Joe Strummer never stopped being Joe Strummer. Long after the Clash, long after the revolution was supposed to have been televised and filed away, he kept showing up — in dive bars, on festival stages, at record stores in lower Manhattan — still swinging. This 2001 clip finds him in a New York record store […]
Bonus Monday Video – Many Rivers to Cross
Apparently I’m not the only one who considers Jimmy Cliff’s “Many Rivers to Cross” one of contemporary music’s great compositions. Here are some exceptional performances of the song by Joe Cocker, Linda Ronstadt, Annie Lennox, Lissie, Allen Stone & EJ Worland, and Bruce Springsteen.
Monday Morning Video – Jimmy Cliff
We lost another legend lost last week with the passing of Jimmy Cliff. The Jamaican singer-songwriter earned his place in music history as one of reggae’s founding voices, but his artistry always reached beyond any single genre. Songs like “Many Rivers to Cross” stand as timeless standards—simultaneously gospel, folk, and pop, defying easy categorization while […]
Monday Morning Video – “Sitting In Limbo”
“Sitting In Limbo” is one of the classics. The song, which was originally recorded by songwriter Jimmy Cliff with the legendary Swampers in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, has gone on to be recorded and performed by countless musicians. Here are versions of the song performed by the Neville Brothers and the Jerry Garcia Band, as well […]
Monday Morning Video – Jimmy Cliff and Friends
How about we start off the week with a classic. Jimmy Cliff is a towering voice, both as a singer and a songwriter, and “Many Rivers to Cross” is among his finest creations. Don’t believe me? Look at this list of artists who have covered the song: Bruce Springsteen, Annie Lennox, Jimmy Barnes & Crowded […]
Monday Morning Video – Joe Strummer covers Jimmy Cliff
My original plan was to share a version of Jimmy Cliff covering his classic “The Harder They Come.” Until I stumbled across this version of Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros rockin’ it right.
Mayer’s Playlist for July 2012, Part 2
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH Still Wanna Fight by Mic Harrison and the High Score There is something extremely satisfying listening to some straight-forward, guitar-driven rock and roll. The best of it holds no pretense, just an energy that is genuine and invigorating. Mic Harrison and the High Score make that kind of music. The record […]
SXSW 2012: Springsteen
Now did you really think that I could talk about SXSW and not mention Bruce Springsteen? Springsteen delivered the conference keynote and then joined the E Street Band and guests that evening for an unforgettable performance. The keynote speech was clearly geared towards the musicians in attendance. Springsteen delivered a rollicking history of rock and […]
Who Should The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induct in 2011?
I finally got around to watching the broadcast from last week’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2010 inductions. The ceremony — honoring inductees ABBA, Genesis, Jimmy Cliff, The Hollies and Iggy Pop & Stooges — was, well, rather tame. Even Iggy Pop, in fine Stooges form, struggled to get a reaction from the crowd. […]
Mayer’s Playlist for November 2008, A Video Companion
We bolt right out of the gate this month with Butch Walker’s smokin’ video for “The Weight of Her” followed by the Right On’s blazing through a live performance of “Do Your Thing, Babe.” After that, you’ll want to catch your breath with live acoustic performances from Ben Nichols and David Garza. From there we’ve […]