Koko Taylor is one of the reasons why I like the blues.
Koko Taylor was an American Chicago blues musician, known primarily for her rough, powerful vocals and her traditional blues style.
Over the course of her career that ran near 50 years, she sang with the likes of Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Willie Dixon, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Robert Plant and every other imaginable legend as well as being a major influence to other female blues singers such as Bonnie Raitt and Janis Joplin.
On this track "I'm A Woman" Koko Taylor shows us how it's done and there is no dispute why she is the undisputed "Queen of the Blues".
The first time I heard 'Duquesne Whistle' it caught my ear. I loved the boppin' jazzy blues groove and that infectious gritty vocal which reminded me of Tom Waits and Arlo Guthrie.
What I was listening to was Bob Dylan's 'Duquesne Whistle', the opening track on his latest album 'Tempest', his 35th studio album. Wow, fifty years after the release of his first album, one can see why Bob Dylan has remained one of the most influential rock & roll musician.
I am not particular fond of this video but I just can’t get enough of this song; I need to play it over and over. This is definitely my favourite track for the month. Fantastic!
Godfather of Blues, John Lee Hooker was a singer-songwriter and blues guitarist. He was born in Mississippi in 1917, left home at fifteen, went on to work in Memphis, Tennessee and ended up in Detroit, Michigan in 1943 where his popularity grew quickly when his recording career began.
John Lee Hooker was known for his trademark 'talking blues' style, incorporating the boogie-woogie piano and the use of his electric guitar bringing together the Delta blues with the post-war electric blues. John Lee Hooker recorded hundreds of singles and albums over the years. Two of his hit songs, 'Boogie Chillen' released in 1948 and 'Boom Boom' in 1961 are both named in the list of 'The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll'.
John Lee Hooker's single 'Mr. Lucky' was originally released in 1967 on Bluesway Records a track recorded for his album 'Urban Blues'. Hooker released another version of ‘Mr. Lucky’ with Robert Cray in 1991 for the title track of his album ‘Mr. Lucky’. This album has some of the biggest names in modern blues and rock making appearances; Ry Cooder, Carlos Santana, Johnny Winter, Albert Collins, John Hammond, Van Morrison, Keith Richards and Robert Cray.
This is a great live recording of 'Mr. Lucky' performed by John Lee Hooker with Robert Cray.
They call me, Mr. Lucky
Bad luck don't follow me
They call me, Mr. Lucky
Bad luck don't follow me
Everything I touches turn to gold
That mean I can't do no wrong
I woke early one mornin'
Mr. Lucky, standin' by my bed
I woke early one mornin'
Mr. Lucky, standin' by my bed
I listened to him real closely
This is what he said
You was born for good luck, Johnny
Bad luck can't do you no harm
You was born for good luck
Bad luck can't do you no harm
I guarantee you'll never go wrong
That's why they call me, Mr. Lucky
Bad luck don't follow me
That's why they call me, Mr. Lucky
Bad luck don't follow me
Everything I touches turn to gold
I never felt misery
Another great version of 'Mr. Lucky' that I truly enjoy, appears on the album 'Strictly Whatever' recorded by Canadian guitar masters, Harry Manx and Kevin Breit. Worth checking out!
American jazz singer Sarah Vaughan recorded "Whatever Lola Wants” back in the 50’s. What makes this version so special is that it has been remixed by Gotan Project who distinctly gives it their unique signature sound with sultry tango beats and the incorporation of the rustic romantic accordions.
Gotan Project is a musical group based in Paris, France consisting of musicians Philippe Cohen Solal of France, Eduardo Makaroff of Argentina and Christoph H. Müller of Switzerland.This Gotan Project Remix of Sarah Vaughan's "Whatever Lola Wants" appears on the Verve Remixed 2 compilation released in 2003 on Verve Records.
"Whatever Lola Wants" is a popular song that was written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross for the 1955 Broadway musical Damn Yankees. The song is performed by ‘Lola’, who plays the role of the Devil's assistant, a role performed by Gwen Verdon who also stars in the role for the musical film "Damn Yankees" that was released in 1958.
"Whatever Lola Wants, Lola gets" has been recorded by many artists through the years among them; Petula Clark, Ella Fitzgerald, Eartha Kitt, Mel Tormé and Sarah Vaughan.
"Whatever Lola Wants" is also the title of a light romantic comedy film, released in 2007. The movie directed by French Moroccan Nabil Ayouch and stars Laura Ramsey who plays the title role of 'Lola'. The movie is about a young woman who dreams of being a dancer but has to work as a New York City postal worker to make ends meet. Lola decides to travels to Cairo to find and reconcile with her recent boyfriend but ends up pursuing a passion for belly dancing and finds 'Ismahan' a legendary Egyptian dancer played by Carmen Lebbos to be her instructor.
A year ago this week, we unfortunately lost one of the most powerful female singers of our time. On 23rd of July 2011 soul-jazz singer Amy Winehouse passed away at only 27 years old. Her unique deep contralto vocals and her eclectic style will forever be remembered.
This performance of "Wake Up Alone" is an excerpt of her "I Told You I Was Trouble" DVD recorded live at London's Shepherds Bush Empire in London, England in 2007. There is an intimate moment during her performance where she lips "I love you" to her then husband up in the balcony.
In the middle of the Rolling Stones American Tour 1981, the Rolling Stones arrived in Chicago on November 22nd before having to play 3 nights in Rosemont Illinois. The band paid a visit at the Checkerboard Lounge to see the legendary bluesman Muddy Waters perform.
It didn’t t take long before Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Ian Stewart were joining in on stage and shortly later Buddy Guy, Junior Wells and Lefty Dizz also played their part. It was a unique occasion that was fortunately captured on camera. This amazing blues night has recently been released in an official DVD release, restored from the original footage and with sound mixed and mastered.
The Rolling Stones were highly influenced by the Chicago blues, the group's name actually comes from one of Muddy Waters songs.
Muddy Waters & The Rolling Stones - Baby Please Don't Go
Also check out Muddy Waters & The Rolling Stones perform Mannish Boy and Champagne & Reefer recorded live on the same night at the Checkerboard Lounge.
This past Saturday the staff from La Fromagerie Atwater and other vendors of Montreal’s Atwater Market conglomerated to enjoy a cold ale after a busy day of work. The atmosphere was quite pleasant with the funky rhythmic beats of Talking Heads being played at the Satay Brothers stand as they were closing down. David Byrne singing "Take me to the river" got some of us talking and reminiscing about bands that we saw live.
Yes, I did see Talking Heads live and it was quite a memorable experience.
I remember my partner Chris and I, driving down the 401 in his 1964 Chevy pick-up truck to attend one of the biggest outdoor New Wave music concerts of the summer - Heatwave Festival held at Mosport Park on August 23, 1980. Heatwave live performances included Teenage Head, The Pretenders, The B-52's, Talking Heads, Elvis Costello and the Attractions among others. Although The Clash who was also booked to play at the festival cancelled at the last minute, the line-up for the day did not disappoint. Though Heatwave was over 30 years ago, there are numerous songs and moments that will forever remain with me.
What is one of your favourite or memorable live performances?
The Mavericks is a country music band from Miami, Florida. This hot single is taken from their 1998 album "Trampoline". This track just lifts my spirits up and gets me movin' and I can’t help but want to "Dance The Night Away".
This electronic jazzy house groove has become one of my favourites over the past years. The infectious latin beat, beautiful melody and French style accordion riff transport me to another world. I love it!
Café De Flore was released as a single in 2000, it can also be found on Doctor Rockit's albums; Indoor Fireworks and The Unnecessary History Of Doctor Rockit . The original version of Café De Flore is quite beautiful but it's the Charles Webster Latin Lover Mix that I prefer. Charles Webster's remix version is also available on the Hotel Costes compilation Best of Costes.
Doctor Rockit is British born Matthew Herbert, he is also known as Herbert, Radio Boy, Transformer and Wishmountain.
John Cleese and Michael Palin of Monty Python performing TheCheese Shop sketch taken from Monty Python's Flying Circus.
I always have a laugh when I hear this skit.
Here is the list of the forty four cheeses mentioned in their routine: Red Leicester, Tilsit, Caerphilly, Bel Paese, Red Windsor, Stilton, Gruyère, Emmental, Norwegian Jarlsberg, Liptauer, Lancashire, White Stilton, Danish Blue, Double Gloucester, Cheshire, Dorset Blue Vinney, Brie, Roquefort, Pont l'Evêque, Port Salut, Savoyard, Saint-Paulin, Carré de l'Est, Boursin, Bresse-Bleu, Perle de Champagne, Camembert, Gouda, Edam, Caithness, Smoked Austrian, Sage Derby, Wensleydale, Greek Feta, Gorgonzola, Parmesan, Mozzarella, Pipo Crem', Fynbo, Czechoslovakian sheep's milk cheese, Venezuelan Beaver Cheese, Cheddar, Ilchester, Limburger.
This finger pickin' guitar ditty keeps you hoppin' and boppin'. Duane Eddy, the king of the twangy guitar at 73 years old still has it. I just can't get enough of it.
Twango can be found on Duane Eddy's album "Road Trip".
Maeve MacKinnon is an award winning Gaelic folk singer from Glasgow, she has become one of the leading Scottish traditional musicians of her generation. Maeve's stunning voice will capture your attention on her rendition of "Woke Up This Morning". Check out this excellent live version backed by The Gospel Truth Choir performed live at Celtic Connections 2010 “Scottish Songbook" concert at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.
The original version by Alabama 3 was best known as the opening theme song for The Sopranos TV series.
