Live at Montreux 1982 & 1985
Encyclopedia
Live At Montreux 1982 & 1985 is a live album
of American blues
musician Stevie Ray Vaughan
and his band Double Trouble
, recorded at the Montreux Jazz Festival
on July 17, 1982 and July 15, 1985, and released November 20, 2001 on Epic Records
.
Disc Two
recommended the band play the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. Booked to play at Montreux International Festival XVI on July 17, 1982, the band's appearance marked the first time that an unsigned act would appear at the prestigious event. Booked on an acoustic night, Double Trouble's performance was met by boos. Vaughan's high volume electric blues was not popular with the European crowd, who preferred a quieter, folk blues style.
Fortunately for the band, the first Montreux trip was not a bust. In a last ditch effort to save the trip, the band's manager, Chelsey Millikin, booked the band to play casino's after hours bar for two nights running. On the first night, Vaughan was approached by David Bowie
, who had seen the Montreux performance, and was interested in having Vaughan play on one of his albums. This would lead to Vaughan's guitar work on Bowie's album, Let's Dance. On the second night, Millikin introduced Vaughan to Jackson Browne
, who was impressed by the band's sound. Browne and his band joined Double Trouble on stage, where they jammed until seven the next morning. Browne was so moved by Double Trouble's music that he offered them use of his private recording studio, free of charge. Vaughan and Double Trouble would take Browne up on his offer, and the ensuing recordings would become Texas Flood
, which would bring the band into the national spotlight.
Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble returned to the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1985 as headliners and were well received by the audience.
Live album
A live album is a recording consisting of material recorded during stage performances using remote recording techniques, commonly contrasted with a studio album...
of American blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
musician Stevie Ray Vaughan
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Stephen Ray "Stevie Ray" Vaughan was an American electric blues guitarist and singer. He was the younger brother of Jimmie Vaughan and frontman for Double Trouble, a band that included bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Chris Layton. Born in Dallas, Vaughan moved to Austin at the age of 17 and...
and his band Double Trouble
Double Trouble (band)
Double Trouble was the backing rhythm section for Texas blues rock guitarist and lead vocalist Stevie Ray Vaughan. Originally consisting of drummer Chris Layton and bassist Tommy Shannon, Reese Wynans would later join the outfit on keyboards.-History:...
, recorded at the Montreux Jazz Festival
Montreux Jazz Festival
The Montreux Jazz Festival is the best-known music festival in Switzerland and one of the most prestigious in Europe; it is held annually in early July in Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva...
on July 17, 1982 and July 15, 1985, and released November 20, 2001 on Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
.
Track listing
Disc One- "Hide Away" (Freddie KingFreddie KingFreddie King , thought to have been born as Frederick Christian, originally recording as Freddy King, and nicknamed "the Texas Cannonball", was an influential African-American blues guitarist and singer. He is often mentioned as one of "the Three Kings" of electric blues guitar, along with Albert...
) - 3:19 - "Rude Mood" (Stevie Ray Vaughan) - 4:54
- "Pride and Joy" (Vaughan) - 4:01
- "Texas FloodTexas Flood (song)"Texas Flood" is a blues song recorded by Larry Davis in 1958. It is considered a blues standard and has been recorded by several artists, including Stevie Ray Vaughan, who made it part of his repertoire.-Original song:"Texas Flood" is a slow-tempo twelve-bar blues notated in 12/8 time in the key...
" (Larry DavisLarry Davis (blues musician)Larry Davis was an American electric Texas blues and soul blues musician. He is best known for co-composing the song "Texas Flood", later recorded to greater commercial success by Stevie Ray Vaughan.-Biography:...
, Joseph Wade Scott) – 10:27 - "Love Struck Baby" (Vaughan) – 2:53
- "Dirty Pool" (Doyle BramhallDoyle BramhallDoyle Bramhall was an American singer-songwriter and drummer, closely associated with the music of Austin.-Biography:...
, Vaughan) – 8:17 - "Give Me Back My Wig" (Theodore TaylorHound Dog TaylorTheodore Roosevelt "Hound Dog" Taylor was an American Chicago blues guitarist and singer.-Career:Taylor was born in Natchez, Mississippi in 1915 . He originally played piano, but began playing guitar when he was 20...
) - 3:30 - "Collins Shuffle" (Vaughan) - 4:51
Disc Two
- "Scuttle Buttin'" (Vaughan) - 3:02
- "Say What!" (Vaughan) - 4:45
- "Ain't Gone N' Give Up On Love" (Vaughan) - 6:24
- "Pride and Joy" (Vaughan) - 5:10
- "Mary Had A Little Lamb" (Buddy GuyBuddy GuyGeorge "Buddy" Guy is an American blues and jazz guitarist and singer. He is a critically acclaimed artist who has established himself as a pioneer of the Chicago blues sound, and has served as an influence to some of the most notable musicians of his generation...
) - 4:27 - "Tin Pan Alley (aka Roughest Place In Town) (with Johnny CopelandJohnny CopelandJohnny Copeland was an American Texas blues guitarist and singer.-Career:Born in Haynesville, Louisiana, United States, while Copeland was becoming interested in music, he also pursued boxing, mostly as an avocation, and it is from his days as a boxer that he got his nickname "Clyde." Also as a...
)" (Robert GeddinsBob GeddinsRobert L. "Bob" Geddins was an American San Francisco Bay Area blues and rhythm and blues musician and record producer....
) - 13:18 - "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)Voodoo Child (Slight Return)"Voodoo Child " is the closing track on Electric Ladyland, the third and final album by the Jimi Hendrix Experience. The song is known for its wah-wah-heavy guitar work. It is #101 on Rolling Stone's list of 500 greatest songs of all time....
" (Jimi HendrixJimi HendrixJames Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
) - 10:51 - "Texas Flood" (Larry Davis, Joseph Wade Scott) - 7:37
- "Life Without You" (Vaughan) - 9:03
- "Gone Home" (Eddie HarrisEddie HarrisEddie Harris was an American jazz musician, best known for playing tenor saxophone and for introducing the electrically amplified saxophone. He was also fluent on the electric piano and organ...
) - 3:53 - "Couldn't Stand The Weather" (Vaughan) - 7:29
Background
In early 1982, Double Trouble played a show at the Continental Club in Austin, TX. Impressed by the show, legendary producer Jerry WexlerJerry Wexler
Gerald "Jerry" Wexler was a music journalist turned music producer, and was regarded as one of the major record industry players behind music from the 1950s through the 1980s...
recommended the band play the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. Booked to play at Montreux International Festival XVI on July 17, 1982, the band's appearance marked the first time that an unsigned act would appear at the prestigious event. Booked on an acoustic night, Double Trouble's performance was met by boos. Vaughan's high volume electric blues was not popular with the European crowd, who preferred a quieter, folk blues style.
Fortunately for the band, the first Montreux trip was not a bust. In a last ditch effort to save the trip, the band's manager, Chelsey Millikin, booked the band to play casino's after hours bar for two nights running. On the first night, Vaughan was approached by David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
, who had seen the Montreux performance, and was interested in having Vaughan play on one of his albums. This would lead to Vaughan's guitar work on Bowie's album, Let's Dance. On the second night, Millikin introduced Vaughan to Jackson Browne
Jackson Browne
Jackson Browne is an American singer-songwriter and musician who has sold over 17 million albums in the United States alone....
, who was impressed by the band's sound. Browne and his band joined Double Trouble on stage, where they jammed until seven the next morning. Browne was so moved by Double Trouble's music that he offered them use of his private recording studio, free of charge. Vaughan and Double Trouble would take Browne up on his offer, and the ensuing recordings would become Texas Flood
Texas Flood
Texas Flood was released on June 13, 1983, with two singles released from the album—"Pride and Joy" and "Love Struck Baby". "Pride and Joy" peaked at #20 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. "Texas Flood" was nominated for Best Traditional Blues Performance and "Rude Mood" was nominated for Best...
, which would bring the band into the national spotlight.
Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble returned to the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1985 as headliners and were well received by the audience.
DVD Release
A DVD of the Montreux performances was released on September 14, 2004. The DVD version includes the same set-list as the album, but also includes a documentary of the Montreux performances entitled Success in Disguise.Musicians
- Stevie Ray VaughanStevie Ray VaughanStephen Ray "Stevie Ray" Vaughan was an American electric blues guitarist and singer. He was the younger brother of Jimmie Vaughan and frontman for Double Trouble, a band that included bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Chris Layton. Born in Dallas, Vaughan moved to Austin at the age of 17 and...
- guitar and vocals - Chris Layton - drums
- Tommy ShannonTommy ShannonTommy Shannon is an American bass guitarist best known as a member of the blues-rock group Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble and as an early bass player in Johnny Winter's band.-Biography:...
- bass - Reese WynansReese WynansReese Wynans is a keyboard player who has done session work and has been a member of Double Trouble and progressive rock band Captain Beyond.- Personal life :Reese Wynans grew up in Sarasota, Florida during the 1950s...
- organ - Johnny CopelandJohnny CopelandJohnny Copeland was an American Texas blues guitarist and singer.-Career:Born in Haynesville, Louisiana, United States, while Copeland was becoming interested in music, he also pursued boxing, mostly as an avocation, and it is from his days as a boxer that he got his nickname "Clyde." Also as a...
- guitar and vocals
Production
- Vic Anesini - Mastering
- Chris Theis - Mixing
- Andy Manganello - Mixing
- Steve Berkowitz - Legacy A&R
- John Jackson - Project Direction
- Patti Matheny - A&R Coordination
- Darren Salmieri - A&R Coordination
- Josh Cheuse - Art Direction
- Angela Skouras - Design
- Breanda McManus - Design Assistance
- Noel Wiggins - Design Assistance
- Darryl Pitt - Cover Photography & Liner Photography
- Don Opperman - Liner Photography
- John Christiana - Packaging Manager
Charts
Album - Billboard (North America)| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | The Billboard 200 | 178 |
External links
- Music video of Stevie Ray Vaughan's performance of "Tin Pan Alley" at the Montreux Jazz Festival, 1985.