Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble: Live From Austin, Texas

Few guitarists ever mastered the Fender Stratocaster like the late, great Texas bluesman Stevie Ray Vaughan, and this priceless digital video disc collects both of the sizzling appearances that Vaughan and his solid band, Double Trouble, made on the PBS concert series Austin City Limits. Combined to form the most popular program in the show's distinguished history, the concerts were taped in 1983 and 1989; both provide a valuable portrait of Vaughan's astounding artistic development. The performances serve as bookends to Vaughan's brilliant career with Double Trouble, showing (in the words of producer Terry Lickona) a striking contrast between "zero self-confidence" and "pure magic," but in both cases you can see a master at work. Songs include "Pride and Joy," "Texas Flood," "Voodoo Chile," "Cold Shot," and "Riviera Paradise." This great-sounding DVD also includes the posthumous music video "Little Wing," featuring clips of Double Trouble and archival footage of blues greats from the 1920s to the mid-1990s. If you're even a part-time blues fan, Stevie Ray Vaughan: Live from Austin, Texas is a must-have disc. --Jeff Shannon

1 Stevie is awesome; this DVD is not
If you're a SRV fan you'll enjoy any material you can get, however, this DVD will leave you wanting more. It's not an entire concert; it's hacked bits and pieces.

2 5 stars for Stevie - picture quality lacking though
He showcased his talents on this dvd. What can you say...if you want to see him do his thing, this has it. Awesome display of talent. I haven't seen many other dvd's of his so maybe they would be a bit clearer than the video work on this one, but well worth owning just for the footage in Austin. I'd buy it again.

3 Whoever edited this concert should be shot !!!
Stevie was one of the most amazing guitarist that I have ever seen.I saw him in concert twice.He was absolutely amazing.I really enjoy the Austin City Limits sets.The second set with Stevie clean&sober is the better of the two.Just the solo on "Leave My Girl Alone" is worth the cost.Watching Stevie change a broken string in the middle of a song without missing a beat,that was incredible.
However I do have one problem with this show.Too many cuts.After one song you can see the cut because Stevie is using another Strat.He goes into the introduction of "Couldn`t Stand The Weather" then ther is another cut and now he is playing another guitar and doing a different song.The rest of the 2nd set is missing.It is on the DVD on the box set.
The Dummy that edited the film should be shot.He did a terrible job.He put flaws in this special musical diamond.

4 Stevie is Awsome
I bought this DVD to add to my SRV collection and I am so glad I did. The first three songs form the 1983 concert show Stevie as a talented guitarist. Texas Flood is played with such emotion. Moving forward to the 89 concert, Cold Shot and Crossfire send shivers down my spine! His blistering solos are unbelievable. This DVD shows footage of a concert that has been on PBS. I bought it thinking that it would be the same songs, but some songs are different and the camera angles are different. Buy this DVD and you will not be dissapointed.

5 One of the coolest DVD's ever!!!!!!!
I own this DVD and I think that it is one of the greatest. The solo for the organ on "Cold Shot" is one of the hottest ever. And don't get me started on the music video for "Little Wing". This is a must collector's item whoever like Stevie Ray Vaughn. And even if you don't, take a gander and see how you like it.

6 Great DVD for the memories of SRV
This DVD brings back the essential SRV. I first saw him on Austin City Limits, and after seeing it a second time on DVD, we forget how crafted a Blues guitar player he was. As for the review by "stratocaster4life", not everyone can play blues guitar. Maybe you are so gifted you can play better than BB King, SRV, Steve Vai or Satriani. My guess is you can't. I agree with some of your guitar gods such as Via and Satriani. I saw them both live. But Malmsteen? He is all technique and no feelings. Blues guitar comes from passion and heart. I play a little guitar...I'm really a keyboard player that has played with many guitar players. Anyone can be fast, flashy and bending the whamming bar. Blues style is can't be taught.

7 Fantastic gig, but little atmosphere.
A. Singharath "stratocaster4Life" is just plain wrong. He has made the very common mistake that speed is an acceptable alternative for talent. SRV had more raw talent than all the players he lists put together (who are, lets face it, all phenomenal players in their own styles). But his style was very different. SRV never ran out of ideas half way through a lick, his runs flow seamlessly into each other, he rarely played one riff followed by another for the next phrase he just kept going, it is pretty unique. Listen to what Eric Clapton has to say about SRV. I have this DVD in a French package and apart from the fact that the audience is sitting down in a rather controlled sort of way, you cannot fault SRV's playing. I agree it is shorter than it should have been, there is only a finite amount of recorded material so please let's see it all! It is good to see some footage with Reese Wynans in it, he is such a great player and really lifted the bar even higher. I would recommend this DVD to anyone, particularly those small minded people who think that their personal favourite guitar players are the only ones who can play. And please don't say "it's only blues" - your ignorance is showing! Open your ears, this is very good music. Enjoy!

8 Great DVD
This DVD is SRV's best. It has all of his most famous songs and is the only DVD that Riveria Paradise is on. Leave My Girl alone is my favorite song. The sound and camera angles are very good. The guy about five reviews down is a complete idiot. To say that SRV isn't a great guitarist is a complete joke. I would definitaly buy this DVD.

9 GRANDE STEVE, EL MEJOR !!!
Tremenda selecci—n que nos presenta este DVD, rescatando el legado de Steve Ray Vaughan. En tŽrminos generales, es una hora de ardiente blues que se acerca al rock, con los Double Trouble acompa–ando el total disimulo (similar a la Banda de Jimi Hendrix); buenisimos y ardientes solos de guitarra del gran Steve con un tratamiento de c‡mara sencillo y eficiente ya que el director respeta los solos y los fragmentos de las canciones. Y al final el melanc—lico video clip de LITTLE WINGS..

10 Brilliant, of course...
Stevie Vaughan and Double Trouble always seemed at their best in small, intimate venues like Austin City Limits. Stevie is brilliant, as always, and the band's version here of "Voodoo Chile" is my favorite, even over their countless other live versions on CD. Double Trouble are often overlooked by fans, and unjustly so. Chris Layton plays with the kind of effortless "groove" that Jack Bruce once attributed to Ginger Baker; Tommy Shannon's bass on "Voodoo Chile" is just plain funky. The presence of Reese Wynans at the '89 show, while anathema to so-called purists, is a blessing for real music fans. Just listen to his work on "Riviera Paradise."

Back to Stevie: this DVD is a virtual instructional video for guitar students. The camera work is heavy on close-ups of Stevie's picking, strumming, and fingering. He really uses his instrument, and God bless Fender for loading their Stratocasters with so many tools. Going back to "Voodoo Chile" again, watch how much Stevie plays with the pickup selector, volume, and tone knobs to get the sounds he wants.

My favorite part of this DVD comes in a break between "Cold Shot" and "Crossfire": in the silence between songs, Stevie pokes fun at himself by shooting one of his trademark sneers at the audience. This elicits a laugh from the people, and Stevie in turn breaks out into a toothy grin. Then make sure your home theater system is cranked up, because right before the band starts "Crossfire" Stevie lets rip a little diddle on the low end that always raises the hair on the back of my neck. It's very quick and easy to miss, but in that one-second burst we get a sense of the massive reservoir of raw energy and talent from which Stevie drew for his relatively controlled performances. And the warmth and brightness from that old, beat-up, Marshall-driven '59 Strat are absolutely amazing. At least in Stevie Ray Vaughan's hands, anyway...

11 Great footage of a true Blues master.
Pay no attention to the 80's hairband moron who wrote the bad review. Stevie proves that you don't have to play a Paganini Caprice at lighning speed to play with heart and soul. If you love the blues or simply love to see an true artist express himself with complete abandon, buy this DVD.

12 bla

why are you praising this guy so much? he was just playing the blues! anyone can do that now-a-days! i thought the dvd was boring and was another blues artist. big freakin' deal!

you want some real guitar master, search for steve vai, joe satriani, yngwie malmsteen, john petrucci, tony mcalpine, etc... these are the true guitar gods!

lets be real here, the dvd was crap. don't waste your money on it.

13 The Very Best At Austin City Limits!!!!!
What a truely memorable performence done by Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble live at the austin city limits (Austin Texas). I truely beleive this is one of the best Stevie Ray Vaughan DVD's out on the market as well as his two performences at the austin city limit both in 83, and 89. Of course Stevie Ray Vaughan was alot younger in 83 perhaps his twenties with a rawer sound, and when he came back in 89 he was a whole differnt person with a cleaner sound still playing his "Heart Out"!. From the start Pride And Joy, Texas Flood, and Voodoo Chile are the best three songs from the 1983 performence at austin city limits and the only three songs, the 1989 performence is even better including a great blues tunes like Leave My Girl Alone, and The House Is Rockin'.

The bonus material includes Interactive Menus, High Quality Dolby Digital Surround Sound, Dolby Stereo, English Subtitles/Lyrics, and Instant Acess To All Of The Songs. Cold Shot is one of my favorite songs on this movie, so is Crossfire. I think for any music fan this will be truely a memorable performence for anybody. Their is an added bonus video included titled Little Wing which is really cool with rare glimpses of blues greatest Hendrix, Leadbelly, and T-Bone Walker. They also take you a behind scences look in the manufaucter room, and greats such as Albert King holding Stevie Ray Vaughan's signature guitar models in the video: Little Wing. This is a must have......TRUELY!!Highly Recomened!

14 gret dvd
to me this is one those dvds you just cant get enough of. when you listen to it' you just want to listen to it once again and again thats how it is for me. stevie really shows his stuff on this one. leave my girl alone theres no words to put on here how good that one is. you just listen and watch for your self and find out. the second part to the 1989 videos can be found on the srv box set 2000.i wish they would have put it all on there as well. theres been talk about other dvds to come out soon and well like every other srv fan im still waiting? and then theres the movie talk to caught in the crossfire. now we all know he should have had a movie about his life come out a long time ago. buy this dvd you'll be glad you did. a fan always

15 Wrong songs!
I watched the DVD and was immediately disappointed. I saw the original two performances in 1983 and 1989 (on TV of course). His second performance in 1989 was far more powerful. His rendition of Voodoo Chile was somewhat tame in the 1983 episode that you get on this DVD whereas the 1989 performance was his best ever. Even better than the El Macombo. This was not on the DVD of course. This DVD is a typical Sony ripoff. Until they give the entire 1989 performance on DVD, Live from the El Macombo is the best example of SRV's genius.

16 A Great DVD!!
As a huge Stevie fan, I gotta say that this DVD is really great. It has alot of great songs with some kick-ass guitar work! If you are or you aren't in to Stevie, you'll still like it. Plus, it has a pretty moving music video of Little Wing.
If you're considering getting this DVD, do it! Its worth it!

17 Still selling this?
Geez, I never buy music from dead guys. That's why Bing Crosby and Sinatra are still so popular.

18 Not as good as El Mocambo
Don't get me wrong, this is a good DVD. After all, its SRV live! You can't really go wrong with that. However, if you are a Guitar player (like me) the performance at El Mocambo was much better. He was into each song much more and it showcased his playing more. Voodoo Chile on this one compared to the El Mocambo aren't even close.

Also, in El Mocambo there is a song where he is just sitting in a chair, eyes closed, lost in his playing. Just incredible stuff. There is nothing like that in this one. Again, this is a good DVD. But, if you are a guitar player looking to see SRV at his best, get live at El Mocambo. If you are looking for best sound and video quality, get this one.

19 Missing Stevie Ray.....
If you are a guitar player, you know what a talent Stevie was.
A huge loss to the music and more specifically the guitar world.
This was my first DVD pruchase and I love it.
If you critique the sound, and are dissapointed with it, you are missing the point. Simply watching Stevie play was enough for me. Makes playing the guitar look easy, which it isn't.
The contrasts between the two Austin performances was good, giving us a look at two phases in Stevie (and DT) music career.

A "must" purchase for the guitar player, and, a great addition to anyone who can appreciate good blues and rock music.
Missin you Stevie.

20 AUSTIN CITY LIMITS: SRV
Stevie Ray Vaughan was one of the best guitarist that ever lived. He died 1990 in a helicopter and alot of people missed a chance to see him perform live. Most of Stevie Ray Vaughans best guitar playing was when he played live. Now on DVD every one can see a Stevie Ray Vaughan performence once and for all. This austin city limits performence is filled with great songs. The first set Stevie Ray Vaughan played Pride and Joy, Texas Flood, and Voodoo Chile(slight return). I have to say on the first set on this DVD Stevie seemed nervous with the crowd. When the second set occured in 1989 things seemed much better with Stevie's performence playing. He came out with Tightrope which was off of his In Step album. Then he played You Better Leave My Little Girl Alone stevie went crazy on his fret-board playing his with his blues abilites. Stevie was a great blues guitarist Texas Flood and You Better Leave My Girl Alone were two of his best blues songs ever. Stevie played cold shot and a few more songs before the concert was over. This performence to me was one of his best Stevie always played his heart out which you will see on this DVD. There is also a bonus video Little Wing its very cool going in a guitar factory including Hendrix and other great guitarist. I rated this 5 stars it deserves it I first saw this on VHS the picture quality was crappy when I bought the DVD the picture quality was out of this world. For any guitarist buy this also another great SRV DVD is Live At Elbacomba check it out in my other reviews. Enjoy!

21 The Man!
This is a GREAT concert!

Video is good and the audio too. There are a few songs that have different mixes but all in all, BUY IT!

22 "SRV and Double Trouble Shine in Austin, TX!"
This is probably the best music DVD that I currently own, along with "Jimi Plays Berkeley", "Jimi Hendrix: Live at the Isle of Wight", and "Stevie Ray Vaughan: Live at the El Macambo." I first bought this concert on VHS in 2000, and later purchased it on DVD in 2003, which is of much better quality. Highlights include renditions of "Voodoo Chile (Hendrix)" & "Leave My Girl Alone (Buddy Guy)", plus Stevie's own "Crossfire", "Pride & Joy", "Tightrope", "The House Is Rockin'", "Riviera Paradise", and an extended "Cold Shot."
The best song is obviously "Voodoo Chile", which is much cleaner than the 1968 original by Hendrix. This DVD actually taught me to play that song. I would keep replaying that track until I got each and every riff down perfectly. Now, I can somewhat play "Voodoo Chile" the way Stevie did some 20 years ago. Also check out the bonus video for "Little Wing", another Hendrix song redone by SRV and his award winning band, Double Trouble.

23 Awsome
Pure magnificent Tight rope was pure magic and he showed his love toward music and the entire DVD is great.

24 First-rate performance, second-rate production
I wish the audio and video quality of this DVD were as good as the DVD in the SRV boxset which is from the same show on Austin City Limits. If that were the case this DVD would rate a 5.

25 kickin
This DVD amazes me every time I play it and I've played it alot(well, when the kids and wife are out of the house). SRV was just a magical blues guitarist that you could see he put his heart and soul into playing.It's much better than just a CD. You will see him in two of his early concerts on Austin City Limits (a good program in it's own right)and it shows the power and energy this guy possesed. He playes many of his best tunes on this one.You won't be dissapointed with this DVD at all. It should be in your collection TODAY!

26 Must have it!!!
No words, just SVR great performance, a really must have it!!!

27 Outstanding
Amazing performances from the absolute king of blues,
no one could tear in to a song like stevie could i.m.h.o

I just wish they could release more DVD's from his short and outstanding recording carreer.

28 Good Quality, but no special features/lyrics.
Well if u bought this you're a Stevie fan (I am). Terry Lickona on the back of the DVD describes Stevie in 1983 as "nervous paranoid and insecure with zero self confidence and big time sweating the whole night". He obviously doesn't know Stevie. Stevie expressed his emotion through his music equally at the start and at the end of his career. Nothing has changed in his musical life, despite learning about the importance of some spiritual values. He was NEVER nervous on stage (except for those club nights when he was 14 and just starting out). And concerning the sweating - its not about the self confidence, Its about giving it ALL U GOT in every song. Terry Lickona go take a hike.

29 Great Performances, Disappointing Production
There are some incredible performances on this DVD, but unfortunately, I saw the Austin City Limits programs they were taken from. How the producers decided to keep the songs they kept and cut the ones they cut is beyond me. Why not offer one or two DVDs with the entire Autin City Limits programs intact? All of the songs in both of the original performances were "keepers". Any "chaff", if there was any, had already been cut by the Austin City Limits folks. Any further editing could only diminish the final product. And it did.

Another gripe is that the sound on this DVD has been compressed in a way that makes me constantly wish my ears would pop. Why the producers thought this was necessary is another mystery. The sound of the televised performances was, if not perfect, MUCH more realistic and listenable than the sound on the DVD. This is downright sad because the DVD medium is capable of so much MORE than TV sound and in this case you get less.

My 3 star rating is not meant to say anything about Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble, who were one of my favorite bands and arguably one of the best of all time. It is rather a complaint against the tone-deaf, musically challeged folks in the record industry who feel they have to leave their substandard mark on an otherwise stellar piece of artistic material.

If the music buying public is lucky, someday someone will re-release the SRV Austin City Limits pieces in their entirety with professionally engineered sound tracks.

If you're a dyed-in-the-wool SRV fan, you will want to own this DVD anyway, but if you're not buying everything that Double Trouble ever released as a matter of principle and want something truly representative of how good the band could really be, I can recommend "Live At The El Macambo" without reservation. It's one of the best live performances, by anyone, ever captured on video.

30 SRV does his thing
I have to come clean. I am not a Stevie Ray Vaughan fan... never have been, never will be. I bought this dvd as a concession to my wife, who thinks SRV is the greatest guitar player ever. The very fact that I would give this four stars is testament to the fact that it is extremely well done and anyone who is even remotely an SRV fan would undoubtedly give it five stars. You will never catch me playing this in my wife's absence, but to all you SRV fans... Buy it and enjoy.

31 Superbly great stuff but what about the outtakes?
This video is wonderful...the first section from 1983 shows Stevie as being very nervous and unsure.... But the rest of the video from 1989 shows him extremely confident and blowing a fuse!... He was clean by 1989 and it shows.
Now to answer a very good question by one of the last reviewers..YES ...there was much more to this last 1989 concert.
They left out quite alot more thats why the video seems so brief.I just don't know WHY they didn't include ALL of the concert!
I recently saw on television the rest of this "Austin City Limits " concert and they left out some AMAZING footage!
For example, there should've been included the songs " Look at little sister" "Pride & joy" "Rude Mood", "May I have a talk with you" (which has the most PHENOMENAL guitar solo ever...full of unbelievable string glissando!)
He even breaks a string during it because of his vicious attack on his Strat, but carries on undeterred a(nd causing great applause from the crowd), in true Buddy Guy fashion!
Then he does "Couldn't stand the weather" and there's a blues jam instrumental with W.C Clark. -----To crown it all he ends with a BLINDING version of "Voodoo Chile" that blew me outta my chair(the best version I have ever seen of him doing it on film!) Also there are short interviews with Tommy Shannon and Chris Layton...both who are holding back their tears as they speak about their 10 years they spent with one of the 'humblest of people that ever lived". This part literally had me in tears also.
Maybe one day they will release onto DVD/Video the rest of these AWESOME film trax from Austin C.L, but until then I would still give this selection on this video 5 stars because, quite frankly, it's still SRV at his best.
It's such a damn shame he is not around because this guy was just warming up! There wouldn't be many today that could keep up with him if he was still around. You could tell he wasn't just influenced by other Blues/Rock players but he was deeply influenced by some 'heavy ' jazz guitarists (Grant Green , Wes Montgomery and Kenny Burrell)
"Riviera Paradise" on this video proves that point. One of the finest guitar solos ever done in the history of music.

32 Wanting A Little Bit More
Stevie Ray Vaughan was one awesome guitar player and underatted singer. The footage of the two concerts is a joy to watch. The second concert is a little better because it feature the talents of keyboardist, Reese Wynas who is a perfect foil for Stevie.

However, this video should be so much longer. It clocks in at a mere 63 minutes and features three songs from one concert, six from another, the closing credits, and video clips of great guitarists with Little Wing playing in the background. All these scene changes are disruptive to the viewer. Also, more songs are needed. Nothing from the Soul to Soul record.

Whereas Stevie Ray was a blue ribbon talent, I am sure there are more comprehensive concerts feature this late legend.

33 "...YOU'LL NEVER BE THE SAME..."
IT WAS LATE. I ROLLED INTO THE QUIET STUDIO DOWN AN ALLEY ON THE BACKSIDE OF THE CITY. (SAN FRANCISCO). I WAS TIRED, BUT I SPOTTED THE VIDEO MY FRIEND HAD PUT ASIDE FOR ME. IT WAS A LIVE TAPING OF STEVIE RAY VAUGHN & DT... ON IT, A HANDWRITTEN NOTE: "JACK~ WATCH THIS~ YOU'LL NEVER BE THE SAME..."
I SLID IT IN THE PLAYER, YAWNED AND WENT BACK TO THE KITCHEN AND POPPED SOME BUTTERY CORN. 5 MIN. LATER I RE-ENTERED THE STUDIO AND STOOD BEFORE THE LARGE TV...I DROPPED THE BAG OF POPCORN AND LET IT LIE, FOR I WAS HELD CAPTIVE TO THE MOST INCREDIBLE GUITAR PLAYING I HAD EVER SEEN! I WITNESSED A METEORIC EVENT! I FELT ALMOST GUILTY, BUT PRIVLEDGED TO SEE SOMETHING SO RARE...SO COMPLETELY ENGROSSING! I FELT, (AND STILL DO) INVIGORATED, WIDE ALIVE! IF I HAD ONE CHOICE ONLY, NO HESITATION, THIS SPELLBINDING TAPE & RECORDING WOULD BE IT! I FINALLY SWEPT UP THE COLD POPCORN AT 6:30 AM. I BUNDLED THE TAPE UP UNDER MY JACKET AND STEPPED UPBEAT AND STEADY INTO THE HAZY FOG OF JUST ANOTHER MORNING, BUT ENLIGHTENED...NO, "I NEVER WOULD BE THE SAME!"

34 Guitar Legend!
Man could Stevie Ray play! This man was a guitar genius and the music world suffered a huge loss when he passed on in 1990. Fortunately, we have these great videos like this one so we can still watch Stevie play. There are 11 live performances and a video collage at the end of the DVD set to the music of 'Little Wing'. The first 3 performances were filmed in 1983, the other 7 are from October 1989, and all are taken from his only 2 performances on the "Austin City Limits" broadcasts. Simply amazing, this man poured his heart and soul into his music. Double Trouble are an excellent backup band, but Stevie steals the show. He does an amazing cover of the Jimi Hendrix classic 'Voodoo Chile'. The part in 'Texas Flood' during the '83 show where Stevie plays that solo behind his back is just unbelievable and amazing. My fav part of the '89 performance is 'Riviera Paradise', his performance is gripping. All songs are great, and I'm amazed every time I watch this concert. If you want to see some great guitar playing, then get this one and treat yourself to some lightnin' fast blues. What are you waiting for? ROCK ON!

35 Great preformance but sound quality is poor
This DVD deserves five stars for preformance but for technical quality I would give it one star. I don't know how Sony could stamp the Dolby Digital logo on this disk when it sounds as bad as it does. When I play it on my Onkyo DS-595 I get no center channel output and the bass is terrible. I have the SRV box set and it contains a DVD with songs from the same 1989 concert and it sounds like Dolby Digital should.

36 Great SRV performance...shabby audio
I would rate Stevie Ray's performances 5 stars, the picture quality 4 stars, and the audio quality barely 2...which averages out to 4 stars for this DVD. The 3 tracks recorded in 1983 feature the worst sound; it's aggravating to see Chris Layton hit a cymbal hard, but to hear no crash of said cymbal, and this pretty much sums up the overall audio quality of those tracks. The sound is a bit better in the 1989 performances, with the exception of "The House is Rocking," which actually sounds like it was dubbed from a cheap cassette tape. Just how awful the audio is becomes more apparent when you view this set back-to-back with "One Night in Texas...," the DVD of outtakes from SRV's 1989 "Austin City Limits" performance (packed with the "SRV" box set, which features absolutely superb audio. I expect Epic eventually will re-release "Live from Austin, Texas" with 5.1 surround sound, forcing us all to purchase the updated version. Still, if you're a Stevie Ray fan, you NEED "Live from Austin, Texas."

37 Compared to PBS Broadcast...
Since others have well covered the music and playing (and, yes, I too have a lobe in my brain dedicated to SRV and the fellows of Double Trouble) I'd like to comment on the quality of the product. This applies to the VHS only, although I suspect that the DVD would be similar.
The 1989 Austin City Limits show lacked "Tightrope", which was later tacked on as a "Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan" to another PBS show, which featured Buddy Guy. I was able to tape both at the time of broadcast. The 1989 SRV PBS broadcast had reasonably punchy sound (although SRV's tone was most unusually fuzzy and buzzy on this show, and I can compare this to MANY shows recorded elsewhere). The sound and visual were in perfect synchronization.
I wondered why it took a company SO LONG to release SRV's '89 show, since reportedly this was one of the most-requested Austin City Limits shows. I was happy at the VHS release, since now SRV lovers who weren't bootleg collectors,could enjoy a live show... and immediately disappointed: the sound is sub-standard, compared to TV broadcast I'd taped, and OUT OF SYNCH with the visual.Hard to believe, folks, but this is a poor transfer. Yes, get it, but if able, acquire a tape of the original PBS broadcast. Incidentally, the SRV boxed set is supposed to have a DVD with several other outtakes from this show.Wish the releasing company would get it all together.
That said, the performances from 1989 are of classical-music level achievement. What do I mean? He is improvising less on the "In Step" songs' solos, rather playing well-worked out solos with classical perfection. (The House is a'Rockin', Crossfire, for example). On the other hand, he introduces a few new licks and turn-arounds on the Tightrope solo and it's great fun to compare THAT solo to versions of the song caught elsewhere (studio and concert bootlegs).His version of Buddy Guy's "You'd Better Leave My Woman Alone" almost out-does Buddy Guy (who can be seen doing the song on the PBS Austin City Limits show that presented "Tightrope")
DO BUY the "Live from the El Mocambo" circa 1983 VHS (or DVD?). That is astonishing, with great camera work, many close-ups of his fingering... watch out for flying sweat!! Several of his renditions (Texas Flood and So Excited) are absolutely among the finest he recorded. Since many, many SRV concerts are traded on videotape by collectors, I hope more might make it to commercial release before another decade goes by. To my thinking, "El Mocambo" shows a wonderful human being at a peak of ingenuity, creativity, and physical mastery of a demanding musical instrument. To a question "what are people capable of at their very best?", I'd say :"Watch this!".

38 Must for Stevie Ray Vaughan fans!
The descriptions of this vidio say Stevie Ray was nervous or not sure in the first 1983 and confident in the last 1989. Stevie Ray Vaughan was tremendous throughout this entire video. Stevie Ray Vaughan is not a man performing for an audiance, but a man pouring his soul out before an audiance. You can see a before and after change in his appearance (life change), but his guitar work was great on both sides.

39 welllll......
Stevie Ray was a freakin genius! That's pretty much the bottom line. I'm a bit peeved at the producer Terry Lickona, who writes the notes on the back of this DVD. He seems to think stevie was parinoid, nervous and insecure for the first show. HELLOOOOOOO Mr. freakin genius, are you blind, deaf and dumb? The first four songs on this disk are AMAZING! And so what if he was all those things, he plays like no one else, period! Producers should shut up and produce and let us see the rest of the first show! HE IS A GREAT GUITAR PLAYER and I would enjoy watching him play in any condition!

Peace

40 My favorite of SRV's videos...
All are great, but I feel this one has the best audio. It is extremely clear.

Those songs from the show not found on this DVD, exist on a DVD included in the SRV box-set.

41 HIS SPIRIT AND MUSIC LIVE ON
The first song "Pride and Joy" starts off with Stevie playing a red guitar, wearing red shoes and playing RED HOT! WOW! From start to finish this is an AMAZING performance. Actually you get two, count 'em, TWO shows. One from 1983 (the first four songs) and then songs five through twelve are from Stevie's final performance in Austin City Limits, in 1989. I love both concerts but there is something extra special in the 1989 show. Stevie really CONNECTS to his audience, the band, and seems so full of joy. He makes a dedication of the gorgeous ballad "Riviera Paradise" to "all the people out there who are still suffering in any way."

I love every single song but my favorites here are "Pride And Joy", "Texas Flood", "Tightrope" (he really gets into this one, lemme tell ya--LOVE IT!), "Leave My Girl Alone", "Crossfire", and "Riviera Paradise."

Musically speaking, my impression is that he has an ABSOLUTELY SPECTACULAR style, PRESENTATION and PRESENCE. His use of pianisimos, crescendos, fortes and stops is the best I think I've ever heard outside of an orchestra. His voice is perfect with his music; he sings and plays simultaneously, yet EFFORTLESSLY. He FEELS every note and his phrasing and ATTACK of EACH note is PHENOMENAL. Stevie is nothing short of BRILLIANT to watch. It is like witnessing him step into another realm of reality!

I will never tire of music that is this passionate, intense and expressive. Oh what a loss that he is gone! But indeed his music and his spirit TRULY LIVE ON!

I must mention Reese Wynans, the keyboardist. He is the most brilliant keyboardist I've ever seen. What a team he and Stevie made! WOW! The bassist and drummer were great too! What a band! Also the Bonus Video Clip "Little Wing" is fantastic.

THIS IS ESSENTIAL FOR ANY SRV FAN! BUY IT NOW!

Mr. King himself sums up Stevie best: "I would describe him as a guitar master. He had made up his mind the guitar wasn't going to master him--he was gonna master it. And he did just that."

"Can I hear an amen?" Dan Forte

AMEN!

42 Who can compare to SRV?
In my relentless quest collect every piece of audio and video ever recorded of the man, you can imagine my delight when I got hold of this video. It comprises of footage from two concerts, one recorded in 1983 the other in 1989.

In the first concert he burns the place down; his playing has a volotile and almost 'raw' quality to it. He seems quite solemn, and plays nearly the entire set with his eyes closed, as though concentrating on the task at hand.

The footage from 1989 shows a much more confident, relaxed and refined musician. He seems to be really enjoying himself as he plays - smiling and interacting with the audience.

The camera work in this video is excellent. There are plenty of close-up shots of his massive fingers as they dance about the fretboard.

SRV is my all-time favourite guitarist and I recommend this video to anyone who's a fan of his music. 'Riviera Paradise' alone is worth the cost of the video.

43 A study in contrasts....
Okay, the guitar playing is phenomenal. I had heard some his more popular songs on this DVD -- Pride and Joy, Cold Shot, Cross Fire, Voodoo Chile, Texas Flood -- but SEEING him play adds a totally new dimension. Clearly, his guitar playing is out of this world....totally gifted and inspired!

But what makes the DVD even more interesting is the study in contrasts between the 2 shows compiled on this DVD, one from 1983, and the 2nd from 1989. Again, in both shows SRV is totally inspired and awesome, although there are some not so subtle differences in his demeanor that show the growth and change in one of the most gifted musicians I have ever seen.

Unfortunately, while I won't see him in concert ever, this DVD shows me what I, and the world, will be missing in his live shows. There'll be no replacing that experience, but this DVD fills the void somewhat by showing some truly remarkable footage of a legendary guitarist.

44 Best live performance on video
This shows SRV in his hometown, loose, and with the both the original Double Trouble, and a much later show with the fantastic Reese Wyans on keys. A must, especially if you have the opportunity to play loud at least once, well worth it.

45 More lousy products!
The audio on this disk is absolutely terrible! The worst I have heard yet on a DVD. It is also just part of two different performances. Why didn't they include both complete shows from Austin City Limits?

46 Just watch the man play
The most exciting aspect of this DVD for me is the chance to see Stevie's playing up-close. The camera work is fantastic, zooming in on his fingers, highlighting the difficulty of his playing. All my guitar player buddies talk about how great this guy is, but of course like all the greats, SRV makes it sound easy. We lost our greatest player, and sound alone can not do him justice -- you must see to believe. Even at three times the cost, this one is worth every penny.

47 An education in blues.
I'm a jazz newbie but a long time "guitarist" fan. This disc "smoked" on my Yamaha receiver with 90 watt subwoofer using the Dolby digital mode. Thinking about the loss of this artist before I got to appreciate his work brought a tear. Another aircraft loss for the world.

48 S.R.V. rules....
fantastic live...texas flood:awesome performance..he play the guitar at his back...voodoo chile:it's the best version I've ever heard...his tone here is just super...the best dvd I've ever had that's all

49 Stevie 'Rave On'
I just recieved this video, and I am so impressed with it - so moved by these two performance, forever captured in time. I sat down trying to capture the emotion and raw energy radiating from my VCR but it would all be in vain. I just don't have the words to say how great this tape is, so I'll just make this short and sweet. Fantastic set-list, Amazing performances (Classic Vaughan) and worth every penny. This video is destined to be worn thin by every Vaughan Fanatic out there. A must have.

50 A legend has passed....
Stevie Ray Vaughn was a one man show. Give him a bass player and a drummer to lay down the groove and he will do the rest. Part-II adds much needed keyboards. Great job considering it's from the old Austin City Limits days. Part-II audio is much better as well, the video is very good for both sessions. A legend has passed...

51 SRV is worth the trip!
The live from Austin concerts show how Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble changed over the years in their playing and in their music. The scorching "Voodoo Chile" in '83 and the slow ballad "Riviera Paradise" in '89 are highlights. If you love Stevie Ray Vaughan, or just like a good show, this video is definitely worth a look.

52 Live SRV & Double Trouble...a real treat
Wow. I had several of their CD's but had never seen a live performance. This video changed that forever. SRV and Double Trouble (DT) appeared twice on Austin City Limits, once in 1983 and again in 1989. The 1983 show highlights SRV as he is beginning to make a name for himself. Already well know to the Austin Blues scene, DT is only three guys but what a sound they put out. SRV is tremendous in Pride and Joy, a powerful Texas Flood (Stevie actually gets Number 1 to growl! ) and his early trademark Voodoo Chile (that's child without the "d"). These three alone are worth the price of admission. The last 2/3 of the tape are from the 1989 show. Now Stevie and the band are cleaned up and keyboardist Reese Wynans adds his extra dimension to the music. Some classic DT tracks are on this portion of the tape. Stevie's solos are mature and entrancing. My favorites in this section are a 7-minute long Cold Shot where Stevie's lead is pure magic, and Riviera Paradise. A bonus at the end of the tape: the Little Wing video with shots of Blues greats from the past and present. Taken all-in-all, this is my most cherished music video. If you're in any way a Blues fan, you'll come to love this video too. Definitely Five Stars!

53 Towering Genius
I get goosebumps even thinking about SRV's Austin City Limits appearances. They are simply "the" finest live music performances captured to tape. SRV, like the great masters of art before him, had so far transgressed the limits of his medium that he no longer merely played the instrument but bent it to his will. Unfortunately for us SRV appeared in the production-poor 80's; fortunately for us, we have excellent live recordings to if not replace then bring into perspective his real greatness. Buy it because you can't deny it.

54 Fire and Passion
I've long been a Stevie Ray fan, but I had never had the opportunity to see him either live or on tape. A couple of days ago, I borrowed this tape and was absolutely mesmorized. Hearing him play is one thing; watching him elevates the experience a thousandfold. I've just added this to my shopping cart. So should you.

55 5.1 Audio Track Missing Center Channel -- Returned
I enjoyed watching the Austin City Limits concerts recorded on this DVD. The first three tracks are from the 1983 appearance; the remaining tracks from 1989. Voodoo Chile (1983) is fabulous.

But I returned the DVD due to the very strange Dolby Digital 5.1 audio mix. The center channel is completely silent, and the bass eminating from the front channels is painful.

I have come to trust my hardware, a Toshiba SD3901 DVD player and Dennon AVR3300 receiver, but convincing the clerk at KMart was another matter. Further, the QA answering service at Sony was completely clueless.

56 Excellent
I loved just about everything about this dvd, the video is great, the sound is great, and of course Stevie Ray Vaughan is more than great. The one bad thing about it is that for some reason the sound and video are a little off-sync. I don't know if this is the dvd or my drive, I don't think it's my drive because I just bought a new one. So that's just one thing to keep in mind, but all things considered it's a small price to pay.

57 Stevie-FANTASTIC
Personally, I think SRV was greatest in 1989 and this DVD shows it...BUY IT NOW!

58 stevie ray
stevie is the greatest guitar player of all time and this dvd shows off some off his talents

59 Amazing..
I showed this video to my father-in-law who is neither a blues nor rock fan and even he was impressed. If you are a Stevie fan and haven't seen him perform you really should get this video. I don't know how you could truly appreciate how good he is without seeing the close-ups. He is lightning fast but speed is only a small part of his talent. Everything fits and his runs aren't just ornamentation. The pictures are good, not great. Seems too dark, especially the early scenes. His last performace is significantly better than the first. He looks more relaxed and seems to be enjoying himself and his music more. His eyes are open more and the sound is more soulful. There is a bonus cut at the end which is the remake of Hendrix's "Little Wing". It stayed with me for days. I can only guess that God wanted a private performance.

60 Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble: Live From Austin, Texas
Played this through Technics AC500-D DTS/Dolby digital processor and Onkyo 919 receiver. Had to immediately turn off Velodyne sub because of very excessive low end (could hear almost nothing else). Never had trouble with any media (DVD, Laserdisc, CD, VHS, etc) before. Listened to 2 songs...turned it off and called Sony (number on back of DVD) to ask if defective copy or just bad mix. Awaiting answer from Sony.

61 wowwww! awsome!
this video shows how much SRV had progressed in those past two years (after his drug addiction problems) and how far his guitar playing could have gone.A lesson of feeling...

62 Essential SRV
This DVD is a must have for any fan of SRV. As the liner notes say, the juxtaposition of the younger and older Stevie Ray is fascinating. The 3 songs from the earlier broadcast show Stevie wringing the neck of his guitar, putting every once of effort into the show. The older, more relaxed SRV just lets music flow - its magic. These later songs are among the best live guitar work I have ever seen.

The audio problems some people have mentioned I do not have. I have listened in Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround, as well as straight stereo. I would give the audio quality 4 stars.

63 stevie ray vaughan live from austin texas
awesome! awesome! awesome! awesome! it's very worth buying. oh did i say that it's awesome! thank you. stevie ray!

64 It's Really Good
As an aspiring blues guitarist, there's nothing more depressing and disheartening than to watch SRV do his stuff.

He is really good...

65 Stevie rocks
Stevie Ray Vaughan is one of the best blues players in the history of time. This video presents Stevie at his best. The first three songs, pulled from early in his career shine the best and are classic stevie. Most of this compilation is from Stevie's last perfomance at Austin City limits, and the material is just as good.

66 An absolute must have for lovers of blues and rock guitar.
The two concerts show the growth of a true guitar legend. The DVD will become a classic. Stevie Ray Vaughan is right up there with the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, etc. The DVD just blew me away. I would recommend it to all lovers of the guitar. The sound quality may not be technically perfect, as some say, but I didn't notice it at all. Stevie Ray's playing overcame all of that. If you can get your hands on a copy buy it and enjoy the late great master Stevie Ray Vaughan.

67 Great performance. Poor audio quality!
I enjoy the music of Stevie Ray Vaughn but this DVD was a big disappointment. The preformance was very good but the audio quality was Very Poor!!

In 2 previous reviews, one agreed with me about the poor audio quality and the next that said how good this sounds, particularly on his 5.1 dolby digital player. I wish I would have understood the tech notes. This is not recorded in dolby digital 5.1. It is recorded in dolby 2.0. There is a Big difference! We tried listening to it as 5.1 dolby, Pro Logic, and straight stereo. None sounded good.

If a superior recording engineer can bring this baby back to life, I would absolutely want to own it. But until that time, it remains on the shelf gathering dust.

68 When a god walked the earth
I stumbled across SRV when I serendipitously tuned into the 1983 Austin City Limits concert featured on the first part of this video. Suffice it to say that the earth moved. I bought Double Trouble's albums (yeah, back then they were vinyl) and talked about them to anyone who would listen. Then I happened to catch the last Austin C.L. appearance, as well. Pure magic, and how happy Stevie looked, what rapport he had with the audience. God, he was great. I tell my kids: There were three guitar gods: Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Eric Clapton ... but the greatest of these was Stevie Ray. Just bought and watched this video, and it brought all the amazement back. There was nothing Stevie could not do with that guitar. I also hadn't realized how wonderful his voice was, too... husky and pleading and soulful. Why, oh why, did he have to leave us so young? RIP.

69 The Greatest Blues Guitarist at his best 2 Concerts...
Ok, SRV...He's got to be the greatest Blues Guitarist ever. After watching songs like "Voodoo Chile", "Texas Flood", "Tightrope", and "Leave My Girl Alone", You'll see why He's so Great.

70 This one will make you weep...
Vaughan's two appearances on Austin City Limits are priceless visual and audio reminders of this genius whose loss still haunts the world of blues. His second appearence is particularily touching as he tops off the evening with a collection of musicians ranging from Jimmie Vaughan, Lou Ann Barton, Angela Strehli, Kim Wilson, et al. It reminded me of some magical evenings years ago on 6th street in Austin at Antone's club and then at Antone's place on Guadalupe Ave. there in Austin. Don't pass this one by!

71 Rock, Love & Live - Professing God to the world
Vaughan was religous. Believing in God. He helped others to see Gods Love. His music is a testiment of letting go and trusting that all will work out for the best. No drug would ever bring him as high as the gift of his music. Look at this video and see. - from a Wisconsin Band and Fan -

72 Classic Stevie Ray Vaughan!
If you love Stevie Ray Vaughan like I do, you will love this DVD. Its a must for any true SRV fan. Even if you are not a fan, you may find yourself one after viewing it. GET IT !!!!

73 Never A Dull Moment
If Jimi Hendrix is the Picasso of rock and Eric Clapton is god, then Stevie Ray Vaughan is the father of Blue Rock (southern rocking blues) and, for my money, the Bach of Rock.

Stevie Ray Vaughan has one of the broadest and richest musical vocabularies out there; blending everything he could get his hands on from blues, rock, R&B ,experimental to jazz. Grabbing from all of these genres, SRV blends and perfects them into a rich and colorful tapestry of rhythms and sounds. The more you know the more Stevie Ray delivers; there's just never a dull moment.

Live From Austin, Texas, contains two shows given there at different times. Although the tunes change the beauty and excitement remains. I just can't get enough of this creative genius.

74 hezus christus!!!!
If you play the guitar you'll love this even if you don't like Stevie Ray Vaughan. If you do like Steive Ray, buy this video, sit down, and make sure you hold onto something because this is one Amazing DVD.

75 Chilling
I've already recorded these programs from tv. but I'm ordering it to see what some of you are complaining about. I as a blues guitarist was totaly taken from the first time I ever heard of Stevie. My young teen age son actually was playing his album back then and I asked what he was playing and he replied "you probably wouldn't like it dad". Boy was he wrong. When I recorded S.T.V. from Austin City Limits, I was blown away. The problem with alot of you people is that you just have to pick on someones' act because you can't do it yourself. When I play out , I'm always nervouse a bit because as an artist you always worry about how your' night is going to go. Imagine Stevie at Austin. Live tv.,Big coverage, Big audience. Would you be nervouse? Don't say you wouldn't be. As all you other musicians know, you do lose that after time. But occasionaly you are nervouse. In Stevies case? I saw a man with more talent in one of his playing fingers than you or I will ever have in both hands. Musician or not. He felt those tunes to the point that it affected "our" emotions. Right? and all you can do is pick it appart. As far as sweating, It's super hot under all those lights. I wish we didn't have to use them. Alot of guitarists CLOSE THERE EYES WHEN THEY'RE PLAYING !! It does help you to concentrate because you can get distracted from some one or thing in the audience. Sweat always runs down into "my" eyes when playing. It's HOT. The only thing I saw that was noticeable that one of you mentioned was nervouseness when at the mike. Look again. If it's the same thing I saw, ( Ididn't go back over the tape yet ), was I believe in, was it Voodoo Chile?,Stevie stepped up to the mike to fast and backed of quickly to avoid bumping it. We've all done that. Relax. Watch the man as a whole. Who cares what his past was. He was great no matter what he did. And beleive it or not, some of his abuse did affect his writing ability or at the least what he was writing about. If you haven't lived an interesting life, how can you write about it????????? The man was a MASTER blues guitarist. How man people put down Louis Armstrong because he loved smokin' pot? For those of you reading this, buy the tape. You'll see a stone cold performance you'll never forget. I'm ordering the tape as soon as I'm done with this review. And remember.........Stevie didn't buy his way into stardom. He was put there because people loved him and his music. You put him there by buying his albums, tapes.cd's and going to his concerts if you had the blessed opportunity to get there. Chucky944@aol.com

76 An interesting contrast.
You don't realize just how much Stevie changed over time until you see this video. His overall appearance, his stage presence, even his playing style are quite different in the two shows. Both are masterful, but really different.

77 Perfect. One-of-a-kind. Truly Amazing!
I will disagree with Amazon.com's review. Stevie was perfect in 1983. Any real SRV fan would understand. He lacked nothing--especially not self-confidence. In 1983, he was down on drugs. He was a real bluesman. The polished 1989 show is great, but lacks the the soul of the earlier. When Stevie's life was at its worst, his music was at its best.

78 It will send chills up your spin to see the greatest ever!!!
This DVD is the one that will wear your DVD player out! Buy it, love it and tell all of your friends about it!

79 Bow to the best Blues Guitarist Ever
This is a must have for any collection.

I don't understand a previous review that said the audio was not good. In fact (on my system) the audio is fantastic particularly if you listen in the 5.1 dolby mode.

I have seen these videos presented on VHS format as well. I can therefore say with conviction that the DVD format is FAR superior to the VHS.

This is vintage SRV, before and after drug rehab, and it is fantanstic.

80 This is what made me a Stevie Ray fan.
A friend of mine was a Stevie Ray Vaughan fan so I video taped this show for him off the local PBS station. I wasn't a Stevie Ray Vaughan fan, I didn't like going to live concerts and didn't like live albums. When I watched this video I was an instant fan. The Great Ones make it look so easy and Stevie does just that. Eric Clapton said that when he first heard Stevie Ray on the radio he had to pull his car to the side of the road and just listen. I am getting chills just thinking about this video. I'm going to have to go and watch it again.

81 A glimpse of legend.
Sit back, relax and get ready 'cause Stevie Ray is hot on this video. If you've never seen it please, please do not miss it-truly amazing guitar playing!

82 Great concert but disappointing audio quality
This is a great concert, but we were disappointed in the sound quality and consistency from song to song. The speaker mixing was low quality, it isn't true dolby digital. At times the lips didn't even seem synched properly.

83 Blues guitar at its best
My dad got me this tape for christmas this last year, and it throughly kicked my ***. It is such a shame that he died in that helicopter crash after getting cleaned up. Stevie is by far one of the all time greats.

84 A MUST HAVE!
The first few songs make you a little uncomfortable because you see how nervous and messed up Stevie is, but he still plays great. The second part is fantastic, he is clean and smoking. After I saw this I couldn't get enough Stevie, I am scouring the net for videos of him. The real prize of this video has to be Riviera Paradise at the end. He truly speaks through his guitar.

85 Justice Served
This is an emotional uplifting concert. His Last! He truely played like it was his last (and it was). Stevie proves here that playing the blues sober can get you drunk on the blues

86 S.R.V and D.T rock Austin
A very good video giving a snap shot of the man in action. The video shows Stevie in 1983 and you can see that he is nervous and still suffering from substance abuse - you can tell and even feel that he is nervous just by watching him stand in front of the mic, sweating with his eyes closed so as not to see the crowd watching him. He still gives a damn good performance. Then the video shows the band in 1989 when they are all sobered up, Stevie is a lot more confident as he looks at and talks to the crowd and his playing has improved a hell of a lot. One thing I do find very annoying is the voice over introduction for the 1983 and 89 performances I feel they should have canned that idea as would rather have just had a subtitle appear than have a voice over. All this aside BUY THIS VIDEO!!! it is well worth it even with these slight annoyances. END

87 SRV and Double Trouble at their best!
This is the one video that will show you how talented and gifted SRV and Double Trouble were. The high quality in these two appearances on Austin City Limits makes it clear how much energy and life Stevie Ray Vaughn put in to playing the guitar and singing. From standard blues to awesome rock and roll electric guitar playing, you can feel the energy flowing out of these musicians. Listening to Double Trouble tear through their songs will inspire you to get your axe and head to the woodshed, or go out and buy your first guitar. Forget about the Grammys they won, the recordings with David Bowie, gold records, etc: this video will get you excited about the blues and music all over again! END

88 The essence of Texas Blues guitar defined
Unlike studio recordings, this exceptional work defines the essence of Texas Blues guitar through music, emotion, and raw energy. The sentiments Stevie Ray expresses to his fans are timeless and never more palpable than as experienced from this piece of history. This music is perfect for any gathering where souls are in need of reckoning, reminiscing, searching, or just hanging out. END