Texas Flood

MTV wasn’t in the habit of programming roadhouse-steeped Texas guitarists in 1983 — with the exception of Stevie Ray Vaughan. Of course, it didn’t hurt that Vaughan had played the solos on David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance” and “China Girl.” Still, his own debut album, Texas Flood, was the sort of blues-rock rarely heard in mainstream circles in an era ruled by the likes of Styx and Journey. Backed by Double Trouble (bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Chris Layton), he plowed through swift rockers such as “Love Struck Baby” and “Pride and Joy,” the countrified pickin’ showcase “Rude Mood” and the dramatic title cut with charismatic verve. Though he’d continue to broaden his stylistic palette, Vaughan already was capable of “Lenny,” a lyrical instrumental ode to his wife. Cut in three days, Texas Flood was the bedrock upon which an important career stood. This remastered edition contains five bonus tracks, including frantic live versions of “Testify” and Vaughan hero Lonnie Mack’s “Wham!” and a studio outtake of “Tin Pan Alley.”