Albert King – I’ll Play The Blues For You

This is a live performance by blues legend Albert King playing the song “I’ll Play The Blues For You” live. The performance is from Ohne Filter which I assume is either a German venue or some sort of German television show. The performance is from 1992.
The song was the title track to King’s 1990 album. On the album it’s a 7:17 long blues song which makes it the longest on the album. Opening with a long blues number, now that’s Albert King.
He is joined on stage by two guitarists, and I don’t know who they are. One of them is playing a lefty Stratocaster, he only does rhythm parts, the other guitarist however does a really good solo. I’d like to credit him, but as stated above, I don’t know who he is.
It’s a great extended blues jam by The King.

Enjoy ; )

Stevie Ray Vaughan with Johnny Copeland – Look At Little Sister

This is a live performance by blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan playing the song “Look At Little Sister” live. The performance is from the 1985 performance that Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble gave at the Montreux Jazz Festival that year. Joining them live on stage is another blues guitarist, Johnny Copeland. He also joined in for the songs “Cold Shot” and “Tin Pan Alley” which came prior to this.
The whole concert including Vaughan’s 1982 performance at Montreux is available on DVD and I highly recommend picking it up. Truly a must have if you’re a fan of Stevie Ray Vaughan.
The lyrics to the song are credited to song writer H. Ballard, so I’m guessing it’s some sort of traditional song or something.
It’s a great performance. The solos done by both guitarists are really good and it’s such an up tempo song that just puts you in a good mood. It’s a great traditional blues song played to perfection.

Enjoy ; )

Slash ft. Andrew Stockdale - By the Sword

This is a live performance by infamous guitarist Slash performing the song "By the Sword" live on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Andrew Stockdale sings on this song.
The song is from Slash's 2010 album titled "Slash". The album was a solo project, but on it Slash worked with many different singers and musicians (check the wikipedia to see a complete list of his collaborators, or even better, buy a copy of the album, it's well worth your money), Stockdale one of them obviously. Stockdale sang this song on the album as well. It was the first official single from the album.
Andrew Stockdale, singer for the band Wolfmother, sings on this song and co-wrote it with Slash. It's a great vocal performance by Stockdale, and from watching it live you definitely don't doubt his abilities, as he sings it to perfection here.
It's a great song, with a good singer and good guitarist, what more can you ask for?

Enjoy ; )

Eric Johnson - Zap

This is a live performance by guitarist Eric Johnson playing one of his instrumental songs. It's titled "Zap" and it was first released on Johnson's "Tones" album and it was this track from the record was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance in 1987.
This concert footage is from a concert in Austin Texas. It's a great rocking instrumental song performed to excellence by Johnson.

Enjoy ; )

Keith Richards - Connection

This is a live performance by Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards playing the song "Connection" live. It's from some sort of gig called "Sevilla's Guitar Legends" and the members look like a lot of guys from Richard's X-Pensive Winos project, I know I recognize Steve Jordan on drums. We also get a quick glimpse of Steve Cropper playing in the background. And in fact after the song even more famous people takes the stage, ready for an encore all star jam sort of thing, among them is Bob Dylan. As far as I can find out, the concert is from 1992.
The song "Connection" was originally a song recorded by The Rolling Stones on their 1967 album "Between the Buttons". The song was written by Jagger and Richards, but mostly by Richards. They both sing on it, but it has since become one of those songs Richards would do solo, both with his solo projects and on stage with the Stones. In fact in the Martin Scorsese film "Shine a Light" Jagger leaves the stage, and Richards then proceeds to take the microphone and centre stage to sing the song.
It's a good song and a good performance.

Enjoy ; )

Steve Vai - Juice

This is a live performance by guitarist Steve Vai playing his instrumental song "Juice" live. The performance is from 2003 and it was shot in Denver.
Juice is the second track on Steve Vai's 1995 EP "Alien Love Secrets". The song is a fast instrumental in a boogie-woogie style time signature. Also the riffs used in the song are very boogie-woogie like.
It's basically Vai's take on a boogie-woogie, using a lot of advanced techniques like tapping and pinch harmonics, but also with a lot of traditional boogie-woogie and rock 'n' roll licks thrown in. The performance style is that flashy style Vai is known for.
It's a great performance of a little instrumental by a really good guitarist.

Enjoy ; )

Joe Satriani - The Extremist

This is a live performance by rock and instrumental guitarist Joe Satriani playing his own composition "The Extremist" live.
The song is from the album also titled "The Extremist" released in 1992 and re-released in 1997.
Perhaps the most famous track from the record is "Summer Song" which got the most radio play on rock stations and was used in a lot of different commercials.
I really like this song though. I love the simple feel it has, it isn't very flashy, for a Satriani song that is. I also love the extra layer the harmonica adds, gives the song a distinctive sound and makes it stand out. A great little instrumental by Satriani.

Enjoy ; )

Eric Johnson - Cliffs of Dover

This is a live performance by instrumental rock guitarist Eric Johnson playing his probably most well known instrumental composition "Cliffs of Dover" live in 1990 from New York.
The song is from the album "Ah Via Musicom" released in 1990. It is composed in the key of G major and in the studio it was recorded with a Gibson ES-355 and a Fender Stratocaster, the Strat being the one he also chooses to use on this live version.
The song won the 1991 Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance. And it was also featured in the video game Guitar Hero III.
Johnson does a really long intro on this which is just amazing and really show just how good a guitarist he is. The main recognizable melody of the song played by Johnson doesn't kick in until about the 6:20 time signature, now that's a long intro.
It's a great instrumental performance of a really good composition. Really enjoyable and smooth.

Enjoy ; )

Joe Bonamassa - So, It's Like That

This is a live performance by blues and rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa performing his song "So, It's Like That". The performance is from Guitar Center's King of the Blues Finals.
The song originally appeared on Bonamassa's 2002 album also titled "So, It's Like That". The album was his second studio album.
It's a great song and it has a very familiar feel to it, obviously attributed to Bonamassa's blues influences. A great performance of a good song that ought to pick you up if you're blue.

Enjoy ; )

Albert Lee – Fun Ranch Boogie

This is a live performance by country rock and rock ‘n’ roll guitarist Albert Lee playing the boogie “Fun Ranch Boogie”.
This is a great up tempo fun boogie that ought to lift your spirit and put you in a good mood.

Enjoy ;-)

Rainbow - Long Live Rock 'n' Roll

This is a live performance by the classic rock band Rainbow playing their classic song "Long Live Rock 'n' Roll" from their 1978 album of the same name.
The band Rainbow was formed by guitarist Rithchie Blackmore in 1975 shortly after he left Deep Purple. This performance is from 1977 and it features the line-up from the album that also was released the following year. This line-up of course also very famous for featuring legendary front man and singer Ronnie James Dio who also played with Black Sabbath for a period and had his own solo career for a long time. Recently he passed away after struggling with cancer. Dio didn't just do the front man thing when he was with the group, which he was from 1975-79, he also wrote all of the lyrics for the band in this period.
It's a great song and an amazing performance from a band that seems to be on fire. Also it's a great anthem with simple lyrics that were made for the audience to shout a long which they do and are encouraged to by Dio. A great performance by a great band.

Enjoy ; )

Rory Gallagher - Souped-Up Ford

This is a live performance by Irish blues and folk musician and guitarist Rory Gallagher playing the song "Souped-Up Ford" live at Hammersmith, the footage is from 1977.
The song is from Gallagher's "Against the Grain" album released in 1975. The song is written and composed by Gallagher. It is one of Gallagher's slide songs where he plays slide guitar on it. I always love it when Gallagher pulls out the slide because he's so good at it that you just have to watch and be amazed.

Enjoy ; )

Gary Moore - Parisenne Walkways

This is yet another live performance by guitarist extraordinaire Gary Moore. I still felt like it was important to remember, and decided to post yet another one of Gary's performances. I explained this thoroughly in yesterday's post. I think this is one of Moore's best guitar pieces, and it's definitely on my top three of his stuff.
The song was originally released in 1979 on Moore's album "Back on the Streets". It featured guest vocals by Thin Lizzy front man Phil Lynott who also co-wrote the song with Moore.
The song is known for it's mellow slow melody and Moore's bluesy playing on it. It is probably also known for Moore's super-sustained note in the song. He also does this trick here, and it is probably something that could only be performed with a Gibson Les Paul and the skill of Gary Moore, it's quite amazing in my opinion. Moore really plays an emotional and very well fitting solo on this. The performance is from a tribute concert to Phil Lynott from 2005.
And now we neither have Moore or Lynott. Kind of sad to think about. But any ways. One of Moore's best songs in my opinion.

Enjoy, and remember Moore's music, never forget it.
Gary R.I.P.

Robert Cray - Chicken In The Kitchen

Robert Cray Band on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno from Vanguard Records on Vimeo.
This is a performance from famous singer, songwriter and blues guitarist Robert Cray. The performance is from "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" where Cray was promoting his album "Cookin' in Mobile" a live album featuring an audio CD and a performance DVD.
He performs the song "Chicken In The Kitchen" a nice up tempo bluesy tune with a nice groove and rhythm. It's a very nice performance, and Cray is, as always, playing at the top of his game. It's just a wonderful song and a great performance.

Enjoy ; )

Chuck Berry - Nadine (incl. Rory Gallagher version)

Ok, so the first clip is of Chuck Berry performing his classic hit "Nadine". The performance is from the film "Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll" which is a film from 1987 celebrating Chuck's 60th birthday by having a concert featuring different artists who feel inspired by Chuck. On this performance we also have Keith Richards, Robert Cray and Bobby Keys. It's a great performance, the song is up-tempo and it's a good rock 'n' roll song performed by a Chuck Berry in the prime of his still continuing venue playing years.

Another artist who has played this song on numerous occasions is rock and blues guitarist Rory Gallagher. This performance is from 1982. It's a little slower than Chuck's original song, and it's an extended jam on the tune running into a time of approximately 9 minutes. The great thing about this version, besides Rory's excellent playing, is the horn section, and the work they put into it. This is Rory in a bigger set-up than usual, with a horn section and the whole thing, it's great, and Rory leaves plenty of room for the horns to do their part.
A great song, in two great performances. It's such a good song.

Previous posts from the film "Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll"

Wee Wee Hours - Chuck Berry ft. Eric Clapton
Hoochie Coochie Gal - Etta James
 
Enjoy ; ) 

Howlin' Wolf - How Many More Years

This is a great performance by blues legend Howlin' Wolf, he was a guitarist, a harp player and last but not least a fantastic singer. He had a growly voice that fit the blues very well. He was also known for his performances and his physical appearance during these performances. Like in this one where he flashes a dollar bill as he sings that the money is gone with a unique facial expression.
He's fantastic, on this track he plays the harmonica, it's pretty basic, but soulful and fantastic.
The performance is from 1951 which was still in the beginning stages of his career. He was however though one of the few blues artists to be successful from the early stages of his career, and he didn't struggle as much as some of his peers. Don't get me wrong, he still came from a poor background, but was able to leave it pretty early in his career.
He was also ranked no. 51 on Rolling Stone Magazine's list of the 100 greatest artists of all time. Almost in the top half that's pretty damn good.

Enjoy ; )

Rory Gallagher - Off The Handle

This is a live performance from blues rock guitarist Rory Gallagher. The song is from Gallagher's 8th studio album "Top Priority". It is an original song by Gallagher, as is all of the tracks on "Top Priority" they're composed by Gallagher, and the album is also produced by Gallagher.
The song is about anger, and getting mad with uncontrollable rage. It's a great song, and this live performance is perfect. Love it when he starts playing with the volume knob, makes the guitar talk in a voice-ish kind of way.

Enjoy ; )

Jeff Beck & B.B. King - Key to The Highway

This is a performance by B.B. King and Jeff Beck, it's from 2003. They perform the song "Key to The Highway", a song that's been part of King's repertoire for a long time. It is considered a blues classic, originally recorded in 1940 by Charlie Segar, and since covered by a number of blues artists. It was originally a 12-bar blues, but when covered by Big Bill Broonzy, he changed it to an 8-bar blues that sounds similar to the one performed today.
I love this performance, and the playful attitude the players have. There's nothing but respect between them. King's got the feelin', but Beck's got some speed, and in the end they're both great, it's never a competition.

Enjoy ; )

Rare SRV Footage - Love Struck Baby

This clip is a piece of rare footage. It's Stevie Ray Vaughan performing his hit 'Love Struck Baby'. Joining him on stage is a young Colin James. Colin James was discovered thanks to Stevie, and Stevie has talked highly of him and his abilities in interviews.
Enjoy ; )

P.S. If you're more interested in Colin James, check this music video, it's very eightees, so maybe you'll enjoy that ; )