ARTIST: Roy Buchanan                           

TITLE: Roy Buchanan

YEAR RELEASED: 1972

CHART ACTION: None

SINGLES: Sweet Dreams, Haunted House

OTHER SONGS YOU MAY KNOW: He covers a Merle Haggard and Hank Williams song.

LINEUP: Roy Buchanan, Chuck Tilley, Teddy Irwin, Pete Van Hallen, Dick Heintze, Ned Davis.

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT: First real commercial studio album from an under-known yet influential guitarist.

SOME WORDS, PHRASES AND CLAUSES ABOUT THIS RECORD: Thanks to an early PBS documentary, Roy Buchanan went from a local DC legend to a national recording artist. His playing with the Telecaster inspired numerous guitarists and gained praise from John Lennon, Merle Haggard, and the Rolling Stones.

This is a simple album, with some cover songs (including an inspired take of the 60’s novelty tune “Haunted House”). Only a few cuts have vocals, those by country vocalist Chuck Tilley. The playing is raw and ragged at times, but it seemed like Buchanan and the band were having a good time.

This is a guitar-head’s album, and well worth it for those who love the Telecaster sound.

NOTES & MINUTIAE: Buchanan’s career spanned several years, starting with playing for Dale Hawkins and then Ronnie Hawkins, and then settled into session work before settling down in DC.

IS THERE A DELUXE VERSION: No

GRADE: B+:  This is for Telecaster fans!