Jimmy Gibson RIP

 

Jimmy Gibson playing his beloved Fender Strat

Here’s Jimmy playing his composition ZODIAC

 

For those that may not be aware, the renowned composer and chordman, Jimmy Gibson died over the weekend after a short illness.

Jimmy was a founder member of 70s rockers, Peggy’s Leg. The band’s dual guitar sound and intricate chord and riff progressions, forged by chordman Jimmy and lead guitarist Jimi Slevin, won them instant recognition and much critical acclaim. It was a natural bond and a band of brothers.

Jimmy went on to play with an array of bands and musicians and, in particular, with fiddle player Pat Collins and axeman extraordinaire Jimmy Faulkner in the much loved Django Rheinhardt influenced Hotfoot.

Gary Moore playing Peter Green’s ‘Jumping at Shadows’

This has to be one of my many all-time favourite blues songs.  Gary Moore playing the  renowned Peter Green song ‘Jumping at Shadows’ which was written by Duster Bennett.

Peter gave Gary Moore his old 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard.

Peter Green was the founder member of Fleetwood Mac, along with Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, and Jeremy Spencer. Green (as seems to befit the Fleetwood Mac culture ) was something of a troubled soul, and after two or three immensely successful years, basically just quit, being unable to handle the pressures of fame.  Green had a fabulous tone and touch.  Moore eventually recorded the album ‘Blues for Greeny’ as a tribute to Green’s  legacy.

Someone once stated that Peter Green ‘came through like the wind and left whispers of greatness in his path’.

Just finished reading Kitty Kelly’s biography of Frank Sinatra

Just finished reading Kitty Kelly’s biography of Frank Sinatra,    His Way: The Unauthorized Biography of Frank Sinatra (1986) which covers Sinatra’s tumultuous marriages, alleged affairs and his links to the Mafia, among others.

Sinatra initiated a $2 million lawsuit to prevent the book from being published. He accused Kelley of character defamation and misrepresenting herself as his authorized biographer. He later withdrew his lawsuit.

Kelly’s Sinatra is ruthless, admirable, treacherous, devoted and a total control merchant.  He was ruthless in his pursuit of success, admirable in his undoubted talent, devoted as a womaniser and mean in that he was mean-spirited often cutting off friendships that had lasted years, in the blink of an eye.

His Way is a chronicle of an egomaniac that appeared to know no restraints.

What a beautiful day listening to Larry Carlton

Following a series of meetings today I escaped with my dog for  a walk in St. Annes Park in Clontarf – beautiful bright sunshine with the birds singing as I listened to Larry Carlton’s instrumental version of the old Michael McDonald penned Doobie Brother’s tune ‘Minute by Minute’.

Gary Moore and BB King show how its done

There’s no doubt that Gary Moore has a legacy as one of the finest guitarists this island has ever produced.   A Belfast boy who truly learned his trade on the boards and deserves the many plaudits he receives as a consumate musician.

My only concern with Gary Moore is that I have always felt he overplays and too often drowns out his backing musicians forsaking a lightness of touch and sublety for noise and power.

However this version of ‘Since I Met You Baby’ with BB King exemplifies the talents of both – a real hot sweaty gig in the best sense of the word.  And Moore is on fire in this vid clip. Catch the riff he plays at 2.23.

Sunshine’s Better – John Martyn

Cold, cold, cold.    Time now to remember the sad passing of John Martyn in January last year.

I have fond memories of sipping a cocktail on Railay  Beach watching the brilliant red sunset glow across the ocean and fall slowly out of sight from a bar terrace on the beach  What made it so memorable was the sound of this John Martyn remix by Talvin Singh of Sunshine’s Better pumping gently out of the large bass speakers in the background.

The track can be found on Café del Mar Volume 4 (cuatro).

Celebrating Steve Marriott – the real Modfather

Paul Weller is renowned by many as the modfather of English rock but few scratch beneath the surface to realise that talented though he undoubtedly is, Weller was heavily influenced by soul rocker,  the former Small Faces and Humble Pie frontman, cockney rebel Steve Marriott.

Here’s a tribute to Marriott performed by a house band covering ‘All or Nothing’  – the band includes Paul Weller, Noel Gallagher and former Small Faces drummer Kenny Jones and former keyboard player Ian McLagan  who opens on vocals.

and to get the real power of Marriott’s voice listen to him here as he adds B/Vs (backing vocals) to this old Easybeats song called Good Times.   His vocal contribution lifts the song onto another level altogether.

Jessica – The Alllman Brothers Band

Definitely one of the finest guitar instrumentals ever.  Written by Dicky Betts and Les Dudek the song originally appeared on the 1973 Allman Brothers album  ‘Brothers and Sisters’ and clocks in at 7 minutes 30 seconds.  The tune was named after Betts daughter Jessica Betts  and was intended as a tribute to jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt.

On the original the guitars were played by Betts and Dudek,  keyboards by Gregg Allman (Hammond organ) and Chuck Leavell (Grand Piano – Note -  Leavell played piano on the Clapton Unplugged CD & DVD) with Lamar Williams (Bass), Butch Trucks (drums) and Jaimoe (percussion).

Many would remember the song as the theme tune to the BBC TV motoring programme  ‘Top Gear’.

The song won a Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental performance.

Here’s a bit of blues from Larry Carlton

For all those Sunday ‘coming downers’ following Anelka’s deflection into the Irish net last night.

Hey Bulldog!

One of the few last occasions when Lennon and McCartney seemed to be enjoying themselves. Always liked this song.

Geoff Emerick, the Beatles’ engineer, would subsequently claim this was the last song the band recorded that featured a team dynamic with enthusiasm from every member. The song popped up on the Yellow Submarine album.

When the group reconvened in the studio in May 1968 for the The Beatles sessions, their group cohesion had already been undermined by the business, artistic, and personal differences that would culminate in their eventual breakup.

There’s a well known band that plays in Mallorca, the Pa Amb Oli band that do a version of this song.  I was reminded of it the other day. You can listen to a rough live version of Pa Amb Oli playing it here.