B.B. King and Ron Levy – When I’m Wrong A birthday shout-out to keyboardist extraordinaire, Ron Levy. Born Reuvin Zev bin Yehoshua Ha Levij in Cambridge, MA in 1951, his first instrument was clarinet but at the age of thirteen, after seeing Ray Charles perform live he only wanted to play piano. His list of influences expanded to include Jimmy Smith, Booker T. Washington and Billy Preston among others and learning the Hammond organ. Still in high school, he was playing in Boston blues clubs, backing touring National acts and this is where Albert King spotted him, bringing the school-kid into ..read more

Review of “Picture On The Wall” by John Mayall: A Blues Masterpiece The B-side to a John Mayall single released in February of 1968, this number often seems over-looked in discussions of Green’s session work. Green recorded two songs over two days with John Mayall on December 04 and 05 1967. The first song, ‘Jenny’ was produced by Mayall and featured just Mayall and Green. On the second day, Mike Vernon was in the studio with them along with Keef Hartley on drums. The limited instrumentation has the welcome effect of allowing Mayall to sing comfortably within his limited range. Interestingly ..read more

Led Zeppelin – How Many More Times – Live at Danish TV channel Danmarks Radio on March 17, 1969. Led Zeppelin’s performance of “How Many More Times” on Danish TV channel Danmarks Radio on March 17, 1969 was absolutely electrifying. The band’s energy and stage presence were truly captivating, and their musical talent was on full display. Jimmy Page’s guitar riffs were powerful and mesmerizing, while Robert Plant’s vocals were filled with raw emotion and intensity. John Paul Jones and John Bonham provided a solid rhythm section that kept the crowd on their feet. The improvisational elements of ..read more

Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa – I’d Rather Go Blind – Live in Amsterdam Real Singer, Real musicians, Real music for the soul, no lip-syncing and dancers and clowning around! This woman is phenomenal. Her voice is a combination of Etta James and Janis Joplin. “I’d Rather Go Blind” is a blues song written by Ellington Jordan and co-credited to Billy Foster and Etta James. It was first recorded by Etta James in 1967, released in 1968, and has subsequently become regarded as a blues and soul classic. It was used in the end credits of Firewatch. The more I listen to it, the more I understand the po ..read more

Trisha Yearwood and Ronnie Dunn – I’ll Carry You Home – Live at Austin City Limits, 2024. Ronnie Dunn and Trisha Yearwood performed “I’ll Carry You Home” to celebrate Yearwood’s induction into the ACL Hall of Fame. “ACL 9th Annual Hall of Honors Trisha Yearwood” premieres on March 2, 2024, on PBS. The ninth annual Austin City Limits Hall of Fame honors country music superstar Trisha Yearwood. Don Henley leads the induction ceremony and performs, with musical tributes from Jo Dee Messina, Ronnie Dunn, Brothers Osborne, and Brandy Clark. Today’s “country music” singers often rely on auto-tune ..read more

Hound Dog Taylor – Sitting Here Alone – Remastered Theodore Roosevelt Taylor (“Hound Dog” just seems more appropriate for someone playing incredibly raucous slide guitar blues) was born this day, April 12, 1915, in Natchez, Mississippi. He was old enough to have made a few appearances on Sonny Boy Williamson II’s KFFA radio broadcasts in Helena, Arkansas, before moving to Chicago in 1942. Having only begun playing guitar at the age of twenty, it was not until 1960 that he cut his first single, for the Bea & Baby label. It was another two years before he released a second (for the Firma l ..read more

Stevie Ray Vaughan Plays 12-String Acoustic Guitar on MTV Unplugged You know Stevie Ray Vaughan as a legend on the electric guitar, but have you ever seen him play an acoustic? Check out this clip from an early MTV Unplugged set in 1990! Stevie Ray Vaughan dispensing some spectacular blues enchantment on a 12-string Guild as a major aspect of an MTV Unplugged scene from 1990. Stevie Ray Vaughan’s performance on MTV Unplugged was a masterclass in acoustic blues. Playing a 12-string acoustic guitar, Vaughan showcased his extraordinary technical skill and deep emotional expression. The stripped ..read more

Muddy Waters – Where’s My Woman Been Muddy Waters was born McKinley Morganfield on April 04 in 1913 in Rolling Fork, Mississippi. He grew up in Clarksdale, on Stovall’s Plantation, listening to the music of Robert Johnson and Son House, his idol. He moved to Chicago in 1943 and although it was not until 1947 that his recording career took off in earnest, he and his band, changed music forever, forging the template for what would become known as “Chicago Blues” From his breakthrough hit ‘I Can’t Be Satisfied’ b/w ‘I Feel Like Going Home’ in 1948 Waters maintained his popularity with his core ..read more

Paul Butterfield and Mike Bloomfield – Walking by Myself – Live at Fenway Theater, Boston, 1971. Take yourself back to the vibrant vibe of the Fenway Theater in Boston, 1971, where blues legends Paul Butterfield and Mike Bloomfield lit up the stage with their unforgettable performance of “Walking by Myself.” As the harmonica cries out and the guitar riffs rise, you can almost feel the intense emotion and passion flowing from every note. The connection between Butterfield and Bloomfield is undeniable, their musical conversation creating a beautiful picture of blues that captures the spirit of ..read more

Samantha Fish – Either Way I Lose and Somebody`s Always Trying – Live at Musiktheater Piano in Dortmund, 2017. In this messed-up world, it’s great to see a powerful woman still keeping a hold on her femininity. You’re still the boss Sam! Samantha just keeps getting better. It’s almost frightening to think where she can go! Damn! 32 years old and already a master of the slow-burn! Incredibly fantastic. So natural, so talented. Music flows in her veins. Samantha is a bit rare these days amongst blues singers and guitar players. She puts her heart and soul into her expression, rather than playi ..read more