Just when the world seems to be falling down a hole, along comes a new single from Al Green (and maybe an album soon?). He still has a voice to lift your spirits.
Good news
Gladys Knight Farewell Tour
Venue:
Bristol Beacon
Date: 08/07/2024
As every right thinking person knows … Midnight Train To Georgia is the greatest single ever. That, of course, was the closing song of an astonishing performance from Gladys Knight – now 80 years old! Her voice remains powerful and clear although she’s not moving so well now. No Pips anymore but a trio of women singing backing vocals. Bass, guitar, percussion, drums (to my ears too loud) and two keyboard players. All excellently done and that voice sailing over it all. I’m really pleased I went. Expected to be a bit disappointed – lots of ballads, voice a bit gone – but far from it. A joyous experience.
The audience:
Happy
It made me think..
I’m happy – and that’s all you really want!
Spooner
Article on BBC website about Sharleen Spiteri making an album with Spooner Oldham at Muscle Shoals. I’ve got 2 related stories: 1. About 10 years ago we visited the Eden Project on a very wet day. Waiting for the bus to go back to the car park I chatted to the American couple waiting with us. I asked them where they were from and they insisted I wouldn’t have heard of the place. It was Muscle Shoals and they had lived there about 25 years. They had no idea of its musical connections!!!! 2. Went to see Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham in Bristol. My partner went outside for a smoke and met Mrs Oldham doing the same thing. Had a long conversation. Mrs Oldham is a chiropractor and says she spends all her time telling Spooner to sit up straight. Anyone else got any pointless stories related to Muscle Shoals?
Roger Hawkins RIP
Roger Hawkins – Muscle Shoals drummer – has died at 75. One of the Swampers he played with almost anyone you could think of. Whenever he was asked his secret he would say that he was a better listener than he was a player. That’s not a bad way for anyone to be!
Curious
I’ve never taken much notice of conspiracy theories but ………
I had my first Covid vaccination yesterday afternoon.
This morning I got an email from
Gates.Bill@microsoft.com
I haven’t bought any gates so I was a bit puzzled
It read:
Congratulations on having your first Covid vaccination and participating in our VACC-TRAK programme.
Here is your first monitoring report.
1. You should get up earlier
2. The roast lamb you had yesterday was very popular with your taste receptors. Please send us the recipe.
3. These are trying times for everyone but there is no need for that sort of language.
Yours observantly VACC-TRAK
Should I be worried?
The Man Who Wrote The Best Song
Jim Weatherly has died. The man who wrote the best song ever. If you have any doubts about that claim have a proper listen to his words and then put them in the context of:- That drum fill intro; the riff with the horns underneath; the sultry way that Gladys sings ‘L.A.’ And that’s just the first 15 seconds. It continues with the incisive interjections of the Pips, sumptuous string arrangements and delightful dynamics. There’s also the guessing game of where exactly the “Woo Woo” comes in and finally a properly funky outdo. Of course it’s all about the production and the performance but without Jim Weatherly there wouldn’t have been the best song ever. Well done Jim. R.I.P.
Don Bryant
Don Bryant has a new album. Buy it! This is from a year ago. I think he’s about 77 or 78. The band (The Bo-Keys) are tremendous. It is a thing of joy and wonder. Only one question – how do I get there?
Can anyone help?
Bit of a long shot but does anyone know of a musical instrument repairer who is operating during the lockdown? Specifically I’m looking for someone who repairs keyboards. Mine is damaged – I think beyond repair – and I can’t make an insurance claim without a repair estimate or something to say it cant be done. I’m hoping someone can do that from photographs of the damage. I know you’ll want to know the sad story. I arranged a ‘street band’s to play and sing a couple of uplifting songs after the clapping for carers last night. It was a great success with almost everyone in the street joining in. While I was packing everything away the keyboard fell of its stand on to the kerb. Quite a lot of keys are smashed and there are other dents and deformities. For those of you who know about these things it’s a Nord Stage. I am bereft! Any help in finding a repairer would be much appreciated.
Geraint Watkins and band
Venue:
Hen and Chicken, Bristol
Date: 26/11/2019
I posted on a Blogger Takeover thread about Geraint Watkins most recent album ‘Rush of Blood’ – a wonderful thing, full of invention and romance. This gig, with a small and hugely talented band, was an absolute delight. Singing and piano playing from Geraint of the highest quality featuring new and old original material and impeccably reworked covers. The band playing only whats needed and nothing more. And he’s very funny!
The audience:
The band are not in the first flush of youth and neither were the audience!
It made me think..
Anybody who hasn’t heard Geraint’s music really should. Try the videos on his facebook page.
R.I.P. Reggie
Reggie Young has died
Right now
I hope you’re doing what I’m doing now. Watching Aretha’s funeral streaming on YouTube. It’s been going on for hours It’s emotionally powerful It’s religiously powerful It’s politically powerful Extraordinary people celebrating an extraordinary woman.
Boz Blues
Boz Scaggs new album Out Of The Blues is very good I think. Mind you I’ve only listened to it once.
Sublime
Probably been on here before but I don’t think I’d heard it before tonight. Randy Newman and Valerie Carter sing Sailin’Shoes. Better than the original?
https://youtu.be/RTd9-XX2xal
Pick one
So we take it for granted that Irma Thomas is a great singer. (See Jorrox’s post below). The question is – which of these two albums is best? Simply Grand – great songs and extraordinary accompanying fro exceptional pianists. Crystal clear production from Scott Billington. Or My Hearts in Memphis – of course good songs and Dan Penn production – superb horns and that Memphis bottom end. In my mind the second one edges it – she’s so comfortable in that context. The ending of Zero Willpower says it all. If you haven’t heard either of these – why not?
Just Because ….
The big question is – what is the best version of Old Shep? On YouTube:- Elvis is schmaltzy Johnny Cash leaves out the bit with the gun Rambling Jack Elliott rambles around the tune. It has to be Red Foley. Any other contenders?
Go Go Juice
Jon Cleary’s new album. Can’t manage to compose a review or post clips. Just buy it. It’s rhythm-tastic.
