Say What!

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as they spin the electrifying "Say What!" by Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble from their 1985 album Soul to Soul. This instrumental track is a fiery showcase of Vaughan's guitar prowess, and during its recording, he pushed the boundaries of his sound. In a 1985 interview with Guitar Player magazine, Vaughan revealed he used two wah-wah pedals simultaneously for "Say What!", manipulating them separately while seated on a stool to create the song’s distinctive, pulsating rhythm. This experimental approach, as he described, was about “trying to get as many sounds as possible” to capture the raw energy of the studio sessions at Dallas Sound Lab. The track’s intensity reflects the band’s desire to evolve their sound, blending Texas blues with soul and jazz influences, as noted by biographer Craig Hopkins in his book Stevie Ray Vaughan: Day by Day, Night After Night.

Another tidbit about "Say What!" comes from drummer Chris Layton, who shared in a 1999 radio interview with Westwood One that the Soul to Soul sessions were marked by both creativity and excess. The band, now expanded with keyboardist Reese Wynans and saxophonist Joe Sublett, was riding high but grappling with mounting pressures, including Vaughan’s struggles with substance abuse. Layton recalled the studio being a chaotic yet productive space, with nearly 800 minutes of recordings captured, some of which later surfaced as collector’s items. Despite these challenges, "Say What!" emerged as a fan favorite, its relentless groove and searing guitar riffs embodying the band’s live-wire energy. Posts on X from fans often highlight the song’s raw power, with one user in 2023 calling it “the ultimate SRV track to blast at full volume,” reflecting its enduring appeal among devotees.

Stevie Ray Vaughan, born October 3, 1954, in Dallas, Texas, was destined for musical greatness from a young age. Inspired by his older brother, Jimmie Vaughan, a guitarist who later co-founded The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Stevie picked up the guitar at age seven. By 12, he was playing in garage bands, and by his teens, he was gigging in Dallas clubs, as detailed on his official bio at srvofficial.com. Dropping out of high school at 17, Vaughan moved to Austin in 1972, immersing himself in the city’s vibrant music scene. He played with bands like Blackbird and the Marc Benno Band before forming Triple Threat Revue in 1977 with vocalist Lou Ann Barton. After Barton’s departure in 1979, the band became Double Trouble, named after an Otis Rush song, with Vaughan stepping up as lead vocalist alongside drummer Chris Layton and bassist Jackie Newhouse, later replaced by Tommy Shannon in 1981.

Vaughan’s big break came in 1982 when Double Trouble performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival, catching the attention of David Bowie and Jackson Browne. Bowie recruited Vaughan for his album Let’s Dance, while Browne offered free studio time, leading to the recording of their debut album, Texas Flood, over Thanksgiving weekend. Released in 1983 by Epic Records, the album propelled the band to national fame, reaching #38 on the Billboard 200. Vaughan’s incendiary guitar style, drawing from blues legends like Albert King and rock innovators like Jimi Hendrix, set him apart, as noted in his Britannica biography. His career, tragically cut short by a helicopter crash in 1990, left an indelible mark, with Double Trouble continuing to honor his legacy through performances and releases.

Fans can connect with Stevie Ray Vaughan’s legacy through various platforms. The official website, srvofficial.com, offers discography details, merchandise, and updates on posthumous releases. The band’s Facebook page shares archival photos and fan tributes, while their Instagram features video clips and throwback content. On X, the handle @SRVaughanFans, though unofficial, actively posts about Vaughan’s music and influence. Dedicated fan communities thrive online, including the Stevie Ray Vaughan Fans Facebook group, where members share rare recordings and memories, and SRV Fanzine, a fan-run site with detailed articles and discography guides. These spaces keep the spirit of Vaughan and Double Trouble alive for Zoo Freaks and beyond.