Music From The 50’s – Eddie Cochrane

This year is the 50th anniversary of the release of the iconic “Summertime Blues”

“Summertime Blues” – Eddie Cochrane [MP3]

Here is some background information.

Summertime Blues

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“Summertime Blues”
Single by Eddie Cochran
Released	June 11, 1958[1]
Genre	Rock and roll, blues
Length	1:53[1]
Label	Liberty Records 55144[1]
Writer(s)	Eddie Cochran, Jerry Capehart[1]

“Summertime Blues” (1958) is a 12-bar blues standard song by Eddie Cochran and Jerry Capehart about the trials and tribulations of teenage life in America.

It was written in the late 1950s by Eddie Cochran and his manager Jerry Capehart. Originally a single B-side, it peaked at #8 Billboard Hot 100 on September 29, 1958 and #18 UK Singles Chart. The handclapping is performed by Sharon Sheeley, and the deep vocals at the end of each verse are done by Cochran.

The song was used in the 1980 movie Caddyshack. In March 2005, Q magazine placed it at #77 in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks.

The song is ranked #73 in Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time

There have been many cover versions some good some bad, perhaps the most famous is via The Who’s version which featured on their “Live At Leeds” album.

The Who’s Version

“Summertime Blues”
Single by The Who from the album Live at Leeds
B-side	“Heaven and Hell”
Released	June, 1970
Format	7″ 45 RPM
Genre	Rock
Length	3:22
Label	Track (UK)Decca (US)
Writer(s)	Eddie Cochran, Jerry Capeheart
Producer	Kit Lambert, Chris Stamp
The Who singles chronology
“The Seeker“ (1970) “Summertime Blues“ (1970) “See Me, Feel Me“ (1970)

The Who’s version appears on the 1970 album Live at Leeds. Their version is done in a more aggressive (and louder) style than the original. It is played in the key of A major and on the 3rd verse modulates up to B major.

This version features John Entwistle singing the vocal parts of the boss, the father, and the congressman in his trademark baritone growl, in addition to playing the bass guitar. The track features the original four-man Who lineup of Roger Daltrey, John Entwistle, Keith Moon, and Pete Townshend.

Another live version from The Who is featured in the concert and documentary film “Woodstock“.

“Summertime Blues” was a staple of Who concerts between 1967 and 1976 with intermittent appearances thereafter.

Other Who versions can be found on Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970, Odds & Sods, 30 Years of Maximum R&B, and the CD release of Live at the Royal Albert Hall.

This video is their version from Woodstock in 1969

New Music – Martin Taylor

 

Martin Taylor

Martin Taylor is one of my favourite guitarists of any genre, I first saw him live at the Old Fruitmarket in Glasgow in 1996 where he was the main act with the brilliant Claire Martin as support. It was Claire who I had wanted to see, however Martin Taylor was superb.

At the time they were both Linn Records recording artists and whilst they guested on each others albums they really should have made a whole album together.

There is a new Martin Taylor album out or on the way and you can read a review below before watching a video and listening to a track.

Double Standards

Martin Taylor | P3 Music (2008)

By John Barron

Discuss

In a career spanning more than thirty years, guitarist Martin Taylor has collaborated with a wide range of artists including Stephane Grappelli, Chet Atkins and Jeff Beck, as well as recording extensively under his own name. Double Standards finds the Scottish guitar virtuoso in a duo performance with none other than himself. By recording two separate tracks, Taylor pulls off a set of familiar standards as though he were playing alongside the likes of Joe Pass, Herb Ellis or Barney Kessel—all guitarists with whom Taylor has previously performed with in a duo setting.Utilizing his custom-made, arch-top guitar, Taylor showcases his virtuoso technique on swinging versions of Toots Thielman’s “Bluesette” and Count Basie’s “Jive at Five,” picking lightning-fast single-note runs, thumping bass lines and big band-style chords. Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Triste” and Burt Bacharach’s “Alfie” have a mellower, pop-oriented vibe, with stripped-down accompaniment tracks. Taylor digs into a bluesier, string-bending tangent on “Estate” and “When I Take My Sugar to Tea,” revealing a Django Reinhardt influence.

The production value of the recording is second-to-none; sound engineer Stuart Hamilton uses four microphones on Taylor’s guitar and four on his amplifier, capturing every nuance in the guitarist’s dynamic approach.

Taylor is playing at the top of his game on Double Standards, bringing freshness to overdone material and having a ball doing it.

Martin Taylor at All About Jazz.
Visit Martin Taylor on the web.
Track listing: Triste; Bluesette; Young and Foolish; Drop Me Off At Harlem; Alfie; Jive at Five; Someone To Watch Over Me; Alice in Wonderland; Estate; When I Take My Sugar to Tea; I Fall in Love Too Easily; Just Friends.

Personnel: Martin Taylor: guitar.

 ”Someone To Watch Over Me” – Martin Taylor

 

 

 

Tell Tale Signs – Bob Dylan

Tell Tale Signs

My copy of “Tell Tale Signs” arrived in the mail this morning, I ordered the 2CD version as it was easy for me to resist paying £80+ for the “limited edition” 3CD set.

It must be an expensive hobby being an Dylan completist as this release alone arrives in 1CD, 2CD, 3CD and 4LP formats!

I will give it some listening over the next couple of days, however, for now here is Dylan’s cover of Robert Johnson’s “32-20 Blues” which was recorded for but not used on the “World Gone Wrong” album.

Dylan’s book “Chronicles – Volume One” highlights the huge impact Johnson had on the young Dylan when he started writing songs. This is the first official release of Dylan singng Johnson.

“32-20 Blues” – Bob Dylan