FullMetalTrucker: excuse me? Bill Holloman is "garbage"? Virtuoso trumpet, sax and piano in equal measure and he was Danny's sideman for years. Not to take anything from Roy B (and I realize this is rehashing a VERY old discussion) but Danny Gatton was the better guitar player. Of course, that's like saying that Mozart was better than Beethoven...it's a question of taste. But to my ears, Gatton's versatility and astounding technique remains unsurpassed.
The biggest difference between Roy and Danny Gatton is that Roy surrounded himself with musicians. While Danny sounded great, his accompaniment was garbage most of the time.
In 1980 or '81, I worked on a sound crew(2 set show) for John McLaughlin/Roy Buchanan at Miami's downtown Gusman Hall. Roy was brilliant for the 1st show, but by the 2nd, he'd gotten sauced(McLaughlin opened). He broke a string on his Tele at one point and had to call his tech onstage to restring it. Roy calmly pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and waited... When a woman from the audience yelled out an insult for stopping the show, Roy politely told her to, "Fuck off..." I was laughing my ass off!
Roy out plays an 8 piece band... they are all watching and listening in amazment...as am I. I was told that Clapton used to sneak in to Roy's gigs to "read his bloody fingers." The music world will never see this creation of guitar, soul, tempo, crying etc... ever again! Speculation surrounds that he and Jimi playd in obscure locations together...Some of his later gigs, he looks up, embraces, and continues his magic.Made it look so easy and sound so graceful. ???, I believe you now, urdad was?
I had the blessing to roy7 times mostly around bflo/nia falls area all ways breathtaking a couple of shows he was in rough shape..I wishedwe could have pulled him thru..this is indeed touching..Ive never seen it,It reminds me of the time I saw him play danny boy..a day or two after st. pats day around 84.Roy was atrue gift //god rest you son.
this doco is quite sought after now - any chance you might post the rest...?
reminds me too that robbie robertson, who tells a great story of being sent to roy for instruction by ronnie hawkins, used sweet dreams to great effect at the end of the departed...another beautiful track.
@bertisg Ahh, Sweet Dreams brings tears to my eyes everytime I hear it. It was QUITE effective in The Departed! I'll see about posting additional clips from the documentary. There are some other great clips on it as well. Thanks for the suggestion.
wow , apart from listening to that master craftsman play , you can see on his well worn guitar neck how many low notes he did not play , mostly lovely high melodic stuff. 4 strings down , ofcourse you could tell that from listening to most if not all roys music , just an observation of this video is all. :) rip
I can't tell you how many times I've watched this video in the almost three years that it has been posted, but it has been many and still I'm amazed. Only old standard brought to life with the great playing and technique of Roy Buchanan. Thanks for posting this.
@chanchan4736 Glad you've enjoyed this that much! This has got to be my all time favorite piece by Roy. I remember seeing this PBS special when it first was aired and being absolutely FLOORED by this clip and Roy's talent. I regret I never got the chance to meet him. He remains my favorite guitarist to this day!!
This is part of the 1971 documentary "The Greatest Unknown Guitarist". It's still out there in it's original form along with another video-DVD which was Roy's Austin City Limits appearance-circa 1977. An interesting aside, my Dad used to drive me down to a small barber shop (approx 1970) for a haircut. I remember him pulling his guitar out of the trunk and playing with the barber after our cuts. Years later my mother helped me fill in the blanks, Roy being that barber.The good old days.
simply beautifull!! god i would of loved to of seen roy live , why are all my fave guitarists no longer with us in person?? such a shame , thanx for all the awesome music you guys!! also a big thanx to the people on youtube that post such amazing vids. rip roy and all my faves , can you imagine the session they are having on the other side???
Roy Buchanan a TRUE Master of the Telecaster. One of the few tele-slingers along with Canadian guitarist Ed Bickert that could coax jazz like tones from a guitar used primarily for country music
@MrLocostSeven Thanks! This is my all time favorite Roy piece. A real eye opener for a lot of people. I saw this when the original PBS special was aired back in the early 70's and was amazed then. It's been my pleasure to share with others!
Roy taked through his playing. I knew him from the clubs in George Town-he had it but the 70's and all got to him wow he had it ---rough yrs We were friends we felt our pain. Miss him as him and his music
This is great stuff. And i wish RB had spent more time playing in these kind of complex medodic changes. It is the one area where Danny Gatton was clearly better. . RB does some lovely things until 4:45 when the ensemble does a fairly typical modulation to bring the song to a close and RB is clearly just pulling strings until the train arrives. . . He was great and if he had spent more time playing with these kinds of ensembles there is no telling what he might have created.
I read in Roy's Biography American Axe that Errol Garner really thought this was a beautiful rendition of his song, This song when Roy plays is just so amazing.
man there was sumthin on here called Roy Buchanan talks about hi s home in DIixey, was like an interview and then him playin the messiah will come again, if anybody has this if you could upload it again id appreciate it man
Beautiful instinctive playing by RB, I much prefer this to the harmonic laden shredding that he was famous for.... like Danny Gatton, a sad end for a unique guitar player.
Me too. There's a great set of Roy's from Austin in 1976 up here that catches him somewhere in between this style and his shredding. An unbelievably soulful player.
I think this was Roy at his best. I really dont like the stuff he was doing in the 1980's He seemed to get in a rut but thats just my opinion. Seems like he lost some of his creativity.
This is great, real shame that the whole PBS show isn't out on DVD now. As for the "muted string" things, they're arpeggios played "sweep-picking" style (downward strokes) but heavily palm muted. Doubt Frank Gambale or any of those guys could make sweep picking sound this beautiful and musical.....
You can find this on DVD at eBay. That's where I got it. Unfortunately the quality is not all that terrific. I agree PBS should release this one in a good quality DVD.
I had the privilege of seeing 'The Master' numerous times. Many were the times he could barely stand but the moment he strapped on that Telly he transformed that instrument into something surreal. He is missed and will never be replaced. He was truly "The guitar player's guitar player"!
Wow, Fantastic!!! This is real musicianship, not the virtuoso noodling that so many think is great guitar playing. The Piano player is great too. Great band. Buchanan had the chops but he knew how to hold them back.
I agree; that was a pretty cool little thing he did there w/the muting. All i can say is thank you for posting this beautiful rendition! I only wish Roy would have played like this more often as it shows a whole different side of his ability that was not explored as often as the over the top type stuff he did. Don't get me wrong, that great also but at least to my ears it got a li' tiresome.
Whats he doing there at about 3:55 to 3:57 the little muted string hits! Thats gorgeous! I've heard that in a hey joe version of his as well! Need to find out how to do it!
You're welcome! Seeing this special in 1972 when it aired on PBS and seeing "this" clip is what got me hooked on Roy for life. there will NEVER be another like him!!
Its funny, I have "Biography" on right now and they are reviewing the life of Eric Clapton. Of course, everyone interviewed praises how good Clapton was at playing the Blues. Well, I have been playing guitar for 22 years so I think I am an authority on the subject. Roy was a much more soulful player than Clapton could ever be.
Best? I really dont like that word because its so relative. I measure "greatness" by the creativity of a musician. For example, I would say Rev Gary Davis was a "great" guitar player because he could play the same song differently each time he played. Stevie Ray Vaughn was the same way. So there is no "best" in my opinion
Mark9309: I agree with you. Although, as you say, there is no real "best" i tend to favour guitarists who are adaptable. Roy was one of the most versatile & adaptable...he could play in ANY setting, rock, country, blues, and could unleash fire but also beautifully subtle jazz tones as seen here. Unfortunately many so-called 'legends' can only play 4 blues licks and bluff their way through countless albums. Errol Garner actually rated this as one of the finest versions of his song.
A joy to see Roy at his best, it was great to hear him tear up the rockers, but this fret work is a gift from a higher place. I had the good fortune of interviewing and then getting to know Roy during his Alligator Records era. He was a gentle soul, very much a regular guy you could shoot the shit with over a couple of beers, extremely humble and, of course, a hell of a player. Our hearts and ears miss him greatly. Thank You Lord may not be the right way to pray, but I'm gonna thank you anyway.
Roy was unbelievable. I would call him a "natural" whereas others have to learn to play the Blues. I loved the way he spoke very shyly on throughout this film..very unassuming but with a hidden intensity...like there was a constant storm brewing. Roy was no poser either which is what i really liked about him. He played real solid, constructive ideas rather than just Blues licks. He should've been BIGGER than Clapton and most others but then he avoided fame.
Amazing! I have this PBS special at home. Roy is one of those players - I don't think it's possible to play any better. People might be able to try to play "as good", but better can't be done! He's always in the pocket and plays with so much feeling - what a joy to hear him play.
I've loved Hendrix since I was a little kid and look at him as one of the most soulful forces to ever lay a hand on 6 strings. But Roy is extremely tasteful. Theres no comparison other than they both play guitar. Otherwise its apples to oranges. I love them both and I LOVE this vid and Roy's tone and careful touch. Lets not discredit the beautiful band with him in it too! Its all good. Theres no contests, just let it all move you if it does.
I actually saw Roy and it was great. I do believe he delighted in (almost) painfuly high notes played incredibly loudly, nearing critical mass!!!!!wowwowwowwowwowwowwow!!!!
Just a note: Roy covered Jimi's cover of "Hey Joe". I don't know the name of the first artist but I heard it once and it was actually kind of cheesy(maybe the fifties or there abouts)anyways, no disrespect intended toward Jimi. I'm just amazed how few people knew about this guy(and his mysterious death).
makes you wonder, doesn't it? hendrix never knew his instrument the way that buchanan did. yes, truely an amazing icon, hendrix didn't invent guitar, and quite frankly, i'm a little tired of hearing of how he gave birth to electric guitar.
sorry folks... damn i've always loved the ray stevens "one take" version of misty as my favorite version. there may be, however, no better master than buchanan when it comes to feel and emotion. as a steve morse fanatic, he may have better skills tecnically, but does anyone beat rb on his gut wrenching tone? like sm, so vesitile.
The best rendition of this song by my favorite guitarist. This was from a show that PBS produced in 1971 titled "The World's Greatest Unknown Guitarist". I was fortunate to see the broadcast when it first aired back then and even more fortunate to obtain a VHS copy of that show. I have never been able to identify the pianist and would be most grateful if anyone can provide his name. Unfortunately I only saw Buchanan live one time back in 1974.
For being then an unknown to stand there and play 2 feet from Mundell Lowe, a badass jazzer/leader/arranger, he had a big set on him and was very confident of his abilities. Very beautiful.
Absoutely marvelous! He was one of the greatest guitarists ever. Not by terms of speed or artistics, but by putting soul into his playing. And he must have loved his guitar (the tele is to me one of the best models ever) when you look at how used she is... ;-)
Just goes to show you that you don't always have to change your style from one genre to the next. Roy was not considered a jazz player, but he was still himself in his masterful solo over this jazz standard. Thanks for the video!
This is from the 1971 PBS special about Roy that broke him on a national and international level. Previously he had been working as a journeyman guitarslinger since the 50's. The players are Mundell Lowe's band.
It is "Floating around" in it's entirety on the web via Torrent downloads. That's the only place I have seen it...that and the entire ACL show. Don't know anywhere else to find these gems.
The master on his unforgiving telecaster (listen for error, if there was any it would come through... I have yet to hear any from Roy!) One of my old time favorites. Thanks for posting this was just fantastic!
Unforgiving is right; I've been playing a Tele for near 30 years and they're like no other guitar.....sonically or mechanically. The long scale makes the bends a little tougher and the single coils p/ups don't mud up or lie like the humbuckers do. If you ain't on the money, the Tele won't lie for you. I play .11s to boot.
this proves you can play jazz on any type of guitar.
RJiminez51 2 weeks ago
yap legendary dick heintze at piano
and that goes straight into ass ones call roy an shreder limited to scales.
here roy shows there was no limits.
icebytes 1 month ago
This has been flagged as spam show
LOVE THIS!
Check my channel out as well (click on my name) and see/hear me play guitar!
BrockDavisson1978 2 months ago
FullMetalTrucker: excuse me? Bill Holloman is "garbage"? Virtuoso trumpet, sax and piano in equal measure and he was Danny's sideman for years. Not to take anything from Roy B (and I realize this is rehashing a VERY old discussion) but Danny Gatton was the better guitar player. Of course, that's like saying that Mozart was better than Beethoven...it's a question of taste. But to my ears, Gatton's versatility and astounding technique remains unsurpassed.
gtrvox 4 months ago
The biggest difference between Roy and Danny Gatton is that Roy surrounded himself with musicians. While Danny sounded great, his accompaniment was garbage most of the time.
FullMetalTrucker 6 months ago
simply the best musicians
elstroshitnonstop 7 months ago
one of the greats, dead too soon.
DLP195788300 7 months ago in playlist Roy Buchanan
Right on brother!
GMoorefan115 7 months ago in playlist Roy Buchanan
Man, I never knew Roy played jazz. This was fantastic. The band was solid, and whoever the keyboard man was, smoked it! NICE!
howiecampbell 7 months ago
Impressive that he's not distracted by that creepy guy glaring at him from a foot away
ryanrocksteady1355 8 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
un grande buchanan, lo bueno de esto es que cada vez es mas conocido en el mundo
levadurin 10 months ago
un grande buchanan, lo bueno de esto es q cada vez es mas conocido en el mundo
levadurin 10 months ago
In 1980 or '81, I worked on a sound crew(2 set show) for John McLaughlin/Roy Buchanan at Miami's downtown Gusman Hall. Roy was brilliant for the 1st show, but by the 2nd, he'd gotten sauced(McLaughlin opened). He broke a string on his Tele at one point and had to call his tech onstage to restring it. Roy calmly pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and waited... When a woman from the audience yelled out an insult for stopping the show, Roy politely told her to, "Fuck off..." I was laughing my ass off!
robertdeltajohnson 10 months ago 3
Hendrix, Buchanan,Gilmour. 3 of the best!
djowens123 10 months ago 2
his tone actually gets better as he plays his solo it goes from the best to impossible to match..
rotolo 11 months ago
the piano player is really good too doe who is he?
putabarata 1 year ago
Thanks for the Roy!!
gorthar30 1 year ago
i've played the guitar hes playing in this video its a 57 Esquire that was later refretted by Danny gatton
MidasHert3 1 year ago
Roy was so incredible, here he plays just like Wes Montgomery!!
exsoundus 1 year ago
He named his guitar "Nancy"
DanofTucson 1 year ago
Nice relaxing blend of blues and jazz!
BDeiste 1 year ago
Roy out plays an 8 piece band... they are all watching and listening in amazment...as am I. I was told that Clapton used to sneak in to Roy's gigs to "read his bloody fingers." The music world will never see this creation of guitar, soul, tempo, crying etc... ever again! Speculation surrounds that he and Jimi playd in obscure locations together...Some of his later gigs, he looks up, embraces, and continues his magic.Made it look so easy and sound so graceful. ???, I believe you now, urdad was?
1PJfan 1 year ago
Eric Clapton said, "Roy Buchanon is the only man alive who can make a guitar cry,"
jimmygofast 1 year ago
I had the blessing to roy7 times mostly around bflo/nia falls area all ways breathtaking a couple of shows he was in rough shape..I wishedwe could have pulled him thru..this is indeed touching..Ive never seen it,It reminds me of the time I saw him play danny boy..a day or two after st. pats day around 84.Roy was atrue gift //god rest you son.
TheOffcialACCFans 1 year ago
"Roy, U close in on that Mother and don't let it up" - Mundell Lowe
YankeeClippa 1 year ago 2
Does anyone know if Roy Buchanan actually recorded a version of Misty that I would be able to purchase?
JRR951 1 year ago
@JRR951 I been checking and unfortunately, it appears he didn't. I have one out of print album that he did "Secret Love"
larrystarstruck 6 months ago
The pianist is killer. Who is it? Anybody know?
spyguys 1 year ago 2
@spyguys I was wonderin' the same thing.. He Kills it!
YankeeClippa 1 year ago
@spyguys
Dick Heintze
icebytes 11 months ago
@icebytes Thanks Ice.
spyguys 11 months ago
@spyguys Dick Heintze???
janderson2000 3 months ago
Boy does this bring back memories. I remember seeing this on TV a million years ago. Wow
zinnington 1 year ago
Any one know who is playing the 12 string guitar. !!!
zydecobill 1 year ago
WOW...Play Misty for me!
ShuswapPhoto 1 year ago
The magic touch.
SuperSolaris 1 year ago
Love the Crowley reference in your name. Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law
TonyTheBassPlayer1 1 year ago
beautiful. thanks for posting this
melmel075 1 year ago
this doco is quite sought after now - any chance you might post the rest...?
reminds me too that robbie robertson, who tells a great story of being sent to roy for instruction by ronnie hawkins, used sweet dreams to great effect at the end of the departed...another beautiful track.
bertisg 1 year ago 3
@bertisg Ahh, Sweet Dreams brings tears to my eyes everytime I hear it. It was QUITE effective in The Departed! I'll see about posting additional clips from the documentary. There are some other great clips on it as well. Thanks for the suggestion.
ankhafnakhonsu 1 year ago
@bertisg
I'm wondering if you know who's on the keyboard? I know Dick Heintze played with Roy for years, but I can't tell if that's him or not.
thanks
bleistift777 1 year ago
@bertisg The rest of the documentary can be found on my channel! RIP ROY
caseystamand 3 months ago
wow , apart from listening to that master craftsman play , you can see on his well worn guitar neck how many low notes he did not play , mostly lovely high melodic stuff. 4 strings down , ofcourse you could tell that from listening to most if not all roys music , just an observation of this video is all. :) rip
tabulaerasae82 1 year ago
I can't tell you how many times I've watched this video in the almost three years that it has been posted, but it has been many and still I'm amazed. Only old standard brought to life with the great playing and technique of Roy Buchanan. Thanks for posting this.
chanchan4736 1 year ago 4
@chanchan4736 Glad you've enjoyed this that much! This has got to be my all time favorite piece by Roy. I remember seeing this PBS special when it first was aired and being absolutely FLOORED by this clip and Roy's talent. I regret I never got the chance to meet him. He remains my favorite guitarist to this day!!
ankhafnakhonsu 1 year ago
@chanchan4736
gggggggasdfasdfasdfs 1 year ago
This is part of the 1971 documentary "The Greatest Unknown Guitarist". It's still out there in it's original form along with another video-DVD which was Roy's Austin City Limits appearance-circa 1977. An interesting aside, my Dad used to drive me down to a small barber shop (approx 1970) for a haircut. I remember him pulling his guitar out of the trunk and playing with the barber after our cuts. Years later my mother helped me fill in the blanks, Roy being that barber.The good old days.
1954tele 4 months ago
@1954tele where is this barber shop at?
flearhcp 1 week ago
simply beautifull!! god i would of loved to of seen roy live , why are all my fave guitarists no longer with us in person?? such a shame , thanx for all the awesome music you guys!! also a big thanx to the people on youtube that post such amazing vids. rip roy and all my faves , can you imagine the session they are having on the other side???
tabulaerasae82 1 year ago
sounds to me a bit jazzy
siddhant812 1 year ago
I think the PBS show was "The Greatest Un-known Guitar Player" but who are these other musicians?
oaky132x 1 year ago
@oaky132x It's Mundel Lowe and his band.
ankhafnakhonsu 1 year ago
Roy Buchanan a TRUE Master of the Telecaster. One of the few tele-slingers along with Canadian guitarist Ed Bickert that could coax jazz like tones from a guitar used primarily for country music
PrimeBot 1 year ago
The greatest guitarist ever! JGN New Orleans
jeffguitarnelson1 1 year ago
dude this is one of the best things on youtube its a shame there is only 60,835 views. Roy Buchanan wont be left behind................
MrLocostSeven 1 year ago 2
@MrLocostSeven Thanks! This is my all time favorite Roy piece. A real eye opener for a lot of people. I saw this when the original PBS special was aired back in the early 70's and was amazed then. It's been my pleasure to share with others!
ankhafnakhonsu 1 year ago 3
Very nice post! Thanks.
A great, watching a great...
Mrc1Star 1 year ago
man..... you can hear the similarities in his and becks playing at times.... no wonder they loved each other
chumbels 1 year ago
My mom saw this and helped me to buy a used telecaster. To this day she is not certain if it was a good thing.
blinkie7 1 year ago
Roy taked through his playing. I knew him from the clubs in George Town-he had it but the 70's and all got to him wow he had it ---rough yrs We were friends we felt our pain. Miss him as him and his music
wolfjb6 1 year ago
Surely "The Best Unknown guitarist" forever!!!
lawrence148 1 year ago
Why the hell was Roy not more famous. No showing off, this is just beautiful.
benbrenn 1 year ago
Roy had it his music spoke to all and made us all feel. He was a frien and I miss him still
wolfjb6 1 year ago
Thank you so much for posting!!
songfg7777 1 year ago
YEAH!
anitadavideduo 1 year ago
'thanks so much for uploading, I had never heard Roy play jazz b4 !!
bipolarbert 1 year ago
The piano player kicks ass
philh37 2 years ago
At 64 Roy is still the best--He was a friend and love him and his music always with me--He sends a message but all didn't listen
wolfjb6 2 years ago
This is great stuff. And i wish RB had spent more time playing in these kind of complex medodic changes. It is the one area where Danny Gatton was clearly better. . RB does some lovely things until 4:45 when the ensemble does a fairly typical modulation to bring the song to a close and RB is clearly just pulling strings until the train arrives. . . He was great and if he had spent more time playing with these kinds of ensembles there is no telling what he might have created.
richdys 2 years ago
Thank you sooo much for posting!!!
BluesDfender 2 years ago
Guitars best kept secret Roy Buchanan,incredible,Thanks 4 this
Boomsterblak 2 years ago 5
Roy doin' some jazz...really cool. Mundell Lowe is awesome as well.
300guitars 2 years ago
love you roy
trevmm 2 years ago
Wow!
jongreek 2 years ago
...just beautiful....
mulldune 2 years ago
at 55 roy is still my best loved player.. thank you youtube for letting other guitar players see what the guitar was ment for!
guitarzanification 2 years ago 3
it is hard to imagine while watching this old video...
roy buchanan only got way way better.
wow
elletsco 2 years ago
I read in Roy's Biography American Axe that Errol Garner really thought this was a beautiful rendition of his song, This song when Roy plays is just so amazing.
TommyBolinWasTheMan 2 years ago
perfection channeled through Mr. Buchanans lovely guitar work. His notes tell a story when most guitar players are only just picture books.
jhump2431 2 years ago
Jeff Beck dedicated 'Cause We've Ended as Lovers to Roy.
What more endorsement do you need? Roy was a chosen one.
janderson2000 2 years ago 10
@janderson2000 and 'Ended as Lovers' was written by Stevie Wonder. Not too shabby a trio of talent involved IMHO.
rleary1 2 years ago
@janderson2000 Not only that but Errol Garner, who wrote "Misty", personally endorsed this as the finest version he'd ever heard. I agree with him.
taildragger53 1 year ago
@taildragger53 And not only that, but he did it with Mundell Lowe staring at him the whole time. lol
janderson2000 1 year ago
mundell looks like he is digging roy´s playing which is really beautiful
azharkamal 2 years ago
GREATgreat
MrGodam29 2 years ago
he can tell a story on the guitar. especially that he has developed his own language on the guitar. very impressive and creative.
egberto24 2 years ago
man there was sumthin on here called Roy Buchanan talks about hi s home in DIixey, was like an interview and then him playin the messiah will come again, if anybody has this if you could upload it again id appreciate it man
SupahDrew 2 years ago
I'll try
richs883lo 2 years ago
from the PBS show worlds greatest unknown guitarist around 70 not out on DVD that I know of.
swampash54 2 years ago
Beautiful instinctive playing by RB, I much prefer this to the harmonic laden shredding that he was famous for.... like Danny Gatton, a sad end for a unique guitar player.
clean3 2 years ago 2
Me too. There's a great set of Roy's from Austin in 1976 up here that catches him somewhere in between this style and his shredding. An unbelievably soulful player.
garmonbozia318 2 years ago
loveliness on a Tele...
barkulator 2 years ago
I think this was Roy at his best. I really dont like the stuff he was doing in the 1980's He seemed to get in a rut but thats just my opinion. Seems like he lost some of his creativity.
Mark9309 2 years ago
This is great, real shame that the whole PBS show isn't out on DVD now. As for the "muted string" things, they're arpeggios played "sweep-picking" style (downward strokes) but heavily palm muted. Doubt Frank Gambale or any of those guys could make sweep picking sound this beautiful and musical.....
partsocaster80 2 years ago
You can find this on DVD at eBay. That's where I got it. Unfortunately the quality is not all that terrific. I agree PBS should release this one in a good quality DVD.
ankhafnakhonsu 2 years ago
I had the privilege of seeing 'The Master' numerous times. Many were the times he could barely stand but the moment he strapped on that Telly he transformed that instrument into something surreal. He is missed and will never be replaced. He was truly "The guitar player's guitar player"!
Cougaram 2 years ago 2
Wow, Fantastic!!! This is real musicianship, not the virtuoso noodling that so many think is great guitar playing. The Piano player is great too. Great band. Buchanan had the chops but he knew how to hold them back.
tbcass 2 years ago
this is really cool where did the video come from
AgentZeroForTheWin 2 years ago
This is from the 1971 PBS special about Roy that broke him on a national and international level.
ankhafnakhonsu 2 years ago
I agree; that was a pretty cool little thing he did there w/the muting. All i can say is thank you for posting this beautiful rendition! I only wish Roy would have played like this more often as it shows a whole different side of his ability that was not explored as often as the over the top type stuff he did. Don't get me wrong, that great also but at least to my ears it got a li' tiresome.
GMoorefan115 2 years ago
Whats he doing there at about 3:55 to 3:57 the little muted string hits! Thats gorgeous! I've heard that in a hey joe version of his as well! Need to find out how to do it!
coopertrooper87 2 years ago
I've never heard any version of "Misty" that I didn't like, but this one makes a new chestnut out of an old chestnut
CodaQueen1 2 years ago
magnifique
nicoleon67 2 years ago
beautiful
rotolo 2 years ago
Thanks man that's beautiful..
GiantRock62 2 years ago
Who is sitting there just watching with a guitar on his lap?
dmacmurray 2 years ago
That's Mundel Lowe, a monster jazz player from the era. Says a lot that he put his guitar down and just sat there watching!
ankhafnakhonsu 2 years ago
Certainly very different from Mundell's style. He is enjoying the "approach."
Alan62651 2 years ago
This is damned good!
tobytwirrll 2 years ago
Thank you!
I've never heard this played by Roy before.
imzato321 2 years ago
You're welcome! Seeing this special in 1972 when it aired on PBS and seeing "this" clip is what got me hooked on Roy for life. there will NEVER be another like him!!
ankhafnakhonsu 2 years ago
Its funny, I have "Biography" on right now and they are reviewing the life of Eric Clapton. Of course, everyone interviewed praises how good Clapton was at playing the Blues. Well, I have been playing guitar for 22 years so I think I am an authority on the subject. Roy was a much more soulful player than Clapton could ever be.
Mark9309 2 years ago
who is the best?
PurpleAndZeppelin 2 years ago
Best? I really dont like that word because its so relative. I measure "greatness" by the creativity of a musician. For example, I would say Rev Gary Davis was a "great" guitar player because he could play the same song differently each time he played. Stevie Ray Vaughn was the same way. So there is no "best" in my opinion
Mark9309 2 years ago 3
thats the way everyone should think about you cant rank the best there are certain tiers but you cant really judge from one another
AgentZeroForTheWin 2 years ago
Mark9309: I agree with you. Although, as you say, there is no real "best" i tend to favour guitarists who are adaptable. Roy was one of the most versatile & adaptable...he could play in ANY setting, rock, country, blues, and could unleash fire but also beautifully subtle jazz tones as seen here. Unfortunately many so-called 'legends' can only play 4 blues licks and bluff their way through countless albums. Errol Garner actually rated this as one of the finest versions of his song.
taildragger51 2 years ago
A joy to see Roy at his best, it was great to hear him tear up the rockers, but this fret work is a gift from a higher place. I had the good fortune of interviewing and then getting to know Roy during his Alligator Records era. He was a gentle soul, very much a regular guy you could shoot the shit with over a couple of beers, extremely humble and, of course, a hell of a player. Our hearts and ears miss him greatly. Thank You Lord may not be the right way to pray, but I'm gonna thank you anyway.
dlcappy 2 years ago
Roy was unbelievable. I would call him a "natural" whereas others have to learn to play the Blues. I loved the way he spoke very shyly on throughout this film..very unassuming but with a hidden intensity...like there was a constant storm brewing. Roy was no poser either which is what i really liked about him. He played real solid, constructive ideas rather than just Blues licks. He should've been BIGGER than Clapton and most others but then he avoided fame.
taildragger51 2 years ago 2
Lenny Breau on the twelve string. Roy B. was truly in a class by himself. His jazz phrasings were proof of that.
Barnekkid 2 years ago
Roy B. is Danny Gatton's bio-TELE-logical brother.
knowMusicMan 2 years ago 2
Really good jazz guitar this is.
ricky6565 2 years ago
What a joy, Roy just moves in his own way on the neck just pure feel.A master at work, miss you Roy.
MrMudclub 3 years ago
Surely you joke, right?? This piece shows a mastery of his instrument rivaled by few.
ankhafnakhonsu 3 years ago
not joking. no...
gusmactavish 3 years ago
No he didnt. Maybe He knew it a little better, But in a much different style!!!!
record1207 3 years ago
Comment removed
gusmactavish 3 years ago
Just love the way Mundel soaks up the way Roy plays .Those bends are so cool their ice..
uglybird650 3 years ago
you cant just try jazz..lol but i know what you meant
augfive 3 years ago
Amazing! I have this PBS special at home. Roy is one of those players - I don't think it's possible to play any better. People might be able to try to play "as good", but better can't be done! He's always in the pocket and plays with so much feeling - what a joy to hear him play.
flazjsg 3 years ago
Is that Tal Farlow?
SonnyREast 3 years ago
No thats Mundel Lowe another jazz guitar great.
ankhafnakhonsu 3 years ago
Rock and blues people (Hendrix, Vaughn, Earl and many more) have tried jazz. Predictably, Buchanan is the best.
tallmunchkin 3 years ago
Comment removed
garmonbozia318 2 years ago
Wonderful 5 stars is not enough.
AcousticMax 3 years ago
I've loved Hendrix since I was a little kid and look at him as one of the most soulful forces to ever lay a hand on 6 strings. But Roy is extremely tasteful. Theres no comparison other than they both play guitar. Otherwise its apples to oranges. I love them both and I LOVE this vid and Roy's tone and careful touch. Lets not discredit the beautiful band with him in it too! Its all good. Theres no contests, just let it all move you if it does.
fender1325 3 years ago
HiS FEET WERE ON THYE PATH HERE ---YEP YOU CAN FEEL IT-
flettjordan 3 years ago
I actually saw Roy and it was great. I do believe he delighted in (almost) painfuly high notes played incredibly loudly, nearing critical mass!!!!!wowwowwowwowwowwowwow!!!!
stuffnpuffAZ 3 years ago
Just a note: Roy covered Jimi's cover of "Hey Joe". I don't know the name of the first artist but I heard it once and it was actually kind of cheesy(maybe the fifties or there abouts)anyways, no disrespect intended toward Jimi. I'm just amazed how few people knew about this guy(and his mysterious death).
stuffnpuffAZ 3 years ago
it's the northern virginia dc maryland music scene, it's very hard on guitarist. see also danny gatton, and the original guitarist for the blue caps
shinybald36 2 years ago
An unutterable spiritual experience!
PAN1952 3 years ago
wake up people, this was going on while the rest of the world thought hendrix was god
BLUELIZARD69 3 years ago
Roy covered Hey Joe and other Hendrix songs...and I'm sure appreciated Jimi
janderson2000 3 years ago 2
makes you wonder, doesn't it? hendrix never knew his instrument the way that buchanan did. yes, truely an amazing icon, hendrix didn't invent guitar, and quite frankly, i'm a little tired of hearing of how he gave birth to electric guitar.
elletsco 3 years ago
when people say hendrix gave birth to electric guitar,they mean the way and soul of how he played it was different.The same gos for page and clapton
oramikleepunk 3 years ago
Where'd you hear that last part?
Barnekkid 2 years ago
wonderful
fender1325 3 years ago
sorry folks... damn i've always loved the ray stevens "one take" version of misty as my favorite version. there may be, however, no better master than buchanan when it comes to feel and emotion. as a steve morse fanatic, he may have better skills tecnically, but does anyone beat rb on his gut wrenching tone? like sm, so vesitile.
elletsco 3 years ago
simplemente roy buchanan en toda su grandeza y felling,despues vendrian muchos detras pero con ese saber estar y esa clase,eso no se hereda
que dios lo tenga en su gloria,para siempre Roy
sexylefty 3 years ago
Almost 40 years later... nothing's changed!
Well... we have YouTube now. :-}
ProspectorSam 3 years ago
Thanks! This is amazing! Love ROY!
D89PMUSIC 3 years ago
This is incredible.
Who do we petition to have the PBS special re-issued on DVD? It was before my time, sadly.
OutlawSteph 3 years ago 2
The best rendition of this song by my favorite guitarist. This was from a show that PBS produced in 1971 titled "The World's Greatest Unknown Guitarist". I was fortunate to see the broadcast when it first aired back then and even more fortunate to obtain a VHS copy of that show. I have never been able to identify the pianist and would be most grateful if anyone can provide his name. Unfortunately I only saw Buchanan live one time back in 1974.
Royalstandard 3 years ago
Tasteful... outstanding post!
Thank you
Mrc1Star 3 years ago 2
He the best!
faruek 3 years ago
For being then an unknown to stand there and play 2 feet from Mundell Lowe, a badass jazzer/leader/arranger, he had a big set on him and was very confident of his abilities. Very beautiful.
garyguitar 3 years ago
Absoutely marvelous! He was one of the greatest guitarists ever. Not by terms of speed or artistics, but by putting soul into his playing. And he must have loved his guitar (the tele is to me one of the best models ever) when you look at how used she is... ;-)
wskabrond 3 years ago 4
Just goes to show you that you don't always have to change your style from one genre to the next. Roy was not considered a jazz player, but he was still himself in his masterful solo over this jazz standard. Thanks for the video!
otis61398 3 years ago 2
That's Not Lenny Breau!
bigchaunce 3 years ago
thank you for showing this it was terrific
centauriz 3 years ago
Look for Lenny Breau from the back at 3:08. Don't know but don't think it's Heintze on piano,thiough........
thevidiotkid 4 years ago
He plays it the way I love to hear it!!! My Favorite...
YankeeClippa 4 years ago 2
This is a gem! Where is this from? Who are the other players?
RIP, Roy!
ravello99 4 years ago
This is from the 1971 PBS special about Roy that broke him on a national and international level. Previously he had been working as a journeyman guitarslinger since the 50's. The players are Mundell Lowe's band.
ankhafnakhonsu 4 years ago
Thanks. So I assume it was the "The World's Greatest Unknown Guitarist" PBS special?
Does anyone know if that is still floating around anywhere? I haven't ever seen it on ebay or Amazon....
ravello99 4 years ago
It is "Floating around" in it's entirety on the web via Torrent downloads. That's the only place I have seen it...that and the entire ACL show. Don't know anywhere else to find these gems.
1satisfiedmind 3 years ago
wow, sweet!
johnnyjolijt 4 years ago
The master on his unforgiving telecaster (listen for error, if there was any it would come through... I have yet to hear any from Roy!) One of my old time favorites. Thanks for posting this was just fantastic!
Bluize7x 4 years ago 3
Unforgiving is right; I've been playing a Tele for near 30 years and they're like no other guitar.....sonically or mechanically. The long scale makes the bends a little tougher and the single coils p/ups don't mud up or lie like the humbuckers do. If you ain't on the money, the Tele won't lie for you. I play .11s to boot.
vibrasonic99 3 years ago 4
Amazing! Is that Dick Heintze on the piano? WOW!
tragocaster 4 years ago
Great
stereosign 4 years ago