10000 Maniacs - Tour Rehearsals 1992

This is 10000 Maniacs back on the 30th March 1992 during their 'Our Time In Eden' tour rehearsals, at the Bearsville Theater; Bearsville, NY.

The tour that promoted the new album has a few live recordings (more about them another time), however I found it interesting listening to the band developing the live versions of songs that seem so familiar now, If You Intend * is a good example of the band rehearsing the then new material if not exactly one for your mp3 player, the majority of the songs are however tight live performances and highly enjoyable versions.

Source: Soundboard

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@256kbps

Genre: Alternative Rock, Indie.

Set: Rehersal Session (not complete day).

Rehearsal List:

01 - These Are Days (incomplete)
02 - Few and Far Between
03 - Hey Jack Kerouac
04 - Eat For Two
05 - I'm Not The Man
06 - If You Intend *
07 - Noah's Dove (incomplete)
08 - Eden
09 - Jezebel
10 - What's The Matter Here?
11 - Stockton Gala Days
12 - Candy Everybody Wants
13 - Like The Weather
14 - How You've Grown
15 - Trouble Me
16 - Circle Dream
17 - Tolerance
18 - Gold Rush Brides

Links: 10000 Maniacs site HERE. Natalie Merchant site HERE.

Comments: In 1991, during the recordings of a new album, Natalie Merchant revealed to the other members that she would be leaving for a solo career in two years' time. In 1992, Our Time in Eden was released. On Wednesday, April 21, 1993, 10,000 Maniacs recorded MTV Unplugged and Natalie Merchant announced her leaving the band on MTV on Thursday, August 5, 1993. The MTV Unplugged (10,000 Maniacs album) album was released in October 1993.

It is clear listening to this session that Natalie was still enjoying herself within the band.

Download links are in comments below.

Buy: - MP3's at Amazon.co.uk 10000 Maniacs

Joe Walsh & Barnstorm - Texas 1973

Joe Walsh formed Barnstorm after he left the James Gang.

The original members of the group were Joe Walsh (guitars, keyboards), Joe Vitale (drums, flute, keyboards) and Kenny Passarelli (bass); all of the members contributed vocals and songs, although Joe Walsh was the principal singer and songwriter.

Later, the group added keyboardist Rocke Grace, to permit it to play the complex arrangements live that it was creating through multi tracking in the studio or with the help of session musicians Paul Harris (piano) and Joe Lala (percussion).

This is Joe Walsh and Barnstorm back on September 24th, 1973, at The University of Texas, Arlington, Texas, USA.

Source: Soundboard

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@320kbps.

Genre: Rock (country to hard).

Set: Fifty Minute Set.

Set List:

01 Meadows
02 The Bomber, Turn To Stone, Midnight Moodies
03 Tend My Garden
04 Rocky Mountain Way
05 The Bomber (outro version)
06 Turn To Stone (outro version)

Band Line Up:

Joe Walsh - guitars
Joe Vitale - drums
Kenny Passarelli - bass
Rocke Grace - keyboards

Links: Joe Walsh Official site HERE.

Comments: This is a really fine recording that came my way a couple of weeks ago and really opened up some memories. Barnstorm would record only three albums over its three-year life (two as principals, Barnstorm and The Smoker You Drink, the Player You Get, plus serving as the backing band on Michael Stanley's Friends and Legends) before disbanding, although Walsh and Vitale have continued to work together ever since. Passarelli, meanwhile, joined Elton John's backing band in 1975, and he later rejoined Vitale in Crosby, Stills and Nash's backing band.

Reloaded - 29/May/2015 - download link in comments. 

Buy: - MP3's at Amazon.co.uk Joe Walsh

Beehive Recommends - Stricken City

It would appear that Kora Records are going all international, having recently signed up Stricken City who are from London.

Well good for both of them and from what I have heard so far Stricken City are gonna be checked out some more by my good self when the debut album lands.

I quote what the promo says and I would add its pretty much on the mark.

'Defined by their clattering guitars, the scattergun pounding of the drums, basslines bursting with hooks and the strikingly voiced melodies of otherworldly front woman Rebekah Raa; SC produce an indie-pop of hitherto untapped gems drawn from influences Talking Heads, Sonic Youth, Young Marble Giants and The Slits as well as those lost sources of alternative melodica Life Without Buildings, The Sundays and Bow Wow Wow'.

OK so I am a sucker for this kind of music all I would add is I think I can hear a little bit of Siouxsie in there somewhere, in a very positive manner that is.

They have been getting some attention here in the UK both on national radio, and through live shows, so who knows what may follow!

Listen:



MP3: HERE.
Web Sites: MySpace.
Buy: Stricken City

The album 'Songs About People I Know' is due for release in the UK on the 5th October and Stateside on The Kora Records on November 3rd 2009. (The US release will have a couple of bonus tracks, and will also be on 180gms colour vinyl & CD).

Beehive Recommends - Clarence Bucaro

OK first the comparisons:

“Warm Cozy Songs that Hark Back to Late 70's Van Morrison” – New York Times

“The roots offspring of Jackson Browne and Ricki Lee Jones” – Boston Phoenix

“Jazz-infused songs reminiscent of Moondance-era Van Morrison.” – Time Out New York

Clarence Bucaro on reflection, is bound to have these comparisons made, he does carry some of those styles in his music, however he is most definitely a singer songwriter in his own right, and a very good one at that.

His new album 'New Orleans' is due for release on Hyena Records on the 13th October 09, and comprises of a set of ten timeless songs brought to life by the 28 year old with his stunning falsetto vocals.

Listen:



MP3: HERE.
Web Link: MySpace.
BUY:Clarence Bucaro

You can listen to more on his MySpace site, if the comparisons have aroused your interest, I think you will enjoy Clarence Bucaro!

Beehive Recommends - Logan Lynn

I had not heard of Logan Lynn prior to a promo arriving in the mailbox a couple of weeks back.

Anyhow Logan Lynn was signed to The Dandy Warhols’ record label, “Beat The World” Records a short while back and released his third full length record, “From Pillar To Post” on line a couple of weeks ago (alongside a 4-Volume Remix EP collection called “Blood In The Water”, which features Remixes by Styrofoam, Boy In Static, The Gentry, Ariake Waveband, Y-Tron, and MANY more).

Early reviews of From Pillar To Post have drawn wide comparisons, ranging from The Postal Service, to M83, Lykke Li, Cut Copy, Ladytron, Goldfrapp and even indie rockers, Metric. URB Magazine proclaimed, “Sonically adventurous, yet possessing the pop sensibilities that lesser artists would forsake in the name of artsiness, Lynn is set to become the new golden boy of sensitive electro-pop.”

Having listened I can see the comparisons, and thankfully I would also add he has a definitive style of his own and if any of the aforementioned comparisons spark some interest you would do well to give him a listen.

Listen:



MP3's HERE.
Website (With Exclusive Pre-Release) HERE.

“From Pillar To Post” hits stores, iTunes and everywhere else on the 24th November 2009.

Grin - Washington DC 1972

Before forming Grin, Nils Lofgren had already played piano in Neil Young's Band (and whilst with Grin he performed on the album 'After The Gold Rush').

I understand that it was on the strength of his membership of Neil Young's band that Grin obtained a record contract and in their short history they recorded four albums.

Nils Lofgren of course went on to become highly successful as a solo artist, along with his long standing membership of the E Street Band.

Having discovered Nils Lofgren through his 'Cry Tough' release in 1976, I rapidly bought his back catalogue of Grin albums, and was surprised by how diverse the songs were.

This is Grin live in concert at the Lisner Auditorium, George Washington University, Washington DC back on the 1st December 1972.

Source: Soundboard

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@320kbps.

Genre: Rock, Blues, Country Rock.

Set: Full Set.

Set List:

01. I Had Too Much
02. Ain't Love Nice
03. Love Or Else
04. Please Don't Be Long
05. Moon Tears
06. Love Again
07. Heart On Fire
08. Slippery Fingers
09. Sad Letter
10. Heavy Chevy
11. Like Rain
12. End Unkind
13. See What Love Can Do

Band Line Up:

Bob Berberich: drums & lead vocals
Nils Lofgren: guitar, piano, and co-lead vocals
Tom Lofgren: guitar & vocals
Bob Gordon: bass and vocals

Links: Nils Lofgren Official HERE. Good fan site with details on Grin albums HERE.

Comments: Nils Lofgren had formed Grin with bassist Bob Gordon, and drummer Bob Berberich, in 1969 and the group played in the venues throughout the Washington, D.C. area.

The band had a strong local fan base, releasing four critically acclaimed albums of catchy, mixed rock, from 1971 to 1974, with guitar as Lofgren's primary instrument. Lofgren wrote the majority of the group's songs, and often shared vocal duties with other members of the band (primarily drummer Bob Berberich). After the second album Nils added brother Tom Lofgren as a rhythm guitarist. Grin failed to hit the big time, and were eventually released by their record company.

This recording catches the band playing on home turf, with a storming set of their own material.

Reloaded - 29/May/2015 - download link in comments. 

Buy: - MP3's at Amazon.co.uk Grin and Nils Lofgren.

Beehive Recommends - Darla Farmer

I am told that Darla Farmer "arose from the kind of disenchantment one can only experience when living in the musical mold known as Nashville. This septet is a rousing douse of musical Discordia, who makes it their goal to sonically please, displease, and please again.

Inspired by Tom Waits, The Blood Brothers, Man Man and other musical outfits alike, their arrangements include guitar, bass, drums and vocals, topped with a blasting horn section, piano and violin. Using this instrumentation to their advantage, Darla Farmer is simultaneously tumultuous and triumphant; chaotic and organized"

Well having listened to them live I would have to say that's a fairly accurate summary of the whole thing, and to add my own opinion, they are best listened to fully awake otherwise you might miss something !

Listen:

'The Strangler Fig' & 'The Quotient' (both live).

MP3's: HERE.

Website: MySpace

Buy: Rewiring The Electric Forest

Darla Farmer’s first full-length album, “Rewiring the Electric Forest,” (2008 Paper Garden Records) creates a musical mattress made of rock and roll springs, pop comfort, and seedy industrial firmness accentuated by a pillow of psychedelic cerebral focus. Their music leads the listener to a bedding of insightful melody, but not without the necessary turmoil to keep you up at night.

Siouxsie and The Banshees - Hamburg 1982

Good quality live recordings of Siouxsie and The Banshees appear to be a bit thin on the ground, which is surprising considering they have toured regularly down the years and the whole punk & new wave scene in the early days was hardly water tight against bootlegging.

So for one of my favorite bands that came out of the original punk music scene, on this occasion I will have to settle for a pretty good audience recording of a very good live show.

This is the band live at Markthalle, Hamburg, Germany way back on December 12th, 1982.

Source: Audience Taped

Sound Quality: Very Good (for audience).

Genre: Punk Rock, Post Punk, Gothic, New Wave.

Set: Full Set.

Set List:

01. Israel
02. Fireworks
03. Green fingers
04. Paradise place
05. Cascade
06. Melt!
07. Pulled to bits
08. Nightshift
09. Sin in my heart
10. Christine
11. Slowdive
12. Painted bird
13. Arabian knights
14. Spellbound
15. Cocoon

Links: Official site HERE.

Comments: Some audience recordings are awful. This one is highly listenable and the audio quality stable through out, giving a really good feel for the show.

The Banshees followed their 1981 album (Juju) in 1982 with A Kiss in the Dreamhouse. The record, featuring strings on several numbers, was an intentional contrast to their previous work, with Sioux later describing it as a "sexy album".

The British press greeted it enthusiastically. Richard Cook in the NME finished his review with this sentence: "I promise. This music will take your breath away." At that time John McGeoch was struggling with alcohol problems, and was hospitalized on his return to a promotional trip to Madrid. The band fired him shortly thereafter. Steven Severin asked Robert Smith to take over guitarist duties again; Robert Smith accepted and rejoined the group in November 1982.

It is highly likely then that The Cures Robert Smith is part of the line up for this gig.

Download link - either click on the above picture or go to comments below.

Buy: - MP3's at Amazon.co.uk - Siouxsie And The Banshees

Beehive Recommends - The Postmarks

I like The Postmarks. I have always had a liking for female vocals on pop, rock, indie you name it. However it only works if the music is good, the ideas great, and the whole thing pretty much top dollar.

An American band that can play with a strong retro sound, hints of France and England, well now that's just plain teasing!

Their new album 'Memoirs at the End of the World' was recently released, and gets the mighty Beehive approval. The mixture of classic pop sound, with sweeping orchestration does it for me.

A little more detail:

'The Postmarks are led by Tel Aviv born female singer/songwriter Tim Yehezkely, a beautiful, yet inscrutable individual possessed of a soft-textured voice that's simultaneously seductive and detached. Memoirs is the follow up to the band's 2007 debut self-titled album and 2008 covers album entitled By The Numbers. The band has a headlining tour under their belt, played Lollapalooza in 2007 and has toured with Múm, The Apples in Stereo, The Album Leaf, and The New Pornographers. They recently got back from a series of dates with stellastarr* and Wild Light and will be back on the road this fall. Look for upcoming Miami and Orlando in-stores at Bloomingdales and a one off in Orlando with Peter Bjorn and John'.

Listen:

My Lucky Charm



MP3: HERE.
Website: MySpace.
Purchase:The Postmarks

Beehive Recommends - As Tall As Lions

According to their press release 'New York’s As Tall As Lions’ hard work has paid off in spades. Their heavy touring history and solid fanbase has helped land them the coveted direct support slot to MUTEMATH’s 35-date “Armistice Tour,” this Fall, starting September 22^nd in Cincinnati , OH' .

“This is a great tour, we have been waiting for one like this,” said ATAL frontman, Dan Nigro. “MUTEMATH writes intelligent songs and has a passionate audience, and we like to think that we do too.”

OK so I give them a listen, not sure what to expect from a band name dropping another as part of the promotion. Well getting straight to the point, I am impressed. They have the ability to both rock, and take it a little more gently, the songs are crafted in layers that certainly please my taste, so they get a share on the Beehive! Dont take my word for it, check em out.

Listen:

'Circles'.



MP3: HERE.
Website: My Space HERE Official HERE.
Purchase: Amazon UK

The new album 'You Can't Take It With You' is now in stores. Their USA tour with MUTEMATH kicks off on September 22nd , and concludes in New York on November 13th 2009.