Musical Musings Blog 2... The Infinite Musical Continuum

  This week's Sunday Special.  From May 23rd, 1975, here is jazz flautist Herbie Mann on "The Midnight Special" with a tune called "Hi Jack".  

  From January 5th, 1980, here are The Allman Brothers Band playing The Capitol Theater in Passaic, New Jersey, with their classic rendition of T Bone Walker's "Stormy Monday".  The band lineup in this era included Gregg Allman on Hammond organ and vocals, Dickey Betts and "Dangerous" Dan Toler on guitars, Jim Essery on blues harp harmonica, David "Rook" Goldflies on bass, and both Butch Trucks and Jaimoe on drums.    

  From their 2017 record "BCC IV" here is rock supergroup Black Country Communion with the tune "Wanderlust".  The band features Glenn Hughes on bass and lead vocals, Joe Bonamassa on lead guitar and backing vocals, Derek Sherinian on keyboards, and Jason Bonham (son of Led Zeppelin's drummer, the late, great John Bonham), on drums.

Andy Williams was an American jazz-tinged crooner whose soft baritone placed him among the greats of easy listening. Born in 1927 in Iowa, he begins his career in his teens, first with The Williams Brothers, later as a solo artist. He has sold more than 45 million records worldwide. His greatest hits include Moon River, Butterfly, Music to Watch Girls By, Can’t Get Used to Losing You and the Christmas classic It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. This performance comes from Dutch TV program Andy Williams voor Unicef, recorded on September 20, 1974.

  From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack. December 18, 1999, Birdland. David Liebman, Michael Brecker, Joe Lovano, saxophones; Phil Markowitz, piano; Rufus Reid, bass and Billy Hart on Drums. All Blues (Davis)

  From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack. From their Live at Montreux, 1971 performance of the Chick Corea tune "Captain Marvel" here are Stan Getz on tenor saxophone, Chick Corea on Rhodes electric piano, Stanley Clarke on double bass, and Tony Williams on drums.  

  This week's Sunday Special.  From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack. December 18, 1999, All Blues (Davis), Birdland, New York City, Saxophone Summit featuring Michael Brecker with Joe Lovano, Dave Liebman, Phil Markowitz and Billy Hart. The tune is Miles Davis's "All Blues" from the 1959 masterpiece record "Kind of Blue".  

  Buckshot LeFonque is a 1990s project led by saxophonist Branford Marsalis (born August 26, 1960), an American saxophonist, composer, and bandleader. While primarily known for his work in jazz as the leader of the Branford Marsalis Quartet, he once said he wanted “a band where jazz can breathe inside modern music.” His group Buckshot LeFonque blended jazz, hip-hop, funk and soul into a vivid, genre-crossing sound. They released two albums, the self-titled debut in 1994 and Music Evolution in 1997. Their biggest success is Another Day, sung by Frank McComb. The single becomes a major European hit, reaching number five in the Netherlands and charting across Belgium and several other countries. Buckshot LeFonque disbands after 1997. This live performance comes from the Dutch TV program De Muziek 10-daagse, broadcasted on October 2nd, 1997.

  From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack. “All Blues,” written by Miles Davis, performed live at Birdland. You hear the Saxophone Summit in full flight. Michael Brecker, Joe Lovano, and Dave Liebman share the frontline. Three voices. One pulse. Deep interaction. The rhythm section drives and listens. Phil Markowitz on piano. Rufus Reid on bass. Billy Hart on drums. You get modal space, sharp exchanges, and sustained swing. A modern reading of a Miles Davis classic, shaped by three master improvisers and a first-rate rhythm team.

  From a 1992 performance in London, England, here is the late, great blues guitar legend, Gary Moore, and his band, performing "Cold Day in Hell".  Check it out.

  This is a rare footage interview. This recording is from July 14, 1979 at the PWA Zaal, North Sea Jazz Festival. Dave Brubeck, born on December 6, 1920, in California, was an influential American jazz pianist and composer known for his innovative approach to time signatures and his role in popularizing modern jazz. In 1951, he formed the Dave Brubeck Quartet, a groundbreaking ensemble. The quartet, featuring Paul Desmond on alto saxophone, Eugene Wright on bass, and Joe Morello on drums, gained widespread acclaim for their distinctive sound and complex, polyrhythmic compositions. One of the quartet's most iconic albums, "Time Out" (1959), showcased Brubeck's fascination with unusual time signatures. The album's signature track, "Take Five," composed by Paul Desmond in 5/4 time, became a jazz standard and a crossover hit, reaching a broad audience and introducing many listeners to the world of modern jazz. Brubeck received numerous accolades, including ...

  From the CD and DVD "British Blues Explosion" here is Joe Bonamassa and His Band playing a medley of the late, great Jeff Beck's instrumentals including "Beck's Bolero" and "Rice Pudding" with Joe Bonamassa on lead and slide guitar, Reese Wynans on piano and Hammond B3 organ, Michael Rhodes on bass, and Anton Fig on drums.  

  From his September 13th, 1981 concert, here is Lou Rawls with "Groovy People".  

  This week's Sunday Special.  From July 10th, 1981, here is the Dizzy Gillespie Sextet performing "A Night In Tunisia".  Trumpeter, Dizzy Gillespie, is one of the founders of bebop.  You cannot forget Dizzy Gillespie's contemporaries either, great musicians like Charlie "Bird" Parker on alto saxophone, Clifford Brown on trumpet, Thelonius Monk on piano, and Max Roach on drums.  

  From June 20th, 1975, here is Herb Alpert performing on "The Midnight Special" playing the tune "Carmine".  

  From keyboard legend Reese Wynans's 2018 record "Sweet Release" here is his cover of Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble's "Crossfire" which he originally played Hammond organ on.  This version features Wynans on Hammond, Kenny Wayne Shepherd on lead guitar, Sam Moore on vocals, and the Double Trouble rhythm section of Tommy Shannon on bass and Chris Layton on drums.  

  From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack. Lee Morgan’s “The Sidewinder” is one of the most famous jazz recordings of the 1960s and a defining moment in the Blue Note Records catalog. What many listeners don’t know is how unexpectedly this track became a hit—and what really happened during the recording session. In this video, bassist Bob Cranshaw, who played on the original session, shares firsthand stories about Lee Morgan, the band, and the studio atmosphere that shaped “The Sidewinder.” Cranshaw reveals behind-the-scenes details about the groove, the session decisions, and how this recording helped change the direction of hard bop and modern jazz. This is a rare insider account from a musician who was there, offering valuable insight into: • Lee Morgan’s musical vision • The creation of “The Sidewinder” • Blue Note Records in the mid-1960s • How a jazz tune crossed into the mainstream 🎺 Artists featured: Lee Morgan (trumpet) Bob Cranshaw (bass) 🎶 Topics: Jazz history · H...

  From a performance on March 28th, 1997, here are The Texas Guitar Slingers, playing some down home, Texas blues.  

  From "The Midnight Special" on April 25th, 1975, here are Rod Stewart and The Faces along with the one and the only Keith Richards, from The Rolling Stones, performing "Twisting The Night Away".  

  From "The Old Grey Whistle Test" in England, circa 1974, here is blues guitarist Robin Trower in 1974 with his power trio playing the song "Little Bit of Sympathy" featuring Robin Trower on lead guitar, James DeWar on bass & lead vocals, and Reg Isadore on drums, from his then upcoming LP record "Bridge of Sighs".  

  This week's Sunday Special.  From a performance on October 9th, 1998, here is blues singer Sista Monica Parker performing "Stop Talkin' About Me Stalkin' You".  

  From a performance on March 14th, 1997, here is the Jeff Hamilton Trio with "Blues for Stephanie".  

  Full Concert Friday this week, featuring a concert posted on my first, original music blog, a long time ago.  But here it is again.  Roy Buchanan and His Band playing on Austin City Limits, from Austin, Texas, in 1976.  The set list is: 1. Roy's Bluz 2. Soul Dressing (Booker T. & The MG's cover) 3. Sweet Dreams (Don Gibson cover) 4. Hey Joe (Billy Roberts cover) 5. The Messiah Will Come Again The band lineup is: Roy Buchanan: guitar Malcolm Lukens: Hammond B3 organ John Harrison: bass Byrd Foster: drums

  From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack. I’ve never heard Herbie sound better, although I've said that a number of times! The video quality isn’t great—it’s a third or fourth-generation copy—but the performance shines through. This clip comes from a 1987 talk show appearance while Herbie was promoting the film Round Midnight. He played in the movie and wrote several pieces for it, including this one, “Chan’s Song.” Abraham Laboriel is on bass, and Vinnie Colaiuta is on drums.

  From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack. Live at Cleveland's Bop Shop. Dave Frank delivers a solo piano performance filled with energy, creativity, and joy. His composition, “Exuberance” highlights his dynamic touch and improvisational style, offering you a fresh take on modern jazz piano. Experience expressive playing that moves from subtle to bold, all in one captivating performance. For more Dave Frank: http://davefrankjazz.com

  Blood, Sweat, & Tears' cover of The Blues Image's "Ride Captain Ride" recorded during the era of the band when David Clayton Thomas was the lead singer.   Blood Sweat & Tears Soundstage 1976 David Clayton Thomas - Lead Vocals Bobby Colomby - Drums Dave Bargeron - Trombone and Tuba Joe Giorgianni - Trumpet Tony Klatka - Trumpet George Wadenius - Guitar Ron McClure - Bass Larry Willis - Keyboards Bill Tillman - Sax

  From the same performance on "The Midnight Special" on February 7th, 1975, here is Dave Mason and His Band with "Only You Know and I Know", a song he wrote, and that was also performed by Delaney & Bonnie, the great duo backed by an all-star cast of musicians, featuring husband and wife Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett.  

  From the Saturday Night Beech Nut Show on May 30th, 1959, here is Duane Eddy with "Forty Miles of Bad Road".  Joe Bonamassa said of Duane Eddy "Duane Eddy didn't just play guitar - he defined a lifestyle with it.  That low, twangy tone became a language of cowboys everywhere."  I'll take that.  That is for sure.  Duane Eddy was truly one of a kind.