"Feels Like Rain," Buddy Guy

Song: "Feels Like Rain"
Album: Feels Like Rain
Artist: Buddy Guy

My favorite radio DJ Bubba Jackson always says, "I only listen to the blues when I'm happy." Maybe he says this to correct the thought that all blues music is sad. Of course, the Blues is often up-beat and inspiring. But, maybe he says this because some blues music can take you from sad, to the depths of despair. This song lies somewhere between, striking the balance between the inspiration of love in the lyrics (love is like a hurricane), and the reflective feeling spurred by any profound life change.

This song was made all the more poignant by the events surrounding hurricane Katrina. It's a love song that captures the very specific, somber feeling surrounding life changes. Here's John Mayer performing the song with Buddy Guy.

"I've Got My Mojo Working," Muddy Waters

Song: "I've Got My Mojo Working"
Album: Muddy Waters At Newport 1960
Artist: Muddy Waters

There's nothing like Muddy Waters live. The man had wicked mojo on stage that comes through in this classic recording. There are two versions of this song on the album. I like the second one (song 8, 2:56). The band did two takes of the song back to back because the crowd loved it. Check out the scream at around 1:50 into the song. In the clip you can see what produced the scream-- Muddy starts dancing with a man on stage (5:43). This take is looser-- more the way I imagine Muddy would have done it on Maxwell Street in Chicago or in a delta juke joint.

Both takes are included in this priceless youtube clip. Check out how much fun the crowd is having, and how much fun Muddy is having performing.

Otis Span on piano, James Cotton on harmonica, Pat Hare on guitar, Francis Clay on drums, Andrew Stevenson on Bass.

"When a Cajun Man Gets the Blues," Tab Benoit

Song: "When A Cajun Man Gets The Blues"
Album: Tab Benoit - Live At Jazz Fest 2007
Artist: Tab Benoit

I took my son to see the I-Max movie, Hurricane On The Bayou, and this song was featured. Tab Benoit's voice is wonderful and the simplicity of this arrangement is great. "It's so hard to drive, with these tears in my eyes." This lyric just gets to me. I think about New Orleans, Katrina and the people who are still suffering there.

"I'd Rather Be Blind, Crippled and Crazy," The Derek Trucks Band

Song: "I'd Rather Be Blind, Crippled and Crazy"
Album: Songlines
Artist: The Derek Trucks Band

Mr. Trucks makes me writhe with his slide solos on this song. Pure funky, cool, painful pleasure. Here's a link to the youtube post from Legacy Recordings.