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

What's Cuban Tex-Mex Tejano Country?

This band, this sound is infectious. The om-pah polka beat. The blend of guitar, bass, drums, with horns, keyboard and accordion. The melancholy yodeling heartache vocals. The clash of cultures, of musical genres. Their first album was 20 years ago! And now rejoined after an 8 year break. "The Mavericks" are back. Their new album is "In Time", and has some terrific toe-tapping two-steppin' tunes as well as soulful blues. Try this upbeat tune "Back In Your Arms Again" and you'll be a fan of The Mavericks!

 Back In Your Arms Again

1+1 = perfect 10

I was going to wait a week before my next blog of music but I just can't wait... I was already thinking this band would be in my Top Ten for upcoming reviews, and recently a FB friend has escalated my desire to share. The name is the "Tedeschi Trucks Band". Two excellent and popular successful artists each with their own bands have joined forces and the sum is more than the individual parts. This blues slide rock based sound comes from Susan Tedeschi's guitar and vocals and Derek Trucks amazing slide guitar rock style. Prepare yourself for some down home style rockin' blues.

 raw acoustic guitars at the White House!

First offering: Tommy Emmanuel

I'd like to start a little blog of music that I am listening to. I'll offer some simple reviews and hopefully you'll be exposed to some new stuff. Or please comment and offer some similar suggestions to me. So.. let's see how this goes...

Earlier this year there was a special on TV "Masters of Guitar" series. And the guy on this night was TOMMY EMMANUEL. The show was mesmerizing. How could I never even heard of this amazing artist. His command of the guitar is powerful. He plays acoustic. And generally solo. His style is unique but influenced by Chet Atkins, Charlie Christian, George Benson, Django Reinhardt. Kind of a blend of jazz, classical, blues, but with a unexpected twist. He's from Australia and his first album was released in the late 80's. If you've not heard of him, you deserve to give him a listen. Here's a link to a YouTube video.

 Classical Gas

"C major testing blog

The "C major" scale has no sharps or flats.

A B C D E F G A

The pentatonic (5 notes) includes:

A C D E G

The "box patterns" look like this