Here’s a musician who is comfortable, at the top of his game, still relevant and who has forgotten more than many will ever know.
I’ve always loved this song, and this reinterpretation with The Roots typifies Elvis’ willingness to explore and reinvent….enjoy.
The music of Muscle Shoals changed the world and sold millions upon millions of copies. At its heart is Rick Hall.
He brought black and white together in Alabama’s cauldron of racial hostility to create music for the generations while giving birth to the ‘Muscle Shoals Sound’ and ‘The Swampers’. Mick Jagger, Jimmy Cliff, Keith Richards, Percy Sledge, Gregg Allman, Clarence Carter, Etta James, Alicia Keys, Bono, Steve Winwood and others bear witness in this new movie to Muscle Shoals’ magnetism, mystery, and why it remains influential today.
I did a radio show featuring The Impressions, the seminal band who were a vehicle for social change, in 2012. Curtis Mayfield was of course a driving force behind the band for several years. I stumbled over this high quality clip from the BBC archives from the legendary Old Grey Whistle Test show circa 1972. Here Curtis Mayfield performs the beautiful soul track “We Got To Have Peace.”
Curtis Mayfield left an indelible mark on the fabric of American art that is unparalleled. Check out Curtis and his live band from ’72….and enjoy.
The latest video from David Bowie’s album The Next Day I found quite thrilling. The video is for the song “Valentine’s Day,” and has a simple, stark power with Bowie’s penetrating gaze. A welcome return to form for the thin white duke?
Earlier this year, composer Jherek Bischoff released the album Composed, featuring guest appearances from David Byrne, Tropicalía luminary Caetano Veloso, and others. The video for Byrne’s track, “Eyes” is filled with different closeups of one of Scotland’s favorite sons, i.e. Byrne’s face, as well as an orchestra….enjoy
I found another glorious Buddy Guy clip again with Jack Bruce, although this one includes another contemporary genius in Roland Kirk sitting in and entirely different rhythm section, adding another impressive layer of emotion over the “Stormy Monday Blues” theme. Ladies and gentlemen, this is music in its purest form, enjoy.
Buddy Guy is one of the great blues guitarists, a man who influenced a generation, and even today, can still hold his own with most young blues turks.
I stumbled over this high quality gem of him playing with Cream’s bassist Jack Bruce, frequent Hendrix collaborator, the drummer Buddy Miles and a horn section. A blistering “Mary Had A Little Lamb” followed by a grinding blues work out “My Time After Awhile”. ….enjoy
john
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