Pamela Leavey

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Category: Jazz

A Little Night Music: Melody Gardot

I love the brilliance of Melody Gardot’s smooth jazz arrangements and her sultry voice…

Love Me Like A River Does… Live at Bergen:

Enjoy…

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A Little Night Music: Compared to What

Every Sunday morning, I listen to Lisa Garvey’s show A-Train on UMass Boston’s PBR station WUMB. Every now and then Lisa will play Les McCann and Eddie Harris’ Compared to What. It’s one of my all time favorite jazz and protest songs. From Les McCann and Eddie Harris’ seminal 1969 live performance album Swiss Movement, recorded at the Montreux Jazz Festival with trumpeter Benny Bailey:

Compared to What“, was a huge Billboard pop chart topper crossing into pop from the soul/jazz genre. The lyrics criticised both President Nixon and the Vietnam War. Written by Atlantic composer/artist Eugene McDaniels, the song first recorded by soul vocalist Roberta Flack, on her debut release, First Take (1969).

Lyrics: Compared to What

I love the lie and lie the love
 A-Hangin‘ on, with push and shove
Possession is the motivation
 that is hangin‘ up the God-damn nation
Looks like we always end up in a rut (everybody now!)
 Tryin‘ to make it real — compared to what? C’mon baby!

Slaughterhouse is killin‘ hogs
 Twisted children killin‘ frogs
 Poor dumb rednecks rollin‘ logs
 Tired old lady kissin‘ dogs
I hate the human, love that stinking mutt (I can’t use it!)
 Try to make it real — compared to what? C’mon baby now!

The President, he’s got his war
Folks don’t know just what it’s for
Nobody gives us rhyme or reason
Have one doubt, they call it treason
We’re chicken-feathers, all without one nut. God damn it!
 Tryin‘ to make it real — compared to what? (Sock it to me)

Church on Sunday, sleep and nod
 Tryin‘ to duck the wrath of God
 Preacher’s fillin‘ us with fright
 They all tryin‘ to teach us what they think is right
They really got to be some kind of nut (I can’t use it!)
 Tryin‘ to make it real — compared to what?

Where’s that bee and where’s that honey?
Where’s my God and where’s my money?
Unreal values, crass distortion
Unwed mothers need abortion
Kind of brings to mind ol’ young King Tut (He did it now)
Tried to make it real — compared to what?!

(Music break)

Tryin‘ to make it real — compared to what?

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A Little Night Music: Roger Ebacher and Re:Groove

Newburyport native Roger Ebacher is a multi-instrumentalist, performer, and composer whose music has been played “on the airwaves all over North America, Europe, and as far east as India, Thailand, and Russia.” Check out this video of Roger and Re:Groove performing at Newburyport’s Firehouse Theater in 2011:

Roger’s latest recording BLUEISH GREY is the “first recording in several years to be released under his own name.” Reviews of Blueish Grey can be found here and it is available on ITunes.

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Sunday Night Jazz: Poncho Sanchez – Watermelon Man (Live)

Very cool video of Poncho Sanchez at the Montreux Jazz Festival (circa 2004) performing Watermelon Man…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oenlU0KiILc

Poncho is a phenomenal conguero. He used to play occassionally at this little Brazilian restaurant on Ventura Blvd. in Studio City, CA., I was lucky enough to sit at a table right next to the band one night… Lot’s of fun! I love Latin Jazz…

Enjoy…

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Sunday Jazz: Diana Krall – Look Of Love

Recorded live at the Paris Olympia 1st December 2001, Diana Krall performs Look Of Love:

Simply fabulous… Enjoy!

 

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Late Night Blues: Melody Gardot – Live Jazz à Juan 2010

Feeling in a Melody Gardot sort of mood tonight… Melody performs “Your Heart is as Black as Night” and “Worrisome Heart” live at Jazz à Juan in 2010:

Enjoy…

 

 

 

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