Its definitely not mellow by any stretch, but that was the guy's M.O. back then, wasn't it? (see what I did there?)
He does go into "machine gun" mode, but if you notice how the tune develops into that more uptempo, semi-funkier groove that follows, I think he was steering the band into that section like some deranged captain aboard a small vessel in an extremely violent sea with complete disregard with his surroundings. Or he just played what his mind and heart ultimately told him to play - nothing less or nothing more. I actually dig it - it has teeth, rips raw flesh, and makes no apologies. I think your opinion is just as valid as the fan for 40+ years who knows every last note of that solo and wouldn't change a thing, but there is no definitive statement carved in stone that says it doesn't or shouldn't belong imo.
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