“The Messiah Will Come Again” (1972) – Roy Buchanan * Written by Roy Buchanan * LP: Roy Buchanan * Producer: Peter K. Siegel * Label: Polydor
Roy Buchanan’s expressive guitar playing unlocked many a door of musical inspiration throughout his troubled life and continues to do so after death. He battled demons during his time on earth, which led him toward substance abuse and a tragic, premature demise (he was found hanging in his jail cell after being arrested for drunk driving in 1988). His Roy Buchanan album came out the year after a PBS special had featured him and earned him a contract with Polydor. “The Messiah Will Come Again” was an especially compelling track on the album, featuring an introverted spoken-word recitation by Buchanan and a goosebumps guitar solo (at 2:26) that’s sheer instrumental anguish. The track is no glimmering song of praise. It’s haunted blues all the way.