GEORGE "HARMONICA" SMITH - "Boogie'n With George" (1982)

 

George "Harmonica" Smith was 58 when he recorded this album back in 1982, and he was still rockin' hard. Unfortunately George died about a year and a half after this LP was recorded.

I just heard this song for the first time today, and I was really impressed with the way it moved.

This song was written by Howlin' Wolf, but George makes it his own!

GEORGE "HARMONICA" SMITH - "44"

SAVOY BROWN - "Raw Sienna" (1970)

It seems to me that most people write off Savoy Brown as just another British blues and boogie band, but man, were they ever a lot more than that. They released two albums in 1970 "Looking In," and "Raw Sienna" that for me are two of the best records ever made.

Driven by the powerful guitars of Kim Simmonds, it's disgusting that I don't think they've even ever been considered for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

I spent a long time trying to come up with a song from one of those two albums because they are all amazingly awesome!

Here's one from "Raw Sienna" that proves my point!

Nobody packed more into three minutes and thirty-four seconds than this!

Turn it up all the way!! 

SAVOY BROWN - "That Same Feelin'"

WILLIAM SHATNER - "Has Been" (2004)

 

Possibly one of the greatest statements of all time, The Shat doing a Joe Jackson song and making it real. I bought this 2004 CD specifically for this song, and it was worth every penny.

There is nothing more that needs to be said.

WILLIAM SHATNER - "Common People" 

 

 And just in case that's not enough for you, then maybe you'll be able to get behind another song off this incredible CD, a dueling duet between The Shat and the formidable Henry Rollins!

WILLIAM SHATNER - "I Can't Get Behind That"

DOMINIC TROIANO - "Try" (1972)

 

I've got four albums by Dominic Troiano, and they're all good, so I don't know why this guy never was more popular. The other guitarists that played with The James Gang, Tommy Bolin, and Joe Walsh both went on to have amazing careers, but Dominic, not so much, and he was just as good.

Of course Tommy Bolin died way too son, so maybe Dominic did all right!

This was his first album in the year 1972, and here's just a taste of what Dominic could do. 

It's a song we should all try to appreciate!

DOMINIC TROIANO - "Try"

JOE JACKSON - "Beat Crazy" (1980)

 

I have to admit something, I'm "Beat Crazy," and it doesn't matter the origin of the music. If it's from Africa, Brazil, Jamaica, Britain, Germany, The U.S, India, or anywhere else, as long as it has a beat and moves like the music on this 1980 album by Joe Jackson, then I'm in!

JOE JACKSON - "Beat Crazy"

 

STAN GETZ & CHARLIE BYRD - "Jazz Samba" (1962)

 

This 1962 LP by Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd titled "Jazz Samba" is just a beautiful and timeless piece of music!

Do I really need to say much more than that? 

And believe it or not, the song I'm going to present to you translates into either 'out of tune,' or 'off-key.'

If that isn't a misnomer then I don't know what is!

Decide for yourself!

STAN GETZ & CHARLIE BYRD - "Desafinado"

LONG JOHN BALDRY - "It Ain't Easy" (1971)

 

 In 1971, Long John Baldry came out with this LP called "It Ain't Easy," but he sure seems to know how to make it sound easy. I've loved this song ever since the first time I heard it, but I don't think I ever knew until today that it was Sir Elton John playing that boogie-woogie piano.

The intro is funny, but my favorite part is after the intro when that first drum hit comes in and this thing takes off like a rocket!

LONG JOHN BALDRY - "Don't Try To Lay No Boogie-Woogie On The King Of Rock And Roll"