Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble
Live at Montreux 1982 & 1985

THE REVIEW

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.