The blues-rock master's first album in nine years! Blues, Ballads and Favorites is blues-rock pioneer Jimmie Vaughan's tribute to the music that inspired him, with covers of songs by Little Richard, Jimmy Reed, Roy Milton... more », Roscoe Gordon and others. The album was recorded in Austin, Texas, and features legendary blues singer Lou Ann Barton on two tracks. Other highlights include a brand-new instrumental, "Comin' & Goin'," and a version of Willie Nelson's "Funny How Time Slips Away" featuring vocals by Bill Willis, the famed Hammond organ player who recorded with James Brown and Bill Doggett. Vaughan founded the iconic Fabulous Thunderbirds in 1974, and they became famous for the high-octane blues-rock sound that earned them critical acclaim in the '70s and platinum-selling albums in the '80s. In 1990, Vaughan recorded a duets album, Family Style, with his brother, Stevie Ray Vaughan, shortly before the latter's untimely death, and then went on to a successful solo career.« less
The blues-rock master's first album in nine years! Blues, Ballads and Favorites is blues-rock pioneer Jimmie Vaughan's tribute to the music that inspired him, with covers of songs by Little Richard, Jimmy Reed, Roy Milton, Roscoe Gordon and others. The album was recorded in Austin, Texas, and features legendary blues singer Lou Ann Barton on two tracks. Other highlights include a brand-new instrumental, "Comin' & Goin'," and a version of Willie Nelson's "Funny How Time Slips Away" featuring vocals by Bill Willis, the famed Hammond organ player who recorded with James Brown and Bill Doggett. Vaughan founded the iconic Fabulous Thunderbirds in 1974, and they became famous for the high-octane blues-rock sound that earned them critical acclaim in the '70s and platinum-selling albums in the '80s. In 1990, Vaughan recorded a duets album, Family Style, with his brother, Stevie Ray Vaughan, shortly before the latter's untimely death, and then went on to a successful solo career.
CD Reviews
Not too shabby!
Irish | 07/10/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Alright now, Im diggin it. Im a big JV fan, love his sound and style, and its here in spades. This album has possibly the best sound of any of his ablums. It sounds really off the cuff and live, in the best way. Very raw, bright and loose. The horn section is hot, the rhythms are "butt-rockin"! and of course the guitar is a hot wire putting electricity to the whole thing, although his tone is not quite as overdriven or up-front in the mix as his other albums. Lou Ann Barton even duets on a couple tunes, the whole band sounds great and the production is really live sounding.
I read in some magazine that Jimmie recorded this as a grouping of singles, one or two tracks here, a track there, all in Austin, just like they used to do it in the good ol days. That approach might be why it all sounds so vibrant and energetic. It definitely puts you in a smokey old pool room somewhere out there when you close your eyes. Sounds youd hear suckin down a few brews in some greasy little bowling alley, feelin good!
These are all covers of heroes like Roscoe Gordon and Roy Milton even Willie Nelson, and of course theres a nod to lucky charm Jimmy Reed, and 1 original Vaughan instrumental "Comin and Goin"
If you like Jimmie Vaughan youll like this, hell you probably already got it. If youre just figuring things out, this is as good as any place to start, with the exception of "The Essential Jimmie Vaughan" which has a little of everything on it.
Highly recommended, show some support for one of the last true Texas Bluesmen left!"
A Guitar Great Delivers a Great Record
mikecoluz | South Jersey, United States | 07/11/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This CD is GREAT. The music makes you happy to be alive and thankful for musicians that can deliver the goods with soul, elegance and style. Yes, it's the blues, but you'll smile through the entire album. As soon as it's over, you'll want to play it all over again. Thank you Jimmie for carrying on the tradition of the blues into an age that surely needs it!"
Jimmie's Best?
WVU Rick | Longwood, FL USA | 07/30/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Happy, relaxed and impeccably produced, this is one of the most satisfying follow up albums I've ever bought after seeing a band live. Jimmie, Lou Ann Barton and Tilt-A-Whirl, with an emphasis on sax over keyboard, put on a fantastic show a few months ago in Orlando and followed it up with this instant classic.
Although I still give "Do You Get the Blues" my favorite JV CD by a nose, this is really just as good. To complete my JV must list, don't forget about the less known "Strange Pleasure." In a music world now based on single song downloads, there's not a weak track on any of the three disks.
Friends and family are getting their Xmas presents early this year. I can't wait that long to share the joy of this new, fabulous Texas blues/swing collection.
"
He Just Keeps Getting Better
a.c. | 08/03/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There are some really great guitar players out there but nobody lays out R&B cool like Jimmie Vaughan. His "less is more" approach, combined with great material, a crack band, Lou Ann Barton, and crisp, swinging arrangements make this an album that you'll want to hear again and again."
Everything Old is New Again
rockabilly blues | Sparta | 07/30/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Jimmie Vaughan is back after a nine year hiatus and in my opinion he is better than ever. This album is perfect combination of his three previous solo albums and the two he did accompanying Omar Kent Dykes. It still has that semi off-beat modern quality his earlier solo releases do, but it's done in a much more strait forward and accessible way (like the Omar albums) I can almost guarantee that fans of this music will be reaching for the volume control on the very first listen...it's that accessible and that good. To me, this album sounds a lot like any number of electric blues albums from the 60's where blues greats entered the studio and simply and quickly laid down their takes on classic tunes of the day. Somehow, Jimmie manages to do that with a fairly contemporary sound. The addition of Lou Ann Barton on a few tracks also helps spice things up (since Jimmies voice can sometimes be a bit monotonous). All and all, I really think he and Omar are on to something. They are no longer trying to find or define their sound, they are simply doing what they do best..which is be masters of modern blues...lets hope we don't have to wait 9 years for the sequel"
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1