The Futures -- "Love Lives On A Windy Hill"

Since spring is here, and I feel its energy all around me, I am posting the song that always reminds me of spring -- no matter how gloomy a day may be.

Have a happy day everyone!

Jack Burton Trio live

My chief music scout took me out to the Luna Lounge again, and like always, he knew exactly what he was doing. Jack Burton and his band were fantastic. So were the two Skylarks I had.

Unfortunately, my own video turned out to be less than perfect (way less), and so I am posting a Youtube clip of one of their performances. Their repertoire ranges from 60's and 70's soul to jazzy contemporary pieces with a jazzy feel written by Jack Burton himself. The musicians are first rate, and Jack's lovely wife, without a doubt, can sing quite well.

It didn't take long before the dance floor became crowded, and people were dancing in their seats or at the table. If the Jack Burton Trio is anywhere near you, you need to check them out. You will not regret it. Your old Raggedy was totally smitten with the horn section ...

I begin to believe that good old Austin, Texas really  has some of the very best musicians to offer.
If you want to know more about this "trio," please visit its website 

Enjoy a taste of what Jack Burton calls "Austin Soul." I love it!

"Book of Memories"

How ya'll doing?

I am still/again busy doing all the things that need to be done (well, and also doing things that I really don't have to do). Anyway, I was on the road with Bo (Theo's successor in terms of cars) when Clyde McPhatter's "Book of Memories" came up. And, all I can say is that I forgot the crazy blockheads on the road, and that nerve-wrecking stop and go traffic did not bother me anymore. I listened to the soothing music, the perfect background harmonizing, and Clyde McPhatter's, for the lack of a better expression, heart-felt singing and the world seemed to have stopped its routine spin for some four minutes ...

When I came home, I immediately played Percy Wiggins's version which I love even more. The instrumentation on his recording is less pompous, allowing the deep southern soul feel to "run free'" so to speak.

Alright!

Roy Hamilton -- "Hurt"

This is a song I absolutely love. I guess my favorite rendition of it is by Timi Yuro, but Roy Hamilton's take on this gem is a close runner up.




There's a very good "live" version by Timi from 1965 on youtube.

 Timi Yuro live in 65, "I'm So Hurt"

George Jackson -- "Macking On You"

Alright. I had to look the meaning of "macking someome" up. Never heard the expression before. Just in case you didn't know, it means flirting heavily just to attract someone's attention and eventually ending up with another score in the sex encounter department ...

There's nothing like a perfect horn section and a hammond organ sound  floating about. I love this song.

David Sea -- "Distant Lover"

And here's more of David Sea's fantastic singing. He is unbelievable!

" ... there's a warm wind blowing"

 Yesterday,  the line from "I Can See Clearly Now" came to mind when I saw the clear blue sky. Today it was the balmy air greeting me when I opened the patio door that reminded me of another song. Does this happen to you too?

The moment I felt the warm wind on my face, it was there: "There's a warm wind blowing ..." This time, though, it took me only a few seconds to name the song to which the line belongs. It is David Sea's "Really Wanna See You Tonight."

The song I have on file is a little different from the youtube clip's version. But it is the same song, nevertheless.

So, if you live in a place where it is cold and dreary right now, just close your eyes and let the imaginary warm wind blow in your face ...

Enjoy one of the truly great soulful voices.

"... gonna be a bright, bright sunshiny day"

Goodness! The new year is already in full bloom, and I have not even posted a "Happy New Year" to you all. Anyway, I hope this post finds everyone in good health and perfectly happy.

When I opened the blinds this morning, the line from a song popped up in my mind. At first, I couldn't think of the song, but I kept humming along. "It's gonna be a bright, bright sunshiny day ..." Of course you know what song it was. Say about Texas what you want. But the blue sky is unbeatable, and it clears -- cleanses -- my head of any pesky thought that might cloud my view of the world.

Life is good for me, and if I could, I would let everyone feel the same at this very moment.

Merry Christmas!

WISHING YOU ALL A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS WITH PEACE IN YOUR  HEARTS AND HOMES.

The Futures -- "Love Lives On A Windy Hill"

Just posting this title because I love it to pieces. Enjoy!

Al Wilson -- "The Snake" (rare video footage)

Johnnie Taylor -- "A Fool Like Me"

Hubby and I spent a one-day weekend between two of his trips together. As we often do, we listened to classical music. We both love the baroque era -- and alas -- we ended up discussing the state of music in general. We agreed that nothing beats a skillful orchestration, traditional instruments, and a  melody that sticks ...
And this afternoon, I was reminded of our dinner conversation, when JT's "A Fool Like Me" started  playing. I just love this song, and it never fails to have me pause from what I'm doing, turn up the volume -- and enjoy life more intensely for as long as the song lasts.

The Temptations - Silent Night (A Temptations Montage) Gordy Records 1980

The highlight of each year's Christmas season ... I just love the Tempts singing the most beautiful Christmas song.

"If I GAve You My Heart" The Temptations

"If I gave You My Heart" from The Temptations' Phoenix Rising album (Motown, 1998) is currently on repeat in my car. I think it is the best album post the original Tempts ...

It is Bo's (after which I have named my new car) debut with the Tempts. 


Have a wonderful 3rd Advent weekend!

In Memory of the Victims of the Paris Terror Attack on Nov. 13, 2015

 

Never would I have imagined I would post the Marseillaise today. I was quite happy today -- out shopping and actually finding what I've been looking for. But how fast happiness can be wiped out, I realized when I sat down at home with a cup of coffee and checked the news.

What an unbelievably barbaric act these uncivilized murderers committed in Paris! I hope and I pray that there will be no mercy shown to anyone involved in committing this atrocious massacre.

My sincere sympathy goes out to the families of the victims, and I hope that all who have been injured will fully recover.

If the French people still believe in the Marseillaise, the terrorists will face some ferocious consequences.

"Papa Was A Rolling Stone" -- Some Fails and The Real Deal

Okay, so the chief music scout and I were watching Seal live in New York City ... What a let down. The man has a great voice but no stage presence whatsoever ... In short, he is lame. We gave him a last chance to redeem himself with a classic: The Temptations' "Papa Was A Rolling Stone." And, what can I say? No pep, no energy, no soul whatsoever. Argh! The music lacked in depth and energy and Seal was just not cutting it. His voice simply lacks in depths and flexibility.



Alright, then we switched to Phil Collins -- which seemed to be a good choice at first. When he started singing, though, we quit, and I had to listen to the original to make things right again.




And now the real stuff ... never mind the pink suits. These guys knew how this song was supposed to sound and "feel."


Yesssss ... nobody does it better!

To sum things up: no matter who you think you are and what you can do -- never ever try to handle on your own a song that was written for a group that consisted of five of the the very best voices.  Any attempt to go solo on such a song will end in a disaster. Such a song needs the different voices and the perfect harmonizing of them ... It's not just a ready-to-wear item -- just as the pink suits weren't.

Temptations forever!

Shotgun & The Dynamitos -- Don't Put Off Today

Enjoy!



Shotgun & The Dynamitos -- Don't Put Off Today

In Gratitude To Our Veterans

Not to Keep
Robert Frost (1917)
They sent him back to her. The letter came Saying... And she could have him. And before She could be sure there was no hidden ill Under the formal writing, he was in her sight, Living. They gave him back to her alive— How else? They are not known to send the dead— And not disfigured visibly. His face? His hands? She had to look, and ask, “What was it, dear?” And she had given all And still she had all—they had—they the lucky! Wasn’t she glad now? Everything seemed won, And all the rest for them permissible ease. She had to ask, “What was it, dear?”                                                      “Enough, Yet not enough. A bullet through and through, High in the breast. Nothing but what good care And medicine and rest, and you a week, Can cure me of to go again.” The same Grim giving to do over for them both. She dared no more than ask him with her eyes How was it with him for a second trial. And with his eyes he asked her not to ask. They had given him back to her, but not to keep.

Robert Cray at The Jo Long Theater, November 7, 2015

Robert Cray and his band were amazing. I loved each minute of the concert: simply phenomenal.
Robert Cray's guitar just cleared the atmosphere of anything that might have bothered me before  attendending the show.

He is blessed not only with an extraordinary talent as a musician but also as a singer, which makes for a unique blend of soul and blues. If he and his band is somewhere near you, you definitely have to go and see them.



Sorry, videos where not allowed ... So no pics or clips.