Back catalogue: Blues

Review: Martin Scorsese's Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues series may not be the Academy Award-winning director's most famous contribution to popular culture, but the PBS documentary film saga, in which the legendary director takes us on a journey through the development of a sound he holds dear to his heart, is well worth looking for. Featuring luminaries such as John Lee Hooker, Lightnin' Hopkins, Muddy Waters, and more, each episode welcomes a different filmmaker, allowing them to refocus on artists they love. For this album spin-off, we centre attention on the mighty Stevie Ray Vaughan, one of the most influential of all blues musicians who tragically died at the age of 35 in a helicopter crash. Although far younger than many of the greats he's often listed alongside, his exceptional abilities on the guitar, and often unique sonics, set him apart from almost anyone else, alive or dead. Listen to what we mean here.

Review: Solos, Sessions & Encores is an impressive overview of Stevie Ray Vaughn's history of collaborations with the world's greatest blues and rock stars. The selection of songs goes further than most compilations by bringing many new long-lost and sought-after tracks to the table, be they be a lost cersion of a 1978 cut with Lou Ann Barton, or the unreleased 'Albert's Shuffle' with Albert Collins. The fresh new retrospective album flaunts Stevie Ray Vaughan's technique and deft, versatile playing style across a wide range of genres and contexts. With many of the cuts adapted from live sessions, the album is also an impressive remaster, unifying Vaughn's sound despite a multitude of recording contexts.