Stevie Ray Vaughan & W.C. Clark - Insturmental Jam

This is a performance video by Stevie Ray Vaughan that I only recently discovered. It features Stevie Ray Vaughan and fellow Texan musician W.C. Clark on the bass. As the song is an instrumental jam there is no song title.
W.C. Clark is a Texan blues, funk and jazz musician. He plays both guitar and bass. He first learned the guitar at around age fourteen and then moved on to playing bass. In the 1970's he formed a band called "Triple Threat Revue" where he played with Lou Ann Barton and Stevie Ray Vaughan. He played in many bands in this period and also played with Stevie's brother Jimmie Vaughan in another band.
This instrumental jam is a true gem among SRV fans. It's really great to hear how well he fits in with the whole funk thing. Also his soloing and rhythm playing on this is spot on perfect. I know they probably rehearsed this prior to the performance, or more correctly, I'm assuming that, but who knows maybe it really is all improvised. All I know is that it is a really good performance and Stevie's abilities as a guitarist really shine through.

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 ; )

Ted Nugent - Cat Scratch Fever

This is a recent performance of the classic hard rock 70's song "Cat Scratch Fever" by Ted Nugent, of the album with the same title. The song is known for its simple three tone blues scale riff harmonized in parallel fourths.It's traditional rock 'n' roll, straight forward, one riff, attitude and a simple but rockin' guitar solo by Ted Nugent himself.
In 2009 the song was named the 32nd best hard rock song of all time by the VH1 television network.
It's a great ballsy performance, with Ted functioning at full throttle and energy level. Truly a great song, true rock 'n' roll.

Enjoy ; )

Keith Richards - Dead Flowers

This is a solo performance from Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards. He performs the classic Stones song "Dead Flowers" at what looks like some country award show or something, sorry haven't looked more into it.
The song "Dead Flowers" appeared on The Rolling Stones album "Sticky Fingers" from 1971. The song was written by Keith Richards and Mick Jagger and it's about the time that the Stones start experimenting with a country influence. They have said in interviews that they love country for it's stories and nice melodies. This song has a story, but a darker subject matter than your average country tune, it's about heroin use and the loosing one's love and being angry. However it's somehow uplifting, if you look purely to the musical side of things, it's up beat, it doesn't have a sad melody, but the lyrics are very dark.
They have experimented with country through out their career surpassing the 1970's, and have also done songs like "Far Away Eyes" that's probably the most country inspired song of them all.
Mick has said in an interview that he feels that the country songs are a little odd for his voice. He feels that he is a blues singer, and therefore feels that the country material suits Keith's voice better. So this is just that, Keith Richards singing this delightfully odd country inspired song. A lovely performance.

Enjoy ; )