Mother's Finest - Countdown Cafe (1989)

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Countdown Cafe was a Dutch radio show, which aired a lot of great concerts in the 80's and 90's. In 1989 this Mother's Finest (from Funk Rock Georgia!) show was broadcast. Promoting their (arguably worst) album 'Looks Could Kill', they sounded hot as ever. While the studio album was a rather forced attempt at being hip, live there was hardly any difference. Mother's Finest live is always a treat. And since I'm off to go see them tomorrow in Rotterdam, it's the perfect excuse to share this not-so-widely-circulating show. Juts one song of the studio album, a tune called 'Legs And Lipstick', which is so much better live than in the studio. The rest of the set is classic Mother's Finest, with Joyce 'Baby Jean' Kennedy and the rest of the gang burning down the house. Can't fight the feeling!

Joyce Kennedy - Mother's Finest! (1965)

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Here's something I've been looking for myself: the very first recordings by my all-time favorite female singer, Joyce Kennedy of Mother's Finest. I've posted some Mother's Finest before on this blog, and musically that band operated on the borders of Southern Rock. But hey, I'm here to broaden your perspective on good Southern music ;-) Posting this, is taking it even one step further. Theses recordings were done from 1963 up to 1965 and have nothing to do with Rock whatsoever. Instead we get a nice glimpse of somebody who would wind up fronting one of the most exciting bands of the 70's and still doing that to this day. This post includes 9 pre-Soul R&B. Sometimes reminiscent of Ike & Tina Turner, sometimes getting closer to stuff like 'My Boy Lollipop'. Joyce Kennedy was approximately 15 to 17 years old at the time of these recordings. Still a giant leap from the Southern Funk Rock of Mother's Finest. Some track, however, stand out and we can hear the unmistakable voice of 'Baby Jean'. Favorites of mine would be "Darling I Still Love You", "The Hifi Albums And I" and "Does Anybody Love Me". If you dig old school R&B, Soul, Mother's Finest or if you're an open-minded music lover, this set should really please you. Could this be love?

Blackberry Smoke - On The Air (USA-2011-2014)

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Blackberry Smoke, the laid-back Country pickers of Southern Rock at their laid-back-best. This is a fine collection of radio-broadcasts of recent years, mostly acoustic and all very good. Thanks to Bigfootkit for bringing this to our attention! Live from the back porch, that's about the idea. Splendid set to play in the background whilst enjoying your BBQ or sippin' a beer. Quite a few well known tracks from Outlaw Country wonderland. Blackberry Smoke, I love it. Good one comin' on ;-)