Curtis Mayfield - Live & Studio Rarities

This is a wonderful collection of Curtis Mayfield rarities, that was released as a bootleg entitled 'Keep On Keepin' On'.

I think the original version came into circulation on silver disc, not that long after Curtis passed away ( ten years, this coming December).

Since 2003 it has appeared predominately on a limited number of Soul, R&B, and Funk enthusiasts web pages.

However Curtis Mayfield had a message that went way beyond just musical style or genre.

Part of the Wikipedia entry for him states:

'Curtis Mayfield is remembered for his introduction of social consciousness into R&B and for pioneering the funk style in the 1970s. Many of his recordings with the Impressions became anthems of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, and his most famous album, Super Fly, is regarded as an all-time great that influenced many and truly invented a new style of modern black music'.

It is the case that his 'social consciousness' in the 1970's drew me to his music.

Radio Caroline played 'We Got To Have Peace' on a good number of occasions, the presenters on board the radio ship at the time, clearly supporting that aspiration, as they struggled to remain on air, for simply having the audacity to play music the limited number of 'other' UK radio stations chose to ignore.

Source: From the CD edition (Original Silver), ripped via WAV to MP3 in this case, the original material was either studio soundboard, or FM radio broadcast.

Sound Quality: Stereo (extremely good) @ 192kbps.

Genre: Soul, R&B, Funk, Chicago Soul, Psychedelic Soul.

Track list:

Old Grey Whistle Test London England, January 1972:

01. Keep On Keepin' On
02. We Got To Have Peace (Omitted from this rip - see below)
03. Curtis on Discovery (interview)

Radio City Music Hall, New York NY, July 6, 1972:

04. Stone Junkie
05. Pusherman

In The Studio - 1972:

06. Freddie's Dead
07. Eddie, You Should Know Better
08. Curtis on Songwriting (interview)

The Push Expo - Chicago 1972:

09. We People Who Are Darker Than Blue
10. Give Me Your Love

The Midnight Special - Los Angeles CA, 1972:

11. Superfly
12. Freddie's Dead
13. Curtis on Superfly (interview)

The Midnight Special - Los Angeles CA, June 8, 1973:

14. Superfly
15. Back To The World
16. Curtis on Politics (interview)

1st Annual Black Caucus Benefit, Washington DC, September 25, 1974:

17. Give Me Your Love
18. Curtis on Curtis (interview)

The original source for this specific copy of the boot, has deleted track two, as this was released on the 'Old Grey Whistle Test DVD Vol. 1' in 2001. That's fine as the whole thrust of this bootleg was the rarity of the material.

Links: Wikipedia is to the point, and well edited on this occasion, it's a good reminder on the legacy of Curtis Mayfield - HERE.

Comments: What you have not got, you cannot pass on, ironically 'We Got to Have Peace' was a key track in my own personal discovering of Curtis Mayfield.

Sadly Curtis Mayfield was badly injured and suffered many health problems for much of the last decade of his life.

His music for me however, fits comfortably in to the very limited and hard to gain entry 'timeless' category.

Replacement download link in comments below - October 2011.

Purchase: A wondeful selection of over one hundred and fifty DRM free MP3's - Curtis Mayfield

Groucho Marx - I Never Kissed An Ugly Woman

This is wonderful, a bootlegged vinyl album of Groucho Marx, predominately singing songs, as only this comedy legend could have (no apology for using the over used legend word, in this case).

As I understand it, the actual vinyl bootleg album is very rare, so if you have one keep hold of it!

If you were a fan of The Marx Brothers, or indeed just Groucho, then this is a must have.

If you just like nostalgia, or appreciate comedy old and new, then this is a must have.

If you are just someone who must have, must haves then this is a...

Source: I do not know the specifics, I am guessing mainly from CBS radio programmes.

Sound Quality: Direct vinyl rip (1st generation), warm and old, with a few crackles, and so very, very listenable for fans, and interested parties a like (its stereo in places).

Genre: Comedy and musical styles from a bygone era.

Track list:

Hooray For Captain Spaulding
Just Wait To I Get Through With It
I Want My Shirt
Omaha, Nabraska
The Country's Gone To War
Go West Young Man
Dr Hackenbush
I'm Against It
Everybody Say's I Love You
Lydia, The Tattooed Lady
Fathers Day
Show Me A Rose

Links: Groucho Marx article from Wikipedia HERE. More free mp3 material available at the excellent Internet Archive Organisation HERE.

Comments: Ripped from the 'Amazing Kornyfone Record Label's' vinyl release, this really is pure comedy nostalgia.

A small amount of the material has also surfaced on a CD release entitled 'Gratuitously Groucho', back in 1993, however the audio quality is no better than this material.

My thanks to Mark for this wonderful (weird) rarity.

Free: You might need this, most players can handle the format, however - Free Nero Music Player HERE.

New file link in comments below - Re-uploaded 2012 (Stealth project).

Midnight Oil - Wembley Arena, London, 1990.

This is the second Midnight Oil live recording presented on 'Beehive Candy', this one a 'full on electric gig' that captures the band live in concert at The Wembley Arena, London, back in 1990.

Source: FM stereo recording from the Westwood One Show, broadcast on WHFS Annapolis, MD, USA, in 1990.

Sound Quality: Very good FM stereo, this is first generation from the TDK Cassette SA76 Dolby C recording (WMA 9.1 Rip CBR @ 96kps).

Genre: Rock, Alternative Rock.

Set: Majority of live concert.

Set List:

01 King Of The Mountain
02 Dream World
03 River Runs Red
04 Warakurna
05 Read About It
06 Read About It Cont.
07 The Dead Heart
08 Best Of Both Worlds
09 Kosciusko
10 Power and The Passion
11 Beds Are Burning
12 Bedlam Bridge, Forgotten Years
13 What's So Funny About Peace Love And Understanding
14 Hercules
15 Know Your Product
16 Blue Sky Mine

Links: The official (record label) site HERE.

Comments: Keeping it up to date in 2009:

By ROD McGUIRK, Associated Press Writer – Thursday March 12th 2009.

CANBERRA, Australia – Australia's environment minister swapped the political stage Thursday for one he trod in a former incarnation — as the country's loudest anti establishment rock star.

Peter Garrett, the front man for Midnight Oil, broke up the band in 2002 and pursued a career in politics that brought him into government just under two years ago.

But band members have come together to perform at a concert to raise funds for victims of Australia's worst wildfires, which killed more than 210 and destroyed thousands of homes in southern Victoria state last month.

Once known as champions of Aboriginal rights and the environment, Midnight Oil has not played a gig since their singer became a minister. Garrett has toed his Labor Party's center-left policy line, and tries to avoid questions about his former views.

Now, Garrett may have a dilemma on his hands because lyrics in some of the band's most popular songs do not fit comfortably within the political mainstream.

"Can Midnight Oil field 20 whole minutes of material that wouldn't get Mr. Garrett sacked if he were to read it out in Parliament rather than shrieking it while twitching violently to guitar music?" Sydney Morning Herald columnist Annabel Crabb wrote recently.

The band's 1987 breakthrough album "Diesel and Dust" called for Australia to be handed back to the Aborigines. U.S. and British imperialism were also favorite targets during the band's 26 years together.

They famously played an impromptu concert on a flatbed truck outside the Manhattan headquarters of Exxon Mobil Corp. in 1990 to protest the company's response to the ecological disasters caused by one of its tankers in Prince William Sound.

Standing six foot four inches (193 centimeters) tall and with a head shaved bald as it was throughout his music career, Garrett still stands out from his government colleagues even when in a gray suit and tie.

Garrett has insisted there will be no compromise on the play list.

"We won't be choosing songs on the basis of whether or not they're considered by political commentators to be political songs or not, we'll play songs for the fans," he told Australian Associated Press Wednesday.

Gary Morris, a longtime manager associate of the band, said Thursday there will be no satisfying some fans who contend the songs will have been picked specifically to keep the government happy.

The band opened a warm-up concert Thursday with the uncontroversial "Redneck Wonderland" from the 1998 album of the same name and Garrett played harmonica for a rendition of "Blue Sky Mine," a song about asbestos miners suffering lung disease.

Midnight Oil will perform another warm-up Friday. Two big concerts take place Saturday — one in Sydney, with Coldplay headlining, and the other in the Victorian capital of Melbourne, featuring Garrett's band.

Garrett's new career has created some friction with the band. Instead of rehearsing in Canberra on Wednesday, Garrett was representing Australia at coral conservation talks in Papua New Guinea.

Morris said that when he had recently protested about the double-booking, Garrett had replied: "I don't work for the Oils anymore. I work for the Australian government."

"I used to be able to persuade him after about an hour of discussion to do various things that he was reluctant to do, but when he pulled that line on me, I couldn't beat that one," Morris laughed.

Garrett flew into Canberra on Thursday morning and attended the final session of Parliament for the week before making the short journey to the theater.

Thursday's concert was the first time he has sung in public since 2005 when the band performed at a fund raiser for victims of the 2004 Asian tsunami.

Download link in comments below or click the picture.

Buy DRM free mp3's at Amazon.co.uk - Midnight Oil

Texas - Paradiso, Amsterdam, 1989.

Considering Texas only formed in 1986, and made their live debut in March 1988, by the time of this concert in June 1989, they sounded very polished and professional, having already scored a top ten hit in the UK and parts of Europe.

Was it really twenty years ago ?

This concert was performed at The Paradiso, Amsterdam, Holland on the 12th June 1989.

Many of their tour dates were bootlegged at this time, this concert circulated as 'First Dive' on CD, but did not include the full set.

Source: The concert was recorded by Dutch radio and broadcast at a later date.

Sound Quality: Very good FM Stereo rip @ 320kbps.

Genre: Indie Pop to Indie Rock.

Set: Majority of live concert (last track fades out).

Set List:

1.Fool for love.
2.Everyday now.
3.I don't want a lover.
4.Nowhere left to hide.
5.Fight the feeling.
6.Future is promises.
7.Tell me why ?
8.Livin' for the city.
9.A prayer for you.
10.I can't get next to you.
11.Dimples.
12.It hurts me too. (edited fade out).

Links: Official UK site HERE. The more comprehensive 'Texas In Demand' site HERE.

Comments: This is a really good recording of a very good performance. Texas went on to well deserved popularity and success, and a large part of that is down to just how good they are live in concert.

I have no details regarding the actual FM broadcast of this show, the sound quality does however, suggest it was captured on excellent audio equipment.

Download links in comments below.

Purchase: Albums through the Texas site HERE. Amazon MP3's - Texas.

Boz Scaggs - Expo 1985 - Live in Japan

This is Boz Scaggs live in concert at The Budokan, Tokyo, Japan, on March 15th, 1985, part of Expo 1985.

I do not intend to go on about Boz Scaggs in detail here, when his 'official' fan site has a mass of information that would keep the most ardent fan amused and interested for hours.

All I will say is, if you remain unfamiliar with Boz's music and you like a quality singer - song writer, who plays the guitar superbly, and enjoy anything from Rock to Soul, Blues to Pop, take a listen to this recording.

Source: Originally circulated on CD bootlegger's 'Fire Power' (FP9045), who used silver discs rather than CDR's, the original was recorded from an FM radio broadcast.

Sound Quality: Very good stereo FM (mp3 @ 192kbps).

Genre: Wikipedia reckons -Blue-eyed soul, Disco, Rock, Blues Rock, oh just listen and make your own decision if it's that crucial!

Set: Full live concert

Set List:

01 Dinah Flo - 3.37
02 Jojo - 5.54
03 I Got Your Number - 3.49
04 Isn't It Time - 5.26
05 Hercules - 5.47
06 Breakdown Dead Ahead - 5.24
07 Look What You've Done To Me - 6.02
08 Georgia - 4.35
09 We're All Alone - 4.41
10 Miss Sun - 3.07
11 Lido Shuffle - 5.23
12 Middle Man - 6.00
13 Lowdown - 6.47
14 Angel You - 5.20

Total 1 hour 12 minutes.

Band:

Boz Scaggs - Guitar (and the main man singing wise).
Kevin Dukes - Guitar
Carlos Vega - Drums
Scott Plunkett - Synthesizer
Tom Keane - Piano
John Madrid - Trumpet
Venetta Fields - Backing Vocals
Lorna Willard - Backing Vocals

Links: Official Site HERE, much better official fan site HERE.

Comments: Some CD cover art suggests the original source of this recording was soundboard, however it's from the radio broadcast, that just happened to be captured through a quality stereo receiver on to an excellent tape deck.

Download link in comments below - or better still, just click on the picture above.

Purchase: There's a fine selection of DRM free MP3's available worldwide - Boz Scaggs

The Tubes - Darted In My Own Armchair - 1976

My first memories of The Tubes, was hearing Radio Caroline play 'Don't Touch Me There' back in 1976, at a time when BBC Radio & the UK's fledgling commercial stations bent over backwards to ban anything that was remotely risque, or questionable... well anything!

A number of The Tubes band members were students at the same high school in Phoenix, Arizona, as Alice Cooper, what were they putting in the water back there and then?

This recording was made at a time when The Tubes were arguably moving towards their first creative peak, which was both visual and musical.

This then is The Tubes live at the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, USA, on the 26th June 1976.

Source: Tricky one this. I thought it was definitely an expanded version of a King Biscuit Flower Hour recording, however their site partly contradicts this, any how it's a professionally mixed recording.

Sound Quality: Very good stereo soundboard quality @ 192kbps.

Genre: Rock, from Pop Rock to New Wave.

Set: Fifty minutes - predominately the latter part of the concert.

Set List:

1a. Young and Rich - Grandiose Instrumental Overture
1b. What do you Want From Life.
2. Tubes World Tour.
3. Love will Keep us Together.
4. Pimp.
5a. Mondo Bondage
5b. Don't Touch me There.
6. Boy Crazy.
7. Stand up and Shout.

Band:

Rick Anderson - bass
Michael Cotton - synthesizers
Prairie Prince - drums
Bill Spooner - guitar, vocals
Roger Steen - guitar, harmonica, vocals
Re Styles - vocals
Fee Waybill - lead vocals
Vince Welnick - keyboards

Links: Official Site HERE.

Comments: This bootleg recording originally circulated on a vinyl album entitled 'Darted In My Own Armchair' it was subsequently released on CD in Italy in 1991 as 'The Tubes In Concert 1976'.

The Intro to 'Love Will Keep Us Together' is the Captain Beefheart tune 'Gimme Dat Harp' featuring Roger on blues harp.

The band released their second album 'Young and Rich' in 1976, and following a one month residency at Bimbos, San Francisco, continued with 'The Tubes World Tour 1976'.

Download link in comments below - or just click on the picture above.

Purchase: MP3's - The Tubes

Nils Lofgren - Pinkpop Festival 1977

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.

Purchase: MP3's Nils Lofgren

The Rutles - Rehearsals

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 Arrived 3:25

Now She's Left You 1:41

Number One 2:40

Love Life 3:23

Goose-Step Mama 2:34

It's Looking Good 1:56

I Must Be In Love 2:17

Baby Let Me Be 2:44

Good Times Roll 3:08

Let's Be Natural 2:25

Get Up And Go 4:45

Blue Suede Schubert 2:35

Between Us 2:14

Piggy In The Middle 2:47

Living In Hope 2:39

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

Rockpile - Live In Concert 1979

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.

Genre: Rock, Rockabilly, Pub Rock.

Set: Ten songs split over two gigs.

Set List:

(Probable Palladium New York 20th August 1979)

1. Crawling From The Wreckage 3:03

2. Girls Talk 3:34

3. Cruel To Be Kind 3:07

4. I Hear You Knocking 2:29

5. Cracking Up 2:46

6. Jailhouse Rock 2:34

(Possibly Bottom Line New York 1979).

7. Deborah 2:46

8. No More Mr Nice Guy 2:48

9. Ju Ju Man 3:15

10. Heart Of The City 5:09

Links: Official Dave Edmunds Site HERE.

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.

Free: Nero Music Player HERE.

Download link in comments below - or just click on the picture.

Purchase: MP3's. Dave Edmunds

New (and not so new) Music Round Up - March 2009

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.

Listen:



MP3: In The Parlor
Web Link: My Space
Pre-Order - Kora Records

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.

Listen:



MP3: Bayonets
Web Link: My Space.

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'.

Listen:



MP3: Body Of Years
Web Link: Official Site, My Space.
Buy: Mother Mother 2008 release

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.

Listen:



MP3: Land Locked.
Web Link: My Space.
Buy: Dakotafish Music.

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.

Listen:



MP3: Dark Horse
Web Link: My Space.
Buy: Bowerbirds.

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.

Listen:



MP3: Nothing To Much.
Web Link: Official Site.
Buy: The Fireman.

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!

Listen:



MP3: Highway Of Endless Dreams.
Web Link: Official Site.
Buy: M83.

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.

Listen:



MP3: Started Out With Nothing.
Web Link: My Space.
Buy: Seasick Steve.

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.

Listen:



MP3: How I Became Paranoid.
Web Link: My Space.
Buy: CSS.

Steppenwolf - Live In London 1972

This is Steppenwolf live in London, at some point in the summer of 1972. This concert has circulated on vinyl and Cd as 'Five Fingered Discount'.

Source: Possibly soundboard, however the recording sounds more like FM, sorry cannot confirm.

Sound Quality: Stereo 320kbps mp3 (Good clean sound).

Genre: Rock, from 60's psychedelic to Boogie and Blues.

Set: Edited to 45.30 minutes - vinyl album running length, there are a few 'harsh' edits between some tracks.

Set List:

01. Magic Carpet Ride 3:47
02. Sookie Sookie 3:28
03. Five Finger Discount 4:38
04. Hey Lawdy Mama 3:40
05. The Pusher 3:51
06. News I Can Use 5:05
07. Monster 9:03 --> a) Monster
--> b) Suicide
--> c) America
08. Nothin Like It 3:52
09. Hot Summer Night 3:18
10. Born To Be Wild 4:43

Links: Official web site HERE.

Comments: There are few details regarding this particular concert.

John Kay toured Europe as The John Kay Band in 1972, and also as Steppenwolf on the same bill, John Kay fronting both groups.

It is therefore likely to be from one of these gigs, and so, this might be the complete 'Steppenwolf' show, from the tour (are you still with me?)...

Whatever this is a feisty performance with the London audience clearly loving every minute.

Reloaded August 2015 see comments.

Mott The Hoople - Santa Monica Civic Auditorium - 1974

This is a very good copy of the classic Mott The Hoople bootleg, known on a double (original version vinyl) album as 'Rest In Peace' and on CD as 'Flash And Crash'.

The 'boot' notes suggest the concert recording was performed on the 13th April, however the poster from the gig, gives the concerts (matinee and evening or was it evening and very late evening?) as Friday 12th April 1974, perhaps they performed over two days at this venue.

The venue itself, was definitely the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, California, USA.

Whatever! it was a long time ago, mind you, the support act seems familiar...

Source: FM Radio Broadcast (stereo local station).

Sound Quality: Very good - and as I understand from CD rip, hey just listen).

Genre: Rock, Hard and Boogie, Glam Rock (ouch I hate that expression).

Set: Not complete. This version of the show was edited to accommodate the Cd's running time, and omits the Jupiter intro, Here Comes The Queen (with guitarist Ariel Bender on vocals) and Born Late 58 (with bassist Overend Watts on vocals).

Set List: (this edition).

1. American Pie

2. Golden Age Of Rock 'n' Roll

3. Sucker

4. Roll Away The Stone/Sweet Jane

5. Rest In Peace

6. One Of The Boys

7. Hymn For The Dudes

8. Marionette

9. Drivin' Sister/Crash Street Kidds

10. Violence

11. All The Way From Memphis

12. All The Young Dudes

13. Walkin' With A Mountain

Links: The 'official' site recently developed for the bands 40th anniversary London gigs scheduled (and sold out) for October 2009, has a great selection of other links, and of course is of interest in it's own right. - Just click HERE. Wikipedia history HERE.

Comments: This has been copied from a Mott The Hoople fan site.

The show (the second that day!) finds Ian struggling with bronchitis, but this is only noticeable at the start of the set. Sucker bristles with menace as always, and the Roll Away The Stone/Sweet Jane coupling is always a delight. Hymn For The Dudes is another delight before the band launch into Marionette - brutal on record and visually totally stunning. They then crank up the octane even more for the medley Drivin' Sister/Crash Street Kidds/Violence.

The same article goes on to recommend this concert as the best bootleg available for Mott The Hoople, in terms of sound quality and content.

Was it just five short years (1969 - 1974) that Mott The Hoople did their thing ? As reforming goes, you have to hand it to them !

Reloaded - 29/May/2015 - download link in comments. 
Buy mp3's at Amazon.co.uk - Mott The Hoople

The Sugarcubes - Live In Manchester - 1988

This is The Sugarcubes, arguably Iceland's most successful 'contemporary' music band, and as I am sure you already know, inclusive of Bjork, who within and outside of Iceland, has gone on to even greater musical success.

Recorded at Manchester University Student's Union, Manchester, England on the 14th May 1988, this is part of The Sugarcubes gig that night, that was then broadcast on BBC Radio One.

Source: FM Radio Broadcast (BBC Radio).

Sound Quality: Very Good stereo 'off air' recording, converted to 320kbps mp3 quality.

Genre: Alternative Rock, popular in both Europe and on USA College radio at the time.

Set: Live recording for BBC Radio - as I understand part of the nights gig. (Total playing time 29:48 minutes).

Set List:

1.Motorcrash.
2.Tidal Wave.
3.Planet.
4.Deus.
5.Traitor.
6.Water.
7.Sick For Toys.
8.Birthday.
9.Delicious Demon.

Band Line Up:

Björk Guðmundsdóttir (vocals, keyboards)
Einar Örn Benediktsson (vocals, trumpet)
Sigtryggur Baldursson (drums)
Þór Eldon (guitar)
Bragi Ólafsson (bass)
Einar Melax (keyboards)

Links: The Sugarcubes have very low commercial or informative web presence. To check out their discography use Bjorks official site HERE. The Sugarcubes record label (One Little Indian) pages are HERE.

Comments: The Sugarcubes were far more than just Bjork, you only have to listen to their music to know that, and yet without Bjork a key element of their chemistry and sound, would be missing.

I would imagine that I, along with many people in the UK, became aware of The Sugarcubes through John Peel's late night BBC radio show, and having listened, bought and enjoyed their music as a direct result. Their seemingly untimely conclusion was a disappointment.

However Bjorks solo debut album, built very naturally on their 'then' sound, and was very real compensation.

That said The Sugarcubes unique and adventurous sound should never be under estimated, as I am sure Bjork would continue to endorse.

Download link in comments below or click the picture.

Buy DRM free mp3's at Amazon.co.uk - Sugarcubes

Midnight Oil - Acoustic 1993

This is Midnight Oil performing live at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London, on the 23rd June 1993.

Source: Soundboard.

Sound Quality: Excellent stereo at 192kbps

Genre: Rock, Alternative Rock.

Set: Live acoustic performance, duration of recording: 00:53:54


Set List:

01 - Feeding Frenzy
02 - The Dead Heart
03 - My Country
04 - Blue Sky Mine
05 - Sell My Soul
06 - Truganini
07 - Warakurna
08 - Short Memory
09 - Beds Are Burning
10 - Earth And Sun And Moon

Band Line Up:

Bones Hillman: Bass, Vocals
Martin Rotsey: Guitars, Vocals
Robert Hirst: Drums, Vocals
Peter Garrett: Lead Vocals
Jim Moginie: Guitars, Keyboards, Vocals

Links: The official (record label) site HERE, and another comprehensive Wikipedia entry HERE.

Comments: This concert first surfaced as a bootleg in September 1993, titled 'Acoustic 1993'. The recording was notable for the excellent sound quality, which for acoustic sets makes all the difference.

Midnight Oil are one of Australia's finest rock bands in my personal opinion, both in the studio and in concert, this little gem, gives some insight into one aspect of the band, I have another 'electric' performance, that will follow in due course to provide the 'balance'.

Reloaded - 29/May/2015 - download link in comments. 
Buy DRM free mp3's at Amazon.co.uk - Midnight Oil

Steve Earle & The Train Band - Live in Atlanta 1995

This is Steve Earle & The Train Band live in concert at the Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA, USA, on the 30th November 1995.

Source: Very low generation copy of stereo soundboard recording.

Sound Quality: Excellent (very clean, slightly remastered when transferred to digital).

Genre: From Country to Rock (very diverse & hard to categorise at times in his career).

Set: Full concert including encores.

Set List:

Part One:

1. Mystery Train Part II
2. Hometown Blues
3. The Devil's Right Hand
4. Tom Ames' Prayer
5. Angel Is The Devil
6. Sometimes She Forgets
7. You Know The Rest
8. Goodbye
9. Band intros
10. The Other Kind
11. My Old Friend The Blues
12. Someday
13. South Nashville Blues
14. Ellis Unit One

Part Two:

1. I Ain't Ever Satisfied
2. Rivers Of Babylon (Dowe/McNaughton)
3. Nothin' Without You
4. When Will We Be Married? (Trad)
5. Ruby Ridge (Rowan) *
6. Free Mexican Air Force (Rowan) *
7. I'm Looking Through You (Lennon/McCartney)
8. White Freight Liner Blues (Van Zandt)
9. Jordan Am A Hard Road To Travel (Emmett) **
10. Northern Winds (Blake)
11. Ben McCulloch
12. Copperhead Road

Encores:

13. Guitar Town
14. Down The Road

* with: Peter Rowan on lead vocals
** with: Norman Blake on lead vocals

Train Band Line Up:
Peter Rowan - vocals, guitar.
Norman Blake - vocals, guitar.
Roy Husky Junior - upright bass.

Links: A concise summary of Steve Earle's eventful career to date HERE. Official website (kept up to date) HERE.

Comments: If you are a fan of Steve Earle's music, you will love this, if not, this makes a pretty good starting point.

This concert took place around a year after Steve had been released form jail (for fire arms and drug offences). He kicked his long standing drug habit in prison, and when released set about recording and touring.

His music diversified and the live performances improved substantially.

Steve continues to be a very active, this concert is just a point in time, and as previously mentioned a good point to discover the man.

Download links in comments below.

Buy Steve Earle mp3's at Amazon.co.uk - Steve Earle

Madness - Aqua Folies - New York 1983

This is a classic Madness bootleg originally circulated on CD as 'Aqua Folies' no doubt, as a result of the concert taking place at 'The Pier', Hudson River, New York City, USA.

This was part of their late summer (1983) USA tour, the actual gig took place on the 22nd August 1983.

Source: FM stereo broadcast, with advertisements and presenter links removed.

Sound Quality: Superb, 320kbps mp3 stereo version, fans and audio 'buffs' will not be disappointed.

Genre: Two Tone (how many record labels becomes a genre?), English Ska, OK it's great pop, that stands the test of time.

Set: Full set including encores, nicely edited as mentioned above.

Set List:

1. House Of Fun
2. Disappear
3. Close Escape
4. My Girl
5. Night Boat To Cairo
6. Tomorrows Dream
7. Razor Blade Alley
8. Tomorrows Just Another Day
9. Grey Day
10. Shut Up
11. Madness
12. Baggy Trousers
13. Our House
14. Madness (Is All In The Mind)
15. It Must Be Love
16. Primrose Hill
17. One Step Beyond

Links: A reasonably well rounded Wikipedia summary HERE. My Space (with forthcoming tour details) HERE.

Comments: I have only seen Madness live once, (in London, UK), and much later on than this.

I was absolutely 'blown away' by the fun, musical quality, showmanship, energy, and commitment, along with the fact that the audience very soon became a part of the whole event.

This concert does justice to that memory. There's probably a little more adrenalin and raw talent, and a tad less 'audience interaction' than they get on home soil, but all in all, it confirms to me they have been a consistently great band since those early, ground breaking days in the latter 1970's.

Download links in comments below.

Madness albums can be purchased at Amazon.co.uk - Madness

Nick Lowe - Live In New York - 1985

This is Nick Lowe and His Cowboy Outfit (featuring Paul Carrack), Live at The Ritz Theatre, New York, on the 19th October 1985.

Source: WNEW 102.7FM stereo broadcast.

Sound Quality: Stereo very good 'off air' recording - first generation.

Genre: Pub Rock, New Wave, from rock to country to soul to pop.

Set: Majority of concert (cannot confirm if WNEW edited out any stage of the gig).

Set List:

1. Raging Eyes 2:37
2. She Don't love Nobody 3:43
3. Cracking Up 2:41
4. Mary Provost 2:58
5. One Woman Man 2:11
6. Saint Beneath The Paint 3:26
7. Your My Wildest Dream 3:06
8. Shake And Pop 4:03
9. Tempted 4:03
10. Cruel To Be Kind 3:43
11. Rose Of England 3:30
12. Darling Angel Eyes 2:41
13. Seven Nights OF Rock 3:12
14. I Knew The Bride 3:10
15. I Need You 3:28
16. How Long 6:44
17. Half A Boy 2:59

Links: Very good Wikipedia synopsis HERE. Official site HERE.

Comments: Nick Lowe is one of those artists, that I assume is always busy doing something.

Either touring, producing, creating, always an individual, busy in the very 'engine room' of rock'n'roll.

These day's he can fill London's Albert Hall for live shows rather than a sweaty, smoke filled pub venue, somewhere in the suburbs.

Take a look at the Wikipedia article if you have five minutes, and remind yourself of his creative achievements, influence, and down to earth pretentious free career. If only more rock'n'roll stars were like this !

Download link in comments below.

A selection of Nick's CD's are available at Amazon - Nick Lowe