Artie Shaw

A little big band from a man they call the King of the Clarinet.

Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians

1988 was a great year . . . I guess.

Blondie: Sunday Girl

Just for old time's sake.

Lefty Frizzell: Cigarettes and Coffee Blues

And while we're thinking about old school honky tonk, here's a classic tune straight out of the 1950's

Wanda Jackson & Jack White

I mentioned this collaboration a while back, here. Now hear it for yourself. Jackson hasn't slowed down a bit, which is fun to watch, but doesn't that brass get annoying after a couple of measures?

Happy New Year

Andy Stewart on The White Heather Club, circa 1960.

Franco Califano: Tutto il Resto è Noia

Franco Califano is an Italian artist who has been recording since the 1970's. Romanzo Criminale is a 2005 Italian film about the rise and fall of a Roman gang. Put these two together and you have an intriguing presentation.

Below are two videos. The first is Califano's famous song Tutto il Resto e Noia, as it was first recorded. It's a wonderful song: Airy with a little bit of grit, a great representation of 70's Italian pop. The second is a scene from Romanzo Criminale with the same song as the soundtrack and the film takes the music to another level. And because this is a music blog, I'll also say that the scene wouldn't be as captivating without that particular song.

Lucienne Delyle: Mon Amant de Saint Jean

Here's a classic:

Douglas

Si je Buvais Moins off the 1967 album Les Anges Noirs. I know virtually nothing about this artist, Douglas. Can any of you tell me something about him?  In the meantime, let's enjoy this 60's gem.

Mississippi John Hurt

Those of you interested in the roots of modern rock music will enjoy this song by Mississippi John Hurt (1892-1966), whose compositions have influenced a number of musicians.

John Lennon

You don't need me to tell you that today is John Lennon's birthday, even Google has saluted him on their homepage, but since this is a music blog I have to mention it. He would have been 70 today.

Below is one of my favorite Beatles covers, Anna, by Arthur Alexander.  What's your favorite Beatles / John Lennon tune?

Jimi Hendrix

I learned from NPR today that this is the anniversary of Jimi Hendrix's death in 1970.  Here's my favorite Hendrix song, Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window, a cover of a Bob Dylan song. I don't know what's going on in the video, perhaps someone can explain it to me.  What's your favorite Jimi Hendrix tune?

Wanda Jackson

After mentioning her in The Young Veins post yesterday, I thought she deserved a post of her own.  Known as the "Queen of Rockabilly" to many, this Oklahoma-born performer is in her seventies and still performing. Last year she even recorded some things with Jack White.  Most of you will know some version of the song below.

Big Mama Thornton: Hound Dog

Here is a 1965 recording of the song that was a number one hit for her on the R&B charts back in 1952. This version has Buddy Guy on guitar.  A guy named Elvis also recorded this at some point.

Lou Reed: This Magic Moment

This Magic Moment was a hit for The Drifters in 1959.  In 1997, the legendary Lou Reed's version of the same song was included on the soundtrack for the film Lost Highway, which I have never seen, but he delivers a fabulous cover of an already awesome song.



 

Elvis

Elvis died 33 years ago this past Monday (August 16, 1977), here's one of my favorite songs by the king, Can't Help Falling in Love, from the film Blue Hawaii. What's your favorite Elvis tune?

Buddy Holly & The Crickets

This Texas boy is one of the most innovative, and influential musicians of all time. Although he was only active musically for about three years ('56 - '59), his opera is among the best in rock. His style has been copied by his contemporaries, the Beatles, and every single person who picks up a guitar with visions of rockstardom--whether they know it or not. As far as I am concerned, Holly is the epitome of cool, and I think the video below backs me up.