Which guitarist has produced the best solo album away from his band?

StefB

Another vote for Richie Sambora. 

Undiscovered Soul is a brilliant album, way better than anything Bon Jovi have done since These Days, and Stranger In This Town isn't bad either, although very much of its time production-wise.

blobb

Fish Rising

bacchanalian

I was going to say George Harrison but remembered that Neil Young was in Buffalo Springfield and that James Taylor was in Flying Machine and that Bruce Springsteen was in The Castiles.

I apologise for being unnecessarily facetious

hollywoodrox

Grumpyrocker said:

underdog said:

I'm a bit fan of Slash - Apocalyptic Love as an album but is that solo or another band?

I was thinking that was another band, it's his post GNR band really. But still some great stuff he's recorded with Myles. 

Absolutely massive Slash fan here but myles singing annoys me , I’d prefer fergie singing than myles 

hollywoodrox

Gilby Clarke does some great albums pawnshop guitars is an especial favourite 

hollywoodrox

Adrian Smith  ASAP  Silver and gold ,is an absolute stunning album love it 

hollywoodrox

Tommy Heinriksen from Alice Cooper does cool solo stuff 

Grumpyrocker

hollywoodrox said:

Adrian Smith  ASAP  Silver and gold ,is an absolute stunning album love it 

The Primal Rock Rebellion album he did with Mikee Goodman was really good too.

underdog

hollywoodrox said:

Grumpyrocker said:

underdog said:

I'm a bit fan of Slash - Apocalyptic Love as an album but is that solo or another band?

I was thinking that was another band, it's his post GNR band really. But still some great stuff he's recorded with Myles. 

Absolutely massive Slash fan here but myles singing annoys me , I’d prefer fergie singing than myles 

On record I don't mind it too much, but live I found it a struggle when singing anything he didn't write for himself (doing GnR or velvet Revolver songs)

DrCornelius

I really liked James Iha's first solo album, Let it Come Down

sev112

Martin Barre, Order of Play is very good

CountryDave

StefB said:

Another vote for Richie Sambora. 

Undiscovered Soul is a brilliant album, way better than anything Bon Jovi have done since These Days, and Stranger In This Town isn't bad either, although very much of its time production-wise.

+ 1 for Sambora

You beat me to this.  Undiscovered Soul is a superb album.  

Even including one clear 'Bon Jovi track, Stranger in this town has some great tunes.  Clapton guesting on one track too.

Some excellent musicians on both records too.

hollywoodrox

Grumpyrocker said:

hollywoodrox said:

Adrian Smith  ASAP  Silver and gold ,is an absolute stunning album love it 

The Primal Rock Rebellion album he did with Mikee Goodman was really good too.

Cool I’ve not heard that 

Grumpyrocker

hollywoodrox said:

Grumpyrocker said:

hollywoodrox said:

Adrian Smith  ASAP  Silver and gold ,is an absolute stunning album love it 

The Primal Rock Rebellion album he did with Mikee Goodman was really good too.

Cool I’ve not heard that 

Oh and the two Psycho Motel albums he did too.

Neill

It's an interesting question, if you're talking about guitar players who were still part of a combo before and after recording a solo album there aren't that many contenders, by definition.  The music business being what it is, anyone who made an outstanding solo debut would probably stay solo...  

Someone has already mentioned "Fish Rising" by Steve Hillage who was still a member of Gong when he recorded the album, though arguably he became a solo artist around that time.

Phil Manzanera's "Diamond Head" is much less debatable, that album was a genuine spin off, and was very well received at the time.  Manzanera had the good sense to get all his Roxy Music mates to play on it and in particular the peerless Paul Thompson who like a lot of rock drummers simply doesn't get the credit he deserves. 

strumjoughlamps

I like Paul Westerbergs solo stuff, also Bob Mould, and also Robbie Robertsons 1st solo album.

LastMantra

I really like John frusciantes solo stuff. Well, most of it. The empyrean is one of my all time favourite albums.

thecolourbox

Could I be unusual and suggest Paul Simon?

EricTheWeary

If we are going 'was still a member of the band at the time' this is a small gene pool. 
But I think Jesus of Cool by Nick Lowe counts as Rockpile were still together ( and all appear on the album at some point I think). 

SPECTRUM001

Jean-Jacques Burnel’s ‘Euroman Cometh’ LP was pretty good. As was Hugh Cornwell’s ‘Nosferatu’ LP.

Tom Tom Club did very well with their LP too.