Stevie Ray Vaughan
Latest releases - Nov. 2007
CD - Solos, Sessions and Encores
DVD - Stevie Ray Vaughan: Pride and Joy
Stevie Ray Vaughan is one of the hottest guitar
players. Some of my favorites come from Texas, Blind Willie Johnson,
Lightning Hopkins, and Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top join Stevie at the
top tier. Even with these greats, Stevie tops the list. Easily.
Stevie has such a natural feel. His influences are
apparent in his playing. Though,
he'll take the riff and make it his own. Check out his Chuck Berry
riffs on, "Love Struck Baby," Allman Brothers, Brothers
and Sisters style on "Ain't Gone 'N' Give Up On Love." Jimi
Hendrix on "Lenny," Freddie King on
"Pride and Joy," the list could go on. Then
he could perform cover versions exquisitely such as Hendrix'
"Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)" and "Little
Wing," Buddy Guy with "Mary Has a Little Lamb" are
breathtaking.
I'm a big Jimi Hendrix fan, but I've never been as
impressed with anybody's else's ability incorporate Jimi's influence
within their own signature style or cover his songs. Not even close.
There are
renditions of studio and live renditions of "Voodoo Child
(Slight Return)" and a medley of "Little Wing / Third Stone
From the Sun" that are truly amazing.
Stevie Ray Vaughan's backing band was called
Double Trouble. First starting as a trio with Chris Layton on drums
and Tommy Shannon on bass. Then, in 1985 they added keyboardist
Reese Wynans, beginning with the Soul to
Soul album.
It is too bad that Stevie Ray Vaughan's life was
cut short. I would have loved to hear what else he would have done.
At the top of my list would have been to do an album with a great
blues pianist in the style of Muddy Waters and the Chicago blues
genre. Also, to expand on some jazz playing like "Chitlins Con Carne."
To a lesser extent, some horn
enhancements.
Building a collection
Studio
The truth is that all of the Stevie Ray Vaughan studio albums are
good. They were re-mastered and bonus tracks were added to further
enhance their appeal. They are five studio albums including the
posthumous, The Sky is Crying. My favorite is his second, release Couldn't
Stand the Weather.
Live
There are numerous Stevie Ray Vaughan live releases, both CD and
DVD's. I'd expect more to follow. Live at Montreux 1982 & 1985
is available in both CD and DVD formats. His birthday celebration
was captured on Live at Carnegie
Hall, Oct. 10, 1984, and is a top
choice if you enjoy the guests.
Compilations
There are a few good ones. The single disc, The
Real Deal: Greatest Hits Vol. 1 - 2006 , has sixteen
well selected songs. While The
Essential Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble - 2002 is a
superb double disc, it includes a fair number of live tracks.
Other
In Session - a jam session with Albert King, with Albert's band.
This is awesome.
Other Stevie Ray Vaughan Sections
Live Stevie Ray Vaughan
Compilations
Miscellaneous SRV
