The Stranglers - New Jersey, USA - 1981.

This is The Stranglers back in 1981 on tour in the USA, having just released the first of two albums that year, 'The Gospel According To The Men In Black' or 'Men In Black', as it was entitled in some countries.

This then is The Stranglers live at Emerald City, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, USA, on the 11th, April, 1981.

This is from a broadcast on Philadelphia's WMMR 93.3.

Source: FM broadcast WMMR 93.3, first generation copy.

Sound Quality: Very Good stereo @192kbps mp3.

Genre: Post Punk, New Wave, unique sound identity.

Set: One hour recording, may have been other songs on the night, if so, this would have been the latter part of the gig.

Set List:

01. Waltzinblack (intro)
02. Threatened
03. The Raven
04. Toiler on the Sea
05. Just Like Nothing On Earth / Thrown Away
06. Who Wants the World
07. Second Coming
08. Meninblack
09. Shah Shah A Go Go
10. Hallow To Our Men
11. Tank
12. Nuclear Device
13. Genetix

Links: Official site HERE. Useful informative Wikipedia entry HERE.

Comments: The Stranglers formed back in 1974, near 'reasonably' prosperous Guildford, Surrey, England.

It is sometimes forgotten that they originally built up a strong following through performing across the London and surrounding suburbs, pub rock scene.

Their initial commercial success was on the punk, new wave, bandwagon, however they have always been an 'ill fit' in those categories.

Far more 'thought out' messages, and causes, often surfaced in their music.

This is prior to their second album that year 'La Folie' which included 'Golden Brown', which gave the band renewed commercial success.

As was often the case some 28 years ago Hugh Cornwell was vocally spontaneous, and a key part of the gig, which in no small part was down to the excellent musicianship of his fellow band mates.

Download link in comments below and by clicking on the picture.

Purchase: MP3's (DRM free) through Amazon.co.uk - The Stranglers

Mark Knopfler - AVO Session Switzerland 2007

This is Mark Knopfler live in concert (AVO Session), the venue was Festsaal, Messe, Basel, Switzerland, and the concert took place back on the 12th November, 2007.

This is a more complete version of the gig, using two different radio broadcasts for compilation. I am not sure if it is the full show, however I am yet to find any additional songs elsewhere.

There are also a couple of more tracks recorded a week after this show for the BBC in London.

Source: Main Source: Swiss radio DRS3 Broadcast, December 24, 2007.
Second Source: Swiss radio DRS3 Broadcast, November 13, 2007.

Sound Quality: Very Good stereo (from FM analogue cable) @192kbps mp3.

Genre: Rock, Blues, Country.

Set: Full set (unable to confirm), plus two additional tracks.

Set List:01 Donegan's Gone
02 Song For Sonny Liston
03 Rudiger
04 Let It All Go
05 The Fizzy And The Still
06 True Love Will Never Fade
07 Done With Bonaparte
08 Postcards From Paraguay
09 Brothers In Arms
10 Our Shangri-La

Additional Material.

11 Local Hero ***
12 So Far Away ***

*** The Music Club presented by Simon Mayo, BBC Maida Vale Studios, London, England, Broadcast: BBC Radio 2, 19th November 2007.

Band Line Up:

Mark Knopfler: guitars and vocals
Richard Bennett: guitars
Danny Cummings: drums
Guy Fletcher: keyboards
Matt Rollings: keyboards
Glenn Worf: bass
John McCusker: fiddle & cittern

Links: Official site HERE. Comprehensive Wikipedia HERE. MySpace HERE.

Comments: To be honest I was not that bothered about Dire Straits or Mark Knopfler's subsequent solo career, until he worked with Emmylou Harris, and leaped on to my personal radar.

That he was a superb guitarist was never in question, however I guess I found Dire Straits over played on the radio, and a little 'laid back' for my personal taste, mind you all that is a long time ago now.

In fact listening to this material and some of his live stuff with Emmylou Harris, I reckon I may have missed out on something very good in recent years, and am now back tracking through some great music. 

More on Mark Knopfler and his Guitar playing / style at Beginner Guitar HQ (here).

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

Purchase: MP3's (DRM free) through Amazon.co.uk - Mark Knopfler

Tears For Fears - Live In Cleveland USA 1990

This is Tears For Fears on the American leg of their 1990 world tour.

The picture is from their programme for this significant tour of the band (the printed material may have varied along the way).

Somewhere (I hope) I still have a pristine copy of the tour programme from the UK leg of the tour.

I got to see them in London, and they were incredible, I guess you could say at the peak of their game.

This is a superb recording of the band back on the 12th February 1990, as I understand in the Public Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.

Source: First generation soundboard recording.

Sound Quality: Excellent direct stereo soundboard.

Genre: Forerunners of Indie Rock-Pop, Oh! just seriously and consistently great songs and albums.

Set: Full unedited set.

Set List:101. I Believe
102. Head Over Heels - Broken
103. Change
104. Woman In Chains
105. Advice For The Young At Heart
106. Mad World
107. The Working Hour
108. Famous Last Words

201. I've Got To Sing My Song **
202. Badman's Song
203. Band introductions
204. Sowing The Seeds Of Love
205. All You Need Is Love
206. Everybody Wants To Rule The World
207. Encore break
208. Year Of The Knife
209. Shout

** Oleta Adams performs a song from her 1990 debut album 'Circle of One' (which subsequently went Platinum in the USA).

Band Line Up:

Roland Orzabal - vocals, guitars
Curt Smith - vocals, bass
Adele Bertei - backing vocals
Biti Strauchn - backing vocals
Andrew Davis - keyboards
Carole Steele - percussion
Jimmy Copley - drums
William Gregory - saxaphone, keyboards
Neil Taylor - guitar
Oleta Adams - vocals

Links: Official (TFF) sites are out of date, however Wikipedia is informative HERE. Official fan site HERE.

Comments: Whats great about this recording is the incredible clarity within the sound. It's rather like being up on stage surrounded by your own musical input, and hearing the overall band output from the monitors, and the audience somewhere in the background as you perform.

This really does capture Tears For Fears as they play live, the audience can be heard their in the background, but this is a direct recording of the band, warts and all, and it is so very, very good.

The originator of this material was the live concert sound engineer who sadly passed away in 2005.

For some reason the details of this person are still limited to their initials (R.S.) which seems rather bizarre, that said I am sure there are plenty of people 'in the know' who can appreciatively nod their approval and enjoy this super recording.

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

Purchase: MP3's through Amazon.co.uk: Tears For Fears

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Paris, France - 1998

This is Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds performing live for the Black Session, a radio show broadcast on France Inter (French radio station) on this occasion recorded at Le Reservoir, Paris, France, back on the 19th May 1998, with a studio/location audience.

Source: Live 'Black Session' recorded for France Inter in Paris, re-broadcast on the 30th May 2006.

Sound Quality: Very good FM stereo @192kbps mp3.

Genre: Alternative rock, post-punk, roots rock, and above all, Nick Cave with one of the best bands to surface in Australia.

Set: This is the full Le Reservoir live session.

Set List:

01 Lime Tree Arbour
02 Let Love In
03 Stranger Than Kindness
04 Red Right Hand
05 Nobody's Baby Now
06 Do You Love Me (Pt 1)
07 Into My Arms
08 The Ship Song
09 The Mercy Seat
10 Brompton Oratory (Encore).

Links: Official My Space site HERE.

Comments: This is very good audio quality, that demonstrates just how good Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds are live.

I have collected most of their releases, (I am an unashamed fan of their music), and to the left of me right now, are a couple of boxed sets of their material, to my right most of the individual CD releases (I kid you not).

It's strange but when I really like an artist or band, I think quite seriously as to whether I should share the material, not particularly selfishly, more along the lines, does it do them justice, will it be deleted by their label, does the band object to bootlegs and so on, at the end of the day we are all just human.

Looking at their official site & the fact they catalogue known bootleg releases hopefully this is not the case with Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds.

On this occasion, the Black Session host Bernard Lenoir, who for this re-broadcast had his comments added some eight years after the original performance, has been edited out.

Download link in comments below, or click on the picture above.

Purchase: MP3's (DRM free) through Amazon.co.uk: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

Earth and Fire - Holland & Germany 1972 & 74

This is Dutch band Earth and Fire performing live on two occasions in the early 1970's.

Earth & Fire were commercially popular in Holland, with a number of hit singles, which were played to a larger audience through offshore radio station Radio Northsea International (RNI) and subsequently Radio Caroline upon their return to air in the early 1970's.

These platforms developed a growing British following, it is also clear the band were enjoyed in other neighboring country's.

Earth & Fire were primarily a 'prog' rock band, that crossed over into the popular mainstream, because basically they made some superb individual songs.

I occasionally describe some music as 'timeless' in other words the music sounds as fresh today as when it was first conceived, some of Earth & Fires songs fall comfortably into this bracket.

The following material is from two separate gigs, the first live in Ijmuiden, Nederland (Holland), on the 17th June 1972.

The second part is best described as a semi official bootleg (apparently it had limited 'official' circulation somewhere, in 1999, I have no idea where), anyway the concert was recorded live at Zur Grille, Germany, on the 21st March 1974.

Source: 1972 concert: audience recording or mono soundboard. 1974 concert: soundboard or FM recording.

Sound Quality: 1972 concert: good quality (if audience - very good). 1974 concert: very good quality, both concerts are highly listenable the second is however the better of them. (both MP3 @ 320kbps).

Genre: Prog Rock, Classic Rock, Quality Pop.

Set: Two concert recordings, I cannot confirm if either are entire sets.

Set List:

Live in Ijmuiden, Nederland, 17 June 1972.

1. In the mountains (3:49)
2. Storm and thunder (7:17)
3. Memories (4:03)
4. Song of the marching children (21:38)
5. From the end til the beginning (4:31)
7. Semi touch (5:13) unreleased.
8. Schluuss parts 1-4 (instrumental) (21:31) unreleased.

Live at Zur Grille, Germany, 21 March 1974.

1. Atlantis theme / In the mountains / Atlantis reprise (7:06)
2. Song of the marching children (22:06)
3. Fanfare (6:21)
4. Memories (4:44)
5. Storm and thunder (8:45)

Band Line Up:

Jerney Kaagman (voice)
Chris Koerts (guitar, voice)
Gerard Koerts (organ, mellotron, piano, keyboards)
Ton Van der Kleij (drums)
Hans Ziech (bass)

Links: Dutch (official?) site HERE. English language fan site HERE.

Comments: The first concert was cleaned up, clearly as a labour of love from a fan, who unfortunately did not include his name with the accompanying notes to the recordings.

The notes are:

First show came to me labelled "Ijmuiden 1974" but this is very doubtful because they only play tracks from their 1972 album ("song of the marching children") and none from their 1973 "Atlantis" album. Plus the band is heard introducing : "In The Mountains from the last LP...." which was released on "song of the marching children" in 1972. And last, I was able to find pictures of Earth and Fire live in Ijmuiden in 1972 on the official earth & Fire website. So, this should be it, a vintage early Earth & Fire show from 1972. Probably recorded from the audience, but the sound is so good...
This show is also special for the unreleased instrumental pieces, with much jamming, very unusual for this band when you think Jerney's voice was its most famous element. But hey, without Jerney's, they're still rocking ! you may even hear some ELP's influences...

There were big issues with this recording :

- speed was much too slow. Jerney, the wonderful singer, seemed to struggle to sing the right notes as if she caught bronchitis. By restoring the right speed, you can hear she was a real good live singer.

- There were so many little dropouts with the sound. Every two or three seconds, the sound went down and up very quickly, as if there was a "hole". This was probably due to damages on the original tape. I corrected every dropout, which took me hours, but the result was worth it.

Second show is the semi official bootleg "Storm and thunder" live in Germany 1974 which was issued in 1999. Sound is also very good (claims to be soundboard but the sound is as good as the preceding 1972 concert).
Notable for the sensational extended rendition of the title track !

My thanks and credits to the provider of this material!

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

Purchase: CD's through Amazon.co.uk - The Ultimate Collection (3 CD Box Set).

May Music Selection - 2009

Having failed in April to present any new music recommendations, I will try and make up for that this month, so hopefully this is just part one.

I first came across The Mummers late last year, and thought to myself, I must keep an eye on this act, and promptly forgot all about them.

To my delight I was reminded with their appearance last month on Later With Jools Holland (BBC2 TV). Since then I have listened to everything available from them, and cannot recommend them highly enough.

Fronted by the delightful Raissa (Khan-Panni), and with a superb collection of musicians , I would be surprised and very disappointed if The Mummers do not get much wider recognition this year. From Brighton, England check out The Mummers !

Listen:



MP3: March Of The Dawn.
Web Link: Official Site, MySpace.
Buy: The Mummers

Descending Ivory are an three piece all girl group from Uppsala, Sweden, who I discovered through Swedesplease, a site that continues to throw up so many great new and not so new acts, and fantastic music.

They list a lot of influences, but I have to say, have a distinct sound and loads of great raw energy.

Listen:



MP3: Blast From The Past.
Web Link: MySpace.
Buy: No direct link check HERE for more.

Cymbals Eat Guitars were also featured not to long ago on another site (MP3 Hugger), and again struck a chord with me.

I have sat here now for a few minutes trying to think how to describe their sound and am struggling. It is also distinct, however having used that for the last band, lets just say give them a listen, if you like your music loud, energised, with swirling melodies and more.

Listen:



MP3: Indiana.
Web Link: MySpace.
Buy: InSound.com

I deliberately separated The Mummers from Bat For Lashes, with a couple of other tracks, for good reason.

For a start Brighton, England is home town for both acts, and I have noted comparisons between the bands on a number of reviews, however in my opinion they are both quite different, and have very unique elements.

Bat For Lashes is Natasha Khan with some great musicians, I got to see them last summer (supporting Radiohead), and with a new album just out, thought I would give her a justifiable recommendation.

Listen:



MP3: Pearl Dreams.
Web Link: Official Site.
Buy: Bat For Lashes

Finally for this time around, for some time I have been after an old Four Tops song 'Still Water (Peace)',

I have the original on vinyl, however it was rather crackly to say the least. Recently a decent copy of the original album came my way, so I have decided to finish this round up off with the song, for no other reason than it's wonderful.

Listen:



MP3: Still Water (Peace).
Web Link: Classic Motown.
Buy: Four Tops

Bob Dylan - Live In Canada 1962

Having just released his thirty third solo album 'Together Through Life', which has received some very positive reviews, I thought it would be interesting to wind the clock back some 47 years!

This is Bob Dylan back on the 2nd July 1962, live at the Finjan Club in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, a venue that I have no further details of, however judging from the audience, I would imagine it was quite an intimate affair.

This is taken from the Yellow Dog, CD version (Cat No YD010), probably the best bootleg version of this show.

Source: Soundboard recording

Sound Quality: Very good, this version 192kbps (MP3).

Genre: Bob Dylan (early, acoustic, folk period).

Set: Full set (cannot confirm).

Set List:

Death Of Emmett Till
Stealin' (Trad - Memphis Jug Band arr)
Hiram Hubbard (Trad)
Blowin' In The Wind
Rocks and Gravel (Brownie McGhee)
Quit Your Lowdown Ways
He Was A Friend of Mine (Trad )*
Let Me Die In My Footsteps
Two Trains Runnin' (McKinley Morganfield)
Ramblin' On My Mind (Robert Johnson)
Muleskinner Blues (Jimmie Rodgers)

* Traditional song that was registered to Bob Dylan in the US copyright office

Links: Official site HERE. Highly informative 'Bobs Boots' site HERE.

Comments: Bobs Boots summary of this recording is spot on, they say:

The incredible Finjan tape belongs in every collection. Period. This particular CD release is the one to own. Few if any other releases of Finjan can compare to this gem. Some of the other releases have edited out the in between song talking, mistakes, and false starts (which sometimes seem as long as the songs themselves). Nothing is edited here.

The CD captures the moment the recorder was turned on and left to run. This has always been a nice quality soundboard recording, but Yellow Dog has brought it to pure perfection. The audience is pin drop quiet. So much so that this could be a studio recording. The tape is so clean that several times you can hear the guitar case snaps etc. when the stage hand opens it to retrieve harmonicas and a capo. Turn up the stereo, and suddenly Dylan is in the room with you.

This really is a great historical time capsule of Bob Dylan, enjoy.

Reloaded 23/02/2016 link in comments.

Bonnie Raitt - Wolf Trap 1977

This is Bonnie Raitt live at Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Road, Vienna, Virginia 22182 USA), way back on the 20th July 1977.

However a CD version of this gig, gives Washington DC as the location, and puts the show back a month to August.

You can often spot a money orientated boot, I guess that was one, however keeping with the Beehive Candy tradition, we share free every time, and withdraw any material if officially requested (we occasionally like to restate that fact, out of personal interest).

Source: WLIR-FM Broadcast Reel Master (digital copy).

Sound Quality: Extremely good stereo MP3 @192kbps.

Genre: Blues, Country, and Rock (unique crossover of styles).

Set: Full set (sorry cannot confirm).

Set List:

01 Concert Introduction
02 What Do You Want The Boy To Do
03 Under The Falling Sky
04 Walk Out The Front Door
05 My Opening Farewell
06 Love Has No Pride
07 Kokomo - Walking Blues
08 Give It Up Or Let Me Go
09 Women Be Wise
10 Too Long At The Fair
11 About To Make Me Leave Home..
12 Sugar Mama
13 Three Time Loser
14 Home
15 Runaway
16 Bluebird

Links: Official site HERE. Wikipedia HERE.

Comments: Bonnie Raitt remains a superb singer and musician, consistently surrounded by extremely good fellow band members.

She should be recognised for a considerable amount more as well.

Bonnie has been environmentally conscious for decades and, also aware of the importance of preserving her American musical heritage that has inspired her own music.

I think we can safely call her an activist on many fronts, this site is however all about the music, an area I feel on more comfortable ground with, therefore I am more than pleased to recommend Bonnie to anyone yet to discover her music.

Oh and she has won Grammys and other awards on a very regular basis.

I am sometimes puzzled as to why this side of the Atlantic (Europe), Bonnie has not gained the same amount of recognition.

Probably because when you check out her track record, she could be mistaken as one of us, or is that just wishful thinking?

Whatever this is one fine recording, and hopefully garners some new fans for Bonnie outside of the USA.

link in comments 23/02/2016.

Jeff Buckley - Live In Hamburg 1995

It has been well over a year since Jeff Buckley last appeared on this site, my love for his music has not diminished.

I guess in a way it's cyclical, time goes by, and for all types of reasons I am drawn back to playing one of his albums or songs.

Because Jeff has already appeared a number of times on the Beehive, it has been easy to put this to one side, also some of the tracks can be streamed on Last FM.

However this is a great concert recording, and with Jeff's passing almost twelve years ago (one month from now), lets remember him again as he was, a fabulous artist, a joy to listen to.

This is Jeff Buckley recorded live at the Logo Club in Hamburg, Germany, on the 22nd February, 1995.

Source: Pre FM (DAT clone).

Sound Quality: Very good stereo quality.

Genre: Alternative Rock, Folk, Singer songwriter.

Set: Full Set.

Set List:

01 -Announcer Intro
02 -Dream Brother
03 -So Real
04 -Last Goodbye
05 -What Will You Say
06 -Lilac Wine
07 -Mojo Pin
08 -Grace
09 -Eternal Life
10 -Lover, You Should've Come Over
11 -Will The Circle Be Unbroken (traditional)
12 -Hallelujah
13 -Kanga-Roo

Links: Official site HERE. Wikipedia HERE.

Comments: A CD boot circulated as Black Roses (CD: 1998 Head Records), this was incomplete, as is the current material on Last FM.

The notes that came with this complete version sum the whole show up extremely well.

'This is an amazing show including stunning versions of Dream Brother, Lilac Wine, Mojo Pin and Kanga-Roo; an amazing medley of Lover You Should've Come Over and All Flowers In Time Bend Towards The Sun (which is first of the two performances of this song, the other being on 1996-03-01 at Selina's, Sydney, Australia, 1996-03-01, as far as I know); the one and only performance of the traditional song "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" (which is also sang by Bob F***ing Dylan, as Jeff Buckley calls him); one of the best performances of Hallelujah with extra lyrics which are slightly different than the version on the Bataclan show, adding even more to the uniqueness of this show'.

For any fan, or any interested party, I hope you enjoy.

Download link in comments below, or click on the picture above.

Purchase: MP3's (always DRM free) from Amazon.co.uk - Jeff Buckley

The Beat - Live in Amsterdam 1980

Known in the USA as The English Beat, and elsewhere simply as The Beat, this is the band live at the excellent concert venue, The Paradiso in Amsterdam, Holland, on this occasion back in 1980.

One of the original 2 Tone bands, The Beat along with the likes of The Specials, helped revive Ska in the UK, and appealed to many who had got back in to music, through punk and new wave.

Source: FM radio broadcast (Sorry not much info accompanied this boot).

Sound Quality: Very good FM stereo mp3 @320kbps.

Genre: 2 Tone, Ska, Reggae, New Wave.

Set: Most of set, however may have been edited for broadcast (total Playing Time 44:34).

Set List:

1.Two Swords.
2.Tears Of A Clown.
3.Twist And Crawl.
4.Rough Rider.
5.Mirror In The Bathroom.
6.Best Friend.
7.Whine And Grine / Stand Down Margaret.
8.Noise In This World.
9.Big Shot.
10.Hands Off She's Mine.
11.Jackpot.
12.Click Click.
13.Ranking Full Stop.

Concert Band Line Up:

Ranking Roger - vocals
Dave Wakeling - vocals
Andy Cox - guitar
David Steele - bass
Everett Morton - percussion
Saxa - saxophone

Links: Official site HERE. Wikipedia HERE.

Comments: This was from the tour supporting their first album release (I Just Cant Stop It), the band having already scored chart success with their excellent cover of 'Tears Of A Clown'.

Their official site concisely describes the coming of The Beat, so well in fact that I notice some sizable copy and pasting to Wikipedia, well if it's OK for others...

'Formed in the working class suburbs of industrial Birmingham in England in 1978 The Beat arose at a time of high unemployment and social upheaval. From the outset the band offered messages of hope and peace with an insight into sociopolitical topics would later alongside The Specials see them heralded as forerunners of the whole 2-Tone Ska movement'.

Better still get your two tone outfit on and try keeping your feet still, as you listen to this classic performance.

Download link in comments below, or click on the picture.

Purchase: MP3's (always DRM free) from Amazon.co.uk - Beehive Candy presents: The Beat - The Platinum Collection

Tom Waits - My Fathers Place - 1977

This is Tom Waits live at Club Roslyn, Long Island, New York, USA, or as the venue is more affectionately remembered 'the homely and homey music club - My Fathers Place' (at 19 Bryant Avenue in Roslyn).

Indeed it is easier to talk about the venue than to know where to start with Tom Waits.

I know I often use this as a get out clause, and I will unashamedly do so again now.

For fans this is a must have recording, for those not familiar with Thomas Alan Waits, this captures said gentleman some 32 years ago, with the 'bourbon soaked' voice, on fine form at a wonderful venue.

Source: Pre FM copy of WLIR recording.

Sound Quality: Extremely good stereo MP3 @192kbps.

Genre: Should be a personal genre called Tom Waits, however he ranges across, Jazz, Rock, Blues, Folk, Experimental, and we can throw in Vaudeville for good measure.

Set: Possibly full set, cannot confirm (track numbered from 2 CD version).

Set List:

01 Standin' On The Corner
02 I Never Talk To Strangers
03 Pasties And A G-String
04 Invitation To The Blues - Eggs And Sausage
05 Depot, Depot
06 Jitterbug Boy
07 Step Right Up

01 I wish I Was In New Orleans - Small Change
02 The Piano Has Been Drinking
03 Emotional Weather Report
04 Muriel
05 Medley: Jack & Neil - California, Here I Come Set II
06 Tom Traubert's Blues

Concert Band Line Up:

Tom Waits: vocals, acoustic guitar, piano.
Frank Vicari: tenor saxophone.
Danny Trifan: upright bass.
Chip White: drums, percussion & vibes.

Links: Official site HERE. Excellent fan site HERE. Comprehensive Wikipedia content HERE.

Comments: I know there are a number of good quality live recordings for Tom Waits in circulation, to my knowledge this has not been freely circulated on the web, its good material and does the artist justice.

I was listening to a Tom Wait's concert from last year a couple of days back (will share another time), its great that he has sorted out the bar room image, from his actual lifestyle, and he can still create that unique sound, atmosphere, and overall mood.

I was late getting in on the music of Tom Waits, that's my loss, still it remains great catching up.

Download link in comments below (Replaced 15 September 2011).

Purchase: MP3's (DRM free) from Amazon.co.uk - Tom Waits

The Pretenders - Live In Amsterdam 1980

I remember Chrissie Hynde from her days writing for the NME (New Musical Express - UK weekly publication) back in the mid 1970's.

It was only a matter of time before her musical ambitions came to fruition, and after a couple of false starts, she eventually surfaced in late 1978 with a very up and ready band called The Pretenders.

Their debut album remains a firm favorite of mine, it has that timeless feel that great songs and albums have, no logical reason and maybe just a state of mind.

To come across a live concert boot (31st May 1980 to be precise) from that era obviously made my day.

Source: Stereo radio broadcast (off air recording).

Sound Quality: Extremely good MP3 @320kbps.

Genre: Post Punk, New Wave, Indie Pop/Rock.

Set: Radio edit, most likely majority of the gig, (total playing time 51:39).

Set List:

1. The Wait.
2. Precious.
3. Talk of the town.
4. Cuban slide.
5. Private life.
6. Space invader.
7. I go to sleep.
8. Brass in pocket.
9. Kid.
10. Up the neck.
11. Mystery achievement.
12. Stop your sobbing.

Concert Band Line Up:

Chrissie Hynde
Martin Chambers
James Honeyman-Scott (deceased).
Pete Farndon (deceased).

Links: Official Pretenders site with details of their 2008 release HERE. Very good Wikipedia entry HERE.

Comments: It is a sad rock'n'roll fact that drugs really can hurt any individual and/or band, even in their prime, as was the case with The Pretenders.

A concise and realistic appraisal from Wikipedia reads as follows:

At this early peak of the band's success and potential, Hynde kicked ex-lover Pete Farndon out of the group for ongoing drug problems. Two days later, 16 June 1982, Honeyman-Scott was dead of a cocaine overdose. While the band tried to regroup in the following year, Farndon overdosed on heroin and died on 14 April 1983.

It tends to put the whole rock - drugs thing in perspective, and it is a delight that The Pretenders did regroup back then, and are still touring throughout 2009 (worth seeing if you get a chance).

Reloaded 23/02/2016 Link in comments.

Lucinda Williams - Live in Switzerland 2007

This is another superb live recording of Lucinda Williams, on this occasion in Basel, Switzerland, at the Festsaal Messe, AVO session on the 13th November 2007.

Although Lucinda was promoting her 'West' album at the time she covered a range of other earlier material, that for me, seems a great introduction for anyone unfamiliar with one of the foremost modern country rock or alternative country artists.

Source: FM stereo live broadcast on DRS3 radio Switzerland

Sound Quality: Very good FM Stereo DAT conversion.

Genre: Alt Country, Folk, Rock.

Set: Full live performance see notes below.

Set List:

01 Passionate Kisses (Broadcast started during the second part of opening number)
02 The night's too Long
03 Crescent City
04 Sweet Old World
05 Pineola (fade out) **
06 (fade in) Pineola ending
07 talks with the audience
08 Lake Charles
09 Car Wheels on a Gravel Road
10 Can't Let Go
11 Steal Your Love (fade out) **
12 Essence
13 Righteously - band intro
14 Real Live Bleeding Fingers and Broken Guitar Strings
15 Unsuffer Me
16 talks with the audience
17 West

** there were two nasty and long drop outs on the radio broadcast (32 seconds during "Pineola" and 30 secs right after "Steal your love") thus the taper had to apply some fading's to leave out those unexpected moments of silence.

Lucinda's Band:

Doug Pettibone: pedal steel, guitars, mandolin, harmonica
Chet Lyster: steel, guitar, keyboards
David Sutton: bass
Butch Norton: drums

Links: The ever improving and comprehensive official site HERE.

Comments: I love a few of these songs so much, that you cannot expect an impartial review for this particular boot.

It's also rather pleasing to know of an artist, who has really lived the country rock lifestyle, and still looks and sounds so great (especially as I am a little younger - hope for me yet, if you get my drift).

Download link in comments below, or click on the picture.

Purchase: MP3's (DRM free) through Amazon.co.uk - Lucinda Williams

Catatonia - Live and in Session 1998

I remember seeing Catatonia in London back in 2000, they were really entertaining, and new how to play live, this recording was therefore a pleasure to get hold of.

Performing at The Newport Centre, Gwent, in Wales, on Thursday 26th March 1998, Catatonia were on this occasion supporting Travis (Idlewild were also on the bill), nonetheless they played a full set.

Also included is material from a BBC Radio One session.

Source: FM Stereo recording.

Sound Quality: Very good mp3 @192kbps.

Genre: Indie Rock & Pop

Set: Full live performance

Set List:

International Velvet
I am the Mob
Game On
You've Got a Lot to Answer For
No Stone Unturned
Way Beyond Blue
Don't Need The Sunshine
Goldfish and Paracetamol
Mulder and Scully
Part of the Furniture
Road Rage
Jump or be Sane
Bleed

BBC Radio One session:

International Velvet
Mulder and Scully
No Stone Unturned
Strange Glue
Mulder and Scully

Links: No official sites, Wikipedia with some additional links HERE. Cerys Matthews official site HERE.

Comments: The live element may have circulated as 'Land of our Fathers' on CDR, beyond that I do not know much else about this gig. There's something a little bit special about great Welsh bands playing to a Welsh audience, maybe it's a Celtic thing.

Listening to this performance I think I know who the real headline act was on the night!

Download link in comments below, or click on the picture.

Purchase: MP3's (DRM free) through Amazon.co.uk - Catatonia

The Sisters Of Mercy - Amsterdam 1983.

This is the second of five mainland European dates The Sisters Of Mercy performed, during their 'Trans Europe Excess Tour'.

The band who started performing live in 1981, had already developed a strong following with several independent single and EP releases, often being 'hailed' in the UK indie press of that time.

Playing at the excellent venue The Paradiso, Amsterdam, on the 28th August 1983, this boot has apparently also circulated as 'Napalm Gods', 'Possession', and 'Live In Amsterdam', along with this copy entitled 'Beware The Ghost'.

Source: Sound board recording.

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3 @ 320kbps.

Genre: Post punk, Gothic Rock.

Set: Majority of concert (cannot confirm if full set).

Set List:

1. Burn.
2. Valentine.
3. Anaconda.
4. Heartland.
5. Alice.
6. Emma.
7. Temple of Love.
8. Floorshow.
9. Adrenochrome.
10. Gimme Shelter.
11. Kiss the Carpet.
12. Body Electric.
13. Lights.
14. Sister Ray / Louie Louie / Ghost rider.

Total Playing Time 70:43

Band Line Up - 1983.

Andrew Eldritch, vocals, keyboards, guitars
Gary Marx, guitars, vocals on one early track
Ben Gunn, guitars
Craig Adams, bass
Doktor Avalanche, drum machine

Links: Official site HERE.

Comments: By the time of this tour The Sisters Of Mercy had already developed and honed their unique and somewhat haunting layered sound.

Their version of the Rolling Stones classic 'Gimme Shelter', remains one of my all time favorite cover versions.

The band are touring again this year, and who knows ! although their recorded album output is pretty intermittent, their site suggests that perhaps we will see something new later this year.

Download links in comments below.

Purchase: MP3's (DRM free) through Amazon.co.uk - Sisters Of Mercy

Cocteau Twins - Live Black Session 1994

The Cocteau Twins are one of my all time favorite acts.

I will resist the inclination to give an over the top and gushing review and just say, for any fan this is a must have.

For anyone not familiar with them, and at the risk of being accused of musical heresy, their recorded material is a much better starting point, then you will just want more, and settle for any bootleg, bearing in mind the principle that one persons pleasure, is another's poison...

Live on the 4th February 1994, this is Cocteau Twins live in studio 105.

Source: Live 'Black Session' recorded for France Inter (French radio station) in Paris, Maison de la Radio, Studio 105, (with studio audience).

Sound Quality: Very good FM stereo @192kbps mp3.

Genre: Dream pop / Ambient (1986-1997), Ethereal (1983-1986), Gothic rock / Post-punk (1979-1983).

Set: This is the full studio concert.

Set List:

01 - Pur
02 - Road River and Rail
03 - Bluebeard
04 - Heaven or Las Vegas
05 - Whales Tails
06 - Carolyn's Fingers
07 - Iceblink Luck
08 - Summerhead
09 - Ella Megalast Burls Forever
10 - Blue Bell Knoll
11 - Pink Orange Red
12 - Aikea-Guinea
13 - Sugar Hiccup

Links: Official site HERE. 4AD site (also very good detail) HERE.

Comments: I have always been a fan of the Cocteau Twins music, from the first time I heard them in the first half of the 1980's, until now.

Like all good fan's I live in hope of more, although that is probably unlikely and unfair, still us fans are like that.

This is a good live boot of the band, (theirs some awful stuff out their), the audio quality needs to be good for them, however as is often the case with their live material, Elizabeth Fraser's vocals are a little to low in the mix (in my opinion), that said, this is still a must for any one who has an interest in the band (and yes - yet another band from Scotland).

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

Purchase: MP3's (DRM free) through Amazon.co.uk - Cocteau Twins

Golden Earring - Live in The Hague - 1989

Considering Golden Earring formed in the mid 1960's, and have enjoyed popularity in Holland and a number of European countries ever since, it's great to see them still touring and recording right up to date, and with gigs scheduled into 2010!

They scored their biggest UK and USA success with the classic rock song 'Radar Love', which in some ways over shadows a considerable amount of other great material they have produced down the years.

For your enjoyment this is Golden Earring live in concert at the Parkpop Festival, Den Haag (The Hague), Holland on the 25th June 1989.

Source: FM radio broadcast (this is from a later 're-broadcast').

Sound Quality: Very good, 320kbps stereo 'off air' recording.

Genre: Rock (from 'classic' to 'prog' to 'Nederland beat')

Set: This is the full broadcast material, it excludes the first two songs from their performance (Back Home & To Much Women), the total recorded time was 51:28 (117mb).

Set List:

1.When the lady smiles.
2.Distant love.
3.Weekend love.
4.Long blond animal.
5.Turn the world around.
6.Can do that.
7.Twilight zone.
8.Radar love.


Links: Official website, in English language - oh how 'the cloggies' look after us, HERE.

Comments: If you live in Holland or within travelling distance Golden Earring are continuing to tour throughout the year. If your a native fan in Holland chances are you already have a copy of this concert, as I understand, it has been broadcast on a number of occasions, if not, its well worth a listen.

Considering Radio Caroline's close relationship with Holland in the 1970's & 1980's (there were Dutch language stations from their radio ships in both decades), it's no surprise Golden Earring resonate with many people in the UK, as they got plenty of air play here down the years.

Download links (two files - total 117mb) in comments below.

Purchase: Through Amazon.co.uk a selection of CD's - Golden Earring

The Rezillos - BBC & WFMU Radio Sessions

Here's another example of just how many great bands have come out of Scotland.

The Rezillos formed in Edinburgh, Scotland, back in 1976, and were quickly associated with the punk and subsequent new wave movement in the UK, with their panache for short, sharp, three minute pop gems.

The band toured constantly with the likes of The Ramones and The Undertones, by 1979 it was all over.

In 2001 they reformed for a one off gig, and reignited, leading to their continuing and welcome musical presence in 2009.

Source: BBC and WFMU Radio sessions - Total Playing Time 44:43.

Sound Quality: Very good 'off air' stereo mp3 recordings @ 320 kbps

Genre: Punk, New Wave, Power Pop.

Track List:

1-6 BBC Radio Mark Lamarr Session 14th February 2009

1.Out Of This World.
2.Yesterdays Tormentor.
3.Ambulance.
4.No 1 Boy.
5.I Can't Stand My Baby.
6.River Deep Mountain High.

7-8 BBC Radio Session 31st March 2006

7.No 1 Boy.
8.(My Baby Does) Good Sculptures.

9-12 WFMU Radio Session June 27th 2002

9.Can't Stand My Baby.
10.(My Baby Does) Good Sculptures.
11.Pressure Cooker.
12.Flying Saucer Attack.

13-14 BBC Radio - John Peel Session 12th December 1977

13.(My Baby Does) Good Sculptures.
14.Fight among yourselves.

Links: New Official site HERE. Wikipedia also with details of The Revillos HERE.

Comments: The majority of these sessions are from the reformed band, which are as spontaneous as the early days, however its great to include some early material from a session on the legendary John Peel show.

Download links is in comments below.

Purchase: Their latest mp3 release, No1 Boy - The Rezillos and... there's more - The Rezillos on CD

Love - Live At The Fillmore West 1970

Love started out playing the L.A. club scene in April 1965, and by the time of this concert in 1970, had already experienced a turbulent history, with line up changes, problematic tours, and the ravages of drug excesses.

The one constant was the late Arthur Taylor Lee, along with some superb sixties albums and singles.

This then is Love with both the early and late shows at the Fillmore West, San Francisco, USA, back on the 21st November 1970.

Source: Concert soundboard.

Sound Quality: Very good, 320kbps stereo (a few glitches due to age, that do not distract).

Genre: Psychedelic rock, garage rock, sixties west coast.

Set: Early and Late show performances.

Set List:

Early Show:

01 Product Of The Times
02 Stand Out
03 Keep On Shinning
04 Andmoreagain
05 Singing Cowboy / Good Times

Late Show:

06 Stand Out
07 Product Of The Times
08 Bummmer In The Summer
09 Gotta Find Somebody
10 Signed D.C.
11 Slick Dick
12 Always See Your Face
13 Singing Cowboy

Links: Excellent fan site HERE. Official Arthur Lee and Love site HERE.

Comments: This live concert material shows off the rockier edge of Love, and the style was quite different to the early performances, much tighter, less tune ups between songs, and overall a much more polished live act.

I was surprised how much I liked this, as I tend to associate the band to songs such as Alone Again Or, and The Red Telephone, which have a much gentler feel to them. This is well worth a listen, and again a nice piece of Fillmore West history.

Download links in comments below or.

Purchase: MP3's (DRM free) from Amazon - Love

Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash - Sessions 1969

This is hardly making it's Internet bootleg debut here, however the Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash sessions from 1969, remain elusive for many collectors, and I am happy to do my bit to help.

The often asked question regarding these sessions is, why have they never been officially released ?

The musically historical importance, audio quality, and perhaps the actual performances themselves, make that a reasonable question, however in all honesty forty years on, the 'cats out of the bag' if you get my drift?

The contents of the sessions are detailed in track lists below, if you have just passing interest in either of these two artists, I would suggest that the recordings are well worth a listen.

Source: Taken from an early generation silver CD.

Sound Quality: Very good stereo soundboard, studio and auditorium.

Genre: In all fairness Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash will suffice.

Track List:

BS studios, Nashville, TN, USA - February 17th -18th, 1969.

01 Good Ol' Mountain Dew (Lunsford / Wiseman)
02 I Still Miss Someone (J Cash / Roy Cash)
03 Careless Love (Trad)
04 Matchbox (Carl Perkins)
05 That's Alright Mama (A. Crudup)
06 Big River (J Cash)
07 Girl Of The North Country
08 I Walk The Line (J Cash)
09 You Are My Sunshine (Davis / Mitchell)
10 Ring Of Fire (Carter / Kilgore)
11 Guess Things Happen That Way (Clement)
12 Just A Closer Walk With Thee (Trad)
13 Blue Yodel #1 (T for Texas) (J Rodgers)
14 Blue Yodel #2 (J Rodgers)

Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN May 1st, 1969.

15 I Threw It All Away
16 Living The Blues
17 Girl Of The North Country

Nashville Skyline Quadraphonic Mixes.

18 Nashville Skyline Rag
19 I Threw It All Away
20 Peggy Day
21 Country Pie
22 Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You

Unknown source - not on all bootleg versions.

23 One Too Many Mornings (1)
24 One Too Many Mornings (2)

Links: Official Bob Dylan HERE, official Johnny Cash HERE,

Comments: The very thorough Bobs Boots site had the following to say regarding this material.

'The outtakes are great fidelity studio recordings, but the performances are very loose, first time trys. This is a 'must-have' disc for historical reasons, but it will probably not be one that you will want to play every day'.

That is a reasonable summary, however I played a few tracks again earlier today, and my first thought as I went on to other matters (work as it happens), was I must listen to this all the way through again!

The studio sessions were of course linked to Bob Dylan's work on his ninth 9th proper studio album 'Nashville Skyline'.

Quoting wikipedia verbatim:

When sessions resumed on February 17, "Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You" was the primary focus, and a master take was selected from a total of eleven takes. An instrumental, titled "Nashville Skyline Rag", was also recorded at the beginning of the session, and it was later included on the album.
Sometime during that session, country legend Johnny Cash stopped by to visit. A friend and label-mate of Dylan's as well as an early supporter of his music, Cash had been recording next door with his own band. The two wound up recording a series of duets, covering Dylan's "One Too Many Mornings" and "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" as well as Cash's own "I Still Miss Someone." None of these were deemed usable, but Cash returned the following day to record more duets.
The session on February 18 was devoted exclusively to duet covers with Cash. "One Too Many Mornings" and "I Still Miss Someone" were revisited, and rejected, yet again. "Matchbox", "That's All Right Mama", "Mystery Train", "Big River", "I Walk the Line", and "Guess Things Happen That Way", all made famous by celebrated Sun recordings performed by Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, and Cash himself, were all attempted on February 18, but none of these were deemed usable. Covers of Jimmie Rodgers' "Blue Yodel #1" and "#5", Cash's "Ring of Fire" (written by his wife, June Carter and Merle Kilgore), "You Are My Sunshine", "Mountain Dew", the traditional ballad "Careless Love", the traditional hymn "Just A Closer Walk With Thee", "How High The Water", and "Wanted Man" (a song written by Dylan specifically for Cash) were also attempted, and all were rejected. There was little enthusiasm for any of these tracks, but one duet of Dylan's, "Girl From The North Country" (which originally appeared on The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan), was ultimately sequenced as the album's opener.

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

Purchase: MP3's (all Amazon DRM free) - Bob Dylan and of course Johnny Cash