soleil rare 22 - open mics.

Live performances only. 

Screamin' Jay Hawkins - I Put A Spell On You. 

Screamin' Jay was a beast. A true performer. He lived a crazy life, being a talented boxer, then killing people during the WWII, then making macabre hits and retiring in France on his copyrights. 

As a musician, he didn't care about genres, and that's why he got support from the garage rock band The Fuzztones for his 1984 live recording. 

His performance here is theatrical, as much as a sonic fury. Typical Hawkins. 

The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Like A Rolling Stone.

A lover of Bob Dylan's work, Jimi Hendrix had to give his own interpretation of the ultimate hit "Like A Rolling Stone". And here you go with a folk song turned into a rock anthem. As always with The Jimi Hendrix Experience, the guitar-bass-drums combo is excellent. . 

Recorded in 1967, the live in Monterey (re)introduced Jimi to the US, as he had left for the UK a few years earlier. All in all, it's all Jimi, roaring guitar, a missed verse ; he made the song his, and it doesn't make you want to hear Dylan's original. 

Amy Winehouse - Rehab. 

This is a bootleg of a 2007 concert in Berlin, by a not-so-drunk Amy Winehouse. At first, Amy sounds lazy, really lazy, cutting all words, spoiling the fun. Then, she finally sounds warmed up, probably thanks to the good performance of her backing band.

This is glimpse of Amy : talented, but wasted. 

Otis Redding - These Arms Of Mine. 

I think the artwork of this "Live On The Sunset Strip" does not do any justice to Otis' timeless talent. Recorded just two years after his groundbreaking debut on Stax, "Pain In My Heart", this live album is a must-have. "These Arms Of Mine" was Otis' business card in the game, as it was his first single (and what a single !) for Stax, in 1964.

The 1966 live interpretation is as impressive as it gets when it comes to Mr. Redding, his warm voice and undeniable charisma doing all the job.

D'Angelo - Shit, Damn, Motherfucker. 

D is back. But this is old. This is from the "Live At The Jazz Café", a truly incredible live album and performance by D'Angelo. 

Put together 14 years ago, in 1998, but recorded in 1995, this album stands for me as one of the best live recordings ever. Period. The sound quality is flawless, D'Angelo sounds at the peek of his sexyness/talent/charisma/aura and the musicians are as supportive as it's possible to be. 

And I just didn't mention that this is one of my favorite songs out of "Brown Sugar". 

Bob Marley - Exodus. 

  

Out of the countless Marley & The Wailers live recordings available, this version of "Exodus" comes from "Babylon By Bus". 

You get a more than 7'-long taste of a powerful Bob Marley. It even gets psych at the end. Without a doubt, the Wailers are there, the I Three as well. The overall feel is great. Feel good. 

Suprême NTM - La Fièvre. 

Suprême NTM arguably holds the top spot of French rap, with Marseille's favorites IAM. But on stage, they killed any competition, thanks to the energy displayed by Kool Shen and Joey Starr. 

"La Fièvre" is one of their most recognizable hits. Published on their 1998 live effort "Du Monde De Demain A Pose Ton Gun", the song was recorded in 1995, at the peek of their rawness. 

The cream of French rap.

Nirvana -Lithium. 

I don't think this one is from "The Last American Concert" live bootleg recording. The recording is kinda clean, and Kurt sounds alright. 

Nirvana all day. The older I get, the more I like Nirvana. Is this a problem ? 

James Brown - It's A Man's, Man's, Man's World. 

The year was 1968, and James Brown was playing with his audience as it was pleasing him. It applies to this concert at the legendary Apollo, and it surely applies to this song, as a usually shaking James makes room for a sensual and emotional Mr. Brown. 

This is down tempo soul music with violins, folks. Which means, this is beautiful. 

Michel Polnareff - Qui A Tué Grand'Maman ? 

A long time US resident, Michel Polnareff blessed Los Angeles in 1995 with a rare live performance. Playing his old hits, Polnareff honorably performed in front of an acquired audience. 

On "Qui A Tué Grand'Maman ?", one of my favorite songs by Polnareff, you gotta love the American accent of the chorists and this signature loud bright piano. Then blows Polnareff's spectral voice and the magic of his prime is back.