The Michael Landau Group "Ghouls & The Goblins"

Spooky jazz bonus post for your Halloween.  Check out The Michael Landau Group playing "Ghouls & The Goblins".

Michael Landau, one of the world's top session guitarists and truly one of the finest musicians of our time.

Known for his versatility in jazz, blues, soul and rock along with his distinctive guitar sound, Landau delivers music at its best with amazing skills, creativity and true musicianship.

Alongside his solo work, Landau is also known for recording, touring and/or performing live with artists and bands such as Miles Davis, Pink Floyd, Joni Mitchell, Boz Scaggs, James Taylor, B.B. King, Ray Charles, Rod Stewart, Joe Sample, The Crusaders, Steve Lukather, Robben Ford, and David Garfield to name a few.

Organic Instrumentals, Michael Landau's first new studio album in eleven years, features some excellent musicians like Gary Novak, Charley Drayton, Vinnie Colaiuta, Larry Goldings, Jimmy Haslip, and Walt Fowler.

Ghouls And The Goblins, written by Michael Landau, is one of the great tracks from this stellar album, Organic Instrumentals. The song is also recorded on his live album The Michael Landau Group Live, released in 2006.
 
The track features:

Michael Landau: guitar
Larry Goldings: Hammond organ
Chris Chaney: bass
Michael Landau: guitar

The Band "Leave Me Alone"

A tune by The Band, yours truly has never heard before, as odd as it seems.  This one's called "Leave Me Alone".  Not sure what year it's from.  But, clearly, Levon Helm, and Richard Manuel, are trading vocal lines, and Robbie Robertson's guitar solo, is extremely hot!

Mick Jagger & The Red Devils "The Blues Sessions"

Mick Jagger was in another band, besides the Rolling Stones... much as his bandmates Keith Richards (with the Xpensive Winos, and The Dirty Mac, (a super group, featuring Richards, and Eric Clapton, along with John Lennon and Mitch Mitchell.  Here's Mick Jagger & The Red Devils, with their album, "The Blues Sessions"

The band lineup on this album is:

Mick Jagger: vocals
Lester Butler: harmonica
Paul Size: guitar
Jonny Ray Bartel: bass
Bill Bateman: drums

The track listing is:

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

Aretha Franklin "The Weight"

Great cover of "The Weight" by The Band, by Aretha Franklin, featuring Duane Allman, on slide guitar. 

The Second Coming "Born In Chicago"

A pre-Allman Brothers Band called The Second Coming, led by Dickey Betts, who, I am pretty sure singing lead vocals on this tune.  Or, more accurately, it could be Berry Oakley, who played bass in this band, and in the very first incarnation of the ABB.  Here they are, playing "Born In Chicago".  Check it out.

George Duke, Stanley Clarke, and Howard Hewett "Heaven Sent You"

The late, great, George Duke, Stanley Clarke, and soulful vocalist Howard Hewett, playing "Heaven Sent You".  Hewett has a gift for being able to improvise with his singing.  He's got quite the falsetto range and is a pure rhythm & blues singer.  Check this out.

Maceo Parker: My First Name Is Maceo

The full concert movie by Maceo Parker & His Band "My First Name Is Maceo".  Here's the track listing.

1. Keep On Marching
2. Gimme Some More
3. Children's World
4. Walking Home Together
5. Shake Everything You've Got
6. Funk Is About What You Don't Play
7. Let's Get It On
8. House Party
9. Cold Sweat

Johnny Winter & Dr. John: In Session, 1988

This is the whole concert by Johnny Winter & Dr. John from the "In Session" TV program.  Have posted bits and pieces of it before.  But, this is the program, in it's entirety.  The set list:

1. Right Place, Wrong Time
2. Johnny B. Good
3. Junior Parker's Song
4. Talk To Your Daughter
5. You Lie Too Much
6. She Doesn't Mean Mistreated
7. Tipitina
8. Such A Night

The band lineup is:

Johnny Winter: guitar, vocals
Dr. John: piano, vocals
Brian Russell: guitar
John Paris: bass, harmonica
Terry Clark: drums

The program was aired in 1988 and was actually recorded on September 23rd, 1983.

Maceo Parker "Shake Everything You've Got"

OK.  Folks, this is one way, to bring the funk.  You may be funky, if you, play a horn, have a wicked rhythm section, stay on the one beat, play slap bass, and say, "huh!" and, "give the drummer some!" throughout your jam.  Maceo Parker on alto saxophone, Fred Wesley on trombone, and on tenor saxophone, Pee Wee Ellis. 

Maceo, what'd you say?  Say what?  Oh!  "Shake Everything You've Got", is the clear message of this jam.  You wanna dance?  Dance to this, daddy-o.

Legion of Mary "Freedom Jazz Dance"

Jam band jazz, at it's best.  This is the band Legion of Mary, led by Jerry Garcia, performing "Freedom Jazz Dance" composed by tenor saxophonist Eddie Harris, who was the first artist to electrically amplify a saxophone, and also played keyboards (electric piano, and organ).  Miles Davis recorded "Freedom Jazz Dance" in 1966.  Garcia's cover with Legion of Mary is taken from a concert at The Bottom Line in New York City, from the band's early show on April 9th, 1975.  The band is:

Jerry Garcia: guitar & vocals
Merl Saunders: keyboards & vocals
John Kahn: bass
Martin Fierro: saxophone & flute
Ron Tutt: drums

Jean Luc Ponty "Far From The Beaten Paths"

Check it out.  From Jean Luc Ponty's 1983 "Individual Choice" record, here is a song called "Far From The Beaten Paths".  The band lineup is:

Jean-Luc Ponty - violin, organ, synthesizer, keyboards,keyboard bass, rhythm programming
Allan Holdsworth - guitar
Rayford Griffin - drums, percussion
Randy Jackson - bass
George Duke - synthesizer, Mini-moog

McCoy Tyner @ The Dakota, October 20th, 2016

Yours truly had the honor and the privilege of seeing one of the giants of jazz, pianist McCoy Tyner perform at The Dakota jazz club, with his quartet, and truly enjoyed the show.  I was lucky enough to catch both of the gigs that took place at The Dakota, on Thursday evening, the 7PM, and the 9PM performance.  Mr. Tyner, is a man who has shaped a large portion of modern jazz influence and innovation, and is one of those artists, who in shaping what jazz would become during the 1950s and '60s, we are thankful to still have.

Not to sound colloquial, but, there is that idiom in the English language, "the real McCoy", to mean, the real deal, or the genuine article.  Yes, the idiom could well be a play on his name.  But, McCoy Tyner is one of those real, genuine, treasured artists within the realm of not only jazz, but also, of music.  Some exuberant fans kept cheering and calling Tyner "the real McCoy" during the second show.  But, that's the truth.  The man has done a whole lot, to shape the way the piano is played as a jazz instrument, and created a singular, unique playing style, that influenced countless other artists to be sure.

Though Tyner is in the winter of his career, and maybe, his life, that made the performance even more moving to behold, as he and his backing band played songs from not just his solo career, but also from his time as pianist in John Coltrane's band.  Tyner reflected and told stories of growing up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and how that experience, influences his music, and received much applause for his virtuosity on the piano.  He is a true piano maestro.  His playing was extremely moving and showed the raw emotion that music can convey in any form.  He has recorded for five plus decades, and if you have not heard his music, I encourage you to take a closer look.

Steely Dan "Reelin' In The Years"

Yours truly has seen Steely Dan in concert, twice, and this has to be one of my favorite songs of theirs.  1973's "Reelin' In The Years" performed on The Midnight Special, TV show.

Black Market Brass "So Who"

From their September record release gig at the Turf Club in St. Paul, for "Cheat & Start A Fight", here's Black Market Brass playing their tune "So Who?"  Dig it!

Jeff Beck Group "Definitely Maybe"

Check out the Jeff Beck Group live at the Beat Club in Germany in 1972, performing their tune "Definitely Maybe".  The band lineup is:

Jeff Beck: Guitar
Bobby Tench: Vocals
Clive Chaman: Bass
Max Middleton: Keyboards
Cozy Powell: Drums

Derek & The Dominoes "Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad?"

This is perhaps my favorite track (besides the legendary title track) from the 1970 "Layla" record by Derek & The Dominoes.  "Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad?"  Check it out.

Furry Lewis "Casey Jones"

Check out bluesman Furry Lewis with "Casey Jones" about the American railroader who hailed from Jackson, Tennessee, and worked for the Illinois Central Railroad.

Rory Block "Statesboro Blues"

Blues singer and guitarist, Rory Block, does a great version of Blind Willie McTell's "Statesboro Blues" at the Vic Theater in Bristol, England on November 19th, 2000. 

Robert Petway "Catfish Blues"

A virtually unknown bluesman named Robert Petway, and his recording of "Catfish Blues".  Very little is known about Robert Petway. He recorded only sixteen songs between 1941-1942 and there is only one photo available of him.  But this song, "Catfish Blues" is an important part of blues history!
For example Muddy Waters based his "Rollin' Stone" hit on this recording and you can hear it.

Mississippi John Hurt "My Creole Belle"

Check out Mississippi John Hurt, performing solo on acoustic guitar, with not one, but, two songs.  The title of this post gives one, ("My Creole Belle").  But, there is a second.  It is "Coffee Blues".  However, the two tunes, are from two, separate performances.  Love going back to the roots of the blues, and discovering work by some of the original masters, and Mississippi John Hurt, is one such artist.

John Lee Hooker live at Detroit Tube Works, 1970: Parts 1 & 2

Check out John Lee Hooker's epic performance at Detroit Tube Works, circa 1970.  This is some of his best live work.  His quartet band, features Muruga Booker on drums, Robert Hooker, on organ, and Joe Hooker, on bass.  Robert, and Joe, are John Lee Hooker's sons.

Watch Phish's "Breath And Burning" And "Blaze On" With The Roots Horns on Fallon

Phish appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, playing two songs from their new record "Big Boat".  "Breath And Burning", and "Blaze On".  Watch it, HERE.

http://liveforlivemusic.com/news/watch-phish-breath-burning-blaze-roots-horns-fallon/

Bo Diddley, B.B. King, Smokey Robinson, Paul Butterfield, & Chuck Berry "Hey Bo Diddley"

From the 1987 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, here is Bo Diddley, B.B. King, Smokey Robinson, Paul Butterfield, Chuck Berry, and more, playing, "Hey Bo Diddley".  Chuck Berry and B.B. King are better known as guitarists, but here, Berry lends his talent to the piano, and B.B. King, provides extra percussion, on maracas.

Sonny Knight & The Lakers

Went and saw Sonny Knight & The Lakers play their album release show at First Avenue last night.  A great band, and Sonny Knight, is indeed a charismatic and energetic lead singer.  The horn section for his group was also excellent.  They put their own twist on classic soul music for sure, and it's all original material.  The new record is called "Sooner Or Later" and will be released this coming Friday, October 14th.  For more details, click HERE.

http://sonnyknight.com/

The Duck & The Bear "Goin' Up The Country"

A 1969 Atlantic Records recording session, covering "Goin' Up The Country" by Canned Heat.  Quite the list of players on this session... all connected to Muscles Shoals, and Memphis, (i.e. Stax Records).

Eddie Hinton - Lead Guitar
Johnny Sandlin - Drums, Percussion
Duane Allman - Slide Guitar
Barry Becket - Keyboards
David Hood - Bass Guitar

The Memphis Horns:

Wayne Jackson - Trumpet
Andrew Love - Tenor Saxophone
Joe Arnold - Tenor Saxophone

John Abercrombie "Timeless"

Revisiting John Abercrombie, with his track, "Timeless".  It features a trio, with Abercrombie on guitar, Jan Hammer on keys, and Jack DeJohnette, on drums.

Les Paul & Mary Ford demonstrating multi-track recording

For all you studio geeks out there, here's a great video of Les Paul and Mary Ford demonstrating how multi-track recording actually works on "Omnibus" with Alistair Cooke, on October 23rd, 1953.

https://vimeo.com/82828405

Widespread Panic "Life During Wartime"

Widespread Panic covers The Talking Heads' "Life During Wartime" at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Punta Cana Dominican Republic for their Panic en la Playa series of concerts in 2014.

Allan Holdsworth with The Pat Smythe Trio "British Rail" live in 1974

Check out Allan Holdsworth playing with the Pat Smythe Trio on a composition called "British Rail" on the BBC segment of a TV festival gig for European radio.  The quartet is:

Allan Holdsworth: guitar
Pat Smythe: Rhodes piano
Darryl Runswick: bass
John Marshall: drums

John Coltrane "A Love Supreme"

John Coltrane played his masterpiece "A Love Supreme" in concert, only once.  This is that performance, that took place in 1965.

Spare Parts "Right At Home"

Great new tune from Chicago's Spare Parts.  This is "Right At Home" and features solos on Moog Voyager and Rhodes, from keyboardist, Kevin Kozol.  Guitarist, Fareed Haque, wrote the tune.

Columbia/Legacy to Release Miles Davis at Newport Box Set

A four CD box set, will span a two decade long period of time, of performances, by Miles Davis at the Newport Jazz Festival between 1955 and 1975.

http://jazztimes.com/articles/160042-columbia-legacy-to-release-miles-davis-at-newport-box-set

This article appeared on April 30th, 2015.

The Rolf Kuhn Group "Total Space"

Some hip fusion jazz from Germany.  This is the Rolf Kuhn Group, with their 1975 cut, "Total Space".  Rolf Kuhn, is a clarinet player.  But, it is his tenor sax player, Gerd Dudek, who is the main horn on this spaced out piece.  Joachim Kuhn on keys, and Phillip Catherine on guitar, are the main players in the rhythm section.  Another horn player here, is trombonist, Albert Mangelsdorff.

Plus, a bonus.  Here is the full "Total Space" album, besides the title track.