kudzurunner
4654 posts
Apr 15, 2014
4:13 PM
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Those Brazilians all ace their final exam on this song. Otavio Marcolla has managed to find a mic/amp combo that gets some of Little Walter's true grit. It sounds like quiveringly hot tubes to me. I personally prefer a more solid sound, with less gravel rattling around in the can--but if you're trying to get this song right, the tonal palette he's working with gets him points. At a couple of moments I found myself saying "That is EXACTLY the right sound, right there."
He doesn't swing like Flavio--but then again, he and the band manage to hold a very relaxed tempo. The tempo actually felt too slow at first, but they pull you down into it.
Anyway, enjoy:
Last Edited by kudzurunner on Apr 15, 2014 4:14 PM
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kudzurunner
4655 posts
Apr 15, 2014
4:21 PM
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And here's a performance at the other extreme. Gaz Gaskell in 1987? And the way he's dressed!? Yet, as the note below the video informs us, he opened for Little Walter in England back in 1963-4 and he's never forgotten the moment.
The plusses: a hot-as-shit band and some really interesting ideas. He's bizarre, his tone is far from optimal through the PA....but you will never forget this performance:
Actually, on second listening: yikes. A couple of interesting ideas, good showmanship, and a lot of mediocre playing. I can't help it: I want it to be better than it is. Maybe I just want that band......
Last Edited by kudzurunner on Apr 15, 2014 4:28 PM
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kudzurunner
4656 posts
Apr 15, 2014
4:34 PM
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Now here is a gem: Bill Lupkin and a band that can't groove. He's got a phenomenal, memorable tone. At around 1:40 he does something that made me sit straight up in my chair. But the god-d--ned band cannot hold a groove! Still, this is memorable in its own way. Lupkin has some serious swagger, and he's earned it:
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kudzurunner
4657 posts
Apr 15, 2014
4:49 PM
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When you plow through as many "Juke" covers as I've just plowed through, real quality rises immediately to the top. Rick Estrin--and we knew this before--has it all on this song. He swings more powerfully and effortlessly than any player. He has all the tonal subtleties. He knows how to deploy vibrato and when not to deploy vibrato. He takes his time. By the 3:00 point, he's starting to move seamlessly into his own improvisations and when he does, he owns the song.
By 3:22, I'm saying: This must be one of the very best versions of "Juke" every recorded. And I haven't listened to the rest of it!
Is that rhartt at the 3:30 point? Holy cow! Excellent work, Ryan.
Last Edited by kudzurunner on Apr 15, 2014 4:53 PM
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Rhartt1234
124 posts
Apr 15, 2014
5:02 PM
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Indeed, 'tis I. Thanks for the compliments.
While I personally eschew note for note Walter covers this is one of my favorites for obvious and personal reasons.
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JTThirty
243 posts
Apr 15, 2014
5:27 PM
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Yes, yes. Ryan H, you do kick butt and hang with Estrin extremely well. Bill Lupkin has been a favorite of mine ever since I listened to his "Live at the Hot Spot". Hope it's still available, because his tone is incredible on the disc. Thanks for digging these out, Adam. All are worthy.
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Ricky B
http://www.bushdogblues.blogspot.com
RIVER BOTTOM BLUES--crime novel for blues fans available at Amazon/B&N and my blog
THE DEVIL'S BLUES--ditto
HOWLING MOUNTAIN BLUES--due out early 2015
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MP
3157 posts
Apr 16, 2014
11:27 AM
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Juke is an extremely difficult tune because the rhythm section and guitarist also have to really nail their parts.
The rhythm section here is very unfamiliar w/ the blues genre. We learned the tune and I avoided anything fancy so as to not confuse anyone.....including myself. I am also playing almost entirely from memory so subtle nuances are missing. I'm not big on practicing.
I'm neither proud nor embarrassed by this video because nowadays everyone is a cameraman and you never know when cameras are rolling.
But this fits the topic because it morphed into several different versions of the tune. This one plays it safe but the guitar work is exceptional. You really gotta listen for it.
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Affordable Reed Replacement
Marks Harmonica Tune-up
Click user name MP for contact info
Last Edited by MP on Apr 16, 2014 11:44 AM
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orphan
339 posts
Apr 16, 2014
11:40 AM
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Nice job Mark. Very nice indeed!
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MP
3158 posts
Apr 16, 2014
12:09 PM
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Thanks Orphan.
Rick Estrin is nothing short of incredible! I've been lucky enough to do shows with Little Charlie and Estrin played through my two amp set up. A modified Champ 12 and a 30/60 Pignose.
I've always been different about what gear I use. He sounded incredible after he got over his heart attack.
After he plugged in he said, " oh, you should get a Y chord but this is fine. Sounds great."
We talked gospel music and stuff for about an hour after the show. Gotta say, That band was the nicest bunch of blues guys I've ever met.
PS. for gear heads-
At the time Estrin used stock Marine Bands and 12 hole 270
Chromatics. He told me they fit his hands better than the 16 hole 280s I like. He has gigantic hands. Also a Crystal Ball mic from Kevins Harps. These were JT-30s w/ 151s and a volume control. He had his specially made so the VC was at the very tip of the bullet. I had one too that i used that night. my VC was where the stand originally went. All of this was carried in a shaving kit bag. He kept the cord attached to the mic at all times and jammed it into the bag too. He would leave his mic on the floor of the stage and would pick it up when he needed it. in my vid you'll see a mic holder. I offered it to him but he declined.
He used Fender Super Reverbs till he got a huge red boutique amp I forget the name of.----------
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Affordable Reed Replacement
Marks Harmonica Tune-up
Click user name MP for contact info
Last Edited by MP on Apr 16, 2014 12:31 PM
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TBird
58 posts
Apr 16, 2014
6:52 PM
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Thanks Adam! I have just started working on this song. As a novice player, I figure I should at least ATTEMPT to learn the many lessons it has to teach. I have a feeling these videos will prove to be great resources for me.
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laurent2015
696 posts
Apr 17, 2014
4:23 PM
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I like this version as well, actually turned into a boogie. Played by Shakey Jake Harris, another underrated artist:
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