Boomtown Rats - North London 1978

This is the Boomtown Rats live in concert at the Middlesex Polytechnic in Hendon, North London, back on the 16th September 1978.

This recorded version has been circulated as 'Dont Believe What You Hear' and is reckoned to be the best audio quality boot of the show, however it unfortunelty misses the last song of the gig (Do The Rat).

BBC TV recorded the concert, and from distant memory I think it was shown 'live', I remember watching it, and from Bob Geldof's comments it would appear to be the case. The sheer energy and the incredibily professional performance from a 'band of the time' bring back great memories.

Source: BBC TV Broadcast (audio).

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@320kbps.

Genre: Rock, pop, New Wave.

Set: Broadcast element of concert.

Set List:

1. Mary Of The 4th Form
2. Me & Howard Hughes
3. I Never Loved Eva Braun
4. Don't Believe What You Read
5. Rat Trap
6. Kicks
7. Joey's On The Street Again
8. Living On A Island
9. She's Gonna Do You In
10. Like Clockwork
11. She's So Modern
12. Looking After No. 1

Length: 00:49:45.

Links: Official site HERE.

Comments:

All six members were originally from Dún Laoghaire, Ireland. Formed under the name "The Nightlife Thugs," the group agreed on the name change to the "Boomtown Rats" after a gang that Bob Geldof read about in Woody Guthrie's autobiography, Bound for Glory. They became a notable band, but one whose accomplishments were in part overshadowed by the charity work of frontman Bob Geldof, a former journalist with the NME magazine.

The group moved to London in October 1976, and became associated with the punk rock movement. Signing a recording contract with Ensign Records, they released their debut single, "Looking After No.1", in August 1977. It was the first of nine straight singles to make the Top 40 in the UK Singles Chart. Their debut album, The Boomtown Rats, was released in September 1977, on Ensign in the UK and on Mercury Records in the United States, and featured another single, "Mary of the 4th Form". As music journalist, Martin C. Strong noted, "Bob Geldof's moody charisma helped to give the band a distinct identity".

The Rats' second album, A Tonic for the Troops, appeared in June 1978 in the UK. It featured three hit singles, "Like Clockwork", "She's So Modern" and "Rat Trap". A Tonic for the Troops was released in the U.S. on Columbia in February 1979, with two tracks from The Boomtown Rats substituted for tracks on the UK version. Mutt Lange produced "Rat Trap", which became the first rock song by an Irish band to reach Number 1 in the UK, and the first of any description by an Irish band to top the official chart used by the BBC. (The Bachelors had topped the Record Retailer chart in 1964 with "Diane", but only reached Number 2 on the UK Singles Chart). In addition, "Rat Trap" was also the first new wave song to claim the number one spot.

Download link in comment below or click on the picture.

Genesis - A Trick Of The Outtakes 1975

This set of Genesis outtakes have been given some very real care and attention by the 'Progressive Rock Remasters Project', and rather than duplicate effort I have taken the release notes to provide the background details.

On a personal note I have always felt that the era after Peter Gabriel left the band was as creative and inspiring with the albums from 'A trick Of The Tail' through to 'Duke' remaining firm favorites of mine, although if I was pushed for my all time favorites I guess 'Foxtrot' and 'Selling England By The Pound' would be two of the 'top three' along with the album these outtakes are associated with.

From the release notes: The Sheffield brothers built Trident studios at No. 17 St. Anne’s Ct. Soho in 1967. This studio was the recording site for many rock albums of the 1960’s and 70’s
including David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust and many tracks from the Beatle’s White Album.
The Genesis sessions captured on this CD were recorded there in October of 1975 and
then remastered to enhance the listening experience.

The CD begins with Beloved Summer which was the working title for the B-side
release called It’s Yourself. It is one of the few songs on the CD that includes vocals.
This is followed by an instrumental version of the song Ripples. Mike Rutherford can be
heard counting the tempo at the beginning. A second version of the song follows.
Robbery, Assault and Battery is next and is also in the instrumental mode. Just before
the next song, Los Endos, Phil Collin’s can be heard counting the tempo. This song is
separated into two tracks detailing different segments of the song. Mad Man Moon is
then presented with piano, drums and some bass. It is, again, an instrumental version
and suffers from poor recording but is still quite impressive. Trick of the Tail
is then offered with vocals in a version very similar to the official release.

Two versions of Entangled follow, again devoid of vocals. The accentuation of the
guitars is particularly impressive during the first take while the second take is
more involved and includes alternatives to the studio mix. Dance on a Volcano is
the next track followed by Squonk. Both are presented without vocals and provide
an interesting opportunity to really study the instrumentation of these songs.

Source: Studio tapes.

Sound Quality: Good stereo mp3@128kbps.

Genre: Progressive Rock.

Recording: Outtakes.

Track List:

1. Beloved Summer (It's Yourself) 5:40
2. Ripples (part 1) 4:40
3. Ripples (part 2) 4:11
4. Robbery, Assault & Battery 6:25
5. Los Endos 3:06
6. Los Endos 2:47
7. Mad Man Moon 4:14
8. A Trick Of The Tail 4:35
9. Entangled (inst. 1) 4:36
10. Entangled (inst. 2) 6:33
11. Dance On A Volcano 6:05
12. Squonk 6:54

Recorded at Trident Studios, England October, 1975.

Tony Banks - Keyboards, 12 String Guitar
Phil Collins - Vocals, Drums, Percussion
Steve Hackett - Electric Guitar
Mike Rutherford - Bass, 12 String Guitar

Links: Official site HERE.

Comments:

Remastering Notes: Most of the recording suffers from a great deal of Hiss. This was removed from
each track separately.

Bass levels were found to be excessively high on many tracks leading to a muddy sound quality. Bass was cut and both treble and mid range frequency ranges were then raised to bring out the detail within the recording.

Many of the peaks within the songs were clipped and required software restoration. The whole recording was then normalized to a consistent volume level.

Download link in comment below.

Ian Dury & The Blockheads - Hammersmith Odeon, 1979.

Much has been said and written about Ian Dury and come to that, about his band The Blockheads. Indeed Ian Dury and The Blockheads live in concert were one cohesive unit that took the recorded material and rather than just replicate the songs seemed to breathe additional life and dimensions into everything.

Ian Dury had a stage presence that was affected in part by his disability caused by polio as a youngster, but more because of his humour, artistic capabilities, and connection with the audience. The Blockheads added with skilled musicianship that seemed to be effortlessly delivered and yet so powerful and uplifting. OK it is obvious I was a fan of Mr Dury and have great respect for the Blockheads, not only because of what I have mentioned so far, but as an aside in an earlier form as The Loving Awareness Band, the Blockheads had very strong links with Radio Caroline.

This is probably one of the most circulated bootlegs of the band and a fine reminder of just how good they were in concert. This then is Ian Dury and The Blockheads live at the Hammersmith Odeon, London back on the 8th August 1989.

Source: FM Broadcast

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@160kbps.

Genre: Rock and roll, punk rock, new wave.

Set: Broadcast element of concert.

Set List:

01 Clever Trevor
02 Inbetweenies
03 Don't Ask Me
04 Reasons To Be Cheerful, Part 3
05 Sink My Boats
06 Waiting For Your Taxi
07 This Is What We Find
08 Mischief
09 What A Waste!
10 Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick
11 Sweet Gene Vincent

Links: Official site HERE.

Comments:

From Ian Dury's official web biography regarding the time around this concert: In October 1977, Ian Dury signed up for the Stiff Live Stiffs Tour, alongside Elvis Costello And The Attractions, Nick Lowe, Wreckless Eric and Larry Wallis. Dury's new combo, now augmented by guitarist John Turnbull and pianist Mickey Gallagher, was christened Ian Dury And The Blockheads and the group became the surprise hit of the tour.

To capitalise on this, Stiff Records launched a concerted Ian Dury marketing campaign, resulting in the Top Ten hit WHAT A WASTE. NEW BOOTS AND PANTIES continued to sell in greater quantities and in November of that year, Dury released the memorable HIT ME WITH YOUR RHYTHM STICK, a UK Number One. Dury was now a bona fide pop star and, with The Blockheads, toured to great acclaim, conquering a number of European territories.

Whilst NEW BOOTS AND PANTIES headed towards its remarkable 90 week chart run, the group commenced work on the follow up, to be entitled DO IT YOURSELF. Another Top Ten single, REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL, kept Dury in the public eye during this arduous period of recording. The album was eventually released in June 1979 in a Barney Bubbles-designed sleeve of which there were over a dozen variations, all based on samples from the Crown wallpaper catalogue.

Reloaded August 2015 see comments.

2010FM - January Magazine One

In no particular order or priority 2010FM Magazine just grabs what we like and are happy to give a quick plug to, or a whole hearted recommendation along with gushing praise, see if you can spot the difference or better still just check out the artists we feature.

Last Man Standing finally have a release date in the USA for their debut album 'False Starts and Broken Promises' and it is January 12th 2010.

Here in the UK they have received a lot of interest and some excellent reviews in the major music press. Don't just take our word for it, take a look at the review in UNCUT Magazine by Gavin Martin.

Max Vanderwolf’s band have a colorful ingenuity of Bowie’s 70’s floor shows and the wild spirit of Tom Waits- which means the are essentially rock theater, but with attitude. Stylistically they cram a lot- sometimes too much- in, but the policy usually works. This collection of bedraggled songs duly incorporates the cabaret angst of ‘70s Lou Reed, dust bowl Mariachi, and Steely Dan cynicism. Their vision of wild-hearted losers, misfits and a world in collapse somehow holds everything together. (three stars ***).

Listen:
'Queen Kong'



Website: MySpace.
MP3 Purchase: False Starts & Broken Promises

Fredrik are from Malmo Sweden and as regulars here may have noticed in the past I have a bit of a bias towards bands from Sweden basically because it is a land of musical plenty and has been for some time and some really good diversity in styles, Fredrik being another case in point.

Their most recent press release states The Swedish forest-dwelling folk visionaries' second release is here. Following their critically acclaimed debut Na Na Ni from 2008, Trilogi is a more consistently inward-looking affair and takes on themes like social realities and subconscious geography. The melodies are more serpentine and the textures decidedly darker. However, Fredrik's warm, sensitive lead voice and operatic choir work still lends the material the same comforting elegance as on the debut. Trilogi is a compilation of highly limited 3" EPs released in their home country in hand-made origami packaging. The EP's bore the titles "Holm", "Ava" and "Ner", all fictional names roughly signifying "Frozen Forest Island", "Water Through Sound" and "The Inside Underground". Together they represent a trilogy of contemporized viewpoints of the Lovecraftian dream passage - orientation at great cost and understanding at the risk of sanity.

Check them out and listen to some of their songs over on MySpace HERE. There is even more including video over on the official site is HERE. Pre-order or purchase mp3's etc via Kora Records & itunes HERE.

We have featured Emanuel & The Fear before here on Beehive Candy however they did the following apparently...

Once upon a time, in a small studio in DUMBO, an eccentric, big haired, musical genius and his Juilliard trained trumpet player had a conversation about how cool the band Deerhoof is. It went something like this:

“Hey man, now that we've finished climbing the Brooklyn Bridge, can I do an arrangement for us to cover The Perfect Me?” said the trumpet player.

“Well shiver me timbers and call me a dried up sponge monster, why the heck not!!?” replied the big haired music man with electric ecstasy.

And so the idea was born, and the trumpet player he did lay down the arrangement and the band they did practice and practice and some time later, it was finished; Emanuel and the Fear had recorded a cover of ‘The Perfect Me’.

The End. OK whatever - however the cover is rather good and they have kindly given it for us (and others) to share !

Listen:
'the perfect me'



MP3: The Perfect Me
Purchase: Self Titled EP
Website: MySpace.

Finally some advance warning about Minneapolis band Red Pens who have been creating quite s stir locally and also one helluva noise to boot ! I have just been listening to some of their music on MySpace and this band are now on the personal radar.

Their debut album REASONS is set for a February 16th, 2010 release via Minneapolis-based Grain Belt Records. With a sound that has been described as forceful and larger-than-life, it’s hard to believe that Minneapolis band Red Pens is made up of just two members—a self-taught guitarist with unconventional techniques and powerful lead vocals, and a female drummer who has mastered both percussion and painting. In addition to being dubbed “Best New Band” by hometown paper City Pages and “Minnesota’s Best Band 2009” by The Boston Phoenix, Red Pens recently received a spot on The Onion’s Twin Cities’ “Best of the Decade” list for being “one of the most buzzed-about new local bands of the year.”

More on this band another time so keep an eye on 2010FM Features. We have a lot more new music and recommendations in the pipeline and will hopefully produce a January 'part two' soon.

Pat Benatar - Seattle 1979

Lets start 2010 with some real rock energy from just over thirty years ago courtesy of Pat Benatar.

Pat's big break into music had happened a year before this concert when she headlined New York City’s famous Tramps nightclub from March 29th to April 1st, 1978, where her performance impressed representatives from several record companies.

She was signed to Chrysalis Records by founder Terry Ellis the following week."There was a long period of three years, when I spent my time taking demo tapes around and being rejected by one record company after another. Then just two days after the debut concert with the band, we were signed to a record contract..." Recorded in June and July 1979, Pat Benatar debuted the week of August 27th 1979 with the release of 'I Need A Lover' from the album 'In the Heat of the Night'.

This concert just over a year later captures Pat Benatar on classic form at the Paramount Theatre, Seattle, Washington, USA back on November 22nd, 1979.

Source: FM Broadcast

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@256kbps.

Genre: Rock.

Set: Full Broadcast Set.

Set List:

1. Intro
2. If You Think You Know How To Love Me
3. So Sincere
4. I Need A Lover
5. My Clone Sleeps Alone
6. In The Heat Of The Night
7. We Live For Love
8. No You Don't
9. Just Like Me
10. Heartbreaker
11. Band Introductions
12. You Better Run
13. Come On, Let's Go

Band Line Up:

Pat Benatar - Vocals
Neil Geraldo - Guitars, Vocals, Keyboards
Scott St. Clair Sheets - Guitars, Vocals, Synthesizer
Roger Capps - Bass, Vocals
Myron Grombacher - Drums

Links: Official site HERE.

Comments:

Pat Benatar's debut album 'In the Heat of the Night' was released in October 1979, and reached Number 12. It established Pat Benatar as a new force in rock. Producer Mike Chapman, who had worked with Blondie and The Knack, broke his vow not to take on any new artists when he heard Pat Benatar's demo tape.

Mike Chapman personally produced three tracks on the album, while his long-time engineer and now independent producer, Peter Coleman (who also supervised Nick Gilder) oversaw the rest. In addition, Mike Chapman and his partner, Nicky Chinn, wrote three original songs for the LP, in addition to a rearranged version of a song they wrote for Sweet, "No You Don't".

The album also featured two songs written by Roger Capps and Pat Benatar, as well as "I Need a Lover" written by John Mellencamp, "Don't Let It Show" written by Alan Parsons and Eric Woolfson. The album would be Pat Benatar's first RIAA certified platinum album.

Download link in comment below or click on the picture.

Lucy Kaplansky - Beachland Ballroom 2006.

One reviewer of this show wrote "If you've never heard Lucy Kaplansky perform before, you're in for a treat. Her songs can be dark and brooding, uplifting and joyous, personal and revealing; always satisfying.

The recording quality here gives you the sense that you're sitting in the first few rows of the hall. Download this show, put on a good pair of headphones, and re-live an extraordinary evening with a superb singer-songwriter".

As audience recordings go this is better than some soundboard copies of shows I have heard. There are a few level issues on track one that are quickly fixed, apart from that this is a superb recording. Performing live in concert at The Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland, Ohio, USA on the 10th February 2006 this is Lucy Kaplansky.

Source: Audience (Studio Projects C4's, cards, DIN, 3' right of center, 25' back, 6.5' high).

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@320kbps.

Genre: Folk, singer songwriter.

Set: Full Set.

Track List:

Set One:

01. God Will
02. Written On The Back Of His Hand
03. The Tide
04. Ten Year Night
05. Cold Missouri Waters
06. The Red Thread
07. Don't Mind Me
08. Manhattan Moon
09. I've Just Seen A Face

Set Two:

01. If I Needed You
02. Title Missing
03. Line In The Sand
04. I'm Looking Through You
05. For Once In Your Life
06. Brooklyn Train
07. Blue Chalk
08. On An Asteroid With You
09. The Heart
10. This Is Home
(encore)
11. Still Life

Links: Official site HERE.

Comments:

Lucy Kaplansky was originally from Chicago, and at the age of 18, decided not to go to college, and moved to New York City. She became involved in the city's folk music scene, particularly around Greenwich Village, where she played with, among others, Suzanne Vega, Shawn Colvin and Richard Shindell.

In 1983, she decided to become a psychologist, enrolling in Yeshiva University. She continued playing music while doing her PhD, and began to have some success as part of a duo with Shawn Colvin. However, when they began to attract record company interest, Lucy Kaplansky declined, choosing instead to set up a private practice and become a staff psychologist at a New York hospital. For several years, she concentrated largely on her work, and played little in the way of concerts. However, she still did some session work, such as singing backing vocals in the studio for Suzanne Vega.

By the early 1990s she found herself increasingly drawn back to music. Shawn Colvin, who by this time had experienced some commercial success, offered to produce an album for her. The result, The Tide, a mixture of her own songs and several covers, was released by Red House Records in 1994. At this time, she decided to give up her psychology practice, and return to music full-time. She released four more albums before her most recent, Over The Hills, was released in 2007.

Download links (two) in comment below.

New Riders Of The Purple Sage - San Francisco 1971 (IA)

From the Internet Archive (IA) this is the New Riders Of The Purple Sage live at the Fillmore West, San Francisco, USA back on the 2nd July 1971.

The group emerged from the psychedelic rock scene in San Francisco in 1969, and its original lineup included members of the Grateful Dead.

After a few warm up gigs throughout the Bay Area in 1969, the New Riders (for all intents and purposes John Dawson and David Nelson) began to tour in May 1970 as opening act with the Grateful Dead. This relationship continued on a regular basis until December 1971. Throughout much of 1970, the Dead would open with an acoustic set that often included John Dawson and David Nelson before segueing into the New Riders and then the electric Dead.

By the time the New Riders recorded their first album in late 1970, change was in the air. Dave Torbert, a young Bay Area musician, replaced Phil Lesh. After Mickey Hart went on sabbatical from music in early 1971, Spencer Dryden (from Jefferson Airplane) began a ten-year relationship with the group as their drummer, and eventually manager. The first album, eponymously titled, was released on Columbia Records in late 1971 and was a moderate success. Featuring all John Dawson songs, the record was driven by Jerry Garcia's inventive pedal-steel playing.

With the New Riders desiring to become more of a self-sufficient group and Jerry Garcia needing to focus on his other responsibilities, the musician parted ways with the group in November 1971. Sadly John 'Marmaduke' Dawson passed away on the 21st of July this year.

Source: FM Broadcast.

Sound Quality: Very good stereo.

Genre: Country Rock

Set: Full Set.

Track List:

0. Tuning In & Intro
1. Workingman's Blues
2. Superman
3. I Don't Know You
4. Down In The Boondocks
5. Dirty Business
6. Glendale Train
7. Portland Women
8. Henry
9. Sailin'
10. Last Lonely Eagle
11. Louisiana Lady
12. Honky Tonk Women
13. The Weight

Band Line Up:

John Dawson - rhythm guitar, vocals
David Nelson - lead guitar, vocals
David Torbert - bass, vocals
Jerry Garcia - pedal steel guitar
Spencer Dryden - drums

Links: Official site HERE.

Comments:

A few of the tracks from this date circulate (from the soundboard mix) on the official re-release of the Riders debut LP. The New Riders archivist, Rob Bleetstein, gave permission for the safe 'on-line' release of this FM version of those songs (February 2005). Click HERE for download options (mp3 & OGGVORBIS from the Internet Archive site).

Play:

Leonard Cohen - Royal Albert Hall 1988

This is Leonard Cohen live at the Royal Albert Hall, London, England back on the 30th May 1988.

The performance was recorded by the BBC (from their own soundboard) but never subsequently broadcast.

In 1987, Jennifer Warnes's tribute album Famous Blue Raincoat helped restore Leonard Cohen's career in the USA and the following year he released 'I'm Your Man', which marked a drastic change in his music. Synthesizers ruled the album and Leonard Cohen's lyrics included more social commentary and dark humour. It was Leonard Cohen's most acclaimed and popular since Songs of Leonard Cohen. "First We Take Manhattan" and the title song have become two of his most popular songs.

Source: Soundboard (BBC).

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@192kbps.

Genre: Folk, folk rock, blues.

Set: Full Set*.

Track List:

01 Dance Me To The End Of Love
02 Ain't No Cure For Love
03 Who By Fire
04 Bird On The Wire
05 I'm Your Man
06 Sisters Of Mercy
07 Coming Back To You
08 First We Take Manhattan
09 Chelsea Hotel
10 Tower Of Song
11 The Stranger Song
12 If It Be Your Will
13 Everybody Knows
14 Joan Of Arc
15 Hallelujah
16 There Is A War
17 Take This Waltz
18 The Partisan
19 Suzanne
20 Passin' Through
-- Encore
21 I Tried To Leave You
22 Whither Thou Goest
23 So Long, Marianne
*One song is missing as Avalanche was played prior to Chelsea Hotel.

Band Line Up:

Leonard Cohen - vocals, acoustic guitar, keyboards
Perla Batalla - vocals
Julie Christensen - vocals
Bob Metzger - guitars, steel guitar
John Bilezikjian - oud
Bob Furgo - keyboards, violin
Tom McMorran - keyboards
Steve Zirkel - bass, keyboard, trumpet
Steve Meador - drums, electric drums

Links: Official site HERE.

Comments:

Leonard Cohen is set to be honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010. His recent touring has seen a significant rekindling of interest in his wonderful music, and his performances have been sublime. Two new live albums are now available and worth checking out. One is from his seminal performance at the Isle Of Wight festival in 1970, the other from his recent tour (Live In London 2009).

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

Buy: Mp3's at Amazon.co.uk - Leonard Cohen

2010FM - Alcoholic Faith Mission

Here's a band I really do like and new little about until those very nice folk at Paper Garden Records sent me a copy of their current album, and am I glad they did! I reckon a lot of people are gonna be 'getting into this band' in 2010, and those already in the know are probably feeling rather smug.

Alcoholic Faith Mission are from Copenhagen however started out in Brooklyn in 2006. Whether it is the contradictory band name, the band’s multinational conception, or just the creation of eerily beautiful music, Copenhagen’s Alcoholic Faith Mission have already proved their worth in Europe with coverage in NME, AOL UK and more in addition to consistently selling out high-profile shows across the European continent.

Listen:
'We All Have Our Shortcomings'



Website: MySpace.
Buy MP3's:Alcoholic Faith Mission

Bio: Alcoholic Faith Mission started in Brooklyn, NY in 2006. The apprentices of dejection, Thorben Seierø Jensen and Sune Sølund, were wandering around in the raw wintery-streets, shooting the breeze and brushing on alcoholism when suddenly before them was big neon cross. This was a holy congregation called Apostolic Faith Mission. “It’s just like booze is to the alcoholic, they thought. A true mission to withstand an empty existence; an Alcoholic Faith Mission.

Three months later the duo’s underplayed and dogmatic debut, Misery Loves Company, was ready.
Dogma’s for the album, which was recorded in a small bedroom in Copenhagen, was that recordings had to take place at night, lit by only candles and always under the influence of alcohol.

Two years later they went back to Brooklyn to seclude themselves in an old factory loft at 421 Wythe Avenue and came up with an alternative active creation process for the new album – perhaps one that was a bit easier on the liver. They tried on a selection of straightjackets for inspiration. Everything used to make the music had to be found within the loft’s four walls – creating some obscure, yet fitting sounds such as that of dictionaries beating each other to become an electronically muted bass drum.

This way of working turned into their second album; named after the street where they lived on – 421 Wythe Avenue

The Specials - USA 1980

This is The Specials live in concert back in January 1980 at Hurrah's, NYC.

The Specials began at the same time as Rock Against Racism which first gathered in 1978. According to Jerry Dammers, anti-racism was intrinsic to the formation of The Specials, in that the band was formed with the goal of integrating black and white people.

2009 has seen the band undertake a 30th anniversary tour (minus Jerry Dammers, however Terry Hall has stated 'the door remains open to him'). The tour has been very well received, their performance on BBC's 'Later With Jools Holland' can be seen on You Tube HERE.

This concert takes us back three decades to a much younger band.

Source: FM Broadcast

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@256kbps.

Genre: 2 Tone, Ska, New Wave.

Set: Majority of set

Track List:

01 Monkey Man
02 Rat Race
03 Blank Expression
04 Rude Boys Outa Jail
05 Too Hot
06 Doesn't Make It Alright
07 Stupid Marriage
08 Too Much Too Young
09 A Message To You Rudy
10 Gangsters

Band Line Up:

* Terry Hall - vocals
* Jerry Dammers - keyboards
* Lynval Golding - rhythm guitar, vocals
* Neville Staple - toasting, backing vocals, percussion
* Roddy Byers - lead guitar
* Horace Panter bass guitar
* John Bradbury - drums
* Rico Rodriguez - trombone
* Dick Cuthell - flugel horn

Links: Official site HERE.

Comments:

The Specials undertook a three week tour of the USA back in January 1980. On some of the gigs they opened for The Police and whipped the crowds up so much they just had to steal the show.

Jerry Dammers was keen for the band not to travel in Limos or stay in flashy hotels, I have read elsewhere that the tour manager was sent ahead on some occasions to ensure their accommodation was not too good !

Download link in comments below or click on the picture.

Buy: Mp3's at Amazon.co.uk - The Specials

The Breeders - Double Trouble 1993

Double Trouble is a collection of live performances recorded during The Breeders 1993 tour.

Formed in 1988 their first album, Pod (1990), received critical acclaim but was not commercially successful. The Breeders' most successful album, 1993's Last Splash, produced the hit single "Cannonball", and this material is from the tour that promoted the Last Splash album.

The Breeders' history began when Kim Deal, then bassist of the Pixies, began writing new material while the band were on a post-Surfer Rosa tour of Europe with Throwing Muses. As neither band had plans for the short term, Kim Deal discussed possible side-projects with Throwing Muses guitarist Tanya Donelly. After rejecting the idea of creating a dance album together the pair decided to form a new band.

Source: Soundboard

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@320kbps.

Genre: Alternative Rock.

Set: Compilation from various gigs.

Track List:

01. Iris
02. Cannonball
03. Saints
04. Hag
05. Fortunately Gone
06. When I Was A Painter
07. Doe
08. Limehouse
09. Glorious
10. Doe
11. Hellbound
12. Safari
13. Happiness Is A Warm Gun
14. Glorious
15. Do You Love Me Now?
16. Don't Call Home
17. Fortunately Gone
18. I Just Wanna Get Along
19. When I Was A Painter
20. Limehouse
21. Iris
22. Opened

Links: MySpace HERE. Official 4AD site HERE.

Comments:
Double Trouble was yet another release by Kiss The Stone (KTS) records (as previously mentioned the company was based in San Marino, where the law allowed the company to market bootlegs as long as it placed royalties for the artists in an escrow account).

One upside of this is the audio quality and packaging of the original silver discs was often very good. This is the case here, and this mp3 version is is a must for any fan of The Breeders.

Download links (two) in comments below.

Buy: Mp3's at Amazon.co.uk - The Breeders

2010FM - New Idea Society

Some email promo's have me yawning from about the second line onwards this one started as follows and kind of gained my attention.

'After an arduous recovery from a touring accident on the Autobahn while on tour in Germany (singer and main creative force Mike Law broke seven bones on the left side of his body) Brooklyn's New Idea Society has finally regained the momentum that was brewing on their previous album, "The World Is Bright and Lonely" (2007)'.

Now I will be upfront and say I had not previously registered New Idea Society however having gained my attention I gave the two songs from the forthcoming album a listen and reckon they deserve at the very least a fairly decent plug from the Beehive.

Listen:
'Thorns'



Website: Official. MySpace.
Buy: New album release TBC.

Background: The new song is from an upcoming album produced by Andy LeMaster (Bright Eyes, Azure Ray). They are a huge departure from the bands previous recordings. Tracked in Brooklyn and Athens, New Idea Society searched out more of their Byrne/Eno, influences, partially a necessity, since Law was unable to play guitar due to injuries and was writing mostly around his working hand on keyboards and vintage synthesizers.

Eventually as injuries healed guitars found their was back into the mix but a precedent had been set for an album centered around the keyboard and piano playing of Chris DeAngelis and the reserved playing of drummer Alan Cage (who was lured back to drumming from semi-retirement from Quicksand/Seaweed by the excitement of the songs). As Law notes, "For the first time New Idea Society became a collaborative band with Alan and Chris being so prominent in the formation of our sound. The tour accident and some important people leaving our lives framed the mood of the album and how we were all feeling in that aftermath".
After tracking 19 songs the band is happy to share the song "Thorns" as it prepares the album for release.

European tour dates coming this January and February. U.S. dates to follow.

The Ditty Bops - California 2008

For those who are not familiar with The Ditty Bops they are an American band from Los Angeles, California. They were previously with Warner Brothers, however they now self produce their material.

They are noted for their tight vocal harmonies and playful style, and are headed by Abby DeWald (vocals and acoustic guitar) and Amanda Barrett (vocals, mandolin and dulcimer). For those of you who are familiar with their wonderful music, then this is an absolute delight!

This is a full concert of the band performing live at The Freight & Salvage Coffee House (The Home of Traditional Music) in Berkeley, California. This concert took place on the 7th March 2008 and the recording includes both sets.

Source: Soundboard (see comments).

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@192kbps.

Genre: Folk, bluegrass, blues, western swing, ragtime.

Set: Full Set

Set List:

Set One:

1. Intro
2. In The Meantime
3. Million Dollars
4. You Made Me Love You
5. Feel From The Outside In
6. Seed Of Wonder
7. Skinny Bones
8. Audience Banter
9. Painted Eyelids
10. Pale Yellow
11. Summer Rains
12. Interlude for Ten Strings

Set Two:

13. Second Set Intro
14. Whens She Comin' Home
15. Fix-It Men
16. Whispering Light
17. Because We Do
18. Angel With An Attitude
19. Always Remember
20. Awake In A Dream
21. Hunting My Dress
22. Crazy People
23. Encore Break Intro
24. E: I Feel Like Singing

Links: Official site HERE. MySpace site HERE. Freight & Salvage Coffee House HERE.

Comments:

A few notes regarding this recording. It would appear to be from two sources as the second set is noticeably louder. The quality of both sets suggest soundboard as the audience levels on both are as would be expected. Whatever - it is a great gig & the encore sets new standards in live performance !

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

Buy: Mp3's at Amazon.co.uk - The Ditty Bops

2010FM - Mighty Tiger

Welcome to 2010FM where Beehive Candy will feature new artists, albums, events and the like, that capture our attention in the coming year.

We kick off a couple of weeks early with Mighty Tiger who have just been signed up to Paper Garden Records and their 'Western Theater' album is scheduled for release on March 9th 2010.

Seattle’s Mighty Tiger are a five-piece Capitol Hill dwelling chamber-pop group and also plan to tour down to SXSW and back with fellow Seattle rockers, 'Grand Hallway'.

Listen:
“33 1/3”



Website: MySpace.
Label/Buy: Paper Garden Records - Release tbc.

Bio: With its members emerging from the Midwest and the Southwest, this particular collection of musicians unified in the dreary Pacific Northwestern Seattle, WA. Drawing from influences as diverse as Harry Nilsson to The Flaming Lips, Mighty Tiger applies vintage pop sensibility to indie rock innovation, creates a sound that is uniquely their own.

Western Theater, Mighty Tiger's full-length debut album, is a testament to the vision of the band: conceptual yet cohesive and relaxed. The spectrum of inspiration is apparent, with nods to the sonic landscapes of Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds and Built To Spill’s Perfect from Now On. But while Mighty Tiger shows a refreshing willingness to wear its musical influences on its sleeve, the primary strength of the album is the way the band’s divergent points of reference unite around a sound that is distinct yet often tastefully unpredictable; whimsical chamber pop swirls in a turbulent sea of epic indie rock glory. Mighty Tiger have created an eclectic atmosphere in Western Theater that is as intellectual as it is intelligible and as somber as it is light-hearted. One thing is clear about this record and about this band: Mighty Tiger wants its listeners to have as much fun listening to Western Theater as they had making it.

Kate Bush - Amsterdam 1979

'The Tour of Life' is the only ever tour by Kate Bush. During the 1979 tour, Kate became the first ever singer to use a wireless headset radio microphone on stage, which enabled her to incorporate extensive dance routines into her live shows.
A number of reasons have been suggested as to why she subsequently abandoned touring, among them her reputed need to be in total control of the final product, which is incompatible with live stage performance, a rumour of a crippling fear of flying, and the suggestion that the death of 21-year-old Bill Duffield severely affected her. Bill Duffield, her lighting director, was killed in an accident during her 2nd April concert at Poole Arts Centre. Kate Bush held a benefit concert on the 12th May, with Peter Gabriel and Steve Harley at London's Hammersmith Odeon for his family.
The tour comprised of 28 dates including five nights at The London Palladium. This is from her concert at the Carr'e Theatre in Amsterdam, Holland on the 29th April 1979.
Typical of her determination to have control, she was involved in every aspect of the shows production, choreography, set design, and staff recruitment. The shows were noted for her dancing, complex lighting and her 17 costume changes per show.
Source: Soundboard.

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@320kbps.

Genre: Singer songwriter, art rock, pop rock.

Set: Majority of set.

Set List:

1. Moving
2. Them Heavy People
3. Violin
4. Strange Phenomena
5. Hammer Horror
6. Don't Push Your Foot On The Heartbrake
7. Wow
8. Feel It
9. Kite
10. James & The Cold Gun
11. Oh, England, My Lionheart
12. Wuthering Heights

Links: Official site HERE.

Comments:

It is no surprise that most Kate Bush 'unofficial' material tends to be studio outtakes and demos rather than live concert bootlegs, considering she has only undertaken the one tour.

This concert was first circulated as a silver disc on Italian bootleg label GDR (GDR CD 9213)back in 1992. The CD was entitiled 'Wow' a song which of course was also performed in the show.

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

Buy: Mp3's at Amazon.co.uk - Kate Bush

Beehive Recommends - The Morakestra

If I have some new music that I want to listen to I expect I am not alone in listening whilst doing something else like surfing the net or whatever.

The Morakestra were playing in the background yesterday and I was trying to write an article and in the end I had to turn them off. Not because there was anything wrong, quite the opposite actually as they are so catchy, tuneful, and full of great guitar hooks and songs that they became a total distraction.

Which of course is a joy as I love those moments when you realise you are listening to something that connects home. OK the band themselves have been around for a while, indeed their web site adds 'Founders and key creative minds David and Will Mora are twin brothers who were proudly born and raised in the West Texas border city, El Paso, Texas. Fellow El Pasoan Jim Ward contributed to the rebirth of Morakestra via production and recording of the band's latest album, Witness to Connection, out June 2nd, 2009 on indie label Stratking Records'.

Listen:
'Tell You Something'



Websites: MySpace, Official.
Buy: The Morakestra

It was Texan guitar legends Mario Otero and Charles Teitsworth who first pushed the Mora brothers to turn their early compositions into a polished collection of songs, and before long, the boys had a debut album, “Live from Moraq.” Released in 2007, it showcased a variety of impressive session musicians, but it was the Moras themselves who handled all of the guitar work and vocals, and ultimately produced the album. The brothers spent the following months playing gigs with an ever-changing band to back them up, and buzz grew around the talented twins, who became known as “dueling guitar players.”

"The Morakestra's biggest selling points on Witness To Connection are the addictive guitar riffs that populate every track…Songs show both pop sensibility and a unique style that belongs solely to The Morakestra…Witness To Connection is a powerful effort." - Atlanta Music Guide

Stray Cats - Live In North America 1982.

Are you ready to rumble? There is nothing like a blast of rockabilly and a blues belter or two, to clear the cobwebs and the Stray Cats certainly know how to liven things up as was the case here back in the early 1980's

Now I am a little confused over the venue or even city that this gig was actually from. The silver disc boot says the band were live in Los Angeles on April 28th 1982. It's just that the song 'Rumble In Brighton' keeps on having the lyrics changed to 'Rumble in Toronto' something the audience seems to appreciate.

That aside this is one rocking concert from the band at the peak of their musical journey. It's not until 'Lonely Summer Nights' that the band slow things down a little, showing how well they could recreate 1950's rock'n'roll in differing styles.

Source: Soundboard.

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@320kbps.

Genre: Rockabilly.

Set: Full Set.

Set List:

1. Baby Blue Eyes (4:22)
2. Double Talking Woman (3:47)
3. Rumble In Brighton (3:55)
4. Drink That Bottle Down (5:25)
5. Built For Speed (5:57)
6. Foggy Mountain Breakdown (1:42)
7. Jeanie Jeanie Jeanie (3:39)
8. Stray Cat Strut (5:38)
9. Lonely Summer Nights (3:55)
10. Rev It Up (3:08)
11. Come On Everybody (3:46)
12. Runaway Boys (5:09)
13. Oh Boy (2:41)
14. Something Else (4:24)
15. Fishnet Stockings (3:15)
16. Rock This Town (6:45)

Links: Official site HERE.

Comments:

The group, whose style was based upon the sounds of Sun Records artists from the 1950s and heavily influenced by Bill Haley & His Comets, had little initial success in the New York music scene. When Setzer heard that there was a revival of the 1950s Teddy Boy youth subculture in England, the band moved to the UK. The band found themselves in the midst of a nascent rockabilly revival, with youth wearing drape jackets, brothel creepers and updating the 1950s look by using hairspray instead of grease to style their hair and by wearing bright, "loud" colours.

After a gig in London, Stray Cats met producer Dave Edmunds, well known as a roots rock enthusiast for his work with Rockpile and as a solo artist. Edmunds offered to work with the group, and they entered the studio to record their self-titled debut album, Stray Cats, released in England in 1981 on Arista Records. They had three hits that year with "Runaway Boys", "Rock This Town," and "Stray Cat Strut." The UK follow-up to Stray Cats, Gonna Ball, was not as well-received, providing no hits. But the combined sales of their first two albums was enough to convince EMI America to compile the best tracks from the two UK albums and issue an album (Built for Speed) in the U.S. in 1982.

Download links (two) in comments below.

Buy: Mp3's at Amazon.co.uk - Stray Cats

Beehive Recommends - Daisy McCrackin

We are reliably informed that Daisy McCrackin was born in San Francisco and now lives in Los Angeles.

So what else can I add, well having read her bio on MySpace her original move to LA was to develop an acting career, with some notable Hollywood credits to her name including 3000 Miles To Graceland (with Kurt Russell and Kevin Costner.) She also had the honor of being one of Michael Myers teen victims in a Halloween sequel from 2002 (no wonder she switched over to a music career), however clearly her artistic yearnings eventually led her away from LA for a while as she slowly developed her song writing and guitar skills.

Having listened to her debut release 'Rodeo Grounds' I have to say there is something special about Daisy and her music. I would imagine she will appeal to both folk and indie fans alike, the comparisons are there (from Joni Mitchell to Beth Orton) however she has a unique and very intimate style that has a personal and charming edge.

Listen:
'tell her'



Websites: MySpace, Official.
Buy: Daisy McCrackin

Her bio goes on: Back in Los Angeles, Daisy moved to the fabled Rodeo Grounds arts collective in Topanga Canyon, where she bathed in the deep and salty waters of authentic expression daily. Inspired by the eclectic community of artists living by the beach, serving as a muse and creating by the moment, Daisy took up painting, and continued to labor at the guitar. Immersed in a supportive environment that encouraged her artistic exploration, Daisy wrote songs and improvised instant ballads ‘round the famed campfire, holding her fellow creatives captive while dazzling them with hilarious impromptu outpourings of quirky lyrics, sung to sweet, simple melodies. Still too shy to share her “serious” songs, Daisy stuck to modeling by day, and making her cohorts laugh by night. Finally, after an intense song-writing jag Daisy sang a somber, personal song to a close friend who advised her to quit her day job and dedicate herself full-time to music. She played her first live show in 2006, and was dubbed “an instant rock star” in an LA Weekly review, which reported that Daisy “stole the show.”

Sandy Denny - Newcastle Guildhall 1972

This is the second in our new occasional series under the banner 'Rarities and Collectors Items' where the audio might not be first class but the interest factor is likely quite high.

It's over thirty years since Sandy Denny passed away, and yet her influence as a folk singer and artist has remained down the years, her ability to interpret anything from traditional folk too folk rock setting the benchmark for those that have followed.

This is a beautiful set recorded by a member of the audience who edited out the gaps and some applause however retained her conversation with the audience along with the songs. Being a small venue and with a respectful audience the intimate nature of the concert can be felt and heard.

Performing on October 12th 1972 at the Guildhall, Newcastle, England this is the much missed Sandy Denny.

Source: Audience recording

Sound Quality: Very good for audience recording and era mp3@320kbps.

Genre: Folk, Electric Folk.

Set: Majority of set.

Set List:

01. Itll Take A Long Time
02. Bushes And Briars
03. Sweet Rosemary
04. It Suits Me Well
05. Late November
06. Quiet Joys Of Brotherhood
07. The Sea Captain
08. The Sea
09. The Lady
10. John The Gun
11. Late November

Comments:

From wikipedia:

Sandy Denny (6 January 1947 – 21 April 1978), born Alexandra Elene Maclean Denny, was an English singer and songwriter who has been described by Allmusic's Richie Unterberger as "the pre-eminent British folk rock singer". She emerged in the mid 1960s while still a teenager, performing on the folk revival scene where she displayed her mastery of traditional singing and interpretation. Her song, "Who Knows Where the Time Goes?", written during these early years, has been covered by numerous artists and is regarded as a classic of its type.

Sandy Denny's renown grew after her death, and her songs have been covered by many other artists. She is considered a founder of the British folk rock movement and perhaps its most important female singer and personality. It has been suggested that her effortless and smooth vocal delivery still sets the standard for many of today's female folk-based singers.

Over a ten year career Sandy Denny left an extensive legacy and remains influential. She is remembered for the crystal-clear purity but also the strength of her voice as well as her pivotal involvement with the British folk rock movement, where, as a member of Fairport Convention, she moved the band away from west coast American cover versions and into performing traditional material and original compositions. She is also noted for her duet with Robert Plant on Led Zeppelin's fourth album in 1971, on the song "The Battle of Evermore", and to date she remains the only guest vocalist on a Led Zeppelin album.

Download link in comments below or click on the picture.

Buy: Mp3's at Amazon.co.uk - Sandy Denny

Beehive Recommends - Julian Shah-Tayler

Julian Shah-Tayler is a solo artist who writes, produces and performs his own music. His EP - "Un Ange Passe" (dedicated to the memory of Christine Shroy-Hull) is released on 1st January, 2010. His debut album, “Coito Ergo Sum” is due for release spring 2010 on Impossible Thing Records.

Julian has played guitar in 'Whitey' co writing the smash hit “Wrap It Up” which has been featured in Whip It, GTA 4, Sopranos, Kyle XY and CSI Miami. He has also played keys & sang with Siobhan Fahey (Shakespear’s Sister), and played keyboards & sang on Joaquin Phoenix’s solo album among others!

Having listened to a number of his his songs, I reckon he could well break through in 2010, which would be deserved as his song writing and performance is quite stunning. The melodies and variety of styles he uses along with first class production have really gained my attention.

Listen:
'Communication'



Websites: MySpace
Buy: Impossible Thing Records

The debut solo EP “Un Ange Passe” in tribute to Christine Shroy-Hull who left us on the 6th September 2009 and features on the cover.

It will be released on iTunes , all download sites and special edition CD mail order via Impossible Things Records on 1st January 2010

Anyone that buys the special edition EP CD from the Impossible Things Records website will also get a new recording for them by Julian. It might be a specially recorded song, a live favourite, a version of a song from the EP or something else, but available to no-one else in the world (unless they upload it themselves.. Ask for something specific, but be careful what you wish for!!

Some reviews so far:

“Wetter is Massive, It will make (Julian) a star” – Alan McGee (Oasis/Primal Scream/My Bloody Valentine)

“Very Impressed” – David J (Bauhaus/Love and Rockets)

“This guy has massive talent” – Boom Boom Chik

“An infectious solo release..steps away from acclaimed success” – Mojophenia