Musical Musings Blog 2... The Infinite Musical Continuum

  Marcus King Band performs "Honky Tonk Hell" on Austin City Limits. Watch their episode on ‪@PBS‬ starting January 24, 2026.

  From 1968 on "Beat Club" here is the one and the only Joe Cocker covering The Beatles' "With A Little Help From My Friends".

  This week's Sunday Special.  Rhythm & Blues, funk, and soul music boogie from a performance on July 2nd, 1997, featuring D'Wys & Voices of Soul.

  From 1970, here is the band Juicy Lucy playing their cover of the one and the only Bo Diddley's "Who Do You Love?"  

  Juanita Fleming is a American singer, actress, composer, storyteller, and voice trainer from Cincinnati, Ohio. Raised in a musical household, she developed a love for jazz, gospel, and blues early, guided by a pianist father and a mother who sang in a local gospel group. Over her long career, she has toured the world, performing in intimate churches and iconic venues like Madison Square Garden, and shared the stage with jazz legends including Kenny Burrell, Illinois Jacquet, and the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Band. She has thrilled audiences worldwide; in the United States, Canada, England, Ireland, Germany, Japan, South Africa and Nigeria. In Nigeria, she sang to more than 15 million people over a two-day period. She has also appeared on Broadway and in films such as The Verdict and Superfly II.” This live performance was recorded at the Dutch venue Nick Vollebregt Laren in the Netherlands on November 10, 1999.

  Blood Sweat & Tears Live 1973 Jerry Fisher-Lead Vocals Dave Bargeron-Trombone and Tuba Bobby Colomby-Drums Lou Marini-Sax Lew Soloff-Trumpet Tom Malone-Trumpet and Trombone Georg Wadenius-Guitar Larry Willis-Keyboards Jim Fielder-Bass

  A timeless Southern rock anthem meets a new generation as Toy Factory Project delivers a live performance of “Can’t You See” at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. When the chorus hits, a crowd of younger fans sings every word at the top of their lungs—proof that great songs don’t belong to one era, they belong to everyone. This was one of those unforgettable, goosebump moments. 📍 Filmed live at Telluride Bluegrass Festival by @c-rollproductions Again, the band lineup for this great tribute to Toy Caldwell and the Marshall Tucker band includes Marcus King on lead vocals & lead guitar, Charlie Starr on lead vocals & lead guitar, Josh Shilling on Hammond B3 organ and piano, Oteil Burbridge on bass, Paul Riddle on drums (the original drummer for the Marshall Tucker Band), and 

  Experience the magic of the Toy Factory Project performing their soul-stirring rendition of "In My Own Way" live from the main stage at the 52nd Annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival. This 2025 appearance solidified their place as one of the most compelling acts in Telluride history. 📍 Filmed live at Telluride Bluegrass Festival by ‪@c-rollproductions‬ Once again, the band features Marcus King on lead guitar and vocals, and Charlie Starr, on acoustic guitar and vocals, Josh Shilling on Hammond B3 organ and piano, Oteil Burbridge on bass, and original Marshall Tucker Band member, Paul Riddle, on drums.

  Step into the heart-pounding magic of our Telluride set, where the air crackled with pure, unfiltered energy. Watch as the boys unleash "Take The Highway" – a blistering ride that had the crowd on their feet, souls ignited, and jaws dropped. By the final chord, it was crystal clear: this wasn't just a band. This was something special. It's that rare alchemy – powerhouse riffs, thunderous drums, and vocals that cut straight to the bone – but above all, it's the kinship. The effortless sync, the unspoken nods, the way their sounds wove together like they'd been jamming since the dawn of time. No forced vibes, just raw, natural fire. That's the secret sauce of true musical magic. Who else felt that spark? Drop a 🔥 in the comments if this hit you right in the feels! If you're craving more live moments like this, hit the LIKE button, SUBSCRIBE for the full ride, and hit the bell 🔔 so you never miss a beat. What's your all-time fave live jam? Tell us...

  From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack. Windows (Corea) at Montreux, 1972 featuring Stan Getz, Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke and Tony Williams

  Louis Allen "Lou" Rawls (1933 - 2006) will always be remembered because of his recognizable voice, that almost everyone loves: Think of box office hits as 'See you when I get there", 'You'll never find another love like mine" and "Lady Love". He released 61 albums, and sold over 40 million records. As a lot of blues / soul singers he started his career in a gospel choir. His last tv performance in 2005 was in a tribute to Stevie Wonder. This performance comes from the Dutch tv program Showbusiness, Jaloerser dan een vrouw, September 13, 1981.

  A rare instrumental from the Allman Brothers Band's 1975 "Win, Lose, or Draw" record, that had a couple of good songs on it, and this is one of them.  Check out "High Falls", a jazzy, improvisational instrumental written by Dickey Betts, featuring Gregg Allman on Hammond organ, Dickey Betts on guitar, Chuck Leavell on Rhodes electric piano, Lamar Williams on bass, and Butch Trucks and Jaimoe on drums.  

  Derek Trucks performs "Little Martha" with special guest Jerry Douglas, live at the Ryman Auditorium on February 29, 2020.

  From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack. Bret Primack's documentary focuses on one of the most important drummers and leaders in Jazz, including interviews with Max Roach, Art Blakey, Bill Pierce, Ralph Peterson, Geoff Keezer, Bobby Watson, Brian Lynch. Willard Jenkins and Benny Green. Special thanks to Michael Cuscuna ( https://www.mosaicrecordsimages.com ) for the photographs of Francis Wolff.

  From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack. Archie Shepp’s relationship with John Coltrane was one of the most significant mentor-protégé bonds in jazz history, marked by genuine artistic kinship and Coltrane’s characteristic generosity toward younger musicians. Their relationship went beyond professional assistance. Shepp has spoken about how Coltrane took time to listen to his music, to encourage his vision, and to validate his artistic direction at a time when many critics and traditionalists were hostile to the new avant-garde movement. For a young Black musician trying to forge a path that combined musical innovation with political consciousness, Coltrane’s blessing meant everything. Shepp’s playing was more overtly political and aggressive than Coltrane’s spiritual searching, yet Coltrane recognized they were part of the same larger movement toward freedom in music and society. When Coltrane died in 1967, Shepp was devastated and later recorded several tributes to his mento...

  "Piper" from Phish's 12/31/2025 show at Madison Square Garden, New York, NY.

  This week's Sunday Special.  From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack. Bob Cranshaw, who played on over one hundred Blue Note recordings and working with Sonny Rollins for half a century, discusses the how to play jazz bass.

  Al Jarreau (1940–2017) was an American singer renowned for his unique vocal style that blended jazz, R&B, and pop. Born in Milwaukee, he began his musical journey in church and later pursued a career in music after earning degrees in psychology and vocational rehabilitation. Jarreau's breakthrough came with his 1981 album “Breakin' Away”, which spent two years on the Billboard 200, peaking at #9, and topped both the Jazz and R&B charts. This live performance comes from the Dutch television programme Cor & Co and is broadcast on December 29, 2000.

  On August 14, 1985, a concert of GRP artists was held in the big room at the Record Plant in Los Angeles. It was recorded for both audio and video release. The lineup was Dave Grusin (keyboards), Lee Ritenour (guitar), Dianne Schuur (vocals), Dave Valentin (flute), Ivan Lins (keyboards, vocals), Larry Williams (keyboards, sax), Abraham Laboriel (bass), and Carlos Vega (drums). A special guest, Phil Perry, was brought in to sing on Lee Ritenour's "Countdown" at the end of the show. This single concert was released to the public in several variations - none of them complete. There was a CD called "GRP Live in Session" and a video called "GRP Live in Session", with identical covers but different tracks. Then there were two releases under the names "GRP All-Stars Live from the Record Plant" and "Dave Grusin & Lee Ritenour Live at the Record Plant"; those are the two DVD's in this set, and between them, you end up with the whol...

  From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack. Jazz bassist Bob Cranshaw looks back on fifty years playing with Sonny Rollins. The conversation covers touring, recording, and life on the bandstand. Cranshaw shares stories from concerts, studio sessions, and long stretches on the road. You hear how trust, listening, and time shaped one of jazz history’s longest musical partnerships. The focus stays on sound, rhythm, and personal connection. Fans of classic jazz, hard bop, and modern improvisation gain direct insight from a key voice inside the music.

  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...

  Celebrating one of the most beloved instrumental melodies of all time, trumpeter Rick Braun pays tribute to the legendary Chuck Mangione with his interpretation of Feels So Good, featuring saxophonist Richard Elliot. Originally written and recorded by Mangione in 1977, Feels So Good became a worldwide hit and one of the most recognizable instrumental tracks in jazz. This performance was recorded live in the legendary Studio 606, capturing the energy and chemistry of the band in real time. Surrounded by world class musicians and recorded the old school way, Rick Braun brings his signature tone and style to this timeless melody while honoring the spirit of Mangione’s original recording.

  From January 24th, 1975, on The Midnight Special , here is The Marshall Tucker Band with special guest, Charlie Daniels, on fiddle, playing "In My Own Way". Doug Gray: lead vocals Toy Caldwell: lead guitar Charlie Daniels: fiddle George McCorkle: rhythm guitar Jerry Eubanks: flute, percussion Tommy Caldwell: bass Paul Riddle: drums

  From Phish's New Year's Eve 2025/2026 show at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York, here is their performance of a medley.  Watch for the It's Ice Cream gag.  That's hilarious!  Three songs are performed as well.  "Harry Hood", a snippet of "2001, A Space Odyssey", and "Tweezer".  

  From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack. John Coltrane's "Expression." On September 23, 2007, a remarkable tribute to John Coltrane’s late-period music took place at the Saxophone Summit Concert. Ravi Coltrane, David Liebman, and Joe Lovano carried forward Coltrane’s legacy as the Saxophone Summit, performing with special guest Randy Brecker. The ensemble featured Phil Markowitz on piano, Cecil McBee on bass, and Billy Hart on drums. This performance captures the spirit of Coltrane’s quest for expression, energy, and transcendence.

  You're listening to "Once Upon a Love Time" by Chuck Mangione from the album The Feeling's Back. This video was originally released as part of The Feeling's Back VHS/DVD. Featuring: Chuck Mangione on flugelhorn, Cliff Korman on keyboard, David Finck on bass, Paulo Braga on drums, Cafe on percussions, Jay Azzolina on guitar, and Maucha Adnet on vocals About The Feeling's Back: Soothing melodies, seductive Brazilian rhythms and the sound of his legendary horn are front and center as Chuck Mangione performs his own compositions, plus those by Antonio Carlos Jobim, Luis Bonfa, Dorival Caymmi and more. Mangione showcases why he is a major force in contemporary jazz and an icon of smooth jazz. The Feeling's Back has a sound so true-to-life, your ears will transport you into the heart of these special performances. Come share the feeling of the man with the horn—and the hat.

  Jean-Baptiste Frédéric Isidor, Baron Thielemans (29 April 1922 – 22 August 2016), known professionally as Toots Thielemans, was a Belgian jazz musician. He was mostly known for his chromatic harmonica playing, as well as his guitar, whistling skills, and composing. According to jazz historian Ted Gioia, his most important contribution was in "championing the humble harmonica", which Thielemans made into a "legitimate voice in jazz". He eventually became the "preeminent" jazz harmonica player. His first professional performances were with Benny Goodman's band when they toured Europe in 1949 and 1950. He emigrated to the U.S. in 1951, becoming a citizen in 1957. From 1953 to 1959 he played with George Shearing, and then led his own groups on tours in the U.S. and Europe. In 1961 he recorded and performed live one of his own compositions, "Bluesette", which featured him playing guitar and whistling. In the 1970s and 1980s, he continued tourin...

  Der (Playback-) Auftritt von "On The Road Again" stammt aus dem Beat Club vom 14.09.1968. In 1965, the blues- and boogie-rock band Canned Heat was formed in Los Angeles by guitar and harmonica player Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson and lead singer Bob "The Bear" Hite. They took the name for the band from an old delta blues song called Canned Heat Blues written by Tommy Johnson in 1928. The worldwide hit On The Road Again is best known for Wilsons unique high-pitched vocals and famous for its harmonica solo. Beside playing at all major festivals of the 60s Woodstock, Monterey Pop, Isle of Wight the band also travelled to Europe for concerts and TV appearances, e.g. the German Beat Club, where they performed the song in a lip-synched version. Tragically, on September 3, 1970 Alan Wilson died of a barbiturate overdose which led to numerous line-up changes in the following years. But the band still plays on today in the fifth decade of their existence.

  From his time as a member of The Yardbirds, here is "Boom Boom", the John Lee Hooker blues boogie, featuring Eric Clapton on lead guitar.  This was originally released I believe around 1964 or so.  The Yardbirds still exist as a band, even today.  Eric Clapton played in The Yardbirds between 1963 and '65 and was followed by other legendary guitarists like Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page.  This recording from around 1964 features: Eric Clapton: lead guitar Chris Dreja: rhythm guitar Keith Relf: lead vocals, harmonica Paul Samwell-Smith: bass, backing vocals Jim McCarty: drums

  "Ruby Waves" → "Light" from Phish's 12/30/2025 show at Madison Square Garden, New York, NY.

  This week's Sunday Special.  From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack. Windows (Corea). Montreux, 1972. Stan Getz, tenor saxophone; Chick Corea, piano; Stanley Clarke, bass and Tony Williams, drums.