Mötley Crüe - Smokin' in the Boys Room

This is the music video to the song "Smokin' in the Boys Room" in the version done by glam metal band Mötley Crüe.
The song was originally done by the band Brownsville Station in 1973 on the album "Yeah!". The song is about students avoiding the smoking ban by smoking in the boys lavatory, quite simple premise really.
The version done by Mötley Crüe was released in 1985 as a single and it became the band's first top 40 hit. The song is from the album "Theatre of Pain".
I actually kind of like this version of the song. It's glam metal which I'm usually not a big fan of, but really this has much more a rock 'n' roll/bluesy feeling to it. The only thing that's glam really is their outfits and outfits don't matter to me. Also the harmonica on this sounds really good, it was done by Vince Neil which surprises me, didn't know he knew how to play the harmonica. It's a really good and catchy song.

Enjoy ; )

The Rolling Stones - Midnight Rambler

This is a live performance by the infamous British rock 'n' roll and blues band The Rolling Stones playing their song "Midnight Rambler" live. The performance is from a concert in India from 2003 and it was raining heavily which can also be seen in the concert footage.
The song is from the band's 1969 album "Let It Bleed". The lyrics take the viewpoint of a rapist/murderer, and Keith Richards has referred to the song as "a blues opera". The song was written by Keith Richards and Mick Jagger. On the original studio recording Richards played all of the guitar parts, mainly using standard tuning, but also open E tuning for some parts. Mick played the harmonica on it, Bill Wyman played bass, Charlie Watts played drums, and Brian Jones was credited as percussionist.
I think it's a really good performance, I love the tempo shifts in it, Jagger's harmonica playing and just the whole feel of it. Really seems very loose and a lot like a jam. A great performance of a really great song.

Enjoy ; )

Taj Mahal - Bright Lights, Big City (Jimmy Reed)

This is a live performance by Taj Mahal and his amazing blues band doing their version of the classic blues song "Bright Lights, Big City". The performance is from the Montreux Jazz Festival, but I don't know what year.
The song was originally written and recorded in 1961 by blues guitarist and harp player Jimmy Reed. The song was one of Reed's most famous and reached #3 on the R&B Charts. (I've embeded the original Reed version beneath, there's no video, but it's some good music!)

I think that Taj Mahal and his band do a really good version. Taj Mahal really plays that blues harmonica in the style of Jimmy Reed, especially in the beginning really reaching and sustaining those high pitched notes on the harmonica. Also guitarist Jimmy D. Lane delivers and amazing guitar solo. Johnnie Johnson is seen in the background, and he does a little solo to. Great stuff, great band!
The song has also been done by "The Animals" and Sonny James, but I'd stick with Taj Mahal or Reed's version though. I really like this song, this is a blues song, no doubt about it, and Reed was one of the best in the field of writing good blues tunes.

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 ; )

Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble with The Fabulous Thunderbirds - Keep It To Yourself

This is a live performance by Stevie Ray Vaughan and his band Double Trouble who are joined on stage with members from The Fabulous Thunderbirds. They play the song "Keep It To Yourself" which is a typical blues shuffle in E.
On stage, as far as I can tell, are: Stevie Ray Vaughan, his brother Jimmie Vaughan, Kim Wilson (from TFTB), Chris Layton (drums), and Tommy Shannon (bass).
The performance is from 1987 at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and it was recorded on the riverboat S.S. Presidente. I'm guessing this was a double billing kind of thing where one band opened for the other, and then they all sort of did this jam to end things off.
It's a great performance. Of course the Vaughan Brothers deliver a couple of great blues solos, and Kim Wilson does a pretty good harmonica solo as well.
And over all great and enjoyable performance.

Enjoy ; )

Rory Gallagher - Messin' with the Kid

This is a live performance by Irish blues and rock guitarist Rory Gallagher playing his version of the classic blues song "Messin' with the Kid".
The song was originally done by Junior Wells in 1960. The song became a signature song for Wells. This original recording also featured acclaimed guitarist Earl Hooker.
I really love Gallagher's take on this classic song. It's more rock oriented, but still keeps the blues alive. It features a harmonica which was also on the original recording of the song and Gallagher's playing is superb.
The song has also been done by a number of other artists, such as: AC/DC, Johnny Winter, The Blues Brothers, and Freddie King.
It's a great tune. I also recommend checking out some of the above mentioned versions of the song. I especially like the AC/DC version because it perfectly shows that rock 'n' roll and blues are related genres. (Click here to take a look at the AC/DC version)
It's a great song and Gallagher's performance of it is just stunning.

Enjoy ; )

Albert King & The Bluesbreakers - Why Are You So Mean To Me

This is a live performance by blues legend Albert King and John Mayall's Bluesbreakers playing the song "Why Are You So Mean To Me".
The song was originally released as a single in 1959 on the Bobbin label. It is not one of King's most famous songs, but I really like it.
Also the version with the Bluesbreakers is really good. John Mayall's piano and especially his blues harp skills really adds another layer to this great song. This incarnation of The Bluesbreakers featured former Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor who does a really good solo on this playing a Stratocaster.
What really impressed me about this though was King's playing at the end of the song. He really plays a lot faster than I've ever heard him play while still keeping the soul alive in his playing. Truly a great performance from all parts. A great performance.

Enjoy ;-)

ZZ Top - What's Up with That

This is a live performance by Texan blues rock band ZZ Top performing the song "What's Up with That" live on Jools Holland in 1996. He also gives the band a fitting introduction as a rock 'n' roll band and protectors of rock 'n' roll which I can only agree with him on. On this performance they're joined by a choir and James Harman plays the blues harp on this number. Also I love how Holland actually introduces and mentions him. He's a musician himself and you always feel that in his hosting, you feel his genuine respect for his fellow musicians.
The song is off ZZ Top's 1996 album "Rhythmeen", so I assume they're doing a promotion tour or something on this performance.
Any ways a great song and a great little performance.

Enjoy ; )

The Who - Baba O'Riley

This is a live performance by British rock band "The Who" playing the song "Baba O'Riley". The song was written by Pete Townshend and released in 1971. The song is known for it's use of early electronic experimentation done by Townshend and for it's crashing chorus of F-C-B♭ power chords. This has made the song very popular at concerts and also a favourite on classic rock radio stations.
The song was released as a single in many European countries, but in the US and the UK it was only released as part of the album "Who's Next". On the original recording there is a violin solo as the song goes into the Irish folk style beat at the end. At most live concerts, this clip included, this is replaced by a harmonica piece played by Roger Daltrey.
The song has been ranked as the 340th Greatest Song of All Time. A remixed version of the song is also used as the theme for the TV-show CSI:NY. In fact: Every CSI show uses a Who song as their intro.
For me what also stands out on this song, and on every Who song ever recorded is the bass playing of John Entwistle. He is definitely one of the greatest bass players ever, and was one of the first who was able to really show off on the instrument, and not just be backing for the group. Below is a clip. It is the same clip as the one above, but with the isolated bass track. It's for geeks, but mind boggling to listen to.

In fact Entwistle's bass playing is what made it possible for the group to be a trio with a singer. He filled in in just the right places to make the band's sound not sound no smaller than any other band. It's like Noel Gallagher said: "They're all playing lead, aren't they, all of them", and he's right. That's the sound of The Who: a trio where everyone is playing lead. Quite impressive.

Ray Charles - Santa Clause Is Coming To Town

So it's Christmas, and I haven't posted a single Christmas song yet. I'm making up for that now. This is a performance by soul legend Ray Charles performing the classic Christmas song "Santa Clause Is Coming To Town".
The performance is from the "Feed the Future" benefit in 2007.
Ray's version is a bit more soulful than most other versions, but it is still probably more a pop song, or a seasonal song, if that's even a category of music. There just aren't a whole lot of blues Christmas songs.
Ray plays a soulful piano, and also gets out a harmonica and plays that as well.
It's a very good performance of this classic Christmas song, and it's sure to get you in the holiday spirit.

Enjoy ; )

Rory Gallagher - All Around Man

This is a magnificent performance from blues extraordinaire Rory Gallagher, it's from the concert at BBC's Grey Whistle on March 2nd 1976 which was also the date of Rory's birthday.
The song was originally performed by Bo Carter, but Rory's version is just smokin', no doubts one of Rory's best performances ever, though I don't think there is such a thing as Rory's best performance. Rory was an artist who gave 100 % on stage, and in that sense you could easily say that all Rory's performances were his best.
I really love this song and performance. Rory really shows the extent of his talent, by playing some of the best bottle neck slide I've heard, period! It's amazing, it's fast, but still keeping feel, and being right on spot in terms of intonation and execution of the playing. Not only do we get Rory's guitar playing, but Rory also plays a really good solo on the blues harp. He uses a harmonica microphone, and gets that perfectly good blues sound. He also shouts into that mike on the musical breaks of the solo. He also does something similar with his slide playing, where he sings the part, as he's playing it, true feeling, true blues!
We also get a really good piano and Hammond Organ solo from Lou Martin who also joins in as Rory is soloing on the blues harp. They basically riff off each other, and Lou tries to play the lines Rory just played, it's amazing, a true jam between two good musicians.
This is just an amazing performance from Gallagher, definitely one of his best, though all his performances pretty much fit that mark.

Enjoy ; )

Motörhead - Whorehouse Blues

This is a performance from the 2007 at Montreux, Motörhead performs their song "Whorehouse Blues" from the 2004 album "Inferno". The song is an acoustic blues song reflecting on 30 years on the road sometimes being and hanging out with the low end of society. Motörhead is a hard working band, and a band that lives for the road. They've had a career that's been going up and down, and sometimes it was even difficult to get gigs in some parts of Europe. So Motörhead certainly hasn't had it easy all the time.
On the song Lemmy plays harmonica in a traditional straight forward blues style, Mikkey Dee (the drummer) plays rhythm guitar whilst keeping a simple beat with a bass drum, and Phil Campbell plays along the rhythm and also does a solo. This is a very good acoustic blues track, of you like this kind of thing you'll enjoy it.

Enjoy ; )

Bonnie Raitt & Taj Mahal - She Caught The Katy

This is a clip from "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson", it's Bonnie and Taj promoting an upcoming tour at the time of the broadcast. The tour is probably finished by now.
I watched this clip online about six months ago, and absolutely loved it. Love the way it's a call and response between Bonnie and Taj, it's just a great performance. The the clip was taken down, and I couldn't find a proper clip of Bonnie and Taj performing this song anywhere. There were amateur recordings from some of the gigs they played during their tour, but the quality was bad.
Then I finally found it, someone had re-uploaded the clip, I was ecstatic. I say watch it now, before youtube takes it down again. Watch and enjoy.

The song itself has also gained some notoriety. It has become a blues standard and has been performed by several artists. To name a few it has been covered by Albert King and probably most famously in the film "Blues Brothers" sung by John Belushi. According to John's widow "She Caught The Katy" is John's favourite blues song.
This is my favourite version however. The tempo is just right, a little faster than earlier versions. And Bonnie's slide playing really adds to the performance and just makes it even better.
A truly great performance. HURRY UP AND WATCH IT, BEFORE IT GETS TAKEN DOWN AGAIN!!

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 ; )

Guns N' Roses - Bad Obsession

This is a live performance by hard rock band Guns N' Roses, they perform the song "Bad Obsession" from their studio album "Use Your Illusion I". Use Your Illusion was a double release, meaning the band released two separate albums on the same date e.g. "Use Your Illusion I" and "Use Your Illusion II".
The song is a bluesy tune, with a slide guitar and added harmonica which are typical elements in blues arrangements, here used in a more rock 'n' roll kind of way.
I love the live versions of this, it's such a big production, with a horn section, Teddy Zig Zag on the harmonica and Slash soloing with a slide on the Travis Bean. A great song, and a great performance.

Enjoy ; )

Sugar Blue - Hoochie Coochie Man

I knew at some point I would be posting different versions of the same song. I previously posted this in a version from the rock 'n' roll film about Chuck Berry featuring Keith Richards, Robert Cray and Etta James singing the song. Click here to go to that post.

This is another version of the same song. It's by blues musician Sugar Blue. He plays the harmonica, and plays it better than anyone I've heard. He truly pushes the limitations of what that instrument is capable of. And he's so cool wearing his military belt with harmonicas in different keys. Truly a great player, just thought I'd share his talent with the world.


Enjoy ; )