Sweet Dreams: The Anthology

• Artist: Roy Buchanan
• Rating:
• Release Date: September 22, 1992
• Total Time: 151:38
• Type: Compilation (best of)
• Genre: Rock

Review

This compendium could not be considered the final word on Roy Buchanan (guitar), as it would take more than two CDs just for his contributions as a session stalwart. However, until his catalog is given a thorough overhaul, Sweet Dreams: The Anthology (1992) is a satisfying overview of the man once dubbed "The Best Unknown Guitarist in the World." The collection kicks off with four previously unissued selections circa the aborted Nashville under the direction of Charlie Daniels. Although the project, tentatively dubbed "The Prophet," was eventually shelved, Buchanan's delicately pungent fretwork is unmistakably the centerpiece. His moods contrast from the blues-rocker "Baltimore" to the luminous, shredding electric leads that complement Daniels' acoustic guitar on Leonard Cohen's "Story of Isaac." The eponymous Roy Buchanan (1972) and appropriate follow-up, Second Album (1973), were documented within a five-month span in the summer and fall of 1972 with a band that was alternately known as the Snake Stretchers. In fact, Buchanan and company recorded and released Buck & The Snake Stretchers (1971), an infamous platter packaged in (no lie) a burlap sack and sold at Buchanan's gigs. Underscoring those earliest titles are the gritty and sinuous "Pete's Blues," the alternately haunting and searing solos on "Messiah Will Come Again," a blistering rendering of Erskine Hawkins' "After Hours," as well as the original "Five String Blues." While this material is uniformly excellent, by contrast, it is the concert cuts that seem to truly unfetter Buchanan. The nine-plus minute "Down By the River" that is exclusive to this compilation takes the Neil Young tune to a whole new space. There are also equally inspired moments on later studio sides -- like the rousing "Green Onions" from Loading Zone (1977) recruiting Donald "Duck" Dunn (bass) and Steve Cropper from Booker T. & the MG's. The same is true of the ballsy, driving reading Joe Walsh's "Turn to Stone," which was initially issued on You're Not Alone (1978). Sweet Dreams: The Anthology concludes with the fascinating "Dual Soliloquy," a previously unissued extemporaneous instrumental that is nothing short of a study in Buchanan's emotive techniques and flawlessly pure timbre. As such, it is both the highlight of this collection as well as an apt bookend to the artist's unquestionable talents. ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide

Tracks

CD 1

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Baltimore [#]	Charlie Daniels	Roy Buchanan	(3:31)
Black Autumn [#]	Charlie Daniels	Roy Buchanan	(4:25)
The Story of Isaac [#]	Leonard Cohen	Roy Buchanan	(5:48)
There'll Always Be [#]	Charlie Daniels	Roy Buchanan	(4:50)
Sweet Dreams	Don Gibson	Roy Buchanan	(3:32)
Pete's Blues	Roy Buchanan	Roy Buchanan	(7:15)
The Messiah Will Come Again	Roy Buchanan	Roy Buchanan	(5:53)
Tribute to Elmore James	Roy Buchanan	Roy Buchanan	(3:25)
After Hours	Mark Gordon, Erskine Hawkins, Avery Parrish	Roy Buchanan	(6:14)
Five String Blues	Roy Buchanan	Roy Buchanan	(6:24)
C.C. Rider [Live][#]	Traditional	Roy Buchanan	(6:49)
My Baby Says She's Gonna Leave Me	Billy Price, Billy Price Keystone Rhythm Band, Roy Buchanan, John Harrison	Roy Buchanan	(3:21)
Please Don't Turn Me Away (Lyrics)	Billy Price, Roy Buchanan, Billy Price Keystone Rhythm Band	Roy Buchanan	(4:47)
Country Preacher	Joe Zawinul	Roy Buchanan	(3:28)
Wayfaring Pilgrim	Roy Buchanan, Ed Freeman	Roy Buchanan	(5:07)

CD 2

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Down by the River [Live][#]	Richard Rodgers, Neil Young	Roy Buchanan	(9:17)
I'm a Ram [Live]	Mabon "Teenie" Hodges, Al Green	Roy Buchanan	(4:24)
I'm Evil [Live]	Roy Buchanan	Roy Buchanan	(6:15)
Good God Have Mercy	Billy Roberts	Roy Buchanan	(4:05)
If 6 Was 9	Jimi Hendrix	Roy Buchanan	(3:46)
Green Onions	Al Jackson, Jr., Steve Cropper, Lewis Steinberg, Booker T. Jones	Roy Buchanan	(8:09)
Soul Dressing [Live][#]	Steve Cropper, Booker T. Jones, Al Jackson, Lewis Steinberg	Roy Buchanan	(7:00)
Hey Joe [Live][#]	Billy Cox	Roy Buchanan	(8:19)
Fly...Night Bird	Roy Buchanan, Willie Weeks, Roussel, Andy Newmark, Silva	Roy Buchanan	(7:42)
Turn to Stone	Terry Trebandt, Joe Walsh	Roy Buchanan	(5:46)
Dual Soliloquy [#]	Roy Buchanan	Roy Buchanan	(12:06)

Credits

Bill Levenson (Producer), Billy Price Keystone Rhythm Band (Vocals (Background)), Charlie Daniels (Guitar), Tom "Curly" Ruff (Digital Compilation), Terri Tierney (Coordination), John Harrison (Vocals (Background)), Robbie Magruder (Drums), Peter K. Siegel (Producer), Ernie Winfrey (Percussion), Phil Yarnall (Design), Ed Freeman (Producer), Bill Stewart (Drums), Teddy Irwin (Guitar (Rhythm)), Charlie Daniels (Producer), Neil Larsen (Keyboards), Gerry Mercer (Drums), Karl Himmel (Drums), Charlie Daniels (Vocals), Jim Marshall (Photography), Billy Price Keystone Rhythm Band (Vocals), Neil Larsen (Arranger), Dick Heintze (Keyboards), Stanley Clarke (Producer), Steve Cropper (Guitar), Tom "Curly" Ruff (Digital Editing), Byrd Foster (Drums), Richard Bauer (Art Direction), Tim Drummond (Bass), Peter VanAllen (Bass), Charlie Daniels (Guitar (Acoustic)), Roy Buchanan (Vocals), Andy Newmark (Drums), Ray Gomez (Guitar (Acoustic)), Michael Putland (Photography), Donald "Duck" Dunn (Bass), Roy Buchanan (Guitar), Ray Gomez (Guitar (Rhythm)), Jay Reich, Jr. (Producer), Bob Wilson (Keyboards), David Gahr (Photography), Ernie Winfrey (Tympani [Timpani]), Kenny Tibbetts (Bass), Gonzalo Sifre (Drums), Ned Davis (Drums), Malcolm Lukens (Keyboards), Charlie Daniels (Harmonica), Willie Weeks (Bass), Raymond Silva (Producer), Don Payne (Bass), Arif Mardin (Producer), Jean Roussel (Keyboards), Colin Escott (Liner Notes), John Harrison (Bass)

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