San Francisco Saxophone Quartet "Pavane" by Gabriel Faure

A beautiful classical piece, "The Pavane" in F# Minor, by Gabriel Faure, as interpreted by The San Francisco Saxophone Quartet.  A buddy of mine, who plays baritone saxophone in a band that I play guitar with, turned me on to this.  Check it out.

Vince Gill & Paul Franklin "A World Without Haggard"

A touching tribute, to the late, great, Merle Haggard, by Vince Gill, and Paul Franklin, on pedal steel guitar.  We as fans and admirers, are all lost, in a world, without you, Merle.  Rest In Peace.

Old Music is outselling new music for the first time in history

This is why longevity is so important in music, folks.  Old music outsells new music, for the first time in history.  Bonus post, for today.

http://www.chartattack.com/news/2016/01/20/old-music-is-outselling-new-music-for-the-first-time-in-history/

John Coltrane "Say It (Over and Over Again)"

There's only one 'Trane.  John Coltrane, on tenor sax, with "Say It (Over and Over Again)".  The band is Coltrane, on tenor sax, along with McCoy Tyner on piano, Jimmy Garrison on bass, and Elvin Jones, on drums,

Stevie Ray Vaughan "Mary Had A Little Lamb"

Stevie Ray Vaughan covering Buddy Guy's "Mary Had A Little Lamb" on Austin City Limits.  This is with the quartet band he had, called Serious Trouble, as opposed to his trio, Double Trouble, a while after Hammond B3 and keyboard wizard, Reese Wynans joined the group, with Stevie Ray, Tommy Shannon on bass, and Chris Layton on drums. 

David Torn, Mick Karn, & Terry Bozzio "Snail Hair Dune"

The sixth track on their "Polytown" record, here is the jazz fusion trio of David Torn on guitar, with plenty of effects, bassist Mick Karn, and the one and the only, Terry Bozzio, on drums. 

Here are the credits.

David Torn - guitars, loops and processing, Hammond B-3, harmonica, fake Koto, tiny piano
Mick Karn - fretless bass, bass clarinet, dida
Terry Bozzio - drums, percussion, bodhran, dumbek, etc
 
More tracks from this recording, could appear.  Stay tuned.

Duane Allman Guests With The Grateful Dead On This Date in 1971

More bonus.  Duane Allman sat in with The Grateful Dead, on this date, six months before his untimely passing at the Fillmore East in New York City.  Check out audio of the show, via the link, and enjoy.

http://www.jambase.com/article/duane-allman-guests-grateful-dead-date-1971

Gov't Mule guitarist Warren Haynes eager to pay tribute to The Band's 'timeless' 'Last Waltz'

Bonus post.  A concert is taking place this weekend, in New Orleans, Louisiana at the Saenger Theater on Canal Street, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of The Band's "The Last Waltz".  Read all about it, HERE.

http://www.theneworleansadvocate.com/features/music/15547612-31/govt-mule-guitarist-warren-haynes-eager-to-pay-tribute-to-the-bands-timeless-last-waltz

The Allman Brothers Band "Mountain Jam" @ Love Valley Pop Festival, July 17, 1970

The original line up of the Allman Brothers Band, with Duane, plays "Mountain Jam" at the Love Valley Pop Festival in North Carolina, on July 17th, 1970.

David Allan Coe (feat. Warren Haynes) Medley: "Up On Cripple Creek", "My Girl", & "Got To Serve Somebody"

David Allan Coe and his band, playing Austin City Limits in 1984, with a very young Warren Haynes on lead guitar and vocals, playing a medley of "Up On Cripple Creek", by The Band, "My Girl", by The Temptations, and Bob Dylan's "Got To Serve Somebody".

The Meters Hold Emotional Reunion, Welcome Haynes, Potter, Worrell, Trombone Shorty in New Orleans

A review, of The Meters' reunion show during Jazz Fest in New Orelans.

http://liveforlivemusic.com/show-reviews/the-meters-hold-emotional-reunion-welcome-haynes-potter-worrell-trombone-shorty-in-new-orleans/

Muddy Waters & Johnny Winter "Mannish Boy"

Muddy Waters, plays his classic tune "Mannish Boy", along with Johnny Winter.  Winter, produced three records, for Waters, and one of them, where this version of the tune comes from, is called, "Hard Again", recorded in 1977. 

Miles Davis in London, circa 1982

Miles Davis, jamming with his early '80s band, at the Hammersmith Odeon in London, circa 1982.  The lineup is:

Miles Davis: trumpet & keyboards
Bill Evans: tenor saxophone & flute
Mike Stern: guitar
Marcus Miller: bass
Al Foster: drums
Mino Cinelu: percussion

In Memoriam: Lonnie Mack

Rest In Peace, blues guitarist, Lonnie Mack.

http://www.syracuse.com/celebrity-news/index.ssf/2016/04/lonnie_mack_dead_blues_guitarist_joe_bonamassa.html

...and

Lonnie Mack 1941-2016

http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/24115-lonnie-mack--?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=PGN%20-%20042616&utm_term=PG%20Weekly

To celebrate his life and legacy, here is a video, of the 45 RPM record of his classic 1963 tune, "Memphis".  

Jean Luc Ponty "No Absolute Time"

Cool Jean Luc Ponty tune, called "No Absolute Time", which is the title track from his 1993 record of the same name.  The band lineup is:

Jean Luc Ponty: violin
William Lecompte: keyboards
Guy Nsangue Akwa: bass
Thierry Arpino: drums
Moustapha Cisse: percussion

Gov't Mule (feat. George Porter Jr.) "When Doves Cry"/"Beautifully Broken"

From Gov't Mule's album "The Deep End Volume 1", in tribute, to Prince, The Mule, with legendary bassist, George Porter Jr. of The Meters, plays the Mule's "Beautifully Broken" that also has in it, an excerpt from Prince's "When Doves Cry", and the medley is a fitting tribute, to Prince's memory.  Once again, Rest In Peace, Prince.

In Memoriam: Prince

Rest In Peace, an icon in music.  Prince.  He has passed away, at age 57, after being ill for the last week or so.

http://www.aol.com/article/2016/04/21/legendary-singer-prince-dies-at-57/21348758/

In his memory, here is one of his hit songs.  "Purple Rain".  

...And, another.  A live version of "Do Me, Baby" from a concert at the Capitol Theater in Passaic, New Jersey, on January 30th, 1982. 

Screaming Headless Torsos Live At The Knitting Factory, New York, 1996

Check out this funky fusion band.  This is the Screaming Headless Torsos, performing live at The Knitting Factory, in New York City, circa 1996.  Here is the band lineup, and the set list.

The Band:

Dean Bowman: vocals
David Fiuczinsky: guitar
Fima Ephron: bass
Gene Lake: drums
Daniel Sadownick: percussion

The set list:

1. Jazz Is The Teacher
2. Word To Herb
3. Graffiti Cemetery
4. Arline
5. Woe To The Conquered
6. Panic 178
7. Just For Now
8. Cult Of The Internal Sun
9. Darryl Dawkins
10. Vinnie
11. Smile In A Wave
12. Hope

Tempest (feat. Allan Holdsworth) "Upon Tomorrow"

Jazz rock, from the group, Tempest, with Allan Holdsworth on guitar, and violin, playing a tune called "Upon Tomorrow".  This track was recorded circa 1973.  Clem Clempson and John Hiseman are the songwriters, and the band lineup is:

Paul Williams: lead vocals, acoustic guitar
Allan Holdsworth: guitar, violin, vocals
Mark Clarke: bass, keyboards, vocals
Jon Hiseman: drums

John Abercrombie, Peter Erskine, Marc Johnson, & Michael Brecker "Sidekick"

Cool tune.  John Abercrombie on electric and acoustic guitar and guitar synthesizer, Marc Johnson on bass, Peter Erskine on drums, and Michael Brecker on tenor saxophone, play the tune, "Sidekick".  Check this out.

Bruford "5G"

Check out the jazz fusion quartet, Bruford, with it's leader, drummer, Bill Bruford, joined by Allan Holdsworth on guitar, Jeff Berlin on bass, and Dave Stewart, on synthesizers, including Prophet 5, and Mini Moog.

Marcus Miller "Purple Haze"

OK.  OK.  I know what you're probably thinking.  Another cover tune.  Snore!  Well, this is, a cover.  But, it's a good one.  Marcus Miller and David Sanborn, cover Jimi Hendrix's "Purple Haze".  Great band lineup here. 

arcus Miller- Bass
David Sanborn- Alto Sax
Gene Lake- Drums
Dean Brown- Guitar
Ricky Peterson- Keyboards
Don Alias- Percussion

This is taken from a concert called "Super Session" for which, Sanborn was host, and Miller, musical director, in 1998.  

Widespread Panic Will Not Be Touring After This Year

Yours truly, was lucky enough, to see Widespread Panic play, a few years ago.  If you want to catch them, this year, will be your last chance, as at the end of the year, they are hanging up their hats.

http://liveforlivemusic.com/news/widespread-panic-will-not-be-touring-after-this-year

Wayne Shorter Band "Endangered Species"

A track, recorded in 1988, here's a live concert version, from Frankfurt, Germany.  Wayne Shorter, with the tune, "Endangered Species".  The band line up is:

Wayne Shorter - Soprano Saxophone
Renee Rosnes - Keyboards
Bernard Wright - Keyboards
Keith Jones - Electric Bass
Terri Lyne Carrington - Drums

Allan Holdsworth "Hard Hat Area"

The title track, from Allan Holdsworth's 1994 record.  Here is "Hard Hat Area", featuring Holdsworth on guitar and SynthAxe, Steve Hunt on keyboards, Skull Sverrison on bass, and Gary Husband, on drums.  Holdsworth also engineered, mixed, and produced the record.

Frank Gambale "Infinity"

From 1995, and the record "Thinking Out Loud", here is a cool semi acoustic track by Frank Gambale, called "Infinity", that features a line up including:

Frank Gambale - guitar
Otmaro Ruíz - keyboards
Brian Auger - Hammond organ
Dave Weckl - drums
Walfredo Reyes, Jr. - percussion
Alphonso Johnson - bass

Machito & Charlie Parker "The Afro-Cuban Jazz Suite"

Check this out.  A masterpiece.  Machito, and Charlie Parker, play "The Afro-Cuban Jazz Suite".

Taj Mahal "Cakewalk Into Town"

Check out this duet, between Taj Mahal, and tuba player, Rick Calendar, on the tune "Cakewalk Into Town", circa 1973. 

Warren Haynes Debuts Grateful Dead & Stevie Ray Vaughan covers with Ashes & Dust Band

A review of the latest Ashes & Dust tour concert, with Warren Haynes, ChessBoxer, and Jeff Sipe, debuting covers by The Grateful Dead, and also, a version of Stevie Ray Vaughan's "Pride & Joy", woven inbetween Haynes' "Two of  A Kind, Working On A Full House".  Dig this.

http://liveforlivemusic.com/news/warren-haynes-debuts-grateful-dead-and-stevie-ray-vaughan-covers-with-ashes-dust-band/

'Last Waltz New Orleans', The Band tribute concert, April 30th

In less than three weeks, an all-star cast of musicians will play at the Saenger Theater in New Orleans, Louisiana, to pay tribute, to the 40th anniversary of "The Last Waltz", The Band's farewell concert, that was also, a movie.

http://www.nola.com/music/index.ssf/2016/03/the_last_waltz_the_band_warren.html

James Blood Ulmer, Mediawave, Gyor, Hungary, April 29th, 2005

Another performance by the truly unique guitarist, James Blood Ulmer, this time, with a trio, at Mediawave in Gyor, Hungary, on April 29th, 2005.

Jackson Browne "The Load Out"/"Stay"

This song, captures, what it is like, after the gig, as a touring musician, when the road crews pack up loads of gear and miles of wiring, as they, and the band, go on, to the next show, in the next town.  An appropriate theme song, as yours truly, plays the first gig, today, with the band I am in, called I94 Express. 

Miroslav Vitous interview

An interview, with the great jazz bassist Miroslav Vitous, who worked with Weather Report in their early form, and then, went solo.

http://www.hit-channel.com/interview-miroslav-vitous-solo-weather-report/97843

Rolling Stones "Not Fade Away"

With their original leader, Brian Jones, here's The Rolling Stones playing Buddy Holly's "Not Fade Away" on the Dean Martin Show.

...And, here is another version, from the Mike Douglas Show.

Watch Parliament-Funkadelic Shine 'Flash Light' on 'Late Show'

Parliament Funkadelic, with their original keyboardist, Bernie Worrell, and gruff voiced bandleader, George Clinton shine "Flash Light" on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

http://www.rollingstone.com/tv/news/watch-parliament-funkadelic-shine-flash-light-on-late-show-20160405

Merle Haggard "Silver Wings"

More memories of Merle Haggard.  Here is his tune, "Silver Wings". 

Grateful Dead "Sing Me Back Home"

Another tribute, to Merle Haggard.  Here's The Grateful Dead, during their heyday, with Jerry Garcia, singing Merle's heart rending tune, "Sing Me Back Home", circa 1972.

In Memoriam: Merle Haggard

Rest In Peace, Merle Haggard.  As you read, here, last fall, yours truly, got to see Merle Haggard, play the Minnesota State Fair, with Kris Kristofferson, and how fantastic that show was.  Another country music legend, and a legend in all music, has passed on, on his birthday, aged 79. 

http://www.relix.com/news/detail/merle_haggard_passes_away_at_79

Albert Collins "Iceman"

Remembering the late, great blues guitarist, and "master of the Telecaster", Albert "Iceman" Collins, with his appropriately titled song, "Iceman".

Frank Zappa "Ride Like The Wind"

Christopher Cross, was supposed to sing, with Frank Zappa at a gig at a 1981 concert at The Ritz.  Well, Cross, could not make the gig.  But, the band, did the tune anyway, featuring Al di Meola, along with Frank, on guitar, and, on lead vocals, Frank's drum tech, Brian Peters.

In Memoriam: Gato Barbieri

Rest In Peace, Brazilian jazz pioneer, and master of the tenor saxophone, Gato Barbieri.

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/gato-barbieri-latin-jazz-great-and-last-tango-in-paris-composer-dead-at-83-20160403#ixzz44n5FUire

Here he is, with pianist, Dollar Brand, playing the tune, "81st Street".  Gato wrings tons of emotion from his horn, on this piece.

...And, another soulful tune, Barbieri featured on.  Here he is, playing tenor sax, with Carlos Santana on Santana's composition, "Europa", circa 1977.

concert review: Chicago & Earth, Wind & Fire at Xcel Energy Center, April 2, 2016

Two bands, from the same era, on the charts at similar time periods, playing together.  Two bands collaborating for one tour, seems to be something more common.  Chicago, and Earth, Wind, & Fire, revisited their hit songs that came (for Chicago in the late '60s/early '70s, and in the '80s), and Earth, Wind, & Fire, in the '70s.  Each band, has three respective original members, still a part of their ensembles.  Folks, it was the encore, the blew the roof off the Xcel Energy Center on Saturday night!  Both bands, sang on each others songs.  The encore would alternate, between a Chicago number, and an Earth, Wind, & Fire number.

So, this encore included EWF's "September", followed by a funky, spirited, jam by Chicago, called "Free" (an ode to the memories of the '60s), Earth, Wind, & Fire's "Sing A Song", came next, before, Chicago asked the relevant, and yet common question, "Does Anybody Know What Time It Is?"  Earth, Wind, & Fire's "Shining Star", and Chicago's "25 Or 6 To 4" book-ended a fabulous concert.  To rewind, and set the stage, the two bands, came out together, for a three song opener including "Beginnings", "In The Stone" (the first of the Earth, Wind, & Fire songs played), and "Dialogue Part I & II.)

Earth, Wind, & Fire played solo, during the middle of the show, and played other chestnuts from their catalog.  Songs like "Boogie Wonderland", "Serpentine Fire", "Devotion", "That's The Way of The World", "After The Love Has Gone", a cover of The Beatles' "Got To Get You Into My Life", and "Let's Groove", put the audience, in a jovial mood, which is one reason why Earth, Wind, & Fire, are still so popular, particularly with fans who grew up, in the 1970s, during the heyday of the band.  Phil Bailey's singing, and falsetto, Vernon White's singing and bass playing, and more vocals from Phil Bailey Jr., Ralph Johnson on drums and vocals, and, searing tandem lead guitar work from Serg Dimitrijevic, and Morris O'Connor.

Chicago's songs, including many from their early days, with horns, and also, in their more pop oriented era in the 1980s.  Younger fans, were immediately familiar with pop ballads such as "You're The Inspiration", and "Hard Habit To Break", which, thankfully, were given more spunk, via the horn section, including Lee Loughnane on trumpet and flugelhorn, James Pankow on trombone, and Walter Parazaider on saxophones and flute.  Their more classic numbers, were also quite familiar, such as "Does Anybody Know What Time It Is?", the ballad "Colour My World", and the psychedelic rockers "I Just Wanna Be Free" and "I'm A Man" (written and made equally famous by Chicago's contemporaries, the Spencer Davis Group).

As mentioned, "Free", "Does Anybody Know What Time It Is", and "25 Or 6 To 4", were performed as part of the encore, with Earth, Wind, & Fire.  The music of these two bands, transcends generations, and the two bands each looked like they were having lots of fun, playing together.  A win win, for the bands, and their fans.



   

Chicago "I'm A Man"

Check out Chicago's performance of the tune, "I'm A Man", which, was originally recorded, by their contemporaries, The Spencer Davis Group, and written by Steve Winwood and Jimmy Miller.  While the Spencer Davis version, was a blues rock number, and Chicago's version, kept that same formula.  The players in their horn section, for this piece, played percussion.  The personnel on the record, includes:

Terry Kath: lead & background vocals, fuzzed wah wah electric guitar
Peter Cetera: lead & background vocals, bass
Robert Lamm: lead & background vocals, Hammond organ
Danny Seraphine: drums
Jimmy Pankow: trombone
Lee Loughnane: trumpet
Walt Parazaider: tenor saxophone

The horn players also played percussion, with Pankow on cowbell, Loughnane on claves, and Parazaider on tambourine.  Danny Seraphine played maracas on the track as well.  However, it is not clear if they were recorded, during the actual drum solo, or, overdubbed, later on.  Yours truly, is seeing Chicago, with Earth, Wind, & Fire, in concert, tonight.  Stay tuned, for a review of the gig.

Tony Williams' Lifetime "Fred"

Check out the original version of the instrumental, "Fred".  This is Tony Williams' Lifetime, with Allan Pasqua on Rhodes piano, and of course, Allan Holdsworth, on guitar.  The tune, was released, on Lifetime's 1975 record "Believe It".