Sunday Night Show

For my first post on the first day of this blog I am going to talk about a show I went to this evening featuring a blues guitarist/singer/harmonica-ist named John Hammond. I had only heard the name before attending the show so did not quite know what I was in for other than a night of acoustic blues. If anybody reading this post is not familiar with his work there are some pretty good videos on youtube you can check out. The venue for the show was Chicago's own Old Town School of Folk Music. A building that has been witness to some incredible shows over the past 50+ years it has existed, however tonight happened to be my first experience at a concert there. I was seated in the balcony section of the 150 person seat venue. John opened the show with a fast-paced number that featured him singing and playing harmonica. I impressed by the way that his guitar and harmonica playing melded together perfectly with his voice. He was obviously a talented musician but the richness of his voice was truly amazing. His set included songs written by the likes of Skip James, Little Walter, Jimmy Reed, and other blues legends as well as a few that John had written himself. What I found most interesting about his choice of covers was the fact that he had had the opportunity to see each song either performed by its writer or perform it with them. During the set John switched between playing a standard 6-string acoustic and a steel guitar that he mainly used for slide-playing. The ability to switch between the two guitars with impressive embellishments as well as include harmonica gave him plenty of variety to hold the audiences' attention for the duration of the set and keep things interesting despite relying on fairly standard blues progressions throughout.

Although the set stood on its own musically what was equally interesting and thought provoking for me was the sense of history he conveyed with his storytelling in between songs. He has been performing professionally for over 40 years and has the experience that comes along with that type of lifestyle. One particular story he told stands out in my mind. He described a concert he played in 1963 opening for Jimmy Reed at Radio City Music Hall. Ok, amazing story on its own, however, at an All Star Blues Show in 2004 he was approached by John Fogerty who stated that he had been in attendance that night in 63' and wanted to compliment him!

At 65+ years of age John Hammond brought energy and originality to a set filled with music that extends even further back in time and continues to influence listeners. Overall, a great experience and a musician that is more than worth checking out. Lived.

10 Influential Studio Albums

I'm well aware that top-10 lists are trite and overdone, but I'm making one anyway. These 10 albums are the basis of my love of music, different genres, different decades, different sounds, but all beautiful in my opinion.

10. "Place 54"- Hocus Pocus

The only public offering from French hip-hop artist Hocus Pocus, this album is not only for Francophiles. The first (and title) track from the album is an entrancing combination of sounds, from the slow chugging of a train to the cry of a baby. The highlights of the album are "Mr. Tout le Monde" and "Move On," two very different tracks, but both go to show the breadth of his artistry.

9. "Hoist"- Phish

I know, I know. It's considered blasphemy to consider this the best Phish album. I, however, would point to the wide variety of styles implored by the band in creation of this album, which includes well known tracks such as "Julius" and "Sample in a Jar." From the melancholy "Lifeboy" to the hard-edge of "Axilla Part II", this album has something for everyone.

8. "Paul's Boutique"- The Beastie Boys

Even though it did not live up to commercial expectations, "Paul's Boutique", the second album from Manhattan based rap trio The Beastie Boys is arguably their most creative record. Released just before legislation would greatly reduce the ability to sample other records, this album utilizes literally hundreds of tracks from artists in all different genres to create an entirely new sound. The final track, "B-Boy Bouillabaisse" is a compilation of 9 different short vignettes, all loosely tied together, in a manner that only the Beastie Boys could pull off.

7. "Untitled"- Led Zeppelin (a.k.a. "Led Zeppelin IV)

While it is know mostly for "Stairway to Heaven," Led Zeppelin's 5th studio album gives us a myriad of classics such as "Black Dog", "Going to California" and "Rock and Roll." My personal favorite, however, is "When the Levee Breaks", a grungy, harmonica-heavy blues track, featuring the always superior guitar work of Jimmy Page.

6. "Cosmo's Factory"- Creedence Clearwater Revival

The fifth offering from the Bay Area's Creedence Clearwater Revival, "Cosmo's Factory" begins with the underrated "Ramble Tamble," a 7-minute long rock odyssey, and gives us their fantastic rendition of "Heard it Through the Grapevine." Their cover of blues standard "Before You Accuse Me" is exemplary, and John Fogerty's vocals and guitar licks are on great display throughout the album.

5. "Performance and Cocktails"- Stereophonics

The second album from Welsh rock group Stereophonics, "Performance and Cocktails" expands on the potential the band showed in their first album "Word Gets Around." The first single from the album, "The Bartender and the Thief" is a hyper-paced pseudo-punk anthem, complete with lots of distortion and a catchy chorus. The band goes on to foray in to a wide variety of rock sub-genres throughout the album, highlighted by "Half the Lies You Tell Ain't True." The final track, "I Stopped to Fill My Car Up" relies heavily on the unique vocal style of front man and lead guitarist Kelly Jones.


4. "Regulate... G Funk Era"- Warren G

The first hip-hop album I ever owned turned out to still be my favorite of all time 16 years after it first came out. The opening track, "Regulate" featuring Nate Dogg is still the most well known, and remains a perfect example of the laid-back west coast gangsta style of the early-to-mid 90's. Warren G provides us with some off-color sketches in "Gangsta Sermon" and "'94 Ho Draft." A special listening has to go out to "This DJ" which has one of the catchiest hooks ever recorded.

3. "Blood Sugar Sex Magik"- Red Hot Chili Peppers

The Chili Peppers at their funkiest. Produced by legendary producer Rick Rubin, and recorded at the infamous "Mansion" (Harry Houdini's old home) in Los Angeles, the Chili Peppers would go on to write some of their most famous songs, including "Under the Bridge" and "Give it Away." Special mention must go to the last song on the album, their very unique cover over Robert Johnson's blues standard "They're Red Hot."

2. "Wood"- Brian Bromberg

Virtuoso jazz bassist Brian Bromberg's first all-acoustic album delivers with a bang. In stark contrast to most of his other work, "Wood" is very stripped back, featuring his unique jazz bass style, accompanied by piano and percussion. Along with unique covers of well known tunes such as "Come Together" and "The Star-Spangled Banner," Bromberg adds a wide variety of lesser known jazz tracks, highlighted by opening track "The Saga of Harrison Crabfeathers." The only original work on the album is arguably the best as well. "Goodbye (For my Father)" is a beautifully crafted tribute. All in all, a must-have for any jazz lover.

1. "Graceland"- Paul Simon

This is easily the album I have listened to the most in my life. Paul Simon takes us on a journey from his socially critical "Boy in the Bubble" through multiple tracks with renowned South African vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo (Most notably "Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes"). The most famous single from the album, "You Can Call Me Al" is a perfect representation of Simon's unique musical style. All in all, I would argue, one of the most well-rounded albums ever produced.


While this is by no means an exhaustive list, it is a basis of conversation. I'm interested to hear what others have to say about it.

Album of the Week, 1/30/11

First Post!

My first album of the week is Louis Armstrong's "Ambassador Satch"

A compilation of Armstrong's live performances in Europe and Africa from the 1950's, this album features classics like "12th Street Rag" and "Tiger Rag" as well as new songs such as "The Faithful Hussar." Much love is also given to phenomenal trombone player Trummy Young for his solo on the tune "Undecided."

A great sampling of Satchmo at his finest. Armstrong, at this point, had been appointed Ambassador of Good Will by the U.S. State Department, and he definitely lived up to his title.