Derek O'Brien
Karen Hanson
So I'm listening to the latest Snooky Pryor CD... and I'm really struck with
Derek O'Brien's guitar playing. On this CD he does some great slide work,
too. He and Snooky are a great one-two punch here. (Oh, yeah, O'Brien
produced the album, too.)
Anyway, I know I've seen him around before, on another of Snooky's CDs or
maybe a Hubert Sumlin one (I don't remember and don't feel like searching
right now)... But I really don't know much else about him. Anyone?
Karen
R. BANK$ & M. Martin
Well, he's a great guitar player who risides in Texas (maybe he is from
Texas I'm not sure) who is very much affiliated with Antones and has
produced a lot of the Antones recordings.
He produced and plays on one of our fave Antones recordings, "Dreams
Come True" which features "the girls", Lou Ann Barton, Angela Strehli
and Marcia Ball.
He's also backed up Wayne Bennett, Albert Collins and others... In fact
I have an Albert Collins video at Austin City Limits where he backs AC.
Albert gives Derek a couple of solos and Derek definitely holds his own,
even aginst the master, Albert.
He is definitely in the same league as Jimmie Vaughan and Anson
Funderburgh, but has not as of yet recieved quite the same notariety and
fame.
I've read a couple of interviews with him and he prefers to be a sideman
so this may be a reason why he's yet to recieve accolades.
Hope this helps, any more info on Derek would be appreciated.
I think he's a great guitar player!
Mark Martin
Perry Roper
Derek also played on one track of a Bobby Radcliff CD ( Universal Blues I
think).
For some reason the Guitar Slim tune "Got Something For Ya" kept leapin out, the
Guitar work was awesome and full of character. The Phrasing and tone was great.
Anyway after further review I discovered that it was Derek O'Brien on Lead
guitar
on that one single tune. Go check your Radcliff CD's and check him out.
Perry
Don O.
At 18:04 9/28/97 -0400, "R. BANK$ & M. Martin" <rba...@ciaccess.com> wrote:
>Well, he's a great guitar player who risides in Texas (maybe he is from
>Texas I'm not sure) who is very much affiliated with Antones and has
>produced a lot of the Antones recordings.
He's originally from Dallas and has lived in Austin for many years. He
appears on dozens of recordings. He seems to be very happy in the
producer/sideman role and seems to be in no hurry to cut a solo album.
Don O.
Jamie Bell
On Sun, 28 Sep 1997 17:04:25 -0400, Karen Hanson <MsJ...@aol.com>
wrote:
>So I'm listening to the latest Snooky Pryor CD... and I'm really struck with
>Derek O'Brien's guitar playing. On this CD he does some great slide work,
>too. He and Snooky are a great one-two punch here. (Oh, yeah, O'Brien
>produced the album, too.)
>
>Anyway, I know I've seen him around before, on another of Snooky's CDs or
>maybe a Hubert Sumlin one (I don't remember and don't feel like searching
>right now)... But I really don't know much else about him. Anyone?
>
>Karen
Karen: Derek O'Brien has been a fixture on the Austin/Antone's blues
scene for the better part of 20 years. He, along with another
relative unknown Denny Freeman, have been in the Antone's house band
for years backing up whoever's in town. He's played with Marcia Ball,
Lou Anne Barton, Kim Wilson, Sarah Fergusson (bass for the Antone's
house band) and is probably on countless lps put out by Antone's.
He's definitely on Lou Anne's first Antone's release I think entitled
"Read My Lips" and he's on Snooky's first Antone's lp as well (w/ Duke
Robillard too). He can certainly play in any style he wants, but he's
always reminded me of early Jimmie Vaughan - the less is more school
of soloing. I think he plays a strat through a tweed Bassman in case
you're into that. For more of him, definitely check out the Barton
and earlier Snooky.
Jamie Bell
Steve Jeter
Don O. wrote:
He seems to be very happy in the
> producer/sideman role and seems to be in no hurry to cut a solo album.
>
> Don O.
I have seen Clifford BEG him to sing, a couple of times, then say, "You
know, when you do, I'll record you solo album."
He isn't interested, at all. He is very fulfilled, making beautiful
music, and not a big "name".
--
Steve Jeter
Derek, is arguably, THE BEST blues "rhythm" guitar player on the planet.
That is probably why Mick J., flew him to England, 3 or 4 years ago to
audition. Seems one of the other "boys in the band", was acting up, and
threatening to quit, so Mick started looking to replace them. Needless
to say, it didn't happen, but it was a cool trip for Derek.
Derek was neighbors, with the Vaughn brothers in Dallas, and migrated to
Austin, with Jimmy, I believe. (Don O. or others can correct me on this
part, if needed) He has been Antone's, house guitar player from the
beginning of the 1st club. He has played with, and for everyone.
My admiration for him, is quite boundless. While most every guitar
player, works a long time to "develop" their own sound, Derek has made
it an art in learning to "change into" each artist's style that he has
"backed", for two and a half decades, at the club. I've seen him, "out
Albert", Albert Collins in a head cutting, storm Stevie, and jam-up
Jimmy. He also has his own "Texas" style, that is as unmistakable as
Albert C., or Willie Nelson. However, watching him change styles, like
he was putting on a change of outfit's, is something to behold. Yet, he
is truly one of the most humble, lovable people I have ever known.
He's accompanied us to Europe, and been on all three (legit) Long John
albums.
He produces most of Antone's releases...Is THE ONLY guitar player EVER
to tour with Stevie, and the least of his accomplishment, and the best
of mine...is the fact that he's my best "Bud".
How's that go?..."Don't get me started..."
Steve
Karen Hanson wrote:
>
> So I'm listening to the latest Snooky Pryor CD... and I'm really struck with
> Derek O'Brien's guitar playing. On this CD he does some great slide work,
> too. He and Snooky are a great one-two punch here. (Oh, yeah, O'Brien
> produced the album, too.)
>
> Anyway, I know I've seen him around before, on another of Snooky's CDs or
> maybe a Hubert Sumlin one (I don't remember and don't feel like searching
> right now)... But I really don't know much else about him. Anyone?
>
> Karen
--