Humble Pie • Hallelujah, I Love Her So

Left to right: Steve Marriott, Peter Frampton, Greg Ridley, and Jerry Shirley.

It is easy to forget that at it's heart, Rock 'N Roll has the Blues. It might never be more evident than when you look at some of the Classic Rock bands of the 1960s and 1970s, like Led Zeppelin, The Who, The Rolling Stone, Cream, and so many others. They all loved to do covers from the Jazz greats, like Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, and artists like them. They grew up listening to the music, and took it to a new level, utilizing the modern technology, like the electric guitar, to add something new. When done right, they could deliver the goods. In 1971, Humble Pie, a British band with a heavy sound, recorded a concert at the iconic Fillmore East, Rock promoter Bill Graham's club on Manhattan's Lower East Side. The album was a great double-album set, and remarkably consisted mostly of cover songs. But before I go on much longer, for those who might not know, Humble Pie featured guitarist and vocalist Steve Marriott from the Small Faces, vocalist and guitarist Peter Frampton from The Herd, former Spooky Tooth bassist Greg Ridley and seventeen-year-old drummer Jerry Shirley. One of the great tracks on the album was the bands cover of a great song written by Soul legend Ray Charles, "Hallelujah, I Love Her So". Steve Marriott took on the lead vocals, with Frampton joining in the background vocals.

Before the live album could be released, friction in the band between Marriott and Frampton drove Frampton from the band. He embarked on a solo career, leaving Marriott and humble Pie to move more toward the Blues side of their music. A few years later, Peter Frampton became a household name with his own live recording, 'Frampton Comes Alive'. While it might be tough to find the double-album version of the concert, it still can be found for those interested. You can purchase 'Performance: Rockin' The Fillmore' on iTunes and on Amazon.

Saturday Night Cocktails

Clockwise: Betty Carter & Ray Stevens; John Stevens; Anita O'Day; and Aretha Franklin.

Well, it is Saturday night, and for many, at least at one pint in history, it meant finding a neighborhood girl to watch the kids, and going out to a local club, or maybe just going to a friends house and having some cocktails and conversation. And while that was going on, there would definitely be music playing, be it Pop or Jazz. In my heart, it will always be a combination of Jazz standards and Pop Torch songs, for I do love them so very much. With that in mind I planned an evening of music and drinks. Well, at least some music about drinking. To give you an idea, I will begin with the first song on the playlist, "Cocktails For Two" as sung by Ray Charles and Betty Carter. The song was written by Arthur Johnston and Sam Coslow for the 1934 film, 'Murder at the Vanities'.

And while I think of classic songs when I think of my Saturday night posts, I have a brand new one for you up next. I think John Stevens still has a certain real charm when he performs, and you can tell he just loves the music. In fact, it was this song and video that inspired this post to start with. Here is a music video of the John Stevens Band as it performs "Intoxicated", with words and music written by John Stevens himself. It seems the crooner has come so far since his time on season 3 of American Idol. Please Enjoy John as he sings "Intoxicated" with the John Stevens Band.

What happens when you combine Johnny Mercer with Aretha Franklin? Well, you get something explosive and impressive, and this song is a prime example. The Queen of Soul sings "Drinking Again", with music by Mercer and music by Doris Tauber. I first came to know this song in the 1970s when it was sung by the one and only Bette Midler, but it had been written a decade before, and sung by some of the great voices of music, including Aretha, Frank Sinatra, and Dinah Washington. Listen to Aretha Franklin sing the song as only she could.

And, finally, I return to another of the great voices I love so very much. Anita O'Day was the favorite of many other singers. She had a style all her own, using her voice as much like another instrument in the band as well as a means of communication. Her vocals often eschewed the melody line, taking on the beat, driving the song much like the percussion section. I just love listening to her. This is her recording of "Blue Champagne", an effervescent delight, you can be sure.

Have a great weekend!

Sunday Morngin with Ray Charles & Aretha Franklin

You know, there are times one should just shut up and listen. When Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles get together to sing Gospel music, the time is now. Here is Ain't But The One.



Here they sing Spirit In The Dark, written by the Queen of Soul herself.



You can purchase Aretha's Spirit In The Dark album on iTunes and Amazon.

Van Morrison Stones Me To My Soul

I don't know what bewitching powers Irish soul-singer Van Morrison has, but I know the minute I hear his music, I am enchanted. Whether it is the raw emotion he puts in all his work, or the total honesty found in his lyrics, the man never fails to blow me away. Whether I think of him as a singer, a songwriter, a poet, whatever, when Morrison speaks, it is time to sit back and listen.



I'll start off with one of my favorites, which has been covered by many, but never as well as when Van is singing with another great, Ray Charles. So, from the 1970 album Moondance, here is Crazy Love.



The title cut from the album is another that has been oft covered, but I still go back to the original when I want it sung right. In 1979 Morrison performed the song in Ireland. Here is Moondance. Much of Morrison's work seemed to be either detailing or arguing about his spiritual journey or one of love. One gets the feeling it was not an easy path for him, but it did lead to some amazing music.



The next clip was a hit song in 1964, when Morrison was part of the band Them. Gloria is an amazing song unto itself, but when Morrison is joined by the gifted John Lee Hooker, it takes it to another level altogether.



In 1970, Morrison had a hit with Domino, a single from the His Band And The Street Choir album. It rocked out as only Van Morrison could, from the soul out. Watch him perform on the old Midnight Special show, in 1977



Finally, in 1995 Van released this title cut from his album Days Like This. The release of the album was 28 years since the release of his solo music, and over 30 years since he topped the charts with his music from the band Them. But this simple and soulful lays it on the line - "his mama told him there'd be days like this." She was right.



For more about the utterly brilliant Mr. Van Morrison, you can check out his official website here. You can also purchase his music at almost any outlet that has music. If you haven't already, I would advise you to do it now. It is most certainly good for the soul.