Customer Reviews

Essential Jimmie Vaughan

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Jimmie Vaughan was one of the founding members of the blues/rock band The Fabulous Thunderbirds. And while this collection kicks of with a couple of T-Bird tracks (the instrumental blues shuffle "Extra Jimmies" and their breakout hit "Tuff Enuff"), the focus is on Vaughan's solo career, which has seen the release of only three albums in the past 14 years since leaving the T-Birds.

There are a couple of tracks ("DFW," "Good Texan") from FAMILY STYLE recorded with his younger brother Stevie Ray Vaughan in 1990. Following Stevie's death it would be four years before Jimmie released his first solo album, STRANGE PLEASURE. This is perhaps Jimmie's strongest album to date. The four tracks from this album (5-8) all written or co-written by Jimmie wouldn't have been out of place on his recordings with the T-Birds. The biggest stylistic change on these tracks is the addition of Bill Willis's Hammond B-3, replacing Kim Wilson's harmonica, giving the recordings a more soulful quality. Tracks 12-14 are from Jimmie's 1998 follow-up OUT THERE. The closing track, "Dirty Girl," is the only song from his most recent album, 2001's DO YOU GET THE BLUES. [Recorded on the Artemis label after Jimmie left Epic.]

Rounding out the album is Jimmie's contribution to the 1996 tribute album to his brother, "Six Strings Down," a couple of soundtrack songs, "Dengue Woman Blues" (from DUSK TILL DAWN) and "Cool Lookin' Woman" (from TIN CUP), and perhaps the standout track is the previously unreleased live version of "I Like It Like That" from an appearance on Live On Austin City Limits. [Note: The CD booklet gives a songwriting credit to Chris Kenner. This is a mistake. Kenner DID write a song by that title, but THIS is the song written by The "5" Royales guitarist Lowman Pauling--in fact, Jimmie introduces the song crediting Pauling!]

While on the surface, it seems odd to compile a collection like this for an artist with so few solo albums to draw from, it's nice to have these songs all in one place. [Total running time - 71:55) HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

I consider Jimmie Vaughan a living legend. Not only did he teach kid-brother Stevie Ray how to play the guitar but he co-founded a group that helped bring blues-rock back to prominence, the Fabulous Thunderbirds. He's played with all the legends and even shared the stage with Jimi Hendrix!
This CD is really very good. Featuring a couple of songs with the Fabulous Thunderbirds, a couple with Stevie Ray, songs from his own albums and a smoking previously-unreleased-live "I Like It Like That," this CD OOZES blues guitar licks and cool Texas vibe that only Jimmie can deliver. His "less is more" guitar style is VERY cool and his voice is easy to listen to. The songs are mostly upbeat and danceable with one slow blues cut "Dengue Woman Blues" that drips with Texas cool!
I only gave this CD 4 stars out of spite...that "Brothers," the guitar "conversation" with Stevie Ray off of the "Family Style" Cd wasn't included. I thought it appropriate for sentimental reasons only. I would LOVE to hear more unreleased early Jimmie/Fabulous Thunderbirds material too!

this cd will be in the cd player for sometime to come. this cd could have easily have been a 2 disc set worth of material. the remastering job here is very nice, and the tracks just smoke with bite and plenty of soul. the live version of "she likes it like that" is worth the price alone. do yourself a favor and pick this one up!!

This CD showcases the best of Jimmie Vaughn's talent and beautiful tone. I was never a big fan of the Fabulous Thunderbirds but Vaughn's solo work is excellent. Clean, clear concise and from the heart blues.

My husband and I have a friend called James who is pretty knowledgeable about music. We like Stevie Rae but James suggested that we try his brother Jimmie whom he thought was better. I found Jimmie Vaughan to be pretty good but must admit that I enjoy his brother's grittier style a bit more. CD is however definitely worth having so I now have both brothers' music to enjoy!

This is a really good place to start if youre new to J Vaughan. A little Fab T Birds, a little with bro SRV, and a good cross-section of his solo albums including some non-album stuff.
A lotta people complain that Jimmie doesnt sound like his brother, but I have always preferred Jimmie to Stevie. There are a hundred guys around now who ape Stevies playing, but NOBODY sounds like Jimmie. And you know after hearing only one note that its Jimmie playing. His guitar tone is raw, stinging, and hot as a welders arc. The sound you wouldve heard on the 'X' down in Texas back in the 50's; R&B, Roadhouse Blues, American music. Part of a lineage that includes T Bone Walker, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Pee Wee Crayton, Lowell Fulson, Albert Collins, Freddie King, Albert King with a little Jimmy Reed and BB King thrown in for spice. "Dengue Woman Blues" from the "Dusk til Dawn" soundtrack is one of the rawest, most tense, sweaty blues recorded since Muddy and Lightnin' were alive. "Dont Cha Know" is straight Texas blues, no frills, just meat and potatoes. "Tilt a Whirl" and "Ironic Twist" are engaging and enjoyable instrumentals, "Cool Lookin Woman" from the "Tin Cup" Soundtrack is a cool, masterful Texas Shuffle. Every song here is a lesson in Texas Blues. A good place for young blues guitar players to dwell and learn. Pick it up, put it on, play it, and relay it! A great bluesman and Patriotic American!

Alright I will pull some heat when I say this. First no disrespect is towards the late great Stevie Ray Vaughn.

Stevies big brother Jimmie has lived in the shadow of Stevie for far to long. Jimmie make no mistake is a fine Texas Blues Guitarist and Musician. It was Jimmie who gave Stevie advice and help that we the fan will never know.Here you will find songs from Jimmie and the Fabulious Thunderbirds, Also some stuff he did with Stevie and some amazing solo work. No Jimmie can't play the way Stevie did. But it was Jimmie who taught Stevie some basic blues guitar in the beginning.

This collection of Jimmies work should be in every blues fan's collection.

I give this release 5-Stars.

Cheers Richard Glenn

Jimmie is an expert on the Strat and Tele. His brand of music is almost nostalgic. This CD will not disappoint you. For whatever fame is worth... His younger brother Stevie Ray seemed to attract it. But it was Jimmie that taught Stevie how to play.

I had first heard Jimmie Vaughan on the album with his brother, and then with The Fabulous Thunderbirds. Jimmie Vaughan has a style like his brother's, but it's his own. And it's great stuff too.