Minor Wisdom

Dr. John and Johnny Winter: “Love, Life & Money”

Here’s something special: Dr. John and Johnny Winter sharing a stage and playing Love, Life & Money. One of the commenters on YouTube says it’s from a video called Bits & Pieces. Watch carefully between 5:07 and 5:10 to see an audience member moved by the music.

Stevie covers Stevie: “Superstition”

Here is Stevie Ray Vaughan’s version of Stevie Wonder’s hit “Superstition,” performed in New Orleans in 1987. It’s a cover until about three minutes in, when SRV finally cuts loose.

The Black Keys: “I Got Mine”

Here’s a video of my favorite band from Akron, Ohio, the Black Keys. It’s “I Got Mine,” as performed live on The Late Show. The song is from their latest album, Attack and Release. I have to confess that I like their prior album, Magic Potion, better because both the performances and the recording are more primitive. Still, Attack and Release is a good, solid, kick-ass album. And this performance of “I Got Mine” is nicely stripped down: just Patrick on drums and Dan on guitar. So if you like what the guys did on Magic Potion and prior albums, then you’ll love this video.

Gatemouth: “Dollar Got the Blues”

Here’s a timely number by Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown: Dollar Got the Blues.

“It hurts me too.”

Here is Keb’ Mo’s interpretation of Elmore James’s “It hurts me too”:

And here is the original:

John Hammond, “Mother-in-Law Blues”

If you look around for John Hammond videos on YouTube, you’ll find many good ones. Here’s a representative sample: a performance of “Mother-in-Law Blues.”

Now some of you out there are thinking, “If he’s going to post a song about somebody’s mother in law, then he should post Ernie K-Doe’s greatest hit.” I got no problem with that.

Ike & Tina Turner: “Higher”

This video of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue is 37 years old. Great stuff—just don’t ask me what’s up with Ike’s hair.

Ike & Tina Turner Live 1971
Uploaded by Fiasko

Rory Block: “Crossroad Blues”

Here is Rory Block’s interpretation of Robert Johnson’s “Crossroad Blues.” If you like this, then you may be interested in her DVD, Guitar Artistry of Rory Block.

Sonny Landreth, “Überesso”

Sonny Landreth’s new album, From the Reach, features this hot number, Überesso. The video is from the Crossroads 2007 DVD, which is excellent. As usual with Sonny, the wonder here is how he makes what he does look so easy.

John Campbell, “Saddle Up My Pony”

In a comment to my recent post about John Hammond, Greg Peters recommended John Campbell. Greg said that Campbell’s album Howling Mercy “will take the top of your head clean off.” If this video is any indication, then Greg is right.