Ali Farka Touré Videos

I guess you could say that I have been researching music all of my life since I listened to Motown coming out of the Philadelphia A.M. radio station that my mother listened to when I was a little kid. That research has been ongoing, and one artist that will find you if you are seeking is the Malian guitarist and singer Ali Farka Toure. He passed away in 2006, but his musical legacy will live on into perpetuity. Check out the videos and enjoy this legendary musical force.

Cubanismo!

I have a lot of respect for world music and listening to traditional styles that are new to you is the way that you widen your musical palette as both a listener and as a musician. There is a great album that I picked several years ago called Cubanismo! that I found to be very inspiring, and every time I listen to it I learn something new. I recommend Cubanismo! and here is a little sample in the video below.

(Flickr Image)

KRS-One Video

I have to admit that I did not get into hip hop until after 2000, but I made up for lost time rather quickly and did my research. Any time you consider the history of hip-hop you won't get far into the conversation without hearing the name of KRS-One mentioned. He is an eloquent voice for the culture and a legend in his own time. Below is a video for "Outta Here."


(Flickr Image)

Tom Jenkinson: Squarepusher

Tom Jenkinson is an artist that is known as Squarepusher, and he makes electronic music that I guess you would say is mostly drum and bass in terms of genre, but to me it sort of defies a pure definition. The thing about his music is that aside from programming and sampling, he is one of the better live electric bass players that you will ever hear, so he is really a musical force of epic proportions. He is tasteful in the way that he uses all of his talents, and he is "out" but still makes sense, at least he does to me. Check out this video.

Doctor Didj Video

I guess it was back in 2000 or 2001 when my son and I went to a festival at a place called Horning's Hideout, which is outside of Portland in Oregon. The featured band at the fest was The String Cheese Incident, who were in their heyday at the time. One of the other acts that we saw there was a guy called Dr. Didj (Graham Wiggins)who is a great didgeradoo player who also holds a doctorate in physics. He samples on stage and layers things, and the band is funky and out there a bit. If you have never heard Dr. Didj, play the video below. You are in for a treat.

Grateful Dead Chords and Lyrics: Blow Away

Over the years, the Grateful Dead had a few different keyboard players, and the one thing that they had in common was that they were for the most part maligned by fans of the band. Brent Mydland was my favorite, and he had a fantastic voice that is really one of the better ones that I have heard in the genre of rock music. He was extremely soulful and expressive, and the texture of his voice was extraordinary. He also wrote some good songs, and this one, Blow Away, is my favorite.

Blow Away
(Mydland/Barlow)


Ab Eb
A man and a woman
Bb Bbsus4 Bb Bbsus4 Bb
Come together as strangers.
Ab
When they part
Eb Bb Bbsus4 Bb Bbsus4 Bb
They're usually strangers still.
Ab Eb
It's like a practical joke
Bb Bbsus4 Bb Bbsus4 Bb
Played on us by our Maker.
Ab
Empty bottles,
Eb Bb Bbsus4 Bb Bbsus4 Bb
That can't be filled.

Cm Dm
Baby, who's to say
Eb F
It coulda been different now that it's done.
Cm
(Baby, who's to say....)
Dm
Baby, who's to say
Eb F
That it shoulda been anyway.
Cm Dm
Baby, who's to say
Eb F
That it even matters in the long run.
Cm
(Baby, who's to say.)
Dm
Give it just a minute.
Eb F
And it'll blow away.

It'll blow away.

Gm F
Gm Eb F

You fancy me to be
The master of your feelings.
You barely bruise me
With your looks to kill.
Though I admit
We were sometimes brutal in our dealings,
I never held you against your will.

Chorus

Jam on verse chords

Gm F
Gm Eb F


Your case against me is so
Very clearly stated
I plead no contest,
I turn and shrug.
I've come to figure all importance
overestimated.
You must mean water when you beg for blood.