CLASSIC SONGS: "CROSSROADS" REVISITED

I had originally posted this Stills medley because it was just too good not to share with y'all. But a coincidental performance by Eric Clapton on the same day I found this Stills take was too cool to pass up so what we have here is an appreciation of one of the signposts of blues rock, the Robert Johnson song "Crossroads". You can delve into the history of the song here and the strange legacy of the great Robert Johnson has been explored endlessly elsewhere but for today here are some fun stabs at this essential blues rave-up.

First, Robert Johnson's slightly looser version leads the column above. His other version (also from 1936) can be heard here.

Vintage Stills, this solo acoustic version of his medley of Robert Johnson's "Crossroads" and Chuck Berry's "You Can't Catch Me" is a very different take on the tune, uniquely Stillsian. Circa 1983 from TV's "Rock N Roll Tonight" show. See more of his set from this broadcast here featuring rare duo performances of Stills & Graham Nash.

Most of the electric versions here owe a huge debt to Creams's classic renditions of the song which we'll end the blog with. The version of "Crossroads" below is from Eric Clapton's recent set at Madison Square Garden for the 12/12/12 Sandy Relief concert. See more from his set here.

Here's one from jamband heroes Phish recorded live 12/29/97.

Before shredding was a musical term, the kings of shred. CREAM from the film Farewell Cream Filmed at their final concert at the Royal Albert Hall on November 26, 1968...

VIDEO: MIKE WATT + THE MISSINGMEN - COVER JIMI, WIRE, MINUTEMEN, ROKY, STOOGES, B.O.C.

Mike Watt + Missingmen on their recent "2nd heapin' helpin' of 3rd opera tour 2012"
have been performing Jimi Hendrix and Band of Gypsys' classic "MACHINE GUN" as part of their encores. Here's it is in a medley with Wire's "106 Beats That", Minutemen's "Glory of Man" both sung by Watson and "The Glory of Man" Blue Oyster Cult's "The Red & The Black" from October 6, 2012 & The Vaudeville Mews in Des Moines, IA.

Mike Watt: thud staff, vocals / Tom Watson: guitar / Raul Morales: drums...I'm not sure who the two guest guitarists are. Sorry. Nevertheless, crusher.


"START A BAND!!!" Word.

This below is cool too...from earlier in 2011 in Seattle with special guests Dave Grohl, Pat Smear  and Eddie Vedder all of whom were in Watt's band in 1997...slamming into Watt's "Big Train" and Iggy & The Stooges "Fun House"...

 also a taste of last week's gig in Pedro courtesy of Skipper Jeff.. first covers of Wire's "Three Girl Rhumba" and below that Roky Erickson's "Sweet Honey Pie"... Watt's got it covered.

121212 CONCERT for victims of SANDY - CLIPS

 

-- THIS VERSION OF THIS POST WHICH ORIGINALLY APPEARED HERE 12/13/12 NOW HAS UPDATED QUALITY AND/OR ADDED FULL VERSIONS OF MANY OF THE PREVIOUSLY POSTED VIDEOS AND HAS ALSO ADDED MANY FULL SONGS NOT PREVIOUSLY POSTED (this update posted 12/16/12)

The 121212 CONCERT for victims of Sandy was held last night with an amazing line-up of BIG NAME bands. If was broadcast for free across the web, in theaters across the country, on hundreds of TV and radio stations worldwide.

Here are some clips of highlights but don't forget, you can STILL donate money directly to the cause HERE at the 121212concert.org website

At top: Roger Waters performing "Comfortably Numb" with guest Eddie Vedder (full song, xlnt quality).

Full length versions HD versions of songs are now popping up available. Apologies for all of these lesser quality clips and partial versions but I thought I should get something up for those who missed it and who might be prompted to contribute. I will post updates here as they pop up on YouTube. If any of you have complete set or song links please forward them.

If you've got three hours here is a link to the part one of the complete broadcast or pick and choose some choice moments below. I'll post part two soon.

In the meantime, here are some clips to wet your whistle. Looks like quite an amazing night...performances by the Rolling Stones, Kanye West, Michael Stipe, Roger Waters with Eddie Vedder...Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Chris Martin, Eric Clapton, Chris Rock, Jon Stewart, Jimmy Fallon, Billy Crystal and many more...

"Born To Run" rocking for Jersey with The Boss and Jon Bon Jovi...(full song, good quality)

Paul McCartney and Nirvana reunion playing a new jam in the "Helter Skelter" mode called "Cut Me Some Slack" (full song, upgraded quality):

A retired Michael Stipe was asked by his buddy Chris Martin from Coldplay to chow up and sing one of R.E.M.'s biggest hits, "Losing My Religion"

Adam Sandler performs "Sandy, Screw Ya" with Paul Shaeffer to the tune of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" (full song):

Here's most of Billy Joel's version of "Movin' Out" (partial, marginal quality) and "River of Dreams"

The Who play "Pinball Wizard" (full song, updated quality):

The Rolling Stones "Jumpin' Jack Flash" (only the last half is here):

Eric Clapton performing first an acoustic "Nobody Knows You When You're Down & Out" and then a fierce electric "Got to Get better In A Little While" (both full songs in xlnt quality). Check out the post here for Eric's version of "Crossroads" from this concert as well.

Bon Jovi with The Boss guesting on "Who Says You Can't Go Home" (marginal quality):

also above Bon Jovi "Living On A Prayer"

Alicia Keys leads the finale "Empire State of Mind": (marginal sound quality):

and I'm just sayin' she needs to play Lena Horne in a biopic...

TRIBUTE TO STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN

Just feeling it just might be time for some end of the year blues. Here's an inspired, nearly 80 minute interview and live music tribute to the great Stevie Ray Vaughan. Stevie's band Double Trouble, brother Jimmie Vaughan and special guests Bonnie Raitt, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, Dr. John and Art Neville all put it out there for Stevie. Great renditions of some of SRV's signature tunes and some archival footage from the Austin City Limits 1996 special. 

     

And while were at it, here the sweet 93+ minutes of Stevie Ray Vaughan at the Montreux Jazz Festival.  A force of nature...

A LITTLE JAZZ FOR YOUR HOLIDAY STOCKING

First of a series of weekly holiday music posts this season...here are some jazz favorites of mine...Dave Brubeck, Dexter Gordon, Louis Armstrong, Bob Dorough & Miles Davis, Duke Pearson and Vince Guaraldi. What are your favorite holiday jazz tracks?