In Step Songs Ranked
In Step is the fourth studio album by Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble released in 1989. The title In Step can be seen as referring to Vaughan’s new-found sobriety, following the years of drug and alcohol use that eventually led Vaughan into rehabilitation. It was also Vaughan’s final album with Double Trouble, and also Vaughan’s last album to be released during his lifetime. In 1990, he recorded a collaboration album with his brother, Jimmie Vaughan, called Family Style; later that year, Stevie Ray Vaughan died in a helicopter crash. In 1999, a reissue of the album was released which contains an audio interview segment and four live bonus tracks. Here are all of In Step songs ranked.
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10. Travis Walk
“Travis Walk” is a funky, up-tempo instrumental with some great drumming by Chris Layton (who, incidentally, used to play drums for Buddy Guy and Lightnin’ Hopkins). Travis Walk shows us Vaughan’s versatility in the more rock-focused aesthetics he presents on the record.”
9. Leave My Girl Alone
“Buddy Guy’s ‘Leave My Girl Alone’ highlighted not only Vaughan’s deep assimilation of the Blues canon, but the ways in which he was reworking those elements to create his own unique voice within the soulful intensity of songs like ‘Tightrope’, or ‘Riviera Paradise”s subtle jazz-blues explorations.”
8. Riviera Paradise
“‘Riviera Paradise’ which finishes this album is a very mellow laid-back instrumental, and by an odd coincidence this is the last-ever SRV track on a studio album, and its completely unlike any other track in his recording career.”
See more: Stevie Ray Vaughan Albums Ranked
7. Let Me Love You Baby
“When God (Eric Clapton) admits that Stevie was the best he ever heard you know he probably was. What Stevie transmitted was a combination of two simultaneous, uncompromised lines of energy from his heart straight into his fingers. Even today when one of his songs plays on the radio I find myself looking forward to the guitar lead in anticipation.”
6. Love Me Darlin
“Stevie also covers Howlin’ Wolf’s Love Me Darlin’. This album has it’s hardcore blues and it’s rare unidentified stylistics, but mostly it is an upbeat contemporary blues rock group of songs with many lyrics reflective of Stevie Ray’s Life and the lives of those around him such as the co-writers like Doyle Bramhall. “
5. Tightrope
“This was Stevie’s last project before his untimely death. It is also his greatest work in my humble opinion. Stevie had overcome his demons shortly before producing this final masterpiece and the raw emotion of his life’s journeys pour out of these songs.”
See more: Stevie Ray Vaughan Songs Ranked
4. Scratch-N-Sniff
“I absolutely LOVE this man. You can tell he poured his heart and soul in his music. The way he played the guitar moved me in a way that I can never grow tired of listening to his music. “
3. Crossfire
“One thing that a lot of people don’t mention about SRV is his voice. The guitar is mesmerizing, but his voice a great compliment to his playing. “Crossfire” is absolutely addicting with it’s brilliant guitar solo.”
2. The House Is Rockin’
“Vaughan openly addresses all these issues on In Step (a reference to the therapeutic steps he was following to overcome his addictions) – the last of the four studio LPs he would produce with Double Trouble during his lifetime, and a perfect snapshot of his musical prowess and growing skills as a singer/songwriter. From the anthemic, pounding rock and roll of opening track ‘The House Is Rockin””
1. Wall of Denial
“Wall Of Denial” is pretty well known, but it is perhaps one of the lesser tracks on this album, with some fine guitar playing but not much in the way of either hooks or a real “groove” to grab a hold of the listener.”