What a difference three years made for Vaughan

Spencer Patterson

Friday, Feb. 25, 2005 | 8:32 a.m.

It's difficult to imagine a time when Stevie Ray Vaughan's name wasn't synonymous with the words "guitar god."

From the moment the Texas native released debut album "Texas Flood" in 1983, he was rightfully hailed as one of the greatest ever to play his instrument, and continues to be judged as such 15 years after his death.

For proof that Vaughan's appeal wasn't universal and instant, however, look no further than his posthumously released two-CD "Live at Montreux 1982 & 1985" collection.

Disc 1 showcases Vaughan's first appearance at the renowned Montreux Jazz Festival -- with rhythm section Double Trouble -- on July 17, 1982.

Far from being in awe of Vaughan's guitar work, the Swiss crowd treats him harshly. Apparently primed for acoustic jazz, audience members react to his electric blues set with choruses of loud boos, repeatedly.

Instead of derailing the trio's performance, though, the disapproving "music fans" only pour gasoline on Vaughan's fire.

After his scorching rendition of "Pride and Joy" draws a mixed reaction, Vaughan responds with a glorious version of "Texas Flood," channeling every negative vibe in the room into each heartwrenching solo.

Although much of the audience might have disapproved of Vaughan's gritty sound, two of the night's attendees -- Jackson Browne and David Bowie -- did not. Browne ultimately lent Vaughan his recording studio for the "Texas Flood" sessions, while Bowie offered Vaughan the chance to play on his "Let's Dance" album.

From there, Vaughan exploded onto the scene. Disc 2, drawn from his Montreux return on July 15, 1985, proves just how far his legend grew in only three years.

This time the announcement of Vaughan is greeted with a gigantic cheer from the crowd, which responds in similar fashion to "Tin Pan Alley," Jimi Hendrix's "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" and the previously disdained "Pride and Joy."

Vaughan also revisits "Texas Flood." Understandably, it doesn't quite seethe the way it did the night the guitarist didn't just play the blues, but also had them.

Artist: Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble.

Title: "Live at Montreux 1982 & 1985."

Year of release: 2001 (Sony/Legacy Records).

Tracklisting: Disc 1 (July 17, 1982): "Hide Away," "Rude Mood," "Pride and Joy," "Texas Flood," "Love Struck Baby," "Dirty Pool," "Give Me Back My Wig," "Collins Shuffle." Disc 2 (July 15, 1985): "Scuttle Buttin', " "Say What!," "Ain't Gone N' Give Up On Love," "Pride and Joy," "Mary Had a Little Lamb," "Tin Pan Alley," "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)," "Texas Flood," "Life Without You," "Gone Home," "Couldn't Stand the Weather."