Topic: Why doesn't Joe cover SRV?
Joe has masterfully covered the greats to the obscure. Why do you suppose he doesn't cover SRV?
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Joe Bonamassa Forum → General Topics → Why doesn't Joe cover SRV?
Joe has masterfully covered the greats to the obscure. Why do you suppose he doesn't cover SRV?
Just my 2c, but I think earlier in his career he had to fight the inevitable "SRV Clone" comparisons many young players face, especially when he was playing w/ strat and more SRV-like material. It took some time to break away from that. To be fair, to my ears I do hear the SRV influence on his earlier albums, although there were certainly more and bigger influences.
The choice of cover tunes is tricky - you have to stay true to the spirit, but you have to add your own spin also. If your'e going to cover SRV, you'd better be adding something because the eyes of Sauron (aka blues police as well as blues haters) will be on you. It's like covering Stairway to Heaven. SRV was just so iconic. Of course, I think Joe could do an amazing version of any number of SRV songs if he chose to. The time has to be right and the song has to be right, like any cover song from any artist. I'm not sure it's even a conscious choice to not do SRV, so much as a choice of "what songs would be right for the next album/tour."
Just my 2c.
I second GTR's opinion. Would I love to hear his version of Lenny or Riviera Paradise....you bet. Could Joe pull off Rude Mood, or SRV covering Hendrix with Chile....sure again. Is it right? Is it wrong? Tough call. I guess it comes down to the feeling. Gotta feel it to respectfully pay homage to someone like that. Otherwise, isn't is just a cheap cover? I just don't see Joe doing that just to do it.
as GTR said, it is well documented that in early days he was often associated with SRV, hence the move away from Strat’s.
..and IMO, - two brilliant guitarists who now and then were/are at the top of their art, - but very different styles. If anybody wants to see a SRV cover and similar style there is Kenny Wayne Shepherd, who pays tribute extremely well, and also does his own thing.
Here is a quote from Joe a few years back where he talks about being compared to SRV......
I switched to the Les Paul 2 years ago for two reasons.. ?1. The music took me there were I kept grabbing for it unknowingly and before you know it Im playing one 90% of the time.??2. I preface this with that I love the music and playing of Stevie Ray Vaughn.. But it seemed that I couldnt play a note without a comparison to SRV. Its great and Im very honored. But I used to play a Rachmaninoff piece in my shows and people still said it sounded SRV playing a violin. I was like this is nuts. So I switched to the most radical 180 degree change I could think off. The Gibson Les Paul. ??Now I found a home with a Les Paul and have almost forgotten my time on a strat. Two great guitars that helped shape music history. Buts its a personal taste thing. Can discuss it til the end of time.?
But I used to play a Rachmaninoff piece in my shows and people still said it sounded SRV playing a violin.
Hah, yeah, I remember that interview. Funny stuff.
So he's past those comparisons now. JB style cannot be denied. So by not? I propose:
Life Without You
Love SRV like most folks here.I would not be opposed to Joe doing a cover,but it just doesn't seem to mesh with where he is at now, in my opinion.Guess I am just being a realist here.However,I could see it in the MuddyWolf setting.
Did a search, because I knew it's come up before. lol
https://forum.jbonamassa.com/search.php … =737263166
I would like to add that reviewers still compare Joe to SRV and I have never heard the similarities. I am a fan of both. What makes me sad is I feel that any young players who do sound like SRV are discouraged from doing so. I miss his sound. I adore the way Jesse Davey played on the Hoax's early CD's. I love it when Virgil McMahon rips out some Stevie licks. I hope this changes.
My recommendation would be "Couldn't Stand the Weather"...bet he could turn that one up a notch !....I can only think he hasn't done one so far, because there are just so many classics from earlier artists he's been checking off...
First time I heard So It's Like That, I thought it sounded like SRV, but not too many other instances for cause to compare. I think Joe is so well established now, he would have significant separation from that comparison, let alone to even care anymore. So feel free to cover some SRV, Joe!
Texas Flood, Rude Mood, Cold Shot, Ain't Gone 'N' Give Up On Love, Riviera Paradise... I could go on.
My recommendation would be "Couldn't Stand the Weather"...bet he could turn that one up a notch !....I can only think he hasn't done one so far, because there are just so many classics from earlier artists he's been checking off...
2nd Couldn't Stand the Weather....... Doo do doot.......doot dooo. Do do do doo doot doot....................dun dun dun.............
What makes me sad is I feel that any young players who do sound like SRV are discouraged from doing so.
I don't know, the world was soooo oversaturated with clones I think we can use a break for a good long while. Even now there are a couple guys out there that while I do like their playing, the SRV-ness is too much sometimes. Just my 2c, YMMV, all that.
That said, if Joe was going to cover an SRV tune I'd give another vote to "Life Without You" - my favorite SRV song and one of the greatest guitar solos of all time. I'd love to hear Joe's take.
The SRV connection was the one reason why I dismissed Joe when I first heard him around ten years ago. I just thought - he's just an SRV clone. And I LOVE SRV, even to the point of having an SRV Strat! But I don't play like him. And I thought if I want to hear someone who sounds like SRV then I'll just listen to Texas Flood.
It's only since he's developed into his own artist (and switched to Les Paul it must be said!) that I've grown to obsessively love him - circa Albert Hall 2009 and beyond. And boy am I glad to be into him now.
Waching the Rockpalast DVD there are moments where his playing is SO SRV. Especially in You Upset Me Baby there is a point where he plays a note for note solo of SRV playing So Excited.
Of course it means that I've missed the chance of seeing him at some tiny venues over the years but there's nothing I can do about that now!
Just my 2c, but I think earlier in his career he had to fight the inevitable "SRV Clone" comparisons many young players face, especially when he was playing w/ strat and more SRV-like material. It took some time to break away from that. To be fair, to my ears I do hear the SRV influence on his earlier albums, although there were certainly more and bigger influences.
The choice of cover tunes is tricky - you have to stay true to the spirit, but you have to add your own spin also. If your'e going to cover SRV, you'd better be adding something because the eyes of Sauron (aka blues police as well as blues haters) will be on you. It's like covering Stairway to Heaven. SRV was just so iconic. Of course, I think Joe could do an amazing version of any number of SRV songs if he chose to. The time has to be right and the song has to be right, like any cover song from any artist. I'm not sure it's even a conscious choice to not do SRV, so much as a choice of "what songs would be right for the next album/tour."
Just my 2c.
+10 for the "Eyes of Sauron" :-D
I've encountered many of said policemen on the Highway to Mordor. The YouTube comment section - you will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.
Obviously, Joe can play anything he wants and do it well. I my opinion, we have enough "Texas Bluesmen".
Here is a quote from Joe a few years back where he talks about being compared to SRV......
I switched to the Les Paul 2 years ago for two reasons.. ?1. The music took me there were I kept grabbing for it unknowingly and before you know it Im playing one 90% of the time.??2. I preface this with that I love the music and playing of Stevie Ray Vaughn.. But it seemed that I couldnt play a note without a comparison to SRV. Its great and Im very honored. But I used to play a Rachmaninoff piece in my shows and people still said it sounded SRV playing a violin. I was like this is nuts. So I switched to the most radical 180 degree change I could think off. The Gibson Les Paul. ??Now I found a home with a Les Paul and have almost forgotten my time on a strat. Two great guitars that helped shape music history. Buts its a personal taste thing. Can discuss it til the end of time.?
Well, the way I remember it is joe felt very slighted by something Fender did... And ditched the Fenders entirely for quite awhile. I'll leave it at that because I have my recollection but it may not be 100% accurate.
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