Roy Buchanan was something of an enigma to fans and friends alike, but this album reveals all sides of his musical personality while providing an entertaining illustration of his genius. Along with Roy s own performances t... more »here are recordings of other artists featuring stunning solos and backups from the man himself. Lovingly annotated by Ellwood Brown, a long-time associate and close friend of Roy Buchanan. Includes his earliest and last recordings.« less
Roy Buchanan was something of an enigma to fans and friends alike, but this album reveals all sides of his musical personality while providing an entertaining illustration of his genius. Along with Roy s own performances there are recordings of other artists featuring stunning solos and backups from the man himself. Lovingly annotated by Ellwood Brown, a long-time associate and close friend of Roy Buchanan. Includes his earliest and last recordings.
"NO electric guitar player, not even Hendrix, played with more power than Roy Buchanan. Heart-rending, bone-crunching power. There is so much emotion in every note the music transcends categories. Labels like country, blues, soul are completely insignificant in the hands of Roy Buchanan. He used NO effects, NO pedals of any kind, just a worn Telecaster through a Fender amp -- no walls of Marshalls. He said if he needed more volume in a particular room he would just mike the amp. I had the honor and privilege of seeing Roy live several times during the late 70's and 80's -- some of the finest musical experiences of my life. I think this is his best recording -- Sweet Dreams, the Messiah, and the Blues -- it will make you cry. Roy could knock the bark off an oak tree at 60 yards. Albert Lee, Arlen Roth, David Grissom, Danny Gatton -- all trembled at Roy's approach."
What an over looked guitar player!
Morton | Colorado | 01/10/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Roy Buchanan is the worlds most underrated guitar player. He can hold his own with B.B., Clapton, and yes evern Hendrix. Buchanan is an amazing player with such a unique style and approach. He is truly one of the top 10 guitar players of all time and this album shows us that the most out of all Roys albums. Of all his albums this one was played with the most passion and fury! 'Cajun' is without a doubt the best track on the album with a killer solo, well the guitar through the whole song is amazing really. Other highlights would be 'Haunted House' and 'Sweet Dreams' both of which are Buchanan classics! Roy Buchanan is an album that each and every guitar player should own!"
A great intro to the Telecaster Master for country fans
Morton | 02/21/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is one of my favorite Roy Buchanan CDs. It's hard to pin Roy down, he played everything so well -- country, blues, rock, jazz,... you name it -- and moved seamlessly from one genre to another, so for lack of anything more descriptive he is often categorized as a blues guitarist. But while this CD has some superb blues playing on it (esp. "John's Blues"), it also has a number of strictly country cuts, which is why I think it's an excellent intro to Roy for fans of fine country guitar work.As some of the other reviewers here have already noted, nobody before or since has played with the kind of power that Roy did. He was a creative pioneer with first-rate skill who first introduced a number of techniques and effects, however, the thing that sets him apart most was his _unmatched_ ability to capture and express genuine emotion in his playing and make his instrument say something truly meaningful.If you're unfamiliar with Roy Buchanan, this CD will certainly give you an idea why so many superlatives have been used to describe him. But he is really at his best live, so if you are new to Roy and would like to explore further after listening to this CD, I would strongly suggest getting Live Stock and the more recently released American Axe: Live in 1974 -- both available here on Amazon."
So you like the sound of a telecaster?
Scott B. Saul | COOPER CITY, FL USA | 11/01/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a guitar lovers' and blues lovers' dream...blazing hot, scorching guitar played with drama and emotion. The tone cries, screams, and elates you.
"Sweet Dreams" "John Blues" and "Petes Blue" are killer blues songs. The muscular bends and abrasive single-pickup telecaster tone will rock your skull out.
The highlight of the album is "The Messiah will come again". It starts out as a somber, spiritual song and then, out of nowhere, a lightning fast guitar run transforms the song into a show case of fast playing and acrobatic bends.
Roy Buchanan is an unheralded guitar god and this album is terrific. Get it !"
Searing, Soaring, Sensational
David M. Juhl | Momence, IL | 01/15/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The old 8-track of Roy Buchanan I listened to growing up has a whole new dimension on compact disc.
Roy's solos literally crackle through the speakers. "John's Blues" is amazing. "Pete's Blue" will make the fine hairs on your neck stand on end. The chord progression he uses on "Pete's Blue" is downright amazing. It's the best thing on the album.
Or maybe "Messiah" is the best thing. It's perhaps his best known song. It's an exhibition on how to play the Telecaster; how to squeeze every last decibel of sound out of wood and steel, which he proceeds to do near the end of the song as he dances all the way up the fretboard.
This album would have five stars if not for the largely uninspired vocal tracks. Roy's guitar saves the day, though.
Even if you don't like the blues, you'll love this album. It's Roy Buchanan 101. And it's scary. But a good scary."
Track Listings (22) - Disc #1
