B.B. King – I’ll Survive

This is a live performance by blues legend B.B. King playing the song “I’ll Survive” live with his full band which also features a horn section, I’m a big fan of the horn section sound.
The song originally appeared on King’s 1998 album “Blues on the Bayou”. The first time I heard the song it was on the 2003 compilation album “Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues: B.B. King” which is a great introduction CD if you’re new to King’s music.
It’s a great song and it really has that sound of a B.B. King song. Just sounds sweet.

Enjoy ; )

Eric Clapton – Malted Milk (Robert Johnson)

This is a live performance by blues guitarist Eric Clapton playing his rendition of the classic Robert Johnson song “Malted Milk”. Clapton has been a fan of Johnson since very early in his beginning to play the guitar. He has also stated in many interviews his admiration for Johnson and his ability to play like he does on his own. (I’ve embedded the original version of this below).

Clapton’s version is very similar to the original which has sort of always been Clapton’s mission in covering Johnson. Playing it either similar to him or in a fashion that you can still hear that it’s Robert Johnson music.
This version that Clapton plays here is from the Martin Scorsese documentary “Nothing But The Blues”. Another great version of this by Clapton can be found on his 1992 “Unplugged” album.
It’s a great song. I really love the little motive that plays after the line “spooks around my bed”, at the same time, it’s traditional and totally outside what you’d normally do in a blues. The genius of Robert Johnson!

Enjoy ; )

Eric Clapton - Have You Ever Loved a Woman

This is a live performance by blues guitarist Eric Clapton performing his version of the classic blues standard "Have You Ever Loved a Woman".
The song is a blues standard written by Billy Myles. It was first recorded by Freddie King in 1960. It was released as a single by Freddie King, but didn't become a huge single.
It was then since covered by Derek and the Dominos, ergo Clapton on guitar, for their 1970 album "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs". Clapton has since made the song a regular on his live sets, and it appears on the following live recordings by Clapton: "E. C. Was Here", "24 Nights", "Live In Hyde Park", "One More Car, One More Rider", and "Crossroads Guitar Festival 2004". So basically almost all live recordings by him.
This version is from the unreleased film "Nothing But The Blues" directed by Martin Scorsese. It's a great performance by Clapton, this set-up has a horn section and Clapton is playing a Gibson ES-335. I love how he on this performance actually sings using octaves in his voice, it sounds really good.

The clip above is a piece of footage from the 2004 performance of the song. It's Billy Preston's organ solo which is one thing the other performance is missing. It's a great solo, and whenever Preston does an organ solo on this he just gives 110 %, a great little piece of footage to go along with this clip.
It's a great song and a great performance by Clapton. (And check out the organ solo too, it's well worth it!)

Enjoy ; )

The Rolling Stones - Jumpin' Jack Flash

This is a live performance by legendary British rock 'n' roll band The Rolling Stones playing their classic song "Jumpin' Jack Flash" live. The performance is from the concert-film "Shine a Light" from 2008 directed by Martin Scorsese.
The song was released in 1968 and it was considered The Rolling Stones' venture back into the rock 'n' roll bluesy sound that they were originally known for. The song was written by Keith Richards and Mick Jagger.
The song has also been recorded by soul diva Aretha Franklin. She did a recording of the song for the Whoopi Goldberg film of the same name. Richards and Ronnie Wood also played the guitar parts on her version.
Other notable covers of the song includes: Leon Russell, Tina Turner, Peter Frampton, Johnny Winter, Motörhead and Guns N' Roses.
It's a great song and the version from "Shine a Light" is an awesome performance of the song as well, with some really good camera angles courtesy of Scorsese. A great performance.

Enjoy ; )

Eric Clapton - Five Long Years

This is a live performance by blues artist Eric Clapton playing his version of the classic blues song "Five Long Years".
The song is one of the most widely covered blues standards of all time. It was originally written and recorded by Eddie Boyd in 1952. It did very well in the USA R&B Chart. The song was also inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2011.
I really love Clapton's energetic and up-tempo take on this great classic. This performance is from the unreleased Martin Scorsese film "Nothing But The Blues".
The song has been done by a number of legendary blues musicians, such as: Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker with Van Morrison, The Yardbirds, B.B. King, Ike & Tina Turner, Freddie King, Colin James, and Buddy Guy, and many more.
It's a great song and Clapton plays it flawlessly in this performance. Truly an amazing performance.

Enjoy ; )

Rolling Stones ft. Christina Aguilera

This is a performance by British rock 'n' roll band The Rolling Stones featuring Christina Aguilera. They play the classic Rolling Stones song "Live with Me" from their 1969 record "Let It Bleed". It isn't the most famous song be The Stones, but it is considered an important song amongst fans. It was one of the first recordings where guitarist Mick Taylor contributed. It is the first song where Keith Richards is credited for playing bass (he only played bass on the original recording, and sticks to playing guitar in the performance clip above). This original recording was also the first song to feature sax player Bobby Keys.
The performance in the clip above is from Martin Scorcesse's concert film "Shine a Light" from 2008. It's a really good film, and it hosts some really good and solid performances from the band, and is excellently shot.

Previous posts from the film "Shine a Light"
Brown Sugar
You Got The Silver
Champagne And Reefer (ft. Buddy Guy)

Enjoy ; )

Keith Richards - You Got the Silver

This performance is from the Martin Scorsese documentary/concert-film "Shine a Light". It's Keith Richards singing on stage on his own. Richards occasionally sings lead on songs by The Rolling Stones, but for the most part Mick does it, and Keith sticks to backing vocals, or they do the vocals as a duo.
Normally during a show Keith takes over for two songs, as is also the case with "Shine a Light". On this song Ronnie Wood accompanies him, but it's a simple set-up, and a beautiful song.

Enjoy ; )