The Sonic Sage

I have not been posting lately due to unforeseen events, which should be smoothing out within a few weeks. Then I can return to this page. I’ve missed my music.

#musicsky #music #jazz #blues #acoustic #bigband #vocalists #rock #Celtic

YouTube video by Leo Kottke - Topic Sweet Emotion

A “hit repeat” since discovering this 2005 Aerosmith cover. Master guitarist Kottke paired with Gordon’s (of Phish fame) lyrical bass, wow. The addition of the Middle Eastern baglama for texture in the strings & backed by percussion layered with congas & Afro-Peruvian cajon.

#musicsky #music #bass

Sometimes you have to stretch but in the hands of Skaggs and Hornsby it’s got a surprisingly catchy hook. Color me surprised

YouTube video by The Circle Sessions The Teskey Brothers - Drown In My Own Tears (Live) | The Circle° Sessions

Australian brothers Josh Teskey (lead vocals) & Sam (lead guitar), with Olaf Scott (piano) in a live performance of the song made famous by Ray Charles (1956), & written by Henry Glover. Man, does Josh bring the soul & with Olaf kicking in a gospel feel this cooks.

#soul #musicsky #blues #gospel

YouTube video by Ronnie Wood The Ronnie Wood Band - Shame Shame Shame (Live at the Royal Albert Hall) (Lyric Video)

Standard by blues man Jimmy Reed, born in Mississippi (1925-1976) & covered by many. This cut was recorded in 2013 at the Royal Albert Hall as a tribute concert. It featured Bernard Fowler on backing vocals & Johnny Lee Schell on guitar/harmonica.

#musicsky #blues #vinyl #music

YouTube video by Mahalia Jackson - Topic Didn't It Rain

Mahalia Jackson (1911-1972) “Queen of Gospel” released several versions of this spiritual. Arranged by Roberta Martin, pianist & choir leader in Chicago, with a call & response feel to Mildred Falls on piano. A friend of MLK Jr, she sang this in 1963 at the march on Washington.

#musicsky #gospel

YouTube video by Mighty Clouds Of Joy - Topic I'll Be Up There

The Mighty Clouds of Joy, formed in 1959 & led for 60 yrs by powerhouse vocalist Joe Ligon (1936-2016) First pressed in 1964, the 2010 version has an R&B feel. Ligon stayed true to gospel saying “I sing the way I do bc somebody out there needs to know there’s hope”

#musicsky #gospel #vocalists

I’ll give it a spin; have never heard this one. Thanks for the post.

Recently saw Genticorum perform live, also a new group for me, gift night out from my sister. Do you know them? Loved the show. I’ll have to add a post with something from them.

I just hit repeat 3 times on that….a new musician for me. Thanks for the post.

YouTube video by Santana - Topic Guajira

Comparing this 1993 live version of Guajira vs the 1971 studio release on Santana III is worth the time. On III, the cha-cha rhythm is maintained with basic flourish. The live version explodes in the piano & fiery guitar solos, while adding more pronounced time signature changes.

#musicsky #Latin

YouTube video by René Marie - Topic I Only Have Eyes for You

René Marie is by far my favorite modern jazz vocalist & a woman I admire for her fierce self determination, leaving an abusive marriage to pursue her music at 40. Her treatment of this standard is luscious, sensual & backed by the bossa nova joy of guitarist John Hart.

#jazz #musicsky #vocalist

YouTube video by barkofink Chick Corea - Windows

Armando Anthony “Chick” Corea (1941-2021) released this album in 1968. Known for his early work with Miles Davis, Corea led several bands, notably Return to Forever (1972) Windows is a jazz waltz in 3/4 time. A first session with Mercer Ellington in 1966 titled it Uph. Coffee time☕️

#musicsky #jazz

They had that mojo in motion…..

YouTube video by Moraito The Brecker Brothers Band - Night Flight (1976)

Love this punchy, jazz-funk fusion tune on the 1976 album Back to Back. Michael Brecker on tenor sax, flute, Randy Brecker on trumpet, flugelhorn & David Sanborn on alto sax. Super tight horn arrangements. The Breckers were sought after sessions players in the 70’s & 80’s.

#jazzfusion #musicsky

YouTube video by Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin - The Rain Song (Official Audio)

A ballad written after George Harrison commented that Zep had never released one. From Houses of the Holy (1973), with Page playing both a Gibson J-200 & budget friendly Danelectro (for its twang).
John Paul Jones on Mellotron for strings & clocking in at 7:39 min.
Just gorgeous.

#musicsky #rock

YouTube video by Red Garland - Topic You'd Be So Nice to Come (feat. Art Pepper)

Red Garland (1923-1984) was a master of swinging hard-bop. This collection of tunes is a compilation of recordings between ‘58-‘61 that were released in ‘77 on the Prestige label. A Cole Porter standard that’s been covered by many; I love this swinging groove of Garland’s

#musicsky #jazz #hardbop

YouTube video by Release - Topic Rosetta

The jazz standard Rosetta was composed by Earl “Fatha” Hines, but Goodman liked this arrangement by Fletcher Henderson. First released on a 78 in 1937, Goodman , the “King of Swing” (1909-1986) is known for having one of the first racially integrated jazz bands.

#swing #musicsky #bigband

YouTube video by Dave Van Ronk - Topic Green Rocky Road

The 1963 recording of Van Ronk’s Green Rocky Road, one of his most requested. Composed by Len Chandler, its roots from a popular African-American children’s game. The finger picking style is done in drop-D tuning. VR was a Greenwich Village fixture in the 60’s folk revival scene.

#folk #musicsky

So glad! Sharing music I love is the reason I started the page, and to know someone finds music that connects for them too makes my day.

YouTube video by Santana - Topic Gitano

Gitano (Gypsy) on the Amigos album, released in 1976 on Columbia Records, is a snappy Latin infused rock tune that I dig. Highlights are the flamenco guitar of Santana with the featured Afro-Cuban percussion of Armando Peraza (congas, lead vocal )& “Chepito” Areas (timbales).

#musicsky #Santana

YouTube video by Paul Butterfield - Topic Blues with a Feeling

The debut 1965 album on Elektra that was key in bridging blues to rock for audiences. Butterfield on harmonica, Mike Bloomfield lead guitar, Elvin Bishop rhythm guitar. Known for backing Dylan in ‘65 at Newport for the famous “electric set”. A Little Walter tune that cooks.

#blues #rock #musicsky

YouTube video by Sunshine Happiness7 Hound Dog Taylor - Walking The Ceiling

Theodore “Hound Dog” Taylor (1915-1975) an unlikely but well appreciated Chicago style blues man. Unlikely because he really couldn’t play with any proficiency but his raw sound, with vibing slide style was jumping. Housebreakers were Brewer Phillips guitar (no bass) & Ted Harvey drums.

#Blues

Thanks for the post. Reminded me how much I love his Walking The Ceiling. I need to put that one up. 🎶

YouTube video by Neil Young - Topic Tell Me Why

Every guitarist I knew & played with as a teen loved 1970’s After the Gold Rush. This vinyl had hours of spin time for me. “All in a dream, all in a dream…”
Musicians include members of CSN & Crazy Horse. Cover photo shot in Greenwich Village

#ClassicRock #musicsky #FolkRock

YouTube video by DISCOS REDONDOS ( FULL ALBUMS ) The Universal International Orchestra -The Glenn Miller Story (Soundtrack)(FULL ALBUM)

This Decca recoding is in my collection, passed along thru family. I first heard the recording when I was 10 & instantly fell in love with the big band sound. Members of the Universal Studio orchestra performed with a handful of original members of the Air Force & civilian bands.

#BigBand

YouTube video by Dionne Warwick - Topic You've Gonna Hear from Me

The song originally written for the movie, Inside Daisy Clover. Dionne Warwick’s version rains with that powerful, sophisticated contralto voice. She was all over the radio in the 60’s and her work with Burt Bacharach (primarily) & Hal David were signature. Loved her then & now.

#musicsky #60’s

YouTube video by The Beatles - Topic Penny Lane (Remastered 2009)

The piccolo trumpet played by David Mason of the London Philharmonic is the hook for me. It’s a nostalgia offering from Paul giving us a regal, winsome and bright postcard of youth, & I smile every time. MMT (1967) was the album along with Rubber Soul that stamped me young fan.

#60’s #musicsky

YouTube video by Dame Kiri Te Kanawa - Topic Gianni Schicchi: O mio babbino caro

I thank my father for introducing me to famed soprano opera singer Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. He would play his cassettes on trips to our camp & this beautiful aria by Puccini was his favorite of her work. Perhaps no coincidence that O Mio Babbino Caro translates to “oh my dear papa”

#musicsky #opera

YouTube video by George Cables - Topic Who Can I Turn To?

Jazz pianist George Cables ( born 1944) homage to his years accompanying sax legend Dexter Gordon. The trio is rounded with Reid on bass & Lewis on drums. Quiet, and a great jazz brunch tune. I’d go for the Eggs Florentine and sliced fruit.

#jazz #jazzpiano #musicsky #jazztrio
#DexterGordon