Santana - Soul Sacrifice (Woodstock 1969)

This was a monumental inspiration to me back in the day...I was a fan from day one...All of their early albums are great and show real development and creativity...Later I got to see them live in the UK...and they still had that magic - Gus

See it here  : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqZceAQSJvc&list=LLwAB0LnUVu1d5C7nTRUhrBQ&index=77&t=0s

The O T Band - She's So Sweet (Bluesette)

This is an original Blues from my band that first appeared on the CD 'Earl Green - Feel The Fire (1996)' but had a longer history, dating back to the early 1970's, when we simply called it 'Bluesette' .
We played it at every gig and it always went down well. It's a bitter-sweet minor Blues sung from the heart. Here is our rendition from 2008.

See/Hear it here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqC8joJT5Ag

Various Artists - Fill Your Head With Rock (1970)

Fill Your Head with Rock (1970) was the third release in the successful CBS Records Rock Machine UK budget sampler album series. 
It broke new ground, by extending the format to a double album, and also featured more UK artists than previous samplers.
Compiler David Howell stated that while the earlier samplers were merely aimed at promoting specific full-price releases, this record was part of a major push to establish the label as "the top label in contemporary music" in the UK, and also to establish the market for double albums. (Wiki)

I bought this double album in 1970 aged 16...I was already into Santana, Johnny Winter, Chicago and Mike Bloomfield (from his Paul Butterfield days) But most of the others I was unfamiliar with...I didn't like it all...But it was a memorable, diverse example of the music we called 'Rock' at the time. It shows the move away from commercial pop to a more serious and adventurous mix that would eventually burn out with the coming of punk/new wave, yet remain influential.
I lost my vinyl copy, somehow, but it stayed in my memory...and I wanted it back !

Years later an internet buddy, grumpy, let me know he had the original double album, ripped it and supplied me with this perfect copy along with cover scans. He was also at the Royal Albert Hall as I was, at some concerts that promoted this CBS records era...Seeing Jerry Goodman on electric violin with Flock was different and exciting (he's the cover guy). I got to see him twice more with The Mahavishnu Orchestra later and it was awesome !
Anyway...thank you grumpy ...I just played it again and it still stands as a classic of its time - Gus

Get this album here :                       https://mega.nz/#!yZ0BSQgR!tksgWmCv3UEbf6DvVE5bTsrj7cPovSvK9FF98S22ea4

The O T Band - Something You Got (live video 2008)

This is a video of The O T Band , that I was a member and guitarist of, and existed as a live band playing the London Blues circuit ,the Pub Rock scene and many other gigs, from 1984 to 2018. This is a track from 2008.

Earl, my great friend and singer, always had New Orleans in his musical heart,,,hearing the music on radio in Jamaica,,,He introduced me vocally to 'Something You Got' and 'Sick And Tired' by Chris Kenner...long before I could get these gems on record to hear the originals. And you could tell he lives these songs.

See/Hear it here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6rcJym7qbM

Various Artists - 60's Sounds 1 & 2

A small selection of some sounds that supplied the soundtrack to my early teenage years in the swinging 60's, London...Concentrating on the more commercial Pop/Rock artists and bands (I have posted an earlier compilation that shows the equally exciting Soulful sounds of the time...Tamla, Atlantic & Stax Records)  ...It was a very creative time...
I saw The Beatles, aged 9 on 8th Dec. 1963 at the Odeon Cinema, Lewisham. They came on stage, Paul counted 1-2-3 and they started with 'I Saw Her Standing There'...everything else was obliterated by female screams...I saw one girl gush a piss...
Now...I feel great to be old enough to tell of a distant wonder !    
On reflection (in my 60's too !)...maybe we were just a little idealistic...(pass that J !) LOL ! 
But...this year my family went to Amsterdam for a weekend...It was so relaxed, and yes the Coffee Shops occupied some of my time...An OAP bald hippie...? - Gus 

Beatles

Byrds

Rolling Stones

Bob Dylan

Manfred Mann

CD1  :  https://mega.nz/#!OJ9jiKYB!KtW0V13CILNNohIPivuPOUv5oDTEBmjYnHnYHra5_10

CD2 :  https://mega.nz/#!LV8VTKKA!QvWD2IwLQNJvE-_4Ro9sQIL-njF02OX1CpLhB1xTcKw

Various Artists - Soundtrack 1

Compilation of some of my memorable nostalgic musical moments made for films, TV etc...Some beautiful, some that will raise a smile...and a good selection to use for a pub quiz...
The atmosphere of track 17 'Medication Valse', takes me back to the hospital/asylum ward of Nurse Ratched, where everybody is in a prescribed-drug-haze except for McMurphy -
( Jack Nicholson in One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest...a classic ! ) 
From my CD's except for track 1 which I got from the net...I had been after this version for years...One of my favourite TV shows as a boy in 1960's London.  
'Dangerman'...better than James Bond !  - Gus  

Get It Here :

 https://mega.nz/#!OI9FxA5T!7MGB1nzA5FuRm1KGZD4mzE2hyBp1EPQWcanWO8c6MnQ

Various Artists - Classic Funk Moods

Graham Central Station

Sly & The Family Stone

Donny Hathaway

Compilation of some Funky Stuff ! From my CD collection - PARRRRTY !!! - Gus

Get it Here : 

 https://mega.nz/#!zMlhWKqJ!vqxmD0yn9GXP2gUdQFwZPjLIwcIKOVyI5kDV5A4ylCo

Various Artists - Live 1

Live performances from some great acts...from my CD collection.

James Taylor, along with Joni Mitchell, Crosby Stills & Nash, Jackson Brown and others supplied a softer more lyrical side of the late 60's/early 70's musical scene, to contrast with the beginnings of Rock. These tracks appear on his 1982 double CD 'Live'.
Santana have been one of my favourite bands since their debut release in 1968. Here from the double CD  'Viva Santana' (1988).
Eric Clapton has been an inspiration to me since the early 60's - Here is a great Blues performance of the Freddie King classic, from the 2 CD 'One More Car, One More Rider' live in 2002.
Little Feat were another fave band with Lowell George as front-man,vocalist and slide guitarist supreme. These tracks come from their double CD 'Waiting For Columbus' (2002) recorded in 1977.
The Neville Brothers from New Orleans, are another great live band that evolved out of the Meters and consisted of 4 brothers all with unique talents. 'Voodoo' comes from the CD 'Live On Planet Earth (1994).
King Curtis was a major session player and band leader during the 60's Soul scene. Here is a moving rendition of 'A Whiter Shade Of Pale' (originally a hit for Procol Harum) from his CD 'Live At Fillmore West' (1971). He was tragically murdered on 13 August 1971.
Steely Dan Were a class act from their first album. Here is a live version of 'Babylon Sisters' from the CD 'Alive In America' (1995).
Van Morrison has been around since the early 60's with the band Them. He still releases good albums that continue to satisfy his many admirers. 'Into The Mystic' comes from his 1974 album 'It's Too Late To Stop Now'.
George Benson started as a fine bluesy Jazz guitarist in the late 50's. His vocal only came to prominence  on the album 'Breezin'. 'On Broadway' (originally by The Drifters)  comes from the CD 'Weekend In L.A. (1978).
Stevie Ray Vaughan was a brilliant blues based guitarist/vocalist that gave Blues music a shot in the arm from his first album 'Texas Flood' in 1983, until his tragic death in a helicopter crash on 27 August 1990. This wonderful version of 'Riviera Paradise' comes from the show he played the night he died. Fom the CD  'Sacred Sources - Live Forever'.

 Get It Here :  https://mega.nz/#!nQUAjYaI!XmBB24LDDgE6ozilN2i5u-_9sBX6C-LsDy6UlO7PRTw

The Best Of The Crusaders (1976)

The Crusaders was an American jazz fusion group that was popular in the 1970s. The group was known as the Jazz Crusaders before shortening its name in 1971.
In 1960, following the demise of a few short-lived Houston-based groups called The Swingsters and the Nite Hawks, Joe Sample (piano), Stix Hooper (drums), Wilton Felder (saxophone), and Wayne Henderson (trombone), relocated to Los Angeles. After changing their name to "The Jazz Crusaders," the group signed with Pacific Jazz Records, where they would remain throughout the 1960s. Employing a two-manned front-line horn section (trombone and tenor saxophone), the group's sound was rooted in hard bop, with an emphasis on R&B and soul.
The group shortened their name to "The Crusaders" in 1971, and adopted a jazz-funk style. They also incorporated the bass guitar and electric guitar into their music. Bass guitarist Robert "Pops" Popwell and guitarist Larry Carlton joined the band, and featured on the group's albums throughout most of the 1970s. With this new style came increased crossover appeal, and the group's recordings started to appear on the Billboard pop charts. (Wiki)

One of my favourite bands ...Double vinyl rip of 'Best Of' from 1976, which provided the material that I like the most from their lengthy history...This band were my 'go to' to from the early 1970's...I still listen to The Crusaders probably more than any other artists (and I LOVE so many !). Their material has Blues Jazz R&B Soul and Funk elements, with memorable songs and melodic, gutsy solos.
They also introduced me to their guitarist Larry Carlton who I loved...including his solo albums and guest appearances on Steely Dan albums among many others...I had the pleasure to see him at London's Jazz Cafe...and we got to chat after the show...a friendly humble gent...I gave him a Django Reinhardt CD as a gift of gratitude ... - Gus

Get it Here  :   https://mega.nz/#!7MFVlTaY!tg_DCRtzp3mnufWfMxN-x5esgZ6ri4n_CF6xaj4omTo 

Larry Carlton & Me

Various Artists - Soulville 1

Another of my compilations sourced from my CD collection - 30 classic soulful tracks with only 2 above 3 minutes ! Enjoy - Gus

Get it here  : 

  https://mega.nz/#!qUdBRKbY!pz0hFnNzSjoAcldwSLGavyz9xEtpy_CUklUSQkbkwhs

Various Artists - Rock 'n' Roll Days 1

Chuck Berry

Elvis Presley

Fats Domino

Another of my past compilations, from my CD collection, concentrating on the Rock 'n' Roll days (1954-59)...which was based on earlier African/American Rhythm & Blues music and taken up by numerous white artists (Fats Domino, to put things into perspective, was the best selling artist at the time after Elvis)  ...It was largely seen in the USA as degenerate music by the mainstream media...(but not by the hip...or teenage kids ).
Pat Boone and others supplied insipid covers for the masses...and the USA popular music scene was soon coerced back to forgettable pap...awaiting the 'British Invasion' (started  by The Beatles - 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' in 1964)...which itself began as R&B and R&R covers or imitations initially. 
This was the good stuff ! - Gus 

Click on the cover above for a larger image

Get It Here :

https://mega.nz/#!qZsDlTxQ!UyAAhgjZSHg6Xpat0wkUQJqV9DW2x2jKZpTF2zD0FAc

King Curtis - King Curtis Collection

Curtis Ousley (February 7, 1934 – August 13, 1971), who performed under the stage name King Curtis, was an American saxophonist known for rhythm and blues, rock and roll, soul, blues, funk and soul jazz. Variously a bandleader, band member, and session musician, he was also a musical director and record producer. Adept at tenor, alto, and soprano saxophone, he was best known for his distinctive riffs and solos such as on "Yakety Yak", which later became the inspiration for Boots Randolph's "Yakety Sax" and his own "Memphis Soul Stew".
Curtis was killed on August 13, 1971, when he was stabbed during an argument with a pair of drug dealers he discovered on the steps outside his Manhattan apartment. Curtis was attempting to carry an air conditioner into his apartment when Juan Montanez refused to move from the entrance. A fight ensued and Montanez stabbed Curtis. Curtis later died at Roosevelt Hospital. In March 1972, Montanez was sente
nced to seven years for second-degree manslaughter, but was released in late 1977 for good behavior. (Wiki)

I love King Curtis...I made this compilation many moons ago...Rega-Planar deck with a decent Ortophon cartridge/stylus and dubbed direct to Yamaha Digital Recorder.
At the time most of these recordings were unavailable on CD and I hadn't even heard of a download ! Some come from King Curtis albums, others  were lifted from popular Soul compilations on vinyl. I've just ripped the disc I made (from same digital recorder) ...and it sounds great...A minor tick here and there...but nothing to spoil the listening experience...Personally I hate ticks and if a record was too ticky I wouldn't record it...They were never part of the music and shouldn't be there ! 
Anyhow I've just played the whole  recording and really enjoyed this wonderful man and his saxophones all over again...My favourite (of all tracks, that I get the pleasure to play to someone who has never heard it ), is King Curtis' 'A Whiter Shade Of Pale ', his Live version of the 1967 Procol Harum hit...and included here. It usually astounds !...Such soulful beauty from the soprano sax. And King Curtis can 'sing' a soulful classic (equal to Aretha and Otis) like no other player on saxophone...There are plenty examples right here Enjoy - Gus

Get it Here  :   https://mega.nz/#!2JFEEQhK!8PPVvDyAvx0UVG7v6wBQpFatMm5XQmxQHiYRT95yjQo

Lowell George / Little Feat - Miscellany 1 & 2

Lowell Thomas George (April 13, 1945 – June 29, 1979) was an American songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer, who was the primary guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter for the rock band Little Feat.
On June 15, 1979, George began a tour in support of his solo album. On June 29, 1979, the morning after an appearance at Washington, D.C.'s Lisner Auditorium where the bulk of Waiting for Columbus had been recorded, George collapsed and died of a heart attack in his Arlington, Virginia, hotel room at the Twin Bridges Marriott. His heart attack was caused by an accidental drug overdose. George's body was cremated in Washington, D.C., on August 2. His ashes were flown back to Los Angeles, where they were scattered from his fishing boat into the Pacific Ocean.   (Wiki)

Another of my musical gods...I still miss this guy...One of my lasting heroes...The coolest Slide player around...a wonderful voice...a true R & R songwriter and poet...I have all the original vinyl and the cds and wish there was more !

I put together these compilations some years ago, just for me ...(called it Miscellany but thought Lowell would prefer Miss Ellany !)...using a Yamaha digital recorder ...Most of the tracks come from my own cd collection  with some downloads... Lowell here with Little Feat in a live setting, solo and guest appearances with some classy artists. - His Slide solos on Jackson Browne's 'Your Bright Baby Blues' are bliss...for me...even his understated backing vocal on the same track is perfect...The Chico Hamilton tracks on M2 are little more than jams...but reflect the experimental times...And here with Robert Palmer (his finest hours)...from his earliest solo albums with The Meters plus Lowell and Little Feat ! - Gus

Oh I am just a vagabond, a drifter on the run
And eloquent profanity, it rolls right off my tongue...
(Lowell George - Roll Um Easy)

CD1 Here :  

  https://mega.nz/#!rMEnwaiZ!PTxrACnTn8TnCULhZKRrLjuo8BKF57R4wgCJwMOoe4o

CD2 Here :

https://mega.nz/#!7ZsmzDAS!aDIxEhH8x5nDgCGjkeHNqW2klo6FtxpOBOgSsJrlQWw

Robert Cray - Selected Rarities

Here is an old compilation of mine from one of my fave guitarist/vocalist 

Robert Cray - Selected Rarities

Tracks 1 to 7 have been dubbed by me fom 12" singles RC released in the UK, direct to Yamaha Digital Recorder. They do not appear in this form on any of his albums. (1985-88)

Tracks 8 to 11 are from an FM broadcast of Eric Clapton's Blues Night at the Royal Albert Hall on 03 Feb 1990 - From my tapes.

Tracks 12 to 19 are from an FM broadcast recorded in London on 20 May 1992 - From my tapes

It's a great listen from a master ! - GuitarGus

Get it Here  :  

 https://mega.nz/#!DcVyEboT!51yWof0ILGaGUmgDbRo9LOE5VweMoAEoTtzkiUAb_bA