Category: Remembering

Remembering Pete Cosey

Miles Davis
Miles Davis (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Pete Cosey, guitarist extraordinaire, passed away on May 30, 2012.  He was 68.  He was a session guitar player at Chess Records until 1973, playing on recordings by Etta James, Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters, among many others.  In 1973, he joined the Miles Davis Band and played with them until 1975.  When the band broke up in 1975, he pretty much disappeared, surfacing from time to time to play on someone’s record.  He resurfaced somewhat in 2001, forming a band, The Children of Agharta.  Check out the clips I have included.  The guy was amazing.

Pete Cosey Jamming

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Calypso Frelimo

Remembering Doc Watson

 

English: From Flickr: Doc Watson, 86 years old...
English: From Flickr: Doc Watson, 86 years old, plays to the crowd at another fantastic Sugar Grove Music Fest. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

May 29 was a very sad day for me.  Doc Watson passed away.  What a player!!  Nothing to say, just listen.

 

Deep River Blues

 

 

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Windy and Warm

 

 

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Sitting On Top Of The World

 

 

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What a talent, and a connection to the old blues and folk singers of the 20’s, 30’s and beyond.  Greatly missed.

 

Remembering Toni Arden

Big band singer Toni Arden passed away on May 29.  She was 88.  Toni’s real name was Antoinette Ardizzone.  She started recording in the 1940’s with a lot of bands, including Frankie Laine.  Her only major hit was Padre in 1958, which was also her only million seller.  The song I have chosen is a good showpiece for her voice and is typical of the early 50’s.  Good song.  Hope you enjoy.

Are You Satisfied

Remembering Roy Wilson

 

A map of Jamaica
A map of Jamaica (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Early Ska pioneer Roy Wilson passed away on May 26.  He was the Wilson in “Higgs and Wilson” along with Joe Higgs.  They formed in Jamaica in the 1950’s and released this song “Oh Manny Oh” in 1960.  They were instrumental in developing the genre in the 1960’s.  He moved to the USA in the late 1960’s, with Higgs staying in Jamaica and having a successful solo career.  Roy is featured in the documentary “Legends of Ska”.

Oh Manny Oh

 

Remembering Janet Carroll

 

Cover of "Risky Business"
Cover of Risky Business

 

Actress, singer Janet Carroll passed away on May 22.  She was 71.  Better known as an actress (think Tom Cruise’s mother in Risky Business and Gary, the owner of the shoe store Al Bundy worked at on Married…With Children) she was also an accomplished singer with many credits on Broadway and with a wide variety of jazz bands.  Her career spanned over 40 years.  Here is a sample of her work with The Hot Frogs Jumping Jazz Band, recorded in 1988.

 

That Terrific Rainbow

 

 

Song Of The Day – Remembering Peter Jones

 

WikiProject Crowded House
WikiProject Crowded House (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Peter Jones, drummer with Crowded House from 1994 to 1996, passed away on May 18.  He was 49.  He also played with Harem Scarem, Tinpan Orange and Deadstar.

In My Command – Crowded House

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He was with Harem Scarem from 1985 to 1989.  Here is a song from them.

Miracle Mile

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He joined Deathstar after his stint with Crowded House.

Don’t It Get You Down

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Song Of The Day – Remembering Peter Jones

WikiProject Crowded House
WikiProject Crowded House (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Peter Jones, drummer with Crowded House from 1994 to 1996, passed away on May 18.  He was 49.  He also played with Harem Scarem, Tinpan Orange and Deadstar.

In My Command – Crowded House

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He was with Harem Scarem from 1985 to 1989.  Here is a song from them.

Miracle Mile

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He joined Deathstar after his stint with Crowded House.

Don’t It Get You Down

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Song Of The Day – Remembering Carrie Smith

 

English: Jazz Singer Carrie Smith in France Fr...
English: Jazz Singer Carrie Smith in France Français : La chanteuse de Jazz Carrie Smith à Bagneux (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Carrie Smith, a terrific jazz and blues singer was taken from the world of music on May 20.  She was 86.  Her career spanned 50 years and she was still recording as recently as 2002.  In this period she recorded at least 13 albums and appeared with many contemporaries.  Here is a terrific example of her style.

Am I Blue

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A second song.  This one shows the depth of her classic blues voice.  A terrific band as well.  And check out the tap dancing.

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Song Of The Day – Remembering Carrie Smith

 

 

English: Jazz Singer Carrie Smith in France Fr...
English: Jazz Singer Carrie Smith in France Français : La chanteuse de Jazz Carrie Smith à Bagneux (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

Carrie Smith, a terrific jazz and blues singer was taken from the world of music on May 20.  She was 86.  Her career spanned 50 years and she was still recording as recently as 2002.  In this period she recorded at least 13 albums and appeared with many contemporaries.  Here is a terrific example of her style.

 

Am I Blue

 

 

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A second song.  This one shows the depth of her classic blues voice.  A terrific band as well.  And check out the tap dancing.

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Song Of The Day – Remembering Chuck Brown

 

wind me up chuck
wind me up chuck (Photo credit: firmleague)

On May 16, the Father of Go-Go, Chuck Brown passed away at the age of 75.  The Father of Go-Go.  Why?  The man was a DC legend, defining and perfecting his take on the genre.  He died as the acknowledged leader in this form of music.  Another great player who helped shape our musical world in a fairly anonymous way.

If you are a Washington Nationals fan, you will recognize this one.  Bustin’ Loose is played when the Nats hit a home run.

Bustin’ Loose

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Cover of
Cover of The Other Side

Chuck’s legacy includes stints with Jerry Butler, and with the Soul Searchers.  He also recorded an album “The Other Side“, with one of my favourites, Eva Cassidy in 1992.  This record is a keeper.  Eva could sing the phone book.  Here is a tune off it.

Need Your Love So Bad

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His other notable contribution to the world of entertainment was performing the theme song to the “Sinbad’ TV show.

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