Sweet Dreams: Anthology [Import]

Roy Buchanan | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 22, 1992)
• Original Release Date: September 22, 1992
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Polygram UK
• ASIN: B000001DZQ
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,707 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #9 in Music > Imports > Blues

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Blatimore

2. Black Autumn

3. The Story Of Isaac

4. There'll Always Be

5. Sweet Dreams

6. Pete's Blue

7. The Messiah Will Come Again

8. Tribute To Elmore James

9. After Hours

10. Five String Blues

See all 15 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Down By The River (Live)

2. I'm A Ram (Live)

3. I'm Evil (Live)

4. Good God Have Mercy

5. If Six Were Nine

6. Green Onions

7. Soul Dressing (Live)

8. Hey Joe (Live)

9. Fly...Night Bird

10. Turn To Stone

See all 11 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

One of the tragic figures in blues-rock, Roy Buchanan possessed chops that matched those of any of his more acclaimed contemporaries, including Eric Clapton. His recording accomplishments, however, were problematic. Despite forecasts of stardom that corresponded with his 1972 solo debut (the Arkansas- born virtuoso made his debut as a sideman 15 years earlier), Buchanan never found the perfect forum for instrumental expression. After years of frustration, he hung himself in a jail cell in 1986 after being arrested for drunk driving. This 2 CD anthology stands as the definitive overview of Buchanan's career, mixing the best of his '70s and '80s records with a generous assortment of unreleased tracks. --Steve Stolder

Product Description

ROY BUCHANAN Sweet Dreams: The Anthology (1992 US digitally remastered 26-track 2-CD compilation from one of the great unheralded guitarists of his generation. Among the rarities are a number of Roys familiar cuts plus four numbers from his previously unreleased debut The Prophet. Sealed long box packaging with rare & vintage photos plus a definitive new essay)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing selection of songs, Polydor heads should roll, October 29, 2003

By 

Redgecko (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sweet Dreams: Anthology (Audio CD)

I am a Roy Buchanan fan and think that he's one of the greatest players of modern electric guitar blues. But there's some real junk on these two CDs. As another reviewer has already pointed out, the first four tracks on CD 1 spotlights other instruments or the vocalist but not Buchanan. On one of the cuts, the other instruments jam for 5 minutes before you even hear Buchanan's guitar!! He then plays for 30 seconds and suddenly the song is over!! And, we're all here for the same thing, to hear Buchanan's pyrotechnic guitar--we don't care about a lot of other instrumental jamming. Then, also on CD 1, a better, much longer 1974 version of C. C. Ryder could have been included. On CD 2, the version of Hey Joe is absolutely dreadful. It has a long almost guitar-free introduction, what sounds like a drunken Buchanan at the microphone and mediocre guitar playing. Listen to Buchanan do Hey Joe on American Axe, Live 1974 or even his 1973 studio version and you'll hear what I mean. On another song, there is a repetitious organ solo for several minutes before the guitar comes in and plays for less than 1 minute.

Some good stuff on these two CDs but some crap as well; Polydor should fire the incompetent that put this together. Seek out the original CDs and stay away from this over-priced, under-produced insult to a great musician.

22 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Producer needed some help, February 22, 2002

By 

Tyler Smith (Denver, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sweet Dreams: Anthology (Audio CD)

Five stars, obviously on Roy's playing, which always managed to rise above the material, no matter how mediocre. But this collection mystifies me in the selection of material.

The first four selections of disc 1, "previously unreleased," put Roy in a strange, psychedelicized place that is difficult to listen to. Roy was a power, electric blues player, and these pieces simply do him no favor at all.

By the fifth cut, we have his great version of Patsy Cline's "Sweet Dreams," from his first Polydor album, and we also have the first taste of his muscular lyricism. The remainder of the first disc is nearly flawless, the highlight for me being the inclusion of the "Second Album"'s "The Messiah Will Come Again." Roy couldn't sing -- at all -- yet somehow he was able to add something when he decided to vocalize, perhaps because he believed in the tune.

As for Disc 2, I saw Roy live, and because of that I'm confident in expressing my disappointment in the choices here. Other than "Soul Dressing," none of the tracks are memorable (apologies to vocalist Billy Price, who was capable of some great vocal performances), and Polydor would have produced a much better disc by including more from the overlooked "A Street Called Straight" or from "Loading Zone."

My advice? If you buy this set, pay little attention to the first four cuts on each disc. If you decide you love Roy's sound, as may of us did, listen to cuts 5 and on and then seek out the individual albums, which contain many gems the producer failed to include.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 10 STARS: THE GREATEST GUITARIST THIS SIDE OF JIMI HENDRIX, July 18, 2006

By 

Samuel B. King "Sam King" (Concord, NH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sweet Dreams: Anthology (Audio CD)

I only saw Roy Buchanan once, during the mid 80s,I stood five feet from him and I was absolutely Gobsmacked!! Now, here's a man who produced a gumbo of country, blues, rock & roll, jazz, whatever, into a wholly original creation of the most sublime, intense, technically challenging electric guitar music in history. He was a true original, growing up in hillbilly America, backing the likes of Dale Hawkins (that's him on "My Babe"), he was the classic journeyman. Apparently, later, Ronnie Hawkins (Dale's cousin)asked Roy to briefly join the Hawks to teach newbe "Robbie Robertson" some guitar tricks. On their first session, apparently Roy gave Robbie a look which said "You wanna dance?! Then, let's dance!". As he tuned up, Roy went through a whole symphony of sounds, squeals, harmonics, glissando runs, pulverizing the younger guitarist! Roy Buchanan was a legend. His renditions of Don Gibson's "Sweet Dreams" or Neil Young's "Down By The River" place him at the very pinacle of electric guitar greats! it is criminal that this genius of the guitar never got his due! However, ask any tele player worth his salt and, dollars to donuts, Roy Buchanan (along with Danny Gatton) will be at the very top of their list of heroes. As proof, check out the Hellecaster's wonderful tribute to him (their version of Sweet Dreams from their first album). This box includes a firm introduction to Roy Buchanan and his formidable talent. Reader be warned. After hearing this set, you WILL be compelled to go out and buy the remainder of his catalogue. We will NEVER see the likes of him again. So...all you guitar players out there, tune up your teles and BOW DOWN BEFORE A MASTER!!