Stevie Ray Vaughan, Cold Shot - A Classical Musician’s First Listen And Reaction

Here is my First Listen number 1, for Episode 1, of The History of Rock Music With Amy and Karl.
Starting all the way back with the Blues, this is my very first ‘first listen’ as we begin to trace the development of music into Rock. Here’s where it all begins!
Here’s the link to the original song by Stevie Ray Vaughan:
• Stevie Ray Vaughan & D...
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THANK YOU!
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Amy Shafer, LRSM, FRSM, RYC, is a classical harpist, pianist, and music teacher, Director of Piano Studies and Assistant Director of Harp Studies for The Harp School, Inc., holds multiple degrees in harp and piano performance and teaching, and is active as a solo and collaborative performer. With nearly two decades of teaching experience, she teaches privately, presents masterclasses and coaching sessions, and has performed and taught in Europe and USA.
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Credits: Music written and performed by Stevie Ray Vaughan
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[@VirginRock]

As usual, please write here your questions only.

[@satorimystic]

Nikola Tesla has been quoted as saying that there was something special about the numbers 3, 6, 9 ... and something relating to knowing the secret of everything by understanding Energy, Frequency, and Vibration. As a musician, and Harpist ... do you happen to see (or 'feel') that, perhaps, there's something curious there that relates to the Energy, Frequency, and Vibration in music, and if and whether the numbers 3, 6, and 9 fit somehow in any of the musical creations of the Classical 'Masters'?

[@davidteller7681]

Hi Amy, I have a question. First of all, let me clarify that I know little about the harp. From what I do know, harp recording has traditionally concentrated on clean, accurate reproduction. In a somewhat perverse thought, I wondered about the opposite, recording it with some distortion. Jon Lord set the Rock world on it's ear when he ran his Hammond organ through a Marshall guitar amplifier. I wonder what a harp would sound like with this treatment. I know you've dedicated your life to the harp but I don't know if you are a traditionalist or are open to exploring and experimenting. Does this sound intriguing to you at all?

[@richpeltier9519]

@David Teller I've seen a harp player on YT who does reviews of various guitar effects and how they work on her harp. Some amazing tones can be had.

[@davidteller7681]

@@richpeltier9519 cool, I'll have to check it out. I should have known someone has been down that path. 🙂

[@richpeltier9519]

@@davidteller7681 it's a good idea! I've been toying with buying a violin for that very reason.

[@mitchellbarker9368]

You must listen to, and watch, "Stevie Ray Vaughan - Texas Flood (from Live at the El Mocombo)". Not only is this performance amazing just to listen to, but seeing with your own eyes how he becomes one with the music and his instrument is mind-blowingly inspirational. Also, there is a surprise in the video, a very impressive special technique that he imployees, which is undetectable to the ear alone.

[@karlsloman5320]

Agreed. A few guitarists use those undetectable to the ear "techniques". Karl

[@michaelb1761]

Yes, that performance is unbelievable. I get the use of this song as an example of Blues, but Ithink that Texas Flood is SVR's pinnacle.

[@karlsloman5320]

@@michaelb1761 Fair enough! Thanks.

[@craenor]

The most fascinating thing to me about Stevie's playing is that you can listen to every live version of a single song SRV has done, and no two of them will be the same. And I don't mean they're off by miniscule synchronization issues. I mean whole entire sections will be utterly different every time he plays it.

[@BobbyGeneric145]

That sir, is a tutorial on guitar.

[@Lonewolfmike]

Stevie Ray one of the all-time great guitarists. Rest In Peace.

[@karlsloman5320]

Agreed, completely. Karl

[@audisinisatanyahudi4186]

The best*

[@Cemeterygates_]

%100 agree with you. He is the all time best!

[@sotonizator]

Everyone should listen to SRV's live performances, thats where his magic lays.

[@karlsloman5320]

I love both, but yes, there is certainly something special about the live performances. Cheers, Karl

[@harlanmonk569]

Absolutely! Live is so much better by SRV imo. His performances show his soul bleeding through his guitar.

[@Jeffbambam]

Absolutely 👍

[@jameshill-no2mj]

I'm confused. This is a live performance.

[@koomaj]

Stevie had such a strong presence when playing (and singing). He really was a master of his instrument, with excellent sense of style and unmatched physical ability.

[@karlsloman5320]

Agreed. Karl

[@Lonewolfmike]

He had some great performances on Autin City Limits.

[@citizenkane4831]

Yes but if it hadn´t been for JImi he probebly wouldn´t sounded as he did. No offence. But i can´t think his a copy cat of Jimi every time i hear him.

[@yinoveryang4246]

Powerful hands, which allowed him to use dynamics and loud and soft. Most guitarists are more limited than most people realise, because they are actually using very light strings and low action, focused primarily on speed and 'accuracy' only. Often ignoring the other important factors. It's similar to the effect to a guitar simulation on a keyboard. One of the reasons, to this day that Page, Beck, Brian May, Blackmore, Clapton, and their contemporaries still sound better to most people. In the case of Stevie Ray Vaughan was a "late starter", but it was this element of his playing along with true expression that woke people up. For a while anyway

[@karlsloman5320]

@@Lonewolfmike Agreed, that is where I first saw him play. Turned me on to such a degree that it got me interested in Texas/Blues Rock.

[@panosvoulgaris8942]

Love your comments during the solos! I am a Jazz musician and never heard a more accurate, vivid, moving, description of the musical language used in blues/jazz music. A classical musician gave me a better understanding than anyone else of what the music I play is. Keep up the good work.

[@VirginRock]

I’m so glad you find it meaningful! Obviously I’m no expert on Jazz/blues, but I always thought of it as being special (in a good way)!

[@annatraustadottir4387]

Stevie Ray Vaughan, one of my all time favorite guitarist. A genius, we lost far too soon. Blues and blues-rock.

[@karlsloman5320]

Totally agree. Karl

[@212x3]

Stevie should be seen live while listening to him. He's the entire package. Check out him doing "Texas Flood" live at El Mocambo. It's incredible.

[@karlsloman5320]

As I discussed earlier with another viewer. We are gettting Amy to listen to the songs without seeing the video first. The reason, is because one of the videos she watched before was slanted in a particular direction because she saw the band and the story line of the song. We want her to experience just the music first. Just so you are aware, after Amy listens to the song, she and I then sit down and watch the video just prior to our discussion. So she is hearing the song first then seeing the video after. But yes your suggestion is an excellent one, thank you. Karl

[@amyorissa]

@@karlsloman5320 The Whole El Mocambo Concert is one of the definitive Blues Rock performances in History

[@craenor]

We're so lucky that here on KZbin we have some great full sets from each stage of his career, and we're even luckier that Jimmy keeps so many of them on KZbin and doesn't block people from reacting to, analyzing, or just enjoying him.

[@klasseact6663]

I would love to hear you react to Stevie Ray Vaughan live at the El macambo doing the song Texas flood

[@karlsloman5320]

Another great song. SRV was fuill of awesomeness! Thank you for the recommendation. Karl

[@TedinCalgary1952]

@@karlsloman5320 Yeah, it gets a bit tricky here. I know Karl has an extremely deep knowledge of rock and guitar, but I would have chosen the above version (TF at El Mocombo). I'm sure I had written in to Amy requesting it myself specifically as representing the blues guitar. However, the Mocombo recording has, I feel, a number of advantages over this song. First, I'm puzzled by the link Amy gives below the video as the song link. It goes to a MTV video he did as a spoof, with some girlfriend complaining about his guitar. WHAT????? Socond, as discussed before on the channel on "live" vs "studio", for Amy as a stringed instrument player, I would have thought she would prefer the video showing Stevie actually close-up playing (not sure here whether here she is just listening to the audio or has the aforementioned joke video on her laptop screen). Third, in the "Flood" video, Stevie descends into a very slow, almost inaudible playing that I personally always thought was a characteristic of the "blues", to represent the genre to Amy. And finally, fourth, KARL: The El Mocambo is IN TORONTO!!! As a loyal patriotic Ontarian, how could you not support your own venues?? (Just kidding a bit). Perhaps Amy can check out the TF video on her own, or it will come later in her journey. Keep well ... BXX BEWARE!!

[@jfourm]

I'll echo the sentiments of many others here: Stevie's live video performances capture his true essence.

[@LeeKennison]

Great start Amy and Karl, since you picked one of my all time favorite guitar players. This is an example of the Texas Blues style. Stevie is considered by many to be one of the greatest guitar players of all time. He was heavily influenced by Jimi Hendrix, and does some great covers of some of Jimi's songs. There are a lot of really good live performances on KZbin where you can see what an incredible guitar player he was. Sometimes you even see him playing behind his back (at times while singing at the same time), which he does better than most can playing normally. This is one of the many great songs he has, some of which have even more impressive guitar solos.

[@karlsloman5320]

Lee, FIrst, that is great that I picked one of your favourite. SRV is one of my favourites as well. And yes, as you point out it is Texas Blues, regardless he was truly amazing. I remember when I learned of his death, and I was very sad when I saw the news bulliten. I remember reading his biography, and one night while playing one of his callouses came off of his finger and he crazy glued the callous back on to complete his set! Amazing! Plus his guitars had strings on them like Piano strings, incredbily heavy gauge, but he was able to use it to wonderful effect. Love SRV. Thankyoiu for the knowledgeable comment! Karl

[@karlsloman5320]

Oh yes, and his version of VooDoo Chile, is the best, I think he evern ourperforms Hendrix in that song.

[@ajax428]

right on bro!

[@LeeKennison]

@@karlsloman5320 Texas Blues has long history going way back with many great players, Lightnin' Hopkins, and T-Bone Walker to name just a few. Once you get to Stevie and ZZ Top then you see the full circle starting to happen, with rock (blues rock in particular) coming back to influence and be a big part of their sound. Albert King was another huge influence on Stevie. I love the session they did that was captured on video. It is amazing. I have had the full version of it on DVD for years, some of it is on KZbin now. I love the way Stevie shows so much respect and admiration to Albert in that session.

[@LeeKennison]

@@karlsloman5320 Which is why so many guitarist have a hard time getting Stevie's tone. Hardly anyone is willing to put that high of a gauge of string on their guitars, and Stevie bends them like they were the more typical gauged strings. Yeah, I have heard the super glue story before. Now that is dedication. I love both versions of Voodoo Chile, both Stevie's and Jimi's several originals, including Voodoo Child (Slight Return). They all differ enough and have their own flavor to truly stand on their own as masterpieces by two true masters.

[@wandajames143]

I saw Stevie and got to meet him backstage when he toured with Jeff Beck. I’ve, seen Page, Howe, Beck…. but no one made my hair stand up like SRV. He wasn’t nearly as technical as Beck, but he had such deep emotion.

[@karlsloman5320]

Wow, lucky you. It is great meeting such great players! Karl

[@marksanders8028]

Your explanation about thinking of blues as a dialect from a different area of the country has created an appreciation for classical music in me. Thanks.

[@karlsloman5320]

Excellent.

[@chrisredlich7075]

Stevie plays like he invented the guitar. He also has a super band.

[@karlsloman5320]

Agreed, they really worked well together. Karl

[@paolocavalli7]

Are you watching him play live? It’s an experience to see him masterfully command the guitar and articulation of the notes, every attack matters. He’s the goat at that.

[@karlsloman5320]

We watched the live version after Amy's first listen. We are focusing on audio for first listens to allow her to concentrate on the music as opposed the visuals. You are correct though, he is the GOAT. Karl

[@harpothehealer]

Great reaction to SRV. Interesting how we all come to music. I can remember the day many many years ago hearing Bach and I was suddenly drawing parallels with modern Jazz. In fact Bach opened me up more on in my approach to modern jazz and Blues , which a lot of people might not understand. I'd been exploring hard Bop on tenor sax for over 30 years, it just shows the power and genius of Bach. It is not a rhythmic thing nor a harmony thing, it was simply his overall music. I guess I love Bach as much as Bird, Coltrane, Howlin Wolf and John Lee Hooker. Great channel, best regards

[@mulekickhandmadeguitars8465]

When you spoke of noticing "a conversation" in this Texas Blues Shuffle, I felt glad that you so easily picked up on the "call and response" aspect of blues music that stems from songs sung by cotton field workers and the Gospel music heard in the black church. Glad you had fun listening.

[@c128stuff]

Upto about a decade ago, the city I live in had 2 blues festivals each year, one with mostly outdoor stages throughout the city, and one with mostly bands playing in pubs. That usually got me all the blues I wanted for a year... but was really enjoyable. Having done stage audio and recording with blues bands, once you understand how this 'taking turns' thing works, and get a feel for the non-verbal communications between the band members, blues becomes a lot of fun for a sound/recording engineer (which I only do as a side hussle/hobby)

[@felixnorman9562]

this young woman which I think is a classical music pro, knows how to absorb & appreciate the "Blues"!

[@christophernation4793]

The Blues had a baby and they called the baby Rock and Roll.

[@therabbits168]

I'm just re-watching this and picked up on your comment about pressing down a bunch of keys on the organ and somehow getting a musical result. There's something of a tradition of that in classical pipe organ music.

[@ibkristykat]

❤ i LOVE Stevie Ray Vaughan!!!!!

[@bretta3]

It's not just blues, it's Texas blues and Stevie did it on a level nobody else ever reached.

[@rapidfirerob4]

Reese Wynans on organ was added to the band towards the end of the band's existence. A great addition. Stevie is so sorely missed. I saw him three times. Thankfully. One of the greats.

[@vomhausmann]

Adding my voice to "You must watch Stevie's live performances!" Magical...

[@bretta3]

Amy, thinking of it as a conversation is exactly right. To go even deeper you can think of it as questions and answers.

[@hugocapparelli1253]

Love the analogy of the voices, accents, regional cadence, dialects, combined in a conversation.

[@gordonlinton3555]

SRV was a unique live performer, that's where you see how very special he was, the music flowed through him in the moment.

[@thelonesomefisherman7425]

A beautiful blues shuffle. It's all about the feel and making the instruments cry and sing.

[@quentinmichel7581]

The best way to appreciate Stevie Ray & Double Trouble is to see their "conversations" LIVE.

[@laraismyname821]

Well that makes sense that it takes a while to wrap up these type songs, if they're like language. That's how southerners in the U.S. say goodbye in real-life just normally too. You get up to leave, start saying goodbye to everyone & 30 minutes later you're finally out the door. You'll be thanked for something, reminded about something, wished well...then there's hugs & kisses...it's a whole process.

[@sourdoughhome2571]

Your comment about "just mashing on the organ" reminded me of one of my favorite piano players, Brendan Kavanagh. Known as "Dr. K" because of his PhD in English, he is a boogie woogie piano player in England. He has MANY KZbin videos. In one, a very proper English lady implores him to "stop bashing the piano, because that isn't music." Me, I'm in awe of his improvisations. In a few videos he starts with classical music and then goes on a flight of his own.

[@jonathansherer5873]

I really appreciated how beautifully you articulated the magic of jamming with other musicians here. If you enjoy a good musical conversation, I think one of the finest modern examples of that is the band Vulfpeck live at Madison Square Garden. The entire performance has a fun and spontaneous feel - the band famously never rehearses together so all of their performances have this kind of conversational quality.

[@RWPeck]

Seriously enjoyed watching you move to the groove. Whatever you might think about the music, your movements confirmed it was having the intended effect - it made you feel something.

[@karlsloman5320]

Great observation. Karl

[@johnleonard3806]

Your friends know you well and chose a very tame SRV tune to begin with. This was very squishy. Most of the time Stevie will tear your face off in a good way. He also can make you slide out of your chair with smoothness. Bon voyage!

[@Mibbitmaker]

I'm more used to the studio version, but the live one here is great. The organ parts remind me of early Allman Brothers Band.

[@karlsloman5320]

Good comment, agreed. Karl

[@johnleonard3806]

Imagine when Virgin Rock listens to In Memory of Elizabeth Reed off of the Fillmore East recording.

[@clbcreations]

I love watching you when you when you are going over a new song. You at times are very serious when going over the sheet music and are all business about it. But those times that I catch you out of the "business" aspect of it and I see that you are moved in enjoyment mode. THIS , this is one of those times. It brought a smile to my face to see you moving to the beat and really enjoying SRV.

[@markrinehart8813]

The first rock-n-roll record was 'Rocket 88', recorded by Jackie Brenston And His Delta Cats at Sam Phillips' Sun Studios in Memphis, Tennessee. March 1951.

[@kenlieberman4215]

Well, no. Rocket 88 had a shuffle beat rather than a rock beat. It did inspire the race record format in the south which helped lead to the development of RnR, but it wasn't it,

[@RocketEightEight]

Everybody likes my Rocket 88

[@jessgo2958]

I have never heard about him, but I immediately added him to my play list. I am so happy to discover new music/musicians with you and Karl.

[@billdomitilli8125]

It worked...it made you move. The Blues is a visceral experience.

[@ronaldswansong9248]

Watching your emotional, rather than intellectual response to this, is seriously sensual. 1:35 through 3:30. And your lip biting omg. And then you engage your intellect - boom.

[@Real_LiamOBryan]

That is so right! Blues and jazz are conversations. You'll often see the bandmates exchanging knowing smiles when they "said" or heard something that they like. A conversation.

[@karlsloman5320]

Agreed!

[@alansmith7626]

I absolutely Love you and your insight! You see things most either do not or just take for granted. I am So very glad I found you at the beginning of this journey! Thank You!

[@karlsloman5320]

Great comment, Amy thanks you for the support! Karl

[@mpmlopes]

Stevie is very much established right in between rock and blues. His strongest point though is his virtuosity with the instrument. The ending was already a new song, that was the intro for Couldn't Stand The Weather.

[@mpmlopes]

@@jackburton547 lol, same, I couldn't just stay there hanging on the intro 😂

[@karlsloman5320]

Indeed! Karl

[@karlsloman5320]

@@jackburton547 Perfect!!! Karl

[@karlsloman5320]

@@mpmlopes It appears you all like the selection I provided as it is inspiring you to carry on listening to SRV! Cheers, Karl

[@actuariallurker9650]

Amy- Stevie Ray Vaughn is considered a guitar virtuoso- he could play behind his back, with broken strings, improvise for 20 minutes in the style of classical cadenza- "the Beethoven of Blues Rock" who like Ludwig would attack the instrument and push it to its limits....he unfortunately passed away in his 30s in a helicopter accident traveling to a performance

[@karlsloman5320]

Do you remember where you were when you heard the news? I was watching the news in Gagetown New Brunswick while on course with the military. It was a sad day for me. Could you imagine what he would have produced had he lived! Cheers, Karl

[@yinoveryang4246]

I think the reality is that Stevie would've had trouble coping with the diatonic melodies and harmonies of Bach, different world. In here it's all about muscle-memory and expression.

[@flor9389]

@@karlsloman5320 yea, I was at work and had to go to the ladies room to have a good cry.

[@Leopoldo888]

Wow... you are travelling fast! Jimmy and Steve have been my two guitar totems in life!

[@tcl5853]

New to your channel! You are a blessing! Wonderful commentary, thank you for sharing so much of your musical knowledge and wisdom with us!

[@Righteous_Judas]

I wasn’t ready for “squishy”😄 my mind was anticipating fluid, dynamic, or malleable. I like squishy better though, I’m stealing it!

[@hopper1]

I do not mind not having a video of the performance absent from this video. I have watched the VHS so many times that I only have to close my eyes and I can see every minute. :)

[@richpeltier9519]

All of the best things about the blues filtered their way down into Texas. Which is why we have ZZ Top. 🤘🧙‍♂️🤘

[@karlsloman5320]

I cannot disagree with that! Karl

[@summercoat]

I love SRV, but if your brief was to listen to some Blues that is many decades after the Blues roots, I would have chosen Jimi Henrix's "Red House" for deep low down and dirty Blues. It's brutal; beautiful.

[@karlsloman5320]

Fair enough, but couild the same observation be made about Hendrix as well? Personally, I was not so concerned about listening to the roots of the music, but listening to a master of the style, which rightly or wrongly SRV was, but that is my opinion. Cheers, Karl

[@valebliz]

Listen to his live performances, that's where he shined.

[@satortenet]

It was a "Cold Shot" not to start of with Texas Flood. Nice reaction, lovely insights, as always. Peace from Brazil

[@karlsloman5320]

Remember, this is simply to introduce Amy to Blues... But Texas Flood is a great one! Cheers, Karl

[@jazzmaan707]

Excellent comments about blues being "a conversation," which I had never heard of or thought about, but it makes sense now. I'd always heard that Blues was about "feelings" put into the music. Awesome review, too.

[@PeterBuwen]

👍Great! Your journey turned from an initial disturbing headbanging show into a serious musical retrospective. Congratulations! Stevie Ray Vaughan is - of cause - a must - whether in this or another context. Surely one of the best blues guitarists and in tradition of the first generation of blues. To say it maybe clearer than Karl did: Blues had not only a big impact on Rock but it is a main ingredient. A second ingedient is country music. And third and most important ingredient for rock music are european classical and folk influences.

[@uncletom618]

Don’t forget the injection of soul!

[@PeterBuwen]

@@uncletom618 You are right. It came early in the 1960 in form of R&B.

[@karlsloman5320]

Peter, you bring up a great point (I am an Metal aficionado myself) but I wanted Amy to start experiencing the full breadth of Rock and Roll and its origins. Although I can listen to Metal all day long, it would be a great injustice not not discover and see what else is out there. I agree with your comment, and I felt that the scope of what Amy was hearing was too narrow. That has changed since we have recoreded and listened to our intitial songs. Thank you for the comment. I would argue, Country has been more influenced by Rock than the other way around, but in the end, ALL music influences ALL music. Cheers, Karl

[@PK1971PK]

@@karlsloman5320 "Country has been more influenced by Rock than the other way around" Very true for today's "country" but I strongly disagree with that as it pertains to rock origins. Early blues and country were strongly intertwined, my sense is that it is because they sprang from rural church music, basically gospel, both black and "southern". Just look at Elvis's catalogue--Mississippi John Hurt and Jimmie Rodgers. And you can hear the intermingling in several Rolling Stones songs, like "Wild Horses".

[@drivers99]

Disturbing? You mean awesome.

[@jdy5556]

Wow, your description of the conversational aspect of blues (and rock) is spot on. I never thought of it in those exact terms before although I had heard of guitar being a "vocal" instrument.

[@ericmcdonough8193]

I love SRV’s studio catalog just like everyone else. But when reacting to him, like many others have said, he really needs to be watched. Texas flood or voodoo child would be a great start. Btw love your content!

[@elysium619]

Interesting, as a classical musician, your impression of blues as "squishy." But yeah, that works. The great bulk of blues doesn't sound "angular," if you like. Very few sharp edges. It is, indeed, smooth, sorrowful, flowing, sedated, mournful, etc. Yes, there are "glad" blues, but at the end of the day, the term "blues" is a big hint as to its sound. Again your sensitivity to music is spot on.

[@williammcnamara1081]

Your face is so expressive. It looks like you are having a lot of fun with this project.

[@karlsloman5320]

You just wait, I teared up when Amy listened to one song (not in this series but one that was requested for her to do an indepth on) from the list, due to her enthusiam and facial expressions. It was at that point that i said to myself "she is getting it". Karl

[@barryegerton1996]

Wow, what a great start to your journey. My first time hearing this as you say conversation. Thank you so very much for sharing your thoughts, a great insight ❤

[@karlsloman5320]

No, Thank you!! And we are just getting started, I am delighted that this is your first time hearing this conversation! That is what this series is all about. Thank you again, Karl

[@stevemarquez9628]

You should look for full episode of "Austin City Limits" featuring Stevie Ray Vaughn to see his showmanship live.

[@karlsloman5320]

Amy and I already watch SRV Live, after she did her initial listen. And yes, it was from ACL. Thanks for the recommendation! Karl

[@shirleybuffington6420]

Any time you check out Stevie you need to do live versions and see how he does what he does

[@simonwatkins3236]

I remember listening to an a n interview with an an old blues man who said "In jazz you hit the notes with a laser beam In bules you use a tomato."

[@karlsloman5320]

What a great analogy, thank you for posting that. I wouild go one step further, Jazz you hit with Blue Berry and Rock you use the laser. Still it is a great analogy! Cheers, Karl

[@richpeltier9519]

One thing that is common with blues based rock music is the singer/guitarist as the frontman. In these cases, much of the "conversation" takes place between the singer and their guitar. The instrument answering the voice. Sometimes, we even get some harmonica. Was fortunate to see Bonnie Raitt open for Stevie Ray Vaughn in the opera house in Sacramento, CA. Two absolute masters of this craft, in an acoustically brilliant playspace. Once that has been established, the "conversation" moves on to include other soloists in the band. 🤘🧙‍♂️🤘 Rich the Ancient Metal Beast

[@Pix2GoStudios]

I saw Lonnie Mack open for Stevie Ray in Charlotte, NC. Much better pairing than when I saw Stevie open for Huey Lewis....

[@bamboo59.52]

Stevie Ray! WOW! you picked the best to start with ❤

[@karlsloman5320]

Agreed. Karl

[@Jacktors]

Amy digging the blues! I love it!

[@karlsloman5320]

You bet. Karl

[@outspan87]

Great selection! A suggestion, going forward it would be nice for Amy to sometimes see live video performances of these first listen songs so she also gets a better sense of the personalities involved, the interaction with the public and so on. I'm thinking of the way Bruce Dickinson is able to run around the stage and sing at the same time, the way Keith Emerson juggled multiple keyboards and the Moog, etc... some of that gets lost when listening to the audio only

[@karlsloman5320]

Great point and one we have discussed extensively. We decided to go audio because we want the songs to stand out on their own. We had a situation where Amy listened to a song and her opinion was swayed by watching the video. By hearing just the audio it allows her to focus all her attention on the music itself without having to consider the video part of the performance. Karl

[@helenespaulding7562]

@@karlsloman5320 ah…but once she’s heard it, then perhaps a live version? Especially if the great masters like SRV?

[@karlsloman5320]

@@helenespaulding7562 And we did exactly that. What we are doing is I make the recommendation for the song to listen to Amy listens to it for the first time. Then she and I watch it together, and that is when I let her see the live versions or videos that have story lines. Great suggestion though! Cheers, Karl

[@w.geoffreyspaulding6588]

@@karlsloman5320 excellent! COuld she make a comment to that effect and say what she thought of the live performance? That would be cool!

[@The_Kiosk]

Squishy is a good way of looking at it. SRV could take pure emotion and just will the sound to come out like it does.

[@karlsloman5320]

Agreed! Karl

[@Stratocus]

Part of the brilliance of Stevie Ray Vaughan was the eloquence of his guitar playing. So many guitarists will launch into a solo that is, essentially, gibberish and meaningless. Just a series of notes played at breakneck speed. Like listening to someone speaking in tongues. Everything that SRV played made absolute sense and he was a master of subtlety and the concept of less is more. Amy, you should really listen to his Lenny and Riviera Paradise to see the full extent of what he was capable of. So much of what rock music is about centers around the electric guitar and SRV was a supreme master of the instrument.

[@kathleensaintesteben]

Merci pour vos explications techniques de cette magnifique chanson de Monsieur Stevie Ray Vaughan. Oui, la technique est parfaite et que dire de la magnifique interprétation de SRV. Le blues se ressent comme une essence vitale venant du fond de vos tripes 🇮🇪🇫🇷🙏💫

[@jamessomers8808]

This video that was on MTV is hysterical. And really cool.

[@brianvigneau2074]

Listen to the blues . Got nothing left to lose....

[@fidge54]

SRV, what great way to start any journey!

[@onixtheone]

I can hear the massive influence SRV had on artist like John Mayer, especially the way he sings

[@ThinkerThunker]

Watching this feels like I'm watching a Wes Anderson movie.

[@stevengifford7457]

I would think the start of this series would have been Chuck Berry and Little Richard.

[@karlsloman5320]

No they are Rock and Roll, which will come in later episodes, I think I have three Chuck Berry Songs and one Little Richard. Plus there is Elvis, Fats Domino and Bill Haley. We wanted to start PRIOR to early Rock and Roll in order to (pardon the pun) set the stage for what is coming next. Cheers, Karl

[@sharonsnail2954]

@@karlsloman5320 I'm looking forward to your conversation with Amy and hopefully a road map of where we're going as SRV and 1984 was not the place I was expecting to start from either ☺

[@karlsloman5320]

@@sharonsnail2954 Excellent, I am sure you will find our discussions interesting, at least I hope so. Karl

[@dancedout60]

I have found that one really needs to see SRV play to truly get the experience, far more than for most others. It seems a consensus that Pride and Joy is his "best" song, and I'd not argue against that. Can you do that one?

[@Rick-or2kq]

You can hear a strong Jazz influence which I enjoy so much really love those moment where a musicians just take it their own way and everyone follows it so creative, so spontaneous you can feel the music flowing through them not from them but through them, the music takes on a life of it's own.

[@TheRealDCF]

I think it’s great how much you were obviously enjoying listening to this one. I’d love to see you give “Couldn’t Stand the Weather” or his cover of Hendrix’s “Little Wing” a listen. The first time I heard him do “Little Wing”, it literally brought me to tears.

[@karlsloman5320]

Like many I am sure. Karl

[@johnovanic9560]

What I really like about Stevie Ray Vaughan music is like you said he switches back and forth in his songs and you can hear different dialect. He'll do black blues riffs then he'll go into white boy blues or almost rock and roll and pick up the tempo then right back to black blues and it just Blends all together like two people having a conversation.

[@karlsloman5320]

Excellent point, and we agree. Karl

[@metaltildeth6783]

Stevie Ray Vaughan. Robin Trower. Jimi Hendrix. Three men from three different decades, the 80's, the 70's and the 60's, who have helped keep blues alive and spawn many new players.

[@karlsloman5320]

Yes, and to me that is what is most important. These people allow those of us to experience the giants because of their contributions. Karl

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Squishy and conversational. The best guitarists especially the ones that can play long improvised solos use the squishy conversational approach. Stevie Ray was a great player and this is a modern electric blues boogie style. There are other styles of Blues that sound much different but are still distinctly blues. Great reaction.

[@uncletom618]

I’m wanting to use the word, “undulate”, as well as squishy.

[@karlsloman5320]

Great points, and if we had time and this was a Blues show, we would have definitely done that. I also chose Voodoo Chile by SRV not the Hendrix version for later viewing, but I want to see how things go first. Thanks for the comment. Karl

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@uncletom618 undulate is a great word. Undulate.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@karlsloman5320 yes I understand, no complaint from me for playing Stevie Ray. Maybe consider Robert Johnson and Charley Patton at some point for a roots show or something. Thanks great stuff all around.

[@LeeKennison]

@@Hartlor_Tayley And in addition to Robert Johnson and Charlie Patton: Albert King, Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, Blind Lemon Jefferson (and all the other Blind ones), Son House, T-Bone Walker, Lightnin' Hopkins, and on and on. I think Amy really needs to start a Virgin Blues channel. Later she can do Virgin Jazz. She should at least grab those channel names before someone else tries to move into her territory and brand. I know you will be advocating for Virgin Jug Bands.

[@viclemmon]

I just really want to thank you for these wonderful videos! I love how you hear and interpret your feelings. It has given me a brand new outlook for many of my favorite songs, and music in general. Thank you!

[@destination22ful]

I love your comment regarding music as a language. From giving a speech to informal conversation is spot on. I now listen to music differently. Thank you. Please do an analysis of Linda Ronstadt and the different genres she sings, such as rock, Spanish, country, big band standards and even Gilbert & Sullivan. I really enjoy your channel.

[@Pilot545]

Love hearing such different perspectives on SRV and different analyses from that unique perspective. Awesome! Language. That’s why they say he makes that guitar talk! Just another way to communicate.

[@karlsloman5320]

Agreed. Karl

[@trayse_jordan552]

So new subscriber here, but I wanted to point something out. You are very thorough with your reactions/breakdowns. That is a fact. I’m recommending you do asmr…your voice is the most soothing thing I’ve ever heard.

[@karlsloman5320]

I will pass it onto Amy, and thanks for subscribing, I hope you are not disappointed. Karl

[@scottmallett3267]

I love these videos. As an amateur musician (singer/piano) I always smile when you catch some nuance or theme that the music is trying to get across. I also love how you catch some subtleties that I have missed even though I have heard all these songs thousands of times; how one instrument is doubling another or a previous melody line being reproduced later in a song in a different mode, for example. Great stuff. A history of rock is a pretty ambitious undertaking though. LOL. There are so many genres under the umbrella of "rock" and some that either no longer exist (i.e. disco) or have melded into a different form (i.e. New Wave). There are even some forms that are now considered rock that previously were not such as modern country which has essentially become rock with fiddles, slide guitar, and banjos added. Don't overlook the influence of soul on your journey (not the spirit, but the musical genre). ;) Always great stuff.

[@ilionreactor1079]

The start of the organ solo is a good example of a fixed-note instrument trying to hit blues scale notes that are between the keys, either by mashing or trilling. The guitar can bend or slide to hit those notes, which is why it is the primary blues instrument of choice.

[@peterhughes8699]

Excellent choice Amy - SRV was a guitar virtuoso and great singer. He's in my top 3 best ever guitarists. Karl is correct. The blues is the basis of all rock music. It will teach you how to do something no classically trained musician can do - improvisation. Stevie never played the same thing twice :)

[@patrickdepoortere6830]

Wow! SRV! I don't know about all that Death Metal, but someone steered you right here...

[@GorgeousRoddyChrome]

Loved seeing to get into the feel of this song! Your story about your teacher and the moment understanding the blues is very cool, Amy. Great video 🤘

[@Valhalrik]

I love when people with talent recognize others with talent

[@maxthorpe-downey1680]

You have to watch Texas Flood or Pride and Joy live at the El Mocambo. Best live performance ever recorded hands down

[@jasonwalker7916]

SRV always sounds great. But to watch him live is amazing. If you get a chance.

[@aleksandralekhin8231]

@Karl Sloman you are answering each and every question! great! drummers are unstoppable

[@karlsloman5320]

I totally agree! But then I am biased arn't I. However, if you do a survey of great bands, in nearly every case they have great Drummers. Thank you for the comment! Karl

[@mikkis668]

Interesting pick for the start, Carl. Great choice, I would have guessed Robert Johnson or some spiritual, so a nice surprise 👍. Nice analysis from Amy, about the "conversation of the squishy music"😄. It's correct, but I think we call it taking turns. 👏👏👏

[@karlsloman5320]

Thank you, and that was one of the reasons I picked it, I want to keep people surprised and engaged, and this was a great p[place to start! Thank you for pointing that out. Karl

[@berryhenson1083]

WOW! Amy you're rockin'! You're feeling it. How cool. Stevie does that to you. Now all you need to do is electrify that harp and start slammin' out some blues links. Come down to Austin and see Stevie's statue. Talk to Jimmy, Stevie's brother. It's the first time I've seen you rock out and you picked t he right guy to do it with. Love your take. Keep on rockin'!

[@karlsloman5320]

We have discussed Amy doing some cross over work. Cheers, Karl

[@epearc]

Interesting choice for first song. I love me some SRV, but the topic is "History of Rock Music". I guess I'd expect something more chronological, which there is a vast, vast amount of rock music and history before this. I hope this doesn't come across as a complaint, as I enjoy this channel very much. I'm also not suggesting going back to 30's-40's blues (aka Robert Johnson) from a channel review perspective. I just figured it would start earlier than this. The Yardbirds would be something I'd like a take or perspective.

[@karlsloman5320]

Fair point.... and it is the History of Rock, so theoretically I did not have to include any blues or swing music. I chose to just to show the technical elements of the music, not the historial value of that particular song, the history does not start at the point of Cold Shot, but goes all the way back! But I aceept your criticism for its full value. And the show starts back in the 1950s, you will see, once we get into the Rock music itself. Cheers

[@richardjacobs7632]

It just flows out of Stevie and the keyboardist!

[@rollershq7981]

Its coming to you, beautiful to see

[@karlsloman5320]

It is, isnt it. Karl