1972 line up:

- Rob Buchanan -- vocals, guitar

- Ned Davis -- drums 

- Dick Heintze -- keyboards, backing vocals  

- Teddy Irwin -- rhythm guitar  

- Chuck Tilley -- vocals  

- Peter Van Allen -- bass

  1973 line up:

- Rob Buchanan -- vocals, guitar

- Ned Davis -- drums (one track)

- Dick Heintze -- keyboards, backing vocals 

- Teddy Irwin -- rhythm guitar 

- NEW Jerry Mercer -- drums (replaced Ned Davis)

- NEW Don Payne -- bass (replaced Pete Van Allen)

- Chuck Tilley -- vocals 

  1974 line up:

- Rob Buchanan -- vocals, guitar

- NEW John Harrison -- bass, backing vocals (replaced 

  Don Payne) 

- NEW Dick Heintze -- keyboards, backing vocals 

- NEW Robbie Magruder -- drums, percussion (replaced 

  Jerry Mercer)

  1975-76 line up:

- Rob Buchanan -- vocals, guitar

- NEW Byrd Foster -- drums, vocals (replaced 

  Robbie Maguar) 

- John Harrison -- bass, backing vocals (replaced 

  Don Payne) 

- NEW Will Lee -- bass (1976)

- NEW Malcolm Lukens -- keyboards (replaced Dick Heintz) 

- NEW Robbie Magruder -- drums, percussion (replaced 

  Jerry Mercer) 

- NEW Andy Newmark -- drums (1976)

- Billy Price -- vocals

  1978 line up:

- Rob Buchanan -- vocals, guitar

- NEW Ray Gomez -- guitar

- Andy Newmark -- drums

- NEW Willie Weeks -- bass

  1980 line up:

- Rob Buchanan -- vocals, guitar

- NEW Dan Burbeck -- drums, percussion 

- NEW Richard Crooks - drums, percussion 
- NEW Ron Foster -- drums 
- NEW Paul Jacobs -- vocals, keyboards 

- NEW Gordon Johnson -- bass 

  1985 line up:

- Roy Buchanan -- vocals, guitar

- NEW Larry Exum -- bass

- NEW Bill Heid -- keyboards

- NEW Morris Jennings -- drums

- NEW Chris Johnson -- rhythm guitar

  1987 line up:

- Roy Buchanan -- vocals, guitar

- Larry Exum -- bass

- Morris Jennings -- drums

- NEW Donald Kinsey -- guitar

- NEW Kanika Kress -- vocals

- NEW John Sayles -- vocals

- NEW Stan Zelest --- keyboards

- Bobby Gregg and His Friends

Genre: blues-rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Roy Buchanan

Company: Polydor

Catalog: PD 5033

Year: 1972

Country/State: Ozark, Arkansas

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG

Comments: --

Available: 2

GEMM catalog ID: 4737 

Price: $15.00

In the wake of all the media hype surrounding Buchanan, his self-titled 1972 debut (actually credited to Ray Buchanan and the Snake Stretchers) came off as a major disappointment. Produced by Peter Siegel, "Roy Buchanan" featured a mixture of blues, gospel-influenced originals (his father had been a Pentecostal preacher) and popular county-influenced covers. As a writer, Buchanan originals such as "Pete's Blues", "Cajun" and "John's Blues" aptly showcased the artist's stinging Telecaster leads, but otherwise seldom caught fire. Elsewhere, judging by his lone vocal effort ("The Messiah Will Come Again"), Buchanan's singsong voice wasn't a match for his guitar. Unfortunately, lead vocalist Chuck Tilley wasn't much better, his anonymous voice leaving tracks such as a cover of Hank William's "Hey, Good Lookin'" and "I Am a Lonesome Fugitive" with a pleasant, if pedestrian country-rock feel. Simply too diverse to capture the guitarist's talent, the album proved a minor chart success, hitting # 107. (Prior to being signed by Polydor, the album was released on Buchanan's own Bioya label.)  Polydor also tapped the album for a pair of singles in the form of:

- 1972's  'Haunted House' b/w '' (Polydor catalog number 14149)

- 1972's 'Sweet Dream' b/w '' (Polydor catalog number 14178)

Courtesy of YouTube, here's a link to a series of 1985 performances on the German RockPalast television show':

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOptDDU3rOo

('Sweet Dreams')

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On5372UztI0

('The Messiah Will Come')

"Roy Buchanan" track listing:

(side 1)
1.) Sweet Dreams (instrumental) (D. Gibson) - 3:33
2.) I Am a Lonesome Fugitive (Liz Anderson - Casey Anderson) - 3:43
3.) Cajun (instrumental) (Roy Buchanan) - 1:34
4.) John's Blues (Roy Buchanan) - 5:04

(side 2)

1.) Haunted House (R. Geddins) - 2:44
2.) Pete's Blues (instrumental) (Roy Buchanan) - 7:15
3.) The Messiah Will Come Again (Roy Buchanan) - 5:53
4.) Hey, Good Lookin' (Hank Williams) - 2:16

Genre: blues-rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Second Album

Company: Polydor

Catalog: PD 5046

Year: 1973

Country/State: Ozark, Arkansas

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG

Comments: --

Available: 2

GEMM catalog ID: 4738 

Price: $12.00

With Pete Sigel again producing, 1973's "Second Album" wasn't a major change in direction, though to our ears the set has a more distinctive blues feel.  The focus is clearly on Buchanan's guitar, but his writing and ragged voice have always appealed to us.  While his blues moves are nice (many folks consider his "Five String Blues" to be an all time classic), to our ears rockers such as the leadoff instrumental "Filthy Teddy", "Treat Her Right" (Chuck Tilley handling the vocals) and "I Won't Tell You No Lies" are the true standout performances.

"Second Album" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) Filthy Teddy (instrumental)   (Roy Buchanan) - 3:11

2.) After Hours (instrumental)  (A. Parrish - B. Feyne - R. Bruce) -6:13

3.) Five String Blues (Roy Buchanan) - 6:23

4.) Thank You Lord   (Roy Buchanan) - 2:23

(side 2)

1.) Treat Her Right   (Roy Head) - 2:43

2.) I Won't Tell You No Lies (instrumental)   (Roy Buchanan) - 6:35

3.) Tribute To Elmore James (instrumental)   (Roy Buchanan) - 3:25

4.) She Once Lived Here (instrumental)   (A. Inman) - 3:00

Genre: blues-rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  That's What I Am Here For

Company: Polydor

Catalog: PD 6020

Year: 1974

Country/State: Ozark, Arkansas

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG

Comments: cut out notch along top edge; minor ring wear

Available: 2

GEMM catalog ID: 4760 

Price: $12.00

Cost: $2.00

For some reason this Roy Buchanan outing gets middling reviews from folks.  I'm going to go out on a limb and tell you that those critics are wrong and that 1974's "That Is What I Am Here For" is one of Buchanan's better offerings.  Co-produced by Dennis Ferrante and Shelly Yakus, this set has two things going for it: 1.) Buchanan wrote most of the material (along with band members Billy Price and John Harrison), and 2.) it rocks like there's no tomorrow.  That's right, Buchanan's blues aspirations are largely sidelined in favor of some blazing straight ahead rock and roll.  Highlights to my ears include his stunning cover of 'Hey Joe' (dedicated to the late Jimi Hendrix), the Allman Brothers-styled 'Rodney's Song' (great storyline) and the heartbreaking 'Home Is Where I Lost Her'.  Certainly not your typical Buchanan release, but maybe that's part of the reason that I like this one so much. 

Courtesy of someone's YouTube posting, here's a link to a 1985 German television performance of 'Hey Joe'.  Simply killer performance - 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0pUl5f8wwA&feature=related

"That's What I Am Here For" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) My Baby Says She's Gonna Leave Me   (Roy Buchanan - Billy Price - John Harrison) - 

2.) Hey Joe   (Billy Cox) - 

3.) Home Is Where I Lost Her    (Roy Buchanan - John Harrison) - 

4.) Rodney's Song   (Roy Buchanan - Billy Price - John Harrison - Mike Kalina) - 

(side 2)

1.) That's What I Am Here For   (Jack Bond) - 

2.) Roy's Bluz   (Roy Buchanan) -

3.) Voices   (Dick Heintz) - 

4.) Please Don't Turn Me Around   (Roy Buchanan - Billy Price) -  

5.) Nepesh   (Roy Buchanan) - 

Genre: blues-rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Live Stock

Company: Polydor

Catalog: PD 6048

Year: 1975

Country/State: Ozark, Arkansas

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG

Comments: minor ring and edge wear

Available: 2

GEMM catalog ID: 4755

Price: $10.00

Released after Roy Buchanan had parted ways with longtime record label Polydor, 1975's  "Live Stock" captured the guitarist and his backing band at a November 1974 performance at New York's Town Hall.  Maybe because the band's playing before an enthusiastic crowd and sounded exceptionally comfortable and like they were having a great time, this stands as one of my favorite Buchanan sets.  Sure, Billy Price wasn't the world's greatest singer, but here he was in pretty good form, turning in spirited performances on tracks such as the lead off rocker 'Reelin' and Rockin'' and the breezy 'Can I Change My Mind'.  Course, I've always wondered why Buchanan didn't handle more of the vocal chores - that's him on 'Roy's Bluz' and 'I'm Evil' and he's just as good as Price.  Regardless, the band's laidback enthusiasm more than compensates for those vocal limitations. Anyhow, you're buying this album for the guitar work and there's plenty to check out - 'Roy's Bluz', 'Can I Change My Mind' and 'I'm a Ram' all exhibit Buchanan's astonishing talents.  He's one of the few acts I wish I'd been able to see live ...

"Live Stock" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) Reelin' and Rockin'   (Roy Milton) - 2:26

2.) Hot Cha (instrumental)   (Willie Woods) - 4:21

3.) Further On Up the Road    (Bob Mack) - 3:39

4.) Roy's Bluz   (Roy Buchanan) - 8:10

(side 2)

1.) Can I Change My Mind   (C. Despenza - B. Wolfolk) - 6:39

2.) I'm a Ram   (Al Green - Hodges) - 4:24

3.) I'm Evil   (Roy Buchanan) - 6:01

Genre: blues-rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  A Street Called Straight

Company: Atlantic

Catalog: SD 18170

Year: 1976

Country/State: Ozark, Arkansas

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG

Comments: --

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4739 

Price: $10.00

Signing with Atlantic, "A Street Called Straight" teamed Buchanan with superstar producer Arif Mardin. Recorded in Atlanta the resulting collection certainly started with a bang; Buchanan's 'Running Out' and 'Man On the Floor' standing as some of his toughest slices of conventional guitar rock. Interestingly, long known as a shy vocalist content to use hired help, Mardin somehow convinced Buchanan to handle a disproportionate number of lead vocals. While his dry vocal style may not be to everyone's liking, hearing these performances its hard to understand why Buchanan was reluctant to sing (check out Buchanan's own disclaimer on the track 'Caruso').   Elsewhere, there's plenty of tasty telecaster and acoustic guitar chops on display. Unfortunately, the set wasn't particularly focused, tracks such as the instrumental 'Keep What You Got' exhibiting an annoying disco-tinge.  Elsewhere one of the highlights was a remake of Buchanan's 1972's 'The Messiah Will Come Again'.  Atlantic also tapped the album for a single:

- 1976's 'Keep What You Got' b/w 'Caruso' (Atlantic catalog number 45-3342)

"A Street Called Straight" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Running Out (Roy Buchanan - John Harrison) - 2:38
2.) Keep What You Got (instrumental) (Roy Buchanan - Joe Mardin) - 3:15
3.) Man On the Floor (Roy Buchanan) - 3:22
4.) Good God Have Mercy (Billy Roberts) - 4:05
5.) Okay (Roy Buchanan) - 2:32
6.) Caruso (Roy Buchanan) - 3:22

(side 2)

1.) My Friend Jeff (instrumental) (Roy Buchanan) - 3:38
2.) If Six was Nine (JImi Hendrix) - 3:55
3.) Guitar Cadenza (Roy Buchanan) -3:50
4.) The Messiah Will Come Again (instrumental) (Roy Buchanan) 4:04

11.) I Still Think About Ida Mae (Roy Buchanan) - 3:38

Genre: blues-rock

Rating: ** (2 stars)

Title:  You're Not Alone

Company: Atlantic

Catalog: SD 19170

Year: 1978

Country/State: Ozark, Arkansas

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG

Comments: minor ring wear on back cover; Canadian pressing

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4280

Price: $9.00

Cost: $66.00

The combination of Roy Buchanan's talent and Atlantic's recording and marketing skills should have made the guitarist a superstar.  Naturally it didn't happen.

Produced by Raymond Silva, 1978's "You're Not Alone" found Buchanan trying to find an approach that balanced his blues roots with a more commercial sound.  Apparently inspired by the country's sudden fascination with all things having to do with space, Buchanan didn't hesitate to hop aboard the cultural bandwagon - check out the cover art and the atmospheric opener 'The Opening ... Miles from Earth'.  Unfortunately, the results were kind of hit or miss.  Buchanan was simply too talented to turn in a completely throwaway effort and his dynamic fretwork managed to save tracks such as 'Fly ... Night Bird' , '1841 Shuffle' and 'Supernova'.   On the downside, this may have been one of his least inspired backing bands.  The LP wasn't helped along by the inconsistent song selection.  A mix of originals and popular covers, there really wasn't a need for Buchanan to cover Joe Walsh's 'Turn To Stone', or Neil Young's 'Down By the River' - vocalist Gary St. Clair's shrill performance on the latter didn't do much for us.  Even more irritating were the constant spacey synthesizers squawks and squeaks ... the title track actually sounded like something off of a Pink Floyd soundtrack !!!   Atlantic also pulled a single from the LP: 'Down By The River' b/w 'Supernova" (Atlantic catalog number 45-3489).  Not exactly his creative zenith.

"You're Not Alone" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) The Opening ... Miles from Earth (instrumental)   (Roussel) - 2:01

2.) Turn To Stone (instrumental)   (Trebant - Joe Walsh) - 5:48

3.) Fly ... Night Bird (instrumental)   (Roy Buchanan - Andrew Newmark - Roussel - Raymond Silva - Willie Weeks) - 7:46

4.) 1841 Shuffle (instrumental)  (Roy Buchanan - Andrew Newmark - Roussel - Raymond Silva - Willie Weeks) - 4:22

(side 2)

1.) Done By the River   (Neil Young) - 8:41

2.) Supernova (instrumental)   (Roy Buchanan) - 3:26

3.) You're Not Alone (instrumental)   (Roy Buchanan - Andrew Newmark - Roussel - Raymond Silva - Willie Weeks) - 8:01

Genre: blues-rock

Rating: ** (2 stars)

Title:  My Babe

Company: Waterhouse

Catalog: WH #12

Year: 1980

Country/State: Ozark, Arkansas

Grade (cover/record): VG+ / VG+

Comments: still in shrink wrap

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 5378

Price: $15.00

Released by the small Minneapolis-based Waterhouse label, 1980's self-produced "My Babe" showcased an artist thoroughly confused with respect to musical direction.  Clearly interested in finding a commercial audience this time out Buchanan seemed to have mistakenly decided the market wanted to hear boogies-and-blues.  Unfortunately with the exception of the instrumental 'Secret Love' (which sounded like it might have been inspired by Mark Knopfler's "Local hero" soundtrack) and a pair of Buchanan originals that were tucked away at the end of side two the album didn't have a great deal going for it.  Tracks like the opener 'You Gotta Le Me Know', 'Lack Of Junk' and 'Dr. Rock & Roll' were commercial in an anonymous AOR vein, but to anyone familiar with his earlier catalog came off as little more than 'going-through-the-motions' efforts.  Adding to the problem new lead singer Paul Jacobs proved a major irritation.  Imagine Elvin Bishop's Mickey Thomas on a sugar high, or a third-rate Lonesome David Peverett (of Foghat fame) and you'll get a notion of what he sounded like.  Even with his limited voice Buchanan would have been better off had he decided to handle the vocals himself.  Finally, with the exception of the above mentioned tracks even Buchanan's solo's were largely forgettable. Technically his fretwork was fine (I should be able to do something as good as the title track), but by and large Buchanan seemed to be playing without much enthusiasm, or spirit.

"My Babe" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) You Gotta Let Me Know   (Paul Jacobs) - 4:55

2.) My Babe   (Little Walter) - 4:40

3.) It Should've Been Me   (Norman Whitfield) - 4:08

4.) Secret Love (instrumental)  (Sammy Fain - Paul Francis Wester) - 3:37

5.) Lack Of Junk   (Paul Jacobs) - 3:24

(side 2)

1.) Dr. Rock & Roll   (Gary Sinclair) - 3:11

2.) Dizzy Miss Lizzy   (Larry Williams) - 3:38

3.) Blues For Gary (instrumental)   (Roy Buchanan) - 8:32

4.) My Sonata (instrumental)   (Roy Buchanan) - 2:50   

For Buchanan fanatics Waterhouse released a four track radio station promotional LP - It contains a 20 minute interview and included 4 songs from the album: 'My Babe', 'Lack Of Funk', 'Secret Love', and 'Dr Rock And Roll'.  There are a surprising number of these floating around, but expect to pay $40 - $50 for a copy in good shape.

Genre: blues-rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  When a Guitar Plays the Blues

Company: Alligator

Catalog: AL-4741

Year: 1985

Country/State: Ozark, Arkansas

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG

Comments: minor crease along bottom front

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 5318

Price: $15.00

Frustrated and simply burnt out by his stint with Atlantic and the small Waterhouse label, throughout the early 1980s Buchanan effectively retired from recording.  That period of inactivity ended in 1985 when he signed with Bruce Iglauer's Chicago-based Alligator Records.  Guaranteed complete artistic control over his recording as part of his contract, 1985's self-produced and arranged "When a Guitar Plays The Blues" was a nice comeback.  While Buchanan may have added a few gray hairs during his layoff, the album made it clear he remained one of music's best, if least known guitarists.  Curiously the record was widely described as being Buchanan's first true blues effort.  Hum ... I'd beg to disagree.  Sure material like the title track and 'Why Don't You Want Me?' (showcasing singer Gloria Hardiman) reflected a distinctive blues feel, but that description was way too limiting and did Buchanan a major disservice.  Original tracks like the blazing instrumentals 'Chicago Smokeshop' and 'Short Fuse' were kicka*s rockers, while 'Mrs. Pressure' displayed Buchanan's knack for more melodic endeavors.  At least to my ears the standout track was also the most unexpected offering - an amazing collaboration with Otis Clay on the O.V.Wright classic 'A Nickel And A Nail'.  Not the perfect Buchanan album - perhaps not really possible given his unique talents; I think you had to see him in a live setting to truly appreciate his gifts; this was still an album worth owning.  

The video and sound quality aren't very good and there are no performance credits, but here's a YouTube clip of the title track: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkbM1M1WN0w

"When A Guitar Plays the Blues" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) When a Guitar Plays the Blues   (Johnson - Hables) - 6:35

2.) Chicago Smokeshop (instrumental)   (Roy Buchanan) - 4:57

3.) Mrs. Pressure (instrumental)   (Roy Buchanan)  - 4:35

4.) A Nickel And A Nail   (Morrison - Malone) - 4:28

(side 2)

1.) Short Fuse   (Roy Buchanan)  - 3:29

2.) Why Don't You Want Me?   (Osso) - 6:04

3.) Country Boy   (Bartholmew - Fast Domino) - 3:44

4.) Sneaking Godzilla Through The Alley   (Roy Buchanan)  - 6:14

5.) Hawaiian Punch   (Roy Buchanan) - 1:51

Genre: blues-rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Hot Wire

Company: Alligator

Catalog: AL-4756

Year: 1987

Country/State: Ozark, Arkansas

Grade (cover/record): VG+ / VG+

Comments: --

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 5670

Price: $15.00

Curiously, while Roy Buchanan's two earlier releases for Alligator Records were greeted with widespread critical acclaim and treated as a major comeback,1987's "Hot Wires" attracted little media attention and even fewer sales.  Even sadder, in the wake of his August 1988 death by suicide the album proved to be Buchanan's final studio release.  Co-produced by Buchanan, Bruce Ihlauer, Justin Niebank, and Dick Shurman, the album reunited Buchanan with some of Chicago's premier players including bassist Larry Exum, drummer Morris Jennings, and guitarist Donald Kinsley.  Musically the collection featured a mixture of Buchanan originals and R&B and soul covers.  It's always struck me as somewhat ironic that Buchanan consistently outsourced vocals; in this case The Blues Express' Kanika Kress and Johnny Sayles.  While Buchanan's voice may not have been the most versatile singer you've ever heard, his sing/speak voice was quite likeable and well suited to the bluesy genre and a series of rare Buchanan vocals were among the album highlights - the goofy swamp rocker 'Goose Grease', 'Ain't No Business' and the stormy 'The Blues Lover'.  But then you're not going to buy a Buchanan LP for his voice ...  The instrumental 'Sunset Over Broadway' may have been the prettiest song Buchanan ever wrote.  Simply gorgeous and easy to picture it being selected for placement on a film soundtrack.  'Flash Chordin'' was a stupefying display of the man's speed and dexterity (my 18 year old aspiring guitarist son was simply dumbfounded by the performance - 'how can someone do that with a guitar?').  Certainly not his creative zenith, but easily in my top-5 Buchanan list and as his final studio set, a sad reminder of lost talent.

"Hot Wires" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) High Wire    (Roy Buchanan)- 2:41

2.) That Did It   (D. Clark - P. Wood) - 5:05

3.) Goose Grease   (J. Heartsman) - 3:00

4.) Sunset Over Broadway (instrumental)   (Roy Buchanan) - 4:12

5.) Ain't No Business   (D. Malone) - 3:16

6.) Flash Chordin'   (Roy Buchanan) - 4:05

(side 2)

1.) 25 Miles  (Edwin Starr - Harvey Fuqua) - 3:50

2.) These Arms of Mine   (Otis Redding) - 5:16

3.) Country Boogie   (Junior Parker) - 4:30

4.) The Blues Lover   (Roy Buchanan) - 8:10