Eddie Harris and Les McCann:"Compared to What?" (1969)

The President, he's got his war
Folks don't know just what it's for
Nobody gives us a rhyme or reason
Have one doubt, they call it treason
With chicken feathers all with out one nut

"Compared to What" was written by Eugene McDaniels who also wrote "A Hundred Pounds of Clay". The song was clearly intended to serve as an anti-war song during the Vietnam era. The song is performed by pianist Les McCann , who frequently collaborated with sax player Eddie Harris. They performed "Compared to What" at the Montreaux Jazz Festival in 1969. Later, Atlantic Records would release their live set from the festival on an album called "Swiss Movement". It became quite popular, mostly due to this song. McCann discovered Roberta Flack who would cover the song as well. You name the war, and the lyrics still apply...

This live track was recorded particularly well. McCann's gravelly voice adds a lot to the song and the opening riff pulls you in right away. 

This is almost nine minutes long. Enjoy the ride!
Check out Eugene McDaniel's interview about the song and listen to Roberta Flacks version as well!

King Biscuit Boy: "You Done Tore Your Playhouse Down Again" (1971)

King Biscuit Boy was the stage name of Richard Alfred Newell, a Canadian blues musician noted for his harmonica playing. The name was taken from the 'King Biscuit Flower Hour' an early American blues broadcast and was given to him by rock 'n' roll musician Ronald "Ronnie" Hawkins while he was playing as part of his backing band. Some of you may remember that members of what would become The Band backed him up at one time as well. Hawkins would later appear in their movie "The Last Waltz" and sings "Who Do You Love"?

King Biscuit Boy was very popular in his native Canada and made the playlists in the U.S. as well. In 1971 he realeased the album "Gooduns" which was wraped in burlap the same way flour was packaged in the old days (get it?). "You Done Tore Your Playhouse Down Again" is the first cut on the album. It was written by Newell and starts out slow and shifts gears into a complete rocker. I like that formula and Newell rolls in his harmonica to perfection.
This passage from Green Man Revue says it best: "Gooduns" starts with a slow buildup, Rick Bell's solo piano leading into one of the most stunning displays of boogie woogie I've ever heard, and then the band starts, Biscuit's harp, slide guitar from Ray Lanthier, and "Oohoooooooohooooooooo Little girl, little girl...." "You Done Tore Your Playhouse Down Again" is a song "about a hard drinkin' woman," the liner notes tell us. "You were last seen headin' up Highway 27 with a bottle of gin in your right hand..."

A buddy of mine turned me on to this in 1979 and the song just stunned me. Some songs are so good that you rember exactly where you were when you first heard it.

Turn the volume up on this one...

10cc: "Dreadlock Holiday" (1978)

10cc was a British band that (in the mid-70's), was touring Jamaica with the Moody Blues and Procol Harum. Apparently one of the Moody's encountered a rather threatening man on the street and recounted the story. 10cc made it a song and released it in 1978. 10cc was much better known for "I'm Not In Love" (1975) and "The Things We Do For Love" (1977), both hits in the U.S. "Dreadlock Holiday" peaked at #44 in the U.S.
We particularly like the vocals by lead vocalist Graham Gouldman.

Straight No Chaser: "Under The Bridge" (2010)

This is a first rate cover of the Red Hot Chili Peppers original "Under the Bridge", released in March of 1992. Straight No Chaser is a nine voice accapella group with a world following.They make nine voices sound like 18. If you ever get a chance to check them out, grab tickets. This is off of their 2010 release called "With a Twist".

Michael Stanley Band: "He Can't Love You (1980)

Cleveland native Michael Stanley became a regional phenomenon, but the singer/songwriter/guitarist and his Michael Stanley Band deserved more national success than they achieved. Here is their gem from 1980, " He Can't Love You."

Wes Montgomery: "West Coast Blues" (1960)

In my opinion, Wes Montgomery may have been one of the best guitarists who ever walked this earth. Consider this one, "West Coast Blues." I always get the feeling that I'm in a car winding down the Pacific coast of California. Wes used his thumb alot to play and the magic was not just his fret play, but the feeling he gets out of the notes. This song was recorded in 1960. Also featuring Tommy Flanagan on piano and Percy Heath on bass.
I have included a session he did in Germany in 1965 with a horn section. The footage is historic, but I prefer the original as the horns overpower the song a bit.

Oran "Juice" Jones: "The Rain" (1986)

Found this gem in my archives from 1986. Oran "Juice" Jones is telling a story in his song "The Rain". Still have the EP!
"You know my first impulse was to run up on you
And do a Rambo.
I was about to jam you and flat blast both of you
But I didn't wanna mess up this thirt-seven hundred dollar lynx coat
So instead I chilled -- That's right chilled
I called up the bank and took out every dime.
Than I cancelled all your credit cards...
I stuck you up for every piece of jewelery I ever bought you!
Don't go lookin' in that closet 'cause everything you came here with is
packed up and waiting for you in the guest room. What were you
thinking?"