Joe Bonamassa "Slow Train"

 

From a 2017 performance at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado, here is Joe Bonamassa with his blues "Slow Train" released on his 2011 "Dust Bowl" studio record.   

Joe Bonamassa "Chains & Things"

 

From his "Tour de Force" live record recorded at Shepherd's Bush Empire in London, England, here is Joe Bonamassa with his cover of B.B. King's song "Chains & Things".  

Louisiana Red-Red's New Dream

 

This week's Sunday Special.  Heard this song on a blues dedicated radio show one night on the local Minnesota jazz station, Jazz 88 FM.  This is Louisiana Red with "Red's New Dream".  Louisiana Red also had an original dream, and wrote a song about it, back in the 1960s.  I shall post that one, too.  

Louisiana Red "Red's Dream"

 

From 1962, Louisiana Red, the bluesman, wrote a song about a dream he had about confronting Cuba's dictator, Fidel Castro, and Russian President Nikita Kruschev, and giving him the business about how evil he was.  

Red's Dream: Louisiana Red [1962]

It was a dream, dream I had last night
I dreamed I went to the UN
And set the whole nation right
 
I dreamed of callin' old Castro
To the morning flo'
Looked him right in the eye and said, "Boy,
You got to go!
I'm tired of your foolishness
And if you don't behave,
I'm goin' grab you by your beard, 
Give you a Georgia shave!"
 
It was a dream, a dream I had last night
I dreamed I went to the UN
And set the whole nation right
 
Then I told old Khrushchev
Sittin' there looking bad,
"Get that junk outta Cuba
'Fore you make me mad.
Dig up them missile bases
Take them planes and all
Or I'll grab me a bat
With your head for the ball!"
 
It was a dream, dream I had last night
I dreamed I went to the UN
And set the whole nation right
 
Then into Washington they call me
An' I went
Hadda be the guest
Of the President
He said, "Red, I'm glad to see you,
So glad you come down here
To help me run the Russians
From the western hemisphere!"
 
I said, "You can run the country
I'm goin' to run the Senate
Oughtta make a few changes
With a few soul brothers in it.
Ray Charles and Lightnin' Hopkins
And a guy like Jimmy Reed
Bo Diddley and Big Mabel
Be all I need!"
 
It was a dream, a dream I had last night
I dreamed I went to the UN
And set the whole nation right

Joe Bonamassa "Takin' The Hit"

 

From his 2002 record "So, It's Like That", here is Joe Bonamassa and his band performing the tune "Takin' The Hit" on the Rockpalast television program in Germany, circa 2006.  The song is also the opening track to his live at Rockpalast record which was his first music video.  This recording saw Bonamassa playing in a power trio.  Joe Bonamassa on guitar and vocals, Eric Czar on bass, and Kenny Kramme on drums.  

Michael Brecker “The Winter Of My Discontent”

 

Michael Brecker
Indiana University Jazz Ensemble
Director: Dominic Spera

"The Winter Of My Discontent"
Arranged by Al Kiger

January 11, 1968, 8 p.m.

Indiana University

East Hall on the Bloomington campus

Albert King "The Sky Is Crying"

 

From a concert recorded in Sweden, on June 9th, 1980, here is the one and the only, the late, great Albert King, one of the three Kings of the blues, along with Freddie and B.B., covering Elmore James' blues chestnut "The Sky Is Crying".  

Susan Tedeschi shreds! "Got My Mojo Workin" Boston, MA 10/1/24

 

The Susan Tedeschi & Derek Trucks Band performs Muddy Waters' "Got My Mojo Workin' " at the MGM Fenway in Boston, MA on 10/1/24.  Brought to you by Less Than Face Productions.  Audio by Bill K.

Miles Davis Live - Honky Tonk

 

From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.

Honky Tonk (Davis) Live in Oslo, 1971. Miles Davis, trumpet; Gary Bartz, saxophone; Keith Jarrett, keyboards; Michael Henderson, bass; Mtume, percussion and Ndugu Leon Chancelor on drums.

Mike Brecker Band "Original Rays" Wiesen Austria

 

This week's Sunday Special.  

Michael Brecker Group

July 9, 1989

Mike Brecker: Tenor
Mike Stern: Guitar
Jeff Andrews: Bass
Adam Nussbaum: Drums
Joey Calderazzo: Piano

The Great Guitars (Kessel, Ellis & Byrd) - It's The Talk of The Town | 11-07-1982

 

Three of the all-time greatest jazz guitarists perform their unique skills on the guitar:

Barney Kessel, born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA on October 17, 1923, was known for his chord-based melodies and was a prolific member of the so-called ‘Wrecking Crew’ group of musicians that accompanied and played on records as diverse as The Mamas & Papas, Sonny & Cher and The Beach Boys.  He was voted best guitarist in Down Beat Magazine in 1956, 1957 and 1958 and recorded numerous albums. The Gibson Guitar Corporation introduced the Barney Kessel model guitar in 1961 to honor his skills. Barney died on May 6, 2004.

Herb Ellis was an American guitarist who probably was best known as member of Oscar Peterson’s Trio in the 1950’s. He was born on August 4, 1921, as Mitchell Herbert Ellis. He played with Jimmy Dorsey’s band and played on numerous Verve records supporting jazz giants like Ben Webster, Stan Getz, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. Herb died on March 20, 2010.

Charlie Byrd was one of America’s greatest guitarists. Born on September 16, 1925, in Suffolk, Virginia, he was strongly influenced by Django Reinhardt’s style and Brazilian bossa nova.  He played in Woody Herman’s band in the late 1950’s and recorded ‘Jazz Samba’ with Stan Getz. Also he recorded the famous bossa nova albums with João Gilberto and Antonio Carlos Jobim. Byrd died on December 2, 1999.

The three great guitarists are accompanied by Joe Byrd, Charlie’s brother, on bass and Chuch Redd on drums

The repertoire included:

• "It's the talk of the town" by Marty Symes, Al J. Nieburg, Jerry Livingston; 

• "Undecided" by Sid Robin, Charlie Shavers; 

• "A felicidade" by Vinicius de Moraes, Antonio Carlos Jobim; 

• "Manha de carnaval" by Antonio Mariz, Luis Bonfá; 

• "Nuages" by Django Reinhardt; 

• "Goin' out of my head" by Teddy Randazzo, Bobby Weinstein; 

• "Flyin' home" by Sid Robin, Lionel Hampton, Benny Goodman.

*"Speak Low"

*"Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out."

The concert was taped on 17 July 1982 in the Congress Gebouw, The Hague, The Netherlands during the North Sea Jazz Festival.

Chick Corea/Joe Henderson Quartet (VHS rip) RARE, 1981

 

This is an old jazz video from my VHS collection. According to me it is RARE.

It is a TV5 production.

I have no copyrights of the material/video except the effort and the skill transferring from tape to HDD and the upload here if it could called a copyright at all.

Live in Montreux

Chick Corea, Joe Henderson, Roy Haynes, Gary Peacock

This important live recording from 1981 features the great pianist with a stunning group: Joe Henderson on tenor sax, Gary Peacock on bass, and Roy Haynes on drums. Haynes worked with Corea on many prior occasions, and Henderson was about to collaborate with him on the Griffith Park albums of the early ’80s, but this is the first time the three appear together. Peacock’s presence is an additional delight. The probing bassist contributes the multi-layered, magnificent “Up, Up and….”

Three of Corea’s compositions here — “Hairy Canary,” “Folk Song,” and “Slippery When Wet” — would later wind up as bonus tracks on Stretch’s 1994 reissue of the 1981 CD Three Quartets. In addition, there are valuable renditions of two dense and challenging Corea tunes, “Psalm” and “Quintet #2,” along with two standards: Thelonious Monk’s “Trinkle, Tinkle” and Cole Porter’s “So in Love.” The latter culminates in a four-minute Haynes drum solo.

Overall, the record is essential for fans of any and all of the four musicians involved.

— AllMusic

Album Tracks

Introduction
Hairy Canary
Folk Song
Psalm
Quintet, No. 2
Up, Up and ...
Trinkle Tinkle
So In Love
Drum Interlude
Slippery When Wet

Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble "Leave My Girl Alone"

 

From a live performance in Austin, Texas, here is Stevie Ray Vaughan covering Buddy Guy's blues "Leave My Girl Alone".  Check it out.

Mel Tormé - You Are The Sunshine - 13/03/1976 • World of Jazz

 

Mel Tormé (USA, 1925 - 1999) is one of the most versatile jazz artists ever. He composed and arranged songs, he was a drummer as well as a movie and tv-show actor. Long ago he starred in sitcoms with Judy Garland and Lucille Ball, more recent in the popular series Night Court and Seinfeld. But he became really famous with his special voice. He was rewarded the nickname “Velvet Fog”, because of his high tenor and smooth style of singing. And singing that was what he did. 200 concerts a year was no problem for him. And he had his radio shows and his own TV show in the '50’s.

In our archives, we found a performance of Mel in the famous Dutch programme Music All In, recorded 19-03-1976. Host Pim Jacobs accompanied him on piano at several songs, and the big orchestra was conducted by the great Rogier van Otterloo, known as composer from box office movie soundtracks like “Soldier of Orange”. It’s widely known that Tormé wasn’t a big fan of rock and roll music, which he once called “three tone manure”, but although he loved classic music, he also liked some pop songs. In this "tribute to Gene Krupa", we' see him giving a big drum solo, as a real tribute.

 

Memphis Jug Band "On The Road Again" & "Stealin' "

 

EP/single/78 RPM versions of "On The Road Again" by The Memphis Jug Band circa 1928.  

Also from 1928, here is The Memphis Jug Band with their song "Stealin', Stealin'", which I believe was also later covered by Janis Joplin.  Great music, lives on, forever.  

Joe Bonamassa "You Shook Me" - Muddy Wolf at Red Rocks

 

From his live "Muddy Wolf at Red Rocks" performed at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado, here is Joe Bonamassa with Waters' "You Shook Me" featuring his blues band.  It features Joe Bonamassa on lead vocals and lead and slide guitar, Reese Wynans on Hammond organ and piano, Michael Rhodes on bass, Anton Fig on drums, and Mike Henderson on harmonica.  

Luther Allison "Serious"

 

From a concert on September 27th, 1985, in Zeche, Bochum, Germany, here is one of the best bluesmen ever, Luther Allison, with his tune, "Serious".  Note how Luther Allison teases Michael Jackson's "Beat It" into the song, right near the end.  

Jackie McLean Lives featuring Sonny Rollins

 

From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.

Sonny Rollins remembers Jackie McLean, then from the 1988 Mt. Fuji Jazz Festival, Jackie McLean and Sadao Watanabe play Dexterity with Mulgrew Miller on piano; Bob Hurst on bass and Kenny Washington on drums. Jackie McLean (1931–2006) was an influential American alto saxophonist and composer, known for his contributions to the hard bop and post-bop jazz movements. He had a sharp, distinctive tone and an adventurous, cutting-edge approach to improvisation. McLean started his career in the early 1950s, playing with iconic figures such as Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, and Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. He gained a reputation for blending traditional bebop with the emerging sounds of hard bop and later pushed into more avant-garde territory. Throughout the 1960s, McLean was a key artist on the Blue Note label, where he recorded several landmark albums, including *"Let Freedom Ring" (1962)* and **"One Step Beyond" (1963)**. His music from this era reflected a strong sense of social consciousness, resonating with the Civil Rights Movement and African American cultural expression. McLean was also an educator and activist. In the late 1960s, he joined the faculty of the University of Hartford and founded the university’s African American Music Department and the Hartt School's jazz studies program. His commitment to music education had a lasting impact on future generations of jazz musicians. Jackie McLean's legacy is that of a bold, innovative musician who constantly pushed the boundaries of jazz while staying rooted in its rich traditions. His sound continues to inspire contemporary jazz musicians today.

Phish - 10/27/2024 - Chalk Dust Torture

 

"Chalk Dust Torture" from Phish's 10/27/2024 show at MVP Arena, Albany, NY.

Rare Sun Ra Interview

 

From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.

Sun Ra, born Herman Poole Blount (later Le Sony’r Ra) in 1914, was a visionary American jazz composer, bandleader, pianist, and philosopher. He is best known for his pioneering work in free jazz, his eclectic fusion of genres, and his elaborate, otherworldly persona. Sun Ra claimed to be from Saturn, often speaking of cosmic philosophy, Afro-futurism, and the spiritual significance of music. In the mid-1950s, he founded the “Arkestra,” a large ensemble that would evolve over time and serve as a vehicle for his unconventional musical ideas. His music spanned everything from swing and bebop to avant-garde free jazz, with a strong emphasis on space-age sounds, electronic instruments, and African rhythms. The Arkestra performances were often accompanied by theatrical elements, such as elaborate costumes, futuristic imagery, and mystical themes. Sun Ra was a key figure in the development of the avant-garde jazz movement, blending philosophy, mythology, and music into a unique vision that influenced a wide range of genres. He remained active until his death in 1993, leaving behind a massive catalog of recordings and a lasting legacy in both jazz and experimental music. His work also had a significant impact on Afro-futurism, inspiring later generations of artists, musicians, and thinkers.

Mel Tormé - You Are My Sunshine - 13/03/1976 • World of Jazz

 

Mel Tormé (USA, 1925 - 1999) is one of the most versatile jazz artists ever. He composed and arranged songs, he was a drummer as well as a movie and tv-show actor. Long ago he starred in sitcoms with Judy Garland and Lucille Ball, more recent in the popular series Night Court and Seinfeld. But he became really famous with his special voice. He was rewarded the nickname “Velvet Fog”, because of his high tenor and smooth style of singing. And singing that was what he did. 200 concerts a year was no problem for him. And he had his radio shows and his own tv show in the '50’s.

In our archives, we found a performance of Mel in the famous Dutch programme Music All In, recorded 19-03-1976. Host Pim Jacobs accompanied him on piano at several songs, and the big orchestra was conducted by the great Rogier van Otterloo, known as composer from box office movie soundtracks like “Soldier of Orange”.  It’s widely known that Tormé wasn’t a big fan of rock and roll music, which he once called “three tone manure”, but although he loved classic music, he also liked some pop songs. In this "tribute to Gene Krupa", we' see him ging a big drum solo, as a real tribute.

Phish "Bathtub Gin" (revisited, again)

 

Revisiting (once again), a favorite Phish song of mine.  This is the classic, "Bathtub Gin" which it's whimsical melody and trippy lyrics.  This particular version comes from Phish's October 26th, 2024, concert held at MVP Arena in Albany, New York.  

Canned Heat "Future Blues"

 

Canned Heat is an American rock band that was formed in Los Angeles in 1965. The group has been noted for its interpretations of blues material and for its efforts to promote interest in this type of music and its original artists. It was launched by two blues enthusiasts, Alan Wilson and Bob Hite, who took the name from Tommy Johnson's 1928 "Canned Heat Blues", a song about an alcoholic who had desperately turned to drinking Sterno, generically called "canned heat" (from the original 1914 product name Sterno Canned Heat),[1] After appearances at the Monterey and Woodstock festivals at the end of the 1960s, the band acquired worldwide fame with a lineup consisting of Hite (vocals), Wilson (guitar, harmonica and vocals), Henry Vestine and later Harvey Mandel (lead guitar), Larry Taylor (bass), and Adolfo de la Parra (drums).

Gerry Mulligan - Pianist

 

This week's Sunday Special.  From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.  Darn That Dream featuring baritone saxophone legend Gerry Mulligan on piano, Rich DeRosa drums, Frank Luther bass.

Phish "Monsters"

 

"Monsters" from Phish's 10/25/2024 show at MVP Arena, Albany, NY. 

Joe Bonamassa "I Got All You Need"

 

From Joe Bonamassa's "Tour de Force" live record recorded at Shepherd's Bush Empire in England, here is "I Got All You Need".  

Monty Alexander Trio - Unknown Song - 11/06/1976 • World of Jazz

In this rare material, we see the Monty Alexander trio playing together with the famous dutch Metropole Orchestra. It was founded in 1945 shortly after WWII ended. After years of suffering, dutch people needed hope and... good times! In 1980 Rogier van Otterloo started as conductor. He was already famous, for writing the soundtracks of box office movies as 'Soldier of Orange' and "Turks Fruit (Turkish Delight)".

Montgomery Bernard "Monty" Alexander (born 6 June 1944) is a jazz pianist. His playing has a Caribbean influence and bright swinging feeling, with a strong vocabulary of bebop jazz and blues rooted melodies. He was a regular guest at the North Sea Jazz Festival. In this footage that we found in the archives, he performs in the Dutch TV show "Music All In". 

"Set Your Soul Free" - Trey Anastasio Band Ft Derek Trucks | 8/23/19 | LOCKN' | Relix

 

As part on the Relix series, From The Vault, watch Trey Anastasio Band and Derek Trucks perform "Set Your Soul Free" from their 2019 LOCKN' set.

Tedeschi Trucks Band on Clapton's "Presence of the Lord" 10/4/24 Boston, MA

 

The Susan Tedeschi & Derek Trucks Band performs Blind Faith / Eric Clapton's "Presence of the Lord" on 10/4/24 at the Wang Theater in Boston, MA.  Brought to you by Less Than Face Productions.  Audio by Casey C.

Joe Bonamassa "Scarlet Town"

 

Another single from Joe Bonamassa that was released, back near the middle of September 2024.  This is "Scarlet Town".