Wednesday morning jazz:
1) Cees Slinger: "Sunday"
2) Hampton Hawes: "Love is Just Around the Corner"
3) Billy Higgins: "Just in Time"
4) Stanley Turrentine: "Smile, Stacey"
5) Freddie Hubbard: "Crisis"
6) Billy Mitchell: "Sophisticated Lady"
7) James Carter: "Shadowy Sands"
8) Charlie Rouse: "Know What Love Is"
9) Benny Carter: "The Shadow of Your Smile"
10) Dizzy Gillespie: "The Pushers"
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Cedar Walton Trio on NPR
In case you missed it, here's a a concert by jazz pianist Cedar Walton and his trio that's hosted by National Public Radio. Listening to it is a great way to cleanse your soul before a night of New Year's Eve debauchery.
Cahl's Jukebox, 12-30-08
The daily mix:
1) NRBQ: "Over Your Head"
2) Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band: "Walmart killed the Country Store"
3) Sir Douglas Quintet: "Bacon Fat"
4) The Blasters: "4-11-44"
5) Joe Ely: "Everybody Got Hammered"
6) Slobberbone: "Your Excuse"
7) The Blacks: "Horrorshow"
8) Chuck Prophet: "Run, Primo, Run"
9) Ray Davies: "The Voodoo Walk"
10) Robbie Robertson: "American Roulette"
1) NRBQ: "Over Your Head"
2) Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band: "Walmart killed the Country Store"
3) Sir Douglas Quintet: "Bacon Fat"
4) The Blasters: "4-11-44"
5) Joe Ely: "Everybody Got Hammered"
6) Slobberbone: "Your Excuse"
7) The Blacks: "Horrorshow"
8) Chuck Prophet: "Run, Primo, Run"
9) Ray Davies: "The Voodoo Walk"
10) Robbie Robertson: "American Roulette"
Monday, December 29, 2008
Best albums of 2008
I wasn't going to compile a list of some of the great albums released this year, but my favorite one, Otis Taylor's "Recapturing the Banjo" didn't make many lists. So, here goes:
1) Otis Taylor: "Recapturing the Banjo." Taylor recorded this blues album to educate folks about the African origin of the banjo. On his path of discovery — which he took with Guy Davis, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Keb Mo, Don Vappie, Corey Harris and his daughter, Cassie — Taylor took detours to New Orleans, the Old West and Jimi Hendrix's Electric Ladyland.
2) Sonny Rollins: "Road Shows, Vol. 1." I didn't get this album of various live recording by the great jazz saxophonist right away. That was the biggest mistake I made all year. I have it now, though, and it's great.
3) Bob Dylan: "Tell Tale Signs: The Bootleg Series, Vol. 8." Yeah, I had most of this stuff in other forms, but I wasn't prepared for how good it is, particularly the sparse beauty of the album's version of "Mississippi."
4) Alejandro Escovedo: "Real Animal." Escovedo, with help from Chuck Prophet, rocked through memories of his early years and his rock 'n roll heroes. He also rocked the Democratic National Convention.
5) Ludella Black and the Masonics: "From This Witness Stand." Black, a former member of Thee Headcoatees, is both raw and sweet on this garage rock album. I've been listening to it almost every day.
6) Randy Newman: "Harps and Angels." Newman is as funny and charming as he's ever been.
7) Lafayette Gilchrist: "Soul Progressin'." The young pianist from Baltimore is one of the most dynamic performers on the jazz scene today.
8) Drive-By Truckers: "Brighter Than Creation's Dark." I was worried when Jason Isbell left the alt-country rockers Drive-By Truckers. I shouldn't have been.
9) Gonzalo Rubalcaba: "Avatar." Vibrant and sensitive jazz.
10) Ray Davies: "Working Man's Cafe." The Kinks frontman is one of our greatest songwriters. He's a pretty fair singer, too.
11) Al Green: "Lay It Down." This album's not going to make me forget the good reverend's classic soul tunes, but he sounds as sweet as ever.
12) Elvis Costello: "Momofuko." It's an imperfect rock 'n' roll album, which makes is one of the reasons I like it so much. There aren't any polished notes here.
13) Kathleen Edwards: "Asking for Flowers." The young Canadian gave one of my favorite concerts of the year. Her album was terrific, too.
14) Eliza Gilkyson: "Beautiful World." Call it folk, if you want. I'm hooked on the song "Emerald Street."
15) Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. "Song for Chico." O'Farrill and his band cook on this tribute to O'Farrill's Father, the great jazz orchestra leader Chico O'Farrill.
16) Seasick Steve: "I Started Out With Nothing and I Still Got Most of It Left."
This American bluesman is a sensation in Great Britain, but he's hardly known here. Pity, because his music's as powerful as anything I've heard in a long time.
17) Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis: "Two Men With the Blues." I don't thin Nelson's appreciated enough for his musicianship. Here, paired with one of the great players in jazz, he shows just how good he is on songs that mix jazz, blues and country.
18) Jim White: "A Funny Little Cross to Bear." White's acerbic humor translates beautifully on this live EP.
19) Bill Dixon, "Bill Dixon with Exploding Star Orchestra." Chaotic free jazz that sounds almost as if it were recorded in slow motion.
20) Billy Bragg: "Mr. Love and Justice." An album filled with love songs for grown-ups.
21) Betty Harris: "Intuition." Great tunes by the legendary soul diva.
22) Kenny Garrett: "Sketches of MD: Live at the Iridium." It's a jazz party.
23) Anat Cohen: "Notes From the Village." Soothing and exciting jazz.
24) Dr. G.B. Burt: "They Call Me Dr. Burt." Gritty country blues released by the Music Maker Relief Foundation, my favorite charity.
25) Vampire Weekend: "Vampire Weekend." I'm a sucker for a pop-filled grammar song.
1) Otis Taylor: "Recapturing the Banjo." Taylor recorded this blues album to educate folks about the African origin of the banjo. On his path of discovery — which he took with Guy Davis, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Keb Mo, Don Vappie, Corey Harris and his daughter, Cassie — Taylor took detours to New Orleans, the Old West and Jimi Hendrix's Electric Ladyland.
2) Sonny Rollins: "Road Shows, Vol. 1." I didn't get this album of various live recording by the great jazz saxophonist right away. That was the biggest mistake I made all year. I have it now, though, and it's great.
3) Bob Dylan: "Tell Tale Signs: The Bootleg Series, Vol. 8." Yeah, I had most of this stuff in other forms, but I wasn't prepared for how good it is, particularly the sparse beauty of the album's version of "Mississippi."
4) Alejandro Escovedo: "Real Animal." Escovedo, with help from Chuck Prophet, rocked through memories of his early years and his rock 'n roll heroes. He also rocked the Democratic National Convention.
5) Ludella Black and the Masonics: "From This Witness Stand." Black, a former member of Thee Headcoatees, is both raw and sweet on this garage rock album. I've been listening to it almost every day.
6) Randy Newman: "Harps and Angels." Newman is as funny and charming as he's ever been.
7) Lafayette Gilchrist: "Soul Progressin'." The young pianist from Baltimore is one of the most dynamic performers on the jazz scene today.
8) Drive-By Truckers: "Brighter Than Creation's Dark." I was worried when Jason Isbell left the alt-country rockers Drive-By Truckers. I shouldn't have been.
9) Gonzalo Rubalcaba: "Avatar." Vibrant and sensitive jazz.
10) Ray Davies: "Working Man's Cafe." The Kinks frontman is one of our greatest songwriters. He's a pretty fair singer, too.
11) Al Green: "Lay It Down." This album's not going to make me forget the good reverend's classic soul tunes, but he sounds as sweet as ever.
12) Elvis Costello: "Momofuko." It's an imperfect rock 'n' roll album, which makes is one of the reasons I like it so much. There aren't any polished notes here.
13) Kathleen Edwards: "Asking for Flowers." The young Canadian gave one of my favorite concerts of the year. Her album was terrific, too.
14) Eliza Gilkyson: "Beautiful World." Call it folk, if you want. I'm hooked on the song "Emerald Street."
15) Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. "Song for Chico." O'Farrill and his band cook on this tribute to O'Farrill's Father, the great jazz orchestra leader Chico O'Farrill.
16) Seasick Steve: "I Started Out With Nothing and I Still Got Most of It Left."
This American bluesman is a sensation in Great Britain, but he's hardly known here. Pity, because his music's as powerful as anything I've heard in a long time.
17) Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis: "Two Men With the Blues." I don't thin Nelson's appreciated enough for his musicianship. Here, paired with one of the great players in jazz, he shows just how good he is on songs that mix jazz, blues and country.
18) Jim White: "A Funny Little Cross to Bear." White's acerbic humor translates beautifully on this live EP.
19) Bill Dixon, "Bill Dixon with Exploding Star Orchestra." Chaotic free jazz that sounds almost as if it were recorded in slow motion.
20) Billy Bragg: "Mr. Love and Justice." An album filled with love songs for grown-ups.
21) Betty Harris: "Intuition." Great tunes by the legendary soul diva.
22) Kenny Garrett: "Sketches of MD: Live at the Iridium." It's a jazz party.
23) Anat Cohen: "Notes From the Village." Soothing and exciting jazz.
24) Dr. G.B. Burt: "They Call Me Dr. Burt." Gritty country blues released by the Music Maker Relief Foundation, my favorite charity.
25) Vampire Weekend: "Vampire Weekend." I'm a sucker for a pop-filled grammar song.
Cahl's Jukebox, 12-29-08
Monday night blues:
1) Eddie Boyd: "Kindness for Weakness"
2) Calvin Jackson and the Mississippi Bound: "Goin' Down South"
3) Matt "Guitar" Murphy: "Way Down South"
4) Robert Nighthawk: "My Sweet Lovin' Woman"
5) Mac Arnold and Plate Full of Blues: "Love and Relations"
6) J.B. Lenoir: "One of These Mornings"
7) Hammie Nixon: "Sugar Mama Blues"
8) Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson: "Sugar"
9) B.B. King: "Please Love Me"
10) T-Bone Walker: "Treat Your Daddy Well"
1) Eddie Boyd: "Kindness for Weakness"
2) Calvin Jackson and the Mississippi Bound: "Goin' Down South"
3) Matt "Guitar" Murphy: "Way Down South"
4) Robert Nighthawk: "My Sweet Lovin' Woman"
5) Mac Arnold and Plate Full of Blues: "Love and Relations"
6) J.B. Lenoir: "One of These Mornings"
7) Hammie Nixon: "Sugar Mama Blues"
8) Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson: "Sugar"
9) B.B. King: "Please Love Me"
10) T-Bone Walker: "Treat Your Daddy Well"
Freddie Hubbard Dies
I have a particular affinity for Freddie Hubbard because he's from Indianapolis, just up the road from where I live.I've admired his work since I was a kid and I own most of his albums that are available on CD. Tonight, after learning of his death at age 70, I'm listening to "Live at the Left Bank," a recording of a 1965 concert by Hubbard and saxophonist Jimmy Heath that the late Joel Dorn released on Label M.
Hubbard and Heath play so jubilantly and energetically. Even on the ballad "Willow Weep for Me," an appropriate tune tonight, Hubbard plays with such athleticism and joy that it sounds like a celebration. And tonight, I want to celebrate Hubbard's life and music rather than mourn for him.
Here are their versions of "Pensativa" and "Willow Weep for Me" from the album. RIP, Mr. Hubbard.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Cahl's Jukebox, 12-28-08
The daily mix:
1) The Wipers: "Nothing Left to Lose"
2) The Drones: "The Downbound Train"
3) The Ponys: "Double Vision"
4) Compulsive Gamblers: "Your Happiness"
5) Patti Smith: "Glitter in Their Eyes"
6) Turpentine Brothers: "People are Talking"
7) The Smugglers: "I'll Remember"
8) Davila 666: "Oh Baby"
9) The Velvet Underground: "Head Held High"
10) Denise & Company: "Boy, What'll You Do Then"
1) The Wipers: "Nothing Left to Lose"
2) The Drones: "The Downbound Train"
3) The Ponys: "Double Vision"
4) Compulsive Gamblers: "Your Happiness"
5) Patti Smith: "Glitter in Their Eyes"
6) Turpentine Brothers: "People are Talking"
7) The Smugglers: "I'll Remember"
8) Davila 666: "Oh Baby"
9) The Velvet Underground: "Head Held High"
10) Denise & Company: "Boy, What'll You Do Then"
Buddy and Julie Miller's New Album is Coming
According to Buddy and Julie Miller's Website, their new album, "Written in Chalk," will be released in March. Guest performers include Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin and Robert Plant.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Cahl's Jukebox, 12-27-08
Saturday night soul:
1) The Delfonics: "He Don't Really Love You"
2) Chairmen of the Board: "I'm a Sign of Changing Times"
3) The Counts: "Riding High"
4) Curtis Mayfield: "The Other Side of Town"
5) Joe Simon: "It's Hard to Get Along"
6) Solomon Burke: "Send Me Some Loving"
7) Willie Hightower: "You Used Me"
8) Howard Tate: "Mama Was Right"
9) Jackie Wilson: "To Be Loved"
10) Ben E. King: "It's All Over"
1) The Delfonics: "He Don't Really Love You"
2) Chairmen of the Board: "I'm a Sign of Changing Times"
3) The Counts: "Riding High"
4) Curtis Mayfield: "The Other Side of Town"
5) Joe Simon: "It's Hard to Get Along"
6) Solomon Burke: "Send Me Some Loving"
7) Willie Hightower: "You Used Me"
8) Howard Tate: "Mama Was Right"
9) Jackie Wilson: "To Be Loved"
10) Ben E. King: "It's All Over"
Blues Blog Special: Omar Shariff, 'The Raven'
In the liner notes for "The Raven," Omar Shariff (Dave Alexander) says the album's title track was written for and about his kid brother, who was beaten to death in Oakland in the early '70s. The song's lyrics and vocals are poignant, but it's Shariff's piano playing that most effectively expresses the depth of his rage and sadness.His piano playing is sexy and sweet on tunes such as "House Built By the Blues" and "Cold Feeling." He plays rollicking roadhouse blues on instrumentals "Omar's Boogie," "The Rattler" and "Blue Tumbleweed" and on "Great Balls of Fire. His piano flourishes and his vocals on the Jerry Lee Lewis cover are particularly feisty.
In short, Shariff is a particularly versatile bluesman with a gentle voice — "This is Love" is really a bluesy jazz ballad — and a wicked left hand.
(Blues Blog Special is a regular feature that examines older blues albums worth checking out.)
Friday, December 26, 2008
Cahl's Jukebox, 12-26-08
Friday morning jazz:
1) Ambrose Akinmusire: "Ghost Ship"
2) Lalo Shifrin: "New Fantasy"
3) Elmo Hope: "Mo is On"
4) Zoot Sims and Buddy Pizzarelli: "Fred"
5) Miles Davis: "Freddie Freeloader"
6) Arturo Sandoval: "Little Jazz"
7) Shirley Scott: "Blowin' in the Wind"
8) Ralph Sutton: "Snowy Morning Blues"
9) Bud Powell: "I Can't Escape You"
10) Harold Land: "One Second, Please"
1) Ambrose Akinmusire: "Ghost Ship"
2) Lalo Shifrin: "New Fantasy"
3) Elmo Hope: "Mo is On"
4) Zoot Sims and Buddy Pizzarelli: "Fred"
5) Miles Davis: "Freddie Freeloader"
6) Arturo Sandoval: "Little Jazz"
7) Shirley Scott: "Blowin' in the Wind"
8) Ralph Sutton: "Snowy Morning Blues"
9) Bud Powell: "I Can't Escape You"
10) Harold Land: "One Second, Please"
Eliane Elias Interview
I'm really looking forward to the American release of "Bossa Nova Stories," Eliane Elias' tribute to the 50th anniversary of bossa nova. You should be, too. She's always terrific.
To help you get stoked, here's an interview with her on Muse.
To help you get stoked, here's an interview with her on Muse.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Cahl's Jukebox, 12-25-08
Merry Christmas. Relax with some jazz:
1) Duke Jordan: "Starbright"
2) Joe Henderson: "Homestretch"
3) Charles Mingus: "Blue Cee"
4) Clark Terry: "For Louis and Duke"
5) Johnny Hodges: "Duke's in Bed"
6) Coleman Hawkins: "More Bounce to the Vonce"
7) Lucky Thompson: "I Forgot to remember"
8) Charles McPherson; "Bloomdido"
9) Ernie Henry: "Beauty and the Blues"
10) Cal Tjader: "I Showed Them"
1) Duke Jordan: "Starbright"
2) Joe Henderson: "Homestretch"
3) Charles Mingus: "Blue Cee"
4) Clark Terry: "For Louis and Duke"
5) Johnny Hodges: "Duke's in Bed"
6) Coleman Hawkins: "More Bounce to the Vonce"
7) Lucky Thompson: "I Forgot to remember"
8) Charles McPherson; "Bloomdido"
9) Ernie Henry: "Beauty and the Blues"
10) Cal Tjader: "I Showed Them"
Eartha Kitt Dies
As a child of the '60s, my earliest memory of Eartha Kitt is of her roe as Catwoman in the "Batman" TV series, of course. Younger folks probably know her better for her rendition of "Santa Baby," perhaps the sexiest of all Christmas tunes. Over the years, though, I've come to cherish her other recordings a lot more.
The world's not as classy a place today because Kitt died has died at age 81. If you don't own any of her albums, I suggest you start with "Miss Kitt to You."
On "Monotonous," she admits to listeners that folks around the world knew her as a femme fatale. "Traffic has been known to stop for me," she sings. "Prices even rise and drop for me. Harry S.Truman plays bop for me. Monotonous, monoto-neous."
I'll buy into the fact that everything else stopped when Ms. Kitt was around, but she was never monotonous. RIP.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Cahl's Jukebox, 12-24-08
A Christmas Eve mix:
1) Harry Nilsson: "Remember (Christmas)"
2) Don Ho: "Mele Kalikimaka"
3) Johnny Mathis: "A Christmas Love Song"
4) Billy Boy Arnold: "Christmas Time"
5) Sonny Boy Williamson: "Christmas Morning Blues"
6) Jimmy Reed: "Christmas Present Blues"
7) Hasil Adkins: "Santa Claus Boogie"
8) The Sonics: "Santa Claus"
9) Booker T and the MGs: "Winter Wonderland"
10) Jimmy Smith: "Santa Claus is Coming to Town"
1) Harry Nilsson: "Remember (Christmas)"
2) Don Ho: "Mele Kalikimaka"
3) Johnny Mathis: "A Christmas Love Song"
4) Billy Boy Arnold: "Christmas Time"
5) Sonny Boy Williamson: "Christmas Morning Blues"
6) Jimmy Reed: "Christmas Present Blues"
7) Hasil Adkins: "Santa Claus Boogie"
8) The Sonics: "Santa Claus"
9) Booker T and the MGs: "Winter Wonderland"
10) Jimmy Smith: "Santa Claus is Coming to Town"
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Booker T. & the MGs: 'In the Christmas Spirit'
I'm digging Booker T. and the MGs' versions of "Winter Wonderland" and "White Christmas" even though my driveway's an ice rink tonight. It's hard not to get into a funky Christmas groove when you listen to Booker T. Jones slide through the songs with his organ.You can find those tunes, as well as "The Christmas Song," "Jingle Bells," "Merry Christmas Baby" and seven other Christmas classics, on "In the Christmas Spirit." Most of the tunes will make you feel like doing the Christmas twist, but a few are sweet and slow. "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" and "Silent Night," for example, are Christmas Eve meditations soulful enough to make you brave your icy driveways and look for a star in the East.
Cahl's Jukebox, 12-23-08
A holiday jazz mix:
1) Eric Reed: "Merry Christmas Baby"
2) Booker Ervin: "Shiny Stockings"
3) Rahsaan Roland Kirk: "Christmas Song"
4) Sonny Simmons: "My Favorite Things"
5) Edward Tobin: "We Three Kings"
6) Jim Galloway and Jay McShann: "Jay's Christmas Candy"
7) Raymond Scott: "Christmas Night in Harlem"
8) Modern Jazz Quartet: "England's Carol"
9) Gene Ammons: "Swingin' for Xmas"
10) Ramsey Lewis: "Here Comes Santa Claus"
1) Eric Reed: "Merry Christmas Baby"
2) Booker Ervin: "Shiny Stockings"
3) Rahsaan Roland Kirk: "Christmas Song"
4) Sonny Simmons: "My Favorite Things"
5) Edward Tobin: "We Three Kings"
6) Jim Galloway and Jay McShann: "Jay's Christmas Candy"
7) Raymond Scott: "Christmas Night in Harlem"
8) Modern Jazz Quartet: "England's Carol"
9) Gene Ammons: "Swingin' for Xmas"
10) Ramsey Lewis: "Here Comes Santa Claus"
Monday, December 22, 2008
Johnny Ray: 'Estrella de Navidad'
There's something especially festive about hearing congas and a Latin horn section spice up "The Christmas Song." Moreover, on his new album, "Estrella de Navidad," Johnny Ray sings it like he's going to a party.The rest of the tunes on the album are sung in Spanish, but you'll feel the holiday spirit even if you don't understand a word. Ray and his band play some of the most upbeat Christmas music you'll ever hear.
Have a Saucy Christmas
I know Santa Claus is looking for good kids, but sometimes naughty is nice:
1) The Bellrays: "All I Want to Do is Shag for Christmas"
2) Pearl Bailey: "Five Pound Box of Money"
3) Tinsley Ellis: "Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin'"
4) Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell: "Christmas in Jail"
5) Joan Osborne" "What Do Bad Girls Get?"
1) The Bellrays: "All I Want to Do is Shag for Christmas"
2) Pearl Bailey: "Five Pound Box of Money"
3) Tinsley Ellis: "Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin'"
4) Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell: "Christmas in Jail"
5) Joan Osborne" "What Do Bad Girls Get?"
Cahl's Jukebox, 12-22-08
The daily mix:
1) Vetiver: "Won't Be Me"
2) Volebeats: "Can It Really Be?"
3) The Hollies: "Look Through Any Window"
4) She & Him: "Sweet Darlin'"
5) Gene Clark: "Keep on Pushin'"
6) Guy Forsyth: "Beautiful Mistake"
7) Reigning Sound: "Pretty Girl"
8) Edmund Cake: ""Beautiful Sleep"
9) Pernice Brothers: "Red Desert"
10) Lucero: "I'll Just Fall"
1) Vetiver: "Won't Be Me"
2) Volebeats: "Can It Really Be?"
3) The Hollies: "Look Through Any Window"
4) She & Him: "Sweet Darlin'"
5) Gene Clark: "Keep on Pushin'"
6) Guy Forsyth: "Beautiful Mistake"
7) Reigning Sound: "Pretty Girl"
8) Edmund Cake: ""Beautiful Sleep"
9) Pernice Brothers: "Red Desert"
10) Lucero: "I'll Just Fall"
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Pleasure Seekers
Just found out that Sherilyn Fenn's mom is Arlene Quatro, who along with Fenn's aunt Suzi Quatro, was in a garage rock band called The Pleasure Seekers.
Cool group.
Cool group.
Jazz pianist Kenn Cox Dies
I'd heard about "Introducing Kenny Cox and the Contemporary Jazz Quintet" for a long time, but I was shocked by how good it was when Blue Note reissued the album last year.Cox, who died Friday, and a group of Detroit musicians produced one of the hardest grooving bebop albums of the '60s. Cox played riffs on his piano that seemed as bluesy as Horace Silver's and as exploratory as Cecil Taylor's. His piano guided the album, allowing saxophonist Leon Henderson to go wild. He could also play sweetly and sensitively.
Get "Introducing Kenny Cox and the Contemporary Jazz Quintet" while you can; it's one of the album's Blue Note has decided to discontinue.
RIP, Mr. Cox.
Cahl's Jukebox, 12-21-08
Sunday morning jazz:
1) Paul Desmond Quintet: "Sacre Blues"
2) Paul Quinichette and John Coltrane: "Exactly Like You"
3) Conte Candoli Quartet: "Mediolistic"
4) Eric Alexander Quartet: "Little Lucas"
5) Nick Brignola: "Backwoods Song"
6) Gerry Mulligan: "Lady Chatterly's Mother"
7) Buddy Rich Big Band: "Big Mama Cass"
8) Ted Heath Orchestra: "Big Deep"
9) Duke Ellington: "Star Dust"
10) Benny Golson: "The Masquerade is Over"
1) Paul Desmond Quintet: "Sacre Blues"
2) Paul Quinichette and John Coltrane: "Exactly Like You"
3) Conte Candoli Quartet: "Mediolistic"
4) Eric Alexander Quartet: "Little Lucas"
5) Nick Brignola: "Backwoods Song"
6) Gerry Mulligan: "Lady Chatterly's Mother"
7) Buddy Rich Big Band: "Big Mama Cass"
8) Ted Heath Orchestra: "Big Deep"
9) Duke Ellington: "Star Dust"
10) Benny Golson: "The Masquerade is Over"
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Rock 'n' Roll Flashback: 'The Very Best of the Easybeats'
A few months ago, I played "The Very Best of the Easybeats" for a friend, one of the biggest classic rock fans I know. He'd never heard of the band.I suspect my friend's not alone and that's a shame because the Australian band recorded some of the most engaging rock 'n' roll that came out of the '60s. "Friday on My Mind" should be the anthem of everyone who's ever worked for the weekend. And young men looking to win the hearts of a young women and their baby boomer mothers should play them "I'll Make You Happy (Just Like Your Mama Wants)."
The Easybeats weren't far off The Beatles. Their tunes mesh hard-rockin' melodies with beautiful harmonies; I almost get winded just listening to the full-tilt rocker "Sorry," for example, but it's mighty pretty.
Unlike my friend, I'm not a classic rock fanatic, but I listen to The Easybeats almost every week. Give them a listen and spread the word.
Cahl's Jukebox, 12-20-08
The daily mix:
1) Eilen Jewel: "Dusty Boxcar Wall"
2) Marty Robbins: "Time and a Place for Everything"
3) Loretta Lynn: "She's Got You"
4) George Jones and Tammy Wynette: "After the Fire is Gone"
5) Steve Young: "Blackland Farmer"
6) Tom T. Hall: "I Washed My Face in the Mountain Dew"
7) Bobbie Gentry: "I Saw an Angel Die"
8) Evie Sands: "The Love of a Boy"
9) Kris Kristoferson: "Just the Other Side of Nowhere"
10) John Prine: "You Got Gold"
1) Eilen Jewel: "Dusty Boxcar Wall"
2) Marty Robbins: "Time and a Place for Everything"
3) Loretta Lynn: "She's Got You"
4) George Jones and Tammy Wynette: "After the Fire is Gone"
5) Steve Young: "Blackland Farmer"
6) Tom T. Hall: "I Washed My Face in the Mountain Dew"
7) Bobbie Gentry: "I Saw an Angel Die"
8) Evie Sands: "The Love of a Boy"
9) Kris Kristoferson: "Just the Other Side of Nowhere"
10) John Prine: "You Got Gold"
Friday, December 19, 2008
I Heard the Angels Singing this Christmas
Tis the season for angels. Celebrate with some blues tunes about angels of both the heavenly and earthly variety:
1) Eric Bibb: "I Heard the Angels Singing." Eric Bibb's cover of the Rev. Gary Davis tune converted a student I took to one of his concerts a few years ago into a blues fan. That's a true gift, as far as I'm concerned.
2) Albert King: "Angel of Mercy." I think this is the best recording Albert King ever recorded. It's also one of my favorite blues tunes.
3) Lonnie Mack: "Three Angels." Sweet and spiritual.
4) Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup: "Angel Child." Crudup's woman drives him wild. His song does the same thing to me.
5) Smokey Hogg: "Angels in Harlem." Smokey had his eye on some hot angels. Listening to him sing about them, it's hard to blame him.
6) Big Mama Thornton: "Sweet Little Angel." I love B.B. King's version, too, but Big Mama's Thornton's tears me up.
7) Johnnie Taylor: "Soul Heaven." Taylor sang about listening to a dream concert in Heaven with Otis Redding, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Junior Walker, Jimi Hendrix, Elvis Presley and a lot of other musical angels. You know he's singing with them now.
8) Rev. Gary Davis: "The Angel's Message to Me." A musical sermon everyone should hear.
9) Mississippi John Hurt: "The Angels Laid Him Away." I love the guitar on this tune.
10) Golden Gate Quartet: "Seven Angels and Seven Trumpets." It's not a Christmas song, but it certainly embodies the spirit.
1) Eric Bibb: "I Heard the Angels Singing." Eric Bibb's cover of the Rev. Gary Davis tune converted a student I took to one of his concerts a few years ago into a blues fan. That's a true gift, as far as I'm concerned.
2) Albert King: "Angel of Mercy." I think this is the best recording Albert King ever recorded. It's also one of my favorite blues tunes.
3) Lonnie Mack: "Three Angels." Sweet and spiritual.
4) Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup: "Angel Child." Crudup's woman drives him wild. His song does the same thing to me.
5) Smokey Hogg: "Angels in Harlem." Smokey had his eye on some hot angels. Listening to him sing about them, it's hard to blame him.
6) Big Mama Thornton: "Sweet Little Angel." I love B.B. King's version, too, but Big Mama's Thornton's tears me up.
7) Johnnie Taylor: "Soul Heaven." Taylor sang about listening to a dream concert in Heaven with Otis Redding, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Junior Walker, Jimi Hendrix, Elvis Presley and a lot of other musical angels. You know he's singing with them now.
8) Rev. Gary Davis: "The Angel's Message to Me." A musical sermon everyone should hear.
9) Mississippi John Hurt: "The Angels Laid Him Away." I love the guitar on this tune.
10) Golden Gate Quartet: "Seven Angels and Seven Trumpets." It's not a Christmas song, but it certainly embodies the spirit.
Cahl's Jukebox, 12-19-08
I've got the freezing rain blues:
1) Wallace Coleman: "Bad Weather Blues"
2) Johnny Shines: "Deep Freeze"
3) Billie Holiday: "Stormy Weather"
4) Boo Boo Davis: "Ice Storm"
5) Maurice John Vaughn: "Dangerous Road"
6) Ray Charles: "The Snow is Falling"
7) Lightnin' Slim: "Winter Time Blues"
8) Albert Collins: "Frosty"
9) Texas Red: "Long Winter Nights"
10) Johnny Copeland: "Cold Outside"
1) Wallace Coleman: "Bad Weather Blues"
2) Johnny Shines: "Deep Freeze"
3) Billie Holiday: "Stormy Weather"
4) Boo Boo Davis: "Ice Storm"
5) Maurice John Vaughn: "Dangerous Road"
6) Ray Charles: "The Snow is Falling"
7) Lightnin' Slim: "Winter Time Blues"
8) Albert Collins: "Frosty"
9) Texas Red: "Long Winter Nights"
10) Johnny Copeland: "Cold Outside"
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Anna King: 'Back to Soul'
I've been giddy since this morning when I started playing Anna King's "Back to Soul," one of several CDs my best friend sent me from my Amazon wish list. King, a protege of James Brown, sings with a smoky passion that casts a sexy haze over all the album's tunes. King produced the album, wrote some of songs, and, perhaps most impressively, plays the B3 organ on several tracks.
Big-time fans of James Brown are familiar with his prowess on the organ. Unfortunately, his "Grits and Soul" organ album is long out of print, though several tracks are available on compilations. He's front and center here on "If Somebody Told You," using his organ to enhance the steaminess of King's vocals.
"Baby, Baby, Baby," a duet between King and Bobby Byrd is another one of the album's highlights. Her rendition of "Night Time is the Right Time," with organ and horns punctuating her impassioned vocals, is another killer track.
So, thanks Cindy. I couldn't think of a better Christmas present.
Teddy Thompson: 'Christmas'
"Christmas," which Teddy Thompson recorded with members of his family, is one of the prettiest holiday tunes I know. It's available only at iTunes.
Cahl's Jukebox, 12-18-08
The daily mix:
1) Townes VanZandt: "Sad Cinderella"
2) Guy Clark: "Baton Rouge"
3) Gillian Welch: "Tear My Stillhouse Down"
4) Emmylou Harris: "Magdalene Laundries"
5) John Doe: "Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line"
6) Sam Baker: "Still Playin'"
7) Lucinda Williams: "Little Angel, Little Brother"
8) Gurf Morlix: "Windows Open, Windows Close"
9) Buddy Miller: "Through the Eyes of a Broken Heart"
10) Orville Couch: "Dance Her By Me"
1) Townes VanZandt: "Sad Cinderella"
2) Guy Clark: "Baton Rouge"
3) Gillian Welch: "Tear My Stillhouse Down"
4) Emmylou Harris: "Magdalene Laundries"
5) John Doe: "Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line"
6) Sam Baker: "Still Playin'"
7) Lucinda Williams: "Little Angel, Little Brother"
8) Gurf Morlix: "Windows Open, Windows Close"
9) Buddy Miller: "Through the Eyes of a Broken Heart"
10) Orville Couch: "Dance Her By Me"
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
A Reggae Christmas
One of the nurses during my surgery today recounted how a reggae band started playing Christmas tunes at a Jamaican bar she and her husband were at last week. She was appalled.
Maybe it is odd to hear reggae versions of Christmas tunes. After all, the only white Christmases most Jamaican know are the ones spent on white, sandy beaches. Still, I can't help but smile when I hear the joy some reggae artists bring to holiday tunes.
My favorite, I think, is John Holt's cover of "Happy X-mas (War is Over)." His rendition is earnest, lively and lovely. I'm also a fan of Jacob Miller's "On the Twelve Days of Ismas," Barrington Levy and Trinity's "I Saw Mommy Kiss a Dreadlocks," and Yellowman's "Santa Claus Never Comes to the Ghetto."
Judge for yourself:
Maybe it is odd to hear reggae versions of Christmas tunes. After all, the only white Christmases most Jamaican know are the ones spent on white, sandy beaches. Still, I can't help but smile when I hear the joy some reggae artists bring to holiday tunes.
My favorite, I think, is John Holt's cover of "Happy X-mas (War is Over)." His rendition is earnest, lively and lovely. I'm also a fan of Jacob Miller's "On the Twelve Days of Ismas," Barrington Levy and Trinity's "I Saw Mommy Kiss a Dreadlocks," and Yellowman's "Santa Claus Never Comes to the Ghetto."
Judge for yourself:
Cahl's Jukebox, 12-17-08
Wednesday morning jazz:
1) Art Pepper: "No Limit"
2) Arthur Blythe: "My Son Ra"
3) Miles Davis: "It's About That Time"
4) Mo'Fone: "Say What"
5) Pepper Adams: "Three Little Words"
6) Gigi Gryce Quintet: "Let Me Know"
7) Bunky Green: "With All My Love"
8) Vienna Art Orchestra: "But Not For Me"
9) Paul Brusger: "Enough's Enough"
10) Ted Curson: "The Very Young"
1) Art Pepper: "No Limit"
2) Arthur Blythe: "My Son Ra"
3) Miles Davis: "It's About That Time"
4) Mo'Fone: "Say What"
5) Pepper Adams: "Three Little Words"
6) Gigi Gryce Quintet: "Let Me Know"
7) Bunky Green: "With All My Love"
8) Vienna Art Orchestra: "But Not For Me"
9) Paul Brusger: "Enough's Enough"
10) Ted Curson: "The Very Young"
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Chick Willis: 'Stoop Down Baby ... Let Your Daddy See'
One of my students and I had a long conversation last week about the merits of vinyl versus CDs. I told her large album covers are really the only thing I miss about records. My female friends might skewer me for saying this, but I'm especially jealous of folks who own the vinyl version of Chick Willis' "Stoop Down Baby ... Let Your Daddy See." Is it sexist? Probably. But if I owned the record, I'd frame the sucker and put it on my living room wall.
The title track's filled with double entendres, though there's nothing in it that a modern TV censor would cut. Mostly, it's a catchy three-minute R&B ditty followed by 18 minutes of musical stand-up comedy in which Willis asks women in the audience for their names and integrates naughty jokes about those names into the tune. The song's probably too long, but it surely is funny.
"Mother Fuyer" is a bit naughty, too. Blame B.B. King for that; he wrote it.
The majority of the album is good straight-up blues. Willis' covers of Guitar Slim's "The Things I Used to Do" and "Jimmy McCracklin's "My Story" feature smooth vocals and hot guitar licks. And "Sometime Soon" has a drop-dead sexy groove.
Call Chick Willis a sexist if you want — he probably is, though the women he sang about seemed delighted to be the brunt of his jokes — I prefer to think of him as a funny, funky blues musician of the first order. And I'm delighted to own the CD version. I just wish it had liner notes and bigger art.
Cahl's Jukebox, 12-16-08
The daily mix:
1) Mojo Nixon: "Debbie Gibson is Pregnant With My Two-headed Love Child"
2) Jay Reatard: "Always Wanting More"
3) Ludella Black and the Masonics: "Don't You Walk Away From Me"
4) Reigning Sound: "You're Not As Pretty"
5) Frank Black: "Fu Manchu"
6) The Figgs: "Don't Hurt Me Again"
7) Tommy Womack: "Fake It Til You Make It"
8) Al Kooper: "Baby Please Don't Go"
9) Van Morrison: "I've Been Working"
10) Ian Gomm: "Black and White"
1) Mojo Nixon: "Debbie Gibson is Pregnant With My Two-headed Love Child"
2) Jay Reatard: "Always Wanting More"
3) Ludella Black and the Masonics: "Don't You Walk Away From Me"
4) Reigning Sound: "You're Not As Pretty"
5) Frank Black: "Fu Manchu"
6) The Figgs: "Don't Hurt Me Again"
7) Tommy Womack: "Fake It Til You Make It"
8) Al Kooper: "Baby Please Don't Go"
9) Van Morrison: "I've Been Working"
10) Ian Gomm: "Black and White"
Blues Blog Special: Paul 'Wine' Jones, 'Mule'
The late Paul "Wine" Jones unleashed his own personal demons every time he picked up his guitar. His debut album, "Mule," includes one furious sonic blast after another. And the lyrics of songs such as "Mad Dog on My Tail," "My Baby Got Drunk," "Bad Times in Mississippi" and "Rob & Steal" are just as hard.This is the kind of blues album I love the most because it's pure and emotional. There aren't any frills here. But be careful because the music's likely to smack you upside the head.
(Blues Blog Special is a regular feature that examines older blues albums worth checking out.)
Monday, December 15, 2008
Cahl's Jukebox, 12-15-08
Monday morning jazz:
1) Organissimo: "Groovadelphia"
2) Orlando "Cachaito" Lopez: "Redencion"
3) Jimmy Ponder: "Stella By Starlight"
4) Jimmy Bruno: "Night Dreamer"
5) Philip Catherine: "Merci Philip"
6) Modern Jazz Quartet: "Bluesology"
7) Lem Winchester: "With a Song in My heart"
8) Art Pepper: "You Go to My Head"
9) Junior Cook: "Detour Ahead"
10) David "Fathead" Newman: "Mr. Gentle and Mr. Cool"
1) Organissimo: "Groovadelphia"
2) Orlando "Cachaito" Lopez: "Redencion"
3) Jimmy Ponder: "Stella By Starlight"
4) Jimmy Bruno: "Night Dreamer"
5) Philip Catherine: "Merci Philip"
6) Modern Jazz Quartet: "Bluesology"
7) Lem Winchester: "With a Song in My heart"
8) Art Pepper: "You Go to My Head"
9) Junior Cook: "Detour Ahead"
10) David "Fathead" Newman: "Mr. Gentle and Mr. Cool"
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Ian Gomm's Engaging Pop Rock
When I was in college in the '70s, I might have played my old Brinsley Schwarz records more often than I played the ones by The Kinks and the Rolling Stones. The group, which introduced us to Nick Lowe, certainly recorded one of my favorite tunes of the decade: "What's So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding." (I dig Elvis Costello's cover of the tune, but I like the poppy original better, thanks.)These days, I'm grooving to a couple of albums by Ian Gomm, a guitarist and vocalist in Brinsley Schwarz. "Summer Holiday," which Gomm released in 1978, holds up much better than most other albums of the era because it features hook-filled pop rock with a blues base.
The saxophone parts on "Hold On" might date the song, but I still dig them. Besides, the vocals are great. "Airplane" is a perky pop tune that reminds me a lot of the songs Lowe recorded after he left Brinsley Schwarz. "Black and White" is a straight-up great rock tune.
The album includes some excellent covers, too. Gomm's rendition of "Come On" doesn't sound much like Chuck Berry's version, but there are some similarities, mainly in the snarl of Gomm's guitar playing. There's also a hint of a reggae beat that makes the track infectious and danceable. His update of Brinsley Schwarz's "Hooked on Love" rocks. And he gives The Beatles' "You Can't Do That" a sexy groove that works surprisingly well.
"Rock 'n' Roll Heart," released in 2002, adds some soul and country influences. Gomm leads the album with a cover of "Gone Fishin'," an R&B tune by General Johnson and the Chairman of the Board. Gomm adds a country feel to the tune, much as Chris Gaffney and The Hacienda Brothers did with The Intruders' "Cowboys to Girls." Russell Smith of the Amazing Rhythm Aces contributes some great organ fills on the album, Brook Langton plays a mean pedal steel and Nanci Griffith adds some beautiful harmonies, particularly on "Little Lost Now," which reminds me of a John Hiatt tune.
Despite the title, "Rock 'n' Roll Heart" is filled with more twangy ballads than rockers — Gomm is a master at penning sweet love songs such as "Hold on to a Dream Tonight," "You Treat Me Like a King" and "All the Other Girls," and his vocals are warm and believable. That's just fine by me.
Both albums are worth seeking out. I'm a big fan of Ian Gomm and I'll betting you would be, too, if you give his music a chance.
Cahl's Jukebox, 12-14-08
Today's mix:
1) Julia Lee and Her Boyfriends: "Christmas Spirits"
2) Victoria Spivey: "Christmas Morning Blues"
3) Charlie Jordan: "Christmas, Christmas Blues"
4) Jackson 5: "Santa Claus is Coming to Town"
5) Stevie Wonder: "The Christmas Song"
6) Bobby Womack: "Dear Santa Claus"
7) Lou Rawls: "Winter Wonderland"
8) Ella Fitzgerald: "Santa Claus is Coming to Town"
9) Jimmy Maddox: "Rudolph, the Red-nosed Reindeer"
10) Jimmy Witherspoon: "How I Hate to See Xmas Come Around"
1) Julia Lee and Her Boyfriends: "Christmas Spirits"
2) Victoria Spivey: "Christmas Morning Blues"
3) Charlie Jordan: "Christmas, Christmas Blues"
4) Jackson 5: "Santa Claus is Coming to Town"
5) Stevie Wonder: "The Christmas Song"
6) Bobby Womack: "Dear Santa Claus"
7) Lou Rawls: "Winter Wonderland"
8) Ella Fitzgerald: "Santa Claus is Coming to Town"
9) Jimmy Maddox: "Rudolph, the Red-nosed Reindeer"
10) Jimmy Witherspoon: "How I Hate to See Xmas Come Around"
Sonny in Austin
I just bought a ticket to see Sonny Rollins at the University of Texas on May 3. Luckily, the show falls right after classes end at Purdue, so I'm free to go.
It'll be the fourth time I've see him the last few years; I'm stoked.
It'll be the fourth time I've see him the last few years; I'm stoked.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Cahl's Jukebox, 12-13-08
The daily mix:
1) Los Straitjackets: "A Marshmallow World"
2) Chuck Berry: "Run, Rudolph, Run"
3) Ronnie Spector and Darlene Love: "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"
4) Graham Parker: "Christmas is for Mugs"
5) James Brown: "Tit for Tat (Ain't No Taking Back)"
6) Earl King: "Santa Don't Let Me Down"
7) Brook Benton: "Soul Santa"
8) Marquees: "Santa Done Got Hip"
9) Little Willie Littlefield: "Merry Christmas"
10) Gatemouth Moore: "Christmas Blues"
1) Los Straitjackets: "A Marshmallow World"
2) Chuck Berry: "Run, Rudolph, Run"
3) Ronnie Spector and Darlene Love: "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"
4) Graham Parker: "Christmas is for Mugs"
5) James Brown: "Tit for Tat (Ain't No Taking Back)"
6) Earl King: "Santa Don't Let Me Down"
7) Brook Benton: "Soul Santa"
8) Marquees: "Santa Done Got Hip"
9) Little Willie Littlefield: "Merry Christmas"
10) Gatemouth Moore: "Christmas Blues"
Loading Gov. Rod Blagojevich's iPod
A few weeks ago, a friend told me about people who hire folks to load their iPods. Today, I'm offering my services to Gov. Rod Blagojevich. For free ... I'm not really interested in being in the senate anyway.
Here are a some songs for starters, Governor:
1) Little Feat: "Framed"
2) Kinky Friedman: "Sold American"
3) Close Lobsters: "I Take Bribes"
4) The Clash: "Police and Thieves"
5) Sam Cooke: "Chain Gang"
6) The Plasmatics: "Corruption"
7) Big Joe Williams: "Prison Bound Blues"
8) Aimee Mann: "King of the Jailhouse"
9) My Chemical Romance: "You Don't Know What They Do to Guys Like Us in Prison"
10) Wynona Carr: "Please Mr. Jailer"
11) Irma Thomas: "Cheater Man"
12) Gomez: "Get Myself Arrested"
13) Lucky Dube: "Crime and Corruption"
14) Fats Domino: "The Prisoner' Song"
15) Lightnin' Hopkins: "Prison Farm Blues"
16) Johnny Adams: "Hell Yes I Cheated"
17) Morgan Heritage: "Judge Not"
18) Merle Haggard: "Lonesome Fugitive"
19) Elvis Presley: "Jailhouse Rock
20) Guided By Voices: "Teenage FBI"
21) Bessie Smith: "Sing Sing Prison Blues"
22) Leroy Vinnegar: "Restin' in Jail"
23) Ben Folds: "Prison Food"
24) The Virginia Mountain Boys: "Old Prisoner's Song"
25) Tom Waits: "Way Down in the Hole"
26) Erskine Oglesby: "Let Me Go Judge"
27) The Coasters: "Riot in Cell Block #9"
28) Big Mama Thornton: "Jail"
29) Laura Lee: "Dirty Man"
30) Jay-Z: "Guilty Until Proven Innocent"
31) The Standells: "Have You Ever Spent the Night in Jail?"
32) Johnny Cash: "Folsom Prison Blues."
33) Kokomo Arnold: "Chain Gang Blues"
34) Majek Fashek: "Police Brutality"
35) John Lee Hooker: "Prison Bound"
36) National Youth Orchestra: "Who Framed Roger Rabbit"
37) Latimore: "Let's Straighten It Out"
38) Sticks McGhee: "Jail House Blues"
39) Jim White: "Jailbird"
40) Dan Burley: "The Cops are Knockin'"
41) Harper: "I Swear I'm Innocent
42) The Pretenders: "Back on the Chaingang"
43) Tony Joe White: "They Caught the Devil and Put Him in Jail in Eudora"
44) John Prine: "Christmas in Prison"
45) Lord Bishop: "Senator Groove"
46) The Alarm: "Sold me Down the River"
47) Furry Lewis: "Judge Harsh Mouth"
48) Stas Golonka and the Chicago Masters: "Chicago is a Polka Town"
49) Josh White: "Chain Gang Boun'"
50) Magic Sam: "21 Days in Jail"
51) Yo La Tengo: "Bad Politics"
52) Sleepy John Estes: "Special Agent (Railroad Police Blues)"
53) Muddy Waters: "County Jail"
54) Cephas and Wiggins: "Police Dog Blues"
55) Little Milton: "Penitentiary Blues"
56) Bo Diddley: "Cops and Robbers"
57) O.V. Wright: "Eight Men, Four Women"
58) Blind Lemon Jefferson: "Prison Cell Blues"
59) Roosevelt Sykes: "Prison Gate Blues"
60) The Clash: "Jail Guitar Doors"
61) Peter Bruntnell: "Polar Bear Jail"
62) Brownie McGhee: "Chain Gang Special"
63) Cannon's Jug Stompers: "Prison Wall Blues"
64) Joan of Arc: "Apocalypse Politics"
65) Blu Lu Barker:"Layin' in Jail"
66) Marvin Gaye: "What's Going On"
67) Eddie Burns: "Jail Time"
68) Neal Pattman: "Prison Blues"
69) R.L. Burnside: "Go to Jail"
70) Carl Martin: "Good Morning, Judge"
71) Guitar Slim and Jelly Belly: "Jail and Buddy Blues"
72) Lonnie Johnson: "Lonesome Jail Blues"
73) Pete Sears: "12 Long Years and No Parole"
74) Warren Zevon: "Prison Grove"
75) Buddy Rich: "Senator Sam"
76) Leroy Carr: "Jail Cell Blues"
77) The Byrds: "Life in Prison"
78) Blind Boy Fuller: "Put You Back in Jail"
79) Ed Bell: "Big Rock Jail"
80) Waylon Jennings: "I'd Have Been Out of Jail"
81) Louisiana Red: "Prison Blues #1"
82) Malvina Richards: "The Judge Said"
83) Mississippi Sheiks: "Jail Bird Love Song"
84) Leadbelly: "Shreveport Jail"
85) Sylvester Weaver: "Penitentiary Bound Blues"
86) Texas Tommy: "Jail Break Blues"
87) Bumble Bee Slim: "Back in Jail Again"
88) Johnny Shines: "30 Days in Jail"
89) Carey Bell: "Locked Up So Long"
90) Champion Jack Dupree: "In Prison Too Long"
91) Louisiana Red: "Parole Blues"
92) Texas Alexander: "Penitentiary Moan"
93) Dale Watson: "Blue Our Cell Block Guard"
94) Earl Scruggs: "Bound in Jail All Night Long"
95) Townes VanZandt: "Don't You Take it Too Bad"
96) Bob Dylan: "Desolation Row"
97) Steve Lacey: "Prison Song
98) James Blood Ulmer: "White Man's Jail"
99) Hank Snow: "I'm Here to Get My Baby Out of Jail"
100) Junior Wells: "Prison Bars All Around Me"
Here are a some songs for starters, Governor:
1) Little Feat: "Framed"
2) Kinky Friedman: "Sold American"
3) Close Lobsters: "I Take Bribes"
4) The Clash: "Police and Thieves"
5) Sam Cooke: "Chain Gang"
6) The Plasmatics: "Corruption"
7) Big Joe Williams: "Prison Bound Blues"
8) Aimee Mann: "King of the Jailhouse"
9) My Chemical Romance: "You Don't Know What They Do to Guys Like Us in Prison"
10) Wynona Carr: "Please Mr. Jailer"
11) Irma Thomas: "Cheater Man"
12) Gomez: "Get Myself Arrested"
13) Lucky Dube: "Crime and Corruption"
14) Fats Domino: "The Prisoner' Song"
15) Lightnin' Hopkins: "Prison Farm Blues"
16) Johnny Adams: "Hell Yes I Cheated"
17) Morgan Heritage: "Judge Not"
18) Merle Haggard: "Lonesome Fugitive"
19) Elvis Presley: "Jailhouse Rock
20) Guided By Voices: "Teenage FBI"
21) Bessie Smith: "Sing Sing Prison Blues"
22) Leroy Vinnegar: "Restin' in Jail"
23) Ben Folds: "Prison Food"
24) The Virginia Mountain Boys: "Old Prisoner's Song"
25) Tom Waits: "Way Down in the Hole"
26) Erskine Oglesby: "Let Me Go Judge"
27) The Coasters: "Riot in Cell Block #9"
28) Big Mama Thornton: "Jail"
29) Laura Lee: "Dirty Man"
30) Jay-Z: "Guilty Until Proven Innocent"
31) The Standells: "Have You Ever Spent the Night in Jail?"
32) Johnny Cash: "Folsom Prison Blues."
33) Kokomo Arnold: "Chain Gang Blues"
34) Majek Fashek: "Police Brutality"
35) John Lee Hooker: "Prison Bound"
36) National Youth Orchestra: "Who Framed Roger Rabbit"
37) Latimore: "Let's Straighten It Out"
38) Sticks McGhee: "Jail House Blues"
39) Jim White: "Jailbird"
40) Dan Burley: "The Cops are Knockin'"
41) Harper: "I Swear I'm Innocent
42) The Pretenders: "Back on the Chaingang"
43) Tony Joe White: "They Caught the Devil and Put Him in Jail in Eudora"
44) John Prine: "Christmas in Prison"
45) Lord Bishop: "Senator Groove"
46) The Alarm: "Sold me Down the River"
47) Furry Lewis: "Judge Harsh Mouth"
48) Stas Golonka and the Chicago Masters: "Chicago is a Polka Town"
49) Josh White: "Chain Gang Boun'"
50) Magic Sam: "21 Days in Jail"
51) Yo La Tengo: "Bad Politics"
52) Sleepy John Estes: "Special Agent (Railroad Police Blues)"
53) Muddy Waters: "County Jail"
54) Cephas and Wiggins: "Police Dog Blues"
55) Little Milton: "Penitentiary Blues"
56) Bo Diddley: "Cops and Robbers"
57) O.V. Wright: "Eight Men, Four Women"
58) Blind Lemon Jefferson: "Prison Cell Blues"
59) Roosevelt Sykes: "Prison Gate Blues"
60) The Clash: "Jail Guitar Doors"
61) Peter Bruntnell: "Polar Bear Jail"
62) Brownie McGhee: "Chain Gang Special"
63) Cannon's Jug Stompers: "Prison Wall Blues"
64) Joan of Arc: "Apocalypse Politics"
65) Blu Lu Barker:"Layin' in Jail"
66) Marvin Gaye: "What's Going On"
67) Eddie Burns: "Jail Time"
68) Neal Pattman: "Prison Blues"
69) R.L. Burnside: "Go to Jail"
70) Carl Martin: "Good Morning, Judge"
71) Guitar Slim and Jelly Belly: "Jail and Buddy Blues"
72) Lonnie Johnson: "Lonesome Jail Blues"
73) Pete Sears: "12 Long Years and No Parole"
74) Warren Zevon: "Prison Grove"
75) Buddy Rich: "Senator Sam"
76) Leroy Carr: "Jail Cell Blues"
77) The Byrds: "Life in Prison"
78) Blind Boy Fuller: "Put You Back in Jail"
79) Ed Bell: "Big Rock Jail"
80) Waylon Jennings: "I'd Have Been Out of Jail"
81) Louisiana Red: "Prison Blues #1"
82) Malvina Richards: "The Judge Said"
83) Mississippi Sheiks: "Jail Bird Love Song"
84) Leadbelly: "Shreveport Jail"
85) Sylvester Weaver: "Penitentiary Bound Blues"
86) Texas Tommy: "Jail Break Blues"
87) Bumble Bee Slim: "Back in Jail Again"
88) Johnny Shines: "30 Days in Jail"
89) Carey Bell: "Locked Up So Long"
90) Champion Jack Dupree: "In Prison Too Long"
91) Louisiana Red: "Parole Blues"
92) Texas Alexander: "Penitentiary Moan"
93) Dale Watson: "Blue Our Cell Block Guard"
94) Earl Scruggs: "Bound in Jail All Night Long"
95) Townes VanZandt: "Don't You Take it Too Bad"
96) Bob Dylan: "Desolation Row"
97) Steve Lacey: "Prison Song
98) James Blood Ulmer: "White Man's Jail"
99) Hank Snow: "I'm Here to Get My Baby Out of Jail"
100) Junior Wells: "Prison Bars All Around Me"
Friday, December 12, 2008
Jazz Blog Special: Red Richards, "It's a Wonderful World"
Red Richards might be best known as a stride pianist, if he's remembered at all. But on "It's a Wonderful World," a solo album released in 1980, Richards plays with a crisp elegance that reminds me a lot of Teddy Wilson's style. He sings well, too.I didn't know anything about Richards when I spied the album in a bargain bin the other day, so I bought it on an impulse. It was a good move. During his long career, Richards backed folks such as Sidney Bechet, Pee Wee Russell, Roy Eldridge, Maxine Sullivan and Dinah Washington. He also was a member of the second edition of the Savoy Sultans.
It's a bit disconcerting at first when you listen to the title track, which leads the album. The tune opens with some piano riffs that radiate warmth. Then, about 25 seconds in, Richards starts singing and you wonder whether Louis Armstrong recorded a version of the song when he was a young man before his voice deepened. Richards sings with a friendly rasp that's almost as inviting as Armstrong's.
Richards' vocals on "I've Got You Under My Skin," "No One Else But You," "Solitude" and "If I Could Be With You" are pleasant, too. It's his piano, though, that makes this album a treasure.
"Rosetta," for example, is a lively stride tune played with such a light touch it sounds almost like a lullaby. Richards' rendition of "Prelude to a Kiss" really could be used to put a baby to sleep. And as I listen to "Isn't It Romantic," I realize that Richards is the musician I've always dreamed of finding when I walk into a piano bar.
(Jazz Blog Special is a regular feature that examines older jazz albums worth checking out."
Cahl's Jukebox, 12-12-08
The daily mix:
1) The Osborne Brothers: "Walking the Floor Over You"
2) Hank Williams: "Fly Trouble"
3) Tex Williams: "Brother, Drop Dead"
4) Earl Taylor and Jim McCall: "Little Henry Lee"
5) Don Gibson: "I Can't Stop Loving You"
6) Gillian Welch: "Look Out Miss Ohio"
7) Susan Raye: "L.A. International Airport"
8) Rosanne Cash: "Like Fugitives"
9) Marty Stuart: "Sometimes the Pleasure's Worth the Pain"
10) Johnny Cash: "God's Gonna Cut You Down"
1) The Osborne Brothers: "Walking the Floor Over You"
2) Hank Williams: "Fly Trouble"
3) Tex Williams: "Brother, Drop Dead"
4) Earl Taylor and Jim McCall: "Little Henry Lee"
5) Don Gibson: "I Can't Stop Loving You"
6) Gillian Welch: "Look Out Miss Ohio"
7) Susan Raye: "L.A. International Airport"
8) Rosanne Cash: "Like Fugitives"
9) Marty Stuart: "Sometimes the Pleasure's Worth the Pain"
10) Johnny Cash: "God's Gonna Cut You Down"
Jazz Blog Special: Diedre Murray and Fred Hopkins: 'Stringology'
I picked up "Stringology," an album released in 1994 by bassist Fred Hopkins and cellist Diedre Murray, because I'm a big fan of their work with Henry Threadgill. And, to tell you the truth, I'm astounded. It sounds to me like a classical gypsy jazz album that might have been the result of a collaboration between the Modern Jazz Quartet and Sun Ra ... except there's no piano.
"Stringology" is a lyrical album perfect for introspection; I like to watch the stars and think about life on other planets when I listen to "Glass Walls." The gentle beauty of the song probably makes other folks reflect on all the loves they've had. "Zebra Walk" sounds like the grittiest gypsy tune you've ever heard. Ray Mantilla on congas is fabulous. And "Relay, Relay" is a race in which Hopkins and Murray chase guitarist chase guitarist Marvin Sewell and drummer Newman Baker along a path of rock riffs and avant-garde jazz runs.
Since I got this album a couple of weeks ago, I've been listening to almost nothing else in my car, and I doubt that's going to change anytime soon.
(Jazz Blog Special is a regular feature that examines older jazz albums worth checking out.)
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Cahl's Jukebox, 12-11-08
Thursday morning jazz:
1) Charles Mingus: "West Coast Ghost"
2) Joe Gordon: "You're the Only Girl in the Next World for Me"
3) McCoy Tyner: "Contemplation"
4) Ray Brown: "Georgia on My Mind"
5) Cameron Brown and the Here and Now: "For All We Know"
6) Janusz Muniak: "My Shining Hour"
7) Lennie Tristano: "East Thirty-Second"
8) Steve Lacy and Gil Evans: "Esteem"
9) Marcus Roberts: "Shout Em Aunt Tillie"
10) Carmell Jones: "Scarlet Ribbons"
1) Charles Mingus: "West Coast Ghost"
2) Joe Gordon: "You're the Only Girl in the Next World for Me"
3) McCoy Tyner: "Contemplation"
4) Ray Brown: "Georgia on My Mind"
5) Cameron Brown and the Here and Now: "For All We Know"
6) Janusz Muniak: "My Shining Hour"
7) Lennie Tristano: "East Thirty-Second"
8) Steve Lacy and Gil Evans: "Esteem"
9) Marcus Roberts: "Shout Em Aunt Tillie"
10) Carmell Jones: "Scarlet Ribbons"
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
J.R. Monterose: 'J.R. Monterose'
Tenor saxophonist J.R. Monterose's self-titled 1956 debut is one of the best jazz re-issues of the year. I know that Blue Note has dusted the recording off before for its Connoisseur series and for some Japanese imports, but Amazon didn't sell those versions for $8.99.
Bassist Wilbert Ware and drummer Philly Joe Jones drive the album's seven hard-bop songs hard, with pianist Horace Silver providing a bluesy base. Monterose still dominates. He never gets fancy, but his notes are crisp and muscular. And paired with trumpeter Ira Sullivan, Monterose lays down a wall of sound as robust as anything Phil Spector ever recorded.
"J.R. Monterose" belongs in the first rank of Blue Note's recording of the '50s, and that's saying something.
Kenny Burrell: 'Have Yourself a Soulful Little Christmas'
This is usually the only time of year I dig out my turntable. For some reason, I've never bought a CD version of Kenny Burrell's "Have Yourself a Soulful Little Christmas," and it's one of the few holiday albums I have to listen to before I get in the mood for Christmas.When Burrell plays "The Christmas Song" on his guitar, he evokes the same warm holiday images that Mel Torme did when he sang it. And the drums on Burrell's version, mixed with the worn grooves of my record, certainly sound like a crackling fire in the background.
I like to play Burrell's version of "My Favorite Things" and Grant Green's, which can be found on his "Matador" album, back to back. Green's bluesy rendition sounds almost spiritual to me. Burrell, backed by a kicking orchestra, dances through the melody; I envision hundreds of little swirling snowmen as I listen.
But "Merry Christmas Baby" is undoubtedly my favorite track on the album — I'm a sucker for a great guitar-organ combo, and this tune makes Christmas sexy.
Note to self: Order a new copy of this album so you don't throw out your back reaching for the turntable on the top shelf of the closet next year.
Cahl's Jukebox, 12-10-08
The daily mix:
1) Etta James: "Miss Pitiful"
2) Big Maybelle: "So Long"
3) Phillip Walker: "It's All in Your Mind"
4) Roy Brown: "Love Don't Love Nobody"
5) Slim Harpo: "Jody Man"
6) Ike and Tina Turner: "I'm Yours (Use Me Anyway You Wanna)"
7) Ted Taylor: "It Ain't Like That No More"
8) James and Bobby Purify: "Keep Pushing Me"
9) Garnet Mimms: "Until You Were Gone"
10) Lisa Richards: "Let's Take a Chance"
1) Etta James: "Miss Pitiful"
2) Big Maybelle: "So Long"
3) Phillip Walker: "It's All in Your Mind"
4) Roy Brown: "Love Don't Love Nobody"
5) Slim Harpo: "Jody Man"
6) Ike and Tina Turner: "I'm Yours (Use Me Anyway You Wanna)"
7) Ted Taylor: "It Ain't Like That No More"
8) James and Bobby Purify: "Keep Pushing Me"
9) Garnet Mimms: "Until You Were Gone"
10) Lisa Richards: "Let's Take a Chance"
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Tuesday Night Chill
Lala.com has made it easy to share music with others. I had a ticket to see Neil Young in Chicago, but a slight fever and bad weather kept me home. So, instead, I'm chilling. I hope these tunes will help you relax as well.
Cahl's Jukebox, 12-9-08
The daily mix:
1) The Pogues: "Turkish Song of the Damned"
2) Joe Jackson: "Right and Wrong"
3) Beck: "Soul of a Man"
4) The Raconteurs: "You Don't Know Me""
5) Spiritualized: "Do It All Over Again"
6) Grant Hart: "Run, Run, Run to the Centre Pompidou"
7) Rogue Wave: "Kicking the Heart Out"
8) Superchunk: "Here's Where the Strings Come In"
9) The Grifters: "Re-Entry Blues"
10) Knoxville Girls: "Soda Pop Girl"
1) The Pogues: "Turkish Song of the Damned"
2) Joe Jackson: "Right and Wrong"
3) Beck: "Soul of a Man"
4) The Raconteurs: "You Don't Know Me""
5) Spiritualized: "Do It All Over Again"
6) Grant Hart: "Run, Run, Run to the Centre Pompidou"
7) Rogue Wave: "Kicking the Heart Out"
8) Superchunk: "Here's Where the Strings Come In"
9) The Grifters: "Re-Entry Blues"
10) Knoxville Girls: "Soda Pop Girl"
Helpless
Fears of icy roads and a bit of the flu squashed my plans to go see Neil Young in Chicago tonight. I'm bummed, but I should know better than to make plans to go to Chicago in the winter.
Monday, December 08, 2008
Cahl's Jukebox, 12-8-08
The daily mix:
1) Porter Wagoner: "Albert Erving"
2) Merle Haggard: "Chill Factor"
3) Tammy Wynette: "We Sure Can Love Each Other"
4) Kitty Wells: "Password"
5) Katy Moffatt: "Black Diamond"
6) Willie Nelson: "Will You Remember Me"
7) Terry Allen: "Little Sandy"
8) Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris: "The Angels Rejoiced Last Night"
9) The Johnson Mountain Boys: "Weathered Gray Stone"
10) Charlie Louvin: "How Beautiful Heaven Must Be"
1) Porter Wagoner: "Albert Erving"
2) Merle Haggard: "Chill Factor"
3) Tammy Wynette: "We Sure Can Love Each Other"
4) Kitty Wells: "Password"
5) Katy Moffatt: "Black Diamond"
6) Willie Nelson: "Will You Remember Me"
7) Terry Allen: "Little Sandy"
8) Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris: "The Angels Rejoiced Last Night"
9) The Johnson Mountain Boys: "Weathered Gray Stone"
10) Charlie Louvin: "How Beautiful Heaven Must Be"
Jim White: 'A Funny Little Cross to Bear'
I'll forgive Jim White for calling me and most of his other fans middle-aged losers — we probably are. Besides, he makes the comments at the end of "Stranger Candy," which might be my favorite new song."A Funny Little Cross to Bear," a live EP released this fall, is surprisingly pretty at times. White's plaintive voice is especially expressive on slower tunes. "Jailbird," for example, is a stripped down version of a tune first heard on his "Transnormal Skiperoo" album. He lopes through the lyrics, tapping into the dreams and frustrations of a lot of folks. He sets the mood with some Neil Young-like harmonica licks and creates a dreamlike feel when he harmonizes with bassist Fiona McBain. He also reworks "Plywood Superman," another song from the "Transnormal Skiperoo" album. I love both versions, but I think I prefer it live because it seems more vibrant.
"Counting Numbers in the Air" sounds almost like a Mysteries of Life song, and that's a good thing, as far as I'm concerned. White slips back into the role of twang troubadour with "Jim 3:16," a tune on which he claims a bar is just a church where they serve beer. I wouldn't call the song pretty, but it's funny as hell.
And that's really White's strength. He writes with a photographer's eye, adding wit and passion to seemingly mundane subjects. The tunes sound like a soundtrack for the lives of 50-year-old losers everywhere. Thank God someone understands.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Cahl's Jukebox, 12-7-08
Sunday night soul:
1) Archie Bell and the Drells: "You're Mine"
2) The Tams: "You Lied to Your Daddy"
3) Sam and Dave: "You Don't Know What You Mean to Me"
4) Otis Redding: "Thousand Miles Away"
5) Al Green: "Back Up Train"
6) Irma Thomas: "Good to Me"
7) Mable John: "I Love You More Than Words Can Say"
8) Bettye LaVette: "I Still Want to Be Your Baby (Take Me Like I Am)"
9) Barbara West: "Anyone But You"
10) Doris Allen: "A Shell of a Woman"
1) Archie Bell and the Drells: "You're Mine"
2) The Tams: "You Lied to Your Daddy"
3) Sam and Dave: "You Don't Know What You Mean to Me"
4) Otis Redding: "Thousand Miles Away"
5) Al Green: "Back Up Train"
6) Irma Thomas: "Good to Me"
7) Mable John: "I Love You More Than Words Can Say"
8) Bettye LaVette: "I Still Want to Be Your Baby (Take Me Like I Am)"
9) Barbara West: "Anyone But You"
10) Doris Allen: "A Shell of a Woman"
Charles Walker and the Dynamites in Lafayette
My friends and I passed Charles Walker on the stairs Saturday night as we entered the Lafayette Brewing Company for a show by the Dynamites. He seemed like a nice older gentlemen in a frumpy sweatshirt.
A little later, after the Dynamites played a killer version of Archie Bell's "Tighten Up," Walker bounced onto the stage wearing a natty suit and started singing like he was 21 again. Walker, you see, is timeless. He's a link to the glory days of soul: Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, James Brown ... especially James Brown.
I'm sure there's no one still walking this earth, for example, who can perform "Cold Sweat" as well as Walker. Many of the Dynamites' own songs also share the frenetic funky energy of the Godfather of Soul's music; it's been a long time since I've seen anyone work a crowd as well as Walker did. I'll bet a lot folks have sore arms today after waving them around so vigorously as he sang songs such as "Can You Feel It," "Own Thing" and "Every Time."
I also loved his covers of "I'll Take You There" and "Satisfaction." But the highlights, at least for me, were his performances of "Summertime" and Benny Latimore's "Ain't Nobody Gonna Make Me Change My Mind" — I'm hoping Walker and the Dynamites include those songs on their next album.
Walker caressed the lyrics of "Summertime," lingering over the note at the end of every sentence like he'd just fallen in love with a beautiful woman. He oozed through "Ain't Nobody Gonna Make Me Change My Mind" with the kid of sweet fury you usually only see in old video clips of Otis Redding.
I was feeling a little old myself Saturday night after getting up at 5 a.m. to take a group of my students to a seminar in Indianapolis. Charles Walker and the Dynamites pumped me back up. I figure I have enough soul now to keep me going until I see them again.
A little later, after the Dynamites played a killer version of Archie Bell's "Tighten Up," Walker bounced onto the stage wearing a natty suit and started singing like he was 21 again. Walker, you see, is timeless. He's a link to the glory days of soul: Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, James Brown ... especially James Brown.
I'm sure there's no one still walking this earth, for example, who can perform "Cold Sweat" as well as Walker. Many of the Dynamites' own songs also share the frenetic funky energy of the Godfather of Soul's music; it's been a long time since I've seen anyone work a crowd as well as Walker did. I'll bet a lot folks have sore arms today after waving them around so vigorously as he sang songs such as "Can You Feel It," "Own Thing" and "Every Time."
I also loved his covers of "I'll Take You There" and "Satisfaction." But the highlights, at least for me, were his performances of "Summertime" and Benny Latimore's "Ain't Nobody Gonna Make Me Change My Mind" — I'm hoping Walker and the Dynamites include those songs on their next album.
Walker caressed the lyrics of "Summertime," lingering over the note at the end of every sentence like he'd just fallen in love with a beautiful woman. He oozed through "Ain't Nobody Gonna Make Me Change My Mind" with the kid of sweet fury you usually only see in old video clips of Otis Redding.
I was feeling a little old myself Saturday night after getting up at 5 a.m. to take a group of my students to a seminar in Indianapolis. Charles Walker and the Dynamites pumped me back up. I figure I have enough soul now to keep me going until I see them again.
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Cahl's Jukebox, 12-6-08
Saturday morning blues:
1) Roy Book Binder: "Friend Like Me"
2) Rory Block: "Ramblin' on My Mind"
3) Ralph Willis: "Just a Note"
4) Son House: "Walking Blues"
5) Merline Johnson: "Blues Before Breakfast"
6) Blind Lemon Jefferson: "Matchbox Blues"
7) Kokomo Arnold: "Shake That Thing"
8) Julius Daniels: "Ninety Nine Year Blues"
9) Blind Willie McTell: "Good Little Thing"
10) Sippie Wallace: "Everybody Loves My Baby"
1) Roy Book Binder: "Friend Like Me"
2) Rory Block: "Ramblin' on My Mind"
3) Ralph Willis: "Just a Note"
4) Son House: "Walking Blues"
5) Merline Johnson: "Blues Before Breakfast"
6) Blind Lemon Jefferson: "Matchbox Blues"
7) Kokomo Arnold: "Shake That Thing"
8) Julius Daniels: "Ninety Nine Year Blues"
9) Blind Willie McTell: "Good Little Thing"
10) Sippie Wallace: "Everybody Loves My Baby"
Friday, December 05, 2008
Blues Blog Special: 'Johnny Shines With Big Walter Horton'
Big Walter Horton's harmonica licks are thicker than the woman Johnny Shines sings about on "Fat Mama," one of many extraordinary blues tunes on "Johnny Shines With Big Walter Horton." Together, Horton's harp and Shines' guitar drive the song as hard as any rock tune you'll ever hear. "Till I Made My Tonsils Sore," one of my favorite Chicago blues tunes of all time, rocks pretty hard, too. Shines wields his guitar like a bludgeon, crushing the memories of a former lover. Otis Spann's piano playing is forceful, too, but the beauty of it tempers the rawness of Shines' guitar.
Their rendition of "Worried Life Blues" is steamy and sad. And "I Cry, I Cry" is raw and elemental.
"Johnny Shines With Big Walter Horton," which also features Luther Allison's guitar on a few tracks, is the kind of album I compare all other blues albums to. It's not an album for wimps, but if you're looking for a Chicago blues album to anchor your collection, this is a great one to start with.
(Blues Blog Special is a regular feature that examines older blues albums worth checking out."
Cahl's Jukebox, 12-5-08
The daily mix:
1) Dick Gaughan: "Craigie Hill"
2) Shawn Colvin: "Set the Prairie on Fire"
3) Ray Charles and Bonnie Raitt: "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind"
4) Boz Scaggs: "Lost It"
5) James Hunter: "Tell Her"
6) Janiva Magness: "Do I Move You"
7) Bobbie Gentry: "I'll Never Fall in Love Again"
8) Dionne Warwick: "Wishin' and Hopin'"
9) Geater Davis: "A Sad Shade of Blue"
10) Mahotella Queens: "I Shall Be Released"
1) Dick Gaughan: "Craigie Hill"
2) Shawn Colvin: "Set the Prairie on Fire"
3) Ray Charles and Bonnie Raitt: "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind"
4) Boz Scaggs: "Lost It"
5) James Hunter: "Tell Her"
6) Janiva Magness: "Do I Move You"
7) Bobbie Gentry: "I'll Never Fall in Love Again"
8) Dionne Warwick: "Wishin' and Hopin'"
9) Geater Davis: "A Sad Shade of Blue"
10) Mahotella Queens: "I Shall Be Released"
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Cahl's Jukebox, 12-4-08
Thursday morning jazz:
1) Attila Zoller: "Meet in Berlin"
2) Sex Mob: "House of Peck"
3) Woody Shaw: "Song of Songs"
4) Sonny Rollins: "The Freedom Suite"
5) Jackie McLean: "Disciples Love Affair"
6) Eric Reed: "Little Girls"
7) Don Cherry: "Open or Close"
8) Nick Brignola: "Key Largo"
9) Red Garland: "I Left My Heart in San Francisco"
10) Pat Martino: "How Insensitive"
1) Attila Zoller: "Meet in Berlin"
2) Sex Mob: "House of Peck"
3) Woody Shaw: "Song of Songs"
4) Sonny Rollins: "The Freedom Suite"
5) Jackie McLean: "Disciples Love Affair"
6) Eric Reed: "Little Girls"
7) Don Cherry: "Open or Close"
8) Nick Brignola: "Key Largo"
9) Red Garland: "I Left My Heart in San Francisco"
10) Pat Martino: "How Insensitive"
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Paul and Storm's 25 Days of Newman
The musical comedy duo Paul and Storm might make this Christmas season the funniest ever with their 25 Days of Newman marathon.
Every day through Christmas, Paul and Storm are adapting a Randy Newman melody and writing goofy lyrics for movies such as "The Passion of the Christ," "The Godfather" and "The Big Lebowski." If you troll around their site, you'll find a few that haven't made the list yet; I cracked up when I listened to “Theme from ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.'"
Thanks to Matt Blum at Wired for hipping me to the feature.
Every day through Christmas, Paul and Storm are adapting a Randy Newman melody and writing goofy lyrics for movies such as "The Passion of the Christ," "The Godfather" and "The Big Lebowski." If you troll around their site, you'll find a few that haven't made the list yet; I cracked up when I listened to “Theme from ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.'"
Thanks to Matt Blum at Wired for hipping me to the feature.
Cahl's Jukebox, 12-3-08
The daily mix:
1) Vulgar Boatmen: "There's a Family"
2) Dream Syndicate: "Then She Remembers"
3) Lou Reed: "Vicious"
4) Hollygolightly: "Virtually Happy"
5) Liz Phair: "Big Tall Man"
6) Grant McLennan: "Easy Come, Easy Go"
7) Mark Eitzel: "Queen of No One"
8) Sugar: "Frustration"
9) Waxwings: "Fragile Girl"
10) Clem Snide: "All Green"
1) Vulgar Boatmen: "There's a Family"
2) Dream Syndicate: "Then She Remembers"
3) Lou Reed: "Vicious"
4) Hollygolightly: "Virtually Happy"
5) Liz Phair: "Big Tall Man"
6) Grant McLennan: "Easy Come, Easy Go"
7) Mark Eitzel: "Queen of No One"
8) Sugar: "Frustration"
9) Waxwings: "Fragile Girl"
10) Clem Snide: "All Green"
Odetta Dies
Odetta's death on Tuesday hit me hard. I fell in love with her 40 years ago when I bought "Odetta and the Blues," one of the most powerful blues albums I've ever heard. That love has grown stronger over time. In the late '70s, I had a chance to see her live and I don't think I've ever seen anyone with a more commanding stage presence. Shortly after that show, I bought "Odetta Sings Dylan" and it's been in a steady rotation on my stereo ever since. Her rendition of Dylan's "Masters of War" is still my favorite recording of the song. It's a fitting way to remember her, I think, because few musicians ever worked as hard to make the world a better place.
RIP
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Cahl's Jukebox, 12-2-08
The daily mix:
1) Rick Danko and Garth Hudson: "Twilight"
2) Mark Knopfler: "Back to Tupelo"
3) Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham: "Cry Like a Baby"
4) Hacienda Brothers: "Uncle Sam's Jail"
5) Tom T. Hall: "Don't Forget the Coffee Billy Joe"
6) Mary Gauthier: "Can't Find the Way"
7) Nanci Griffith: "Heart of a Miner"
8) Gillian Welch: "Look at Miss Ohio"
9) Evan Dando: "Nothin'"
10) Matthew Ryan: "Chickering Angel"
Monday, December 01, 2008
Guitarist Lenny Breau
It's Lenny Breau night in my house because I needed some music to warm my soul after taking the little hellhound for a walk in the cold and snow.
I wonder whether anyone ever combined the sounds of jazz and country more beautifully than the late Canadian guitarist did on "Swingin' on a Seven String." I'm particularly smitten by his interpretation of "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." With Buddy Emmons backing Breau on steel guitar, the tune sounds like a Hawaiian country jazz lullaby. It's lovely. I'm also enthralled by Breau's version of "I Can't Help It If I'm Still in Love With You." The song is so gentle it sounds almost as if it's played in slow motion, but Breau packs it with intricate chord changes.
"Chance Meeting," a live album featuring Breau with jazz guitar legend Tal Farlow, is more straight-ahead jazz. The two guitarists playfully answer one another's runs on "I Love You," my favorite track on the album. Other highlights include "My Funny Valentine," "Cherokee" and "All the Things You Are." As I listen to them play, I'm reminded of some of the saxophone duets of Ben Webster and Coleman Hawkins in both tone and warmth.
"The Hallmark Sessions," Breau's first album, which was released just a few years ago, might be the best of all. Recorded in 1961, Breau is backed by Rick Danko and Levon Helm of The Band. Breau's play is raw but athletic. At times he even adds some flamenco flourishes to the jazz-based tunes.
Here's a clip of Breau with Tal Farlow. I'm hoping it will warm you up, too.
I wonder whether anyone ever combined the sounds of jazz and country more beautifully than the late Canadian guitarist did on "Swingin' on a Seven String." I'm particularly smitten by his interpretation of "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." With Buddy Emmons backing Breau on steel guitar, the tune sounds like a Hawaiian country jazz lullaby. It's lovely. I'm also enthralled by Breau's version of "I Can't Help It If I'm Still in Love With You." The song is so gentle it sounds almost as if it's played in slow motion, but Breau packs it with intricate chord changes.
"Chance Meeting," a live album featuring Breau with jazz guitar legend Tal Farlow, is more straight-ahead jazz. The two guitarists playfully answer one another's runs on "I Love You," my favorite track on the album. Other highlights include "My Funny Valentine," "Cherokee" and "All the Things You Are." As I listen to them play, I'm reminded of some of the saxophone duets of Ben Webster and Coleman Hawkins in both tone and warmth.
"The Hallmark Sessions," Breau's first album, which was released just a few years ago, might be the best of all. Recorded in 1961, Breau is backed by Rick Danko and Levon Helm of The Band. Breau's play is raw but athletic. At times he even adds some flamenco flourishes to the jazz-based tunes.
Here's a clip of Breau with Tal Farlow. I'm hoping it will warm you up, too.
Cahl's Jukebox, 12-1-08
The daily mix:
1) Jack McDuff and Gene Ammons: "Christopher Columbus"
2) Etta James and Sugar Pie DeSanto: "Do I Make Myself Clear"
3) Joe Turner: "Midnight Special Train"
4) Tiny Grimes and His Rocking Highlanders: "Hey Now"
5) Blue Mitchell: "You Don't Miss Your Water"
6) Johnnie Adams: "From the Heart"
7) The Treniers: "Rocking on a Saturday Night"
8) Ruth Brown: "It's All for You"
9) Mable John: "Don't Get Caught"
10) Bobby Hackett: "Blues in My Heart"
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