The Best of Roy Buchanan: 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection [Original recording remastered]

Roy Buchanan | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 26, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Polydor / Umgd
• ASIN: B0000639AM
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,379 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #68 in Music > Blues > Modern Blues

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This album compiles highlights from unjustly obscure guitarist Roy Buchanan's first solo albums for Polydor (1972-75), efforts that defined his country-blues-gospel roots and showcased the fiery, emotionally charged technique that awed even fellow guitar gods like Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck. In a 1971 interview, Buchanan confided, "This star business scares the hell out of me." That remark says much about both the guitar phenom's humble mindset and promising yet oft-troubled career. Buchanan apprenticed with '50s rockabilly star Dale Hawkins (and later, Hawkins's cousin Ronnie in the Hawks, soon to become the Band), but was in his 30s before he got the attention he so richly deserved. Buchanan's solos here often seem to bypass his conscious mind and connect directly with his complex, conflicted soul (he committed suicide in 1988). Contrasted with his plaintive, near-spoken vocals on spiritually disparate tracks like "The Messiah Will Come Again," "Hey Joe," and a live take on "I'm Evil," the solos can be gut-wrenchingly powerful. Buchanan's public acceptance was limited, but his playing continues to influence new generations; here are a dozen good reasons why. --Jerry McCulley

Product Description

Roy Buchanan was what you might call a "guitarist's guitarist." Here are 12 gems from his 1972-75 Polydor LPs and his Live Stock concert LP: Sweet Dreams; Pete's Blue; Filthy Teddy; After Hours; Hey Joe; CC Ryder; I'm Evil (live), and more!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Guitarist!!, March 7, 2003

By 

jbembe (Ann Arbor, MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Best of Roy Buchanan: 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection (Audio CD)

Unfortunately, not all artists get the same exposure and popularity that equals the level of their talent. Roy Buchanan is one of those on the raw end of such an analysis. Having heard of him by those who compared him to Clapton (and irritatingly claimed that Roy was better) I decided to check out this Buchanan fellow for the sake of curiosity. My first impression of this disc was that it was very cerebral music, with little lyrics and far from the pop sensibilities Clapton brings to his music- making it less accessible. I was resistant to the music at first because it is very complex guitar work. After getting yoused to the disc, I really enjoy Buchanan's work! This remastered best of is actually quite a good album as compiled, I rarely buy such poorly packaged best of's and the only reason I got it is because it was on sale at the record store (for example I would never buy the millennium collection of Cream as opposed to remastered albums or the box set.) The first song is a wonder, an incredible aural experience, worth the price alone. CC Ryder is also a really fun song, and I find myself walking around with the background vocals repeating over and over in my head. "I'm Evil" is as menacing, cool, and bad to the bone as any hardcore wannabe artist who's all flash but no substance, but comes from a real guitarist who can blast you away with the effect of the song and killer guitar. If you like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Clapton, Zeppelin, Hendrix, and other heavy guitar based music, don't miss this. If you've heard of Buchanan and are wondering if you should devote your energy to what he's done, find this disc and add him to your collection, his guitar work is not to be missed!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 1 million stars best guitar solos ever, May 30, 2006

By 

Stephen Finkin "Pygmy Twilight" (Ny) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Best of Roy Buchanan: 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection (Audio CD)

hey joe will blow your mind playing the vocal harmonies on guitar all through the song during his solo is faster then any hardcore death metal guitar player ever. #1 on the list of best guitar players with zappa hendrix srv dwayne allman. Afraid of stardom. arrested for a dwi he hung himself in jail. What a shame r.i.p. with the rest of the rock gods "I dreamed of heaven i saw my baby."

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 20th Century Masters-The Best of Roy Buchanan, September 17, 2006

By 

graffitiglenn (usa) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Best of Roy Buchanan: 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection (Audio CD)

Roy brings out the spiritual in his blues. It was and is gospel. His guitar is guided by his soulful heart. Songs like the "messiah will come again" let's the listener be witnessed to jesus's glory through blues because as Roy puts it, he went away. Also Roy can raise hell with his "I'm evil" and spit fire when his guitar stirs up the fever with "hey joe". One fine jam. The album has much to write about and more to listen to from a temporary lost soul. The saddest song to listen to but beautiful just the same is "five string blues". His few short lines are "Jesus this is my final plea,i'm still beg-gin you, don't let the devil get the best of me". sad words when we know Roy Buchanan is no more. i believe Jesus sheltered him from the storm... play on dear brother.......