CD - Stevie Ray Vaughan: Solos Sessions & Encores

This is a bit of an oddity - certainly not a retrospective of the best of Stevie's solo career, but an interesting collection of collaborations, live performances and even the odd track where Vaughan was, ostensibly, little more than a sideman (although a pretty special one it has to be said).

So what we have here are contributions to other artists albums (Marcia Ball's 'Soulful Dress', David Bowie's 'Let's Dance'), some excellent collaborations (Bonnie Raitt, Jeff Beck, Katie Webster etc.) and some more obvious musical pairings with the likes of B.B. King, Johnny Copeland and Albert Collins. The live version of "The Sky Is Crying" that opens the album sees Vaughan playing with Albert King, Paul Butterfield and B.B. King and it is simply terrific (although I have seen a review describing precisely the same track as "dull" so stake your pick).

This isn't the best of Vaughan the artist, but it is a great compilation of the man as musician. He invariably brings something fresh to the proceedings (how much better is 'Let's Dance' because of his guitar lines!). And if a SRV fan gets to hear a Katie Webster vocal and barrel-house swamp piano playing for the first time, that's a nice bonus.

It's been noted by others that Vaughan's riffing brought something new to what can be a very derivative format. This album showcases precisely that capability and in some ways is a better example of his versatility than his own Double Trouble recordings.

In fairness, this will probably be of less interest to Vaughan fans and of more value to a SRV newcomer. The latter will get to hear a fine guitar player in a variety of musical settings and it will probably result in most listeners visiting his own back catalogue. And you never know, it might also prompt a few more sales for the likes of Johnny Copeland, Katie Webster, Albert Collins and Lonnie Mack, which wouldn't be a bad consequence at all.