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Stevie Ray Vaughan was a once-in-a-generation musical talent, an artist that popularized the blues during a waning period in the music's history and expanded its artistic boundaries. A collection of interviews from the pages of Guitar World magazine, Guitar World Presents Stevie Ray Vaughan preserves the legacy of the late guitarist in his own words, and those of his bandmates, fellow musicians, friends and supporters.

An inspiring anthology, the book celebrates the life and career of one of blues music's most enduring and beloved performers.



Pros

• Interviews with Stevie Ray, his band members, and brother Jimmie shed new light on the guitar legend

Cons

• Some content is repeated more than once throughout the book

Description

• Anthology collects the best interviews from Guitar World magazine
• 256 pages, 6" x 9" trade paperback
• Over a dozen vintage B&W photos of Stevie Ray

Guide Review - Guitar World Presents Stevie Ray Vaughan (2010)

The blues world was rocked on August 27, 1990 when the news came out of the death of guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan in a helicopter accident in Wisconsin. Vaughan had just finished up an all-star jam with contemporaries like his brother Jimmie, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, and Robert Cray at a gig in Alpine Valley when he climbed on board the aircraft to return to his hotel. Heavy fog caused the helicopter to crash into a mountainside, killing Vaughan and four other passengers.

At the time of his death, Vaughan was arguably the biggest star in the blues, his music reaching mainstream audiences and jump starting a blues boom that has just begun to ebb some two decades later.

Albums like 1983's Texas Flood and 1984's Couldn't Stand The Weather built Vaughan's audience, while 1985's Soul To Soul and 1989's In Step cemented the guitarist's legacy, selling a couple million copies apiece. Clean and sober, Vaughan had just recorded the Family Style album with his brother, and was looking forward to returning to the studio with his Double Trouble band.

As we approach the 20th anniversary of Stevie Ray's death, Guitar World magazine has rounded up a baker's dozen articles and interviews and put them together between covers for posterity. The resulting book, Guitar World Presents Stevie Ray Vaughan, does a fine job of telling the story of Vaughan's life, career, and musical triumphs. From the very first published interview with the young guitarist, circa 1978, through the aftermath of his tragic death, this is the Stevie Ray story as told by the talented musician himself, friends and supporters and, of course, brother Jimmie and members of the Double Trouble Band – Tommy Shannon, Chris Layton, and Reese Wynans.

The portrait painted here is of a supremely talented musician that overcame immense personal demons to come out the other side with his spirit and talent intact. Interviews with Vaughan and his Double Trouble bandmates shed light on the recording of early albums, the songwriting process, and provide memories of great SRV performances. Comments from supporters and fellow musicians help put Vaughan's contributions into context. Simply put, Guitar World Presents Stevie Ray Vaughan is a "must have" for any fan of the late, great guitarist. (Backbeat Books, published April 15, 2010)

Guide Disclosure: A review copy of this CD, DVD, or book was provided by the record label, publisher, or publicist. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.