Willie Nelson & Billy Joe Shaver "Hard To Be An Outlaw"

Willie Nelson and Billy Joe Shaver appear on The Late Show with David Letterman and sing this great, and truthful tune, about there being very few "outlaws" left in country music, because it seems that a lot of country music all sounds the same, by young guys who have no clue what the spirit of the music is really about.  Enjoy this one.

Tedeschi Trucks Band (feat. Amy Ray) "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright"

Susan Tedeschi introduces and performs with mandolin player and vocalist Amy Ray, on an excellent version of Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright". 

Fifty Years Ago This Month, John Coltrane Recorded One of The Greatest Jazz Tracks of All Time

That track, was one featured on the blog a short time ago... "A Love Supreme".  Read the article, and, listen to the whole record, that is posted in the video that is linked to it.

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/fifty-years-ago-this-month-john-coltrane-recorded-one-greatest-jazz-tracks-of-all-time-180953583/?utm_source=facebook.com&no-ist

Stevie Ray Vaughan "Crossfire"

Stevie Ray Vaughan, featuring his quartet band Serious Trouble, with Chris Layton (drums), Tommy Shannon, (bass), and Reese Wynans (Hammond B3 organ), playing the song "Crossfire" in Austin, Texas, on Austin City Limits.

concert review Medeski, Martin, Scofield & Wood @ First Avenue 12-14-14

What can be said about Medeski, Scofield, Martin, & Wood?  This jazz fusion/jam band super group, which is set to retire, after a 20 year career, went out with a bang Sunday night at First Avenue in Minneapolis.  They are one of those rare bands, that can break new ground musically, with every project they do.  All instrumental jams here, ladies and gentlemen.  Do we need a set list?  No way, man!  Let's just jam!  The band played several tunes, including some fantastic and inspiring covers off their latest album, "Juice", which features the trio of Medeski, Martin, & Wood, sans John Scofield.

But, when Scofield does sit in with the other blokes... sparks fly!  Amazingly, this is only the fourth record that MMW have done.  So much of what they do is based on live shows.  Unlike the trio setting, where Medeski has a monstrous arsenal of cool keyboards to jam on, with Scofield on guitar, Medeski relied heavily, only a Hammond B3 and a grand piano.  He would switch between the two, even during one tune.  There were so many jams, it's impossible to name all of them, even if they were familiar to the legions of fans who eagerly watched the show.  I mean, some of us, were standing outside First Ave. as the band was making their entrance.  That is how much of a following this band has among their fans.  We couldn't wait to get in to see the gig!

The band covered a few familiar classic songs by other artists, pulling off "Sunshine Of Your Love" by Cream, and encoring with Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are A Changin' ".  The jams are so intricate, you really have to hear for yourself what they are all about.  Sadly, this is the band's last tour, in all likelihood.  But, there are albums and videos out there.  So, check them out.  The energy of the audience, comes from the music with a band like this, especially since there are no vocals anywhere.  It's all instrumental improvisation, 100% of the time.

Chris Wood and Billy Martin hold down the rhythm section.  Martin has a swing clave rhythm perfected to a T.  Chris Wood is an incredible bassist on both electric and upright.  John Scofield, he made use of lots of wah pedal, and soaring solos, last night.  The energy level the band brings to their shows is instantly felt by the audience, and they absolutely love it.  It is hard to find a band that exudes so much energy, coming from the music itself.  MSMW is one of the few bands that can really jam instrumentally and captivate an audience for a whole two set show.

The interplay between Medeski's B3 and Scofield's guitar, was a true display of musical communication, and conversation.  The two would swap lines back and forth, while Wood and Martin held down the rhythmic fort, and that was thrilling to behold.  Sometimes, it seems that only two guitar players in a band, could communicate in that way.  But, that's the benefit of having a quartet.  If you have one keys player and one guitar player, they can play off of each other, brilliantly.  It is a real treat for the ears to hear a band like Medeski, Scofield, Martin, & Wood.  They may not have produced too many albums, either with Scofield, or, as a trio.

But, I would definitely recommend giving them a listen.  It is a shame that the band won't be touring together much longer.  But, that's music.  People have other projects and other desires that they want to fulfill.  So, I wish the players good luck in their future musical endeavors.  Who knows... in years to come, we may see a reunion of the trio, with Mr. Scofield, and hear more awesome jams.  Nothing lasts forever.  But, there may come a time for a reunion at some point. 

Skip's Spotify Sunday 12-14-14

Fattburger "The Best of Fattburger"

1. Good News
2. Make That Dream Come True
3. Eva
4. The Doctor
5. One More Time
6. Imagine That
7. Without Love
8. Daydreaming
9. Who Put The Meat In My Bed?
10. Monica
11. Almost An Angel
12. Night After Night

Fattburger "Work To Do"

1. Work To Do
2. Over Time
3. 100 Ways
4. Down Time
5. B.d.d.d.
6. Little Sunflower
7. Rene
8. You're The First, The Last, My Everything
9. I'm Just Sayin'
10. That Feels Good

Fattburger "All Natural Ingredients"

1. So Far So What
2. Everybody Wants To Rule The World (Tears For Fears cover)
3. The Grip
4. Oye Como Va (Tito Puente cover)
5. 100% Fatt
6. Do That Again
7. Lo-Cal Swing
8. Coronado
9. 'Till Then
10. The Good Life

Fattburger "Livin' Large"

1. Anything's Possible
2. Love Is Like A River
3. Creepin'
4. Livin' Large
5. Nine Lives
6. Just Can't Get Enough
7. Intuition
8. Rockin' The Walk
9. In Your Eyes
10. Sheezateez

Fattburger "Sugar"

1. Show Me The Honey
2. Spice
3. Groovin'
4. Sugar
5. Emerald Hills
6. Soothing
7. It's About Time
8. Valencia
9. Hole In One
10. Mad Cow

Fattburger "Fattburger.com"

1. You've Got Mail!
2. Joy
3. Same Ole Love (365 Days A Year)
4. Trail of Tears
5. No Problem
6. Groove Y2K
7. Peace of Mind
8. Fender
9. Nice Bits

Fattburger "Sizzlin' "

1. Sizzlin'
2. Stay A Little Longer
3. Irene
4. You're Finally Here
5. Blue Ridge Sunset
6. The Lizard
7. New World Order
8. Bleu Cheese
9. Mr. C

Fattburger "T.G.I.F."

1. Down Home
2. Evil Ways (Santana cover)
3. Mum's The Word
4. Heaven
5. Take Six
6. Bookem
7. What's New
8. Santa Fe
9. Fatt

Fattburger "Greatest Hits"

1. Oye Como Va (Tito Puente cover)
2. Anything's Possible
3. Work To Do
4. You've Got Mail
5. Creepin'
6. Groovin' (On A Sunday Afternoon) (Rascal's cover)
7. Sizzlin'
8. Trail of Tears
9. Evil Ways (Santana cover)
10. Do That Again

Richard Elliot "Take To The Skies"

1. I'm Loving You
2. Boardwalk Walk
3. Take To The Skies
4. In The Name of Love
5. When A Man Loves A Woman (Percy Sledge cover)
6. The Grip
7. In Your Arms
8. Moonlight In Your Eyes
9. Down To The Key
10. 4:00 A.M.

Richard Elliot "On The Town"

1. Along The Way
2. By My Side
3. Take This Heart
4. Stilletto Heels - Instrumental
5. Midnight Passion
6. Don't Cry Now
7. On The Town
8. Into The Light
9. Breezer
10. Highway 1
11. In Your Face
12. Over The Rainbow

Richard Elliot "Soul Embrace"

1. Sweat
2. Sweet Dreams
3. Deep Blue
4. I'm Not In Love
5. Promises
6. Because I Love You
7. Just Do It
8. Embrace
9. Never Gonna Break Your Heart
10. Heartland
11. Calle Del Soul
12. By The Fire
13. Lost In A Minute
14. Up All Night
15. Alone At Sea

Richard Elliot "After Dark"

1. Street Beat
2. Song For Her
3. As I Sleep
4. After Dark
5. El Anio
6. Tonight
7. On The Run
8. If Tomorrow Never Comes
9. Hold Me Tight
10. Bridge Over Troubled Water (Simon & Garfunkel cover)
11. The Boys From The Bay
12. Candlelight
13. So Special
14. Slow It Down

Richard Elliot "City Speak"

1. City Speak
2. Walk The Walk
3. Unspoken Words
4. Amazon
5. I'll Make Love To You
6. Scotland
7. Sweet Surrender
8. Down Hill Run
9. When The Lights Go Out
10. All I Need
11. That's All She Wrote

Richard Elliot "Jumpin' Off"

1. Jumpin' Off
2. All Night
3. If You Want My Love
4. Here And Now
5. Tell Me About It
6. Slow Burn
7. In The Groove
8. One Last Kiss
9. Nobody Knows (Babyface cover)

Richard Elliot "Chill Factor"

1. Moomba
2. Chill Factor
3. Deep Touch
4. This Could Be Real
5. Who?
6. On The Fly
7. Adia
8. Like Butter
9. Kick It Up
10. Ain't Nothin' Like The Real Thing
11. Mikayla's Smile

Richard Elliot "Crush"

1. Crush
2. Q.T.
3. Still Sweet On You
4. If I Kissed You
5. Work All Night
6. Melrose Diner
7. Brand New Love Affair
8. Coco
9. Shotgun
10. Sticky Wicked

Richard Elliot "Ballads"

1. Here And Now (Luther Vandross cover)
2. Adia
3. Song For Her
4. When A Man Loves A Woman (Percy Sledge cover)
5. All Night
6. Sweet Dream
7. I'll Make Love To You (Boyz II Men cover)
8. Judy's Song
9. Bridge Over Troubled Water (Simon & Garfunkel cover)
10. Mikayla's Song
11. Because I Love You
12. Imagine (Beatles cover)
13. Just Me And You
14. Over The Rainbow

Richard Elliot "Ricochet"

1. Corner Pocket
2. Ricochet
3. Rendezvous
4. Sweet Memories
5. So Good
6. Seven Sacred Pools
7. Slam
8. You Make Me Feel Brand New
9. Sake For Two
10. Sly

Richard Elliot "Metro Blue"

1. Inside Out
2. Camella
3. Coastline
4. People Make The World Go Round (Stylistics cover)
5. Say Its So
6. Chill Bill
7. Mystique
8. Mango Tango
9. Maxis
10. Metro Blue

Richard Elliot "Rock Steady"

1. Move On Up
2. Straight Up
3. Yaquala
4. Restless
5. Retro Boy
6. License To Chill
7. Candice Dance
8. Rock Steady
9. The Preacher
10. Spindrift
11. Keep On Truckin'

Richard Elliot "In The Zone"

1. Island Style
2. Boom Town
3. Metropolis
4. Inner City Blues (Makes Me Wanna Holler) (Marvin Gaye cover)
5. The Lower Road
6. Bring It!
7. Just A Taste
8. In The Zone
9. Panamera
10. Golden Triangle
11. Boom Town (radio edit)

Richard Elliot "Number One's"

1. Here And Now (Luther Vandross cover)
2. Moomba
3. People Make The World Go Round
4. Mystery
5. Rnr (feat. Rick Braun: trumpet)
6. Move On Up
7. Retro Boy
8. Island Style
9. Boom Town
10. Inner City Blues (Makes Me Wanna Holler) (Marvin Gaye cover)
11. Island Style - Live
12. Inner City Blues (Makes Me Wanna Holler) (Live) (Marvin Gaye cover)

Richard Elliot "Lip Service"

1. Desire
2. Lip Service
3. Given It Up
4. Sweet Spot
5. Sookie Sookie
6. All The Way
7. When I Was Your Man
8. Shining Star
9. City Lights
10. Anytime

Frank Sinatra "Fly Me To The Moon" (Live 1964)

Happy Birthday "Old Blue Eyes"... Frank Sinatra.  Here he is, singing "Fly Me To The Moon" in 1964.  One of my favorite singers.