lørdag den 30. april 2011

Queen – Tie Your Mother Down


This is a live performance by British rock band Queen performing their classic song “Tie Your Mother Down” live at Wembley from 1986.
The song is written by guitarist Brain May who wrote it on holiday in Tenerife where he came up with the riff to the song on an acoustic Spanish guitar. He sung the lyrics “tie your mother down” on top of it, but at this time he considered these lyrics a joke. In a radio interview May has admitted that the main riff for the song was inspired by Rory Gallagher’s “Morning Sun” that he recorded with his first band Taste from their 1970 “On The Boards” album.
It’s a great rock ‘n’ roll song with a catchy and excellent riff that drives the song all the way through. A great song and a great performance.

Enjoy ;-)

fredag den 29. april 2011

B.B. King – You Done Lost Your Good Thing Now


This is a live performance by blues legend B.B. King playing his version of the song “You Done Lost Your Good Thing Now”.
The song was released by King as a single in 1960. And the song is credited to King and Joe Josea. King has stated in later interviews that he wrote all of the songs that had the second name added to them. He stated that it was the record company’s way of getting the rights to half of the song thus taking royalties from the artists.
It is a very well renowned song and it appeared on King’s famous live album “Live at the Regal” which is considered one of the most influential live blues albums of all time. And artists such as Eric Clapton and John Mayer have admitted to using the album as a primer before their own performances.
The song has also been done by artists like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Kenny Wayne Shepherd. I really love SRV’s version of this song, it’s longer, but still sticks close to the original by King. Click here for a link of this awesome performance.
But this is a great performance by the King, and he always does a good job on stage.

Enjoy ;-)

torsdag den 28. april 2011

The Doors – Back Door Man


This is a live performance by The Doors playing the classic blues song “Back Door Man” live. The concert footage is from 1969.
The song “Back Door Man” is a traditional blues song written by Willie Dixon who wrote the song for Howlin’ Wolf. Wolf’s version was released on his 1961 self-titled album. And the song is considered a classic of the Chicago blues.
The Doors version of the song first appeared on their 1967 self-titled album. And the song became a standard cover song for the band.
It’s a good performance of a classic song. But also brings that 60’s psychedilia into the song.

Enjoy ;-)

onsdag den 27. april 2011

George Thorogood and the Destroyers – Bad to the Bone


This is a live performance by George Thorogood and his band the Destroyers performing his infamous song “Bad to the Bone”.
The song originally appeared on Thorogood’s album of the same name released in 1982. Upon the songs original release it wasn’t a big hit, but it later became a big hit due to it being featured in various films, TV-shows and commercials.
The songs structure borrows from that of traditional blues and early rock ‘n’ roll. Songs like “I’m a Man” by Bo Diddley that is very similar. (Bo Diddley famously appeared in the music video for the song, he’s playing a game of pool in the video) Also Muddy Waters’ songs “Mannish Boy” and “She Moves Me” have similar chord structured. The riff is also very similar to that off Chuck Berry’s song “No Money Down”.
This is a great way of taking old blues references and taking them into new territory with a great song like this.

Enjoy ;-)

tirsdag den 26. april 2011

The Black Crowes - Remedy


This is the music video to the song “Remedy” by the band The Black Crowes.
The song is the second track on the band’s second album “The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion” released in 1992. The song is written by Chris and Rich Robinson. The song was very successful and it reached #1 on the Billboard Album Rock Chart and stayed at #1 for 11 weeks. It also peaked at #48 on the Billboard Hot 100.
It’s a great song. I love how they fuse soul music with traditional rock music to make their own sound. When I listen to this I hear something similar to The Rolling Stones in the guitar playing and in the way the piano stays on top of the beat throughout the entire song.
It’s a great song with a lot of soul and rock ‘n’ roll.

Enjoy ;-)

mandag den 25. april 2011

Bert Jansch – Blackwaterside


This is a live performance by finger style guitar legend Bert Jansch playing his version of the classic folk song “Blackwaterside”.
The song is also known under the title “Down by Blackwaterside”. It is a folk song in the traditional sense that it has no known author. Though the origin of the song probably comes from somewhere near the river Blackwater in Northern Ireland.
Jansch recorded a studio version of this song in 1966 on his album “Jack Orion”. He also came up with the “chord free” or at least not so chord reliant version of doing folk songs. Most people who were doing folk music in the 60’s would cover them in very simple 3 chord structures. But Jansch and Anne Briggs were always working on new and more complex ways of accompanying the old traditional folk songs. Jansch actually learned the song from Briggs who recorded it first.
Jansch also played a version of this song at the 2010 Crossroads Festival. I highly recommend that people check out that version. The playing is sublime, but more important Jansch’s voice has aged which really fits the song.
But this is a really good performance of an amazing composition of a classic folk song.

Enjoy ;-)

søndag den 24. april 2011

Albert Lee – Fun Ranch Boogie


This is a live performance by country rock and rock ‘n’ roll guitarist Albert Lee playing the boogie “Fun Ranch Boogie”.
This is a great up tempo fun boogie that ought to lift your spirit and put you in a good mood.

Enjoy ;-)

lørdag den 23. april 2011

AC/DC – Whole Lotta Rosie


This is a live performance by Australian hard rock/ rock ‘n’ roll band AC/DC performing their classic song “Whole Lotta Rosie”. The performance is from 1977.
The song originally appeared on the band’s fourth Australian release “Let There Be Rock” released in Australia in 1977.
The song was written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young and Bon Scott. The lyrics are about Bon Scott’s on experience with a heavy set woman. This woman has never been identified though.
The song has become very popular and the band often plays it live. It has also appeared on every official live album released by the band. Also in versions sung by Brain Johnson. When they play the song live today it is usually accompanied by a huge blowup version of Rosie as a stage effect.
The song is very popular and has been played live by a lot of bands, bands like: Anthrax, Airborne and Guns N’ Roses.
It’s a great song and a really good performance by the guys.

Enjoy ;-)

fredag den 22. april 2011

The Rolling Stones Feat. Christina Aguilera – Live with Me


This is a live performance by British blues and rock ‘n’ roll band The Rolling Stones performing their classic hit “Live with Me”. Joining them on stage is singer Christina Aguilera. The performance is from the concert film “Shine a Light” released in 2008.
The song “Live with Me” first appeared on the album “Let It Bleed” released in 1969. It is one of the first songs where Keith Richards is credited for playing bass. (On the album version) On the album version of this song Bobby Keys played saxophone with The Stones for the first time and Leon Russel contributed some piano parts to the song.
It’s a great song and it really works as a duet in the live version where Aguilera really sings it well. A great performance of a good rock ‘n’ roll song.

Enjoy ;-)

torsdag den 21. april 2011

Johnny Winter – Highway 61 Revisited


This is a live performance by American blues guitarist Johnny Winter doing his rendition of the classic Bob Dylan song “Highway 61 Revisited”.
This was the title track of Dylan’s 1965 album. The lyrics of the song all revolve around various problems that eventually end up being solved on Highway 61.
Johnny Winter did his cover of the song in 1969 and it became a career defining track for Winter. It was on his album “Second Winter”. The song became a live standard for Winter.
The song has also been recorded by P.J. Harvey and Billy Joel.
I love Johnny’s version and the slide guitar he’s playing that just seems to fit in perfectly with the original feel of the song. A great song and a great performance.

Enjoy ;-)

onsdag den 20. april 2011

Nina Simone – Ain’t Got No, I Got Life


This is a live performance by American soul, jazz and blues singer Nina Simone performing her classic song “Ain’t Got No, I Got Life”.
The song is actually a musical medley of two songs combined in to this tune. It’s two songs from the musical “Hair”.
Simone’s version of this song helped her gain a younger audience and it became a reoccurring song in her repertoire.
The song was featured on Simone’s 1968 album “’Nuff Said!”. The album was nominated for an Emmy and it spawned this song that became a huge hit for Simone in Europe.
A great song and a great performance that ought to lift your spirit.

Enjoy ;-)

tirsdag den 19. april 2011

Bonnie Raitt – Love Sneakin’ up on You


This is a live performance by guitarist Bonnie Raitt playing her hit single “Love Sneakin’ up on You”. The performance is from The Late Show with David Letterman 1994.
The song is off Raitt’s 1994 album “Longing in their Hearts”. The album was Raitt’s 12th studio album. This song was the only hit single from the album reaching #19 on the Billboards singles chart.
It’s a great up tempo pop song with the blues feeling of slide guitar added to it. A very good song and performance by Raitt.

Enjoy ;-)

mandag den 18. april 2011

Aretha Franklin - Respect


This is a live performance by soul queen Aretha Franklin playing her classic song “Respect”. The performance is from 1990.
The song was originally recorded and released by Otis Redding in 1965. It was also written by Redding, but with a different perspective than Franklin would use later. Franklin switched the perspective so the song turned into a plea from a woman to a man demanding respect. This made the song popular in the feminist movement.
Franklin’s version was released in 1967 and it became her perhaps best known song. She won two Grammy Awards for the song in the R&B categories.
The song was a huge hit and it was later covered by a large number of artists such as: Ike & Tina Turner, Janis Joplin and Jennifer Hudson to name a few.
It’s a great song. I really love the true soul there is on this and the sound of the big orchestra with the horn section. A great song and a great performance.

Enjoy ;-)

søndag den 17. april 2011

Metallica – Enter Sandman


This is a live performance by American heavy metal band Metallica playing their infamous song “Enter Sandman”. The performance is from the British TV-show “Later with Jools Holland”.
The song is off Metallica’s 1991 album “Metallica”. It was released as the first single from the album the same year and in that way it started off several years of success and touring with this album.
The song is credited to Kirk Hammett, James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich. It is perhaps the most well known Metallica song ever and it has appeared on every Metallica live album and DVD since 1991.
The main guitar riff was suggested by Kirk Hammett and then slightly altered by Hetfield. It was one of the last songs on the album to have lyrics and the original lyrics were actually much darker and about crib death. Producer Bob Rock and Lars Ulrich asked Hetfield to try and write better lyrics for the song and thus he came up with the lyrics that ended up on the album.
It’s a great song and probably Metallica’s best crowd pleaser at gigs.

Enjoy ;-)

lørdag den 16. april 2011

Guns N’ Roses – November Rain


This is a live performance by hard rock band Guns N’ Roses performing their classic power ballad “November Rain”.
The song first appeared on the band’s album “Use Your Illusion I” from 1991.
The song was released as a single the following year. A music video was also made for the song. The music video won a MTV Video Music Award for best cinematography. The single reached #3 on the Billboard Singles Charts which is really good for such a long song. As a fact it is the longest song to ever reach Top 10 on The Billboards Singles Charts.
It’s a great ballad and a great live performance by both Axl and the band. Slash also delivers an amazing solo on this. Truly a great song and performance.

Enjoy ;-)

fredag den 15. april 2011

Rory Gallagher – I Take What I Want


This is a live performance by Irish guitar, folk and blues legend Rory Gallagher playing his version of the classic soul song “I Take What I Want”.
The song was written by David Porter, Mabon Hodges and soul legend Isaac Hayes. And it has been done by a large number of artists such as: Aretha Franklin and Rory Gallagher who are probably the most famous artists who have done this song.
Gallagher’s studio recorded version of this song was released on his 1975 album “Against the Grain”. And besides two other tracks on the album all tracks were originals composed by Gallagher.
I love Gallagher’s performance of this. It’s like he fuses rock ‘n’ roll with soul music in this as there are still some soul elements in there. Gallagher does an amazing solo and so does Lou Martin on the keyboard. It’s a great song and a great performance by Gallagher and band.

Enjoy ;-)

torsdag den 14. april 2011

Jimi Hendrix – I Don’t Live Today


This is a live performance by guitar legend Jimi Hendrix and his band The Jimi Hendrix Experience. The performance is from The Royal Albert Hall in 1969. After the performance there’s a short interview at the end of the video.
The song “I Don’t Live Today” is from the band’s debut album “Are You Experienced” released in 1967. The album was very successful and helped launch Hendrix’s career. It reached #2 on the UK charts behind The Beatles with their album “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”.
I really love this performance. Hendrix’s playing and singing on this is sublime and Mitch Mitchell’s drumming on this song is just sublime.
A great performance of a great song.

Enjoy ; )

onsdag den 13. april 2011

Joe Satriani - Satch Boogie


This is a live performance by guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani playing his famous instrumental song "Satch Boogie".
The song is off Satriani's album "Surfing with the Alien" released in 1987. It was released as a single the following year.
The solo is one of the most famous solos ever. It features fast tapping, hammer-ons and pull-offs. What I really love about this song is that it's essentially a fast boogie, but with Satriani's own guitar style and techniques on it. In that sense the structure of it is influenced by Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Beck and other players who have done fast boogies over time. It takes from those influences and adds to them as well and that is what makes this instrumental piece so good.

Enjoy ; )

tirsdag den 12. april 2011

Rainbow - Long Live Rock 'n' Roll


This is a live performance by the classic rock band Rainbow playing their classic song "Long Live Rock 'n' Roll" from their 1978 album of the same name.
The band Rainbow was formed by guitarist Rithchie Blackmore in 1975 shortly after he left Deep Purple. This performance is from 1977 and it features the line-up from the album that also was released the following year. This line-up of course also very famous for featuring legendary front man and singer Ronnie James Dio who also played with Black Sabbath for a period and had his own solo career for a long time. Recently he passed away after struggling with cancer. Dio didn't just do the front man thing when he was with the group, which he was from 1975-79, he also wrote all of the lyrics for the band in this period.
It's a great song and an amazing performance from a band that seems to be on fire. Also it's a great anthem with simple lyrics that were made for the audience to shout a long which they do and are encouraged to by Dio. A great performance by a great band.

Enjoy ; )

mandag den 11. april 2011

Eric Clapton - Over the Rainbow


This is a live performance by Eric Clapton and band from 2001 playing the classic song "Over the Rainbow". The performance is from the concert DVD and album by Clapton also released in 2001 titled "One More Car, One More Rider".
The song was originally sung by Judy Garland and it was recorded, composed and written for the classic American film "The Wizard of Oz". It is by many considered one of the greatest songs of the century and one of the greatest songs from films. Also it won an Academy Award.
The song has been done by a large number of artists and interpreted in many different genres and styles. Anything from pop to Hawaiian and more a jazzy feel like on Clapton's version. Also Jeff Beck did an instrumental version of the song on his 2010 album "Emotion & Commotion". This version sticks very closely to Garland's original recording basically trying to transfer her vocal performance into and instrumental guitar piece.
I really love this version by Clapton. It shows off Clapton's skills in more of a jazzy thing. It also shows off Clapton's voice as he sings this very beautifully in his own way. Also the back-up band does an amazing job, from David Sancious' beautiful synthesizer saxophone solo to Billy Preston imitating birds singing on the Hammond Organ. This is just a beautiful performance.

Enjoy ; )

søndag den 10. april 2011

Thelonius Monk - Blue Monk


This is a live performance by jazz legend and jazz composer Thelonius Monk playing his classic jazz standard "Blue Monk". The performance was shot in Norway in 1966. The musicians joining Monk are: Charlie Rouse on tenor saxophone, Larry Gales on bass and Ben Riley on drums.
As mentioned earlier "Blue Monk" is an instrumental jazz standard composed by Thelonius Monk. It is a B♭ blues based on the jazz tune "Pastel Blue".
Thelonius Monk is considered one of the great contributors of American music and he has written several jazz standards, "Blue Monk" included. He was known for his very distinctive and unique approach to the piano, for his clothing style and for standing up in the middle of songs and taking breaks to then return to the piano. He also does this in this performance. In fact all musicians but the drummer do this and then at the end they all join in again.
It's a great performance and you can really tell that the musicians are in sync with each other and leave space and respect to one another. This is a great laid back performance of a great jazz standard.

Enjoy ;-)

lørdag den 9. april 2011

Stevie Ray Vaughan - Love Struck Baby & Rude Mood


This is a live performance by Texan blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan playing two of his classic songs live on stage: "Love Struck Baby" and "Rude Mood".
I already previously posted these songs, but in different versions. Click here for "Love Struck Baby" and click here for the video to "Hideaway & Rude Mood". On the performance of "Hideaway & Rude Mood" from Montreux Stevie doesn't play "Rude Mood" in its entirety, instead he switches back into "Hideaway". On this performance he plays the entire instrumental piece which I think justifies reposting it.
The performance is from Daytona Beach in 1987. And the performance has been released on the DVD "Boogie With Stevie".
You can read more info on the songs by clicking the links to the previous posts and read about them.

Enjoy ; )

fredag den 8. april 2011

Rory Gallagher - Souped-Up Ford


This is a live performance by Irish blues and folk musician and guitarist Rory Gallagher playing the song "Souped-Up Ford" live at Hammersmith, the footage is from 1977.
The song is from Gallagher's "Against the Grain" album released in 1975. The song is written and composed by Gallagher. It is one of Gallagher's slide songs where he plays slide guitar on it. I always love it when Gallagher pulls out the slide because he's so good at it that you just have to watch and be amazed.

Enjoy ; )

torsdag den 7. april 2011

Diana Krall - Night Train


This is a live performance by contemporary jazz musician Diana Krall playing her version of the Oscar Peterson jazz song "Night Train". The performance is from the TV-show "Spectacle" normally hosted by Elvis Costello, but for this special artist hosted by none other than Elton John. I watched the interview and saw all of the performances from the show just yesterday, and I can honestly say that from just that till to day Diana Krall got herself a new fan. Everything from the way she talked about the music, her upbringing and her only beginning to sing seriously at age 26 due to insecurities on her behalf. It was just fascinating and she's truly a musician who loves music and wants to interoperate it for herself.
Before she started playing this song she talked about Oscar Peterson and about how big an influence he was on her and her music. She also talks a little bit about that following the performance posted in the clip above.
But this is a great performance and I definitely recommend checking out both Oscar Peterson and Diana Krall. I know I will.

Enjoy ; )

onsdag den 6. april 2011

AC/DC - Highway to Hell


This is a live performance by Australian hard rock band AC/DC playing their classic song "Highway to Hell" live at Donnington '91.
The song is the title track of the album and the album was released in 1979. This was band's sixth studio album (It was the 5th international release by the band). This was also the last album to feature singer Bon Scott, at this performance Brian Johnson who replaced Scott is singing. The album is one of the band's best selling ending at 7x platinum which was very very good, though they outdid these numbers with their following releases.
It's a great song and it's all that rock 'n' roll and hard rock is supposed to be. The lyrics reflect the hard life style of being on the road and Angus Young does a solo where he borrows heavily from Chuck Berry. Doesn't get much better than that.

Enjoy ; )

tirsdag den 5. april 2011

Muddy Waters - Mannish Boy


This is a live performance by blues legend Muddy Waters playing the classic song Mannish Boy. It was released by Waters in 1955 on Chess records.
The song is an arrangement of and an answer song to Bo Diddley's song "I'm a Man". (Click here for a previous post of this song) Diddley's song on the other hand was heavily inspired by Muddy's song "Hoochie Coochie Man" written by Willie Dixon. "Mannish Boy" borrows the one chord stop-time arrangement and is also partially credited to Diddley.
It's quite a famous song and it's been done by other artists as well. It's been done live by both Roger Daltrey and Queen. Also Jimi Hendrix has done a version of this song. And it was recently featured in a H&M commercial sung by a woman who quite frankly slaughters the song. It's just so wrong to see a blues number covered and featured in a fashion commercial, plus why the hell did they hire a woman to record it. Does it make much sense for a woman to sing "now I'm a man"? No of course not!
So yeah listen to the original and listen to both Diddley's and Waters' version of this great composition. And avoid the H&M commercial like the plaque!

Enjoy ; )

mandag den 4. april 2011

Howlin' Wolf - Love Me Darlin' (Stevie Ray Vaughan)



These are both live performances of the classic Howlin' Wolf song "Love Me Darlin'". The top video is a performance by Wolf who also wrote the song. The performance is from 1964 and next to Howlin' Wolf performing we have Hubert Sumlin, Sunnyland Slim on piano, Willie Dixon on bass and Clifton James on drums.
Stevie Ray Vaughan covered the song in the studio on his 1989 release "In Step". I love his take on the song. This was Stevie's last album with Double Trouble. It sticks to the original, but brings something to it at the same time. And that was Stevie's expertise: interoperating classic blues songs and adding his own thing to them.
I love both versions of this song, but I'm such a big SRV fan that I might like Vaughan's version a little better. But both versions are definitely worth listening to.

Enjoy ; )

søndag den 3. april 2011

Bee Gees - How Deep Is Your Love


This is a live performance by the remaining members Barry and Robin Gibb of the group Bee Gees performing the classic song "How Deep Is Your Love".
It's a pop song obviously, but it's from the era of good pop music, so it's okay. The song was originally recorded and released in 1977 on the soundtrack to the film "Saturday Night Fever". Also it was released as a single on vinyl. It did very well on charts in both Europe and USA. And it is #20 on Billboard's All Time Top 100
It's been covered by a large number of artists. My favourite cover, not better than the original, is the one done live by guitarist John Frusciante. Embeded below:

He sort of knows he can't really sing it. So he just does his best and somehow it doesn't seem cheesy nor bad, but just respectful to the original. Also love the simplicity of just an electric guitar through a clean channel and singing, this set up really fits the song. So a good cover and a great original.

Enjoy ; )

lørdag den 2. april 2011

ZZ Top - What's Up with That


This is a live performance by Texan blues rock band ZZ Top performing the song "What's Up with That" live on Jools Holland in 1996. He also gives the band a fitting introduction as a rock 'n' roll band and protectors of rock 'n' roll which I can only agree with him on. On this performance they're joined by a choir and James Harman plays the blues harp on this number. Also I love how Holland actually introduces and mentions him. He's a musician himself and you always feel that in his hosting, you feel his genuine respect for his fellow musicians.
The song is off ZZ Top's 1996 album "Rhythmeen", so I assume they're doing a promotion tour or something on this performance.
Any ways a great song and a great little performance.

Enjoy ; )

fredag den 1. april 2011

The Black Crowes - Hard to Handle


This is a live performance by American rock band The Black Crowes performing their version of the classic song "Hard to Handle".
The song was originally recorded by Otis Redding in 1967. This version was released posthumously in 1968 on the album "The Immortal Otis Redding". This version was produced by Steve Cropper.
It has become a very popular song and it has been covered by a large number of artists. Artists such as: Tom Jones and of course the band The Black Crowes who's version is perhaps the most successful and well known.
This version was released in 1990 on the band's debut album "Shake Your Money Maker". The melody for this version of the song is taken from a Buddy Guy song named "A Man of Many Words". Two versions of the original recording by The Black Crowes exists: The original album version and the single mix which adds an overdubbed brass section to the song.
They also use a brass section at this live performance which just makes it sound sweet. The performance is from the recently released DVD "Live in San Francisco" . This DVD features the concert footage from the band's reunion concert in 2005. It's a really great performance, front man Chris Robinson delivers an amazing and energetic performance, Rich Robinson delivers a solid and funky rhythm guitar and Marc Ford does an amazing job on lead guitar. This added to the horn section makes for one hell of a performance. Really an awesome performance!

Enjoy ; )