Stevie Ray Vaughan's second album, Couldn't Stand the Weather, pretty much did everything a second album should do: it confirmed that the acclaimed debut was no fluke, while matching, if not bettering, the sales of its predecessor, thereby cementing Vaughan's status as a giant of modern blues. So why does it feel like a letdown? Perhaps because it simply offers more of the same, all the while relying heavily on covers. Of the eight songs, half are covers, while two of his four originals are instrumentals -- not necessarily a bad thing, but it gives the impression that Vaughan threw the album together in a rush, even if he didn't. Nevertheless, Couldn't Stand the Weather feels a bit like a holding pattern, since there's no elaboration on Double Trouble's core sound and no great strides forward, whether it's in Vaughan's songwriting or musicianship. Still, as holding patterns go, it's a pretty enjoyable one, since Vaughan and Double Trouble play spiritedly throughout the record. With its swaggering, stuttering riff, the title track ranks as one of Vaughan's classics, and thanks to a nuanced vocal, he makes W.C. Clark's "Cold Shot" his own. The instrumentals -- the breakneck Lonnie Mack-styled "Scuttle Buttin'" and "Stang's Swang," another effective demonstration of Vaughan's jazz inclinations -- work well, even if the original shuffle "Honey Bee" fails to make much of an impression and the cover of "Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)" is too reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix's original. So, there aren't many weaknesses on the record, aside from the suspicion that Vaughan didn't really push himself as hard as he could have, and the feeling that if he had, he would have come up with something a bit stronger. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
I don't think SRV was simply an imitation of JH...if you listen to the Voodoo Child cover, I think what comes out is that SRV really gets the music, owns it, and could play in that vein with perfect flow forever. Mastery of a form is something different than imitation. I agree with dhmcdoosey about the 1980s...did you ever seem him play? It was astonishing.
As usual, I am in total disagreement with Mr. Erlewine. Who else was playing the blues in the early 1980s? No one of any consequence. SRV was the standout guitarist of my generation. He was a phenomenal talent who could play the acoustic 12 string or a stirring rendition of Hendrix. Not bad for a guy who couldn't read music. His versions of 'Hide Away' and "The Sky is Crying" blow Clapton's out of the water. So to the reviewer I say, I'll take more of the same."
S.R.V.did a lot with his career. he was largely a pioneer with his music....and that of others.... I last saw him @ the Columsieum in Monroe, La..... to say it sucked does not quite cover the performance. . . Drunk, Hi, and worthless is being charatable.. . . The security folks escorted
I DONT KNOW WHO THIS NO PLAYING F**K IS THAT WROTE THIS REVIEW BUT HE COULDNT KEEP STEVIES JOCK WARM !!! HOLDING PATTERN MY A** HOLD THIS OR BETTER YET LEARN TO PLAY THEN MEET ME ON ANY STAGE SO I CAN KICK YOUR A** STEVIE LIKE JIMMI IS A ONCE IN A LIFETIME!!!!!
i am sorry but no one covered a Jimi and got away with it...every single cover i heard (and i heard a few) is just garbage compared to the originals. On the other hand, any song Jimi covered he vamped to heights the original artists didn't think possible.
Too reminiscent of Hendrix my A**! Even taking into consideration the fact that Stevie had 15 or so years to work on Jimi's formula, this version of Voodoo Chile kicks some serious a** all over the original. Stevie did get albums done quickly. I read an interview with the guy who produced the first album. He said to his great pleasure it was quick and bidnis-like. He set up the mics and dialed everything in, Stevie and the guys just played their bar set, pretty much one take on everything.
I don't agree with the reviewer either, again. For me this is SRV's best. I have spent many hours in the car with the title cut and "rude mood" cranked to the max. In my opinion, Stevie never again matched the raw power that he exhihibited on this album. He later became a better musician but lost the emotional pain one needs for this kind of blues.
I do not agree with the review "above", I feel this is one of SRV's best albums. I wore out my original copy of the LP introducing SRV to my friends. I saw him in 83' where he entertained everyone with Voodoo Child (SR) prior to the release of this album. The highlight of the night, right after breaking a string during a spirited intro to Pride and Joy was his embarrassed comment - in his unique drawal - "Well, so much fer the suur-priiise . "
Since SRV never did anything exactly the same twice, I reckon he was right on target with doing "more of the same." The world will never have enough truly great axmen like SRV. I say we should all just enjoy the music, mourn his loss, and pray that the Good Lord let him take a spiritual copy of his strat to heaven.