Billy Preston - Outa-Space

This is a live performance by famous keyboard and Hammond B3 organ player Billy Preston playing his instrumental hit "Outa-Space" live. I think the performance is from 1981 (judging from the neon sign in the background of the stage).
Billy Preston was an American rhythm and blues musician from Austin, Texas, mostly raised in Los Angeles. Besides having a successful solo career, he has also played with a long list of well respected artists, such as: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Band,Ray Charles, Joe Cocker, George Harrison (solo career), Elton John, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Norah Jones, and Eric Clapton. Only mentioning a few.
"Outa-Space" is an instrumental performance by Preston and his band. It originally appeared on his 1971 debut album "I Wrote a Simple Song". The song was originally issued as a B-side. Preston wanted it released as a single, but the record company wanted it released as a B-side to the song "I Wrote a Simple Song". It weren't long though before radio DJs started flipping the single, and "Outa-Space" was a hit.
The song's distinctive sound comes from Preston running the sound of a Clavinet through a wah wah pedal. A Clavinet is essentially an amplified clavichord which is an instrument that dates back to late Medieval times. Explained in simple terms of course.
It's a great song, and the performance really shows Preston as a natural performer. He's dancing and getting the crowd involved, truly a great musician and performer.

Enjoy ; )

Stevie Ray Vaughan - Ain't Gone 'n' Give Up On Love

This is a live performance by legendary blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan. He performs his classic song "Ain't Gone 'n' Give Up On Love", and does an excellent job. The song was originally released on Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble's album "Soul to Soul" from 1985. This album is definitely one of Stevie's most soulful albums, the Hammond B3s and the wah-wah pedal compared to earlier releases. This song is an example of a soulful slow blues song in the style of SRV, and it just sounds amazing.
It's a really good performance, and you can really tell that he's really feeling it. There's a little introduction where they're getting ready, and then as fast as the snap of a finger Stevie's in blues mode, just feelin' it 100 %, impressive. He's soulful and amazing, and truly one of the best, if not the best blues guitarist ever.

Enjoy ; )

Tower of Power ft. Santana - What Is Hip?

This is a live performance from the legendary funk band Tower of Power playing their famous song "What Is Hip?". Carlos Santana is sitting in with the orchestra, and does a little solo, he does all right, but you can tell that he's a bit out of his element. Still doing a pretty good job in my opinion.
Santana's band and Tower of Power are intervened, and members of Tower of Power have played in Santana (the band), so this collaboration might not be as far fetched as one would think. Santana's current keyboardist David K. Mathews started out playing for Tower of Power, or at least rose to fame playing with them.
I think it's a good performance, and this is true funk. It's on a grand scale, with a full horn section and an energetic Brent Carter leading the jam, and keeping the audience in tune as well.
A good performance, of a good funk song.

Enjoy ; )

The Doors - Wild Child

This is a video from the classic late 60's band The Doors. It's a video consisting of footage of some native-American kids spliced together with studio footage of The Doors recording the song "Wild Child". I don't know if it was a fan made video or an official video.
The song Wild Child is built up quite simple, with one riff pretty much driving the song, and then changing when the song breaks into the chorus. The riff is mainly a guitar riff played by Robby Krieger, but a Hammond B3 organ is also added, to give the song that trippy 60's feel. Robby also plays a psychedelic bottle neck slide that just fits the song perfectly.
The song was released as a single in December of 1968, but it was a B-side to the song "Touch Me".
Below is a little clip from the A-side to the single.

Audio sample
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It's a really good stoner song, with that delightful 60's psychedelic sound. A great video, and a really good song.


Enjoy ; )

Deep Purple - Highway Star

Okay, thought it was about time for a little rock 'n' roll. This is a performance from 1972, Deep Purple perform their classic song "Highway Star" in Denmark. The song and lyrics are pretty straight forward rock 'n' roll, but the organ solo and guitar solo are not your typical rock solos. They stray from the classic pentatonic scale, and Ritchie Blackmore wanted a sound inspired by Bach.
It's a great song, and I really love it. I think it's one of Purple's best songs, and this performance is energetic and perfect, and they all deliver. Ritchie plays great, Gillan sings well and Lord delivers an amazing organ solo that's easily the highlight of the performance.

Enjoy ; )

Santana - Oye Como Va

This is a performance from the "Live By Request" DVD featuring Santana performing live, and with some guest artists. It's a great performance, the band is just perfectly in sync, and everything rocks. Santna's guitar solo is amazing, and the solo on the Hammond Organ is just the highlight of the performance.
DVD can be purchased; click here for USA and here for Europe.

The song was originally done by Latin jazz and mambo musician Tito Puente. His version is a little slower and features other instruments, like a horn section and an acoustic piano. Here Santana talks about how he rearranged the song.
It's a great song and a smoking performance.

Enjoy ; )