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 ; )

Stevie Ray Vaughan - Cold Shot (Dr. John)

This is a live performance by Texan blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan playing his version of the song "Cold Shot". The performance is from the "Live From Austin, Texas" DVD which features two performances from the TV show Austin City Limits, one from 1983 and one from 1989. This clip is from the 1989 performance. It's a great performance and the band is really hitting the groove on this one.
The song "Cold Shot" was written by W. C. Clark and Michael Kindred and released by SRV on his 1984 album "Couldn't Stand the Weather".
The song was also performed at the SRV memorial concert. In that concert it was performed by piano legend Dr. John. (Embeded below)

I really love what Dr. John does with this tune. He sort of plays it his own way, in a different key, but he still sort of manages to compose a lot of Stevie's guitar parts to piano which sounds amazing to me. Also the ending of this performance is amazing.
It's a great song, and SRV sure made this tune his own, a great groove, gotta love that.

Enjoy ; )

Diana Krall, Elvis Costello & Elton John – Makin’ Whoopee

This is the final performance from the TV-show “Spectacle with Elvis Costello”. On this episode jazz pianist and singer Diana Krall is the guest and as she is also the wife of Costello he chose not to do the interview. Instead Elton John did the interview, he also executive produces the TV-show.
At the final performance they all three sung the song together.
The song is an old jazz/blues tune that was first popularized by Eddie Cantor in the 1928 musical “Whoopee!”. The song acted as a cautionary tale for men. It starts with a wedding, then talks about the honeymoon and marital bliss, but moves on to babies and responsibilities which leads to affairs and ends up in divorce.
It’s been done by a lot of artists, including: Elton John and Rod Stewart in a duet, Dr. John and Rickie Lee Jones in a duet and even parodied on Sesame Street by the Cookie Monster.
It’s a great little show tune and I love what the three of them do with it. They really maintain the original campy feel and make it seem so cozy on stage. A job well done indeed with this one.

Enjoy ;-)

Jeff Beck & Joss Stone - I Put a Spell on You

This is a live performance from "Idol Gives Back" charity show. In this performance Jeff Beck and Joss Stone do a version of the classic soul song "I Put a Spell on You".
The song was originally released in 1956 and on this version it was sung by Screamin' Jay Hawkins. There are rumours of an earlier recording dating back to 1949. This version is rumoured to be more mellow, toned down and laid back, but it has never been confirmed and the so called "original recording" is either non-existing or lost through poor preservation. Until the release of this song Hawkins had been an unknown blues singer. His management suggested a gimmick to go along with the song, and he started performing by rising from a coffin wearing a long cape. He later elaborated his act with props and a smoking skull, and through time has become known as one of the first theatrical acts. He became an influence on later acts such as: Dr. John, Alice Cooper, Black Sabbath and Marilyn Manson. He can kind of be pin-pointed as the first shock rock/rock 'n' roll act in history. A version of the original performance from Screamin' Jay Hawkins embeded below.

It's one of those songs that have been covered by a huge amount of artists, including: Ray Charles, Joe Cocker, Tim Curry, Buddy Guy, Marilyn Manson and Pete Townshend.
The version done by Jeff Beck and Joss Stone was originally recorded on Beck's 2010 album "Emotion & Commotion" which is a very good album that I can only recommend too little. It's great. And this is one of those short little songs that just stick out. It's a great song and both versions embeded are good and interesting, though I probably prefer Beck's and Stone's version over the original.

Enjoy ; )

Jimmie Vaughan - Tick Tock

This is a performance by Jimmie Vaughan and a bunch of other artists. It's from the Stevie Ray Vaughan memorial concert commemorating the death of Stevie Ray Vaughan on August 27th 1990.
There were many artists present at the concert, and Jimmie sort of controlled the jam on a lot of the performances, and also starts off this performance. Present were: Bonnie Raitt, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy, Dr. John, Art Neville & Double Trouble.
The song is from the album Family Style by The Vaughan Brothers. It was the last album Stevie did, and he had always wanted to do a collaborative album with his brother.
This song sticks out as different, as it is about the world joining hands in peace, and in that sense a very beautiful blues ballad. In this performance the song is sung by a choir which helps give it a certain atmosphere.

Enjoy ; )