Taj Mahal performing the song "Fishing Blues" at a 1993 concert. One of those songs that has a great story behind it. Mahal says it right in the intro, a song from the East Texas musical tradition and Henry "Ragtime" Thomas. It makes you want to head down to the lake, onto the dock, or in a boat, grab your rod and reel, and a can of nightcrawlers and see if you can't catch something. So, this one is for all the music fans out there who also enjoy fishing.
From a 2017 concert at Red Rocks in Morrison, Colorado, here is Joe Bonamassa and his band, performing "Angel of Mercy".
This week's Sunday Special. The famous song "hello Josephine", was born in 1960 as "My girl Josephine", written by Fats Domino and Dave Bartholomew. The change came around 1965 when a British band called The Scorpions covered the song. Antoine Dominique "Fats' Domino Jr. February 26, 1928 - October 24, 2017) was already a world-famous artist at that time. In 2005 Fats was missing for some time, when the hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. His house was demolished, and he lost all his prizes and golden records. It didn't stop him from continuing to travel the world to give more concerts.
From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.
BBC-TV, 1971. The Mahavishnu Orchestra. You know, you know. John McLaughlin, guitar; Jerry Goodman, violin; Billy Cobham, drums; Jan Hammer, keyboards and Rick Laird, bass.
Full Concert Friday revisiting the "New Orleans Swamp" episode of the "Soundstage" concert program on PBS circa 1974. Here is the set list and the musicians who played that night.
DR. JOHN:
1.Walk Right In 0:00.
PROFESSOR LONGHAIR: 2. Shake Rattle & Roll 1:20/ 3. Tipitina 5:00/ 4. Whole Lotta Lovin' 8:40/ 5. Everyday I Have The Blues 11:20. EARL KING: 6. Mama & Papa 15:10/ 7. Those Lonely, Lonely Nights 19:05. The METERS: 8. Looka Py Py 22:40/ 9. Jungle Man 25:50. Dr. John: 10. Call A Doctor 29:50/ 11. Qualified 32:30/ 12. Quitters Never Win 38:00/ 13. Such A Night 42:15/ 14. Right Place 46:20. Finale-EARL KING-END JAM: 15. Big Chief 50:10 DR. JOHN & PROF. LONGHAIR-METERS--EARL KING-Night Trippers/ SOUNDSTAGE 1974 "NEW ORLEANS SWAMP" DVDR130122
From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.
Summertime (Gershwin). Off-Opera Jazzfest on the 10th of August 1994. Al Jarreau, vocals; Neil Larsen, keyboards; Charles Johnson, guitar and Steve Gadd on Drums. Al Jarreau was a groundbreaking artist in jazz, known for his distinctive vocal style that blended jazz, pop, R&B, and soul. He was a master of vocalese, a style in which singers use lyrics to mimic instrumental solos, which allowed him to “sing” like a saxophone or trumpet, an approach few others achieved with the same level of artistry. Jarreau’s voice was remarkably flexible, ranging from deep bass notes to falsetto, and he had an extraordinary ability to incorporate scat singing, vocal percussions, and rhythmic precision into his performances. His improvisational skills set him apart, making his concerts captivating and unique experiences. Jarreau was also an innovative storyteller through his music, breaking genre barriers by blending different styles and reaching a broad audience. He won seven Grammy Awards in three distinct categories—jazz, pop, and R&B—which underscored his versatility and widespread influence. His work on songs like “We’re in This Love Together,” “After All,” and his famous theme for the television show Moonlighting expanded his reach beyond traditional jazz listeners and brought new fans into the jazz world. Al Jarreau’s ability to connect with listeners across various genres has solidified his legacy as one of the most innovative and influential jazz vocalists.
From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.
Don Ellis Jazz Festival Montreux, July 9, 1977. Don Ellis tp., el-tp., fl-h., Glenn Stuart tp., Gilman Rathel tp., Jack Coan tp., Alan Kaplan tb., Richard Bullock b-tb., Sidney Muldrow fr-h., Jim Self tuba, Ann Patterson as., ss., oboe, fl., pic., Ted Nash fl., as., cl., James Coile ts., fl., cl., James Snodgrass bs., pic., fl., oboe, b-cl., Pam Tompkins viol., Laurie Badessa viol., Jimbo Ross viola, Paula Hochhalter cello, Randy Kerber p., e-p., clavinet, synth., Darrell Clayborn b., Leon Gaer e-b., synth., Dave Crigger dr., Mike Englander dr., Chino Valdes perc., Ruth Ritchie perc. Don Ellis was a pioneering American jazz trumpeter, composer, and bandleader, known for his innovative approach to jazz that blended complex time signatures, Eastern European influences, and modern electronics. His work, particularly in the late 1960s and 1970s, pushed jazz boundaries and introduced a unique, experimental sound that resonated with both jazz and rock audiences. Ellis was fascinated with unconventional time signatures and rhythms. He explored complex meters such as 5/4, 7/4, and even 19/8, which were rare in jazz at the time. His album Electric Bath featured these innovations and won him a Grammy nomination. Blending jazz with influences from Eastern Europe, India, and rock, Ellis helped create a sound that was both challenging and accessible, appealing to younger audiences at the height of the jazz-rock fusion era. Ellis was one of the first jazz musicians to experiment with electronic effects on his trumpet, using devices like the ring modulator to produce unusual, futuristic sounds. This contributed to the psychedelic and avant-garde appeal of his music. Ellis composed several film scores, with the most notable being his work on The French Connection (1971), for which he received critical acclaim. His score was distinctively intense and contributed to the film’s gripping atmosphere. His big band arrangements expanded the scope of what large jazz ensembles could accomplish, influencing later jazz composers and big band leaders. He challenged traditional big band sounds with unconventional instrumentation and structures. Don Ellis’s work broadened the definition of jazz, especially in terms of rhythm and instrumentation, and he left a lasting influence on both jazz musicians and composers who sought to innovate within the genre.
