Music Played at Cocoon 4 May 2009

As promised a few weeks ago on my “Thank you” post on the General Forum, here’s a list of the music played at Cocoon until around 1.00am when Joe arrived and Michael’s choices took over.

The broad theme of Blues, Brits and Influences was intended to be a mix of the style of music that influenced Joe’s playing performed principally by British artists, plus some more recent tracks from the current crop of young Brits who are now being influenced by the same music, and undoubtedly Joe’s playing too. It also had to be music that wouldn’t interfere with the conversation, but I think the contrary was more the case, unless you were near the bar where the sound was much better.

Due to one of the CD drives at Cocoon not working, CD2 was played before CD1 and the list below is the order in which they were played. I’d like to thank Duncan for his input and supplying tracks 6, 7, 8 and 11 on CD2 and 8 and 11 on CD1.

CD2

Track 1:
Title:    Time Away
Artist:    Paul Kossoff
Album:    Back Street Crawler

A track from Koss’s first solo album following the final break up of Free. Eschewing the less is more style of playing synonymous with his playing in Free, Koss adopts a “more is better” approach on this track. If you like Koss’s languorous style, you’ll love this nearly 6 minute instrumental in which his LP cries and screams throughout as he pours his heart and soul into his playing. It brings tears to my eyes thinking about what might have been if Koss was still with us.

Track 2:
Title:    Tea for One
Artist:    Led Zeppelin
Album:    Presence

This track from Zeppelin’s album, Presence, and covered by Joe on You and Me, needs no introduction. It’s simply one of the best blues rock songs ever, although Jimmy’s guitar does get a bit loud halfway through. I hope it didn’t interrupt your social intercourse.

Track 3:
Title:    Ships in the Night
Artist:    Jack Bruce and featuring Eric Clapton on guitar and Maggie Reilly on vocals
Album:    Somethin Els and The Jack Bruce Collector’s Edition

A lovely song on which Jack’s and Maggie Reilly’s voices blend in a beautiful haunting melody until EC’s guitar appears ¾ of the way through. EC’s trademark laidback guitar is instantly recognisable as it soars and swoops, inducing goosebumps on the way.

Track 4:
Title:    The Bluest Blues
Artist:    Alvin Lee featuring George Harrison on slide guitar
Album:    1994 and Pure Blues (compilation)

A favourite of many that is not played enough on the radio. A really atmospheric track that is best played very loud and even better with the lights out – I’m serious, try it. If you’ve never played air guitar, you will when you hear this track It really is the bluest blues. Dedicated to trdb, who’s also a fan of this track.

Track 5:
Title:    Catch the Rainbow
Artist:    Rainbow
Album:    Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow and The Anthology

Featuring the unmistakable voice of Ronnie James Dio, this was probably the only Rainbow song I could have chosen without distracting you all. A beautiful ballad with Ritchie’s guitar interspersed with a swirling mellotron. Lovely stuff.

Track 6:
Title:    Calling Card
Artist:    Rory Gallagher
Album:    Calling Card

One of Joe’s major influences, Rory had to feature on these CDs and this track, from one of Joe’s favourite albums, illustrates the gentler somewhat jazzy side of Rory’s playing. Dedicated to Annalies and her Mum, Annalies.

Track 7:
Title:    Don’t Believe a Word
Artist:    Gary Moore
Album:    Back on the Streets

Not the lively version from Thin Lizzy that most will be familiar with, this blues post-dates the Thin Lizzy interpretation and is played the way it was intended when written by Phil Lynott. Brian Robertson didn’t want to record the blues version, hence the up tempo track that Lizzy released as a single. I know which I prefer. This was recorded in the same session as Parisian Walkways. Dedicated to Ian who I am told is also a big fan of this version.

Track 8:
Title:    Need Your Love so Bad
Artist:    Fleetwood Mac
Album:    The Pious Bird of Good Omen and countless best of compilations since.

Not the original, which was written by Little Willie John back in 1955, this is the version everyone knows and is a perfect example of the soulful vocals and guitar of Peter Green at his best.

Track 9:
Title:    She Moves Me
Artist:    Paul Rodgers and featuring Gary Moore
Album:    Muddy Water Blues – A Tribute to Muddy Waters

The second ex-Free member to feature on this selection, it was touch and go whether I could include this track as it’s not easy to talk over this one, but well worth a little inconvenience. Paul’s voice is strong but less gruff than his work with Free and Bad Co. Gary Moore’s guitar is simply stunning. Other guitarists featured on this album are: Buddy Guy, Trevor Rabin, Jeff Beck (3 tracks), Steve Miller, Dave Gilmour, Slash, Brian May, Neal Schon, Richie Sambora and Brian Setzer. The “house band” on this album includes Jason Bonham, Pino Palladino on bass and Ian Hatton on rhythm guitar. An album worth searching out; my copy includes a second CD of reworkings of Free and Bad Co. songs, although these are not a patch on the originals or Free Live.

Track 10:
Title:    Jeff’s Blues
Artist:    The Yardbirds
Album:    Greatest Hits

A 3 minute instrumental from Jeff’s days with The Yardbirds.

Track 11:
Title:    Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City
Artist:    Whitesnake
Album:    Live - In the Heart of the City

One of Joe’s favourite bands with a live version of the Bobby Bland ballad, it was intended that it would be playing after he arrived, not before. C’est la vie. This version features the original guitarists from Whitesnake, Micky Moody and Bernie Marsden and former Deep Purple keyboardist Jon Lord.

CD1
Track 1:
Title:    Out of Order
Artist:    Snowy White featuring Graham Bell on harp
Album:    Blues Britannia

Taken from an album that features performances by some well known and less well known journeyman Brits, this instrumental track boogies along nicely with some excellent guitar and harp playing.

Track 2:
Title:    Middle Ground
Artist:    Matt Schofield
Album:    Siftin’ thru the Ashes

I wanted to introduce some of the newer, up and coming Brits to those who haven’t had the opportunity to hear them and this track works well for late night listening with Matt’s relaxed playing and singing. Nice song too and worth a listen.

Track 3:
Title:    Holding On
Artist:    Gary Moore
Album:    Bad for You Baby

The third track on these CDs from Gary, this is the first solo effort and is taken from his latest album. More akin to his Still Got the Blues material, there’s no shredfest here; just some strained vocals and lovely smooth playing.

Track 4:
Title:    Missing You
Artist:    Oli Brown
Album:    Open Road

Another of the young gun Brits coming through the ranks, Oli is making lots of friends along the way with his enthusiasm and work ethic. This self-penned bluesy ballad shows a maturity beyond his years and features some strong vocals and blistering guitar.

An amusing interlude occurred while this track was playing at Cocoon. I had a copy of the CD track listings and was discussing the music with Oli’s Dad, Graham, when he said he didn’t think Missing You had been played yet. I wasn’t sure either as, although we were standing almost underneath a speaker in the ceiling, it was very difficult to differentiate the music above the conversations going on around us. I excused myself and made my way to the bar area where I could hear what was currently playing. Yes, it was Oli. Grinning I made my way back to Graham and pointed at the ceiling. Graham looked up, realised and we both laughed. Oli looked at us with raised eyebrows - maybe his younger ears had already picked up Missing You.

I think this was where Michael’s CDs took over.

Track 5:
Title:    Waiting on a Word
Artist:    Jack Bruce featuring Eric Clapton
Album:    Somethin Els and The Jack Bruce Collector’s Edition

Another track featuring the prolific Mr Clapton. An upbeat song featuring Jack's haunting vocals, EC’s playing is less evident, but still unmistakably his.

Track 6:
Title:    Stay
Artist:    Back Door Slam
Album:    Roll Away

Again, most of you will know this song. Written following the death of a friend and former band member, this song is poignant and well structured, if a little lively toward the end. Davy has a real talent and is sure to go on to big things.

Track 7:
Title:    What’s it All About
Artist:    Aynsley Lister
Album:    Equilibrium

Fore me this is the standout track on Aynsley’s current CD – not that the rest aren’t worth listening to as it’s an excellent album, if a little on the light side of the blues rock spectrum. From a gentle beginning WIAA, a story of a mundane life without a job, returns to the catchy chorus for a final time before embarking on 2 ½ minutes of absolutely stunning guitar playing. Aynsley’s playing is almost effortless and he’s a complete natural with the guitar, but still has soul. Great player, great voice, good looks – Aynsley has it all. Dedicated to my Bonabuddy Michael, who is also a fan of this track.

Track 8:
Title:    Out of Reach
Artist:    John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers featuring Peter Green
Album:    Thru the Years/A Hard Road (Remastered)

Regarded by some as Peter Green’s finest song, he pours his heart and soul into the vocals and his guitar playing is sublime and has just the right amount of echo to make for a particularly ethereal sound. Lyrically it was the first song by Green that hinted at his internal demons. Dedicated to Duncan with thanks for his support, assistance and encyclopaedic blues knowledge.

Track 9:
Title:    While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Artist:    The Beatles featuring Eric Clapton
Album:    White Album

Another track that everyone will know, therefore not a lot I need to say about it. Dedicated to my wife, Kathryn, who’s a Beatles and EC fan.

Track 10:
Title:    Still in Love With You
Artist:    Thin Lizzy
Album:    Live and Dangerous

It may be full of overdubs and other studio trickery, but Live and Dangerous remains one of the best ever live albums. A beautiful ballad, Still in Love With You features the twin guitars of Brian Robertson (on his last Lizzy album) and Scott Gorham and is definitely best heard loud. This song always reminds me of Arrow, the Dutch radio station we used to receive in the South of England, that played this song frequently. I never understood a word they said, but Arrow is sorely missed. Dedicated to André, who I know loves this track too.

Track 11:
Title:    Supernatural
Artist:    John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers featuring Peter Green
Album:    A Hard Road

A blues instrumental to a slow Latin beat that many of you may have heard but not know the title of. Greeny’s playing is superb. This song was a particular inspiration to Carlos Santana.

Track 12:
Title:    Bluemonia
Artist:    Jon McLaughlin and Micky Moody
Album:    Blues Britannia

Another track from the Blues Britannia album, the instrumental Bluemonia features some laconic late night piano, acoustic bass (not heard enough nowadays, in my opinion) and great guitar with lots of sustain – lovely.

There are some great tracks here, many of which one never hears on the radio. It would be great to hear some of these on Joe’s Planet Rock show, especially those by the up and coming Brits, such as Aynsley who definitely deserves a bigger stage.

It was a lot of fun compiling these CDs, but hard work as well as they were originally 4 hours long and included the original or most well known versions of nearly all the tracks covered by Joe on his various albums. Once Michael said he wanted to provide some music too, they had to go. Hopefully, Michael will be able to provide a similar list for his excellent selection.

Close your eyes and imagine you’re back at Cocoon having just experienced the best gig of your life with four hours of convivial hospitality ahead and some wonderful Bonabuddies to enjoy it with.

Phil