"The Very Best of Freddy King" - (2005)

If you are an Eric Clapton fan then you are a Freddy King fan. You just might not know it. Quickly scanning the first 3 decades of Eric Clapton’s career will give you some proof of that. From “Hideaway” with John Mayall in the 1960’s; to “Have You Ever Loved a Woman” in the 1970’s; and even on into the late 1980’s cover version of “Tore Down” on his “Journeyman” album; Clapton has never been shy in giving credit to those who came before him.

All of the songs represented here were recorded between August 1960 and July 1961 in King’s own studio in Cincinnati, Ohio. He used a house band instead of his usual working band based in Chicago. I don’t know why he did this. But the result is a collection of some of his all-time best work done in a clear and sharp style.

A native of Texas, King was born in 1934 in Gilmer. At 16 he moved to Chicago and worked in a saw mill. He spent nights working in the nightclubs, at first playing with 2 harmonica players; Little Sonny Cooper and Earl Payton. He cut his first record at age 22 in 1956. By 1958 he kissed the saw mill goodbye and began working full time as a musician.

At about the same time as this he was introduced to Sonny Thompson, a piano player who would go on to co-write most of King’s hits with him. 11 of the 25 songs on this CD were co-authored by King-Thompson. And, with the exception of 3 tracks his name appears in some capacity; even solo; as the composer of all the rest.

Peter Green of the original Fleetwood Mac was another huge fan of Freddy King and he recorded many of the same songs as Clapton did. The two were both products of the John Mayall music machine which seemed to spout great guitarists non-stop throughout the 1960’s. And while they all had somewhat different styles; they all had one big thing in common; they were all influenced by Freddy King.

Patty Griffin - Tiny Desk Concert

Not much to say today, except enjoy this NPR Mini Desk Concert. Patty Griffin sings about things other performers don’t. With her fluid style of guitar playing she brings life to each song which she performs. If I had to compare her to anyone it would be Grace Potter or The Trishas. Both vocally and musically she is in that same category of folk-rock artists.

I like the independent artists featured on NPR’s Tiny Desk series because I almost always come away with a new song to play. Acoustic music is my favorite, mainly because I can play the stuff I hear later on. Most of the songs I enjoy can be easily played by even an amateur guitarist like me. That’s easy. The real talent lies in creating the songs themselves.

The songs which Ms. Griffin performs here are; "Faithful Son", "That Kind Of Lonely" and "Get Ready Marie",

Accompanying Ms. Griffin are John Deaderick on accordion; Dave Pulkingham on guitar; and Craig Ross on the baritone guitar.

"Something In the Air" - Thunderclap Newman (1969)

"Something In the Air” is one of those songs which linger in my memory from 1969. The band was formed with help from Pete Townshend of The Who, along with Speedy Keen, a musician friend of Mr. Townshend’s, who produced their first album. There is a great jazz piano break near the end of this song, which acts as a bridge. The song itself is fairly radical for the times, and was even used in the end scene of “The Magic Christian” with Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr. It’s the scene at the end, the one which illustrates just how far people will go to have money.

The 1960’s was a time when values, particularly in England, were changing world wide. The difference was that in England the British had had such a rough time of it that the older generation was afraid for the younger generation, concerned only with security. The fact that this quest for security came at a time when England was still on rations; which they were into the early 1960’s; never occurred to them as a contradiction. The young saw it as ludicrous; I mean if you can’t have enough food and gasoline, then what security are you speaking of; the security of want?

Here in America, where we had been virtually untouched by war, the young merely wanted to avoid being drafted and sent to war. They wanted artistic freedom and musical change. And that’s where all of the music entered into the equation. The people in power had the money, but the young people had the music, which could be converted into money by the artists, making them somewhat equal with those in power.

Ever since Elvis visited Nixon in the White House, there has been a steady stream of performers; from Bono to Michael Jackson; and no President gets elected without the support of un-elected celebrities to support them and bring in the youth vote. Even if you don’t like it, you have to acknowledge it.

Happy Birthday Paul McCartney

Happy 70^th Birthday to Paul McCartney. He has given us quite a few songs to remember in his 6 decade career as one of the most prolific songwriters of our time. This little gem, originally released on the album “Revolver” in 1966, is performed here solo by Mr. McCartney for his 1984 film “Give My Regards to Broad Street.” That movie is based on the premise that he is about to finish the final touches on his latest album, only to find that the master tapes are missing, or have been stolen. On the original album version from 1966, the song is done with piano and a French horn. In this take there is only Mr. McCartney and his guitar. The French horns are recreated vocally in a really beautiful way.

In many ways Mr. McCartney was the creative force behind the Beatles. Although John Lennon was the founder of the group, it was McCartney who came up with so many of the ideas which defined the band. “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” was his idea. That was a great success.  “Magical Mystery Tour” was also his idea; maybe not a good one; undertaken just after the death of their manager Brian Epstein, when the group was temporarily without a rudder.

This song is easily played on the guitar using basic chords, beginning with a C and Em. The rest is all centered about Am and a variation of Cm. You just have to play with it a bit. If I remember correctly, this was the 2^nd song on the first side of the album, which was released in the United States in the fall of 1966, just after the Beatles had finished their last live tour.

Still touring today, at age 70, Mr. McCartney continues to thrill audiences everywhere he performs. He can rock and roll with the best of them; and when he feels like it; he can still move the audience with a beautiful ballad. Many Happy returns to him, and thanks for the music!

"Telephone Road" by Rodney Crowell (2001)

This video is from Rodney Crowell's 2001 release of the "Houston Kid" album, which would turn out to be the beginning of a trilogy for Mr. Crowell. "Houston Kid" was followed with "Fate's Right Hand" in 2003, and then with the sensational album "The Outsiders", in 2005. This video starts off with a very young Dan Rather doing the weather report out of Houston during a hurricane in the late 50's, or early 60's.

The whole video is a veritable snapshot of life from when Mr. Crowell was a kid. Interspersed, as it is, with footage of his band recording, and performing, lends an urgency to the song, almost as if the artist wants you to step inside his head and share with you all of the things he has seen while growing up.

All three of the aforementioned albums were eventually distilled into Rodney Crowell's landmark autobiography, "Chinaberry Sidewalks", which was released in 2010. If you haven't read it, you are missing out on a real treat. And, if you have never been to one of Mr. Crowell's concerts, you are doubly deprived.

Michelle Malone - "Flagpole"

This is Michelle Malone live @ Blue Ridge Concerts on March 11th. Sue and I just picked up tickets last night to see her here in Charlotte next Friday. An accomplished musician, guitarist and singer, Ms. Malone has been hard at it for over 20 years now. She plays every conceivable venue, from house parties to baseball stadiums. Her guitar abilities are unequalled, and her voice doesn't shatter glass- it's so pure that it passes through it. With a repertoire of songs ranging from folk rock to gut wrenching blues and rock, she is the master of slide guitar, and can make you cry with a simple ballad.

The song above, "Flagpole", is a great example of Ms. Malone's versatility. I have seen her do this with a band, both acoustic and electric. Now here she is doing the same song solo, with a wonderful acoustic break reminiscent of a bass solo!

The last time I saw her live I asked her for a used pick, hoping to tap into her creative DNA. She gave me the pick, and I went home confident that I now had the key to her super powers. It didn't work, and all I got was a sore arm. But my ears are doing great, and I'm ramping up for next Friday night here in Charlotte at the Evening Muse in NoDa. If you have never seen her perform, you need to get on You Tube and check her out. Then you can go to her website and buy some of her albums.

Here is the link;

http://www.michellemalone.com/