Galactic

Another perspective into the pleasantly diverse New Orleans music scene, this time through a contemporary lens. This is a promo for the new Galactic album Ya-Ka-May.

New Orleans

Expect my next few posts to be New Orleans related as I have recently attained a newfound respect, curiosity and appreciation for the music and culture of New Orleans (Thanks in full to David Simon's new HBO series "Treme"). This video encompasses all that it is to be a musician from New Orleans. Dr. John, The Meters, and Professor Longhair playing Earl King's composition and a universally recognized anthem of New Orleans, "Big Chief".

Fleet Foxes

If you're not aware of the Fleet Foxes yet the only explanation is that you've been living on Mars in a cave with your fingers in your ears for the past couple of years. Their thick vocal harmonies and warm melodies muster up images of forests, nymphs, elves and other LOTResque mythical creatures. What better way to capture the magic of this band than to watch two swedish girls sing one of their songs in the woods.

Derek

As arguably the best slide guitarist in the world, no words can do justice to the gift that Derek Trucks was endowed with from a very young age. I've seen him play multiple times and have been blown away every time by his ability to what John Mayer refers to as making "his guitar sound like a female singer from the 50's or 60's just belting it out."

Covers

I've been thoroughly schooled in the diversity of truly great Beatles covers in the last 24 hours. You be the one to judge whether or not these are better than the original. Let me know if there are any good ones out there that I missed.

Credit goes to Micah Dubinsky



Credit goes to Dmitri Cherniak

I need a translator

I thought long and hard before posting this about whether or not there exists any Beatles' covers that surpass the original. This is the only one that came to mind. If you can think of any others please comment and let me know. Joe Cocker is one of my top four white/male singers along with Robert Plant, Jeff Buckley and Freddy Mercury. It sounds like he just ate a carton of cigarettes but it works magnificently. Enjoy.

Joe Cocker (Live Woodstock 1969) from David Lee on Vimeo.

J-Noz

I don't know if this will compromise my integrity as a blogger or if it's a breach of music blogging etiquette but I'd like to imagine that even if I didn't know the guys in this band, they have such a great sound I'd be compelled to put it up anyways. I have seen this band grow from being an infant into the full blown force it is today. Getting the chance to see friends play on Letterman was a rush and I can't express how proud I am of these guys. If you didn't catch it last night here's your chance. And trust me, Letterman was just the beginning for these four...by the way, that's Paul Shaffer playing B3 organ with them.

And Now for Something Completely Different

I had the chance to see Bela Fleck and Jerry Douglas play with the Bluegrass allstars at Bonnarro 2008. I was turned onto Bluegrass on the ride down to the festival by two of my southern music loving contemporaries who forced me to listen to artists like Jerry Rice, Bill Monroe and Earl Scruggs on our 15 hour journey to Tennesse, and aren't I glad they did. The allstars set had me picking bits of my brain up off the floor and converted me to a full fledged bluegrass fan. The players were undoubtedly some of the best and most prolific at their instruments. How often to you see all the best people in the world at one particular thing get together to show off. Here's a video of Bela and Jerry playing "Alabama Jubilee" with the great Chet Atkins.

That Lucky Old Sun

I discovered this song a while ago after coming across a video of New Orleans singer/guitarist Snooks Eaglin walking Meters' bassist George Porter through a song entitled "Life in the Middle" somewhat unsuccessfully. I searched everywhere for the song to find out who originally wrote it with no luck until noticing a youtube comment that referred to it as "That Lucky Old Sun". After typing that name into the search bar I was bombarded with renditions of the tune by artists that were perfect for loveofmuzik: Aretha Frnaklin, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Jerry Lee Lewis to name a few. It is evidently one of those classic soul songs that everyone wanted a piece of. Here's the video that originally turned me onto the song as well as a link to the Ray Charles' version because the embedding was disabled. Hope you like it as much as I do.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4fwFcJYwao

The Wood Brothers

Man these guys kill me. As one of the most talented brotherhoods in music, their vocal harmonies and soulful southern feel take care of you just like mama used to. Oliver's spirited voice and Chris of MMW's multifaceted bass playing make a hell of a duo. Check out the album "Loaded". It's the first album I've heard in a long time with a full track list of brilliant songs. Go in with high expectations...I dare you.

Nothing from Nothing

There's one reason people come to this blog and that's to hear good music. Keeping with that trend, this song will put a smile on your face from to ear to ear. You know why? Cuz it's a great f*&^%$# song.

In Repair

This is by far the coolest window into an artists writing process I've ever seen. I've always wished there was more footage of bands/artists in the studio writing, tracking, fixing and transforming songs. As an artist myself I'm no stranger to the creative process generated in the studio. It's a laboratory for experimenting with sounds, feels, mixes, effects, tempos, etc... I'm glad (and not surprised) that John Mayer of all people has given the public the opportunity to see into what life is like as a musician with the ability to do whatever you want. If I had John Mayer's status/money I'd be jamming with Steve Jordan and Charlie Hunter everyday.

Red Baron

This track was introduced to me by my ever so funky pal and long time contributor to the mid-town Toronto jam scene, Justin Binder. It features a young John Scofield and one of my personal favourite drummers Billy Cobham who I had the pleasure of seeing in New York several years ago with Sylvain Luc and Victor Bailey. Labeling that show "monumental" would be an understatement. Hold on to your hats folks.