It was the UK's NME (New Musical Express), that introduced me to Nils Lofgren, way back when I was a much, much, younger person in the second half of the 1970's.
I was so impressed I went about purchasing his earlier material with 'Grin', and feel a strange personal satisfaction that has been such a key member of Bruce Springsteen's 'E Street Band'.
This then is Nils Lofgren and band, back on the 30th May 1977, at the Pink Pop Festival, Geleen, Holland.
Source: Local FM radio broadcast.
Sound Quality: Very Good quality FM Stereo off air recording converted to 320kbps MP3.
Genre: Rock, Blues Rock, high quality guitar and vocals.
Set: Part of the festival set (as far as I know), for FM broadcast featuring key songs.
Set List:
1.Incidentally it's over. 2.Like rain. 3.Code of the road. 4.Keith don't go. 5.Moon tears. 6.I came to dance.
Total Playing Time 38:01
Links: Official Site (very good) HERE. Informative Wikipedia entry HERE.
Comments: Nils Lofgren's 1976 album release 'Cry Tough' remains a personal favorite of mine. The massive punk backlash emerging at the time here in the UK, was never aimed at the likes of Nils Lofgren, indeed he was considered amongst my peers at the time, as a great example of how rock music should develop.
In reality he was doing his own thing to a very high standard, which fared well, outside of all the music industry shenanigans, and struck a chord with your average rock music fan, tired of the self indulgence of those who had made a fortune playing the rock superstar.
Download link in comments below - or just click on the picture above.
Who can forget the legend that was Ron, Dirk, Stig, and Barry?
The 'Prefab Four' remain in our hearts forever, a legend in their own lunchtime, always to be remembered as The Rutles.
OK I hope you know the story, and some of the music, if not, and if you like The Beatles and love a good laugh this is the perfect parody.
This particular recording is from The Rutles pre tour rehearsals, not sure where, its great music though, and also known as 'Sweet Rutles Tracks'.
Source: Studio rehearsals 1978.
Sound Quality: Good quality stereo (studio rehearsal 'live' recording).
Genre: Parody, comedy, musically think The Beatles.
Set: Part of studio rehearsal's with some archive Rutles video soundbites.
Set List:
We've Arrived3:25
Now She's Left You1:41
Number One2:40
Love Life3:23
Goose-Step Mama2:34
It's Looking Good1:56
I Must Be In Love2:17
Baby Let Me Be2:44
Good Times Roll3:08
Let's Be Natural2:25
Get Up And Go4:45
Blue Suede Schubert2:35
Between Us2:14
Piggy In The Middle2:47
Living In Hope2:39
Double Back Alley Plenty Of Time
Touring Band.
Neil Innes — piano, guitar and vocals;
John Halsey — drums; Mark Griffiths — bass guitar and vocals; Mickey Simmonds — keyboards and vocals; Ken Thornton — lead guitar J.J. Jones — percussion.
Links: Official Site HERE. More factual stuff on Wikipedia HERE.
Comments: I always remember when I first watched Rutland Weekend Television (on BBC Two as it happens), itself in part a parody of then British commercial TV station London Weekend Television, and similar TV channels. As a fan of Monty Python I could not stop laughing at what seemed at the time to be a perfect antidote for Pythons TV demise.
The Rutles were first seen in the series during a 1975 sketch, that was in keeping with the overall parody of the comedy series.
It made sense that The Rutles continued both within the TV show and as a recording and performing act in their own right.
The musical takes on The Beatles are often sublime, to the point of record company litigation that led to John Lennon and Paul McCartney being credited as co-authors on some official music releases.
Free:(If you require it to play this) - Nero Music Player HERE.
Download link in comments below - or just click on the picture above.
Purchase: MP3's from Amazon UK, (there are some gems here) The Rutles
This Rockpile live in concert collection was originally circulated on bootleggers 'Great Live Records' (GLR 9235).
It is in fact an edit from two concerts, predominately the latter part of two gigs, both most likely to have been recorded in New York, USA, towards the end of Rockpile's fourth USA tour.
Source: Most likely from two FM broadcasts, King Biscuit Flower Hour recorded their final tour show, (however this specific concert does not appear on their site), so their is some guessing on the set list sources below, (any music detectives out there who know more?).
Sound Quality: FM stereo, all good listenable standard, you will note a change in audio levels on the last four tracks.
Comments: Rockpile were Dave Edmunds, Nick Lowe, Billy Bremner, and Terry Williams, the music very much good time rock'n'roll. That's the easy bit, finding out the background on this bootleg was a little tricky, and I am only still guessing the concert venues, still never mind, judging by the audience and band this was a great tour, and well worth a share.
Having taken a rather long break from this site for the latter part of last year, I still have a rather sizable backlog of musical recommendations to share, however lets start with something brand spanking new !
Pree, (pictured) led by May Tabol (formerly of Le Loup) emerged onto the DC (USA) music scene with a 'string of compelling and intimate shows' during the summer of 2008.
The Washington Post describe them as 'a cross between Joanna Newsom and Modest Mouse', for my part I would also relate them to Regina Spektor, however all of that said, they have a unique sound, and to put it simply, having listened to their forthcoming release last night, they are superb.
Their debut release 'A Chopping Block' (5 song EP), is officially released on March 24th. Take a listen to 'In The Parlor' for a flavour of this exciting band.
Amazing Baby are currently mixing their debut album in New York. I received this song (Bayonets) a couple of weeks back, it was my first listen to the band, and on the strength of this, I guess I will be checking them out a lot more in the coming weeks.
No comparisons, just turn up the volume and enjoy layers of great music from yet another superb Brooklyn band.
OK as something of a catch up, lets take a random stroll through some of the music that has caught my attention in recent months.
Mother Mother are a five-piece Canadian indie rock band originally from Quadra Island, now based in Vancouver, British Columbia. The band consists of Ryan Guldemond on guitar and vocals, Molly Guldemond on vocals, Jasmin Parkin on keyboard and vocals, Ali Siadat on drums, and Jeremy Page on bass. You may already be fully aware of them, however rather than ramble on all I will say is 'go on - give them a listen'.
I came across Dakotafish last autumn on another music blog, comparisons with Thom York's vocals, and Radiohead caught my immediate attention. Mike Fish is behind the band, and I have to say the comparisons may be there, however this is really fine music in it's own right, and highly worth a listen at the very least.
Bowerbirds are a nu-folk band from Raleigh, North Carolina. The band members are Beth Tacular, Phil Moore and Mark Paulson. Their debut album was, Hymns For a Dark Horse (Burly Time Records, 2007), which received favourable reviews.
Any band that has accordion and violin as prominent instruments kind of gets my attention. Add to that excellent vocals, a really definitive sound and charming songs, and I am one happy person.
I have to say I was a little dubious of what to expect from last years The Fireman album 'Electric Arguments', however after reading many positive reviews gave it a listen and was likewise very impressed.
Paul McCartney's vocals reminded me in part of the early Beatles, and the work he has done with Youth, is really adventurous, so if like me you 'were or are' not quite sure, take a listen.
M83 have been around for a few years, however last years 'Saturday = Youth' album was my personal introduction to them. Their sound has been categorised as Electronica, Dream Pop, and even shoegazing, I think it's fair to say the music is distinct, and whats more I jolly well like it!
Seasick Steve remains an absolute 'breath of fresh air', his story well documented, his blues superb, and last years album worthy of every accolade it rightly received. If you have not (why not???), got round to listening to Steven Gene Wold, here's another chance.
I know I have unashamedly plugged Cansei de Ser Sexy (CSS) in the past, but what better way to wrap this edition up. Last summers album 'Donkey' remains a favorite and so enjoy Brazil's finest band.
It was the UK's NME (New Musical Express), that introduced me to Nils Lofgren, way back when I was a much, much, younger person in the second half of the 1970's.
