I was in the studio with Roy Buchanan and Bob Johnston. I was 15 years old. I asked the master of the studio what's up with the Grumpy Old Men. Chris set me aside and told me "Those old men have probably forgotten more music than you've ever heard." Then Chris asked "What's your first responsibility as an apprentice?" I answered "To listen." Chris Hackney looked at me and said "That's right you do as they tell you and stay out of their way and you just might learn something." I didn't say a word from that point on. I set the mics for Dual Soliloquy. They were at Sky Blue Studios in Sonoma California for about a week straight. June 1974 around the same time Roy was recording at the Record Plaint in Sausalito California. Roy didn't talk a lot. He said thank you with his eyes and a nod of his head. Harry Diltz showed up and shot pictures. Being quiet can be very powerful- a sign of respect.. I had no idea who these people were when I met them. Ran into Bob Johnston again in connection with an album entitled Go Cats Go. He was wearing a similar gold corduroy jacket with the leather patches on the elbows. He still had pitted teeth. We were talking about Nashville Skylines. I said that Bob Dylan was so good that anybody could have recorded him. Johnson looked at me and this is what he said. " I did it and I didn't fick it up." I responded "Oh my God that is the perfect answer." We both started laughing because it was the perfect answer- it was a first take perfect answer.
In about "79 , I yelled out to Roy at the Agaora Ballroom in Houston " Tell it your way, Roy!" and he answered" I'm gonna tell it my way , and smiled."
I saw him at the Bottom Line in NYC. He was playing while sitting at a tiny round table with a pitcher of beer on it. Was 10 ft away for his performance. What a memory! RIP
Roy took the time to show me some of his technique one on one. He explained how he achieved his sound, spent time encouraging me and willingly corresponded with me for a couple of years. His graciousness was surpassed only by his massive talent. Anyone who heard him or watches these old videos will never consider him an ‘unknown guitarist’.
I'd say being that type of person surpasses any type of guitar talent. That's why Roy and Rory Gallagher are my favorite musicians. Not only the greatest guitarists but also known to be the most humble men in the industry. Rory and Roy will forever be blasting through my speakers🤘
Amen,...Amen,...Amen. i had the distinct pleasure to meet him twice being from his home town of Lanham MD and his humility was off the charts. His playing had sooooo much "soul" while others just shred and think they are doing something. RIP Roy,...Brother,...you were one of a kind,..period,...end of story.
@@Porkleaker Can't think he'd be anything other than admiring. Jeff and Tim both dead too soon....what are the chances eh? Would LOVE to have seen Buchanan.
For all the times I've watched this, I wonder if the people in the audience really understood what they were witnessing. To see Roy play this live must have been an experience of a lifetime. A genius with a telecaster, an amp turned backwards with all the knobs on 10, sending out heartbreak one note at a time. RIP Roy. You are not forgotten. Legend.
Saw him live in Sydney, Australia, about 1980. He was quite well known over there, for some reason. Finest concert I ever witnessed. People walked out silent, lost in their thoughts. What a magnificent guitarist.
My 21st birthday, July 29, 1978, Roy Buchanan and Canned Heat at the Starwood in West Hollywood. First legal drink that same evening at Trader Vic’s across the parking lot.
Elias Ulrich People may think I'm crazy, but to me, SRV overplayed, to my tastes anyway. Great player no doubt, a legend, but I much prefer guys like Roy and Mark Knopfler.
the effect Roy had live was basically mesmerism ..one biker said you had to drink yer beer before he played or you'd forget you were even holding it...that's power, making bikers forget to drink...the audience here is entranced and spellbound...speechless...
His tone and deep thoughtful approach to guitar influenced some of the greatest guitarist of the past 40 years. Roy is the father and of this family of memerizing guitar performances. Jeff Beck comes to mind above all, but Gary Moore Santana Robbie Robertson SRV and hundreds of country rock and blues players ... Roy, a pioneer chicken picker, influenced many country players who chose to follow with the Telecaster
COOL! Some school friends of mine caught him opening for B.B. King in Indy. Said B.B.'s fans were yelling "Go home, Roy" when the show began, but were all spellbound before his set was over!
@@brucehanson6427 Makes a big difference when your amp is a vintage Super Reverb. Most guitarist use pedals because they can't play at the volume these pro players play at.
@@ttexas1963 Can't in my apartment. LOL. I saw Roy around 1986. Small (hundred or so) peoples. Small dance floor but nobody on it. Walked up and watched him. I'll remember that forever.
Although totally different, Roy’s lonesome tones remind me a great deal of Gary Moore. Both of them had so much feeling when they played, both left this world way too soon also!
And I thought it was only me. I agree with you 💯% Paul. I think those two guys were two of the greatest guitarist we have ever been fortunate enough to enjoy. May they both RIP 🙏.
I am old now. I remember this as a young man . Now as I understand the gospel and know Jesus as my Lord and savior. I understand the emotional toil of the world In travail every time I hear this song
@anthony lets chat , just remember the good news of the Gospel is that Jesus came to fulfill the father's will. He went to the cross and died for the sins of the whole world was buried and rose again on the third day he said if you believe in me and trust in me you have passed from death into life. Ephesians second chapter we are saved by grace through faith not by works lest any man should boast. So as long as you hold on to Jesus trust in him you are okay. Regardless of how much wrestling with the flesh you do. My life scripture is Galatians 5:6 the Apostle Paul said the only thing that really counts is Faith working through love. ..Faith in God and love for your neighbor😇✌️🌻
Lyrics just a smile, just a glance the prince of darkness he just walked past there's been a lot of evil there've been a lot of sayin' but this time I'm gonna tell it my way: There was a town Strange, lonely little town, they called 'The World' a lovely, lovely little town 'Till one day a stranger appeared And their hearts rejoiced, and the sad little town was happy again But there were some that doubted; they disbelieved, so they mocked him And the stranger, he went away Now the sad little town that was sad yesterday is a lot sadder today... I walked in a lot of places that he never should have been But I know that the Messiah, he will come again Related
Andy Thomas Nothing wrong with technique when its played from the heart like Gary did. Over the top is was Gary Moore's style. Roy took liberty on this tune and was over the top back in the day. Your no where to go comment is over the top!
I have nothing to add about all the heartfelt and astute comments about Roy’s playing. I’ll just say that the organ was a wonderful counterpart to his guitar sound.
What an intriguing man. He has no expression, his eyes are cold and dead. I think maybe Roy had trouble showing his emotions and so he used his guitar to do it. He makes that guitar cry drops of blood with each ghostly note. Gives me goosebumps throughout my whole body.
@@boydmking1 You might not be aware but "the devil horns", as you call them, was a religious symbol that originated in Europe used to ward off evil. Chances are you are an American, and somewhere in the cultural wars between 1970-1990, you got this symbol confused with it's use in Rock music as something that represents evil.
Agreed,,, he held in much,,,his release was through the notes he played,,,and he was a master of it,,,such a good man,,,,harmless in a world of lions,,,,
here is what he says in the beginning "There's a town: a strange, lonely little town they call the world, 'Til one day a stranger appeared and their hearts rejoiced; the sad little town was happy again, But there were some that doubted; they disbelieved so they mocked him...and the stranger went away, Now the sad little town, that was sad yesterday, is a lot sadder today, I walked in a lot of places that I never should have been...but I know that the messiah, he will come again."
Mr. Roy Buchanan Lived in the same town as I did in the 1970's Reston Va. I got to see him play the Kennedy Center. If you closed your eyes when he played Hey Joe you would think Jimi was on stage playing. Great does not cover how good he was. Rest in Peace Roy. I pray one day that we get to meet in Heaven. And the Messiah will come again.
This is an homage to the lord. God bless you, Roy, for expressing the sorrow and joy of life. As transcendent an experience with music that one could ever have.
@@300HSM have you actually watched Gary Moore play this? It's all a matter of opinion, but give me Gary any day. Props to Roy as original composer of course.
It is so amazing to think that Roy didn't have any guitar effect gadgets/pedals in front of him at all. Yet he can produce all the wonderful sounds only by using guitar knobs and his fingers! I can't think of any other great guitar players who can do that. Roy is the greatest guitar player in his own right by any definition.
Under-appreciated in Life, Under-appreciated in death--Thanks for sharing one of my all-time favorite people doing what he did so well. I miss Roy. Peace.
legend has it that when Roy was playing a club in Gaithersburg Maryland (for a long time as he had 5 kids and wanted to stay local), Hendrix played in DC and his friends told him that there was "this guy" who was better and Jimi said, let's see … took his guitar with a thought to show everyone who was best, and sat through two sets and never unpacked the guitar he brought…..I wasn't there but it was "reliable"...
For many years I called Duane Allman and Jimi Hendrix 1A and 1B of greatest guitarists ... then I discovered Roy Buchanan. Take a seat Hendrix. 1A is for Allman and 1B is for Buchanan!
Also interesting : My (unreliable) memory tells me that I once saw a video in which Roy introduces a song by saying "This is a song by my favorite guitar player"..and the song is Hey Joe..
Why jump around when the crowd would, spend time actually playing the guitar. I dont know about you but I dont think Stevie Ray headbanged and jumped around while playing. Though he did the playing behind the back and what not, Stevie was into image to a degree, Roy was into Music.
Roy used a lot of open strings as well, with his solos to exemplify his music in his way. He made the guitar sing, not only speak. Emotion is contextual.
I had to watch this. Reminds me of my childhood. My dad would go to see him in concert when he came into our city. He had him autograph some pictures for him too❤
Easily the greatest underrated musician that ever lived. Very few could convey such emotional content, and considering he was doing all this back then is legendary.
Who are the idiots who could possibly give this video a thumbs down.......?????? Do they not know who Roy Buchanan is....? He is the reason I have played telecasters for over 50 years....🎶🙏🙏🙏❤️🙏🙏🙏🎵
I was lucky enough to see Roy in 1988 in Australia, at the Village Green Hotel, Melbourne. Hearing his searing tone was like getting stabbed in the ear with an ice pick. Once heard, never ever forgotten. Utterly and totally tonally unique sound.
" I've walked in a lot of places that I never should have been. But I know that the Messiah, he will come again."...yeah, maybe Roy will come back someday...did get to see him twice at the Bottom Line in NYC in '82 though...shame he's gone though, and way too soon...
Well it finally happened after 50 years or so people asking me who my favorite guitar player is I now have the answer. It's been Gary Moore up to now, but I wouldn't take anyting away from either one of them.
Just a smile, just a glance The Prince of Darkness He just walked past There's been a lot of people And they've had a lot to say But this time, I'm gonna tell it my way There was a town, There was a strange little town, they called "The World" It was a lonely, lonely little town 'Til one day a stranger appeared And their hearts rejoiced, and the sad little town was happy again But there were some that doubted; they disbelieved, so they (mocked/marked) him And that stranger, he went away Now the sad little town that was sad yesterday It's a lot sadder today I walked in a lot of places I never should've been But I know that the Messiah, he will come again
@@JorgeDibildox I believe it is simply a spoken word intro. The Gary Moore version doesn't have the spoken word intro. In fact it was Garys' cover version that I heard first and that sent me exploring...
It's amazing to see these lists of great guitar players and he's not on them. Adjustments to tonality was incredible. He was like the schoolteacher that could rivet his students into undivided attention.
What a guitar player! Some time before the release of his 1972 debut album, some notoriety dubbed him the best unknown guitarist in the world. Unfortunately, I think that still holds true. Why don't more people talk about this guy? He was absolutely magnificent(!). I mean... just listen to that bleedin' TONE! Here he was; just a humble guy with his old Fender Tele, a lead, and a run-of-the-mill mid-wattage Fender amp... and pretty much nothing else... They don't make 'em like this anymore!
I still stand by Eddie Hazel as the greatest unknown guitarist Ever. Listen to Pray my soul, maggot brain, and California Dreamin'. Roy was amazing too though
Gotta agree with you on that . When I heard Eddie Hazel , my jaw dropped . I couldn't belive what I heard.California Dreamin' was the first song I heard from Eddie , later on I discovered Maggot Brain and there has to come a song that charms me like that one.
Innerspace100, thank you for your comment! This "best unknown guitarist ever" is a true revelation for me. When I heard the sound first I was wondering: who's that? Who has such amazing tone with such fine dynamics from soft sound of strings picked by fingers to a louder singing lead tone using a pick? Just amazing!
heard this song being played by my dad as kid around 1978 my dad just passed away a year ago and this song popped in my head i ran out to buy a cd man what a flashback kickass song i could not play my dads album of roy i wore it out when i was a kid ! they make songs like this no more!!
Like Van Gogh, you will be appreciated more in death than in life, God bless you Roy, this is one the most beautiful songs ever written, , RIP, Roy, the world is a little darker without you, and a lot brighter thanks to your music RIP
Saw Roy at Brown University, summer 1975. An absolute epiphany to watch him play, from the front row, and see what a guitar could really do. Changed my life. I am still making music. Trying to get to where he already was 40+ years ago.
