Stevie Ray Vaughan

Its been a little over a week since the induction of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double trouble into the Rock n Roll hall of fame. I believe that Stevie Ray Vuaghan along with Lou Reed and Joan Jett are clearly the most notable and most influential of this year’s inductees. Taking nothing away from Green Day, they are an incredible punk band and have tried to keep Punk rock from dying out and for that i respect them deeply. But that's not what today’s feature is about, the star of today's feature is legendary Texas blues Guitarist Stevie ray Vaughan, a guitarist like no other, a man who’s bluesy guitar playing left legendary Guitarists like the great “Slow Hand,” Eric Clapton, BB king, Buddy Guy in awe, yes he was so good that if being a good guitarist was a crime, he’d have been wanted dead or alive.

Stevie Ray Vaughan wasn’t just great, his guitar playing was what you’d call, exquisite, that many consider him the greatest blues guitarist ever.  His guitar sound was unique that hitherto, no guitarist has been able to recreate his Texas Blues sound. Stevie’s lead guitar playing was nothing short of phenomenal, and i personally believe that his lead guitar playing was second only to that of the great Jimi Hendrix.  Personally speaking, i can’t really think up a random list of the top 10 greatest guitarists of all time that doesn’t have this Texas blues man.

Like all great musicians, Stevie Ray Vaughan had a vice, a drug addiction, but unlike many Rock stars who have tango-ed with Mr Brownstone, Stevie beat the addiction which in itself was a great achievement for the blues man.

Stevie Ray Vaughan was influenced by Jimi Hendrix and a host of other incredible blues guitarists. Speaking of Jimi Hendrix, Stevie ray Vaughan has what are literally the greatest covers of Jimi Hendrix’s “Voodoo child,” and “Little wing.” His rendition of Voodoo child immortalized the song as a blues classic, and im not saying Jimi Hendrix's version wasn’t as good, because believe me, Jimi’s guitar solos on both Voodoo child and little wing are some of the finest solos I've ever listened to. But then again Stevie's take on both songs was just magical.

 I may sound a bit eccentric but I'm sure that if Stevie hadn’t been robbed from us by a fatal helicopter crash, and had continued to grace us with his immaculate guitar playing, we would have achieved world peace by now, because we’d be too busy listening to his great work to be out there fighting one another. 

Stevie didn't just play guitar, he also sang lead, his voice may not have been among finest voices around, but for the blues it was just right. Stevie was also quite the showman, he did some guitar spinning and could also play the guitar behind his head or his back.

These are my top 10 Stevie Ray Vaughan songs

10. couldn’t stand the weather

Awesome rhythm, one of those that get me humming along as the song progresses. once the first few notes go through my ears, i get ready to do a note by note air guitar session with Stevie ray Vaughan.

9. crossfire

A fine display of great guitar playing, Stevie ray Vaughan playing lead like its no body’s business. And that guitar solo at the end is a thing beauty, always has me wondering what would have been if he hadn’t died too soon.

8.Voodoo child

He may not have written the original, but he did justice to it, he totally nailed the riff, i mean for a moment there as you listen to it, you get the impression that maybe his cover is better than Jimi Hendrix's original. It may not be as psychedelic as the original but it’s one awesome blues song.

7.look at little sister

Whenever i think about the term the Texas blues, this song comes to mind. Great rhythm and the overall feel of it has me feeling like i’m in one those Classic cowboy movies, preferably Clint Eastwood's "The unforgiven."

6.little wing

Another cover of a Jimi Hendrix song, and another example of Stevie’s guitar prowess. The guitar playing on this one is nothing short of breath taking. The solo by itself is just beautiful

5. The sky is crying

Like is said if playing the guitar was a sport, stevie would be quite the athlete, probably an MVP on many occasions. This songs gives you a picture of how he could set the mood of a song by using his guitar to compliment the lyrics of the song. In this song, his guitar mourns and cries for the man who’s lost the love of their lover.

 

4.cold shot

The lyrics may depict the situation that precede’s breaking up with a lover, but the mellow and laid back feel of this song is very satisfying, its almost like being in an open field on a sunny day with the wind blowing  your way in a soft and lazy embrace.

3.Change it

Some stevie ray vaughan songs are good not just because of his solos, but because of how the songs are set up and because of how they feel, this one has quite the rythm, makes you wanna break out into song like, “Get away from the blind side of life, honey i want you by my side.” Classic stuff  just.

2. Texas floods

this is one has one of the finest ever guitar solos i’ve ever had the pleasure of  listening to, it still sends chills down my spine. If you have any doubts about his ability, this song will set you on your way to appreciating his greatness and pretty soon you’ll be looking for more and more of his works.

1. Pride and Joy

In the immortal words of the Queen of rock n roll, Tina Turner, this is “Simply the best.”it’s a master piece, with incredible riff and that incredible solo. This one tops my list of the best stevie Ray Vaughan songs. It just doesn’t get better than this.

Those are my favorite Stevie Ray Vaughan songs, you can put your comments below or you could tweet me CortezTheKiller@instantiate2roy