I’m not sure there has been a musician before or since where you see such evidence of music “channeling” pure, heavenly energy.
As a guitar player (any musician or artist can probably relate), when you are in the “zone” you end up in this meditative state where suddenly it’s as if it is not really you playing anymore, but some divine spirit has taken over.
Years later, I learned to meditate – very similar mind state for sure.
Here is a version of Earl King’s “Come On” from a New Jersey concert in 1985 where Stevie was definitely in the ZONE – –
Just for good measure, because it in itself is such a cool version – a tribute to the original writer of Come On – New Orleans jazz artist Earl King.
Filed under stevie ray vaughan, texas blues by on Oct 10th, 2014. Comment. 
How time flies…the late, great Stevie Ray Vaughan would have been 60 October 3, 2014…changed the world of music forever – as all the great ones do, his music lives on in every guitarist who has come since.
Here’s a great Jazzfest performance near the end of Stevie’s performances…with his brother Jimmie, great show
Great to see that tomorrow (Oct 4) will be the airing of the 40th anniversary of Austin City Limits with a huge tribute to SRV and an appearance by all original members of Double Trouble (including Tommy Shannon, Chris Layton and Reese Wynans)
Awesome!
Filed under jimmie vaughan, stevie ray vaughan by on Oct 3rd, 2014. Comment.
Gary Clark Jr is one of those rare, charismatic blues guitar players that you just know has some deep down connection with the universe and at times it comes out in his playing.
Just like Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert King, Buddy Guy and all of the greats that take their place at the top of the blues guitar podium, there is a special connection with the universe that touches us all much more than just notes on a fretboard can do.
I felt that same connection watching this Farm Aid 2014 performance from Gary Clark Jr. – my sense with Gary is that even he doesn’t realize what power he has when he connects truthfully through his instrument…but we do, don’t you agree?
Filed under Blog by on Oct 2nd, 2014. Comment.
One of the best parts about being a blues guitar fan are the guitar “duels” that really bring out the best in the players.
This first one is 3 Texas blues guitar greats…Albert Collins, Stevie Ray Vaughan and his brother Jimmie Vaughan. All 3 players are FINE on this rendition of Albert’s Frosty…have to give it to Jimmie though, he surprised me with this one!
Now for an oldie, but a goodie…can’t think of two more powerful onstage blues guitar players than Buddy Guy and Albert Collins…can you?
Comment it up folks – let us know you love Blues Music!
Filed under Blues Legends by on Sep 5th, 2014. Comment.
Watch Gary masterfully re-create the wonderful Albert Collins slow blues “If Trouble Was Money”
While he doesn’t have the “Iceman’s” attack (as you can see from video clips below), he brings his own passion and style to the song.
What makes a blues artist stand out is when you know they are giving 110% – we can safely say that of both Albert Collins and Gary don’t you think?
By the way, this song finds its way onto a new Live Double CD from Gary Clark Jr that has some really cool tunes on it, check it out here.
Now here is the Iceman, Albert Collins (Man I gets so pissed that I never was able to see AC live!)
Votes?
Filed under Blues Legends by on Sep 4th, 2014. Comment.
It rained all weekend, but despite the torrential downpour, I jumped in my car Saturday afternoon and headed out on my 1-hour journey to the hills of Calabogie to see Jimmie Vaughan along with his great Tilt-A-Whirl Band headline the Calabogie Blues Festival
Followers of this blog will recognize that I have talked a lot about Jimmie Vaughan being his own man, keeping pure blues guitar alive and sticking true to how he hears the music despite the fact that almost everyone goes to see Jimmie the first time expecting to hear his late brother Stevie.
Do yourself a favor, search out some Fabulous T-Birds stuff from the 80’s and tell me that wasn’t great music. Then listen to the guitar and notice the incredible rhythm and pinpoint lead guitar – THAT my friends, is Jimmie Vaughan.
I had limited room left on my memory card so I could only record a couple of snippets from what was a good show.
Here is the first video as Jimimie opened up the show
And here is a short clip showing why Jimmie is one of the most solid rhythm blues guitarists of this generation (it’s no wonder he provided such a huge back beat to the Fabulous T-Birds in Austin where he made his name )
Be sure to catch Jimmie Vaughan wherever he appears next – it will always be a fun show and education into Texas Blues
Filed under jimmie vaughan by on Aug 18th, 2014. Comment.
Took in the Paul Deslauriers Band from Montreal, Quebec last evening at the Calabogie blues festival.
This blues-influenced power trio was loud and rockin…from his Gibson Les Paul to the wonderfully sounding double-neck SG with the top being a 12-string model that I swear sounds just like Richie Sambora (guitarist with Bon Jovi).
Paul Deslauriers walked away with best guitarist at the Maple Blues Awards (Canada’s Blues Awards) this year and his rhythm section is ROCK solid – the drummer was incredible.
With a little refinement (tightening up a couple of their numbers and perhaps leaving the bottom 25% of their weakest stuff out of their show, they are teetering on something VERY special).
Definitely worth checking these guys out – have the feeling they will become much more visible through 2015.
Here’s a sampling of their show…
Here’s another sample of that double-necked SG – doesn’t the 12-string neck sound fine?
Filed under blues guitar, New Blues by on Aug 17th, 2014. Comment.
Remarkable video that demonstrates we can do anything if we really put our mind to it…blind from birth, Felix delivers an incredible version of “Everyday I Have The Blues” – the BB King standard.
Watch how he learned to play the guitar on his lap from sound only…don’t ever complain about having to practice again!
Filed under New Blues by on Aug 15th, 2014. Comment.
Like a true bluesman, Johnny Winter went out still doing what he loved.
Sad to say that we heard today great Texas guitar slinger Johnny Winter died at the age of 70 while on tour in Zurich Switzerland, the blues music world will take moment to pause and surely celebrate the life and music of this man dedicated to the blues for decades.
As many blues acts do, Johnny was on a European summer tour following the highly successful 2011 release “Roots”. Another album was in the works “Step Back”, that will unfortunately be a posthumous release in the Fall.
Johnny stood out, both physically as an albino with his brother Edgar Winter, but more because of his high energy, fast, Texas-styled blues guitar sound. Honing his chops with the likes of Muddy Waters (having produced albums for Muddy later in Muddy’s life), he also came into his own during the blues renaissance in Austin led by WC Clark, the Vaughan Brothers and a veritable who’s who in the blues guitar world attracted by clubs that included Antone’s.
Johnny had battled personal demons and health issues for many years, but was at his most creative in the last few years as he experienced some renewal in his career as he seemed to have gotten his life together and had leveled out his health issues.
I will recall fondly the times I was able to catch Johnny’s powerful, raw and emotional playing…rest in peace Johnny – join Freddie, Muddy, the Albert’s…thanks for the great times and music. More news on this topic
Filed under Blues Legends by on Jul 17th, 2014. Comment.
If you are anywhere NEAR Chicago on July 30th then pick yourself up some Buddy Guy Birthday Bash tickets as Buddy Guy’s Legends Blues Club celebrates his birthday in style.
You can pickup tickets here…hopefully they’re not gone by the time you click on this…
I’ve been to BG’s Legends a couple of times, try and fit in a visit each time I make it to Chicago, great club and you will have a blast – guaranteed!
Buddy’s career as a Blues Guitar Player is as varied as the blues itself. Starting out in the shadow of Muddy Waters alongside Junior Wells – his ascent as a solo artist was challenged given that Buddy’s incredible, raw, live performances scared off record execs – so recording was a challenge.
With the resurgence of blues guitar in the 1980’s and 1990’s led by Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan, true innovators, pioneers and raw talent of Buddy Guy along with Albert and Freddie King finally began to receive the attention they deserved decades before.
If you will be heading to Legends for Buddy’s birthday bash, leave a comment and let us know…we’ll live vicariously through you 🙂
Filed under blues guitar, Blues Legends by on Jul 15th, 2014. Comment.
