Still in Love With You - Live and Dangerous: Guitar Lesson

"Still in Love With You" is one of the standout tracks from Thin Lizzy’s monumental live album, "Live and Dangerous." This song is a treasure trove for guitarists, serving as a masterclass in tone, technique, and emotional expression. Danny Gill dissects the layers that make this one of the most cherished songs in the rock 'n roll canon.

Chord Progressions

The song is primarily in A Minor and revolves around some classic rock chord progressions. The backbone of the song is mainly built upon the A minor to D major progression, giving it a melancholic yet soulful vibe. But what makes it truly intriguing is the movement to E major, which provides an elegant harmonic lift. Thin Lizzy loves to add some chromatic embellishments around these chords to keep things interesting.

Scales

The guitar work here prominently features the A Minor Pentatonic scale, which lends a bluesy emotion to the melody. You'll find the pentatonic scales utilised effectively, not just in the solos but also in the riffs and fills. Occasionally, the harmonic minor scale gets thrown in, adding exotic colours.

Lead Guitarists and Their Artistry

The band was blessed with not one, but two extraordinary guitarists: Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson. Gorham brings a clean, melodic style to the table, while Robertson leans more towards a raw, aggressive attack. The dichotomy works brilliantly, and you can hear the dialogue between their guitars throughout the song. In "Still in Love With You," they weave a rich tapestry of sound that proves why two lead guitars can be better than one.

Guitar Solo Analysis

The solo section is what truly elevates this track. It starts off with a slow, melodic approach, typical of Gorham's style, before transitioning into a more aggressive, faster pace, resonating with Robertson’s personality. Pay attention to how the solos are constructed. They start with a question-answer sort of phrasing, where a melodic line is presented and then responded to, and then build up into full-blown emotive expressions. The contrast in their styles provides a textured and layered narrative, taking the listener on an emotional journey. Scott often uses double-stops for a thicker sound, while Robertson is keen on bending strings to the point of breaking, creating an emotional tension that mirrors the lyrics.

Techniques Used:

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Double-Stop Bends
• Unison Bends
• Harmonics
• Pull-offs
• Power Chords
• Barre Chords
• Hammer-ons
• Double-stops
• Slides
• Sustain
• String-Bending
• Chord Progressions
• Bluesy Bends

To sum it up, "Still in Love With You" from Thin Lizzy's "Live and Dangerous" album is an epic ride of emotions, articulated brilliantly through the artistry of dual lead guitars. The song uses classic rock chord progressions sprinkled with chromatic notes, scales rooted in blues and rock, and a solo section that can only be described as sublime. It's an essential song for any aspiring rock guitarist to study, offering an intense tutorial in how to express deep emotions through the six strings.