The thing I like most about SRV is his impeccable guitar tone. It's probably impossible to get a Fender Stratocaster to sound more rock and roll than the way Stevie has his settings on his guitar and more importantly, his amps. Absolutely ripping tone.
was fortunate enough to see SRV live a few times live in my teens. I've seen a couple thousand other live performances in the decades since. To this day - SRV is the best guitar tone I've ever heard. Full and lush and dripping with tension and release and evoked such a full range of emotion.
Most guitar players would never want to use the heavy gauge of strings that he used, but Stevie worked up to it. His contemporaries thought he was crazy for using such heavy strings. BB King famously told him that he was working too hard, after strumming one of SRV's guitars. The thing is, due to his aggressive playing style, he needed those heavier strings, and his tone would never have been what it was, had he not used them.
His tone, vibrato, sustain, expression, articulation, and dynamics were incomparable. And Chris and Tommy were his career long partners and compatriots who understood exactly what was needed!
And the heavy strings were part of that. It had nothing to do with with the simple tone of the sound - many people have done tests on the sound you get from various string gauges and you really cannot hear the difference. I think SRV played 0.013 gauge specifically because they are so hard to play - he wanted the guitar to fight back, forcing him to physically pour everything he had into his playing - basically making the guitar his b&tch. There is a reason he sweated so much - he was physically working very hard. That was great for songs like Voodoo and Texas Flood. For his softer songs like Lemmy and Riviera Paradise, he played normal gauge strings, like 9 or 10s.
@@GreenDistantStar I suppose you can compare- just as you can compare Hendrix to his predecessors like Albert King or SRV to his predecessor Albert Collins- but those comparisons will come up short. Vaughan’s pinpoint articulation and the fine control of his vibrato were unprecedented. Standing on the shoulders of giants. Yes, but raising the bar.
SRV's attack on the guitar is unbelievable. The way he is capable of muting notes with this left hand, the way he strums through every string when playing lead lines. Ugh, he was incredible. Easily the greatest blues guitarist to ever play the electric guitar - I am happy to debate.
You have to check out Stevie's cover of Jimi's Little Wing! As to his outfit, his drummer Chris, said in an interview, "Those weren't his stage outfits, that was how he dressed. He'd be like that in rehearsal, at his house, or even when we just went to the mall. That's just how he was."
Every time I see this video I love the fact that Stevie's Strat is set up with a left handed bridge and whammy bar. It's an homage to Jimi playing a right-handed Strat upside down. Stevie definitely went all in with his Jimi tributes. Thanks for the reaction vid.
@@craigstiles5186 Although I've been playing bass guitar for 55 years I also own and play a Strat. I see what you're talking about, but that certainly never got in the way for Jeff Beck.
Brilliant! Gotta compare this to his 1989 version from this same venue. Very different, but both FIRE! This version here is the SLOW one… The 1989 version is also Stevie clean and sober.❤Donna G
I really like the time he played this song out for about 12 minutes at Carnegie Hall, they stuck it on one of the greatest hits albums 👍 (the essential srv and double trouble)
It's amazing how much music came out of Stevie's guitar. One of the very, very, very few guitarists I don't mind hearing without an accompanying keyboard.
Can you please give Machine Gun by Jimi Hendrix specifically from the band of gypsies album. In my (and many others) opinion it is the best live guitar performance of all time. The song is a protest of the Vietnam war and was a tribute and dedicated to all the soldiers fighting overseas. The sheer emotion in Jimis playing is unmatched by any other playing I have ever heard before or since
I don't like "best of all time" statements, because I'll hear something else, and go... oh, but this one...but Machine Gun has to be up there. It's astonishing.
The two next SRV songs I think you’d appreciate the most would be “Riviera Paradise” (you’re gonna want the keyboard for that one) and “Life Without You” And always go live performance with Stevie
Reese Wynans played keyboards later on with Double Trouble. Also, SRV couldn't read sheet music. It was all just instinctive. Please do SRV's "Riviera Paradise" and you'll love the keyboards in it.
Had the good fortune to see Mr. Stevie Ray Vaughn live one time, and it was one of the best evenings of music I have ever witnessed. And I have been to over 500 concerts, so I have some basis for comparison. His style and technique were so controlled that you didn't even notice how great it was, until you thought about it afterward, and then your jaw just hit the floor. He was so good it was scary. His helicopter crash at Alpine Valley, Wisconsin was a national tragedy, I still miss him and his talent.
I am really happy seeing stevie on the channel ❤ please Riviera Paradise is a must. Such a wonderful song... Also Tin Pan Alley... And many other songs... Stevie's songs are all great
"Standing next to a mountain, chop it down with the edge of my hand" is one of the most "ROCK" lyrics of all time. So is any of the verses in Jumpin" Jack Flash! 😊
I love when you get a little excited and play along. I used to do the same thing when I was an active guitar player lol. When the groove is do addictive in a song you can't help it. My dad told me when he was in college he and his friends would go see Stevie play in small bars. It's hard to wrap my brain around him playing in small venues because he's become such a legend and titan of the guitar.
It was great to hear you react to this. Just after you talked about the III chord he does a descending chord thing. I think you missed it because you were distracted, and as you said, it went by fast. Your keyboard stuff reminded me of "Child in time:, Deep Purple. Good live version on RUclips.
Got to see SRV once in 1983 before the first album came out. He was legendary before he was famous. Intense guitarist with such amazing talent for the blues/rock/ Texas Swing styles
Doug, so many times I just shout at my screen when you turn away or start talking at JUST the greatest moments of these performances and say "shut up and watch what happens next!" lolol
I was fortunate to see Stevie perform 8 times live in Pittsburgh, and he played VC 8 different ways. Always brilliant and improvised! We are lucky to have so many great videos of Stevie and DT. Its funny that all the other VC versions here dont mention Nashville. Its my personal favorite as he was purely in "the zone" and played half of it behind his back! I always suggest the incredible Life Without You, a Stevie original, at the Capitol Center. That performance is pure Soul and Stevie reveals his Heart. RiP SRV.
Ugh. I remember the day he died. It was the day before I moved to California. I was so depressed on that trip. Speaking of which, please do an episode on Sinead O'Conner. I suggest you'd find "John, I love you" completely fascinating... but she has so many others.
I grew up in Central Florida, and became a huge Prince fan. That he could play guitar like he did - it blew my mind. My hubby is from the Mid-South, and became a huge SRV fan growing up. We each introduced the other to Prince & SRV (how did I not know about him until the 90s?!). Those are the only two musicians I've ever seen that was ONE with his guitar. Like he was born with it; knew it better than the back of his hand. For both. And so sad that SRV had just turned his life around when he passed - way way too soon. RIP SRV. And RIP Prince. We have memorial posters of each in our home office.
Just to bring you up to date - the sound on the intro uses a guitar foot pedal called a Wah-wah which is used to move through the frequencies with a "wah" sound. Jimi Hendrix was a pioneer using this sound in his recordings and SRV gives his interpretation on this effect. I luv'em both.
My son studied the guitar from age 5, the first five years with a classical teacher from [a professor from a local university] at 10 in 1986 he discovered MTV. After his recital at 10 playing "Fur Elise"- by Beethoven on a 12 string classical guitar to a standing ovation of over 1200; we switched him to a new teacher for more of a rock/pop/metal instruction. In September of 1989 we saw SRV open for The Who in the Astrodome. Floor center aisle seats, 10th row. I say this because ~ a year later we found a 1979 American made Stratocaster at a local pawn shop. My son knew right away what it was, [I knew nothing, just dad and wallet]. He asked the owner what he wanted for it? $125 was the reply. My 14 year old, said [no kidding] "the neck's warped and will have to be replaced, $50?" "Sold" was the reply. BTW, It was in it's original hard case. Researching once home, even with the neck warped, it was worth just under $500, we found the serial number between the neck and the body, right where is shouldd be He then asked me; "Dad, you work with wood and build furniture and stuff, can you strip down the body and make it look like Stevie's? To which I replied, "no problem but you'll have to take out all the wriing." He said "that's easy, as I will be rewiring it with new pickups as such anyway. I spent two months taking the finish off, bleaching the basswood body and applying a Walnut stain, applying 17 coats of epoxy [sanding and or steel wool between each one then applying at least a dozen coats of furniture paste wax. We ordered the black pick guard new internals and knobs and the 3way switch, pickups and a new neck. He and his Rock guitar teacher along with the owner of the local music store wired it. They created a very original sounding guitar. Adding Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders & a 2 volume/1 tone wiring. 22 fret Fender neck, etc. I wish I could post a photo as I would like to show off my refinishing of the body. Anyways, my boy had an SRV sounding strat, complete with the heavy guage strings and fret distance. Fortunately he has the hand strength to play it. His hands are large - as his wedding ring is a size 19, as he stands 6'6" goes 275, wears a 15 quad E shoe, added to having long piano fingers as they say.
It was a treat watching your authentic reactions. Reminded me of the first time I saw Yo Yo Ma visibly moved by rock genre music. Love of music for music's sake. When you grabbed your keyboard, you reminded me of Reese Wynans, who SRV brought in later as their keyboard player. So you could very well have fit in! FYI - Reese now plays with Joe Bonamassa - another amazing blues player. Totally different sound than Stevie - but highly HIGHLY recommended. Joe worked with BB King for his first gig when Joe was a child. Like Stevie, his playing gets better and better over the years. Stevie was really close with Albert King ... played with him a lot coming up ... and ... Joe now owns Albert King's guitar, Lucy - Flying V ... and you can see him playing it on his cover of Albert's "I'll Play the Blues For You" (best version at the Greek Theater.) You might enjoy that one - but his stuff runs the gamut so far it is hard to pigeon hole exactly which song represents Joe! :-) Enjoy!! (PS: I second the rec to check SRV's other version of Voodoo Chile at Austin City Limits in '89 - totally different sound - he was also totally clean after AA and straightened out his life at that point.)
One of my favorite things about SRV, even after seeing him live at a much younger age (me) and the many versions of his playing live that exist here on RUclips is that he almost NEVER played the same song the same way... But if you never heard the song before you'd never realize it at all... Everything just flowed right out of the man like he is just telling a story verbally...
SRV had massive hands. A true virtuoso with complete power and control over his instrument. Another thing that contributed to his unique sound was the use of the ts808 overdrive tube screamer and fender bassman amp.
Met him at my 1st concert ever in 1985. Then again 2 other concerts within the next 5 yrs. Security wasn't that great back then😆 absolutely coolest dude ever
no negatives here... love the fact that you have an organ sound on your keyboard. illustrating chords & changes, organ better than piano. love the camera work in this clip... the closeups are great. sad that some guitarists turned their backs on audiences to hide their tricks. no tricks here.
Stevie had great feel and a natural sense of timing and rhythm , and a fantastic rhythm section to boot , with Reese Wynans joining the band later on, who is a great keyboard player , who's now with Joe Bonamassa! 👍
I’ve watched this concert footage over and over again. I did the exact same thing. I was just focusing on his fingers. He was abusing the strings and the neck of that poor guitar. Amazing
SRV actually could play behind his back. You can see it on one of his performances on Austin City Limits, which was broadcasted again within the past few weeks. He is just amazing to watch.
Back in the day Jimi was asked who he thought the greatest guitar player was. He answered Terry Kath from the band Chicago. If he was around during Stevie’s time he would have answered Stevie and he would have been blown away by this version of his song
Reese Wynans joined Double Trouble (Tommy Shannon & "Whipper" Layton) for Stevie Ray's third (_Soul to Soul_) & subsequent albums. IIRC, Stevie tells the story that the three of them were in the studio, recording tracks for _Soul to Soul_, and every once in a while they'd overhear a Hammond B3 accompanying them from another room. Wynans happened to be in the studio, and heard the three of them jamming. Like Doug, he couldn't help himself from comping. The band liked it so much, they asked him to sit in. Wynans was part of the band thereafter.
It's staggering to me how similar some of Stevie's versions are to the Hendrix version, it's like he's channeling more than playing. I think it was Clapton that described Stevie as, " an ever open channel", a vessel for music.
Love SRV. Another of my favourite facial contortionists is Gary Moore. I think his Montreux performance of The Messiah Will Come showcases his mastery of his craft, it is an instrumental but is moving despite the absence of words and I would love to see you react to it.
As a guitar player the thing I always found amazing about SRV was his absolute command and physicality in handling the guitar while still playing flawlessly. The guitar was tired when he was done with it 😂
I watched the 80 and '82 Montreaux Blues Festival performances so many times. The story behind the 1980 show is mind blowing, he was booed the whole show because they booked him on acoustic blues night. After his set he was crying back stage but that set made his career. He was given studio time from Eric Johnson and Bowie hired him to play on tbe Let's Dance album. Comes back to Montreaux France 2 years later and puts on one hell of a performance. Johnny Copeland plays with him for Tin Pan Alley, Look at Little Sister and though the man was a hurricane and didn't water himself down too much he never showed up other guitarist on stage. When he played with Albert, Buddy, Copeland, etc he easily could have taken all the attention in the performance but he wouldn't, he trotled himself for those.
When he went to ask Jimi's dad's permission to do this song, his dad gifted to SRV Jimi's wah-wah pedal and he is using it in this song and every other song I believe.
SRV always blows my mind with his playing. Even when he is playing soft jazz, it is amazing, like on his cover of Chittlins Con Carne. For another great guitarist to look into for a Les Paul player, I would like to see how you react to Gary Moore, maybe with his cover of The Sky Is Crying or an original tune like Parisienne Walkways.
Just for fun search Stevie Ray Vaughn Voodoo Child live in Nashville. He does most of the song with the guitar behind his back while he sings and sweats. Amazing!
Love your content--just found this channel. Your knowledge and experience are very apparent. Would you ever react to the Grateful Dead, or Dead and Company? I love their stuff
Deep into his drug indulgence and still awesome. He looked and played so much better in 1989 on Austin City Limits after becoming clean. Check out his 1989 Austin City Limits appearance playing Look at Little Sister for one of the slickest broken string guitar tradeoffs with his tech. The full video is 4 minutes. There are some that show just the swap, but there is some piano playing by Reese Wynans that is good.
Naw... His drug addiction came to a head a few years later. Here he was nothing like he was during the double live album. He was really strung out then.
Stevie did 2 separate performances in at Austin city limits, this is one, but my favorite is the other one, the '89 live show. In my opinion, this is the most developed & best version of Voodoo Chile.
Stevie was just an breathtaking guitarist. He had such an unique tone and presence that influences guitarists everywhere. Your reaction of this is just great to watch, really. I'd love seeing you exploring more about SRV songs like Couldn't Stand The Weather and Scuttle Buttin.
I may well have attended his Toronto concert if it was in the summer of 1985 when he opened for Dire Straits. I say may have because I assume there was more than one concert. I'd barely heard of him at the time and was there for the headliner, but upon hearing him was absolutely blown away and have Bern a fan since. Imagine that, along with Mark Knopfler hearing two of the greatest guitarists alive then in one concert.
Hey Doug,, Cal here,, from Manchester UK,, I really love your reactions,,, comments and musical experience,, I really enjoy,,, I have a little request,,, Can you react to Camel, Lady Fantasy Live 84’ Hammersmith,, I would like to see your reaction,, Take care Master,,,
FYI there are three studio versions by JH: this one, Voodoo Child, Slight Return (Electric Ladyland) in Eb Standard tuning, while Voodoo Chile (Electric Ladyland) and Voodoo Child Blues (Blues Album) are a half step lower in D Standard Tuning. Basics of this song are not that difficult; it was one of the first by JH I learned when I was 12, and the first in a tuning other than E Standard.
August is the anniversary of the 1969 Woodstock Festival. That would be a great time to revisit some of the artists that played there like Jimi Hendrix, Carlos Santana and Johnny Winter.
What's interesting is Stevie was said he didn't read or write music. He also used the pickup control switch and volume controls throughout to get the sound he wanted or felt at any given moment.
This is Austin City Limits 1983. May I suggest ACL 1989? Its the complete package. Clarity of video, set list, vibe. His south Western kimono, gun slinger hat and pants/boots drip Texas. Plus keyboard player. His death was a tragedy against humanity.
A guy I rented a house with played the guitar and had a notebook with Stevie Ray music. I once came home only to hear an incredibly frustrated voice screaming: "HE MUST HAVE 8 FINGERS ON EACH HAND!!!"
I was on my way on a Monday to get my tickets to see Eric Clapton in 1990 that Saturday. Was in my car and my rock radio staion was playing Little Sister. At the end of the song the DJ said that was the LATE great SRV and he mentioned the crash where he died. I almost wrecked my car. EC's body guard or agent (can't remember) also died in the crash.
Not only could SRV play blues, he could play some serious jazz. Check out Rivera Paradise. It's an incredible instrumental with serious jazz overtones. The keyboard playing by Reese Wynans is incredible.
The thing I like most about SRV is his impeccable guitar tone. It's probably impossible to get a Fender Stratocaster to sound more rock and roll than the way Stevie has his settings on his guitar and more importantly, his amps. Absolutely ripping tone.
was fortunate enough to see SRV live a few times live in my teens. I've seen a couple thousand other live performances in the decades since. To this day - SRV is the best guitar tone I've ever heard. Full and lush and dripping with tension and release and evoked such a full range of emotion.
Try putting 14 gauge strings on your strat and tunning down. That will add some tone, that's what he did.
Stevie could make a $12 guitar sound like heaven
My favourite thing is how he uses ever inch of the neck so well.
Most guitar players would never want to use the heavy gauge of strings that he used, but Stevie worked up to it. His contemporaries thought he was crazy for using such heavy strings. BB King famously told him that he was working too hard, after strumming one of SRV's guitars.
The thing is, due to his aggressive playing style, he needed those heavier strings, and his tone would never have been what it was, had he not used them.
His tone, vibrato, sustain, expression, articulation, and dynamics were incomparable. And Chris and Tommy were his career long partners and compatriots who understood exactly what was needed!
And the heavy strings were part of that. It had nothing to do with with the simple tone of the sound - many people have done tests on the sound you get from various string gauges and you really cannot hear the difference. I think SRV played 0.013 gauge specifically because they are so hard to play - he wanted the guitar to fight back, forcing him to physically pour everything he had into his playing - basically making the guitar his b&tch. There is a reason he sweated so much - he was physically working very hard. That was great for songs like Voodoo and Texas Flood. For his softer songs like Lemmy and Riviera Paradise, he played normal gauge strings, like 9 or 10s.
'incomparable' probably isn't a good term to use when referring to a Hendrix cover, all due respect to SRV.
@@GreenDistantStar I suppose you can compare- just as you can compare Hendrix to his predecessors like Albert King or SRV to his predecessor Albert Collins- but those comparisons will come up short. Vaughan’s pinpoint articulation and the fine control of his vibrato were unprecedented. Standing on the shoulders of giants. Yes, but raising the bar.
@@TheRealTomWendel that was my point.
@@GreenDistantStar Good point, man!
SRV's attack on the guitar is unbelievable. The way he is capable of muting notes with this left hand, the way he strums through every string when playing lead lines. Ugh, he was incredible. Easily the greatest blues guitarist to ever play the electric guitar - I am happy to debate.
You have to check out Stevie's cover of Jimi's Little Wing! As to his outfit, his drummer Chris, said in an interview, "Those weren't his stage outfits, that was how he dressed. He'd be like that in rehearsal, at his house, or even when we just went to the mall. That's just how he was."
I would love if u do SRV's cover of Jimi Hendrix's "Little Wing" it's an absolute treat, the live version is a must
SRV is usually best live
Can always do Strings and Jimi's all in one
Every time I see this video I love the fact that Stevie's Strat is set up with a left handed bridge and whammy bar. It's an homage to Jimi playing a right-handed Strat upside down. Stevie definitely went all in with his Jimi tributes. Thanks for the reaction vid.
I've considered doing that myself. It keeps the bar out of the way of the volume knob on a strat. That's the one thing I don't like about my strat.
@@craigstiles5186 Although I've been playing bass guitar for 55 years I also own and play a Strat. I see what you're talking about, but that certainly never got in the way for Jeff Beck.
SRV was a phenomenal force. His playing is off the charts and his voice is the perfect match
...no guitar player ever wanted to follow SRV, he was a force, lost way too soon, so much more to offer, a true master
Stevie could really stretch those cable wires he used as strings...unbelievable...
Brilliant! Gotta compare this to his 1989 version from this same venue. Very different, but both FIRE! This version here is the SLOW one… The 1989 version is also Stevie clean and sober.❤Donna G
This version he plays the song, the '89 version he attacks the song, beats it into submission.
@@5yearsout YES!!
Absolutely ... thank you for pointing this out... I adore the '89 sound.
I've seen this performance dozens of times, it still gives me chills. It also saddens me to think about the music we've missed out on with his death.
I really like the time he played this song out for about 12 minutes at Carnegie Hall, they stuck it on one of the greatest hits albums 👍 (the essential srv and double trouble)
Was Lemmy one of his road crew at the time?
It's amazing how much music came out of Stevie's guitar. One of the very, very, very few guitarists I don't mind hearing without an accompanying keyboard.
Can you please give Machine Gun by Jimi Hendrix specifically from the band of gypsies album. In my (and many others) opinion it is the best live guitar performance of all time. The song is a protest of the Vietnam war and was a tribute and dedicated to all the soldiers fighting overseas. The sheer emotion in Jimis playing is unmatched by any other playing I have ever heard before or since
I agree it is one of Jimi's best pieces.
Best guitar solo in history.
I don't like "best of all time" statements, because I'll hear something else, and go... oh, but this one...but Machine Gun has to be up there. It's astonishing.
I love that song and I’m young so it was a miracle I found it
People overlook "Burning Desire" from the Fillmore East Live album 1st set. It has a ton of cool changes and is incredibly underrated
The two next SRV songs I think you’d appreciate the most would be “Riviera Paradise” (you’re gonna want the keyboard for that one) and “Life Without You”
And always go live performance with Stevie
Reese Wynans played keyboards later on with Double Trouble. Also, SRV couldn't read sheet music. It was all just instinctive.
Please do SRV's "Riviera Paradise" and you'll love the keyboards in it.
Reese Wynans played with the amazing Captain Beyond back in the early 70's. Doug should really dig into them.
I love Jimi but Stevie's version is the superior one.
I always saw srv as Jimi's spiritual successor, like he just picked up where Jimi left off
Had the good fortune to see Mr. Stevie Ray Vaughn live one time, and it was one of the best evenings of music I have ever witnessed. And I have been to over 500 concerts, so I have some basis for comparison. His style and technique were so controlled that you didn't even notice how great it was, until you thought about it afterward, and then your jaw just hit the floor. He was so good it was scary. His helicopter crash at Alpine Valley, Wisconsin was a national tragedy, I still miss him and his talent.
I am really happy seeing stevie on the channel ❤ please Riviera Paradise is a must. Such a wonderful song... Also Tin Pan Alley... And many other songs... Stevie's songs are all great
"Standing next to a mountain, chop it down with the edge of my hand" is one of the most "ROCK" lyrics of all time. So is any of the verses in Jumpin" Jack Flash! 😊
CROWNED! With a spike right through my head!
or Jimi's "Now if a 6 turned out to be 9, I don't mind, no I don't mind!"
Being in the audience watching a man at the pinnacle of the Art making history. Spine tingling.
I love when you get a little excited and play along. I used to do the same thing when I was an active guitar player lol. When the groove is do addictive in a song you can't help it.
My dad told me when he was in college he and his friends would go see Stevie play in small bars. It's hard to wrap my brain around him playing in small venues because he's become such a legend and titan of the guitar.
It was great to hear you react to this.
Just after you talked about the III chord he does a descending chord thing. I think you missed it because you were distracted, and as you said, it went by fast.
Your keyboard stuff reminded me of "Child in time:, Deep Purple. Good live version on RUclips.
Master of strings! Incredible guitarist it’s almost as if the gypsy man is not real he’s so fuk ing talented !
Love his style!
Playing Lead and Rhythm....WOW!
Got to see SRV once in 1983 before the first album came out. He was legendary before he was famous. Intense guitarist with such amazing talent for the blues/rock/ Texas Swing styles
You should listen to riviera paradise by Stevie ray Vaughn. Very beautiful song
Doug, so many times I just shout at my screen when you turn away or start talking at JUST the greatest moments of these performances and say "shut up and watch what happens next!" lolol
I was fortunate to see Stevie perform 8 times live in Pittsburgh, and he played VC 8 different ways. Always brilliant and improvised! We are lucky to have so many great videos of Stevie and DT. Its funny that all the other VC versions here dont mention Nashville. Its my personal favorite as he was purely in "the zone" and played half of it behind his back!
I always suggest the incredible Life Without You, a Stevie original, at the Capitol Center. That performance is pure Soul and Stevie reveals his Heart. RiP SRV.
You should check out SRV playing a double neck guitar with his brother Jimmy. 1 guitar, 2 men playing it at the same time. Amazing.
I was fortunate to be a student at the University of Texas in the early 80’s and saw this performance live at ACL. Man, what a time to be alive!
Very cool you got to see one of the greatest!! .... music history
I'd love to watch a few of your videos just improvising your keys over some iconic tracks!
Absolute master of his craft, RIP
That is the wonder thing about the Blues. Thanks so much for that!
Ugh. I remember the day he died. It was the day before I moved to California. I was so depressed on that trip. Speaking of which, please do an episode on Sinead O'Conner. I suggest you'd find "John, I love you" completely fascinating... but she has so many others.
I have always admired the way SRV controls the tone of his guitar moment by moment the way an ordinary virtuoso manages dynamics.
I grew up in Central Florida, and became a huge Prince fan. That he could play guitar like he did - it blew my mind. My hubby is from the Mid-South, and became a huge SRV fan growing up. We each introduced the other to Prince & SRV (how did I not know about him until the 90s?!). Those are the only two musicians I've ever seen that was ONE with his guitar. Like he was born with it; knew it better than the back of his hand. For both. And so sad that SRV had just turned his life around when he passed - way way too soon. RIP SRV. And RIP Prince. We have memorial posters of each in our home office.
Just to bring you up to date - the sound on the intro uses a guitar foot pedal called a Wah-wah which is used to move through the frequencies with a "wah" sound. Jimi Hendrix was a pioneer using this sound in his recordings and SRV gives his interpretation on this effect. I luv'em both.
That guitar, with the paint worn off it, reminds me of the guitar I saw Rory Gallagher play in Germany in '75.
Tommy Shannon is a legend in his own right.
My son studied the guitar from age 5, the first five years with a classical teacher from [a professor from a local university] at 10 in 1986 he discovered MTV. After his recital at 10 playing "Fur Elise"- by Beethoven on a 12 string classical guitar to a standing ovation of over 1200; we switched him to a new teacher for more of a rock/pop/metal instruction. In September of 1989 we saw SRV open for The Who in the Astrodome. Floor center aisle seats, 10th row. I say this because ~ a year later we found a 1979 American made Stratocaster at a local pawn shop. My son knew right away what it was, [I knew nothing, just dad and wallet]. He asked the owner what he wanted for it? $125 was the reply. My 14 year old, said [no kidding] "the neck's warped and will have to be replaced, $50?" "Sold" was the reply. BTW, It was in it's original hard case. Researching once home, even with the neck warped, it was worth just under $500, we found the serial number between the neck and the body, right where is shouldd be
He then asked me; "Dad, you work with wood and build furniture and stuff, can you strip down the body and make it look like Stevie's? To which I replied, "no problem but you'll have to take out all the wriing." He said "that's easy, as I will be rewiring it with new pickups as such anyway. I spent two months taking the finish off, bleaching the basswood body and applying a Walnut stain, applying 17 coats of epoxy [sanding and or steel wool between each one then applying at least a dozen coats of furniture paste wax. We ordered the black pick guard new internals and knobs and the 3way switch, pickups and a new neck. He and his Rock guitar teacher along with the owner of the local music store wired it. They created a very original sounding guitar. Adding Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders & a 2 volume/1 tone wiring. 22 fret Fender neck, etc. I wish I could post a photo as I would like to show off my refinishing of the body. Anyways, my boy had an SRV sounding strat, complete with the heavy guage strings and fret distance. Fortunately he has the hand strength to play it. His hands are large - as his wedding ring is a size 19, as he stands 6'6" goes 275, wears a 15 quad E shoe, added to having long piano fingers as they say.
It was a treat watching your authentic reactions. Reminded me of the first time I saw Yo Yo Ma visibly moved by rock genre music. Love of music for music's sake. When you grabbed your keyboard, you reminded me of Reese Wynans, who SRV brought in later as their keyboard player. So you could very well have fit in! FYI - Reese now plays with Joe Bonamassa - another amazing blues player. Totally different sound than Stevie - but highly HIGHLY recommended. Joe worked with BB King for his first gig when Joe was a child. Like Stevie, his playing gets better and better over the years. Stevie was really close with Albert King ... played with him a lot coming up ... and ... Joe now owns Albert King's guitar, Lucy - Flying V ... and you can see him playing it on his cover of Albert's "I'll Play the Blues For You" (best version at the Greek Theater.) You might enjoy that one - but his stuff runs the gamut so far it is hard to pigeon hole exactly which song represents Joe! :-) Enjoy!! (PS: I second the rec to check SRV's other version of Voodoo Chile at Austin City Limits in '89 - totally different sound - he was also totally clean after AA and straightened out his life at that point.)
One of my favorite things about SRV, even after seeing him live at a much younger age (me) and the many versions of his playing live that exist here on RUclips is that he almost NEVER played the same song the same way... But if you never heard the song before you'd never realize it at all... Everything just flowed right out of the man like he is just telling a story verbally...
SRV had massive hands. A true virtuoso with complete power and control over his instrument. Another thing that contributed to his unique sound was the use of the ts808 overdrive tube screamer and fender bassman amp.
When SRV was rolling up his character, he maxed out FEEL, so natural and flowing.
He is not just a musican, he is a magican.
SRV is one of the greatest of all time..ahead of the curve..what a monster
Met him at my 1st concert ever in 1985. Then again 2 other concerts within the next 5 yrs. Security wasn't that great back then😆 absolutely coolest dude ever
Dude I'm diggin the keys! Now that we've seen the reaction I'd love to see what you could add to this masterpiece!
no negatives here... love the fact that you have an organ sound on your keyboard. illustrating chords & changes, organ better than piano. love the camera work in this clip... the closeups are great. sad that some guitarists turned their backs on audiences to hide their tricks. no tricks here.
Stevie had great feel and a natural sense of timing and rhythm , and a fantastic rhythm section to boot , with Reese Wynans joining the band later on, who is a great keyboard player , who's now with Joe Bonamassa! 👍
I’ve watched this concert footage over and over again. I did the exact same thing. I was just focusing on his fingers. He was abusing the strings and the neck of that poor guitar. Amazing
SRV actually could play behind his back. You can see it on one of his performances on Austin City Limits, which was broadcasted again within the past few weeks. He is just amazing to watch.
Back in the day Jimi was asked who he thought the greatest guitar player was. He answered Terry Kath from the band Chicago. If he was around during Stevie’s time he would have answered Stevie and he would have been blown away by this version of his song
Reese Wynans joined Double Trouble (Tommy Shannon & "Whipper" Layton) for Stevie Ray's third (_Soul to Soul_) & subsequent albums.
IIRC, Stevie tells the story that the three of them were in the studio, recording tracks for _Soul to Soul_, and every once in a while they'd overhear a Hammond B3 accompanying them from another room. Wynans happened to be in the studio, and heard the three of them jamming. Like Doug, he couldn't help himself from comping. The band liked it so much, they asked him to sit in. Wynans was part of the band thereafter.
It's staggering to me how similar some of Stevie's versions are to the Hendrix version, it's like he's channeling more than playing.
I think it was Clapton that described Stevie as, " an ever open channel", a vessel for music.
Love SRV. Another of my favourite facial contortionists is Gary Moore. I think his Montreux performance of The Messiah Will Come showcases his mastery of his craft, it is an instrumental but is moving despite the absence of words and I would love to see you react to it.
i fuckinn love bro stg bro fr started jammin with srv and double trouble on da keyboard moments like this are the reasons why im subbed to this mf
also he teaches me sm shout out to u doug
As a guitar player the thing I always found amazing about SRV was his absolute command and physicality in handling the guitar while still playing flawlessly. The guitar was tired when he was done with it 😂
#replaycrew
Congratulation on the 300K Doug.
Yes! This was my favorite of the two Austin City Limits performances
Love it- “I’m afraid to play too much (keyboards) over it.”
Thanks for sharing. Great video love Stevie Ray. As a amateur guitar player myself you’re videos are helpful.
I watched the 80 and '82 Montreaux Blues Festival performances so many times. The story behind the 1980 show is mind blowing, he was booed the whole show because they booked him on acoustic blues night. After his set he was crying back stage but that set made his career. He was given studio time from Eric Johnson and Bowie hired him to play on tbe Let's Dance album. Comes back to Montreaux France 2 years later and puts on one hell of a performance. Johnny Copeland plays with him for Tin Pan Alley, Look at Little Sister and though the man was a hurricane and didn't water himself down too much he never showed up other guitarist on stage. When he played with Albert, Buddy, Copeland, etc he easily could have taken all the attention in the performance but he wouldn't, he trotled himself for those.
When he went to ask Jimi's dad's permission to do this song, his dad gifted to SRV Jimi's wah-wah pedal and he is using it in this song and every other song I believe.
Shouldn't have worried about playing over them, that fit perfectly. His comping there was perfectly made for a keyboardist to work over it.
SRV always blows my mind with his playing. Even when he is playing soft jazz, it is amazing, like on his cover of Chittlins Con Carne.
For another great guitarist to look into for a Les Paul player, I would like to see how you react to Gary Moore, maybe with his cover of The Sky Is Crying or an original tune like Parisienne Walkways.
at the end, i hear Iconic riff, through Jimi's wah wah pedal that was given to Stevie from the Hendrix family
You need either to listen to Stevie's Rivera paradise or tightrope from 1989 Austin city limits performance. Legendary performances there
Just for fun search Stevie Ray Vaughn Voodoo Child live in Nashville. He does most of the song with the guitar behind his back while he sings and sweats. Amazing!
Love your content--just found this channel. Your knowledge and experience are very apparent. Would you ever react to the Grateful Dead, or Dead and Company? I love their stuff
SRV❤️ My absolute all time favorite ❤️
great episode. lots to think about thanks
English subtitles are amazing: Hello! It's Daily duck!
I saw SRV in ‘81…..mind blowing.
There wil never be another SRV he was master of the stratocaster!
Nope. Jimi was. And Ritchie Blackmore was in the top as well.
That tone! Something all of us guitar players strive for.
Deep into his drug indulgence and still awesome. He looked and played so much better in 1989 on Austin City Limits after becoming clean. Check out his 1989 Austin City Limits appearance playing Look at Little Sister for one of the slickest broken string guitar tradeoffs with his tech. The full video is 4 minutes. There are some that show just the swap, but there is some piano playing by Reese Wynans that is good.
Couldn’t have written a better comment myself. The 1989 version is at a fast gallop speed, full tilt.
Naw... His drug addiction came to a head a few years later. Here he was nothing like he was during the double live album. He was really strung out then.
Stevie did 2 separate performances in at Austin city limits, this is one, but my favorite is the other one, the '89 live show. In my opinion, this is the most developed & best version of Voodoo Chile.
Stevie was just an breathtaking guitarist. He had such an unique tone and presence that influences guitarists everywhere. Your reaction of this is just great to watch, really. I'd love seeing you exploring more about SRV songs like Couldn't Stand The Weather and Scuttle Buttin.
I may well have attended his Toronto concert if it was in the summer of 1985 when he opened for Dire Straits. I say may have because I assume there was more than one concert. I'd barely heard of him at the time and was there for the headliner, but upon hearing him was absolutely blown away and have Bern a fan since. Imagine that, along with Mark Knopfler hearing two of the greatest guitarists alive then in one concert.
Hey Doug,, Cal here,, from Manchester UK,, I really love your reactions,,, comments and musical experience,, I really enjoy,,, I have a little request,,,
Can you react to Camel, Lady Fantasy Live 84’ Hammersmith,,
I would like to see your reaction,,
Take care Master,,,
4:46 the face you make, when something is really brilliant.
SRV=GOAT
FYI there are three studio versions by JH: this one, Voodoo Child, Slight Return (Electric Ladyland) in Eb Standard tuning, while Voodoo Chile (Electric Ladyland) and Voodoo Child Blues (Blues Album) are a half step lower in D Standard Tuning. Basics of this song are not that difficult; it was one of the first by JH I learned when I was 12, and the first in a tuning other than E Standard.
Live in Tokyo is his best version of Voodoo Chile, 15 min of amazing guitar stuffs.
Stevie Ray Vaughn put the stank on that tune 🎸🎶🎸🎶
August is the anniversary of the 1969 Woodstock Festival. That would be a great time to revisit some of the artists that played there like Jimi Hendrix, Carlos Santana and Johnny Winter.
What's interesting is Stevie was said he didn't read or write music. He also used the pickup control switch and volume controls throughout to get the sound he wanted or felt at any given moment.
Mr. Walter Trout is one of the masters of great blues music.
And also given us very fine cover versions of Hendriks songs.
i live for when you play along
This is Austin City Limits 1983. May I suggest ACL 1989? Its the complete package. Clarity of video, set list, vibe. His south Western kimono, gun slinger hat and pants/boots drip Texas. Plus keyboard player. His death was a tragedy against humanity.
I can tell he's a great Classic Composer
A genius that can speak through the strings.
Commandment #1. One shall not play over a Stevie Ray Vaughan guitar solo! 😂😂
Absolutely amazing,got to see SRV and Eric Clapton in Cincinnati Ohio.
A guy I rented a house with played the guitar and had a notebook with Stevie Ray music. I once came home only to hear an incredibly frustrated voice screaming: "HE MUST HAVE 8 FINGERS ON EACH HAND!!!"
I love to watch his hands too!
I was on my way on a Monday to get my tickets to see Eric Clapton in 1990 that Saturday. Was in my car and my rock radio staion was playing Little Sister. At the end of the song the DJ said that was the LATE great SRV and he mentioned the crash where he died. I almost wrecked my car. EC's body guard or agent (can't remember) also died in the crash.
Jimi didn't know it, but he was writing this song for Stevie.
No, he wasn't.
Oh Please!!! lol
It was meant as a compliment. Meaning SRV took the song and made it his own. So Jimi kinda wrote it for him, if you squint.
Not only could SRV play blues, he could play some serious jazz. Check out Rivera Paradise. It's an incredible instrumental with serious jazz overtones. The keyboard playing by Reese Wynans is incredible.