Ray Charles and Billy Preston – Very Cool
Billy Preston
Some rare footage of Billy Preston, a great keyboardist in his own right (Get Back – The Beatles), performing Agent Double O Soul with Ray Charles. Awesome. You have to be amazed by Ray’s feel for what Billy is doing, although I am thinking that the green suit may have been a bit much for him. Enjoy.
Listening to Canadians – Ash Koley
Image by emmerogers via Flickr
Ash Koley is a Canadian talent, born and raised in Winnipeg. Winnipeg is a major Canadian hotbed of musical talent having spawned the Guess Who, Crash Test Dummies, The Watchmen and Chantal Kreviazuk just to name few. Ash Koley performs a mix of pop, alternative and a dash of new wave in her music. The song I have chosen to introduce to you, the reader is “Brighter At Night”. Not a chart topping monolithic anthem, but a light enjoyable summer type of song, heavy on the pop. Hope you enjoy, even a little bit.
Related articles
- Listening to Canadians – Royal Wood (therealcanadianmusicblog.wordpress.com)
- Listening to Canadians – Jill Barber (therealcanadianmusicblog.wordpress.com)
- Listening to Canadians – Danny Michel (therealcanadianmusicblog.wordpress.com)
Listening To Classics – The Who
Keith Moon
The Who and the Smothers Brothers, an interesting combination. The video is from a 1965 appearance on the Smothers Brothers, and was, unfortunately, lip-synced. The banter with Tommy Smothers and the performance are not, which makes for an interesting performance. Pretend they are live and enjoy The Who playing “My Generation“. An interesting side note for you. On the album “My Generation”, Jimmy Page plays lead guitar on “Bald Headed Woman” and rhythm guitar on “I Can’t Explain“.
Listening to Canadians – Royal Wood
Royal Wood
Royal Wood is a Canadian singer songwriter, born in Peterborough, Ontario. He has been releasing albums since 2002. In 2010, he received the iTunes songwriter of the year award for his album “The Waiting. His sound is all over the map, from being compared to Randy Newman to Tom Waits and even to the Beach Boys. Each album is different, but each is musically very sound. The attached song is of of “The Waiting” and is titled “On Top of Your Love”.
Related articles
- I’m So Glad I Met You (mykittybites.wordpress.com)
- Listening to Canadians – Danny Michel (therealcanadianmusicblog.wordpress.com)
- Listening to Canadians – Jill Barber (therealcanadianmusicblog.wordpress.com)
Remembering – Jani Lane (Warrant)
Image via Wikipedia
The 80′s, time of hair bands, and one of the more successful bands was Warrant. Singer, front man, Jani Lane passed away on August 11. He was 47. Cause of death is unknown at this time. He was an on and off again member of Warrant, leaving the band for good in 2004. He was most recently appearing as lead singer for Greta White while Jack Russell was recovering from surgery. The video is a live version of “Cherry Pie“, one their bigger hits.
Related articles
- Former Singer Of Warrant Jani Lane Passes Away (perezhilton.com)
- Jani Lane Of Warrant Found Dead (929dave.radio.com)
- Former Singer Of Warrant Jani Lane Passes Away (lukewilliamss.wordpress.com)
Remembering Billy Grammer
Image via Wikipedia
A quick note to mark the passing of Billy Grammer. Not someone that I had ever been into, but one song stands as a classic “Gotta Travel On”. the song was written by Paul Clayton and recorded in Nashville in 1959. Although basically a one hit wonder, this one hit is a standard, known by most people, and he made a career of it, touring extensively with his band the the Travel On Boys. A historical sidelight. He played at a rally in Laurel, Maryland, followed by US presidential candidate George Wallace speaking to the rally. After speaking, Wallace mingled with the crowd and was shot, and made a paraplegic.
Related articles
- Grand Ole Opry member Billy Grammer dies at 85 (pbpulse.com)
- Grand Ole Opry member Billy Grammer dies at 85 (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
Listening to Canadians – Jill Barber
Cover of Chances
A different like (for me anyway). Jill Barber is a Canadian songstress out of Halifax, Nova Scotia. A very folk/bluegrass style with country overtones, she released her 4th album, “Chances” in 2008, which the attached video is from. The song is “Oh My My” and showcases her considerable talent. She has a new album out “Mischievous Moon”, and I am guilty of not hearing much of it as yet. I will make a point of checking it out in the next week or two. In the meantime, enjoy.
Related articles
- 2011 WIJBF Festival Performer – Jill Barber (wreckhouse.wordpress.com)
- Listening to Canadians – Jeremy Fisher (therealcanadianmusicblog.wordpress.com)
- Listening to Canadians – Danny Michel (therealcanadianmusicblog.wordpress.com)
Listening to Joss Stone – New Album LP1
Joss Stone - Image via Wikipedia
Joss Stone has released a new album called LP1. Just purchased it and wanted to share. After dabbling out of her zone with “Introducing Joss Stone” (her preceding album, which I enjoyed as well), she has moved back into her wheelhouse with a bit more bluesy, rocking style. The songs are growing on me and I am really starting to enjoy. The clip I have attached is “Karma” and was done live on Leno. Note the guitar player, Dave Stewart of Eurythmics fame. He collaborated with Joss Stone on this album. He is, or has, created a new entity called SuperHeavy with himself, Mick Jagger and Joss Stone, but that will be another story.
Related articles
- Joss Stone: LP1, CD review (telegraph.co.uk)
- Joss Stone: LP1 – review (guardian.co.uk)
- Listening to Joss Stone (joebeans2002.wordpress.com)
Listening to Canadians – Danny Michel
Image via Wikipedia
Danny Michel, an undiscovered Canadian treasure, as pronounced by the CBC. I tend to agree, very talented singer songwriter, from Kitchener-Waterloo. Someone, somewhere needs to push this one over the top. We own”Valhalla”, released in 2006, and were hooked on his sound, Songs like Tennessee Tobacco and Midnight Train are both quirky and instantly likeable We also own his 2010 release “Sunset Sea” and were treated to more of the same. The clip I have attached is a live version of Midnight Train. Great tune.
3695
Related articles
- Performers at Blue Skies 2011 – video collection (kaplan-myrth.ca)
- Northern Exposure: Danny Michel, ‘Who’s Gonna Miss You?’ — Free MP3 (spinner.com)
- Listening to Canadians – Jeremy Fisher (therealcanadianmusicblog.wordpress.com)
Listening to Foster The People
Image by baerchen57 via Flickr
This song is kind of a hoot. The band, Foster The People, is an indie pop band out of California. They enjoyed success with the song “Pumped Up Kicks”, the video for which is attached. Released in early 2011, the song is infectious and could almost be called a perfect summer song. It reached number one on several charts, including Canada. I enjoy the song, but not as much as Lori, who really likes the beat and, for some reason, really likes saying “pumped up kicks”
Related articles
- Foster The People’s ‘Pumped Up Kicks’: Bullying At The Beach (mtv.com)
- Foster The People – Pumped Up Kicks – Review (adrianburgess89.wordpress.com)
- [Concert Review] Foster The People At The Grog Shop (radio923fm.radio.com)
Listening To Classics – Allman Brothers
Image via Wikipedia
Live at the Fillmore East, The Allman Brothers, “Don’t Keep Me Wondering”. The camera work, not so good. The band, very good. Love the wall of sound.
Related articles
- Allman Brothers Rock New York With Phil Lesh, Crosby and Nash (rollingstone.com)
Remembering Frank Foster
Image via Wikipedia
On July 26, Frank Foster, singer, composer, flautist and saxophonist passed away. Frank worked very closely with many Jazz and blues greats, including Count Basie, Thelonius Monk and George Benson. He received a Grammy in 1988 for Best Instrumental Arrangement, Jazz Category. This was for arranging “Basie’s Bag” for George Benson. In 1987 he won his first Grammy for Best Arrangement Accompanying a Vocal, 1987. He made a big band arrangement of “Deedles’ Blues” to win this award.
5299
Related articles
- Frank Foster, Jazz Saxophone and Composer, Has Died (current.com)
- Frank Foster (billyanddad.wordpress.com)
- Saxophonist Frank Foster Dies; Played With Basie (abcnews.go.com)
