Martin Barre - moments of literal meaning...
What about those moments when Martin Barre plays riffs or sounds to convey the meaning of the lyric or song. Some great examples of this for me are;
Beastie - (2'55) "he's your private nightmare pricking - he'd just love to turn the screw" - just after Ian sings "pricking" Martin makes his guitar sound like the turn of a screw.
Farm On The FreeWay - (5'40) - just after Doane's knockout drumfill Martin makes his guitar sound like passing and heavy freeway traffic.
Rock Island - (6:26) - That riff. Melodic architecture - all the way from the sky to the sand on the Rock Island. (ok, this one isn't quite as literal as the other examples here - but it's always been a real favourite and I had to mention it)
Sparrow On The Schoolyard Wall - (4'01) - Brilliant set up. That little sparrow sitting precariously on the schoolyard wall, then falling onto the schoolyard. Now, to my ears that sounds like a squelchy sound from Martin - trampled underfoot. Splat! Great metaphor - it's survival of the fittest. Love how Ian sings "on the Schoolyard" at 3:59
Spiral - (2:30) - Martin creates the sound of the spiral with his guitar. Cool spiral sound.
Anyone think of other examples of this kind of thing I might have missed?