Willie Simpson

Tag: Rock and Roll

  • Willie Simpson, Sip From Your Fork

    Another live show, this time me playing an original.  Sip From Your Fork, written when I was 22, never properly recorded.  A damn fine set of lyrics. It was clearly your fault, you are locked in a vault and what’s worse you have swallowed the key You are covered in sleet and you are in…

  • Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Mean Woman Blues/Blue Suede Shoes

    In part 47 of my youtube countdown I present to you two titans of classic rock and roll.  Jerry Lee Lewis, the Killer, and Carl Perkins, the king of rockabilly, united, as they often were, having a ball playing a medley of “Mean Woman Blues,” and “Blue Suede Shoes.”  This video is a blast of…

  • The Beatles, Strawberry Fields Forever

    In part 46 of my youtube countdown, we travel back to the past again, my past.  When I was 17 years old, “Strawberry Fields Forever” was my favorite song in the world.  I don’t know why exactly, but this song just seemed like the greatest work of music I’d ever heard.  I loved the loping…

  • Ween, Freedom of '76, The Jane Pratt Show

    The alternative vibe continues in part 45 of my epic youtube countdown.  This time its Ween, on the, ahem, “unforgettable” Jane Pratt Show in 1993 playing “Freedom of ’76.”  The song, a slow soul jam, comes from Ween’s brilliant album Chocolate and Cheese.  Ween, for the uninitiated, consists of Gene Ween (aka Aaron Freeman, lead…

  • The Flaming Lips, She Don't Use Jelly, Live on Letterman

    Welcome to part 44 of my youtube countdown!  Today I bring you a real blast from the past.  It’s the Flaming Lips on the David Letterman show in 1995 performing their only commercial pop hit, “She Don’t Use Jelly.”  I discovered the Flaming Lips when I was 17 years old ten years ago, right before…

  • Jeff Beck and Tal Wilkenfeld, Freeway Jam + Blue Wind

    In part 41 of my youtube countdown, we take a look at some prodigies. One is an old prodigy by the name of Jeff Beck, the guitar virtuoso of the guitar virtuoso factory known as the Yardbirds (Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page.) The other is the opposite of old, a sexy 24 year old bass whiz…

  • Jerry Lee Lewis, I'm On Fire

    Woohoo!  Welcome to the 40th entry in my now glorious youtube favorites countdown.  In it, I bring you a breathtaking clip of pure rock and roll power, Jerry Lee Lewis singing “I’m On Fire.”  “I’m On Fire” was a 1964 single Jerry released at the height of his anti-fame, meaning the time when the public…

  • Michael Jackson, James Brown, and Prince

    Part 39 of my youtube countdown is loaded with star power.  In it, you’ll see a Prince, a King, and a Godfather, the Holy Trinity of R&B, dance, funk, and soul.  In 1983, at a James Brown concert, we have the Godfather calling to stage the King of Pop in all his pre-insane person glory. …

  • George Harrison, Paul Simon, Here Comes the Sun

    For part 38 of my youtube countdown, I have another fantastic George Harrison duet.  This time its with Paul.  No not McCartney, but SIMON!  This version of George and Paul tackle George’s incomprehensible 1969 stunner, “Here Comes the Sun.”  The occasion was Saturday Night Live and the results were breathtaking.  George hits all his acoustic…

  • George Harrison, Bob Dylan, If Not For You

    The hits keep rolling, and for part 37 of my youtube countdown I present this incredible and rare video of George Harrison and Bob Dylan playing Bob’s “If Not For You.”  Holy shit, where to begin.  First of all, this was a rehearsal for George’s “Concert for Bangladesh” show, the first rock charity show ever. …