Wednesday, July 31, 2013

New Dr. Dog Song, Upcoming Tour & Album

Anti Records just sent over some great news, one of RtBE's favorites Dr. Dog will be releasing a new album this Fall. After a pretty lackluster year of releases so far in 2013, the fall is shaping up to be chock full of anticipated releases.
The B-Room will be out October 1st and here is the first lush single from the release "The Truth":

The vintage video matched with their words is a nice touch. The song overall is pretty standard Dr Dog at this point, amazing vocals, chill, unique instrumentation. Thumbs up here.

The tour dates don't have them playing NYC but I am hoping that is just in the process of being booked as the Dog Docs always put on a good show.

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Billy Talbot Speaks Out

I don't go to Rolling Stone much these days...if I need a magazine for a long flight maybe, but they seemed to have missed out on most of my generations music as they cling to the old guard while trying to sell copies with teenyboppers on the cover.  Here one of the old guys speaks out (from South Dakota no less). The magazine interviews Billy Talbot, who is the bass player in Crazy Horse and simply one of my favorites because...well he plays so simply.

You can read the full interview here, but I liked this quote:
That first album has really stood the test of time.
Yeah, I think it's really good. I think it's also a reflection of the Rockets. I have to mention all these years later that Danny and I and Ralph and the Whitsell brothers and Bobby Notkoff would play two-chord, three-chord, one-chord jams for a long time. Sometimes an hour. We just naturally did that. Bobby would solo on the violin and George Whitsell would play the heck out of the guitar. So would George Leroy. Danny, Ralph and I would keep the rhythm going.
When Neil called us in to to do "Down By the River," we just went into the instrumental. We just naturally did what we do, and it went for a long time because Danny, Ralph and I would do our natural dynamics. Neil is a very emotional player, like Bobby was and we were, so it really fit together. We all did it together. 
I downloaded that Rockets album a while ago and dug it, it is nowhere near Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, but I think you can hear what Neil was finding in their sound when he saw the fellows and clicked into a glorious musical relationship. I am definitely going to get my hands on Billy's solo disk and give it a review ASAP. Oh and David Crosby can eat a dick, Billy is completely right, it is the music that matters.

Now here is Billy and the boys rocking it all out during "Like A Hurricane" from 1978's Rust Never Sleeps:

Monday, July 29, 2013

Dylan Cover #97 Coulson Dean McGuiness Flint "The Death Of Emmett Till"

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. For the month of July we are focusing on a full album of cover's done by the British band Coulson-Dean-McGuiness-Flint, today the group tackles: "The Death Of Emmett Till"
Thoughts on Original:
A protest number that screams about the injustice of racial bigotry hatred and injustice present in the senseless murder of Emmett Till. Some background on the horrific act which happened in 1955 but was still floating around Dylan's brain in the civil right era 60's and even in the present culture. A bleak picture, painted by an angry young man, nothing pleasent about this one, but a vital song in Dylan's catalog that finally got an official release with the Whitmark Demo's.      
Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
I had never heard of this collection of British Rockers until I started this series and found out the 4 piece crafted a full album of Dylan covers back in 1972. The coolest thing about this must have been that Dylan had not released any of these tracks yet officially. Bootlegs were skirting around but to get these fully flushed out covers is pretty damn cool. What makes it special today is that these songs are still under represented in the world of Bobby D, making these takes still sound fresh. It is going to be a fun July with these Englishmen and Lo and Behold.
Thoughts on Cover:
Well we didn't end this on on the highest of notes, but it is another example of this group of players really making a song their own. The protest vibe, disbelieve, hatred and judgement work well in Dylan's stark original writing and bare bones performance, but they get pushed to the background and sped through with the upbeat tempo and and various instrument playing CDMF put fourth in this cover.
Grade: C-
Overall though what a delightful discovery this July has been, a great way to spend the summer, finding a few British lads who love Dylan's music and put out a fantastic album of (at the time) unknown bard tunes in their own voice. Even today these are songs only hardcore Dylan fans are familiar with so the covers are always worth hearing. We bought the album and suggest you do to if you have been a fan of these tunes, nice job fellows!  

Friday, July 26, 2013

Full Show Friday: Rush, "Sarstock" 2003

Last year we searched the murky back waters of youtube to find full concerts and posted them to the site monthly.  That was all well and good but this year RtBE is upping the ante with a show every week to celebrate Full Show Friday's.  These shows are of varying quality and may not be here for long so enjoy them while you can...As always, please support the artist every which way, but especially by seeing them live (if they are still playing)...This week...RUSH!

Well we are on a mini vacation this weekend and will be in Toronto catching some baseball, brew and possibly live tunes, so we wanted to commemorate the trip by posting a full show friday of the most quintessential Canadian band out there, Rush.

We will freely admit to not being big Rush fans (or fans at all) here at RtBE, but this shorter set that the band played back in 03 is pretty solid with their biggest hits. This was the festival to get people back to Toronto after the Sars scare there 10 years ago, from the looks of that crowd it is safe to say people weren't scared about hanging there, that is massive!

While we will be flying into YYZ, drinking Labatt Blue and reliving memories of Jorge Bell
 you can enjoy this half hour plus set of tunes:

  1. YYZ 
  2. (The Rolling Stones cover) (instrumental)

Thursday, July 25, 2013

New Yuck

Reading that title you may think this is a bad thing, in fact it is a good thing. Yuck was one of the new bands we have really dug over the last few years with their mid 90's Dinosaur Jr. light vibe they instantly hit a happy place with us as we even rated their debut album one of our favorites of that year. Our full review of the album is here, and we just noticed that when Glide updated their star system from 5 to 10 they didn't adjust accordingly our reviews...hmmm, well this one would have been an 8 on the 10 point scale today. WE will have to talk to the guys about that one.

Anyways...onto the new! Here is a new tune off of Yuck's upcoming album, the track is called "Rebirth" and we dig it:

Those clanging guitars slapping skins and dreamy vocals work.  It has a poppier feel to things but that's a plus as it drifts along nicely even adding some synths in there.

You can download the tune right here as well, we are eagerly anticipating this album come the fall.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Album Review: Jungbluth -Part Ache


Jungbluth
Part Ache
**** out of *****

Opening with an instrumental that wouldn't be out of place at an arena rock show Jungbluth's newest blast of energy Part Ache brings out all the elements of powerfully loud music. There is punk/metal/arena rock that all blends with a screaming hardcore vocal style (in German) pushing the right bad ass buttons.

After the inspiring "Crevasse" the disk gets more aggressive, "Wakefield" is a screaming blast of hardcore with a bass break cool off. These songs all have instrumental breaks, shout-a-longs or changes that elevate this above your run of the mill punk/hardcore outings. "These Rare Moments" possesses a rocking outro while "Au Revoir Tristesse" is a bass heavy instrumental that thumps.

The drum filled journey of "Zwang Abwarts" smashes through peaks and valleys of laser like guitar flashes while "Angebot/Nachsage" is a clanging thrill ride. Ending with "Crevasse II" finds acoustic instruments and chimes adding to the texture, unexpected and excellent after the fury before it. Even without understanding the German lyrics (when they are yelled at you) doesn't diminish the overall impact of things.

Part Ache is some ripping rock from this German trio with unique twists and turns, one of those comes in the form of this album itself; all download proceeds will be donated to the Anarchist Black Cross: Belarus who were recently convicted and sentenced to harsh penalties. I am not aware of their particular situation but it is good to see the punk movement spreading and lending helping hands.
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First I am hearing of Jungbluth who named themselves after a Karl Jungbluth, a German Communist who rebelled against fascism and was executed by the Nazis in 1945. I hope it isn't the last though, this disk really clicked with me. The best part you can stream/download it yourself right here and I highly recommend it, even if I have no clue what the are saying, but they hate Nazi's and that's good enough for me.

Support the group here. Below is an older song of theirs, Enjoy:

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Pearl Jam and Mr. Cub

So Pearl Jam played Wrigley last week and while the show was interrupted by weather related delay's there were still some cool happenings in Chicago.
One of the biggest was having Mr. Cub himself come out and sing "All The Way" with Eddie Vedder who is a big baseball fan and loves his Cubs.
  
Below is a video of the song which was inspired by Ernie Banks himself as Banks welcomes everyone to his house. 
Pretty cool all around, combining our love of Pearl Jam and Baseball, two things near and dear to our hearts. We can't wait to see Pearl Jam rock out in New Orleans at Voodoo Fest. Here is the full version of the song now: 


Monday, July 22, 2013

Dylan Cover #96 Coulson Dean McGuiness Flint "Open The Door, Homer"

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. For the month of July we are focusing on a full album of cover's done by the British band Coulson-Dean-McGuiness-Flint, today the group tackles: "Open the Door, Homer"
Thoughts on Original:
A tune that is forever linked with The Band, Woodstock and the return (for good or bad) of folk rock which thrived in the 70's. It is impossible for me to separate any of these tunes between Bob Dylan joints and Band numbers. Dylan owns the copyright to this one, so I guessing it is all him, but I have a hard time separating anything as it seems everyone was working towards crafting amazing music during this fruitful period. By the way, if you don't own it, go buy this now. As for this tune in particular, it is a great track, but one that never jumped out above the rest on The Basement Tapes, like say "This Wheels On Fire", but "Open the Door, Homer" is one of many that sets the overall tone of those sessions wonderfully.  
Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
I had never heard of this collection of British Rockers until I started this series and found out the 4 piece crafted a full album of Dylan covers back in 1972. The coolest thing about this must have been that Dylan had not released any of these tracks yet officially. Bootlegs were skirting around but to get these fully flushed out covers is pretty damn cool. What makes it special today is that these songs are still under represented in the world of Bobby D, making these takes still sound fresh. It is going to be a fun July with these Englishmen and Lo and Behold.
Thoughts on Cover:
The coolest thing about this track is that while the foursome had obviously heard this tune at some point, The Basement Tapes were still underground meaning the majority of listeners had no idea the arraignment of the track (like a few on this release) The group gives it a bit of an uptempo run through of the lyrics but what really grabs the ear is the outro where the band breaks out and gets loose. This jamming seems like it could go on a lot longer and I wish it did, boosting this version of the song up a bit.
Grade: A-

Friday, July 19, 2013

Full Show Friday: ZZ Top Bonnaroo 2013

Last year we searched the murky back waters of youtube to find full concerts and posted them to the site monthly.  That was all well and good but this year RtBE is upping the ante with a show every week to celebrate Full Show Friday's.  These shows are of varying quality and may not be here for long so enjoy them while you can...As always, please support the artist every which way, but especially by seeing them live (if they are still playing)...This week...ZZ Top!

Today is a pro-shot, pro sound show from this years rendition of Bonnaroo.  The super fest hosts lots of amazing sets and we may get to a few more before the summer is out, but this one here is from some of the elder statesmen performing this go around. Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard bang it out proper, and a special shout out to Thunderbolt Patterson if he is reading this, I know his respect for ZZ Top goes a long way...longer then their beards even. I have never been the biggest fan of theirs, but holy christ those are cool jackets.

Here is the trio from Houston Texas, still going strong since forming in 1970.  Wow, that is a long time to rock their style of Electric Blues, but good for them. Setlist is below

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Album Review Shawn Smith -Grass And Sky EP

Shawn Smith
Grass And Sky EP
** out of *****

Shawn Smith is a prolific song writer from Seattle WA who has been involved in many various projects including fronting both BRAD and Pigeonhead. Having collaborated with the likes of Stone Gossard and Greg Dulli the songwriter has had some unique and high profile interactions. The Grass And Sky EP is a step down from some of his more rock oriented projects and has a simple quality to it. Tracks seep out slowly as if just from waking, still shaking the sleep out of their eyes before the last two tracks give the EP a greater (and much needed) sense of purpose. The opening "All The Love In The World (That's What's Needed)" and "It Was A Holiday" feel like they were taken from actual events/thought that were only half finished and half awake, drowsy in all manners.

The title track is a very quite instrumental that barely cracks the surface with soft strings before "Glorious" jars the listener out of their slumber with a thin sounding disco style beat and off kilter club sound that is out of step with the rest of the EP resulting in an off putting track. "Standing In Your Power" which follows however is the best offering here with its swing and sway sashaying in a soulful manner behind Smith's most successful vocals.

The disk ends with a 10+ minute excursion called "The Other Side Of Death (Is Wide Open)" that plays with piano's, languid vocals and a mega six string solo/outro/wowzer. A large track that incorporates some epic guitar work which drives things over the edge in a good way; this track alone shows Smith has a lot to offer as an artist, hopefully his next effort will continue the alive vitality like the last two tracks offered here.  
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You can support Shawn Smith here, you can also stream and download this full album right here. A video is below of an older live performance of Mr. Smith's that was featured in The Soprano's.
"Wrapped In My Memory" Live
          

Live Review: The Rough Seven 5/4/13 Siberia, New Orleans, LA


The Rough Seven  
Siberia, New Orleans, LA 5/4/13

Late night shows around Jazzfest proper add extra spice to the festival weekend while keeping the party going well into the wee hours and at Siberia on Saturday night (and Sunday morning) things were anything but chill.

Opening the festivities were The Unnatural's, using their local flavor the trio of Kevin Bowles, Jenn Attaway and Dano Cardona played a blend of rockabilly and surf in a dirty style (think The Ventures scuzzed up) that is as intoxicating as a Whiskey Smash. Strictly instrumental the group let their fine chops do the talking.

Next was the Ratty Scurvics Trio, Ratty was on double duty tonight as he would later play piano with the Rough Seven, but with his trio he strummed acoustic guitar and sang with a powerful voice. Scurvics works with a theatrical flair, singing deep, recalling a stripped down version of David Bowie.  

When The Rough Seven took the stage they wasted zero time blazing into their tune "Meltdown" with the dueling guitars of front man Ryan Scully and lead guitar slinger Rob Cambre lighting up the dark bar.  The slow burning/building emotional tune was a clear set highlight, the band played as only a 5 piece tonight as the backup singers Meschiya Lake and Erica Lewis got a break from the chaos. "Golden Parachute" rang out strong and true as the band smashed out their low-down-mortgage blues with abandon. “Had A Home” speaks to the post-Katrina problems that still plague the city and probably always will. Ratty manned the piano for the Rough riders as C J Floyd popped the bass-line while Mike Andrepont kept the beat.

The pumping cover of the MC5's raucous "Kick Out The Jams" was a blast of pure balls out excitement; this group possesses the energy and passion that make live rock and roll vital for the soul.

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We talked about this show in the Sazerwrap, but we needed a full on review of it.  Support The Unnatural's here, Ratty here and The Rough Seven Here. a few vid's of the bands below:
 The Unnaturals

Ratty Scurvics (With the Black Market Butchers)

R. Scully Rough 7 "St. Anthony"

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Album Review: Kanye West -Yeezus

Hey all, got a new review up on Glide. Check it out Right C'here!!!

It is of Kanye West's most recent release Yeezus

It is a longer review from me but def one I think covers most of the topics. I said a lot in the review, so  I won't say much more here. It is an album that most people will hear so feel free to give me your thoughts in the comments because when it comes to Kanye it seems everyone has an opinion.

Support the artist here, get the album here and peep a few video samples below:


"Blood On The Leaves"

"Black Skinheads" Live on SNL




Monday, July 15, 2013

Dylan Cover #95 Coulson Dean McGuiness Flint "Lay Down Your Weary Tune"

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. For the month of July we are focusing on a full album of cover's done by the British band Coulson-Dean-McGuiness-Flint, today the group tackles: "Lay Down Your Weary Tune""
Thoughts on Original:
A basic song that a very young Dylan wrote in trying to recreate his own version of a Scottish Folk Song (never been sure which).  He wrote this at a time when he was neck deep in the folk movement and this may be his first signs of retreat from that. It is hymn like and spiritual, but not in any man made sense.  The music is his muse, the words the way he best expresses it. A tune that will live on forever, even if it isn't one of his more widely recognized works.  
Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
I had never heard of this collection of British Rockers until I started this series and found out the 4 piece crafted a full album of Dylan covers back in 1972. The coolest thing about this must have been that Dylan had not released any of these tracks yet officially. Bootlegs were skirting around but to get these fully flushed out covers is pretty damn cool. What makes it special today is that these songs are still under represented in the world of Bobby D, making these takes still sound fresh. It is going to be a fun July with these Englishmen and Lo and Behold.
Thoughts on Cover:
So we are three weeks into this project and I am really impressed with how these guys are covering Dylan. Not everything works, but they are trying and trying. This tune does work for me as it grows, swells, even becomes a touch Pete Seeger Democratic-sing-a-long like at the end which moves it from holy to the people.  A great collection of sound and song.
Grade: A

Friday, July 12, 2013

Full Show Friday: Blind Faith - Hyde Park 1969

Last year we searched the murky back waters of youtube to find full concerts and posted them to the site monthly.  That was all well and good but this year RtBE is upping the ante with a show every week to celebrate Full Show Friday's.  These shows are of varying quality and may not be here for long so enjoy them while you can...As always, please support the artist every which way, but especially by seeing them live (if they are still playing)...This week...Blind Faith!

Here comes a famous show from the swinging heights of the 60's in London. Here's the super group Blind Faith doing one of their very few concerts. Before the show you actually get a bit of background about the players in the band if you don't know about the 4 members past.

Highlights include all of the amazing outfits worn in the crowd...plus some playing. The show proper doesn't get started til around the 11 minute mark and the first full visual performance is  "Sea of Joy".  "Can't Find My Way Home" is a great tune and Clapton plays electric on this live version which is cool, even though I have never been a big fan of Slowhand. A majestic offering of their excellent "Presence of the Lord" is dope and "Had To Cry Today" which closes things is amazing. The band was obviously a bit nervous as this is the bands first ever show which just happened to be in front of 100,000 people.

Enjoy the Scene man....

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Rock Star to War Hero

I missed this article in the NY Times Magazine around the 4th of July, but Holy Cow what an amazing read, Check it out here.
It is of Jason Everman, who has had a pretty insane life when it comes to...well just about everything. As Clay Tarver the author put it best:
What happened to him was almost inexplicable, a cruel combination of good luck, bad luck and the kind of disappointment that would have overwhelmed me even at my most brashly defiant.

The article really speaks for itself so thanks to Clay Tarver for doing such a good job with it and especially thanks for your service Jason. You can peep some video of Everman rocking on bass with Soundgarden during some live early tunes from the band, def read this one:
"Gun" Live 90

"Bigdumbsex" Live in 89

Album Review: I Can Lick Any Sonofabitch In The House -Mayberry

I Can Lick Any Sonofabitch In The House
Mayberry
**and1/2 out of *****
There name may be a mouthful (and taken from Jack Dempsey's famous quote of "I can't sing and I can't dance, but I can lick any SOB in the house.") but their music is easier to digest, radio friendly southern rock with splashes of punk. Front man Michael Dean Damron leads a twin guitar attack that talks about everything from rock and roll road weary warriors ("Break All Your Strings") to the love of a pooch ("I Give Up (The Puppy Song)").

The title track is a great mix of styles, while "When The Sleep Don't Come" shows off a softer ballad side with full on backing vocals. "Liars" is the punkiest the group gets equating the singer to Judas, a nice lyrical touch.  Damron's lyrics are the clear focal point as his semi choked voice gets them out earnestly.  

"It Don't Get Much Better Than This" is total glam rock cheese which can be fun while "My Guitar" is an ode to six slingers and the sweet love of the axe. The harp playing of David Lipkind adds a deeper element to the tracks warbling behind the proceedings or leading the charge. 

There is no doubt that Damron and crew pattern themselves after straight ahead rockers of years past but there is a distinct connection to Patterson Hood and the Drive-by Truckers evident from the get go. The difference may be the Northwest locale of I.C.L.A.SOB.I.T.H who hail from Portland, but the vibe just comes off more polished and reserved then southern fried and sun bleached.
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Support the band here, grab the album here, see them live here and peep a sample below:

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

New David Byrne & Jherek Bischoff Video and Tune

Since last week we just got hit up with a download of David Byrne pairing with St. Vincent, we figured we would share this track we just got hip too today, "Eyes" a collaboration between Byrne and Jherek Bischoff:

Some more info on the catchy track:

Seattle-based composer/performer/producer Jherek Bischoff and musical luminary David Byrne today premiered the video for their collaborative track "Eyes". The lush ballad features Byrne's singular vocals set to sweeping strings and Jherek's signature ukulele, and is featured on Jherek's recent album Composed (out now on Brassland).

Hope you enjoyed, we did, til next time...

Album Review: Dead Stars -High Gain EP

Dead Stars
High Gain EP
*** out of *****

This trio from Brooklyn have put together a catchy EP that has flashes of fuzzy noise rock mixed winningly with tender pop melodies. High Gain is delightful EP tossing the sound back to mid 90's Buzz Bin era rock and roll.  

Dead Stars are Jeff Moore on guitars/vocals, John Watterberg on bass and Jaye Moore on Drums. Their alt/shoegaze style motors on "Fractured" with flashes of all the bands from that genre effortlessly mixed in (Sonic Youth, Pavement, etc), this tune is an EP highlight that showcases the groups talent.

"Waste Away" open ups the EP with pumping high tempo guitar lines and driving beat while "Let It Go" and "Staring at the Sun" both have more of a pop/movie soundtrack feel to them. The contemplative "No Sympathy" ends things easy on a mellow note.  Dead Stars takes their alt-rock heroes, sprinkle in their own odds and ends, and come away with some solid sounding High Gain.

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This type of tuneage is right in RTBE's wheelhouse and we dig it. This is the first we have heard of Dead Stars, but I am guessing it won't be the last

You can stream the album here and also download it direct from the band.  Peep the video for our favorite song "Fractured" below:


Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Live Review: Reiging Sound 4Knots Festival 6/29/13 NYC

Our View of the set
4Knots Music Festival
6/29/13
South Street Seaport, NYC

We were a little later then we would have liked to been on Saturday which caused us to miss a few of the earlier acts, but the gorgeous day was still shining bright when we strolled into the South Street Seaport and grabbed our first of many refreshing cocktails on the day.

We entered just as Parquet Courts ended their set on the main stage and we were told we missed a good one so we will have to check them out. Marnie Stern immediately started up the last set of the day on the "B" stage, but her group wailed and slammed winningly through a punky off kilter rager in the hot sun. The Men played a varying set of rock that touched on punk, Pink Floyd and a set closing cover of The Stooges "I Wanna Be Your Dog" complete with saxophone tooting and stage destruction; their set made me really want to revisit their recent album.

Then the group we have been waiting for months to see, Reigning Sound hit the stage. Greg Cartwright and company are clearly not daytime people as they were dressed in layers of clothing, contradictory to the 90 degree heat. The sun hide behind some buildings soon after the group started with their opening "Your Love Is A Fine Thing" showing off the harmonies that liken them to 50's rock so well. After a few sound issues the tambourine started shaking while Cartwright broke out a song from his Parting Gifts record "Bound To Let Me Down", a surprise tune all around which was a joy to hear.  

"Straight Shooter" had the organ pumping while "Reptile Style" slithered in the now (semi) cooling shade. "We Repel Each Other" focused on some thunderous drumming, while "Debris" from Love and Curses might have been the most perfectly played tune on the day.

A quick and really swinging version of "Time Bomb High School" was blasted through as was "If You Can't Give Me Everything", two of the bands best tunes. A cool treat during "You Got Me Hummin'" saw a few passing boats blowing their horns with the music.

Coming off the stage Greg was sweaty and beat read, maybe playing in a t-shirt might have been a better move, but the band delivered on all fronts. Obviously we here at RtBE love Reigning Sound and think they are one of the most underrated out their today, their late set is definitely a nod to their talent, but it was interesting being in a crowd of people who hadn't come for Reigning Sound to view them.

Most seemed semi interested, but politely cheered and clapped. Let's face it we have been going to 4Knots/Siren Fest for a long time now and these are basically hipster showcases...Reigning Sound is far from that world, (Cartwright has been making great music for longer then some of these acts have been alive) but they are a treat anytime we can catch them.

While we stuck around for the first two Kurt Vile songs the night had other things for us to do so we moseyed along...until next year...   

Monday, July 8, 2013

Dylan Cover #94 Coulson-Dean-McGuiness-Flint "Let Me Die In My Footsteps"

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. For the month of July we are focusing on a full album of cover's done by the British band Coulson-Dean-McGuiness-Flint, today the group tackles: "Let Me Die In My Footsteps"

Thoughts on Original:
A Dylan track that for once you don't have to wonder what he is singing about. Dylan's reaction to nuclear war and the cold war scare that was happening "Let Me Die In My Footsteps" is a defiant reaction to the idea of bomb shelters and fear. A proud American song that still resonates today and an early Dylan track we go back to periodically. Also sounding a whole hell of a lot like "Long Black Veil" helps things out too. Quick side note, it was the first Dylan song we put on the morning of September 11th 2001.   
Cover:

Thoughts on The Cover Artist:
I had never heard of this collection of British Rockers until I started this series and found out the 4 piece crafted a full album of Dylan covers back in 1972. The coolest thing about this must have been that Dylan had not released any of these tracks yet officially. Bootlegs were skirting around but to get these fully flushed out covers is pretty damn cool. What makes it special today is that these songs are still under represented in the world of Bobby D, making these takes still sound fresh. It is going to be a fun July with these Englishmen and Lo and Behold.
Thoughts on Cover:
The band takes a few liberties with this cover, and in the end I am not so sure they work out. The hand drums and strumming give it almost a tropical feel which I think takes away from the power of the lyrics. I won't totally discount it because I do love it when artists put their own spin on things, and the ending organ is pretty cool, but I will stick with the original with this one. 
Grade: C-

Friday, July 5, 2013

Full Show Friday: The Grateful Dead 7-4-1989

Last year we searched the murky back waters of youtube to find full concerts and posted them to the site monthly.  That was all well and good but this year RtBE is upping the ante with a show every week to celebrate Full Show Friday's.  These shows are of varying quality and may not be here for long so enjoy them while you can...As always, please support the artist every which way, but especially by seeing them live (if they are still playing)...This week...The Grateful Dead!

We took the opportunity a few years back to talk about the Best American Band question on July 4th. This year we are just giving you our answer in concert form, the Grateful Dead's July 4th 1989 concert. What a doozy! This is our second full show Friday Dead feature (we kicked the series off with them) and it is the perfect weekend to bust them back out as it is America's Birthday.

This was taken up at Rich Stadium home of the Buffalo Bills and captures the Dead in one of their better late period shows, pro audio and video to boot. From the opening "Bertha" to the 1st set closing "Deal" Jerry is just on and seems to be in a great mood. A few personal favorites of RtBE's are in their ("Stagger Lee", "Row Jimmy") adding to us digging on this set. 

Not many setlist surprises, just great playing from the group. The second set starts with a great "Touch of Grey" before the reggae tinge of "Man Smart, Woman Smarter".  "Terrapin Station" is always a welcomed 2nd set addition and always a sucker for Brent's work "I Will Take You Home" just melts hearts. What better Encore for the 4th of July then "US Blue's"?

The full set list is below, Enjoy:

Set 1
Bertha
Greatest Story Ever Told
Cold Rain and Snow
Walkin' Blues
Row Jimmy
When I Paint My Masterpiece
Stagger Lee
Looks Like Rain
Deal

Set 2
Touch of Grey
Man Smart, Woman Smarter
Ship of Fools
Playing in the Band
Terrapin Station
Drums
Space
I Will Take You Home
All Along the Watchtower
Morning Dew
Not Fade Away
E: U.S. Blues

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Happy 4th Of July! New Pixies Tune, Dino Jr. Cover and Band Members

Happy 4th of July All!
Here's hoping you are at a BBQ somewhere living out the American dream, whatever that may be...

Anyway, last year we premiered a new Dino Jr tune on the 4th, this year we just came across their cover of  "Entertainment" by Phoenix, so we figured we would share:

Not saying it is better or worse then the original...but of course it is better, this is Dinosaur!

It is kind of odd though in checking out some Dino Jr video's on Youtube I noticed that Murph has left the band. Kind of sad and hadn't really heard about it anywhere. Lou Barlow himself said that Murph would be back, that he just sort of freaked out before this new tour and needs time away from the band. Here's hoping things stay on track for them, while Kyle Spence playing with the band in Glastonbury is fine, we hope Murph returns soon. 

Also The Pixies are back with a new song, the first one in forever!  It is called "Bagboy" and you can listen and see the official video here:

Turns out though, they have a lineup change as well. Kim Deal is done with the band (until they need money and do another reunion tour) so Kim Shattuck from The Muffs will be playing bass on the newly announced tour and I am guessing singing all of Kim's parts.

We love old Pixies, but this new tune hasn't really done much for us the few times we listened...your thoughts?

Anyway, have a safe holiday and enjoy life love and tunes.

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Free Download David Byrne and St. Vincent Brass Tactics EP



 
   
   
   
   
   
 

I know this is a month or two old, but I just recently heard about it so I figured I would share this on the short holiday week, a nice free EP from David Byrne and St. Vincent. I have to comment that I was a bit underwhelmed when their full length came out, but anytime I can get a version of "Road To Nowhere" I will take it. 

Just slap your email in that box up there and you are all set.

Here is the album cover and track listing and below is a live video from Atlanta last year with the duo (plus others) performing "This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)...peep the dance moves!

Brass Tactics EP Tracklist:
1. Cissus
2. I Should Watch TV (M. Stine Remix)
3. Lightning (Kent Rockafeller Remix)
4. Marrow (Live)
5. Road to Nowhere (Live)

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

New Arctic Monkey's Single and Tour

One of RtBE's favorite groups just put out a new single and word that a fall record is in the works. The Arctic Monkey's are great, and we are excited to hear the disk. Give a listen to "Do I Wanna Know?" below:

They announced some American Shows, but they are all west coast for now. Only a matter of time before they play NYC though and we can't wait to see them, this new tune is pretty killer. We have always appreciated their work, we love them live and can't wait to catch them live again soon.

Live Review: Screaming Females 5/29/13 Bowery Ballroom NYC

Hey All,

Got a new review up over on Glide

Read it Right C'here!!!

It is of the Screaming Females live show on 5/29/13 at Bowery Ballroom in NYC.

We love the Scremales and have written about them a bunch on this site, so it is no surprise tht we loved this set of tunes.

They are one of the best rock bands out there today, you should def catch them live and buy all their albums. Support great artists.

Below are a few videos of the show:
"Starve The Beat"

"Lights Out"

Monday, July 1, 2013

JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound New Video "Rouse Yourself"

So we missed JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound when they played Mercury Lounge a few weeks ago and we are pissed because we dig them and wanted to see the new tunes live. Well as a consolation prize they released a new video for "Rouse Yourself"

I have no idea who these actors are but apparently people are fans of Aubrey Plaza and Jake Johnson? I must be getting old...Anyway our review of the bands disk is here in case you missed it. We thought this was one of the better tracks off it...very Sly like...Enjoy.

Dylan Cover #93 Coulson-Dean-McGuiness-Flint "Eternal Circle"

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. For the month of July we are focusing on a full album of cover's done by the British band Coulson-Dean-McGuiness-Flint, today the group tackles: "Eternal Circle"

Thoughts on Original:
An underground (if you will) Dylan tune until it officially got released on the amazing Bootlegs Vol 1-3. A waltzing lyrical tale that seemed ancient when first head, yet timeless. The structure and stanza's feel world's away from later day Dylan and perfect for a young bard working with poems and word play. Hell of a tune. 
Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
I had never heard of this collection of British Rockers until I started this series and found out the 4 piece crafted a full album of Dylan covers back in 1972. The coolest thing about this must have been that Dylan had not released any of these tracks yet officially. Bootlegs were skirting around but to get these fully flushed out covers is pretty damn cool. What makes it special today is that these songs are still under represented in the world of Bobby D, making these takes still sound fresh. It is going to be a fun July with these Englishmen and Lo and Behold.  
Thoughts on Cover:
Crisp guitar, deep bass and light tambourine signal the start of this tune before the confident words and chiming bells join to complete the sonic sound. The group waltzes its way through the track and capture a lighthearted feel without becoming minstrelsy, not an easy task. The drums and floating guitar drift in and out. Shades of The Byrds are there, but it is unique enough to come back to often. A great opening track, lets hope the rest are as good.
Grade: A