Free - Isle Of Wight Festival - 1970

The 1970 Isle of Wight festival was the third and final year of the early festivals history.

With an estimated 600,000 people in attendance both the organisers and the islanders had enough after this event.

Free were a young band who first came together to rehearse at the Nag's Head pub in Battersea, London, on April 19, 1968.

Bass player Andy Fraser, was only 15 years old while lead singer Paul Rodgers, lead guitarist Paul Kossoff, and drummer Simon Kirke, were also still teenagers.

It would have been hard to imagine that just over two years later they would perform to such a large audience.

Just three years later in 1973 the band disbanded, however they left classics such as 'All Right Now' and 'Wishing Well' along with some superb album tracks for posterity.

This is Free live at East Afton Farm, Freshwater, Isle of Wight, England, the home for the third festival, on Sunday 30th August 1970.

Set List:

01 Ride on a Pony
02 Woman
03 The Stealer
04 Be my Friend
05 Mr Big
06 Fire and Water
07 I'm a Mover
08 The Hunter
09 All Right Now
10 Crossroads

This is a stereo soundboard @ 192Kbps and for the year is excellent.

Reloaded - 03/June/2013 - download link in comments.

A Flock Of Seagulls - Brighton 1983

Mike Score (lead vocals, keyboards) formed A Flock of Seagulls with his brother Ali (drums) and Frank Maudsley (bass) in 1980, adding guitarist Paul Reynolds several months later.

The group released its debut EP early in 1981, and while the record failed to chart, its lead track, 'Telecommunication' became an underground hit in Euro-disco and new wave clubs.

The band signed a major-label contract with Jive by the end of the year, and their eponymous debut album appeared in the spring of 1982.

'I Ran (So Far Away)' was released as the first single from the album, and MTV quickly picked up on its video, which featured long shots of Mike Score and his distinctive, cascading hair.

The single climbed into the American Top Ten, taking the album along with it. In the U.K., 'I Ran' didn't make the Top 40 (highest position 43), but 'Wishing (If I Had a Photograph of You)' reached number ten later that year.

Which in commercial terms was the high end of the bands success.

Mike Score continues to tour under the band's name with a new line-up, but the other original members have retired from music.

However the lasting quality of some of their material, and those haircuts, those wonderful 1980's haircuts, have preserved the band in rock history.

This is from the period that etched the band into the memories of many.

Recorded in Brighton, England on the 5-1-1983, the music is fresh and the band in the ascendancy.

Set list.

1. The Fall
2. Space Age Love Song
3. D.N.A.
4. Electrics
5. Messages
6. Standing in the Doorway
7. The Traveller
8. Committed
9. Man Made
10. You Can Run
11. Wishing (If I Had A Photograph Of You)
12. I Ran (So Far Away)

Comments.

Source is probably BBC FM stereo, sound quality is warm and very good.

New file link in comments below - Re-uploaded 2012 (Stealth project).

Whats Up Doc - Number Seven - March 2008

Welcome to this months 'Whats Up Doc'.

They have been called 'pop surrealists' and 'new wave kooks', their original 'trade mark hairstyles' clearly have had an influence on this blog, whatever, they are The B52's, and in these dark times, any band that can pick up sixteen years after they left off, with some fun music gets my vote!

The new album 'Funplex' is due out later this month, and here are two songs and two versions of the title track including a CSS remix, (CSS are just one of numerous bands to happily admit the positive impact The B52's have had on their music).

Links Removed - MP3 Policy.

The B-52s - Funplex.mp3
The B-52s - Funplex (CSS Remix).mp3
B52s - Hot Corner.mp3

Album details and purchase option HERE.

Another favorite band of The Beehive are The Black Crowes, who finally have their new album 'Warpaint' out, as of yesterday.

Recently insulted by Maxim magazine who reviewed and graded the album without even hearing it! The Black Crowes have released a fine album, that as you would expect, has their genuine rock'n'roll, low slung guitar sound, with Chris Robinson's vocals as consistent as ever.

It is just rock music, that's what they do, this will be played by many grateful fans of the band, that does not know how to sell out!

Listen to the opening track:
Black Crowes - Goodbye Daughters Of The Revolution(1).mp3

Official website HERE Beehive Candy Store CD option HERE.

Baltimore duo Beach House are a superb 'ethereal mood' music act.

Well I think they are superb, they are one of those bands I discovered by chance, along with a dozen of other music bloggers by the looks, in my case I had an indie music stream running in the background and their song shone out immensely (did I just type that?).

The album 'Devotion' is out now, please give them a listen if you have not done so as yet, hopefully you will see where I am coming from.

Beach House - 01 Wedding Bell.mp3
Beach House - 07 Heart Of Chambers.mp3
Beach House - 08 Some Things Last a Long Time.mp3

Album details and CD purchase option HERE.

Supergrass have literally grown up playing music, and at an average age of thirty years per band member, they are at some levels 'elder statesmen' of British post 'Britpop' music.

I have enjoyed every album they have released, and sense that in the cynical music press here in the UK, they have a rather unique position of pleasing both critic and your average punter, because they remain so very relevant.

The new album 'Diamond Hoo Ha' is to put it in Supergrass terms a stonker, with the usual energy levels and craftsmanship that makes this very British band so internationally fine.

Supergrass - 01 Diamond Hoo Ha Man.mp3
Supergrass - 07 Rough Knuckles.mp3

Check the new album out and the best of HERE.

I am conscious that this month is very UK and USA orientated, so lets finish with Sweden's The Cardigans, who have a 'Best Of' recently released.

Just one well known track to share, go buy the album, you may be surprised on the goodies you have missed out on, unless your a fan in which case you already know!

The Cardigans - Lovefool.mp3

Check out the best of album including a comprehensive bonus disc, fans are saying this is one of the best 'best of' albums ever released, not convinced then click and read the reviews HERE.

I hope this review has been of use, and as always I leave you with a song that has no relevance to the above at all.

The Korgis - Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime.MP3

So many mp3's so little time...

Echo And The Bunnymen - Kilburn National 1997

Echo & the Bunnymen formed in Liverpool in 1978 making them a whopping thirty years old this year, and as always reminding me of my own state of aging!

Their original lineup included vocalist Ian McCulloch and guitarist Will Sergeant, who both continue to be, the main stays of the band.

The band are scheduled to play a sell out show in September this year at London's Royal Albert Hall, complete with an orchestra to perform the album 'Ocean Rain'.

A little removed from their 'post punk' beginnings in Liverpool three full decades ago.

Anyhow, this is from just one decade ago and features Echo and The Bunnymen live at The Kilburn National, in London on the 17th October 1997.

This concert was broadcast by the BBC, and this is a good quality FM stereo recording of the gig.

Set list is:

1. Rescue.
2. I want to be there when you come.
3. Baseball Bill.
4. The Cutter.
5. Just a touch away.
6. Crocodiles.
7. Forgiven.
8. I'll fly tonight.
9. Seven seas.
10. Villiers Terrace.
11. Altamont.
12. Lips like sugar.
13. Ocean rain.
14. Nothing lasts forever.

THE DOWNLOAD LINK IS IN THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW THIS POST.

A few Echo and the Bunnymen Cd's in the Beehive Store HERE.

Lets hope the London gig later this year is made available, for those of us just a little curious to here the band complete with orchestra!

Madonna - Barcelona Spain - 1990

This is Madonna live on the 1990 Blond Ambition Tour.

This particular show from the 31st July 1990 was performed at the Estadi Olímpic, Barcelona, Spain, and featured a seven minutes long extravagant fireworks display after the show.
The show apparently had a few glitches.
Numerous technical mistakes included Madonna forgetting part of the lyrics to "Sooner or Later" and "Material Girl," and getting her monocle caught on her head-microphone at the beginning of "Express Yourself".

Not realizing that her headset microphone was still live as she exited the stage after "Where's the Party," resulted in her command at a backstage crew member to "Get the f### out of my f#####' way" and complaints about the oppressive heat to be broadcast to the audience while the dancers performed during the closing of the number.
Also, at the end of "Holiday" a man came on stage and put a shirt on Madonna to promote a product as Madonna commented "Anybody gonna arrest this man?"
Later, in the beginning of "Keep It Together", she told her audience, "Strange people walk on my stage, they put s### on me, I can't hear myself...I'd like to f####g kill somebody."
All this and the fact the overall tour was controversial in its own right - Marvelous stuff !!!

Sound quality: The show was taped and aired on television in Europe and Australia, and this is a pristine audio stereo soundboard copy of the show for your pleasure.

Set List:

01. Express Yourself
02. Open your Heart
03. Causing a Commotion
04. Where's the Party
05. Like a Virgin
06. Like a Prayer
07. Live to Tell
08. Oh Father
09. Papa Don't Preach
10. Sooner or Later
11. Hanky Panky
12. Now I'm Following You
13. Material Girl
14. Cherish
15. Into the Groove
16. Vogue
17. Holiday
18. Keep it Together

Reloaded - 03/June/2013 - download link in comments.

Heart - Chicago USA 1976

This is Heart Live in Chicago, USA, on the 3rd August 1976.

This boot has been called 'Heart'n'Zeppelin' for obvious reasons, tracks one, three, and five are all Led Zeppelin covers, which for Heart fans would, I imagine, make this something of a collectors item.

This recording was from a single CD, with some obvious editing, however this remains a feisty performance with an excellent collection of songs.

Band line up was:

Ann Wilson - lead vocals
Nancy Wilson - guitar and vocals
Roger Fisher - lead guitar
Howard Leese - guitar
Michael Derosier - drums
Steven Fossen - bass guitar

Set list:

1. Rock 'n roll
2. Heartless
3. The Battle Of Evermore
4. White Lightning & Wine
5. The Rover
6. Devil's Delight
7. Magic Man
8. Crazy On You
9. Barracuda

The recording is stereo soundboard sourced and good quality.

REPLACEMENT DOWNLOAD LINK IN COMMENTS BELOW (29/05/2010).

The Cult - Live In London 1985

This is a live concert from The Cult, from 1985, the year they broke through to mainstream success in the UK.

In March 1985, The Cult recorded their fourth single, "She Sells Sanctuary", which charted at Number 15 in the UK charts.

It re-entered the charts at Number 56 in September 1986, spending 41 consecutive weeks on the charts.

The song has also been voted Number 18 in one of VH1's Top Indie 100 charts.

For me The Cult were one of the defining bands of the 'post punk' era.

The clear impression was of a band that played what they wanted to play, with a refreshing energy, and enjoyment for good old rock music.

Just to demonstrate how 'time flies' (as if the 1985 concert date was not enough) it was nearly two years later that The Cult, toured the USA as headliners, with a widely unknown band called Guns'N'Roses.

This is The Cult at The Hammersmith Odeon, London, on the 31st October, 1985.

The set list is:

1.Love.
2.Nirvana.
3.Christians.
4.Hollow man.
5.Big neon glitter.
6.Brother wolf sister moon.
7.(Here comes the) Rain.
8.Dream time.
9.She sells sanctuary.
10.Go west (crazy spinning circles).
11.Horse nation.
12.The Phoenix.

Recorded from a BBC Radio broadcast in FM stereo.

THE DOWNLOAD LINK IS IN COMMENTS BELOW THIS POST - JUST COPY AND PASTE (TO YOUR WEB BROWSER).

The Beehive Candy Store includes Cd's from The Cult HERE.

Focus - The Paris Theatre - London 1972

Having vivid, exciting, and first hand memories of the punk revolution, that was the mid 1970's, I remain surprised that the expression 'progressive rock' remains, as a use-able tag.

I suppose one of the saving graces of 'prog rock' from those heady late sixties and early seventies days, was the fact many of the performers were very capable musicians.

From a very English perspective, I never really thought of Focus as 'prog rockers', after all they were from Holland !

Those quirky alto flute riffs, accordion presence, 'different' guitar and drum solos, whistling, nonsensical vocals, falsetto singing, and yodeling, were a by product of being Dutch.

Focus remain to this day, and appear comfortable with the 'prog rock' tag, however I would venture to say, that however much my collection of old 'prog albums' grows, I cannot say for certain they belong there.

Rock they are, different they are, Dutch they remain, but their old music, has a timeless edge these days, that many first generation 'prog rockers' have sadly lost.

For your pleasure this is Focus - live at the Paris Theatre, London, England on the 20th July 1972.

Originally for a BBC FM broadcast, hosted by presenter Bob Harris ( of Old Grey Whistle Test fame), this is the whole session uncut.

1. Bob Harris Intro
2. Anonymous II
3. Brief Bob Harris Announcement
4. Focus I
5. Focus III
6. Answers Questions...
7. Focus II
8. Brief Bob Harris Announcement
9. Hokus Pokus

Band line up was:

Jan Akkerman - Guitars
Bert Ruiter - Bass, Backing Vocals
Pierre Van Der Linden - Drums
Thijs Van Leer - Keyboards, Flute, Vocals

Quality is very good (FM stereo or soundboard) and despite the odd 'Bob Harris' moment this is an outstanding performance, all the better for remaining unedited.

THE DOWNLOAD LINK FOR THIS FILE IS IN COMMENTS BELOW (COPY AND PASTE TO YOUR WEB BROWSER).

Some of the early Focus albums can be found on Cd HERE in the Beehive Candy Store along with Kraftwerk, Can, Earth and Fire, Gong and other great seventies European bands.

The Bangles - California USA - 1983

This is The Bangles live a couple of years before they hit the big time, with 'Manic Monday'.

Having morphed from The Bangs (for legal reasons), the band was part of the so called 'Paisley Underground' scene in LA, which featured groups that played a mixture of 1960s influenced folk-rock and jangle pop with a more modern punk/garage band undertone.

This is the band performing in Valencia, which a quick google suggests, is a pretty up market and wealthy location, sorry I do not know the specific venue.

In actual fact the band played two shows on this date, and I am pleased to have both of them to share, hence some songs appear twice, however they are very much to individual performances.

This is The Bangles - Valencia, CA, USA on the 27th May 1983.

Set lists are as follows:

Early Show:

Mary Street
Hazy shade of winter
I'm in line
Where were you when I needed you
Restless
Live
Dover Beach
The Real world
All about you
Tell me
Want you
How is the air up there

Late Show:

The Real world
Getting Out Of Hand
Restless
I'm in love
Dover Beach
Tell me
Outside Chance
Renaissance man
Mary Street
Steppin' Out
Want you
7 and 7 is
Pushing too hard

This is a good soundboard recording of both performances.

New file link in comments below - Re-uploaded 2012 (Stealth project).

Some Bangles goodies in the Beehive Candy Store including 'The Best Of' at a crazy low price.

Whats Up Doc - Number Six - February 2008

I am not a number !! - I am a free man !! - welcome to number six of 'Whats Up Doc' (fans of the sixties TV series The Prisoner, will know what I am on about).

The Drive By Truckers new album 'Brighter Than Creation's Dark', is the top choice for both of the UK's leading music monthlies, Uncut and Mojo Magazine, for their album reviews, in the March 2008 publications.

Not surprising, this is one incredible album.

Based in Athens, Georgia, though three out of five members (Mike Cooley, Patterson Hood, and Shonna Tucker) originally hail from The Shoals region of Northern Alabama, this is 'southern rock / Alt Country' at it's finest, I cannot recommend this album enough!

From the album check out:

Links Removed - MP3 Policy.

Drive By Truckers - Self Destructive Zones (07).mp3

Here is a live version (unofficial) recorded in Athens, Georgia a month ago, of another track on the new album.

Drive By Truckers - 3 Dimes Down (Live Version - 12th Jan 08).mp3

Buy or discover more HERE.

Serious fans of indie rock are no doubt already aware of Vampire Weekend, whose self titled debut album is now released.

Ignore the hype, this band are talented, and they do not rely on their 'Brooklyn New York' pedigree, in fact they just get on with playing what comes naturally to them, a nice mix of intelligence, street wise awareness, and energy.

The indie blogs are putting them about - here are the four main mp3's getting plugged.

Vampire Weekend - (02) - Oxford Comma.mp3
Vampire Weekend - M79.mp3
Vampire Weekend - (04) - Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa.mp3
Vampire Weekend - (10) - Walcott.mp3

Bet they exit the year, a whole lot better known.

Check out the new album with discount purchase options HERE.

Nick Cave's 'Grinderman' venture last year, has understandably led to a new 'Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' album.

The Grinderman album and subsequent live performances, seem to have lifted a weight off of Nicks shoulders, and this new 'Bad Seeds' album, has that edge, I have selfishly come to expect.

Check out the title track:

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Dig, Lazarus, Dig.mp3

Buy the album (inc discount) with 54 page booklet, including writings, lyrics, and photos HERE.

You have to be brave/mad/inspired/indulgent etc, to undertake an entire album of Dusty Springfield greatest hits covers.

Shelby Lynne has proven to be both inspired and highly respectful of Dusty, and has produced a lesson for anyone inclined to undertake a 'stripped down' or 'unplugged' version, of such a major and much missed artist.

Like many (I expect) I assumed this would be awful. It is not, it is emotional, yet so fresh and clean, go on, check these two songs, and differ if you must.

Shelby Lynne - How Can I Be Sure.mp3

Shelby Lynne - (02) - Anyone Who Had A Heart.mp3

Buy 'Just A Little Lovin' by Shelby Lynne HERE.

Following on from the Goldfrapp Glastonbury concert recently provided on the Beehive, and the 'A&E mp3' provided from their brand new album, here are a couple more tracks, to ensure as many visitors as possible, buy this superb release.

Goldfrapp - Happiness.mp3
Goldfrapp - Caravan Girl.mp3

Buy the new Goldfrapp album 'Seventh Tree' (deluxe CD/DVD plus generous discount) HERE.

These are just a taste from 'Seventh Tree' - Goldfrapp never cease to astound, and the album is an absolute pleasure.

In keeping with 'Whats Up Doc' the usual 'final song' or in this case couple of songs, are as ever for no other reason than, they are currently getting played in my car, and bringing back memories, some more recently then others...

JJ72 - Snow.mp3
Lee Marvin - I Was Born Under A Wandering Star (from 'Paint Your Wagon')).mp3

More HERE.

Until next time - Whats Up Doc?