Jerry Lee Lewis - Wild One

This is a live performance by American rock 'n' roll pianist and singer Jerry Lee Lewis. He plays the song "Wild One" which became a staple in Lewis' live performances.
The song was originally recorded by Australian rock 'n' roll act Johnny O'Keefe in 1958. The song was written by O'Keefe, Johnny Greenan, and Dave Owens.
Jerry Lee Lewis recorded a version of the song in 1958, but it wasn't released until 1974 on the album "Rockin' and Free". Lewis also re-recorded a version of this song for the motion picture soundtrack to the film "Great Balls of Fire".
The song has been recorded by a large number of artists, including: Albert Lee, Iggy Pop, Billy Idol, Joan Jett, and Brian Setzer.
It's a great rock 'n' roll number and it's always nice to see Lewis hammering away on those piano keys, gotta love that!

Enjoy ; )

Albert Collins, Jimmie Vaughan & Stevie Ray Vaughan - Frosty

This is a live performance from a trio of blues guitarists who are all legends in their own right, but together they equal one hell of a performance! The trio consists of Albert Collins, Jimmie Vaughan and his brother Stevie Ray Vaughan.
They play the classic Albert Collins song "Frosty". This instrumental was one of Collins' hugely successful instrumental pieces. And it was recorded around 1958 at the beginning of Collins' recording career.
Collins is famous for his use of open minor tunings combined with the use of a capo on the guitar. This technique is credited by Collins to his cousin Willow Young. Collins was also famous for his entertainment skills and showmanship. He would often, as he also does in this clip, get up close and personal with his audience. He also very often continued playing through the PA system after he left the building. One time he left the stage, continued playing, went to a pizza place, ordered a pizza and several minutes after he returned onto the stage have it delivered on stage. A great player indeed.
I really think this is a great performance. It cuts straight into Stevie doing a solo, then goes onto his brother Jimmie Vaughan doing a solo and then for a large part of the video Collins is soloing. He is soloing for the longest time and it shows respect that the Vaughan Brothers stepped back and let Collins take the stage for the biggest part of the performance. Another funny thing is that Jimmie is actually playing one of Stevie's guitars. He is playing Stevie's "Charley Stratocaster", a custom built guitar given to Stevie by Charley Wirz. (You can tell from the slight difference in body-shape and the lipstick pick-ups.
It's a great performance from three blues legends. Gotta love that!!

Enjoy ; )

The Highway Men - Big River

This is a live performance by the country supergroup The Highway Men. They perform the classic Johnny Cash song "Big River". The Highway Men is a supergroup consisting of various members who are most known for influencing the sub-genre of country known as "outlaw country". The genre was big in the 60's and 70's and also somewhat popular in the 80's. It is known for having a specific sound, and the artists are often self-declared outlaws in music.
The song Big River is a Johnny Cash original and it was released in 1958. Cash is also one of the members of the band, alongside; Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson. I think it's a really good performance, and a really well written song.
Of course as with so many other good songs it has been covered. My favourite cover is the one done by Motörhead front man Lemmy. He really sings it well and it somehow fits his voice really well. I've embeded that version beneath.


Enjoy ; )

Brian Setzer - Run Rudolph Run

The song "Run Rudolph Run" has become a Christmas classic, and is one of the most recognizable rock 'n' roll Christmas songs. The song was popularized by Chuck Berry, and it was originally released in 1958 as a b-side to Berry's version of "Merry Christmas, Baby".
The song has been covered by an endless list of performers, including: Lynrd Skynrd, Sheryl Crow, Keith Richards, Foghat, Billy Idol, Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem and a supergroup consisting of Lemmy Kilmister, Billy Gibbons and Dave Grohl, to only name a few.
I think that Brian Setzer and his orchestra do a fantastic job with the song, they play it like straight forward happy 50's rock 'n' roll which fits the song very well.
Below is the Lemmy, Gibbons and Grohl version embeded, it's a good version too, but I still prefer Setzer's version, but they're both good.


Enjoy ; )

Ray Charles - What'd I Say

This is a performance from Ray Charles. It's live at the Olympia theatre in Paris. The band is the Ray Charles trio, the smaller ans amble Ray played with towards the end of his career. It's a great song and a great performance, and Ray is as full of life and energy as he always was during his shows.
The song "What'd I Say" was improvised one night in 1958. Ray was hired to play a set, but they ran out of songs. Ray and his band improvised the tune and interacted with the audience. It was such a success Ray decided to record the song as a single, the single was released in 1959.
It has certainly become a classic song, and it ranked no. 10 on Rolling Stone Magazine's list of 500 greatest songs of all time.
It's a great song, and it has been covered by several high profile rock 'n' roll artists including; Elvis Presley, Eric Clapton, The Thunderbirds feat. SRV , Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash.

A great song, and a great performance, enjoy ; )