Gary Moore - Midnight Blues

This is a live performance by Irish guitarist Gary Moore performing yet another one of his slow blues classics. This one is "Midnight Blues" which is just amazing and played with so much feeling.
Prior to the beginning of the performance there is a piece of interview footage featuring Albert King talking about the younger players and how he enjoys interacting with and instructing them how to play. Moore of course goes on to talk about the influence King has had on both him and people like Clapton and Hendrix.
It's a great performance by a blues man who was taken from us at far too young an age. Moore you are missed!

Enjoy ; )

The Rolling Stones with Eric Clapton - Little Red Rooster

This is a live performance by The Rolling Stones playing the classic blues song "Little Red Rooster" joined on stage by Eric Clapton delivering one hell of a blues solo.
The song was originally recorded by Howlin' Wolf in 1961 under the song title "The Red Rooster". The song is credited to blues arranger and song writer Willie Dixon who was inspired by earlier blues songs.
The song has been recorded countless times by various artists. Most famous probably The Rolling Stones' version released in 1964. They did the recording at Chess Studios in Chicago where many of their heroes had recorded songs. The song reached #1 on the UK Singles Chart and it is the only blues song to ever top the British pop charts, preiod!
Howlin' Wolf recorded this song with several rock figures on his 1971 album "The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions". Eric Clapton, Charlie Watts, Steve Winwood, and Bill Wyman played on this recording and Wolf can actually be heard instructing the band on the chord and time changes of the song at the beginning of the recording.
It's a great song and when you have Clapton and The Rolling Stones on stage together, then I believe that you can't really ask for more!

Enjoy ; )

Joe Bonamassa - So, It's Like That

This is a live performance by blues and rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa performing his song "So, It's Like That". The performance is from Guitar Center's King of the Blues Finals.
The song originally appeared on Bonamassa's 2002 album also titled "So, It's Like That". The album was his second studio album.
It's a great song and it has a very familiar feel to it, obviously attributed to Bonamassa's blues influences. A great performance of a good song that ought to pick you up if you're blue.

Enjoy ; )

Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble with The Fabulous Thunderbirds - Keep It To Yourself

This is a live performance by Stevie Ray Vaughan and his band Double Trouble who are joined on stage with members from The Fabulous Thunderbirds. They play the song "Keep It To Yourself" which is a typical blues shuffle in E.
On stage, as far as I can tell, are: Stevie Ray Vaughan, his brother Jimmie Vaughan, Kim Wilson (from TFTB), Chris Layton (drums), and Tommy Shannon (bass).
The performance is from 1987 at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and it was recorded on the riverboat S.S. Presidente. I'm guessing this was a double billing kind of thing where one band opened for the other, and then they all sort of did this jam to end things off.
It's a great performance. Of course the Vaughan Brothers deliver a couple of great blues solos, and Kim Wilson does a pretty good harmonica solo as well.
And over all great and enjoyable performance.

Enjoy ; )

Anvil - Metal on Metal

This is a live performance by the Canadian heavy metal band Anvil performing their song "Metal on Metal". The performance is from either Late Night with Conan O'Brien or The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien, I'm not entirely sure, but I think it was on Conan's old show.
The band Anvil is a heavy metal band from Canada that was predicted a great future in the genre in the 80's, but things didn't turn out like that. A lot of highly successful artists quote them as an influence, but they never really made it big. A documentary was made about the band in, titled "Anvil! The Story of Anvil", and it was released in 2008. It's one of the best documentaries I've seen ever, period! It makes you really feel and understand the feelings the people in it have. It's a great documentary and I highly recommend it.
The song was first released on the band's second studio album, also titled "Metal on Metal", in 1982. (Album artwork embeded below, I love that art work, so cheesy, yet very fun).

It's a descent performance from the band and you can tell that they are just having the time of their life which they really truly deserve. Especially the band's frontman Steven "Lips" Kudlow, what showmanship!

Enjoy ; )

Rush - Tom Sawyer

This is a live performance by Canadian rock band Rush performing their classic song "Tom Sawyer" live.
The song takes name after Mark Twain's literary character Tom Sawyer. It was originally released on the band's 1981 album "Moving Pictures" and many albums and compilations since. The song uses synthesizers and the drum techniques of drummer Neil Peart to create the unique sound "Tom Sawyer" has. The song did relatively well in the charts, was inducted into The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and became a staple on local hard rock stations everywhere.
It's a great song that has a unique sound.

Enjoy ; )

Lou Reed & Metallica - Sweet Jane

This is a live performance from the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame concerts that were held in New York City. The performance is from 2009 and features Lou Reed and Metallica together on stage performing the classic "Velvet Underground" song "Sweet Jane".
The song originally appeared on Velvet Underground's 1970 album "Loaded". The song was written by the band's leader Lou Reed who also continued playing the song throughout his later solo career. Throughout the course of the song it's been performed in two different keys: D & E. This particular performance is in D.

On another note. It has recently been revealed that Metallica has teamed up with Lou Reed for their next album release. In fact these recording sessions have spawned a 10 track album that has yet to get an official release date. That is, we don't even know how it's going to be released as neither Metallica nor Lou Reed is currently under any recording contract. I personally think this is a great piece of news and can't wait to hear it. Others probably won't agree with me on that, but how the fuck can you hate on something before having listened to it. I mean really!! Just read a couple of the comments for the video and you'll see how stupid it is, I mean hating on something before you've even heard it, come on man!!

A picture of Metallica frontman James Hetfield with Lou Reed (sitting down in the picture)
A good song with a good little piece of news.

Enjoy ; )

Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown - Born In Louisiana

This is a live performance by blues musician and multi instrumentalist Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown performing his song "Born In Louisiana". According to the video description the performance is from 2003 which doesn't seem unlikely.
Brown was a multi instrumentalist who played many instruments, he played: Guitar, fiddle, mandolin, viola, harmonica and drums. In this performance clip he sticks to guitar though, but if you are attentive you can spot a violin or a viola by one of the front speakers at the stage. Brown died in 2005.
He was a very influential guitarist in that his techniques inspired other guitarists, such as: Albert Collins, Guitar Slim, J.J. Cale, and Johnny "Guitar" Watson. He was also noted as one of the first guitarists to use a capo in his technique.
Brown also appeared on Kenny Wayne Shepherd's album "10 Days Out". The mission of that album was to record some of the old blues players before they pass away. And in this case it did just that, because Brown died prior to the album's release and was among the credited since deceased people honoured in the credits of the film that was included with the album. On this version he also pulls out his fiddle and does a solo on that which sounds quite astounding and unique. I definitely recommend checking out this version, as well as the rest of "10 Days Out", because it's great and a good way to get introduced to some of the roots of this thing called "the blues".

Enjoy ; )

Aerosmith - Sunshine

Aerosmith - Sunshine by Dihtag
This is the music video to the song "Sunshine" by American hard rock group Aerosmith. The song is off the group's 2001 album "Just Push Play". The song was written by Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, and song collaborator and producer Marti Frederiksen.
The song's lyrics have a lot of allusions to the Alice in Wonderland tale, as does the music video through a visual medium obviously.
"Sunshine" is a street term for LSD, and the lyrics mention eating the mushroom which can have a LSD-like effect. But on the other hand the lyric "Sunshine, the kind that everybody knows" may suggest other wise.
A good and descent song with nice melody that is very catchy, and has a good video. A really good Aerosmith song.

Enjoy ; )

Joe Bonamassa - Django

This is a live performance by blues and rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa playing his instrumental song "Django" live. The performance is from The Royal Albert Hall and this concert is available in both DVD and CD format. (Click here for a previous post and another piece of performance footage from that concert featuring Eric Clapton).
This performance is the opening track alas we see Bonamassa entering the stage. It's a great little piece of instrumental music which leads into the second track "The Ballad Of John Henry" which is what Bonamassa starts playing after switching guitars.
The piece was influenced or rather inspired by jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt and obviously also named after him. It's a great little instrumental.

Enjoy ; )

Santana - Soul Sacrifice

This is a live performance by latin rock band Santana playing their classic instrumental song "Soul Sacrifice". The performance is from the infamous Woodstock Festival in 1969. At the time of this performance Santana wasn't really a known act and in fact their debut album hadn't even come out.
The Woodstock performance is remembered for the drummer Michael Shrieve's elaborate solo. And for the sound the band had which was very unique. A distinct fast paced latin rock sound that was really unique.
Carlos Santana has admitted to being on LSD during his performance. He has stated that it was an uncomfortable experience and that he saw his guitar as a snake that he had to hold on to tight. He states that he doesn't recommend it to anyone, but that it somehow worked out and made the performance electric. He also thanks the band's promoter Bill Graham whom he credits for the band's success and preparing them for the crowd. (Interview embeded below)

The song appeared on the band's 1969 debut album also titled "Santana".
It's a great song and an amazing performance.

Enjoy ; )

Kashmir - Surfing The Warm Industry

This is a live performance by the Danish alternative band "Kashmir" playing their 2003 single "Surfing The Warm Industry". The song is off the band's "Zitilites" album.
It's a great performance of a great song. The song also had a really good music video. Click here to check it out. It's an animated video that tells the story of the song which is that a woman gets a job in a corporation and gets to the top by having sex with her bosses, only to then blow up the top floor at a party because she was a terrorist. It's a really great video and really worth checking out.

Enjoy ; )

AC/DC - Thunderstruck

This is a live performance by Australian hard rock band AC/DC playing their classic and infamous song "Thunderstruck". The performance is from their 2009 concert at River Plate which was released on Blu-ray and DVD in 2011. The concert was part of the band's tour for their "Black Ice" album.
The song "Thunderstruck" was originally released in 1990 on the album "Razor's Edge". The song is built up around a riff by Angus Young which sounds like fast tapping, but is in fact very fast picking instead. It sounds awesome!
It's a great song and exactly what hard rock is supposed to be!

Enjoy ; )

B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton, Albert Collins, and Jeff Beck - Sweet Little Angel

This is a live performance by a monster ensemble of great blues guitarists playing the classic blues standard "Sweet Little Angel". On stage is: Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton, Albert Collins, and Jeff Beck being lead by none other than B.B. King who also does most of the singing on this one. (Guy also gets his turn at the microphone).
The song is also known under the titles: "Black Angel Blues", and "Sweet Black Angel". It was first recorded in 1930 by female singer Lucille Bogan.
B.B. King first did the song in 1956. And his version became a hit reaching #8 on the Billboard R&B Chart. The song was also re-recorded by King for his first album "Singin' the Blues" released in 1957.
It's a great song, and with an ensemble of guitarist like this, it's gotta be a good performance and it is.

Enjoy ; )

Chuck Berry - Roll Over Beethoven

This is a live performance by classic rock 'n' roll act Chuck Berry playing his classic song "Roll Over Beethoven". The performance is from 1972.
The song was originally released in 1956 on Chess Records. The lyrics of the song are basically about rock 'n' roll and the desire for rhythm and blues to replace classical music.
The song came about as a response to Berry's sister Lucy who always wanted to use the family piano playing classical music while Berry wanted to play contemporary popular music.
The song has been covered by a large number of artists, including: Jerry Lee Lewis, The Beatles, Mountain, Leon Russel, The Rolling Stones, and Iron Maiden, to name a few.
It's a great song, classic rock 'n' roll. Can't go wrong with that!

Enjoy ; )

Mountain - Southbound Train

This is a live performance by the classic hard rock 70's group Mountain playing the song "Southbound Train" live.
The performance is from the infamous 1969 Woodstock Festival. A 3 day festival that boasted many famous artists, in many different genres.
Mountain is a band that descents from Long Island, New York. With singer/guitarist Leslie West, bassist Felix Pappalardi, and drummer N.D. Smart the band was formed in 1969.
It's a great performance, by a great band, from a groovy festival.

Enjoy ; )

Rory Gallagher - Messin' with the Kid

This is a live performance by Irish blues and rock guitarist Rory Gallagher playing his version of the classic blues song "Messin' with the Kid".
The song was originally done by Junior Wells in 1960. The song became a signature song for Wells. This original recording also featured acclaimed guitarist Earl Hooker.
I really love Gallagher's take on this classic song. It's more rock oriented, but still keeps the blues alive. It features a harmonica which was also on the original recording of the song and Gallagher's playing is superb.
The song has also been done by a number of other artists, such as: AC/DC, Johnny Winter, The Blues Brothers, and Freddie King.
It's a great tune. I also recommend checking out some of the above mentioned versions of the song. I especially like the AC/DC version because it perfectly shows that rock 'n' roll and blues are related genres. (Click here to take a look at the AC/DC version)
It's a great song and Gallagher's performance of it is just stunning.

Enjoy ; )

Joe Bonamassa & Eric Clapton - Farther Up the Road

This is a live performance by Joe Bonamassa playing the classic blues tune "Farther Up the Road" (sometimes titled "Further on Up the Road"). Joining him on stage is blues and rock legend Eric Clapton who made the song famous and part of his live staple. The performance video is from the DVD "Joe Bonamassa: Live from the Royal Albert Hall" from 2009 which was also released as a CD. Bonamassa who has stated the British blues wave as his biggest influence must have been thrilled to stand next to Clapton performing this tune. In fact, he stated that "Farther Up the Road" was the first song he ever learned to play before introducing Clapton. So it's also sort of like the circle has ended with this performance. It's the song that got Bonamassa started and now he's playing it with the artist who he first heard doing the tune. How great is that.
The original recording of this tune was done by Bobby Bland and was recorded in 1957. This original recording reached #1 on the R&B Charts and also did very well on the pop charts.
The song is a mid-tempo 12-bar blues shuffle in the key of G.
It has been recorded by a large number of artists since it's original release, including: Lonnie Mack, Earl Hooker, Robin Trower, Johnny Copeland, and Gary Moore.
On top of that Clapton has done the song several times live. He has done it live with both Jeff Beck and the infamous blues guitarist Freddie King who was a big influence on Clapton's playing.
It's a great song and it's sure to put you in a good mood and lift you up.

Enjoy ; )

John Legend and The Roots featuring Common & Melanie Fiona - Wake Up Everybody

This is the music video to John Legend's version of the classic R&B song "Wake Up Everybody". On this version Legend is joined by The Roots, Common, and Melanie Fiona.
The song was originally performed by the R&B group Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. It was released in 1975 and did relatively well on the charts.
The song has been recorded several times since it was first released. In 2004 a version was recorded with a long list of artists. It was in support of the 2004 presidential election and encouraged young people to go vote. This version was produced by Babyface. The same year blues artist Keb Mo also did a version of the song.
The newest version is this one by Legend and gang. This version is from 2010. It's a great song and this cover sounds really good with The Roots laying the rhythmic foundation.

Enjoy ; )

Stevie Ray Vaughan & The Night Music Band - Sailin' Shoes

This is a live performance by Stevie Ray Vaughan and The Sunday Night Music Band lead by saxofonist David Sanborn. Stevie was a guest performer on the show.
The song was originally written by Lowell George for the band "Little Feet". The song appeared on the band's 1972 album also titled "Sailin' Shoes". The song has also been done by Robert Palmer on his 1974 debut album as a solo artist.
It's a great little performance and Vaughan does a really good solo on it. A video definitely worth checking out.

Enjoy ; )

Richie Havens - "Tupelo Honey" & "Just Like a Woman"

This is a live performance by folk icon Richie Havens. In this performance he plays two songs, first he plays the classic Van Morrison song "Tupelo Honey", and then he switches into "Just Like a Woman" originally written and performed by Bob Dylan. Both covers are great.
Richie is a folk icon. He is known for his unique approach to playing the guitar. He uses open tunings very percussively through his strumming. He was also the guy who opened the original famed Woodstock Festival.
The first song "Tupelo Honey" was originally written and performed by Van Morrison. It was from the album also titled "Tupelo Honey" which was released in 1971. The song was released as a single in 1972.
"Just Like a Woman" is a Bob Dylan song. It was first released on Dylan's 1966 album "Blonde on Blonde". I really love Haven's take on this song and I highly recommend checking out his performance from Dylan's 30th Anniversary Concert because it's amazing.
Richie Havens is a unique artist with his own flair and sound and that's what I enjoy so much about him. It's folk at it's best.

Enjoy ; )

Pink Floyd - Money

This is a live performance by British rock band Pink Floyd playing the song "Money". The performance is from the Live 8 benefit concert from 2005.
The song first appeared on the band's 1973 studio album "The Dark Side of the Moon". The song was written by Roger Waters and it is known for it's rather unique 7/4-4/4 time signature, it's bass line, and the seven-beat loop of money related sound effects that plays in the intro of the song, and throughout the song. The chord structure follows a typical blues progression in B minor, but the time signature makes it sound so unique.
It's a great song and performance.

Enjoy ; )

Neil Young and the Bluenotes - This Note's for You

Neil young - This Note's For You by ivaxavi
This is the music video to the song "This Note's for You" from Young's album of the same name. The album was released in 1988.
The song is a comment on the commercialisation of rock 'n' roll and rock 'n' roll tours in particular. The video features a Michael Jackson look-a-like who's hair catches fire. This caused the video to, at first, being pulled of the air on MTV who had been threatened by Jackson's legal department. They did, however, bring back the video in heavy rotation when it became a hit on the Canadian music channel "MuchMusic". And it also won the 1989 MTV Video Music Award for best Music Video.
It's a great song, I really love the simple straight forward guitar riff. And Young's somewhat unique lead guitar playing really fits the song well, as well as the horn section. A great song by a great artist.

Enjoy ; )

Jimi Hendrix - Spanish Castle Magic

This is a live performance by guitar legend Jimi Hendrix playing the song "Spanish Castle Magic" live at The Isle of Wight festival, the performance is from 1970.
The song was originally released in 1967 on the album by The Jimi Hendrix Experience titled "Axis: Bold as Love". The song is written by Jimi Hendrix and since its release became a staple on their live performances.
The songs lyrics are about a club that was titled "The Spanish Castle". It was built in the 1930s outside Seattle to avoid the strict night club rules in the city district and Hendrix visited there quite often. (Picture below is of the old Spanish Castle, it was demolished in 1968)

The song's structure is very unique as well, going from aggressive guitar riffs in the intro, to solos, and a riff played in lock step by guitar, drums, and bass.
At the beginning of the clip Hendrix is playing the intro to The Beatle's "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band", but he quickly switches and goes into "Spanish Castle Magic" instead.
The song is one of Hendrix' most well known songs.It has been covered by progressive speed metal guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen, and by latin rock Guitarist Carlos Santana.
It's a great song with a unique structure courtesy of Hendrix.

Enjoy ; )

Eric Clapton - Don't Think Twice, It's All Right

This is a live performance by legendary guitarist Eric Clapton playing his version of the classic Bob Dylan song "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right". The performance is from the concert celebrating Dylan's 30th Anniversary as a musician. (That particular concert was mentioned Friday's post Click here for that post and to read more about this particular concert).
The song "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" was originally released in 1963 in a version done by Dylan. This version was very different from Clapton's approach and was more folk and country sounding. It was released on the album "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan".
The song has been done by a huge number of artists, including: Johnny Cash, Cher, Elvis Presley, Flatt and Scruggs, Joan Baez, Social Distortion, John Mayer, The Allman Brothers, and Rory Gallagher. And many more. (The Gallagher version is embeded below)

It's a great song and what I really love about Clapton's version is that he really took it and made it his own. It's a Clapton blues tune through his hands and voice and I love that.

Enjoy ; )

Snoop Dogg ft. Wille Nelson - My Medicine

This is the music video to the song "My Medicine" by hip hop artist Snoop Dogg. On this song he explores a bit of country and western influence and also something that is more rockabilly sounding. I really respect him for doing something like this and experimenting like this. He doesn't take himself too seriously and that's why he's so cool.
The song is off Snoop's 2008 album "Ego Trippin'". The album was his 9th studio album.
The video says "ft. Willie Nelson", but he isn't really in the song that much. A little bit towards the end and he also sings a little bit there, but it's very little. And on the album version he isn't credited, so seems a little weird to me.
It's a great song though. And it's great to see that Snoop diggs outlaw country too. Always good to have a broad musical horizon.

Enjoy ; )

Guns N' Roses - Pretty Tied Up

This is a live performance by American hard rock band Guns N' Roses playing their song "Pretty Tied Up" live. The performance is from their 1992 gig in Tokyo, also released on DVD.
The song originally appeared on the band's 1991 album "Use Your Illusions II". The song is subtitled "The Perils of Rock n Roll Decadence". The song was written by Izzy Stradlin and the lyrics may have been inspired by Stradlin's encounter with a female dominatrix and her client.
Another live version of this track is available on the band's live album "Live Era: '87-'93".
It's a great rock 'n' roll song. I love that wah wah Slash uses and the rock 'n' roll piano played by Dizzy Reed you can hear in the background.
A great performance.

Enjoy ; )

Lou Reed - Foot of Pride

This is a live performance by rock musician Lou Reed performing his version of the classic Bob Dylan song "Foot of Pride". Reed is best known for his gig as singer and guitarist for the group "Velvet Underground" and for his successful solo career as well. The performance is from the 30th Anniversary concert celebrating the musical life of Bob Dylan, the performance was released as a CD and also released on DVD. It was recorded October 16, 1992 and released later in 1993.
All of the songs were written by Dylan, but Dylan only appeared on a few selected tracks himself.
It's a great performance, I really love how there's a lot of lyrics which makes for quite a long performance. Lou sort of talk sings a lot of it, but still doesn't loose melody, very impressive. The guitar solo on the song is done by G. E. Smith who also served as the musical director for the show. A great performance.

Enjoy ; )

Gary Moora - Separate Ways

This is a live performance by blues and rock artist Gary Moore performing his song "Separate Ways". The song is an original slow blues song by Gary Moore and it has that typical Moore sound to, sort of like something you also hear in songs like "Still Got The Blues" and "Parisienne Walkways".
I really love this performance. It's so soulful and emotional, a perfect example of what Moore was capable of. I really love the intro and how he ends the whole thing, it's so beautiful.
It's a great performance by an artist who was unique in his own way. We will never have another one just like Moore.

Enjoy ; )

Beck - "Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat"

This is a piece of bootleg footage from a Beck concert. Beck and his band is covering Bob Dylan's song "Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat". The performance is from 2008 and the video and audio is pretty good considering the fact that it's a bootleg recording.
The song was originally released on Dylan's 1966 album "Blonde on Blonde. The song features a surreal set of playful lyrics set to a typical electric blues chord progression.
The song is about a woman who wears a leopard skin pill box hat, funny enough. It's an ironic tone and the song sort of mocks the woman. A pill box hat was a popular hat worn by women in the 60's. (Picture below)

The influences on the song was a Lightnin' Hopkins song titled "Automobile Blues". It's a different and new set of lyrics by Dylan, but the rhythm and flow of it sounds similar to the Lightnin' Hopkins song.
It's a great little blues number. I also recommend checking out John Mellencamp's version of this song from Dylan's 30th Anniversary celebration concert. It's a great song and Beck does a great job with it as well.

Enjoy ; )