Pink Floyd are not strangers to the blues; I have already mentioned that previously [here] and [here]. Hell their band name is a mish-mash of two bluesmen's names.
So since today is lead guitarist David Gilmour's birthday, I thought I'd showcase Gilmour playing some blues from the late 80's for ya.
The Doors is one of the greatest bands of all time, and were a central part of mid to late 60's music. What set them apart was the lyricism of Jim Morrison and their psychedelic blues-rock, as well as being American! (Most bands who were taking the world by storm at the time were British - The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, etc).
This song is from the final Doors album with Jim Morrison, L.A. Woman, released in 1971 (Morrison would pass away a few months after). This album was a return to basics and their more familiar bluesy rock, but with some real blues numbers including 'Crawling King Snake' and 'Been Down So Long'
Track 4 is called 'Cars Hiss By My Window', which is a pure 12-bar blues and fitting to this blog. The lazy / hazy sound just takes you away, as the shuffling guitars and organ trudge the way over Morrison's doom and gloom lyrics and howling at the end of the song. A Doors classic.
When you hear a song, usually, especially in blues and rock, there's a recurring 'riff', or a repeated musical phrase that 'defines' the song. The best examples I can give is 'Smoke on the Water' or 'Enter Sandman'. Those songs among thousands of others are built upon a riff.
Now that you are familiar with what a riff is, go to BBC2 can check out the poll they are launching to determine the Top 100 Greatest Guitar Riffs.
Of course them being assholes, the vote is not available to anyone outside the UK, but at least we can see the results.
The page has 100 songs you can listen to and choose from. The polls will last until 25 July.
I can see the following blues songs on the list:
- Mannish Boy - Muddy Waters
- Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley
- Boom Boom - John Lee Hooker
- Johnny B Goode - Chuck Berry
The legendary classic rock band Led Zeppelin have announced that their first three albums, Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin II, and Led Zeppelin III, will be remastered and re-released on June 3.
The albums will come in several packages, like a special box set, single or double CD's, 2 vinyl versions, and digital download. The extra content will be an unreleased live concert audio for Led Zep 1, and studio outtakes for Led Zep 2 and 3.
Led Zeppelin remain one of the biggest rock bands ever, and of course their blues influence is very profound.
Here's 'The Lemon Song', featured on Led Zeppelin II, which is a blues nod to Howlin' Wolf; who incidentally sued the band for copyright infringement on his song 'Killing Floor'; and he has since then been credited on the song.
Robben Ford is one fine guitarist, having performed solo and with many great artists, including KISS, Miles Davis, and Joni Mitchell. He's released dozens of albums, and has been nominated to the Grammys four times.
with Miles Davis, 1986
His album 'Mystic Miles' released in 1993 features 'He Don't Play Nothin' But The Blues' as the opening track, providing high-octane blues/rock with it's distorted guitar riffs and heavy beat.
If you're into high octane blues-rock, this tune by Roy Buchanan called 'Short Fuse' will be your ticket. He's known as one of the pioneers on the Fender Telecaster, and was known as a very influential guitarist.
This song is on the 1985 album, 'When a Guitar Plays the Blues'. Enjoy and rock it!
Today marks the 2nd year anniversary of the death of guitar great Gary Moore, who died in 2011 on this day in Spain.
Gary Moore is mostly remembered for being in the guitarist with Thin Lizzy, and later on a blues master in his own right.
He performed with many major artists including BB King, The Beach Boys, Albert King and many others.
His soulful blues sound on his Les Paul made him a very popular artist of our day, and his album discography is wide ranging, from rock to blues and everything in between.
We remember Gary with this song, possibly his most popular, called "Still Got the Blues". RIP Gary!!
In what became Bob Dylan's never ending nightmare, he finally picked up the electric guitar and moved to a more blues and rock based electric sound. This did not bode well with his fans who consider him an acoustic folk hero.
But he never turned back, and kept on going.
This track, Subterranean Homesick Blues, was recorded on this day in 1965 for the album 'Bringing it all Back Home'. It features surreal lyrics, a 'talking blues' flow and awesome 60's electric sound.
Also noting that the video clip was very innovative for it's time. Here it is below!
I'm probably one of the biggest fans of the Fun Lovin' Criminals (FLC) in the region.
I have all their CDs (legit) and I've followed them ever since their first album Come Find Yourself came out in 1996 until now.
Their style incorporates blues as the root, but with hip-hop vocals sung by Huey Morgan, keyboards/bass/electronic production by Fast, and drumming by Frank from the UK (their 3rd drummer), blending in lounge and rock all in one.
They have a hardcore, mafioso/criminal and social based themes in their songs; they also represent their hometown of New York City, and many of their songs pay tribute to the Big Apple, as well as common themes of inner city lifestyle and issues, as mentioned in one of their songs "I Can't Get with That": We all bleed red even racist motherfuckers.
They have found big success in the UK and Europe; it's unfortunate that their native USA have not been as welcoming; however it's mostly due to the way the music industry there is.
They came to Dubai in 2007 once but I was in Lebanon at the time and I was unable to go, which is a real shame given how much I love these guys.
I really would like to all of you to check out their music... it's witty, comical, and serious at the same time.
Much love to the FLC, with the mucho grande style!
