Alabama Shakes literally burst onto the music scene in 2011 and are now headed to release their debut album in April under ATO Records. Boys & Girls features Brittany Howard and co. playing some solid soul grooves with Janis Joplin meets Otis Redding vocals that ache more than you could expect from a woman in her young 20’s.  It’s sure to be one of the best albums of 2012, but for now enjoy the stellar live cut “Always Alright” which (somehow) didn’t make the album. 

Always Alright- Alabama Shakes (Live From San Francisco’s Independent) 

The southern soul gem Knock On Wood by Eddie Floyd came out in 1967 on Stax Records. Backed by the Stax House Band, Booker T. & The MGs, the album relishes the gritty sound that defined the label, from its rifle-crack snare, to its punchy rhythm section, complete with swaggering horns and chromatic guitar progressions.  Here I’m featuring the opening two songs of the album,  the title track and "Something You Got".  The former features the same progression as Wilson Pickett’s famous “Midnight Hour” but played in reverse, talk about getting bang for your buck.

Knock On Wood- Eddie Floyd

Something You Got- Eddie Floyd

“S’posin I should fall in love with you

Do you think that you could love me too?”

An unheralded classic from one of the greatest early jazz musicians. While Fats didn’t possess the voice that made Louis Armstrong so identifiable, Fats is quite a character and every bit Armstrong’s equal as a musician. 

S’posin- Fats Waller