Song of the Week: A Love Supreme (Santana and McLaughlin)

So I'm hopefully back for a weekly basis, my apologies for the absence.  This week's song is a track off a new purchase of mine.  Love Devotion Surrender is a stellar collaboration by two guitar greats:  Carlos Santana and John McLaughlin. The album also pays tribute to a jazz great;  the first two tracks and subsequent bonus tracks are takes of famed saxophonist John Coltrane.  "A Love Supreme" covers "Acknowledgment" from Coltrane's 1964 release A Love Supreme.  It features a blaze of solos from both guitarists.  They constantly feed off each other and dance around the center of the song.  The song, like a lot of fusion, has a constant build up.  Although it didn't receive praise when first released, Love Devotion Surrender has been enshrined as one of the great fusion albums of all time.  Enjoy.

  

..a great way to spend a Sunday.

"I think in the old days they would've called this selling out, but you know I think its a great way to spend a Sunday," Robert Plant said after winning his third Grammy tonight.  He received them for his brilliant work with Allison Krauss on their album Raisin Sand.  

Although I saw many things that confused  (Stevie Wonder performing with the Jonas Brothers), and excited me (BB King, Buddy Guy and John Mayer saluting Bo Diddley); seeing this album win three major awards gave me a renewed feeling about America's taste.  The fact that such a drastically retro sounding album could emerge victorious among contemporaries is refreshing.  Although I don't condemn their competition (Coldplay, Radiohead etc.) it is nice to see the oldie but goody take the gold home.  

So Congratulations Mr. Plant and Ms. Krauss.

Song of the Week: I Wish.

So in my absence from this blog (which will be less frequent), I have been listening to many different songs from many different artists.  From Bob Marley to Bill Withers, I have enjoyed some good stuff.  

This week I bring you a great track, from one of the best.  "I Wish" comes from 1976's Songs in the Key of Life.  It has such great momentum in it.  That's one of the biggest aspects that Stevie brings to his music, momentum.  The bass kicks it off and from it and ensemble of keys, horns, and blaring, irreplaceable vocals.  Hope you enjoy.

Hello President Obama, good bye Mr. Bush.

That headline was such a release.  I am finally be proud of the president I have.  Not the president I will have.  Not the president I had.  The president I have.  

I remember 8 years ago on September 11, my English teacher told our class what had happened that morning.  I remember it so clearly.  She said, "This will probably be the biggest event of your life."  I can say now, that September 11 has lost it's title.  As of noon today, I can now say that I have witnessed the first African American President.  Although I did not intend today's ceremonies, I can say that I was a part of them.  What our country has done today will echo

throughout history.  Like I said in my first post, I am finally proud of my country.  

For at least the next four years, we get to hear the name "President Obama."  How lucky are we?  I know it gets better every time I hear it.

Song of the Week: Stolen Moments

OK folks, this week I've chosen what I feel is a jazz classic. It's from Oliver Nelson's Blues and the Abstract Truth and it's called "Stolen Moments." It's one of those tracks that will get you into jazz, and puts you in a trance. On top of that, I feel that it has a melody comparable to "So What" and "Take Five." It features Oliver Nelson on tenor sax, Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Roy Haynes on drums, Eric Dolphy on flute, and Paul Chambers on bass. Hope you enjoy. If you do, buy the album!