Rock and Roll is Holy ... brothers and sisters!

MOG post: 2/11/2008
Artist: Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Album: The Gospel Of The Blues
Track: Up Above My Head I Hear Music In The Air

“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.” -Jimi Hendrix

"Love life. Take great pleasure in small offerings. Believe that the world owes you nothing. Understand that every gift given to you is exactly that." -Maya Angelou


Do NOT QUESTION one who wields a solid Gibson guitar this well! You would be wise to listen to the sound. Gospel music is very good for your Soul. Some lately good conversations around here about Dave Brubeck sparked me to dig out some Scorsese flicks that I haven't enjoyed for too long. My favorite turn-on from the series was learning about Sister Rosetta Tharpe. When I first saw & heard her grand blues & rhythm choir I hit repeat about 10 straight, wonderful times. This is as cool a guitar slinging as you can get my friends (she flairs that picking hand better than Jimi). I can never get enough. Realize that for a young group of aspiring British musicians, this was nothing short of astounding. It really is the holy roots of rock & roll - one of the very first times we had ever heard a solid-body electric guitar and a Hammond - let alone in front of a choir. George Melly used to say that despite the halo around her head on the stage, she used to like to have a rather brandied good time.

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss do a wonderful song called "Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us" on their new release, Raising Sand. Good, good stuff.

-

1961 Gibson Les Paul/SG Custom

Indeed ... Get thee down to the riverside and listen.

R.I.P. Bobby Byrd

MOG Post: 09/16/2007
Artist: James Brown
Album: 20 All Time Greatest Hits!
Track: Make It Funky, Pt.1

Many Thanks to Sonical & Ivylander for posting this news. I didn't see anything posted under the James Brown artist site and I thought it apropos to do so. I can't tell you how many times I've quoted the beginning of this song.




Read the WP news today.

Four Fried Chickens, a Coke, and one piece of dry white Toast!

MOG Post: 9/10/2007
Artist: The Blues Brothers
Album: The Blues Brothers: Original Soundtrack Recording
Track: "She Caught The Katy"

Classic. A Soul tour de force. A Rhythm & Blues coup de grace. This movie is in your library isn't it? Well ..get it .. and get into it maaan! Get Into It! "The BanD! The BaaaaaaanD!" Those immortal words of Jake as the GFOS James Brown pulls him into the light. That recent STAX Records special (and a nice comment by missjunk) sparked some cool spins and conversations about Steve 'The Colonel' Cropper and Donald 'Duck' Dunn. Essentially the core of the MGs, they glued the two comedians as solid, R&B front men for the movie classic. The SNL sunglasses skit payed off and the music was real - genuine "Memphis Group" chowing down on some real standards. The music and the theme throughout is time well spent - many times. I've always got a kick out of Carrie Fisher's role in the film, just hilarious counter to John Belushi (and key to the sunglasses). I'm also enthralled by Cab Calloway. I almost think the movie was written for him, especially in the "Minnie The Moocher" cut: the suspension of time as he warms the audience in the old 1940s dance hall - it's simply the coolest respect for Cab's true place in history. Or Ray Charles settin' them all up with their instruments. You'll also find that the car is a very special character in of itself. Indeed, the movie revolves around it, as The Brothers spin their yarn around Chicago. Some of the best tunes can be scene with the Sam & Dave tape in the dash. SCMODS !