The JB List | Ten Amazing Isolated Classic Rock Tracks

One cool trend that has emerged in this golden era of YouTube is the sharing of isolated tracks. These tracks, which generally focus on one instrument, give us the chance to pick out details in songs we may not have heard in the full-band versions of the tunes. Some originate from the video game Rock Band, while others come straight off the master track. It seems that with each passing week a new mind-blowing one surfaces.

With that in mind, we’ve rounded up ten fantastic isolated tracks from classic rock tunes. Listen to Robert Plant’s jaw-dropping vocals on “Ramble On,” Who bassist John Entwistle’s stunning work on “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” Billy Preston’s riveting electric piano part of “Don’t Let Me Down” and seven more isolated tracks.

1. Led Zeppelin -Ramble On Vocals

Robert Plant has one of the most powerful voices in all of rock history. This isolated track from the Led Zeppelin II sessions shows off Plant’s vocals at peak intensity.

2. The Beatles -Abbey Road Medley Vocals

The Beatles’ Abbey Road medley is impeccably crafted and hearing the vocals by themselves help us pick out a number of incredible moments strung throughout the song sequence.

3. Van Halen -Unchained Guitar

One of Eddie Van Halen’s many career highlights is the powerful riff he came up with for “Unchained” off Van Halen’s Fair Warning LP. We love its flanged-out sound and the fretboard fireworks that ensue in the middle of the song.

4. The Who -Won’t Get Fooled Again Bass

Ah, the ox! No one played bass quite like John Entwistle and we reckon no one ever will. What’s particularly cool about this clip is that it also includes video, so we not only hear John’s approach to this Who classic but we see how he did it.

5. Boston -Longtime Vocals

Peabody, MA native Brad Delp shows off the range of his incomparable voice in this clip from the backend of “Foreplay” > “Longtime.”

6. Smashing Pumpkins -Cherub Rock Drums

From the bass/snare combo that kicks off the song, drummer Jimmy Chamberlain’s hard-and-heavy work is at the heart of Smashing Pumpkins’ 1993 hit.

7. Rush -YYZ Bass

This instrumental has been a live staple for Rush ever since it appeared on Moving Pictures in 1981. The band incorporated morse code for “Y-Y-Z” into the intro of the song as a hat tip to their beloved Toronto (whose Pearson International Airport utilizes YYZ as its IATA code).

8. Steely Dan -Bodhisattva Guitars

There’s no info attached to this clip, so we’re unsure if it’s Jeff “Skunk” Baxter and Denny Dias’s handiwork from the Countdown To Ecstasy track or just a really good simulation. Either way, it’s great to hear the dual lead guitars isolated.

9. The Beatles -Don’t Let Me Down Electric Piano

Legendary keyboardist Billy Preston augmented The Beatles for their grueling Let It Be sessions. His electric piano work adds so much to the tunes on that album including “Don’t Let Me Down.”

10. Queen w/ David Bowie -Under Pressure Vocals

Back on Freddie Mercury’s birthday we shared this incredible clip that shows off the power and range of both Freddie and David Bowie. We couldn’t resist sharing it once more to cap of this JB List.