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