Eric Clapton – Malted Milk (Robert Johnson)

This is a live performance by blues guitarist Eric Clapton playing his rendition of the classic Robert Johnson song “Malted Milk”. Clapton has been a fan of Johnson since very early in his beginning to play the guitar. He has also stated in many interviews his admiration for Johnson and his ability to play like he does on his own. (I’ve embedded the original version of this below).

Clapton’s version is very similar to the original which has sort of always been Clapton’s mission in covering Johnson. Playing it either similar to him or in a fashion that you can still hear that it’s Robert Johnson music.
This version that Clapton plays here is from the Martin Scorsese documentary “Nothing But The Blues”. Another great version of this by Clapton can be found on his 1992 “Unplugged” album.
It’s a great song. I really love the little motive that plays after the line “spooks around my bed”, at the same time, it’s traditional and totally outside what you’d normally do in a blues. The genius of Robert Johnson!

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 ; )

Rory Gallagher - Walk on Hot Coals

This is a 1974 performance from blues and rock guitarist Rory Gallagher. The footage is from the documentary/concert film "Irish Tour '74". It's a legendary film following Gallagher as he tours through Ireland. The director originally intended the footage to be used on a television special, but decided to release it as a theatrical feature.
The film is famous for featuring a performance from Gallagher in Belfast. Belfast was a rocky place at this time, with brawls etc. being very common, also at rock shows. This meant that most bands refused to play in Belfast. But not Gallagher. As part of his tour he stopped in Belfast, and played one of the best live shows of his career, and there was no violence at the concert, just mesmerized teens.
The song "Walking on Hot Coals" is a Rory Gallagher original. It's an instrumental song featuring a lot of guitar playing on Gallagher's part, but also a piano solo by Lou Martin. On the song Gallagher also uses pinch harmonics on the song. He was one of the first guitarists to incorporate this technique into his style. A technique he also used on the song "Off The Handle" previously posted on this blog (click here). This is just a great performance.

Enjoy ; )

Keith Richards - You Got the Silver

This performance is from the Martin Scorsese documentary/concert-film "Shine a Light". It's Keith Richards singing on stage on his own. Richards occasionally sings lead on songs by The Rolling Stones, but for the most part Mick does it, and Keith sticks to backing vocals, or they do the vocals as a duo.
Normally during a show Keith takes over for two songs, as is also the case with "Shine a Light". On this song Ronnie Wood accompanies him, but it's a simple set-up, and a beautiful song.

Enjoy ; )

Wee Wee Hours - Chuck Berry with Eric Clapton

This is a performance from the documentary "Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll". It's a documentary about Chuck Berry, and the influence his playing has had on more contemporary players. The film was made in celebration of Chuck's 60th birthday, and he looks better than ever in the film, energetic and young. He performs on stage with a long list of artists including; Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, Etta James, Johnnie Johnson, Bobby Keys and Keith Richards to name a few.
This is a great performance, love it when Clapton goes off and does two solos in a row, as Chuck says "...Eric Clapton; man of the blues", and that's true.

Enjoy ; )

Etta James - Hoochie Coochie Gal

This video is from the Chuck Berry documentary 'Hail Hail Rock 'n' Roll'. It features a performance of the classic Willie Dixon blues tune 'Hoochie Coochie Man'. It was made famous and performed by Muddy Waters, and have been covered by numerous artists including; Eric Clapton, Steppenwolf and Buddy Guy. I love this version, because Etta really brings something to the table, she sings amazingly on it. She is truly versatile, can do both ballads, blues and rock 'n' roll.
The song also features a smokin' piano solo by Johnnie Johnson who was a regular with Chuck on the road. On guitar is Keith Richards and Robert Cray, and we get some sweet reaction shots from Chuck who is simply stunned by the performance.
Enjoy ; )