BEEHIVE CANDY

This is Bruce Hornsby and The Range recorded from the Midnight show broadcast live by WNEW-FM, New York on the 2nd September 1986. The band formed in 1984 and were signed to RCA Records in 1985. Bruce Hornsby's recording career started with the biggest hit he has had to date, entitled "The Way It Is". It topped the American music charts in 1986. With a propulsive yet contemplative piano riff and the refrain, That's just the way it is / Some things will never change / That's just the way it is / But don't you believe them , the song was catchy and described aspects of the American Civil Rights movement and institutional racism. The song also hit a nerve with the American public, reflecting dissatisfaction with perceived economic decline in the early-to-mid 1980s. In years to come, the song would be sampled by at least six rap artists, including Tupac Shakur, E-40, and Mase. Source: FM Broadcast. Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@192kbps. Genre: Contempo

This is The Kinks towards the end of their Sleepwalker Tour from 1977. The album Sleepwalker marked a return to straight-ahead, self-contained rock songs after several years of concept orientated albums. It was the first album in what critics usually call the "arena rock" phase of the group, in which more commercial and mainstream production techniques would be employed. The line up of The Kinks would be trimmed downed significantly in 1977 following the album's release, as the brass section and backup singers were removed and the band returned to a standard rock band outfit. It is however notable in this gig that both brass and backup singers are very much in attendance. This is The Kinks live at The Rainbow Theatre, London on the 24th December 1977. Source: Soundboard Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@192kbps. Genre: Rock, Pop. Set: Majority of Concert Set List: 01 Sleepwalker 02 Life on the Road 03 Waterloo Sunset 04 All Day And All Of The Night 05 Slum Kids 06

Having just listened to their current album 'The Monstrous Vanguard' I have to say Kittens Ablaze deserve all the praise and recognition they have received to date. OK here's the setting. I have some sort of virus and am running a fever. I am feeling sorry for myself, and am not really in the mood for music. If I want to hear anything it needs to be gentle and soothing, however there is an album in my inbox & I feel obliged to give at least one song a listen. Half an hour later I am still feeling groggy but am aware that some kind of tornado has just ripped through the room thanks to a six-piece indie rock band with cello, violin, guitars, bass, piano, and drumming lead singer. The energy, passion and sheer pace of this band is something else. So in a couple of days or so from now I am quietly confident this band will be blasting from my car speakers when upbeat & loud music is back on the menu! Listen: 'Gloom Doom Buttercups' Website: MySpace . Official .

We have decided to introduce a new occasional series under the banner 'Rarities and Collectors Items' where the audio might not be first class but the interest factor is likely quite high. There are many live recordings and demos to be found in varying degrees of quality and probable interest. These are just some that we are delighted to share. Several years after the dissolution of Colosseum, Jon Hiseman recruited Gary Moore and Don Airey to form Colosseum II . The mandate this time, however, was not the jazz and blues inflected rock of the original band, but a full-tilt journey into hyperkinetic jazz fusion that stretched the players about as far as they could go. This is the band live on WDR Radio Nachtmusik, Cologne, Germany from the 29th October 1977. Source: FM Broadcast Sound Quality: Good stereo mp3@128kbps some tape hiss between numbers. Genre: Jazz Rock, Fusion. Set: Edited set. Set List: 01. Wardance 02. The Inquisition 03. Trilogy: Star Maiden - Mysterioso - Q

This is two demo recording sessions from Television in 1974 & 1975. The bands highly acclaimed debut album 'Marquee Moon' was released in 1977 (Elektra Records) and was very successful in Europe however failed to enter the Billboard 200 in the USA. Both sessions were included on the bootleg 'Double Exposure' which surfaced in Italy (No Label No. DE-92-SC), and was first released in 1992. The original bootleg included three live tracks from CBGB's in 1975, that are missing from this version. The Television 1974 demos were recorded at Good Vibrations Studios in NYC with Richard Hell on bass, and produced by Brian Eno and Richard Williams of Island Records. The August 1975 demos were recorded with Fred Smith on bass and were part of the session for Terry Ork of Ork Records which produced Television's first single "Little Johnny Jewel" (Ork, 1975, included on expanded re-issue of Marquee Moon). It is fascinating listening to the early versions

This is The Cure live at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Vancouver, B.C. Canada on Thursday, August 1st, 1996. This is from a 'Kiss The Stone' (KTS618) silver disc that was curiously entitled 'Queen Elisabeth Parade', and although it's very good quality recording and apart from the typo's only tracks 1 - 12 are from the gig, and as the concert lasted for over two hours this is clearly only part of the show. Three 'bonus' tracks from a December 1995 London gig are included. All of which suggests that KTS were unable to get hold of the full Vancouver show, which incidentally was superb. One review of the concert stated 'Robed in the away jersey of our beloved Vancouver Canucks (though I doubt he's a fan -- he wore Canadiens and Maple Leafs jerseys in Montreal and Toronto, respectively), Robert Smith and associates opened the show in fine form with "Want" and "Club America" off their latest effort, Wild Mood Swings. Amidst a st

I have a lot of respect for Seattle's excellent radio station KEXP and so any artist who achieves 'song of the day' recognition is for me, worthy of a listen at the very least. The fact that the promotion that dropped in my inbox a couple of days a go also mentioned the band are from Sweden was an added bonus ! Pixie Carnation are the band and I think they are pretty special. To quote KEXP a little further ...you don’t get any indication that the band is from anywhere but the U.S. as the vocal stylings come through entirely American in a way that even some U.S. bands somehow don’t seem to be able to achieve. Simply structured yet toe-tappingly catchy, “When Did The Lights Go Out” is the kind of rock song that gets its vocal melody stuck inside of your brain but you’re okay with it." -Brian Connolly, (song selected by Morning Show host John Richards), KEXP.org. Their debut EP 'Fresh Poems' is available now. Listen: 'When Did The Lights Go Out' Website

This is Lyle Lovett performing at one of my favorite music venues from the days when it was still known as the Hammersmith Odeon (West London). This is predominately from a BBC Radio 2 FM broadcast back on June 12th 1992, however some additional tracks came with this collection and are included. While typically associated with the country genre, Lyle Lovett's compositions often incorporate folk, swing , blues, jazz and gospel music as well as more traditional country material. This concert really does demonstrate these diverse styles as he performs along side some excellent singers and musicians. Source: FM Broadcast. Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@192kbps. Genre: Country, Alt Country. Set: Full broadcast set & extras. Set List: 01 She's No Lady 02 Church 03 She's Leaving Me Because She Really Wants To 04 You've Been So Good Up To Now 05 All My Love Is Gone 06 North Dakota 07 Flyswatter/Ice Water Blues 08 Since The Last Time 09 L.A. County 10 What Do You

This is Curved Air recorded live for BBC Radio One. Both performances were recorded at the Paris Theatre in London. The 1975 session was recorded on the 31st January and the BBC transcription disc also includes a version of 'Stark Naked' however that track is missing from this boot collection, it does feature in the second live session. The second live performance was recorded on the 21st February 1976. Some of the second sessions tracks were also included on an officially released album 'Live At The BBC', however the boot edition was lifted from one of the transcription discs which were circulated in three differing versions. Source: Soundboard - BBC transcription discs. Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@320kbps. Genre: Prog Rock, Folk Rock. Set: Two BBC concert Sessions Set List: 1. Marie Antoinette 2. The Fool 3. Midnight Wire 4. Women On A One Night Stand 5. Stark Naked 6. Women On A One Night Stand 7. Young Mother 8. Kids To Blame 9.

Currently touring in Europe with the original line up, Gong continue to amaze audiences with their musical tales of Pot Head Pixies, Gnomes, Zero The Hero and more. Going back to the beginning of the 'noughties' decade and Gong were continuing to tour worldwide on a regular basis. This recording is from the 9th September 2000 at the Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, California. This is a full concert and features quite a lot of material from the 1970's era of the band. Gongs latest album '2032' was released in September this year. Source: Soundboard Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@320kbps Genre: Progressive rock, psychedelic rock, space rock, jazz fusion. Set: Full set. Set List: 01. Planet Gong intro - Zeroid 02. Radio Gnome Invisible 03. Yoni on Mars 04. Bodilingus 05. Zero The Hero and the Witch's Spell -Witch's Song/I'm your Pussy 06. Magdalene 07. Infinitea - Mad Monk 08. You Can't Kill Me 09. Flute Salad 10. Oily Way 11. Outer

This is Lynyrd Skynyrd live at the Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, California on the 27th April 1975. From 1973 through to the tragic air crash in October 1977 that decimated the band, Lynyrd Skynyrd were one of the most popular live acts in rock'n'roll history. A couple of points of interest for fans and trivia addicts, Billy Powell was absent from this show, so the band had to find a substitute for his piano part in Call Me The Breeze. Notably Sweet Home Alabama also sounds a little different as a result. Lee Freeman, who had played with Ed King in Strawberry Alarm Clock and would later play on Gimme Back My Bullets, blows the harp. An early incarnation of Lynyrd Skynrd supported Strawberry Alarm Clock back in 1968 on some East Coast tour dates. Source: Soundboard. Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@320kbps. Genre: Southern rock, blues-rock, country rock. Set: Full set. Set List: 01 Whiskey Rock a Roller - I Ain't the One 02 The Needle and the S

This is The Alan Parsons Project live at The International Forum, Tokyo, Japan, on the 4th October 1997. This concert was part of the Japanese leg of the 'On Air' tour. This comes from a two CD recording and is credited as sourced from the soundboard. Having listened to the recording (which by the way is an absolute must for any fan, or an excellent introduction to the band) the audience seems a little close and high in the mix between songs, which often suggests an audience recording. However the quality of the music and stereo mixing suggests soundboard. So I am not sure about this one, that said though, it is a great recording of a very good show. Source : Soundboard (see above). Sound Quality : Very good stereo mp3@192kbps Genre: Soft, Pop, & Prog rock. Set: Full set. Set List: 1. Sirius/Eye In The Sky 2. I Wouldn't Want To Be Like You 3. Can’t Take It With You 4. Old And Wise 5. Money Talks/La Sagrada Familia 6. Days Are Numbers (The Travell

Keb Mo is a singer, songwriter and guitarist whose musical origins are firmly linked to the Delta blues. His Grammy awards and nominations are testimony to his outstanding talent. Keb has a distinctive sound and yet embraces pop, rock, folk and jazz within his craft. Having said all of that, his natural blues stripped down to just guitar and vocals is both refreshing and moving. His new contemporary blues album is quite appropriately named Live & Mo. It features six awesome live performances from notable moments on the road, and four brand new studio recordings, including the anthemic song A Brand New America, a band version of the inspirational Victims of Comfort, the funky sound of Government Cheese, and the back-porch rhythm and blues of Hole in the Bucket. If you already know the mood and style past releases Keb’Mo, you’ll dig “Live & Mo”. Listen: 'Am I Wrong' MP3: Am I Wrong . Website: Official Site . Buy: Keb' Mo'

This is Otis Redding live at the Whiskey A Go Go on Sunset Strip Los Angeles, California, USA back in the spring of 1966. There have been two official releases of Otis Redding performing live at the venue in 1966. The first was titled 'In Person' and released back in 1968 (Atco). The second was 'Good To Me' which was released in 1993 (Stax). Some 'Whiskey A Go Go' material also appeared on an Atlantic Records release in 1982 called 'Recorded Live - Previously Released Performances', however I understand these were included on the 1993 Stax release. This is Otis on the 10th April 1966 from the late show at the venue. Source: Soundboard. Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@192kbps Genre: Soul. Set: Full set. Set List: 01 - Intro 02 - Your One and Only Man 03 - Security 04 - Good to Me 05 - Respect 06 - Ole Man Trouble 07 - I Can't Turn You Loose 08 - A Hard Day's Night 09 - These Arms of Mine 10 - Papa's Got a Brand New Bag (intro then res

This is 10000 Maniacs live at The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, California, back on the 3rd June 1993. This concert was recorded for the Westwood One Radio Networks 'In Concert' series and was subsequently broadcast on October 25th 1993 . The band had already recorded the MTV Unplugged concert a couple of months earlier, and that was of course released as an album around the same time as this concert was originally broadcast. As was mentioned in the last 10000 Maniacs feature, Natalie Merchant had already informed the band she was leaving. This concert was part of the 'Our Time In Eden' tour that concluded with Natalie's final performance in the band a few weeks later in New York on the 29th July. Source : Soundboard (pre FM). Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@160kbps. Genre: Alternative Rock, Indie. Set: Full set. Set List: 1. These Are Days 2. If You Intend 3. What’s The Matter Here? 4. A Campfire Song 5. Like the Weather 6. How You’v

Johnny Cash was approached in 1993 by producer Rick Rubin and offered a contract with Rubin's American Recordings label, better known for rap and heavy metal than for country music. Under Rick Rubin's supervision, Johnny Cash recorded the album 'American Recordings' in Rick's living room, accompanied only by his guitar. For years Cash was often at odds with his producers after he had discovered with his first producer, Sam Phillips, that his voice was better suited to a stripped down musical style. Most famously he disagreed with Jack Clement over his sound, Clement having tried to give Cash's songs a "twangy" feel and to add strings and barbershop-quartet-style singers. His successful collaboration with Rick Rubin was in part due to Rubin seeking a minimalist sound for his songs. A number of out-takes CD bootlegs have circulated, the following comprises a sizable amount of what has surfaced and importantly the 'copy' quality is very goo

Cheap Lullaby Records have released a couple of fascinating albums in the last week or so both very different and also superbly crafted. Josh Ottum are from Seattle, USA and have just released 'Like The Season'. It's not just the Beehive that's giving them a rather large thumbs up and unashamed plug, The Seattle Weekly recently stated - "Like the Season is one of the more adventurous musical offerings to come out of Seattle in years". I'm not going to draw comparisons with other bands, Josh Ottum have a pretty distinctive sound and for me sit somewhere between Indie and Alt Rock maybe even a few country 'tinges' here and there. Thankfully you can check them out below! Listen: 'It's Alright' Website: MySpace . Buy: Cheap Lullaby Store . MP3's at Amazon Josh Ottum We seem to have escaped from Brooklyn regarding new music (just browse the recent recommendations & spot the trend) and 'remain' in Seattle for our second choic

By the time Jeff Buckley performed on WFMU's The Music Faucet in October 1992 some of the songs that would appear on his debut album Grace less than two years later were already well developed albeit with a few notable differences to what would become the final studio versions. His love for performing covers from an incredibly diverse range of artists and styles has been well documented and throughout 1992 those fortunate enough to catch him at cafe's and clubs in Lower Manhattan may have heard him perform an eclectic selection of covers from a range of artists including Led Zeppelin, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Bob Dylan, Édith Piaf, Elton John, The Smiths, Bad Brains, Leonard Cohen, Robert Johnson and Siouxsie Sioux. This is Jeff Buckley live on WFMU New Jersey on the 11th October 1992. Source: Soundboard. Sound Quality : Very good stereo mp3@320kbps Genre: Alternative Rock, Folk. Set: Full set. Set List: 01. Lost Highway 02. Eternal Life 03. Please Send Me

Colosseum were one of the bands that passed me by in the late sixties & early seventies. I was probably a little to young to appreciate their music and with an overload of choice some bands just stayed off the radar screen. Colosseum were formed originally in 1968 by drummer Jon Hiseman, saxophonist Dick Heckstall-Smith and bassist Tony Reeves, all of whom had previously been in John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, and played on his acclaimed "Bare Wires" album. The group was completed by keyboard wizard Dave Greenslade and guitarist/vocalist James Litherland. Colosseum were immediately signed to the Fontana label who released the bands debut "Those Who Are About To Die Salute You" which became the first of four album chart successes for the band. A change to the newly formed Vertigo label in 1969 accompanied the bands second album "Valentyne Suite". The title track was a twenty minute rock classic written by Greenslade/Hiseman/Heckstall-Smith which showc

Right then ! The inbox has been filling up with some great new or newish artists and albums so here is a quick pick of the best that has taken my attention in the last few days... Kicking Off with Bottle Up And Go whose 'darker louder' hi energy blasts into your ears from the opening chord. Their Press says 'Crush up some shards of broken whiskey bottles and colorful confetti and put in a cannon and what bursts out is the raucous, uncaged bunch that is Bottle Up and Go. Comprised of singer and guitarist Keenan “Hot Pants” Mitchell, drummer Fareed “The Prince” Sajan, and saxophonist accompanist Andrew Carrico, Bottle Up and Go are a two-and-a-half-piece, lo-fi b lues-punk band from primitive Brooklyn, NY '. Not a bad description at all! Listen: Website: MySpace . Buy/More: (Mp3's at Amazon) Bottle Up & Go Also heralding from NYC are Jupiter One who are currently touring with Regina Spektor (until the 12th November). The band have an excellent new album called &