The Monkees - Live in Japan 1968

In the early days of The Monkees, there was some fuss over the fact that session musicians played on their first couple of albums.

Add to this the fact that they had been brought together for a TV series, any thought of artistic integrity or status was a definite no.

However they were fun, their fan base included The Beatles, and repeats of the TV series, still appear time and again on cable and satellite channels.

However by 1968 the TV series was over, the band completed a far east tour, the last with Peter Tork as part of the band at that juncture, and their very alternative and psychedelic film 'Head' was released.

This is from the 'far east' tour, and captures a band that at least live, probably still had something to prove.

You can also enjoy a couple of 'hot rocking' Japanese DJ's whose voice overs, bring a huge smile to my face, somehow I think this was pretty serious stuff for them.

Clearly from a radio broadcast of the show - FM thankfully - but remember this was 1968, so don't expect audio heaven, that said it is highly listenable, after the initial intros.

This boot is apparently called 'Made In Japan - 1968' and the actual concert was at the Budokan Hall, Tokyo, Japan, on the 4th October 1968.

Set list is:

01 - Last Train To Clarksville
02 - I Wanna Be Free
03 - DW Washburn
04 - Daydream Believer
05 - Cuddly Toy
06 - Salesman
07 - It's Nice To Be With You
08 - Mary, Mary
09 - Cindy, Cindy
10 - Peter Percival Patterson's Pet Pig Porky
11 - Johnny B Goode
12 - Gonna Build A Mountain
13 - I Got A Woman
14 - I'm A Believer
15 - (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone

Band line up was:

Micky Dolenz: Drums, Vocals
Davy Jones: Percussion, Bass, Vocals
Michael Nesmith: Guitar, Vocals
Peter Tork: Bass, Organ, Banjo, Vocals

Reloaded 21/June/2015 link in comments.

Jeff Buckley - Live at WNEW - 1995

Having posted a number of Jeff Buckley live performances last year, I will try hard not to repeat myself.

The previous boots are still available, and continue to be downloaded, I guess by new visitors to the Beehive, and a few who discover us through Googling Jeff etc.

This is Jeff live at WNEW (Sony Studios) with a very fortunate audience, who also got to 'enjoy' his wine, as well as the music - it will all become clear when you listen.

It is so good to hear him in such a fantastic mood, and the intimacy of the event really makes this performance special.

WNEW-FM were at this time just into a new music format, that was promoting, less mainstream 'alternative rock' artists, and Jeff fitted in well to these aspirations. It's a great shame the station did not stick at this, but at least they are back to music these days, rather than the horrendous 'talk radio' set up, that existed a few years back.

This then is Jeff Buckley live at WNEW, Sony Studios, New York City, USA, on April 6th 1995.

Set List:

1 Dream Brother
2 So Real
3 Mojo Pin
4 Grace
5 Lilac Wine
6 Last Goodbye
7 Eternal Life/Kick Out The Jams
8 Lover, You Should've Come Over

(Kick Out The Jams is of course an MC5 cover).

Sound Quality: Good quality FM recording.

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

OMD - Live in Glasgow 1983

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark or OMD as they are more conveniently referred too, emerged from the Wirral Peninsula in the north west of England.

Their live debut was in October 1978, close to home in nearby Liverpool.

By the time this concert took place less than five years later, they had already notched up six top twenty singles and three top ten albums in the UK.

Not bad for a band, whose electronic and partly Kraftwerk influenced music, was often very different from the mainstream at that time.

In fairness founders Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys had an ear for a good tune, and with the likes of former Gong bassist Mike Howlett producing some of the material, they had every chance of the success they achieved.

When I first heard 'Messages' I was blown away, having been a fan of the likes of Germany's Can, Kraftwerk, and Amon Duul, at last an English band with enough personal originality was coming up with really classy electronic music, yep this band bring back fond musical memories for me.

Live the band are really good, a little more funky, with a closeness to the original songs, without allowing the technology to dampen a live concert buzz.

This recording of OMD is from The Glasgow Apollo, Glasgow, Scotland, recorded live on the 28th April 1983.

The set list is:

01 - Genetic Engineering (3:36)
02 - Messages (4:42)
03 - She's Leaving (4:05)
04 - Georgia (3:49)
05 - Julia's Song (4:44)
06 - Joan Of Arc (3:25)
07 - Maid Of Orleans (3:26)
08 - Romance Of The Telescope (3:29)
09 - Souvenir (3:42)
10 - Telegraph (3:48)
11 - Radio Waves (3:37)
12 - Bunker Soldiers (2:53)
13 - Enola Gay (4:20)
14 - Silent Running (4:05)

The sound quality is very good - an FM stereo recording.

REPLACEMENT DOWNLOAD LINK IN COMMENTS OR CLICK ON THE PICTURE (10TH SEPTEMBER 2009).

The Beehive Candy Store has some OMD Cd's in stock - click HERE to check out.

Whats Up Doc - Number Five - January 2008

You may have noticed, January 2008 has arrived.

Well although it can be a lean month for new music, I have two bands that I reckon can be pretty big this year, mind you - the competition will be tough.

Just look at some of the established acts with new albums lined up, and these are just the ones I am looking forward to right now!

In no particular order... Emmylou Harris, Marianne Faithful, Franz Ferdinand, CSS, Madness, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, The Black Crowes, Billy Bragg, Guillemots, Martha Wainwright, Drive By Truckers, REM, David Byrne, Moby, PJ Harvey, Primal Scream, Supergrass, Counting Crows and The Pogues.

Musically that's quite a taster for the year to come.

However if you want a recommendation right now, then if you have not yet enjoyed No Fixed Abode, can I be the first to share this superb band with you.

Their roots may be in folk (predominately modern), however as I listen I hear so many inspirations (The Waterboys, Bruce Springsteen, Fairport Convention and a host of others) that said, this really is a refreshing current sound, and I love it!

Check out these two songs, and if you are attracted by them, the album builds superbly on these.

On a personal note, this really is a band I would urge you to tell your friends about.

No Fixed Abode - 02 - Kebab.mp3

No Fixed Abode - 05 - Absent.mp3

You can buy their album HERE along with a chance to read independent reviews, or sample the whole album first.

Also the No Fixed Abode My Space site is HERE.

Next we are off to Brooklyn, New York, for a band that yes are already featured on other blogs - MGMT.

They are, I understand on the David Letterman show in the USA today, and touring in the USA right now.

It's a simple case of 'I like their music'. OK I am old enough to be their collective father, but they have an energy that translates into great music. The proof is in the eating so enjoy these tracks from their wonderfully titled 2007 Oracular Spectacular album:

Links Removed - MP3 Policy.

MGMT - Electric Feel.mp3

MGMT - Kids.mp3

MGMT - Tiime to Pretend.mp3

You can find out more HERE at their My Space site, along with link details for purchasing their music.

Finally I am going back to a time, when not only was I not old enough to be anyones father, I was in some cases not even born.

I tend to avoid main stream compilation albums, as they often include the same old boring songs, that have made much of todays radio, so predictable and boring.

However despite the clearly defined marketing for December purchasers, and a few of the usual suspects, Dreamboats and Petticoats, is a wonderful trip back to a time when a very young me, wondered what all the fuss was about ( and then along came Radio Caroline).

A few examples from this compilation to help explain:

Links Removed - MP3 Policy.

John Leyton_Johnny Remember Me.mp3

Helen Shapiro - It Might as Well Rain Until September.mp3

Connie Francis - Who's Sorry Now [50s Oldies].mp3

Mike Sarne & Wendy Richards - Come Outside.mp3

Connie Frances - Lipstick On Your Collar.mp3

Find out more from this really diverse but rather aged double album along with purchase options HERE.

OK so I started off talking about the year to come and new artists, and somehow I have dragged you back to the late 1950's and early 1960's!

Lets hope that musically the year 2008 delivers, it does not look so bright on the other horizons does it?

Finally the random 'Whats Up Doc' mp3, and why not?

Lighthouse Family - Lifted.mp3