DVD ROUNDUP by Michael Buffalo Smith
Lonestar - Stevie Ray Vaughan 1984-1989 (Sexy Intellectual) This follow up to Rise of a Texas Bluesman – Stevie Ray Vaughan 1954- 1983 is an indispensible documentary for any fans of Texas blues, and espe- cially of the late guitar god. It uses rare photo- graphs, film clips and many interviews to paint a vivid picture of Vaughan’s glory years. It was truly amazing that a blues gui- tarist rose to his pinnacle of fame at a time when MTV ruled the airwaves
and the music scene was filled with new wave and punk rockers. When his debut Texas Flood hit, Double Trouble was off and running, and after his sophomore release, Couldn’t Stand The Weather, propelled him to superstardom. With David Bowie inviting him to play on his new album Let’s Dance, Stevie Ray Vaughan became an interna- tional superstar. The documentary also explains Stevie’s descent into alcohol and drugs, and even- tual kicking and the liberation he felt once he was clean and sober. It details his “comeback” album In Step, on which he recorded all of his solos live. Utilizing producer Jim Gaines and co-writing sev- eral tunes with his buddy Doyle Bramhall III, the album wasn’t so much rooted in the blues, but a more radio friendly album. Songs like “Crossfire” and “If The House is Rockin,” rocked the Top 40. It also recounts the tragic death of Stevie in the helicopter accident that took one of our most bril- liant rock and blues stars at the age of 35. A very detailed documentary with a sad ending.. . . Brad Paisley: Life Amplified World Tour; Live from West Virginia (MVD) I have always liked Brad Paisley. I love his music, yes, but his personality is a major factor in drawing in fans.
Just watch him any given year co-hosting the country music awards with Carrie Underwood, or any interview or TV appearance. The guy always has fun. One of the things that endears him music to me is his amazing talent on guitar. On this DVD (which also includes an audio CD of the live show) he comes out of the chute snortin’ and kickin’ hard with “Crushin’ It,” with his distinct country vocals coupled with an off the chain gui- tar style. Shot in his hometown of Morgantown at West Virginia University, the hometown crowd goes nuts start to finish. He rocks through “Amer- ican Saturday Night,” and his love song to “Water” with ease, playing an aray of beautiful Fender Telecaster guitars, including the gorgeous blue paisley one. Love that guitar! And its not everyday you see an artist take a guitar handed to him from the audience, autograph it and hand it back, all in the middle of a song. His song about being so much cooler than his Facebook profile, “Online,” rocks, and “Perfect Storm” is a pretty song that gets an al- most Prince style guitar solo. Brad is different. That’s just one reason to like him. He pulls out the acoustic for “Letter to Me,” a song you just have to love. He talks about writing a letter to himself at age 17. Just a great song. He does some of “This is Country Music,” pulls the guitar off, and takes it to a kid on the side of the catwalk. He gives it to the boy and says “Learn to play it!” Then straps on an- other Telecaster and lunges back into the electric version of “This is Country Music,” doinga tease of “Mama Tried” at the end. Very cool. Chris Young joins in on “I’m Still a Guy,” at one point taking phones from the audience to take selfies of themselves before handing them back. They made fun song even more fun. With a loud call to
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