Celtic New Year

Van Morrison with a song for the new year—"Celtic New Year"

Music from The Wolf of Wall Strret

I had a lot of problems with the film The Wolf of Wall Street, but the soundtrack does contain some great music. Here are performances of three songs it includes.

Cannonball Adderley Quintet - "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy"



Howlin' Wolf - "Smokestack Lightning"



The Lemonheads - "Mrs Robinson"

Eye of the Hurricane

"Eye of the Hurricane"—My favorite David Wilcox song performed by Wilcox and Trace Bundy.

Go Tell It On The Mountain

Julie Lee and Mike Farris perform "Go Tell It On The Mountain", with some instrumental help from Sam Bush and Rod McGaha.

O Come All Ye Faithful

"O Come All Ye Faithful" sung by the Choir and Congregation of the Washington National Cathedral.

Christmas Eve With You

Lindi Ortega's video for "Christmas Eve With You".

My Favorite Christmas Tradition

My favorite Christmas tradition is Darlene Love's annual appearance on the David Letterman Show to perform "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)". This year marks the 50th anniversary of the original release of Love's recording of this song on the album A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector. After 50 years she is still kickin' it.

Here is her performance from last week.

Hallelujah

This is not really a Christmas song, and I have posted other versions of it before. (K.D. Lang, Lucy Wainwright Roche & Rufus Wainwright) However, it is included in Chris Botti's 2006 Christmas album December, which I have been listening to.   This is Botti's instrumental version of Leonard Cohen's song, "Hallelujah".  Even without the lyric, it stands out as one of the greatest song written in the 20th Century.

The Secret of Christmas

Another song from the recent album, Musical Gifts from Joshua Bell and Friends. Here are Bell and Michael Feirstein performing the "The Secret of Christmas". I don't remember hearing this song before, but it was written by Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen for Bing Crosby, and first performed by Crosby in the 1959 film Say One for Me. A clip of Crosby with Debbie Reynolds and Robert Wagner performing the song in that film is included below.

Tribute to Patsy Cline

A recent tribute to Patsy Cline performed by LeAnn Rimes.

Nemesis

I posted a version of this a couple years back, but here David Gray gives a great performance of his song "Nemesis" at a recent festival in Ireland.

Pretty Paper

"Pretty Paper" is a Willie Nelson song that I have heard for years, but never really stopped to listen to what it was about. This recent post on Willie's site identifying the man it was written about, prompted me to see if I could pick out my favorite version of the song. Chris Isaak has a good version, but I think my favorite is this one performed by Raul Malo.

Tribute to Mandela

The Soweto Gospel Choir performs "Asimbonanga" in tribute to Nelson Mandela.

Ray Price (1926-2013)

A 2006 Ray Price performance of Kris Kristofferson's song "For the Good Times". Price was awarded "Song of the Year" by the Academy of Country Music for his 1970 recording of this song.  He died yesterday at 87. Here is his Obituary

In the Bleak Midwinter

Sarah McLachlan performing "In the Bleak Midwinter", which is based on a poem written by Christina Rossetti.

Put a Little Love in Your Heart.

From the soundtrack of the movie Scrooged—released 25 years ago—here is Annie Lennox and Al Green with "Put A Little Love In Your Heart".

Vaughan sings Gershwin

From 1988, Sarah Vaughan sings a medley of Gershwin tunes.

Christmas Confusion

From the new album Musical Gifts From Joshua Bell, here is Joshua Bell, Hyung-ki Joo, and Aleksey Igudesman performing "Christmas Confusion".

Ghosts of Christmas Past

Originally broadcast 50 year ago, here is Judy Garland's 1963 Christmas Special.  It includes Mel Torme and her three children, and ends with "Over the Rainbow".

Gasoline and Matches

An animated video of Buddy & Julie Miller's song "Gasoline and Matches" performed by LeAnn Rimes and Rob Thomas with Jeff Beck on guitar.

This World Is Not My Home

Valerie June's performance of "This World Is Not My Home".

More of here performances in this post.

Roseanne Cash

I went to a Roseanne Cash concert at the Library of Congress last night. She has a new album coming out in January with all songs about the south. She performed the entire album, and then, when that was over, she did a couple other songs including this one. Here she is performing "Ode to Billy Joe" with her husband, John Leventhal.

Organic Moonshine Roots Music

I am having trouble deciding which songs off of Valerie June's first album, Pushin' Against a Stone, I should post. Here are two off the album, and a Sam Cooke cover. I am not sure if I can compare her singing to anyone else, but she self labels what she creates as "Organic Moonshine Roots Music".

"Workin' Woman Blues"—I consider this song the grown up version of Hazel Dickens' "Workin' Girl Blues".



"Somebody To Love"



"Bring It On Home to Me"

Will The Circle Be Unbroken

Two of my favorites, Mavis Staples and Susan Tedeschi, perform "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" along with Derek Trucks.

Joe Jackson in Concert

If you have almost two hours, here is a sublime Joe Jackson concert from 2012. The band is awesome.

This Land Is Your Land

A new take on an old song—Sharon Jones performs the Woody Guthrie song "This Land Is Your Land".

Oh Happy Day

The Soweto Gospel Choir performing "Oh Happy Day".

Overtime

Trace Bundy video for the song "Overtime", off the album Elephant King.

Charles Street

"Charles Street" is one of the bonus tracks on the deluxe version of Amos Lee's latest album.  Unfortunately he did not perform the song at last night's DC concert.  But since the song is set in Baltimore, he did do it at last week's concert over there.  Here is a video of that performance.

Amos Lee & Mutlu

The final encore at tonight's Amos Lee concert was the Boyz II Men song "End of the Road". It was a duet with Mutlu, who I have never heard before. He is a version of them performing the song from a couple years ago. The Drummer also helps out with the vocal.

Buck Owens

Buck Owens appearing on the Jimmy Dean Show. I am guessing this is the middle 1960's, because "Loves Gonna Live Here" was released in 1963.

"My Heart Skips a Beat"
"Bud's Bounce"
"Foolin' Round"
"Love's Gonna Live Here Again"
"Midnight" duet by Jimmy Dean & Molly Bee
"Gotta Travel On" with Jimmy Dean & Molly Bee

Gloryland

Ralph Stanley performing "Gloryland".

I Wish I Were Blind

Yesterday I posted a Ben Harper cover of a Bruce Springsteen song. Today The Boss himself is performing another on of my favorites, "I Wish I Were Blind".

Atlantic City

Here is Ben Harper's cover of one of my favorite Bruce Springsteen songs, "Atlantic City".

Irma Thomas Being Bad

Irma Thomas performing "For the Rest of My Life" on a recent Rhythm & Blues cruise.



And Bob Dylan's "Forever Young".

Clear Blue Eyes

Amos Lee performing his song, Clear Blue Eyes, with some help from Alison Krauss and Sarah Jarosz.

Truth #2

"Truth #2" is a Patty Griffin song off her recently released Silver Bells album, but the best live version of the song is this Dixie Chicks Austin City Limits performance.

Just A Closer Walk With Thee

The Preservation Hall Jazz Band with Marcia Ball performing "Just A Closer Walk With Thee".

Ranch Party

From 1957 three performances on Tex Ritter's Ranch Party.

Carl Perkins - "Blue Suede Shoes"
Johnny Cash - "I Walk the Line"
Patsy Cline, in her finest cowgirl getup - "I've Loved and Lost Again"

Do Right Woman

Yesterday's post of "Why Don't You Do Right?" has prompted me to post "Do Right Woman" today. Here a 1967 Aretha Franklins performance of that song.

Why Don't You Do Right?

I found this this great version of "Why Don't You Do Right" performed by the Carolina Chocolate Drops, with vocals by Rhiannon Giddens and a guy that makes a trumpet sound with just his mouth. For good measure I am also including Jessica Rabbit's version of the song, followed by Peggy Lee's 1942 version of the song with the Benny Goodman Orchestra.

Carolina Chocolate Drops



Jessica Rabbit (Amy Irving)



A young Peggy Lee and the Benny Goodman Orchestra

Troublesome Waters

Carlene Carter performing "Troublesome Waters" earlier this year at Farm Aid.

Run Away

Sarah Jarosz performs her song "Run Away" with some help from Alison Krauss.

Chrissie Hynde Acoustic

Chrissie Hynde performs two Pretenders' song with acoustic guitar.

"Talk of the Town"



"Kid"

Why

Annie Lennox, with orchestra, performing "Why".

Walt Grace's Submarine Test, Jan. 1967

This is my favorite track on John Mayer's Born and Raised album. Normally I like to post live versions of songs, but the recording of this song is about as close to perfect as you can get. So here is the album track of "Walt Grace's Submarine Test, Jan. 1967", with some interesting animation.

Tribute to Leadbelly

From the old Midnight Special television show, Rita Coolidge and Willie Nelson perform "Goodnight Irene" in a tribute to Leadbelly.

Old Time Religion

Sister Rosette Tharpe with "Old Time Religion".

Wrecking Ball

A great cover of Miley Cyrus' "Wrecking Ball" by The Gregory Brothers. (This is a fully clothed video)

Lizz Wright/Raul Midon

A couple videos from a Lizz Wright/Raul Midon Concert just a couple days ago.

"When You Call My Name"



"Stop"

Rattlin' Bones

What better to post on Halloween than Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson performing "Rattlin' Bones". Two Aussies at the Americana Music Awards.

I Envy the WInd

I've been neglectful of Lucinda Williams recently, so here she is with her song "I Envy the Wind".  At the beginning of this video Williams references Lila Downs' version of the song, so Downs' spanish version is the second video below.

Autumn

I previously posted a version of Paolo Nutini's "Autumn" including video of fall leaves. Like "Autumn Leaves" last week, this is another song that I just have to post again. Here is a live version of Nutini singing his tribute to his grandfather.

Sit Down Servant

The Staple Singers performing "Sit Down Servant".  Looks like 40 or 50 years ago.  I love to hear Mavis clap.

Autumn Leaves

Once again, it is the time of year to post this song. My favorite version of "Autumn Leaves" is by Eva Cassidy. I posted that version four years ago. Here is another incredible version of the song by Nat King Cole.

Duke Ellington Tribute

What a tribute to Duke Ellington from 1973—Aretha Franklin, Roberta Flack, Sarah Vaughan and Peggy Lee.

When I'm Gone

In 1931 the Carter Family recorded "When I'm Gone". I wonder what A.P., Sara and Maybelle would think if they knew that 82 years later a new version of the song would make it to the pop charts. Here is Anna Kendrick with her version, "Cups (Pitch Perfect's "When I'm Gone")"



This a pretty obscure Carter Family song, not the better known song "Will You Miss Me When I'm Gone". I cannot find a version of the original song on the internet, but here is a version of the song by Charlie Monroe that sounds a lot like the original recording.

When a Man Loves a Women

Here is Percy Sledge performing his big hit "When a Man Loves a Woman".  I recently saw the film Muscle Shoals, which inspired me to do this post. This was one of the first hits recorded down there. The trailer for the film follows the song.

Heaven's Bright Shore

Alison Krauss performing "Heaven's Bright Shore", shortly after she won the first of her twenty seven Grammies.

Cameron Carpenter

I went to a concert this week given by Cameron Carpenter on the Kennedy Center's new organ. He played this piece based on Bach's Cello Suite No. 1 Prelude.

Justin Townes Earle Covers Springsteen

Justin Townes Earle performs a couple Bruce Springsteen Songs.

"Racing in the Streets"



"Atlantic City" with Joe Pug

Just What I Needed

The Punch Brothers cover The Cars' "Just What I Needed".



Here is the original performed by The Cars all those years ago.

Amie

Pure Prairie League with a relatively recent performance of "Amie".

Will the Circle Be Unbroken

Old Crow Medicine Show perform "Will the Circle Be Unbroken/I Saw the Light" on the night they were inducted as members of the Grand Ole Opry. Joining in are Del McCoury, Marty Stuart, Connie Smith and Dierks Bentley.

Patsy Cline & Bobby Lord

Patsy Cline duets with Bobby Lord on these two songs.

"Remember Me, I'm the One Who Loves You"



"Someday"

The Water Is Wide

A song appropriate for the weather we are in the middle of, Emmylou Harris with Teddy Thompson and the McGarrigle Sisters performing "The Water Is Wide".

Alabama Shakes

I don't think I have posted anything from Alabama Shakes before. Here are a couple songs from a concert in Sydney. Brittany Howard on vocals and guitar.

"Mama"



"Heavy Chevy"



"Worryin Blues"



"Gospel Song"

Working On A Building

From the Brooklyn Bluegrass Bash 2013 finale—Chris Thile, Sarah Jarosz and many more perform "Working On A Building".

I Ain't Easy To Love

Quite a combination, The Swampers—Candi Staton, Jason Isbell & John Paul White (formerly of The Civil Wars)— performing "I Ain't Easy To Love".

Chill in the Air

Amos Lee performing his new single, "Chill in the Air".

Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Three songs from Sister Rosetta:  "He's Mine", "Precious Memories" and "This Train"

Time Is On My Side

Irma Thomas—accompanied by Allen Toussaint—performs "Time Is On My Side", a song that Mick Jagger copied from her. One of the amazing thinks about Thomas is that her voice is still as powerful as it was when she first recorded this song almost 50 years ago.

Make Somebody Happy

Santana, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks performing "Make Somebody Happy".

Shovels & Rope - Tiny Desk Concert

Shovels & Rope recently won song of the year at the Americana Music Awards for their song "Birmingham". Here is a TIny Desk cncert they did last week. Set list:

"Carnival"
"Birmingham"
"Bad Luck"

Spirit of God

A song from my new favorite, Beth Hart—"Spirit of God"

Aretha & Leon

I Know that Leon Russell has played piano for scores of singers over the years. Here he is with Aretha Franklin, back in the day when his hair was short and dark. So this must be at least close to fifty years ago.

Harvest Moon

Thanks to Mary Russell, Neil Young in honor of tonight's "Harvest Moon".

75 Septembers

A great Cheryl Wheeler song, "75 Septembers".

Stop

Most of the music I post does not include drums, but this Lizz Wright performance of "Stop" has some nice drum playing on it.

Mama's Hands

Alison Krauss performs Hazel Dickens' song "Mama's Hands".

Jackson

The Carolina Chocolate Drops perform "Jackson", a song originally performed by Johnny Cash and June Carter.

Johnny Cash, 10 Years After

I have posted this video before. but as today marks ten years since Johnny Cash passed away, I am reposting his "Hurt" video.

Johnson Boulevard

"Johnson Boulevard", another song from Amos Lee's forthcoming album.

Iris on the Marty Stuart Show

Two songs from Iris Dement's recent appearance on the Marty Stuart show.

"Go Ahead and Go Home"



"Big City, Turn Me Loose & Set Me Free"

Mavis at the Party

Here are a couple videos of Mavis Staples at the Hideout Block Party on Friday night.  She has a new knee, but is still going strong.

"For What It's Worth"



"I Like the Things About Me"



"The Weight"



"Freedom's Highway"

Papa Was A Rodeo

Kelly Hogsn regularly sings back up for Neko Case—including on the video I posted yesterday. I really like this song that she performs on her own, "Papa Was A Rodeo".

I Wish I Was The Moon

I saw Trampled By Turtles, Mavis Staples and Neko Case all perform tonight at the Hideout Block Party in Chicago. Three very different groups, but they were all great. My favorite song of the night was Case's "I Wish I Was The Moon". Here is a video of a performance of that song from a couple years back.

Prine on Colbert

A couple clips from John Prine's appearance last night on The Colbert Report.

Interview



"How Lucky"



"Paradise"

How I Got Over

Mahalia Jackson's performance of "How I Got Over" from the March on Washington, 50 years ago today.

Johnny Cash in the 1950's

For your viewing pleasure, someone has created this compilation of Johnny Cash's 1950's TV appearances.

1955 - Johnny Cash (Backstage in Oklahoma City) 
1956 - So Doggone Lonesome (Grand Ole Opry)
1957 - Get Rhythm (Tex Riter's Ranch Party)
1957 - Give My Love To Rose (Tex Riter's Ranch Party)
1957 - Home of the Blues (Tex Riter's Ranch Party)
1957 - I Walk the Line (Tex Riter's Ranch Party)
1957 - So Doggone Lonesome (Tex Riter's Ranch Party)
1957 - Next in Line (Tex Riter's Ranch Party)
1957 - Train of Love (Tex Riter's Ranch Party)
1958 - Stay All Night & Next In Line (Country Style USA)
1958 - Give My Love to Rose (Country Style USA)
1958 - Home of the Blues & Stay All Night (Country Style USA)
1958 - Ballad of a Teenage Queen (American Bandstand) 
1959 - All Over Again (March of Dimes)
1959 - Camptown Races (Bell Telephone Hour)
1959 - Don't Take Your Guns to Town (Ed Sullivan Show)

I'll Fly Away

Johnny Cash performs "I'll Fly Away" with a little help from June Carter, Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters, Carl Perkins and the Statler Brothers.

Heartfelt Led Zeppelin

Earlier this week Robert Plant turned 65. What better way to mark the occasion than with two "heartfelt" covers of Led Zeppelin songs.

First up Beth Hart with "Whole Lotta Love".



Second, Ann and Nancy Wilson—AKA Heart–with "Stairway to Heaven"

Jason Isbell

A miniconcert from Jason Isbell of songs from his recent album, Southeastern:
     "Different Days"
     "Traveling Alone"
     "Live Oak"
     "Stockholm"

I'd Rather Go Blind

One of my all time favorite performances is Etta James and Dr. John singing "I'd Rather Go Blind" that I previously posted here. I have to say that this performance of the same song by Beth Hart and Jeff Beck is just about as good.

Bonnie Raitt and More Friends

There are so many clips of Bonnie Raitt performing with her friends, that I need to do a second post.

"I Don't Want Anything To Change" with Norah Jones



"A Natural Women" with Aretha Franklyn & Gloria Estefan



"In the Mood" with John Lee Hooker

Marion Williams

Marion Williams and the Marion Williams Singers perform "Traveling Shoes", "Swing Down Chariot" and, my personal favorite, "Packing Up".

Bonnie Raitt and Friends

Seems like every on wants to perform with Bonnie Raitt. In this post she performs with various friends and relations.

"Will the Circle Be Unbroken" with Mavis Staples



"Love Has No Pride" with Crosby, Stills & Nash



In this clip, from twenty years back, she performs with her father, John Raitt, and the Boston Pops. In his day Bonnie's father was a very successful leading man on Broadway. "Hey There" and "Nick of Time"

1952 Vincent Black Lightning

Richard Thompson, in 2012, performing one of his most popular songs, "1952 Vincent Black Lightning".

Caravan

Danielia Cotton performing Van Morrison's "Caravan".

Oh Happy Day

No visual, but here is Big Momma Thornton's live recording of "Oh Happy Day".

One Night With Janis Joplin

Mary Bridget Davies is currently performing as Janis Joplin in the show "One Night with Janis Joplin" at the Arena Stage. The show is headed to Broadway. I saw it last night, and it should be a big hit in New York. Sabrina Elayne Carten co-stars as several of the women who influenced Joplin's singing, Unfortunately I don't see any clips of her performing, so you will have to attend the show in order to see her. It is well worth it to see either of these two women perform, and a double treat to see them together. 

Here are some clips from a few years back of Davies performing with Joplin's band, Big Brother and the Holding Company.

"Piece of My Heart"



"Summertime"



"Ball And Chain"—Big Momma Thorton wrote this song, and you can see her performance of it in this 2010 Post

The March

Why not another instrumental, Robert Randolph & the Family Band performing "The March", including part of "When the Saints Go Marching In".

Green Onions

One of the most successful instrumentals from the rock era—Booker T Jones performing his song "Green Onions" with Daryl Hall.

Flowers in Your Hair

I posted "Ho Hey" by the Lumineers a couple months back when it was nominated for the Americana Music Award's Song of the Year. Here is another one of their songs, "Flowers in Your Hair".

Bach on Mandolin

Chris Thile plays plays the final movement of Bach Sonata #1 in G-minor on mandolin.

Precious Memories

This is from about 25 years back, Emmylou Harris and Chet Atkins duet on "Precious Memories".

Helpless

Neil Young's song "Helpless" performed by Elton John, Leon Russell, Neko Case, Sheryl Crow and T-Bone Burnett.

Coming Up Easy

A recent Paolo Nutini performance of "Coming Up Easy" with full band.

Loretta Lynn

Sorry to hear that Loretta Lynn's eldest daughter has died. I will post a video of happier times for her. Here is a performance of "Coal Miner's Daughter" from last year's celebration marking her 50 years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Leaving Eden

The Carolina Chocolate Drops at the Grand Ole Opry performing "Leaving Eden".

Awake My Soul In Joyful Lays

Ginny Hawker sings "Awake My Soul In Joyful Lays". This song is over 200 years old.

The Man Who Wants You

Amos Lee performing live "The Man Who Wants You" from his forthcoming album Mountains of Sorrow, Rivers of Song out this fall on Blue Note Records.

Happy Birthday Mick

What better way to recognize that today is Mick Jagger's 70th birthday than a video of "Time Is On My Side", a song he ripped off from Irma Thomas almost fifty years ago.  Irma's version of the song is in this post.

All My Tears

Buddy Miller performs "All My Tears"—a song written by his wife, Julie Miller.

Carl, Johnny and Patsy

From 1957, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline perform on the Ranch Party Television show.

The Unclouded Day

Johnny Cash, accompanied by his mother on piano, performs "The Unclouded Day".

Lennon and Maisy

Lennon and Maisy Stella are on the show Nashville, which I have never seen. These girls have amazing harmony. Here they are performing the Stephen Foster song "Hard Times Come Again No More" at the Grand Ole Opry.

Ring Them Bells

Sarah Jarosz performs Bob Dylan's song "Ring Them Bells".

Leon Russell in Concert

I went to see Leon Russell at the Hamilton Live last night. Other than being too loud for the space it was in, it was a great concert. Most of the concert was Rock & Roll with a full band. but Russell did a few solos on keyboards. Part of the encore was "Roll Over Beethoven", which at this previous post you can see him performing almost 50 years ago

Here is a fairly recent performance of "Magic Mirror", which I would say was my favorite song of the night.



He also performed these two songs last night with the band. "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and "Delta Lady"

Allen Toussaint Documentary

From a couple years back, a one hour BBC documentary about Allen Toussaint.

Over in the Gloryland

Some great harmony on an a capella version of "Over in the Gloryland" performed by Run Boy Run.

Judith Hill

Judith Hill is the youngest performer featured in the film Twenty Feet from Stardom. She was scheduled to duet with Michael Jackson on his planned tour, and was in rehearsals with him when he died. Here is a clip of one of the rehearsals for "I Just Can't Stop Loving You".



A performance of "Sweet Dreama" with original Eurythmic Dave Stewart.



The Carol King song "You Got A Friend", and then "Desperation"

Lisa Fischer

Number five from Twenty Feet from Stardom—Lisa Fischer.

Fischer has been the backup singer for the Rolling Stones' concert performances for over twenty years now.  Here she is performing the song Merry Clayton originally recorded, "Gimme Shelter".



"The Look of Love" performed with Chris Botti.



A recent performance of "I Love You Porgy".

Tata Vega

Number four from Twenty Feet from Stardom—Tata Vega.

From 1979, Vega performs "I Just Keep Thinking About You".



"Miss Celies Blues (Sister)" a song Vega originally recorded for the film The Color Purple.



"It's a Man's World" from earlier this year.

Merry Clayton

Number three from Twenty Feet from Stardom—Merry Clayton.

An interview with Clayton where she tells the best story from the film, how she was called out in the middle of the night, pregnant and in curlers, to record what became one of the Rolling Stone's most iconic songs, "Gimme Shelter".



The original "Gimme Shelter" recording with Clayton's vocals.



Clayton performing at a recent show to promote the new movie, the Dylan song "The Times They Are A-Changin'"

Claudia Lennear

The second post of a singer from Twenty Feet from Stardom—Claudia Lennear.

"Let It Be" performed with Leon Russell on piano.



Lennear performed for a time with Ike & Tina Turner. I am not sure if she is included in this line up of the Ikettes, but this is the best Ike & Tina video that I have ever found, so I am including it here anyway.

Darlene Love

I am going to do a series of posts this week focused on women that are featured in the new film Twenty Feet from Stardom. Today we have Darlene Love. The first clip is Love on  Letterman recently discussing the film and her career.



Originally recorded in the early 60's, "A Fine Fine Boy"  performed recently with Bruce Springsteen.



Love performs here with her original group, the Blossoms, and Tom Jones, a 1971 recording of "River Deep, Mountain High".

Trouble Will Soon Be Over

The Black Friday—a group I know nothing about, except that they are from Italy—really kick it on Blind Willie Johnson's "Trouble Will Soon Be Over". Who knew you could get southern gospel blues from Italy, and this is just about as good as the real thing.



This clip has the audio from Johnson's original 1927 recording, although the video is a recent recreation.

Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture"

For Fourth of July, a Boston Pops performance of the finale of Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" with cannons, church bells and fireworks.

Summertime

It is that time of the year again—"Summertime" performed by Janis Joplin.

Ophelia

I think Amos Lee can cover just about anything.  Here he performs The Band's "Ophelia".



The original is great also, here is Levon Helm singing the song in the 1978 film "The Last Waltz".

One True Vine

A couple songs off Mavis Staples' new album of mostly gospel songs, "One True Vine".

"Can You Get To That"



"Far Celestial Shores"

Norah & Willie

Norah Jones and Willie Nelson performing a nice duet of "Wurlitzer Prize".

BB and Friends

John Mayer, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi all perform with BB King in this two part video.

Tedeschi sings Prine

Susan Tedeschi performs a beautiful version of John Prine's "Angel from Montgomery", followed by "Sugaree".  I think this could well be the first video that I have posted with a flute solo.

Travelin' Shoes

Vermettya Royster singing lead with the Clara Ward Singers - "Travelin' Shoes"

June Hymn

I have posted a version of this song before, but to mark the first day summer here is Colin Meloy, of the Decembrist, performing "June Hymn".

Kate Smith Evening Hour

Part of a two 1952 episodes of The Kate Smith Evening Hour featuring members of the Grand Ole Opry. Performing on the shows, in addition to Kate Smith, are Roy Acuff, Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters, Hank Williams, Sr., and others.  At least according to the info on YouTube, the second segment was Hank Williams' last television appearance.

March 26, 1952


April 23, 1952

The One That Got Away

Video for "The One That Got Away"—the first single off The Civil Wars upcoming album.

Waiting on June

Hank Williams granddaughter, Holly Williams performs "Waiting on June", a song from her current album.  Certainly a song that would have made her granddaddy proud.

Shine On

Dolly Parton performs "Shine On" a capella at Tammy Wynette's Memorial Service.

You Will Be My Ain True Love

Alison Krauss and Sting perform "You Will Be My Ain True Love", a song from the movie Cold Mountain.

His Eye Is On The Sparrow

Jennifer Holliday performing "His Eye Is On The Sparrow".

Not Cause I Wanted To

A short Jools Holland interview with Bonnie Raitt, and then she performs "Not Cause I Wanted To"—a beautiful song off her latest album.

Paul Simon Covers

A couple covers of Paul Simon songs.

Sarah Jarosz - "Kathy's Song"



Mumford and Sons with Jerry Douglas - "The Boxer"



Alison Krauss with Jerry Douglas - "Graceland"

Lizz Wright & Raul Midón

Lizz Wright & Raul Midón complete concert from the 2012  Estival Jazz Lugano.

Bullet For a Broken Heart

Dillon Hodges - "Bullet For a Broken Heart"

This Train

You might call this hootenanny gospel—Old Crow Medicine Show, Mumford and Sons and Edward Sharpe perform "This Train". It is a good bit different from Sister Rosetta's version.

Chris Stapleton

A couple songs from Chris Stapleton, formerly the singer with the SteelDrivers.

"What Are You Listening To"



"The Right Ones"



"If It Hadn't Been For Love"—a song from his days with the SteelDrivers, which was subsequently recorded by Adele.