Albert King & The Bluesbreakers - Why Are You So Mean To Me

This is a live performance by blues legend Albert King and John Mayall's Bluesbreakers playing the song "Why Are You So Mean To Me".
The song was originally released as a single in 1959 on the Bobbin label. It is not one of King's most famous songs, but I really like it.
Also the version with the Bluesbreakers is really good. John Mayall's piano and especially his blues harp skills really adds another layer to this great song. This incarnation of The Bluesbreakers featured former Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor who does a really good solo on this playing a Stratocaster.
What really impressed me about this though was King's playing at the end of the song. He really plays a lot faster than I've ever heard him play while still keeping the soul alive in his playing. Truly a great performance from all parts. A great performance.

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 ; )