Powerful oral biography

Texas Flood: The Inside Story of Stevie Ray Vaughan This is a review of the audiobook version of “Texas Flood”. I have said if this was a hardcover book, I couldn’t have put it down. I couldn’t stop listening. This is a unique style of biography: an oral biography told by family, friends, contemporaries with quotes from Stevie. Instead of reading, you can hear these persons telling the story to the listener on audiobook. It is compelling to hear joy, incredulity and pain in the voices of band mates about what they personally experienced and what they saw happening with their friend Stevie. You hear Chris Layton’s recollection of trying to pull off great things while basically homeless; the talented bassist Tommy, having been banned from playing by a judge finding a way back to music with Stevie; Reese’s joy at being at his creative best working with Stevie’s ideas. The talented guitarist Jimmie Vaughan’s perspective of the music scene, working with his brother Stevie, and dealing with the unbelievably tragic loss of Stevie right after an unbelievably happy performance at Alpine is stirring. The audiobook can complement the hardcover-that has lots of photographs- by offering clips of actual recordings of interviews with Stevie. Stevie Ray Vaughan is recognized as the great musician and kind human being he was remembered by contemporaries. He fell and got up over and over-totally dedicated to his art. The description of the lifestyle of Stevie and other struggling artists who get entangled in the web of substances and corrupt handlers is powerful as is the the ultimate rejection and escape from this negativity. The tragedy of SRV’s death cannot take away the triumph of the greatest guitar playing of his life.

11 people found this helpful

Amazing

I was only a year and half old when Stevie Ray Vaughan died. But growing up in South Texas his music was a staple, especially in my household. I began playing guitar at the age of 19 and his music was and still is my inspiration when I play. This book gets you on the inside of what went on throughout his life and keeps your attention throughout the entire story. I would recommend it to everyone and I could listen to it over and over again.

5 people found this helpful

Great insight

I was only mildly familiar with Stevie ray vaugn’s music, but did really like what I knew of it. This story was surprising, inspiring, and of course sad at the end, but I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to hear Stevie’s music that I was not familiar with before.

3 people found this helpful

Gut wrenching - Download This Book!

I remember well Stevie’s passing. I was 19. I’d only been turned on to him about a year before, but I was a full fledged fan. The music was like nothing I ever heard, so real and full of heart and intensity and joy and virtuosity. I’d taken up the guitar a year or two before. I sucked at it but practiced hard and listened to as much great guitar playing as I could. That put SRV&DT on heavy rotation. His death was devastating. His music made you feel like you knew him and it was probably pretty true in a sense. This book captures all that truth. It confirms the sense that there was no dividing line between where he ended and his music began. There’s no making sense of his tragic, untimely death. Still, his story is about more than loss. He came back from the brink and saved those around him too. He showed that you could clean up and start over, and he did a lot of good by everyone he could. That’s no small thing. Bonnie Raitt says as much, for one example. And the music - In Step and Family Style prove his inspiration and talent were undiminished. It’s hard not to focus on what was lost, but focusing on that is failing to appreciate the singular, amazing gift his music and his presence was to the world. He left us too soon, but his life didn’t end in tragedy the way Jimi’s did. Stevie found redemption and took that time he was given to give of himself. Yeah, we all want more - he deserved so much more - but we know he gave us more than we could ever ask.

2 people found this helpful

Excellent read for any SRV fan

Texas Flood was an excellent dive into the life of SRV, from his childhood, rise to stardom, his deep fall from drug addiction, and ultimately his triumphant return to the top clean and sober before his untimely death. The book is a mixture of narration and quotes and I found it somewhat hard to follow for the first couple chapters, but once I got used to it the variations in delivery made sense and gave a great insight into SRV from the people closest to him. I would highly recommend it for anyone thats an SRV or music history fan. The only thing I would have like some closing comments on is what became of his bandmates careers after SRV’s death.

2 people found this helpful

Awesome

If you are a fan of SRV then you owe it to yourself to listen to this book. The book is very in depth and all events are told from the actual people that was there and involved, truly a fabulous book...... THANK YOU FOR THIS BOOK

1 person found this helpful

Wow what an amazing story.

listening to it, with all the emotion and feelings of the speakers gave it a special feel.

1 person found this helpful

Most amazing book I have ever listened to!

This audiobook is stunning, they actually captured the essence of SRV through the good and the bad. You laugh, shake you head in wonder and cry! It is an awesome listen!!!

1 person found this helpful

I don't like back to back quotes

My problem lies with the fact this is a collection of QUOTES, not a linear story - it feels like I should be watching a VH1 behind the music without the video - rather than listening to a Story about SRV. The quotes are nice, but not every unearthed quote strung back to back to back. Again, it's me, not you. So if quotes are your thing, this is great.

2 people found this helpful

Exceeded my expectations.

First and foremost I've been a fan of SRV since I can remember. I would guess I was about 6 or 7 when my dad was playing his vhs recording of Austin city limits and I was mesmerized. I didn't know it for a few more years but the blues was in my blood. I say that to say this...whether you're a fan of the blues or guitar..hell even if you don't like music I think you'll enjoy this book. Texas Flood is about destiny. Told by the people who knew him best you get all the little details. Stevie wasn't perfect off the stage but he couldn't be topped on it. Luckily he got a chance to overcome his demons before the tragic ending which will leave you in tears. I'd be stunned to hear anyone didn't like this book if they gave it a real listen.