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 ; )

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 ; )

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 ; )

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 ; )

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 ; )

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 ; )