Bumpin' On Sunset

 

Last weekend, while searching for something else, I stumbled upon a classic by Wes Montgomery, one of the most influential jazz guitarists, performed by Brian Auger. This prompted me to delve deeper into his music again after many years. 

Brian Auger, for those who don't know him, he is a British keyboardist who played with pretty much all the greats of rock, soul, blues, and R&B in the 1960s, leaving his mark on them with his Hammond B3. With his Hammond organ, he had a greater influence on the sound of one of the Yardbirds' first singles than the guitar did.

Later in the 60's he formed Trinity together with Julie Driscoll and recorded some classic records. With their cover versions With their cover versions of David Ackles and Bob Dylan, they even made it into the charts.

Later on he formed Oblivion Express where he played more Jazz and fusion but still with his Hammond which still dominates his sound.

Singles Released This Week Years Ago

 

Enjoy this week's selection of a ride through various genres.

1958: Big Bopper

1970: Chicago

1978: Human League

1972: Seals & Croft

1991: Pearl Jam

1965: The Yardbirds

1978: Donna Summer

1958: Bo Diddley

1982: The Jam

1966: The Lovin' Spoonful

1969: John Lennon

1976: Blue Oyster Cult

1986: Run DMC

1989: Public Enemy

1974: Dobi Gray

1974: Stevie Wonder

1979: The B-52's

Singles Released This Week Years Ago

 

Another round of charting singles from the last decades, that are worth hearing again. Let's go.

1998: Air

1977: Television

1965: The Yardbirds

1974: Focus

1984: Huey Lewis and the News

1983: The Human League

1966: James Brown

1976: Patti Smith Group

1978: The Police

Truth

One of the positive things in the days of lockdown and social distancing is that I have time enough to do things you pushed along. So I started arranging my records a few days ago and I found one of my oldest purchases ever. It was a double-album by Jeff Beck and it contains his first two records. Jeff Beck is a magnificent guitar player and got his first recognition when he joined The Yardbirds and replaced Eric Clapton. In 1968 after leaving the Yardbirds he formed his own band and released his masterpiece Truth with young Rod Stewart on vocals and Ronnie Wood on bass. I am not a huge fan of blues music but in thi combination I still can get lost in. The most difference to other blues guitarist is that Jeff Beck didn't need to put his technical abilities in front of the songs. As ever is a reduced playing better to the the sound of the whole song. The way he played his guitar prepared the ground for many hard-rock bands that were formed years later. And the combination Jeffrey Rod is still superb. A real forgotten classic record and worth to be featured here.

Jeff Beck - Shapes Of Things
Jeff Beck - Morning Dew
Jeff Beck - Beck's Bolero
Jeff Beck - Ol' Man River

Does Anyone Remember Terry Reid?

It was decades back when Terry Reid appeared on the scene as a fantastic guitar player. He started his career at the age of 14 and impressed many popular musicians in the early 60's. Jimmy Page wanted him as a guitar player and singer after he left The Yardbirds to form another band. Sadly he denied this offer and Robert Plant got the job singing for Led Zeppelin. It was not the only fault in his career. He also signed a contract with Mickie Most who wanted to make him a balladeer. He didn't got out of his contract and had to earn his money as a side musician for many artists like Jackson Browne, UFO or Bonnie Raitt. Sadly his name is forgotten because many other artist that made hit records while he was trying to find his own way in music. I remembered him while I was sorting my albums during the last weeks and it is great to listen to him once again. One more forgotten giant of blues influenced rock music.

Terry Reid - Stay With Me Baby
Terry Reid - Seasons Of The Witch
Terry Reid - Bang Bang

And as a bonus 11 minutes of playing live in German TV back in 1969