In Memoriam: Robert Hunter

We fondly remember, lyricist Robert Hunter, who has died at age 78.  Most notably, he wrote lyrics for many, many of the Grateful Dead's masterpiece songs.  But, there is so much more to him than just his writings of these songs, as he wrote 100+ tunes and a number of them were covered by different artists.  He collaborated with Bob Dylan on a few occasions as well.  It was not just him writing the lyrics, the prose, to Jerry Garcia's melodies.  It was indeed much more than that. 

Robert Hunter, Grateful Dead Collaborator and Lyricist, Dead at 78
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/robert-hunter-grateful-dead-dead-889788/

Remembering Robert Hunter: Non-Grateful Dead Songs Spotify Playlist

https://www.jambase.com/article/remembering-robert-hunter-non-grateful-dead-songs-spotify-playlist

Rest In Peace, Robert Hunter.

Pat Metheny "Phase Dance"

Recorded for a live album at Mesa Centennial Hall in Mesa, Arizona, on July 26th, 1982, here's the Pat Metheny Group with "Phase Dance".  The band lineup is:

Pat Metheny - guitars, guitar synths

Lyle Mays - piano, synthesizers

Steve Rodby - bass

Danny Gottlieb - drums

Nana Vasconcelos - percussion, vocals

Cream Farewell Concert as transmitted on BBC TV January 5th 1969 Tony Palmer Films

An eye opening docu-concert of the legendary band Cream, that I just had to share. Insights on the nuances of their musical process and ofcourse the elabourateness of their skill and their free flowing improvised form of Rock n Roll in their gig at Royal Albert Hall in 1969.

Description from the writer of this review, Tony Palmer, used by the YouTube channel that uploaded it, BOMBEATS.

Pretty eye-opening if you want to dig deeper into one of the most influential trios in Rock n Roll music history especially if you're an aspiring musician. You'll see and understand the legendary band better. It's a brilliantly shot and executed docu-concert. Here's Cream and their awe inspiring, magnificent process! Enjoy! :)

November 2018 was the 50th anniversary of Cream's famous concert live at the Royal Albert Hall 1968. This was one of those occasions which it can truly be said: those who were there, will never forget it. November 26th, 1968, at the Royal Albert Hall - it only seems like yesterday. And having looked at the film again, the concert really does seem as fresh and pulsating as it was then.

First, the musicians themselves. They above all others blew apart the myth that rock’n’roll was music for the simple-minded, by the simple-minded. Maybe Dylan and Lennon had showed that lyrics could encompass subtle philosophical and poetic ideas. But it was Baker, Bruce and Clapton demonstrated that harmonically and structurally what was dismissed as rock’n’roll could be every bit as complex as any contemporary, so-called classical, music. Each musicians had a deep respect for the other two, although on the surface envy, even hatred, drove them on. None was prepared to be outshone by the other two, and this intense rivalry gave their music-making a thrilling edge. It was dangerous and explosive and it jangled the nerves.

Second, I believe that what still gives the film its power is partly a result of the circumstances in which it was made. It’s easy to forget how primitive recording equipment was in 1968. It had only been a year I had seen the very first colour video recorder at the BBC, and editing videotape was at best hazardous. So what you see in the film, apart from the interview, was all ‘live’. There is not a single edit anywhere. You could have seen what you see immediately after the concert itself, sound and picture. Of course it’s rough; raw would be a better word. It’s often clumsy and just plain wrong. But I think is still has the extraordinary energy of the occasion. Although you would expect me to say this, I don’t think I’ve seen another recording of a concert in which the atmosphere is so exactly as it was on the night.

Two footnotes. Eric Clapton later told me that the main reason the group split up was because “the music was not honest”. I’ve always thought it was through sheer exhaustion. In their belief two-and-a-half year existence, Cream played over 300 gigs, travelling night after night here, Europe and in the States. No wonder there was a friction. And yes, Ginger Baker often thought Jack deliberately played played too loud so that Ginger could not hear himself. During the filming of Beware Mr Baker, Ginger admitted that he had quite frequently wanted to throttle Jack. “But hey,” he told me, “I loved the bastard.” And that was the due. Jack was held in awe, especially by Ginger and Eric. More importantly, he was also held in enormous affection by those knew him, including me, but especially Ginger and Eric.

Second, the film was originally commissioned by the BBC for its ‘Omnibus’ arts slot. In other words, Cream were then thought worthy of consideration alongside Debussy and Picasso. Today the BBC has more-or-less abandoned its archival responsibilities to the arts and mistaken laddism and silly women in fancy dress for culture. More fool them. And as for ‘Sky Arts’; Remembrance Sunday on the Anniversary of World War One in 2014, for instance, was ‘remembered’ by ‘An Evening with the Bee Gees’. - Tony Palmer

The track listing:

1. Sunshine of Your Love
2. Jack Bruce Interview
3. Politican
4. Eric Clapton Interview
5. White Room
6. Jam Intro/Spoonful
7. Spoonful
8. Ginger Baker Interview
9. Ginger Baker drum solo
10. Jack Bruce Interview
11. I'm So Glad
12. Anthony Burgess Interview
13. Frank Zappa Interview
14. We're Going Wrong

Jan Akkerman & Kaz Lux "Eli" - 1976

From 1976, Jan Akkerman's fourth studio record that appears under the names Jan Akkerman and Kaz Lux.  This is a concept album, combining jazz, pop, and funk.  Kaz Lux is the vocalist who is featured on this record.  The track listing:

1. Eli
2. Guardian Angel
3. Tranqulizer
4. Can't Fake A Good Time
5. There He Still Goes
6. Strindberg
7. Wings of Strings
8. Naked Actress
9. Fairytale

The album credits:

Kaz Lux: vocals
Jan Akkerman: guitars, bass
Jasper van t' Hof: keyboards
Rick van der Linden: keyboards
Warwick Redding: bass
Pierre van der Linden: drums
Richard DeBois: drums
Nippy Noya: percussion
Margariet Eshuis: backing vocals
Maggie MacNeal: backing vocals
Patricia Paay: backing vocals

Bonnie Raitt & Roy Rogers “Gnawin’ On It”

Recorded from a performance in 2002 in Austin, Texas, here’s Bonnie Raitt with legendary blues guitarist Roy Rogers, not to be confused with the singing cowboy of the same name, performing Raitt’s tune “Gnawin’ On It”.

Tetsuo Sakurai "Samurai Faith"

A mega sized jazz fusion composition, performed live.  This is "Samurai Faith" by bassist Tetsuo Sakurai.  He is performing in a quartet, with guitarist Greg Howe, keyboardist Akira Onuzuka, and drummer Dennis Chambers as part of the 2004 Gentle Hearts tour.  There is a studio version of the track, and a live version. 

Blood, Sweat, & Tears “Hip Pickles”

From a live performance, circa 1973, here is Blood, Sweat, & Tears performing "Hip Pickles".  The band lineup for BS&T at this time included:

Jerry Fisher-Lead Vocals
Dave Bargeron-Trombone and Tuba
Bobby Colomby-Drums
Lou Marini-Sax (soprano saxophone)
Lew Soloff-Trumpet
Tom Malone-Trumpet and Trombone
Georg Wadenius-Guitar
Larry Willis-Keyboards
Jim Fielder-Bass

Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival

Over the weekend, Eric Clapton hosted his fifth Crossroads Guitar Festival, and the event was hosted for the first time, in six years, on September 20th and 21st in Dallas, Texas, which is also where the first festival was held back in June of 2004.  Maybe you were there.  Maybe, you saw a broadcast on Pay Per View.  Here are the details of the music that went down at the festival, both days.

Day 1 Highlights

https://www.whereseric.com/eric-clapton-news/303-eric-claptons-crossroads-guitar-festival-day-one-highlights

Day 2 Highlights

https://www.whereseric.com/eric-clapton-news/303-eric-claptons-crossroads-guitar-festival-day-two-highlights

The Vaughan Brothers (Stevie Ray & Jimmie) (feat. Angela Strehli & Kim Wilson) "Don't Fall For Me Baby"

From Austin City Limits, circa 1983, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimmie Vaughan on guitar, Angela Strehli on vocals, Kim Wilson (leader of The Fabulous Thunderbirds), on chromatic harmonica rather than diatonic (traditional blues harp), Tommy Shannon on bass (bassist also in Double Trouble), and yours truly is not sure who is on drums on this particular tune. Any knowledge of the drummer on this performance would be appreciated.

Casiopea "Eyes of The Mind"

Performed at a show on April 27th, 1985, here's Casiopea at Ryogoku Kokugigan, Tokyo, with "Eyes of The Mind". 

Wes Montgomery "Full House" (1962)

Another recording for Full Album Friday.  Here's the great jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery, with his 1962 live recording "Full House".  The first cut on the record, is the title track. 

1. Full House
2. I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face
3. Blue 'n' Boogie
4. Cariba
5. Come Rain or Come Shine (Take 2)
6. Come Rain or Come Shine (Take 1)
7. S.O.S. (Take 3)
8. S.O.S. (Take 2)
9. Born To Be Blue

The band lineup/personnel on the record:

Wes Montgomery: guitar
Johnny Griffin: tenor saxophone
Wynton Kelly: piano
Paul Chambers: bass
Jimmy Cobb: drums

Jaco Pastorius "Havona"

Jaco Pastorius' solo version of "Havona" that came before the Weather Report version that was recorded on their "Heavy Weather" record in 1977.  Pastorius recorded this one, in a trio, in 1975, playing bass, alongside Alex Darqui on Rhodes piano and Lenny White (from Return To Forever), on drums. 

Warren Haynes, Jimmy Vivino, Brad Whitford, & Ron Holloway "Send You Back To Georgia"

From the 2011 Guitar Center King of The Blues Finals concert, here's Warren Haynes, Jimmy Vivino, and Brad Whitford on guitars, joined by Ron Holloway on tenor saxophone, with the Hound Dog Taylor blues shuffle "Send You Back To Georgia". 

Stevie Ray Vaughan "Riviera Paradise"

Two versions of Stevie Ray Vaughan's jazzy instrumental "Riviera Paradise", from performances in Austin, Texas, and Tokyo, Japan, respectively.  You will notice that the Tokyo one is incorrectly labeled as one of Vaughan's other famous instrumentals, "Lenny".  But, it is indeed "Riviera Paradise".  Great tune. 

The String Cheese Incident "Windy Mountain"

Another video from the String Cheese Incident, celebrating their 25th anniversary.  Here is "Windy Mountain" from their gig at Red Rocks in Morrison, Colorado, on July 19th, which was part of a three night series of concerts with different artists joining in with SCI on stage, including Cory Wong, Keller Williams, and The Del McCoury Band.  This particular performance of "Windy Mountain" is from the July 19th gig. 

Casiopea "Time Limit"

Another live Casiopea performance.  From a venue called the Ropongi Pit Inn, circa 1979, here's the band, playing their composition, "Time Limit".

Issei Noro (guitar)
Minoru Mukaiya (keyboards)
Tetsuo Sakurai (bass)
Takashi Sasaki (drums)

As a bonus, here is the studio version of "Time Limit" from the band's self titled 1979 release which has racing sports cars on a race track, on the album cover.  

Helen Humes & Her All Star Band "Blues Ain't Nothing But A Woman"

From 1962, Helen Humes & Her All Star Band, performing "Blues Ain't Nothing But A Woman".  Talk about a who's who of the blues, and an all-star band, here are the featured players.

Helen Humes: vocals
T Bone Walker: vocals
Brownie McGhee: vocals & guitar
Willie Dixon: vocals & bass
Memphis Slim: vocals & piano
Brownie McGhee: harmonica
Jump Jackson: drums

Miles Davis "Sketches of Spain"

Already did a review of this recording, but, haven't brought it to light in all it's glory until now.  This is a gem.  Miles Davis' "Sketches of Spain" is one of my favorite jazz records let alone, favorite musical recordings of all-time.  Yours truly has an extended "Deluxe Edition" CD copy of this one.  But, this is the original recording, which was arranged and composed by Miles Davis and Gil Evans, and produced by Teo Macero and Irving Townsend.  This record falls under the category of Third Stream and Orchestral Jazz.  It is another masterpiece and another brilliant phase and reinvention of the genius musician Miles Davis was.  He was always, constantly reinventing himself as a musician and artist.

The track listing:

1. Concierto de Aranjuez (Adagio)
2. Will o' The Wisp
3. The Pan Piper (a.k.a. Alborada de Vigo)
4. Saeta
5. Solea

The personnel who played on this recording, especially in the orchestra, is vast when it was recorded in New York City at Columbia Records 30th Street Studio on November 15th & 20th 1959, and March 10th, 1960.

Conductor/Arranger:

Gil Evans

Woodwinds:

Danny Bank: bass clarinet
Albert Block: flute
Eddie Caine: flute
Harold Feldman: clarinet, flute, oboe
Romeo Penque: oboe
Jack Knitzer: bassoon

Trumpets:

Miles Davis (trumpet & flugelhorn)
Bernie Glow
Taft Jordan
Louis Mucci
Johnny Coles
Ernie Royal

Brass Horns:

French horns:

James Buffington
John Barrows
Earl Chapin
Tony Miranda
Joe Singer

Trombones:

Dick Hixon
Frank Rehak

Tuba:

Jimmy McAllister
Bill Barber

Rhythm section:

Janet Putnam: harp
Paul Chambers: bass
Jimmy Cobb: drums
Elvin Jones: percussion
Jose Mangual: percussion

The String Cheese Incident "Born On The Wrong Planet"

From a venue in Austin, Texas, called The Backyard, which has been either redone, or closed, since this was taped on VHS tape, here is a classic String Cheese Incident performance of their tune "Born On The Wrong Planet" taped by a fan on April 13th, 2001. 

Derek & The Dominos "Got To Get Better In A Little While"

A previously unreleased, new mix of "Got To Get Better In A Little While" by Derek & The Dominoes.  This new mix, however had to be discovered a number of years back, as the video is dated as being from 2013.  So, it's been out there for a while, but it's a good one nonetheless.  Bobby Whitlock's vocals have been mixed higher up along with Eric Clapton, and so have his chords and solos on the organ.  This is good stuff.  Check it out. 

Tony Williams Quintet "Sister Cheryl"

From the 1991 Mount Fuji Jazz Festival in Fuji, Japan, here is the Tony Williams Quinet with "Sister Cheryl".

The band lineup is:

Tony Williams: drums
Wallace Roney: trumpet
Billy Pierce: soprano saxophone
James Williams: piano
Ira Coleman: bass

Etta James & The Roots Band "I'd Rather Go Blind"

Etta James' original version of "I'd Rather Go Blind", performed with her roots band, circa 2001.  A number of years ago, yours truly posted a fantastic cover of this tune, by another legendary lady of the blues, Koko Taylor, and here is Etta singing one of the tunes that made her the legend that she was and still is. 

Pat Metheny & John Scofield "The Red One"

From the 1994 album "I Can See Your House From Here", here's two jazz guitar masters.  Pat Metheny and John Scofield play a tune called "The Red One", which is the second track on the record.  The band lineup is:

Pat Metheny - guitar, acoustic guitar, synthesizer, guitar synthesizer
John Scofield - guitar, acoustic guitar, steel guitar
Steve Swallow - guitar, acoustic bass, electric bass, bass guitar
Bill Stewart - drums

Lettuce "Sounds Like A Party"

Three versions of the same tune by funk band, Lettuce.  The tune is called "Sounds Like A Party".  There is the studio/record version, and two live versions of the song, featured here. 

Allan Holdsworth "Atavachron"

Another Full Album Friday, and another Allan Holdsworth recording to enjoy.  This is his "Atavachron" record, his fourth studio release, that came out back in 1986.  "Atavachron" marks Holdsworth's first use of an instrument called the SynthAxe which combines the elements of a guitar and a synthesizer.  The album track list and credits are as follows:

1. Non Brewed Condiment
2. Funnels
3. The Dominant Plague
4. Atavachron
5. Looking Glass
6. Mr. Berwell
7. All Our Yesterdays

The musicians on the recording are listed below.

Allan Holdsworth: guitar, SynthAxe
William Edward Childs & Alan Pasqua: keyboards
Jimmy Johnson: bass
Gary Husband, Chad Wackerman, & Tony Williams: drums
Rowanne Mark: vocals

Asleep At The Wheel "Route 66"

Get yo' kicks, on Route 66, with Ray Benson & Asleep at The Wheel.

Miles Davis "That's Right"

From his 1984 record "Decoy", here's Miles Davis with the track "That's Right", the next to last track on the recording.

The credits are:

Miles Davis: trumpet, synthesizer

Branford Marsalis: soprano saxophone

Bill Evans: soprano saxophone

Robert Irving III.: synthesizer, synthesizer bass and drum programming

John Scofield: guitar

Darryl “The Munch” Jones: bass

Mino Cinelu: percussion

Gil Evans: arranger

Procol Harum "A Whiter Shade of Pale"

A live version of their big hit song "A Whiter Shade of Pale" by Procol Harum, featuring keyboardists Gary Brooker (also the lead vocalist), on piano, and an unidentified organist on the Hammond, but not the original player on the tune, Matthew Fisher, in Denmark, circa 2006, with the Danish National Concert Orchestra & Choir at Ledreborg Castle, Denmark. Anyone who is aware of the organist in this particular video, please, do tell who it is in the comments.

Will Bernard Organ Trio | KNKX Studio Session

Before starting our studio session with Brooklyn-based guitarist Will Bernard, with Seattle favorites Joe Doria and Tarik Abouzied on organ and drums, I told him most of the interview would focus on "the out-of-towner". Will said, "wait, I'm here all the time!"

It's true. The Berkeley, California native makes his home in New York but had just come from spending two weeks performing with friends in New Orleans. Seattle has been another frequent stop on his packed travel itinerary, and Bernard says he's always excited to play with Joe and Tarik. 

Bernard is widely traveled across the musical spectrum as well. He was exposed to rock, jazz, hip hop, classical and music from around the world while still in his formative teen years in the Bay Area. He's made the most of his big ears and curious nature by becoming one of the most adaptable guitarists in the world, but in the KNKX studios, he was all about the groove.

Songs:

1) Happy Belated (Will Bernard) 0:00
2) Duo Four (Joe Doria) 7:20
3) Step How You Like It (Tarik Abouzied) 14:26 

Musicians:

Will Bernard - guitar
Joe Doria - Hammond B-3 organ
Tarik Abouzied - drums

Audio: John Kessler

The Peterson Brothers "I Gotta Go"

From a live performance at KUTX radio in Austin, Texas, from 2017, here are the Peterson Brothers playing their bluesy boogie woogie tune, "I Gotta Go".