"MIDNIGHT IN HARLEM"

 Big thanks to my bandmate Celeste taking over singing on this beloved Tedeschi Trucks Band song.

Playing with Myself: “Little Martha > Blue Sky”

It was time to jam on two of my favorite songs From my favorite album, Eat A Peach. I didn’t want to ruin “Blue Sky” with my inconsistent vocals, and I wanted to build up “Little Martha” more than a duet. So I took inspiration from the arrangement the Allman Brothers did starting in 2009 of mashing the 2 songs into a single instrumental. It works beautifully since they are both E/A jams.

Playing with Myself: "Feel So Bad"

Another funky old nugget, Chuck Willis's "Feel So Bad"

Playing with Myself: "Memphis Soul Stew"

King Curtis's "Memphis Soul Stew" kicks off his legendary live album from the Fillmore West. I decided to borrow the recipe, with a few substitutions.

Playing with Myself: "Dreams"

Several years ago I attempted an acoustic cover of my favorite song, the Allman Brothers Band's epic meditation "Dreams". It was pretty messy - bad mics, out of tune piano, bad rhythm, etc. I tried it again. Not sure if it's any better, but at least it's sonically cleaner.

Playing with Myself: "Keep on Growing"

I Revisited another tune, Derek & the Dominos' "Keep on Growing"

Playing With Myself: "Plastic Jesus"

Another take on my favorite Lukas Jackson song,"Plastic Jesus"

Playing with Myself: "Albatross"

This was a tough one. Not an easy arrangement since the original is so dependent on reverb atmosphere.

Playing with Myself "Done Somebody Wrong"

Another take on one of my favorite Elmore James tunes

Playing with Myself: "The Weight"

I've been meaning to work up a full version of "The Weight". I guess now seems as good a time as any to record a quick solo version.

Everyone loves The Band's "The Weight". It's an FM radio staple, a bar band anthem singalong, and been covered by too many artists to count from the moment it was released. Robbie Robertson's evocative tapestry of a drifter weaving through a colorful cast characters is both fantasy and relatable at the same time. The simple, folksy song structure lends itself to interpretation by artists as diverse as The Staple Singers, Joe Cocker, and even Aretha Franklin, among so many more the song would have reached over saturation were it not so good.

It's Aretha swampy take that inspires this version. Duane Allman famously played slide guitar on her funky, soul take that downplays the melancholy original. Decades later, the Allman Brothers would cover "The Weight" in the same style as an homage to their fearless leader.

Playing with Myself: "Ain't Wasting Time No More"

Most artists can work alone at home, but musicians are feeling the isolation. I even got a little tired of being limited to just one instrument, so I decided as long as I'm alone together I might as well play with myself. Here is a favorite, the Allman Brothers Band's "Ain't Wasting Time No More"

"It Hurts Me Too"

Day Whatever of COVID Quarantine. Felt like playing some Elmore James on my Tricone.