Friday, January 29, 2016

Full Show Friday: John McLaughlin & The 4th Dimension 2012

We search the murky back waters of youtube to find full concerts and post them to the site weekly, come back every seven days to help us 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...John McLaughlin & The 4th Dimension!
It's Jazzy January again here at RtBE, so get ready to kick off 2016 with some different styled shows every Friday. For this series we skew into new (or more recent) jazz lands. Keeping it current proves there is amazing live jazz still being performed no matter what Ken Burns says.

Well we are wrapping up our Jazz January and we wanted to ease back into our normal waters of rock and roll so we take a step there with the jazz/fusion rock of John McLaughlin. While we were never huge fans of his his more modern "smooth jazz" sound, you can't deny his talent or any of the players in his group actually. While this one wasn't our favorite of the month, hopefully you didn't miss our New Years Day edition or any others as Jazzy Jan is always fun to right, but if judging by the clicks, not as fun to read.....

Next month we return to normal broadcasting, but until then sit back and relax on the flight.

Enjoy:

Genre: Jazz-Rock / Fusion
Duration: 00:58:25
Year: 2012
Musicians:
JOHN McLAUGHLIN - electric guitar
GARY HUSBAND - keyboards
ETIENNE M'BAPPE - electric bass
RANJID BAROT - drums
TRACKLIST:
1. Trancefusion
2. Little Miss Valley
3. Abbaji (For Alla Rakha)
4. Hijacked
5. Senor C S
6. Call And Answer
7. Riff Raff

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Album Review: Culver Polley- Moon Lady EP

Culver Polley
Moon Lady EP
** out of *****
As we look to bring Jazz Jan to a close we will be skewing a bit more rock over the last few days and there we find Culver Polley, a guitarist from Washington and his Moon Lady Ep.

The three songs presented here definitely have a hard rock edge to them, but the instrumentals also fall into experimental and jazz territories. Without the high quality, but in the same vein of Buckethead's huge catalog of self releases.

Guitars and keyboards dominate and on tracks like "Perfect Children" the interlocking combo of both work very nicely. This song has multiple layers, feels and journeys as Polley, builds and recedes with ease combining digital elements easily if ending a bit abruptly. The opener and title track "Moon Lady" falls into the same category, with a dexterous interplay of engaging digital sounds and strong guitar.  

"Time For Us" ends things and contains Polley's only vocal effort and it is solid as he puts in home/time based lyric that is comforting while the music can hint at something darker.
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Yet another fun bandcamp find, Jazz Jan is always great for these kind of explorations into the site. Grab the album or stream it below.

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Album Review: Tensei- The Hot Box Sessions Volume #1

Tensei
The Hot Box Sessions Volume #1
** out of *****
Sometimes the environment in which you write/create music in has an overwhelming effect on the production. This was the case for the Chicago based collective Tensei who used an older studio to literally sweat out these tracks offered here as The Hot Box Sessions Volume #1.

"Impossibility" opens things and swings between a new school electro dance beat and a early 80's disco infused pop track. The swirling background/foreground gives it a late night club fee while the "Too Familiar" Remix continues to blend genres with light keys moving between shuffling beats and electro fills/chimes for extended workout.

Tensei are Simple X and Midas Wells and this short EP collects tracks they were working on in studio from 2009-2010.

"Slowburn" kicks up the bass a bit and begins the climb up the sonic mountain with delicate chords and running workouts. The best track here it is a shame it cuts off at the moment when you want it to soar even higher. The closer "Grant City" plays dream like with its ethereal haunting but also ends abruptly. Piano and electro claps are the focal points not only on "Grant City", but the album as a whole and they keep the EP from floating out into the gloaming.
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Yet another Jazzy Jan find on bandcamp. We love this month for all of these. Go buy the disk or stream it:

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Album Review: Gloom Soup -Hoam

Gloom Soup
Hoam
**and1/2 out of *****
The jazz fusion group Gloom Soup's first release Hoam is a journey through musical textures on the full length instrumental disk. The experimental trio from Savannah, GA has talent and play to their wandering strengths. 

Comprised of Gordon Weary on piano, Daniel Butler on Guitar & Bass and Jason Ussery on drums and percussion the group plays it cool, letting sounds ease out and paint sonic landscapes on sudio canvases. They never get to worked up or frantic and it suites the music and playing expertly. 

A musical motif is announced on the upbeat opener "Hold, it Moltvick!" which is scattered but lively.  The more restrained and groove focused "Elephant Tree" follows setting up an easy going tone that continues with the languid with "Whinne the Winning Pig from Winnipeg".

Let's talk about that song name for a moment. With instrumentals there is a sense to name things outrageously in the Frank Zappa vein ("G-Spot Tornado" anyone?) or quirky as Gloom Soup do here. It is no detriment to the music, but without vocals this is the best way for bands to get their personalities across in words...that said "Track 3" on this release sounds about as far from whatever "Whinne the Winning Pig from Winnipeg" is to these ears.   

Other tracks with perhaps questionable names but fun and engaging instrumentation are "Whisker Worm", which is Phish like in its energy and changes as well as "Eternal Alphabet/Good Job, Idiot". "Oz of Bz" has a early jazz base but allows the band the flutter around excellently and proves to be a disk highlight as is the title track which is layered, challenging and rewarding even at a short 2:16. 

That said, all of the tracks are short (most end before 3 minutes) except "Igloominati" which recalls the opening musical statement with running piano and guitar lines, wrapping up Hoam before the relaxed closing punctuation of "Glumcat". That track concludes an interesting instrumental journey and an excellent first release from the new band of which there is unfortunately little online about.
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Another in a seemingly endless stream of great finds on bandcamp. Go there to buy the album or stream it below:

Monday, January 25, 2016

Dylan Cover #218 The Jamie Saft Trio w/ Mike Patton "Ballad Of A Thin Man"

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is a cover by The Jamie Saft Trio with Mike Patton of the Dylan tune "Ballad Of A Thin Man"
It is Jazzy January here at RtBE and that is flowing into our Monday Dylan Cover Series as we look at four covers from The Jamie Saft Trio who put a jazz twist on the Bard's Catalog.  

Thoughts On Original:
Surprisingly we have not touched upon a cover of this track yet in the series, possibly because it has never been anywhere close to a favorite of ours. This tune seems to be a clear product of Dylan's time and space, hounded by media/fans/everyone and lashing out in a burnt out manner. Not containing his best lines or playing it has never really grabbed hold, except a few times in the live setting.  
Cover:


Thoughts on Cover Artist:
Up until this month we had not heard of the Jamie Saft Trio, but with our focus on the group here is a little something about them. Comprised of Jamie Saft on Piano, Ben Perowsky on Drums and Greg Cohen on Bass the group is an acoustic Jazz trio who have produced 2 releases, the one we are focusing on this month of Dylan covers and Astaroth- the Jamie Saft Trio Plays Masada Book II.
Thoughts on Cover:
With the end of Jazzy Jan on the horizon we will start sliding more into the focus of this site, rock and roll. Mike Patton is a captivating front-man and he joins the trio here to claim the spotlight and deliver a rousing cover of the Dylan original. While the players admirably support, this is the most straight ahead they have been this month and allow Patton's vocals to shine and go all over.

It has been lot of fun focusing on this bands Dylan covers this month, and you can purchase the album to support them more.

Friday, January 22, 2016

Full Show Friday: Bill Evans & His Soulgrass Band 2014

We search the murky back waters of youtube to find full concerts and post them to the site weekly, come back every seven days to help us 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...Bill Evans & His Soulgrass Band!

It's Jazzy January again here at RtBE, so get ready to kick off 2016 with some different styled shows every Friday. For this series we skew into new (or more recent) jazz lands. Keeping it current proves there is amazing live jazz still being performed no matter what Ken Burns says.

Not the piano playing Bill Evans, this is the Sax player who famously played with Miles Davis and who is up to some intriguing things with his Soulgrass Band on this Full Show Friday.

Coming at you from Leverkusner Jazztage this 5 piece cooks. The players are Bill Evans - sax, keyboard, voice, Dave Anderson - bass, Josh Dion - drums, vocals, Mitch Stein - guitar, voice, Ryan Cavanaugh - electric banjo and they are on fire from the first song. "New Bottle/Old Wine" just may be the highlight of this set.

All the players are top notch, the addition of a banjo by Cavanaugh is the obvious new twinge that sets these players apart however it is drummer, Dion in particular who stands out with his percussion and vocals, a really cool combo adding an extra dimension to this group. Going to have to dig in more to his stuff now. 

Setlist below the video, Enjoy:

● Tracklist:
1. New Bottle / Old Wine
2. Kings & Queens
3. Everybody Is Looking
4. Rise Above
5. Mad Man
6. Ode To A Working Man
7. Feel

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Album Review: Aurelia O'Leary- Jazz Standards

Aurelia O'Leary
Jazz Standards
**and1/2 out of *****

On her newest release the Francophone jazz singer Aurelia O'Leary tackles jazz (and one rock) standards in her own style; the title isn't lying. The basic choices but varied performance makes for a mixed final result but a fun experiment on the Quebec natives fourth album. 

The opening Cole Porter classic "Love For Sale" has a playful feel to it as O'Leary never takes the subject matter to serious, her vocals manage to scat with freedom at the closing. While in these jazz standard waters O'Leary works well. Billie Holiday's "God Bless The Child" gets energetically expanded while a more minimalist take arrives on Rodgers and Hammerstein "My Favorite Things" complete with sax solo nod to Coltrane. Other covers of classics like "My Funny Valentine" and the torch song closer "Cry Me A River" are expertly suited for O'Leary's vocal work. 

The Duke Ellington/Ella Fitzgerald "Caravan" becomes more experimental, switching tempos and abrasive percussive piano lines as O'Leary sings with smoldering restraint and confidence. It is a highlight of this collection along with the straight ahead smoothness of the rolling and weeping "Angel Eyes".

It is when the singer moves to the rock world where her only misstep occurs. O'Leary's back up band explores The Beatles "Come Together" with drive, experimentation and passion, but the singers vocal approach doesn't pair well with the band and makes for an awkward attempt in the end.

Singing in her second language adds a nuance to O'Leary's vocals that is engaging and different; breathing unique French-Canadian life into some of these standards. Her go for broke backing band helps as well, never scared of the originals, these tracks live on.
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A more standard Jazz release for our Jazz Jan. Bandcamp keeps giving, support the artist, buy the disk and stream it below:

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

2015 Recap: Favorite Albums, Shows, Etc

With all the hectic happenings at the end of the year, things can be missed. This is just a catch up post to point out a few of our favorite things from 2015 that shouldn't go unnoticed. There were many strong releases, great live shows, amazing musical moments....2016 has a lot to live up to.
 In case you missed it here are our Best of 2015 series of posts...

Our picks for best album art of 2015, where we check out some creative album art from the last year.

Our picks for best live show of 2015, what an amazing year for live tunes...all of these were jaw dropping nights in their own ways.

Finally our one, two, three, part picks for best albums of 2015.  Again all of these are fantastic and worth your time and attention.

Feel free to let us know your choices in the comments and thanks as always for reading and exploring...as the patron saint of this blog stated:

What are those of the known, but to ascend and enter the Unknown? 

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

2016 NOLA Jazzfest Acts Announced!

Last week we guessed at who should and who would be playing the 2016 NOLA Jazz Festival, which we consider the best fest in the country.
Well today they announced the acts via this funky video:


We gotta say the lineup is pretty god damn solid. Last year we were underwhelemd with the major acts that were playing down there, not the case this year as all of the headliners would be worth saying, I am not sure I have said that about any of the years we have gone down.

Unfortunately we always book tickets early so we will be missing Pearl Jam who we caught at the Fest in 2010,


However, with Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Tedeschi Trucks Band and Neil Young the second weekend (as well as numerous local acts) we can not complain in the slightest.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers join PJ to give the first weekend a bit of an old school Loollapalloza feel while long time blues warriors like Bonnie Raitt can slug it out with new school six string slingers like Gary Clark Jr.

The only downside to this?  Now we have to wait until the end of the April...It can't come soon enough!

Album Review: Elijah Jamal Balbed- Lessons From The Streets

Elijah Jamal Balbed
Lessons From The Streets
*** out of *****

The Washington DC born and current Queens NY resident Elijah Jamal Balbed brings with him a keen sense of historical understanding by way of his soulful saxophone. His newest effort is a tribute to his home town called Lessons From The Streets and while in the past he has played Go-Go music, here he sticks to traditional jazz roots

The opening "Butch Warren" is a straight ahead work out that fills the ears with lush warm sounds. Supporting Balbed are: Alex Norris-Trumpet, Samir Moulay-Guitar, Alex Brown-Piano, Kris Funn-Bass, Corey Fonville-Drums and Warren Wolf on Vibraphone. The collective gel almost effortlessly on originals like "Sonny Suspended" and the piano led "What Matters Most- In Life".

The album has a few reinterpreted covers from Balbed and they honor the originals. The excellent selection of Cedar Walton's killer "Firm Roots" plays a bit more grounded then the original, but still possesses that driving energy while Wayne Shorter's classic "Infant Eyes" gets stretched and Bronislav Kaper's "On Green Dolphin Street" gets chilled out superbly.

The central focal points on the disk are the two original compositions "Lessons From The Streets" and "From The Streets To The Mansion". The title track comes across as a bit restrained and while Wolf's vibes spice it up it, the track plays overly long. On the other hand "From The Streets To The Manison" is over a minute longer but never feels that way. From the opening bass solo the track crackles with energy and provides a highlight of a solid album.  

Balbed clearly revers the old style, but is never afraid to add his touch, something all great jazz players need. Lessons From The Streets were clearly well learned.
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A more traditional bandcamp find, but a good one none the less. Support the artist, grab the disk and stream it below or peep some video:

Monday, January 18, 2016

Dylan Cover #217 The Jamie Saft Trio "Trouble"

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is a cover by The Jamie Saft Trio of the Dylan tune "Trouble"


It is Jazzy January here at RtBE and that is flowing into our Monday Dylan Cover Series as we look at four covers from The Jamie Saft Trio who put a jazz twist on the Bard's Catalog.  

Thoughts On Original:
Right before Shot of Love closes with it's best track, "Series Of Dreams" we get Dylan's take on "Trouble". An 80's glammed up blues walk that suffered from being crafted in a tough era for the bard. It isn't a whole lot different then say his writing for Oh Mercy, but the end result doesn't ring memorable at all. Let's put it another way, when I saw this as a cover, I had to look up the Dylan original and that is the first time it has happened in 217 covers for this series.   
Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
Up until this recently we had not heard of the Jamie Saft Trio, but with our focus this month on the group here is a little something about them. Comprised of Jamie Saft on Piano, Ben Perowsky on Drums and Greg Cohen on Bass the group is an acoustic Jazz trio who have produced 2 releases, the one we are focusing on this month of Dylan covers and Astaroth- the Jamie Saft Trio Plays Masada Book II.
Thoughts on Cover:
The Trio digs deep again this week pulling out a little known track from Dylan's Shot of Love and gets a bit avant-garde with it. The other offerings this month play it pretty straight but "Trouble" adds 2 minutes to the run time and gives noisy solos to each player. Since we had forgotten the original we would have to say this cover is a step in the right direction, experimenting to spice up the source material.   

Friday, January 15, 2016

Full Show Friday: Chucho Valdes: Irakere 40 Estival Jazz Lugano 2015

We search the murky back waters of youtube to find full concerts and post them to the site weekly, come back every seven days to help us 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...Chucho Valdes: Irakere 40!

It's Jazzy January again here at RtBE, so get ready to kick off 2016 with some different styled shows every Friday. For this series we skew into new (or more recent) jazz lands. Keeping it current proves there is amazing live jazz still being performed no matter what Ken Burns says.

RtBE heads to Cuba this week to get funky with Chucho Valdes and Irakere 40. This is some spirited Latin jazz that has room for tons of drums, brass, piano and vocals.

Here are all the players Chucho Valdés - piano, Yaroldy Abreu Robles - percussion, vocals, Dreiser Durruthy Bombalé–Batás - lead vocal, Rodney Barreto - drums, vocals, Gastón Joya - bass, vocals, Manuel Machado - trumpet, Ariel Bringuez - tenor sax, Alexander Abreu - trumpet, vocals, Rafael Águila - alto sax, Reinaldo Melián - trumpet. The set was captured at the Estival Jazz Lugano in 2015.

The music is alive and thankfully you are too, so what are you waiting for? Enjoy:
 

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Live Review: Phish 12/30/15 MSG, NYC

Phish
Live 12/30/15
MSG, NYC
The Vermont quartet Phish made the world's most famous arena it's home once again to see out an old year and welcome in a new one for 2015/16. The band has played lots of sold out shows in MSG and this would be the first of another four where the group showcased their experimental rock and roll.

The band begin the MSG run with some of our personal favorite songs of theirs during the first set. "Sample In A Jar", "Get Back On The Train" and closer "46 Days" were all good upbeat numbers to shake the rust of, while newer outings like "Waiting All Night" and "555" presented the bands newer songwriting efforts, the first more successfully then the second.

Set highlights would come in the free form early "Free", a swirling "Roggae" that was expertly augmented by Chris Kuroda's light show and a Halloween throwback to an energetic cover of Disney's sound effect's with "The Dogs".

Some nights one of the foursome seems to shine a bit brighter then the rest and on this night the dress wearing human octopus behind the drum kit was the star. Throughout the first set it really felt like Fishman was the directing force, keeping the beat while moving forward as Page Trey and Mike worked to catch the groove and follow.
The second set featured some more cohesive playing as the band opened with "Chalkdust Torture" as Anastasio sang school age gripes over fret board fireworks. When the song seemed to be wrapping up the red headed frontman had other ideas and twisted things into an exploratory jam, wandering into funky terrain for over 22 minutes.

Fan favorite "Ghost" popped up and things looked to be getting deep into the groove/cow-funk, but the band loves to throw curve balls and made a left turn into a brand new straight up rock number named "Can't Always Listen".

The debut of the new song was interesting but disrupted the flow of "Ghost" which the band tried to get back into, never achieving that locked and loaded feel before opting for the more airy and scenic "Waves". The regroup then turned old school with the "underwater" vibe as a large mid set "Bathtub Gin" got the packed house singing along; all in it together.

Feeding off the energy, the group began "Mike's Song" signalling a powerful close to the show. This version was nothing spectacular but an oddly placed "Bouncing Around the Room" became a pleasantly unique offering. The real fireworks started though with "Weekapaug Groove" which segued into and out of one of Phish's best instrumentals titled "What's The Use?". Fishman again shined and the band as a whole gelled gloriously marking an experimental highlight on this night.

For RtBE, seeing Phish at this point is more of a happy experience then a life altering musical night, which it certainly once was. Phish shows now are more about catching up with old friends, and remembering great times as opposed to blowing up the night and creating new ones or even being too critical and over bearing about song choices or performances.

They are the still the best live act we have had the privilege to catch and remain strong, if not as explosive as they once were. Version 3.0 of the band isn't our favorite incarnation but it may be the most solid. Phish consistently deliver quality performances night after night and 12/30/15 was just the start of another great run that we hope continues through their Mexican Standoff this weekend, gotta be a "Mexican Cousin" opener right?  
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Another fun show, seen with great friends. Thanks Phish, a blast as always, support them and most importantly catch them live.

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Album Review: Christian Scott- Stretch Music

Christian Scott
Stretch Music
**** out of *****
The New Orleans based jazz multi-instrumentalist Christian Scott has been nominated for Grammy Awards in the past and his newest release (his first for RopeadopeStretch Music, continues his high level of excellence, it is a shame he wasn't nominated this year.

The core of players who join Scott are formidable. Elena Pinderhughes - Flute, Braxton Cook - Alto, Straight Alto, Corey King - Trombone, Cliff Hines - Guitar, Lawrence Fields – Piano, Fender Rhodes, Kris Funn – Bass, Corey Fonville ‒ Drums, SPD-SX pad, Joe Dyson Jr. - Pan African Drums, SPD-SX pad. They are all talented players driving Scott, who focuses Trumpet, Sirenette and Reverse Flugelhorn.

The opening "Sunrise in  Beijing" is a melange of styles with fidgety drums and distorted keyboard work from Fields clashing and interlocking with gorgeous horn and flute phrases, expertly capturing what Scott refers to as 'stretch-music'. The escapist "Liberation over Gangsterism" floats in the same waters pairing Pinderhughes flute beautifully with Scott's own sound all around a groove filled, repetitive foundation.

"West of the West" is the winning centerpiece of the album, the core is augmented by Matthew Stevens on guitar and the whole collective shines. Stevens riff forms the basis and the band works off of it into bass solos, expressive brass workouts and drum excursions.

"Runnin 7's" gives the brass a break as the drummers get a well deserved turn in the spotlight while "Tantric" spaces things out but never really delivers either the chillness or space vibe it is going for and gets stuck between.

"Of a New Cool" however blends multiple eras of jazz effortlessly with soul, dramatically swelling and recalling hidden emotions. An extended track that lets all the players come into focus and gel swimmingly even adding a new sound as Warren's Wolfs vibes cut an elegant swath.

Wolf also helps out more understated on "Perspectives" which floats along never feeling too tied down to this earth while "TWIN" is the opposite. Grounded, the group seems more spirited as it puts on its dancing shoes letting the low end lead the party out onto the floor while Scott adds full and confident lines of brass to the party, a real winner of a track.

The final big musical statement comes on "The Last Chieftain" a scattered affair where Stevens joins back adding more to the free jazz texture. While not as cohesive as the other longer pieces it is still very expressive. Brief hip-hop tinged "The Horizon" is called upon to close out this fantastic 'stretch-music' release from Scott and company, gazing forward with the talent to back it up.  
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Yesterday we guessed at artists who should be playing Jazzfest, but we left one off and that was Christian Scott who we are focusing on today. An incredibly exciting bandcamp find, for Jazzy Jan. This one pushes the others to the side with its quality, production and vision. Go buy a copy, peep some video and stream below:


Tuesday, January 12, 2016

2016 NOLA Jazzfest Lineup, Predicted Today!

Soon the lineup for the 2016 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival will be announced but we got the early scoop...
Actually, no we don't but since it is fun to predict, lets look into the crystal ball and guess who will be and who should be playing. We will exclude local acts (even though they are the main reason we go) lets just talk about the bigger national touring artists for now....

To get in the southern festive NOLA mood, here is a great video done by Jeronimo Acero that my friend the fantastic Lu Brow sent north to warm me up during the winter.

a glimpse of LOUISIANA from Jeronimo Acero on Vimeo.
Now on to the predictions:

Monday, January 11, 2016

Dylan Cover #216 The Jamie Saft Trio "Living The Blues"

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is a cover by The Jamie Saft Trio of the Dylan song "Living The Blues"

It is Jazzy January here at RtBE and that is flowing into our Monday Dylan Cover Series as we look at four covers from The Jamie Saft Trio who put a jazz twist on the Bard's Catalog.  

Thoughts On Original:
"Living The Blues" comes from Dylans Self Portrait album which has recently been more in focus as the Bootleg Series tackled outtakes of these sessions adding another layer to Dylan's History. Originally this track was a lighthearted piano/guitar walk through a blues tune, and it wasn't a focus of any of the recently released outtakes. The track was sung in his Nashville Skyline, vocal style complete with background vocals, and felt as if it was a cover track when it was first heard. It shows Dylan's multiple layers, if nothing earth shattering it is pleasent. You can hear it yourself, I am not sure why the weird video is attached to it though...    
Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
Up until this month we had not heard of the Jamie Saft Trio, but with our focus on the group here is a little something about them. Comprised of Jamie Saft on Piano, Ben Perowsky on Drums and Greg Cohen on Bass the group is an acoustic Jazz trio who have produced 2 releases, the one we are focusing on this month of Dylan covers and Astaroth- the Jamie Saft Trio Plays Masada Book II.
Thoughts on Cover:
A fine cover that slows things down and easily strolls around with vocals by Antony and a focus on Cohen's bass. A sweet take on an a very deep cut of Dylan's that originally felt like a throwaway track but in the trio (plus vocalists) hands, it gains some substance. 

Friday, January 8, 2016

Full Show Friday: Wayne Shorter Quartet Marciac 2013

We search the murky back waters of youtube to find full concerts and post them to the site weekly, come back every seven days to help us 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...Wayne Shorter Quartet!

It's Jazzy January again here at RtBE, so get ready to kick off 2016 with some different styled shows every Friday. For this series we skew into new (or more recent) jazz lands. Keeping it current proves there is amazing live jazz still being performed no matter what Ken Burns says.

We unfortunately missed the Wayne Shorter Quartet when they played Lincoln Center in 2015, and we are pissed because there are very few 82 year old artists making magical music these days, and with the help of his players, Mr. Shorter is still at the top of his game, which is incredible.

This show from 2013 does a fine job of capturing the players in their groove and is a dynamite way to spend this chilly Friday Morning.  

Enjoy:

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Happy 2 Year Anniversary To The A&V EP!

Hard to believe @angelsvagabonds released our debut effort, The A&V EP two years ago today.
It has been fun writing about music on various websites and publications over the last ten years, but nothing beats the act of creating music, playing it live and recording it. Our first EP was an excellent experience, a huge learning process for me personally, and now two years removed, I am still very proud of the final result.

From the cover photo that stayed exactly as Bruno_Pek_ shot it, to the great production from our good friend Glen to the contributions of everyone involved The A&V EP is a joy to remember. More importantly, we still like listening to it and you can do the same now.

You can download from our bandcamp site, you can buy it from iTunes, or you can stream it below. As always, thanks for reading, and on this day I can say thanks for listening.

Album Review: Bo Bun Fever- Bangkok Luxor EP

Bo Bun Fever
Bangkok Luxor EP
** out of *****
This incredibly weird and diverse offering comes from Bo Bun Fever a trio that dabble in all sorts of sounds and styles on this brief EP put out on the French label TriCollectif.

Quentin "Kevin" Biardeau - saxophone, synth, vocal,  Leo "Scott" Jassef - keyboard, synth, vocal and Theo "Wallace" Lanau - drums, vocal are the players with their respective instruments and responsibilities, but describing their sound is a bit tougher.

There is a kaleidoscope feel to things as the players twist and turn on a dime in the fun house sounding opener "Sawan Bangkok". The song would be at home on an early Ween or Fantomas album maybe perhaps background during some Doctor Demento segments but while wild, it remains engaging. "Susie Wan" calms it down and spaces it out with eastern flutes a leading sax. Bass and organ move it smoothly along, quite a change from the wacky opener until the band puts in its street cat in heat vocal twinges, amping back up the weirdness.   

Closing on almost a jamband note, the trio trip out fairly straight and rocking for "Bong Ja Bong" proving they can move in pretty much any direction and make your ears sit up and take notice. 
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More bandcamp related obscure jazz for Jazz Jan. Finding these groups is more then half the fun of this winter highlight for us. Hope you enjoy Bo Bun Fever, check out their bandcamp or stream below:
  

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Album Review: Tunguska Sound Ghost Breaks

Tunguska Sound
Ghost Breaks
*** out of *****
There isn't much online regarding Tunguska Sound, a jazz outfit from Germany but background doesn't matter that much when you are putting out instrumental music this tasty.

Whether the piano led sway of "Astromentalized" or the deep bass of "Kung-Fung-Foo" is ringing prominent all of the quick offerings bring something intriguing to the table. The tribal drumming of "Spooky Train" is matched by toots and breaks to scoot along. "Cyclops Cops" plays as a stripped down Medeski Martin and Wood track before "Castle of The Unknown" gets quirky with eletcro bleeps.

"Fantasmogazm" (besides having a dope title) puts it all to work ending up with a futuristic Latin flavor some of which also drips off onto "Shaker Bottoms" while "Voodoo Woman" stays away from the swamps of its name and plays as the most straight up jazz offering here. "Hotel Psycho" begins things on a high note with its funkified breaks that are groovy as hell and its counterpoint "Pata-Tones" ends the offering with a quick sunshiny late 70's styled jam.  

The skittering "Shitty Shitty Bang Bang" is too herky jerky for its own good getting clipped at points while some of the offerings like "Xenomorphs Invasion" and "Spiders Removal Squad"seem to be one note ideas that don't do much of anything, but the presentation of short tracks means even the weaker ones are gone before they clunk too loudly. The longest song is "Cyborgs Mission Control" at 3:44 and it's organ sets the tone with squiggly guitars, clean keys and hi hats nibbling around the edges excellently.

Whether used as accents/foundations to hip hop tracks in the future or digested simply by themselves Ghost Breaks is a very cool exploration of funky sounds, blending organic and electric with ease squirming into your ear while making you shake your hips. Get down with the Tunguska Sound.
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We had to get some straight up rock out of our system with yesterdays review but now the months focus is on full force and begins with a winner. A very cool bandcamp find for Jazz Jan. Check it out for streaming and purchase:

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Album Review: Drive-By Truckers- It's Great To Be Alive!

Drive-By Truckers
It's Great To Be Alive
****and 1/2 out of *****
Here's the deal with live albums, they are not going to convert any new fans, they are for the disciples. Here's the other thing with live albums, they are 99% of the time gap fillers/last gasps/money grabs and usually lesser than any studio effort from the group. Then there is It's Great To Be Alive! from the Drive-By Truckers. While the band has studio efforts that may be technically better (and no Jason Isbell tunes are represented on IGTBA), this live disk nails exactly what the Truckers are all about.

It is massive. 35 songs that run the gamut of their now 20 year career; you can never say DBT didn't give it their all. In fact one of our only critiques of the band in the past is that they have given so much, the high points get washed out by the many solid workman like songs. 

Production is pristine, guitars strum, ring out, slam with power while keys accentuate and low end rumbles when needed. The album was recorded during the bands 2014 three night stand in San Francisco's Fillmore West and finds the players clicking expertly. All of their back catalog is represented, with the newer songs holding up with fan favorites, and in some cases surpassing them.

Fans will know the tunes, but all of them are worth hearing. Old warhorses like "Women Without Whiskey", "The Living Bubba" "Ronnie and Neil" come alive with the five piece band. It is interesting to hear how the tracks get re-interpenetrated with this smaller more precise team of players and things really flow gloriously, then the horns come out and jump up the levels even more.

Newer songs like "Made Up English Oceans", "Shit Shot Counts" and "Pauline Hawkins" crackle with vitality. Dueling guitars, bass, drums, keys and the occasional brass augmentations are all the story tellers Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley need to deliver their gritty story songs in this live setting.

Going more in depth some of the power guitar is lost scaling back from a three to two guitar attack, notably on "Putting People On The Moon", the nuances and shifts are engaging and make up for it even with some slightly buried vocals. The closing track, the bands "Grand Canyon" which was a standout on English Oceans, becomes even more magical here. It is a cyclone of guitars, key fills and emotion that ranks up with "Like A Hurricane" or "Tenth Ave Freeze Out" during the majestic live airing, this is a must hear.    

In the end we would still recommend buying their studio disks (start with Decoration Day, or Dirty South, or Brighter Than Dark's Creation, hell, any/all) but this excellent live document will rank up there as one of the groups best collections and a true all-time great live recording. It is true, It's Great To Be Alive!
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RtBE wanted to start off 2016 on a very, very positive note for our first review. Support the band, buy the album and peep some video below:




Monday, January 4, 2016

Dylan Cover #215 The Jamie Saft Trio "What Was It You Wanted"

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is a cover by The Jamie Saft Trio of the Dylan tune "What Was It You Wanted"


It is Jazzy January here at RtBE and that is flowing into our Monday Dylan Cover Series as we look at four covers from The Jamie Saft Trio who put a jazz twist on the Bard's Catalog.  

Thoughts On Original:
Oh Mercy brought Dylan back in from the creative wasteland that was his 1980's. It had an eerie sense of foreboding, helped by producer Daniel Lanois and the ghosts of New Orleans. The irritable old man in Dylan came out a bit here as well, and "What Was It You Wanted" is a good example of that, a confused searching colors the lyrics as the protagonist just can't seem to get it right. 
Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
Up until recently we had not heard of the Jamie Saft Trio, but with our focus this month on the group here is a little something about them. Comprised of Jamie Saft on Piano, Ben Perowsky on Drums and Greg Cohen on Bass the group is an acoustic Jazz trio who have produced 2 releases, the one we are focusing on this month of Dylan covers and Astaroth- the Jamie Saft Trio Plays Masada Book II.
Thoughts on Cover:
We are focusing on one set of artists this month for our Dylan cover series and we wanted to start it off on the highest note. While all the songs this month are worth hearing, this is the track that really caught our ear as the trio glides around the song and pushes it around in lots of directions. Jamie Saft takes the lead and the rhythm section follows. A great way to kick off another year of Dylan Covers.

Friday, January 1, 2016

Full Show Friday: Snarky Puppy Coutances 2015

We search the murky back waters of youtube to find full concerts and post them to the site weekly, come back every seven days to help us 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...Snarky Puppy with Metropol Orkest!


It's Jazzy January again here at RtBE, so get ready to kick off 2016 with some different styled shows every Friday. For this series we skew into new (or more recent) jazz lands. Keeping it current proves there is amazing live jazz still being performed no matter what Ken Burns says.

This is Snarky Puppy, one of the best jazz collective's playing anywhere today. This special show pairs them with the Metropol Orkest and lets the music whirl around all over the place with the power of hundred players (or at least it feels like that many).

A great show and an excellent way to kick off our Jazz Jan series. The collective actually just got done playing a late night show at Irving Plaza. If you missed it or just want to relive the magic, play this loud and let the killer tunes flow.

Enjoy:

Full concert by Snarky Puppy & Metropol Orkest
Recorded at Coutances (France) on 8th May 2015
--- Tracklist ---
00:00:00 - (Entrance)
00:03:04 - Sintra
00:07:13 - Flight
00:13:00 - Atchafalaya
00:23:40 - The Curtain
00:39:32 - Gretel
00:44:22 - The Clearing
00:59:54 - Ready Wednesday
01:10:59 - Things of Gold
01:21:22 - Lingus
01:34:38 - Shofukan