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Blertles · **Posted:** Thu Jan 07, 2010 4:17 pm

BigJay wrote:

bbrodie wrote:

Jay, I like how you think and I know it's your day job, but you're really getting carried away analyzing every word and opinion. It's how a lot of heated discussions get started. I for one hate having to defend every opinion I make. It's fine to disagree, but I feel like I'm under a microscope. It's really unnecessary. They're only opinions, you know the rest

I understand and apologize if I appeared argumentative. I was actually trying to keep the thread on topic.

The topic appears to me to be largely on whether SRV was a great bluesman, potentially the "greatest of all time", and why or why not. Yes?

In my opinion, SRV is one of many many notable blues players. Not only have seen him play 10 or so times, including very small venues, but I met him personally and attended the show where he died. As I mentioned, he appears to me to have mastered many styles. None of which is he credited with inventing, however. SRV is often credited with his unique abilty to pirate the multitude of other, previously invented styles, and blend them. Maybe that is "his" new genre, but this is not uncommon for blues players, as its a very evolutionary genre, with players constantly taking from one another. So, to me, its impossible to suggest that SRV or any player that didnt invent a new style of blues, can be considered one of the greatest of all time.

Interesting story, however. The show where SRV died was a triple bill...Eric Clapton, SRV and Robert Cray. They all played a bit alone and then did the obligatory "grand finale" together on stage. These multi-star and multi-style sets typically suck because they either fight one another on stage or cant blend together well and ultimately let the biggest ego play in front. Well, in this case, both Clapton and Cray let SRV play. At the end of one song, Clapton and Cray started bowing to SRV. Clapton said (paraphrase) "Why would anyone want to try to follow Stevie Ray Vaughn?" Obviously a comment of respect for SRVs abilities.

That being said, I've seen many of the living greats many times. In my experience, SRV generated more energy than the others. He engaged the crowd more intensely than the others. He didnt brag about his own abilities while on stage. Further, while his style was pretty consistent, almost boringly consistent, his execution and playing, in my experience, was routinely flawless. Ive spent many nights at Buddy Guys blues club in Chicago and watched him play at least a dozen times. His playing was frequently disappointingly sloppy, almost embarrasingly so.

So, in my opinion, SRV is more of a novelty than a true "all time great", but I trully enjoy his playing and music. He will remain in the history books.

His brother, on the other hand, sucks and will be forgotten over time.

Interesting thread. Ill offer my opinion, as coming from someone who never had a chance to see him live. Actualy to be completely honest- I didnt hear about him untill after he passed.

To me, I think the most exciting thing is his tone. strat neck neck/middle pickup selected, an amp with a big 15" speaker cranked up pretty loud and lots and lots of mids with a dash of bass. Now if I posted that sentence alone, im sure most guitar enthusiasts will know who I am talking about.

The most boring thing- I cant listen to every song of his like I can with John Frusciante & not get bored. Its the same style over and over... his backing band changes a little, but not Stevie.

Guitarists emulate him too- and that bores me to death aswell. I dont understand why there are many others trying to be like him... they wear a hat with a feather in it, they play a sunburst strat... they call it "another Strat with a Hat". They will use their first, middle and surname, for eg: "Billy Bob Williams" Hell, there is a guy and his son doing it here playing "in the style of Hendrix and Vaughn" - they will add their own twist "Voodo child" "Purple Haze" and many clich'ed others too and I find it a joke because it just doesnt appeal to the masses unless you play the guitar or have an interest in music. People will be like, "Yeah that guy with the hat playing the guitar is good" then they will probably be heading into town that night getting jiggy with dance or house music all night long.

Country and Blues really isnt that popular here. Not to the point where there will be a festival, there are not many bars, clubs or anything like that.

Although nice to watch someone play a hendrix or a vaughn song, it's very un-original and very clich'ed. I feel sorry for assistants in music stores to have to put up with it. I bet they dream of the day when someone will bust out a John5 solo... but no, "today it's going to be "Texas Flood" intro- without the rest of the song... can someone please show the guy to play it properly before I throw a pedal at him!!"

Im not doubting his abilities, I think he is very talented. He was not big here at all, hardly anyone has heard about him. Then again, this is not a "country and Blues" based music industry in NZ and the younger generation would hardly care. As for charisma, Ive never seen him get the crowd engaged like Angus Young or Chuck Berry. I guess the whole "Strat in a Hat" thing has been overdone too many times.

As Jay says, most multi bill events is a "battle of the ego" on stage.

We long for another guitar great- and I think another one has popped out of Australia & has the talent to deliver, the appeal in her music, and just look at her- Im not even going to mention it :lol:

But seriously, this girl can carve a good 80's "Sambora or Vai-esque" rock solo, with the tone of Santana with the originality of her own flare- like a christmas turkey.

its a shame she doesnt play a strat and wear a hat, although at a very young age, she already has Michael Jackson, Carlos Santana and Eric Clapton on her CV-

strasalex · **Posted:** Tue Jul 20, 2010 3:18 pm

Here is a nice tribute interview celebrating the 20th anniversary of In Step.

www.inthestudio.net/online-on-demand/st ... le-trouble

Includes EC interview.

So long :cry:

Martian · **Posted:** Tue Jul 20, 2010 4:00 pm

I've implied it, now I'll just come out and say it: SRV does nothing at all for me where just like, "Eddie", his playing tends to irritate me before long. Focusing on SRV, all I hear with his stuff are mimics of the stylings of Albert King, Johnny Winter and Jimi Hendrix with varying degrees of success. Granted, he had chops but there are a lot better, obviously most lesser known.

Now many shall say I have a 'tin ear', taste in my mouth only, don't know what I'm talking about or whatever, but this is the way I feel and for all those philosophers I see starting to break out here, remember, feelings are non-judgemental. In other words, good, bad or indifferent, if someone feels a certain way, there is no sliding scale of right or wrong attached.

And FWIW, I do not consider SRV a bona-fide Blues player either. Here too, he merely imitated to varying degrees the flash (clothing and playing wise) of Jimi Hendrix. Yes, this too is the way I feel.

So, let me have it but at least I have the balls to admit it. Obviously, YMMV.

sfmelo1980 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 20, 2010 4:55 pm

captain eyeball wrote:

Voodoo Blues wrote:

I wish I was good enough to critize other players.

me to

me 3

cedarblues · **Posted:** Tue Jul 20, 2010 7:23 pm

Martian wrote:

I've implied it, now I'll just come out and say it: SRV does nothing at all for me where just like, "Eddie", his playing tends to irritate me before long. Focusing on SRV, all I hear with his stuff are mimics of the stylings of Albert King, Johnny Winter and Jimi Hendrix with varying degrees of success. Granted, he had chops but there are a lot better, obviously most lesser known.

Now many shall say I have a 'tin ear', taste in my mouth only, don't know what I'm talking about or whatever, but this is the way I feel and for all those philosophers I see starting to break out here, remember, feelings are non-judgemental. In other words, good, bad or indifferent, if someone feels a certain way, there is no sliding scale of right or wrong attached.

And FWIW, I do not consider SRV a bona-fide Blues player either. Here too, he merely imitated to varying degrees the flash (clothing and playing wise) of Jimi Hendrix. Yes, this too is the way I feel.

So, let me have it but at least I have the balls to admit it. Obviously, YMMV.

That's how I felt about SRV 20 years ago, just thought he was ok, I'm a huge AK fan... when Stevie came to town with Beck I didn't bother going cuz I didn't want to see him in a big venue and I can't stand Beck. Today I can't stand Beck even more cuz he was the reason why I never got to see SRV live when I had the chance! Back to SRV... I have grown to like his music and his playing, as a person, more and more everyday, so much that to me, today, he is GOD and the greatest guitar player ever. I'm just sorry it took me this long.

A lot of people mention Hendrix, Clapton (he's the reason I started to play..), Gilmour, Beck, etc.. for me there has never been a guitar player that touches my soul the way Stevie does. He's right up there with Albert King, Freddie, BB, Albert Collins. May they all rest in peace.

beantown · **Joined:** Sat Jul 17, 2010 9:46 am **Posts:** 41

I just started a vacation on a beautiful lake in NH, on my second day there I awoke to the horrible news of his death. I was lucky enough to have seen SRV 5 times in smaller venues/clubs.
We played his songs for the rest of the vacation non-stop and lowered the flag at the cottage to half-mast. The world lost one of the greatest if not the greatest blues guitarists ever and also one of the nicest guys. Like many others have said..a very humble man.
RIP SRV

DetroitBlues · **Joined:** Thu Oct 08, 2009 7:58 am **Posts:** 2187

You can't beat SRV... His speed, accuracy, and soul cannot be matched. Often duplicated, but never the same...

cedarblues · **Posted:** Wed Jul 21, 2010 11:05 am

The soul thing is what gets me, the guy pours so much soul into every note, it's amazing really, so much energy!

I really don't see how some don't consider him a Blues guitarist, well I was kinda like that too... sure he plays different flavors but when he plays traditional Blues he does an amazing job! Yes a lot of it is Albert, but the man himself loved Stevie, see for yourself..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ar74R8HhKpo

That's not Bluesy enough for ya?

DetroitBlues · **Joined:** Thu Oct 08, 2009 7:58 am **Posts:** 2187

Amazing post. Thanks for finding such a rare interview. It interesting to hear some dork try to talk blues with SRV. I prefer Albert King interviewing him....

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