J.J. Appleton, Tim Lefebvre, & Jason Ricci "Nobody's Fault But Mine"

Acoustic Delta Blues, lives!  Check out the trio of J.J. Appleton on National steel resonator guitar and vocals, Tim Lefebvre on bass, and Jason Ricci on harmonica, playing "Nobody's Fault But Mine".  The tune remains in Public Domain, but is often attributed to one of the father's of the blues, Blind Willie Johnson.

Kazumi Watanabe "Afro Blue"

Jazz fusion guitarist Kazumi Watanabe, tackles Mongo Santamaria's "Afro Blue", made famous by John Coltrane.  Watanabe released this cover, on his 1999 record, "One For All".  The band line up is:

Kazumi Watanabe - guitar
Mike Mainieri - vibraphone
John Patitucci - bass
Larry Coryell - guitar
Akiko Yano - piano
Mino Cinelu - drums

Blood, Sweat & Tears "Valentine's Day"

A heartrending ballad by another great horn driven rock and roll band.  This is "Valentine's Day" by Blood, Sweat, & Tears.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood,_Sweat_%26_Tears

What Is Hip?! Tower of Power @ Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater July 27, 2016

For 40+ years, Tower of Power has been bringing it's horn driven soul and funk, from their hometown of Oakland, California, directly to the people, and tonight, at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater in Apple Valley, Minnesota, ToP brought it, in spades.  Though members have come and gone, some originals are still in the band including Emilio Castillo on tenor sax, Stephen "Doc" Kupka (known simply as, "The Doctor") on baritone sax, and the rhythm section of Francis "Rocco" Prestia on bass, and David Garibaldi on drums.  Newer members like lead singer, Marcus Scott, Tom Politzer on tenor sax, Sal Carrachiolo, on trumpet, fellow trumpet/flugelhorn player Adolfo Acosta, Roger Smith on Hammond B3 organ, and guitarist Jerry Cortez, augmented the group, and brought the funk in a way only ToP can.

Musicianship and showmanship are in equal parts with ToP.  Throughout the gig, the members really energized the crowd, with Politzer and Castillo dancing on stage while playing their horns, Tommy P, as he is known to the band, also played some wicked solos, while Castillo added vocals along with Marcus Scott, who's singing is very energetic and he's a true front man for the group, much in the same way original lead singer, Lenny Williams was.  The set list was culled from the classic albums of the early 1970s, as well as newer material that came out in the early 1990s.  Recognizable numbers, the band is famous for, including such tracks as "Get Yo' Feet Back on The Ground", "To Say The Least,You're The Most", "Down To The Nightclub", "Don't Change Horses", "Diggin' On James Brown", "So Very Hard To Go", "What Is Hip?" and the encore... "You're Still A Young Man".

Both fans young and old, appreciate ToP's high energy, good time music.  They are surely a band, that can put a very bright spot into your world if you are feeling down.  Again, it's musicianship, and showmanship, that counts equally, with this band.  Each individual artist contributed thrilling solos to the songs, and the stars of the evening had to be the aforementioned tenor sax tag team of Emilio Castillo and Tom Politzer, "The Doctor" on baritone sax, Roger Smith on B3, Sal Carrachiolo on trumpet, and who can forget Rocco Prestia's bass lines and the high energy singing of Mr. Marcus Scott.

Mentioning the soloists, each song, was a vehicle, for any one of them to do their thing, while keeping the band as tight and on the beat as ever they are.  That was really fun to listen to.  If you have not heard of, or seen Tower of Power, check them out.  Cool band, with great songs, and they know their fans want to party, and will enjoy the groove.  The show stopper, just before the end, was stated by Marcus.  "Let me ask y'all the eternal question.  What Is Hip?"

That's an easy answer.  ToP is hip, and the people dig it, daddy-o.

The full set list of ToP, at the MN Zoo.

1. I Like Your Style
2. Ain't Nothin' Stoppin' Us Now
3. Get Yo' Feet Back On The Ground
4. To Say The Least, You're The Most
5. Down To The Nightclub
6. Willing to Learn
7. So I Got to Groove
8. Don't Change Horses
9. Souled Out
10. Diggin' On James Brown
11. So Very Hard To Go
12. What Is Hip?
13. You're Still A Young Man

   

The Word "New Word Order"

A new release, from super group, The Word, featuring Robert Randolph on pedal steel guitar, Luther Dickinson on lead guitar, John Medeski, on Hammond B3, Chris Chew, on bass, and Cody Dickinson, on drums. 

Waylon Jennings "Can't You See"

Waylon Jennings does a great cover of The Marshall Tucker Band's "Can't You See", on The Johnny Cash Show, circa 1976.

Tab Benoit "Matchbox Blues"

Blues guitar master, Tab Benoit, playing "Matchbox Blues".  A soulful performance indeed.  It dates back to 2011 and is from Callahan's Music Hall.  Benoit, employs the classic power trio formula here, of guitar, bass, and drums, which is a proven lineup.  However, not sure who the bassist and the drummer are, on this particular performance. 

The Manhattan Project & Michel Petrucciani "Nefertiti"

The Manhattan Project, featuring Wayne Shorter on tenor sax, Stanley Clarke on bass, Pete Levin and Gil Goldstein on keyboards, and Lenny White on drums.  The band's one and only recording, was their self titled album, released in 1990, and here is a track from that recording.  A version of Wayne Shorter's "Nefertiti".

Lyle Lovett "That's Right (You're Not From Texas)"

Hey y'all, you may not be from Texas.  But, Texas, still wants you to check out their musical heritage.  Check out Lyle Lovett playing "That's Right (You're Not From Texas)".

That's right, you're not from Texas
That's right, you're not from Texas
That's right, you're not from Texas
Texas wants you, anyway!

Smokin' Joe Kubek & Bnois King "Cornbread"

The blues guitar duo of Smokin' Joe Kubek and Bnois King, release the first single off their latest record.  This is an ode, to down home soul food, called, "Cornbread".  Check it out.

Miles Davis Live in Vienna 1973

Check out Miles Davis with one of his electric bands, playing in Vienna, Austria, at Vienna Stadthalle, circa 1973.  This lineup features Miles Davis on trumpet and organ, Dave Liebman on soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, and flute, Pete Cosey on guitar and percussion, Reggie Lucas on guitar, Michael Henderson on electric bass, Al Foster on drums, and James Mtume Forman on congas, and percussion.
 

The Electric Flag "Sittin' In Circles"

Revisiting The Electric Flag... Mike Bloomfield's soul driven group, from the mid to late 1960s that came into being after his time in the Paul Butterfield Blues Band and taking part (briefly) in the 1968 "Super Session" album.  I believe this is before the aforementioned album, though... between Butterfield and "Super Session"... so, 1967 or so.  The tune is called "Sittin' In Circles".

Medeski, Clouser, & Bates

I'll be brief.  This show at Icehouse Minneapolis, featured a trio of John Medeski on the Barbarella chopped organ (a chopped, custom built Hammond), and what looked to be a Rhodes piano, Todd Clouser, on guitar, and JT Bates, on drums.  John Medeski, Todd Clouser, and JT Bates at Icehouse Minneapolis. What a cool show! Ethereal and frantic at the same time, and some great musicianship! Loved it. I could definitely dance to their jazz!  Will this trio, make a record?  One has to wonder.  With the way they played tonight, it should be in the cards.

Clouser, Medeski and Bates: Jazz Implosion at the Icehouse, July 18th

A preview of a gig yours truly will be going to see, featuring keyboard master John Medeski, guitarist, Todd Clouser, and drummer, J.T. Bates.  Check it out via Jazz Police. 

http://jazzpolice.com/archives/2031

...and, here is a video of Clouser explaining the project. 

CAB "Bass Ackward"

Check out CAB, and their album, "Cab 4", (I believe it stands for the fourth iteration of this funk/fusion outfit).  The track is called "Bass Ackward" and features:

Bunny Brunel: bass
Tony MacAlpine: guitar
Patrice Rushen: piano
Brian Auger: Hammond organ & keyboards
Dennis Chambers: drums

Joe Farrell "Canned Funk"

Open a can of... funk?  Yeah, baby!  Check out Joe Farrell's "Canned Funk".  This is the title track for the album of the same name, and it's groovy!  Recorded for CTI Records, in 1975.  The band is a quintet, featuring:

Joe Farrell: tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute
Herb Bushler: bass
Joe Beck: guitar
Jim Madison: drums
Ray Mantilla: congas, percussion   

Sun Ra All Stars & the Sun Ra Arkestra (Orchestra) with Archie Shepp Berlin, Germany, October 29th, 1983

Check out Sun Ra and his All Stars/Orchestra, performing with Archie Shepp, in Berlin, Germany, at Philharmonie Jazztage on October 29th, 1983.

The band lineup is:

Don Cherry: trumpet & vocals
Lester Bowie: trumpet
Marshall Allen: alto saxophone & percussion
John Gilmore: tenor saxophone & flute
Archie Shepp: tenor saxophone & vocals
Sun Ra: keyboards
Richard Davis: bass
Clifford Jarvis: drums
Philly Joe Jones: drums
Famoudou Don Moye: percussion

The set list is:

1. Happy Birthday/Stars That Shine Darkly
2. Title (Don Cherry: trumpet, and drum duo with Clifford Jarvis, & Philly Joe Jones)
3. Somewhere Else
4. Early Morning Blus
5. Poinciana

Delaney & Bonnie with Duane Allman "Only You Know And I Know"

Probably my favorite Delaney & Bonnie song of all.  This is "Only You Know & I Know", featuring Duane Allman on slide guitar, Gregg Allman on piano, and King Curtis on tenor saxophone.  What a jam!  Check it out, y'all.  FYI.  This is the same jam, from the Delaney & Bonnie appearance at A&R Studios, for live audience, on July 22nd, 1971, that was posted on the blog, sometime, last year.  So, let's revisit, a fabulous performance, one more time.  Hey, why not.

Red Rodney & His All-Stars "Girl From Ipanema"

This is a jazz standard.  Antonio Carlos Jobim's, "Girl From Ipanema".  But, this is "Girl From Ipanema", done, fast.  Red Rodney & His All Stars, performing in 1989, featuring a then 19-year-old Chris Potter on tenor saxophone.

Red Rodney - Flugelhorn
Chris Potter - Tenor Saxophone
Bill Watrous - Trombone
Derek Smith - Piano
Bill Crow - Bass
Ed Soph - Drums

The performance, was filmed at Main Street Jazz Festival, in Columbia, South Carolina.

The Music of Canned Heat

A series of videos of the music of blues rock band, Canned Heat, featuring their leader, Al "Blind Owl" Wilson.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZXRWgKe1x8&index=1&list=PLBBB80128684F91C4

Jaco Pastorius "Broadway Blues"

Check out this tune, by Jaco Pastorius.  Here, he plays in a trio, on bass, with guitarist Birelli Lagrene, and drummer, Peter Lubke.  "Broadway Blues" is the title.  

The Yardbirds "I'm A Man"

The Yardbirds, are still alive and well, playing their rendition of Bo Diddley's "I'm A Man".  Great guitarists like Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page, have all played in this group.  The current lineup includes:

Jim McCarty: drums & vocals

David Smale: bass

Andy Mitchell: harmonica & vocals

Ben King: guitar

The Grateful Dead Finale, July 9th, 1995

This was the final show, played by the original Grateful Dead, on July 9th, 1995, just before Jerry Garcia's passing, and two decades before the reunion. 

The set list.

1. Touch of Grey
2. Little Red Rooster
3. Lazy River Road
4. When I Paint My Masterpiece
5. Childhood's End
6. Cumberland Blues
7. The Promised Land
8. Shakedown Street
9. Samson and Delilah
10. So Many Roads
11. Samba In The Rain
12. Corrina
13. Drums > Space
14. Unbroken Chain
15. Sugar Magnolia
16. Black Muddy River
17. Box Of Rain

http://www.jambase.com/article/grateful-dead-play-final-show-1995

Papa John Creach "Git Fiddler"

Can you play a fiddle, funky?  If you are Papa John Creach, it's possible.  Dance to this jig.  Papa John Creach, plays "Git Fiddler", with funk guitar, and Clavinet, thrown in.  Dig it!

Demo Recordings From The Grateful Dead's 'Terrapin Station' Sessions Have Surfaced

Check out these recordings from the sessions for The Grateful Dead's "Terrapin Station" record, which was released in 1977.  The track listing is:

1. Flyer Jam 1
2. Flyer Jam 2
3. Transit And Sliding (lyrics)
4. Transit And Sliding (instrumental)
5. Flyer (instrumental with piano)
6. Flyer Sliding Refrain

http://www.jambase.com/article/grateful-dead-terrapin-station-demos

Bill Evans Quintet "Time, Remembered"

A lovely piece by Bill Evans, called "Time, Remembered".  It was recorded in 1962.  The composition features Evans on piano, Jim Hall on guitar, Zoot Sims on tenor saxophone, Ron Carter on bass, and Philly Joe Jones on drums.

Bill Bruford "Adios a la Pasada (Goodbye To The Past)"

Check out Bill Bruford, playing a tune, which offers good advice.  Say goodbye, to the past, and look forward, to the future. "Adios a la Pasada (Goodbye To The Past)", featuring vocals by Annette Peacock.

Bill Bruford - drums, percussion
Allan Holdsworth - electric guitar
Dave Stewart - keyboards, synthesizers
Jeff Berlin - bass
with Annette Peacock - vocals

Frank Zappa "Eat That Question"

You can "Eat That Question".  But, what about eating the answer?  Here's Frank Zappa, with one of his masterpieces.

Mike Altschul - woodwind
Lee Clement - gong
George Duke - keyboards
Aynsley Dunbar - drums
Erroneous (Alex Dmochowski) - bass
Sal Marquez - brass, "multiple toots"
Joel Peskin - woodwind
Frank Zappa - guitar, percussion 

Pat Metheny "American Garage"

Happy Independence Day!  From his 1979 record on the ECM label, of the same name, here is Pat Metheny, and the band under his own name, the Pat Metheny Group, playing the title track, "American Garage".  The band line up is:

Pat Metheny: 6 and 12 string electric & acoustic guitars
Lyle Mays: piano, Oberheim synthesizer, autoharp, & electric organ
Mark Egan: electric bass
Dan Gottlieb: drums

Stevie Ray Vaughan "You'll Be Mine"

Check this out.  Stevie Ray Vaughan, performing the tune "You'll Be Mine" during his set at the second annual Farm Aid concert, in 1986.  This tune appeared on his "Soul To Soul" record, that was released, the previous year. 

Phish concert @ Xcel Energy Center, 6-22-16 (audio)

Complete audio, from the Phish tour opener that yours truly attended, on June 22nd, 2016.  Set list.

Set 1:

1. Pigtail
2. Wolfman's Brother
3. Daniel Saw The Stone
4. The Dogs
5. Undermind
6. Dear Prudence (Beatles cover)
7. Stash
8. Round Room
9. Horn
10. Uncle Pen (Bill Monroe cover)
11. Halfway To The Moon
12. Walls of The Cave

Set 2:

13. Mike's Song
14. I am Hydrogen
15. Weekapaug Groove
16. Bouncing Around The Room
17. Ghost
18. The Line
19. Simple
20. I Found A Reason (Velvet Underground cover)
21. No Men In No Man's Land
22. Billy Breathes
23. Bathtub Gin

Encore:

24. Water In The Sky
25. Character Zero

Delaney & Bonnie "Come On In My Kitchen"

Happy Birthday, Delaney Bramlett!  Here are Delaney & Bonnie, with Duane Allman on acoustic slide guitar, playing Robert Johnson's "Come On In My Kitchen".

Steve Khan "Descarga Khanalonius"

Dig this song from contemporary jazz guitarist, Steve Khan.  The track is called "Descarga Khanalonius".