Regular Price $14.98

Starring: Jimmie Vaughan,  B.B. King,  Robert Cray,  Buddy Guy,  Eric Clapton, 
Directed By: Gary Menotti, 
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Release Date: 1996-08-06
Studio: Sony
Format: Color,  Compilation,  DVD-Video,  NTSC, 

Editorial Reviews and DVD Information about A Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan

Amazon.com
Already a legend among musicians, Stevie Ray Vaughan was bringing new relevance and popularity to the blues when his career was cut short in a fatal helicopter accident following a 1990 concert appearance. His music offered the drama and sheer firepower of rock, and his flamboyant live shows likewise proved well suited to arena-sized crowds, yet there was little argument that Vaughan's fealty to the blues remained at the core of his style. This 1996 concert tribute underscores that common denominator through muscular performances from contemporary blues masters who readily (and appropriately) confirm the Texas guitarist as a true peer--it's no small matter that bona fide influences Buddy Guy and B.B. King cite the honoree on an equal plane with Vaughan's most obvious rock forebear, Jimi Hendrix.

King and Guy are among the stars who interpret Vaughan's own songbook in live performances backed by either his old band, Double Trouble, or the larger Tilt-a-Whirl Band. Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, Dr. John, and the late guitarslinger's big brother, Jimmie Vaughan (himself a major figure since his days with the Fabulous Thunderbirds) all pay gritty musical homage noteworthy for powerhouse guitar work. Whether clad in coveralls (Guy) or Armani (Clapton, of course), each reaches the same common ground in the soul-deep language of the blues; equally important, the choice of material points up Vaughan's sure sense of blues song form and a penchant for tough, frequently witty lyrics that fit snugly into blues traditions. The 80-minute concert also intersperses brief interviews with the principals, with the music building toward a satisfying climax in three high-octane jams featuring the headliners in lively exchanges. The DVD optimizes the full-frame visuals of the original videotaped special, and the 5.1 audio mix likewise fine-tunes the straightforward stereo mix with some added ambience. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews for A Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan

Rock on!
The legend live on after the master is gone. Jimmy Hendrix had nothing on Stevie!A Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan

the tribute is really what it's all about
I think most of the reviews here miss the point of what this concert was about. It wasn't about "Jimmie Vaughan getting to share the stage with bigger names" or lining up the best blues artists to showcase them. Stevie died the night after performing at a blues festival in Alpine Valley Wisconsin...(hence the opening lines to "Six Strings Down")...who else performed at that festival? Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, Jimmie Vaughan...you get the picture? The tribute was about the artists that shared the stage with him that fateful night (and on previous tours) coming together to honor their colleague and share his memory. The idea was conceived by Art Neville and Jimmie Vaughan a few years after Stevie's death. There were thoughts of this within a year or two, but Jimmie had felt that was too soon. After a certain time of mourning, Jimmie and Art decided to round up this cast and have the tribute concert...not only to honor Stevie, but as a form of healing and closure for all of them.

I remember seeing this concert airing on PBS and thought it was wonderful, keeping in mind the tribute and the fellowship that these musicians had together and their previous times sharing the stage with SRV. That for me makes this DVD worth owning...maybe I'm just an old sentimental nostalgic sap.

I was also fortunate enough to see SRV and Double Trouble in 1988, and at the time they were touring with The Fabulous Thunderbirds...at one point in SRV's set, he invited Jimmie out on stage and they jammed together for a few songs. A very wonderful moment to share the stage together like that when they were both at the apex of their careers. Yes SRV was far more talented, but of course they loved each other as brothers and in fact it was Jimmie that initially taught Stevie how to play the guitar. Of course in time Stevie the pupil far surpassed his teacher, and the rest is history.

So slam the talent and the stage energy if you want, but this DVD is about far more than that. It's about remembering a legend who died far too soon.A Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan

Good music, poor editing
I agree with the previous sentiments that this is edited all wrong. Between each song is an interview that is several minutes at times, and stops the flow of the music.

The songs themselves are well done, there's a lot of talent giving tribute to a lot of talent--and the result is impressive.A Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan

SRV rocks!
There was no lead in on the dvd - it just jumped into a interview with Bonnie Raitt. But the music is the only thing that matters and this cd has the best of the best!A Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan

SRV Tribute
Clips of SRV, Raitt, Clapton, BBKing, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy and John Vaughan, Dr John on the piano Double Trouble all helping each other out in a great concert.

This is one of the best since the Last WaltzA Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan