The things one discovers when poking around on the Internet ... Roy Buchanan. Holy moly, this guy could really play! I can't believe I never heard of him before ... Such a sheltered life I lead. Anyone familar with him? There seem to be dozens of compilations out there and I gotta get me one. Any suggestions?
I saw Roy Buchanan three times and he remains one of the best r&r guitarists of all time in my book. Nobody, absolutely nobody, sounds like he did. Influenced a whole load of lesser lights. He had a limited following because he couldn't sing a lick and wasn't on any one label for too long. Don't know if the story is true but supposedly the Stones wanted to have him join when Mick Taylor left. To hear what he's all about, download "The Messiah Will Come Again." That one says it all.
Living in the DC area I had the priviledge of seeing Roy Buchanon a few times. Truly a legend around these parts. Sad to say that he lived a troubled life and committed suicide in the Fairfax county jail. What makes that story so odd is the guitar player who took Roy's place in these parts, a man by the name of Danny Gatton also took his own life a few years later. If you think Roy was good, give Danny Gatton a listen. He'll blow your socks off. Today the reigning guitar god in this town is a man by the name of Bill Kirchen. Bill was an original member of Commander Cody and the lost Planet Airmen. He and his band Too much Fun,do a version of Hot Rod Lincoln live where he covers about twenty different guitar players. I've been truly fortunate to see all three of these gents play live around the DC area. Check 'em all out. You won't be disappointed.
Okay, I hate to be a wet blanket, but I took your advice and checked this song out. I didn’t really hear anything all that impressive, although granted, I’m more an afficionado of blistering technique. The one section where he tried to do something slightly more demanding was very sloppy. I guess though that the song is probably 35 years old, and the technical standards weren’t as high back then. So if you’re lauding him for being a pioneer, then I guess I can buy that, what with the pinch harmonics and all.