Customer Reviews

The Fabulous Vaughan Brothers: Jimmie and Stevie Ray

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

 

 

I thought this book would bring joy as I opened it. I was abruptly mistaken. This author, in my opinion, trashes Jimmie and makes some bold hurtful comments that sent me into anger rages. Anyone who loves the "Brothers" had best leave this book alone. Unless, you need something to start your backyard firepit with. Obviously, the author has many "issues" not the least of which has to do with Jimmie Vaughan. I beg you not to buy such trash!! May the blues always be a safe haven for those who appreciate it.

So Jimmie's a bit of a hardcase. Tell us something we didn't know.

But this characterization--which Dickerson sticks with throughout (and which is true enough, I'm sure)--doesn't bother me half so much as the unaccountably * nasty * tone he takes at the end of the book where he snidely suggests it's time JLV packed it in. He doesn't mince words, either; it's a straightforward, Hey man, you're old and you've had it; maybe you shouldn't bother recording or doing shows anymore. Well, pardon the heck out of me, Mr Dickerson sir, but nuts to that. As long as he's still playing and still WANTS to play, Jimmie Vaughan will always have a dedicated following of fans, record-buyers and concert-goers. I'd say his career is doing just fine, thank you very much. (And not to put too fine a point on it, but if blockbuster sales are the only measure of success, then * ahem, * maybe the author would do well to take his own advice.)

With respect to Stevie, there's not much here that hasn't been said elsewhere and ten times better--by Patoski & Crawford in _Caught in the Crossfire,_ to name one nicely-done biography--and much that needn't have been said at all: Dickerson's multiple breathless excursions into all things Memphisian--clearly a pet subject of his--belong in another book.

And, you know, I don't really have a problem with biographers playing amateur psychologist here and there, provided they bring some genuine depth of insight to their analysis, but unfortunately Dickerson's psychological interpretations are as shallow and fatuous as they come. I mean, good grief, I suspect most fans have by now come to grips with the idea that there was indeed some measure of sibling rivalry between the boys. It's hardly the most compelling thing about them as people or as brothers, but if that worn-out angle of approach to their relationship has any interest left in it at all, Dickerson failed to find it. He bangs the rivalry drum for sure, but takes it nowhere new. Tedious.

Finally, in the Forward the author claims the book was eighteen years in the making. Really? Why, then--if the book was so laboriously, painstakingly fashioned--does Dickerson have so many basic biographical facts scrambled? For example, right out of the chute he misspells Stevie's christened name (it's Stephen, not Stephan), forgets his year of birth (in attempting to establish a Dallas chronology and limn Stevie's activities just before the move to Austin, Dickerson ages him by three whole years), and--for me, the crowning absurdity--misidentifies the peacock plainly tattooed on SRV's chest as an eagle. C'mon, man. Look at a picture. Any picture.

(Am I being too picky? I don't think so; who's likely to read a book like this at this point if not seriously picky, detail-oriented, diehard fans?)

So while not quite an abject failure, the book IS a big disappointment--a good idea that for some reason Dickerson allowed to fall flat. There's a smattering of cool quotes from Kim Wilson, a fair-to-middlin' history of the T-Birds, a lot of unnecessary bile directed at Jimmie, and nothing new or revelatory about JLV & SRV *as brothers* whatsoever (which, from the title of the book and the cover photo, you would think was at least one of the author's chief objectives).

I want to throw Dickerson a single bone, for he managed to come up with a brief but sparkling interpretation of the song _Lenny._ The last sentence in particular is lovely and perceptive; too bad he wasn't able to invoke this level of poetic insight for the rest of the book: "Lenny is a slow-temp instrumental Stevie wrote for his wife. When playing it live he sometimes liked to sit down on the stage and play it last, after the band had stood down and walked off the stage. In this song, he uses tremolo and vibrato techniques to lay down a foundation over which to play individual notes. It is a song that's filled with love, childlike wonderment and, at times, bafflement, all emotions he was feeling in his marriage at the time."

Now that's pretty darn good. What happened?

Very disappointing. Author obviously does not like Jimmy Vaughan and took
several cheap shots. Unless you are interested in the history of the
Thunderbirds early days, and non-relevant Memphis music scene, no new info.

I have read a couple of books on SRV, and have been a big fan of Jimmie Vaughan for a long time, so it is great to be able to read a book that parallels their "paying their dues,success, and life after( for Jimmie) the tragic accident that took Stevie's life.

Very well written, though, I took 1 star away for the wondering into a Memphis history lesson on a couple of occassions (somewhat confusing). But, for the most part - great reading - good material - great review of the lives of 2 of the best blues guitarists in recent history

While it does become painfully obvious early on that the writer hurried this book to print without usual writing basics such as researching your subjects, cross references, etc.. It does fill in some gaps time wise that the other Vaughan books do not. Primarily the recording of the "In Step" album, which alone is worth buying this book for.

Many complain the author had an axe to grind with Jimmie, however I take both sides of the argument with a grain of salt. After talking with one of the T-Birds themselves, I can attest that most of what is said is true. Maybe not verbatim, but definitely in spirit. Jimmie is a hardnosed, no BS kinda guy who always had an ego to match his talent. Most great people become great by stepping on a few toes... ok, so he stepped on a few heads - but lets face it - if you had a choice between being nice to peons or being Muddy Waters favorite white son, which would you choose?

I'll say at least 30% of this book is wrong. Which 30% is up to you to decide.

Great,Great read so much more information about the brothers,couldnt put this book down!!!everyone who loves their music and them as people should buy this book they wont be disapointed..