Derek Trucks (incredible!)

As I've posted here before (in reviews of his albums), I have been a fan of Derek Trucks for several years, having seen him play live on three occasions (twice with the Allman Brothers and once with Eric Clapton).  Well, somehow, someone found a video of him performing with a blues band at age fourteen, doing the coda section from "Layla" and a blues jam at a festival, opening for the Allman Brothers back in 1993.  Some people are just born with talent right out of the box.  This is Derek jamming with a band at age 14!  I'll admit, at that time in my life, I was still playing drums and didn't pick up on guitar for a few more years.  But this is TOO AWESOME not to post.

In Memoriam: Eric Clapton keyboardist Dick Sims

Eric Clapton's keyboardist during a long stretch of successful albums in the mid 1970s, Dick Sims has passed away.  Sims played B3 and keyboards on:

"461 Ocean Boulevard" 1974
"There's One In Every Crowd" 1975
"No Reason To Cry" 1976
"Slowhand" 1977
"Backless" 1978

Sims, along with bassist Carl Radle and drummer Jamie Oldaker pioneered what became known as the "Tulsa sound" and worked not only with Clapton but with J.J. Cale and other artists.  Sims played on a Bob Seger album and with other artists, releasing one solo record back in 2008 entitled "Within Arms Reach".  Here is the full story from the Eric Clapton website www.whereseric.com, also featuring live videos of Sims keyboard work with Clapton's band during the late 1970s on songs like "I Shot The Sheriff", the Otis Rush blues standard "Double Trouble" and another blues standard covered by Clapton called "Further On Up The Road" written by Don Robey & Joe Veasey. 

Here is the link to the full story from Clapton's website.
http://whereseric.com/eric-clapton-news/303-longtime-eric-clapton-keyboard-player-dick-sims-dies

Rest In Peace, Dick Sims.

Deodato: "Double Face"

Here is the official video of "Double Face".  Deodato's record company is SMC Recordings.

Record collection revisited: Eumir Deodato “The Crossing”

This is actually a new record that has been getting constant play in my CD player over the past few days.  Some records are just really good right out of the box.  Deodato’s new record “The Crossing” is one of those albums.  I have highlighted his earlier work from the 1970s before.  But, this new record keeps his signature sound intact while also featuring some really interesting collaborations.  Deodato mixes his trademark pop sound with healthy doses of jazz fusion, funk, and even a bit of modern R&B or hip hop on “The Crossing”.  It features hip hop and soul influenced vocals by both Londonbeat and Paco Sery.

Each track is unique and one of the tracks called “Double Face” bookends the record.  Somehow I have to think that the tune went down so well, it was decided that two takes should both be included on the finished record.  “Double Face” features vocals by Al Jarreau who is a very unique artist in his own right, developing a signature scat singing style all his own.  I have been listening to his singing for a long time, so hearing his vocals on “Double Face” really enhances the tune.  He co-wrote the piece with Deodato.

Besides Al Jarreau, this record includes other guest artists including Deodato’s longtime guitarist John Tropea (who played on the early ‘70s records he did like “Deodato” from 1972 and “Deodato 2” released the next year in 1973).  Drummer Billy Cobham is featured on a track along with Italian pop group Novecento.  Other singers on the record include R&B/hip hop singer Londonbeat, and vocalist Paco Sery, who contribute vocals to the title track “The Crossing”.  This is a very funky track with synced drumbeats, but also a really pure bass line, Deodato’s Rhodes piano, and, (icing on the cake), horns!

John Tropea is featured on only two tracks, but one of these is a great arrangement of the Gershwin classic “Summertime” which appears in the latter half of the track list.  Well known percussionist Airto Moreira (who has played with Miles Davis among others), is featured on the track “Border Line”.  Deodato’s band on this record includes:

Eumir Deodato: electric piano

Rossana Nicolosi: bass

Lino Nicolosi: guitar

Pino Nicolosi: keyboards, double bass

Billy Cobham: drums

Mimmo Campanale: drums

Marco Fadda: percussion

Al Jarreau: vocals

Jimmy Chambers: vocals

William Upshaw: vocals, backing vocals

Joe Turano: backing vocals

J. Patrick Lundquist: backing vocals

Dora Nicolosi: backing vocals

Gianni Virone: flute, tenor saxophone

There are numerous horn and string players on the recording, something Deodato is known for on all his records.  His music is a combination of jazz fusion, pop, classical, R&B/funk, and hip hop (at least on this recording).  The record was done at his studio in Milan, Italy.  It certainly falls into an improvisational and groove record category like many of his earlier works did.  Here’s the full track listing with featured soloists.

1
1    1. Double Face        feat. Al Jarreau

2. I Want You More feat. Novecento & Al Jarreau

3. The Crossing       feat. Londonbeat & Paco Sery

4. Night Passage     feat. John Tropea

5. No Getting Over You  feat. Londonbeat

6. Summertime     feat. John Tropea

7. Rule My World  feat. Novecento & Billy Cobham

8. Border Line       feat. Airto Moreira

9. Double Face     feat. Al Jarreau                

If you are a Deodato fan, or even if the name is new to you, check out “The Crossing”.  Deodato’s unique brand of jazz fusion is a welcome sound for the ears with his ability as a producer to layer different instruments together and to bring new ideas into the fold, but keep a sound he’s had that is identifiable for over 35 years.  It proves the old adage “why mess with a good thing?”  Well, experimentation is great.  But, by doing that, Deodato also keeps his music very real and truly one of a kind.

The Guitar Channel

Well, there is another blog for any of you who read this who are guitarists to check out.  This is primarily related to guitarists who work in the genre of jazz fusion (which I have discussed on numerous occasions and will continue to when albums or ideas arise).  In the meantime, check out

The Guitar Channel
http://www.guitar-channel.com/

2012 is right around the corner.  Look for more record reviews and musical ideas coming in not too distant future.  Have a Happy New Year!

Eric Clapton & Sheryl Crow "Merry Christmas, Baby"

In the holiday spirit, with a week or so to go before Christmas, I just had to post this song.  "Merry Christmas, Baby" by Eric Clapton and Sheryl Crow.  This could be my last post of 2011.  There will be others slated for early next year.  But, for the time being, enjoy this song and have Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday season and Happy New Year!

Song for Barry video part 2

Song for Barry video part 1

Here is the video for "Song For Barry".  This is part one.  Part two to follow.

record collection revisited: The Band Greatest Hits

Normally, reviewing a greatest hits record would be kind of a foolish thing to do.  But, with The Band, and their deep catalog of music that spanned only eight short years (despite the band being together for about fifteen years), I find it appropriate to look at this record.  The Band actually started out as the backing group for singer Ronnie Hawkins.  They were known as The Hawks at that time.  The Band consisted of Levon Helm on drums (who now has his own band of course), Robbie Robertson on guitar, Richard Manuel on piano, Garth Hudson on organ and woodwinds (he played saxophone primarily), Rick Danko on bass, and Levon Helm on drums.

They also wrote and recorded songs with Bob Dylan and even backed him on a few occasions.  The tracks on this greatest hits album do span their career and the following albums, some of which have become a part of the cannon of great rock and roll, or even great all time records.

"Music from Big Pink" 1968
"The Band" 1969
"Stage Fright" 1970
"Cahoots" 1971
"Moondog Matinee" 1973
"Northern Lights-Southern Cross" 1975
"Islands" 1977

The tracks on the greatest hits album from the above mentioned discography are:

1. The Weight (Robbie Robertson)
2. Tears of Rage (Bob Dylan & Richard Manuel)
3. Chest Fever (Robbie Robertson)
4. I Shall Be Released (Bob Dylan)
5. Up On Cripple Creek (Robbie Robertson)
6. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down (Robbie Robertson)
7. Rag Mama Rag (Robbie Robertson)
8. King Harvest (Has Surely Come) (Robbie Robertson)
9. The Shape I'm In (Robbie Robertson)
10. Stage Fright (Robbie Robertson)
11. Time To Kill (Robbie Robertson)
12. Life Is A Carnival (Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm & Rick Danko)
13. When I Paint My Masterpiece (Bob Dylan)
14. Ain't Got No Home (Clarence "Frogman" Henry)
15. It Makes No Difference (Robbie Robertson)
16. Ophelia (Robbie Robertson)
17. Acadian Driftwood (Robbie Robertson)
18. The Saga of Pepote Rouge (Robbie Robertson)

Check out The Band.  They have Canadian roots, but the music is most definitely a tribute to early American roots music whether it's blues, rock, gospel, Cajun, or any other genre that had it's roots here.  The Band had a way of encapsulating that spirit and promoting what roots music is all about like few others before them.  They have a unique legacy and it at least lives on in a way through Levon Helm and his band.

P.S. Rest In Peace, Richard Manuel and Rick Danko. 

record collection revisited: Randy & Michael Brecker "Some Skunk Funk": Live at Leverkusener Jazztage

The Brecker brothers, (trumpeter Randy Brecker, and his late brother, tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker),were another group in a wave of assorted acts who took jazz fusion in a modern direction in the '80s and '90s while also sticking to hard bop and bop jazz roots.  Their 2005 released live record "Some Skunk Funk" is a great illustration of this.  The band they assembled has some notable players in addition to the Breckers themselves.  It also includes:

Jim Beard: keyboards (who currently plays keys with Steely Dan)
Will Lee: electric bass (Lee is bassist for David Letterman's house band)
Peter Erskine: drums (Erskine played drums with Weather Report)
Koji Paul Shigihara: electric guitar solos

There is some wicked material on this album which borders the lines of fusion and big band.  The horns on this record (not just Randy and Michael, but the whole horn section) are amazing!  So is the rhythm section.  Each song has a really tight groove and the musicians are playing at their best on the whole thing.  However, my favorite cut on this record is the last one called "Song For Barry", a tribute to a jazz trombone player.  However, I can't seem to find out who it is as no one with the name of Barry comes up on lists of great jazz trombonists that I've been looking for.

Track listing

1. Some Skunk Funk
2. Sponge
3. Shanghigh
4. Wayne Out
5. And Then She Wept
6. Strap-Hangin'
7. Let It Go
8. Freefall
9. Levitate
10. Song For Barry

Here is the video for "Song For Barry" which doesn't have as dramatic a conclusion as the record version.  But, you will notice Michael Brecker playing a colorful, flute like instrument.  This is an EWI or (electronic wind instrument).  It is a synthesizer that is fingered like a saxophone and makes synthesizer sounds when the player blows over the reed.

Also, in the video, well known jazz fusion guitarist Mike Stern is playing with the band.  He worked with the Brecker brothers during the 1980s and like part of the '90s as well.  The video will follow in a separate post.

In memoriam: bluesman Hubert Sumlin

Blues guitar legend Hubert Sumlin passed away recently at age 80.  I had a chance to see Sumlin live at that Jimi Hendrix tribute concert in March of 2010.  His style, backing Chester Burnett (a.k.a. "Howlin' Wolf"), defined Chicago blues guitar in many ways.  There is more info about him at this link:

 http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/Daily/News/Bluesman_Hubert_Sumlin_Dies_at_80.aspx

Here is Sumlin playing one of the best known tunes he did with The Wolf, "Killing Floor" at the 2009 Ottawa Blues Fest.

Rest In Peace, Hubert Sumlin.

In memoriam: Dan "Bee" Spears, (bassist for Willie Nelson)

Another well known musician has passed away.  Dan "Bee" Spears who played bass with Willie Nelson for four decades died from exposure to the cold in Nashville, Tennessee, where he lived.  Spears was a longtime member of Nelson's band along with his older sister Bobbie on piano, Jody Payne on guitar (who also played with Merle Haggard), Paul English on drums, Billy English on percussion and Mickey Raphael on harmonica.  Spears and English made up the jazz influenced rhythm section in Willie's band.  Willie is indeed a jazz influenced singer and guitarist.  More about him and his legacy in a future post.  For now, Rest In Peace, Bee Spears.  Here is the link to the article.

http://www.cmt.com/news/news-in-brief/1675729/willie-nelson-bassist-bee-spears-dies-after-accident-at-nashville-area-home.jhtml

Cool performance by the Black Crowes & Gov't Mule

Two of my all-time favorite bands playing a tune together.  This is Gov't Mule and the Black Crowes at the 2004 Jammy Awards (a jam band awards show obviously poking some fun at the Grammy's), performing the Crowes song "Sometimes Salvation" from their 1992 "The Southern Harmony & Musical Companion" record.  The Mule has covered this song and done it very well.  Chris Robinson and Warren Haynes both just sing the fool out of this one!

Rhodes piano images

I will post here, the two main models of the Rhodes piano.  The first is the 1969-'79 version which remained unchanged throughout that decade and the second is the more updated 1979-'82 version.

In 1974, Fender electronics dropped their name from the Rhodes piano, giving full credit to it's creator, the late Harold Rhodes.  The photo of the Mk. I is from CBS as CBS controlled Fender for their guitars and for the early Rhodes pianos in the mid '60s up through the mid to late '70s.  Subsequent versions of the Rhodes were built in the '80s and '90s including the Mk. V.  They are up to the Mk. VII by now.  Some other digital piano companies have tried to emulate the Rhodes design as well.