We continue our look back at the music of 50 years ago…..
How did a record company ever allow a release of a sloppy, disjointed collection of low-fi recordings? In 1971 it was all about the spirit of the project as well as the execution…and Delaney & Bonnie Bramlett had enough big name friends along for the ride to make this commercial.
“Motel Shot” was a term for musicians that would gather for late night jams in their hotel rooms and that is what this is. Delaney & Bonnie were joined on their tours by an ever changing collection of high-quality musicians. And they would gather to perform songs that they grew up listening to…in church…on the radio and in the honky tonks of their youth.
This collection is all over the board. It includes gospel classics like ‘Rock of Ages, “Talkin About Jesus” and “Will The Circle Be Unbroken”. It dives into old blues, classic western swing and 50’s R & B. And Delaney has enough original material to satisfy those folks who don’t only want to look back.
Guest musicians on the tracks include Duane Allman, Dave Mason, Joe Cocker, Gram Parsons, John Hartford and Clarence White. Derek & The Dominos alums Bobby Whitlock and Carl Radle are here…as well as old pros Jim Keltner, Bobby Keys and Kenny Gradney. The whole thing is held together by Leon Russell and his ability to tickle the ivories in any style needed.
The group does some interesting covers…delving into the Robert Johnson, Bob Wills and Chuck Willis songbooks…
Duane on slide…
Bonnie wails on this one
There are plenty of Delaney originals as well including “Never Ending Song Of Love” which was a hit for a bunch of different people including The Osmond Brothers!
This is what would now be called “Americana” or “roots” music. Its loose and raw and joyful. Compared to packaged, auto-tuned junk…I’ll take this every time.
