The Mahavishnu Orchestra > Vital Transformation
Composed by John McLaughlin

I was kind of hoping I would like this more, given how much I liked it in the day, how I still get chills from McLaughlin in Tony WIlliams’ Lifetime and with Miles, and that I remember liking Jerry Goodman in The Flock. Who else used a violin in a hard rock fusion band?

Violin Week #4
Legends of Fusion #2 
Legends of the Guitar #14

John Scofield > A Go Go
Composed by John Scofield

Don’t ask me what “Postmodern Soul Jazz” is, other than a conceit for this week’s playlist. But it was the only thing that came to mind about these great tracks. It’s not nearly as populist as the originals, but certainly more popular than most of what passes for modern jazz. These artists grew up with the hangover of baby boomer mash-ups that put The Beatles, James Brown, The Singing Nun, and Cannonball Adderley on the same radio playlists.

Don’t ask what possessed me to buy this record. I don’t particularly like jazz guitar, I’d never consciously heard this guy, and I knew I wouldn’t care. But, such it was that day at Tower Records on the Sunset Strip. Then, I couldn’t stop playing it, and it was two years before I knew the rhythm section was the famed (though I’d never heard of them) Medeski Martin & Wood.

Postmodern Soul Jazz Week #1
Legends of the Guitar #13 
Legends of the Jam Band #1
Legends of the Organ #3

Jerry Douglas > Birdland
Composed by Josef Zawinul

It’s probably that I don’t really know this music (just Alison and Jerry, Alison’s dobro player) that I’m so surprised by the bluegrass cover songs.

What Was That? Week #5 
Legends of the Dobro #1
Cover #52 
Legends of Bluegrass #2

Led Zeppelin > I Can’t Quit You Baby
Composed by Otis Rush

I’m not sure that a Led Zep Otis Rush cover would qualify to anyone else as a ballad or even a classic rock power ballad. But, it’s my blog, and I’ll cry if I want to.

Ballads Week #4
Legends of Rock #14 
Legends of the Guitar #12
Ballad #33 
Cover #48 

Mike Auldridge > Dobro Island

This album was originally released on Adelphi Records, and I heard it when I was involved in the indie record scene of the 70s. Not being too much of a folkie, my partner played a resonator guitar so I paid attention to Mike, and I could never shake this beautiful ballad out of my head.

Ballads Week #3
Legends of the Guitar #11
Ballad #32 

…::::Update: Mike’s website says this LP was originally released on Takoma. Shows what age can do to a memory.:::…

Charlie Haden & Pat Metheny > Two For The Road
Composed by Henry Mancini

Though Pat’s made his debt to Ornette clear in dozens of ways, and often collaborated with Charlie, their audiences have never exactly matched. But, as unsympathetic as I am to Pat’s day-to-day stuff, I always found those fraternizations wonderful. This one is no exception.

And, being a Mancini fan to boot, I love how his melodies bring out the lyrical side of Charlie, the sounds that completely separate him from his fellow bassists.

Charlie Haden Duets Week #3
Legends of the Bass #2 
Legends of the Guitar #10 
Ballad #21
Cover #38 
Duet #4

B.B. King > The Thrill is Gone
Composed by Rick Darnell & Roy Hawkins

A true classic.

This song has been so popped that it’s roots as a real blues (from 1951) have been completely obscured. It was also B.B.’s entré to the pop world of TV and Las Vegas. But, that’s OK, B. hits it out of the park again.

Kings of the Blues Week #5 
Legends of the Blues #4
Legends of the Guitar #9 
Cover #37 
Ballad #18

Albert King > Oh, Pretty Woman
Composed by Gary Moore & Albert King

It’s not the Roy Orbison tune that Van Halen covered. It’s easily its equal.

Kings of the Blues Week #4
Legends of the Blues #5
Legends of the Guitar #10

Freddie King > The Stumble
Composed by Freddie King

OK, this track isn’t only by one of the Kings of the Blues but, for those so minded, it’s even on King Records (well, technically, its subsidiary Federal).

Kings of the Blues Week #3
Legends of the Blues #6
Legends of the Guitar #11

Albert King > Born Under A Bad Sign
Composed by William Bell & Booker T. Jones

I suppose in the end I’m a bit more of a soul man than a bluesman, but this one hits both buttons. And the pop one.

Kings of the Blues Week #2
Legends of the Blues #5
Legends of the Guitar #10