Driven To Drink

James Jamerson, a man who exceptionally few know but almost everybody has heard, was, along with Papa Zita on the kit, the heartbeat of Motown.  There were other drummers and other bassists with Motown, but James Jamerson was a virtuoso, an innovator, a professional, and above all else, a communicator and song-writer on the bass guitar. Please hang with me today as we hang with James Jamerson a few of the most iconic basslines in the history of popular music. Also, a scorching live performance by the legendary Roots crew and John Legend from their perfect album, Wake Up! Love yinz, G  

With a fractured left fibia; vaporized medicine; mashed, fermented, and distilled grain; I bring you an absolute favorite, Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley. All live.  All soul. [air horn] x2 Please hang with us. Welcome to Jamrock. Love yinz. -G  

On November 8th, 2016 many of us lost our privileged, comfortable, clutching grasp on the entire supremacist mythology of the U.S.A., and Miss Sharon Jones suffered a stroke while watching the election results.  She had another the following day.  And a week later, on November 18th, in Cooperstown, NY, she passed. In the time between the election and her final breath, Miss Jones joked that Trump's election almost killed her.  Her sense of humor and spirit were such a blessing. Sharon Jones was a treasure, and we still have so many of her gifts in the form of recordings and live performances, a wonderful documentary, and her band, the Dap-Kings (as well as her amazing background singers, The Dapettes) continue performing to this day. Just a year before her journey home, Sharon, et al, performed a scorching, soulful, jazzy, rhythm & bluesy, and utterly joyous holiday set at the NPR Tiny Desk. Let's spend some time with that set and also a performance of one of her biggest hits: 100 Days, 100 Nights. Be well

Today there be crickets. Not like, the audience was so quiet you could hear crickets. But, I left the office window open and the recording equipment is so sensitive you could hear actual crickets.  And it was dusk.  So like, a cricket rave. Which actually, somehow...works. Because here there also be Dan Tepfer.  I don't have the brain or experience to do what he does.  But I do have the brain and experience to appreciate what he does...with a player piano, a computer, various algorithms, and a visual interpretation of what he does.  Which is create improvisational jazz pieces which, when the algorithm responds, requires that he then respond in kind to what the algorithm creates...thus making exciting and precarious pieces that require precision and structure but allow for such soul and depth of playing and communication that I guarantee you've never heard, nor will you feel, anything quite like this. And, when you watch the video from the tiny desk, or any of his live videos on YouTube, including pieces from

That's right.  Sting...AND...Shaggy.  Not Sting...THEN Shaggy.  Not Shaggy...THEN Sting. Not Sting...meets Scooby Doo and Shaggy in a madcap adventure ending with an aristocratic old white man having his mask snatched and claiming, "And I would've gotten away with it if it weren't for you meddling kids.  And Sting."  Nope.  Sting and Shaggy, together.  And loving it.  And so am I.  And I believe you will too.  Hang with us, won't you? Love yinz. -G

Hello. Calling all jazz heads, a cappellytes, prog musicologists, lovers of prodigies, rhythm and enBLUESiasts, and folks who simply love soulful and affective music. We're going to spend some time with Jacob Collier. If you haven't yet, strap in. And if you have, come vibe with me. I love that you're here. Let's hang. -G  

It's simple. Let's hang; listen to Lizzo shine bright like a diamond and light microphones, flutes, and audiences on fire; take into our bodies whatever helps us gain insight and maintain a semblance of self-care and emotional balance; and recharge for another week of making sure the world is a safe, welcoming, humane place for everyone on the oppressed side of power dynamics.  Huh? I know, it's really not simple.  But know I love and want peace for you. -G  

So excited to be back with yinz.   Also excited to introduce you to or, if you already know him, hang with you as we vibe with Masego.   We have his Tiny Desk here as well as some extra.   From my home to yours.   There ain't no place like.   (Ain't no place like.)   There ain't no place like.   (You better believe it.)   Well there ain't no place like home.

Several years ago, my wife and I had a trip down memory lane...to 80s nights at various bars and clubs.  This is a record of that trip, a wonderful mix of nostalgia, laughter, and love.  I took the original recording, from an older model Samsung Galaxy phone, and polished it as much as I can.  Hang aht.  Love to have yinz. -G

I recently had the great fortune to spend a full day in and around Little Havana, in Miami, Fl.  Was energized by the people and the culture surrounding me.  And in particular, the music.  We ended up at "Ball and Chain," a restaurant and music venue established in 1935.  It was Sunday, and it's salsa Sundays at the B&C.  You're about to hear live recordings of an incredible trio...whose name I do not know!  I've written to the restaurant to ask.  I would love to give the sax player, drummer, and keyboardist credit and hear more of their music.  I think you will too.  Thanks for hanging out, as usual.  We'll close this episode after having exited Little Havana and calle ocho and hang with a Bay Area Afro-Cuban band, Conjunto Cespedes. It's a good time. Love yinz. -G

Going into the vault. Four years ago, my seventh anniversary. Lots of laughs here.  Lots of love. Also an intro, a tag, and perhaps a non sequitur or two. Please hang aht 'n'at. No podcast next week. Love yinz. -G  

This week we dive into Quinn Christopherson's full 3-song set at the Tiny Desk.  You'll recall last week that we listened to his submission to the Tiny Desk, a performance that won him the opportunity to perform what we'll experience today.  And I've tagged that original performance of, "Erase Me," at the end and just after Quinn and Nick Carpenter close their exceptional Tiny Desk with the very same song.  It's a beautiful, bittersweet, sparse but powerful and complex performance that I hope you'll decide to spend some time with me processing.  Of course you should seek out Quinn and Nick and support them directly.  That's why I do this thing.  Love yinz! -G  

Hey. Love that you're here.  We're having a social justice listening party today.  Intersectional.  Soulful.  A bit spiritual.  Just, great and energizing stuff.  Plus me.  If that's the sort of thing you're into.  (And apparently you are.) So hang aht, 'n'at.  Leave a wonderful review on iTunes.  Subscribe on Spotify.  Go straight to the website on Libsyn.  Just, thanks. Love yinz. -G  

Hey. Driven to Drink. June first, twenty-nineteen. Here be the very first episode of Driven to Drink ever recorded. First published February first, twenty-fifteen. Jesus, I was so young then.  It honestly feels like decades ago. You'll hear me, and you'll hear my life partner, and you'll hear plenty of laughter.  Does anybody remember laughter? I love yinz. -G  

Hey. We're back, hanging with exceptional musicians (...not in reality, but in our minds...) on the yellow couch ("yelluh cahch" for yinz yinzers aht dere") and spreading love. Please spend some time exploring the Yellow Couch Studios. Steven Foxbury really does a superb job producing and recording a diversity of amazing musicians in a super intimate and authentic space.  The energy and emotions and soul just pops. Also, check out their Twitter presence. And hang aht, 'n'at.  Don't be a jag-off.  Spread Love. -G

How good is the episode going to be? You’re guess is precisely as good as mine. I recorded it last night, have polished it up real nice from an audio perspective, but there has been no editing otherwise. I was…not sober last night, so I don’t remember a lot of this. We’ll be listening to this together.  You might hear it before me.  Cool, huh? Love yinz. -G Oh…we’re on iTunes and Spotify.  Leave a 5-star review on iTunes if you feel compelled, inclined, or otherwise moved. Also, the theme song is by Deck of Jack, and the video accompanying, “Party at the Airport” is one of my favorite videos ever, tbh.  

My plan is to compose a lengthier introduction on social media, but I don't have that energy right now.  But I want you to have this.  It's my favorite music D2D yet, and perhaps my favorite ever.  I am known for hyperbole, though.  Nonetheless, here is the first of hopefully many Yellow ("Yelluh") Couch ("cahtch") Listening Parties, from Pittsburgh, PA during the Three Rivers Arts Festival.   Love yinz.   -G  

Gary Clark Jr. is a wonderful human and musician, and his band is exceptional. Seeing him live was a joy, and I hope I can bring even a glimmer of an idea of how wonderful the live experience is. Please check him out live, recorded live, and in studio. And hang with me. It's a good time. -G  

Today we spend some quality time with  &More. This jawn?  Is glorious.  I promise. From Philly (of course). A little live soul, r&b, jazz, and hip hop and a lotta freestyle, a la Chill Moody and the incomparable Questlove. Hang, it's good. Love yinz. -G  

You may not know about Tameca Jones. But you should. She's a singer.  She's a song-writer.  She's a force of nature. She's from Austin and she opened for Gary Clark, Jr. this year. I had the honor and pleasure to see her and her band live in Pittsburgh. Hang with us.  Really. And check her out whichever way you check out music. Love yinz. -G