ear worm

My family was always surrounded by great music. Music was always playing in our house and in the car. Mum loved Steve Winwood, Andrea Bocelli, Simply Red. Dad Marvin Gaye, Robert Cray & Oscar Peterson. We grew up near the Windsor/Detroit border, and we were lucky to see many great concerts & performances, notably at Pine Knob Music Theatre & the Windsor-Detroit International Music Festival. 

Over that time we were exposed to nearly all music genres, style of music playing, & types of performances and recordings.
One of my first CDs was the London Howlin' Wolf Sessions. I was around 10 years old and was astonished by Howlin' Wolf's powerful voice and style of guitar playing.

There are tracks on album where Howlin' Wolf is giving instructions to the other legendary musicians (The Red Rooster & Who's been talking?). This is where I first began to understand the alchemy  between musicians in the studio & on stage. I also started paying attention to other things related to the politics & business models of the music industry (The Howlin's Wolf sessions was recoded on Chess Records & Chess Records specialized in Blues and Rhythm & Blues). ​I've been hooked ever sense.
Howlin' Wolf's 1965 appearance on the network television show Shingdig is a fine example of intersection of music history, past & present.

Watching this video now - over 5 decades later - remains to be one of the 'so-glad-this-was-recorded-live' moments of Rock n' Roll history.

​The irony of the Rolling Stones introducing a North American audience to their Chicago based idol - Howlin' Wolf - unlocked my interest in of going deep into the history of music.

music rabbit holes

Many of my friends and family bond over music. We often go down rabbit holes, regularly sharing notable songs & performances. Along the way, I started to take notes:  
  • Who has musician(s) been influenced by?
  • Where did the performance or recording take place?
  • How did the audience & crowd respond?
  • Was there something notable about the performance?
  • Is there a message in the lyrics?
The following section is a collection of musical gems & performances that will get your toes tapping & bring a smile to your face. Rare Sound Checks, Call & Response, Cover Songs & Guest Appearances. Hope you enjoy. 

sound check

J.J. Cale & Eric Clapton.
​Sound Check 2007. Live in San Diego
  • 2:18 min mark: JJ Cale queuing the drummer
  • 4:48 min mark: Everyone laughing & smiling
  • 6:19 min mark: JJ Cale queuing Eric Clapton

I. Merringer

LIVE Performance

Etta James
Live at Montreux 1975
  • 5:21 min: Horns pop-in
  • 5:59 min: The crowd makes Etta chuckle
  • 6:15 min: Etta makes the band smile

Shared by S. Bagshaw

live performance

Nina Simone
Live at Montreux 1976