He and I can both sing, and are pretty good singers, but thinking instrumentally right now.

Looking for good, guitar-oriented/guitar-suitable compositions that can hang, ideally, in a trio format.

Suggest away!

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

In my opinion, Rush's "La Villa Strangiato" is one of the best rock instrumentals ever. I think it would be a great choice for your set list.

Studio version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQPHsONF_tE&fmt=35

And here's a great live version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78D00dYOBrM&fmt=35

[soong]

I'm in a progressive acoustic instrumental trio, except only one member is on guitar. Check out our composition here for a little inpsiration perhaps. I come from a heavier rock background and i love my prog and thats what inpsired to write in meters other than 4/4.

I play Tenor Ukulele in the trio. All parts in the composition could theoretically be done on guitar!

Check out one of our compositions titled 'Yedi Yedi'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzZjqWuxMOs

We've got a few other originals and covers in our repertoire too. Be creative!

[Richland123]

Definitely check out Gary Hoey's stuff. He does lots of covers as a powerhouse 3 piece band. Also, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, and Eric Johnson stuff.

I am in a 3 piece band and while we do mostly vocal songs; however, we are well known regionally as an instrumental band that has a niche by throwing in some of these tunes that really go over well.

Time Is Tight - Booker T. & The M.G.s
Surfrider - The Ventures
Walk, Don't Run - The Ventures version
Bumble Bee Rock - The Ventures version
Pipeline - The Chantays
Wipeout - The Surfaris
Blues Theme - Davie Allan & The Arrows
Rumble - Link Wray
Miserlou - Dick Dale

[SteveC]

I think an instrumental trio would be fun. Unfortunately around here it better be a jazz trio. I can't imagine a non-singer group would fly.

[Thunderthumbs73]

I appreciate the suggestions thus far.

[JimK]

Originally Posted by Richland123

Time Is Tight - Booker T. & The M.G.s

Rich-
...you doin' that with no organ?

[The Owl]

Black Napkins - Frank Zappa
Zoot Allures - Frank Zappa

[Richland123]

Originally Posted by JimK

Rich-
...you doin' that with no organ?

Yes we are doing Time Is Tight with guitar, bass, and drums and it is one of our biggest dance songs. Everytime we play it, the dancefloor gets packed and people love that tune and we gets lots of requests now to play it.