R.I.P. Norm Macdonald

October 17, 1959 – September 14, 2021

It’s impossible to choose the best Norm Macdonald clip from the vast selection out there, but I thought this commentary from Conan O’Brien and friends did a lot of justice to the man.

RIP Charlie Watts

June 2, 1941- August 24, 2021. Rick Beato, as expected, gives a heartfelt tribute.

I think my favorite Stones tune is “Gimme Shelter.”

Soul Vaccination & Tower of Power

“Soul Vaccination,” followed by “Clever Girl,” Tower of Power live in 1973.

Don’t quote me on this, but Lenny Williams (vocals), Chester Thompson (organ), Francis “Rocco” Prestia (bass), Bruce Conte (guitar), David Garibaldi (drums), Brent Byars (conga), Emilio Castillo (tenor sax, bandleader), Greg Adams (trumpet), Stephen “Doc” Kupka (baritone sax), Lenny Picket (tenor saxophone), Mic Gilette (trombone).

Pat Metheny & Rick Beato & Interview

Rick Beato just put out an outstanding interview with Pat Metheny. Long but very listenable.

Pace of Mind & Purbayan Chatterjee

Purbayan Chatterjee’s “Pace of Mind,” over at the lifeismusic place, from 2015.

If I got the personnel right, it’s Purbayan Chatterjee (sitar), Louiz Banks (keyboard), Mohini Dey (bass), Gino Banks (drums), Taufiq Qureshi (conga), Bhushan Parchure (tabla). I’ve been going down a trippy Mohini Dey rabbit hole lately. She also just got, or is going to get, married. Congratulations, MD!

R.I.P. Chick Corea & Spain

R.I.P. Chick Corea (1941 – 2021) giant of the keyboard, giant of jazz, giant of jazz fusion. “Spain” from Light as a Feather (1972).

Chick Corea (keyboards), Flora Purim (vocals, percussion), Stanley Clarke (bass), Joe Farrel (flute), Airto Moreira (drums and percussion).

Great tribute from Rick Beato:

Helplessly Hoping & Suddenly Years Align

The Dutch trio Suddenly Years Align covers CSNY’s “Helplessly Hoping.”

Sophie de Graaf, Amanda Muller and Yvonne Leek.

Dylan & Still with Us! & Like a Rolling Stone

There were reports that Bob Dylan had passed on, but no, not at all! Reports have been greatly exaggerated! Dylan lives on in body and in spirit! Always one of my favorites, from Highway 61 Revisited (1965).

Bob Dylan (vocals, guitar, harmonica), Mike Bloomfield (electric guitar), Al Kooper (organ), Frank Owens (piano), Joe Macho Jr. (bass), Bobby Gregg (drums), Bruce Langhorne (tambourine).

Weather Report & Live & River People

Weather Report, “River People” by Jaco Pastorius. Performed in Offenbach, Germany, 1978.

Jaco Pastorius (bass), Wayne Shorter (soprano sax), Joseph Zawinul (keyboard, synthesizers), Peter Erskine (drums). Wow, I like this even better than the studio version in Mr. Gone.

Dave Slonaker BB & Nite Lites

Dave Slonaker Big Band, “Nite Lites,” composed and arranged by Dave Slonaker. Recorded at Studio A, Capitol Studios, Hollywood. From the CD Intrada (2013).

Solos: Ron Stout, Trumpet; Brian Scanlon, Alto Sax; Woodwinds: Bob Sheppard, Brian Scanlon, Rob Lockart, Tom Luer, Adam Schroeder; Trumpets: Wayne Bergeron, Dan Fornero, Rick Baptist, Clay Jenkins, Ron Stout; Trombones: Alex Iles, Bob McChesney, Charlie Morillas, Bill Reichenbach; Piano: Ed Czach; Bass: Edwin Livingston, Drums: Peter Erskine. Recorded, mixed & mastered by Rich Breen, video by Alex Chaloff.