David Sanborn & Phil Woods "Senor Blues"

Two jazz alto saxophone greats.  David Sanborn, and the late Phil Woods.  Here they are, playing a duet on the Horace Silver tune "Senor Blues".  This is also, an "In Memoriam" piece.  We honor the legacy, talent, and contributions, of Mr. Phil Woods.  May he Rest In Peace.  

http://thejazzline.com/news/2015/09/alto-sax-legend-phil-woods-has-died-at-83/

Tedeschi Trucks Band & Friends Mad Dogs & Englishmen @ Lockn' Festival, Arrington, Virginia, September 11th, 2015

So many musicians, were part of this fantastic tribute to the late, great, Joe Cocker, at Lockn' Music Festival in Arrington, Virginia, on September 11th, 2015.  Dig it!

...and, most of the set, from a webcast rip, with clearer audio.

Here is the set list.

1. The Letter
2. Darling Be Home Soon
3. Dixie Lullaby
4. Bird On A Wire (feat. Rita Coolidge: vocals)
5. The Weight (feat. Claudia Linear & Rita Coolidge: vocals)
6. Superstar (feat. Rita Coolidge: vocals)
7. Delta Lady (feat. John Bell: vocals)
8. Let's Go Get Stoned (feat. Alicia Chakour: vocals)
9. Something (feat. Doyle Bramhall II.: vocals)
10. Band Introductions
11. She Came In Through The Bathroom Window (feat. Warren Haynes: guitar & vocals)
12. Feelin' Alright (feat. Dave Mason: vocals)
13. Sticks & Stones (feat. Chris Robinson: vocals)
14. Space Captain (feat. Chris Robinson: vocals)

Encore:

15. Ballad of Mad Dogs & Englishmen (Leon Russell: solo)
16. With A Little Help From My Friends (feat. Rita Coolidge: vocals)

Lil' Son Jackson "Blues Come To Texas"

Remembering Texas blues pioneer Lil' Son Jackson, with his song "Blues Come To Texas".  Jackson, is a throwback to early blues pioneers.  But, this tune, was recorded, in 1960.

Don Rendell Quintet "Space Walk"

This is the tune yours truly was originally looking for, before finding, "Antibes".  Here's "Space Walk" by the Don Rendell Quintet, which is indeed the title track to their 1973 record, of the same name.  All this music, is actually in series in a YouTube playlist.  So, click the next arrow, if you want to hear more.

Warren Haynes & Railroad Earth, Live from The McKittrick Hotel

A performance by Warren Haynes and Railroad Earth, recorded live at the McKittrick Hotel, this year, prior to the release of Haynes' latest record, "Ashes & Dust" that he recorded with Railroad Earth.  A review of that album, could be in the works in the not too distant future.  Stay tuned.  For now, here is the performance.

The set list is:

1. Back Where I Started
2. Blue Maiden's Tale
3. Glory Road
4. Time (The Revelator)
5. Hallelujah Boulevard
6. Is It Me Or You
7. Two of A Kind, Workin' On A Full House 

Buddy Guy "First Time I Met The Blues"

Buddy Guy performs his tune "First Time I Met The Blues" with bassist David Myers.  This performance, is taken from a 1970 film called "Chicago Blues". 

Don Rendell Quintet "Antibes"

Cool free jazz piece.  This is the Don Rendell Quintet with "Antibes", a track off of the quintet's 1972 record.  Rendell plays saxes and flutes here.  Tenor and soprano saxophones, as well as alto and standard flute.  Here's the whole band lineup.

Bass – Jack Thorncroft
Drums – Trevor Tomkins
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Flute [Alto] – Don Rendell
Supervised By [Supervision] – Denis Preston
Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute – Stan Robinson
Vibraphone, Flute – Peter Shade

Hummingbird "Scorpio"

Dig this track, from jazz fusion group, Hummingbird.  The tune is called Scorpio, and released, in what was arguably, the best year, for jazz fusion... 1976.  The band lineup is:

Bob Tench: guitar, vocals
Bernie Holland: guitar
Robert Ahwai: guitar
Clive Chaman: bass
Max Middleton: keyboards
Bernard Purdie: drums

Sadly, the song, fades out, right in the middle of Max Middleton's Rhodes solo.

The Allman Brothers Band "Desdemona"

A modern Allman Brothers Band classic.  This is "Desdemona" from "Hittin' The Note", their last studio album, released in 2003.

Eric Clapton & Leon Russell: Apartment Jam, 1974

Check out this jam session, taped in apartment, someplace, in 1974, likely belonging to one of the musicians involved.

Musicians:

Eric Clapton: lead guitar
George Terry: rhythm guitar
Leon Russell: piano
Mary Russell: clavinet & vocals
Carl Radle: bass
Jamie Oldaker: drums

Tracks:

1. I Found Love
2. Down In The Bottom
3. Jam
4. Paint It Black
5. Jam

Brian Auger's Oblivion Express "Jam Side Down"

Check out Brian Auger and his band Oblivion Express, playing the tune "Jam Side Down" from their 2000 record, "Voices of Other Times".  The band lineup is:

Brian Auger: Rhodes piano
Chris Clermont: guitars
Dan Lutz: bass
Karma Auger: drums

It should be noted, that other musicians also played on this album, just not on this particular track.  Those talents include Savannah Auger on vocals, and Long John Oliva on percussion.

Vinnie Colaiuta "I'm Tweaked"/"Attack of the 20 lb. Pizza"

Two songs, in a medley.  I am posting this one, as it's the second tune, where the title just floors me, as does Vinnie Colaiuta's drumming.  Should be the same band as from the previous tune posted here yesterday.  This is "I'm Tweaked" and "Attack of the 20 lb. Pizza".

Vinnie Colaiuta "Bruce Lee"

A song from drummer Vinnie Colaiuta's self titled record.  This is called "Bruce Lee".  The band lineup is:

Vinnie Colaiuta (various instruments, drums, percussion, programming); Steve Tavaglione (soprano & tenor saxophones); Jeff Beal (trumpet, flugelhorn); Ron Moss (trombone); David Goldblatt (Fender Rhodes piano, synthesizer); Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, David Sancious (organ); Michael Landau, Dominic Miller, Mike Miller (guitar); Neil Stubenhaus, Pino Palladino, Sting; John Patitucci, Tim Landers, Sal Monilla (bass); Bert Karl (percussion); Lou Canova (sound effects).

Cannonball Adderley Quintet "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" (1966)

This performance, is nearly a half century old.  But, it's still fabulous.  Cannonball Adderley and his quintet, with the Joe Zawinul penned composition, "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy".  The performance, is from 1966, and the band lineup is:

Cannonball Adderley Quintet: Cannonball Adderley (alto saxophone); Nat Adderley (cornet); Joe Zawinul (acoustic & electric pianos); Victor Gaskin (bass); Roy McCurdy (drums).

Yours truly, has been covering this song.  I am the guitarist, for a horn driven band called I94 Express, and we have this tune, in our repertoire.  Great song.

Zappa Plays Zappa (documentary)

Great video and documentary, of a festival, paying tribute, to Frank Zappa, in many different ways.  Check it out.

Zappa Plays Zappa: Concert 2

Another Zappa Plays Zappa concert.  Check it out.

Tracklist:

1. Cosmik Debris
2. I'm The Slime
3. Pound For A Brown
4. Don't Eat The Yellow Snow
5. St. Alfonzo's Pancake Breakfast
6. Father O'blivion
7. Inca Roads (listen closely how Dweezil is "building" his solo)
8. Peaches En Regalia
9. Montana
10. Village Of The Sun
11. Echidna's Art (Of You)
12. Zombie Woof (includes an unbelievable showcase for Steve Vai)
13. Black Napkins
14. The Torture Never Stops
15. Oh No
16. Son Of Orange County
17. Trouble Every Day
18. Sofa

Cast:
Dweezil Zappa - lead guitar, vocals
Napoleon Murphy Brock - vocals, saxophone, flute
Scheila Gonzalez - saxophone, flute, keyboards, vocals
Aaron Arntz - trumpet, keyboards, vocals
Pete Griffin - bass
Billy Hulting - marimba, mallets, percussions
Jamie Kime - (mostly) rhythm guitar
Joe Travers - drums, vocals

Special Guests:
Terry Bozzio - drums, vocals (sings only on some left outs)
Steve Vai - guitar

Water gap jazz saxophonist Phil Woods retires from live performances

An article on legendary jazz alto saxophonist, Phil Woods, in The Pocono Record newspaper.

http://www.poconorecord.com/article/20150914/NEWS/150919725

Zappa Plays Zappa (concert)

Here is a concert performance, by Zappa Plays Zappa.  Yours truly, saw them open for Return To Forever, back in 2011.  The video of the show, also includes the band lineup, and the track listing. 

Band lineup:

Dweezil Zappa - Lead Guitar & Vocals
Joe Travers - Drums & Vocals
Pete Griffin - Bass & Vocals
Jamie W. Kime - Guitar & Vocals
Aaron Arntz - Keyboards, Trumpet & Vocals
Scheila Gonzalez - Saxophone, Flute, Keyboards & Vocals
Billy Hulting - Mallets, Percussion & Manic Ranting

Track listing:

1. I'm The Slime
2. Pound For A Brown
3. Don't Eat The Yellow Snow
4. St. Alfonzo's Pancake Breakfast
5. Father O'Blivion
6. Black Page #1
7. Black Page #2
8. Echidna's Arf (Of You)
9. Black Napkins
10. The Torture Never Stops

Mick Jagger & The Red Devils "The Blues Sessions"

Check out Mick Jagger's blues band, The Red Devils and their record, "The Blues Sessions".

Here are the track listing, and the credits.

1. Blues With A Feeling
2. I Got My Eyes On You
3. Still A Fool
4. Checkin' Up On My Baby
5. One Way Out
6. Talk To Me Baby
7. Evil
8. Ain't Your Business
9. Shake 'Em On Down
10. Somebody Loves Me
11. Dream Girl Blues
12. 40 Days, 40 Nights

The band lineup:

Vocals: Mick Jagger
Harp: Lester Butler
Guitar: Paul Size
Bass: Jonny Ray Bartel
Drums: Bill Bateman

Warren Haynes & The Rich Hippies "Loan Me A Dime"

Check out Warren Haynes, with his band called The Rich Hippies, playing Boz Scaggs & Duane Allman's "Loan Me A Dime".  This performance is circa 1985, (30 years ago). 

Andrea Marcelli "Final Project"

From drummer Andrea Marcelli's album "Silent Will", this tune is called "Final Project" and it features quite the lineup of musicians.

Andrea Marcelli - drums, percussion, clarinet, synthesizers
Mitchell Forman - piano
Bob Berg - tenor saxophone
Wayne Shorter - soprano saxophone
Mike Stern - guitars
Allan Holdsworth - electric guitar, synthaxe
John Patitucci - electric bass, acoustic bass
Alex Acuna - percussion

Mark Knopfler (feat. Eric Clapton & Sting) "Money For Nothing"

Awesome version of Dire Straits "Money For Nothing" at Music for Montserrat, featuring Mark Knopfler, Sting, and Eric Clapton.

cool blues jam

Check out a great blues jam, featuring an eclectic lineup of musicians.  On guitars... Neil Schon, Luther Allison, and Albert King.  On harmonica... Jerry Portnoy.  On keyboards... Gregg Rolie, and Pinetop Perkins.  Dig it!

concert review: Merle Haggard & Kris Kristofferson (with special guest Sturgill Simpson), Minnesota State Fair 9-7-15

Who'd have thought this up?  A brilliant idea.  A tag team, classic country music concert, to close out the Minnesota State Fair on Labor Day, Monday.  Yes sir!  The tag team?  Two of the best songwriters in the business.  Merle Haggard, and Kris Kristofferson.  These two, individually, have lived what they've written about, for sure, and have been staples of country music, for a good part of the last nearly 50 years.  Backed by Merle Haggard's band of ace musicians, known as The Strangers, the duo traded back and forth between singing their own songs, and each one, seemed to be familiar with the fans, whether the familiarity came from the melody, the lyrics, or both.

Merle Haggard writes songs, that folks can identify with.  Good songwriting, comes from life experience, and Haggard proves that, in spades.  There is a reason Haggard is called "The Poet of the Common Man".  On this night, Haggard and Kristofferson traded opportunities to sing their hit songs, and those hit songs, flowed one after the other, like someone turning on a musical faucet, and what comes out of the tap, is as pure and true as cool mountain water.  Songs from both artist's catalogs were instantly recognizable to the fans, who cheered loudly with each one.

The two have completely contrasting styles, that fit together well.  Haggard is rooted genuinely in the Bakersfield, honky tonk dance hall style, playing stinging, cranked up twangy leads on his trusty Fender Telecaster, and adding plenty of fiddle and steel guitar, reminiscent of the great western swing pioneer, Bob Wills, who came to prominence in the 1940s, with his band, the Texas Playboys.  Kristofferson, takes a folk rooted, acoustic approach, to his song craft, very much like folk rock luminaries such as Bob Dylan or Bruce Springsteen.

But, the two styles really mesh together well, and each artist, took turns playing their classic songs.  Merle Haggard's legendary band, The Strangers, backed each artist on their songs, and did well with the aforementioned dynamic shifts, between Haggard's roadhouse boogie, and Kristofferson's acoustic folk style.  Merle Haggard also lent guitar solos, to Kristofferson's songs, whether on "Me And Bobby McGee", "Why Me, Lord?" or, "The Silver Tongued Devil and I".

The highlight of the set, had to be an arrangement of Townes van Zant's "Pancho & Lefty" which Haggard originally recorded, with fellow country music legend, Willie Nelson.  Kristofferson did not sing on that one, with Haggard.  Instead, Merle's fiddler, Scott Joss, took on Willie Nelson's verses. Yours truly, also saw Willie perform that number, several years ago.  One of the biggest songs that the crowd could identify with, was Haggard's "Okie From Muskogee", and those in the audience, sang the tune, right along with him.

He stopped the tune, at one point and said to the crowd, something like "I know you can sing it louder than that!"  Other memorable songs from both artists included Kristofferson singing "For The Good Times", recorded by the late, great country music legend, Ray Price, "Silver Wings", "Big City", "Sing Me Back Home", "Mama Tried", and, "I Think I'll Just Stay Here And Drink". Plus, early on in the set, Merle and Kris, covered Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues", and to end the show, there was even an instrumental fiddle breakdown.  More details, in the set list, at the end of the review. 

Opening act, Sturgill Simpson, set the tone for the evening.  Like The Strangers, Simpson's backing band, was solid, featuring Laur Jomets on lead and slide guitar, Kevin Black on bass, Jeff Crow on Hammond B3 organ, electric piano, and (interestingly, for a country band)... theremin, and Miles Miller, on drums, percussion, and backing vocals.  Simpson's vocals, are reminiscent of a young Waylon Jennings, and he too, may become another name, who builds a solid career.

So, here it is.  The full set list from this show, played by two legends, who have cemented their legacies as country music royalty.  Many of today's artists, could take a real lesson on how to play country music, from these guys.  Last night at the fair, it was the real deal.

1. Shipwrecked in the Eighties (Kris Kristofferson & The Borderlands cover) #
2. Big City *
3. Folsom Prison Blues (Johnny Cash cover)
4. Silver Wings *
5. Help Me Make It Through The Night #
6. Me And Bobby McGee #
7. I Think I'll Just Stay Here And Drink *
8. Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again) *
9. The Pilgrim #
10. That's The Way Love Goes *
11. Sunday Morning Coming Down #
12. Sing Me Back Home *
13. The Silver Tongued Devil And I #
14. Pancho & Lefty (Townes van Zant cover) (feat. Scott Joss: vocals)
15. Mama Tried *
16. For The Good Times # (written by Kris Kristofferson, and performed by the late, great Ray Price)
17. Okie From Muskogee *
18. Why Me #
19. Fiddle Breakdown (Instrumental) *      

# Kris Kristofferson song
* Merle Haggard song

Grandstand review: Avett Brothers bring bluegrass bounce to State Fair

I don't often post reviews of concerts I didn't attend, and usually, write my own reviews, for this blog.  But, the Saturday night Minnesota State Fair gig, featuring the Avett Brothers, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, seems quite noteworthy as it's American roots music at it's finest.  Check out the review from the Pioneer Press newspaper, and their webpage, twincities.com.

http://www.twincities.com/statefair/ci_28767037/grandstand-review-avett-brothers-bring-bluegrass-bounce-state

Dweezil Zappa & Ella Ferguson "Peaches En Regalia"

Happy belated birthday, Dweezil Zappa, (his birthday was yesterday).  Here he is playing with violinist Ella Ferguson, on one of his dad Frank Zappa's best known tunes.  This is "Peaches En Regalia", taken from a performance at the State Theater in Portland, Maine, on April 9th, 2015.

Al Di Meola Project Live at The Palladium, 1992

Check out this concert by Al di Meola and his band, circa 1992.  Al Di Meola Project, Live at The Palladium, 1992 in New York City.  The band lineup is:

Al Di Meola (Guitars)
Barry Miles (Keyboards)
Richie Morales (Drums)
Rachel Z (Keyboards)
Gumbi Ortiz (Congas, percussion)
Tony Scherr (Bass)
Chris Carrington (Guitar)

Here's the set list.

1. Kiss My Axe
2. One Night Last June
3. Phantom
4. Tango Suite
5. The Embrace
6. Southbound Traveler

Skynyrd Nation at the Minnesota State Fair

Yours truly, was in the throng of people, at a well attended grandstand at the Minnesota State Fair Thursday night, to see, (for the second time), the great southern boogie rockers... the great survivors, Lynyrd Skynyrd.  These guys have been through much tragedy through their career and have had various new members joining the band.  Guitarist, Gary Rossington, is the only original member left, and one of them, who did survive the horrible 1977 plane crash that took the lives of original bandleader Ronnie van Zant, and brother/sister duo of backing vocalist Cassie Gaines, and her brother, guitarist, Steve Gaines.

More recently, original keyboardist Billy Powell, and bassists Leon Wilkeson and Ean Evans, have left us.  I first saw Skynyrd, in 2007, with Powell and Evans in the lineup.  Since then, lead vocalist (and Ronnie's brother), Johnny van Zant, Gary Rossington, Rickey Medlocke, and Mark "Sparky" Matejka (who also played a brief stint with fellow southern fried boogie rock legend Charlie Daniels), have been joined in the band by Peter Keys on keyboards, and Johnny Colt on bass, along with longtime drummer, Michael Cartellone.

Some doubt that the spirit of the original Skynyrd, is left in this formation of the band.  But, to the legions of fans at the sold out grandstand Thursday evening, that was hardly noticeable.  The band, played ALL their hit songs that made them famous, beyond their roots in the south, specifically, in Jacksonville, Florida.  The set list, was completely made up of all the songs that fans remember from the band's glory years, between 1973 and the horrendous 1977 plane crash, near Gillsburg, Mississippi, when they were en route, from a gig at Greenville Memorial Auditorium in Greenville, South Carolina, to another show, at LSU (Louisiana State University), in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

However, in their State Fair concert, they showed why legions of fans from all over, still appreciate and genuinely love their music.  They played all their hit songs, one after another and the trademark twinned and sometimes tripled guitar solos between Rossington, Medlocke (who started out with the band very early on as they formed, as a drummer), and Matejka, sent the crowd into a frenzy.  Peter Keys, for his part, replicated the late, great Billy Powell's piano parts, to a T.  Johnny van Zant called to the crowd, to keep them pumped, throughout the show, "Skynyrd Nation, we need to hear you!"

Mr. van Zant is passionate about the bands fans, and knows what they want to hear.  As bandleader, and lead vocalist, he also keeps them cheering and wanting more.  This is a band, that knows what their fan base likes, and delivers it, in spades.  Memorable songs, with lyrics the common man can relate to, and also, much delight, for the ears of electric guitar lovers, everywhere.  So, the band is a triple threat.  Solid songs, good players, and just a general, "let's have a good time!" attitude.  The list of songs, is a long one, and can only be mentioned, at the end of this review, because, guaranteed, every single tune on the set list, was a familiar one, that fans knew and loved.

For their part, opening band Collective Soul... part of the 1990s alternative rock scene, who hail, from Atlanta, Georgia (so, another southern bred band, but with different musical ideas), delivered a decent set, even if the songs were not so recognizable, except for occasional radio hits, from their formative years in the '90s.  Guitarists Dean Roland on rhythm, and Jesse Triplett on lead, both wielded those classic guitar rigs of Gibson Les Paul's plugged into Marshall amps, and the highlights, were Triplett's wah pedal fueled solos, played on his main axe of choice, a "black beauty" Les Paul Custom.

Vocalist Ed Roland occasionally played acoustic guitar.  Some of the more radio recognizable hits included "The World I Know", "December", and "Shine".  Like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Collective Soul, had many fans at this show, too.  So, the whole concert, was a win win, for fans, of both bands.  Skynyrd songs included such hits as "Workin' For MCA", "I Ain't The One", J.J. Cale's "Call Me The Breeze", "Saturday Night Special", "What's Your Name", "That Smell", "Tuesday's Gone", "Gimme Three Steps", "Simple Man", "Sweet Home Alabama", and, the band's magnum opus, "Freebird".

Charlie Parker & Dizzy Gillespie "Hot House"

Neat performance.  Dig this track, daddy-o.  Charlie Parker on alto saxophone, and Dizzy Gillespie on trumpet, playing "Hot House" in 1951.

Steps Ahead "Trains"

Not sure if I've posted this one yet.  But, this is definitely worth checking out.  Fusion band, Steps Ahead, with their composition, "Trains" from their "Live In Tokyo, 1986" record.  The band lineup is:

Michael Brecker -tenor saxophone, EWI
Mike Mainieri - acoustic & MIDI vibraphones
Daryl Jones - electric bass
Mike Stern - guitar
Steve Smith - drums

Chris Potter & Ari Hoenig "The Wheel"

Another, (acoustic) version of Chris Potter's "The Wheel".  This is very different from the electric version posted here some time ago.  It features Chris Potter on piano and tenor saxophone, and Ari Hoenig, on drums, recorded on August 23rd, 2011 at the Sunside Club, in Paris, France.