Robert Randolph and the Family Band
Nobodysoul
This tune is what musical expression means — take an instrument and play what ever genre you feel. Steel guitar in blues! Wow, high energy, world class players, and a different approach to the blues.
Jeff Beck
Cause We've Ended As Lovers
I've always loved Jeff Beck's style and music, and being a bass player, when you hear
Tal Wilkenfeld play, you'll know why this is an important song to me.
Sarah Jarosz
Come On Up To The House (by Tom Waits)
Being a mandolin player, and always looking to expand, she was the first person other than Mike Marshall that I ever saw play a Mandola. She is the reason I have a Mandola, an Octave Mandolin and am building a Mandocello. She is only 29 years old now and was about 21 or 22 when she recorded this concert. Talented young musicians, who take a song and make it theirs!
String Cheese Incident
Don't It Make You Want To Dance (by Jerry Jeff Walker)
Live at Red Rock (a venue on my Bucket List). A great Jerry Jeff Walker song that I include in my current set list. String Cheese Incident is a group Ski Bums. They started by playing free gigs at Colorado ski resorts for ski passes. They were so talented that they have become big hitters now. I think they hit this tune out of the park. A mix of country, bluegrass and fusion. Is that a crazy combination?
REO Speedwagon
157 Riverside Avenue
This is my favorite REO Speedwagon tune, but more significant, Brother Peter with his broken arm and I saw them play this tune, on the same tour in 1976 at Titan Stadium in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Grand Funk Railroad
I Come Tumblin'
Live at Shea Stadium 1970. This tune is simplistic and devastating rock and roll. This is essential listening, if you want to understand how it's done. The only Band that Led Zep wouldn't tour with. They didn't want to have to follow them. Peter Grant was so intimidated by them that he kicked them off their tour. This song shows you why that could happen.
Rush
La Villa Strangiato
My favorite rock band growing up and another connection with brother Pete. I had the good fortune to see them many times, the time Pete and I went was the third time that I I saw them that week. I heard that they were coming to Green Bay, so I scored tickets, later to hear that they were coming to Wausau, were I was living at the time. All week nights, mom and dad wouldn't let high-school Pete go on a school night. When I told Pete that, he got puppy eyes over the phone. Then, I found out that they were also playing in Steven's Point on the weekend. We got to go together with some friends. This song is the epitome of Rush. Fantastic musicianship, complicated, yet flowing, and of course one of Geddy Lee's best bass solos.
Joscho Stephan Band
Isn't It Lovely (by Stevie Wonder)
Stephan is one of my newest favorite finds. The man does solo, duet, trio, and full-band recording. I first heard him with Tommy Emmanuel. Good start! I love what he brings. As you will see, he lets his band mates play too.
Little Charlie and the Night Cats
Clothes Line
Blues with humor, and killer players. I got to see them live at a blues festival, and they tore the place down. Great words, soulful and tasty.
Sierra Hull
Best By
Again, a 29 year old gal, that I first saw soloing with the Allison Kraus Band (at 12 years old)! She was playing things on her mandolin that I could never play, no matter how much I tried. Know that I get paid to play Mandolin. She wrote this song. Also check out Justin Moses with her. He plays guitar here, but also plays mandolin, banjo, dobro, etc. I saw her at a festival a few years ago and she was playing chamber music with an upright bass. She also is a mandola and octave-mandolin player.