I Went Down to the Crossroads

Let's talk about several incarnations of Crossroads. There is a classic song, an Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival, a blues movie called Crossroads with the devil, a Country Music Channel Crossroads pairing country artists with other genres, and so much more, including a Britney Spears movie Crossroads (that's already too much said about that one).

The 1936 classic song by Robert Johnson is actually Cross Road Blues. So many have done covers of this great blues tune, one of the most recognized is the Cream version, hard driven power trio rock!

 Cross Road Blues: Cream 1968


The Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival is a spectacular event. I've not been but I've seen them broadcast and have a couple on DVD. Absolutely spectacular! What a great great venue to highlight guitarists, and help a good cause. I "discovered" Robert Randolph amazing slide player, and rediscovered John McLaughlin, and really appreciated John Mayer, and many others. It's a great event for the players to relax and enjoy themselves.
Crossroads website .

I'm not a huge country fan but certainly ca appreciate the good players. And on the CMT music there is a show called Crossroads where a country artist is paired with others... errrr... not so country. Like ‘Sting and Vince Gill’, ‘The Doobie Brothers and Luke Bryan’, ‘John Mayer and Keith Urban’, ‘Jimmy Buffett and Zac Brown Band’ and ‘Robert Plant and Alison Krauss’ just to name a few of the weird amazing combinations. There are not DVD's or CD's or downloads that I've found but some episodes are on their website, and of course, watch for new or reruns on your local CMT channel.
CMT Crossroads .

And lastly, for this discussion, is a rather predictable but fun movie Crossroads with "the karate kid". An entertaining story of young and old bluesmen and a great great soundtrack by Ry Cooder and Steve Vai. I love it everytime I see it.
Crossroads movie .

Calypso music from Denmark

In the 1960's my folks had some neat music. There is a duo in particular that I remember fondly. Nina and Frederik were born in Denmark, married, and created "beautiful music together". Details appear that they had a somewhat tumultuous life, but for me the music takes me back to simple times. The caribbean influence is stark contrast to Denmark, but the harmonies are amazing. Find Mango Vendor, Jamaica Farewell, Little Donkey, amoung others and you'll be whisked away to a magical place with a small umbrella in your drink and a cool breeze.

 Maladie d'Amour