Customer Reviews

Guitar On Fire: The Atlantic Sessions

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1 star:		(1)

 

 

From the first steep bend of "Ramon's Blues" to the last haunting note of "The Messiah Will Come Again" this album is packed with the incredible guitar work of Roy Buchanan. Aptly named "Guitar On Fire", this album is full of fast licks, screaming solos and bluesy tunes. This compilation covers three albums from the late seventies of the late, great Tele-master. It's unfortunate that Buchanan was, and remains, pretty much unknown because his guitar work is spectacular.

Most of the songs on this album are instrumentals, which showcase his ability with the axe. "The Heat of the Battle", provides a taste of things to come as he mixes up his solos with the melody. The song, like all his work, is full of raw power and energy. The music flows from his fingers at jaw dropping speed. He's not all about speed though. On "Hidden" he slows it down and plays airy notes with massive amounts of delay, and sliding between notes to give it a spacey feel. The great bassist, Stanley Clarke, provides the low frequencies on the tune, as well as a couple of others. Buchanan covers tunes by Booker T., Joe Walsh, Neil Young and Hendrix. He does a great job on "Green Onions" with the M.G.'s behind him.

It was unfortunate that Buchanan took his life so early. He played as if he was born with a guitar in his hand, and was able to coax sounds of that beat up Telecaster that others would be hard pressed to do even if they were running it through a band saw. This man was a shear force in his playing. He could play loud, or soft, quick or slow. I haven't heard anyone like him. If you're a fan of guitar, then check Buchanan out. You'll be pleased.

Like fellow Washington D.C. guitarist Danny Gatton, lightning fast Roy Buchanan defies description. His talented (to say the least) musicmanship covers many styles. On this albumn he touches all the bases with originals and covers of James Gang era Joe Walsh, Neil Young, Booker T. and the M. G.'s (with a scorching "Green Onions" cover that includes original members of that band) and even Hendrix. Buchanan's play is sometimes reminisent of Jeff Beck on this albumn as well. It might seem presumptuous for Buchanan to take on such heavyweights but the truth is he has few equals. He plays is always controlled although often seems off the scale. This is due of course to his limitless talent as a guitarist. Sadly like the afore mention Gatton, another guitarist of epic proportion, he too took his own life cutting short a more than brilliant career.

great collection of the late roy buchanan best instrumentals from the opening of "ramons blues" to "green onions" this cd just reminds us of the great talent of roy. this cd is digiyally remasatered that makes the sound even greater. the atlantic sessions is a must for any blues lovers,who enjoy the blues with a tender/blues rock edge

I am a great Buchanan's fan. I've got most of his large discography and I really like it a lot. For me Buchanan is one of the best guitarists of the Blues-Rock, perhaps the best. Guitarists as important as Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck among others have asked him for advice.The record 'Guitar on FIRE (The Atlantic Sessions)' is a compilation of the three Atlantic LP' s original 'Loading zone', 'You' re not alone' and 'A street called straight'. But even if I'm amazed by his fantastic rifs and his Bluesy songs I prefer his work for Polydor and Alligátor. There he was labelled first as ' THE BEST UNKNOWN GUITARIST IN THE WORLD' and later 'THE WORLD' S GREATEST GUITARIST'.
In this record there are some very good themes as the original Blues "Ramon's Blues", "Supernova" or "My friend Jeff", dedicated to Jeff Beck. Also covers like Booker T. Jones' s "Green Onions", Joe Walsh' s "Turn to Stone" or Jimi Hendrix' s "If six was nine" among others. But there are other themes that while very well performed are completely alien to the Blues, as "Hidden" or "Adventures of brer rabbit and tar baby", which in my opinion are not as interesting as you can expect. Nevertheless it is a good record and I give it 3,5 stars.

when we talk about the blues there is no one that compares to roy except maybe jimi hendrix. Fly night bird is worth the price of this album alone, it is the greatest blues solo i have ever heard in my life, and one that will grab your soul, stretch it, give u goose bumps, make u cry, and feel the mans pain,wow blew my mind, i nearly fell back off my chair when i first heard this shiznit....RIP ROY the greatest blues man to ever have lived *uck bb king, roy is the master while the others are commercial frauds

Got into Roy Buchanan after picking up an Alligator Records compulation called Crucial Guitar Blues. His song was the best one on it so I investigated further.I picked up the book American Axe which is excellent, then Deluxe Edition which is their Alligator best of Roy's recording's. Pick up Live in Austin DVD which you can't beat,then Live in Japan and this one Guitar on Fire.All are the real deal. I prefer live as did he but the best performances seems to be the worst recordings sound wise.When a Telecaster plays the blues is a mid 80s live one that has been issued a number of times without being remastered. If it was it would be my 1st choice.

This was the album that first introduce me to Roy's incredible talent. Perhaps it is the sentimental value but it remains, in my opinion, Roy's best. His style is stamped all over these varied pieces - not all are new or original but none could be done with the uplifting blues style like Roy's. If there was any album that could be deamed "Roy Buchanan's Signature" this would be it.

I first heard Roy Buchanan in a music store in Pittsburgh in 1978,I was hooked from then on!!!!!!!!! This is a good intro to his playing! There are several other CDs that are better, but if you haven't heard him before, this CD will give you are pretty fair overview, although He has a version of Hey Joe that's incredible, and Royz Blues can't be left out either. Roy Buchanan is one of the GREATEST PLAYERS ever! He didn't get the recognition that others have received, but deserved it! Get him, listen to him! Listen to "Judy" one of my personal favorites. He makes his axe scream and whine sending the listener into an audio ecstacy! He was truly an underrated axeman! Ramon blues, adventures of Brer rabbit and tar baby, as well as several other cuts showcase his awesome chops!!! he's just the BOMB!!!!!!!!! If you like guitar, or are looking for "another" guitar player to hear. STOP. BUY THIS CD! IF you like a song that will touch you heart? "Judy", for afterwards, I am sure his telecaster had to go out an "recharge!" Roy Buchanan is gone now, but he lives through is powerful guitar playing. PLEASE, just check out what he has to say!!!!!!!! His life/death was somewhat tragic, when more folks hear him, maybe he'll posthumously get his propers!!!!!

Excellent transaction overall. Roy Buchanan's skills are nicely showcased in this collection, which is predominantly instrumentals. Some were a bit too psychodelic for my taste (as opposed to blues). Otherwise, it's excellent. I'd recommend it if you like impressive guitar work.

They say that he is the best unknown guitarist.

I think he could be the best wellknown guitarist too!

Booklet is ok.