[Dewy]

Very few things, when I step "out front" are off the cuff or "Improvised", which I think is what you mean when you say "wild abandon". I constantly improvise and ad lib over everything... including cover songs I know the note for note solo's to. By doing this and reviewing I find something that fits the song... even if it calls for High energy or Wild Abandon.

Another thing to consider... while I am definitely not a "clone" I did learn what I know by learning other guitar players works note for note... and when possible I like to render songs with the key phrases and tones that make the solo identifiable.

But when its Time to step up... either live or recording, I prefer to have a plan, a well rehearsed plan, with improvisation as a backup for when I get lost in the plan.