Thursday, 1 October 2015

Drive-By Truckers - Live at Cooley's House, 2003 (IA)

From the Internet Archive (IA) this is the Drive-By Truckers in a private family and friends performance at band member Mike Cooley's House in Gardendale, Alabama, USA.

It is an incredible acoustic performance with superb audio quality and as one reviewer put it " this recording is amazing. I was having a few beers listening to it and the next thing I know I'm doing shots of Elijah Craig and singing out loud like a jackass".

Of the time before and around this session Wikipedia say's - After three years on the road, a tight-knit group of musicians emerged and began work on 2001's double album, Southern Rock Opera. The album weaves the history of Lynyrd Skynyrd into a narrative about a fictitious rock band called "Betamax Guillotine," whose story unfolds within the context of the South during the 1970s. Southern Rock Opera was originally released independently on Drive-By Truckers' own Soul Dump Records on September 12, 2001, and garnered praise from fans and critics alike. In order to meet the new demand brought on by, among other things, a four-star review in Rolling Stone, Southern Rock Opera was re-issued by Mercury and Lost Highway Records in July 2002. Soon after, Drive-By Truckers were named Band of the Year by No Depression.

Before Drive-By Truckers went on tour in support of Southern Rock Opera, the band ran into a problem when they were left with only two guitarists (Cooley and Hood) following the departure of Rob Malone in late 2001. The band added fellow Alabamian guitarist and songwriter Jason Isbell (originally from Greenhill, Alabama) to their line-up as the band's third guitarist. During his five years with Drive-By Truckers, Isbell's compositions became as highly praised as those of Cooley and Hood. After signing a new deal with Austin-based record label New West, Drive-By Truckers set about recording the follow-up to Southern Rock Opera. The result was 2003's Decoration Day, which, like its predecessor, received much critical praise. It was another concept album, containing characters who are faced with hard decisions about marriage, incest, break-ups, revenge, murder, and suicide.

After years of producing and playing with Drive-By Truckers, bassist Earl Hicks left the band on December 22, 2003. Hicks was immediately replaced by studio bassist Shonna Tucker, then wife of guitarist Jason Isbell. Tucker had previously guested on Decoration Day playing upright bass on the Cooley-penned track, "Sounds Better in the Song."

Recording Details: AKG 483 -> HHB PDR-1000. Lineage Tascam DA-20mkII -> S/PDIF -> HHB CDR830 -> EAC -> Cool Edit Pro(DSP) -> shntool -> CDWave -> mkwACT -> SHN -> FLAC. Taped by Chris Pennington.

Sound Quality: Excellent (your in the room with them).

Set List:

01) Zip City
02) Lookout Mountain
03) Decoration Day
04) Winter Wonderland
05) Love Like This
06) Too Much Sex, Too Little Jesus
07) Outfit
08) Where The Devil Don't Stay
09) Murdering Oscar
10) When The Pin Hits The Shell
11) Do It Yourself
12) Danko/Manuel
13) George Jones Talkin' Cellphone Blues
14) Uncle Frank
15) Goddamned Lonely Love
16) The Company I Keep
17) Little Pony And The Great Big Horse
18) Never Gonna Change
19) The Day John Henry Died
20) Tales Facing Up
21) Bulldozers And Dirt

Website: Official Here.

Comments: There are FLAC, Ogg Vorbis and mp3 download files, along with the streaming material over at the Internet Archive (here).

Stream Below: 


Wednesday, 30 September 2015

Wednesday Double: Eleven Eleven - John Byrne Band

Eleven Eleven - The Original.

Background - Eleven Eleven is a formation of two bands who morphed together back in 2012. Consisting of Kaitlin Brown on vocals, Max Heaslip on bass, Otto Falson-Ree on drums, and Harry Brown on guitar, they mix the worlds of riff-rock and sweet melodic vocals to create huge, unique walls of sound. Eleven Eleven have been recognised on several occasions, being nominated at the Music Oz awards, working their way into the Top 50 of Triple J Unearthed several times and hitting number one with the track ‘King Tide’, as well as gaining a 5 star review from Alex Dyson on Unearthed, who commented that "Some people are young, some people rock. These guys cover both categories, then smash the categories against an amp and walk off the stage flipping the bird at the crowd."

Eleven Eleven is currently working on new material whilst they release their new single ‘The Original’ through The A&R Department. 'The Original was the very first song we ever wrote as a band. It came out of a jam we had at our very first band practise, and a couple of weeks later with a bit more fine trimming and streamlining it became the song that it is today. This song came about as we were sick and tired of the monotony of modern music. We wanted to make something different, riffy, and heavy, as well as having catchy melodies and some unique harmonies.” ‘The Original’ was recorded at Paradyme Studios and mixed at Hercules Street Studios.

Rock with a chunky bass and a driving rhythm, courtesy of some sharp guitar playing and pounding drums. It's just right for Kaitlin Brown's vocals. It's rock and it's straight to the point.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

John Byrne Band - The Immigrant And The Orphan.

Background - Philadelphia-based Celtic Folk / Americana group John Byrne Band are pleased to announce the release of their new record on Philly-based label Ri-Ra Records.

The John Byrne Band is led by former Patrick's Head front man and Dublin native John Byrne. Their debut album, After the Wake, was released to critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic in 2011. With influences ranging from The Chieftains to Planxty to Bob Dylan, John’s songwriting honours and expands upon the musical and lyrical traditions of his native and adopted homes. On this LP, John's band features members of Amos Lee, Calexico, The Fractals, Huffamoose and The Modern Inventors.

In late 2012, John Byrne had a new batch of songs written for the follow up to his critically acclaimed 2011 album After the Wake. Then, as often happens, life intervened. An accident that left him needing surgery and months of recuperation, coupled with personal tragedy and loss, left him staring at a body of work that held, for him, little meaning anymore. “The songs were fine, they were good songs, I just couldn’t find myself in them anymore, “says Byrne from his home in the Fishtown neighbourhood of Philadelphia. With Byrne’s fan-base clamouring for a promised new release, John and his touring band recorded 2013’s Celtic Folk, a collection of folk tunes from Ireland and America that the band had been sliding into their live sets during the After the Wake tours.

The album, which would eventually make the Folk DJ Charts, entering at number 36 (FolkRadio.Org), gave Byrne the time he needed to reflect and write. “I wrote about the bad stuff and the amazingly good stuff that came out of the bad,” he reveals. The result of this is The Immigrant and the Orphan, an album of 12 songs that Terry Roland of No Depression magazine in LA, who stumbled upon the band on their recent Kickstarter campaign, calls “Some of the finest songwriting I have heard this year, each tune on this album carries an honesty, integrity, and quiet passion that will draw you into its world for years to come”.  Roland had only heard rough mixes that Byrne felt comfortable sharing with the writer after an interview. “There is anger, joy, sadness and reflection in the songs, “says Byrne, “But most of all I wanted to get to the very deepest root of each situation, to be open, to be exposed, but to leave the listener room to enter, interpret and find their own meaning in the songs.” Byrne’s skillful handling of the subjects has led to some of his most honest yet accessible songs to date, as witnessed in the first single Dirty, Used Up, Chewed Up, Screwed Up Love, a defiant folk-rock song with strong echoes of John Hiatt and Lucinda Williams. The B-Side, Sing on Johnny, is an homage to his Father.

The band features: John Byrne: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar: Rob Shaffer, Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Banjo, Dobro, Tambourine, Vocals: Andrew J. Keenan, Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Banjo, Dobro, Ukulele, Pedal Steel, Vocals: Maura Dwyer, Violin and Cello: Dorie Byrne, Accordion, Trombone, Vocals: Walt Epting, Drums: Vince Tampio, Trumpet and Flugelhorn: Jim Stager: Bass, Ken Pendergast: Bass, Jaron Olevsky: Piano and Organ, The Modern Inventors: Backing vocals.

The role call alone shows that this is far more than a solo effort by John Byrne. If any element of Celtic Folk or Americana is your thing, then this album is an absolute yes. John has a very listenable vocal range and each song is a journey within itself. Despite the size of the cast, the attention to detail and gentle feel in some songs, makes for a very uncluttered and enjoyable album.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tuesday, 29 September 2015

Tuesdays Genre Mix: The Pacers - Victoria Celestine - Absinthe Rose

The Pacers - Losing Touch.

Background - The Pacers draw their influences from the sixties Psych/Garage scene, mixing it up with their own unique ideas to create unforgettable and  energetic live performances in the same vein as The Stooges and The Stones, with a healthy dose of freak out psychedelia.

The band formed in the late summer of 2013 when Alexander Friedl and guitarist Harry Stam met under what they describe as "mysterious circumstances". With a shared interest in all things 60's and a desire to escape the monotony of everyday life, they duo picked up their guitars and began writing songs. 

A former band mate of Harry, bass player Jay Creswell, was next to join The Pacers, closely followed by drummer Jamie Yuan. With the line up complete, the band set about making a name for themselves on the underground music scene, playing a string of venues primarily in north and east London which have earned them a loyal and ever increasing fan base. 'Losing Touch' is their debut single.

The Band: Alex Friedl - Vocals, Guitar, Harry Stam - Lead Guitar, Jay Creswell - Bass, Jamie Yuan - Drums.

A modern twist on what was the music of my youth (yep - that old), 'Losing Touch' is an excellent introduction, genuinely leaving me wanting to hear, a whole lot more by this band. A must listen and a reminder that there is much to mine from past musical styles, and opportunities to put your own slant on things.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Victoria Celestine - As We Grow Old.

Background - Coming off the success of her second single, “Something More,” innovative and avant-garde artist Victoria Celestine has released her anticipated third single, “As We Grow Old”.  The sultry and energetic track is the latest off of Victoria Celestine’s upcoming debut EP (due for release within the next year). The first single off of the EP, “Wasted Tears” was released in June 2015 with accompanying music video. With the pop synth rhythms reviving their way back into popular music, Victoria is a stand out new artist bringing 80’s style to her video similar to the likes of Walk the Moon’s “Shut Up and Dance.”

Not to be overlooked as another cheeky pop artist Victoria Celestine is truly the odd one out.  Having spent her early years growing up on two ends of the world, France and in San Antonio, Texas, music became Victoria’s fluent language. With piano as a first instrument, she expanded her horizons by picking up the guitar as a teenager once moving back to the US and has never looked back. Combined with the talent of song writing, she is a unique force to be reckoned with.

Coming across Victoria at an open mic in down town San Antonio, Gordon Raphael (producer of The Strokes, Regina Spektor and more) invited her to have her first studio experience recording her first seven songs acoustically.  Harnessing her song writing capabilities, Victoria has placed in the International Song writing Competition four years in a row.  She was also a nominee in the International Acoustic Music Awards and has charted on the iTunes Charts. Look for these three songs that she produced with Blake Harnage (of Versa) when she was only 17, on an EP next year.

Bright and breezy synth pop, plus Victoria's vocals seemingly just right for this style of music. The production is light with neither the soundtrack or the vocals, disturbing the other, highly enjoyable.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Absinthe Rose - Stories Of Our Youth, (From the album 'Black Earth').

Biography - Absinthe Rose is a Boston based Folk band consisting of singer songwriter Kimbo Rose on acoustic guitar and vocals and a core rhythm section of well-seasoned Boston area music veterans. The band mixes different styles of music including Folk, Americana, Gypsy Jazz, Blues, Punk and whatever else they feel like into a original and diverse sound! Regular touring and a tight live performance mixed with a strong DIY ethic and both personal and political subject matter has quickly gained the band notoriety in the underground DIY music scene! 

The musical brainchild of singer songwriter Kimbo Rose and was originally formed in 2008 as a solo acoustic project based out of the Medford and Ashland Oregon area. In 2009 Kimbo Rose relocated to Boston MA and self-released her debut CD entitled Digging Ditches & Escaping Holes on her newly formed DIY record label she named Screech Owl Records. This was a ten-track solo acoustic album of material she had been playing for years in Oregon and recorded in Boston. In the spring of 2010 Kimbo Rose partnered up with Bill on Bass, Josh on Banjo, Nick on Electric Guitar and Rich on Drums and the band as you know it today was born! 

They recorded their debut EP with the full band entitled “Consistency Through Scepticism And Awareness” in the fall of 2010 and began playing out around the Boston area! Soon after the band embarked on their first extensive West Coast US tour in the spring of 2011 and hasn't stopped since. In the winter of 2012 they recorded their full-length album entitled The More That We Learn, The More We Learn That We’re Wrong which was released in the spring of 2013! Since then Absinthe Rose have toured the US and played regularly throughout the North East and East Coast! 

The band entered the studio in the spring on 2015 and began recording their new full length album entitled Black Earth which was self-released on the bands own label in September of 2015! This record turned out to be their most dynamic and eclectic album to date showing the bands true diversity and Kimbo's full range of lyrical and musical influences! The band is presently making plans for a full US and European Tour in 2016! The rest is 'herstory' yet to be written!

Arguably The Pogues were the first folk/punk band, albeit with a mixture of Irish traditional numbers, along with their own original songs. Absinthe Rose take on a variety of genres, that create a bigger melting pot, and they do it very well. The featured track is the only one I could find that can be shared, the album version may be a better mix, and what an album! Full of energy, attitude and angst, Absinthe Rose deliver a powerful mixture of songs, that demand yours and my attention.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Monday, 28 September 2015

Alternative Take: Chris Savor - Super Duper - Hayden Calnin - M.I.L. - Mikaela Davis

Chris Savor - TTMO (Can't Lose You).

Words from Chris - After 6 years in New York, I finally made the move back to London. And here is my first UK-dance inspired track after being back home. - It's time to move on, but you still feel the same and you can't let go.  And you thought you would have a steady love by now... "Life's confusing, all the things I was meant to have by now". I wrote this as I finally decided to move back home, alone. I don't know if it's the right decision or why I keep moving, "maybe I'm just choosing situations with expiration's". But the only way is to follow your heart and keep going, so the track ends with, "It's about time we move, It's about time we moved on". TTMO has an emotional message, but a dance sound. Maybe it's about that time your tears glistened in the disco lights.

'Time To Move On' is a fine reflection on Chris Savor's ability to go beyond the conventional, and explore 'dance music' as a vehicle to carry a story, and personal emotional thoughts and feelings. A seven track EP is due in late October and sounds extremely promising.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Super Duper - Finale Ft. Ruelle.

The promo tells us - Vitalic Noise is excited to release Sessions Volume 1 from our latest label signing Super Duper from Nashville, TN. Exploring the crossover of electronic and instrumental hip hop, Super Duper have been compared acts like Hudson Mohawke and TNGHT. Hilly Dilly writes, "Super’s production is huge-sounding, glossy, and one that’s a perfect balance between giving an amount of space and breathing room between arrangements, and making your spine tingle." The EP also features huge vocal contributions from Remmi, Patrick Baker and Jung Youth.

'Finale' builds both in terms of layers of sound and musical direction. Ruelle adds to the whole thing as it expands into something of a three minute epic piece.

 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hayden Calnin - White Night (Thrupence Remix).

Background words - From early beginnings as a triple j ‘next crop’ artist, Hayden Calnin has been an artist refusing to adhere to convention and genre. On his first two EPs, he explored the realms of everything from folk through to downbeat electronic, melting together powerful melodies with understated production, leading to US sync placements on the likes of Suits, Parenthood and Teen Wolf, festival slots at Falls Festival and NYE on the Hill and supports with the likes of Missy Higgins, Matt Corby, Tom Odell and The Antlers. Most recently Calnin has inked deals with internationally renowned booking agency The Agency Group for the US and UK/Europe. 

Since his last EP, Calnin has found inspiration from current electronic artists such as M83 whilst delving more deeply into early childhood influences from his parents’ collection such as Fleetwood Mac and Counting Crows which has led him to revisit his first love—the guitar. Premiering on UK’s CLASH Magazine, ‘White Night’ is a spectacular melting of where he’s been and where he’s going as an artist, remaining faithful to that ‘late night’ vibe, while bringing forward his melodic side and pairing it with the dynamics of a full live band. Co-produced with Tim Carr (Matt Corby, The Herd, Muscles), the single now has a stunning and delicate remix from Melbourne’s Thrupence.

The remix is sensibly understated, allowing the quality of the original to still stand out, whilst adding just enough, to make a worthy difference, to a compelling song.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

M.I.L. (Made In London) - Human Life.

Everything you need to know and a whole lot more - M.I.L. (Made in London) is the dance alter ego of producer Paul Munns who was born in London, Waterloo. The product of a Korean war veteran, black cab driver and cleaning supervisor, Paul grew up with varied musical influences like The Rat Pack, Greg Edwards, Shalamar, EWT and Lynx. Paul is now based in the sleepy Norfolk village of Southery where there is a zero music scene but plenty of serenity for him be creative. 

Paul is a self taught multi-instrumentalist especially loving the Breedlove acoustic and Maudio keyboards and he began writing original chords and lyrics in his teens heavily motivated by legends like Dylan, Marley & Weller. Paul also works in screenwriting and directing with the release of an original movie he wrote titled "Love Me Still" and the production of a documentary for the NHS he directed about stroke survivors with Dysarthria and Aphasia. Paul has written a myriad of tracks in different genres from rock through to classical and pop work and has obtained publishing deals with both Factory Music and Sony Music. 

Paul has worked with a number of industry professionals including "Chris Taylor" the bassist with Herbie Hancock and Ringo Starr and current Producer for "Amaral" in Spain. Extensive sessions at his Bluebarn Studios in Cambridgeshire culminated in his blossoming talent for music production and multi-instrument experimentation and he now runs  "The Ferry Bank Sound Hub" studio. 

M.I.L. is Paul's latest project within dance music which has enabled him to bring his inner city up-bringing into his current dance project "Arrival 5" described in his own words as "Five beings arrive on earth and relay back what life is like in the form of music and dance". The debut single "Arrival 5" and the follow up release "Human Life" are heavily influenced by The Prodigy, Faithless & Soul 2 Soul with early electro influences such as Roxanne and Afrika Bam-baataa thrown in to current EDM/Trance/Dance/House genres. 

Paul has received airplay on many Internet Radio stations as well as having BBC National Radio airplay with his EDM track "Moonshine". Paul feels lucky to merge both his music and film experience to create his own music videos and he is currently putting the finishing touches on his debut album release based on the above alien concept.  He also plans an original Drum and Bass line-up with many guest vocalists. The self penned and produced new single "Human Life" was recorded at The Ferry Bank Sound Hub" and will be released worldwide on 9 October 2015.

Bags of energy and a pulsating rhythm that seemingly dances with the various levels of percussion. So much going on and yet every part has it's place, in this incredible track.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mikaela Davis - When The White Horse Takes Me Away (Joywave Remix).

Background - Brooklyn-based musician Mikaela Davis has revealed the Joywave Remix of her track 'When The White Horse Takes Me Away," The track was released as a single on September 25th at all digital music services.

As a classically trained harpist having studied under Grace Wong of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Mikaela Davis has applied her unique philharmonic training to the world of indie rock/pop music. She spent four years with the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra before enrolling at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. During her time at Potsdam, Mikaela entered a battle of the bands competition and to her surprise ended up winning! That was the point when she decided that maybe this new direction could work.

Mikaela has independently released two previous albums, 2012’s self-titled LP and 2014’s Fortune Teller EP. Joined by Alex Coté (drums, percussion), Cian McCarthy (guitar, sitar, keys), and Shane McCarthy (bass), Mikaela plays harp and sings lead vocal. This current run of dates also includes Mikaela’s first appearance at Austin’s iconic Austin City Limits Music Festival this October. See all upcoming dates below.

*w/Lauren Shera
*^Supporting Joywave

9/29 - Vienna, VA at Jammin Java
9/30 - Asheville, NC at The Altamont Theatre*
10/1 - Nashville, TN at The Basement*
10/3 - Austin, TX at Austin City Limits Festival
10/6 - St. Louis, MO at Off Broadway*
10/7 - Chicago, IL at Schubas*
10/8 - Indianapolis, IN at THE HI-FI*
10/9 - Cleveland, OH at Beachland Tavern
10/10 - Rochester, NY at Anthology*^
10/15 - Philadelphia, PA at Boot & Saddle*^
10/16 - Allston, MA at Brighton Music Hall*^
10/17 - Albany, NY at The Hollow

Where to begin. A very talented artist, a fine original song, captivating vocals and a remix that takes the whole mix so much further.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Violent Vickie - The Paper Kites - Will Romeo / The 1984 Draft - Mick Clarke - Steel People

Violent Vickie - Open the Door . It's a massive welcome back to Beehive Candy for Violent Vickie who we have had the pleasure of featu...