The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

Some Blues

Posted on | January 2, 2010 | 16 Comments

by Smitty

Now and then a tune comes to mind, and you find yourself YouTubing. For starters, there is Tracy Chapman doing “Give Me One Reason”

This is a great track on its own, but what makes it more fun is the reply, from Keb’ Mo’. Sadly, A Letter to Tracy is not available on YouTube. Pay attention to the last eight seconds of this excellent workout: one is left to envision that they did it as a full studio rehearsal take with Tracy in the booth.

Available on YouTube, but, sadly, with no embed, is Keb’ Mo’s “Am I Wrong?“, a blistering acoustic blues that had me wondering: how’s he doing that? So I bought the DVD at one point, and the answer proved to be…banjo picks. The video is strange, but the eyelids can take care of that.

Category: Music

Comments

16 Responses to “Some Blues”

  1. Snarky Basterd
    January 3rd, 2010 @ 2:35 am

    Too bad Tracy Chapman is a stark raving moonbat liberal who would rather steal your wallet for the gubmint than see her video promoted here.

    That said, boys, I’m likin’ the new digs and might just rattle your tip jar … if you rattle mine.

  2. Snarky Basterd
    January 2nd, 2010 @ 9:35 pm

    Too bad Tracy Chapman is a stark raving moonbat liberal who would rather steal your wallet for the gubmint than see her video promoted here.

    That said, boys, I’m likin’ the new digs and might just rattle your tip jar … if you rattle mine.

  3. smitty
    January 3rd, 2010 @ 2:42 am

    One should always be able to separate the work from the artist as necessary.
    Let the clip stand on its own. I’m not responsible for TC’s politics, sexuality, &c.
    For example, “Born to Run” is a classic, even if Bruce Springsteen’s initials capture his politics.

  4. smitty
    January 2nd, 2010 @ 9:42 pm

    One should always be able to separate the work from the artist as necessary.
    Let the clip stand on its own. I’m not responsible for TC’s politics, sexuality, &c.
    For example, “Born to Run” is a classic, even if Bruce Springsteen’s initials capture his politics.

  5. kc duffy
    January 3rd, 2010 @ 2:53 am

    You’re a better man than I, smitty. I find it nearly impossible to listen to music or watch anything performed by someone who’s political leanings put them closer to Karl Marx than Groucho Marx. As a result, television, movies and music are no longer a large part of my life. Thank GOD for conservative and libertarian bloggers!

    Have to admit, I do like this performance of Tracy’s. Thanks.

  6. kc duffy
    January 2nd, 2010 @ 9:53 pm

    You’re a better man than I, smitty. I find it nearly impossible to listen to music or watch anything performed by someone who’s political leanings put them closer to Karl Marx than Groucho Marx. As a result, television, movies and music are no longer a large part of my life. Thank GOD for conservative and libertarian bloggers!

    Have to admit, I do like this performance of Tracy’s. Thanks.

  7. Dandapani
    January 3rd, 2010 @ 2:54 am

    I also love the blues, Smitty. Not much of a Tracy Chapman fan, however.

  8. Dandapani
    January 2nd, 2010 @ 9:54 pm

    I also love the blues, Smitty. Not much of a Tracy Chapman fan, however.

  9. jefferson101
    January 3rd, 2010 @ 2:55 am

    Blues Classics?

    Right here:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekvZKBYjlQE

    That’s rock blues, of course. But some of us like that very well.

  10. jefferson101
    January 2nd, 2010 @ 9:55 pm

    Blues Classics?

    Right here:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekvZKBYjlQE

    That’s rock blues, of course. But some of us like that very well.

  11. theCL
    January 3rd, 2010 @ 5:32 am

    Good stuff! I’m gonna have to check out some more Keb Mo.

  12. theCL
    January 3rd, 2010 @ 12:32 am

    Good stuff! I’m gonna have to check out some more Keb Mo.

  13. Sharon
    January 3rd, 2010 @ 8:16 am

    So many flavors of the blues. Kevin Moore (Keb) grew up with this guy…

    Together rollicking at House of Blues Chicago
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQkQEUnD-2g

    Then just picking up at Buddy Guy’s…hang in long enough for Shamieka Copeland. She outshines Tracey IMO

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20FzhwC7Bs8&feature=related

  14. Sharon
    January 3rd, 2010 @ 3:16 am

    So many flavors of the blues. Kevin Moore (Keb) grew up with this guy…

    Together rollicking at House of Blues Chicago
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQkQEUnD-2g

    Then just picking up at Buddy Guy’s…hang in long enough for Shamieka Copeland. She outshines Tracey IMO

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20FzhwC7Bs8&feature=related

  15. Sean
    January 4th, 2010 @ 4:58 am

    I was never a big fan of Keb ‘Mo’s phrasing but I like the funkiness of “Am I Wrong”.

  16. Sean
    January 3rd, 2010 @ 11:58 pm

    I was never a big fan of Keb ‘Mo’s phrasing but I like the funkiness of “Am I Wrong”.