Browsing Posts published by Jon McBride

Snooks Eaglin “That Certain Door”

April 24, 2010 No comments

This is a great track from a legendary blind guitar player from New Orleans, Snooks Eaglin, who died last year about a month before jazzfest.  The song was written by Dave Bartholomew.  I love his classic harmonic movement.  If you caught the first episode of Treme on HBO recently, it was his box set that Davis grabbed from Tower Records.  We added this to the gumbo brothers’ repertoire about a month ago and it has been in my head many times since.

Funky Niblets ,

RootDownFm – Gotta Have It!

April 23, 2010 No comments

RootDownFM is absolutely the coolest listening spot on the web if you like funk, jazz, soul, latin, hip-hop, reggae, afrobeat, boogaloo.  It is a subscription service powered by Live365. Live 24/7, 72 hours no-repeat, and no ads.  It is a fantastic mix of classic cuts and new music from independent artists all carefully chosen by the folks running the joint.  I even heard a Gumbo Brothers track last night!

Funky Niblets , , ,

The Messengers – mixtape tribute to Fela Kuti, Bob Marley and Bob Dylan

April 22, 2010 No comments

I was having a small party the other night with some friends who were visiting from the east coast.  I threw these mixtapes on and immediately people who didn’t know were asking me who/what it was. The Messengers is the work of DJ/Remixer/Producer, J.Period and Somali-born MC, K’Naan (the dusty-foot philosopher).  In addition to the masterful production, they are a fresh take on the social significance and message of three artists all of whom influenced me musically and consciously.  J.Period’s insane remix skills and K’Nann’s lyrical ability (effortless and honest) renews the love I have had for these tunes and recognition of the genius of these artists for most of my life.

In the press release, they say what makes artists true messengers:

“Some artists are defined by their environment. Some redefine their environment. Still others push the boundaries of convention so fully that their influence is felt around the globe, and across generations. Their music compels us not only to dance but to think, not only to celebrate but to strive, not only to listen but to truly hear.”

These mixtapes have been in steady iTunes rotation since I downloaded them (for free) and I am sure they will be the musical background to much bbq-themed entertainment this summer.

Funky Niblets

The Green Goddess – Free Song Download

April 20, 2010 No comments

Happy 4/20.  If you are celebrating today, I think you will enjoy this tune.  It is the end-credit song I arranged and produced for a film called The Green Goddess that is scheduled to be released later this year.  It is performed by Derek Shields on guitar, bass and vocals.  He also wrote the tune along with the director, Craig Nisker.

Here is the Music Player. You need to installl flash player to show this cool thing!


Download “The Green Goddess”

Funky Niblets ,

Dirty Dozen Brass – 25th Anniversary of “My Feet Can’t Fail Me Now”

April 17, 2010 No comments

“My Feet Can’t Fail Me Now” is the track that introduced me to the Dirty Dozen Brass Band (wikipedia) 20 something years ago.  I heard it on a Boston radio station – probably WERS or WGBH, but I can’t remember.  What I do remember is that it blew me away.  I was a kid in high school playing saxophone and getting into jazz records, but they were mostly bebop and post-bop (the stuff on Riverside, Columbia, Blue Note, Impulse).  This is one of the things that turned me on to a whole new sound and gave me some understanding of why New Orleans has such a unique place in the history of American music and culture.  It’s a funky groove!

I have heard these guys live many times in Los Angeles and during a great performance at last year’s jazzfest with Rebirth Brass Band and Trombone Shorty.  They always bring the funk.

Here is a cool video with some interview footage:

Another classic Dirty Dozen track, “Ain’t Nothing But A Party” from Bonnaroo 2002:

This is a live version of the gospel tune, “I’ll Fly Away” which they recorded on their Cd, Funeral for a Friend in 2004.  The album is in memory of Tuba Fats, the best sousaphone player I have ever heard and one of the funkiest “bass” players ever.

Funky Niblets , , ,

Galactic – “From the Corner to the Block”

April 16, 2010 No comments

“From the Corner to the Block”- An iTunes playlist just threw this at me while I was cooking dinner.  What a monster track of a super funky album, featuring Juvenile and the Soul Rebels Brass Band.   I can’t wait to hear the new one, “Ya-ka-may”.  Ben Ellman did a great job producing this cd.  I have also been listening to his Gypsyphonic Disko re-mix download – check it out.  I am looking forward to hearing the work he did on Trombone Shorty’s “Backatown” that drops on 4-20.

Funky Niblets

Johnny Vidacovich – Super Funky New Orleans Drummer

April 13, 2010 1 comment

I heard his name mentioned many times over a period of years before I finally heard him.  Now, having heard him live with several different bands and listening to him on some fantastic albums, Johnny Vidacovich is one of my favorite drummers.  He can drop a mile-wide pocket, add brilliant color, and keep everyone on the edge of their ears listening.  Watching him play is amazing – it looks like the drum sticks are balancing on his hands instead of him actually holding them.

Here is a cool clip of Johnny playing with Robert Walter and James Singleton.  I heard this band on this tour at the Malibu Inn – they tore the place up.

Here is a conversation with Stanton Moore about New Orleans drummers:

Funky Niblets , ,

Robert Walter – Organ Grease

April 12, 2010 No comments

Robert Walter has been laying down boogaloo grooves I love since the first Greyboy Allstars records.  His solo work and his appearances with Stanton Moore is some of my favorite music on NOLA funk, soul jazz scene.  His time feel when he’s soloing makes sure you hear every last drop of the funk. Check it out:

Funky Niblets ,

Trombone Shorty – Super Funk Rock!

April 10, 2010 No comments

El Rey Theater in Los Angeles

I caught Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews at the El Rey theater in March opening for the New Mastersounds.  I heard him live for the first time at the New Orleans Jazzfest in 2009.  First was sitting in with a combination of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and the Rebirth Brass Band and then sitting in with Galactic on a river boat cruise.  Two months later he played a free show at Hollywood and Highland as part of KKJZ’s summer concert series.  I have been blown away every time!  His tone on trumpet and trombone is clear and powerful – whether he’s playing over other horns or a guitar and organ driven rhythm section.  His melodic sense shows his deep New Orleans roots – he is supafunky, the first rock star trombone player since someone your grandparents listened to.  His new CD and first national release, “Backatown” drops  on 4-20 – check back for a review.

From the KKJZ show I mentioned in Hollywood:

Funky Niblets ,

James Booker – New Orleans piano player

April 9, 2010 No comments

James Booker was a hugely influential New Orleans piano player and unique character that many people don’t seem to know.  He sounds great playing stride, boogie-woogie, jazz, R&B – always funky!  Harry Connick, Jr. tells great stories about the frequently legally challenged Booker “dropping by” his house (his father was the District Attorney in New Orleans and his mother was a judge) to show him a few things on piano.

Funky Niblets ,
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