Sundog

I've only bought two. Eric Clapton and Paul McCartney. Both well worth owning if your a fan of either artist. The McCartney is stellar. Great backing band including Robbie McIntosh on guitar, Hamish Stuart on Bass, Blair Cunningham on drums, and Paul "Wix" Wickens on assorted "keyed" instruments. This is McCartney's "Off The Ground" era band.

Yeah, Muddy's influence is all over "Unplugged"

Red, I'm in the same boat as you. Sympathy is about all I can offer. I recently learned "In Walked Bud". I can play the melody spot on, I can navigate the changes just fine. However, it sounds a bit vanilla at times. I've come to the conclusion that Monk's a rule breaker (actually I think he made up a new set). If you play by conventional rules it sounds ordinary. I've just tried to immerse myself in Monk's music. I'm hoping that this along with some directed study of his music will help me think more like Monk. What would Monk do? I've been asking that question a lot lately. The only answer I can come up with is.... "Something Completely Original" P.S. Jim, Thanks for the sharing your thoughts. Now if you could tell me what the hell Coltrane is doing during the outro solo on "Bessie's Blues" I would be iternally grateful. B) I know, I know.... "Something Completely Original"

No doubt! Eric borrowed quite a bit from both, and a fair bit from Lowell Fulson too. I just think if you listen to his overall approach to the blues, including his singing, he is Muddy's protege more than anyone else. He did cop a fair amount of licks from Muddy. Check out Muddy's original recordings of I Can't Be Satisfied, Rollin and Tumblin', Rolling Stone, Walkin' Blues, Standing Around Crying, Blow Wind Blow, and Hoochie Coochie Man to name but a few. Also, to my ears E.C.'s slide work is informed by Mr. Morganfield.

Clapton was the key to turning me on to a lot of great music. For that, I'm forever grateful. However, there are parts of his career that for me at least, are not essential listening. I think there's more of Muddy's influence than Freddie King's in Clapton's overall package. Maybe I feel that way because I just recently listened to Muddy's Chess boxset? To me Muddy was the father that Clapton never had both musically and spiritually. For the record I think that Peter Green was every bit Clapton's peer back in the day. He was fairly experimental and not just interested in the blues. This led to some less than great work. However when he was on....

How come I knew that you would have the low down on these? Great to know that the music and sound quality are both excellent. Looks like this series will satisfy my Ellington "jag" for a while. Thanks, Merry XMAS! May the "Duke" be with you!

Anyone care to share their thoughts on these discs?

Can you say E.F. Hutton? DOG, Can you say, Marion or BETTY *HUTTON* ?? ....and if per chance you can......I suggest you set up an appointment with.. ....MADAME LePALME DEEP A little before my time, but stellar none the less!

I liked both. The feeling is coming through. Keep it up!

Can you say E.F. Hutton?

Let's just say I'm not on the Jason Moran Bandwagon as of late.

My dad use to play this one around the house all the time when I was growing up. I have a soft spot for this one. Fine music!

That would be correct. B) When are the powers that be going to upgrade the "bored" software to check for grammar snafus?

FYI- The "clean" look was the result of a home grown die job gone very bad.

I remember an experiment with vinyl myself, this one had nothing to do with cleaning, and everything to do with seeing how far a 12" slab of vinyl could be thrown. If memory serves, I'd say about 80 yards. Talk about your dumbasses!

Very Nice!

"Round" tone?

I'm a listener interested in obtaining the best possible sound quality. However, I treat myself to rarities a few times a year, but that's about it. I really consider myself more of a student of music who's trying to obtain a doctrate. I currently consider myself in about 3rd grade. B)

Traffic- The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys (Try reproducing that album cover for a cd release) Allman Brothers- Live At The Fillmore (You ain't heard the album until you've listened to a good vinyl copy) Santana- First Album (CD versions suck compared to good old vinyl) Van Morrison- Tupelo Honey Neville Brothers- Fiyo On The Bayou

Ray Charles

Don't forget the Stonehenge stage set! B)

A wise poet once said.... I went to a garden party to reminisce with my old friends A chance to share old memories and play our songs again When I got to the garden party, they all knew my name No one recognized me, I didn't look the same CHORUS But it's all right now, I learned my lesson well. You see, ya can't please everyone, so ya got to please yourself People came from miles around, everyone was there Yoko brought her walrus, there was magic in the air 'n' over in the corner, much to my surprise Mr. Hughes hid in Dylan's shoes wearing his disguise CHORUS lott-in-dah-dah-dah, lot-in-dah-dah-dah Played them all the old songs, thought that's why they came No one heard the music, we didn't look the same I said hello to "Mary Lou", she belongs to me When I sang a song about a honky-tonk, it was time to leave CHORUS lot-dah-dah-dah (lot-dah-dah-dah) lot-in-dah-dah-dah Someone opened up a closet door and out stepped Johnny B. Goode Playing guitar like a-ringin' a bell and lookin' like he should If you gotta play at garden parties, I wish you a lotta luck But if memories were all I sang, I rather drive a truck CHORUS lot-dah-dah-dah (lot-dah-dah-dah) lot-in-dah-dah-dah 'n' it's all right now, learned my lesson well You see, ya can't please everyone, so you got to please yourself Thanks for hosting the best damn Garden Party around!

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Highway 61 by Johnny Winter. That's a house rocker!

Now that sounds very interesting!

I've been listening to some of my old rock albums lately and have ran into a number of really fine Dylan covers. Things like If Not For You by George Harrison from his All Things Must Pass album. Another really great Dylan cover that I totally forgot about is World Party's version of All I Really Want To Do from the Private Revolution album. Just wondering what some of your favorites are?