The Making of Texas Flood

In honor of Stevie Ray Vaughan's 60th birthday,   I present the following story of the making of Texas Flood. This was written for and originally published in Mojo circa 2001. A new version of the album was released last year: Texas…
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The time I interviewed James Brown about Say It Loud and I’m Black and I’m Proud

In 1999, Guitar World devoted an entire issue to the 30th anniversary of 1969, which we proclaimed the greatest year in rock. I wrote the histories of several landmark albums, including James Brown's Say It Loud (I'm Black And I'm Proud). The…
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An Interview With Albert King

Let's take another look at this old story, one of the highlights of my years at Guitar World. I wrote the intro a few years ago when the piece ran in Hittin' the Note. See many more great rock, blues and country photographs at www.kirkwestphotography.com. * Just…
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Inside B.B. King’s breakthrough hit, “The Thrill Is Gone”

Years ago, Guitar World dedicated an entire issue to the 100 Greatest Solos Ever. As with all such lists, it was somewhat arbitrary but a lot of fun. I wrote a lot of the entries, and will be posting them here randomly, as I see fit,sometimes…
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Best blues albums ever: Joe Bonamassa and the Black Crowes pick their 30 Vital Titles

Originally published in Guitar World, February 2010 As Guitar World’s 30th anniversary celebration continues, Joe Bonamassa and Black Crowes guitarists Rich Robinson and Luther Dickinson pick their 10 essential blues rock albums. Joe…
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Interview: Gregg Allman on Low Country Blues

It's no secret to most people reading this blog that Gregg Allman and the Allman Brothers Band have been a profound influence and source of inspiration for me. Last winter, on the heels of a liver transplant, he released Low Country Blues,…
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Duane Allman’s long-lost 57 Les Paul found – and Duane live!

Gregg Allman on Big in China,: "What a romp. After writing about music for years, Alan Paul walked the walk, preaching the blues in China. Anyone who doubts that music is bigger than words needs to read this great tale.”Anyone who has read…
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From the Archives: 10 Best Southern Rock Albums

From deep in the Guitar World and Alan Paul archives, my list of 10 Essential Southern Rock Albums. Note that it was written in about 1998.  I would do some things differently -including using Eat A Peach instead of the box set for the…

Jambands.com Features Alan Paul: Kind of (Beijing) Blue

One of the ost in-depth thoughtful pieces you will read about me or Big in China, written by my protege, Brandon Findlay. Jambands.com - Need We Say More? Features Alan Paul: Kind of (Beijing) Blue
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Fromthe archives: in-depth Bob Weir interview

A lengthy 2001 interview with Bobby, when Ratdog was kicking hard. This interview appears in my Ebook, Reckoning: Conversations With the Grateful Dead, along with similarly extensive interview with Phil, Phil and Trey, Robert Hunter,…