Tag: Leon Russell

Saturday Matinee – Gary Lewis & The Playboys, Joe Cocker & Tom Jones, George Benson, and…

Gary Lewis & The Playboys‘ “She’s Just My Style” reached #3 on The Billboard Hot 100 in January 1966. The chicks dug it.

Joe Cocker‘s take on “Delta Lady” earned him a hit in 1969, and in 1970 he doubled down by performing it with Tom Jones. The chicks dug it.

George Benson‘s recording of “This Masquerade” was a soft jazz R&B hit in 1976, reaching No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 3 on the Hot Soul Singles charts [Wiki]. The chicks dug it.

What do those songs have in common? They were all written by this guy:

Yeah, another great rock/soul/jazz/country icon passed away this week. R.I.P. Leon Russell (1942-2016).

Have no worries, these things happen all the time, and nobody lasts forever. Let’s have fun while we can. See you back here tomorrow.

Saturday Matinee – Cup Song, The Wood Brothers, Leon Russell & Friends

Cup Song found here. Nice to see young folks learning a new trade.

The Wood Brothers sing about your trouble.

Leon Russell & Friends’ “Trouble In Mind.” The song dates to 1924 at least, and was recorded by Chippie Hill and Louie Armstrong in 1926 (and no, we’re not going to discuss the double entendres of the lyrics).

Here’s another great tribute to that classic song, featuring Barney Kessel, Tal Farlow, Charlie Byrd, Joe Byrd & Chuck Redd from 1988.

Have a great weekend, folks. May all your troubles be little ones, and all your little ones be trouble.

Saturday Matinee – Fresh Guacamole, Freshlyground, Leon Russell & Friends

[h/t Bunkarina for finding this.]

“Pot Belly,” recorded in 2007 by South African band Freshlyground. Nice song with a cool video [via].

Here’s Freshlyground live with “Fire Is Low” from 2011.

Leon Russell celebrated his 71st birthday 2 April. From the 1971 Concert for Bangladesh, here’s  his take on the Stones‘ “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” and The Coasters‘ “Young Blood.”

The event was the first-ever benefit concert of such a magnitude and featured a supergroup of performers that included George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, Leon Russell, the band Badfinger,  Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan [Wiki].

With that, we’re out of here. Have a great weekend folks.

Saturday Matinee – Leon Russell, Dr. John, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Jimmy Smith; Red Nichols, Pete Candoli & Al Hirt

That’s Claude Russell Bridges, aka Leon Russell, 1964.

That’s Malcom John Rebennack, Jr., aka Dr. John, playing Stephen Foster‘s “Swanee River Boogie.” Not sure what year this one’s from.

The Squirrel Nut Zippers‘ “Ghost of Stephen Foster” has been posted here before, but I like it.

Bill Doggett‘s “Honky Tonk” by Jimmy Smith is a head-bobber.

Three of the greatest trumpet players of all time: Red Nichols, Pete Candoli and Al Hirt playing “Hot Lips,” ca. 1964.

That’s it for now.  Have a great weekend folks, and be back here tomorrow for more fun.

Saturday Matinee – Frank Portolese, Joe Cocker & Leon Russell, The Chips, The Blues Brothers

“Hail Fredonia,” written and performed by Frank Portolese with Brian Sandstrom (Bass) and Rusty Jones (Drums).

Now for a completely unrelated vid, here’s Joe Cocker and Leon Russell from 1970 – “Cry Me A River.” Lotta noise, but a lotta fun.

Here’s CCR‘s “Ramble Tamble from 1970, pasted onto a time lapse cross-country roadtrip. The tune reminds me of The Chips‘ greatest hit  (sorry, no video action except for a spinning 45):

And then there’s Dan Akroyd‘s awesome and accurate rendition (lyrics previously posted here.)

Hell ride ricky ticky hubba lubba great weekend, folks. See you back here in a Hi-low ‘n sum a-chickawa.

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