ROY BUCHANAN
Found this album at a street sale years ago for a dollar. Seemed like stealing. The jacket was a bit worn, though the vinyl itself was in perfect condition as if it had only been played a few times and then tucked away like a secret.
Much like the man himself.
Awe inspiring notes were wrenched from his telecaster with the soul of someone who had seen a thousand lifetimes. All of the music you encounter here is extremely warm and real. Better yet, rough spots and miscues are not edited away. Country and blues are taken to some amazing places as strings are bent, pinched and played with a precision that won him the respect of his peers.
Hammond organ with a short spoken word intro brings you into the stunning "The Messiah Will Come Again", an instrumental that is the centerpiece of these tracks. It is indescribably moving and I listen to this whenever my spirits need a lift.
Curiously, he was largely unknown during his lifetime. Those that did have the pleasure of being acquainted with his considerable talents still treat him with reverence. He was an early mentor to Robbie Robertson, while Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and a host of other great musicians frequently sang his praises.
Buchanan checked out on my twentieth birthday and the circumstances of his passing have since been the subject of rumor.
That he was gifted remains without doubt.
8 comments:
I can honestly say I had not heard of him that I can remember. He really had control of his guitar and he made sounds with it others could only wish they could make. Thanks for sharing this.
Love Roy.B. Very direct and real. Just how I like it.
I love it that little known artists are being written about! I have heard the name but did not know much about his music. Great post.
If Roy was largely unknown it was only in the mainstream music industry. He caught my attention on the 70s as a phenomenal guitarist.
I think he didn't attact the mainstream because for him it was about them music and not about a flashy stage presence. Couple that with his personal problems and he just could not get the traction he needed.
Still, loved him and still listen to it often.
Thanks for the great vid!
Found him in the record library at WITR, my college station..he became a staple on my weekly show...
A true loss to the music world, that he dies so young
Thank you for all the great posts from last year! I look forward to reading your blog, because they are always full of information that I can put to use. Thank you again, and God bless you in 2010.
Roy had a huge impact me when I saw him on TV when I was just a young kid learning to play. I may have been a huge hard rock fan, but Roy made me wake up and see appreciate all types of great guitar work.
Wow , great video. hadn't really heard Buchanan before. that was just awesome playing in that vid. thanks for sharing, cheers.
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