In many of my past articles I often reflect on the different genres of music that surrounded me while growing up. I recall my parents listening to Ray Charles and fondly remember how his music caught my imagination back then. There was always a brilliant blend of vibrant energy that could take an otherwise dull day and change it into a delightful scene in a finger snap. It was some of Ray’s tunes that influenced many of my earliest creative writing projects I worked on as a kid… I was reminded of some these eclectic moments while watching Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis Play the Music of Ray Charles DVD…

Music is a journey to me… I love taking the educational tour down that creative road and exploring all the intersections as they form into one soulful passage. You may not always like everything you see along the way, but there’s usually something interesting to talk about.

I decided to view this DVD in my home gym and get in a work out at the same time. As a writer I find exercising helps me work through some of those thought processes… Unfortunately my golden retriever Lucille had to look on with sadness as she knew a walk was not a reality at this moment. Eventually she closed her eyes to the steady burr of the treadmill and the “diverse grooves” that set my mind in gear…

Originally Filmed and Recorded in February 2009

This DVD featuring country music legend Willie Nelson and Pulitzer Prize-winning jazz artist Wynton Marsalis is the second collaboration for the duo. The first occasion was two years prior and resulted in the album “Two Men With The Blues.” This time they show even more in common by sharing their admiration and mutual respect for the late music mastermind Ray Charles.

There are three great musical art forms in America that really come from the grassroots, and that’s jazz, country and blues. All three intersect together in Wynton Marsalis, Willie Nelson and Norah Jones. It’s a perfect collaboration, and each one of them is a leader in their own art form.
~ James Ackerman

Frederick P. Rose Hall

Commonly known as “The House of Swing,” this hall is the world’s first performing arts institution devoted entirely to jazz. And it’s New York City’s Jazz at Lincoln Center home and the setting for this rare two-night performance. Along with the charming and talented Norah Jones, all these wonderful performers explore the legacy of Charles by weaving a collection of 15 songs that tell the story of a love affair through its many stages. This cool blend of musical styles creates a unique atmosphere that I found very intriguing indeed.

The tone is set with “Hallelujah (Boy I Love Her So),” featuring Nelson’s long time harmonica player Mickey Raphael along with some improvised guitar riffs by Willie and company. Norah Jones is introduced for the song “You Are My Sunshine,” which is played in an exclusive and dissimilar manner. Nelson then leaves the stage for Jones to sing lead for the number “Come Rain or Come Shine.” Mellower than the previous selections, it brings to mind those smoky fifties jazz club metaphors. “Unchain My Heart” one of my favorite tunes Ray Charles recorded features extensive solos from Raphael and drummer Ali Jackson.

Musicians

Vocals and Acoustic Guitar:
Willie Nelson

Trumpet and Vocals
Wynton Marsalis

Vocals:
Norah Jones

Harmonica:
Mickey Raphael

Piano:
Dan Nimmer

Bass:
Carlos Enriquez

Drums:
Ali Jackson

Saxophone:
Walter Blanding

Set List

01. Hallelujah Love Her So
02. You Are My Sunshine
03. Come Rain Or Come Shine
04. Unchain My Heart
05. Crying Time
06. Losing Hand
07. Hit The Road Jack
08. I’m Moving On
09. Busted
10. You Don’t Know Me
11. Here We Go Again
12. Makin’ Whoopee
13. I Love So Much (It Hurts)
14. What’d I Say
15. That’s All

The entire show has a very loose, spontaneous vibe. From “Crying Time,” “Hit The Road Jack,” “You Don’t Know Me” to “What I’d Say,” and the closer “That’s All,” there’s some fantastic moments on this DVD that take the viewer on a sundry adventure.

Bonus Features Include

never before seen rehearsal footage, interviews and photos that documents how this historic event came to play… More appropriately suited for a relaxing evening sipping wine by the fire rather than a treadmill workout, I still found Willie Nelson & Wynton Marsalis: Play The Music of Ray Charles and this interpretation of his work very satisfying. The music brought back early memories of my childhood when I would pretend I was a screenwriter and make up all kinds of crazy scripts. During those moments I would often use the songs of Ray Charles to help my imagination drive the scene. His legacy will always have a meaningful significance to so many of us, and this DVD continues to remind us that his spirit will forever live on through time…

What words come to mind when you think of the work of Ray Charles? Do you have any favorite songs of Ray Charles that bring back memories for you? Your comments are always welcome.

The Blues Blogger

This is an article I wrote last year… As there are so many new readers of The Blues Blogger in 2009, there’s a chance you may have missed this one. If you’ve already seen this, I hope you enjoy it the second time around…

November 2008

I used to get a little down around this time of season. Spring and summer were definitely my favorite seasons, and when it came time to turn the clocks back for the fall and winter, a wave of melancholy would set it in for a little while… For many reasons, I don’t feel that way anymore. The cooler darker months that lay ahead don’t have that same dismal effect on me. I look forward to coming home to my family, exercising and getting comfortable by a nice fire. And just let my thoughts drift off while writing…

My online persona of The Blues Blogger has brought out a side of me that helps generate that positive attitude. I owe a lot of that to my loyal readers that have been there over the course of this site’s development. Thanks for being a part of the wonderful growth of this reflective musical blog…

One of my personal favorite Blues Blogger articles was something I wrote on legendary bassist Jaco Pastorius… At the time I was writing that piece, I was also reading about Australian bass prodigy Tal Wilkenfeld whose latest accomplishments have been nothing short of mesmerizing. As different as Jaco and Tal may be, I discovered a similar tone. I became interested in writing something about Wilkenfeld, as she is an extremely talented individual. She has a mature soul and I hear many influences flow throughout her playing. One thing for sure, she is a very cool and extremely entertaining young lady to watch.

Tal Wilkenfeld

was born in Sydney Australia… She started to play guitar at 14, and then later switched to the bass 3 years later. Wilkenfeld would discover that the feel of the bass best matched her personality and form of expression.

“I’ve always just picked up any instrument and been able to play it― I could sit down at the drums or the piano and just play for fun,” Tal says of her musical gifts. “But as soon as I started playing bass I knew it was my instrument. It was like, ‘Yes this is it. I don’t even want to play guitar anymore, this is amazing.”

Making a bold move, Wilkenfeld decided to drop out of high school at 16 and move to the United States; choosing to spend her time focusing on a music career. She first settled in Los Angeles and after completing school at The Los Angeles Music Academy, moved to New York City. It didn’t take long for Wilkenfeld to get work. She started performing as a side person and band leader and eventually gained recognition around New York’s jazz clubs.

After only several months of bass playing, she was offered an endorsement deal with Roger Sadowsky; an independent guitar and bass designer and manufacturer… At the age of 20, she recorded her debut album Transformation. It features musicians Wayne Krantz, Geoffrey Keezer, Keith Carlock and Seamus Blake. Tal not only played bass, but composed, arranged and also produced the album. Shortly after Transformation, she would go on to have a guest spot with The Allman Brothers Band.

The following year Chick Corea, who had heard about Wilkenfeld, was looking for a bass player. Tal goes on to say that…

“Chick had heard about me and was looking for a bass player and so I sent them some of my stuff. Then I got this call from his people and they said: ‘Hey, do you want to do these gigs in Australia?’ And I was like, ‘Yes, sir!”

The gig that got her an incredible amount of public awareness was her collaboration with Jeff Beck for his summer of 2007 European tour. After playing in Europe the group would team up with on Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival in Chicago.

In November 2007, while playing another gig with Beck at Ronnie Scott’s jazz club in London, Tal was joined on stage by Eric Clapton; a truly incredible accomplishment to cap off the year.

Tal Has Also Appeared

with musicians such as: Herbie Hancock, Steve Vai , Joss Stone, Susan Tedeschi, Hiram Bullock, Wayne Shorter and Corinne Bailey Ray. In addition she has been voted as “The Years Most Exciting New Player” in Bass Players 2008 Readers Choice Awards. Quite an impressive portfolio by any veteran’s standards let alone a 22 year old who’s been playing the bass less than five years.

It’s hard not to notice Wilkenfeld’s incredible achievement. Her story is truly inspiring! Tal’s haunting soulful sounds may even of had the great innovator Jaco nodding with approval.

If you’re looking for more information on Tal Wilkenfeld you can go to her website… If you’re totally unfamiliar, perhaps a cool place to start is Wilkenfeld’s MySpace Page…Upon entering you will be greeted with a funky introduction that will help settle you in…

If this is the first time you’ve seen the videos in this post, then you’re in for a real treat… Are you familiar with Tal’s incredible musical journey? Your comments are welcome as usual…

The Blues Blogger

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