A Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan

Performer: Various Artists
Engineer: David Hough
Producer: Jimmie Vaughan
Distributor: Sony Music Distribution (

Notes: Double Trouble: Reese Wynans (keyboards); Tommy Shannon (bass); Chris Layton (drums). Tilt-A-Whirl Band: Reginald "Briz" Brisbon, Leroy Burns, Dennis King (vocals); Denny Freeman (piano, guitar); Bill Willis (Hammond B-3 organ); George Rains (drums). Recorded live at the Austin City Limits Studio, Austin, Texas on May 11, 1995. Includes liner notes by Alan Paul. Recorded live in Austin, Texas on May 11, 1995 The 1996 concert video A Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan gathers Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, B.B. King, Art Neville, Dr. John, and brother Jimmie Vaughan to celebrate the talent and life of the modern electric blues guitar virtuoso. Double Trouble and the Tilt-a-Whirl Band support these stars as they interpret Vaughan's songbook in an 80-minute concert; brief interviews with the featured artists enrich the proceedings with even more respect and affection. Highlights of Vaughan's performance on the PBS series Austin City Limits hit home just how great a talent was lost when he was killed in 1990. Ultimately, though, A Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan focuses on the uplifting memory of his warmth and musical gifts, keeping them alive with the help of his very able friends. ~ Heather Phares Unlike most tribute albums from the '90s, A Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan isn't a lifeless collection of piecemeal studio performances -- it's a fiery, living tribute, which is only fitting for a guitarist who shone intensely and brightly during his brief life. Recorded live in Stevie Ray's hometown of Austin, TX, the album features many of Vaughan's idols, friends, and admirers ripping through his most famous numbers. Many of these musicians -- including his brother Jimmie, Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, and Buddy Guy -- played with Stevie the night he died, which makes the record all the more poignant; also on hand are superstars like B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Dr. John, and Art Neville. Although the memory and occasion remain bittersweet, the music on the album is simply teeming with life -- everybody plays their heart out. Best of all are the collective jams at the end and the two new songs, "Six Strings Down" and "SRV Blues," which were written in Vaughan's memory. In short, it's what a tribute should be -- a celebration of life, not death. ~ Thom Owens "SRV Shuffle," performed by Jimmie Vaughan, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Robert Cray, B.B.King, Buddy Guy, Dr. John and Art Neville, won a 1997 Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance. Eric Clapton's performance of "Ain't Gone 'N Give Up On Your Love" was nominated for a 1997 Grammy for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance. The helicopter crash that took Stevie Ray Vaughan's life in August 1990 robbed the world of a musician whose incredible playing led the wave for a new generation of blues players. Organized by brother Jimmie Vaughan, this tribute features many of Vaughan's heroes (B.B. King, Buddy Guy) and friends (Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, Dr. John, Art Neville) backed by his old group, Double Trouble. Bonnie Raitt kicks things off by reconstructing "Pride And Joy" as a shuffle that she punctuates with fiery slide playing. Jimmie Vaughan follows with an interpretation of "Texas Flood" that resonates with a fat tone and soulful singing, and then Cray gives a Chuck Berry-like reading of "Love Struck Baby." Although Clapton does some of his most emotive playing on "Ain't Gone 'N Give Up On Your Love," drawing from the same wells of inspiration as the late guitarist, the tastiest cuts are the three on which everyone jams together. A sanctified version of "Tick Tock," led by a gospelly trio of back-up singers, is a highlight.

Entertainment Weekly (8/9/96, p.58) - "...This heartfelt live reunion commemorates that...1990 blues fest that Vaughan played the day before the guitarist's fatal helicopter crash..." - Rating: B+ Q (9/96, p.124) - 4 Stars (out of 5) - "...this stomping set finds the assembled luminaries giving their all on interpretations of Vaughan's greatest songs....Clearly no one was going to give less than their best on this occasion and the result is a surprisingly joyous tribute..."

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