Nels Cline w/ Flaming Lips covering Beatles

On New Years Eve, Nels Cline came out and played with the Flaming Lips to help perform a rendition of the Beatle’s song, “I want You (She’s So Heavy)”. A droaning, heavy song that fits perfectly with this noise rock combination.

The only thing about this video is that Nels isn’t very high in the mix, but it’s not that big of a deal since this is not a solo where he’s showing off his chops. Here he shows off his ability to sustain feedback, create noise and build energy into a solo like not many can in today’s age of rock and roll. Nels made it into my highly respected guitar players list when I heard his solo on Wilco’s “Impossible Germany”. This list includes Hendrix, Garcia, Anastasio, Bill Frisell, Wes Montgomery, Mark Knopfler, Django Reinhardt just to name a few.

If you’re alergic to noise, don’t press play. But if you enjoy feedback, confetti, lazer beams then proceed.