Thursday, May 31, 2018

Album Review: Derek Smalls - Smalls Change (Meditations Upon Ageing)

Derek Smalls
Smalls Change (Meditations Upon Ageing)
** out of *****

"Age...is just a number. Number...is...just a word. And word...is just a thing."

Ahh the wisdom of the Derek Smalls as he opens his first ever solo album, which he expertly waited until the perfect time to release, his 75th birthday. The would be haberdasher, if he wasn't a bass player, Smalls is the big bottom layer of the massively influential Spinal Tap.  

For those who have missed it, This Is Spinal Tap is the mockumentary about a fictional 80's band that was so spot on in 1984 that the soundtrack This Is Spinal Tap could easily be confused for an actual release at the time. While the decades of opulent big metal shows with Stonehenge set pieces has largely gone the way of the dodo, rock and roll never dies and apparently neither do rock parodies. 

Harry Shearer has fun playing dress up, stuffing aluminum foil wrapped cucumber in his trousers as Smalls and there are a few fun moments here but not enough over the hour run time. Granted that could be part of the joke as the excessive in and of itself. From the operatic title track, to the pointless classical interludes, to the overloaded guest stars (everyone from Paul Shaffer to Chad Smith to Steve Vai), to the long pompous tunes like the 6 minute "Faith No More" ode to a former manager are overwrought. If you follow the belief that Tap was a real group, than their bass player putting out Smalls Change would be even more laughable.  

"Memo To Willie" is the most realized and best track here as you can tell that Smalls, ugh, really feels this one. The rock production and contributions from Donald Fagen, Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, Larry Carlton & The Snarky Puppy Horns all ring with the wit and seriousness of original Tap; how can you not smile at the digitally altered "Willie don't lose that lumber" line during the most drawn out track to an aging rock stars dick since...well.. at least the last Mick Jagger lyric. 

The great guitar of Waddy Watchel adds power to "I Don't Get Old" which also humorously shouts out second rate cities like Baton Rouge, Albany and Norwich England which will likely see Smalls touring through soon. The begging to buy merchandise tune "Gimme Me Some (More) Money" is closer to the current truth than most here while "MRI" featuring Dweezil Zappa feels like a tribute to Zappa's dad who would no doubt have been involved if he was still around. The overwhelming, almost ten minute closer is more inline with Tenacious D adding a splash of "Jazz Odyssey" than the original Tap, but that excess is half the ongoing joke.     

"Hell Toupee" with a Tom Waits-sounding devil discussing receding hairlines, "Gummin' The Gash" which grossly (and fittingly) does what it says it does, and "She Puts The Bitch In Obituary" are all more chuckle worthy (if that) in theory than in practice, basically that's the summation of Smalls Change (Meditations Upon Ageing), but anytime you get to revisit the world of This Is Spinal Tap! it is a good day.

I should have really just wrote "Still eating a shit sandwich" for this review huh?       

Well since I am here already, the rock star ethos in general is pretty much lacking these days just like Smalls erections, but until someone takes on hip hop's excess with as cutting and direct humor, Spinal Tap will always have a place at the table when it comes to dissecting how insanely fine the line is between stupid and clever is in the music world. Non-fans of the Tap can skip this, fans will smirk after hearing it once and probably not go back to it, laughing more in theory than execution. 
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Support the artist, buy the album, watch the movie, and peep some video below:   


New Single from No Dry County, Album out Next Month

The Americana Roots Rock band from Texas, No Dry County, not only have a great band name, they also have a new album coming out next month, Panhandle Music.

To get the boot wearing fan base juiced up they are releasing their first single from the album titled "Elvis Gun Runner". You can listen to the tune right here:



We will be having a full review next month before the record comes out on June 29th. Until then support the band, check them out live and peep some older video below:

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Album Review: Low Cut Connie - Dirty Pictures (Part 2)

Low Cut Connie 
Dirty Pictures (Part 2)
*** out of *****

The Philadelphia based Low Cut Connie now release Dirty Pictures (Part 2), the second part of their newest effort continuing the bands rambling style but with a touch more nuance this go around. The group is adept at tickling both highbrow and lowbrow fancies with their piano based rock and roll with ease. For the uninitiated think a more ragged Ben Folds Five who parties with the Scissor Sisters and you have a starting point.

Front man/piano player Adam Weiner calls these songs the quieter side to part one but there is enough energy and punch to kick up your heels to them. Opening with "All These Kids Are Way Too High" the group kicks out garage rocker that is surprisingly muted in production and energy never kicking over the amps the way it wants to while "Oh Suzanne" is more of a straight ahead stomping number.

The group has clear influence from Elton John and that is on display most directly for "Beverly". It is a swaggering number that takes Sir Elton and gets him prepped for whatever dive bar the band happens to be drinking in. A different direction is the acoustic ditty "Hollywood" which is a straight ahead lyrical success and "One More Time" which successfully combines New Orleans piano rolls, indie rock and gospel all within an engaging lo-fi production, calling to mind a stripped down version of The Oblivians ...Play 9 Songs With Mr. Quintron.

Not everything is as successful, "Master Tapes" tries to work up the energy but ends up dull and "Every Time You Turn Around" has excellent backing vocals from Reba Russell and Vicki Loveland but not a whole lot else to get excited about. "Please Do Not Come Home" works better in a pleading desperation vein, but it as well could use a bit of energy injection.

"Desegregation" is an interesting rambling number which starts somewhere down in Storyville but ends lost in Memphis and that is where the album was recorded. The group pays homage to Big Star as well closing the record with a winning take on "Hey! Little Child". A fun album which manages to highlight a lesser seen side of the band which will still be living off it's live sets and raucous energy.
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Support the band, buy the album, peep some video below:


Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Album Review: Parliament - Medicaid Fraud Dogg

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

It is of Parliaments first release in 38 years, Medicaid Fraud Dogg.

This is a loooooong album and, honestly better than expected. It manages to pull in George Clinton's amazing funky past and fuse it with a current sound and never manage to sound forced.

Seven stars was the ranking because it is an overwhelming listening experience taken in full, but picking out a few tracks will appease almost any fan of funky music. If it had been cut down to be more focused on the message it might have joined the heights of all time P-Funk classics. As it is, Medicaid Fraud Dogg is not far away from those.

Support the artists, buy the album, read the review and peep some video below:


Monday, May 28, 2018

Enjoy Memorial Day, Have a BBQ!

Enjoy Memorial Day, Have a BBQ!

We wished the Bard a happy 77th birthday recently so we are taking Memorial Day off from our Dylan Cover series. Enjoy the unofficial start of summer with a Hardcore'Q

No Redeeming Social Value Style...


Or Murphy's Law Style...

Have fun, stay safe. 

Friday, May 25, 2018

Full Show Friday: As The Crow Flies 4/18/18 Electric Factory Phily

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...As The Crow Flies!

The Black Crowes are in a bitter divorce between the brothers Robinson. It seems the band and players past are split between Chris and Rich, touring and recording with one or the other and it will probably remain that way until the brothers reconcile...or a big enough check comes their way.

We loved later day Crowes, especially Before The Frost...Until The Freeze which RtBE would rank as the most complete album the band ever released. Seriously. That said the last few tours we caught them on with Jackie Green on guitar were underwhelming.

With both brothers going separate ways, Chris has mostly steered clear of his old bands songs while playing in Chris Robinson Brotherhood but he went back to the classics for this tour with an outfit called As The Crow Flies.   

Half cover band, half original, all of the good old songs. Marcus King is in the mix and one of RtBE's favorite Crowes members Audley Freed kicking ass like in the old days. This isn't pro shot or pro sound, but it is certainly watchable to get a sense of this tour both visually and audibly.

Taken just last month at the Electric Factory in Philly, here are As the Crow Flies. Full setlist below. Enjoy:


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  14. (Otis Redding cover) (>)
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  15. (Joe South cover) (> "Hard to Handle" reprise)
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  16. Encore:

Thursday, May 24, 2018

Live Review: Misfits 5/19/18 @ Prudential Center Newark, NJ

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

It is of the recent Misfits reunion show at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ last Saturday night.

I wasn't very critical of the show in the review because quite frankly I had a fucking blast. Murphy's Law, Suicidal Tendencies and the Misfits, some of the silliest and best punk rock out there...mix that with some great friends, beer and Chelsea FA Cup victory in the morning and you got yourself one happy reviewer.

While friends in different seats did not have the best experience (sound issues being the major one) we had nothing but a good time from our seats.

Support the band band band, read the review and since phones weren't allowed in the venue, sneaky vid's are quickly disappearing from youtube so let's just hear some fun tunes from all three bands:




Happy 77th Birthday Bob Dylan

No one has ever been better. Happy 77th birthday Robert Allen Zimmerman aka Bob Dylan.
Enjoy a few of his best songs:




Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Album Review: Bombino - Deran

Bombino
Deran
***and1/2 out of *****

The Tuareg guitar player Bombino is back with Deran his fourth studio record which finds him eschewing modern rock producers to return back to Africa to record primarily in Casablanca. The songs are sung in Tuareg, messages of hope and peace are spread in his unique mixing of rock, eastern, groove and splashes of reggae.

With his band (Illias Mohammed on guitar, Youba Dia on bass, Corey Wilhelm on drums, Hassan Krifa on percussion, and Mohammed Araki on keyboard) he traveses familiar terrain for anyone who has checked out his playing before. Bombino (born Omara Moctar) has his style and on all of his releases it is only the small details that separates things for non Tuareg speaking listeners.

Opener "Imajghane (The Tuareg People)" kicks things off with swirling guitars in the patented Bombino fashion before "Deran Deran Alkheir (Well Wishes)" picks up the pace and adds backing vocals. "Tehigren (The Trees)" is the first excellent track as it begins with Bombinos unique take on reggae before kicking up the tempo into a full dancing groove before ending on a metal riff which hints at a whole new horizon; it is a standout on the record.

"Tenesse (Idleness)" closes out with a guitar solo that is a touch buried behind sounds while "Oulhin (My Heart Burns)" is more upbeat with hand claps and rhythms matching the vocals. The chanting repetitive "Adounia Dagh (This Life)" goes on a bit long but also showcases strong acoustic guitar work before "Adouagh Chegren (At the Top of the Mountain)" closes the album with more acoustic fret work that has a more natural ebb and flow.

The production of this record has been noted as it is the first in a few not to feature an indie rock man behind the boards, but the production is also a muted especially when it comes to drums and rhythm sections. On the excellent Azel David Longstreth was able to meld Bombino's style and experimentation with the artists love for Dire Straits, seeming to be a perfect fit where Dan Auerbach's more blues roots style on Nomad was a touch abrasive. Deran feels neither rough or well matched, in production terms it isn't horrendous, just diluted compared to past offerings.

That said, fans of Bombino now have another full length to enjoy. As a site who has been a fan since first catching him back in 2011 this is a major positive. However, if we were guiding newcomers to his sound RtBE would pick out past efforts for them to listen to first.
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Support the artist, buy the album and peep some video below:

The Complete Last Waltz Tribute Set for November 17th @ Capital Theater

While it is a touch depressing to think about November when spring is just starting, it is nice to know that The Complete Last Waltz show is scheduled to take place 11/17/18 at the Capital Theater.

Included on the bill are some of RtBE's favorites including Craig Finn from The Hold Steady, Matthew Logan Vasquez, Joe Russo, Marc Benevento, Dap-King horns and a host of others.

This will be a hell of a show and while in past years it was actually held over Thanksgiving weekend, this year it will take place the Saturday before hand. Tickets go onsale Friday at noon with a presale tomorrow. 

To get in the mood how about a few clips from the original movie? There is NEVER a bad time for the Last Waltz:






Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Album Review: Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks - Sparkle Hard

Hey all, got a new review up @glidemag which you can read Right C'here!!!
It is of Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks newest album Sparkle Hard.
It is a pretty solid slice of indie rock with jam parts, adult ideas and catchy tunes. While RtBE always enjoys Malkmus work, with both the Jicks and Pavement, falls into the category of, "Oh this is cool...and easily forgotten". The tunes are all good, just not particularly memorable to these ears.

That said, support the artists, buy the album, read the review, catch them on tour and peep some video below:


Monday, May 21, 2018

Dylan Cover #326 Neil Young & Tom Petty "Everything Is Broken" Live

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 Neil Young & Tom Petty playing "Everything Is Broken" 

Thoughts on Original
From the first time we tackled a cover of this tune:
If Bob wasn't the Bard "Everything Is Broken" would just be another tossed off song. However, is anything with Dylan just simply tossed off? Well..yeah...this song certainly feels tossed off to me...sorry. Oh Mercy is a hell of an album, one of Dylan's classics, and this song is fine, it just can't even stand close to any of his all-time gems, not remotely close. One of the reasons I started this cover series was to show how amazing The Bard's songs are in just about anyone's hands, but if the original of this tune was written by Joe Schmo would people think it was great, or is it just the Dylan name that gives it clout?  

Cover:


Thoughts on Cover Artist:
Uncle Neil and Cousin Tom, two all time classic artists They have been written about on RtBE multiple times and hold them both in very high regard, especially live...
  
Thoughts on Cover:
A fun ramshackle live rendition from the Bridge School Benefit in 1989. What is cool is that this is the same year that the tune was released on Oh Mercy. RtBE loves current Dylan covers, as in covering his newest tunes close to their release. Not much to this one, far from an all-time classic take, just getting after it with piano, acoustic guitar and some nice conga drum work. 

Friday, May 18, 2018

Full Show Friday: Lionel Richie The Outrageous Tour 1987 Ahoy Arena, Rotterdam

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...Lionel Richie!

We were at Jazzfest the same day as Lionel Richie this year, but we decided to head back to the quarter before he took the stage. To make up for that we are highlighting him today in our Full Show Friday Series from his 1987 tour.

Pro Shot, Pro Sound, Full Setlist below. Enjoy:


01. Hello 02. All Night Long 03. Running With The Night 04. Truly 05. You Are 06. Three Times A Lady (deleted due to copyright issue) 07. Sail On 08. Say You Say Me 09. Se La 10. Penny Lover 11. Tonight Will Be Alright 12. Dancing On The Ceiling

Thursday, May 17, 2018

Phish Fall Tour Announced: Halloween In Vegas 2018

More tour dates, as Phish has announced their Fall Tour for 2018 and the ticket request period has begun. The tour starts in a familiar spot, Albany, NY.
RtBE has caught some of our favorite shows from Phish @ The Knick (when it was still officially called the Knickerbocker Arena) downtown in Albany and may head up there for this opener. Then the band hits the legendary Hampton Coliseum where we have also been lucky enough to have caught Phish for some fun shows. The true highlight however is the closing dates of Las Vegas where Phish will celebrate Halloween.
The group has made Halloween a musical holiday in the jam community and elevated the expectations for a lot of bands on that spooky night.  Full tour dates are below an to get in the mood here are a few videos from Phish playing Albany back in the day and from the last time Phish celebrated Halloweens in Vegas 2014:






October 16: Albany, NY – Times Union Center
October 17: Albany, NY – Times Union Center
October 19: Hampton, VA – Hampton Coliseum
October 20: Hampton, VA – Hampton Coliseum
October 21: Hampton, VA – Hampton Coliseum
October 23: Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheater
October 24: Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheater
October 26: Chicago, IL – Allstate Arena
October 27: Chicago, IL – Allstate Arena
October 28: Chicago, IL – Allstate Arena
October 31: Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Garden Arena
November 1: Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Garden Arena
November 2: Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Garden Arena
November 3: Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Garden Arena

Dr. Dog Touring with (Sandy) Alex G Next Month

Dr. Dog have a new record out Critical Equation (which RtBE recently reviewed) and are touring this June with (Sandy) Alex G which should be a stellar night of indie pop rock when/wherever they play. We dug (Sandy) Alex G's last release and always enjoy Dr. Dog live.

The tour pulls into Brooklyn Steel for three nights and RtBE will be there to get down. In prep for those nights here are a few videos to get in the mood:




Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Album Review: Sarah Shook & The Disarmers - Years

Sarah Shook & the Disarmers
Years
*** out of *****

On Sarah Shook & The Disarmers second album Years the honky-tonk players sound as if they have been around forever and are tired of all the shit. Shook and company trudge the well worn barroom paths from stool to stage with steel guitars and a steel spine as they recant failed loves and drunken adventures.

The outfit crisscross familiar tropes, and while they proclaim a punk streak and influence, Years is straight up outlaw country with perhaps a wee bit more edge. "Good As Gold" is a confident opener about a guy who is too good for his girl, as she is about to run out and the well written number is sung from her POV before the go-to problem solver/starter alcohol enters center stage for "The Bottle Never Lets Me Down"; ahh that old safety blanket of booze feels comfortable. 

There is a sense of tiredness on the album as if Shook is hungover and giving up, both "New Ways To Fail" and "Over You" face this directly, saying that things are just beat and beat down. Both tracks fit in the country vein but vocally/lyrically Shook adds a palpable sense of "fuck it" with her performances but also retreats into lyrical cliches ("need this like a hole in my head"). Shook's singing is disaffected and while not for everyone, it works best with these feed up numbers. 

A unique effort is the more emotionally delivered, "Parting Words" which works in both classical and pop country realms. The marching drums skip with ease as guitars work in and out but it is the more soaring singing style of Shook on this number which gives it wings. The title track also mixes up the script a bit with a warbling ending that breaks away from the sawdust floors into more modern vein, interestingly giving a peak at a possible wider scope for the band.

It is the Merle Haggard style that is the constant present through out however as "What It Takes" picks up the pace, "Lesson" swaggers with excellent electric guitar work and the follies of a fun night and it's home-life consequences lightens the mood for "Damned If I Do, Damned If I Don't". Bloodshot Records puts out rock solid Americana/country records that capture the independent spirit,  Sarah Shook & The Disarmers Years continue their winning streak over weeping strings, whiskey drowned lyrics and a sense of finding ones self among the wreckage.   
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Support the band, buy the album, peep some video below:

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Album Review: Arctic Monkeys- Tranquility Base: Hotel + Casino

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

It is of the Arctic Monkeys newest record Tranquility Base: Hotel + Casino.


We love the Monkeys. We have seen them every tour they have played NYC since they broke out way back in 2006 with the fantastic Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not. Partied after shows with them, enjoyed their oddball albums and their last release, 2013's AM is one of our favorite records of the decade. Their most recent release is an odd album in the vein of art project, clearly inspired by the chameleon David Bowie

It completely drops all of the rock and roll from the group and the difference between the Monkeys and Bowie is quite clearly the times. Between The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars and Station to Station only 4 years elapsed but he released 7 albums total in that time!!  

7 albums in 4 years! Bowie reinvented himself multiple times and fans could sift through Diamond Dogs, Aladdin Sane and Young Americans, all vastly different as Bowie experimented with sound and style. The Monkeys put out 2 albums in 5 years. When expectations ran high after AM this experiment is kind of cool, but not really satisfying. 

I am curious, I feel it is probably 7 stars worthy, but I also personally really like Alex Turner and would give him the benefit of the doubt. Glide's editors went 6 which is fine by me. I have a feeling at the end of 2018 I will have either really come around on this album or place it in the let down's category. We shall see often it gets played.   

Support the band, buy the album, read the review and peep some video below:
 

Monday, May 14, 2018

Dylan Cover #325 Chris Thile "Subterranean Homesick Blues" Live 4/7/2018

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 Chris Thile singing "Subterranean Homesick Blues

Thoughts on Original:
One of the most iconic songs from Dylan's most famous period and a very early showing of how powerful a music video could be. Dylan nods to beat poetry, current events, Chuck Berry's "No More Monkey Business", paranoia, and the Vietnam War all in around two minutes of linked lyrics over one of his earliest electric recordings. There is also the sly sense of humor which Dylan never gets enough credit for, while raging against the proverbial machine. A classic '60's tune in all respects and one non-Dylan fans usually love as well. 

Cover:


Thoughts on Cover Artist:
Chris Thile is a mandolin player who RtBE first heard about through his work with Nickel Creek. While we have never fully followed him (our any bluegrass maestros really) we have enjoyed everything of his we have happened to hear.

Thoughts on Cover:
Well if you thought Dylan went fast, look out for Thile in this live version from 4/718 on Live From Here. Augmented here by drummer Ted Poor, he flies across his mandolin and spits out the lyrics with accuracy and speed. Taking time for a few musical breaks Thile does the neat trick of putting his own stamp on the track without losing the originals flavor and appeal. 

Friday, May 11, 2018

Full Show Friday: St. Vincent Pitchfork Music Festival Paris 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...St. Vincent!

This show is from St. Vincent's 2014 Pitchfork Fest. We have reviewed a few of her albums on the site. While she is an intriguing artist RtBE always seems to want to like her work more than we actually do...The show is Pro-Shot, Pro Sound, Full Set List is below....

Enjoy:



0:00 Start 0:15 Rattlesnake 4:37 Digital Witness 8:16 Cruel 11:55 Monologue 13:56 Marrrow 18:12 Actor Out of Work 21:10 Cheerleader 25:06 Birth in Reverse 29:00 Huey Newton 34:30 Bring Me Your Loves 41:35 Your Lips Are Red

RIP Scott Hutchison

Sad news this morning as Frightened Rabbit singer/songwriter/leader Scott Hutchison was found dead, he was 36.

This is a depressing one. A message from the band.

When RtBE does a RIP post it has always been of a legend who has lived a long and fruitful life. Now with Scott's passing we mourn for someone who we have written about often and have loved musically. We rated their album Pedestrian Verse our favorite of album of 2013 over some stiff competition. If we had been operating in 2008 The Midnight Organ Fight would have probably topped that year as well. The tenth anniversary vinyl of that amazing record just arrived at RtBE headquarters a few months ago.

We never met Hutchison but saw him live and vividly felt the emotions he conveyed in his personal yet universal lyrics. It was obvious he was pained as an artist, but he was a good one and he will be missed. Our hearts go out to his friends and family. Thankfully we will always have his music to return to, so the best way to celebrate someone when they die is reminisce about their life and the good times...

Raise a pint, enjoy every sandwich and listen to RtBE's favorite Frightened Rabbit songs:










Thursday, May 10, 2018

The Hold Steady to Tour During a Constructive Summer

The Hold Steady will be playing a few shows this summer as the group hits up Philly, San Fran and performs an elongated stay in one of their favorite venues The Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto.

The group loves touring around weekends now and will be doing so this summer. RtBE hopes to hit up a show or two, (just as we did in the fall). You should as well as tHS are a blast live, tickets go on-sale tomorrow.

To get in the mood here are a few tunes and the complete tour dates:






CONSTRUCTIVE SUMMER DATES

July

25 – White Eagle Hall – Jersey City, NJ.

26 & 27 – Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA.

28 – Asbury Lanes – Asbury Park, NJ.

August

2 & 3 – Great American Music Hall – San Francisco, CA.

4 – Rickshaw Stop – San Francisco, CA.

September

12, 13, 14 & 15 – Horseshoe Tavern – Toronto, CA

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Album Review: Willie Nelson - Last Man Standing

Hey all, got a new review up @glidemag which you can read Right C'here!!!
It is of Willie Nelson's newest release Last Man Standing.

Old men love calling heir albums Last Man Standing huh? We liked Willie's last release God's Problem Child better, even ranking it in our Top Ten last year, but this is still a solid record. With Willie's voice it is hard to make a bad one really.

If this is truly his last stand, it is a good one. Nelson is an American Icon having written some of the best country songs of all time and sung more than anyone can count.

Support the Last Man Standing, buy the album, read the review and peep some video below:


Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Album Review: Kississippi - Sunset Blush

Kississippi
Sunset Blush
**** out of *****

Not only is Kississippi one of the best band names out there, the indie-pop project of Zoë Allaire Reynolds has crafted an extremely affecting album with her first full length release Sunset Blush. These brokenhearted tracks are colored by a melancholy as they shimmer, rolling bye while reflecting on past loves and experiences.

"Cut Yr Teeth" is a good example of this wounded pop song writing. While the track has a pleasant initial appeal, the level of hurt in the vocal is palpable as Reynolds proclaims "You weren't sorry at all" digging deep and causes the listener to side with the singer every time. The track also benefits from solid drums and guitar work from Fern Mayo's Kate Capri. Even on "Red Light" which has a more upbeat vibe, as lyrics proclaim happiness, the yearning close twists things back to weepy. 

The bass and dance laden keyboards get an injection on "Easier To Love" which wants us to immediately "pretend this didn't happen" while it won't fill dance floors, it might salve breakup wounds in forlorn bedrooms. Sunset Blush as a whole is a neat trick, a pop breakup record that manages to sound musically appealing and sad at the same time, emo-pop? Why not?

All of the songs here fit into this formula, "Mirror Kisser" is perfectly titled yet again, playing with dramatic swells, "Adrift" gets a digital groove working on overtime as it runs a bit long, "Rinse, Repeat" pushes up the tempo with snake like guitar work and closer "Lash To Lash" puts its stomping stamp on the record. "Shamer" is one of the album highlights containing hypnotic musical passages, heartfelt lyrics and an overall melodious tone. 

The production work from Reynolds and Kyle Pulley (with assists from Shane Woods, Alyssa Milman, Drea Chunko) is top notch as every instrument rings true and vocally there are times Zoe wants to be slightly in the background to make the listener move a little closer to the speaker. 

While the experiences which lead to the emotions and the lyrics must have been tough to go through, Kississippi has come out on the other side with an excellent work of art to live and learn from. A complete and riveting debut record, Sunset Blush spins well crafted songs out of tough emotional times.  
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Support the artist, buy the album on bandcamp, you can also stream it below, and peep some video:

Monday, May 7, 2018

Dylan Cover #324 Danny McEvoy "I Want You" Live

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 Danny McEvoy singing "I Want You" 


Thoughts on Original:
(From the first time we tackled a cover of this song)
A song that fits the Gemini Dylan like a glove; direct lyrical yearning chorus with verses that meander about introducing characters like roadblocks in the way of true love. It was the last tune written for the mega Blonde on Blonde and a song he and others (it was Al Kooper's favorite) admired so much he almost titled the album after it. Never a track that jumps to the top of peoples "favorites" or "best of" Dylan lists but one that really nails what the artist is all about in some of the simplest terms.

Cover:


Thoughts on Cover Artist:
From the first time we covered a cover of the cover artist (this is getting confusing!) Danny McEvoy is a singer songwriter from Liverpool England. Check out his youtube and Facebook pages.

Thoughts on Cover:
A really shiny upbeat cover of a gorgeous song. Danny even gives a little class at the end for inspiring guitar players to play this jam. A great easy way to get the brain working this Monday as we recover from NOLA Jazzfest.

Saturday, May 5, 2018

Angels & Vagabonds Acoustic EP Anyways... Turns Three Today

We are proud that Angels & Vagabonds acoustic EP titled Anyways... Turns three years old today.
The album is important to us because, well, we are in the band and it is exciting to go from critic/reviewer of music to creator of tunes.Special thanks also go to our friends who helped out and while it has been a few years since a release, we are not done yet as we hope to record at least one more EP in the future.

You can stream the album below and you can also go here and download the album for free (or any donation you would like). The album is also available on Spotify, Itunes AMI Jukeboxes and elsewhere. Thanks for listening and reading.

Friday, May 4, 2018

Full Show Friday: Anita Baker - One Night of Rapture

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...Anita Baker!

Every April we have a special showcase for bands who are playing this years Jazzfest in NOLA. Today we will focus on Anita Baker who will be playing tomorrow on the Main Stage, Saturday May 5th.
So we get one extra as the fest is now into it's second weekend and we need to focus on another artist playing this weekend. It is Anita Baker who was the first artist announced for this years festival. Well that's not true, she let slip she was playing the fest on her farewell tour, before any other artists were announced.

Since she will be playing tomorrow and it is the one day RtBE will not be a the fest this weekend, today's show captured from her 86-87 tour will have to do. Pro Shot, Pro Sound.  Enjoy:

Thursday, May 3, 2018

The Second Weekend of Jazzfest Starts Today!

The best festival in America kicks off it's second weekend today and hopefully you are attending. If you can not get to the Big Easy for The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage FestivalWWOZ has the answer.

You can stream the festival through their website or you can download the app. This is one of the best radio channels in the country, so you should pop in and stream them regularly, but this weekend is a must if you can't be at the fairgrounds.

To prepare for the weekend, here are a few videos of some non-headlining artists who will be performing tomorrow:







Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Album Review: The Honeybrains - Gettin' Tender EP

The Honeybrains
Gettin' Tender EP
*** out of *****

(Jazzfest's second weekend starts tomorrow, and while RtBE feels it is the best festival in the country, New Orleans is more than tuba's and second lines. As the fest arrives we wanted to take some time to review smaller various bandcamp finds from the city, as the town just pulsates music culture and art.)

For our focus on lesser known New Orleans artists and releases recently we touched on new wave, hip-hop, death metal and DJ's, but we saved our favorite for last. There is not much info to be gleamed about the New Orleans instrumental outfit The Honeybrains. No online presence outside of the Tender Rat Records bandcamp posting of their excellent EP, Gettin' Tender. Then again when the music is this engaging what else needs to be said?

The group works in murky surf rock waters, recalling the days of The Ventures, Dick Dale and Link Wray but they aren't paddling out into sunshine and big waves, rather the swampy bayous and overgrown canals of the deep south. That distinction comes through in some of the eerie under and over tones with the title track opener. Warbling guitar, ominous bass and cymbals that chatter like skeleton teeth, the music even matches the retro styled cover art.

The ripping "Tombstoned" picks up the punk energy as it comes full force moving with shaking solidness and while it might call to mind a famous city in Arizona, it is the follow up "Witch Breasts" that would be the perfect Sergio Leone spaghetti western soundtrack tune. Acoustic guitars strum while electric ones scratch out the theme as organs and rich bass wrap it all up. 

The group dives right into the late '50's malt shop weeper with the final tune, "Don't Dance With Me (When I'm Dead)". While the other songs all felt musically full with no real need for vocals/lyrics, this track seems ripe for some singing about a boy who crashed his hot rod or girl who won't look your way. The production on the album is a bit fuzzy and raw and this suites the sounds played, The Honeybrains are onto something good with Gettin' Tender. 

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Support the band, buy the album on bandcamp and stream it below: