"Soul to Soul" is the third studio album by American blues rock band Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble. Released on September 30, 1985, by Epic Records. This album was produced by the band and Richard Mullen. It was the final album to be released during Vaughan's lifetime, before his unfortunate demise in a helicopter crash in 1990.
The album is known for featuring a much more expansive sound compared to the band's previous albums, with elements of soul and R&B becoming more prominent. This marked an evolution in the band's sound, partly driven by the addition of Reese Wynans on keyboards.
Vaughan wrote four of Soul to Soul's ten tracks; two songs were released as singles. The album went to #34 on the Billboard 200 chart and the music video for "Change It" received regular rotation on MTV. By 1999, the album was certified double platinum.
The songs explore various themes like existential crisis, personal relationships, and life struggles, channeled through Vaughan's masterful guitar work and emotive vocals. Supporting this musical journey were Tommy Shannon on bass and Chris Layton on drums, collectively known as Double Trouble.
Despite mixed reviews initially, the album eventually proved to be a success, demonstrating Vaughan's and Double Trouble's refusal to be confined to pure blues, instead, experimenting with other genres, to deliver an album that was both commercial and artistic. Till date, "Soul to Soul" continues to be celebrated for its introspective lyrics and its pioneering blend of blues, rock, and soul.
