Furry Lewis : Kassie Jones

Furry Lewis doing his most famous song, from 1968. 

Serge Gainsbourg : All the things you are

Here's a strange and rare clip of Serge not being like Serge at all.  For those that know him, obviously he's big into jazz, but I've never seen him this straight ahead.  And, I couldn't post it here (because people disable embedding) but if you haven't seen Serge telling Whitney Houston scandalous things, check that out on youtube.

Download "Histoire de Melody Nelson" HERE.

George Harrison : On the Dick Cavett Show

Maybe some of you saw the excellent Martin Scorsese directed George Harrison documentary "Living in the Material World" recently.  Here's a look at the "quiet Beatle," my favorite, George Harrison.  He's always honest and straightforward, and this interview is no exception.  Below you can download George's final album, Brainwashed.

Download "Brainwashed" HERE.

Carla Thomas : Every Ounce of Strength

Here's a clip from 1965...its Carla Thomas doing "Every Ounce of Strength."  The audio on the clip is not the best, but you still get to see a rare glimpse of the young soul singer.  Maybe you had a chance to download some of her stuff from the Complete Stax Collection I posted previously...below is some more of her stuff.

Download "The Queen Alone" HERE.

Bobby "Boris" Pickett and the Crypt-Kickers : The Monster Mash

I am proud to say that this is the very very first record I owned.  It was the record below (I believe), and I can picture the weird cover...it seemed like it was from outer space. I was about 6 or 7 and played it on a Fisher Price record player and the world was alright.  Pickett and the Crypt-Kickers (nice name) made song after song of novelty "Ghouly-Halloweeny" tunes, and it gets a bit old, but this is a true classic. 

Download the track "Monster Mash" HERE.

Lightnin' Hopkins

I've been listening to a lot of Lightnin' Hopkins recently.  That's Sam John Hopkins, the legend.  In the second video, its Joan Baez he's singing to.

Download "Lightnin' Sings the Blues" HERE.

Dock Boggs : "Country Blues"

The first time I saw video of Skip James or Mississippi John Hurt or Son House, it was like seeing video of a ghost.  These were legends of the 20's that made their mark on shellac wax cuttings and went back to their sharecropping shacks; not compatible with Youtube and Google.  But here's another one that surprised me: none other than Dock Boggs.  After listening to him for years, I built an image of what I thought he looked like (even though I've seen pictures)...this wasn't exactly it.  Dock started recording in 1926/27 and did "revival" recordings in the 60's as well.

Download "Country Blues (LP)" HERE.

Roger Damawuzan : "Wait for me"

African Scream Contest: Raw and Psychedelic Afro Sounds from Benin and Togo 70's.  This is Roger Damawuzan doing a funky number from a great compilation.  

Download the record HERE.

BUY IT if you really dig it.

Eddie Cochran : C'mon Everybody

I believe this is from 1959, its Eddie Cochran.  Not much needs to be said.  Below is a nice and thorough (35 song) collection.

 Download "Portrait of a Legend" HERE.

Clara Rockmore, the Theremin : "The Swan (Saint-Saens"

"Rockmore had several gifts that enabled her to play the theremin so well. Her classical training gave her an advantage...She possessed absolute pitch from birth, helpful in playing an instrument that generates tones of any pitch throughout its range, not just those those defined by equal temperament. She had extremely precise, rapid control of her movements, important in playing an instrument that depends on the performer's motion and proximity rather than touch. She also had the advantage of working directly with Léon Theremin from the early days of the instrument..."

Download "The Art of the Theremin" HERE.

Sonny Boy Williamson (II) - Bye Bye Bird

Possibly the coolest, most badass man ever to walk the earth, its Sonny Boy Williamson...aka Rice Miller aka Willie Williamson aka the Goat aka Footsie.  It was actually his radio sponsor on the King Biscuit Time show that started billing him as SBW, to capitalize on the fame of another popular blues singer, named Sonny Boy Williamson.  His year of birth is unknown, dates range anywhere from 1899 to 1912.  He died in 1965.   

 Download the "Best of" HERE .