I like things that flow with nothing forced.
This will be constantly updated. Some of these require really good headphones or a room full of speakers. In no particular order.
So … here is the best song or dance you’ll find on YouTube.
Eva Cassidy – You’ve Changed: She was the world’s best singer.
Eva Cassidy – Take Me To The River: Everything she did was gold.
Candy Dulfer – Lily Was Here: Written by Dave Stewart (of Eurythmics fame) for the movie “De Kassiere” and for Candy Dulfer (she’s Swiss and the daughter of a famous saxophone player). She’s the world’s best sax player. This may be the best jazz song ever written. Music doesn’t get any better. Sexy VEVO version is HERE.
Jorja Chalmers: Saxophone player. She’s from Australia. She was about to become a music teacher when someone got Bryan Ferry to listen to her and he hired her to tour the world.
Bryan Ferry – Like A Hurricane: Bryan Ferry and the best band he ever had. The beautiful sax player who steals the show is from Australia.
Bryan Ferry – Lets Stick Together: While we’re on the subject of Bryan Ferry.
Beth Hart – Chocolate Jesus: She shouldn’t need an introduction. And you should know the author of Chocolate Jesus.
Tanya: RTSF 2020 Jamboree Ball (Sunday) Solo – When He Isn’t Watching: Best video on YouTube. One of the world’s best dancers. Without her partner. OR with her partner HERE
Dire Straits – Money For Nothing: Mark Knopfler – Money For Nothing (Live At Knebworth). Mark is one of the world’s best guitar players. The guy in pink isn’t too bad.
RTSF 2019 – Stephen & Chanzie – Twisting The Night Away: It’s hard to pull out just one Stephen and Chanzie dance (Chandrae). Her skirts have a way of flying up.
Stephen Sayer and Karine Hermes Camp Hollywood 2016 Showcase: Stephen dancing with his beautiful wife. She’s also a dance instructor.
Valentina Lisitsa – Beethoven “Moonlight” Sonata, III “Presto Agitato”: World’s best classical pianist. Or if you like Listz HERE
Gary Moore Live At Montreux 1997 Still Got The Blues,Walking By Myself: He died too young. Too much alcohol, probably.
Gary Moore and B B King: The Thrill Is Gone and and they’re both dead. RIP.
Gary Moore – Still Got The Blues: It’s impossible to say how good this is. The best version he ever did. The 2nd half is the best rock guitar performance ever recorded.
Santana – Soul Sacrifice Woodstock 1969: What humans on LSD are capable of doing. Santana said he’d never again play on LSD. Too bad. This is Santana at it’s best. The drummer is flying high. This requires good headphones.
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers with Gary Moore – So Many Roads: Even if you don’t like John Mayall. “John Mayall and band……AND Gary Moore……I mean, c’mon; does it possibly get better than that????????”
Miles Davis and John Coltrane, “So What,” 1959: Jazz at it’s best?
Stevie Ray Vaughan – Love Struck Baby / Pride and Joy / Testify – 9/21/1985: Airplanes are no friend of music. He died too young. Guitar just flowed from him. How did he do it? The guy playing the Yamaha keyboard isn’t too shabby. “I am 72 and have seen and listened to a lot of music but I have never seen or heard anyone in rock, blues, jazz or classical music play with this kind of fluency”
Samantha Fish – Bitch On The Run – Don Odell’s Legends: Samantha Fish may be an acquired taste but it’s worth the trip.
Bob Dylan – Subterranean Homesick Blues: That Nobel was too long in coming.
Carl Perkins, George Harrison, Eric Clapton – Medley – 9/9/1985 – Capitol Theatre (Official): An argument could be made that Carl started it all.
George Harrison and Eric Clapton – While my guitar gently weeps: My favorite Beatle.
Katie Melua – I Put A Spell On You (Live At Fairfield Halls Croydon)(2004): Some things just are so good that they stand alone. The audience has no idea how to clap. The guitar player just kept going despite their ignorance. I think he should have told them to just stop.
Sade – Your Love Is King (Live Aid 1985): Sade is unique. Sexiest musician ever.
Sade – The Sweetest Taboo (Official Live Video From San Diego): One Sade video isn’t enough.
Dave Brubeck – Take Five: Without Paul Desmond no one would know who Dave Brubeck was. This should be Paul Desmond – Take Five.
Tangled Up in Blue: Deciphering a Bob Dylan Masterpiece: Maybe it’s better if you have no idea why you like Dylan. Who are we to explain God? An old Dylan says he has no idea how he wrote those songs.
Why Bob Dylan Won The Nobel Prize: There’s no explaining Dylan. But this is Dylan at his best.
Bob Dylan San Francisco Press Conference 1965: Just the idea of a Dylan press conference is ludicrous. “Mr. Dylan is a poet”? The reporters have no idea who Dylan is. Dylan is sitting there making everyone look like idiots. Just like he made a fool of Baez. Dylan’s answers come from the same source as his songs, they’re real and honest but the people listening aren’t understanding what he’s saying.
Elise LeGrow – Who Do You Love (Live Video): She does things … differently.
Bill Withers “Ain’t No Sunshine” cover by @EliseLeGrow: Check out the next video if you don’t like this video.
Ain’t No Sunshine — Bill Withers (cover by Canen 12 y.o.): 12?
Imelda May – Sixth Sense (Live Session): Finally found her true self.
Imelda May with Jools & His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra – Black Tears – Jools’ Annual Hootenanny: Best version of Black Tears no contest.
Night Music: Jools Holland & Doctor John as the “Boogie Woogie Twins”: Another unique performance.
Ladyva – Boogie Woogie Stomp: considered one of the top five Boogie Woogie piano players. And … she’s a baroness.
Ladyva – J.B’s Boogie: another Ladyva. It’s “La die va”.
LADYVA with GREAT BALLS OF FIRE (by Jerry Lee Lewis): The baroness can sing. Who knew?
Sean McKeever & Jessica Cox Capital Swing 2015 Champion Strictly Winners: Jessica Cox is a legend.
Jordan Frisbee Strip-Off (Wardrobe Malfunction) w Jessica Cox. Swing Diego 2013: Why she’s a legend.
John Lindo and Jessica Cox at New Year’s Dance Extravaganza 2014: Jessica Cox proves she’s one of the best.
Candy Dulfer – Strasbourg – St. Denis: just another Candy Dulfer.
Carolyn Wonderland and Bonnie Raitt – “Ain’t Nobody’s Fault But Mine” from Road To Austin film: Love that necklace.
Ana Popovic – Can’t You See What You’re Doing To Me: She’s so good she scares me.
Uma Thurman – Pulp Fiction: Best scene in the movie.
Boogie Woogie: Three of the most famous people in boogie woogie.
Elvis Presley – Trying To Get To You (’68 Comeback Special 50th Anniversary) [Official Video]: It’s Elvis.
Ladyva – Tryin’ to get to you: One of my favorite videos.
MOANIN´ – ANDREA MOTIS – 9/9 – TVE HD: Andrea Motis is a very peaceful singer, trumpet player, and saxophone player. Probably why she’s popular with the jazz crowd.
Crazy – Andrea Motis & Joan Chamorro quartet: Something about someone who has English as a second language.
11. BASIN STREET BLUES – ANDREA MOTIS, J. CHAMORRO, J.M. FARRÀS: Yes, she can play that thing.
MILES DAVIS – Time After Time: Jazz is boring because most jazz musicians just play the notes. They’re very good playing those notes but that’s all it is. Miles Davis did more, especially after he matured and gave up all the old jazz. See Candy Dulfer if you want to hear what a real musician can do with a saxophone.
MILES DAVIS – Tomaas: Too bad he never played with Candy Dulfer. But I doubt he could have kept up with her.
MILES DAVIS – Heavy Metal Prelude: Marilyn Mazur.
Booty Swing – KCTU Dancers: The Low Budget Late Show.
The Wah Watusi: Girl in the middle with black side panels is the choreographer.
Mashed Potato Time – KCTU Dancers: Another episode of The Low Budget Late Show.
Riccardo Cocchi and Yulia Zagoruychenko: Samba Show at 2016 Paris Worlds: Best ballroom dancers of all time. Now retired.
***** *****
Okay, not music, not dance.
Paige Halstead UCLA Catcher USA Catcher: I really miss watching this softball catcher.
Chamath Palihapitiya, Founder and CEO Social Capital, on Money as an Instrument of Change: He may be the last hope for the world of 100 years from now.
