One of the first blues albums which ever grabbed me as it were in the late 90`s when I first started liking the stuff was the 1998 JIMMY VAUGHAN release OUT THERE, Jimmy being the older and probably what you'd say less adventurous and innovative brother of the late blues guitar legend STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN.
Of all the albums of Jimmy's I have listened to only one for my liking is comparable to his blues virtuoso brother who created classic texas blues epics like TEXAS FLOOD, LITTLE WING, PRIDE AND JOY and COULDN'T STAND THE WEATHER, the latter being the title song off what is regarded by most as STV's very best effort.
Jimmy put in some storming performances in the 80`s while a member of the FABULOUS THUNDERBIRDS, a more rock blues orientated outfit who created some classic ballsy blues rock with rock'n'roll nuances, perfect examples being the songs LOOK AT THAT, LOOK AT THAT, TUFF ENUF and ROCK THIS JOINT.
Certainly by the time 1998 come around Jimmy had become more of an introspective musician in the aftermath of SRV's 1990 death, OUT THERE lacked the party atmosphere of his work with the FABULOUS THUNDERBIRDS but it proved to be his most innovative release, particularly evident on the title track and opening track LIKE A KING, the latter song being tweaked in the studio by legendary funk rock producer NILE RODGERS.
Besides this song, Jimmy produced the rest of the album himself. THE IRONIC TWIST is a blistering instrumental, POSITIVELY MEANT TO BE is a very good attempt at recording a blues ballad with an intentional mono 4-track feel, while ASTRAL PROJECTION BLUES gives full vent to Jimmy's dazzling and underrated telecaster showmanship.
There are a couple of weak tracks, like KINKY WOMAN, but out of the ten tracks, six are certainly up there with SRV. Without a doubt, LIKE A KING and OUT THERE are the cream of the crop.
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