Grin - Washington DC 1972

Before forming Grin, Nils Lofgren had already played piano in Neil Young's Band (and whilst with Grin he performed on the album 'After The Gold Rush').

I understand that it was on the strength of his membership of Neil Young's band that Grin obtained a record contract and in their short history they recorded four albums.

Nils Lofgren of course went on to become highly successful as a solo artist, along with his long standing membership of the E Street Band.

Having discovered Nils Lofgren through his 'Cry Tough' release in 1976, I rapidly bought his back catalogue of Grin albums, and was surprised by how diverse the songs were.

This is Grin live in concert at the Lisner Auditorium, George Washington University, Washington DC back on the 1st December 1972.

Source: Soundboard

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@320kbps.

Genre: Rock, Blues, Country Rock.

Set: Full Set.

Set List:

01. I Had Too Much
02. Ain't Love Nice
03. Love Or Else
04. Please Don't Be Long
05. Moon Tears
06. Love Again
07. Heart On Fire
08. Slippery Fingers
09. Sad Letter
10. Heavy Chevy
11. Like Rain
12. End Unkind
13. See What Love Can Do

Band Line Up:

Bob Berberich: drums & lead vocals
Nils Lofgren: guitar, piano, and co-lead vocals
Tom Lofgren: guitar & vocals
Bob Gordon: bass and vocals

Links: Nils Lofgren Official HERE. Good fan site with details on Grin albums HERE.

Comments: Nils Lofgren had formed Grin with bassist Bob Gordon, and drummer Bob Berberich, in 1969 and the group played in the venues throughout the Washington, D.C. area.

The band had a strong local fan base, releasing four critically acclaimed albums of catchy, mixed rock, from 1971 to 1974, with guitar as Lofgren's primary instrument. Lofgren wrote the majority of the group's songs, and often shared vocal duties with other members of the band (primarily drummer Bob Berberich). After the second album Nils added brother Tom Lofgren as a rhythm guitarist. Grin failed to hit the big time, and were eventually released by their record company.

This recording catches the band playing on home turf, with a storming set of their own material.

Reloaded - 29/May/2015 - download link in comments. 

Buy: - MP3's at Amazon.co.uk Grin and Nils Lofgren.

Beehive Recommends - Darla Farmer

I am told that Darla Farmer "arose from the kind of disenchantment one can only experience when living in the musical mold known as Nashville. This septet is a rousing douse of musical Discordia, who makes it their goal to sonically please, displease, and please again.

Inspired by Tom Waits, The Blood Brothers, Man Man and other musical outfits alike, their arrangements include guitar, bass, drums and vocals, topped with a blasting horn section, piano and violin. Using this instrumentation to their advantage, Darla Farmer is simultaneously tumultuous and triumphant; chaotic and organized"

Well having listened to them live I would have to say that's a fairly accurate summary of the whole thing, and to add my own opinion, they are best listened to fully awake otherwise you might miss something !

Listen:

'The Strangler Fig' & 'The Quotient' (both live).

MP3's: HERE.

Website: MySpace

Buy: Rewiring The Electric Forest

Darla Farmer’s first full-length album, “Rewiring the Electric Forest,” (2008 Paper Garden Records) creates a musical mattress made of rock and roll springs, pop comfort, and seedy industrial firmness accentuated by a pillow of psychedelic cerebral focus. Their music leads the listener to a bedding of insightful melody, but not without the necessary turmoil to keep you up at night.

Siouxsie and The Banshees - Hamburg 1982

Good quality live recordings of Siouxsie and The Banshees appear to be a bit thin on the ground, which is surprising considering they have toured regularly down the years and the whole punk & new wave scene in the early days was hardly water tight against bootlegging.

So for one of my favorite bands that came out of the original punk music scene, on this occasion I will have to settle for a pretty good audience recording of a very good live show.

This is the band live at Markthalle, Hamburg, Germany way back on December 12th, 1982.

Source: Audience Taped

Sound Quality: Very Good (for audience).

Genre: Punk Rock, Post Punk, Gothic, New Wave.

Set: Full Set.

Set List:

01. Israel
02. Fireworks
03. Green fingers
04. Paradise place
05. Cascade
06. Melt!
07. Pulled to bits
08. Nightshift
09. Sin in my heart
10. Christine
11. Slowdive
12. Painted bird
13. Arabian knights
14. Spellbound
15. Cocoon

Links: Official site HERE.

Comments: Some audience recordings are awful. This one is highly listenable and the audio quality stable through out, giving a really good feel for the show.

The Banshees followed their 1981 album (Juju) in 1982 with A Kiss in the Dreamhouse. The record, featuring strings on several numbers, was an intentional contrast to their previous work, with Sioux later describing it as a "sexy album".

The British press greeted it enthusiastically. Richard Cook in the NME finished his review with this sentence: "I promise. This music will take your breath away." At that time John McGeoch was struggling with alcohol problems, and was hospitalized on his return to a promotional trip to Madrid. The band fired him shortly thereafter. Steven Severin asked Robert Smith to take over guitarist duties again; Robert Smith accepted and rejoined the group in November 1982.

It is highly likely then that The Cures Robert Smith is part of the line up for this gig.

Download link - either click on the above picture or go to comments below.

Buy: - MP3's at Amazon.co.uk - Siouxsie And The Banshees

Beehive Recommends - The Postmarks

I like The Postmarks. I have always had a liking for female vocals on pop, rock, indie you name it. However it only works if the music is good, the ideas great, and the whole thing pretty much top dollar.

An American band that can play with a strong retro sound, hints of France and England, well now that's just plain teasing!

Their new album 'Memoirs at the End of the World' was recently released, and gets the mighty Beehive approval. The mixture of classic pop sound, with sweeping orchestration does it for me.

A little more detail:

'The Postmarks are led by Tel Aviv born female singer/songwriter Tim Yehezkely, a beautiful, yet inscrutable individual possessed of a soft-textured voice that's simultaneously seductive and detached. Memoirs is the follow up to the band's 2007 debut self-titled album and 2008 covers album entitled By The Numbers. The band has a headlining tour under their belt, played Lollapalooza in 2007 and has toured with Múm, The Apples in Stereo, The Album Leaf, and The New Pornographers. They recently got back from a series of dates with stellastarr* and Wild Light and will be back on the road this fall. Look for upcoming Miami and Orlando in-stores at Bloomingdales and a one off in Orlando with Peter Bjorn and John'.

Listen:

My Lucky Charm



MP3: HERE.
Website: MySpace.
Purchase:The Postmarks

Beehive Recommends - As Tall As Lions

According to their press release 'New York’s As Tall As Lions’ hard work has paid off in spades. Their heavy touring history and solid fanbase has helped land them the coveted direct support slot to MUTEMATH’s 35-date “Armistice Tour,” this Fall, starting September 22^nd in Cincinnati , OH' .

“This is a great tour, we have been waiting for one like this,” said ATAL frontman, Dan Nigro. “MUTEMATH writes intelligent songs and has a passionate audience, and we like to think that we do too.”

OK so I give them a listen, not sure what to expect from a band name dropping another as part of the promotion. Well getting straight to the point, I am impressed. They have the ability to both rock, and take it a little more gently, the songs are crafted in layers that certainly please my taste, so they get a share on the Beehive! Dont take my word for it, check em out.

Listen:

'Circles'.



MP3: HERE.
Website: My Space HERE Official HERE.
Purchase: Amazon UK

The new album 'You Can't Take It With You' is now in stores. Their USA tour with MUTEMATH kicks off on September 22nd , and concludes in New York on November 13th 2009.

Eurythmics - Live In Concert 1999

This is the Eurythmics live in 1999. For those who like all the details regarding the concert or bootleg on this occasion for me, it's a bit thin on the ground regarding this one.

The Eurythmics undertook their 'Peace' tour from September 1999 taking in Europe, USA & the UK before the end of the year.

It's from one twenty six concerts they performed that year, feel free to add any further details in the comments section below.

Source: Broadcast (A&E Network).

Sound Quality: Very good stereo MP3@320kbps.

Genre: New Wave, Pop, Rock.

Set: Edited Broadcast Set.

Set List:

1) Thorn In My Side
2) Walking On Broken Glass
3) Seventeen Again
4) Sisters Are Doing It (For Themselves)
5) Here Comes The Rain Again
6) There Must Be An Angel
7) I Need A Man
8) Would I Lie To You
9) I Save The World Today
10) I'm Alive
11) Miracle of Love
12) Why
12) Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of These)

Links: Official site HERE. Annie Lennox HERE. Dave Stewart HERE.

Comments: Formed in 1980 Eurythmics have sold over 75 million records worldwide, and have been extremely popular as a live act. I remember seeing them live at Wembley stadium in London some years back, and was really impressed.

This recording has been edited down to just the music, so no interruptions and thanks to who ever did such a great job. On the Peace tour the band performed around twenty songs including medleys, so this recording represents a reasonable part of any concert, and includes some really popular songs, and some real rockers, it is a great performance.

Download link - either click on the above picture or go to comments below.

Buy: - MP3's at Amazon.co.uk - Eurythmics

Roger Miller - Live USA 1991

I remember Roger Miller from the 1960's when hits such as 'King Of The Road' and 'England Swings' were often to be heard on the radio. I was of course pretty young then, and preferred The Beatles and all things pop music, but Roger Miller crossed boundaries even to a minor, and sounded great.

This is a recording from his final tour, on this occasion playing at the excellent Birchmere a venue that has helped launch many musical careers as well as feature musical legends.

From The Birchmere, Alexandria, VA, USA, back on February 16th 1991, this is Roger Miller performing on his only ever solo tour.

Source: Stereo soundboard.

Sound Quality: Very good stereo MP3@192kbps.

Genre: Country, country pop.

Set: Full 'In concert' performance.

Set List:

You Don't Want My Love
England Swings
Tall Tall Trees
Billy Beayou
Dang Me
You Can't Roller Skate In A Buffalo Heard
Husbands And Wives
Don't We All Have The Right To Be Wrong Now And Then
Chug A Lug Chug A Lug
King Of The Road
Broken Heart
Look Out For Me Muddy River
River In The Rain
Maybe Leaving Nots The Way To Go
How About A Hand For The Hog
Kansas City Star
The Last Word In Lonesome Is Me
If You Want To Be My Number One
Old Friends
God Didn't Make Little Green Apples
Walking In The Sunshine

Links: Official site HERE. Wikipedia HERE.

Comments: From Wikipedia regarding Roger Millers latter career:

Roger Miller stopped writing songs in 1978, feeling that his more "artistic" works were not being appreciated. He was absent from the entertainment business following the release of Old Friends but returned after receiving an offer to write a Broadway score for a new musical based upon Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Although he had never read the novel, Miller accepted the offer after discovering how the story brought him back to his childhood in rural Oklahoma. It took him a year and a half to write the opening but he eventually finished. The work, entitled Big River premiered at New York's Eugene O'Neill Theatre on April 25, 1985. The musical received glowing reviews, earning seven Tony Awards including one for Miller for "Best Score." He also acted the part of Pap's father for three months after the exit of actor John Goodman, who left for Hollywood.

Miller left to Santa Fe to live with his family following the success of Big River. However, in 1990 he began a solo guitar tour. Miller co-wrote Dwight Yoakam's hit "It Only Hurts When I Cry" from his 1990 album If There Was a Way, and supplied background vocals.

The song was released as a single in 1991, peaking at Number 7 on country charts. Miller ended his tour after being diagnosed with lung cancer in the fall of 1991. His last performance on television occurred during a special tribute to Minnie Pearl that aired on TNN on October 26, 1992, the day following Miller's death.

Download link - either click on the above picture or go to comments below.

Buy: - MP3's at Amazon.co.uk - Roger Miller

Vinegar Joe - In Concert 1973

Vinegar Joe were a British rock band who formed in late 1970, and who were best known for their live shows.

The core members were lead singers Elkie Brooks and Robert Palmer, bassist Steve York, keyboard player Tim Hinkley and guitarist Pete Gage who also played piano. Conrad Isidore played drums on their first album Vinegar Joe.
Their debut LP was released in April 1972.

This is the band performing live for the BBC Radio in concert series and was the second to last of the 1973 recordings (do not have precise date), and performed at Golders Green, London.

Source: Stereo Soundboard.

Sound Quality: Very good stereo MP3@192kbps.

Genre: Rock, R&B, Blues.

Set: Full 'In concert' performance.

Set List:

01 - Intro - Let Me Down Easy
02 - Food For Thought
03 - Talkin' Bout My Baby
04 - Band Intros
05 - Giving Yourself Away
06 - Conversation
07 - Black Smoke Rising From The Calumet
08 - Proud To Be A Honky Woman

Band Line Up:

Robert Palmer guitar, vocals
Elkie Brooks vocals
Pete Gage guitar
Mike Deacon keyboards
Steve York bass
Pete Gavin drums

Links: Elkie Brooks Official site HERE.

Comments: From All music "Vinegar Joe might very easily have been Island Records' answer to the Allman Bros. or Wet Willie. A sextet formed out of a busted big-band rock outfit called Dada, they were brought together at the suggestion of Island founder Chris Blackwell. Elkie Brooks (vocals), Robert Palmer (vocals, guitar), Pete Gage (guitars, piano), and Steve York (bass, harmonica), were at the core of the group, with Tim Hinkley and then Mike Deacon on keyboards, and Conrad Isadore and Keef Hartley, and then John Woods and Pete Gavin on drums--the band cut three albums for between 1971 and 1973. Their live shows were well reviewed and attracted significant audiences in England, but this was never reflected in their record sales. They split up in 1973, with Robert Palmer becoming an international star as a pop-rock blue-eyed soul singer and Elkie Brooks a success as an MOR singer with Pete Gage as her arranger".

This concert is an excellent 'taster' of the superb albeit short lived band.

Download link - either click on the above picture or go to comments below.

Buy: - MP3's at Amazon.co.uk Vinegar Joe

Jethro Tull - Stockholm, Sweden, 1969

This is Jethro Tull live in concert at Konserthuset, Stockholm, Sweden, on January 9th 1969.

At this time the band were only around a year old and had not long parted with Mick Abrahams who was replaced by Martin Barre.

The change of line up was over musical direction, with Ian Anderson keen on developing the overall band sound and direction, rather than just a blues focus.

That said the blues legacy is notable here and the songs quite different to the more definitive styles that would emerge in the coming years.

This was just prior the the bands debut tour of the USA, on this occasion they were on the same bill as Jimi Hendrix.

Source: Stereo Soundboard (from master reels).

Sound Quality: Very good stereo MP3@320kbps

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

Set: Full concert performance.

Set List:

1. My Sunday Feeling - 5:48
2. Martin's Tune - 10:47
3. To Be Sad is a Mad Way to Be - 4:39
4. Back to the Family - 4:18
5. Dharma For One - 9:09
6. Nothing is Easy - 14:18
7. A Song For Jeffrey - 3:55

Band Line Up:

Ian Anderson - lead vocals, flute, harmonica, acoustic guitar, keyboards, mandolin
Martin Barre - guitar, flute, backing vocals
Glenn Cornick - bass, backing vocals
Clive Bunker - drums, percussion, backing vocals

Links: Official site HERE.

Comments: The band released their debut album 'This Was' in the summer of 1968 which hit Number 10 in the British charts, partly thanks to great airplay from BBC Radio DJ John Peel.

This new line-up released Stand Up later in 1969, the group's only UK number-one album. Written entirely by Anderson — with the exception of the jazzy rearrangement of J. S. Bach's Bourée it branched out further from the blues, clearly evidencing a new direction for the group.

With that in mind this concert recording catches the band on the cusp of change, and is a great document of the bands early stage sound.

Reloaded - 29/May/2015 - download link in comments. 

Frank Sinatra - Live In Australia 1974

This is Frank Sinatra performing live in concert on the 16th July 1974, in Sydney Australia.

Frank caused something of a stir on this tour (see comments). This was a busy year for him, he returned to to Las Vegas, performing at Caesars Palace in January, and then after the Australian tour, he appeared at New York City's Madison Square Garden in a televised concert that was later released as an album under the title The Main Event – Live. He then went on to tour in Europe.

Source: FM Stereo

Sound Quality: Good stereo MP3@160kbps

Genre: Traditional Pop, Jazz, Big Band Vocals.

Set: Full concert performance.

Set List:

1. I Get A kick Out Of You
2. You Are The Sunshine Of My Life
3. Let Me Try Again
4. If
5. Bad Bad Leroy Brown
6. Angel Eyes
7. I've Got You Under My Skin
8. My Kind Of Town
9. Send In The Clowns
10. Nancy
11. The Lady Is A Tramp
12. My Way

Links: Official site HERE.

Comments: It was during this tour that Frank Sinatra caused an uproar by describing journalists there — who were aggressively pursuing his every move and pushing for a press conference — as "fags", "pimps", and "whores."

Australian unions representing transport workers, waiters, and journalists all went on strike, demanding that Sinatra apologize for his remarks. Sinatra instead insisted that the journalists apologize for "fifteen years of abuse I have taken from the world press."

The future Prime Minister of Australia, Bob Hawke, then the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) leader, also insisted that Sinatra apologize, and a settlement was eventually reached to the apparent satisfaction of both parties, Sinatra's final show of his Australian tour was televised to the nation.

None of this seems to have had much of an impact on his stage performance, which of course is what this posting is all about!

Replacement download link in comments (21st November 2010).

Buy: - MP3's at Amazon.co.uk: Frank Sinatra

The Moody Blues - Los Angeles, USA 1983.

This is The Moody Blues recorded live in concert at the LA Forum (Los Angeles, USA) on Saturday, 3rd December, 1983, the concert was subsequently featured in full on a Westwood One broadcast first aired on the 31st December 1983.

This was part of 'The Present' USA tour that included Stevie Ray Vaughn as the opening act.

Source: FM stereo Westwood One broadcast.

Sound Quality: Good stereo MP3@160kbps.

Genre: Prog Rock, AOR, Symphonic Rock...

Set: Full concert performance.

Set List:

01. Sitting at the Wheel
02. Gemini Dream
03. Tuesday Afternoon
04. The Voice
05. Going Nowhere
06. Stepping in a Slide Zone
07. The Story in Your Eyes
08. Hole in the World/Under My Feet
09. Painted Smile/Veteran Cosmic Rocker
10. Driftwood
11. Talking Out of Turn
12. Running Water
13. Gypsy
14. Isn't Life Strange
15. Blue World
16. I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock 'n' Roll Band)
17. Nights in White Satin
18. Legend of a Mind
19. Question
20. Ride My See-Saw

Links: Official site HERE.

Comments: The band continue to tour around the world, and have the ability to sell out major venues, even in these harsher economic times.

The Moody Blues formed back in May 1964, and after a number of top 40 single successes, developed more into an album based band and (depending on your point of view this might be good or bad) pioneered what became progressive rock.

Download link - either click on the above picture or go to comments below.

Buy: - At Amazon.co.uk Moody Blues Store

Beehive Recommends - King Wilkie

OK it's a double header today, with a second Beehive Candy recommendation, and this is superb (I know, in my opinion).

A little record label called Casa Nueva based in Boston, USA, recently put out their first release, King Wilkie Present: The Wilkie Family Singers by the acclaimed Brooklyn-based stringband King Wilkie.

I'll quote the press release because as I listen again to the album now, this kind of summarises matters..

"It’s a cinematic concept album, consisting of songs written and recorded by the fictional, dysfunctional Wilkie family as part of a music therapy program spearheaded by the mysterious Dr. Art. This haunting backdrop is brought to life with music that draws from clattering, rustic stringband sounds, while adding more contemporary and eccentric overtones – from shimmering electric guitars to wheezing, Salvation Army brass. Special guests include Robyn Hitchcock, Peter Rowan, Abigail Washburn, Sam Parton (The Be Good Tanyas), David Bromberg, and John McEuen".

Or to put it another way, it's a good listen, with some very talented support along the way.

Listen:

King Wilkie - 'Hey Old Man'



MP3: HERE.
Website: My Space.
Purchase: King Wilkie

It's great when a new band come along and grab your attention on the first song, OK they have been around a while but this is all new to me and hopefully some of you will enjoy the discovery as well....

Beehive Recommends - First Aid Kit

A quick update on one of my favorite new bands First Aid Kit.

The band are touring throughout August and have just launched their new website This Is First Aid Kit.

They are also recording and filming various covers following on from a very feisty version of Fleet Foxes 'Tiger Mountain Peasant Song' some months back.

You are invited to suggest songs for them to perform and can do this through their website.

So far covered are Buffy Sainte-Marie's classic 'Universal Soldier', Johnny Cash's 'Walk The Line' and most recent a version of Graham Nash's 'Simple Man'. All can be viewed and listened to over at their new site.

Listen:

Tiger Mountain Peasant Song:

MP3: HERE.

From the debut 'Drunken Trees' EP check out the excellent 'Cross Oceans'.


Finally if you are at an event that includes First Aid Kit on the bill, don't be surprised if they turn up elsewhere for an impromptu session this summer!

Beehive Recommends - The Dimes

I may be a little late in on The Dimes, who are based in Portland, Oregon, and made quite a splash with their 2007 debut release, The Silent Generation, getting praise and from everyone from SPIN and Magnet Magazines... to USA Today and NPR... and a ton of blogs including Large Hearted Boy, KEXP, Three Imaginary Girls, Pampelmoose and many others.

Having received some promo material back in June, I kinda lost site of this one until I decided to spend some time going through each mail, and am I pleased I listened to their 'New England' EP !

Based on real stories and events born of and around Boston, Massachusetts, the four song EP is rich with texture and a consistent pastoral thread, complete with mandolins, acoustic guitars, stomps, claps, banjos, melodicas and more pop-laden harmonies than you'll know what to do with.

The record reveals a glimpse of the latest material from The Dimes, as they wrap up a new full-length record based of the same themes, due out August 2009. The New England EP also contains a special John Lennon cover of Watching the Wheels - a song that is near and dear to Dimes singer-songwriter, Johnny Clay's heart.

Listen:


MP3: Save Me, Clara
Web Link: Official Site , My Space.
Buy: The Dimes

On a separate note Beehive Candy will present new music recommendations on a rolling basis from now on, rather than monthly(ish) compilations, The Dimes seem a great place to start!

Nick Lowe - Live In London 2001.

This is the second Nick Lowe concert to appear on the Beehive, this one some sixteen years later, and it's a superb concert Live at the London Palladium, back on October 14th, 2001.

Source: Soundboard

Sound Quality: Very good stereo MP3@192kbps.

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

Set: Full concert performance.

Set List:

01 Intro By Robert Elms
02 Let Things Slide
03 Intro by Nick Lowe
04 What’s Shaking On The Hill
05 Half A Boy
06 Has She Got A Friend
07 Faithless Lover
08 Man I’ve Become
09 True Love Travels On A Gravel Road
10 I Live On The Battlefield
11 You Inspire Me
12 Cruel To Be Kind
13 Indian Queens
14 Let’s Stay In
15 Band Introduction
16 Wildest Dream
17 I Knew The Bride

Band Line Up:

Nick Lowe - rhythm guitar, bass guitar, vocals
Geraint Watkins - keyboards
Robert Trehern - drums
Steve Donnelly - lead guitar

Links: Official site HERE. Wikipedia piece HERE.

Comments: This concert was part of the promotion for the then new 'The Convincer' album. It contrasts dramatically with the 1986 gig previously featured, this is considerably more laid back, much less pub rock or rockabilly and far more lounge lizard, that said, it still has some mid tempo rockabilly moments.

The Palladium is a venue more usually associated with theatre and musicals, Nick seems to use it well to his advantage with a comfortable and intimate feel.

In my opinion it is a must have for any Nick Lowe fan, and an excellent introduction to his more recent works for those unfamiliar.

Download link - either click on the above picture or go to comments below.

Buy - MP3's at Amazon.co.uk - Nick Lowe

Ry Cooder - The Record Plant, California, 1974

This is Ry Cooder performing live at the Record Plant, Sausalito, California, USA, on the 7th July 1974.

This recording is from KSAN's broadcast series, and is also available in the excellent Wolfgangs Vault.

Ry is known for his slide guitar work, his interest in the American roots music, and, more recently, for his collaborations with traditional musicians from many countries. Ry Cooder was ranked number 8 on Rolling Stone's "The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time."

Ry remains one of the very few studio icons who has gained the reputation as a "musician's musician."

Source: Pre FM Master.

Sound Quality: Extremely good stereo mp3 @320kbps.

Genre: Rock, roots music, folk, blues, soul, and more.

Set: Complete performance

Track List:

1. Police Dog Blues
2. FDR In Trinidad
3. If Walls Could Talk
4. Tamp Em Up Solid
5. Ax Sweet Mama
6. Billy The Kid
7. Vigilante Man
8. How an A Poor Man Stand Such Times & Live
9. Tattler
10. Comin In On A Wing & A Prayer
11. Alimony
12. Teardrops Will Fall
13. I’m A Pilgrim

Band Line Up:

Ry Cooder - guitars, vocals, mandolin
Russ Titelman - bass
Jim Keltner - percussion, drums
Milt Holland - percussion, drums
Bobby King - backing vocals
Gene Mumford - backing vocals
Cliff Givens - backing vocals

Links: Ry Cooder Non Such Records HERE.

Comments: This is how Wolfgangs Vault describes the setting and the performance.

Ry Cooder was promoting his third solo album, Paradise & Lunch, which most critics still regard as his best LP to date.

Personable, humorous, and unquestionably talented, this intimate performance by Cooder is a long lost gem in his long and well-celebrated career. He performs a wide spectrum of material that includes covers and originals from his then-current and previous Warner Brother's albums.

Whether it's a Depression-era styled blues classic, such as "Police Dog Blues," or Little Miton's "If The Walls Could Talk," Cooder is a master at the craft of blending smooth vocals and tasteful guitar licks around a compelling storyline song.

If you don't love the characters he sings about, you are bound to love his true musicianship, which has graced hundreds of recordings by the likes of James Taylor and The Rolling Stones.

I listened to this again yesterday, it may seem along way from more recent material and yet it is easy to imagine Ry doing a set like this anytime.

Reloaded - 29/May/2015 - download link in comments. 

Purchase: MP3's (Amazon.co.uk) - Ry Cooder

Talking Heads - Las Vegas 1979

This is Talking Heads live at The Stardust Room, Las Vegas, NV in the USA way back on the 29th September 1979.

David Byrne, Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth were 'alumni' of the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, Rhode Island.

There David Byrne and Chris Frantz formed a band called "The Artistics" in 1974.

Tina Weymouth was Chris Frantz's girlfriend and often provided the band with transportation. The Artistics dissolved within a year, and the three moved to New York, eventually sharing an apartment.

Unable to find a bass player in New York City, Chris Frantz decided to encourage Tina Weymouth to learn to play bass. They played their first gig as "Talking Heads" opening for the Ramones at CBGB on June 8, 1975.

In a later interview, Tina Weymouth recalled how the group chose the name Talking Heads: "A friend had found the name in the TV Guide, which explained the term used by TV studios to describe a head-and-shoulder shot of a person talking as 'all content, no action.' It fit.

Source: Soundboard recording.

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3 @320kbps.

Genre: New Wave, Post Punk, Forerunners of Indie Rock

Set: Full Set

Set List:

01 - Artists Only
02 - Stay Hungry
03 - Cities
04 - Paper
05 - Mind
06 - Heaven
07 - Electric Guitar
08 - Air
09 - New Feeling
10 - Building On Fire (intro only)
11 - Found A job
12 - Psycho Killer
13 - Life During Wartime
14 - Take Me To The River

Band Line Up:

David Byrne
Chris Frantz
Tina Weymouth
Jerry Harrison

Links: Official Site HERE.

Comments: A couple of points of note for the bootleg purists, track ten (Building On Fire) is only the first part of the song and finishes rather abruptly. The audio on the beginning of track twelve (Psycho Killer) is notably poorer but does seem to correct itself.

All that noted this is a fine example of the band, and their desire for the audience to be able to dance and get into the whole show, wonderful stuff!

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

Purchase: MP3's - Talking Heads

The Flaming Lips - Circus, Stockholm, 2006

The Flaming Lips formed back in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA in 1983, and have enjoyed varying degrees of critical, and popular success down the years, perhaps this past decade has been the best one for them.

This recording gives those yet to see them live an audio taster, however there is no substitute for the real thing so 'catch them if you can'. If you are new to the band check them out, fans either have a copy of this, or will love it!

This then is The Flaming Lips live on the 2nd May 2006, at Cirkus, Stockholm, Sweden.

Source: FM recording.

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3 @192kbps.

Genre: Alternative rock, Indie rock, Neo-psychedelia, Space rock, Experimental rock.

Set: Full Set (possibly edited for broadcast, cannot confirm).

Set List:

1. Introduction
2. Race for the Prize
3. Free Radicals
4. Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt.1
5. Vein of Stars (Introduction)
6. Vein of Stars
7. Yeah Yeah Yeah Song...
8. In the Morning of the Magicians
9. The W.A.N.D.
10. The Spark That Bled
11. Do You Realize??
12. War Pigs

Band Line Up:

Wayne Coyne – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards, theremin, bass.
Michael Ivins – bass, keyboards, backing vocals.
Steven Drozd – guitar, drums, percussion, keyboards, bass, backing vocals.
Kliph Scurlock - drums, percussion.

Links: Official Site HERE.

Comments: Someone else wrote this over on Wiki: 'The band is known for their lush, multi-layered, psychedelic arrangements, spacey lyrics and bizarre song and album titles (for example, "Psychiatric Explorations of the Fetus with Needles", "Free Radicals (A Hallucination of the Christmas Skeleton Pleading with a Suicide Bomber)" and "Yeah, I Know It's a Drag... But Wastin' Pigs Is Still Radical"). They are also acclaimed for their elaborate live shows, which feature costumes, balloons, puppets, video projections, complex stage light configurations, giant hands, large amounts of confetti, and front man Wayne Coyne's signature man-sized plastic bubble, in which he traverses the audience. In 2002, Q magazine named The Flaming Lips one of the "50 Bands to See Before You Die".

Sums them up nicely, and make this post easier for me!

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

Purchase: MP3's - The Flaming Lips

ZZ Top - Live Nationwide 1980

I did not realise until checking out some background for this recording that ZZ Top originally formed in 1969.

The band holds the distinction of being among the few rock bands still composed of its original recording members, (and for nearly 40 years until September 2006, the same manager producer, and image maker, Bill Ham).

I suppose it is yet another 'how old do you feel' moment, as at the time of this concert, the band had already released seven albums including a 'best of' good thing they still look pretty much the same!

This is ZZ Top live at The Capitol Theater, Passaic, New Jersey, USA on the 30th August 1980.

Source: Soundboard recording.

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3 @192kbps.

Genre: Rock, Blues Rock, distinct and oh so ZZ Top!

Set: Seems to short for full set, includes all final songs.

Set List:

1. I Thank You
2. Waiting For The Bus
3. Jesus Left Chicago
4. I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide
5. Low Down In The Street
6. A Fool For Your Stockings
7. Cheap Sunglasses
8. Arrested For Driving While Blind
9. She Loves My Automobile
10. Hi-Fi Mama
11. Dust My Broom
12. Jailhouse Rock
13. Tush

Links: Official Site HERE.

Comments: This is yet another concert that was originally circulated on The Swingin' Pig Records, this copy on CD (TSP-CD134), I am not sure if this was a lift from a vinyl original, or straight to CD.

In order to ensure we cover bands from A-Z on the Beehive, it was only a matter of time before ZZ Top showed up, at least they are one fine band and this particular concert may well not, be in every fans collection.

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

Purchase: MP3's - ZZ Top

Squeeze - Live In Oxford, UK, 1981

This is Squeeze back in 1981, and to make you feel as old as I do, this concert was performed a couple of years after 'Cool For Cats' was released, and almost a year after Jools Holland left the band, you know the score 'oh how time flies'.

This includes some of the best Squeeze songs from their early years, and goes to show just how good a live act they have always been.

This concert was performed at the Oxford Polytechnic on the 15th May 1981.

Source: BBC radio FM broadcast.

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3 @320kbps.

Genre: New Wave, 'Indie' pop & rock.

Set: Almost the complete set recorded by the BBC (two songs missing).

Set List:

1. Take Me I'm Yours
2. Another Nail In My Heart
3. Separate Beds
4. Slightly Drunk
5. Out Of Touch
6. I Think I'm Go Go
7. Is That Love
8. Heaven
9. Pulling Mussels (From The Shell)
10. Yap Yap
11. Cool For Cats
12. Up The Junction
13. Messed Around
14. Goodbye Girl

('To Many Teardrops', and 'I've returned' and 'Slap And Tickle' are missing from the original BBC recording, otherwise it is the full concert recording).

Links: Official Site HERE. Informative Wikipedia HERE.

Comments: Back in the 1970's & 80's the BBC use to record live (pop/rock) concerts for broadcast predominately on Radio One, and also press the recordings as live transcription discs (12inch vinyl albums), that were sold on under copyright to other radio stations to broadcast.

In my younger days, and sadly unaware of the historical value of these recordings, I visited the BBC department who looked after these items (for my then employer), and the person I was dealing with offered to lend me any of the recordings I chose for the weekend, if I wanted to hear them at home.

It is with hind site one of those personal 'if only' moments in life, still at least they continue to surface as bootlegs, and I bet there are a good number of these discs sitting in ex BBC staff's record collections.

Replacement download link in comments below - or just click on the picture above (11th January 2010).

Purchase: MP3's - Squeeze