Eu gosto muito do Roy,sempre desconfiei dessa história de suicídio, os caras que fizeram isso são uns monstros, tirar a vida de um cara com uma sensibilidade incrível por causa de um momento de loucura, quem bebe faz loucura, eu faço também, mas nem por isso acho que devo morrer, mas ele nos deixou muita coisa bonita, eu o conheci escutando a música lonesome fugitive, então fui pesquisar e descobri como ele era bom, Deus ta cuidando dele.
I lived in a house years ago and found a cassette tape in a drawer that was left by the previous renter. It wasn't labeled so I had no idea who it was. I listened to it for years without knowing until one day I figured it out. Still one of the most unique and underappreciated guitarists ever.
I'm sure the question has been answered multiple times, but the B3 player is my buddy Malcom Lukens, who I've been privileged to play with a bunch years ago. Yes, he is terrifyingly good.
Yessir - I've played gigs with Malcolm for 50+ years. Great guy, crazy fuck and super soulful player. Here's something I recorded with Malcolm in 2019 ruclips.net/video/2bmmzf2y4pA/видео.html
Others, have already said; but the amounts of anger and sadness he wrenches, from his guitar parts...is absolutely incredible. It's a sad, and very angry song...Roy does it true justice!
Willie Deville's take on it is my favorite personally. Honestly though, it never really sat right with me to call any version of this tune the best overall. Willie's was super laid back, fun, and just oozed cool. Roy's is so emotionally poignant and thought provoking or resonant, and Jimi's just rocks so damn hard it isn't funny. Then you have all the countless old bluesmen who took it on long before any of them gave it a go... It's a timeless awesome tune!
@@douglaspatrick868 Jimi’s Winterland version, with the epic intro(he played it at at least two or three shows), is the best I’ve ever heard. The intro is amazing, especially for the times. No one was doing anything near it, and then just the performance of the song, was the original members at their best.
First time I heard Roy Buchanan was in the late '80s, late night when I couldn't sleep and was channel surfing on cable. I hit a video of him doing "When a Guitar Plays the Blues", jumped at least six feet in the air from a sitting position and watched the rest of the video crouched on the back of my chair. Luckily, they flashed who it was and what song at the end. Morning came and I marched into my local record store with it all written down so I wouldn't forget and told them, "I want this album! If you don't have it in, order it!." I had never heard this particular song by him before today, but even having an idea what to expect I still was blown away! Thank you for reacting to this. You have made my day!
i physically cannot listen to this particular roy buchanan song without crying my damn eyes out! even with mike stopping the video its just destructive to my soul. songs and performances as this stand to be the very reason i'm a musician and still breathing in order to type this very comment. jusy.....WOW!
I'm in my 60's. I grew up with a '68 Telecaster and idolized Roy Buchanan! One of my biggest regrets is not seeing him live! So...tread lightly in critiqing him! You did great! Loved your review. Keep it coming. Even with my "advanced" age I'm learning guitar like crazy! Thanks to you and other online help! Michael, keep 'em coming!
Roy Buchanan was/is one of Jeff Beck's favorite guitar players. If you listen to Mr Beck's playing. You will hear "a lot" of Mr. Buchanan's influence all over the place!! Thanx for the break down. I hope you have an opportunity to feature more of Mr Buchanan's playing!
@@ranman1959 and roy wrote .... my friend jeff ...first to jeff then , jeff and stevie wonder (writer of ended as lovers ) dedecaited .. as we ended as lovers to Roy after ... my friend jeff ... roy was becks fav guitarist...
Roy was one of my first guitar heroes. Found him in 1972 with his first album. Saw him live twice. Absolutely magical with a Telecaster. Tone and rhythmic sense were exemplary.
@@sillysausage4549 True Dat! I knew Roy since the 60's and played in his band at the Crossroads circa 1970. "Shredding" is a lot of hammer-ons and tricks. Roy was just genuine technique.
Michael - thanks for doing a breakdown on Roy - one of my favorites and a real monster! And thanks for everything you point out about band dynamics in all the performances! Roy was really big and a regular in the DC-Baltimore area for a long time many years ago. I read that someone told Roy that Jimi was doing what was basically Roy’s arrangement of Hey Joe, so Roy took himself down to see Jimi and check it out before Roy’s show later that night. Roy was blown away but dismayed, and remarked that Jimi was using all kinds of effects to do what Roy did just with fingers, a Tele, and a cranked amp. At his show later that night, Roy added a snippet of Purple Haze to the end of his Hey Joe performance. Roy was a member of Dale Hawkins’ band (Suzy Q) and was stolen away by Dale’s brother Ronnie to play with Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks - and to help polish a young Robbie Robertson. Robbie has said that he learned pinch harmonics (or as Roy called them:”squealers”) from Roy. I’ve always loved Roy’s tone and sound and learned that Roy’s Tele had pickups manufactured by a guy named Bill Lawrence. I naturally wanted a set of those pickups, so I looked it up and called - a real mom and pop venture. Spoke to Bill Lawrence’s wife on the phone, told her what sound I wanted, and she told me that Roy’s Tele was actually owned by Bill, who had permanently “loaned” it to Roy. I bought the pickups and they came with a schematic hand drawn by Bill for how to wire them with a 5-way switch and a note to call him about how to wire it properly. Those pickups sound SOOO sweet. A note on Bill Lawrence: he worked with Leo Fender from the get-go, and then went out on his own. It’s been said that Bill was instrumental in starting the replacement pickup business. Thanks again for all you do - for your channel and for being an amazingly great person with an obvious love of music and teaching guitar.
The magic of Roy Buchanon is unmatched ! He always marched to the beat of his own drum . Sadly missed and taken too soon , He was his own master of tone and taste !
Roy was my original guitar hero when I was first learning electric guitar. Fly Night Bird is one of my favorite songs...starts off slow but as he gets into it, it is like he is tearing out your guts...in a good way.
I've always dug Roy since I found him in the '70's, when I heard this song. . Probably one my first influences on guitar, but one thing always puzzled me. How can you play with such drive and passion and intensity, and not show any of it. He looks like he'd be cold as ice in a plummeting airplane! A true enigma!!
Back in the 70s I remember reading an article by a music critic in some magazine. They said that Roy Buchanan " strings his guitar with barbed wire and plays them with an ice pick". His version of "THAT DID IT" is, I believe , the very best example of modern electric blues.
Roy really paved the road for many players, its sad he lost steam towards the end (depression, drugs, alcohol, bad relationships?) cant really say for sure, but the dude was a lightning bolt for guitar. His gospel chops were next level, the guy knew so much but only fragments are reflected in performances. In the 70s, everyone wanted Roy on their record and recognized him as the type of musicians musician that had all the cred, like Jeff Beck became. Rest in power to a great. A Danny Gatton vid would be a fitting video next
The keyboard player’s name is Malcolm Lukens. I knew him when he later moved to San Diego area, fantastic keyboard player! We jammed together a few times. 👌👍
I just want to say how happy I am to have found someone who can express and appreciate the true pleasures of sounds. God bless you! And I love how you always find these gems and go over them. Rock on brother!
Michael, I and a rowdy bunch were at an old theatre in Memphis, we were throwing bottles, screaming, drunk, some of the ladies were topless, you get the picture.......this guy walks out and picks up his guitar, limbers up and absolutely wears out that ax in one of the finest displays I have ever had the privilege to witness! When he was finished....................you could hear a pin drop, I never have witnessed that again in over 50 years! He said hello, my name is Roy Buchanan.
I was lucky enough to see Roy twice in a small club when he was signed to Alligator Records back in the mid-80s. I've seem many of the rock guitar gods (Beck, Page, Clapton, SRV, Santana, Gatton, etc.) but he was the only guy to literally send chills down my spine. One of the favorite quotes from Roy was when someone asked him how looked so calm but played with such fire. He replied "Because I'm screaming on the inside".
Love Roy. Saw him live once in the 70's. I've been listening a lot to him lately, the ACL album, and fiddling with Soul Dressing. The range of his dynamics is phenomenal.
My favorite song ever. 2 versions are always in my top 5 on Spotify: the hendrix studio version and this version. Ive played it almost every day on guitar for 5 years now; it was the first song I ever learned. Thanks for the video.
Thank you James for bringing forward the best ever version of the song. Absolutely legendary performance. Who doesn't know this is secretly missing something in life.
You're correct, Roy's control over his tone and bends was unique. His pinky finger technique on tone/volume knobs was also seldom if ever seen used like he does. In concert, he was mesmerizing, nay, astounding! On at least one of his top to bottom runs he starts behind the bridge! One thing that impressed me was how stoic he was while he made such emotional sound.
Probably my favorite part about him lol. Apparently his stage presence was one of the biggest things that held him back from being a household name, but to me, him casually standing up there while making his guitar weeps is much more majestic
This guy.... Roy, I mean.... he was pretty amazing. Those first volume swells were spine-chilling to hear w/o seeing his hands. Like omg, that is scary and creepy. His pitch control on those bends were great. Also, nice commentary! You clearly have good musical and guitar knowledge and the respect for Roy's ability was clearly evident in your reactions. I still stay amazed when I hear great players. They spent their lives playing, unlike today where most teens spend their lives texting. Good job, Michael.
I heard him do this live at CMU gymnasium, in Pittsburgh, April '75, with the band from the "Livestock", "That's What I Am Here For" albums, Billy Price on vocals. Fantastic. And deafeningly LOUD. "The Messiah Will Come Again" and "My Baby (Says She's Gonna Leave Me)", were INTENSE. Like Hendrix, we will never see another like Buchanan.
I wasn't around in the 70's. As a teen in the 90's Gary Moore was my hero. I found Roy via Gary. Listen to the both of them playing "The Messiah will come" and you'll hear a beautiful straight line from one to the other. Stunning!
Roy threw his ol tele in my lap one nite and said, hit me a lick...we traded teles for a song..😮 the action was extremely...high..soft not mushy tho..had a bounce as i recall....a treasured memory...
Had no idea who this guy was when I saw him open for Johnny Winter in 85. Absolutely amazing double bill show. He followed up with a couple of fantastic albums after that. He taught me the trick that when you play slide running out of frets on the neck doesn't matter I'm sure it's out there where he will slide all the way to the bridge. I stood there 10 feet from him and was just stunned at what was happening.
I saw Roy Buchanan in Dallas in the 70's. It was the first concert I ever went to where everyone stood the entire time. Not out of raucous partying, but in stunned silence at this guitar virtuoso with amazing, and unique skill.
I had a beer with Roy once. It was before his set at the Lone Star Café in NYC, upstairs. I was at a bar up there that was empty and he sat next to me to drink his beer before walking downstairs to go on stage. He didn't know we were drinking together, but I'm counting it. And, from the 'why oh why couldn't I have been there' file, Roy played with Pink Floyd in a bar in Australia when their paths crossed while on tour in 1988. Can you imagine? Roy and Gilmour playing the blues.
When I first started playing guitar I latched on to all the known greats (late 90's), from rock (Slash), to classic-psych (Gilmour), to virtuoso (Satch, Yngwie). My particular favorite, and whom I defended as "the greatest" was Steve Vai. One night I was debating these guitar-gods with a highschool friend and her dad overheard me railing how Vai was just the best, period. "Play him some Roy Buchanan" I overheard him say into the phone. This was the song she played. I literally held the phone away from my ear, mouth agape. I'd never heard anything like it before. Still gets me.
F'in awesome vid. Band so tight, when they go from those ramped up sections and all stop on a dime to bring it back down. And what a sound, so much from a telecaster how much more do you need. Banging.
Met Roy and the band in Cinti, nearly 50 years ago... drove them from their hotel to a gig at UC, cool dudes, great sound check and show as I remember. He sat up front, kept jivin me to light one up... take the edge off. :
He was one of the greats who battled a lot of demons as they say, and you can feel it in his playing. I bought one of his last albums on vinyl back in the early 80s, and was blown away! A real player man.✌🏻🎸🎶
Roy. I remember the first time I heard him play this - on an FM radio station, back in the early 70s. Bunch of us hanging around, having a good time. When this came on, the whole room stopped and got silent. Mesmerized. And yeah, I favor Buchanan over Hendrix on this. The man was soooo good, and he made it look soooo easy.
Some of the stuff Roy did on the album, "Loading Zone" was flat out mind-boggling. I saw him at the legendary Armidillo World Headquarters in Austin...late 70's...God bless his soul
So awesome you react to Roy Buchanan , he was a master , deserve to get more on youtube reaktors channels , allways awesome reaction from you👍these Austin Texas video with Roy and band are all stunning
Love to have been there ! The Energy of the drums and bass , heart beat with a set of lungs , the organ is out of sight , with all the trimmings of Fantanic Roy’s super sonic licks from another world
what an amazing guitarist and that Telecaster is to die for I have a 52 copy relic- what an amazing tone machine - Thank you Michael great video - I have now subscribed to your channel :)
I was blessed to see Roy many times..Id have to pock my jaw off the floor so many times..one thing about Roy was he was double jointed in his fingers..I think it was in the Alligator records documentary with Mr.Albert Collins and Lonnie Mack...Roy is greatly missed.
Great how you always listen to the music in context of the band. It was this very performance that let me buy the music. I advise all your fans to do the same!
Roy was doing pinch harmonics early on in his playing, as well as creating the wah effect with his tone knob...& u can see his incredible control & use of the volume knob. Not well known to the public, but many guitar players from the 60s thru 80s cited him as an influence.
Thank you! I just stumbled upon your channel. I was fortunate enough to see him in the late 70s in a bar with about 250 to 300 seats. It still ranks as one of the best shows I have seen. At 70 years old I have seen many great shows. His music was a staple in my old neighborhood. I have worn out 2 LPs of his album "Live Stock". When I gave my LP collection to my son, (who is a drummer) he came over a week later and handed me the old taped together album and said "I thought you might want this one back". He was right . Although I listen digitally now. I heard Robie Robertson from The Band call him the greatest unknown guitarist. Thanks again Michael Palmisano
I love how the piano/keyboard just jumps with it and keeps a good side by side helping carrying of notes and some great follow ups and leads, and the subtle bass that ramps up with the drums, they are insanely skilled in terms of feel for the music. This must have been one hell of a concert. While its not Hendrix its really Hendrix essence
Nice.... I got to see Roy play a few times in Dallas Texas back around 1984-85. He used to play in a bar called, Poor Davids. I think....! It was a great club where anyone would show up. Including Willie Nelson, Tom Waits and who knows who else. I was a contractor working in Dallas at the time and when I saw Roy the first time I didn't know much about him. He was pretty drunk the first time I saw him. But he played his ass off. I was blown away. And used to have a couple of his records. Thanks for the video on Roy. Well done. Now I am pulling out my 56 Tele and getting me some jam going on....
Love this video! One thing to pick up on with Roy is his masterful switching between the neck and bridge pickup (no middle position on his early 50s Tele) and his use of the volume to give a distorted sound. We are in thE presence of real innovation and genius with Roy. RIP.
I've been blessed to see him live on two separate occasions once in the late sixties and in the mid seventies at keystone Berkley and keystone Palo alto CA, him and Danny Gatlin are both the kings of the telecaster. Roy did the greatest version of hey joe I've ever heard at the Palo alto concert and I was sitting 5 foot in front of him through the whole gig. PBS did an excellent documentary on his 1st return to gigging. His problems with living tore at his soul and sadly he surrendered to the pain and ended his own life. I cried.
I went through a huge Roy phase back in the late 80's. His licks are very clean , which is what stands out for me. Please consider reviewing some of Vini Reilly's music with The Durutti Column. The Missing Boy is a great live video. But a great example of how well he can play is Demo for Gathering Dust. Like your reviews, keep up the good work.
Thanks Michael for putting up Roy.....I saw Roy, Lonnie Mac, Dickey Betts at the Wiltern Theater in L.A. What a treat that was back in the day. Those boys burned the house down.
So happy to see someone cover Roy. Nice job. I read below the comment listing the band members but I believe that's Nancy he's actually playing so lets give her a round of applause. I first heard Roy on a kinda pirate radio station in rural Illinois / Indiana. This station would broadcast all types of great music from 8:00 to Midnight ... one night it played Roy's version of Green Onions ... I bought his album Loading Zone the next day. I've seen Roy several times and he was a troubled artist / virtuoso - I talked to him once and he showed me his Bowie Knife from under his jacket ... miss those days.
Thanks for this breakdown on Roy Buchanan. Three of my favorite guitarists are Albert King, SRV, and Jimi Hendrix. I hear all three when Roy plays, the dude was a beast on guitar.
Oh yes, Roy and keyboard players are just impossibly good together. A lot of their late stuff has this crazy interplay between them, i believe in 81 or so there was now famous concert where he played piano sounds with just a little Hammond mixed in The Messiah will come again. On another concert bass git kills it by adding notes to make Roy's open chords sound huge and then 100 things more. Roy with the band make me do things other musicians don't :) Thanks a lot for helping us explore Roy in more details, well prepared reaction!
Saw Roy in Cambridge, Ma 1973...I was the only person not jumping up and down and praising Roy,,,He looked at me and knew I felt his music deeply with my slow silent clapping....a Vietnam Veteran..and only Jimi Hendrix could touch me similarly on a level inexpressable. I just happened to show Roy's version of Hey Joe earlier today....amen
Видеоклипы
Thanks for showing my great uncle some love. He was also tragically murdered in prison. And contrary to what the pigs say he didn’t kill himself
He was, maybe, the best ever. Still…. Always in the conversation
Roy is buried just a few hundred yards from my home in Arlington
I visited him a few times
Eu gosto muito do Roy,sempre desconfiei dessa história de suicídio, os caras que fizeram isso são uns monstros, tirar a vida de um cara com uma sensibilidade incrível por causa de um momento de loucura, quem bebe faz loucura, eu faço também, mas nem por isso acho que devo morrer, mas ele nos deixou muita coisa bonita, eu o conheci escutando a música lonesome fugitive, então fui pesquisar e descobri como ele era bom, Deus ta cuidando dele.
Why was he murdered?
@@Prof_Tickles92 just cruel guards he had bruises on his body in there
I lived in a house years ago and found a cassette tape in a drawer that was left by the previous renter.
It wasn't labeled so I had no idea who it was. I listened to it for years without knowing until one day I figured it out.
Still one of the most unique and underappreciated guitarists ever.
Took a short hunt. The band members are John Harrison on bass, Byrd Foster on drums, and Malcolm Lukens on keys
Thank you!!!
👍👍😊😊
Only Malcolm is still alive.
I'm sure the question has been answered multiple times, but the B3 player is my buddy Malcom Lukens, who I've been privileged to play with a bunch years ago. Yes, he is terrifyingly good.
Yessir - I've played gigs with Malcolm for 50+ years. Great guy, crazy fuck and super soulful player.
Here's something I recorded with Malcolm in 2019
ruclips.net/video/2bmmzf2y4pA/видео.html
I don't think anyone could interplay with Roy as well as Malcolm. I knew him for a bit in SD, did a few country gigs with him.
What a legend. Guess I'm going down a Roy Buchanan rabbit hole for the rest of the day.
Others, have already said; but the amounts of anger and sadness he wrenches, from his guitar parts...is absolutely incredible. It's a sad, and very angry song...Roy does it true justice!
Greatest guitar master no one ever heard of. Been on my playlist since 75.
HIM AND DANNY
Phil Keaggy as well...
and Junior Brown
@@Dashriprock4 and William Skippy Johnson the second
@@daletpedro9685 Phil Keaggy........always stunning.
Roy was a master at using the volume knob to get a lot of the swells and fade.
and everything else
The most underrated electric guitarist ever. Jeff Beck took notice. Pretty much zero effects all finger manipulation. Could watch him for hours!
I cannot fault that- me too
He said, “I put her six feet under the ground.”
His version of drowning on dry land is the best too.
HIS VERSION OF AIR IN THE SKY WAS QUITE GOOD ALSO.
I think that's what he said, too.
Roy's one of the best, his volume swell technique, was revolutionary, not to mention this being the best cover of this song...ever
The studio version is even better. More shredding.
Willie Deville's take on it is my favorite personally. Honestly though, it never really sat right with me to call any version of this tune the best overall. Willie's was super laid back, fun, and just oozed cool. Roy's is so emotionally poignant and thought provoking or resonant, and Jimi's just rocks so damn hard it isn't funny. Then you have all the countless old bluesmen who took it on long before any of them gave it a go... It's a timeless awesome tune!
@@douglaspatrick868
Jimi’s Winterland version, with the epic intro(he played it at at least two or three shows), is the best I’ve ever heard.
The intro is amazing, especially for the times. No one was doing anything near it, and then just the performance of the song, was the original members at their best.
First time I heard Roy Buchanan was in the late '80s, late night when I couldn't sleep and was channel surfing on cable. I hit a video of him doing "When a Guitar Plays the Blues", jumped at least six feet in the air from a sitting position and watched the rest of the video crouched on the back of my chair. Luckily, they flashed who it was and what song at the end. Morning came and I marched into my local record store with it all written down so I wouldn't forget and told them, "I want this album! If you don't have it in, order it!."
I had never heard this particular song by him before today, but even having an idea what to expect I still was blown away!
Thank you for reacting to this. You have made my day!
Roy Buchanan does an outstanding version of Down By The River!
Love Neil Young. Is it on RUclips?
@@Michael-mm3fm Sure is:
ruclips.net/video/lLhdS-8-YS8/видео.html
@@Michael-mm3fm ruclips.net/video/BdxZs2sCugE/видео.html
@@Michael-mm3fm Yes!
That whole album is outstanding also Turned to Stone cover.
according to Discogs, Bass - John Harrison; Drums - Byrd Foster*; Guitar, Vocals - Roy Buchanan; Organ - Malcolm Lukens
hey heart drops when he starts playing. This song is apart of my dna. he kills it
i physically cannot listen to this particular roy buchanan song without crying my damn eyes out! even with mike stopping the video its just destructive to my soul. songs and performances as this stand to be the very reason i'm a musician and still breathing in order to type this very comment. jusy.....WOW!
Malcolm Lukens is on keys as other commenters stated. He also played on Roy's magnum opus Live Stock album in '74.
I'm in my 60's. I grew up with a '68 Telecaster and idolized Roy Buchanan! One of my biggest regrets is not seeing him live! So...tread lightly in critiqing him! You did great! Loved your review. Keep it coming. Even with my "advanced" age I'm learning guitar like crazy! Thanks to you and other online help! Michael, keep 'em coming!
ROY BUCHANAN - the best guitarist you never heard - had more effects in his fingers than anyone who came after with a bank full of pedals.
Roy Buchanan was/is one of Jeff Beck's favorite guitar players. If you listen to Mr Beck's playing. You will hear "a lot" of Mr. Buchanan's influence all over the place!! Thanx for the break down. I hope you have an opportunity to feature more of Mr Buchanan's playing!
@@uncleremus5046 Uh, Jeff Beck dedicated "Cause We've Ended As Lovers" from Blow by Blow to ... Roy Buchanan. It's right there on the back cover.
@@ranman1959 and roy wrote .... my friend jeff ...first to jeff then , jeff and stevie wonder (writer of ended as lovers ) dedecaited .. as we ended as lovers to Roy after ... my friend jeff ... roy was becks fav guitarist...
Roy was one of my first guitar heroes. Found him in 1972 with his first album. Saw him live twice. Absolutely magical with a Telecaster. Tone and rhythmic sense were exemplary.
Same here, same year. I still listen and watch the old live footage. Truly, still the best unknown guitarist.
Roy Buchanan was a badass. Nice to see you get players appreciate him.
Roy is one of the few guitarists I know of to not have a stank face when he's shredding.
I think that most of the people who screw up their faces when playing just look stupid. Roy puts his energy into his fingers, not his face!!!
@@jhgust alot of times the faces are involuntary and you dont even realize youre doing it
@@brandonvalentine2555 yeah I make some weird ass faces when playing, it's never intended tho
That's because he's not really shredding
@@sillysausage4549 True Dat! I knew Roy since the 60's and played in his band at the Crossroads circa 1970. "Shredding" is a lot of hammer-ons and tricks. Roy was just genuine technique.
Love seeing someone shining more light on Roy. His incarceration limited his exposure. Such a beast.
Michael - thanks for doing a breakdown on Roy - one of my favorites and a real monster! And thanks for everything you point out about band dynamics in all the performances!
Roy was really big and a regular in the DC-Baltimore area for a long time many years ago.
I read that someone told Roy that Jimi was doing what was basically Roy’s arrangement of Hey Joe, so Roy took himself down to see Jimi and check it out before Roy’s show later that night. Roy was blown away but dismayed, and remarked that Jimi was using all kinds of effects to do what Roy did just with fingers, a Tele, and a cranked amp. At his show later that night, Roy added a snippet of Purple Haze to the end of his Hey Joe performance.
Roy was a member of Dale Hawkins’ band (Suzy Q) and was stolen away by Dale’s brother Ronnie to play with Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks - and to help polish a young Robbie Robertson. Robbie has said that he learned pinch harmonics (or as Roy called them:”squealers”) from Roy.
I’ve always loved Roy’s tone and sound and learned that Roy’s Tele had pickups manufactured by a guy named Bill Lawrence. I naturally wanted a set of those pickups, so I looked it up and called - a real mom and pop venture. Spoke to Bill Lawrence’s wife on the phone, told her what sound I wanted, and she told me that Roy’s Tele was actually owned by Bill, who had permanently “loaned” it to Roy. I bought the pickups and they came with a schematic hand drawn by Bill for how to wire them with a 5-way switch and a note to call him about how to wire it properly. Those pickups sound SOOO sweet.
A note on Bill Lawrence: he worked with Leo Fender from the get-go, and then went out on his own. It’s been said that Bill was instrumental in starting the replacement pickup business.
Thanks again for all you do - for your channel and for being an amazingly great person with an obvious love of music and teaching guitar.
I thought Roy used the 'Nancy' pickups, made by Don Mare, on this tele. Could you clear that up for me? Thank you.
Been years since I’ve heard him , I’m more taken out from warp speed he does. ,even better , on the top with the a tele
The magic of Roy Buchanon is unmatched ! He always marched to the beat of his own drum . Sadly missed and taken too soon , He was his own master of tone and taste !
Saw Roy live three times at the Cleveland Agora late 70's. Amazing show and amazing band each time.
Roy was my original guitar hero when I was first learning electric guitar. Fly Night Bird is one of my favorite songs...starts off slow but as he gets into it, it is like he is tearing out your guts...in a good way.
I've always dug Roy since I found him in the '70's, when I heard this song. . Probably one my first influences on guitar, but one thing always puzzled me. How can you play with such drive and passion and intensity, and not show any of it. He looks like he'd be cold as ice in a plummeting airplane! A true enigma!!
Back in the 70s I remember reading an article by a music critic in some magazine. They said that Roy Buchanan " strings his guitar with barbed wire and plays them with an ice pick". His version of "THAT DID IT" is, I believe , the very best example of modern electric blues.
Roy really paved the road for many players, its sad he lost steam towards the end (depression, drugs, alcohol, bad relationships?) cant really say for sure, but the dude was a lightning bolt for guitar. His gospel chops were next level, the guy knew so much but only fragments are reflected in performances. In the 70s, everyone wanted Roy on their record and recognized him as the type of musicians musician that had all the cred, like Jeff Beck became. Rest in power to a great. A Danny Gatton vid would be a fitting video next
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The keyboard player’s name is Malcolm Lukens. I knew him when he later moved to San Diego area, fantastic keyboard player! We jammed together a few times. 👌👍
I just want to say how happy I am to have found someone who can express and appreciate the true pleasures of sounds. God bless you! And I love how you always find these gems and go over them. Rock on brother!
God, he was GREAT. He had fantastic control and feel
Michael, I and a rowdy bunch were at an old theatre in Memphis, we were throwing bottles, screaming, drunk, some of the ladies were topless, you get the picture.......this guy walks out and picks up his guitar, limbers up and absolutely wears out that ax in one of the finest displays I have ever had the privilege to witness! When he was finished....................you could hear a pin drop, I never have witnessed that again in over 50 years! He said hello, my name is Roy Buchanan.
Witnessed that at every show I managed to get to see ... and and most youtube videos where it's not all out rockin' ....
I was lucky enough to see Roy twice in a small club when he was signed to Alligator Records back in the mid-80s. I've seem many of the rock guitar gods (Beck, Page, Clapton, SRV, Santana, Gatton, etc.) but he was the only guy to literally send chills down my spine. One of the favorite quotes from Roy was when someone asked him how looked so calm but played with such fire. He replied "Because I'm screaming on the inside".
Saw Roy in a bar years ago in Geneva. He created sounds never heard by the human ear prior
I watch this video almost every day. His volume swells are unreal and his voicings are like a story
Do Danny Gatton next! They lived remarkably similar lives down to the bitter end. And they’re from the DMV area like you.
Do the Gatton video of him playing with a full beer and playing through a napkin
Love Roy. Saw him live once in the 70's. I've been listening a lot to him lately, the ACL album, and fiddling with Soul Dressing. The range of his dynamics is phenomenal.
My favorite song ever. 2 versions are always in my top 5 on Spotify: the hendrix studio version and this version. Ive played it almost every day on guitar for 5 years now; it was the first song I ever learned. Thanks for the video.
Jimi plays Berkeley version (apart from some early amp interference) is my favourite version.
I'm also particularly a fan of the big band sound of the Wilson Pickett version
Thank you James for bringing forward the best ever version of the song. Absolutely legendary performance. Who doesn't know this is secretly missing something in life.
Yep
Saw him twice in Jackson Tn. He was so cool & relaxed playing his telecaster. He reminded me of a magician making those sounds.
You're correct, Roy's control over his tone and bends was unique. His pinky finger technique on tone/volume knobs was also seldom if ever seen used like he does. In concert, he was mesmerizing, nay, astounding! On at least one of his top to bottom runs he starts behind the bridge! One thing that impressed me was how stoic he was while he made such emotional sound.
Probably my favorite part about him lol. Apparently his stage presence was one of the biggest things that held him back from being a household name, but to me, him casually standing up there while making his guitar weeps is much more majestic
This guy.... Roy, I mean.... he was pretty amazing. Those first volume swells were spine-chilling to hear w/o seeing his hands. Like omg, that is scary and creepy. His pitch control on those bends were great. Also, nice commentary! You clearly have good musical and guitar knowledge and the respect for Roy's ability was clearly evident in your reactions. I still stay amazed when I hear great players. They spent their lives playing, unlike today where most teens spend their lives texting. Good job, Michael.
Thanks my friend!! Incredible pitch control.
I wish the young players who are discovering Roy would have had the chance to see him live because he really shone in small clubs RIP Roy
Badass. There’s no other word for it. Just absolutely badass.
I heard him do this live at CMU gymnasium, in Pittsburgh, April '75, with the band from the "Livestock", "That's What I Am Here For" albums, Billy Price on vocals. Fantastic. And deafeningly LOUD. "The Messiah Will Come Again" and "My Baby (Says She's Gonna Leave Me)", were INTENSE.
Like Hendrix, we will never see another like Buchanan.
I wasn't around in the 70's. As a teen in the 90's Gary Moore was my hero. I found Roy via Gary. Listen to the both of them playing "The Messiah will come" and you'll hear a beautiful straight line from one to the other. Stunning!
I learn SO much from these videos Michael! Thanks also to Guitargate members who bring some of this stuff to our attention.
Roy threw his ol tele in my lap one nite and said, hit me a lick...we traded teles for a song..😮 the action was extremely...high..soft not mushy tho..had a bounce as i recall....a treasured memory...
Had no idea who this guy was when I saw him open for Johnny Winter in 85. Absolutely amazing double bill show. He followed up with a couple of fantastic albums after that. He taught me the trick that when you play slide running out of frets on the neck doesn't matter I'm sure it's out there where he will slide all the way to the bridge. I stood there 10 feet from him and was just stunned at what was happening.
I saw Roy Buchanan in Dallas in the 70's. It was the first concert I ever went to where everyone stood the entire time. Not out of raucous partying, but in stunned silence at this guitar virtuoso with amazing, and unique skill.
Probably the greatest guitar ever I lost my hearing to him in Austin in 78 or 79 because it was so good I went up and stood next to a wall of speakers
I had a beer with Roy once. It was before his set at the Lone Star Café in NYC, upstairs. I was at a bar up there that was empty and he sat next to me to drink his beer before walking downstairs to go on stage. He didn't know we were drinking together, but I'm counting it.
And, from the 'why oh why couldn't I have been there' file, Roy played with Pink Floyd in a bar in Australia when their paths crossed while on tour in 1988. Can you imagine? Roy and Gilmour playing the blues.
When I first started playing guitar I latched on to all the known greats (late 90's), from rock (Slash), to classic-psych (Gilmour), to virtuoso (Satch, Yngwie). My particular favorite, and whom I defended as "the greatest" was Steve Vai. One night I was debating these guitar-gods with a highschool friend and her dad overheard me railing how Vai was just the best, period. "Play him some Roy Buchanan" I overheard him say into the phone. This was the song she played. I literally held the phone away from my ear, mouth agape. I'd never heard anything like it before. Still gets me.
That was freaking great.... Never heard of this guy.... I'm putting together a playlist. Fantastic. Thank you
Awesome reaction - such a great track, such a great musician. RIP Roy - you are truly missed!! (long time fan)
F'in awesome vid. Band so tight, when they go from those ramped up sections and all stop on a dime to bring it back down. And what a sound, so much from a telecaster how much more do you need. Banging.
Would like to see a reaction to Frank Marino , and his outstanding dvd album with the song , something comin our Way 👍
Met Roy and the band in Cinti, nearly 50 years ago... drove them from their hotel to a gig at UC, cool dudes, great sound check and show as I remember. He sat up front, kept jivin me to light one up... take the edge off. :
I’ve been waiting for a Roy video for a while. Thank you!
He was one of the greats who battled a lot of demons as they say, and you can feel it in his playing. I bought one of his last albums on vinyl back in the early 80s, and was blown away! A real player man.✌🏻🎸🎶
Roy. I remember the first time I heard him play this - on an FM radio station, back in the early 70s. Bunch of us hanging around, having a good time. When this came on, the whole room stopped and got silent. Mesmerized. And yeah, I favor Buchanan over Hendrix on this. The man was soooo good, and he made it look soooo easy.
I’ve been waiting for years for this video. Thank you!
Some of the stuff Roy did on the album, "Loading Zone" was flat out mind-boggling. I saw him at the legendary Armidillo World Headquarters in Austin...late 70's...God bless his soul
The all time master of swells.
So awesome you react to Roy Buchanan , he was a master , deserve to get more on youtube reaktors channels , allways awesome reaction from you👍these Austin Texas video with Roy and band are all stunning
Love to have been there ! The Energy of the drums and bass , heart beat with a set of lungs , the organ is out of sight , with all the trimmings of Fantanic Roy’s super sonic licks from another world
what an amazing guitarist and that Telecaster is to die for I have a 52 copy relic- what an amazing tone machine - Thank you Michael great video - I have now subscribed to your channel :)
Don Mare
I was blessed to see Roy many times..Id have to pock my jaw off the floor so many times..one thing about Roy was he was double jointed in his fingers..I think it was in the Alligator records documentary with Mr.Albert Collins and Lonnie Mack...Roy is greatly missed.
Love your breakdowns! Happy new year!
Great how you always listen to the music in context of the band. It was this very performance that let me buy the music. I advise all your fans to do the same!
Roy was doing pinch harmonics early on in his playing, as well as creating the wah effect with his tone knob...& u can see his incredible control & use of the volume knob. Not well known to the public, but many guitar players from the 60s thru 80s cited him as an influence.
After watching your videos since 2020, today I subscribed. Excited to continue learning from you Michael
Thank you! I just stumbled upon your channel.
I was fortunate enough to see him in the late 70s in a bar with about 250 to 300 seats. It still ranks as one of the best shows I have seen. At 70 years old I have seen many great shows. His music was a staple in my old neighborhood.
I have worn out 2 LPs of his album "Live Stock". When I gave my LP collection to my son, (who is a drummer) he came over a week later and handed me the old taped together album and said "I thought you might want this one back".
He was right . Although I listen digitally now.
I heard Robie Robertson from The Band call him the greatest unknown guitarist.
Thanks again Michael Palmisano
I love how the piano/keyboard just jumps with it and keeps a good side by side helping carrying of notes and some great follow ups and leads, and the subtle bass that ramps up with the drums, they are insanely skilled in terms of feel for the music.
This must have been one hell of a concert.
While its not Hendrix its really Hendrix essence
Nice.... I got to see Roy play a few times in Dallas Texas back around 1984-85. He used to play in a bar called, Poor Davids. I think....! It was a great club where anyone would show up. Including Willie Nelson, Tom Waits and who knows who else. I was a contractor working in Dallas at the time and when I saw Roy the first time I didn't know much about him. He was pretty drunk the first time I saw him. But he played his ass off. I was blown away. And used to have a couple of his records. Thanks for the video on Roy. Well done. Now I am pulling out my 56 Tele and getting me some jam going on....
Love this video! One thing to pick up on with Roy is his masterful switching between the neck and bridge pickup (no middle position on his early 50s Tele) and his use of the volume to give a distorted sound. We are in thE presence of real innovation and genius with Roy. RIP.
Excited for this, finally you’re doing a song I already know how to play a little
Glad Roy Buchannon is getting recognition! I've been a fan for 40 years.
I've been blessed to see him live on two separate occasions once in the late sixties and in the mid seventies at keystone Berkley and keystone Palo alto CA, him and Danny Gatlin are both the kings of the telecaster. Roy did the greatest version of hey joe I've ever heard at the Palo alto concert and I was sitting 5 foot in front of him through the whole gig. PBS did an excellent documentary on his 1st return to gigging. His problems with living tore at his soul and sadly he surrendered to the pain and ended his own life. I cried.
Saw Roy 1988 Guilford Fairgrounds, Guilford Ct. Best guitarist EVER!
Oh yes, finally! Thank you! I was waiting it for years!
I went through a huge Roy phase back in the late 80's. His licks are very clean , which is what stands out for me.
Please consider reviewing some of Vini Reilly's music with The Durutti Column. The Missing Boy is a great live video.
But a great example of how well he can play is Demo for Gathering Dust.
Like your reviews, keep up the good work.
Thanks Michael for putting up Roy.....I saw Roy, Lonnie Mac, Dickey Betts at the Wiltern Theater in L.A. What a treat that was back in the day. Those boys burned the house down.
I’ve been waiting for someone to do a Roy Buchannan video. Since you are the first I’ve seen attempt it, you sir will get my money.
Its crazy hearing Roy so tap Hendrix....ferocious...his band! Spectacular.GREAT VIDEO MAN!! LUUUUUV IT!
So on fire yet so outwardly calm and casual, WOW!
Great analysis and appreciation! Thanks!
He sure knows how to make that guitar gently weep. I wonder if he has a version of that song.
Love how he aimed the Vibrolux at people behind the stage! Everything on 10! Badass 4 sure1
I was lucky enough to see him 6 or 7 times during the 80's, he played a twin reverb "cranked"
So happy to see someone cover Roy. Nice job. I read below the comment listing the band members but I believe that's Nancy he's actually playing so lets give her a round of applause. I first heard Roy on a kinda pirate radio station in rural Illinois / Indiana. This station would broadcast all types of great music from 8:00 to Midnight ... one night it played Roy's version of Green Onions ... I bought his album Loading Zone the next day. I've seen Roy several times and he was a troubled artist / virtuoso - I talked to him once and he showed me his Bowie Knife from under his jacket ... miss those days.
Thanks for this breakdown on Roy Buchanan. Three of my favorite guitarists are Albert King, SRV, and Jimi Hendrix. I hear all three when Roy plays, the dude was a beast on guitar.
Roy was bad ass
He never knew how great he really was
Tremendous clip. Saw Roy 2 times in the 70’s. Thought about throwing my guitar out the window. Thanks
Wow. What a performance. Shock and awe. Great band
Oh yes, Roy and keyboard players are just impossibly good together. A lot of their late stuff has this crazy interplay between them, i believe in 81 or so there was now famous concert where he played piano sounds with just a little Hammond mixed in The Messiah will come again. On another concert bass git kills it by adding notes to make Roy's open chords sound huge and then 100 things more.
Roy with the band make me do things other musicians don't :)
Thanks a lot for helping us explore Roy in more details, well prepared reaction!
Saw Roy in Cambridge, Ma 1973...I was the only person not jumping up and down and praising Roy,,,He looked at me and knew I felt his music deeply with my slow silent clapping....a Vietnam Veteran..and only Jimi Hendrix could touch me similarly on a level inexpressable. I just happened to show Roy's version of Hey Joe earlier today....amen
The most incredible song played by the ultimate master of the guitar who ‘got your attention.’