Roy Buchanan

Mark Olson · #1 08-09-2010, 08:04 PM

Does anybody else really dig Roy Buchanan? In my book he's up there with the best, easily one of the best guitarists I've ever heard. In my first year of college our music professor (who is a guitarist) lent my twin brother (who played guitar in my blues band) a copy of the Roy Buchanan 20th Century Masters disc. I just rediscovered it on my brother's old computer and have been listening to it since last night.

My brother gave me some of his guitars, including a Tele, and an Earcandy 2x12" guitar cabinet, and a Leslie cab, and my bass amp (a Marshall Lead and Bass) obviously sounds amazing on guitar as well as bass so I've been jamming along with Roy. I've been playing bass for 9 years but have never felt the desire to play guitar, but Roy Buchanan is changing that.

If you haven't heard of Roy Buchanan, here's some youtube videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOptDDU3rOo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On5372UztI0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDOIL5OqvYs

This guy never used a pedal until late in his career, where he used a Boss Delay for slapback echo, but that's it. Everything he does comes from his hands and his volume and tone knobs on his guitar, and whatever Fender amp he'd be playing on that day. I guess he'd face his amp towards the back wall to tame things a bit. He's known for playing a Vibrolux, now I really wish I wouldn't have let my brother sell his Vibrolux when he did.

timmus · #2 08-09-2010, 08:27 PM

Roy was a wonderful blues guitarist who fought his demons for years, ultimately committing suicide...In my book, there are few who could play the blues like he did.

kesslari · #3 08-09-2010, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timmus

Roy was a wonderful blues guitarist who fought his demons for years, ultimately committing suicide...In my book, there are few who could play the blues like he did.

This. Roy was amazing.

LSquared · #4 08-09-2010, 08:31 PM

I've been a Roy Buchanan fan since the mid-70's, when "A Street Called Straight" came out. Great stuff.

timmus · #5 08-09-2010, 08:38 PM

My first exposure to his music was in 1977 when a friend of mine who knew I loved the blues bought me the Loading Zone LP for my birthday. If memory serves me correctly, that was the album after A Street Called Straight. I still have that album.
I heard from somewhere that he "invented" the pinched harmonic on guitar...

James Hart · #6 08-09-2010, 08:44 PM

I was lucky enough to catch him at the old Capitol Threatre in Passaic NJ the year before he died... he was Johnny Winter's opening act. WHAT A NIGHT!!!

PhiDeck · #7 08-09-2010, 08:47 PM

I saw Roy Buchanan play once, in 1974 or 75, in a fire-trap basement dive in Cincinnati. Hell of guitar player. I have a few of his albums on vinyl, in storage. Nothing on CD, though.

kesslari · #8 08-09-2010, 09:40 PM

He was the first person I ever heard of to buy an airplane seat for his guitar when he flew. He bought the ticket under the name "Mr. T. Guitar"

Thunderthumbs73 · #9 08-09-2010, 10:01 PM

On that first clip, aside from the great performance, I note:
-A Wal bass being played. Nice.
-What looks to be Gary Husband on Piano. He does play keys (as well as drums) with major acts, and is from England, so this could be him. Maybe.

But nice vids of Roy.

deaf pea · #10 08-09-2010, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timmus

...1977...Loading Zone LP...I still have that album...

My friend Steve Cropper recommended me to Stanley Clarke (he was that LP's producer) for the session . . . Duck Dunn also played on one song, "Green Onions".

JimK · #11 08-10-2010, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timmus

I heard from somewhere that he "invented" the pinched harmonic on guitar...

I still have that issue of Guitar Player mag where Buchanon talked about making "a mistake" (pinched harmonic) during a session...knowing he had blown it & another take was needed, he looked up & everyone was smiling 'cause they loved it. Then, he said, he hadda re-learn what he had just done.

Back in the mid-'70s, a friend's older brother used to spend hours playing along to Buchanon's records...IIRC, this guy was pretty much a note-for-note player...seeing him trying to play Buchanon's live verison of "Hey Joe" was interesting.

vibhas_2310 · #12 08-10-2010, 05:21 AM

Roy is probably one of the most underrated musicians in history .

KJung · #13 08-10-2010, 05:48 AM

Wonderful artist and player. I remember totally digging 'Start all over again' way back in the day. The band Los Lonely Boys (if I have that name right) seems very influenced by Roy to my ear (writing, guitarist, etc.).

If I remember correctly, wasn't he some sort of schizophrenic or something? I might be misremembering.

Edit: Just looked him up.. the tune I'm talking about is called 'Can I change my mind'... wonderful. And, I guess he had substance abuse issues and some mental issues and committed suicide while in jail. Very sad.

Bruce Lindfield · #14 08-10-2010, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timmus

Roy was a wonderful blues guitarist who fought his demons for years, ultimately committing suicide...In my book, there are few who could play the blues like he did.

He was great for that style and his tone was always wonderful - probably the best pure Blues player - but that also limited him - there are other styles of music and other colours and harmony than are found in this style.

In that sense, there are other guitarists who have explored more and gone further in terms of musical styles and development - but for nailing the Blues, there are few in his league!

JimK · #15 08-10-2010, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJung

And, I guess he had substance abuse issues and some mental issues and committed suicide while in jail. Very sad.

...and Danny Gatton seemed to have a parallel thing goin' on.

JimK · #16 08-10-2010, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

In that sense, there are other guitarists who have explored more and gone further in terms of musical styles and development - but for nailing the Blues, there are few in his league!

...probably why The Stones offered him a gig, right?

CapnSev · #17 08-10-2010, 08:49 AM

He had one of the best Tele tones ever.

ahc · #18 08-10-2010, 09:22 AM

I had the good fortune to see him a number of times around the DC area in the early to mid 70's. He had a house gig at the "Crossroads" in Bladensburg Md. by the Peace Cross for a while and played many other venues in the area. What a player! And what a tone! Leon Russell also offered him a gig live during a show at the Shady Grove Music Fair ("Roy Buchanan... if you're out there, come see me. I want you to play with me.")

Al

Mark Olson · #19 08-10-2010, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJung

Wonderful artist and player. I remember totally digging 'Start all over again' way back in the day. The band Los Lonely Boys (if I have that name right) seems very influenced by Roy to my ear (writing, guitarist, etc.).

If I remember correctly, wasn't he some sort of schizophrenic or something? I might be misremembering.

Edit: Just looked him up.. the tune I'm talking about is called 'Can I change my mind'... wonderful. And, I guess he had substance abuse issues and some mental issues and committed suicide while in jail. Very sad.

Roy strikes me to my soul, and I am a schizophrenic. As far as substance abuse goes, I'm on my fourteenth beer right now. But I've only been playing guitar for two days so I don't have his chops.... yet. Roy is my new hero. I'll get it. His playing is so basic, yet soulful.

Hammertime3 · #20 08-10-2010, 03:44 PM

I happened on a PBS special, quite by accident, one evening back in the seventies, I believe. Roy was the featured artist, playing with everyone from country to blues, jazz, etc. I had never heard of Roy Buchanan then, but I have never forgotten the performances that nite. I was mesmerized by his unmatched sustain on certain notes..seemed like they last for a minute or so. I never saw that special again, but boy, would I like to. Quite simply, he was in a class by himself. I don't think even he knew how good he was! I can't imagine how any guitar player worth his salt wouldn't be in awe of him!