I love new music that feels both timeless and old at the same time. Inspired by the spirit of the holiday Preservation Hall Films and Ben Jaffe have created this adorable, romantic video. Filmed in the French Quarter it features acclaimed vocalist Clint Maedgen backed by the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and showcases New Orleans at its most charming. Click the link below to watch and have a very happy valentines day from Preservation Hall as well as your friends at Lost Melodies.
Category Archives: videos
Lost Genre: Jug Band Music
“For me, jug band music is the mud that my toes are planted in”
Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir.
I wrote about jug band music in the past and am excited that there is a new documentary about jug band innovator Gus Cannon called Chasin’ Gus’ Ghost and features Bob Weir, David Grisman, Jug Band Revivalist Jim Kweskin, Taj Mahal, and Lovin’ Spoonful’s John Sebastian. The movie will premiere at the Woodstock Film Festival on October 13th. I hope it has a wider release and would like to write about it when I see it. Be sure to check out the trailer.
, Taj Mahal, and Lovin’ Spoonful’s John Sebastian. The movie will premiere at the Woodstock Film Festival on October 13th. I hope it has a wider release and would like to write about it when I see it. Be sure to check out Also, check out this youtube video of Mungo Jerry’s 1971 song “Summertime.” It is a “modern jug” band song. Even if you aren’t into the style, you should check out the video. The lead singer Ray Dorset’s Afro and mutton chops are about as legendary as the song.
Related Tags: Grateful Dead Bob Weir Gus Cannon Chasin’ Gus’ Ghost David Grisman Jim Kweskin Taj Mahal John Sebastian
Wonderful Time Up There and Correction
The gospel song “Wonderful Time Up There,” which I wrote about in the last post, was written by Lee Roy Abernathy and a hit song for Pat Boone in 1954. Here is Boone’s version of the song for comparison.
Additionally, in the last post, I wrote that the gospel boogie recording on The Great Lost Performance of “Wonderful Time Up There” was Johnny Cash’s only recording of the song. However, I found another version of Johnny Cash performing it. It would be more accurately stated that it is the only version of the song that has been officially released. The youtube version might give you a flavor of what is to come, but the version on The Great Lost Performance. is superior- especially because of the introduction at the end of the second track. Johnny Cash starts singing “bum ba ba bum ba ba bum” and you can tell that he is having a good time. I think that this introduction makes the track even more fun to listen to and it is by far my favorite song on the album. Which do you think is the best version of “Wonderful Time Up There?”
Related Tags: Johnny Cash The Great Lost Performance Lee Roy Abernathy Pat Boone Wonderful Time Up There
Watch Bonnaroo Concerts for Free!
At http://www.attblueroom.com/music you can watch the following shows for free! Enjoy the weekend!
Friday, June 15th:
Uncle Earl
12:30pm – 1:15pm
Cold War Kids
1:15pm – 2:15pm
Brazilian Girls
2:15pm – 3:30pm
Kings of Leon
3:45pm – 5:00pm
Paolo Nutini
5:00pm – 6:15pm
Gillian Welch
6:15pm – 7:45pm
The Nightwatchmen
7:45pm – 9:00pm
The Roots
10:00pm – 11:30pm
Saturday, June 16th:
Old Crow Medicine Show
12:45pm – 1:45pm
Spearhead
1:45pm – 2:15pm
Regina Spektor
2:15pm – 3:30pm
The Black Keys
3:30pm – 4:15pm
Damien Rice
4:15pm – 5:45pm
Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals
5:45pm – 7:45pm
The Hold Steady
7:45pm – 8:15pm
Mago: Billy Martin & John Medeski
8:15pm – 9:45pm
String Cheese Incident
10:15pm – 11:30pm
Sunday, June 17th
Robert Glasper Trio
12:30pm – 1:00pm
John Butler Trio
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Flaming Lips
2:00pm – 3:00pm
Bob Weir & Ratdog
3:00pm – 4:30pm
Wolfmother
4:30pm – 5:30pm
Wilco
5:30pm – 7:00pm
The White Stripes
7:15pm – 8:45pm
Widespread Panic
8:45pm – 11:30pm
Vieux Farka Toure’s debut
Vieux Farka Toure inherits the Malian blues-guitar torch from his famed Grammy winning father, Ali Farka Toure on his self-title debut album, which was released on February 13th. The music is really fresh, has influences that range from Malian guitar to reggae and include Ali’s final recordings. You can order a copy of the CD.
In case you are wondering whether Vieux is merely trying to profit off his father’s name or really has talent of his own, I would recommend checking out some of his solo performances (performance 1, performance 2, performance 3, performance 4) and his music video. And I am sure you will agree, Vieux is quite a talent. Welcome to the new superstar of Malian guitar.
Update 2/12/07: 10% of the proceeds from this album will be donated to Bee Sago, a UNICEF-affiliated organization, as part of Modiba’s “Fight Malaria” campaign. They hope to reach their goal of providing every pregnant woman and child in Toure’s home region of Niafunke with a treated mosquito net- the most effective preventative measure in the fight against malaria, Africa’s leading cause of infant mortality. Just another reason (though you really don’t need another) to pick up this album.
Update 2/18/07: New NPR Review of Vieux’s work.
Related Tags: Mali, Malian Guitar, Vieux Farka Toure, Ali Farka Toure, debut, Grammy, Reggae
Paul Simon Introduces to The World: Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Ladysmith Black Mambazo is possibly the finest acapella group in the world. With one foot steeped in tradition and the other in modernity, Ladysmith’s contribution to international music is undeniable. However, it took Paul Simon to introduce this group to the world (on the classic album Graceland). To find out more about this collaboration, check out this video documentary chronicling the meeting of the white Paul Simon and the black Ladysmith Black Mambazo in South Africa during Apartheid. Additionally, be sure to watch their performance of Hello My Baby and Homeless (with Paul Simon) and Township Jive (solo). Even if you already own Graceland, it is definitely worth your while to check out some of Ladysmith’s CDs: The Best of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Best of Ladysmith Black Mambazo Vol. 2, or The Warner Brothers Collection. (best listened to in full stereo). And if you are able to see them live, they continue to tour internationally. Your ears will thank you.
Related Tags: Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Paul Simon, Graceland, South African Music
New Ways to read Lost Melodies
I wanted to let you know some easy ways to stay up to date with this site. I added a new page dedicated to subscription options. There should be something for everyone including RSS subscriptions, email subscriptions, and the newest addition would be add this page to your Google homepage. Other options that you would like featured, just let me know.
As always, recommendations and submissions are always appreciated.
Thanks
African Blues Man: Ali Farka Toure
At the suggestion of a Lost Melodies reader, I checked out the music of Ali Farka Toure. He has a unique sound that combines American blues with African music (though The Blues is a direct decendent from West African music).
Toure was a musician from Mali who was often compared to John Lee Hooker (Hooker has a new box set out, by the way). This comparison is due to his guitar licks and the similarity of his music to the blues sound. Unfortunately, Ali Farka Toure passed away last March from bone cancer. Here are an impressive number of mp3s by Toure as well as a fantastic video of the man in action (the song on the video is entitled “Goye Kur” is the opening track on The Source). To hear more Toure, pick up Toure’s self titled debut and Talking Timbuktu (with Ry Cooder). Thanks, Adam!
Bizarre New Music Video Features The Original Karate Kid
Here is one for all you retro lovers. This new video by No More Kings entitled “Sweep The Leg” features Karate Kid Movie footage as well as original cast members Ralph Macchio (Daniel LaRusso), Billy Zabka (Johnny), and Martin Kove (Sensei). Noticably missing from the video is Pat Morita (Mr. Miyagi ) who passed away in November 2005. Additionally, the video is directed by Billy Zabka (Johnny). This should be amusing after you watch the video (links below). Pre-order your No More Kings album today. It comes out March 6.
No More Kings – “Sweep the Leg” video streams:
Quicktime High:
http://interface.audiovideoweb.com/lnk/va92quick35030/No_More_Kings/STL_full_hi.mov/play.qtl
Quicktime Low:
http://interface.audiovideoweb.com/lnk/va92quick35030/No_More_Kings/STL_full_lo.mov/play.qtl
Windows Media:
http://interface.audiovideoweb.com/lnk/va92win15101/No_More_Kings/STL_Full.wmv/play.asx
No More Kings – “Sweep the Leg” audio streams:
Quicktime High:
http://interface.audiovideoweb.com/lnk/va92quick35030/No_More_Kings/Sweep_The_Leg_High.mov/play.qtl
Quicktime Low:
http://interface.audiovideoweb.com/lnk/va92quick35030/No_More_Kings/Sweep_The_Leg_Low.mov/play.qtl
Windows Media High:
http://interface.audiovideoweb.com/lnk/va92win15101/No_More_Kings/STL_full_hi.wmv/play.asx
Windows Media Low:
http://interface.audiovideoweb.com/lnk/va92win15101/No_More_Kings/Sweep_The_Leg_Low.wma/play.asx
Related Tags: Sweep The Leg, Ralph Macchio, Daniel LaRusso, Billy Zabka, Martin Kove, Mr. Miyagi, Pat Morita, No More Kings, Johnny, Crane Kick
New Orleans Piano Magic
Along with Professor Longhair, James Booker helped define the New Orleans sound (with Dr. John and Marcia Ball currently carrying the torch). My friends at Aquarium Drunkard provide many live James Booker mp3s for your enjoyment (including a Beatles Medley [Penny Lane/I Saw Her Standing There] for all you Beatles fans). If you like this music, pick up one his CDs- such as Junco Partner or Classified. Have a nice weekend.
Update: I wonder if Tom Moon is reading my blog? This was originally posted on January 12th, 2007 at 3:51 pm and check out Tom Moon’s post on January 17.
Related Tags: James Booker, Dr John, Marcia Ball, New Orleans, Beatles, Tom Moon
Lost Melodies.com 