Please contact me with your opinions and reviews of any import or bootleg CDs you've heard or have and I'll add them to this list.
Each CD title is linked to the track listings and venue information at Bob Willmot's site.
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Don't Mess With Texas
- It is fantastic (I love the early stuff!). It has the best version of Tin Pan Alley that I ave
heard.
- I do have Don't Mess With Texas and I like it a lot. It is an improvement over the commercial CD (IMHO). It IS more complete than Guitar Boogie (it contains a “cut” version of Texas Flood).
- I only have this one and it sounds pretty good to me. I especially like the extra songs that are on it over “in the beginning.”
- I like the “Don't mess with texas” boot, but the best recording is a tape of the actual radio broadcast which has more tone than any of the boot cd's that have come out and more songs than Sony's release.
Double Trouble - Nashville 1978
- Recorded at Jack “Cowboy” Clement's home studio. The booklet that accompanies the disc claims that the CD was taken from an acetate (the only source known to exist, apparently any tapes were destroyed or deteriorated). The inserts are numbered and limited to 1000 copies. Includes Jackie Newhouse on bass and Lou Ann Barton, vocals. Some tracks are similar to “The First Thunder,” but most are different. Great sound quality but has “feel of listening to a slightly worn LP.”
- With the exception of this and a few other CDs, I have yet to see a bootleg cd for which
there was not a better sounding analog cassette recording available.
- The Nashville '78 boot features Lou Ann singing lead on half of the tracks as follows:
- (Track 1) “You Can Have My Husband”
- (Track 4) “Oh Yeah”
- (Track 6) “Ti-Ni-Nee-Ni-Nu”
- (Track 8) “I Wonder Why”
- (Track 10) “Sugar Coated Loving”
I finally got the chance to compare the Nashville '78 recording with First Thunder. When you
A/B these recordings it is fairly obvious on most tracks that they are not the same (lyric
differences, SRV solo differences, etc). On the other tracks, where the differences are a little
more subtle, if you follow the drummer it becomes clear that these are indeed different
recordings.
- I checked your review and it sounded like whoever did it had never heard it before.
I have it and must say that I have around 30 srv cd/tapes and it is by far the best I have. Quality is
above average for a limited edition cd. My cd is number 656. This is Stevie when he truly was
the hurricane, Stevie speeding, musically and physically. Number 1 or piece of shit probably
wasn't completely trashed yet but listening to this cd shows you where it would get it's name.
Stevie's vocals show signs of his insecurity in his own voice but they are truly unfounded. As far
as vocals go, Lou Ann's a whalin' fool, this is early enough that her voice still has signs of clarity,
at least as much as she ever had. This is by far, at least in my opinion, the best SRV cd I have
ever heard, everyone that has heard it has completely been amazed.
Double Trouble Over Europe
Drivin' South
- The sound is poor, worse than the audio that circulates under the same title. The extra
tracks I am not sure of, but I think they are worse than the first part of the disc sound wise. The
songs are mislabeled. Someone has tried to mess around with eq and tried to eliminate audience
noise and bring out the guitar, with mixed results, the tone is a bit thin as a result.
Anyway, I would not recommend this disc, the performance is excellent but the sound quality and
packaging are quite poor. It looks like a low-budget type operation.
I also believe that this is a 1980 show, not a 1978 show based on set list and sound of the
band/Stevie.
Duets
Duke + The Hawk
El Mocambo
Feathers
First Concert In Europe
- Stevie's superb European debut. It's really interesting to hear the audience reaction; half the crowd clapping, the other half booing loudly! Stevie responds in classic form and lets his Strat do most of the talking.
- “I've seen this show on video.... and it is hot.”
- excellent quality soundboard recording.
- “Texas Flood” from this show won a Grammy [best Blues live performance?].
- I just got the FIRST EUROPEAN CONCERT boot and it is excellent. Its got a great medley of Hideaway/Rude Mood/Hideaway and a smokin' version of the Hound Dog Taylor classic Give Me Back My Wig. If you can find it, buy it!
- The quality on this CD, as with most Swingin' Pig CDs, is excellent.
- One problem with boot cd's is the people aren't always concerned with quality and some sound pretty homemade. Often they do not use actual master recordings, nor did they manufacturers follow standard post production practices, so that the recordings lack a full sound, are thin and generally compressed prior the the intial recording. Many sound like recordings made of a radio
broadcast and then put onto cd, not master tapes used to make the broadcast. With the exception of FON II, First Concert in Europe and “In Memorium” and “Nashville 78,” and “First Thunder” I have yet to see a bootleg cd for which there was not a better sounding analog cassette recording available.
- sound quality, killer playing, historic, great example of early sound
- The quality on this CD, as with most Swingin' Pig CDs, is excellent.
- sound quality, killer playing, historic, great example of early sound
- With the exception of this and a few other CDs, I have yet to see a bootleg cd for which
there was not a better sounding analog cassette recording available.
- I think you might mean the '82 Montreux Festival (7/17/82). I have to agree with you on
this one. I have always loved this show's kick-ass version of Texas Flood (which took home a
Grammy for SRV and DT). The crowd starts out a little uneasy (you can actually hear a boo or
two), but the jeers change to cheers throughout the 10 minutes or so that Stevie is gettin' down.
This version is played with lots of Vaughan intensity and attitude.
- BTW, I'd give this boot CD an A+ for sound quality (for whoever wants to start rating
them). It's about as good as it gets, especially for a live recording.
- I also love many of the other songs that were played at Montreux '82...Give Me Back My
Wig (nice slide work), a very bluesy Dirty Pool, and the great opening instrumental of
Hideaway/Rude Mood (I love the way Stevie intertwines the two songs and turns it into a little
“medley”). There is also a very good live version of Collin's Shuffle. I can certainly see (and
hear) why David Bowie sat up and took notice of the band at this show...the band was in a zone,
fer sure. They were an extremely tight and self assured power trio at this time...ya can hear it in
their playing.
- To me, using a slide is one area that SRV was phenomenal at, but didn't do hardly at all. SRV does Gimme Back My Wig and it's awesome and intense.
- a great sbd recording of a killer set from Montreux 82. Great stuff, great sound.
First Steps In Europe & You'll Be Mine
First Thunder
- The audio quality on “TFT” is very good and one of the best early SRV [pre Chris L. and Tommy S.] live recordings. “Te-Ni-Nee-Ni-Nu” were made popular by the late great bluesman Slim Harpo.
- a WONDERFUL boot CD. The first six or seven tracks are early studio demo versions of many Texasflood album standards. The highlights of the disc IMHO, however, are the seven or so demo tracks where SRV plays and Lou Ann Barton sings. Believe me when I tell you this, and this disc proves it, the original incarnation of Double Trouble was HOT. Lou Ann could melt paint off the walls with her live voice! There are many songs that Lou Ann eventually put on her release “Read My Lips”. Of course, RML was released much later and without SRV on guitar. It's very good but doesn't hold a candle to the cuts on The First Thunder.
The disc closes with a few of live tracks of SRV and Double Trouble at Peonas with Johnny Reno on saxophone. I think that was an Austin bar back in the 70's.
The value of this disc is not truly recognized until you read eitherof the SRV biographies. It's just wonderful to hear these tracks after reading about the early days of Double Trouble...this is when they were just making music to have fun...everyone screwed everyone else, just for something to do...SRV didn't give a crap whether anyone liked his music or not, cause HE liked it. I just think this is a wonderful recording and all of you avid fans owe it to yourself to get your hands on this.
- Lou Ann's songs are killer
- With the exception of this and a few other CDs, I have yet to see a bootleg cd for which
there was not a better sounding analog cassette recording available.
- I finally got the chance to compare the Nashville '78 recording with First Thunder. When
you A/B these recordings it is fairly obvious on most tracks that they are not the same (lyric
differences, SRV solo differences, etc). On the other tracks, where the differences are a little
more subtle, if you follow the drummer it becomes clear that these are indeed different
recordings.
- Pier 83 is a great version of Rude Mood, but then I reckon they're all great! Some days the fast aggro versions make my hair stand up on end , some days the acoustic version (MTV) does it for me but a real fave is the early version: on the 1979 First Thunder boot. This country/rockabilly laid back version has the joy of life written all over it; guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Stevie must've got a real buzz playing this one in the clubs.
Force Of Nature
- Force of Nature was recorded at Fitzgerald's in Houston Fitzgerald's in Austin on 10/14/81. It's one of the best “audience recordings” I've heard. SRV does a version of BB's “Done Lost Your
Good Thing Now” that knocks me to my knees everytime I hear it. The songs include “Boilermaker,” “Close to You,” “Slide Thang,” “P&J,” “Texas Flood,” “Tin Pan Alley,” and several others, including Albert's “Crosscut Saw.” Definitely worth it if you can find it (2 cd set).
- Rating: ****, Length: 180 min
- well worth having
- If you don't have “Force Of Nature” you better pick it up. Recorded at Fitzgerald's in Houston, an excellent example of how SRV sounded in the early days. Get it! Both FON and FON2 are great shows. The performances are vintage Stevie and the sound quality is pretty good too.
- This show is great. Lots of blues and Hendrix, Great setlist and great playing. another great early
show. sound is very good.
- I have played FON almost every day for the last 6 months.
- Excellent sound and you can here the comments of the audience, just like you are sitting
right there. The passion he creates during “Lost Your Good Thing Now” compares to 'Texas
Flood' on “El Mo”. His version of 'Manic Depression' gives me goosebumps ever time I listen to it.
Definitely a 'Must Have'
- Hot performances, lots of blues.
- I just recently bought a copy of Force of Nature and it blew me away. This is by far the best sounding boot I have ever heard with most of my favorite songs that SRV does. He does a few that I'm sure he didn't perform that much like: Albert Collins “Don't Lose Your Cool”, Albert Kings “Crosscut Saw”, Jimi Hendrix “Manic Depression” and a ten-minute version of BB Kings “Done lost your good thing now” that absolutely smokes and is now probably one of my fav SRV tunes. I highly recomend you if you don't already have this one to go out and get.
Force Of Nature II
- SUPERB “audience”(?) recording, better than some soundboards
- It's an average to slightly above average audience recording
- Force of Nature II is supposed to be excellent too.
- Just picked up “Force of Nature 2” last week. It was recorded a month prior to “El Mocombo.” I guarantee it will not dissappoint!
- well worth having, because of hot performances, lots of blues.
- One problem with boot cd's is the people aren't always concerned with quality and some sound pretty homemade. Often they do not use actual master recordings, nor did they manufacturers follow standard post production practices, so that the recordings lack a full sound, are thin and generally compressed prior the the intial recording. Many sound like recordings made of a radio broadcast and then put onto cd, not master tapes used to make the broadcast. With the exception of FON II, First Concert in Europe and “In Memorium” and “Nashville 78,” and “First Thunder” I have yet to see a bootleg cd for which there was not a better sounding analog cassette recording available.
- This is a double CD set of a club gig (Fitzgeralds) SRV did in Houston in 1983. This set smokes--it's RED HOT!
- If you don't have “Force Of Nature II” you better pick that one up also. Recorded at Fitzgerald's in Houston, an excellent example of how SRV sounded in the early days. Get it! great show. The performance is vintage Stevie and the sound quality is pretty good too.
- With the exception of this and a few other CDs, I have yet to see a bootleg cd for which
there was not a better sounding analog cassette recording available.
- well worth having, (because of hot performances, lots of blues)
- With the exception of this and a few other CDs, I have yet to see a bootleg cd for which
there was not a better sounding analog cassette recording available.
- Listen with headphones, Testify, So Excited just made me sink back and close my eyes and
relax, it gave me goose bumps. The power of his guitar just sends me to that point of no
return...
- Testify and So Excited were just blistering during that set. Let the tape roll and check out
Voodoo Chile next, which also sizzles from beginning to end. When Stevie was ON in 1983 --
and he almost always was! - -- there is nothing quite like it: pure energy and soul. (That show also
features stunning versions of Little Wing and Lenny.)
- Here's a few more blistering performances from FON II: Opening Jam, Heartfixer, Jam 292
with tour de force wah wah work, and I'm Leaving You (Commit a Crime) with a smoking solo.
And I gonna' second those words about the Little Wing performance--stunning. Every cut from
FON II is emotional, powerhouse guitar playing at its best.
- Hot performances, lots of blues.
- Double disc set, sounds almost like a board, but probably made with mics from vicinity of the board (haven't listened lately). There is also another excellent audience tape of this show around. Great night for Stevie, this was basically his record release party. John Hammond SR. and other record execs were there and Stevie tore it up.
The Forgotten Show
Information about buying radio shows.
- The Forgotten Show, Somewhere Over the Rainbow and Montreal 89 discs are ALL
King Biscuit Flower Hour, Montreal Spectrum, 1984. Also, the discs labeled Boston 88.
King Biscuit Flower Hour has issued the same material numerous times. There are only 2 basic
versions of SRV “KBFH” discs, only the commercials and broadcast dates change. As far as I can
tell, the shows were recorded in 1983 and 1984:
- The Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA 19oct83
- Ripley Music Hall, Philadelphia, PA 20oct83
- The Spectrum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada 17aug84
- (I'm not sure which Philadelphia venue was used, maybe both.)
Fox Theater
- On the “Fox Theatre - Atlanta, GA 3/12/86”
CD, the “Happy New Year Blues” is actually an early version of “Travis Walk”
From Austin To Amsterdam
From Power To Soul
vince@srvrocks.com
G through I
