Fil, I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE how excited you seem to get when talking about Stevie Ray!! I, not only feel blessed to have been alive at the same time he was, blessed to love blues and rock but, I was also blessed to have seen him in concert!! It would take me the rest of my life to find all of adjectives to describe the man, the music, the vibe of that concert!! Visions and feelings I will take with me on my next journey!! I still, to this very day, cry for our loss of a brilliant, humble and kind man!! We sure could use his wisdom and music!!!!
Stevie's guitar was never a separate entity. It was an extension of his body: an extra appendage that he could control and manipulate with supernatural ability. I'm always amazed to the 10th power when I see and hear this master!!
I remember coming into work and turning the radio on that morning and hearing back to back to back SRV songs! I thought today's gonna be a great day!! Turned out to be one of the worst!! RIP Stevie!! I miss you!!
This guy was an absolute crazed beast of a guitar player. His ability to be such an aggressive player yet tight, creative and soulful has never been duplicated or mimicked by any other guitarist. Good Lord his vibrato with individual notes and chords is unlike any other. And he could do all of the above at will, fluidly, changing tempo, feel, tone and my God, innovating along the way. The seemingly endless energy of his playing is mind blowing. I especially like how he fits chords into his leads, slipping them in here or there perfectly and with such style. Stevie was violently graceful on that fretboard. And his fan picking, a sound and sight to behold. His equipment manager once said he found bits of melted guitar pick basically “welded” on to the pick guard of his strat!! What? Yeah! I never heard of such a thing. Crazy. This guy was a Blues Dispensing Machine!!! He could talk through his guitar far more fluently than any other blues player, past or present. He had so much to say. Some players have so little to say. Not Stevie! Those conversations could go on and on and on, and you’d never grow weary. Just tell me more Stevie. Talk to us. He had the grit, creativity, soul and uniqueness of Jimi Hendrix, Albert King, Robert Johnson and Albert Collins all rolled into one. And the class of his older brother Jimmy Vaughan. From what I’ve read, quotes from people who knew him well, Stevie was about the nicest guy you’d ever meet. Peaceful to a tee, generous, drowning with compassion for others. Often times Stevie Ray Vaughan’s guitar playing abilities are all that’s talked about amongst his fan base or first time listeners, but sheesh he could sing also like nobody’s business. His performance of Tin Pan Alley with Johnny Copeland is THE most soulful blues vocals I’ve ever heard in my entire life....and it was no horse race either. Nobody can touch his vocals in that performance. Not one! All of this leads to the hypothetical question....What would Stevie Ray Vaughan’s playing be like 31 years later (today) had he not died in 1990? S T A G G E R I N G to contemplate.. Could someone..that good then, actually improve over the course of 31 additional years of playing? If anyone could do it would be him is my answer.
I had the opportunity to see SRV and Double Trouble in New Orleans on the Riverboat President in the 1980s. Such a terrific show. Thanks for this Fil. He was incredible.
The 13 Gauge string set SRV used makes it like playing an acoustic guitar. The first studio I worked in had a strat with 13's too and bending strings on that guitar was no joke.
I LOVE Stevie Ray Vaughan! My mother, of all people (she wasn't big-time into the blues), saw him on a PBS show Austin City Limits. She loved him and told me to check him out. I became a fan overnight. Unfortunately, he died not too long after. My favorite by him is Pride and Joy!
Back when Austin City Limits was good! For some time now, i can't stand it. I don't know if someone else has taken over who is booked but 9/10 times i can't stand watching anymore.
One of the ways SRV managed the thick gauge strings was to detune his guitar to Eb. That helped to reduce a little of the tension. Although I would have needed to drop the tune down to C# in order to get the closest proximity to the type of string tension I use. SRV was an incredibly soulful player.
Me and my mates were some of the lucky people who saw SRV at Reading in 1983. We'd never heard of him but when he started playing we very soon realised we were witnessing something very special. A great performance and memories.
If you watch S.R.V. and Albert King on the In Session show, also taped in 1983, 40 miles down the road from Toronto, in Hamilton, you'll see who he got his double string bend from. The other signature Albert King technique he used all the time was the one where he'd stretch 2 or more frets, and then play a melody by partially releasing the bend and then re-bending to various degrees. Albert played his guitar upside down and tuned down quite a bit. Stevie tuned to Eb, which made stretching those strings a little easier, and though his E string was a 13, his B,G,D,+A strings were lighter than the gauges that would normally go with a 13 high E. His low E was heavier though (a 58). They also say that he would change gauges as a tour progressed. The story is that he would sometimes crazy glue his callouses back on in between sets.
There’s a video on UA-cam that shows Stevie’s finger blackened from pressing on the strings but the tips are white. It’s a really striking sight to see. When his fingers are seen on a profile edge you can see that the tips have worn away from having lost skin and flesh. He also supposedly would lose fingernails as well from playing so hard and he would glue them back on. When he weaned himself off of his alcohol and drug abuse he regained some of the feeling in his fingers and went back to thinner gauge strings. His hands were also big and strong as well which helped with his bending.
The sound of those heavy strings turned me right into a fan. It just opened my ears to enjoy all the fancy playing he does! Cool to show this one...thanks!!
Awesome Fil! I saw Stevie Ray live in Melbourne in 1984! Incredible is totally an understatement. My brother and I are both crazy fans of Stevie and we still talk about it till this day! The man blew the roof off The Melbourne Concert Hall! Just so hard to believe his gone! The legend of legends! Cheers Mario! 😀👌👍
@@sallynielsen8150 Yeah Sally he was unbelievable! I am so forever grateful for being able to see him live, it will definitely be one of my greatest moments in life!
wow! he played half that song behind his back, which shows you it wasn't just a fluke, and finishes up with it behind his back. geez! Never saw this video. Thanks for highlighting it, Fil. Great info from you, as always.
In 1985 Stevie was playing at the Commodore in Vancouver. I was sent to do an interview with him. His tour bus was held up at the US Canada border for hours. When he finally arrived he looked exhausted and apologized to us for keeping us waiting (imagine!). Our time with him was amazing. He had a soft speaking voice and though he was very late for his sound check, gave us the time needed to do his interview. A gentleman in the truest sense, as opposed to his battling blues persona on stage. Loved his music... thanks for that! 🤘
Thanks for re-uploading this analysis. Stevie Ray Vaughan's mind-blowing technique and talent needs to be celebrated and shared. I closed my eyes, kicked back, and let the music transport me.
Thanks for reuploading this analysis video did not see it the first time around. even back then your analysis Rock! when you started adding demonstrations your analysis became more indepth. way to go Fil. 👍
Thank you so much for reviewing SRV again. He was and is a master of his craft. He said in an interview that he could not read music so he memorized his fretting and general playing for each song, but he played from his heart. What a heart!!!
Thanks Fil, for telling us about Stevie's ability to undo and refasten the strap, when he goes from, front, to back and then front again! I thought I was seeing things... so he really was a magician with the quitar! 🤷🤦🙋God love him... Thanks again Fil! Way 🆒👍😎
Hi Fil! I tried so hard to find something wonderful to say about Stevie, and I will say he is extremely talented! I am not a fan of that type of music, but put that on me....not Stevie! Being a fan of sixties music perhaps I just stayed a bit long with The Beatles, Ricky Nelson, etc! I do appreciate you taking the time to bring us such a varied songbook! ✌️
Oh my goodness, Fil!!! You made my day!!! I was so excited to see this analysis and I could see the big smile on your face, as well!! His playing is unbelievable!! Have you ever played a cover of one of his songs? Thanks again....I am on cloud nine!!!! BTW......nice shirt ; )
Home run choice, Fil. You nailed the analysis of Stevie's guitar work. Thx. You can shock some rock fans by pulling out a Mel Galley riff with Glenn Hughes' stellar voice with Trapeze's Medusa. You'll generate a "wow, never listened to them" comments. Please be the first!
@@flyingburritobro68 Black Cloud is a terrific song. Free and Trapeze recorded their records within 6 months of each other in 1970, and it is easy to tell. The tone of the lead guitarists is similar. All good too.
SRV.. Texas flood.... Unfreakingbelieveable.... I definitely need a lil work... That behind the back action.. And he's all over the strat... Thanks professor
@@TheNo1BandDad Did you get it... You burt your pic stick Because of a Texas flood. So if you put a burning 🔥🎸 guitar In water... Naturally it generates smoke.. Thus smoke on the water... 😃
I love your respect for everything old and new. I just had a stroke and had to learn to reed right and speak again. I still can't say (connect) a People/Places/Things so I have to look everything up. There is a tune by Jimi Hendrix "Three Little Bears". He did a few versions but it is the play book .... Just Jimi .. No super fantastic high speed .. More like him practicing .. Cool stuff ..
@Big Bill O'Reilly It's all good. Unfortunately she'd never heard of SRV while he was alive so I had most of his recordings to play her. She ran with it after that.
Around age 16 or 17 I was introduced to the greatest one guitarist I had ever heard,and it was on! I had my old 76 strat set up for 13's and the middle tone wire cut for that thicker "Stevie Ray Sound"(alot of people don't know that)and I practiced and I got good,my left hand looked as if I had hot dogs for fingers, I pulled that old 76 out a couple of months ago and attempted the kick of to dirty pool and umm. No it was more like silly fool 😅 13s dear lord!
When I hear him doing this song....I think of the 2013 video of the Texas flood on lady bird lake that left Stevie Ray's statue waist deep in Austin, Texas, water...Google video....He's so good.....( his guitar is plugged in straight to his soul.) The guitar and him are one....on the magic ride when he plays...his feet leave the earth, magical. Thank you, Fil.
He was amazing that Stevie Ray, a man of the South. There is another that I sure wish you'd take a look at; that's Tony Joe White. He was the king of swamp music. He wrote Polk Salad Annie and A Rainy Night in Georgia, and others that are great but not as well known. The video is of him and the Foo Fighters on the David Letterman show. If you haven't seen it, you are missing one of the pleasures of life.
Should have had your 'back to the future' tee shirt on tonight😁. Became an SRV fan in the glory days of MTV (caught in the crossfire💜). Another fine analysis. thanks for giving us insight into what made him so unique.
Great stuff Fil! Hey you like your guitars ,Steve Earle is doing some videos on his vintage collection that you may enjoy, see ya on the live cast tonight!!
There are two guitarists that I've probably watched over a 1,000 hours of video; Rory Gallagher and Stevie Ray Vaughan. What was amazing was that the audience was always appreciative. EXCEPT apparently the first time SRV played at Montreux they booed him. I have a DVD with his perfomances and can't find that crowd reaction, but it wouldn't surprise me since they can be different there.
I was told, on the watching of the Austin Texas specials, that Stevie was more nervous when he didn't have his eyes open. I reasoned that this was why he played longer on the intro. It was the show opener and probably he needed a min before signing.
Great analysis. Would not have known these things about how hard his guitar playing was. But learning is why I am subscribed. What one thing that SRV did on the guitar that you wish you could do as well?
Fil, brilliant picking (sorry bad pun) apart SRV’s technique. As usual you make it interesting. I’m pretty sure I saw your original video but I can’t get enough of Stevie or you for that matter. Anyway over on your link to his performance I added this comment: Dang every time I hear and see him play it’s like my first time from years ago. It is like he was created to be a fantastic blues player. Oh yes and can play the guitar. Wait that seems demeaning to say he ‘plays’ guitar for some reason. Play is something children do at the park. SRV is beyond playing the guitar! Anyway Fil keep the great decompositions of these great players and performers coming. Top notch mate! Cheers!
I didn't know that about SRV's strings. That is awesome. Fighting the strings! Struggle can produce great music as we know because Beethoven produced great music, though his struggle was in the composing rather than in the playing. What would be interesting is a compare of SRV and Johnny Winter. As I recall, they both recorded Boot Hill.
Stevie was absolutely born to play guitar, he did cop alot of licks from the blues Godfather and legend Albert King; but Stevie had his own phenomenal Texas blues Fender sound and was technically and soulfully as brilliant as any human being could be. I read a good book about Stevie’s life and journey, and have the DVDs for the “Live at the El Mucambo” and “Live from Austin Texas” and i have watched them both many times. Wish he was here still playing guitar for us here today. RIP Stevie Ray Vaughn.
Typically your pointer and middle fingers hold the the strength in bends. SRV had incredible strength and dexterity in all four fingers and also his thumb. Just an amazing raw talent with the nuances and skills that seem effortless, but it was pure deception. He was at war with those strings and willed them to submit to his desired sound.
When will the concept of "Fair Use" actually begin to apply to google and all of the bots that flag videos trying to get their pennies. It is a shame that you along with other content creators such as Rick Beato have to deal with your content being taken down. Especially when you are doing a review of a performance or of a song. Granted this is intellectual property that you do not own yourself or have direct rights to. But that is what the purpose of fair use was supposed to cover. You are using the content in an educational presentation. To the owners of the content, when will they realize that you are actually promoting the artist and their work. You are exposing SRV and other groups and artists to a generation of the worlds population that were not alive when the artists were at their height. You showing the newer younger generations of the greatness that is no longer around. But by shining a light on these greats you create new fans that will go out and purchase these great works. The owners that are doing the strikes against content creators such as yourself are literally cutting their noses off to spite their face. Despite all of this you keep a positive attitude and work ethic to your channel Fil. I wish you the best. I hope that you and all of those that you love remain safe and healthy during this period of the world when everything is upside down. As always hoping the universe smiles kindly on you each and every day.
Yeah it's a bit frustrating especially when trying to point out a technique or part of the song for teaching purposes but it's blocked so can't be referenced!
Its infuriating, you should reach out to Rick Beato as he grapples with the same issues. I have bought lots of new music because its been recommended or previewed by UA-cam creators. The record and television companies blocking this stuff are cutting their own throats. They are stuck in old world thinking.
@@jimmycampbell78 : I can't watch Beato anymore after seeing him constantly banning his own viewers for things like typing _thicc_ in a "weird text" (that person was actually just complimenting the tone btw), and for talking to each other in live stream chat because "all questions should be directed only to" him, regardless of the fact he was just playing his guitar and ignoring the chat. Not even exaggerating slightly, he really did those things and more. I'm certainly not saying he's not a great resource, he really is and has a ton of great knowledge to pass on. But I've found as good or better resources for all of it, and I personally find his treatment of his own viewers authoritarian and reprehensible at best. If he's at some point had the balls to apologize and change his mistreatment of others, I'd happily subscribe again and go back to watching and supporting his videos. And if no one else boycotts him for these things that would be fine too of course (but many others already do anyway).
@@aylbdrmadison1051 I enjoy his videos and his channel, and often comment on them with no negative feedback. I have never been on one of his live streams. I think his videos are extremely well made.
S.R.V. is the reason I played heavy gauge strings as a teen. The one great advantage was that I could switch between my electric and an acoustic with no problem. Nowadays I string most of my guitars with “medium” gauge, but still keep one with a “hybrid” (heavy bottom, light top). He was both an inspiration and an influence to me. No way I’ll ever be what he was (is), but I am who I am, at least a little, because of him.
Such a superb player . Fil have you ever read the book crossfire on stevie ? A great read once you pick it up you won't put it down. If you can find it get it. In it talks of stevie playing his brother's guitars when Jimmy was gone and what would happen if he were caught by Jimmy and how doyle bramhall was a real inspiration to him. If you watch the whole performance you will see a kid who closely resembles a young John Mayer in the crowd when stevie is playing hug you squeeze you.
For all of those who’ve never visited Toronto or the El Mocambo itself, it is, in brief, a legendary live music venue. Learn all you need to know: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Mocambo?wprov=sfti1 If 1977 is before your time (or at least before you could legally drink), that was the year the ‘Mocambo went from famous to infamous and one of the results was a unique double album of which three sides were the Rolling Stones while one side was April Wine. The article linked above makes for some cool reading. 😎 (A note on this performance: SRV’s guitar playing is fantastic, just at the edge of what words can describe but, if I close my eyes, I’m not sure that I could differentiate Stevie’s vocal from Eric Clapton’s blues voicing. This is not a criticism, just an observation.)
I heard the story that Stevie while practicing with those heavy gauges got blisters and cured himself by putting super-glue on the finger tips and carried on. So I did the same. During my first gig as a relativly new bass player I looked down and saw the whole body covered in blood. Superglue and on. I can recommend it.
Hi Phil! Congratulations on this great site and your talentos! Would like to suggest a great video for your analysis. It is a. great favorite of mine, Tightrope, from the live show Austin City Limits in 1989. Do not have the link here, but you can find it easily on YouTUbe. Watch many times It will blow you away! Looking forward to your analysis! Thanks in advance! Rock!
Fil, great video and comments, i bought a Relic of his Number 1 Guitar, i thought i am going to sound like SRV WRONG, I do NOT Have his Fingers, or Attitude, Rock on Brother, Cousin Figel
Thanks. It's great to understand how he got that sound. Both he and Gary Moore appreciated 'attack'. Unfortunately, I never got to see him when I lived in Houston on the early 80s. There were stories, at the time, of him playing all-night gigs at Fitzgerald's. Here's another performance worth looking at ua-cam.com/video/2HmLFyvFxTc/v-deo.html&frags=wn&ab_channel=JeffHealey with Jeff Healey.
the blues just doesn't sound as good unless it's Stevie's vocals and guitar, to me. herd in a documentary that when his calases tore off he super glued them back on and kept playing wow
Hello Fil, I got to see Stevie one month before he was lost in the Helicopter crash, and Joe Cocker on the same night, naturally, when SRV started Voodoo Child, the crowd went nuts. This was at an amphitheater at a winery. Perhaps you have heard about the forest fires in Washington, Oregon, and, California, plus several other states. Not to mention the rest of the World is burning, check out some satellite imagery of all the fire locations. The bottom third of South America is ash, that's why it's not showing red. Very busy at work, long day's as of late. All the best from Oregon, C. P.S. No fire be me, 15 to 20 miles away, but, smoke so thick you can barely see the Sun, or hills a mile or two away.
So many live performances that go off into the instrumental weeds for 2+ minutes just get repetitive, lost, or just plain boring. But I could watch Stevie Ray Vaughan play Mary Had A Little Lamb, literally, for literally 20 minutes and count myself lucky for every second of it.
I wonder. On the day when Stevie was born, was Stevie born then guitar followed out of his mothers womb or did the guitar come first and then Stevie, or was it together and Stevie was singing Well It's Floodin Down In Texas
I think SRV is one of the only human beings that I could say perfected guitar playing. I personally think he eclipsed Jimi Hendrix. Yes, I apologise to the rest of the world for that claim. Good video, Fil!
Hi Fil. I'm back and subscribed again, Hope I didn't offend you with my comments on hearts tribute to stairway to heaven ,and yeah, they were great! Saw them in Columbia SC bout 1980, if I offended you, sorry 😎👍👍
My theory: Stevie set-up his guitar where it was impossible to play. Then proceeded to kick its ass. A war, in my opinion, he consistently won. Sorry you got blocked. Everyone and their brother with a channel references this performance. You’re the first I’ve seen get blocked. That said, you recovered beautifully, and saved the essence of this bravura performance without compromising your critique. Well done. I wish you continued success.
*sigh* this guy was taken way too early, like so many others. he also just had about 4 years of sobriety at the time of the accident, he was doing really well again. so sad, i miss this undisputed master.
Wow, he’s got an amazing sound. There’s a statue of him here in Austin on the hike and bike trail in Zilker Park.. there’s a picture of him with a mask on. Wish I could change the mask to WoP mask.. wonder if I’d get in trouble. 🤣
Hi Mark! I was so late to the blues party that they were both new to me til Fil's first SRV analysis...I just never realized that the blues could be so pretty, and I loved that heavy gauge string sound! Jimmy Vaughn is mighty fun!
Love Jimmie w/TFTB at Capitol Theater, esp. his solo in “Full Time Lover”. Also fun video of Jimmie and Stevie playing “The Crawl” at a club with TFTB😎
Performance Video - ua-cam.com/video/KC5H9P4F5Uk/v-deo.html
Fil, I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE how excited you seem to get when talking about Stevie Ray!! I, not only feel blessed to have been alive at the same time he was, blessed to love blues and rock but, I was also blessed to have seen him in concert!! It would take me the rest of my life to find all of adjectives to describe the man, the music, the vibe of that concert!! Visions and feelings I will take with me on my next journey!! I still, to this very day, cry for our loss of a brilliant, humble and kind man!! We sure could use his wisdom and music!!!!
Stevie's guitar was never a separate entity. It was an extension of his body: an extra appendage that he could control and manipulate with supernatural ability. I'm always amazed to the 10th power when I see and hear this master!!
That is spot on about Taj Ferrant. Thank you for helping me express how I feel about Taj.
I remember coming into work and turning the radio on that morning and hearing back to back to back SRV songs! I thought today's gonna be a great day!! Turned out to be one of the worst!! RIP Stevie!! I miss you!!
Thank you !!!!!🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🎵🎵🎶🎵🎵🎵🎵🎶🎵🎵🎶🎵⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Excellent analysis , FiL 👍🏼!!!!
Didn't realize Stevie's strings were that high tension, wow! I could never muster the finger strength to bend those, thanks for the analyses Fil!
This guy was an absolute crazed beast of a guitar player.
His ability to be such an aggressive player yet tight, creative and soulful has never been duplicated or mimicked by any other guitarist. Good Lord his vibrato with individual notes and chords is unlike any other. And he could do all of the above at will, fluidly, changing tempo, feel, tone and my God, innovating along the way. The seemingly endless energy of his playing is mind blowing.
I especially like how he fits chords into his leads, slipping them in here or there perfectly and with such style. Stevie was violently graceful on that fretboard. And his fan picking, a sound and sight to behold. His equipment manager once said he found bits of melted guitar pick basically “welded” on to the pick guard of his strat!! What? Yeah! I never heard of such a thing. Crazy.
This guy was a Blues Dispensing Machine!!!
He could talk through his guitar far more fluently than any other blues player, past or present. He had so much to say. Some players have so little to say. Not Stevie! Those conversations could go on and on and on, and you’d never grow weary. Just tell me more Stevie. Talk to us.
He had the grit, creativity, soul and uniqueness of Jimi Hendrix, Albert King, Robert Johnson and Albert Collins all rolled into one. And the class of his older brother Jimmy Vaughan. From what I’ve read, quotes from people who knew him well, Stevie was about the nicest guy you’d ever meet. Peaceful to a tee, generous, drowning with compassion for others.
Often times Stevie Ray Vaughan’s guitar playing abilities are all that’s talked about amongst his fan base or first time listeners, but sheesh he could sing also like nobody’s business. His performance of Tin Pan Alley with Johnny Copeland is THE most soulful blues vocals I’ve ever heard in my entire life....and it was no horse race either. Nobody can touch his vocals in that performance. Not one!
All of this leads to the hypothetical question....What would Stevie Ray Vaughan’s playing be like 31 years later (today) had he not died in 1990?
S T A G G E R I N G to contemplate..
Could someone..that good then, actually improve over the course of 31 additional years of playing?
If anyone could do it would be him is my answer.
I had the opportunity to see SRV and Double Trouble in New Orleans on the Riverboat President in the 1980s. Such a terrific show. Thanks for this Fil. He was incredible.
I was driving my car on the way to college when i heard of his passing on the radio. Sad day.
The 13 Gauge string set SRV used makes it like playing an acoustic guitar. The first studio I worked in had a strat with 13's too and bending strings on that guitar was no joke.
I LOVE Stevie Ray Vaughan! My mother, of all people (she wasn't big-time into the blues), saw him on a PBS show Austin City Limits. She loved him and told me to check him out. I became a fan overnight. Unfortunately, he died not too long after. My favorite by him is Pride and Joy!
Your lucky to have such a cool mom. 🤘👍
@@aprils6589 She was very cool!!!
Back when Austin City Limits was good! For some time now, i can't stand it. I don't know if someone else has taken over who is booked but 9/10 times i can't stand watching anymore.
Love all SRV tunes but really enjoying "Shake it for me"live track right now!..its a barn burner!
✌💛🤘
One of the ways SRV managed the thick gauge strings was to detune his guitar to Eb. That helped to reduce a little of the tension. Although I would have needed to drop the tune down to C# in order to get the closest proximity to the type of string tension I use. SRV was an incredibly soulful player.
Me and my mates were some of the lucky people who saw SRV at Reading in 1983. We'd never heard of him but when he started playing we very soon realised we were witnessing something very special. A great performance and memories.
Me and a buddy were in the US Air Force stationed in Spain in 1983. We went to the Reading Festival that year and saw SRV before he was "famous"!
If you watch S.R.V. and Albert King on the In Session show, also taped in 1983, 40 miles down the road from Toronto, in Hamilton, you'll see who he got his double string bend from. The other signature Albert King technique he used all the time was the one where he'd stretch 2 or more frets, and then play a melody by partially releasing the bend and then re-bending to various degrees. Albert played his guitar upside down and tuned down quite a bit. Stevie tuned to Eb, which made stretching those strings a little easier, and though his E string was a 13, his B,G,D,+A strings were lighter than the gauges that would normally go with a 13 high E. His low E was heavier though (a 58). They also say that he would change gauges as a tour progressed. The story is that he would sometimes crazy glue his callouses back on in between sets.
There’s a video on UA-cam that shows Stevie’s finger blackened from pressing on the strings but the tips are white. It’s a really striking sight to see. When his fingers are seen on a profile edge you can see that the tips have worn away from having lost skin and flesh. He also supposedly would lose fingernails as well from playing so hard and he would glue them back on. When he weaned himself off of his alcohol and drug abuse he regained some of the feeling in his fingers and went back to thinner gauge strings. His hands were also big and strong as well which helped with his bending.
Love it! Great analysis.
The sound of those heavy strings turned me right into a fan. It just opened my ears to enjoy all the fancy playing he does! Cool to show this one...thanks!!
Awesome Fil! I saw Stevie Ray live in Melbourne in 1984! Incredible is totally an understatement. My brother and I are both crazy fans of Stevie and we still talk about it till this day! The man blew the roof off The Melbourne Concert Hall! Just so hard to believe his gone! The legend of legends! Cheers Mario! 😀👌👍
How awesome, Mario, that you saw Stevie Ray....I am so jealous !!! What a fantastic memory
@@sallynielsen8150 Yeah Sally he was unbelievable! I am so forever grateful for being able to see him live, it will definitely be one of my greatest moments in life!
wow! he played half that song behind his back, which shows you it wasn't just a fluke, and finishes up with it behind his back. geez! Never saw this video. Thanks for highlighting it, Fil. Great info from you, as always.
In 1985 Stevie was playing at the Commodore in Vancouver. I was sent to do an interview with him. His tour bus was held up at the US Canada border for hours. When he finally arrived he looked exhausted and apologized to us for keeping us waiting (imagine!). Our time with him was amazing. He had a soft speaking voice and though he was very late for his sound check, gave us the time needed to do his interview. A gentleman in the truest sense, as opposed to his battling blues persona on stage. Loved his music... thanks for that! 🤘
Thanks for re-uploading this analysis. Stevie Ray Vaughan's mind-blowing technique and talent needs to be celebrated and shared. I closed my eyes, kicked back, and let the music transport me.
There is a DVD of Mocambo gig and it is fantastic. Stevie is in the zone all the way through and very few if any get in the zone like Stevie.
Thanks so much Fil for this great analysis.
Such a great track...
Thanks for reuploading this analysis video did not see it the first time around. even back then your analysis Rock! when you started adding demonstrations your analysis became more indepth. way to go Fil. 👍
Thank you so much for reviewing SRV again. He was and is a master of his craft. He said in an interview that he could not read music so he memorized his fretting and general playing for each song, but he played from his heart. What a heart!!!
The original upload was one of the first video of yours I ever saw. A great video. Love your appreciation of music and music history.
Thanks Fil, for telling us about Stevie's ability to undo and refasten the strap, when he goes from, front, to back and then front again! I thought I was seeing things... so he really was a magician with the quitar! 🤷🤦🙋God love him... Thanks again Fil! Way 🆒👍😎
Hi Fil! I tried so hard to find something wonderful to say about Stevie, and I will say he is extremely talented! I am not a fan of that type of music, but put that on me....not Stevie! Being a fan of sixties music perhaps I just stayed a bit long with The Beatles, Ricky Nelson, etc! I do appreciate you taking the time to bring us such a varied songbook! ✌️
Luv your reactions/analysis! You're the best Phil. Godspeed!
Thanks!
Just for grins, I tried out a set of 13's awhile back. I might as well have strung my guitar with trans-Atlantic cable.
Sad this got blocked. That performance was one of his best. Arguably his best version of Texas Flood. So much passion put into it
Hello Phil, hope you are having a great night. I love your videos and your analogies.
Oh my goodness, Fil!!! You made my day!!! I was so excited to see this analysis and I could see the big smile on your face, as well!! His playing is unbelievable!! Have you ever played a cover of one of his songs? Thanks again....I am on cloud nine!!!! BTW......nice shirt ; )
Another great Friday night video! Where did SRV get his energy? He was amazing?
Great video and analysis. Even with the annoying copyright workaround. SRV never lets you down. You too, Fil!
Home run choice, Fil. You nailed the analysis of Stevie's guitar work. Thx.
You can shock some rock fans by pulling out a Mel Galley riff with Glenn Hughes' stellar voice with Trapeze's Medusa. You'll generate a "wow, never listened to them" comments. Please be the first!
Geo L Trapeze Black Cloud from the Medusa album always gets my going. Love that band!!
@@flyingburritobro68 Black Cloud is a terrific song. Free and Trapeze recorded their records within 6 months of each other in 1970, and it is easy to tell. The tone of the lead guitarists is similar. All good too.
SRV.. Texas flood....
Unfreakingbelieveable....
I definitely need a lil work...
That behind the back action..
And he's all over the strat...
Thanks professor
After watching something like that, I just want to give up and burn my guitar. 😄
@@TheNo1BandDad
Smoke on the water...
@@TheNo1BandDad
Did you get it...
You burt your pic stick
Because of a Texas flood.
So if you put a burning 🔥🎸 guitar
In water... Naturally it generates smoke..
Thus smoke on the water... 😃
Brilliant like the professor
@ken sod, yes I got it. Very funny.
he's the master in that powerful blues style, sad to lose him so young
When he passed my mom's cried...
Can’t tell you how many thousands of people show Stevie Ray Vaughan videos and I’ve never seen one of his get blocked yet!!
FANTASTIC! MUSKALATA! GREAT performance! Spot on analysis Fil and EXCELLENT demo! Rock On!😎🎼🎶🎵🇨🇦
I love your respect for everything old and new. I just had a stroke and had to learn to reed right and speak again. I still can't say (connect) a People/Places/Things so I have to look everything up. There is a tune by Jimi Hendrix "Three Little Bears". He did a few versions but it is the play book .... Just Jimi .. No super fantastic high speed .. More like him practicing .. Cool stuff ..
I saw him open for The Moody Blues in the 80's in Cincinnati..
I once had this concert on VHS, Stevie shredded their faces off that night, I bet he lost 10 pounds of water
I watched it with my mom back then.
Somewhere I have a dubbed VHS of my mom's original for those old enough to understand that.
Cocaine will do that for you unfortunately
@Big Bill O'Reilly My mother died of leukemia 6 years ago.
@Big Bill O'Reilly It's all good. Unfortunately she'd never heard of SRV while he was alive so I had most of his recordings to play her. She ran with it after that.
Around age 16 or 17 I was introduced to the greatest one guitarist I had ever heard,and it was on! I had my old 76 strat set up for 13's and the middle tone wire cut for that thicker "Stevie Ray Sound"(alot of people don't know that)and I practiced and I got good,my left hand looked as if I had hot dogs for fingers, I pulled that old 76 out a couple of months ago and attempted the kick of to dirty pool and umm. No it was more like silly fool 😅 13s dear lord!
Great analysis Fil. Superb 👍
When I hear him doing this song....I think of the 2013 video of the Texas flood on lady bird lake that left Stevie Ray's statue waist deep in Austin, Texas, water...Google video....He's so good.....( his guitar is plugged in straight to his soul.) The guitar and him are one....on the magic ride when he plays...his feet leave the earth, magical.
Thank you, Fil.
He was amazing that Stevie Ray, a man of the South. There is another that I sure wish you'd take a look at; that's Tony Joe White. He was the king of swamp music. He wrote Polk Salad Annie and A Rainy Night in Georgia, and others that are great but not as well known. The video is of him and the Foo Fighters on the David Letterman show. If you haven't seen it, you are missing one of the pleasures of life.
Well done, Fil!!
Thanks! 🖤🤘🏽
30 years, August 27. 🕊RIP. SRV “Aint Gone N Give Up On Love” Capitol Theater. Best Blues ever written IMHO. Would love analysis! 😎
Should have had your 'back to the future' tee shirt on tonight😁. Became an SRV fan in the glory days of MTV (caught in the crossfire💜). Another fine analysis. thanks for giving us insight into what made him so unique.
Another great analysis ❤
Great stuff Fil! Hey you like your guitars ,Steve Earle is doing some videos on his vintage collection that you may enjoy, see ya on the live cast tonight!!
There are two guitarists that I've probably watched over a 1,000 hours of video; Rory Gallagher and Stevie Ray Vaughan. What was amazing was that the audience was always appreciative.
EXCEPT apparently the first time SRV played at Montreux they booed him. I have a DVD with his perfomances and can't find that crowd reaction, but it wouldn't surprise me since they can be different there.
Two favorites of mine, as well \m/
Thanks Fil...
Very nicely done Mr. Fil😉.🤘🎵
I have that srv shirt you were wearing
I was told, on the watching of the Austin Texas specials, that Stevie was more nervous when he didn't have his eyes open. I reasoned that this was why he played longer on the intro. It was the show opener and probably he needed a min before signing.
Enjoyed this---here is my list, all tied for best, in no order; Clapton, SRV, Hendrix and on slide, Cooder. For Delta to Chicago Blues, Buddy Guy.
Great analysis. Would not have known these things about how hard his guitar playing was. But learning is why I am subscribed.
What one thing that SRV did on the guitar that you wish you could do as well?
Keep it up
"Why is the sky blue, grampa?"
"Because that's where Stevie Ray Vaughan lives now, child."
Thank you ❤️
Fil, brilliant picking (sorry bad pun) apart SRV’s technique. As usual you make it interesting. I’m pretty sure I saw your original video but I can’t get enough of Stevie or you for that matter. Anyway over on your link to his performance I added this comment:
Dang every time I hear and see him play it’s like my first time from years ago. It is like he was created to be a fantastic blues player. Oh yes and can play the guitar. Wait that seems demeaning to say he ‘plays’ guitar for some reason. Play is something children do at the park. SRV is beyond playing the guitar!
Anyway Fil keep the great decompositions of these great players and performers coming. Top notch mate!
Cheers!
Great sound from a great talent.
I didn't know that about SRV's strings. That is awesome. Fighting the strings! Struggle can produce great music as we know because Beethoven produced great music, though his struggle was in the composing rather than in the playing. What would be interesting is a compare of SRV and Johnny Winter. As I recall, they both recorded Boot Hill.
Stevie was absolutely born to play guitar, he did cop alot of licks from the blues Godfather and legend Albert King; but Stevie had his own phenomenal Texas blues Fender sound and was technically and soulfully as brilliant as any human being could be. I read a good book about Stevie’s life and journey, and have the DVDs for the “Live at the El Mucambo” and “Live from Austin Texas” and i have watched them both many times. Wish he was here still playing guitar for us here today.
RIP Stevie Ray Vaughn.
Typically your pointer and middle fingers hold the the strength in bends. SRV had incredible strength and dexterity in all four fingers and also his thumb. Just an amazing raw talent with the nuances and skills that seem effortless, but it was pure deception. He was at war with those strings and willed them to submit to his desired sound.
When will the concept of "Fair Use" actually begin to apply to google and all of the bots that flag videos trying to get their pennies. It is a shame that you along with other content creators such as Rick Beato have to deal with your content being taken down. Especially when you are doing a review of a performance or of a song. Granted this is intellectual property that you do not own yourself or have direct rights to. But that is what the purpose of fair use was supposed to cover. You are using the content in an educational presentation. To the owners of the content, when will they realize that you are actually promoting the artist and their work. You are exposing SRV and other groups and artists to a generation of the worlds population that were not alive when the artists were at their height. You showing the newer younger generations of the greatness that is no longer around. But by shining a light on these greats you create new fans that will go out and purchase these great works. The owners that are doing the strikes against content creators such as yourself are literally cutting their noses off to spite their face. Despite all of this you keep a positive attitude and work ethic to your channel Fil. I wish you the best. I hope that you and all of those that you love remain safe and healthy during this period of the world when everything is upside down. As always hoping the universe smiles kindly on you each and every day.
Excellent point and well said Christopher.
Yeah it's a bit frustrating especially when trying to point out a technique or part of the song for teaching purposes but it's blocked so can't be referenced!
Its infuriating, you should reach out to Rick Beato as he grapples with the same issues. I have bought lots of new music because its been recommended or previewed by UA-cam creators. The record and television companies blocking this stuff are cutting their own throats. They are stuck in old world thinking.
@@jimmycampbell78 : I can't watch Beato anymore after seeing him constantly banning his own viewers for things like typing _thicc_ in a "weird text" (that person was actually just complimenting the tone btw), and for talking to each other in live stream chat because "all questions should be directed only to" him, regardless of the fact he was just playing his guitar and ignoring the chat. Not even exaggerating slightly, he really did those things and more.
I'm certainly not saying he's not a great resource, he really is and has a ton of great knowledge to pass on. But I've found as good or better resources for all of it, and I personally find his treatment of his own viewers authoritarian and reprehensible at best.
If he's at some point had the balls to apologize and change his mistreatment of others, I'd happily subscribe again and go back to watching and supporting his videos. And if no one else boycotts him for these things that would be fine too of course (but many others already do anyway).
@@aylbdrmadison1051 I enjoy his videos and his channel, and often comment on them with no negative feedback. I have never been on one of his live streams. I think his videos are extremely well made.
Will totally click for SRV
S.R.V. is the reason I played heavy gauge strings as a teen. The one great advantage was that I could switch between my electric and an acoustic with no problem. Nowadays I string most of my guitars with “medium” gauge, but still keep one with a “hybrid” (heavy bottom, light top). He was both an inspiration and an influence to me. No way I’ll ever be what he was (is), but I am who I am, at least a little, because of him.
Such a superb player . Fil have you ever read the book crossfire on stevie ? A great read once you pick it up you won't put it down. If you can find it get it. In it talks of stevie playing his brother's guitars when Jimmy was gone and what would happen if he were caught by Jimmy and how doyle bramhall was a real inspiration to him. If you watch the whole performance you will see a kid who closely resembles a young John Mayer in the crowd when stevie is playing hug you squeeze you.
Love Stevie Ray Vaughn. I wish i could i play like him.
SRV beat up ol number 1 pretty good but she could take it and man could she sing!.thanks for the link Fil!..always a pleasure!
Much love from Indy
✌💛🤘
Great and intersting analisys 👌👌👌 I like so much 💯✔👊🤘
For all of those who’ve never visited Toronto or the El Mocambo itself, it is, in brief, a legendary live music venue. Learn all you need to know: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Mocambo?wprov=sfti1
If 1977 is before your time (or at least before you could legally drink), that was the year the ‘Mocambo went from famous to infamous and one of the results was a unique double album of which three sides were the Rolling Stones while one side was April Wine. The article linked above makes for some cool reading. 😎
(A note on this performance: SRV’s guitar playing is fantastic, just at the edge of what words can describe but, if I close my eyes, I’m not sure that I could differentiate Stevie’s vocal from Eric Clapton’s blues voicing. This is not a criticism, just an observation.)
I heard the story that Stevie while practicing with those heavy gauges got blisters and cured himself by putting super-glue on the finger tips and carried on. So I did the same. During my first gig as a relativly new bass player I looked down and saw the whole body covered in blood. Superglue and on. I can recommend it.
Hi Phil! Congratulations on this great site and your talentos! Would like to suggest a great video for your analysis. It is a. great favorite of mine, Tightrope, from the live show Austin City Limits in 1989. Do not have the link here, but you can find it easily on YouTUbe. Watch many times It will blow you away! Looking forward to your analysis! Thanks in advance! Rock!
Fil, great video and comments, i bought a Relic of his Number 1 Guitar, i thought i am going to sound like SRV WRONG, I do NOT Have his Fingers, or Attitude, Rock on Brother, Cousin Figel
Thanks.
It's great to understand how he got that sound. Both he and Gary Moore appreciated 'attack'.
Unfortunately, I never got to see him when I lived in Houston on the early 80s. There were stories, at the time, of him playing all-night gigs at Fitzgerald's.
Here's another performance worth looking at
ua-cam.com/video/2HmLFyvFxTc/v-deo.html&frags=wn&ab_channel=JeffHealey
with Jeff Healey.
the blues just doesn't sound as good unless it's Stevie's vocals and guitar, to me. herd in a documentary that when his calases tore off he super glued them back on and kept playing wow
The vídeo from Austin City Limits I suggested below is from Stevie Ray Vaughan!
Hello Fil, I got to see Stevie one month before he was lost in the Helicopter crash, and Joe Cocker on the same night, naturally, when SRV started Voodoo Child, the crowd went nuts. This was at an amphitheater at a winery. Perhaps you have heard about the forest fires in Washington, Oregon, and, California, plus several other states. Not to mention the rest of the World is burning, check out some satellite imagery of all the fire locations. The bottom third of South America is ash, that's why it's not showing red. Very busy at work, long day's as of late. All the best from Oregon, C. P.S. No fire be me, 15 to 20 miles away, but, smoke so thick you can barely see the Sun, or hills a mile or two away.
So many live performances that go off into the instrumental weeds for 2+ minutes just get repetitive, lost, or just plain boring.
But I could watch Stevie Ray Vaughan play Mary Had A Little Lamb, literally, for literally 20 minutes and count myself lucky for every second of it.
I wonder. On the day when Stevie was born, was Stevie born then guitar followed out of his mothers womb or did the guitar come first and then Stevie, or was it together and Stevie was singing Well It's Floodin Down In Texas
Just subbed. Smart guy
Thanks!
I think SRV is one of the only human beings that I could say perfected guitar playing. I personally think he eclipsed Jimi Hendrix. Yes, I apologise to the rest of the world for that claim. Good video, Fil!
He had thick heart strings and the thickest guitar strings. They were one and the same.
I like the live alive shirt your wearing 😂
Hi Fil. I'm back and subscribed again, Hope I didn't offend you with my comments on hearts tribute to stairway to heaven ,and yeah, they were great! Saw them in Columbia SC bout 1980, if I offended you, sorry 😎👍👍
My theory: Stevie set-up his guitar where it was impossible to play. Then proceeded to kick its ass. A war, in my opinion, he consistently won.
Sorry you got blocked. Everyone and their brother with a channel references this performance. You’re the first I’ve seen get blocked. That said, you recovered beautifully, and saved the essence of this bravura performance without compromising your critique.
Well done. I wish you continued success.
Thanks!
Please review Oreo Cookie Blues by Lonnie Mack with SRV. I think it is Capital Theater. Stevie plays acoustic and slide.
*sigh* this guy was taken way too early, like so many others.
he also just had about 4 years of sobriety at the time of the accident, he was doing really well again.
so sad, i miss this undisputed master.
Wow, he’s got an amazing sound. There’s a statue of him here in Austin on the hike and bike trail in Zilker Park.. there’s a picture of him with a mask on. Wish I could change the mask to WoP mask.. wonder if I’d get in trouble. 🤣
You won't know til you try!!
Love it
Fil, the heaviest high E string Stevie ever played was an 18. That was rare, though.
You know Stevie Ray is So great..but I really prefer his brother Jimmie Vaughn..fits my style in Blues/Rockabilly ....thanks Fil
Hi Mark! I was so late to the blues party that they were both new to me til Fil's first SRV analysis...I just never realized that the blues could be so pretty, and I loved that heavy gauge string sound! Jimmy Vaughn is mighty fun!
Love Jimmie w/TFTB at Capitol Theater, esp. his solo in “Full Time Lover”. Also fun video of Jimmie and Stevie playing “The Crawl” at a club with TFTB😎
The way he manhandled 'em, I wouldn't have been surprised if Stevie'd had to string his guitar with barbwire!
I saw Stevie Ray on his tour with Jeff Beck. Jeff should have gone on first. He was anti-climactic after Stevie Ray.