James Taylor - Amsterdam 1986

This is a really fine concert recording of James Taylor back in 1986 a period in which he had put many of his personal problems of the early eighties behind him and was back on form both with albums and live concerts. The previous December he had married actress Kathryn Walker and in this concert he comes across as upbeat and enjoying himself.

From the Carre Theatre, Amsterdam, Netherlands on the 24th March 1986 this is James Taylor with a superb group of musicians and singers.

Source: Soundboard.

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@192kbps

Genre: Country, Folk, Rock.

Set: Full set.

Set List:

01 Close Your Eyes
02 Something in the Way She Moves
03 Sweet Baby James
04 Wondering
05 Up on the Roof
06 That's Why I'm Here
07 Only a Dream in Rio
08 Don't Let me be Lonely Tonight
09 Handyman
10 Walking Man
11 Country Road
12 Your Smiling Face
13 Long Ago and Far Away
14 Millworker
15 Traffic Jam
16 Sea Cruise
17 Everyday
18 Only One

Links: Official site HERE.

Comments:

James mentions his Rio concert from January 1985 during this gig, years later he reflected that this was a significant turning point for him in becoming energised again in terms of performing and recording. He also mentions how good the venue is. The Carre Theatre is possibly the most famous theatre in Holland and dates back to 1887 when in it was initially a circus venue. See you learn something when you drop by the Beehive!

Download link in comments below or click on the picture.

Buy: Mp3's at Amazon.co.uk James Taylor

Beehive Recommends - The Wooden Sky

The Wooden Sky undertook a month-long tour entitled “Bedrooms and Backstreets” in August, The Wooden Sky are now eager to share their experiences with audiences everywhere. With the help of producer and director Scott Cudmore, a documentary capturing the beautiful and strange reality behind the unconventional tour is being released in ten parts, with Part One & Two accessible now on Vimeo.com.

When the Wooden Sky embarked on their summer tour beginning in Guelph, Ontario on July 19th, they were ready for the excitement and uncertainty they’d be sure to face along the way. Avoiding traditional venues and performances, the band continuously pleased crowds while performing old favorites along with new tunes from their album “If I Don’t Come Home You’ll Know I’m Gone” (released on August 25th with Black Box Music/Fontana North). The documentary reveals personal insights of the Canadian musicians as they performed in unique locations, such as the hull of a boat, a canoe against rocky mountains in Banff, a gondola at the top of Whistler, and within a giant field of beautiful sunflowers.

Take a listen to the excellent 'Something Hiding For Us In The Night' from The Wooden Sky.

Listen:
Something Hiding For Us In The Night



MP3: HERE.
Web Site: MySpace.
Buy: Wooden Sky
Watch: A Documentary In Pieces.

Jethro Tull - Switzerland 2005

This is hardly an exclusive for this site however this was a really fine concert by Jethro Tull, and I thought it well worth a share here. There is a pro shot DVD of this in circulation however if you are happy just to listen then, this is a good audio copy of the show. This then is Jethro Tull live at Estival Jazz, Piazza Della Riforma, Lugano, Switzerland back on July 9th, 2005.

Source: Soundboard.

Sound Quality: Very good stereo.

Genre: Folk rock, progressive rock, blues-rock.

Set: Full set.

Set List:

01 Announcement (0:52.73)
02 Aqua Intro (0:21.20)
03 For A Thousand Mothers (4:49.17)
04 Nothing Is Easy (5:39.43)
05 Jack In The Green (3:08.01)
06 Serenade To A Cuckoo (3:56.28)
07 Beggars Farm (5:55.36)
08 Boris Dancing (3:56.58)
09 Weathercock (4:54.12)
10 We Five Kings (3:49.45)
11 Up To Me (4:07.74)
12 Boureè (6:15.52)
13 Mother Goose (6:39.50)
14 Empty Cafe (2:23.10)
15 Farm On The Freeway (7:07.39)
16 Hymn 43 (4:20.40)
17 A New Day Yesterday (6:09.56)
18 Budapest (11:25.06)
19 Aqualung (10:33.19)
Encore :
20. Locomotive Breath (5:40.27)
21. Protect And Survive (1:03.02)
22. Cheerio (2:00.50)

Band Line Up:

Ian Anderson - Vocals , flute , guitar
Martin Barre - Guitars , mandolin
Doane Perry - Drums , percussion
Andrew Giddings - Keyboards , accordion
Jonathan Noyce - Bass

Links: Official site HERE.

Comments: Having previously featured a show by Jethro Tull from way back in 1969 when they were fundamentally still a blues rock band, the contrast with this gig is obviously substantial. However surprisingly both gigs feature the song 'Nothing Is Easy' albeit very different versions.

Download link in comments below or click on the picture.

Buy: Mp3's at Amazon.co.uk Jethro Tull

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - Holland 1980

This is Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD) live in concert back on the 12th December 1980 at Rijswijk in Holland.

The bands first album released in 1980 showcased the band's live set at the time, and was basically recorded by the Paul Humphreys & Andy McCluskey duo, although included some guest drums from Id drummer Mal Holmes, and saxophone from fellow Wirral (Merseyside) musician Martin Cooper.

DinDisc arranged for the song "Messages" to be re-recorded (produced by Gong bassist Mike Howlett) and released as a single and this gave the band their first hit. Dave Hughes a founder member of Dalek I Love You who joined OMD in early 1980 featured in the "Messages" video.

Source: Soundboard (pre AM broadcast).

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@320kbps

Genre: New Wave, Synth Pop.

Set: Full set.

Set List:

1. Pretending to see the future
2. Almost
3. Messages
4. The more I see you
5. Statues
6. Red frame white light
7. Electricity
8. Bunker soldiers
9. Enola Gay
10. I'm waiting for the man

Links: Official site HERE.

Comments: By the time of this gig the band had broken through with a hit single and debut album. Winston the tape recorder was augmented with live drums from Mal Holmes, and Dalek I Love You's Dave Hughes on synths. Hughes then left OMD in November 1980, and by the time of this concert had been replaced by Martin Cooper. OMD has recently announced a new studio album called "History of Modern," which will be released sometime in 2010.

Download link in comments below or click on the picture.

Buy: Mp3's at Amazon.co.uk Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark

Beehive Recommends - Rubblebucket

It's not only my opinion that Rubblebucket are one outstanding band, Seven Days Vermont named them best band of 2008, and others have equally applauded their excellent music and live performances.

Their second album (following up on last years debut 'Rose Dream') is simply titled Rubblebucket, and cutting straight to the point I absolutely love it.

This is one summary of the band that helps lift the lid off Rubblebucket:

Defined as a polyrhythmic dance/rock band, Rubblebucket is a nine-piece group that combines the sounds of various brass instruments with catchy rhythms and soulful lead vocals. The resulting sound has hints of dance, rock, and funk, and is anything but ordinary. The unique music that this youthful, energetic group has managed to produce is universally appealing, as it defies genre boundaries and combines true musical talent with a spirited, positive attitude.

Led by trumpeter Alex Toth and with the incredible vocals of Kalmia Traver their MySpace site adds 'Comparisons have been drawn to Talking Heads, Fela Kuti, Bjork and James Brown, but Rubblebucket's afro-beat inspired, trip-rock soul experience is beyond classification'.

If all of this is sounding like an over the top plug for Rubblebucket then I apologise, it's just that they are really, really one hot outfit. As things stand the new album may become my favorite of the year OK so it's still only October however as a contender, Rubblebucket have raised the bar considerably. The following track is just one dimension of the band, there is a lot more to them !

Listen:
'bikes'



Websites: MySpace and Rubblebucket.com
Buy: HERE.