Release Date: 29 July, 1997
Audio CD
Tracks
- Intro - John Hammond, Jr.
- Scuttle Buttin'
- Testify
- Love Struck Baby
- Honey Bee
- Cold Shot
- Letter to My Girlfriend
- Dirty Pool
- Pride and Joy
- Things That I Used to Do
- C.O.D.
- Iced Over
- Lenny
- Rude Mood
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Rating 4.5
A revelationOnce in a while a live album really adds to an artist's legacy, producing something different and exciting, rather than just reproducing his studio sound with added crowd noise.
"Live At Carnegie Hall" is such an album. Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, recorded the day after Vaughan's 30th birthday with the on-stage assistance of Stevie's brother Jimmie Lee Vaughan on second guitar, Dr John on his customary piano, and the Roomful of Blues horn section popping up on several tracks.
The sound is not quite as crystal clear as on the magnificent recording of Stevie Ray Vaughan's 1982 Montreux appearence, but it is more than good enough, and the band tear through some of their best songs, including the irresitable "Pride And Joy", a horn-augumented version of the slow blues "Dirty Pool", a superb, tough rendition of "Honey Bee" with some truly muscular guitar playing from the Vaughan brothers, and an equally great "Cold Shot".
Vaughan relies quite a lot on instrumentals (they make up five of the thirteen numbers), and it would perhaps have been nice to have a couple more vocal performances, especially since Stevie Ray was actually a really fine rock n' roll singer.
But that's a matter of taste, of course, and his instrumentals are catchy and a real showcase for his sublime talents on the guitar.
"Live At Carnegie Hall" also includes a few rare performances, particularly Eddie "Guitar Slim" Jones' "Letter To My Girlfriend", the instrumental "Iced Over" and Leo Gooden's "C.O.D." (originally recorded by Albert King) which Vaughan never recorded anywhere else.
On "C.O.D." Vaughan is joined by Texas blues singer Angela Strehli (check out her album "Soul Shake").
All in all, "Live At Carnegie Hall" is a very welcome addition to Stevie Ray Vaughan's too short catalogue. And to those who are weary of Vaughan working with a horn section - don't worry, he remains front and center, and his playing and singing is nowhere near overwhelmed by the presence of additional musicians.
Excellent!Constant RotationIf you are reading these reviews then you are probably already an SRV fan and if you are an SRV fan than you certainly know what excellence is. For me, the original trio of Shannon, Leighton and SRV is simply and purely the best. This live version of "Cold Shot" is fantastic and "Testify" never fails to deliver. Personally I find the horns add a full, swing-like quality that I dislike, so I skip to the end to catch "Rude Mood". A classic by SRV One of the best live albums or albums ever made. A young Stevie Ray with Double Trouble and some guests, absolutely marking the begining of SRV's reign atop the Blues world. Superb renditions of Cold Shot, C.O.D., Things I Used To Do, Pride And Joy and Honey Bee. Stevie Ray's guitar is on fire and he recieves plenty of support without being drowned out. As with a lot of his work you'll get some different versions and a diversity of songs. This CD should be owned by anyone who is a SRV fan, Blues fan or Blues/Rock fan. One of those rare albums that are timeless. Put it in, turn it up and enjoy. |
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