Monday, 27 April 2015

Dioni - 'Dont Let Me Down'

Get in there quick folks, here's a chance to download a free copy of a really great song from Dioni Sydney’s Sweet, Soulful, Sassy Chanteuse - Australian Pop Singer! (someone else's words after 'Sydney's' - but hey they work). 

You only have a few days and I have to say if you love Dusty Springfield or Sandie Shaw, this is a must.

Quoting elsewhere - "Blessed with a heavenly voice and showing her masterful use of a huge range while incorporating warm beautiful lows and powerful honey dipped highs."
-O Kosmos

Her promo tells us that - Dioni has traveled extensively throughout Greece, performing in ancient theatres and stadiums in support of bands such as Faithless, Soft Cell, and The Chemical Brothers. She has also collaborated with many other respected European electronic artists. Dioni has performed as a solo artist in Australia, France, Germany, Greece, and Qatar. Dioni is an extraordinarily versatile artist who has a multilingual repertoire (including seven languages) and the ability to sing in multiple genres. 

More information on Dioni and her upcoming EP set for release on May 19th, 2015. is available on her official site.

Beehive Candy's verdict - love it, simple as that! Download HERE.

Sunday, 26 April 2015

Whilst We Were Asleep - Part One

I'm sat in front of my computer screen wondering where on earth to start. I could be clever here, do a month by month catch up of all the new music, that has come Beehive Candy's way since the beginning of 2013. I'm not sure who would be put off the quickest by that idea, you or me?

The idea (I think) is to try and get Beehive Candy going again, however two years on and the world of web music coverage has moved on considerably. There are (as you know) some really professional music sites around and as previously mentioned You Tube seems currently, to be a good first port of call for live concerts both official and unofficial.  So I think Beehive Candy will for a while at least, just do it's own thing and see how some new ideas can fit in. It was and still is the new music promos that have made me feel like getting Beehive Candy up and running again.

Therefore, for a while and most definitely in no order whatsoever, 'Whilst We Were Asleep' will feature some of the music that has come our way since we took a rather long siesta. These artists and songs are featured for a mixture of reasons such as, I like the music, it's different in a good way, maybe it tests a few boundaries, or it's just catchy.

So in no order at all lets start with Vienna Ditto. This song was released in February and they are due a new album any time now.



-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lexie Roth gained my attention in 2013. Lexie has been playing music since she was eight years old. Just ten years later, her debut album One Long Blink was released and gained attention as far as Japan. Since then, she has appeared on two of her father’s albums, Toolin’ Around Woodstock featuring Levon Helm on drums and his previous album Landscape. Most recently, "Call You My Hon" off her self-titled album was featured in the independent film shown in the Tribeca Film Festival "Maria My Love" produced and directed by Jasmine McGlade Chazelle in which starred the late Karen Black.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is more recent. Annie Woodward has an album due out around now, I'm often playing it, there something that just works for me.


Annie Woodward is a grunge folk-rocker born and raised in Scandinavia who originally set out to write lyrics for other bands. Through her projects in theatre Annie found her own voice in music and has been performing ever since. She has played two independent tours, one European and one in Northern America. Annie spent most of 2014 couch surfing and taking trains and buses across the US playing shows and making her first album.

This album, 2 faces on a clown is released on AmpÆr records, a small independent label founded by Annie and one of her childhood friends. Half of the record was produced by Mike Davidson in Boston and half by Sean Bloom in Los Angeles with the title-track produced by rock-singer Alexa Melo and mixed by Christian Hand who was the man behind the first Mowglis record. Annie's first album is the result of crowd-funding, luck and "really good friends".

The first single from 2 faces on a clown, Eager to talk debuted on Norwegian national radio summer of 2014. As of 2015 Woodward is again based in Oslo, Norway working with a full band and also writing and directing theatre for her company Playroom.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Back last September Rich Hopkins and The Luminarios released Tombstone. The promo at the time had this to say -

"Tombstone," from Rich Hopkins and The Luminarios, showcases a "wall of guitar" trademark style that alerts the listener that classic rock is alive and well. As the album unfolds, catchy pop hooks and epic rock harmonies are unveiled in a ceremony of searing sound. Complete with social commentary and a defined style, once described by Magnet  as a "blend of power pop, folk rock and Tom Petty/Neil Young classicism," listeners are reminded of the individuality of a Rich Hopkins and The Luminarios record upon first hearing "Tombstone."

Hopkins, who has been a part of the American music scene since 1985, is, amazingly, still an undiscovered talent to some.  Founding the Tucson, Ariz. based Sidewinders (RCA 1989-91)/Sand Rubies (Polygram 1993), Hopkins toured the U.S. and celebrated success with college/indie rock classics "Witchdoctor" and "We Don't Do That Anymore" (both went to #5 on the CMJ charts). In 1991, Hopkins formed Rich Hopkins and The Luminarios as a side project; it soon became his full time band when the Sand Rubies stopped touring. He has consistently cranked out new records and tours yearly in Germany/Europe (25 tours) where, in 1996, he was one of the first artists signed to Germany's Blue Rose Records.

A new member of the Tucson Musicians Museum (Class of 2013), Hopkins enters music history as the quintessential desert rocker, a constant in the bedrock of alternative music. As evidenced on "Tombstone," Hopkins possesses an ability to create unmistakable guitar tones that drive a hallmark sound and, as the years pass, he continues to reinvent and motivate himself for yet another album and tour.




The mention of Classic Rock usually leave me cold, bands that should have quit or moved on, seem to fill my mind, although rationally, I know there are some good bands today that have that label. If this si classic rock, then classic rock is alive and well.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Back to 2014 again and Eilidh McKellar. The promo had this to say - When trying to describe Eilidh McKellar, BBC Radio may have said it best: “No silly overplaying, just quiet confidence and genuine virtuosity.”

McKellar, a dazzling 20-year-old phenom from Edinburgh, Scotland, seems to be taking the industry by storm with her smoky rasp and astounding guitar chops. Her highly anticipated debut album, Delta Devil Dreams, was released on October 7, 2014.  The album is a collection of meticulously crafted songs that rock hard, go down easy and expose young Eilidh’s bluesy old soul.

Produced by Grammy award-winning Guy Eckstine, Delta Devil Dreams maintains a contemporary, indie feel while paying tribute to British rock royalty like Humble Pie, Led Zeppelin and The Yardbirds.

In the humble opinion of Beehive Candy, worth checking out (have we said that before?).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Finally we are back in 2013 again when the excellent (as all of the above musically are for me - there you go, well balanced journalism) Star Anna was introduced to Beehive Candy.

These words were said about her- "Star Anna is an American original.  She sings from a place of beauty that takes me to a higher place," says Pearl Jam's Mike McCready.

Guns 'n' Roses/Velvet Revolver's Duff McKagan says, "She is the real deal.  She will be a talent that we can all say that we saw her when. Guaranteed."

Star Anna's latest, Go To Hell (Spark & Shine Records), will find you agreeing with McCready and McKagan.

A dark, haunting collection of songs that capture the essence of betrayal, regret, and hope, Go To Hell delivers melodic, soaring folk-rock with an Americana heart, best described as Americana-soul, and it will penetrate right to your core.

Seattle, Washington, by way of Ellensburg, Star Anna's Go To Hell, comprised of ten tracks, was a hard record for her to make.  Her personal life was in upheaval as the record was being made; yet Star Anna persevered and came out better for it.

"There were a lot of battles going on at the time this record was being made and a lot of betrayals that I was dealing with that had been woven into my personal life as well as the life of this record," recalls Star.  "We decided to keep moving forward and make this record. The title speaks for itself."


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

OK then, well in all honesty that really is just a random taster, whilst looking back over the last couple of years it really is hard to know where to start. But start Beehive Candy has, I hope to follow this up with part two sometime real soon.

Monday, 13 April 2015

WARNING! Beehive Candy Pulse Detected.

Following an enormous sleep, it would appear that Beehive Candy has started to wake.

This could be a good thing, or this might be a dangerous set of circumstances. There may be life in the old dog yet, and reports of our demise may well be premature.

Planet Earth may be in a bad way, it's occupants happily marching off to oblivion, therefore a little light entertainment may ease the pain.

As it has taken this long to think about doing Beehive Candy again, may we suggest you check out the real meaning of life whilst we get our act together, that said something may well be stirring in the depths, let's hope it ain't the Kraken.

With a few new ideas knocking about, a mountain of new music arriving weekly and, some surprisingly decent music and songs hidden amongst the inevitable pile of  'can I be rich and famous' well no, not really material, Beehive Candy has cause to think, shall we, well shall we?

The message then is don't hold your breath quite yet, thanks for all the support and messages received in our inbox, and please above all else to some music promoters, stop pretending you have just visited Beehive Candy & love it, when we have been AWOL for two years, that said to all the others thanks for your past support, lets see what we can do for music fans, well lets see anyway...

Monday, 25 February 2013

Beehive Candy - Back Pretty Soon (We Hope).

Beehive Candy would like to offer our apology for everything, but we reckon a lot of the worlds problems are not specifically down to us.

We are however clearly 'missing in action' at present. It is our hope and intention to be back in action sometime in March. We plan to respond to all requests for missing rarities to be re-uploaded where appropriate.

Thank you to all the artists and their representatives who continue to send us many hours of new music. We will listen to all submissions, we intend to feature everything we enjoy.

We are currently relocating, suffering a shortage of helping hands and having to focus on boring stuff like earning money. Our passion for Beehive Candy remains, our ideas for making it even bigger are growing by the week, our ability to deliver is stretched to the limit, so please be patient and pop back soon, we look forward to your continued support.

Mike
Editor
Beehive Candy

Tuesday, 29 January 2013

Be Good Tanyas - Toronto, Canada 2002

RE-POSTED JANUARY 2013 - This is the fabulous Be Good Tanyas live at the Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto, Ontario, Canada back on the 11th April 2002.

Formed in Vancouver, British Columbia, The Be Good Tanyas first played together at tree planting camps in the Kootenays region of British Columbia. They eventually played their first concerts in Vancouver in the late 1990s. They got their name from a song by music pioneer Obo Martin ("Be Good Tanya").

After the release of the first two (of three) Be Good Tanyas albums, Trish Klein collaborated with Alison Russell under the band name Po' Girl, a project that as of April 2007 has resulted in three albums (Po'girl, Vagabond Lullabies, and Home to You). Also 2007 saw all members of the band pursuing their own projects. As of 2008, the band was on hiatus to unwind from the stresses of touring. This now appears to be a permanent split. Frazey Ford released her debut solo album, Obadiah, this year (2010). So lets hope that in time they change their minds and get back together, however check out any solo projects as each band member has incredible talent and hopefully alot more great music to share with us. 


Source: Soundboard.

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@256kbps. 

Genre: Folk, Country, Bluegrass

Set: Full Concert

Set List:

01  Horses
02  Only In The Past
03  Don’t You Fall
04  In My Time Of Dying
05  Reuben
06  Broken Telephone
07  It’s Not Happening
08  The Coo Coo Bird
09  Dog Song
10  Up Against The Wall
11  Cold Rain And Snow
12  The Littlest Birds
13  Sleep Dog Lullaby
14  In Spite Of All The Damage
15  Waiting Around To Die
16  Light Enough To Travel
17  Why Don’t You Do Right
18  Mary Don’t You Weep

Band Line Up:

Sam (Samantha) Parton, Frazey Ford, and Trish Klein.

Website: Official HERE. 

Comments:

Despite a few problems during the concert with sound in the monitors (which does not effect the soundboard recording) this is an excellent and quite intimate performance by the band.

New download link (January 2013) in comments.

Wednesday, 2 January 2013

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings - Charlottesville 1998

RE-POSTED JANUARY 2013 - This is Gillian Welch and David Rawlings live at the Jefferson Theater, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA, on either the 5th May 1998, or the 21st May 1998, depending on which version of this recording you have.

Feel free to elaborate if you can confirm which one is right. I became an instant fan of the music of Gillian Welch upon my first hearing of the incredible 'My Morphine' and would thoroughly recommend the studio version as well the live version within this set.

Dave Rawlings has been a long time 'live' partner for Gillian, and deserves equal billing, his musicianship is excellent, and without bothering to check it out, I think he has produced some of her studio output.

Source: Stereo soundboard direct recording.

Sound Quality: Very good MP3 @192kbps.

Genre: According to Wikipedia (wait for it), bluegrass, neo traditional country, Americana, old time, folk, American Primitivism.

Set: Full content from the nights first set.

Set List:

01 Tear My Still House Down
02 One More Dollar
03 The Devil Had A Hold Of Me
04 My Morphine
05 Winters Come And Gone
06 Miners Refrain
07 Honey Now
08 Paper Wings
09 True Life Blues
10 Red Clay Halo

Links: Official Gillian Welch site HERE.

Comments: I love the Wiki entry in term of genre, however I can add to that from her own press pack just to add to the intrigue for anyone unfamiliar with her music, I quote:

'Gillian Welch is an uncompromising musical renegade with four critically acclaimed albums and a Grammy Award under her belt. Writing and performing with her longtime partner, David Rawlings, they present their haunting songs like rock and roll chamber music, with two acoustic guitars and two voices welded together. Their tunes have been covered by such American legends as Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, and Solomon Burke. Their music defies easy categorization -- it embraces, and is in turn embraced by, the pre-eminent ambassadors of folk, bluegrass, R & B, punk, and rock and roll'.


Lets just say this is a good boot, for fans and the curious alike.

New download link (January 2013) in comments.

Tuesday, 1 January 2013

Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard - Austin Texas 1997

RE-POSTED JANUARY 2013 - This is Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard live in concert at La Zona Rosa, Austin, Texas, USA back on the 3rd December 1997.

This is a reasonably well circulated concert bootleg and is highly regarded for the superb audio quality, the musicianship, and the respect that both Willie and Merle have for each other, the songs and the band.

This concert just oozes quality the distinct lack of ego and the warmth and camaraderie that you pick up on between songs just adds to the overall splendour of this gig. I read elsewhere that "This is the first time ever they do “Pancho and Lefty”  together live and that its fitting that Merle forgets a few lyrics, seen that he didn’t even remember recording the song when they did it years ago".

The word legend is so over used in the music business, it does however go without saying that here we have two musical legends who have both lived life on the edge and lived to tell the tale. OK enough cliche's just enjoy this great music!  

Source: Soundboard.

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@192kbps.

Genre: Country, country rock, alt country.

Set:  Full Set.

Set List:

01. Funny How Time Slips Away
02. I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink
03. Big City
04. The Silver Eagle
05. Love is King
06. Crazy
07. Fiddle Solo
08. Be My Valentine
09. Old Fashioned Love
10. I Can Fly
11. Rosetta
12. Rosetta (take two)
13. I'm Not Trying to Forget You Anymore
14. Look What Thoughts Will Do
15. I Want To Be With You Always
16. If You Got The Money Honey I Got the Time
17. Pancho And Lefty
18. Reasons to Quit
19. Cotton College Song

01. On The Road Again
02. Why Do I Have to Choose
03. Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone
04. Whiskey River
05. Silver Wings
06. Stardust
07. Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground
08. I've Got No Reason to Quit
09. I Gotta Get Drunk
10. I'm the Man With the Blues
11. Blues Song
12. I've Got the Money if You Got the Time
13. Django

Website: Official Willie Nelson HERE, official Merle Haggard HERE.  

Band:

Willie Nelson - guitar & vocals
Merle Haggard - guitar & vocals
Johnny Gimble - fiddle
Mickey Rafael - harmonica
Fredie Powers - guitar & vocals
Bee Spears - bass
B.B. Morrison - bass
Don Markham - sax & trumpet
Kimi Rhoads - vocals

New download link (January 2013) in comments.

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...