Fusion 45

In conversation with Ruthie yesterday, Aretha’s name came up a couple of times. Obviously, it was about the voice but it was also about her approach to the piano.

Whilst hanging out in the living room playing this crazy pirate board game with the wife and family (and fielding the unfortunate dismay of my 10-year old, who was losing badly), this one came on. Not really a piano tune, but it presented itself in the shuffle.

Ruthie on the phone yesterday; Aretha on the stereo tonight. It’s all connected (though I’m fishing for a connection to the pirate game).

Aretha Franklin - Sparkle

Amidst a day that was way too busy, I got the spend a half-hour on the phone with my Singer of The Year, Ruthie Foster, talking about what goes into being the (truly) Phenomenal Ruthie Foster. I’ll have the full interview here in the the days to come. In the meantime, here’s the funkiest of the Phenomenal cuts.

Ruthie Foster - Heal Yourself

Go Ye To Amazon. Maketh Thou Commitment With Fundage

Some great music happening this weekend around our united states of merry-ka. While my mates from WNEW head to Mitch-igan for the Rothbury Festival to catch everyone and his brother, I’m staying on the beautiful west coast to catch everyone and his sister at the Waterfront Blues Festival.

Tops on my list: Isaac Hayes, Eric Linden, Elvin Bishop, Ruthie Foster, Charlie Musselwhite, Back Door Slam and Rory Block. I’ll be posting for both WNEW and Fusion 45, so keep your ears open for some grooves from the waterfront.

In the meantime, here’s a dirty little blues number from the band that was formed while hanging with Mama Cass watching the Beatles on Ed Sullivan. They also, supposedly, inspired the Grateful Dead to go electric.

From the flip-side of Do you Believe in Magic on Kama Sutra KA-201:

The Lovin’ Spoonful - On The Road Again