Thoughts about Blind Willie Johnson’s “John the Revelator”……

Blind Willie JohnspnSo this morning when I was researching Greg Lake I was listening to his latest album Songs of a Lifetime. One of the songs was of course “From the Beginning” somehow during the search and listening I came across a version of the song from the band Glass Harp that appears on their album Glass Harp Strings Attached Live with the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra. Track seven on the album is a nice cover of the song “John the Revelator” Later in the morning I was looking for some new music on the Roots Music Report charts. One of the names on the Roots Rock chart Joe Grushecky was familiar. I remembered that I did like his music so I went and checked out his current release Somewhere East of Eden. The third track on that album is also “John the Reveltor” So this all got me thinking about this classic blues song. So I went to Wikipedia to see what I could find out……
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This Date in Music – Nov 10, 1947 – Happy Birthday, Greg Lake!

On this day in 1947 English musician, songwriter, producer and founding member of King Crimson and Emerson, Lake and Palmer Gregory Stuart “Greg” Lake was born. Greg Lake and I go back a long way Greg is 4 years my senior so,  while I was a 17-year-old high school student, Greg was invited by  his  high school friend guitarist Robert Fripp, to join King Crimson. Fripp asked Lake a fellow guitarist asked Lake to switch to bass and to take on the role of lead singer. Lake agreed and as they say the rest is history!! So my first introduction to Lake’s music was from King Crimson’s debut album In the Court of the Crimson King. From Wikipedia: Read More

The Safari Re-discovers the Progressive Bluegrass of Lansing’s Lindsey Lou and the Flatbellys!

Ok so today the Safari travels Michigan and rediscovers a band that I first listened to about a year ago Lindsey Lou and the Flatbellys.  From their website:

Hailing from all corners of the Great Lakes State of Michigan, Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys are giving a nod to American traditional music, while boldy taking their own songs in new directions.  Distinct vocals, tight harmonies, instrumental expertise, and creative arrangements are all essential characteristics of their unique sound.  The group focuses on the original tunes of Lindsay Lou Rilko, which include true-life tales of bank-robbing aunties, moonshinin’ grandpas, and celebrations of love, life, and nature. It’s an infectious vibe that could only have been born in the heart of America’s Fresh Coast! Full Bio. Read More

Exploring the Music of Russell Malone – finding Dianne Reeves – together they perform “You’ve Got a Friend”

PlaygroundOk so to honor Russell Malone on his birthday today, I said I would listen to his 2010 release Triple Play. But when I went to MOG, there was a 2013 release listed at the top of his discography, so I downloaded that and listened to it! It was great! I came home tonight and discovered that, the album I listened to was Playground which was actually released in 2004! I don’t know why it’s listed as 2013 unless it has been re-released??? The last song on Playground  is Carol King’s “You’ve Got a Friend” a song that won both James Taylor and Carol Grammys! Now hearing Malone’s guitari instrumental  version of the song was great, but earlier in the day I had watch portions of a video of a performance of the song with Russell playing guitar and  Dianne Reeves providing the vocals. Now I didn’t know anything about Ms. Reeves, but I certainly want to find out more about her! What a wonderful voice, so rich, so soulful. Well I’ll just let you decide for yourselves as we go “into the morning” with the guitar of Russell Malone and the voice and soul of Dianne Reeves and the equally wonderful songwriting of Carole King (her Tapestry album is in my vinyl collection and millions of other people’s collections throughout the world ) Read More

People Music – from Christian McBride and Inside Straight

People MusicThis morning I was in jazz mode and listened to the Christian McBride & Inside Straights release People Music. The album was released in May of this year. Inside Straight has everything I enjoy in jazz, lively vibes from Warren Wolf, piano from Peter Martin and smooth saxophone from Steve Wilson, All supported by the solid bass lines of Christian’s bass and Carl Allen;s drums.on the majority of the songs. On a few of the songs the piano duties are manned by Christian Sands and Ulysses Owens, Jr. handles the drums. Both are considered members of the Inside Straight family. Read More

The Music Safari Finds New Blues from New Jersey Native John Ginty!!

So for the last several weeks the Safari has been tracking the blues man John Ginty. His name has been seen on the Roots Music Report’s Blues Charts but so far I have been unable to find his new album Bad New Travels. Last night as I reviewed the Blues Chart again, I saw that Ginty had shifted his position and now was located at Number 4 on the chart! Once again I trekked over to MOG to see if I could spot the elusive Mr Ginty! When I searched MOG, lo and behold, the album was there and the cover that I saw raised my curiosity  level even more, see if you can guess why!! Read More