Roy Buchanan - 1973 - That's What I Am Here For [192]

The late Roy Buchanan is a sadly underrated cult figure in the world of hard rock guitar. His aggressive attack, soulful selection of notes, and general playing attitude made him one of the most respected players of his generation. With heavy competition from musicians such as Eric Clapton, Duane Allman, and Jimi Hendrix, this is quite a feat. That's What I Am Here For, one of his earlier Polydor albums, illustrates all of the above artists in fine style. The extended reading of "Hey Joe" is enough to seal Buchanan's reputation, with some lightning fast and super heavy blues runs.

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Roy Buchanan - 1978 - Live In Japan [256]

"Live In Japan" documents Buchanan's tour of Japan in 1977 and was his gift to his Japanese fans. This disk was supposed to be Roy's favorite among all of his releases. Buchanan's live disks tend to be much more explosive than his studio albums. The standout cut is a great live rendition of "Hey Joe" with "Foxy Lady" as a coda. The disk begins with an excellent cover of Booker T. & the MGs instrumental "Soul Dressing". The disk also includes the upbeat "Sweet Honey Dew" a cover of Larry Williams' "Slow Down" and an inspired version of "My Baby Says She's Gonna Leave Me". "Sweet Dreams" one of Roy's personal favorites is also included.

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Roy Buchanan - 1973 - Second Album [256]

Roy Buchanan's Second Album was recorded less than six months after completing his self-titled major-label debut, Roy Buchanan (1972), and sported a slightly amended version of the Snakestretchers -- featuring Ned Davis (drums), Dick Heintze (keyboards), Teddy Irwin (rhythm guitar), Chuck Tilley (vocals/rhythm guitar), and, replacing Pete Van Allen, Don Payne (bass). The vibe is much in keeping with the previous effort, albeit decidedly more blues-based. Likewise, the arguably misplaced countrified cuts have been dispensed with, as the musicians concentrate more specifically on traditional blues and original compositions. Once again, the choice of covers is not only impeccable, but has been significantly personalized by the guitarist's unique sensibilities and inimitable timbre.

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Roy Buchanan - 1972 - Roy Buchanan [256]

The recording and production on this, Roy Buchanan's first record for Polydor, is delightfully bare, sparse in ornamentation, and full of bum notes and aborted ideas that would be deleted on most commercial releases. It is a loose, highly improvised affair that amply demonstrates why the leader is one of the underappreciated giants of rootsy guitar. Straddling country, blues, and traditional rock & roll, Buchanan's playing is fiery and unpremeditated. His tone is delightfully raw and piercing, his solo ideas impetuous and uncluttered. On the instrumental tracks, such as his famous reading of "Sweet Dreams" or Buchanan's own "The Messiah Will Come Again," one can see why he was such an influence on Jeff Beck, another master of the instrument known for his genre-blending and ragged spontaneity.

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Roy Buchanan - 1977 - Loading Zone [192]

Loading Zone, Buchanan's second solo album for Atlantic, is produced by Stanley Clarke, a built-in guarantee for jazz-rock legitimacy. More importantly, Clarke's rep as the killer bass player of the decade has had a positive, prodding effect on Buchanan's playing. He shifts into overdrive on the first track, a fiery and propulsive Clarke composition entitled "The Heat of the Battle," and never looks back for the whole album. He has always been the master of the Fender Telecaster squeal, but on some of these tracks his frenzied excursions into overtones, harmonics and tight clusters of notes played largely in the upper register of the instrument move beyond traditional lead-guitar histrionics.
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