# What Blues Players Are Similar To Stevie Ray Vaughn? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 10, 2011, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-players-are-similar-to-stevie-ray-vaughn/585043 "2011-06-10T23:53:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-players-are-similar-to-stevie-ray-vaughn/585043/21 "2011-06-11T04:40:49Z")
I’m not sure how to verbalize it but you can hear what SRV pulled from Buddy Guy. The way he transitions from soft notes into rifts. There’s also some Albert King influence in his style. ---
**Author:** ![Wash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9dc877/32.png) [@Wash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wash)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-players-are-similar-to-stevie-ray-vaughn/585043/22 "2011-06-11T04:55:10Z")
I happened to catch a show on PBS the other day that had Stevie Ray and Albert King playing their hits together. The two complemented each other perfectly. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-players-are-similar-to-stevie-ray-vaughn/585043/23 "2011-06-11T04:55:17Z")
I would also suggest “Talk To Your Daughter” by Robben Ford. ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-players-are-similar-to-stevie-ray-vaughn/585043/24 "2011-06-11T04:56:05Z")
[Johnny Winter Mean Town Blues Live](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYGtopgc46Y). One of my “Awesome-est evers”. I’m not sure anyone can match my love for SRV, but this comes close. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-players-are-similar-to-stevie-ray-vaughn/585043/25 "2011-06-11T04:58:58Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > I’m not sure how to verbalize it but you can hear what SRV pulled from Buddy Guy. The way he transitions from soft notes into rifts. There’s also some Albert King influence in his style. **Tim R. Mortiss** already mentioned him in post #6, but I hear as much Lonnie Mack as anyone in Stevie’s playing. Buddy Guy definitely, as well as those mentioned in **WordMan’s** post, but Mack was a huge influence. “Wham” was the first record Stevie owned, and he played it so much his father ended up breaking it. ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-players-are-similar-to-stevie-ray-vaughn/585043/26 "2011-06-11T05:22:53Z")
I’ve been revisiting some SRV stuff. If anyone comes close, bring it. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-players-are-similar-to-stevie-ray-vaughn/585043/27 "2011-06-11T05:46:25Z")
I’d certainly recommend Jimi Hendrix “The Blues” CD as a stand-alone purchase. - [Little Wing](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBLDxgrDVO4) - [Red House](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbqchLSjAaI&feature=related) - [Voodoo Chile Blues](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47IEb6aAYpE) I pair Hendrix with SRV when mixing stuff. To me, the contrasting styles go together. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-players-are-similar-to-stevie-ray-vaughn/585043/28 "2011-06-11T05:53:15Z")
Jimi was his idol. I’d also suggest Eric Clapton. If you like the speed, listen to Clapton’s Cream era stuff. ---
**Author:** ![panamajack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/47e85d/32.png) [@panamajack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panamajack)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-players-are-similar-to-stevie-ray-vaughn/585043/29 "2011-06-11T06:31:07Z")
Eric Johnson does a pretty good job with the style. He’s got a song titled [SRV](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKYKxXc2D4I) that’s a tribute (Jimmy Vaughan plays on it). [This is said to be a track](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udSSadwqYHE) of them playing together on Shake N’ Bake. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-players-are-similar-to-stevie-ray-vaughn/585043/30 "2011-06-11T14:35:03Z")
A blues guitarist who didn’t have much in common with SRV as far as tone or technique, but did reach that level of virtuosity mentioned in the OP (at least in my opinion): Roy Buchanan [Tribute To Elmore James](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8SOWoyDXdc) [Sweet Dreams](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swX9oq6TVAU) Proof that he wasn’t just a technician, he could put some real soul into his playing: [Can I Change My Mind](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYRltmpwGIA) (Billy Price on vocals) ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-players-are-similar-to-stevie-ray-vaughn/585043/31 "2011-06-11T16:31:31Z")
Thanks guys. Looks like i have my homework cut out for me. I had mentioned my impending divorce so when I get to feeling bad about it, I crank up Texas Flood in the car and listen to it…repeatedly. ---
**Author:** ![Jaledin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jaledin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaledin)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-players-are-similar-to-stevie-ray-vaughn/585043/32 "2011-06-11T23:01:40Z")
Danny Gatton comes to mind. Not “just” a blues player, but he could tear it up. I love his album with Joey DeFrancesco on organ, “Relentless.” Son Seals and Buddy Guy have that kind of rock/blues thing going on often, lots of chops. Also, +1 to Johnny Winter – he is still an amazing virtuoso, and pretty much stays to straight blues. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-players-are-similar-to-stevie-ray-vaughn/585043/33 "2011-06-11T23:19:57Z")
[Alvin Lee](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pudbYuuthZQ&feature=related) ---
**Author:** ![Carnacki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b5e925/32.png) [@Carnacki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnacki)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-players-are-similar-to-stevie-ray-vaughn/585043/34 "2011-06-13T00:19:30Z")
Alastair Greene is a relative of mine, so I’m biased. But [give him a listen](http://www.youtube.com/user/agbluesband#p/u/5/mvYfy6FgU2g). Solo at 2 minutes in. ---
**Author:** ![Anamorphic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/anamorphic/32/3057_2.png) [@Anamorphic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anamorphic)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-players-are-similar-to-stevie-ray-vaughn/585043/35 "2011-06-13T01:06:30Z")
Check out a band called Indigenous. The guitarist, Mato Nanji, is a monster player, and very similar in style to SRV. [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0SQyioD__w) ---
**Author:** ![Chef\_Troy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@Chef\_Troy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chef_Troy)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-players-are-similar-to-stevie-ray-vaughn/585043/36 "2011-06-13T01:14:14Z")
In my opinion, you absolutely CANNOT get closer to SRV than [Doyle Bramhall II](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Vj2gP9Yb7M&feature=related). He and Stevie Ray were buddies, played together, and Doyle even co-wrote some of the songs SRV was known for ([“Change It,”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdO22_A7AmQ&feature=related) for example). I recommend his album [Bird’s Nest On the Ground](http://www.amazon.com/Bird-Nest-Ground-Doyle-Bramhall/dp/B00000DOKU/ref=sr_1_8?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1307927612&sr=1-8). ---
**Author:** ![raindog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@raindog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raindog)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-players-are-similar-to-stevie-ray-vaughn/585043/37 "2011-06-13T01:20:12Z")
**The Allman Brothers** Of course they’re more Southern Rock than blues, although there is a strong blues streak in a lot of their stuff. (And SRV had some southern rock feel to some of his stuff) **ZZ Top** Southern rock/ blues/ rock alchemy. They don’t sound like SRV but have a similar kind of vibe. I always thought SRV was the perfect mid point between Robert Cray and Jimi Hendrix. ---
**Author:** ![Dusty\_Rose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ba8739/32.png) [@Dusty\_Rose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dusty_Rose)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-players-are-similar-to-stevie-ray-vaughn/585043/38 "2011-06-13T01:23:40Z")
Try Joe Bonamassa and Rory Gallagher - both phenomenal and right up there with SRV. Personally, if you’re looking to be awed, I lean toward Joe. ---
**Author:** ![chillywilly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d6d6ee/32.png) [@chillywilly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chillywilly)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-players-are-similar-to-stevie-ray-vaughn/585043/39 "2011-06-13T01:41:27Z")
I agree with **Wordman** , check out John Mayer in his trio. Good stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-players-are-similar-to-stevie-ray-vaughn/585043/40 "2011-06-13T01:47:29Z")
[Matt O’Ree](http://mattoree.com/). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-players-are-similar-to-stevie-ray-vaughn/585043.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-players-are-similar-to-stevie-ray-vaughn/585043.md?page=3)