I spend far too much time watching music clips on youtube so I thought I’d share 10 great videos I’ve come across over the last few years. I’ve created a youtube playlist here – and a brief description of each film below.
James Brown dancing
The first thing I ever saw on youtube – and still one my favourites. The Godfather of Soul gives us a whistlestop tour of some of his best moves, all under two minutes.
https://youtu.be/Zdz88MBWomo
Fleetwood Mac Moses
The Peter Green era Fleetwood Mac are revered by beardy musos, the Buckingham/Nicks era incarnation became one of the biggest bands on the planet. The period between the two is unloved and overlooked. This clip of the transition phase ‘Mac, with Bob Welch on guitar and vocals, is fantastic. Who knew that Mick Fleetwood could groove so hard?
https://youtu.be/yhKrA-Z68Cs
Oscar Peterson and Andre Previn
Marlon Brando called this programme, in which Previn interviews Peterson, ‘one of the greatest hours of television I ever saw’. He was right. This is just the first part of the programme but please follow the links and watch the rest. Two incredible musicians, talking about music with such knowledge and enthusiasm – and amazing piano playing too.
Jimi Hendrix – Hear my train a comin’
Hendrix without his Marshall stack and Fuzz pedal. I love his faltering start, and his relief when he finishes, but most of all I love his playing. All those little fills, accents and his mournful voice make this a magical clip.
https://youtu.be/IPtv14q9ZDg
Donal Lunny and Mike McGoldrick
I spent most of my childhood holidays going to Ireland (my mum is Irish) and at some point traditional irish music got under my skin and has stayed there ever since. This 2 minute clip of two of the very best trad Irish musicians is pure heaven for me. After a brief chat the legendary Donal Lunny and flute maestro Mike McGoldrick have a quick skit through McGoldrick’s tune, Farewell to Whalley Range.
https://youtu.be/kAvIOvU_EKI
Hemlock Ernst – Marble Hill
I’d normally steer clear of white indie band singers attempting to rap. This clip of the lead singer of Future Islands performing under his rap pseudonym, in an achingly hip-looking LA club, is my only exception.
https://youtu.be/Sj2QG-9uhxw
Chris Thile and Michael Daves
Two incredible musicians playing out of their skin. Their debut album, Sleep with One Eye Open, is a blast.
https://youtu.be/4wtkYFy8LxE
Dan Tyminski and the Transatlantic Sessions band
The BBC Transatlantic Sessions programme pairs up some of the best american bluegrass players with their British and Irish folk counterparts. It makes for some wonderful performances, none more so than this version of Tyminski’s ‘Boy Who Wouldn’t Hoe Corn’. It starts, as usual, with Jerry Douglas’s stunning Dobro guitar playing before the Celts on the other side of the room take over. I’ve always loved how much they all seem to be enjoying themselves in this clip.
https://youtu.be/Z5X4Q6jFtHg
Stevie Wonder drumming
It’s annoying when someone who writes songs and plays keyboard as well as Stevie Wonder can also just sit down at a drum kit and play like this – but at least we can enjoy watching him.
https://youtu.be/z57-f827e68
Klaus Tennstedt conducting Mahler 8
I don’t think any conductor has ever ‘lived’ the music like the late Klaus Tennstedt. You can see how the music and performance drains him physically, but look at his face, especially at the end of this final movement of Mahler 8. He’s completely absorbed and deeply affected. He was a sensational conductor.
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