Thursday, June 30, 2016

Album Review: Martha- Blisters In The Pit Of My Heart

Martha
Blisters In The Pit Of My Heart
**** out of *****
The four piece from Northeast England, County Durham specifically, called Martha self describe as vegan, straight edge, and anarchist covering all the modern day punk rock conscientious check boxes. While that is crucial for its vision (and fan identification) what is even more important is that they have delivered a full album of amazingly catchy pop punk with their newest release Blisters In The Pit Of My Heart that once heard will stick with you for a long time.

From the opening notes of "Christine" the group puts the three chord action to work slamming in melodic fashion with guitars and shout along lyrics deftly contributed by both male/female leads adding extra dynamics. The band are Nathan Stephens Griffin on drums, Naomi Griffin on bass, J. Cairns and Daniel Ellis on guitars and cohesively they take pop punk for a dramatic spin in the year 2016.

The upbeat dance infused joy of "Do Whatever" bleeds into the frantic and hip swinging of "Goldman's Detective Agency" that closes with a huge swell that will be crowd surfed and sung along to live. "The Awkward Ones" is another anthem for outsiders that plays with the more radio friendly sides of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" while injecting some cutting guitar work, an album highlight.

The excellent songs keep rolling out though as there isn't a dud in the bunch with "Ice Cream & Sunscreen", "Legless In Brandon" and re all proper tunes that engage the listener after one spin "Curly and Raquel". "Do Nothing" takes a long journey (double the length of any other track here), and while it isn't perfect, this shot at the grandiose suits the group before they close with the sparse strumming of "St Paul's (Westerberg Comprehensive)" name checking one of their replacement heroes while wrapping up a fantastic disk.

If pop punk is a genre you have ever loved give Martha a chance as they have added a real gem to the proceedings with Blisters In The Pit Of My Heart.
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A real cool album, thanks to NPR for showcasing it, and you can stream the whole thing from them (for a limited time) here. Also please support the band and peep some video below:

  

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Watch 2016 Roskilde Festival's Livestream

Denmark is far away from us here in NYC, and it may be far away from you as well. That will not stop any of us from taking in the 2016 Roskilde Festival.

If you can't physically make it to the show, no worries, you can live the stream the festival here, starting today at 1pm.

Here is a video to get you pumped for the festival:



Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Album Review: Andre Williams- I Wanna Go Back To Detroit City

Andre Williams
I Wanna Go Back To Detroit City
*** out of *****
Andre Williams is known for his outrageous ways and sex filled lyrics that make everything just extra funky, but now with his latest release Williams actually feels a bit nostalgic and mellow (for him) as the pushing 80 year old crooner gets real about the one thing he has truly always loved. By the title it is obvious this disk is an ode to his hometown of Detroit, a place that Williams barely recognizes as it goes through hard times and harder luck, I Wanna Go Back To Detroit City is a groove laden love letter through and through to The Motor City.

Every track can be directly linked to the town. Even some of the more open lyrical efforts come into focus with the theme as "Times", "What Now?" and "Met Me at the Graveyard" all ponder the bleak fate of things in Detroit. The songs work with a mix of slick P-Funk grooves, poppy guitar lines and smooth as silk delivery.

This middle album country lament for the best woman he ever had titled "Mississippi Sue" is a quick  break from things. This track recalls the best lover Williams ever had, who coincidentally was ended by the electric chair.

The ode to the hometown picks back up with the outer space waves, rock riffs, hand claps and gruff yells during "Detroit (I'm So Glad I Stayed)" as the disk falls back to it's theme. "Hall of Fame" has Mr. Rhythm telling the rock hall to Kiss Off over wah-wah guitars.

All over the map on past releases, here producer and contributor Matthew Smith, worked with Williams to deliver a coherent statement album and made one of the more lasting, full albums of his career.
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Support the artist, buy the album nothing from his new album is on youtube, so peep out some older classic tracks from Williams:

Monday, June 27, 2016

Dylan Cover #238 Sammy Hagar & The Wabos "Rainy Day Women #12 & #35"

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is a live cover by Sammy Hagar &The Wabos of the Dylan tune "Rainy Day Women #12 & #35"

Thoughts On Original:
From the first time we highlighted someone covering this tune:
The first song on the iconic Blonde on Blonde "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35" is an anthem for a generation...to do what with, is up for debate. Stoned in the head or stoned by the masses up to you to decide. Whatever your thoughts on the lyrics and meaning it can't be argued that Bob is having fun which doesn't always come across on his studio releases. The "Salvation Army" style horns and marching is a hoot but not made for everyday consumption. Truth be told, the song is normally skipped when I am listening to the album, I like opening Blonde on Blonde better with "Pledging My Time" and rarely listen to this track.
Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
Not the biggest Sammy Hagar fan in any form (Van Halen, Solo, with Wabos or Montrose). He is a solid no frills front-man but just never really bowled me over in any of those bands.

Thoughts on Cover:
While this isn't our favorite Dylan original, we do like when artists make tracks their own and Sammy and company do just that, turning up the metal for this live rendition of this track. Rock out to Monday.

Friday, June 24, 2016

Full Show Friday: Col Claypool's Fearless Flying Frog Brigade 7/11/03 Vic Theater Chicago, IL

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...Les Claypool's Fearless Flying Frog Brigade!
We are focusing all month on the freaky magic of Les Claypool and his assorted, amazingly weird side projects. This week Fearless Flying Frog Brigade!

The first incarnation of CCFFFB still ranks as some of our favorite live concert experiences. It was capturing lighting in a bottle as Les was free from Primus which he was souring on and exploded into the jamband realm while keeping his power. He introduced tons of new players to the scene and added some much needed energy. If you haven't heard the two live releases, you should buy both.  As well as Purple Onion, a very underrated disk. Hell, buy all three.

This show comes from the second (or third?) go round as the Frogs and while not the classic original lineup it is still a hell of a night from Chicago's Vic Theater. The set list and players are below, so enjoy our final installment of this monthly series focusing on Les Claypool's side projects. Hope you had as much fun as we did re-living some of that kookie guys groups.  

Enjoy:

Setlist:
Thela Hun Ginjeet
Ding Dang
Long in the Tooth
Hendershot
Monkey Boy
Highball with the Devil
Drums
Highball with the Devil
Running the Gauntlet
2000 Light Years from Home
Cosmic Highway

Encore:
David Makalaster I
Whamola

- Cygnus X-1 tease during 2000 Light Years from Home
Lineup:
Les Claypool - Bass
Brian Kehoe - Guitar
Skerik - Saxaphone
Mike Dillon - Percussion
Paulo Baldi - Drums

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Inaugural Meadows Festival Comes to Queens with Kanye and More

Well it looks like the Mets won't be the only players (god willing) rocking Citifield this October. The Meadows will be a new festival thrown in Queens, right off the 7 train in Flushing Meadow Park and the Citifield parking lot.
It is a pop/hip hop focused lineup with Kanye West, The Weekend and Chance The Rapper headlining. Honestly it is very underwhelming to us but a few RtBE Favs are mixed in as well with Charles Bradley and Frightened Rabbit both joining the lineup.

Tickets go onsale to the general public tomorrow, those ticket holders who got washed out of Sunday's Governors Ball can buy tickets starting today. All this and more can be found at The Meadows website. Enjoy some video of the artists playing below:

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Live Review: Dr John 6-9-16 Alive at Five, Albany, NY

Dr. John
Live: 6/9/16 Albany, NY, Tricentennial Park 
Alive at Five Concert Series

Albany, New York has always been a perfect crossroads for live music. Between New York City and Vermont, Boston, Buffalo, the Capital District of New York State is a definitive stopping off point for artists traveling the northeast. 

One of the benefits of that route has been a free concert series that is now into its 27 year running, continuing to bring in varied, top flight acts for the residents to enjoy. This years season of Alive at Five kicked off with none other then bayou legend Dr. John and the Nite Trippers and actually returned to the festivals original location Tricentennial Park.

Another sweet touch to the series is when possible a local band will play a short set opening for the national acts and this week the pairing of Jacamo was perfect. The funky five piece has been playing parties and festivals in the area since 1993 and was an excellent way to start off the series. They covered Procal Harum's "Whiter Shade of Pale" went down to NOLA for some Cajun delights and inserted a P-Funk Medley to wrap up their quick turn on the stage.

The weather is not fully spring yet in the north country, with the wind not only being a problem for those watching and dancing, but also the sound engineers all evening. The south warmed us up proper though when the good doctor joined the stage. Playing as a four piece the band dropped right into some old classics from early albums as the highlight was a smooth as silk and funky as donkey pairing of "I Walk On Glided Splinters" directly into "Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya-Ya" containing a break seeing Dr John get up and play the bones.

Sound issues, especially pertaining to the vocals were prevalent all night, but fans got an injection of pure joy when mid-set Dr. John turned away from his baby grand onto the electro-keys and pumped out his classic "Right Place, Wrong Time", a clear highlight.

Tracks like classics "Iko-Iko" paired nicely with deeper cuts like "How Come My Dog Don't Bark (When You Come 'round)" even without horns the band stayed funky, syncopated drumming, bass walks and timely injected guitar runs were electric. The doctor may have needed some lyrical help, but the vibe he was giving and receiving from the crowd made smiles stretch from ear to ear.

The set ended with a powerful run through of "Such A Night" that contained numerous solos, multiple endings and thousands of cheers from the appreciative crowd. The mysterious voodoo legend and songster who has been the embodiment of New Orleans brought the bayou magic to Albany for a rollicking set that friends, family, and strangers could all enjoy.
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This was special for use as we got to experience it with close friends and our family. We won't forget this show and while we have def seen and heard the doctor in better form, this will stick with us for a while. Peep some video below:

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Album Review: Seratones- Get Gone

Seratones
Get Gone
**** out of *****

The Shreveport based four piece Seratones just released their first album for Fat Possum Records and it is a pure doozy of rock and roll goodness. While the band is fairly new to the game, their sound is well crafted, exciting and full of nuances that help with repeated visits to this hip shaking garage rock.

From the opening raw six string of "Choking On Your Spit" the band makes its presence known. The group mixes punk, garage rock with touches of soul and R&B into an excellent overall package. Consisting of AJ Haynes - Vocals, Connor Davis - Guitar, Adam Davis - Bass, and Jesse Gabriel - Drums the band seems to be comfortable mashing genres into a powerful roux of rock and roll energy.
The swagger and rhythm of the band is everywhere as "Chandelier" manages to oscillate between powerful and sweet with ease and "Trees" jangles with retro rock intensity containing a soaring guitar solo that would cook if extended live. The motoring "Sun" puts four on the floor and drives straight-ahead while the groove gets established for the rising and falling of the title track.

"Kingdom Come" splashes in a touch of Santana into the mix (think Jingo on meth) and "Don't Need It" builds to a raucous finish. "Tide" plays up the soul vibe with front-woman Haynes taking over on vocals and spirit of the song. While it is easy to focus on Haynes contributions the staying power and success of the disk stems from the full band gelling and delivery of their own southern fried rock and roll.

There are a few standard tracks, like "Headtrip" and "Take It Easy" that don't add much except to the overall run time, but the majority of Get Gone shows off the Seratones nailing their intoxicating sound collage to the wall then partying proudly around it all night long.
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Support the band, buy the album and peep some video below:

Monday, June 20, 2016

Dylan Cover #237 Amos Lee "Boots of Spanish Leather"

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is a cover by Amos Lee of the Dylan tune "Boots Of Spanish Leather"

Thoughts On Original:
From the first time we highlighted someone covering this tune:
One of the first Dylan songs that really bowled me over. I know on the Times They Are a-Changin' there are a ton of epic songs but this was the track that stayed with me the longest. It is ghostly in it's presentation and still just as dynamic now as when he wrote it back in 1963. My favorite show I have seen Dylan play live was back in 1999 at the RPI Fieldhouse. The whole night was great, my favorite backing band of his since The Band, a tiny venue and a setlist that was magical. One of the major highlights was "Boots of Spanish Leather", I need to break out that bootleg this week and re-live that great night.
Cover

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
A folk singer from Philly, Amos Lee has been around a bit, but probably never thought he would be heard by a few million people while covering this song for a TV show about outlaw bikers...strange times. The Forest Rangers who are backing up Amos are Bob Thiele and studio musicians who helped out on Sons Of Anarchy's soundtrack over the years.
Thoughts on Cover:
A mellow take on the track, but a good one and a nice way to start the week. 

Friday, June 17, 2016

Full Show Friday: Les Claypool's Duo De Twang 6/15/14 Aspen, CO

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...Les Claypool's Duo De Twang!
We are focusing all month on the freaky magic of Les Claypool and his assorted, amazingly weird side projects. This week Duo De Twang!

We continue the Les is more month with a live Duo De Twang show, while we were a little underwhelmed by the studio release, this live show is a lot of fun. Claypool and Byran Kehoe get after it on classic Primus tracks like opener "Wynona's Big Brown Beaver" as well as cover's like Jerry Reed's "Amos Moses". Chris Robinson shows up to talk farts and alligator cannonballs while singing on Jimmy Driftwood's classic tune "Battle of New Orleans", a really cool easy rolling set for this spring Friday.

Fan taped set, but the sound is excellent, even with crowd chatter. Enjoy:

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Voodoo Fest Headliners: Arcade Fire, Tool, The Weekend

RtBE used to love looking forward to Voodoo Fest as much as JazzFest. Times they are a changing though as we are no longer really into the Voodoo Experience, or at least not nearly as much as Jazzfest but with the recent announcement of headliners we thought we would take a look at whose playing.

The three headliners who we already mentioned Arcade Fire, Tool and The Weekend, honestly don't do much/anything for us, which is fine. NOLA festivals always seem to be better when you don't care about the headliner. So here are some deeper bands we would check out if we head down (Still up in the air at his point).

Band of Horses 
We mentioned this last week, but we are excited for one of favorite bands to come back onto the scene after a few years of silence. Here they are playing live on Letterman from a few years ago.


The Claypool Lennon Delirium
We reviewed them recently and this would be fun, but this leads us to think Les will be sitting in during a lot of late night gigs around town which would probably be even better than this set at the fest.


Seratones
We loved them a few months ago live and really dig their new album obviously this would be a set to catch. Here they are live:


Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaire's
Some Retro soul would work well at the fest....

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Album Review: Margo Price- Midwest Farmer's Daughter

Margo Price
Midwest Farmer's Daughter
**** out of *****


During the opening track to Margo Price's excellent debut album the singer/songwriter spells it out perfectly well through tried and true country tropes. Times are tough, she is broke, the farm is lost as is her first born and yearning for the past is all this troubled woman can do. If "Hands of Time"  sounds a cliche never fear; Price has the skill to take these well worn images and make them sound fresh and immediate to the listener over lush production backed by top notch playing.

Self financed and recorded on literal last personal dimes at the famous Sun Studios, it is a joy that this album was picked up and released through Third Man Records so the world can hear Price's throwback version of Nashville country; the way it outta be. The obvious reference to Price's singing, writing and embodying these tales is Loretta Lynn ("About to Find Out" makes that reference stunningly obvious) but there are all different country heroes at work here, or as Price has mentioned she is just writing music she wants to hear.

"Since You Put Me Down" is a classic duel with alcohol, that could have come from the mind of the booze soaked George Jones, but sounds dynamite here as does the stomping "Tennessee Song". The swagger and a bit of wah-wah guitar kicks up for "Four Years Of Chances" as Price struts confidently.  Her voice is winning mix of Southern accent with clipped directness that brings the story to the forefront.

The track that pushes her vocal boundaries (but still stays in her range is) "How The Mighty Have Fallen", working despite its dramatic/cheesy arraignment. There is a mandatory dig at the Nashville music scene (every throw back album needs one of these right?) with "This Town Gets Around" and it does its job of pulling back the skeezy curtain while "Weekender" cuts to the quick about getting arrested.

The first single pulls it all together as "Hurtin' (On The Bottle)" lets Price sing like Dolly Parton, tackling the pain of boozing and getting older while smirking all the way. These songs all may or may not be from personal trials and tribulations (Price has had a few) but it doesn't matter as the listener can confidently feel everything; the true touch of a world class songwriter.

A stunningly confident debut disk from Price and company that takes the best of country musics past and brings it into today's light, just like Jason Isbell in that regard. Margo is one to watch for sure, and I sure do hope this Midwest Farmer's Daughter gets back more then just her old farm.
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Country isn't our forte here but good music is and that is what Midwest Farmer's Daughter is just that. Damn good Americana. Support the artist, buy the album and peep some videos:

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Album Review: Mavis Staples - Livin' On A High Note

Mavis Staples
Livin' On A High Note
***and1/2 out of *****

Mavis Staples has been very active lately working with current day stars who have been able to help out one of their idols. Her 15th studio effort is titled  Livin' On A High Note, it finds her moving more into a positive/mainstream region, with songs written by lots of today's popular indie artists, produced by M. Ward.

When the funk gets supped up, like on the opener "Take Us Back" and "Action" the albums success is instantly noticeable. The opener penned by Benjamin Booker has a punchy energy while "Action" written by Merrill Garbus contains a slippery groove which Staples slips directly into. "Tomorrow" from Jon Batiste and Aloe Blacc also is like an old slipper for Staples who instantly takes the funky soul track, making it a highlight.

Not all the songs written for her work perfectly as a track like "Dedicated" goes nowhere and never hits the emotional notes it shoots for while "High Note" is perfectly fine, but this is one case where the songwriter may want to revisit it. Valerie June could inject even more urgency and passion to the track, not easily said about a song sung by Mavis Staples, but the truth.

"Jesus Lay Down Beside Me" "Love and Trust" and "If It's A Light" clearly invoke Staples gospel roots and simplicity easing her back into what feels comfortable. "Don't Cry" written by the producer recalls a doo-wap 50's vibe that would fall in line with Ward's most recent More Rain.

In the end Livin' On A High Note is successful but also manages to feel a bit light and wispy at times as if not everyone was on the same page for energy/arraignments/writing of the tracks which can be expected with this many artists involved. Enjoyable and pleasant and in the end it is always a joy to hear Mavis sing; sometimes that is just enough.
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Support the artist, buy the album and peep some video below:



Friday, June 10, 2016

Full Show Friday: Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains 5/3/03 New Orleans

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...Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains!
We are focusing all month on the freaky magic of Les Claypool and his assorted, amazingly weird side projects. This week Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains!

One of the more odd side projects from Les (and that is saying something) but one where everyone on stage was a weirdo to the nth degree. You have the legend Bernie Worrell on keys, the hard slamming Bryan "Brain" Mantia on skins, the clear figment of our collective imagination Buckethead on guitar, joining Les on stage for experimental freak-outs the whole night in New Orleans.

This is a fun weird one and one of the reasons we wanted to focus on Les this month. Enjoy:

Thursday, June 9, 2016

Band of Horses New Song and Album

One of our favorite bands who we have been missing lately has been Band of Horses. With that long of a layoff, you never know if the band is staying together, very happy they did as Why Are You OK? coming out this month.
The band has let a few tracks come out and the first is "Casual Party". You can hear it below (and watch the crazy facking video as well). We can't wait to hear the whole album as we are never really bowled over by their singles and enjoy the full album process with this band a lot more.

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Album Review: Allen Toussaint- American Tunes

Allen Toussaint
American Tunes
**** out of *****

What will probably be the first of a few posthumously released albums from the Allen Toussaint camp we get American Tunes, which combines two of the greats last recording sessions. As dapper as one of his three piece suits, American Tunes regales the listener with clean standards, songs from his beloved New Orleans, and his own timeless tracks that make up the American song book.

Nonesuch Records has put out this double album which really shines a spotlight on Toussaints piano playing. There are solo recordings, trio recordings (with bassist David Piltch and drummer Jay Bellerose) and special guests dropping in. The album was recorded by Joe Henry and has a tribute, yet still laid back coolness to it. The solo take on the timeless "Mardi Gras In New Orleans" has a sense of wonder to go along with its inherit festive nature.  

Mostly instrumental, the vocals come up with "Rocks In My Bed" one of three Duke Ellington numbers (along with instrumentals "Come Sunday" and Lotus Blossom") that Henry and Toussaint chose for the album. Sung expertly by Rhiannon Giddens the track bubbles alive, as does the mid album solo piano run through of "Big Chief", and ode to Toussaints main inspiration Professor Longhair through a track written by Earl King 

The closing combo of an solo instrumental take on his own "Southern Nights" and the title track cover of Paul Simon ends the album on such a high note. "Southern Nights" regains some majesty and even adds some quirkiness with volumes and extras notes fluxuating to end things. "American Tune" on the other hand finds Toussaint doing his most affecting vocal work in years, never the perfect singer, it takes a beautiful pairing of a tune and recording like this to let the true majesty of his voice shine.   

Longtime fans and newcomers alike will be satisfied by the clean reserved tribute by an American great to many other American greats. Toussaints legacy will live on the fantastically captured American Tunes proves he was still at the top of his game right til the end.  

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Support the artist, buy the album, stream it for a limited time at NPR and peep some video below:

Album Teaser:

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Album Review: The Claypool Lennon Delirium- Monolith of Phobos

Hey all, got a new review up @glidemag which you can read Right C'here!!!

It is the first release from The Claypool Lennon Delirium, which is a combination of Les Claypool and Sean Lennon. This review works wonderfully with our Full Show Fridays this month, but in all honesty RtBE hasn't been that impressed with most of the recent Claypool backed projects (one example).  

This release is different, it has a focus, even if that is space-odd-prog rock, and Sean is a great match for Les especially vocally and on the drumming front. It is a solid disk that grew the more we listened to it, so support the duo, check out the review and peep some video below: 

Monday, June 6, 2016

Dylan Cover #236 Dylan on the Rocks "Hurricane"

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is a live cover by Dylan on the Rocks of "Hurricane"

Thoughts on Dylan Original:
From the first time we tackled a cover of this song:
One of the most iconic songs in Bob Dylan's repertoire and famously returned him to "topical" song writing that many of his fans clamored for. Coming on the story song centric album Desire, the song and attached cause obviously invigorated Dylan at a crucial point in his life, and gave us the cool term "pig circus" to boot. You can argue the facts and the case if you want to but simply as a work of art "Hurricane" holds a title belt.
Cover Tune:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
Dylan on the Rocks is a German cover band. You can find out more about them here. Since I don't have much to add on them, I wanted to share some pictures of Bob Dylan with Mohammed Ali., RIP. 

Thoughts on Cover:
Fine cover, but if you've read any of this series so far you know we aren't the biggest fans of Cover's that co-opt the affected Dylan voice. Otherwise, great cover. 

Friday, June 3, 2016

Full Show Friday: Oysterhead Bonnaroo 2006

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...Oysterhead!
We are focusing all month on the freaky magic of Les Claypool and his assorted, amazingly weird side projects. This week Oysterhead!

Why not start off with the highest profile side project the man ever had? In fact, if you just came to see this band Les would probably be the least recognizable out of the trio on stage. Claypool teamed with Trey Anastasio and Stewart Copeland famously back in 2000 for a late night New Orleans Superfly Jam session...basically a precursor to Bonnaroo itself. 

This is the first show they played together since they toured in 2001.While a bit sloppy it is still fun to hear the band get after it. We will always love this group and we saw them a bunch back on that '01 tour which was a crazy year all around. Setlist and info below oh and they actually take the stage at the 1:51 mark if you want to skip ahead.

Enjoy:

Trey Anastasio (Phish)
Les Claypool (Primus)
Stewart Copeland (The Police)

Setlist:

Little Faces
Oz Is Ever Floating
Mr. Oysterhead
Army's on Ecstacy
Radon Balloon
Rubberneck Lions* -
Shadow of a Man
Birthday Boys**
Polka Dot Rose -
Pseudo Suicide
Encore:
Owner of the World

Show Note:
This was the first performance of Oysterhead (Trey on guitar, Les Claypool on bass and Stewart Copeland on drums) since their inaugural tour in 2001.

Key:
*with Trey on the Matterhorn and Les on Whamola
**Trey solo acoustic

Thursday, June 2, 2016

Prophets of Rage with Members of RATM, P.E. and Cypress Hill Coming Soon

In some SuperGroup news the members of Rage Against the Machine, Public Enemy, and Cypress Hill will be getting together this summer to create Prophets of Rage. The 1993 version of myself just freaked the fuck out.
All three of these bands were instrumental to our youth so needless to say we are excited (in order of importance to us? 1) PE 2) Rage 3) Cypress). This is cool news and will be very interesting to check out the players involved because all three bands could add things to the mix. Currently they only have 1 show on their docket (June 3rd, Hollywood Palladium) but a full blown tour can't be far behind.

Very excited to see what this band will be up to in the future. Peep some video of all three of the acts below:


Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Album Review: Mudcrutch- 2

Mudcrutch
2
***and1/2 out of *****

From the opening number of Mudcrutch's newest album you are instantly placed back in the southern wilds; dancing outdoors on a warm spring night, listening to Lynyrd Skynyrd and recalling the blues and better times in a folksie sort of way. The song is aptly titled "Trailer" and while the band has problem with names (Mudcrutch? Is there a worse band name) and album titles (this one is inventively titled 2) they certainly don't have any issues spinning their style of easy rolling rock and roll.

For those who missed it the first go around Mudcrutch is a blast from Tom Petty's past, this was the band that initially brought Petty to LA before his solo career. After decades of fame he invited a few original players to re-team with some of his Heartbreakers to create their first official album in 2008. What was perhaps most surprising was the unassuming style of the original and 2 amps up the looseness giving the whole album a lift over it predecessor.

From the quick toss off, string propelled "Save Your Water" to the upbeat banjo laced two-stepping "Other Side Of The Mounatin",  the albums seems to have been done freely and that B-side ease is the root of its rootsy charm. "Dreams of Flying" is a strumming mid tempo jaunt with great backing vocals, the get-up-get-down of "Victim of Circumstance" cooks from the drop, and the delicately affecting "I Forgive It All" aches gloriously.

The only misstep is the six and half minute "Beautiful Blue" which is sluggish and never really catches any sort of vibe, instead dulls the disk as the song stagnates. Things pick up immediately though as "Beautiful World" featuring Randall Marsh on lead vocals, shoots out of the chamber next with its light, upbeat rocking.

The disk closes with "Hungry No More" a fantastic showcase for Mike Campbell's criminally underrated guitar playing and at over 6 minutes it could have sprawled out even further, and hopefully will live.  

Side-projects can take lots of forms and now two albums in it is clear Petty puts Mudcrutch up close to his main band in terms of commitment. While not meant to be earth shattering or even very necessary, the album is certainly worth a few summer night spins under the stars; Mudcrutch 2 is a fun, loose ramble.  
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