... illuminating ... An oral history is only as good as its sources, and Texas Flood is thorough and far-reaching, with Vaughan’s bandmates, crew and family taking center stage ... If there’s a disappointment in the book, it’s the lack of Vaughan’s own voice. Aledort interviewed him several times during his lifetime, but since those conversations were focused on specific projects, the quotes pulled for Texas Flood don’t leave much impression. Both authors are accomplished musicians and longtime contributors to Guitar World magazine, so occasionally things get a little gear-heavy.
... riveting ... The anecdotes are nonstop, and the conversational narrative has the feel of one long Vaughan solo. Dig out those recordings. You’ll want to hear them all again as you read the stories behind the songs and performances ... Vaughan deserved this book, and, as it should, the content will stay with readers long after the last note has sounded ... It’s been 29 years since Vaughan’s passing; this is the book fans have been waiting for.
... a full picture of his life and music ... the book is written as an oral history – which has its own pros and cons as a format. One on hand, it allows many voices to be heard verbatim, popping in and out of the story. On the flip side, oral histories can read herky-jerky, and often lack an author’s more overall (and sometimes needed) observations on the subject and perspective placement ... adds greatly to the understanding and legacy of Stevie Ray Vaughan – both the man and the performer. And the myriad of voices (who don’t always agree) are fairly complete and represented well together. It’s required reading for any SRV fan.
Adopting an oral history format, Paul and Aledort have compiled a biography that features a large cast of fellow musicians and admirers ... A must for Vaughan and blues fans.
... this account is exhaustive, drawing extensively from interviews with those who knew Stevie best, with the exception of his ex-wife ... Paul and Aledort’s interviews also underscore Vaughan’s profound influence on other musicians, first as a blues revivalist who brought the music back into the mainstream and then as a testament to a sobriety that enriched his artistry. It’s a tragedy that the story had to end the way it did, but the authors show why the story still matters almost 30 years after his death ... Deep reporting makes this a treasure trove for anyone interested in the blues and Vaughan’s place within popular music.
The authors excellently capture how Vaughan, in the words of bassist Tommy Shannon, 'always played as if there was no tomorrow.' The interviews with fellow musicians and engineers provide insightful takes on Vaughan’s work ... Fans will be thrilled with this intelligent, informative, and enlightening biography of the guitar great.
