Stevie Ray Vaughan - Live From Austin, Texas
Live From Austin, Texas captures Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble's 1983 and 1989 appearances on the PBS television show Austin City Limits. The 1983 segment features a young Vaughan, bass guitarist Tommy Shannon, and drummer Chris Layton performing selections from their debut album, Texas Flood. Vaughan seems a little stiff and nervous at times -- and he's sweating profusely -- but his playing doesn't suffer. On "Texas Flood," Vaughan shows off a bit by playing his guitar behind his back. The cover of Jimi Hendrix's "Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)" is pretty faithful to the original, but Vaughan contributes a rhythm-based solo at one point before the band stretches out for a jam. In the 1989 segment, positive changes are noticeable. First of all, Vaughan had kicked alcohol and cocaine by then and his sobriety resulted in a more relaxed and confident performance. Also, keyboardist Reese Wynans had been a Double Trouble member for four years and his contributions helped give the band a fuller sound. "Leave My Girl Alone" is a smoldering Buddy Guy cover. The smooth instrumental "Riviera Paradise" is Vaughan's most mature composition and Wynans' piano plays an integral part. Live From Austin, Texas closes with a posthumous video of "Little Wing," an instrumental cover of the Hendrix classic. This video is jam-packed with still photos and video snippets of Vaughan, archival footage of bluesmen ranging from Leadbelly to B.B. King, and a tour of the Fender guitar factory. Albert King and Albert Collins are also shown holding Vaughan Signature Model Stratocasters. ~ Bret Adams