Two of my favorite things in this world are good music and good beer. Somehow they've always gone hand-in-hand with me, so I thought I'd spend a little bit of time explaining what I like in both. The making of each to me is an art form and both are necessary to a good outlook on life and general happiness. They both seem better while you're sharing them with others, and each enhances the other.
On November 21st, 1970, forty years ago today, Pink Floyd played the first night of a two night stand at Montreux Casino. This show began at a very late hour and Roger Waters said during the show that it was "Too late for mind expanding." The show ended up so late that they felt it was best to conclude the set with some slow blues.
The two shows are my favorite Pink Floyd shows of that era. They showed glimpses of many works that were to be released later on. This is the first night of those two nights. This is a very good recording that you should enjoy.I hope to share the second night's entertainment with you soon.
FYI: The numbering of these tracks indicate the disk and track number of each piece.
(In case you're wondering this is a full year before the fire at the casino that Deep Purple wrote a song about entitled Smoke on the Water.)
I really like the fact that Elton John decided to pluck Leon Russell out of relative obscurity and do an album and tour of duets together. Leon's always been one of my favorite session guys, and I always liked his solo work. He's one of the most overlooked sidemen in the second half of the last century. When Joe Cocker's band broke up days before a big tour, Cocker called Russell who got together a very good band and with very few rehearsals pulled off one of the most memorable tours of Joe Cocker's career. This was documented nicely in the film entitled Mad Dogs and Englishmen and also made a fine album as well. Leon is also a very good songwriter, with many of his songs covered by others, probably most notably George Benson performing This Masquerade.
Leon's feet are failing him these days and needs a cane to walk from his chair onstage to the piano, but his vocal range and playing ability haven't suffered as much. If your not familiar with Leon Russell, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Delta Lady or Leon Russell and the Shelter People.
Like I said before, Leon is legendary for all his work as as a sideman. Here's a recording of Leon at his home studio. Sitting in are for sure Eric Clapton, and probably Leon's then wife Mary Russell, Carl Radle, along with Jim Gordon or maybe Jamie Oldaker on drums. Those are all guesses outside of Clapton.
It's Friday evening and its a great time for a beer! I mentioned this song in an earlier post and it's great background for the first beer of your weekend. Enjoy!
