My Favorite Ladies

To start off the new year I am posting these three unrelated videos, just because I like them.

Susan Tedeschi - "Share Your Love With Me"



Danielia Cotton - "Purple Rain"



Lucinda Williams sings a Hank Williams song, and tells a story of her father meeting Hank- "Cold Cold Heart"

Countdown to Midnight

Some tunes to bring on the New Year.

Wilson Picket - "In the Midnight Hour"



Odetta - "The Midnight Special"



The Allman Brothers Band - "Midnight Rider"

Serving Girl's Holiday

I usually prefer to post live performances on this blog, but this video has some incredible photography and art work. Add to that Kate Rusby's singing, and you have a great video for my Christmas post.

"Serving Girls Holiday"

Christmas Times Past

A couple Christmas songs from times past. Two different performances of the first song, because there is no way I could choose just one of these.

Judy Garland & Mel Torme - "The Christmas Song"



Nat King Cole - "The Christmas Song"



Bing Crosby - "White Christmas"

Christmas

A couple Christmas tunes.

Jerry Lee Lewis - Blue Christmas



She & Him - Rockin Around the Christmas Tree



Allen Toussaint - The Day It Snows On`Christmas

Where the Soul Never Dies

Natalie Merchant and Tracy Chapman perform "Where the Soul Never Dies"

Appalachian Christmas

A couple videos of songs from Mark O'Connors new release, Appalachian Christmas. At least part of these songs have been released on previous albums, but this is a collection of songs with vaguely Christmas themes.

Alison Krauss & Yo Yo Ma- "Slumber My Darling", as Stepenen Foster song.



James Taylor - "Ol' Blue"



Steve Wariner - "Now it Belongs to You"

Banjos

Some banjo music to start out the week.

Ralph Stanley - "Clinch Mountain Backstep"



Steve Martin, Earl Scruggs, Pete Wernick, Charles Wood and Tony Ellis - "Foggy Mountain Breakdown"



J.D. Crowe - "Flint Hill Special"

That Great Day

Jonny Lang performing "That Great Day"

EastMountainSouth

EastMountainSouth, the duet of Peter Bradley Adams and Kat Bode, only released one album back in 2003, and then they split up. Evidently they did perform some shows in 2009. Here are some videos.

"Mark's Song"




"I'm Going Home"



"Long Black Veil"

Dance Me To The End Of Love

"Dance Me To The End Of Love" is a great song, and I have posted versions of it by the Civil Wars (8/1/11) and Madeleine Peyroux (8/30/09). But since Leonard Cohen actually wrote the song, it is only fitting that I should post his version of it.

This Train

Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison and Carl Perkins perform "This Train".

Irma Thomas Concert

Videos from a recent Irma Thomas concert. I am always amazed at how effortless she makes her performances appear.

"Love Don't Change", "Let It Be Me", "If You Want Love",



"You Will Hear", "Ruler of My Heart", "Your Love"



"I Done Got Over" - The Second Line

Stevie Nicks

A post of one word titled Stevie Nicks songs.

"Landslide"



"Gypsy"



"Rhiannon" from back in the 80's

Fine and Mellow

I think I posted a version of this before, but it is gone now. This 1957 TV Broadcast of Billie Holiday performing Fine and Mellow is probably one of the best recording of Lady Day..

Take Me In Your Life Boat

Bradley Walker performs "Take Me In Your Life Boat".

Robert Johnson/Pablo Casals

Seventy five years ago today two of the most influential musical recordings of all. time took place. NPR has a fascinating piece on these recordings—one in Texas by Robert Johnson and the other in London by Pablo Casals.

Robert Johnson And Pablo Casals' Game-Changers Turn 75

ACL's Americana Music Festival Concert

This is probably only up for a limited time, but here is Austin City Limits' complete concert from the Americana Music Festival. They get a lot of music into one hour, including Emmylou, Amos Lee, Elizabeth Cook, Justin Townes Earle, Lucinda WIlliams, Greg Alman and the Civil Wars.

Somebody Bigger Than You and I

Marion Williams performs "Somebody Bigger Than You and I"

Birds - Pt. 3

"Little Sparrow" - Dolly Parton



"White Dove" - A Stanley Brothers song performed by Peter Rowan and Tony Rice



"Yellow Bird" -The Mills Brothers

Birds - Pt. 2

"Three Little Birds" - a Bob Marley song, performed by Tracy Chapman



"The Great Speckled Bird" - Johnny Cash



"Freebird" - Lynyrd Skynyrd

Birds - Pt. 1

All this week, songs about birds.

"Mockingbird" - Carly Simon & James Taylor



"Little Bird" - Annie Lennox



"Birdhouse in Your Soul" - They Might Be Giants

I'm a Soldier

The Soul Stirrers' perform "I'm a Soldier"

Stairway to Heaven Turns 40

A post based on the propitious convergence that this month marks the 40 anniversary of Led Zeppelin's release of "Stairway to Heaven". and my favorite cover of that song is by Rodrigo Y Gabriela, and their latest album was titled 11:11, and today is 11/11/11.

So here is their cover of "Stairway to Heaven", and a solo from each of them.



Gabriela Solo



Rodrigo solo

Route 66

Nat King Cole performing "Route 66", to make the road's 85th anniversary.

Everybody Wants to Be Famous

Julian Velard - "Everybody Wants to Be Famous".

More of his songs in these posts 4/15/2011 & 3/8/2010

St. Louis Blues

A couple clips from the 1958 film St Louis Blues, starring Nat King Cole, Eartha Kit, Pearl Bailey, Mahalia Jackson, Ruby Dee, Ella Fitzgerald and Cab Calloway. A biopic about W.C. Handy, if any film has an all star cast this one does.

I have been looking for this film on DVD for uears, but it is now streaming on Netflix.

"Chantez Les Bas" - Eartha Kit


"Beale Street Blues" - Ella Fitzgerald


"Morning Star" - Nat King Cole sings to Pearl Bailey

Irma Thomas - Mahalia Jackson Tribute

Irma Thomas' tribute to Mahalia Jackson.

Lucinda Williams Duets

A couple Lucinda Williams duets.

Willie Nelson and Lucinda perform "Overtime"



Elvis and Lucinda perform "Poison Rose"



John Prine and Lucinda cover two Hank Williams songs, "Wedding Bells" and "Turn Back the Years"

Lizz Wright - Old Man

I posted a version of this song last year, but it has since been taken down. Here is a new version of Lizz Wright performing Neil Young's song "Old Man".

Tedeschi Trucks channel the Staples

Friday night I want to see the Tedeschi Trucks Band, out on tour to promote their album Revelator. (Video of songs from that album on my June 29, 2001 post) As part of the encore they performed "Wade in the Water". While they were singing I got the feeling they were channeling The Staple Singers from over 40 years ago. Below is the Tedeschi Trucks Band's version of the song, followed by a 1968 version of it performed by The Staple Singers. Someday I would like to hear Mavis and Susan sing this together.

Elizabeth Cook on Letterman

Elizabeth Cook is one of my favorite songwriters, as well as a great singer. Here she is on David Letterman last summer just talking. This reminds me of the olden days when Letterman had people on his show who were interesting, as opposed to boring famous people.

Here are some past post with her singing: May 26,2010 and May 28, 2010

Justin Townes Earle

My May 23rd post had video of the songs nominated for best song at this year's Americana Music Awards. The awards were held a couple weeks ago, and Justin Townes Earle won for "Harlem River Blues". My previous post had a version of the song with full band. Here is a solo version of the song, along with a couple of Earle's other songs.

"Harlem River Blues"



"Mama's Eyes"



"What Do You Do When You're Lonesome"

Mavis Staples - Sunday Morning

From earlier this year, Mavis Staples appearance on CBS Sunday Morning.

Green Pastures

Alison Krauss performing "Green Pastures". The video is fuzzy, but the audio is pretty good.

What a Wondeful World

The are many great version of "What a Wonderful World". He is a good one by Victoria Williams and Vic Chestnut.

Decemberists

I posted one Decemberists video back on May 23, 2011. Here are videos of three more songs off their most recent CD, The King is Dead.

"Rox in the Box"



"June Hymn"



"Rise to Me"

I'm On My Way to Canaan's Land

Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs perform "I'm On My Way to Canaan's Land"

Trombone Shorty - Tiny Desk

Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue - NPR Tiny Desk Concert.

Madeleine Peyroux

I went to see Madeleine Peyroux last Saturday night at Strathmore. I have included some video of her before, but she has not gotten an entire post. So here is one now.

"You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go" - a Bob Dylan song



"Instead"



"Smile" - The music for this song was composed by Charlie Chaplin for his film Modern Times. These words were written later by someone else.

Down By The Riverside

Mahalia Jackson and Dinah Shore perform "Down By The Riverside".

Adele Walks Through Paris

Adele's new video for “Someone Like You” is a Black & White film of her walking through Paris. It looks to me like the video contains one continuous tracking shot that is almost four minutes long. Truly Amazing!

Pete, Woody & Mahalia

A Tim Robbins interview with Pete Seeger. Among other things, Seeger discusses Woody Guthrie and the song "We Shall Overcome".





Mahalia Jackson's rendition of "We Shall Overcome".

Johnnie Wright (1914-2011)

A post to mark the passing, at 97, of Johnnie Wright. He was a country music performer, big in the 1950's and 60's, both as a solo singer, and as half of the Johnny & Jack duo. He also frequently performed with his wife of over 70 years, Kitty Wells.

Two songs, "Move It On Over" and "Down South in New Orleans" from the film Second Fiddle to a Steel Guitar. This film is worth seeing for good music, and totally outrageous outfits.



"I Get So Lonely" - performing with Jack Anglin as Johnny & Jack



There are a couple songs on this clip, but Johnnie performs "Is Love Worth All the Heartache" with his wife, Kitty Wells, at the beginning of the clip.

Alisa Weilerstein performs Elgar

Last night I went to see the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at Strathmore Hall. One of the pieces they performed was Dvorak's Cello Concerto in B Minor. The Cellist was Alisa Weilerstein, who coincidentally was awarded a MacArthur Genius Award earlier in the week. I had seen Weilerstein perform Elgar's Cello Concerto several years ago with the BSO. I prefer Elgar's concerto to Dvorak's, but I was still happy to get a chance to see her perform again.

Here the Interview with her released by the MacArthur Foundation, followed by the last movement of Elgar's cello concerto.



The last movement of Elgar's Cello Concerto performed with Daniel Barenboim and the Berliner Philharmoniker

Jacob's Vision

The Stanley Brothers—Carter and Ralph— perform "Jacob's Vision"

Wade Mainer (1907-011)

Last week influential banjo player Wade Mainer died at 104 years old. Here is an interesting interview that Mainer did when he was in his late 90's. Among other things he discusses playing for FDR, and performing with Woodie Guthrie. These videos contain Mainer performing several songs, both solo and with his wife Julia.

Interview pt.1




Interview pt.2



Interview pt.3

The Mamas & the Papas

Following up my last post on Cass Elliot, here are a couple videos of her performing with The Mamas & the Papas. You can't beat this group for harmony.

"California Dreamin'"



The autobiogaphical "Creeque Alley"



"Words of Love"

Cass Elliot - 70

Had she not died so young, Cass Elliot, aka Mama Cass, would have been 70 today. Born in Baltimore, she graduated from high school in Alexandria, VA, and went on from there to become one of the most popular singers in the country.

Later this week I will do a post of her performing with the Mamas and the Papas, but she had such an amazing voice when she performed alone, that I am going to post some videos of her performing solo today.

"Make You Own Kind of Music"



"Dream a Little Dream of Me" sung to Tom Smothers.



Not exactly a solo, but not with the Mamas and the Papas either. Cass Elliot, Mary Travers & Joni Mitchell perform "I Shall Be Released"

I Am Going Home To Heaven

"I Am Going Home To Heaven" - Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver

Stephen Foster

Following up on yesterday's post of Harmony Lane, the film about Stephen Foster, here is a straight up post about him. I have a previous post with several versions of what is probably his most performed song today, "Hard Times".

Here are a couple more interpretations of songs he wrote 150 years ago.

"Oh, Susanna" - Ruthie Foster



"Gentle Annie" - UCLA University Chorus



"Beautiful Dreamer" - Raul Malo, just audio.

Harmony Lane

Harmony Lane. The complete 1935 film about the original American songwriter, Stephen Foster.

Bill Monroe - 100

Today would have been the 100th birthday of the Father of Bluegrass Music, Bill Monroe. NPR's broadcast a remembrance of him yesterday. (Listen Here)

To mark the occasion here are a couple videos of him performing.

"Uncle Pen" - Monroe wrote this song about his Uncle Pendleton Vandiver.



"Rolling in My Sweet Baby's Arms", another song Monroe wrote.



In 1939 at the age of 28, Monroe joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry. The first song he ever performed there was this Jimmie Rodgers' song "Muleskinner Blues".




"Molly and Tenbrooks" - No video and Monroe did not write this, but this is one of my favorite songs that he performed, so I am posting it anyway.

Emmylou Harris and Goats

You know I can't resist an Emmylou Harris song, so how could I pass up this video of baby goats set to Emmylou Harris singing "Born to Run".

Don't You Wanna Go To Heaven

Dailey and Vincent perform "Don't You Wanna Go To Heaven", with Christian Davis, and Joe Dean Jr.

Maura O'Connell

Some recent concert videos from one of my favorite singers, Maura O'Connell.

"Summerfly", a song written by Cheryl Wheeler.



"Crazy Love", a Van Morrison song.



"Galileo", a song written by Declan O'Rourke

Joe Hill

Here is Joan Baez at Woodstock, in 1969, singing "Joe Hill". Hill, a labor organizer, was convicted of murder, and executed by a Utah firing squad in 1915. The execution was controversial. President Wilson twice ask the Governor of Utah to stop the execution.

A new book contains recently discovered evidence that Hill was not guilty of the murder. The Pittsburg Post-Gazette has this article about the book: Examining a Labor Hero's Death

Baez also performs "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot".

How Far am I from Canaan

"How Far am I from Canaan" - The Gospel Harmonettes with Lillian Caffey and Dorothy Love Coates on lead.

Little Bird

A couple songs from Kasey Chambers' recent album, Little Bird. The album has been out almost a year in Australia, but only recently came out in the States. "Love Like a Hurricane", which I posted last week (8/26/11}, is also off this album.

"Little Bird"



"Beautiful Mess"



"Someone Like Me"

David "Honeyboy" Edwards (1915-2011)

A post to mark the passing yesterday of David "Honeyboy" Edwards, the last of the original Delta bluesmen. Here is NPR's appreciation. He died at 96, and continued playing guitar right up to the end.

The trailer for a film about Honeyboy.



"Country Man"



"Standing on the Corner" - I think this was his last public performance.

Billie Jean

Today would have been Michael Jackson's 53rd birthday, so here is one of those covers that you never would expect to see, but it actually works.

The Civil Wars performing "Billie Jean".

The Storm Is Passing Over

Even though I posted a version of this song a couple weeks ago when Delois Barrett Campbell died (8/4/11), this seems to me to be the only appropriate song to post today. I am not at all familiar with this group, The Gospel Challengers, but they do a great job on "The Storm Is Passing Over".

Goodnight, Irene

One more post for the hurricane, before I go to bed.

"Goodnight, Irene" - Jerry Lee Lewis & Van Morrison

Storm Comin'

The rain has started here, so here is another video for the storm.

"Storm Comin'" - The Wailin' Jennys

Hurricane

I missed my chance to do an earthquake post earlier in the week, so I am doing a hurricane post now in case we lose power, and I can't do one later.

"Love Like a Hurricane" - Kasey Chambers & Kevin Bennett



"Eye of the Hurricane" - David Wilcox



"Hurricane Winslow" - The Revivalists. No decent live version of this song, so just audio.

Jerry Leiber (1933-2011)

A post to mark the passing Monday of lyricist Jerry Leiber. With music composer Mike Stoller, he was half of one of the most successful songwriting duos in the middle part of the 20th Century.

My 10/1/10 post contained what was their first big hits, Big Mama Thornton's original recording of "Hound Dog". Below are a couple more songs by Leiber and Stoller.

Elvis Presley later had a big hit with "Hound Dog", so, to give Elvis his due, here is his version of "Jailhouse Rock"



"Stand By Me" performed by Ben E. King




"Is That All There Is" performed by Peggy Lee

Graceland

Inspired by this article, from The Independent, recognizing 25 years since Paul Simon released his album Graceland, below are videos of a couple songs off that album.

The album won the 1986 Grammy Award for Album of the Year, and the title song won the 1987 Grammy for Record of the Year.

"Graceland"



"Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" with Ladysmith Black Mambazo



"Homeless" another performance with Ladysmith Black Mambazo

The Sacred Harp

Not the normal video of a gospel song this Sunday, but a two part documentary on Sacred Harp singing in Hoboken, Georgia.

Crazy

A couple Crazy songs.

"Crazy" performed by Patsy Cline. I have posted a version of this video before, but it is worth a second look. Another song written by Willie Nelson.



"Crazy Arms". This song was also performed by Patsy Cline, but here is Patty Loveless' version.



"Mama He's Crazy" - The Judds

Raul Malo

A couple videos from one of my favorite singers, Raul Malo, who was also the lead singer for The Mavericks.

"Every Little Thing About You"



"Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground", a song written by Willie Nelson



The Mavericks perform "Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down", a song written by Merle Haggard

A Diamond in My Crown

Emmylou Harris performs "A Diamond in My Crown", a song she co-wrote.

Brand New Key

In 1971/72 Melanie Safka had a huge hit with her song "Brand New Key", despite the fact that she hated the way the song was produced. Here is a recent performance where she discusses what happened.



At the time, she was so upset with what was done with this song, that she then wrote "Look What They've Done to My Song". Here is a video that includes some footage of her performing the song back in the 70's, and part of a current performance.

Marshall Grant (1928-2011)

Marshall Grant, Johnny Cash's bassist from 1954 to 1980, has died. His bass playing was an integral part of the sound that Cash created.

Here Grant tells how it all started.



Here are a couple videos of Grant playing with Cash.

"Ring of Fire"



"I Was There When It Happened" - In this video Grant and Luther Perkins, the Tennessee Two, also sing with Johnny.

Crooked Still

Crooked Still performing Claude Ely's signature song, "Ain't No Grave Gonna Hold My Body Down". You can hear versions of this song by both Ely and Johnny Cash in my May 8, 2011 post.

Delois Barrett Campbell (1926-2011)

A post to mark the passing, earlier this week, of gospel singer Delois Barrett Campbell. She performed with here sisters, Rodessa and Billie, for over 50 years as the Barrett Sisters. Roger Ebert has a post with more information about them.

The Barrett Sisters appeared in the film Say Amen, Somebody. I recently posted Roger Ebert's review of that film on my other blog.

"Pass Me Not Gentle Savior" - This video is from some years back.



"The Storm is Passing Over" - No video with this, but I am including it because this is my favorite Barrett Sisters Song.



Delois was confined to a wheel chair for the last years of her life, but, as these next two videos prove, that did not stop her from singing.

"New Home Over In Glory"



"Till We Meet Again"

Gillian Welch - Older Songs

I say Gillian Welch performing with David Rawlings last night at Strathmore. I have recently posted video with some of the songs off her new album. Here are videos of a couple of her older songs that she performed last night.

"Caleb Meyer" - a mighty good killin' song



"Elvis Presley Blues"



"Red Clay Halo" showing off some of Rawlings' great guitar work

The Civil Wars

I have only listened to The Civil Wars' album Barton Hollow once, so I can't really say what songs I like best, but here are are some videos of songs off the album. The have been opening for Adele, so you know they have to be good.

The title track "Barton Hollow"



"Poison & Wine"



An erotic performance of the Leonard Cohen song "Dance me to the End of Love"

I'll Be Satisified

"I'll be Satisfied" performed by Maybelle & Sara Carter, and Johnny Cash.

Danielia Cotton

Some recent Danielia Cotton videos.

"Rare Child"



"Back in Black"

Dan Peek

A couple videos to mark the passing of Dan Peek, a founding member the 1970's band America.

"Lonely People" - sung here, and written by Peek.



"Sister Golden Hair" - co-written by Peek



"Horse With No Name" - another song peek co-wrote.

Lucinda Williams & Amos Lee

Amos Lee and Lucinda Williams have been touring together. Here is some video of them performing together.

"Little Angel, Little Brother" off Sweet Old World, my favorite Lucinda Williams album.



"Clear Blue Eyes", Williams sings this song with Lee on his album Mission Bell.

Amazimg Grace (A Cappella)

Here is Lizz Wright's a cappella version of "Amazing Grace".

Laying Around

Considering that it is Saturday, and way too hot to go outside, here are a couple songs about laying around. This first song was a big hit a couple years ago, but I just recently became familiar with it from the soundtrack of the Unknown Warrior film I posted a couple weeks ago.

"Chasing Cars" - Snow Patrol



"Last Request" - Paulo Nutini




"I Should Get Up" - Teddy Thompson

The Sunny Side

Considering that the temperature is about to go to 100, this seems to be an appropriate song to post right. The sunny side is about the only side there is these days.

"Keep on the Sunny Side" - Mother Maybelle Carter, and her daughters, Helen and Anita.



Another version by Mac Wiseman, Earl Scruggs and Charlie Daniels.

Jerry Ragovoy

The songwriter Jerry Ragovoy passed away a couple days ago. In tribute, here are performances of a couple songs he wrote.

"Time Is On My Side" - Irma Thomas recorded this song in the early 1960's. You can see her performing the song in this post. The Rolling Stones saw her perform the song, copied her interpretation of the song, and it became one of their early hits.



"Piece of My Heart" performed by Janis Joplin



"Get It While You Can" - This song was also recorded by Janis Joplin, but it was recorded first by this man, Howard Tate.

By the Mark

Today a gospel song written by Gillian Welch—"By the Mark"—performed here by Dailey & Vincent.

Edith Piaf for Bastille Day

For Bastille Day a post to recognize a great French Singer, Edith Piaf.

"Milord", a performance from the Ed Sullivan Show.



"La Vie En Rose"



"Autumn Leaves" lyric by Jacques Prévert, who also wrote the script for my all time favorite film, Les Enfants du Paradis.




I am ending this post with a clip of Marion Cotillard's Oscar winning performance as Piaf.

Gillian Welch

Gillian Welch has a new album out called The Harrow & The Harvest. Here she is performing some songs off the album with David Rawlings.

Also see this post on Just Everything Else with video of the creation of the CD Jacket.

"The Way It Will Be"



"Hard Times" - This video has nothing to do with the song, but this is the only version I can find with decent audio.



"The Way It Goes" - at least so far this is my favorite song on the album




Not on the new album, but I can't resist posting this cover of the Jefferson Airplane song "White Rabbit"

Precious Memories

"Precious Memories" performed by Patty Loveless.

Blue

"Bright Blue Rose" - Mary Black



"Blue Train" - Maura O'Connell



"Once in A Very Blue Moon" - Nanci Griffith

White

"A Whiter Shade of Pale" - Procol Harum



"A Dozen White Roses" - Alecia Nugent



"White Dove", a song written by Carter Stanley, performed by Peter Rowan and Tony Rice

Red

This is Red, White and Blue week, starting with red today.

"Red, Red Wine" - UB40



"Red Rain" - Peter Gabriel, Natalie Merchant & R.E.M.



"The Scarlett Tide" - Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings

Bright Morning Stars

The Wailin' Jennys' version of "Bright Morning Stars"

Tedeschi Trucks Band

Married couple, and guitarists, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks have just released their first album together, Revelator. The first two songs below are on that album.

"Midnight in Harlem"



"Bound For Glory"



"I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free" the Billy Taylor Song. I have two other versions of this song in this post.

Going Home

Songs about going home.

"Long Road Home" - Sheryl Crow with Susan Tedeschi



"Homeward Bound" - Paul Simon and Willie Nelson



"Long Journey Home" - Porter Wagoner with Ralph Stanley

Dolly Parton - Swing Low Sweet Chariot

"Swing Low Sweet Chariot", the same song I posted last week, but this week performed by Dolly Parton.

Kris Kristofferson & Friends

No Depression posted this video on Facebook today. If I had seen it earlier, I would have included it in yesterday's post.

Kris Kristofferson, Joan Baez and John Prine performing Prine's song "Hello In There"

Kris Kristofferson @ 75

Today is Kris Kristofferson's 75 Birthday. A couple videos to make the occasion.

"Me and Bobby McGee", a song that Kristofferson wrote. You can see Janis Jopin's version at this previous post.



"Sunday Morning Coming Down", another song Kristofferson wrote.




An old clip of Kristofferson, and his one time wife, Rita Coolidge performing "Help Me Make It Through the Night", yet another song that Kristofferson wrote.



The Highwaymen—Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson & Waylon Jennings—performing "Highwayman"



In addition to being a singer and songwriter, Kristofferson has been a Rhodes Scholar, a captain in the U.S. Army and an actor. Here is a clip with Barbra Steisand from the film A Star Is Born, for which he won a Golden Globe.

Clarence Clemons

A post to make the passing of Clarence Clemons, the sax player for the E Street Band. Without Clemons' sax Bruce Springsteen would probably never have made it as big as he has.

Here is Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band performing "Jungleland" with one of Clemons' memorable sax solos.



A recent interview

Clara Ward - "Swing Low Chariot"

Rejoice and Shout is a new documentary out in theaters about gospel music. I saw it yesterday, and it has a lot of great old performance clips. This performance by The Clara Ward Singers of "Swing Low Chariot" was my favorite clip from the film.

Allen Toussaint

Some more music from New Orleans. I am pretty sure that Allen Toussaint is already on this blog somewhere playing piano, but I it doesn't look like he got credited. So here are some videos to rectify that situation.

"Southern Nights" - this was a big hit big hit for Glen Campbell back in 1977, but Toussaint wrote it.



"Party Going On"



Medley of "A Certain Girl", "Mother-in-law", "Fortune Teller", "Working In a Coal Mine"




Here Toussaint supports Cyndi Lauper performing "Early in the Morning".

Dr.Michael White

I went to the Kennedy Center tonight to see A Night in TREMÉ: The Musical Majesty of New Orleans. A lot of great music, but my favorite was Dr. Michael White on the Clarinet. I have never heard the clarinet played like this before.

Dr. Michael White Quartet



Summertime



White discusses the second line.

Oh, Mary Don't You Weep

Today I think The McCrary Sisters become the first artists to appear in four consecutive posts. "Oh, Mary Don't You Weep", performed by Mike Farris and The McCrary Sisters. I promise to move on to something else for my next post.

The McCrary Sisters

Videos in the last two posts have featured The McCrary Sisters. Today a couple more videos with them.

A couple songs a cappella.



Bob Dylan's song "Blowin' in the Wind" off of their album Our Journey.



Another song off the Our Journey album, "Know My Name", with Mike Farris.

Patty, Buddy, Darrell & The McCrary Sisters

I think these videos are all from the same concert. This must have been some show.

Three of the greatest song writers of all time, Buddy Miller, Patty Griffin and Darrell Scott, performing a song that none of them wrote, "Satisfied Mind"



My favorite Buddy Miller song, "Wide River to Cross", performed by Buddy, Patty and The McCrary Sisters.



"Move Up" is on Patty's latest album, Downtown Church. Here is a performance by Patty with Buddy and the McCrary Sisters, who also appear on the album.

Sit Down Servant

Mike Farris and the McCrary Sisters performing "Sit Down Servant".

Dimming of the Day

"Dimming of the Day" has been recorded many times. It is on Alison Krauss' latest album, and I included a preview video in this previous post. This is such a great song that I have decided to post a couple more versions of it.

The song was written by Richard Thompson, so here is a version by Richard, and his then wife, Linda.



Here is Bonnie Raitt, also performing with Richard Thompson.



A final version by David Gilmour of Pink Floyd.

The Revivalists

I saw a great concert by The Revivalists at the Kennedy Center tonight. You can steam the concert here. The band, from New Orleans, rocked the place a lot more than you usually see at the Kennedy Center. Here are a couple videos.

"Catching Fireflies" Featurette



"Soul Fight"



"Concrete"

Let them in, Peter

A post for Memorial Day. John Gorka performing his song "Let them in, Peter", based on a poem by Elma Dean.

Walk With Me, Lord

Today's Gospel song is "Walk With Me, Lord", performed by Lizz Wright.

See Liz Wright's Tiny Desk concert in this previous post: March 18, 2011.

Gillian Welch, et al

My last post had a video on Gillian Welch and the Decemberists. Welch has a new album coming out this summer, so we should be getting some new songs from her. For now here are a couple videos of her performing with various others.

"The Weight" - Gillian Welch and Old Crow Medicine Show



"Go To Sleep You Little Baby", from the film O Brother, Where Art Thou? - Gillian Welch, Alison Krauss and Emmylou Harris



"Look at Miss Ohio" - Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. It would be very hard for me to pick one of her songs and say it was my favorite, but this song would be in contention.