Awesome! I had no idea. Couldn't even hear it? Blinded by Bowie I guess.
Thanks so much :)
peace...
Yeah, SRV was just starting to get major notice in smaller circles, getting ready to promote his new "Texas Flood" album. Vaughan plays lead guitar on several Let's Dance tracks, including two of the album's many mega-hits ("Let's Dance" and "China Girl"), but guitar-wise, the song that truly kicks collective ass is the less-famous "Cat People (Putting Out the Fire)." It's also got the album's healthiest serving of SRV; he solos in the middle, adds Albert King-style bends throughout and then solos near the end of the song.
In fact, after recording for the Bowie album, Bowie's management team was a little afraid SRV would steal the spotlight and wouldn't let Stevie and DT (at the last minute) open on the Bowie tour for this album.
SRV was slated to hit the road with Bowie to promote Let’s Dance in May 1983—but Texas Flood was about to come out. The Bowie tour would keep him on the road for a year, keeping him from promoting his own album. Bowie’s management decided to let Stevie open select dates on the tour.
That sounded fine to SRV. But shortly before the tour began, Bowie’s management reneged. Not only would they not allow Double Trouble to open for Bowie, but Stevie couldn’t give interviews about his album (Texas Flood) while on tour for Bowie. SRV never got to decide whether or not to stay with Bowie. Chesley Millikin, his manager, did it for him.
Moments before Stevie boarded Bowie’s bus, the tour manager pulled his gear and bags off the vehicle. The bus took off without him, leaving SRV on the sidewalk with no idea what to do next. With his new freedom, Stevie put his attention on promoting Texas Flood and turned the loss into a gain.
Once you listen with SRV in mind, it's unmistakable it's his signature sound. Sorta like Eddie Van Halen on M Jackson's "Beat It". It's like seeing a picture with these people in the background and once you notice them, you can't unsee them.
Love SRV's guitar work on this.