"Werid"?...an absolute genius who could outplay any of the pianists I have heard...and that includes Van Cliburn, Ray Charles, Elton John, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ramsey Lewis, Liberace, Allen Toussaint, etc., etc....and yes, I heard all of these performers up close and personal...James could play circles around them!!
Booker's Maple Leaf sets are legendary. Cox Cable in Jefferson Parish did a two set just under two hour special on Booker. The camera really focuses on his amazing technique especially with his left hand. It is part of the Music City series sponsored by Time Saver. I doubt any copies of it are around comerically, but it's a treasure if you ever get to view it.
Booker's issues with drugs and alcohol are more romantic legend than fact. He died of Kidney disease. He didn't abuse drugs or alcohol to any greater degree than most of his contemporaries, many of which are still alive and playing. The song here called Classified is nothing more than a slightly different version of "Qualified" by Mac Rebennack ..aka Dr. John and the great Jessie Hill that appears on Right Place Wrong Time. They were all bandmates and running partners during this era.
@eyencyst YBSU with your WTF, use your eyes, use some fantasy and association but if you wanna be that puristic, drink that acid yourself. I used the description 'A BIT OF' remember, AH!
@Ivpoundz2 not total reverence if you have read 'under a hoodoo moon' but, none the less captivated by his gift and, lets face it, this cat has no peer.
Anybody remember those Monday nights at the blacksmith shop..... the bayou maharishi playing for pitiful krewe of rubber neck and rejects and those uptown rich kids.....or how about that upstairs apartment above the heath food store where James would score? "Gentlemen...." then he'd bow his head and leave. By the way omwhite83...a rift ain't a song ..listen again...And iching64.....Please don't use that language around the Maharishi he was from a much poorer class than you but he knew better.
@solbro2000 I used to see him at the maple leaf on tuesdays in 80-81 when you could have a beer and do your laundry at the same time. i was in awe of his talents and, right in the middle of sunny side, he would jump up off the stool, run outside, come back in a few minutes later and mesmerize you again. phenomenal!!
This guy was an amazing pianist, other artists would ask him to play like them for their albums, mainly because Booker could so easily emulate other artists playing. His own compositions were amazingly complex, plus he could play classical music. Essentially he was a musical prodigy. Essentially he was a musical prodigy.
Right, the song Booker performs here is "Qualifed," written by Dr. John and Jesse Hill. Booker was a master pianist and is missed by anyone who ever who had the good fortune of hearing him play.
Hi......Tatum.....only in that he too was a prodigy....Bud......I just don't get. I think you missed the great piano princess like Professor Gerald Baldhead.....but people wouldn't recognize him so I guess so Morton is fine...I'm from New Orleans and over the year I have learned New Orleans it's culture music it's a very big animal to describe...thank for sending Jelly Roll some fresh meat! ,,,,,,,, Al Frisby La chez pas a patate!!
The only other piano player I can think of to exhibit such a total command of the instrument is Eubie Blake! And interestingly enough they both had HUGE hands!!!
Waar heb je dit nou weer vandaan? Erg lekkere muziek. Het lijkt me inderdaad een nogal kleurrijk figuur. Doet mij qua muziek stijl ook een beetje aan Dr John denken.
"Werid"?...an absolute genius who could outplay any of the pianists I have heard...and that includes Van Cliburn, Ray Charles, Elton John, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ramsey Lewis, Liberace, Allen Toussaint, etc., etc....and yes, I heard all of these performers up close and personal...James could play circles around them!!
MultiKZB 7 months ago
Booker's Maple Leaf sets are legendary. Cox Cable in Jefferson Parish did a two set just under two hour special on Booker. The camera really focuses on his amazing technique especially with his left hand. It is part of the Music City series sponsored by Time Saver. I doubt any copies of it are around comerically, but it's a treasure if you ever get to view it.
1blastman 10 months ago
never thought to look booker up. glad i did. ricky nye does a great rendition of this, my favorite booker tune.
videochris51 1 year ago
Booker's issues with drugs and alcohol are more romantic legend than fact. He died of Kidney disease. He didn't abuse drugs or alcohol to any greater degree than most of his contemporaries, many of which are still alive and playing. The song here called Classified is nothing more than a slightly different version of "Qualified" by Mac Rebennack ..aka Dr. John and the great Jessie Hill that appears on Right Place Wrong Time. They were all bandmates and running partners during this era.
hassledguy 1 year ago
This is straight New Orleans, the new Professor Longhair. Terrific.
trhummer1 1 year ago
@eyencyst YBSU with your WTF, use your eyes, use some fantasy and association but if you wanna be that puristic, drink that acid yourself. I used the description 'A BIT OF' remember, AH!
Geepereet 1 year ago
Booker is amazing....Connick took lessons from him...Dr. john speaks about him in total reverence
Ivpoundz2 1 year ago
@Ivpoundz2 not total reverence if you have read 'under a hoodoo moon' but, none the less captivated by his gift and, lets face it, this cat has no peer.
bluesscotty769 1 month ago
He has to be my favorite pianist of all time.
AyameO843 2 years ago
werd
sabbytabby 2 years ago
Anybody remember those Monday nights at the blacksmith shop..... the bayou maharishi playing for pitiful krewe of rubber neck and rejects and those uptown rich kids.....or how about that upstairs apartment above the heath food store where James would score? "Gentlemen...." then he'd bow his head and leave. By the way omwhite83...a rift ain't a song ..listen again...And iching64.....Please don't use that language around the Maharishi he was from a much poorer class than you but he knew better.
AlFrisby 2 years ago
@AlFrisby Tell me more stories!
solbro2000 2 years ago
@solbro2000 I used to see him at the maple leaf on tuesdays in 80-81 when you could have a beer and do your laundry at the same time. i was in awe of his talents and, right in the middle of sunny side, he would jump up off the stool, run outside, come back in a few minutes later and mesmerize you again. phenomenal!!
bluesscotty769 1 month ago
This guy was an amazing pianist, other artists would ask him to play like them for their albums, mainly because Booker could so easily emulate other artists playing. His own compositions were amazingly complex, plus he could play classical music. Essentially he was a musical prodigy. Essentially he was a musical prodigy.
zm177 2 years ago
Did Dr. John do a version of this song called "qualified" ? cause its sounds the exact same except the name.
omwhite83 2 years ago
Right, the song Booker performs here is "Qualifed," written by Dr. John and Jesse Hill. Booker was a master pianist and is missed by anyone who ever who had the good fortune of hearing him play.
Circus53 2 years ago
Weird? WTF!
Booker was one of the greatest keyboard artists of all time.
Try Jelly Roll Morton + Art Tatum + Bud Powell + Chopin
iching64 2 years ago
Hi......Tatum.....only in that he too was a prodigy....Bud......I just don't get. I think you missed the great piano princess like Professor Gerald Baldhead.....but people wouldn't recognize him so I guess so Morton is fine...I'm from New Orleans and over the year I have learned New Orleans it's culture music it's a very big animal to describe...thank for sending Jelly Roll some fresh meat! ,,,,,,,, Al Frisby La chez pas a patate!!
AlFrisby 2 years ago
The only other piano player I can think of to exhibit such a total command of the instrument is Eubie Blake! And interestingly enough they both had HUGE hands!!!
monksterman 2 years ago
if he hadn't spent so much time in jail he woulda been a lot better known
hotdaamn 2 years ago
Booker is not so weird if you know where he was coming fro... wuh... wuhm.
gamoonbat 2 years ago 16
@gamoonbat or if you've ever been to the oc-eaw-wa-wa-wa-wammm
kochcurve 8 months ago
he looks so coool man
lefaou 3 years ago
superb, the piano wizard, does one know where and when this video was recorded?
stride412 3 years ago
some blues/jazz festival in germany, i believe, 1980's? 70's?
Brutus2 2 years ago
Comment removed
drerosso 2 years ago
Waar heb je dit nou weer vandaan? Erg lekkere muziek. Het lijkt me inderdaad een nogal kleurrijk figuur. Doet mij qua muziek stijl ook een beetje aan Dr John denken.
hanjomorren 3 years ago
yeah this guy rocks! RIP...
RonnieDogeyes 3 years ago
GENIOUS!
EngelmannSpruce 3 years ago 2