Who played the guitar solo on "Slave" off Tattoo You?

Something I've been wondering for years now. I'm pretty sure its from the Black & Blue era, and the Chuck Berry -isms remind me of Keith Richards. Regardless, next to "Bitch" (I know it was Keith on THAT one), this is my favorite Stones solo.

Anybody have the definitive answer to this one?

 

Gotta be Ron Wood.

 

Keef plays all of the guitar on the original version of "Slave". You can hear a different solo on the longer version, which sounds more like Ronnie.

 

The Wikipedia entry also says it's all Keith. Jeff Beck recorded some guitar work for the song but it wasn't used. I had no idea Pete Townsend sings backup vocals on this track!

And there's the incredible Sonny Rollins on sax and possibly Billy Preston on organ....

Apparently "Slave" has never been played live.

 

Keith-at least it sounded like him to me, more full tone than Ronnie

 

"Slave" as released only features the one guitar, played by Keith, from the original 1975 recording. Woody's later (1981?) overdubs were not used at all. As heard on the unedited track (from unofficial recordings) Ron's guitar not only sounds like an overdub but he had a gawdawful horrific sounding tone going on...they made the right decision to scrap his guitar track IMO.

"Slave" is one of my favourite Keith Richards guitar performances. As is "Melody" from the same sessions...I want to say "Slave" and "Melody" are the only Black And Blue era tunes Keith plays lead guitar on.

 

If the original version of Slave that is being referenced is a "boot" version, it could be Jeff Beck. As others have said, Beck played on an early version of Slave back in February 1975.

 

The overdubbed guitar on the boot versions sounds way more like Woody than Beck.

 

They rehearsed it in Toronto in 2002 though.

 

Didn't Pete Townshend play on this one, or was it another track on Tattoo You?

 

The great Time Is On Our Side pages say its Keith:

http://www.timeisonourside.com/SOSlave.html

 

Thanks for the informed replies, guys! Good to know it *was* Keith.

 

That is one of my favourite moments on the Four Flicks DVD, with Mick showing Blondie Chaplin how to play the cowbell part! I had the pleasure of performing said part in my buddy's band when they covered this tune.

 

Interesting site. I knew Tattoo You was a mish-mosh, but I didn't know some of the tracks originated as Goats Head Soup rejects. I wonder how many of the people who praised Tattoo as a great comeback knew that there were a total of two tracks on it that were started and finished within a year of its release.

 

Backing Vocals on Slave only

 

Easily among on my top ten Stones songs. What a reef. That can only be Keef.