Suite for solo cello No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007: Prélude 01 Suite for solo cello No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007- by Pablo Casals on Grooveshark

I listened to this CD the other day for the first time in a few years. It’s an eclectic compilation of songs by all sorts of musicians using this beat, which was not original to Bo Diddley, but used extensively by him. It’s called kpanlogo and originates in Ghana. It’s a wonderful beat. I’m pretty sure you’ll know it when you hear it.

Bo Diddley bought his babe a diamond ring

If that diamond ring don’t shine

He gonna take it to a private eye…

SO, for some cosmic reason on last night’s quite wonderful “Bakersfield and Beyond” Thursday radio show on our quite wonderful local station, KWMR, on came this song by the “cowpunk” LA band Lone Justice with the same beat.

East of Eden by Lone Justice on Grooveshark

Hillbilly Rock by Marty Stuart on Grooveshark

If I had to pick my favorite record, it’d have to be “Live At Harlem Square” with Sam Cooke. (I know I’ve said this before, but hey, I’m an old guy…) This is the raw Sam, without the violins, in 1963,in front of a mostly black audience in the Overtown neighborhood in Miami. This morning I went into Grooveshark and did a search for the song and found such a wealth of good versions. Otis Redding and Carla Thomas from their great “King and Queen” collaboration, Wilson Pickett, Rod Stewart, the Animals (yes!), James Cotton, Aretha…

Sam:

Bring It On Home To Me by Sam Cooke on Grooveshark

Otis and Carla

Bring It On Home To Me by Otis Redding & Carla Thomas on Grooveshark

I think there could be great programs on the radio of different musicians doing a great song. (I don’t say “covers” because these are all like original interpretations.)