The White Stripes - Blue Orchid

This is a live performance by the alternative/blues rock band The White Stripes doing their song "Blue Orchid" live. The performance is from the Rock am Ring in 2007.
The song was originally released on the band's album "Get Behind Me Satan" from 2005, "Blue Orchid" was released as the first single from the album the same year. It's a great song and it's always great to watch Meg and Jack on stage. What they do on stage is truly unique and can't be matched by anyone.

Enjoy ; )

Robert Cray - Smoking Gun

This is the music video to the song "Smoking Gun" by Robert Cray. It was first released in 1986 on Cray's album "Strong Persuader". The album was Cray's fifth album and it became his breakthrough album into mainstream recognition. On it's release as a single in 1987 "Smoking Gun" reached #22 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The music video show clips of Cray performing at various shows throughout the beginning of his career. The year and place of the performance clips are displayed at the beginning of each clip which is quite nice in my opinion.
The song also appeared on Cray's 2010 release "Cookin' in Mobile" which was a live CD/DVD release.
It's a great crossover song, and Cray's solo towards the end is amazing.

Enjoy ; )

Eric Clapton - Layla

This is a live performance by Eric Clapton playing the song "Layla" live. The song was originally done by Derek and the Dominos which Clapton was a part of. It has since become a staple in his live set as a solo artist.
The song was originally released by Derek and the Dominos in 1970 on the album "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs". The song is known for its unique guitar figure played by Eric, and the piano instrumental part of the piece composed by Jim Gordon.
The song was written for Pattie Boyd and about Clapton's unrequited love to her. At this point she was the wife of fellow musician George Harrison. It didn't gain success on it's first release, but over time it has become one of the most recognizable and important songs in rock.
As mentioned Clapton has played the song regularly as part of his live set as a solo artist. He has also done a version where he plays it with Dr. John. (Embeded below)

That performance is from a VH1 series called Duets. It mostly features Clapton, but John can be seen in the back playing away on that piano. This version is vastly different from the first version. The opening chord progression is played more like a walking chord progression, it's played faster, it's funkier, and it doesn't feature the instrumental end of the song.
Clapton also had chart success with this song through his acoustic version of the song released in 1992 for the MTV Unplugged he played. (Embeded below)

This version also disposes the instrumental end of the song. It's played slower though, with the chord progression re-touched to fit the acoustic setting. This version reached #12 on the US pop charts and won the Grammy for Best Rock Song in 1992.
"Layla" is one of those shape defining songs of its genre, it's recognizable and truly one of the best rock songs ever written and composed. A great song in all it's versions!

Enjoy ; )

Sarah Vaughan - Misty

This is a live performance by American jazz singer Sarah Vaughan doing her version of the classic jazz standard "Misty". This performance is from Tokyo, Japan, 1990. This was one of her last gigs in her career, as she got ill with lounge cancer around 1989. These Japanese tour dates were her last completed gigs in her career. And she sings it so wonderfully, her illness doesn't even show a bit.
The song was written by Erroll Garner in 1954. It was originally an instrumental, but lyrics were added later on by Johnny Burke. The song has been done by many great singer, including: Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Lloyd Prince, and Ray Stevens. And Sarah Vaughan of course.
It's a beautiful song, and Sarah sings it like no one else!

Enjoy ; )

Johnny Winter - Mojo Boogie (J. B. Lenoir)

This is a live performance by blues guitarist Johnny Winter playing his rendition of the classic blues tune "Mojo Boogie". The song was released in a studio recorded version by Winter in 1986 on his album "Third Degree". This performance is from Barcelona in 1991.
The song was originally written and recorded by Chicago blues legend J. B. Lenoir. Lenoir's version of the song is a bit simpler, on the guitar front that is, but the singing and the blues feeling of it is amazing. The guitar doesn't solo on this version, instead a saxophone solos in stead. (Original version embeded below)

Winter added his slide playing to this song and it fit perfectly. He's just a master with that slide and it really fits with this song, his speed is just amazing. It's a great performance by Winter!

Enjoy ; )

The Beatles - A Hard Day's Night

This is a live performance by The Beatles, the performance is from Shea Stadium in New York 1965. It's in colour, but it's a little pale and the audio isn't the best, but still an amazing performance.
The song was released in 1964 on the soundtrack to the film of the same name. The song was written by John Lennon, but credited to McCartney as well. The song is very famous for the opening chord which rings out before the lyrics and the rest of the band join in. It has been debated for a long time what chord it was, but it was confirmed by George Harrison that it is in fact a Fadd9, or as Harrison put it: "It is F with a G on top,[...]". The complete opening has been broken down like this,
George Harrison: Fadd9 in 1st position on Rickenbacker 360/12 12-string electric guitar
John Lennon: Fadd9 in 1st position on a Gibson J-160E 6-string acoustic guitar
Paul McCartney: high D played on the D-string, 12th fret on Hofner 500/1 electric bass
George Martin: D2-G2-D3 played on a Steinway Grand Piano
Ringo Starr: Subtle snare drum and ride cymbal

by Dominic Pedler.
It is a classic Beatles song, and it has been covered by a lot of different artists, including: The Supremes, Quincy Jones, Peter Sellers, Chet Atkins, Billy Preston, Otis Redding, Hank Marvin, and Billy Joel.
It's a great song, and the reception of girls screaming in this clip is just astounding. No band has ever gotten a reaction like that, and I don't think any one ever will!

Enjoy ; )

The Rolling Stones - Happy

This is a live performance by The Rolling Stones playing the song "Happy" live. The performance is from the 2006 gig they played on the beach of Rio de Janeiro. They played to an audience of 2 million people, that's probably the biggest crowd ever at a live show, thus proving the grandiose scale The Rolling Stones are at.
The song originally appeared on the band's 1972 album "Exile on Main St.", and it was the second single released from the album. Richards sings lead on this one, on the record Jagger was credited for percussion and backing vocals. In this live performance, however, he does not seem to appear on stage.
It's a great performance by Richards, really proving that he could be the front man if he wanted to. His performance is so energetic. It's also a good example of how Richards and Ronnie Wood work together and play off each other. It's a great performance and in a way, in my opinion, it brings a certain intimacy to a grand show courtesy of Mr. Richards.
A fantastic performance!

Enjoy ; )