John Hiatt - Walk On

DeucE, aka The Mighty E, the fearless Captain of Eclectipundit.com turned me on to Hiatt back in the day of which I am forever grateful. Here's the title track from Hiatt's 1995 release. I've listened to this one in the dead of winter and would almost swear that I could feel the "steam rising from the sidewalks of New Orleans after an evening rain."

If you know what I am talking about then you know that this is songwriting, on the mark, true to form and as good as it gets, my friends.

Mike Zito - Love Like This

The ZMan lays it down and takes us home - "When you got a love like this, you got to hold on tight." True dat!

Sonny Landreth - Jb&S Best Slide Solo Award

Landreth takes it to another level with help from Davy Knowles and Joe Satriani (whose smile says it all). Man oh man oh man oh man!

Wild Magnolias - With A Peace Offering

Just got back from the Easy and about ready to call it a night after driving most of the day. But before I let the weekend go, how about some tight New Orleans funk from back in the day around '75 give or take.

Thin Lizzy - By Special Request

How about two of their best from Sydney no less...

Tony Joe White - Willie & Laura Mae Jones

Yesterday my brother Wil, my son Evan and I made a trek downtown to the Louisiana Music Factory on Decatur in New Orleans. The House of Blues is just across the street and as I pointed the building out to Evan, I proudly mentioned that his cousin, Matt, once played a gig there.

Once inside the Factory, I suggested to Evan that he wade right in and pick out a CD or two. I wanted him to enjoy one of those moments that only music can bring.

I pointed out talent and rare releases everywhere one looked. "Check it out, how about Trombone Shorty, the Radiators or hold the phone, some vintage Tony Joe White?" A kind voice from nearby expressed his appreciation of TJW's music old and new. Thanks for helping a Dad out and for the advice. As such, there won't be any need to return my own "off the beaten path" selection.

Here's one for the LMF - Tony Joe as a One Man Show, none better.

Ana Popovic - My Man

Ms. Popovic plays a little slide herself.

Gia Ciambotti - Right As Rain

Just something about this one if you know what I mean...

Kenny Wayne Shepherd - Deja Voodoo

Turn it up to "11."

Sonny Landreth & Robben Ford - Way Past Long

One from Sonny's 2008 release, from the REACH. "May fortune sing to you her song, To live and love way past long, May you live and love way past long."

Sting & Special Guest - Brand New Day

More tumblers clicking into place...

Sass Jordan - High Road Easy

Kickin' it on a Tuesday afternoon, fasten your seatbelt and enjoy the ride...

Blues in Black & White - Tracks 9, 10

First a jam session by the man who invented 'lectricity then a studio version as good as it gets...

Rush - Closer to the Heart

Great video concept blending different performances from over the years. What a bass solo we have here!

Lenny Kravitz & Guest - All Along The Watchtower

Looks like the tumblers clicked into place on this one, no doubt, no doubt...

Lyle Lovett & Keb' Mo' - Perfect Combination

On a Bob Seger classic. The guitar work nails it too.

Paul McCartney - Blackbird

One for PK7 and his son, Stephen, a young man I'm proud to know and one who happens to play guitar just like this...

Robben Ford - Start It Up

Just what the good doctor ordered, am I right?

Al Green & Friend - Jb&S at the One Year Mark

So here's to my guests from Australia, Bayou Teche, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Iran, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Slovenia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and USA.

If you are there then you have been here perhaps a time or two. Thanks for visiting. And many thanks to the E-Man on the Silver Mountain who showed me the way - couldn't have done it without you!

The Verve Pipe - Colorful

Posted TVP's "Happiness Is" some time back under the heading of Great Lyrics. More from the boyz out of East Lansing, Michigan.

Trombone Shorty - Next Level

You're about to be upgraded to first class...

Blues in Black & White - Tracks 7, 8

One of the few times that I was in the right place at the right time - New Orleans Jazzfest, mid to late '80s, after SRV's Soul to Soul album was released.

Saw New Orleans' own Earl King in the morning and Stevie Ray & Double Trouble in the afternoon. What few may know is that Stevie Ray (in cognito) was in the audience that morning checking out one of his idols. An invitation was extended.

That afternoon, Mr. King joined Stevie Ray on stage for an encore. Man, what a show! Here we have each with a Guitar Slim favorite, The Things That I Used To Do.

Tab Benoit - Shelter Me

Evan just recommended this one for posting - seems he's watching "Sons of Guns" on the Discovery Channel. Jb used to go see a young Tab play at the Open Blues Night at the original RocknBowl every Thursday back in the day. Talked to Tab at the Bradfordville Blues Club last time he came through and if memory serves, he said that he was all of 19 at the time.

Got to get back to Houma for a visit before too long, wonder if that "one seriously big ass alligator" is still around. Gotta love it...

Blues in Black & White - Tracks 5, 6

Tracks 5 & 6 by special request with more to come. Shake Your Moneymaker by Mr. Elmore James then Fleetwood Mac's cover. Black Crowes' version with Jimmy Page lending a hand is also worth a look.

Sandi Thom - One for DeucE

Of Eclectipundit.com fame. Methinks that he might just dig this one. More thanks to "Squeeze" for keeping it real.

Drew Tillman - Woman Like You

Jb knows it's a good Saturday night when he gets to share new talent. Caught the Drew Tillman Band for the first time this afternoon at the Southwoodstock Festival and must say that the boyz kicked it but good. I'll be keeping an eye out for Mr. Tillman & Company and suggest that you do the same. Here's Drew almost solo.

Sonny Landreth - Hell at Home

And the Jb&S Music Award for Best Lyrics out of Breaux Bridge goes to Sonny Landreth for Hell at Home -

"Her daddy's doorbell was a ringin'
when I called on the telephone
he was the one to answer me
so I told him what was goin' on

Sir I love your daughter
but we don't get along
now sir I love your daughter
but we don't get along
in fact it's true to tell
she's been givin' me hell at home

No sir she ain't ailin'
'fact she's still goin' strong
no sir she ain't ailin'
'fact she's still goin' strong
now she's alive and well
and just givin' me hell at home

I said your moody little angel
done packed her bags and gone
I said your moody little angel
done packed her bags and gone
now she's a ringin' your bell
and gonna be givin' you hell at home."

Theresa Andersson - Birds Fly Away

One for Alexis - Anything is possible, see for yourself...

Professor Longhair - Big Chief

A New Orleans' legend, second to none on the keys...

Sonny Landreth - Parish Line

Found one to take me home for the moment. Old school but still good advice not to trust anyone 'til you cross that parish line...

Blues in Black & White - Tracks 3, 4

Moved this one up in queue in honor of the birthday boy - BB King and Robin Trower (66 today) with Rock Me Baby. Inspiration a la the King, Trower could play and James Dewar could sing back in the day. No doubt.

Sexy Little Thing - Chickenfoot

Talk about the right combination, the band I mean...

Jb's Blues in Black & White - Tracks 1, 2

First on the list - Sonny Boy then the Allman Brothers with One Way Out. Stay tuned, more to come.

Tommy Malone - Fat Tuesday (has arrived!)

"When I wake the sun will shine like madness
Down on the heads of the drunken masses
Out on the streets with their glasses full
Ridin' in a buggy while the mules pull

Drivers rewrite the course of history
while the local past remains a mystery
Europeans and people of color
Join in the party that is seein' double

Mardi Gras has come to town
Time to lay your burden down
How fat can a Tuesday get
Boy, you ain't seen nothin' yet." T. Malone

Joe Bonamassa & Robert Cray - Give Me One Reason

Last call for the night - better make it a good one...

Tom Hollister Trio featuring Chris Buck

Done found some new mates. 'Cross the pond, TH3 got it going on...

Tony Joe White - Bayou Woman

Imagine a little TJW playing in the background with that nice breeze blowing on the bayou this time of year. And if she wants to stay home tonight rather than go to town, well you got yourself a keeper.

Joe Bonamassa - Slow Train in Amsterdam

Standing "O" for Joe. And hats off to the drummer who does his thing to help bolt this one down tight.

Bonnie Raitt - Blue For No Reason

Just something about a Bonnie Raitt tune on a Friday night or any other night for that matter...

Ad Vanderveen - Blues So Bad

A tight one to get the weekend started right...

Davy Knowles - This Year's Jb&S "Billy the Kid" Music Award Winner

No doubt about it, this kid is the real deal.

Clapton & Winwood - Together Again in 2007

I remember telling a good friend just after Katrina hit that I couldn't find my way home if I wanted to. He said things would eventually work out and he was right. He also said at the time that no matter where I was and no matter where my family members were (after evacuating), we were all in the presence of our Lord. Powerful.

Today we broke bread and I learned of his latest journey. May the road rise up to meet you PK7. Two especially for you...

BB King - Blues on the Bayou

One of the King's favorites recorded at Dockside Studio, Maurice, La., cut in all of four days back in 1998. No frills basic blues album at its finest, even snagged a Grammy for good measure, mon cher.

French Quarter, New Orleans

For a certain coworker who happens to be in love with Lenny K. but doesn't believe a word I say about the Big Easy. Who lives on Front St. now, girlfriend?

Aaron Neville, His Brothers & Friends - Tell It Like It Is

The A-train scored a number 1 hit with this beauty back in 1966 - one of the best vocal performances then and to this day. Good message too for we may be here today but gone tomorrow...