gamblinfamily's Full Review: When a Guitar Plays the Blues by Roy Buchanan
Roy Buchanan is one of those guitarists that had hot talent, but was not widely known. His life was full of blues, exactly what you need when you are a blues guitarist. It seems that some of the best blues has come from the gut and broken arteries of legendary players. Roy Buchanan led a very tough life. His demons soon took over him, and he did kill himself. But, even then people didn’t seem to take notice.
I am here to amend that. One of the best guitarists out there is Roy Buchanan. One listen to any of the tracks on this release and you will see what I am talking about. The title track When a Guitar Plays the Blues will win over even the hardcore fans of say Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, Albert Collins etc.
Roy used a blending of bending, stretching and just pure magic when he played his TeleRoy.
The Album
Track One : When A Guitar Plays The Blues Is by far the stand out track on this release. It opens with the bending, and downright crying from Roy’s guitar. He makes the guitar wail, cry, sound like a violin, and then even has the audacity to make it laugh. The song then breaks into that classic blend of piano and electric blues that brings it all together. Roy’s vocals chant, “You get the strangest feeling when a guitar plays the blues.” He is right, you never know what you might experience when hearing a blues song. The axe wielding on this is just pure heaven I encourage you to pop this in and loop it. You will never have the same experience from the song twice.
Track Two : Chicago Smokeshop Is a little rock and roll, a little blues, and a little rockabilly. The opening guitar sequence might not seem spectacular to some, but take into consideration the finger bleeding, and skin-tearing precision needed to pull it off and then you understand. Most have called this Roy’s step into Pink Floyd’s style of blues. I call it a triumph any way you slice it.
Track Three : Mrs. Pressure Takes on a very slow, yet tropical feel to deliver it’s sound to your ears. Most don’t hear that tropical thing, but seriously listen you can almost feel the cool, sandy breeze blowing in your face, as Mrs. Pressure tickles your senses. The guitar work is a little understated here, but nonetheless worthy of a listen.
Track Four : Nickel and a Nail An organ and drums open up this particular track. It’s a broke down, but not too far down song. Roy sings about once having it all, and now he’s down to a nickel and nail. I guess we have all been there, many a wondrous blues song has been made about money troubles. Just before the 2-minute mark Roy turns on the guitar and just lays into your soul. The song ends with Roy playing you out to the fade.
Track Five : Short Fuse Is raw and in your face guitar at it’s best. The assault on your soul is evident from the very opening of the song. What Roy does to keep his songs different and his riffs different is nothing short of phenomenal. You won’t catch recycled, rehashed licks here. This is a solid track that does indeed have a short fuse before it explodes into massive amounts of blues shrapnel.
Track Six : Why Don’t You Want Me At just over 6 minutes this particular song is a real delight. Lending help on the female vocals is Gloria Hardiman(as credited inside notes). Another thing to mention is the wailing from the female vocals is in no way matching the wails from Roy’s guitar. A truly classic topic in the blues genre, being in love and not having it reciprocated. Get your hands on this track fast!
Track Seven : Country Boy Is a really fun, upbeat song. It takes you back down the dusty roads of blues. I like the classic feel to this song, with just a touch of the sound that is now used by the newer blues boys. Roy sings about when he was a little country boy, running wild around town. The girls are crazy for the country boy, from the country town. All the girls love what he’s putting down. The guitar work again on here is something to stop and take notice to. The song ends with Roy’s guitar bringing it on home!
Track Eight : Sneaking Godzilla Through the Alley If you enjoy a good cry from a guitar then you will love this track as well. The bending and pulling of the strings again shows Roy’s talent for pulling impressive, unheard of sounds out of his guitar. This song just begs to drown some sorrows in a 1/5. Another good, strong track to feed your soul with.
Track Nine : Hawaiian Punch A very country, rocking, bluesy song that really gets any party going. The way Roy takes his guitar from broke down sobs of blues to happy fits of laughter just pull at me. Why this isn’t a more popular song attributed to Roy I will never understand. Give it a spin.
My Thoughts & Recommendations
This 1985 release stands out even today. It sounds, feels and revels in the current sound. Proof positive that Roy was way ahead of his time. But, it also bears the feel of classic, nitty gritty blues music as well. I think you’d be doing yourself a great injustice if you don’t give this a listen. Albert Collins fans especially take note of this release.
Powerful, dirt-poor blues, mixed with an electric guitar LEGEND. Even if no one else agrees. Get your hands on a copy of this and his release entitled Second Album
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