Music Discoveries and Recommendations

[Garth Osborn]

I thought it might be interesting to start a thread about music in general and blues in particular. What other COBS members are listening to and enjoying.

My first recent discovery is a 2005 CD by Robin Trower called Another Days Blues. Trower is an amazing blues player. And the vocals by Davey Pattison are quite reminiscent of the late, great James Dewar, who played bass and sang with Trower for many years. There is really only one song on the CD that has that real Hendrixy-vibe that permeated Bridge of Sighs. Trower's phrasing and tone are incredible. A real treat for any blues fan.

[BoogieKing Steve]

The cute bass player with Jeff Beck is Tal Wilkenfeld (I think that's right) and she is a 21 YO (or so) Australian. Looking at her on the PBS broadcast I thought she looked 15...and I felt the camera spent an inordinate amount of time on her...BUT...then she was captivating! She has a CD out...jazz/funk is my guess. Check her out on MySpace...there you can hear her tunes.

Steve

[Garth Osborn]

Derek Trucks doesn't have a lot of stage presence. He stands there and plays. And I don't have a problem with that because of the nature of what he does. I was mistaken about the song Anyday...it's from the Derek and The Dominos album. It just sounded so Allmanish that I thought it was a ABB tune.

Yeah, there are a lot of great guitarists that either didn't get an invite or couldn't free up the time to appear. All in all, I was pretty satisfied, except for the inclusion of Willie Nelson. That one puzzles me.

Yeah, Jeff Beck's bassist looked like she was 15 or 16. It didn't take long for her to make a believer out of me, though. I love seeing young people who are great players.

One thing I enjoy is the different techniques of all the guitarists. There's really no right way or wrong way to play the instrument. The end result is what's important.

Yeah, I thought Susan Tedeschi can do better than she did. She shoulda played her Telecaster to cut thru the mix a bit more.

For some reason, I just feel that Derek Trucks' incredible touch and phrasing are unmatched. We all have our likes and dislikes, but the way he plays touches me in the same deep place that Duane Allman did. It's uncanny, really. I like Trucks better than even Warren Haynes, who is amazing in his own right. In fact, I'm gonna go watch the Derek Trucks portion again. It blows my mind.
Garth

[BoogieKing Steve]

In seeing the PBS broadcast I thought Derek flat out stole the show guitar wise...I thought he was tremendous. Like Slim...I wish he would smile, wrinkle is nose or sweat some. My favorite song of the night was Stevie Winwood's Dear Mr. Fantasy. I was just pleased to see a "neat" broadcast in Hi-Def wide screen...that made it awesome also.

Tal played some great bass...no doubt about it!

I will post a Derek Trucks picture that I took on February 14, 2005. My lovely wife was also the recipient of Dereks's play list...and it's full color art work! ;-)

Steve

[Bruce C.Fremont]

Garth, Your comment on Jeff Beck. Well I saw him about two years ago at Konocti Resort in Lake County CA. He opened for BB King. "''Should I mention that I played Konocti for both milinium shows 2000, 2001" Sorry couldn't resist. Anyway Beck just kicked arse. I have been a Beck fan for ever. He has been very influential to me over the years. Though it aint' Blues that man plays that guitar like a 4-10-4 articulated steam engine at full throttle on a down grade. His wammey bar work coupled with his scales, key changes, and masterful fretboard work is something to behold. If anyone gets a chance to see him live go do it. He only played for an hour but man what an hour that was. BB King was cool but Beck owned that night.

[Cliff]

I only saw Beck once - in Germany about '73 or so. Beck, Bogart and Appice!!!! What a trio!!

[Garth Osborn]

The first concert I ever went to when I was about 15...was Jeff Beck opening (can you believe this) for the band Argent, who had a huge hit at that time with "Hold Your Head Up." This was in Colorado Springs in 1972. Beck had just released the album with the orange on it...Max Middleton on piano, Benmont Tench singing (he plays keys with Tom Petty's band), Cozy Powell on drums...kind of a jazz ensemble, but wow! Halfway thru Beck's set, the PA system started howling. The band left the stage and JB sat on a stool and played slide on a Tele for about 10 minutes while the techs fixed the PA. I was stunned, especially since I had never heard of him. Okay, I admit it...I was there to see Argent. JB owned that night as well.

Well, Cheech and Chong opened for JB's band...what a night.

[Cliff]

I saw C&C once, too! At a place in Miami, FL - Coconut Grove - 75-ish. The props on stage were to folding chairs. What a riot!!

[mojohand]

So much good stuff out there- it's hard to keep up. I have been listeing to a pair of discs by Dion, yes, THAT Dion. Bronx in Blue came out in '05 and Son of Skip James last year. Great stuff, perfect for Sunday morning, acoutstic but fun.

Also, Ton- ton Macoute by Johnny Jenkins- what astory this guy was. He led a band that included Otis Redding. This was recorded in '72 at Muscle shoals and the guitar player was the house guitarast there, one Duane Allman. great version of Dr. John's " Walk on Guilded Splinters" along with some great covers. This is seriosly good stuff.

Also Diggin' new releases by KoKo Taylor (Old School) and my old homie from Sonoma county, Eric Lindell. And, even if it is not blues in the truest sense, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings are awesome!!

[Cliff]

Guitar Mac and His Blues Express!!!! I like his "flamboyance" in dress and he has a nice "feel" for da blooz! Very nice guy (a bit overboard in the sales department at festivals), but overall - like him. Listening to "Sizzle" right now!Tab Benoit - saw him w/Jimmy Thackery (Whiskey Store Tour) what an awesome duo!!!! And "Sea Saint Sessions" and "The Blues are all Mine"!!! Wunderkind!!!

[BoogieKing Steve]

mojo...that Sharon Jones CD is quite nice...the 100 Day 100 Nights tune is a favorite of mine. Like you I also have enjoyed the Dion CD...one of the strange things that happens in the record business...they chose Dust My Broom to push on the radio stations...and then did not include it on the CD. It was available by download for free!

I keep repeating myself on this CD...but Muarizio Pugno and Sugar Ray Norcia "That's What I Founf Out" has to have been one of the BEST 2007 releases. Look for samples on Maurizio's MySpace page. Great stuff!

Steve

[Barbara Ann Storrier]

Steve, I'm not coming up with anything for Muarizio Pugno on myspace ... got a link?

[Barbara Ann Storrier]

I found the links you posted earlier in this thread ... I missed them previously. Thanks!