Reminiscences

[Atypical]

These three musicians are stars in American music. Here, they compete with each other in a demonstration of their styles.

Steve Gadd plays in many of the posts in this thread.

Dave Weichel, Vinnie Colaiuta and Steve Gadd.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czOjn...yer_detailpage


This is a beautiful tune performed by a superb band with Vinnie on drums. Watch for the musician who plays two instruments at once. This is a must-see in a room with perfect lighting, an attentive audience and interesting music.

Dark Secret

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sL30u...yer_detailpage

[Atypical]

A reminder...

I occasionally add music to an earlier post. Tonight, for those that like Johnny Lytle, a vibe player, I added a great tune at 137.

Links were reestablished in 195. (Jamal)

12/6, 12/7, 12/9 New music at 17.

12/7 New music at 170.

12/22 New music at 17, 123, 135, and 192.

12/23 New music at 136.

12/25 New music at 134 and 137.

12/27 New music at 133.

12/28 New music at 133.

12/29 New music at 133.

2/3/13 Thread repaired/replaced at 205 (Borge)

2/5 & 2/6 New music at 133.

2/7 New music at 74, 121, 136, 171 and 226.

2/8 New music at 175.

3/3 New music at 220.

3/17 New music at 225.

3/18 New music at 227.

4/18 Link repaired at 220 (S. Robinson)

4/23 Revised link at 94.

5/6 Fixed link at 205, 208.

[Atypical]

A great musician, Dave Brubeck, died today. These magnificent tunes were never posted because they are well known, and, so, there was no need to promote them. Today, there is.

Dave Brubeck

Take Five (Subtle, thoughtful jazz.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9aG3...yer_detailpage

And, a musically different tune in a live concert at Carnegie Hall...

Blue Rondo A La Turk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFLIL...yer_detailpage


12/15

Post 170 has great tunes by Al Jarreau. Post 173 has music by Kurt Elling. This post honors Dave Brubeck's music.

Put all that together and you get a collaboration of both singers that is fun and enjoyable to see and hear.

Take Five

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=wL2W4UPGUBo

[Atypical]

‘Blue Xmas (To Whom It May Concern)’ by Bob Dorough & Miles Davis

By: Kevin Gosztola

Bob Dorough is a cool bepop, jazz pianist and singer, who collaborated with jazz legend Miles Davis to produce, “Blue Xmas (To Whom It May Concern).” He is known for working with Allen Ginsberg and he also once performed in between Lenny Bruce sets.

The song may not be as much of a protest song as previous selections featured this week, however, its lyrics have an anti-commercialism theme.

Dorough sings about “all the waste, all the sham, all the haste and plain old bad taste” of Christmas. The “sidewalk Santy Clauses” are too fake—”much, much too thin.” And they wear “fancy rented costumes, false beards and big fat phony grins.” The poor are out on the streets and, meanwhile, everyone is like “Gimme gimme gimme gimme” and “fill my stocking up.”

This is the time of year “when the greedy give a dime to the needy,” but Dorough doesn’t find that to be all that genuine at all. People trade gifts that don’t matter. As far as Dorough is concerned, he doesn’t care for that “fal-de-ral.” There are lots of “hungry, homeless children” and he just does not get the point of spending time addressing “twenty zillion Christmas cards.”

The final lyric that he sings, “I hope yours is a bright one, but for me it bleeds,” is steeped in cynicism. It depends on interpretation. This could be regarded as a standard expression of, “Bah humbug!” but it seems to be much more complex. Dorough enjoyed Christmas once upon a time, but now he feels engulfed by an ocean of phony Christmas spirit.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqZ1O...layer_embedded

[Atypical]

“Children, settle down. I want to tell you a story about a man, a very scary man.

His name is Screamin’ Jay Hawkins. That’s because he screams sometimes. One of the things he does is carry a skull on a stick. Don’t be afraid. I don’t think the skull belongs to anyone we know. He also lies in a coffin but he is not really dead. Anyway, when he screams he makes scary faces. Don’t be afraid. I don’t think he means to hurt anyone. He sometimes has teeth chattering on his piano and a hand severed from a body that moves. I don’t recognize them so don’t be afraid. He has a bone in his nose, too. Now that’s scary, but don’t be afraid. I’m not…at least I don’t think I am?

Let’s do this. I’ll play something that shows what this man is like. Try not to cry. If you don’t run away, I’ll play another one. Some are funny and some are…well, more for adults. I really don’t want to explain them, so don’t ask.

Here’s the first one by Screamin' Jay Hawkins. It’s called…

I Put A Spell On You” (The Screamin’ song that established him as a mainstream, family-oriented talent)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=7kGPhpvqtOc


Now, here’s one that shows what a nice, sensitive, humble man he was.

I Am The Cool

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gWQQ...yer_detailpage


Maybe (Don’t let this frighten you. It’s a love song)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=hTVJF5ORuLQ


Shut Your Mouth When You Sneeze (Helpful suggestions to avoid health problems)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWJWZ...yer_detailpage


Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda (A poignant attempt to improve a relationship)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_9km...yer_detailpage


I’m Lonely (Another sad song that shows how sensitive and caring he really was).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSl9n...yer_detailpage


Portrait Of A Man (This is…well…great).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=HS5EKEo6PRQ


3/17/13 I Wanna Know

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rf89C...yer_detailpage

3/17/13 Tear Drops

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKBAC...yer_detailpage

3/17/13 Give It A Break

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nyi2h...yer_detailpage

3/17/13 Don't Deceive Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RExov...yer_detailpage

3/17/13 Alligator Wine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=FqxEXYxvUW8

__________________

I love this guy.

[Atypical]

Bonnie Raitt’s father, John Raitt, was a well-known singer and starred in film and Broadway musicals. Some would consider Bonnie a pop star but the core of her music is blues. Her lovely voice, stage presence and slide-guitar are unique and instantly recognizable.

Her shows have frequently showed respect and appreciation for older blues artists by having them appear with her. Sippie Wallace was one of her favorites as was John Lee Hooker.

The first tune is from her earlier period and is a cover of a Del Shannon hit from a time when music was frequently playful. The arrangement is great with some blues influences added by the harp player.

She may be a somewhat underrated performer but it’s clear she’s an important part of our musical scene.

Bonnie Raitt

Runaway (Watch her harp player's "contibutions".)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPzcZ...yer_detailpage

Pride And Joy (Here she shows she’s not just another attractive face)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=6Mylo0piAgc

I’m In The Mood (With John Lee Hooker)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rT-Fo...yer_detailpage

No Gettin’ Over You (With Keb Mo)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=0iMadZk9o_U

At Bonnie’s induction into the RRHF

Thing Called Love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vqrQ...yer_detailpage

Love Me Like A Man

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXVoO...yer_detailpage

I Will Not Be Broken (This song is very affecting)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_FcA...yer_detailpage

BB King with Bonnie Raitt

Night Life

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQJN8...yer_detailpage


Here are a few more examples of great female blues, R&B and soul singers.

Ann Peebles

I Can’t Stand The Rain

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSnHT...yer_detailpage

This is...well...you decide.

Bettye Lavette

Let Me Down Easy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFpFx...yer_detailpage

Diane Blue is a wonderful talent. She appears here in a small club in Germany, with Morblus, a great band from Verona, Italy, that can be seen earlier in this thread.

Diane Blue

I’d Rather Go Blind

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKFDz...yer_detailpage

And... at an outdoor venue in Europe.

I'm Tore Down

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLceu...yer_detailpage

Now, get ready for…

Cee Cee James

House Of The Blues

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p89Hh...yer_detailpage

Can't have only one Cee Cee...

2/7/13 Red House

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=UV3fQ66uL6c

And...

2/7/13 Black Raven

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=KsouqwDUQCk

This singer was promoted by Earth, Wind and Fire when she debuted. This is a beautiful song made even better by the arrangement and her soaring voice.

Deneice Williams

Free

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=imTDWIZwEDU

[Atypical]

This is a musical mélange without a theme; still (very) tasty - but less filling.


A reminder of Brazil’s recent Carnival.

Dende & Hahahaes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=pv9vcQQ_huM


‘Nawlins’, aka NOLA, is known for food, music and attitude. The music is exemplified by the Nevilles but there are many other representatives.

Sonny Landreth

Congo Square

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sloap...yer_detailpage

World Away

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGKI5...yer_detailpage


Amos Lee

Windows Are Rolled Down

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=qDOcbMic6mI


These sounds are reminiscent of Willie and Natalie.

The Waifs

Highway One

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6s0sO...yer_detailpage


A top blues musician/singer who’s great in person. I know.

Jimmy Johnson

You Don’t Know What Love Is

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=dEv94vups2Q

3/18/13 My Baby By My Side (No 'gut-bucket' here. Rx: Try a dark room and this on a loop).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQeGw...yer_detailpage


Here’s a fantastic soul singer who’s also great in person. I know this, too.

Otis Clay

The Woman Don’t Live Here No More

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=PxYP-kYkwmA

Since I’ve Been Loving You (Watch out, this is dynamite)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=6_CnyggTjn8


Bo Diddley, Muddy Waters and Little Walter

My Babe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=q_BNz_B1PNg


The original by Elmore James is in post 211, but don’t miss this.

Howlin’ Wolf

Dust My Broom

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=ZEgGslcXXL0


Cannonball Adderley doing a soulful tune that became a classic.

Mercy, Mercy, Mercy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRrFW...yer_detailpage


Some songs you never get tired of. This one appears earlier in the thread with John Lee Hooker: this time with Ry’s slide guitar.

Ry Cooder with Santana

The Healer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ON9Cd...yer_detailpage


Great music with a surprise.

Quinn Sullivan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ix4TN...yer_detailpage

Sometime later…

Buddy’s Blues

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4xVk...yer_detailpage


These are profoundly beautiful songs with incredible arrangements plus a great singer who does them extraordinarily well. Magnificent.

Jose James

Little Bird (Stay with this until the end)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=i6CmEcCndGU

Desire

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylqA5...yer_detailpage

Beauty

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWm_L...yer_detailpage

The Dreamer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzGio...yer_detailpage

Velvet

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=xF1u0HPj7s4

Winter Wind

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=NqXZ3QieXnI


Rhythmic guitars played as you’ve probably never heard them. Not what you might expect, especially from the ‘bouncy’, talented, adorable Gabriela. This is beautiful, passionate, stirring music.

Rodrigo Y Gabriela

Tamacun

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE8Qt...yer_detailpage

Santo Domingo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xi0F...yer_detailpage

Orion

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfYeS...yer_detailpage


Heard there’s a great singer at the club. Think I’ll call that doll I met last week, the one whose father is some kind of politician.

“Hey, baby, it’s me, Tony. Whaddya say, we go to the club tonight. Dress up nice. I’ll get us a good table. I’m tight with the captain. That’s great. I’ll pick you up at eight”.

“Hey, is Andre there”?

“No, he’s not here yet. Wait, he just walked in”.

“This is Andre”.

“Andre, this is Tony. I’m comin’ by tonight. I’d sure appreciate that table up front. The one by the stage; table 2, I think it is”.

“I don’t know, Mister Tony. We got a great singer and it’ll be real busy again tonight. I guess Eisenhower’s been good for business. I’m not sure I can”…

“Look, Andre, I’ll make it worth your while, if you know what I mean. I’m bringin’ a gorgeous babe and I want to impress her”.

“Okay, Mister Tony, on that basis I’ll see what I can do”.

“Thanks, Andre. You’re the best. Set us up with Champagne when we get there. The best you got”.

That night after a $50 dollar tip…

Ladies and gentlemen… please welcome The George Shearing Quintet with Miss Dakota Staton.

The Late Late Show

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=am2oK...yer_detailpage

In The Night

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpY_d...yer_detailpage

The Thrill Is Gone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=c5ArOZoBcZg

The show was great...and so was the Cordon Rouge.

[Atypical]

We just lost another great artist, Richie Havens.

I have said about others, like Gil Scott-Heron, that to be able to entertain and educate is the most glorious accomplishment a musician can attain. Those in authority rarely tell us what we need to know, but, fortunately, we have others that help us. Havens, when using socially-aware lyrics was one of them. His distinctive voice, style and passion made great songs even better. He will be deeply missed.

Richie Havens

Freedom/Motherless Child

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BSJY...yer_detailpage

This great song was a hit for Havens.

Here Comes The Sun

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0e9Y...yer_detailpage

One More Day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=7Zk1VrU_wPM

What About Me?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UztdW...yer_detailpage

Sugar Plum

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H02sK...yer_detailpage

Lean On Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=DxhVmUHh2e4

And Dylan’s classic…

All Along The Watchtower

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmEk6...yer_detailpage

Just Like A Woman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=B5rJmo475aE

I Can’t Make It Anymore

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpfpF...yer_detailpage