Monday, May 14, 2012

Top 10: Songs with Donald 'Duck' Dunn on bass

Soul rockers Booker T. and the MGs are seen in this January 1970 file photo, from left: Al Jackson Jr., Booker T. Jones, Donald "Duck" Dunn and Steve Cropper. (Associated Press / May 14, 2012)

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Donald "Duck" Dunn played bass with everyone from Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett to Bob Dylan and Neil Young

He and wife June lived in Manatee County and I got to spend some wonderful time talking with them backstage at the Sarasota Blues Festival.

On Sunday, he died unexpectedly in his sleep after a show in Tokyo.

Shocked and sad, I talked to longtime Sarasota Blues Festival director Barbara Strauss for this story.

Here are some classic recordings featuring Dunn's expert bass playing; the ones I'm listening to today as I remember the great musician and man.

1. "I've Been Loving You Too Long," Otis Redding
2. "Hold on, I'm Coming," Sam and Dave 
3. "In the Midnight Hour," Wilson Picket
4. "Sitting On the Dock of the Bay," Otis Redding
5. "Hang 'Em High," Booker T. & the MGs

Hanging with Dunn at the 2011 Sarasota Blues Festival. Photo by Caroline Sansone.

6. "Respect," Otis Redding
7. "Born Under a Bad Sign," Albert King
8. "Soul Man," Blues Brothers
9. "Stop Dragging My Heart Around," Stevie Nicks with Tom Petty
10."Got My Mojo Working," Muddy Waters (live from "Fathers and Sons")

Bonus tracks:
"Heart of Mine," Bob Dylan
"Back to the Island," Leon Russell 
"Forever Man," Eric Clapton
"Cowgirl in the Sand," Neil Young ("Road Rock, Vol. 1: Friends & Relatives")


Legendary bass player 'Duck' Dunn dies in Tokyo, was Manatee County resident

REVIEW/PHOTOS: Sarasota Blues Fest


4 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Duck" was great!~

Anonymous said...

was that him on "Knock on Wood"?
if so, you better make that #11!

Top Songs said...

I liked the Duck!! Thanks for the great giveaway!!!

Demon SiedemdziesiÄ…typiÄ…ty said...

Thank you Duck!
P.S. Ampeg on website shows Duck as Ampeg 'happy' endorser...is it fair?