" Life Without You " SRV

Stevie Ray Vaughan was an absolutely phenomenal and amazing rock blues guitarist, as good as a few, in fact, let me to exaggerate, immense as the state from which it came, Texas. Stevie Ray Vaughan stand tall near guitar Gods of the six strings as Hendrix, Clapton and Beck. The “slowhand” Clapton told about Stevie Ray that when he played with him he was embarrassed by his skill and that it was very difficult to keep up with him, indeed, in fact Clapton could not keep up with Steve. Well, friends, told by one as “slowhand” will make you understand that we are talking about a real talent. Stevie Ray, unfortunately never reached the fame of other guitarists, just as those we have named before, but it was idolized by insiders and those who loved the blues. The skill is not measured by the millions of records you sell, indeed, often the real talents are shy and reluctant to the purely commercial side, not compromise not interested in where they will play, if it is a stadium or a smoky bar of outskirts of Dallas, for them, what matters is to make good music, express themselves, give the best to their listeners. Stevie Ray was one of those, but how he used to play guys !!! Listen to any of his records (I recommend “Live in Montreux”) and it will be an extreme acoustic pleasure. I repeat again by telling you that my articles are not reviews, critiques, I have never liked them, in any field, too cold, aseptic, unnecessary. What I write are stories, seasoned with my recipes and my way of an absolute beginner writer, what I suggest, dear readers, are photographs, images, sensations and my most personal opinions. But let’s go back to Stevie Ray and talk a bit ‘of how he played We said about acoustic enjoyment in listening to him live in Montreaux and is exactly what you will be paid. Stevie had an incredible technique, superfine, a rate of stunning execution. Few effects, a TS9 and his Fender Stratocaster equipped with strings with a crazy gauge 013-058, that literally could cut your fingertips and in fact it is said that Stevie would apply just a glue on his fingertips, not to have them in slices. Certain that with those big hands that he had, he could play using that strings gauge. But Stevie dear friends while he played used to make love with his beloved guitar, flirting with her, making her speak softly or screaming but always with an inimitable style. Few effects, the sound was in his hands, it would seem obvious, but Steve it was yet another proof of this guitar rule.His sound was really thick, chunky, but never coarse, however. Stevie was a real cowboy and perhaps one of the biggest interpreter of the so-called Texas sound, that clatter of strings, that whipped of strings, that made him so famous and unique. But then again, that rattle of strings was superfine. Listen to his solo in “Live Without You” which he dedicated to his friend Charlie, custom builder of some of his guitars, the creator of some special pick ups which were installed on one of his Statocaster. Listen well that solo, I guarantee that will make you feel goosebumps. The short life of Stevie was marked by the demon of alcoholism and drug addiction that made him slave of the bottle and of the drugs, till collapsing on stage in the middle of a concert and making him touch the bottom. His love for whiskey Crown Royal, was destroying him. Began rehabilitation our Stevie, but the fate of destiny, as is the case for many artists took away his life on August 27, 1990. A crash aboard a helicopter during a tour prematurely took his life, maybe the fog or the inexperience of the pilot. Too bad Steve that you gone so soon. However, the parable of the life of our beloved guitarist, was truly phenomenal. Since the beginning attracted the attention of people like Bowie who wanted him to record and another gentleman by the name of Mick Jagger immediately noted his monstrous talent. Steve could play every genre of music, listen to “Riviera Paradise” or “Chitlins Con Carne” and you will find what I’m talking about. His version of “Little Wing” would make left handed Seattle guitar God Hendrix proud of him. Keep to listening to Stevie to pay him an homage, because one who sounded like him, it really must be said, born every 100 years, maybe. Is look with his Texan hat with feather, cowboy boots, rings, will remain forever in memory of blues rock music fans and guitar lovers. Live Without You Stevie it’s so sad. Bye. See ya in Heaven !!!

Copyright 2016 by Francesco Nicotera                                                                                              All right reserved