5 comments about The Essential Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble.

1. Some of the tracks on this splendid, reasonably priced 2 CD-set could peel paint off road signs. Self-taught, unable to read a note of music, Stevie Ray Vaughan displays technical virtuosity that at times seems almost Faustian, it's hard to believe that what you're hearing is even possible. Most of all, SRV is a complete Texas blues package, his singing is excellent, his command of the blues idiom so total one imagines he must have dreamt blues as well as lived them - everything works, right down to the outfits and soul patch.
   
   In a sense, SRV was the brightest hope of a next generation of blues masters. He picked his idols wisely, patterning himself after Albert King, Buddy Guy, Albert Collins, among others. However, there are also strong rock overtones here, most notably the influence of Hendrix who he clearly worshipped. The several Hendrix covers attest to this - they are actually not the best parts of this effort although Little Wing is marvelous. The others prove that SRV could recreate the Hendrix sound - which in itself is an amazing achievement - but add nothing new.
   
   SRV was discovered by legendary virtuoso Johnny Winter, who retains the title of Texas blues heavyweight, and also frequently crossed over to rock. There will be those who will claim SRV outstrips Winter, I can't agree, but I would say they belong in the same sentence. In life, Vaughan was unable to outlive irony. Decades of chronic drug and alcohol abuse took him to death's door where he made the decision to get clean. He did, and was enjoying success as a sober man, only to die in a helicopter crash. It's a tragic story, but he certainly left us with some incendiary, thoroughly satisfying music. I guess that really is why they call it the blues. Highly recommended.



2. This album is a must own for any one who enjoys anything by SRV. There is a reason they called it the essentials!



3. There's just nobody else out there that can do it like Vaughan. This is a great sampling of his recordings, too, and makes a good starting point for those just getting into Vaughan's music.



4. The title says it all, "Essential". SRV will be missed by anyone who marvels at guitar magic. The music on this album is a huge cross section of Stevie Ray's work, and there are some real wonders here. I've even discovered a new favorite and my wife has become a fan too. Anyone who appreciates fantastic guitar work will love this album. Enjoy.



5. hey srv fans if your only looking to buy one cd and this is the one. it does a pretty good job of summing up the 4 studio albums and live album he released during his life it even includes tracks from his posthumous album that was released after his death and some tracks he recorded with his brother.i know all fans have personal fav. they would have liked to see make it but thats just how these things go. so whether your looking for a good retrospective or are just a casual fan looking to dig a little deeper this is the set for you. also of intrests for fans looking for extra live or unreales tracks is the 3cd srv box set

5 comments about Hoodoo Man Blues.

1. HOODOO MAN BLUES by Junior Wells is a GREAT blues album. If you like Chicago electric blues, you've GOT to have this CD! The CD also has some out-takes that were never on the original album. These are great too. Junior Wells is my favorite bluesman of all time. His harp playing is fantastic as are his vocals. I almost forgot to mention that Buddy Guy plays absolutely fantastic guitar on this album!



2. A great collection of songs by one of the great blues harmonica players, backed up by legendary musicians. If I recall the LP album back cover of this (or the other essential Junior Wells album "It's My Life, Baby!") had this story: Junior worked to save up for a harmonica at a pawn shop, at the end of the week he was 25 cents short, so at the shop he picked up the harmonica and ran out. Caught and brought before a judge Junior's defense was "I just had to have it." The judge asked if he could play it, which Junior did causing the judge to rule in Junior's favor - case dismissed. Don't know if this is a true story but I'd have bought it for him myself. My thanks to the judge and my thanks to Junior! (ps. I no longer have the albums. If anyone does have the LPs please verify the judge story.)



3. 
   I dig the blues man, but I don't tend to review blues albums very much, unless there is something about the album in particular that stands out. HOODOO MAN BLUES by Junior Wells, which infamously includes legend Buddy Guy on lead guitar is one such blues album.
   As a fan, primarily of good, hard hitting, sleazy gutter rock and roll, as well as blues, this album brings alot of things together for me that make it a solid LP of straight ahead ballsy rock.
   An album that prides itself in being the very first Chicago Blues LP ever, it definately is one of the best. It was recorded at a time in the early sixties before the British Invasion revived the blues and the market for American blues was pretty much dead. Most of the blues market was either recording styles leaning towards acoustic folk or more of an r&b style. Even most of your down and dirty blues rockers of the forties and fifties were dulling down. But Junior Wells put together his best band ever, featuring Buddy Guy, who is now legendary for being the influence behind a bunch of guitar rockers... like Duane Allman, and most notably, his direct influence on Jimi Hendrix.
   This is timeless blues, that could in no way be considered dated or old fashioned either then or now. In fact this is probably one of the sleaziest, riffiest, ballsiest records of the early sixties, and is def a must if you like slick sounding, jagged edged, kick ace music.
   Every song rocks... A blues album album.



4. Junior Wells is one of the premier harmonica players ever to his the blues circuit, and this definitely shows off his talent. Very nice to have Buddy Guy playing guitar along side Junior. If you like Little Walter and Muddy Waters, Junior Wells fits in right along side of them, having replaced Little Walter in Muddy's band after Walter left. Highly recommended to any blues lover!



5. I'm pretty horrified by the thought that I almost wrote off the praise of this album as hype. It is not just one of the coolest blues CDs I have ever heard, but one of the coolest albums period. Even if you (like me) prefer the Delta Blues but aren't so hot on Chicago -- and *especially* if you dislike Chicago blues because of the tendency for slow, long, boring guitar solos with too much string bendage -- then you need to check this album out. It's tight, contains not one boring solo from beginning to end, and includes some of the best amplified harmonica I've heard (made even better by Wells' tendency to gasp for air right into the microphone between harp blows, the way Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson does when playing his flute). The bass part on "Yonder Wall" will blow your mind. This album has attitude.

5 comments about Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble - Live From Austin, Texas.

1. Nice quality production, lots of music, satisfies the craving for listening to Stevie's music and seeing him perform.



2. I have owned the VHS version and played it till it just won't play. I'm not the only one, I'm sure. Like most, I bought the DVD as soon as it was released and it has seen better days as well. I won't bore you with what you already know. I want to know why the powers that be have yet to release the first show from start to finish, regardless of what they may think of the quality of the performance? As we know, the remaining songs from the second show do appear on the dvd from the boxed set. Would it be too much to ask to have the entire show from '89 on one dvd and in chronilogical order? Honestly, think of the money that would be made for whomever owns the rights.
   When will we see the whole show from the In Session program with Albert? I live in London,Ontario, which is a stones throw from Hamilton, where the show originated from and I am sure I recall seeing Johnny Winter and Dr. John perform on this show as well.
   It would be great to see SRV and Albert full blown on DVD.
   Turn It Up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



3. This DVD is not as long as the one done from El Mocambo in Canada,but is does show what a great breadth he has. I think he takes "Vodoo Chile'" to a different level, and the entire DVD shows him doing what he does best, making realy good music!



4. STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN AND DOUBLE TROUBLE: LIVE FROM AUSTIN, TEXAS is a great DVD to have, despite the fact that these two concerts are not presented in their entirety. But this is still Stevie Ray Vaughan playing live for nearly an hour, so it deserves a 5 star rating, and hopefully they will someday soon release both the 1983 and 1989 concerts with ALL the songs included.
   
   This DVD is actually a DVD of an episode of the PBS live music show AUSTIN CITY LIMITS, which itself was a compilation of the two previous concert performance episodes.
   
   First up, you get three songs, 20 minutes, of their 1983 appearance, in the era of promoting their debut album, and during their hungry, hard partying years.
   
   The last 35 minutes are from their 1989 appearance, when they were very successfully established in their musical career, and sober for years.
   
   There are at least 5 missing songs from this 1989 appearance which are currently only available in the STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN CD/DVD box set. If you compare this DVD to the 5 songs in the box set, I think this DVD has the more professional and polished performances, while the box set shows 30 minutes of slightly more aggressive and wilder guitar playing, yet a bit more sloppy, (for instance, Stevie breaks a string during a guitar lead and has to change guitars without stopping the song). I prefer the box set songs, but I would still tell anybody to buy this LIVE FROM AUSTIN, TEXAS DVD! Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble
   
   Hopefully, one day soon they will perhaps release the entire concert performance of both shows, maybe on a double DVD set, or separately. Until then, I will at least have this one to enjoy, and since it is Stevie Ray Vaughan live, it is always fun to watch and listen to, regardless of the missing songs!
   
   I would also recommend that you get LIVE AT THE EL MOCAMBO, and LIVE AT MONTREUX DVDs, which are probably better than LIVE FROM AUSTIN, but they are all great, of course. EL MOCAMBO is a bit wilder and the most like a smokey blues club of any of these live DVDs; while MONTREUX is the most historical, showing the complete show that got Stevie Ray Vaughan discovered, and a great show a few years later after they had been popular and successful for a few years. Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble - Live at the El Mocambo 1983 Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble - Live at Montreux 1982 & 1985



5. We will never see his likes again. His playing was as natural as breathing. He could play for a continuous hour and never hit the same lick twice. A perfect artist of improvisation. RIP Stevie.

5 comments about Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble - Live at Montreux 1982 & 1985.

1. Great dvd set. Two excellent shows. A must for any Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble fan.



2. A legend in my time - rocks and thumps to a beat only he can drive home.. recommended . A great visual treat for Stevie fans....



3. This is a fantastic Stevie Ray Vaughan show which shows the true guitar skills of Stevie Ray. Any true fan will need to own this show simply to hear his masterfuil guitar shredding. The sound quality isn't great, but at a normal level of sound, it's fine. The only problem is the bass is a little off when you turn it up.



4. I'm a long time fan of SRV and Double Trouble. This DVD shows his big break at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1982. I recommend watching the 15 minute documentary on disk 1 before watching the show. It gives the background information on the show itself, the fact that David Bowie and Jackson Brown were in the audience that night, and tells about the jam session that Jackson Brown and his band had with SRV and his band that lasted all night long!! David and Jackson were blown away as you will be with the awesome raw talent and never endning chops that SRV demonstrated everytime he played. What will shock you the most, is the fact that some people in the crowd were actually BOOING SRV the entire show and when he left the stage in 1982. SRV was crushed by this, but his future track to stardom was set in motion that night because David Bowie and Jackson Brown knew pure talent when they saw it! Thank goodness they were there, otherwise we might have never known what we would miss in this legendary Blues guitarist. SRV comes back in 1985 to Montreux as the headliner as it only took a couple of years for him to be recognized as the guitar god he truly was. I put this DVD set at the very top of my list for MUST have!! You will too once you get it, the price is unreal on Amazon, places like Best Buy wanted 4 times the money for it, you can't go wrong for the content of this set, and the price at Amazon won't dent your pocket book, it's a WIN WIN no matter how you look at it! GET THIS DVD!!



5. Fantastic DVD! The difference in the audience's reception between the 1st and 2nd concert is striking. And it is quite apparent that in the meantime between the 2 concerts, Stevie Ray and his band had been making a lot of money. His band's equipment and attire were garage band quality for the 1st concert, but by the second they had upgraded considerably. Stevie's outfit made me laugh - he's so outrageous! Great music on both concerts - the stuff we love to hear! The video quality was very good too - play it on a HD upgrading player, and if your TV is HD you are in for a visual treat! Worth the money and nice and long.

5 comments about Riding with the King.

1. Not completely a crossover album, since Clapton is almost as closely associated with the blues as is King. But the age difference, difference in era, styles and voice types makes this a unique project.
   
   Most interestingly is the heavy, "opinionated" musical styles of both artists. At times, there is an ungraceful colliding of voices as beef smacks up against beef. But instead of being uncomfortable and strange, it's like a couple of blues masters jamming together.
   
   It's the guitarists who will likely find this album most interesting. The combination of steel & acoustic styles and sounds blend into a sweet sound, requiring only a snare drum and organ (Key to the Highway) to make it the perfect accompaniment to the soulful voices. It's almost like master and star student are performing together. They seem to work together as one, yet each incorporating their distinct ideas into the album.



2. This is the third modern Clapton cd I purchased within a short time. I particularly love the first five tracks on this disc, with the opening title track, Key to the Highway and Three O' Clock Blues being my favorites. The rest of the cd isn't bad, but for me, the first half of the disc is so strong, that I rarely make it to the end. That's the biggest problem I have with this cd and it's really not a problem at all.



3. Great compilation of relaxing blues toons. Unfortunately relaxing is all you'll get here. I would have enjoyed it a little more if it had included a couple of toons that had made me want to get up and move a little though.



4. I was totally excited and pleased with this purchase, I have always loved both these artists.



5. Eric and B.B. are so good that it is easy to overlook this album's short comings. Most everything works well, making this a great collaboration between two musical giants.

5 comments about Live Bootleg Series, Volume Two.

1. More great live music from the real king of texas blues. This material is killer. BUT, when they say bootleg, they mean it... The mix sounds if taken from a sound board and maybe ran thru a sound enhancer. Not sure if it is just my cd, but the treble is way up -sounding like it is maxed out to hide the hiss. You have to turn it down -which on my car deck is a pain. But then again, you have to take the bad with the good when it comes to a legend like Johnny Winter. If you are like me, you will buy everything he puts out -and relish it. Which is exactly what I do - and you should too. They do not make them like Johnny Winter anymore. He was and still is the one first real and true Texas blues guitar slinger! Apoligies to SRV, but without Johnny Winter, there would be no Stevie Ray. Rock me baby, crossroads, and red house??? Come on!!! This IS the BLUES!!! I can't wait for for bootleg vol III, IV, and V!!!!



2. Wow, volumes 1 and 2 bring back so many great memories of seeing Johnny at the Capitol in Passiac in the early eighties. Saw him at least 3 times in a 2 year period including one show at the Beacon with Roy Buchanon and Buddy Guy. These recordings were probably from the late seventies, but with the same lineup. Jon Paris was an amazing bass player, and even though Johnny seemed to switch drummers evry couple of yeras they were all talented, and brought their own unique style. Johnny was simple the best guitar player ever, period .



3. When I got this I was not too pleased by the sound quality.
   It has too much top end , a little treble-ish for my taste , but the music ROCKS !!!
   A gotta have for blues fans everywhere.



4. This "album" is highly recommended! This is a must-have for any fan of Johnny Winter or blazing guitar playing. The band's music overcomes any shortcomings in the sound quality. (Volume 1 is a better recording, but volume 2 may have more innovative playing.) After all, these are live recordings, from an era before sophisticated remote music equipment. Don't let the warts spoil a fantastic musical experience. Sit back (if you can) and enjoy! The licks aren't as polished (occasionally) as his studio albums, but the improvisation is fantastic. This group puts out an amazing sound for three members.



5. This is great. I'm not sure that this great guitarist will be with us for too many more years. Lyrics are hard to understand on track 1, but the music is top notch and the guitar playing is top of the line throughout this CD. I like "live" stuff and these tracks are all worthy additions to my collection. I recommend this for Johnny Winter, Bluesman fans.

5 comments about Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble - Live at the El Mocambo 1983.

1. Stevie live. What more can I say? If you know Stevie, you know what to expect. The El Mocambo is a small, intimate pub, and the front row seems to be almost on top of Stevie.
   Stevie plays a flawless set, and his rendition of Voodoo Chile makes one realise what a master Jimi really was. But Stevie shows that he is a master in his own right, with none of the arrogance that seems to normally go with this sort of success.
   
   It is a good show, and one can almost smell the stale beer. It could have continued for another hour, and that's my only complaint - not enough, I want more!
   
   The interview with Double Trouble is an eye opener, in that it shows the viewer just how far away from the main stream, and how deep into the blues these guys were.
   
   This is a total gem of a dvd.



2. I saw him live at the Garden States Arts Center in NJ years ago --this DVD brought back memories. This recording captures his great talent as a singer and musician well.



3. Got this DVD in addition to the Montreux DVD set. This one shows SRV and Double Trouble as they were on their way to super stardom. Just one year after the Montreux show where he was getting BOO'S from the crowd the entire show, SRV and his band picked up and were well on the way to becoming a houehold name when this was filmed. Far from the BOO'S at the 1982 show at Montreux, the crowd here eats him up, every lick and gesture. Price and content of this DVD are both AWESOME. If you like SRV, its another MUST have.



4. This is 100% pure music right here. I cannot add much but some interesting tidbits. As a bassist, I have read interviews with Tommy Shannon. In one he was asked if her remembers any particular gigs. He mentions one that nobody could possible remember (1987 in Boston or something random like that) as feeling, "as though we had all day between the beats to play." The interviewer asked him if he remembers anything special about the EL Mocambo show...."Nah...that was pretty much just another show in 1983...they were all pretty much like that back then."
   
   That says it all right there. Those guys breathed together musically. Few musicians are fortunate enough to reach such a point with their own music, much less achieve it in a band setting.



5. Dvd arrived in "record" time (bad pun) and was in A-1 condition. Very high quality audio and video. Fantastic guitar virtuoso. Jack Duegaw

5 comments about Lie to Me.

1. I'm not thrilled by this album. I like Lang's bluesy renditions but I would have liked a few more cuts that have the energy of the title song.



2. When you consider that Jonny Lang was still a kid when he recorded this album, it's incredibly impressive.
   
   But putting the child prodigy angle aside, for a moment, it's really a mixed bag. There are, undoubtedly, moments of sheer greatness. The opener, title track "Lie to Me," is catchy, high quality blues, and the follow up "Darker Side" is a potent song, as well. The album offers up a nice mix of harder rockin' blues numbers with slower blues both of the heavy and soft varieties. At times Lang's playing even echoes that of Stevie Ray Vaughan.
   
   So why is it a mixed bag?
   
   Well, to some extent, the album tries a little too hard to be modern, and loses some of the raw emotion of the blues. Part of this modernity is seen in the album's clear pop leanings, evident on a number of tracks, which water it down somewhat. And then there's that final track, "Missing Your Love." It might be the weakest track on the album, and it just leaves a bad taste in the mouth. If it had to be included, it would have been a better fit somewhere in the middle...well away from the influential beginning or ending of an album.
   
   But, given all that, it's still a good album, and one worth hearing. Perhaps some who like pop infused blues more than I will appreciate it more fully.



3. For a second effort, it is just as good as the first. Jonny just keeps getting better and with a more mature and bluesy vocal.



4. With his worldly, whiskey voice Jonny Lang stuns us once again. So young to feel so much!!! And he relays it spectacularly. From the soulful lyrics to the spectacular guitar, this is a moody, wonderful CD.



5. Jonny Lang's major label debut was more successful than anyone would have dreamed. The title track became a big hit and vaulted Lang into overnight stardom at the tender age of 16. I actually don't think this album is quite as good as his previous independent effort "Smokin", but it is still a very good album. Being on a major with a big name producer the material here is much more polished than Lang's previous stuff. The guitar solos are shorter and the album contains more covers than originals. Still when you consider the fact that this kid was just 16 when this was recorded it is pretty amazing. Highlights include "Lie To Me", "Darker Side", "Rack Em Up", and the soulful "Missing Your Love" which would be a shade of things to come on Lang's later albums. I have had the chance to see Lang live several times over the years and each time he gets better. This is a very nice blues album from a talented guy. I don't think it is his best, but certainly worth owning.

5 comments about Can't Quit the Blues.

1. A great box set of of blues from the man who was before Jimi, before Stevie and before Eric. I should have been listening to Buddy long ago. Three solid discs of tunes and a snappy DVD with a great mix of interview and concert video. Includes a sizeable booklet of Buddy Guy history along with the CD tracks and players. I love this set and I have nothing negative to say about it. A must have!



2. Can this mans career be compressed down to three CDs?
   In my opinion no. He is one of "THE GREATs". But this set gives you a very good sampling of some of his best work.
   
   Every song included is good. Not a dud in the whole bunch.
   
   The extra DVD included is a big plus for all us Buddy Guy fans. And the little booklet that's stapled into the box cover has some good extra material also.
   
   All in all - a very good package that is well worth the money.
   
   I does make me want to fill out my collection and get more of his music.



3. Nice survey of Guy's career. Three CD's full of some of Guy's best. The DVD contains an extensive interview and good concert footage, but beware! The DVD is 4:3 standard definition or letterbox within 4:3 throughout. It shouldn't be a surprise that concert footage covering 30+ years would largely be standard def, but it is surprising that nothing on this DVD is formatted for widescreen.



4. I purchased this box set during one of Amazon's Gold Box specials. I was excited about the box set and just couldn't wait till it arrived. 2-1/2 weeks after placing the order, it arrived. I opened the package, opened the box set and could not get the CDs loose!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I broke my thumbnail, I have pressed and mashed, still the CDs will not release! The only way I see to get the CDs out without breaking the center is to destroy the packaging. Help! the packaging may keep the CDs in place during mailing, but can't there be a choice between "Child proof" and regular? I am so disapointed that I can't get the CDs out.
   Maybe this is a great set, but I can't hear it!



5. I have not even listened to the cd's yet. I went straight for the DVD and was just realy impressed. Great stuff. I paid full price of $45 too...and dont even regret it because I always wanted some good Buddy Guy footage. Now I have it. I am a guitar nut extreme and this is great stuff.

5 comments about Live Bootleg Series, Vol. 1.

1. This "album" is highly recommended! This is another must-have for any fan of Johnny Winter or blazing guitar playing. The band's music overcomes any shortcomings in the sound quality. (Volume 1 is a better recording, but volume 2 may have more innovative playing.) After all, these are live recordings, from an era before sophisticated remote music equipment. Don't let the warts spoil a fantastic musical experience. Sit back (if you can) and enjoy! The licks aren't as polished (occasionally) as his studio albums, but the improvisation is fantastic. This group puts out an amazing sound for three members.



2. I have been a huge fan of Johnny Winter since the early 70s and have seen him live more than a dozen times over the years. This album has some classic tunes done by Johnny before and the earlier versions are much better. Examples are Johnnie B Goode and Jumpin' Jack Flash from the live album "Johnny Winter Live And". Compare these versions and you will find out that JW was much hotter before he became a train wreck from drugs, etc. This album shows his gradual decline in his abilities, sad.



3. I got hooked on Johnny Winter when "Second Winter" was released back in high school. The only live album I have was the "Johnny Winter And" with Rick Derringer so this was a long-time treat for me. These three guys (I love Power Trios) sizzle like a RUTH CHRIS RIBEYE!!!! Highly recommended.



4. This CD recalls Johnny's best early stuff. Be prepared to experience Johnny with fresh ears, as the sound quality is vastly updated from the original recordings. It's not for everyone, but if you love the blues and hard driving rock done Johnny Winter's style, then you'd better get it. Some favorites are Johnny B. Goode, Help Me, and a red-hot cover of the Rolling Stones' Jumpin'Jack Flash.



5. I first got turned on to the master back in 9th grade(1978) with Captured Live. That thing got played on my turntable at least once a day for over a year. Ever since, I've purchased anything by him I could get my hands on, and have almost all of it. This new bootleg series is AWESOME, and I will buy all of these too. I've heard he's getting healthy again, and I'm hoping to see him for I guess the eighth time. Last time was a few years ago at the House of Blues in Orlando. Johnny was really out of it, and I took my girl out after three songs. I told her that's not Johnny Winter anymore, after telling her she was getting to see one of the hottest players of all time.(I've taken her to Jeff Beck twice, and lots of others, too long to mention) We're only friends these days, but just told her the other day Johnny is on the mend, and a reprise visit will be in order. Anyway, this disc is worth many times more than the price if you like Johnny, and for people who don't know him, you'll see Texas had Johnny long before Stevie Ray, and Johnny plays one mean slide. Long live Firebirds and my soul brother Johnny!!!!!A little Rock and Roll!!!!!!!!!!!! Stranger on this album is GREAT!!!!!!