This one is going out once again to my man dk for his love of all things Hendrix.
Roy Buchanan is one of my all time fave guitarists. A master of the telecaster. His playing is some of the most original, soulful, vibrant, passionate and gnarly all at once and IMHO has more "Feeling" than just about any guitarist past or present. His style is somewhat choatic but in a very controlled manner. Never as slick as say Clapton his style veers and careens all over the place which IMHO makes it all the more awesome...
Born September 23, 1939 he died August 14, 1988 after being arrested in his hometown of Reston, Virginia, for public drunkeness, Buchanan was found in his cell hung with his own shirt; a fact that still raises question to this day.
Even posthumously, he commands the ardent respect of his fellow guitarists and a devoted army of fans. The Buchanan sound is totally unique: heartbreaking, searing solos, trademark shimmering tone, and a mixture of snarls, wails, note bends, volume swells and squeals that mark him as a wizard of the instrument. He was a pioneer in the use of controlled harmonics, and although this technique has been used by rock's greatest guitarists, especially Jeff Beck, Robbie Robertson and Z.Z. Top's Billy Gibbons, all acknowledge Buchanan as the master.
Please take a listen to his tribute to Jimi Hendrix with his take on "Hey Joe" from his 1974 album "That's What I Am Here For" as well as the original "My Baby Says She's Gonna Leave Me" and the Jack Bond penned "That's What I Am Here For" Buchanan really rips on these tunes and proves what an awesome player he really was.
Hey Joe
My Baby Says She's Gonna Leave Me
That's What I Am Here For
And here is my all time fave Roy songs, originally on his self titled album from 1972 this is live from 1983. This has more "Felling" than any thing almost any guitarist has ever produced.... If this don't make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck...
"The Messiah Will Come Again"
There was a town
It was a strange little town they called the world
It was a lonely, lonely little town
'Till one day a Stranger appeared
Their hearts rejoiced
and this sad little town was happy again
But there were some that doubted
They disbelieved,so they mocked Him
And the Stranger He went away
and the said little town that was sad yesterday
It's a lot sadder today
I walked in a lot of places I never should have been
But I know that the Messiah,
He will come again...
6 comments:
Now I know where 'Friends of Dean Martinez' gets it from.
About 10 years ago a co-worker gave me a CDR of Roy Buchanan's anthology, 'Sweet Dreams' and I was immediately blown away by the guitar work. Superb blues riffs, although I always felt a little let down by the vocal work on his albums. The instrumental stuff seems to shine the most...
I threw on his 1972 s/t album earlier today and gave it a spin. Definitely checked out 'The Messiah Will Come Again', and would recommend his take on the Hank Willimas tune 'Hey Good Lookin', which comes right after 'Messiah...' on the album.
Still digging the Stephen Stills album you recco'd a couple of weeks back. Thanks again for the heads up on that one...
Er... Hank Williams that is...
unfortunate story in life ~ Great Guitar playing
I'm going to have to download these when I get home. I recently picked up a 45 of Buchanan doing 'Down By the River'.
i' am into metal but roy is my favorite of all the time great guitar playes with great feeling like no other
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