Return of Music Wed Featuring a Tribute to the Power Trio - Cream, Rush and Hendrix!

Music Wed - Joan Jett said it best when she wailed, "I Love Rock N Roll." I do - it is the most complete expression of passion, poetry, musicianship and raw, natural emotion. What are the essentials of Rock? Of course it is a guitar, bass and drums. The Power Trio is still, to me, the purest expression of sublime rock creation and performance. A Power Trio requires the musical knowledge of jazz impresarios combined with an unfailing trust between the performers. Here is my short list of original, pioneering, all-time great Power Trios (in no particular order). First has got to be Cream - Jack Bruce on bass and vocals; Eric Clapton on guitar and vocals; and the mercurial (some would say completely mad!) Ginger Baker on drums. This gathering of musical prodigies both perfected the Power Trio and created the first Super Group. They made two albums, fought themselves into extinction, then reformed 30 years later, only to fight themselves out of any hope of a repeat performance.  Here they are in their glory with "Sunshine of Your Love" from their first farewell show at the Royal Albert Hall (http://youtu.be/pwDo0JUeKqM). Next is a medley of "White Room/Crossroads/Badge" from their second farewell show from the same venue (http://youtu.be/QtWzR5RkB3U) -- sheer brilliance! Next up is a band I have already spotlighted, but since most of you still don't "get" them, here is Rush playing a medley of "2112/Limelight" live in Rio (http://youtu.be/USfsPTwSinw). Yes, Neil Peart IS the greatest Rock drummer of all time, and this clip gives you a peek at his majesty behind his massive drum kit. Finally, let us not forget The Jimi Hendrix Experience regaling us with masterful versions of "Hey Joe" (http://youtu.be/Om3JfoMkYbo) and "Voodoo Child" (an absolutely brilliant performance live from Stockholm - http://youtu.be/A98UVsmKGXs).  I know I have left out a number of awesome trios, so I will just have to do parts 2 and 3 on this subject. But these are the pioneers in what is the purest format for timeless rock. As a bonus, I MUST SHARE the definitive performance of "Layla" by Clapton - although not ever conceived or performed by a trio, this version is just too perfect not to include here (http://youtu.be/ZEx9O9x8Jnw).  Enjoy!