The licks chosen for this ranking all meet certain criteria set to give an extra punch to the selection. All the musical figures ranked here start a song. Such passages have a special weight as they set the tone for the entire tune. All of the chosen licks are clear and distinct – no mistaking as to what is the melody in question. Finally, all of Culture.pl’s top 8 Polish guitar licks of all time are basically speaking, knockouts. So sit back and let yourself enjoy this special ranking of outstanding musical figures.
8. Szał
This song by Edyta Bartosiewicz kicks off with a rowdy piece of guitar playing which was delivered by Maciej Gładysz. Szał, a cheerful song about going wild, appeared on Bartosiewicz’s 1995 album Szok ‘n’ Show and became a major hit in Poland. Gładysz recorded the guitars for nearly all of the compositions on that album which also includes the immensely popular songs Ostatni and Zegar.
7. Nie pukaj do mych drzwi
In the beginning of this stylish big-beat song performed by the legendary band Niebiesko-Czarni you can hear a tasteful passage played by Janusz Popławski. Nie pukaj do mych drzwi was released on the 1967 album by that group, entitled Alarm!. In this song you can also hear the voice of the lead singer Ada Rusowicz, whose daughter Ania is currently pursuing a vocal career of her own.
6. Kryzysowa narzeczona
The notorious bad boys of the Polish rock scene, Lady Pank, released this number on their 1983 debut album entitled with their name. Kryzysowa narzeczona, a song about rejection, begins with a decadent lick by Janusz Borysewicz. Alexis Korner, the influential musician who collaborated with the likes of Mick Jagger and Jack Bruce, is known to have admired the musical talents of Borysewicz.
5. Wehikuł czasu
The bouncy riff which opens this song was played by Adam Otręba, one of the most prominent Polish blues-rock guitarists. Wehikuł czasu was recorded by the band Dżem and was released on that group’s 1989 album Najemnik. Adam Otręba has been playing in this band for many years alongside his brother Beno, who plays the bass.
4. Lokomotywa z ogłoszenia
The guitarist and composer Zbigniew Hołdys is the man, who played the energetic riff that starts this song. He was a key figure of the band Perfect who released Lokomotywa z ogłoszenia on their 1981 debut album entitled with the group’s name. Perfect was once hugely popular in Poland – one of their 80s concerts attracted approximately 50 thousand people.
3. Dzikość serca
The last place on the podium is taken by Janek Bendek’s dreamy lick which can be heard in the beginning of the 1991 song Dzikość Serca by the group T.Love. Benedek was a member of T.Love, which has been active for decades, for about 3 years. As a member of the band he composed amongst others what is probably the group’s biggest hit, the song Warszawa.
2. Oni zaraz przyjdą tu
One of the most powerful rock licks ever recorded in Poland starts off this song by the band Breakout. Tadeusz Nalepa, a great blues and rock guitarist recorded the passage in question, which is ranked just behind number 1. Oni zaraz przyjdą tu was released on Breakout’s 1971 album Blues, which also contains Nalepa’s immortal guitar classic, Kiedy byłem małym chłopcem.
1. O! Nie rób tyle hałasu
Culture.pl’s Top 8 Polish Guitar Licks of All Time ranking is topped by Marek Jackowski’s stellar lick which can be heard in the beginning of the song O! Nie rób tyle hałasu, by the band Maanam. The sheer drive of this guitar passage is overwhelming and is enough to guarantee first place. O! Nie rób tyle hałasu was released on Maanam’s 1982 album O!.
Author: Marek Kępa