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Rating: The landscape is one that leaves you pondering: the American desert, the terrible heat, the persistent sound of crickets echoing in the air, the sun beating down on the arid mountains.
The heat can play tricks. It can make us imagine, for example, that a solitary cowboy emerges from those mountains, riding through these dangerous yet splendid scenes. Head bowed, slow strides, hat pulled low over his eyes, leaving an air of mystery about that character.
He's an atypical cowboy, our protagonist. He isn't a bounty hunter, he doesn't herd wild buffalo, he's not even a hardened criminal. He doesn't carry a gun, no ammunition. He dismounts, ties his horse, and takes with him his weapon: a "Number One". It doesn't have six bullets, but six strings: it's an electric guitar.
Our cowboy starts from Austin, Texas, and travels across the entire star-spangled nation, shooting guitar solos and blues songs.
In Europe, cowboys have never been seen, and when Stevie Ray Vaughan (that's his name) lands in Montreux, Switzerland, his name is unknown to everyone. His fame still does not match his talent.
Sometimes even the best lone gunslingers have companions in adventure, because among friends, many hands make light work. So it is for SRV, who with his Double Trouble (Chris Layton on drums and Tommy Shannon on bass) sets the Montreux festival ablaze.
His Fender rampages make the show fiery, the hard and raw sound of Texas blues convinces the Swiss audience, accustomed to listening to much more refined music, very little. However, the cowboy doesn't flinch, he never has in his concerts, he knows he's the best and if anyone dares doubt his class, they will be left breathless listening to the notes SRV can create with his fingers.
Hearing the gallops of "Hide Away," "Rude Mood" or that masterpiece that is "Pride And Joy" our protagonist seems to be saying: "Watch out, this stuff's hot."
Stevie Vaughan is not a vengeful cowboy, however, and therefore he knows when it's time to slow down and let his voice and guitar enchant the bewildered Swiss. And if someone still hasn't grasped the Texan cowboy's prowess, let them listen to "Texas Flood," "Dirty Pool" and "Ain't Gone N' Give Up One Love": it's just simple blues, expressed in the best way possible. Keep shooting, Stevie. He finds no peace. He's possessed. When he plays, no one can tear their ears away from those magical sounds.
Now that he's finished his work, he goes to collect his pay. He unties the horse, puts away the guitar, and mounts up. The cowboy rides towards new adventures.
Tracklist and Lyrics
03 Pride and Joy (04:00)
Well you've heard about love givin' sight to the blind
My baby's lovin' cause the sun to shine
She's my sweet little thing, she's my pride and joy
She's my sweet little baby, I'm her little lover boy
Yeah I love my baby, heart and soul
Love like ours won't never grow old
She's my sweet little thing, she's my pride and joy
She's my sweet little baby, I'm her little lover boy
Yeah, I love my lady, she's long and lean
You mess with her, you'll see a man get mean
She's my sweet little thing, she's my pride and joy
She's my sweet little baby, I'm her little lover boy
Well I love my baby, like the finest wine
Stick with her until the end of time
She's my sweet little thing, she's my pride and joy
She's my sweet little baby, I'm her little lover boy
Yeah I love my baby, heart and soul
Love like ours won't never grow old
She's my sweet little thing, she's my pride and joy
She's my sweet little baby, I'm her little lover boy
04 Texas Flood (10:27)
Well there's floodin' down in Texas, all of the telephone lines are down
Well there's floodin' down in Texas, all of the telephone lines are down
And I've been tryin' to call my baby, Lord and I can't get a single sound
Well dark clouds are rollin' in, man I'm standin' out in the rain
Well dark clouds are rollin' in, man I'm standin' out in the rain
Yeah flood water keep a rollin', man it's about to drive poor me insane
Well I'm leavin' you baby, Lord and I'm goin' back home to stay
Well I'm leavin' you baby, Lord and I'm goin' back home to stay
Well back home I know floods and tornados, baby the sun shines every day
06 Dirty Pool (08:16)
True love is gone....I's been played for a fool
True love is gone....I's been played for a fool
I'm turnin' the tables on you
You've been playin' dirty pool
You said you'd call the shots darlin'....All your friends thought that was cool...so cool baby
You said you'd call the shots darlin'....All your friends thought that was so cool
Yeah when you shot at the eight-ball baby....I knew you were playin' dirty pool
They say that life....Life is a game of give and take
They say that life....Life is a game of give and take
I'm tellin' you one thing right now little baby
I won't be the one to pay for your mistake
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By Caravan
"Sometimes what appear as failures, are really successes in disguise."
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