Friday, September 30, 2016

Allman Brothers Band "Gambler's Roll"


Another favorite Allman Brothers Band song of yours truly.  This is a slow, minor key blues, called "Gambler's Roll", from the Allman's comeback album, "Seven Turns", released in 1990.

Thursday, September 29, 2016

The Band "Up On Cripple Creek"


Check out rare footage of The Band, in one of it's later incarnations with Jim Weider on guitar and Randy Ciarlante on bass, playing "Up On Cripple Creek".

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Joe Henderson Trio Muenchner Klaviersommer, 1993

Joe Henderson, Dave Holland, and Al Foster, at Muenchner Klaviersommer, in 1993.  The track listing is:

1. Serenity
2. Recorda-me
3. Body and Soul
4. Take the A Train
5. Y Todavia La Quiero


Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Bonus Post: John Coltrane "Nancy"

A bonus dose of jazz, for your Tuesday.  This is John Coltrane's ballad "Nancy" and features 'Trane on tenor sax, with his core rhythm section that included McCoy Tyner on piano, Jimmy Garrison on bass, and Elvin Jones on drums.

https://vimeo.com/183990859


Brief review: Pat Metheny @ The Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis, MN September 26th, 2016

The music Pat Metheny and his quartet played tonight at The Guthrie was very inspiring, and I was especially held in awe, by his use of a synthesizer within his electric guitar (it is one of his trademarks), that though it is a technical modification, it gives him a unique sound that few other guitarists have. His guitar virtuosity and the fluidity of what he and his band mates (on piano, upright bass, and drums, respectively) played, floored me.  


Monday, September 26, 2016

Count Basie with Clark Terry "One O'Clock Jump"


Check out a version of Count Basie's "One O'Clock Jump", performed live.  It features Basie on piano, Clark Terry on trumpet, Wardell Gray on tenor saxophone, and Buddy DeFranco on clarinet.

Sunday, September 25, 2016

Jan Akkerman "Am I Losing You?"

Yours truly is getting inspired, by this bluesy jazz instrumental by jazz guitarist, Jan Akkerman.  The tune is called, "Am I Losing You?"


Saturday, September 24, 2016

Lee Ritenour "Captain Fingers"

Check out this funky jewel of a jam, by Lee Ritenour (who has been featured on this blog numerous times before), titled "Captain Fingers", which is Ritenour's nickname as a guitarist, because of his prowess and unique style, and the title of this recording.   This track was released in 1977.  Very funky, I must say.




Friday, September 23, 2016

Bruce Springsteen jams with Phish

Bonus post alert!  Happy Birthday, Bruce Springsteen!  Watch "The Boss" jam with Phish, in 2009 at Bonnaroo in Manchester, Tennessee.  Featured songs include Wilson Pickett's "Mustang Sally", and Springsteen's songs "Bobby Jean" and "Glory Days". 

http://liveforlivemusic.com/features/watch-bruce-springsteen-jam-with-phish-in-honor-of-his-67th-birthday-today/


Eric Clapton "Tell The Truth"

As we approach the release of the new live CD culled from Eric Clapton's 2007 San Diego, California performance with J.J. Cale, here is another cut, that just happens to be on video despite the announcement of no DVD.  This is "Tell The Truth".


Thursday, September 22, 2016

Tabah @ Welcome to 1979 Studios

My brother Charlie's band, Tabah, recorded their new record, at Welcome To 1979 Studios in Nashville, Tennessee.  Here is a video, of a tour of the studio, a lovely space, and definitely inspiring.  Tabah's members are:

Cecilia Erholtz: guitar & vocals
Jeff Ley: lead guitar
Andrew Seitz: Hammond organ & keyboards
Charlie Bruber: bass
Murphy Janssen: drums


"Forever Country" tribute to country music

For the 50th anniversary of the Country Music Association Awards, a new song and video have been recorded, to honor the tradition and integrity of country music, as one of the genres that is forever rooted in the fabric of American music, even if some of the original older melodies came from Scottish and Irish tradition, before being brought forth in certain areas of the American south such as the Virginia mountains, with The Carter Family, or the Mississippi Delta, with the original country music singer, Jimmie Rodgers, "the singing brakeman".  So many great songs have come since then, as have so many great artists.  This tribute for the CMA Awards is a small sample and features the following songs sung by the following artists.

John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads"
Willie Nelson's "On The Road Again"
Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You"

Contributing artists to the track, include stars from the past and the present. Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, George Strait, Reba McEntire, Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill, Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, and others.



Wednesday, September 21, 2016

The Song That Never Ends: Why Earth, Wind, & Fire's 'September' Sustains

The story behind a favorite song of yours truly.

http://www.npr.org/2014/09/19/349621429/the-song-that-never-ends-why-earth-wind-fires-september-sustains


Charley Patton "Rattlesnake Blues"

Another classic, from one of the fathers of the Delta Blues, Charley Patton.  This one is called "Rattlesnake Blues".





Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Black Market Brass performs in The Current studio

This is the Afro Beat group, that my brother Charlie plays bass for.  Black Market Brass, have just released their first studio record, "Cheat & Start A Fight".  Check out the new record, recorded on Secret Stash Records.  The band lineup is:

Rhythm section:

Mitch Sigurdson: guitar
Hans Kreuger: guitar
David Tullis: congas
Charlie Bruber: bass
Murphy Janssen: drums
Sam Harvey-Carlson: keyboards

Horns:

Ryan Splinter: trombone
Cole Pulice: baritone saxophone
Cameron Kinghorn: trumpet
Jared Jarvis: tenor saxophone

Percussion section:

Jay Johnson: gankougui
Andy Myers: shekere
Tony Schriner: Bongos
Andres Crovetti: gankougui
Connor Klausing: wood block, shekere

http://www.thecurrent.org/feature/2016/09/16/black-market-brass-perform-in-the-current-studio


Monday, September 19, 2016

Willie Brown "Ragged And Dirty"

Blues guitarist Willie Brown performs his song "Ragged And Dirty" from 1942.  Brown, is mentioned by Robert Johnson, in some of his songs.  Oddly, the picture for this video, is not of Brown, but of Son House. 

Sunday, September 18, 2016

Wet Willie "Grits Ain't Groceries" September 10th, 1973

Check out this classic Wet Willie song.  A cover of Little Milton's "Grits Ain't Groceries" taken from a show on September 10th, 1973.  Two words.  Jimmy Hall!


Saturday, September 17, 2016

Michael Brecker Group "Upside Downside"

Check out the Michael Brecker Group, playing the tune "Upside Downside" live in 1987 at BJD Bratislava.  The quintet band lineup is:

Michael Brecker: tenor saxophone & EWI
Mike Stern: guitar
Joey Calderazzo: piano & keyboards
Jeff Andrews: bass
Adam Nussbaum: drums



Friday, September 16, 2016

Chick Corea "Compadres"

From his 1982 "Touchstone" record, here is Chick Corea, with the tune "Compadres".


This album, had quite the personnel list on it, in the form of guest artists, in addition to the core band lineup, including Corea's Return To Forever band mates, appearing throughout.

Don Alias – bongos, congas, drums, percussion
Carlos Benavent – bass
Chick Corea – cymbals, guitar, moog synthesizer, piano, synthesizer
Laudir DeOliveira – caixa, drums, ganza, percussion, sound effects
Bill Gottlieb – cello
Gregg Gottlieb – cello
Bob Magnusson – bass
Gayle Moran – speech/speaker/speaking part, vocals, voices
Carol Shive – violin


guest artists :

Alex Acu̱a Рcymbals, drums, percussion
Stanley Clarke – bass
Al Di Meola – guitar
Lee Konitz – alto sax
Steve Kujala – flute, tenor sax
Paco de Lucía – guitar, hand clapping, percussion
Allen Vizzutti – trumpet
Lenny White – drums



Thursday, September 15, 2016

Stanley Clarke "Funk Is It's Own Reward"

Cool Stanley Clarke track from his "East River Drive" record, entitled, "Funk Is It's Own Reward".  Quite an array of musicians play on the recording.  The credits, are below the video.


Stanley Clarke – bass, background vocals,string arrangements, sequencing, tenor bass
Gerald Albright – alto / soprano saxophone
Ramon Banda – percussion
Gerry Brown – drums
Dennis Chambers – drums
Todd Cochran – keyboards
George Duke – piano, keyboards
James Earl – bass
Alexis England – background vocals
Charles Fambrough – acoustic bass
Howard Hewett – vocals
George Howard – bass, soprano saxophone
Steve Hunt – keyboards
Darryl Jackson – percussion
Munyungo Jackson – percussion
Paul Jackson, Jr. – guitar
Alphonso Johnson – bass
Deron Johnson – keyboards
Kenny Kirkland – piano
Abraham Laboriel – bass
Hubert Laws – flute
Jean-Luc Ponty – Violin
Doc Powell – guitar
John "J.R." Robinson – drums
Laura Robinson – background vocals
Armand Sabal-Lecco – guitar, bass, piccolo, programming, background vocals, piccolo bass
Poncho Sanchez – conga
Bill Summers – percussion

Anjani Thomas – background vocals
Michael Thompson – guitar
Michael Hart Thompson – guitar
Carlos Vega – drums
Doug Webb – soprano saxophone

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Tedeschi Trucks Band at Lockn' Festival, Oak Ridge Estate, Arrington, Virginia August 27th, 2016


Check out the Tedeschi Trucks Band performing at Lockn' Festival in Arrington, Virginia on August 27th, 2016.  Here is the set list.

1. Don't Know What It Means
2. The Letter (The Box Tops cover)
3. Laugh About It
4. Within You Without You (The Beatles cover)
5. Just As Strange
6. I Want More
7. Color of the Blues (George Jones cover)
8. Leaving Trunk (Sleepy John Estes cover)
9. Keep On Growing (Derek and the Dominos cover)
10. Had to Cry Today (Blind Faith cover)
11. Sticks and Stones (Titus Turner cover)
12. I Pity the Fool (Bobby “Blue” Bland cover)
13. Bitches Brew (Miles Davis cover)
14. Let Me Get By

*Note.  Watch the video, via YouTube.  

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Rahsaan Roland Kirk "Serenade to a Cuckoo"


The original version of this song has Rahsaan Roland Kirk on flute, along with pianist Horace Parlan, bassist Michael Flemmng, and drummer Walter Perkins.  There is also a more elaborate version from 1972, with Roland Kirk playing several wind instruments, in the same piece.

Monday, September 12, 2016

Soft Machine "Hazard Profile"

Revisiting English prog rock/fusion band, Soft Machine, and their monster instrumental, "Hazard Profile".  The band lineup is:

Roy Babbington – bass guitar
Allan Holdsworth – electric, acoustic, and 12-string guitars
Karl Jenkins - oboe, piano, electric piano, soprano saxophone
John Marshall – drums, percussion
Mike Ratledge – (Lowrey Holiday Deluxe) organ, (Fender Rhodes) electric piano, (AKS) synthesizer[2]


Sunday, September 11, 2016

Rock Candy Funk Party (feat. Oz Noy) "Never Make Your Move Too Soon"

Joe Bonamassa's funk band, Rock Candy Funk Party, featuring special guest guitarist, Oz Noy, at The Baked Potato in Studio City, California, playing a song that B.B. King made well known, called "Never Make Your Move Too Soon".




Saturday, September 10, 2016

Muddy Waters Blues Band "Back At The Chicken Shack"

Check out the Muddy Waters Blues Band playing "Back At The Chicken Shack", 50 years ago, in 1966, and featuring George "Harmonica" Smith, on harmonica, and Luther "Snake Boy" Johnson on lead guitar.


Friday, September 9, 2016

Happy Birthday, Otis Redding

Happy Birthday, and Rest In Peace, the one and the only, Otis Redding.  As a tribute, here is one of my favorite Otis songs.  "I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)".  Your bonus post, for this Friday, from Redding's performance at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967.


Les Brers "Dimples"

Allman Brothers Band tribute band, Les Brers, playing John Lee Hooker's "Dimples", covered by the Allman Brothers, at the beginning of their career, at a performance at The Ridgefield Playhouse in Ridgefield, Connecticut.  The band lineup is:

Butch Trucks: Drums
Jaimoe: Drums
Oteil Burbridge: bass
Marc Quinones: percussion
Jack Pearson: guitar & vocals
Pat Bergeson: guitar
Bruce Katz: keyboards
Lamar Williams Jr.: vocals


Thursday, September 8, 2016

Johnny Winter "Jumping Jack Flash" & Edgar Winter "Frankenstein"

Johnny and Edgar Winter, with their respective bands, performing well known songs in their catalogs.  Johnny Winter performs Leon Russell's "Jumping Jack Flash" (also made famous by The Rolling Stones), and Edgar Winter Group, performs their instrumental, "Frankenstein".  Click the link in the video to watch it on YouTube. 






Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Canned Heat "On The Road Again"

Blues rock band, Canned Heat, with lead singer and harmonica player, Al "Blind Owl" Wilson, playing one of their signature songs.  This is "On The Road Again".


Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Kentucky Headhunters "Walk Softly On This Heart of Mine"


Boogie rockers The Kentucky Headhunters, recorded their take on Bill Monroe's bluegrass standard "Walk Softly On This Heart of Mine", back in 1989.  Check it out.

Monday, September 5, 2016

Bill Monroe "Walk Softly On This Heart of Mine"

Bluegrass legend, the late, great, Bill Monroe, with his legendary tune "Walk Softly On This Heart of Mine".


Sunday, September 4, 2016

The Rolling Stones "Can't You Hear Me Knocking" (feat. Mick Taylor)

Mick Taylor sits in with The Rolling Stones on "Can't You Hear Me Knocking", at their show at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, on May 20th, 2013.


Saturday, September 3, 2016

Carlos Santana "Dick Dogs"

Carlos Santana, covers a wildly insane piece of music, written by free jazz guitar great, the late Sonny Sharrock, called "Dick Dogs", at a concert at Kaiser Gold Sounds at the Olympia in Sao Paulo, Brazil, 20 years ago, in 1996.


Friday, September 2, 2016

J.J. Cale with Tom Petty & Mike Campbell Santa Monica, California, 2009

Venerable L.A. guitar shop McCabe's has seen more than its share of highlights over the years, with Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, Elvis Costello and Cat Power among the artists who've graced the stage in the back of the guitar shop. Add another to that list as 150 lucky fans on Saturday night got, what the evening's performer J.J. Cale called, "a real big treat" in the form of Tom Petty and Mike Campbell of the Heartbreakers.

Cale, the veteran Oklahoma singer/songwriter, was playing the second of his two sold-out shows in the tiny room when halfway through the set, he brought out Petty and Campbell for a couple of songs.

"They were across the street drinking, I went over to drink with them, said, 'I'm playing across the street,' and here they are," Cale told the crowd. What no one knew though was that a couple of songs would turn into half the set. After engaging in a sing-along version of 'Crazy Mama' and then 'After Midnight,' featuring a sterling Campbell solo, Cale told another story as way of introduction.
"We were sitting backstage talking and I said, 'Tom, you want to sing one?'" Cale said. Petty picked 'I'd Like to Love You, Baby,' which Cale said created one problem. "I'd never played it live and I told him, 'I don't remember it.' Tom said, 'I'll show you.' So if you can believe it, Tom Petty was backstage showing me one of my songs," Cale said, laughing.

Petty sat next to Cale, who played with ease as he wove stories throughout his delivery of blues and rock with sublime grace. It made it easy to understand why even a big star like Petty seemed suitably humbled to be up there alongside Cale.

The band lineup is:

J.J. Cale – guitar & vocals
Bill Raffensperger – bass
Walt Richmond – keys
David Teegarden – drums/percussion
James Cruce – drums/percussion

SPECIAL GUESTS:

Tom Petty – guitar & vocals
Mike Campbell – guitar
Skip Knape – keys (on “Cocaine”)


The set list:

1. Guitar Solo
2. Low Down
3. Don't Cry Sister
4. Since You Said Goodbye
5. Magnolia
6. Walt's Boogie
7. Roll On
8. Instrumental (T Bone Walker)
9. Crazy Mama
10. After Midnight
11. I'd Like To Love You Baby (feat. Tom Petty: vocals)
12. Thirteen Days
13. Tijuana
14. Cocaine
15. Call Me The Breeze
16. I'll Make Love To You Anytime
17. Travelin' Light










Thursday, September 1, 2016

Eric Clapton "Motherless Children"


Another video clip from the "Live In San Diego" 2007 performance.  This is Clapton playing "Motherless Children", which is a blues standard written originally by Blind Willie Johnson, and made popular not just by Clapton, but by other artists such as Bob Dylan, Steve Miller, Dave Van Ronk, Rosanne Cash, and Lucinda Williams.  Once again, these video clips, are only in reference to the audio CD of the album being released and it is highly unlikely a DVD of the performance will even be in the cards for release.

It should be noted, the band line up at this time, in both videos is:

Eric Clapton: guitar, vocals
Doyle Bramhall II.: guitar
Derek Trucks: guitar
Tim Carmon: Hammond B3 organ
Chris Stainton: piano
Willie Weeks: bass
Steve Jordan: drums
Michelle John: backing vocals
Sharon White: backing vocals


Eric Clapton & J.J. Cale "Anyway The Wind Blows"


From the upcoming CD, set to be released soon, of Eric Clapton "Live In San Diego", from the 2006/2007 world tour (this concert took place on March 15th, 2007), here's Clapton, with J.J. Cale, and the rest of his touring band of that era, playing Cale's "Anyway The Wind Blows".  Fans, there is good news, and bad news.  The good news is this concert is being released, after being locked away in a vault for nearly a decade.  The bad news is, though there is a CD, and video of the show, was recorded, there are zero plans at this time, for a DVD/Blu Ray release of the show.