I heard his voice described once as "honey poured over gravel". I think that just about covers it. And the way he clings to the guitar; it seems like the one thing in the world that is holding him together. I have to stop watching these live performances for a while, I just start crying every time...how unfair that he's gone!
I play. He is shaking the guitar so much because he has to use extreme force to get that vibrato. He used very thick strings which are hard to bend. So he had to wrestle the whole guitar.
I cry every time. Watched, goggle-eyed, and listened to him (mesmerized) in downtown Austin (on the river) when Stevie and his “Bro” were not well known. Heaven on Earth!! When he died…… well…. I can’t talk about it…. Even now.😢
@@BobbyGeneric145 this right here is what is the best about music. You may not like what another artist makes but you can respect what it is and what it takes to make
One of the members of Double Trouble once said in an interview I read in a guitar mag about 20 years ago or so that (to paraphrase) some artists don't play a song the same way twice. SRV didn't play a song the same way once. Not sure if it 100% makes sense as a statement, but it speaks to just how spontaneous and on-the-edge Stevie's playing was, which was a big part of what made it so special.
It was actually Eric Clapton who gave SRV that compliment. It’s on the dvd to A tribute to SRV at Austin City limits. He said it’s like the music flowed through him from and he never paused to think about what he was going to play next.
"Stevie was an endless, open channel that music just poured out of." "He made people who'd never touched a guitar in their life want to pick one up and start playing, and he made those of us who'd jammed with him onstage before want to quit."..................Eric Clapton!
You and I know the story when Eric was to follow Stevie on stage but as he stood to the side of the stage he became so frustrated he turned and walked out the back door of the venue. His people followed him out to get him to come back in but Eric was adamant, "what's the use? what's the use?" He was coaxed back in but EC later said "Stevie was just a channel, he'd go from one idea to the next without a pause" He said, "sometimes I'm out there and get lost thinking 'what do I do next?' but I never heard Stevie miss a note or not close a phrase."
Please do More Stevie. He,was a legend. Who in the hell gave this a thumbs down. Beth your reaction was great. He could sing, but he made his guitar sing even better.
I think my favorite part of this video is watching you make the guitar faces along with Stevie Ray. There's some players that just make you do that and he is one of them no matter who you are if I ever see people listening to Stevie they always make a similar face when he makes a bend it just hits you right in the soul.
So nice to see Beth go out on a limb and look into Stevie Ray. He was an American Treasure! He could sing the blues, and was an absolute master of the blues guitar! The consummate musician.
Unexpected choice. SVR is typically revered as one of America's greatest guitarists ever, if not THE greatest, not for his vocals. (Although he can definitely sing the blues!)
SRV, like Neil Young, Dylan, Hendrix, et al, didn't have the classical voice, but there was NO MISTAKING who it was when they sang. I prefer a vocalist who sings from his b*lls than a perfect, textbook singer
@@wtglb 100% agree with you there. Stevie would have had no trouble singing anything if he wanted to, the guy was an absolute genius. I hate these made for TV singers these days who have no clue about singing from their heart/soul but think they are great because they can hit a perfect b# note. SRV is a god
The reason Stevie Ray Vaughan, in my humble opinion, was so great is because he was always authentic when he performed and even when he wasn't on stage. He never faked anything or just went through the motions...he was always real and honest and freely gave 100% of his emotions...what a world wide tragedy the day he died...very sad.
Never gets old to see someone discover the legend that was SRV.... highly recommend the Austin City Limits show that combines two of his appearances. The stark contrast from before and after he got clean is amazing but makes the loss of him that much more sad. Thankfully he left us with so much amazing music. What a talent he was.
I absolutely agree about anyone and everyone needing to see his later Austin City Limits appearance, you could tell after he got clean and sober just how much he loved performing and it made such a big difference on how much better he was at it towards the end...that's the Stevie I like to remember, the one who was enjoying every moment of his 2nd life...
ACL was my first intro to SRV. There was SFA on Saturday Night Live that night. Within minutes I was rummaging for a blank VHS; something told me to record it for posterity. THEN I saw him live. He ruined every other guitarist for me. I saw him later, he opened for Robert Plant,.....Plant should have stayed home, SRV blew him off the stage and back.
I found this video by accident, but very glad I did. And I had to chuckle, from the very beginning. People always used to joke with Stevie about what they called his "guitar face." All those facial expressions he made when he played, especially leads. Stevie always took it in stride and would make fun of himself about doing that. When the music started, YOU started making that "blues listening" face. Your eyes closed a bit, started bobbing your head up and down, back and forth a bit. You were feeling the soul of it all. You feel it watching a video and listening to this over a computer...imagine what it was like seeing Stevie live, being in a small room or concert hall, REALLY hearing and feeling this. It was absolute magic and there was nothing better. Stevie was a good friend and mentor to me. I was just a teenager. But I saw him live a lot, mostly from the side of the stage or in the wings. If it didn't affect or move everyone in the room, then something was wrong with some of those people. Stevie's an example that, you don't have to be a good singer in the mechanics and technical aspects, to BE a good singer. Same goes for like Willie Nelson or Johnny Cash. But they all had their own style, their trademark sound, you could instantly recognize their voice on anything they sang on. Stevie never meant to be a singer. He just wanted to play guitar. But in some early bands, they had a singer that would run late, or just not show up. So, Stevie would step and sing out of desperation. Despite his blues, soul and rock influences, Stevie never tried to sing like anyone but himself. Never tried to be like anyone but himself in every aspect. Like his guitar playing, which he very much made that guitar sing...his voice was always so full of soul and emotion. It would make you FEEL. Stevie called it his "chainsaw voice." The way he thought it sounded, but also the way his throat would start to feel, after doing long stints of touring. He gave so much of himself performing, he'd be absolutely exhausted afterwards. But also invigorated, by the response of the crowds. He always gave more of himself than he ever wanted or expected to get back. I hope you can truly hear that in all of his music.
SRV his final show in Wisconsin, he was in the Zone. Standing in the wings, the next artist was in near panic. He was on next, Eric Clapton turned to Blues legend Buddy Guy and said "How the hell do I follow that?" Sadly just a short time later he was gone. I had tickets to the next show.... never got to see him live
I was at that show. I was absolutely devastated the next day when I heard the news. In the zone is an understatement. Hands down one of if not the best concert I had ever seen... and I've seen hundreds over the years. I'm kind of a concert junkie. SRV was phenomenal live
SRV was a musician that used his guitar as an extension of his body. They worked together as one unit...the vocal chops are often overlooked because of his supernatural guitar skills, but he could sing the blues with the best of them. This man took the blues guitar to another level all his own. There will never be another musician like him again...RIP. gone too soon.
"I wish I knew more about the guitar so I could impart something." I taught guitar for 8 years and have been playing for 25... nothing to impart here. He does things not many other guitarists have ever been able to do. He's one of those "just sit in awe and enjoy it" kind of guys.
Yeah... SRV was doing things like bending full chords with his #1 stat strung with 13's. Most guitarists can't even bend a single 9 with the soul Stevie had.
@@douglascaskey7302 Yeah, I can see WHERE his fingers are going, I understand he's basically just playing the same 5 notes in different positions with some accents and bends here and there on almost every song. I can learn the songs, play the notes, get the gear he used and never be able to sound like him.
@@MrAndersonmm it’s not the just the notes, it’s what you do with them, especially rhythmically. Rhythm is often overlooked when talking about music for some reason. There are only limited number of orders in which you can play those 5 notes (if you meant pentatonic) or heck even all 12 notes if you use chromatic scales. It is the rhythm that makes every lick so distinct. We’ll also as pointed out in the video, dynamics intonation and accenting etc are also very important.
@@douglascaskey7302 My brother is a guitarist and he tried some 13s not too long ago just for the hell of it and while he could play with them he said it was a huge pain in the ass to bend the damn things and he could barely do it. The fact that Stevie was bending the fuckers like they were pipe cleaners and regularly breaking them is hilariously absurd.
This is one of Stevie rays best performances, so great choice. He’s known as one of the all time great guitar players for obvious reasons. But, he’s also been praised for his voice as well. It’s not easy to get that deep bluesy voice like he had.
So many things make SRV so unique, not just his excellent guitar technique but that unique soul. I was devastated the day that he passed, yes, I'm that old.
Its a thing. There will be a generation soon that won't know anything about the Beatles, Hendrix, the stones, srv, evh. All we can do is try to impart great music to our children and hope they spread the word.
Ya unfortunately you can’t comprehend just how awesome Stevie’s playing was. How he got his tone with his choice of guitars and amps even the strings he used…that’s half of it and the rest is in his hands and in his soul…the man just blows my mind….👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
When our friends from out of town come to see us in Austin, they want to see The State Capital, The University of Texas and Stevie Ray's statue on Town Lake. One of a kind, a national treasure. He died much too soon. Thank you so much for your analysis. Great Job!!
As a north Texas guy, I love SRV a lot. My dad was a massive fan and even told me about when he was in high school Stevie Ray Vaughn played at his high school and he fell in love with him. Dude is an absolute legend here, to the point where he’s just a pop culture icon in DFW in Texas, my favorite team, the Dallas Stars in the NHL, play his song “The House Is Rockin” when they win a home game. He’s a guitar god and an underrated blues singer. RIP SRV
SRV makes his guitar sing. I was surprised to see him uploaded. He had a Blues Voice that matched his guitar playing. One thing for sure, every reaction Video of SRV bobs their head, chills and goes into shock. It makes me smile. SRV is one of the best. Thanks for the video, makes me happy.
My parents grew up going to Stevie concerts way back when he we was playing dives. He would be thrilled someone said he had an incredible voice, and you're right. But he really worked on it. In the beginning he was always a great guitar player, but an absolutely horrible singer. He probably worked harder at singing than he had to at playing guitar.
If there's even been a more scorching hot intense blues performance than this right here, I'd like to know. That was a magical night and this number was the pinnacle of it.
Strat + Tube Screamer + Fender Super Reverb will get you most of the way there, though SRV used several different amps throughout his career for both clean and distorted tones.
I had the privilege to see SRV & DT play a concert in February 1987, in Knoxville, Tennessee. Just over three years later, he was gone. Killed in a helicopter crash. You may like his live performance of "Life Without You" for a broader display of his vocals. Bear in mind, he was celebrated for his prowess on the Stratocaster guitar. Glad to see you understand how he could make a guitar "Sing!" Well done, Beth!
You and I have something in common, we both saw SRV and I’m so happy I did. I saw him open up for Robert Plant. As big of a Zeppelin fan I was and still. I didn’t want SRV to stop playing. I was like ok Robert whatcha got for me now? Lol. What a show that was. Robert did very well but SRV stole the show hands down.
Literally every movement Stevie makes brings me to tears. Music is supposed to evoke emotions and SRV did that the very first time I heard “Pride and Joy” at 15 years old. I’m 28 now and he STILL GETS ME EVERY TIME.
SRV was one of the masters of the call and response phrasing (also called question and answer phrasing) where a sang phrase is followed by an answer on guitar or vice versa. In effect, he is singing with his guitar more than his voice. And the Texas blues sound informs and influences his vocal style. RIP Stevie
He is absolutely singing with his guitar! Watching him and listening to that guitar sing is as close as you will ever get looking into another person's soul!
I literally shouted, "THANK YOU! YES!!" when you said "It's like he's singing with the guitar." I always understand his guitar as an direct extension of his voice, in a way that is unique to him. It was very, very satisfying to see a vocal coach react to him. I was hoping to see you make exactly that connection. Brava!
My girlfriend (now wife) and I saw Stevie at Austin City Limits in 1989, when I was a junior in college. It was the first concert where I felt physically drained afterwards, like I had run a marathon. Stevie's music and soul could provoke such strong emotion. Good review!
I was lucky enough to see Steve Ray twice in Boston and i can tell you he left the audience stunned each time... great reaction, Thank You for posting!
So much of the blues is _feel_ and Stevie's singing is often overshadowed by his playing... but Stevie is/was a revered singer.... listen to "Tick Tock" off of "Family Style" .. and Stevie's absolutely smooooooth voice is mesmerizing...
Love this. "Tin Pan Alley" (Live) is another where Stevie does a duet with the great Johnny Copeland. They put their heart, soul, voice, and fingers in every note!
B B King said I speak blues in sentences. Stevie speaks blues in paragraphs. He added that surprisingly the best blues man he ever heard turned out to be a white boy from Texas. RIP Stevie Ray. Thank you for being a light in our lives. Beth you got my subscription with your review here. Beautiful and brilliant. That is a frighteningly wonderful combination
Blues singers aren't known for beautiful vocals. They usually match what they are playing. Blues. Back alley bars, whiskey, late night, heart break. Their singing reflects that when it's right. That makes it great.
@@chrisb2038, ha, yes, I am an expert. IDK, being a music teacher, playing 22 different instruments; and being a teacher of music history -- including the evolution of musical techniques -- yeah, bubba, I would say I am qualified. SRV will always be a legend in his lane. However, his understanding and implementation of advanced guitar techniques was very limited and narrow.
So much fun to see you connect and groove to SRV’s guitar playing! No surprise at all. And yes, that’s his band Double Trouble, including drummer Chris Layton and bassist Tommy Shannon, who were with the band from the beginning, and apparently still active as DT today (per Wikipedia) even though Stevie has passed (killed in a helicopter crash). Stevie admired Jimmy Hendrix and covered his song “Voodoo Child” in the same concert.
Love this analysis! Stevie was a master of conveying his emotions through his guitar and voice. He was able to go places almost no other musicians have ever gone. Cheers!
I'll admit I was a bit skeptical having a vocal pro reacting to arguably one of the greatest guitarists OF ALL TIME, but I believe you pretty much nailed this. I now have a much greater appreciation for Stevie Ray's vocal abilities than previously. Than k you so much!
Many can play the guitaer, few can make it sing. Hearing SRV (especially live) is like witnessing the inner working of the man. He makes me scrunch up my face just listening. RIP Stevie.
He sings from the depths and finishes with that guitar. So incredible. Brilliant. Mostly unattainable but a wonder to hear. There are plenty of artists that are around today that are as brilliant As Stevie was. However this performance is so magical. Thanks again for giving it a listen
Beth Roars, thank you for reacting to SRV, really appreciate how you discussed his dynamics, guitar and voice. You already amazed me, you just gave a voice lesson from a guitar performance!!
Hi Beth, SRV was a unique guitarist, many people are not even capable of playing in the way he did... his hands were huge, wrapping completely around the neck so his thumb could play the upper strings while still playing all 6 from below with the other 4 fingers... go back starting at about 1:45 and watch his thumb alternating with his fingers all over the fretboard.
Had the great pleasure to see him in person the year he passed. Fantastic show. Your analysis is spot on: the guitar is his inner voice. He was able to project so much feeling with his singing voice but the true emotions came from his six string. Truly one of a kind! Thanks for this!
Beth, do glad you've taken on the evaluation of Stevie's voice. So many just talk about his phenomenal guitar playing. Backstory on this particular gig at the El Mocambo in Toronto. He is playing with his band ,Double Trouble, and just before they went on stage, they always had a huddle. This time, Stevie told his road manager Cutter Brandenburg "Brace yourself. I'm not stoppin'."
What a great loss when Stevie Ray was cut down much too young. He'd been through the addictions and excesses, was getting his shit together when he was taken. Just imagine the music that we've missed out on, but so glad he managed to give us so much.
Life By The Drop by Stevie Ray. It’s about his addictions, and he plays the most beautiful guitar line. On a 12 String guitar, by himself. On the album version. Never bothered looking up another.
At 1:32 is when stevie would have started singing this song in most performances, you can see him approaching the mic, but then the urge to strike another solo instead was too powerful and the solo itself took Stevie along for the ride that time haha Stevie live at El Mocambo will always be one of the most legendary performances of any musician ever. I have seen no finer example of a performing musician so flawlessly demonstrating a passionate and virtuous performance, and to see a vocal coach analyzing this is just too awesome haha. But foreal, almost every song he plays at Mocambo is the best live version of that song. If you like this check out Little Wing and Lenny. Thank you so much for evaluating one of my favorite things ever!
Lol I kept screaming at you….. “ OPEN YOUR EYES OPEN YOUR EYES…..” when he spun around to put the guitar behind his back. Lol. I’m so thrilled to see a vocal coach do SRV. He is first a guitarist before a singer, but he can hold his own on vocals. I’d love for you to to keep doing SRV and listen to his vocal range to other songs.
AGREE! Me to - Girl you must watch Stevie his entire performance.. At least at first.. Let him close his eyes and feel it and I understand why you get caught up feeling it with him.. I read a com recent of another reactor closing his eyes or looking away often (may have been Voodoo Child) and someone said two rules to watching/listening SRV - first best live performances and 2 open your eyes look at him.. Stevie's voice was phenomenal as it came from the same place of great depth within with such pure raw passion heart & soul as his guitar.. Hope to meet you on the other side brother in the everlasting plane of existence the Spirit realm once this temporary flesh passes away.. Beth if you read this, great reaction I understand why you stop it often as seeing hearing much important to com on in the moment but listen/watch uninterrupted to any and more of Stevie on your own.. And share more with us all experience together.. Glad you are discovering him now.. Much love for Stevie and double trouble, and passionate gifts (for the world) of their music..
I was skeptical of what your commentary would be, given SRV is a master guitar player rather than a singer, but I loved your take and loved watching you experience SRV. Thanks I quite enjoyed this.
I love the electric guitar so much. Speaking of dynamics, there's no instrument as dynamic as the electric guitar. From sleepy ambient tones, to a full wall of thunder, and everything in between. It makes the best noises.
Loved that. Your face is sooooo expressive you communicate so much without saying a word. Thanks. Two words come to mind on this performance: soul and authentic! This is a man who is not faking the blues. RIP SRV.
Beth's face during Stevie's playing is all of us. RIP SRV. There will never be another like you. Beth, you don't need to know anything about guitar to know that man could flat-out shred.
7:03 “He is kind of purposely being slightly under the note with his guitar” Me: I had no idea. Great ear Beth! I am going to listen to SRV a little more carefully now. Thank you! 7:57 “You can’t be flat at any moment. It is an emotional tension point.” 9:37 “I wish I knew more about guitar so I could impart something” Me: I play guitar (Mediocre) and I already learned something about guitar from you. ⬆️ see above. 10:03 “It’s amazing how important dynamics are. People often think that their dynamic range is big. When actually it is in this small space. But… How quiet he went there. Absolutely tiny. You can do that vocally as well. 10:22 “I find it a shame on modern music that they compress it so that it is always within a certain range. It is one of the reasons that I prefer listening to live versions. Especially modern artists. Because their recorded versions you don’t really get to hear their dynamic range, their performance, their emotion. Because it is kind of produced out of it a lot of the time. “ Again thank you for this today Beth!
A lot of blues guitarists do that, to create a tension using a wrong note and then fixing it. You should check "Long Way From Home - Buddy Guy", it has a great example of it and it was played by Buddy Guy in a Tribute to SRV concert.
My feed delivers me a couple of videos a week of people trying to analyze or respond to this song. Yours is hands down the best I've heard. Your analysis of Stevie's singing is so spot on, how he just opened up and let the music flow.... Nailed it.
That's why I listen to a bunch of different types of music. You can always find something that helps you feel or gets you through certain feeling. It's why I love music so much. Wish I could have seen Stevie. He was definitely in a league of his own. Always been a fan
You don't have to know anything about guitars to recognize how he is killing it. I think you said it best, he sings with his guitar, maybe that is why they call it "voicings". Fun fact, he used extremely thick (heavy) guitar strings, the guy has extreme power with his hands. Personally, I love how he sings, it is so expressive!
There are a lot of musicians who play instruments, but few can make you feel the music the way Stevie Ray Vaughn did. Definitely a lot of soul coming out of his guitar and that carried over to his vocals.
The wrinkles in my face at age 36 aren't from aging, they're from stank face from listening to SRV (my hero) throughout my life.
😁
Hahaha! Same and same age!
Me too! I'll never forget seeing him with Jeff Beck.
yeah he is one of the most broken guitarists ever to play lol. Unparalleled soul
@@wendylynn4318 Wow! Dang I missed that opportunity.
I heard his voice described once as "honey poured over gravel". I think that just about covers it. And the way he clings to the guitar; it seems like the one thing in the world that is holding him together. I have to stop watching these live performances for a while, I just start crying every time...how unfair that he's gone!
I play. He is shaking the guitar so much because he has to use extreme force to get that vibrato. He used very thick strings which are hard to bend. So he had to wrestle the whole guitar.
I miss him so much
I cry every time. Watched, goggle-eyed, and listened to him (mesmerized) in downtown Austin (on the river) when Stevie and his “Bro” were not well known. Heaven on Earth!! When he died…… well…. I can’t talk about it…. Even now.😢
@@audionmusic2787he used a hybrid of about 4 different sets of strings to get his own distinct set of string gauges.
That's perfect.
Joe Satriani described SRV's playing as a direct conduit to a higher power.
He didn't play music so much as he let the music flow through him.
If Satch said that, thats high praise. Don't like Joe, but still recognize.
@@BobbyGeneric145 this right here is what is the best about music. You may not like what another artist makes but you can respect what it is and what it takes to make
One of the members of Double Trouble once said in an interview I read in a guitar mag about 20 years ago or so that (to paraphrase) some artists don't play a song the same way twice. SRV didn't play a song the same way once.
Not sure if it 100% makes sense as a statement, but it speaks to just how spontaneous and on-the-edge Stevie's playing was, which was a big part of what made it so special.
It was actually Eric Clapton who gave SRV that compliment. It’s on the dvd to A tribute to SRV at Austin City limits. He said it’s like the music flowed through him from and he never paused to think about what he was going to play next.
"Stevie was an endless, open channel that music just poured out of." "He made people who'd never touched a guitar in their life want to pick one up and start playing, and he made those of us who'd jammed with him onstage before want to quit."..................Eric Clapton!
You and I know the story when Eric was to follow Stevie on stage but as he stood to the side of the stage he became so frustrated he turned and walked out the back door of the venue. His people followed him out to get him to come back in but Eric was adamant, "what's the use? what's the use?" He was coaxed back in but EC later said "Stevie was just a channel, he'd go from one idea to the next without a pause" He said, "sometimes I'm out there and get lost thinking 'what do I do next?' but I never heard Stevie miss a note or not close a phrase."
Please do More Stevie. He,was a legend. Who in the hell gave this a thumbs down. Beth your reaction was great. He could sing, but he made his guitar sing even better.
People who have been trying to play guitar for 50 years and finally learned a D chord.
@@Cashcrop54 lol Exactly Mark!! =)
And this was back before Auto Tune was invented - which absolutely ruins the emotion in great voices.
Honestly at that ratio the biggest chance is someone accidentally hit the dislike button.
@@brandonthede7452 yes, I agree.
The Delta blues face is more contagious than the delta variant.
lmao
hopefully we won't have a Texas variant to compare
Chris Pom
Right on both aspects !!!
More like Texas blues…
It's not delta blues
I think my favorite part of this video is watching you make the guitar faces along with Stevie Ray. There's some players that just make you do that and he is one of them no matter who you are if I ever see people listening to Stevie they always make a similar face when he makes a bend it just hits you right in the soul.
Stevie Ray giving Beth stank face. Lol
He does more singing with his guitar then his voice.
You don’t even have to be a Blues fan to Love SRV, he was that great. I am a Blues fan though lol.
Stevie gave the entire world stank face. It is inescapable.
So nice to see Beth go out on a limb and look into Stevie Ray. He was an American Treasure! He could sing the blues, and was an absolute master of the blues guitar! The consummate musician.
Unexpected choice. SVR is typically revered as one of America's greatest guitarists ever, if not THE greatest, not for his vocals. (Although he can definitely sing the blues!)
SRV, like Neil Young, Dylan, Hendrix, et al, didn't have the classical voice, but there was NO MISTAKING who it was when they sang. I prefer a vocalist who sings from his b*lls than a perfect, textbook singer
One of the worlds greatest guitarists.
SVR sang through his instrumental as much as his vocals...maybe more-so with his guitar...but the few lines you'd get; they're golden!
@@wtglb 100% agree with you there. Stevie would have had no trouble singing anything if he wanted to, the guy was an absolute genius.
I hate these made for TV singers these days who have no clue about singing from their heart/soul but think they are great because they can hit a perfect b# note.
SRV is a god
@@bunny-jayfalwasser4404 Agree!
The reason Stevie Ray Vaughan, in my humble opinion, was so great is because he was always authentic when he performed and even when he wasn't on stage. He never faked anything or just went through the motions...he was always real and honest and freely gave 100% of his emotions...what a world wide tragedy the day he died...very sad.
SRV and Willy Nelson.........Reality..
You will never physically feel music more than when you hear this mans guitar!!!
Never gets old to see someone discover the legend that was SRV.... highly recommend the Austin City Limits show that combines two of his appearances. The stark contrast from before and after he got clean is amazing but makes the loss of him that much more sad. Thankfully he left us with so much amazing music. What a talent he was.
The Austin City Limits is my absolute favotite.He and Double Trouble were so in synch with each other. Favorite version of Little Wing.
I absolutely agree about anyone and everyone needing to see his later Austin City Limits appearance, you could tell after he got clean and sober just how much he loved performing and it made such a big difference on how much better he was at it towards the end...that's the Stevie I like to remember, the one who was enjoying every moment of his 2nd life...
You got that right!!
ACL was my first intro to SRV. There was SFA on Saturday Night Live that night. Within minutes I was rummaging for a blank VHS; something told me to record it for posterity. THEN I saw him live. He ruined every other guitarist for me. I saw him later, he opened for Robert Plant,.....Plant should have stayed home, SRV blew him off the stage and back.
I found this video by accident, but very glad I did. And I had to chuckle, from the very beginning. People always used to joke with Stevie about what they called his "guitar face." All those facial expressions he made when he played, especially leads. Stevie always took it in stride and would make fun of himself about doing that. When the music started, YOU started making that "blues listening" face. Your eyes closed a bit, started bobbing your head up and down, back and forth a bit. You were feeling the soul of it all. You feel it watching a video and listening to this over a computer...imagine what it was like seeing Stevie live, being in a small room or concert hall, REALLY hearing and feeling this. It was absolute magic and there was nothing better. Stevie was a good friend and mentor to me. I was just a teenager. But I saw him live a lot, mostly from the side of the stage or in the wings. If it didn't affect or move everyone in the room, then something was wrong with some of those people. Stevie's an example that, you don't have to be a good singer in the mechanics and technical aspects, to BE a good singer. Same goes for like Willie Nelson or Johnny Cash. But they all had their own style, their trademark sound, you could instantly recognize their voice on anything they sang on. Stevie never meant to be a singer. He just wanted to play guitar. But in some early bands, they had a singer that would run late, or just not show up. So, Stevie would step and sing out of desperation. Despite his blues, soul and rock influences, Stevie never tried to sing like anyone but himself. Never tried to be like anyone but himself in every aspect. Like his guitar playing, which he very much made that guitar sing...his voice was always so full of soul and emotion. It would make you FEEL. Stevie called it his "chainsaw voice." The way he thought it sounded, but also the way his throat would start to feel, after doing long stints of touring. He gave so much of himself performing, he'd be absolutely exhausted afterwards. But also invigorated, by the response of the crowds. He always gave more of himself than he ever wanted or expected to get back. I hope you can truly hear that in all of his music.
SRV his final show in Wisconsin, he was in the Zone. Standing in the wings, the next artist was in near panic. He was on next, Eric Clapton turned to Blues legend Buddy Guy and said "How the hell do I follow that?" Sadly just a short time later he was gone. I had tickets to the next show.... never got to see him live
I was at that show. I was absolutely devastated the next day when I heard the news. In the zone is an understatement. Hands down one of if not the best concert I had ever seen... and I've seen hundreds over the years. I'm kind of a concert junkie. SRV was phenomenal live
I saw him with Jeff Beck. Unfortunately for Jeff he was second at the show I went to. Half the audience left.
I was in line to buy tickets for what was his final show. They sold out with four people in front of me. I feel your pain.
I was there, too. To this day I rarely talk about it. I'm still devastated.
@@wendylynn4318 half of the audience were morons that doesn't care about music, even SRV would be appalled 🤦♂️
SRV was a musician that used his guitar as an extension of his body. They worked together as one unit...the vocal chops are often overlooked because of his supernatural guitar skills, but he could sing the blues with the best of them. This man took the blues guitar to another level all his own. There will never be another musician like him again...RIP. gone too soon.
Totally agree with everything you said. RIP Stevie Ray Vaughn ♥️
Another artist described Stevie's voice as "honey poured over gravel".
That was John Mayer's description as Stevie was being inducted into the R&R Hall of Fame✌️🎸🎶
@@harrietmiller3982 Thanks, couldn't remember the source.
Edit 'Another artist' to 'John Mayer' :)
Really, I can feel that so long times. Never can describe.
That’s pretty good comparison, I always said it was like a smooth cigarette and a glass of bourbon.
Never seen another person give their whole soul to the music like SRV…
RIP Legend.❤
Beth discovers SRV. Doesn't realize until after he's been playing a while that he wasn't really a singer; he was a guitarist who occasionally sang.
Absolutely. He wasnt the lead singer in his first band. He reluctantly took over on the mic.
@@brianharmon9811 doesn't mean he couldn't sing. I always felt he was a good singer...especially for the kind of music he played.
@@patrickq7489 Agreed. He definitely could sing.
Wasn’t a singer?!? He’s an absolutely amazing singer.
@@brianharmon9811 necessity is the mother of many great things
Stevie Ray Vaughan was THE KING ! ! ! ! There was nobody like that guy, and there still isn't! \m/
Stevie could have never sang a word, he was the master of blues guitar. Unexpected choice, he’s a good singer too!
Impressive that someone asked to show you the greatest blues guitarists ever on here and you hear that soul! SRV was the goat of his craft🤘🏽
"I wish I knew more about the guitar so I could impart something."
I taught guitar for 8 years and have been playing for 25... nothing to impart here. He does things not many other guitarists have ever been able to do. He's one of those "just sit in awe and enjoy it" kind of guys.
Yeah... SRV was doing things like bending full chords with his #1 stat strung with 13's. Most guitarists can't even bend a single 9 with the soul Stevie had.
@@douglascaskey7302 Yeah, I can see WHERE his fingers are going, I understand he's basically just playing the same 5 notes in different positions with some accents and bends here and there on almost every song. I can learn the songs, play the notes, get the gear he used and never be able to sound like him.
@@MrAndersonmm it’s not the just the notes, it’s what you do with them, especially rhythmically. Rhythm is often overlooked when talking about music for some reason. There are only limited number of orders in which you can play those 5 notes (if you meant pentatonic) or heck even all 12 notes if you use chromatic scales. It is the rhythm that makes every lick so distinct. We’ll also as pointed out in the video, dynamics intonation and accenting etc are also very important.
@@douglascaskey7302 My brother is a guitarist and he tried some 13s not too long ago just for the hell of it and while he could play with them he said it was a huge pain in the ass to bend the damn things and he could barely do it. The fact that Stevie was bending the fuckers like they were pipe cleaners and regularly breaking them is hilariously absurd.
This is one of Stevie rays best performances, so great choice. He’s known as one of the all time great guitar players for obvious reasons. But, he’s also been praised for his voice as well. It’s not easy to get that deep bluesy voice like he had.
"Singing through the guitar". Absolutely! I always thought his guitar was ready to explode.
Saw him 3 times in 89 and 90. Stevie sang and played for himself and you were incredibly lucky to be a witness to his soul baring.
Stevie Ray putting wrinkles on young Beth's face! Careful Beth he is a legend!
Texas Flood at El Mocambo should be the final boss of a 'try not to stank face' challenge video.
That you got to accidently see one of the greatest blues guitar performances ever recorded is such a terrific plus for you!
The greatest player to ever pick up a guitar. No one was at his level, before, or, since.
Agreed!
......on that VERY short list, no doubt.
Greatest Blues player. Can’t compare Blues to Jazz to Metal, etc 😉
@@chrism1518 .....well....SRV covered Jimi H pretty well...behind his back.....
I think SRV woulda easily held his own with just about any of them.
Eric Clapton and Carlos Santana. That's about it.
So many things make SRV so unique, not just his excellent guitar technique but that unique soul. I was devastated the day that he passed, yes, I'm that old.
crazy to think that's there's people who haven't heard of SRV
I don't believe she hadn't heard of him. Perhaps she hadn't heard this song but...
Its a thing. There will be a generation soon that won't know anything about the Beatles, Hendrix, the stones, srv, evh. All we can do is try to impart great music to our children and hope they spread the word.
@@wendylynn4318 just people in general not her
I never heard of him till I just saw this. I have a loooooot of catching up to do.
She's also from the UK, so a bluesman from Texas from a generation ago likely isn't part of her sonic lineage.
Ya unfortunately you can’t comprehend just how awesome Stevie’s playing was. How he got his tone with his choice of guitars and amps even the strings he used…that’s half of it and the rest is in his hands and in his soul…the man just blows my mind….👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
What a great reaction! Everyone knows SRV for his guitar chops but his vocal ability usually gets overlooked!
Tbh, this is true for several blues guitarists
Got to see him live in 1986, just after I graduated high school. Absolutely amazing! A genuine Texas Treasure and hero! RIP, SRV.
When our friends from out of town come to see us in Austin, they want to see The State Capital, The University of Texas and Stevie Ray's statue on Town Lake. One of a kind, a national treasure. He died much too soon. Thank you so much for your analysis. Great Job!!
We've had a couple of major floods through Austin since SRV's statue was placed. Now everybody knows it's gotten bad when Stevie's feet get wet.
As a north Texas guy, I love SRV a lot. My dad was a massive fan and even told me about when he was in high school Stevie Ray Vaughn played at his high school and he fell in love with him. Dude is an absolute legend here, to the point where he’s just a pop culture icon in DFW in Texas, my favorite team, the Dallas Stars in the NHL, play his song “The House Is Rockin” when they win a home game. He’s a guitar god and an underrated blues singer. RIP SRV
SRV makes his guitar sing. I was surprised to see him uploaded. He had a Blues Voice that matched his guitar playing. One thing for sure, every reaction Video of SRV bobs their head, chills and goes into shock. It makes me smile. SRV is one of the best. Thanks for the video, makes me happy.
Finally, someone’s recognizing his incredible voice
My parents grew up going to Stevie concerts way back when he we was playing dives. He would be thrilled someone said he had an incredible voice, and you're right. But he really worked on it. In the beginning he was always a great guitar player, but an absolutely horrible singer. He probably worked harder at singing than he had to at playing guitar.
yep, my thoughts exactly.
Your life has just changed...Stevie was one of the most dynamic guitars masters in history he sang with his guitar as much as his voice.
If there's even been a more scorching hot intense blues performance than this right here, I'd like to know. That was a magical night and this number was the pinnacle of it.
His tone is so enviable. I’m a metal guy, and I want a single coil pickup on the neck of all my guitars.
Strat + Tube Screamer + Fender Super Reverb will get you most of the way there, though SRV used several different amps throughout his career for both clean and distorted tones.
Get used to heavy strings as well. 13s and he destroyed them often. Lol. He had seriously strong fingers.
@@shaneheavy67 and never missed a beat while switching guitars or fixing the string
@@shaneheavy67 he was down to 11’s at the end. And go figure, it’s my favorite period/tone of his lol
@@shaneheavy67 tbh the string tone is mainly a myth, big strings will give a bit more bass but srv used big strings live because he broke them a lot.
The man takes his bow while playing behind his back! EPIC!!!
I had the privilege to see SRV & DT play a concert in February 1987, in Knoxville, Tennessee. Just over three years later, he was gone. Killed in a helicopter crash. You may like his live performance of "Life Without You" for a broader display of his vocals. Bear in mind, he was celebrated for his prowess on the Stratocaster guitar. Glad to see you understand how he could make a guitar "Sing!"
Well done, Beth!
You and I have something in common, we both saw SRV and I’m so happy I did. I saw him open up for Robert Plant. As big of a Zeppelin fan I was and still. I didn’t want SRV to stop playing. I was like ok Robert whatcha got for me now? Lol. What a show that was. Robert did very well but SRV stole the show hands down.
Literally every movement Stevie makes brings me to tears. Music is supposed to evoke emotions and SRV did that the very first time I heard “Pride and Joy” at 15 years old. I’m 28 now and he STILL GETS ME EVERY TIME.
SRV was one of the masters of the call and response phrasing (also called question and answer phrasing) where a sang phrase is followed by an answer on guitar or vice versa. In effect, he is singing with his guitar more than his voice. And the Texas blues sound informs and influences his vocal style. RIP Stevie
He is absolutely singing with his guitar! Watching him and listening to that guitar sing is as close as you will ever get looking into another person's soul!
I literally shouted, "THANK YOU! YES!!" when you said "It's like he's singing with the guitar." I always understand his guitar as an direct extension of his voice, in a way that is unique to him. It was very, very satisfying to see a vocal coach react to him. I was hoping to see you make exactly that connection. Brava!
I always thought the same about Jimi Hendrix
One of the greatest guitarist's of all time. Everytime I hear him play to this day I still get chills.
Me too. The hair on my arms and back of my neck stand up and goosebumps. It's so powerful.
Ok, let me just say, you vocalizing with the music on impulse was great! SVR was one of the true greats! Love that you loved him! Thank you Beth.
Even the old Black Blues Legends say that, "Stevie was the Master". Total Respect!
That touches me you researched Stevie to the point of understanding his upbringing. You are solid girl. Thank you and God bless you.
My girlfriend (now wife) and I saw Stevie at Austin City Limits in 1989, when I was a junior in college. It was the first concert where I felt physically drained afterwards, like I had run a marathon. Stevie's music and soul could provoke such strong emotion. Good review!
I was lucky enough to see Steve Ray twice in Boston and i can tell you he left the audience stunned each time... great reaction, Thank You for posting!
Saw him at the Boston opera house in 84. Blew me away
He had so much musical vocabulary and the skills to go with it, his sense of flow is also stellar.
So much of the blues is _feel_ and Stevie's singing is often overshadowed by his playing... but Stevie is/was a revered singer.... listen to "Tick Tock" off of "Family Style" .. and Stevie's absolutely smooooooth voice is mesmerizing...
Jimmie sang on Tick Tock.
His guitar playing was so spectacular, I always overlooked his voice. Thanks for helping me appreciate it!
I love this. Stevie's legend status as a guitarist is so overwhelming , it's easy to fly past the fact that he was an AMAZING singer.
Love this. "Tin Pan Alley" (Live) is another where Stevie does a duet with the great Johnny Copeland. They put their heart, soul, voice, and fingers in every note!
American blues-rock. Much like how old school blues singers hit a "bluesy note" that is flat, Stevie did it with his guitar... Amazing.
B B King said I speak blues in sentences. Stevie speaks blues in paragraphs. He added that surprisingly the best blues man he ever heard turned out to be a white boy from Texas. RIP Stevie Ray. Thank you for being a light in our lives. Beth you got my subscription with your review here. Beautiful and brilliant. That is a frighteningly wonderful combination
He was a better guitarist than a singer but, he threw his heart into every aspect of his music and that just made him a beast on stage.
He wasn't even one of the greatest guitarists of all-time... but he was one of the greatest performers humankind has ever known, that's a fact.
@@johndeeregreen4592 well greater guitarist means little, SRV is among the greats in his own style, that's for sure.
Blues singers aren't known for beautiful vocals. They usually match what they are playing. Blues. Back alley bars, whiskey, late night, heart break. Their singing reflects that when it's right. That makes it great.
@@johndeeregreen4592 he wasnt one of the greatest guitarists of all time? 😂we got an expert over here
@@chrisb2038, ha, yes, I am an expert. IDK, being a music teacher, playing 22 different instruments; and being a teacher of music history -- including the evolution of musical techniques -- yeah, bubba, I would say I am qualified. SRV will always be a legend in his lane. However, his understanding and implementation of advanced guitar techniques was very limited and narrow.
So much fun to see you connect and groove to SRV’s guitar playing! No surprise at all. And yes, that’s his band Double Trouble, including drummer Chris Layton and bassist Tommy Shannon, who were with the band from the beginning, and apparently still active as DT today (per Wikipedia) even though Stevie has passed (killed in a helicopter crash). Stevie admired Jimmy Hendrix and covered his song “Voodoo Child” in the same concert.
Love this analysis! Stevie was a master of conveying his emotions through his guitar and voice. He was able to go places almost no other musicians have ever gone. Cheers!
He’s a Texas legend, he is truly missed. Rest easy SRV.
Greatest Of All Time......Period, new paragraph.
I'll admit I was a bit skeptical having a vocal pro reacting to arguably one of the greatest guitarists OF ALL TIME, but I believe you pretty much nailed this. I now have a much greater appreciation for Stevie Ray's vocal abilities than previously. Than k you so much!
RIP, Stevie Ray. I saw him live in 1986 in Jackson, Mississippi and he KILLED it.
30 odd yrs later ... and .. the tears still flow listening to SRV... RIP .. glad i was lucky enough to see you a few times ...
"Man so much soul coming through his guitar " excellent 👌
Many can play the guitaer, few can make it sing. Hearing SRV (especially live) is like witnessing the inner working of the man. He makes me scrunch up my face just listening. RIP Stevie.
A tragic loss of the greatest Texas blues guitarist of possibly all time.
He sings from the depths and finishes with that guitar. So incredible. Brilliant. Mostly unattainable but a wonder to hear. There are plenty of artists that are around today that are as brilliant As Stevie was. However this performance is so magical. Thanks again for giving it a listen
Beth Roars, thank you for reacting to SRV, really appreciate how you discussed his dynamics, guitar and voice. You already amazed me, you just gave a voice lesson from a guitar performance!!
Hi Beth, SRV was a unique guitarist, many people are not even capable of playing in the way he did... his hands were huge, wrapping completely around the neck so his thumb could play the upper strings while still playing all 6 from below with the other 4 fingers... go back starting at about 1:45 and watch his thumb alternating with his fingers all over the fretboard.
Had the great pleasure to see him in person the year he passed. Fantastic show. Your analysis is spot on: the guitar is his inner voice. He was able to project so much feeling with his singing voice but the true emotions came from his six string. Truly one of a kind! Thanks for this!
Beth, do glad you've taken on the evaluation of Stevie's voice. So many just talk about his phenomenal guitar playing. Backstory on this particular gig at the El Mocambo in Toronto. He is playing with his band ,Double Trouble, and just before they went on stage, they always had a huddle. This time, Stevie told his road manager Cutter Brandenburg "Brace yourself. I'm not stoppin'."
What a great loss when Stevie Ray was cut down much too young. He'd been through the addictions and excesses, was getting his shit together when he was taken. Just imagine the music that we've missed out on, but so glad he managed to give us so much.
Life By The Drop by Stevie Ray. It’s about his addictions, and he plays the most beautiful guitar line.
On a 12 String guitar, by himself. On the album version. Never bothered looking up another.
SRV is the GOAT! Known much more for his axe than his voice, but he could surely sing!
At 1:32 is when stevie would have started singing this song in most performances, you can see him approaching the mic, but then the urge to strike another solo instead was too powerful and the solo itself took Stevie along for the ride that time haha
Stevie live at El Mocambo will always be one of the most legendary performances of any musician ever. I have seen no finer example of a performing musician so flawlessly demonstrating a passionate and virtuous performance, and to see a vocal coach analyzing this is just too awesome haha.
But foreal, almost every song he plays at Mocambo is the best live version of that song. If you like this check out Little Wing and Lenny.
Thank you so much for evaluating one of my favorite things ever!
yes thats double trouble Chris River Layton on Drums Tommy Shannon on Bass
Whipper - not river. It's a nickname.
Chris is playing with Kenny Wayne Sheppard now, still gettin it
Total guitar god with a blessed voice as well.
Lol I kept screaming at you….. “ OPEN YOUR EYES OPEN YOUR EYES…..” when he spun around to put the guitar behind his back. Lol. I’m so thrilled to see a vocal coach do SRV. He is first a guitarist before a singer, but he can hold his own on vocals. I’d love for you to to keep doing SRV and listen to his vocal range to other songs.
AGREE! Me to - Girl you must watch Stevie his entire performance..
At least at first..
Let him close his eyes and feel it and I understand why you get caught up feeling it with him..
I read a com recent of another reactor closing his eyes or looking away often (may have been Voodoo Child)
and someone said two rules to watching/listening SRV - first best live performances
and 2 open your eyes look at him..
Stevie's voice was phenomenal as it came from the same place of great depth
within with such pure raw passion heart & soul as his guitar..
Hope to meet you on the other side brother in the everlasting plane of existence the Spirit realm
once this temporary flesh passes away..
Beth if you read this, great reaction
I understand why you stop it often as seeing hearing much important to com on in the moment
but listen/watch uninterrupted to any and more of Stevie on your own..
And share more with us all experience together..
Glad you are discovering him now..
Much love for Stevie and double trouble, and passionate gifts (for the world) of their music..
I was skeptical of what your commentary would be, given SRV is a master guitar player rather than a singer, but I loved your take and loved watching you experience SRV. Thanks I quite enjoyed this.
I love the electric guitar so much. Speaking of dynamics, there's no instrument as dynamic as the electric guitar. From sleepy ambient tones, to a full wall of thunder, and everything in between. It makes the best noises.
The guitar is a tool of expression and feelings. STV was one of the best.
The pure joy you are experiencing for the first time of one of the best musicians to ever live is bringing me to tears.
2:29 Beth remembers, oh right! We're reacting to vocals!
Welcome to a new world of blues, Beth. It's wonderful to get lost in.
You just witnessed the greatest guitarist of all time,The GOAT
Stevie Ray Vaughan is more famous as a guitarist but he had a great Blues voice.
Loved that. Your face is sooooo expressive you communicate so much without saying a word. Thanks. Two words come to mind on this performance: soul and authentic! This is a man who is not faking the blues. RIP SRV.
Miss you Stevie, miss you every darn day!
And yes, that is Double Trouble.
Beth's face during Stevie's playing is all of us. RIP SRV. There will never be another like you.
Beth, you don't need to know anything about guitar to know that man could flat-out shred.
7:03 “He is kind of purposely being slightly under the note with his guitar” Me: I had no idea. Great ear Beth! I am going to listen to SRV a little more carefully now. Thank you!
7:57 “You can’t be flat at any moment. It is an emotional tension point.”
9:37 “I wish I knew more about guitar so I could impart something” Me: I play guitar (Mediocre) and I already learned something about guitar from you. ⬆️ see above.
10:03 “It’s amazing how important dynamics are. People often think that their dynamic range is big. When actually it is in this small space. But… How quiet he went there. Absolutely tiny. You can do that vocally as well.
10:22 “I find it a shame on modern music that they compress it so that it is always within a certain range. It is one of the reasons that I prefer listening to live versions. Especially modern artists. Because their recorded versions you don’t really get to hear their dynamic range, their performance, their emotion. Because it is kind of produced out of it a lot of the time. “
Again thank you for this today Beth!
A lot of blues guitarists do that, to create a tension using a wrong note and then fixing it. You should check "Long Way From Home - Buddy Guy", it has a great example of it and it was played by Buddy Guy in a Tribute to SRV concert.
@@caomunista919 Thank you. I didn’t even know to listen for it until today. What a wonderful gift!
BB King commented on making the guitar sound like a human voice.
The correct note isn’t always the right note…
He tuned his guitar a half step flat so it was easier to bend his strings & easier on his equipment, he used a custom 13-60 set of strings.
My feed delivers me a couple of videos a week of people trying to analyze or respond to this song. Yours is hands down the best I've heard. Your analysis of Stevie's singing is so spot on, how he just opened up and let the music flow.... Nailed it.
That's why I listen to a bunch of different types of music. You can always find something that helps you feel or gets you through certain feeling. It's why I love music so much. Wish I could have seen Stevie. He was definitely in a league of his own. Always been a fan
Many are great, Stevie is the greatest.
You are SOFUN! to watch. Thanks for your efforts and insights!
This man is a legend in Dallas Texas! Born to play that guitar. This is blues at it's best. Loved me some Stevie Ray! Gone to soon❤️
You don't have to know anything about guitars to recognize how he is killing it. I think you said it best, he sings with his guitar, maybe that is why they call it "voicings". Fun fact, he used extremely thick (heavy) guitar strings, the guy has extreme power with his hands. Personally, I love how he sings, it is so expressive!
There are a lot of musicians who play instruments, but few can make you feel the music the way Stevie Ray Vaughn did. Definitely a lot of soul coming out of his guitar and that carried over to his vocals.