Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Album Review: This Will Destroy You - New Others Part Two

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

It is of the instrumental rock band This Will Destroy You's surprise release New Others Part 2.
It is an interesting album that plays with musical textures and doesn't always go for the big release like a lot of these bands tend to do.

Support the artist, read the review, buy the record and peep some video below:

Celebrating the Halloween Spirit Through Songs

A few years ago, one of the best blogs out there, WFMU's Rock and Soul Ichiban put together a great collection of Halloween inspired tunes and playlists.
They have crafted one dealing with ghosts which you can directly download. Another that tackles vampires and you can grab that one directly as well. Now there is also Weird-O-Matic streaming and a you can also drink a spooky cup o' Alligator Wine!

All of these are fantastic and as always Ichiban gives us old songs that are brand new to RtBE and all are also flat out awesome!

I mean how could we have missed The Bar-Kay's "Holy Ghost" for all of these years?

Damn that is some funky stuff. WFMU Rock and Soul Ichiban always delivers the goods, but in 2014 they got some help from their friends over at Fringe Factory who offered up a Halloween themed show themselves right here.

Here are a few songs that jumped out to us from these shows/free downloads and of course it wouldn't be Halloween without Elvira. She closes out our Halloween focus with her Third Man Records release "2 Big Pumpkins" written by the B-52's Fred Schneider:
The Pastel Six: "The Strange Ghost"

The Primates "The Creep"

The Upsetters "The Vampire"

Virgil Holmes "Ghost Train"

Elvira "2 Big Pumpkins":

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Tomorrow Night Murphy's Law Return with Drunken Rampage

Tomorrow night @ The Kingsland in their home borough Murphy's Law return to action, even better news is that Drunken Rampage will be opening the show. RtBE has a personal connection with that band to as our friend Simon is the lead singer.
A few weeks ago RtBE had the privilege to attend a benefit for Jimmy G the lead singer of Murphy's Law who has been dealing with medical issues and bills. Jimmy was in attendance and thankfully is recovering.

Here are a songs from both bands to get in the mood.



Album Review: Ty Segall - Fudge Sandwich

Hey all, got a new review up @glidemag which you can read Right C'here!!!
It is of Ty Segall's recent cover album titled Fudge Sandwich

While showcasing the Monday Dylan Cover series we have mentioned multiple times that the more original covers which toss out the originals structure tend to be our favorites. Maybe that is why we dig Segall's newest record; nothing is sacred.

There is a lot to like here and Segall seems to be someone who could converse about music all day long. Support the artist, read the review, buy the record and peep some video below:


Monday, October 29, 2018

Album Review: decker. - Born To Wake Up

decker.
Born To Wake Up
**and1/2 out of *****

The psychedelic desert folk artist decker. has released his newest effort Born To Wake Up which continues his lonely western soundscapes over haunting singing around death and the unknown with southwest twinge and twang.

The odd yells and howls start off the record before the first song proper, "The Strawman" layers pulsing electronics, vocal ahh's, singular ringing guitar lines and a slow dripping beat. The track could easily fit into the aesthetic for True Detective's upcoming third season given that series habitual love of haunting tracks.  

The tempo and polish rev up for the more conventional "Burnin' Grass" which rocks with a smoking solo and electro pop keyboards to close while "The Matador" amps up the swagger with a pushing groove and snaking guitar line around relationship problems both external and internal and blows out with a dramatic climax. Less successful is "The Garden" which takes on a 80's L.A. hair metal ballad feel that is out of place with the rest of the record and "The Saint" is overproduced and over dramatic, trying a bit to hard and landing closer to Broadway then Arizona. 

The album centerpiece is the country dappling "Awake" which proceeds direct and gorgeous, easy with spiritual assurance and flowing vocals before the swirling "Smudge" and the sparse duet of "Mexico" both rolling out under the desert stars. The idea of silence and shutting up gets mentioned often by decker. not always pleasantly, perhaps reflecting his wide open quiet spaces that can become crippling at times. 

Certainly a mood record, one that flourishes under lonely hot night skies or if you happen to be cruising through the American southwest in a convertible, but decker.'s true ability on Born To Wake Up is his ability to transport the listener directly to his Sedona, AZ landscape from wherever they might be; a real successful trick. 
_______________________________________________________________________
Support the artist, buy the record, stream it on bandcamp or below and peep some video:

Dylan Cover #348 Bettye LaVette "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 live cover by Bettye LaVette playing "What Was It You Wanted?"

This month we are doing another special focus in RtBE's Dylan Covers series. In the past we have highlighted The ByrdsCoulson-Dean-McGuiness-FlintThe HolliesJoan OsbourneMountain and more. Now the spotlight shines on Bettye LaVette and her recently released Things Have Changed covers album.

Thoughts on Original:
From the first time we tackled a cover of this tune:
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 feeling colors the lyrics as the protagonist just can't seem to get it right.

Cover:


Thoughts on Cover Artist:
RtBE first became aware of Bettye LaVette while watching The American Epic Sessions on PBS and were semi shocked to learn that until the last decade or so LaVette only had minor success in the industry. She is a powerhouse singer and can turn a phrase with the best of them, using Gospel, R&B, Soul and Funky backings to croon her way forward.

Thoughts on Cover:
We close our monthly focus with yet another stunning cover track from Betty LaVette. For "What Was It You Wanted?" she and her band dip into the New Orleans night to add atmosphere influenced by the original, but solely her own. The hand drums, eerie backing vocals and shaking tambourine all set the stage as LaVette's soulful vocals sing the way forward through the fog before NOLA's own Trombone Shorty injects his brass into things, elevating the track even further. This is an outstanding collection of Dylan covers, def the best full album of cover tracks we RtBE has come across.

Friday, October 26, 2018

Full Show Friday: Green Day 2013 Reading Festival

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...Green Day!
This week we travel back five years for Green Day's set at The Reading Festival in 2013. While we here at RtBE have never been big fans of the band, their version of poppy theatrical punk hit it big and we can't begrudge them even if we never loved them. Why not check in on them for this Full Show Friday?

Pro Shot, Pro Sound, set list below. Enjoy:

0:03:58 99 Revolutions 0:08:31 Know Your Enemy 0:13:18 Stay The Night 0:19:39 Stop When The Red Light Flash 0:24:14 Letterbomb 0:30:44 Holiday 0:35:37 Boulevard Of Broken Dreams 0:41:23 Let Yourself Go 0:45:08 Wake Me Up When September Ends 0:50:47 Burnout 0:53:00 Having A Blast 0:55:44 Chump 0:58:19 Longview 1:02:45 Welcome To Paradise 1:06:26 Pulling Teeth 1:09:44 Basket Case 1:12:40 She 1:15:13 Sassafras Roots 1:18:02 Highway To Hell 1:18:54 When I Come Around 1:21:58 Coming Clean 1:23:27 Emenius Sleepus 1:25:55 In The End 1:27:44 F.O.D. 1:34:05 St. Jimmy 1:37:45 Waiting 1:41:48 Minority 1:51:44 American Idiot 1:56:26 Jesus Of Suburbia 2:06:40 Brutal Love 2:13:08 Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)

Thursday, October 25, 2018

Album Review: Foxing - Nearer My God

Foxing
Nearer My God
**and1/2 out of *****

The St. Louis Missouri based Foxing have put together a large sprawling effort with their third full length album Nearer My God which looks to push them out of their emo digs into larger surroundings.

The band, Conor Murphy, E.M. Hudson, Enrique Sampson, Jon Hellwig, never hold back throwing all sorts of sounds and experiments into the twelve tracks presented here. Co-produced by former Death Cab for Cutie guitarist Chris Walla, the album does not continue the groups emo sound structure, but tries to hold onto to the feeling through more instrumentation and daring musical pairings.

The majority of the tracks work with an electronic digital beat that is paired with either a piano or some other motif and then slowly incorporates more instrumentation layers of vocals and soaring sounds as the track progresses. Opener "Grand Paradise" starts this journey in that fashion with hand claps before a big swelling and the pattern continues through "Trapped in Dillard's" and "Won't Drown".

The group has a plan and executes it with the light percussion and digital bass around falsetto singing on "Slapstick" which successfully adds clashing rhythms upping the stakes while "Gameshark" less successfully overloads on the digital bleeps hitches and skittering sound. "Heartbeat" starts with strings and horns only for those to be exorcised early as the track forms into full on dance track with digital beats.

The two most straight ahead tracks here are the title offering with it's arena ready ringing guitars and "Bastardizer" which uses acoustic strums as a foundation. Both of these though manage to still go above and beyond with instrumentation though as "Near My God" incorporates looping digital twinkles/pulses and "Bastardizer" uses bagpipes to augment the sound.

"Five Cups" is the true centerpiece of the album though, the almost ten minute track is cinematic in scope using yells, digital undercurrents, backward tapes, layers of vocals and even French Horns. The overriding feeling from this focal point track and the album in general is a searching feeling, but one that never truly connects or delivers any emotional release or delivery. 

The band is opening up their sonic palette but nothing here is much hear, or stands out form the digitally pulsing mood album. Closer "Lambert" comes closets to breaking through the electro haze, but the new wave rocker losses steam as the album wraps up. An interesting full album listen but one that does not pack the desired punch to elevate the collective effort.
_________________________________________________________
Support the band, buy the album, stream it below or on bandcamp and peep some video:






The Hold Steady Return To London in 2019

The Hold Steady have made their late November early December Brooklyn Bowl residency a yearly event now and it looks like they are adding one more yearly outing to the mix as they will be returning to London England over the weekend of March 9th.

The band has lots of fun in that town and will be playing three shows plus doing a film screening. Some info from the band:
In March 2018, The Hold Steady returned to the UK for the first time in four years and played three shows in London. We did Friday and Saturday at the Electric Ballroom, and Sunday at a smaller venue The Lexington. The UK has always been such an important part of The Hold Steady story. 
We were excited to be back, and anxious to see what would happen… The weekend that unfolded was perfect. There were songs, there were sing alongs, there were old friends, there were new friends, there were pints, there was confetti, there was so much joy…. So…. we’re doing it all again, March 8, 9 and 10, 2019! Friday, March 8 & Saturday March 9 will once again see THS taking the stage at the Electric Ballroom in Camden, London. Sunday, March 10 we are doing another smaller show, this time at Oslo Hackney in Hackney, London. 
Also on Sunday, in celebration of the 10-year Stay Positive Anniversary, we’ll be hosting an exclusive screening/Q&A with the band of A Positive Rage at Hackney Picturehouse. We are calling this The Weekender, and we hope to make it an annual event. Please note these are the only UK shows we have planned at the moment, so we hope you’ll join us in London. 
Going to be a hell of a run in jolly ol' England, plus the band will be playing some east coast dates in May in Boston, Connecticut and back at the White Eagle in Jersey City where we recently caught the band.

Tickets to the London show go on sale tomorrow and the East Coast shows next week, so to get in the positive mood, here are a few Hold Steady tracks:







Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Album Review: Lil Wayne - Tha Carter V

Lil Wayne
Tha Carter V
***and1/2 out of *****

The Chinese Democracy of modern hip hop has finally arrived. Scheduled for 2014 Tha Carter V has been released after extended legal battles between Lil Wayne and Cash Money Records along with a personal feud with one time mentor Birdman. Wayne has gone through many personal up and downs during the last four years, including being hospitalized and shot at, and after years of promises the album is a long running journey which proves Wayne is still solidly in the game.

Opening with honest sentiments from his mother the record was designed to show growth and maturity from the artist and it does, addressing painful situations, personal failings, and even his 12 year old gun accident while still lamenting getting fucked up, going to parties and trying to be the best rapper alive.

Wayne’s verses come out super strong even if the first two songs “Don’t Cry” and “Dedicated” feature powerful statements from him personally around dull guest choruses. XXXTENTACION goes the singing route on “Don’t Cry” with rough results beginning on a bum note while 2 Chainz ode to Wayne works (barely) on “Dedicated” which gets a boost from a President Obama sample.  

The two best beats on the album come in the form of throwbacks as “Uproar” and “Start This Shit Off Right” by Swizz Beatz and Mannie Fresh respectively just miss being all-time classics surprisingly because Wayne’s rhymes are lackluster on these numbers. Weezy always seems to dive into the tracks with thinner beats that never really want to go anywhere instead of the real bangers.  

He successfully falls back into his auto tuned/trap/cheaper sounding beats safe place for “Problems”, the deeply personal closer “Let It All Work Out” and the strip club ready “Open Safe” which uses bumping and slapping from DJ Mustard around Weezy’s never ending flow. Great word play is everywhere throughout Tha Carter V as Wayne is open, giddy with his voice, flowing and letting everything hang out, one random example is “Hittas” which has both “Money in the air/Who said white men can’t jump?” and “I got paper, on top of paper, we gon' need rulers/I'm effective, been doin' numbers since Roman numerals”.

This is clearly Wayne’s vehicle but there are a few guest appearances. Nicki Minaj has the most eye opening turn, expertly pairing with her old partner in crime to deliver an unexpected affecting tune on mortality and the afterlife with “Dark Side Of The Moon” while Travis Scott gets blown away by an energized Wayne who spits fire on “Let It Fly”. On the dull side, Snoop Dog doesn’t add much to “Dope Niggaz” nor does Drake’s unaccredited appearance on “Hittas”.

Producer Infamous has worked with Wayne for over a decade now and the combo put together a few of the best tracks here as “Took His Time” his a rich tapestry of piano, bass and clicking snares, “Mess” allows Wayne to deal with his pain around gorgeous guitar lines and the creepy/dramatic music box lines in “Used 2” fires Wayne up for gangsta laced stanzas.

Infamous gets the hell out of the way with minimalist accompaniment over the richest word play and stand out track on the record, “Mona Lisa”. A five and a half minute story, the track is a sex and crime rhyme tale which is an expertly painted plan of attack regarding love triangles which could be made into a movie. Kendrick Lamar hops on board to play the role of spurned, psychotic lover on a track that proves Wayne and Lamar are par excellence; an instant classic.  

The talk of growth is legit as the sex rhyme and dick jokes are scaled back but the middle of the record drags into softer modern R&B sounds with a trio of relationship/life slow jams. “What About Me” is a self-centered woe is me number, before the brokenhearted “Open Letter” and the piano ballad “Famous” which does showcase the soothing vocals of his eldest daughter  Reginae Carter.

Things aren’t perfect but that is to be expected, for an album which has gone through such drama as this one; Tha Carter V shows its scars and Wayne proudly wears them. Four years is longer than most rappers careers and for Wayne to present a unified sounding record from tracks recorded in wildly different sessions is a success in itself. Lil’ Wayne manages to remain one of the most engaging artists on the scene as he continually dives deeper into his strongest subject, himself.
_______________________________________________________
Support the artist, buy the record and peep some video below:

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

Album Review: Becky Warren - Undesirable

Hey all, got a new review up @glidemag which you can read Right C'here!!!
It is of Becky Warren's excellent new album Undesirable

This was a really great find. Believe it or not, the first RtBE heard of Warren was when she appeared on Jeopardy! We went back and downloaded her first album War Surplus which was good, but Undesirable kicks it up even higher. 

It is not false praise when we say she is operating on the same level of Jason Isbell these days who we really dig. 

This is a hell of a record which we talked a ton about in the review, so support the artist, buy the album, read the review, and peep some video below:

Monday, October 22, 2018

Dylan Cover #347 Bettye LaVette "Political World"

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 Bettye LaVette playing "Political World"

This month we are doing another special focus in RtBE's Dylan Covers series. In the past we have highlighted The ByrdsCoulson-Dean-McGuiness-FlintThe HolliesJoan OsbourneMountain and more. Now the spotlight shines on Bettye LaVette and her recently released Things Have Changed covers album.

Thoughts on Original:
The opener of Dylan's first good album in years didn't signal a return to form by any stretch. In retrospect it is the weakest song on Oh Mercy, generalized and cranky without much oomph behind it. Dylan mentioned in Chronicles that it was a follow up to "With God On Our Side" but if that is the case, it is a weak one. The shocking thing is now, thirty years removed, the song seems to have taken on added weight as the U.S.A becomes more tribal and fractured politically. 

Cover:


Thoughts on Cover Artist:
RtBE first became aware of Bettye LaVette while watching The American Epic Sessions on PBS and were semi shocked to learn that until the last decade or so LaVette only had minor success in the industry. She is a powerhouse singer and can turn a phrase with the best of them, using Gospel, R&B, Soul and Funky backings to croon her way forward.

Thoughts on Cover:
And the successful covers just keep on coming for Ms. LaVette. Here she takes a lesser known number and uses her soulful voice and easy rolling funk backing (sounding straight out of The Meters backyard) to inject new life into the track. Oh and that guitar solo...some guy named Keith Richards adds some great rocking riffs to keep the track afloat in the swampy sounds. He may just have a career yet...

Friday, October 19, 2018

Full Show Friday: Action Bronson 2018 Miami

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...Action Bronson!

Some hip hop for this Friday from Action Bronson. RtBE have reviewed him in the past so how about some Full Show Friday action? Well hip hop rarely, if ever, gets better live and this is no exception but why not give it a spin this week.

From Bayfront Park Miami Fla... Pro shot, pro sound, Enjoy:
 

Thursday, October 18, 2018

Album Review: High on Fire - Electric Messiah

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

It is of High on Fire's bad ass Electric Messiah
This band is so fucking consistently great, each of their last three albums could be considered their best and long time fans may even like Surrounded By Thieves but there is no denying that they are still blisteringly awesome in 2018. Who saw that coming?  

Personally, at present time, RtBE would rank De Vermis Mysteriis slightly ahead of Electric Messiah and Luminiferous third out of their recent run, but Messiah may just prove the best after it sinks in a bit...we shall see. There have been a lot of good 'heavy' records this year and this one is way up there, killer album cover art included. 

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


Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Album Review: Restorations - LP5000

Restorations
LP5000
***and 1/2 out of *****

The fourth full length from the Philly five piece Restorations, titled LP5000, is a strain of atmospheric emo rock with layers of guitars around direct lyrics from front man Jon Loudon.

The opening "St." is a gorgeous slow burn, conserving energy while creating a evocative musical scene. The follow up "Nonbeliever" is more inline with the bands bread and butter; direct lyrics, buzzing guitars which fill the complete sonic space, never letting the sound drop before a bass fill twists things up. The lines "Got a partner, for starters, and a kid on the way / Can't be doing all this dumb shit no more" shows exactly where this bands collective head is at.

"Remains" is bright with organ strains and swelling guitar work while the mellow and looped augmented "Melt" is more restrained with Loudon mentioning he reads a lot, which is pretty clear from his frank lyrics which are displayed in a writers fashion. It is also pretty clear he is fed up with the current political state as closer "Eye" (which begins drab before ending in cinematic fashion) connects with the line “Glance at your phone and you mumble, ‘I hope he dies’/Yeah, I hope he dies, too,’” a common thought when checking your news feed these days.

While the band works with the interlocking levels of guitar work, each track on the short LP5000 adds a unique element which keeps it from becoming routine. "The Red Door" is a shining example at the band clicking on all cylinders fiddles with tinkling sounds around a racing snare run before breaking into a climatic ringing chorus, displaying the traits that make Restorations an engaging band.

Like The National this is middle age rock, but with a shade more directness and slightly less artsy pretense, hence better. Never jubilant the band is mature and a touch dour/tired/weary at times because they just can't be doing all that dumb shit anymore.
___________________________________________
Support the artist, buy the album and peep some video below:

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Album Review: Loretta Lynn- Wouldn't It Be Great

Loretta Lynn
Wouldn't It Be Great
**** out of *****

In 2016 Loretta Lynn released the excellent Full Circle. It was the first release culled from a huge  collection of tracks that were recorded at her leisure by her daughter Patsy Lynn Russell and John Carter Cash. After a Christmas album, now comes Wouldn't It Be Great the third (of a planned five) in a series which allows Lynn to look back on her best tracks, covers and tunes she just liked to sing. While parallels can clearly be drawn to Johnny Cash's American series, Lynn is totally in control, sounding vibrant in these tracks; it is hard to believe she is 86 years old.

The opening title tune is a take on her song that was first released in the mid 80's then again with Dolly Parton and Tammy Wynette in the 90's. This version is stripped down with simple acoustic backing and Lynn's solo vocal performance which is stately and yearning, not only a great song writer, an exceptional singer. Her newer effort "Dying For Some One To Live For" is embedded with a more melancholy sense of failure and longing that seems flat but drives the songs point home even stronger.

Lynn sings "The Big Man" (co-written with Shawn Camp) to show her devotion to God above by twisting proverbs and blossoming with her vocal take. The mid tempo waltzing with strings "Another Bridge To Burn" is pure Nashville roots country while the fiddle led "Ain't No Time To Go" and the murder ballad "Lulie Vars" push more into Appalachian folk mountain territory before the delicate "My Angel Mother" finding Lynn backed only by a acoustic guitar on a number she first released back in 1968 and still sounds sweet.   

Her feisty side comes out in the pep in your step, pissed on a Friday Night, brand new track "Ruby's Stool" finding Lynn still fighting for her man in sneaky fashion. The excellent tune is just another example of her top notch song writing before one of her most famous tunes "Don't Come Home A Drinkin'" solidifies that notion in a more upbeat manner using steel guitars, banjos and soft backing vocals.

Lynn is and always has been one of American Country musics best songwriters and while a few of the tracks don't really improve on the originals ("God Knows Best") all the songs on Wouldn't It Be Great find Lynn in killer voice with tastefully strumming strings. On the disk closing steel guitar driven biographical "Coal Miner's Daughter" Lynn sings and smiles through the pain and proves that even at this juncture she is worth hearing as Wouldn't It Be Great continues her late career string of top notch records.   
________________________________________________________
Another stunningly great collection of fantastic songs from Loretta Lynn. Full Circle made RtBE's top ten in 2016 and this may just do the same this year.
Support the artist, buy the album and peep some video:

Monday, October 15, 2018

Dylan Cover #346 Bettye LaVette "Ain't Talkin'" 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 Bettye LeVette playing "Ain't Talkin'" Live

This month we are doing another special focus in RtBE's Dylan Covers series. In the past we have highlighted The ByrdsCoulson-Dean-McGuiness-FlintThe HolliesJoan OsbourneMountain and more. Now the spotlight shines on Bettye LaVette and her recently released Things Have Changed covers album.

Thoughts on Original:
The closer on Dylan's excellent Modern Times (old Glide Star Structure, would be 10 now) is a haunting work of minimalist accompaniment. The clipped tone of his vocal delivery sound so pissed off, rather than distant he seems engaged and frustrated. Live the song takes on a otherworldly feel and has been the highlight of some of his sets as the mood turns on a dime from a soft love song to an instant sense of dread. These words in others hands may convey different messages, but in Dylan's the cold reality burns through.

Cover:


Thoughts on Cover Artist:
RtBE first became aware of Bettye LaVette while watching The American Epic Sessions on PBS and were semi shocked to learn that until the last decade or so LaVette only had minor success in the industry. She is a powerhouse singer and can turn a phrase with the best of them, using Gospel, R&B, Soul and Funky backings to croon her way forward.

Thoughts on Cover:
Mixing it up as we reach the half way point on our monthly focus on Ms. LaVette, we are using a live version of her covering the Bard. We choose "Ain't Talking" live because her band and her vocals add more to the scene than Dylan's original. LaVette's warm vocals add a different tone, the lyrics make it clear she is pissed, but sense of hopelessness isn't present. The band sounds locked in and grooving as LaVette traverses the lyrical passages with grace and ease.

Friday, October 12, 2018

Full Show Friday: Johnny Winter & Dr. John - In Session 1983

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...Dr. John & Johnny Winter!

Keeping October rolling as this is a really cool find with some great playing and chatting between Texas and NOLA. Back in 1983 (the tile of the video is wrong as you will see a few seconds in) the two idiosyncratic stars (who were friends) teamed up for a set of music on the television program In Session.

Dr. John and Johnny Winter getting after it for 50 minutes, (along with Brian Russell - Guitar John Paris - Bass, Harmonica & Terry Clark - Drums). There are shorter higher quality versions on youtube, but this seems the most complete so it gets posted for Full Show Friday.

Enjoy:


Johnny Winter & Dr. John - In Session (1983)

Tracks : 01. A Right Place At The Wrong Time 02. Johnny Be Good 03. Junior Parker's Song 04. Talk To Your Daughter 05. You Lie Too Much 06. She Doesn't Mean Mistreated 07. Tipitina 08. Such A Night

Line up : Winter - Guitar,Vocal Dr.John - Piano,Vocal Brian Russell - Guitar John Paris - Bass,Harmonica Terry Clark - Drums Live Studio "In Sessions" 1983

Thursday, October 11, 2018

Jack White Playing Brooklyn, Chicago & Nashville

Jack White is wrapping up his Boarding House Reach world tour with shows in Brooklyn Chicago and Nashville next month.

Tickets are on sale tomorrow and the wide ranging tour has already spawned a live DVD and Vault released live vinyl collection. The tour has been a blast and having caught him twice can highly recommend seeing these final dates as per Dominic Davis's Instagram, it is looking like Jack will not be touring solo next year....

Which brings us back to RtBE's post yesterday...new Raconteurs tunes...New album on the horizon...pretty please tour dates!?!??! From someone who has seen the band all across the country, we would happily do the same again as they are a blast live.

So until the good word comes down from Mount White...how about a few live Boarding House Reach tunes to commemorate the end of this great tour:



Album Review: Integrity & Krieg - Split

Integrity & Krieg 
Split 
*** out of *****

The newest release from the Cleveland metallic hardcore godfathers Integrity is a split offering with their friends in the black metal band Krieg. The disk is punishing and raw, captivating for fans of either of the bands.

Starting with one of the two new songs they offer up on this release Integrity is immediately propulsive. The band are blasting through "Scorched Earth" an aptly named title that delivers a wasted landscape in it's path. "Flames of the Immortal" continues the onslaught with blistering crazy fast riffs from guitarist Dom Romeo and a grooving drum beat under the chaos before a straight up metal solo fire out from the depths.

The galloping "Sons of Satan" is a take on lead singers Dwid solo project tune (the expertly named Vermapyre)of the same name and it is a brutal attack which is fist pumping singalong ready. Integrity's part of the album wraps up with steam slamming straight ahead cover of "Document One" from GISM stuttering out in digital feedback before Krieg takes over the record.

The blistering pace which started off this project is scaled back as the more sludge driven pummeling of Jersey dark metal rockers takes over on the longest offering here, "Circle of Guilt". The throaty screams of Neill Jameson dominate "This Time I'll Leave You To Drown" while a dramatic heavy score moves around the raw vocals.

The split release closes with "The Sick Winds Stir the Cold Dawn" which ends up the weakest offering here, with muddy production but as it wraps up it proves that the metallic ferocity before it was pretty special as both bands excelled on this brief banging release.
__________________________________________________________
Support the bands, buy the album, stream it on bandcamp or below and peep some video:






Wednesday, October 10, 2018

10th Anniversary of Consolers of the Lonely + New Raconteurs Songs

The Third Man Vault announced some exciting news this week, While the 10th Anniversary pressing of a gorgeous vinyl for the kick ass Consolers of the Lonely is fantastic in and of itself, the big bombshell explodes that The Raconteurs have two new songs out in a few months and they are recording a new record for 2019!

The 38th Vault package is a great one and for lovers of Consolers of the Lonely. Our original review spewed our love into word form (would have been 10 stars in the new system)  and we helped Glide rate it extremely high on the 50 Best Albums of the '00's (4th overall to these ears). We will love adding the pretty records to our stash, but Holy Moley have we been waiting for new Raconteurs tunes and (fingers crossed) new live dates from them for a loooong time.

Word is next month marks the final Boarding House Reach tour dates and inside word makes it look like Jack will not be touring solo next year, so here is hoping we get some Raconteurs shows to rock out to in the near future.

Until then enjoy some of the kick ass tunes from the ten year old record:




Album Review: Nothing - Dancing on the Blacktop

Nothing 
Dancing on the Blacktop
*** out of *****

The Philadelphia based Nothing's third album, Dancing on the Blacktop is filled of crunchy riffs, distorted guitars and inward searching lyrics that deal with literal pains of the brain.

The dreamy shoegaze mixed with alternative rock sound starts from the first track as "Zero Day" pairs the breathy vocals of Domenic Palermo with layers of feedback and straight ahead rhythms. Palmero has been recently been diagnosed with CTE after a brutal attack that almost killed him in 2015 and his lyrics deal with a possible bleak personal future while taking in the moment.

Sleeping all day, stealing kisses and the wonders of nature are sung about on the flowing "Blue Line Baby" which is an early highlight with fuzz/electric/acoustic guitars all added to the mix. "You Wind Me Up" pulls a mellower Dinosaur Jr. vibe to the forefront without the fiery solo work, but more melody while "Us/We/Are" puts a bit of crunch around Pablo Honey era Radiohead sounds. "Hail on Palace Pier" is a good showcase for the drum work and

The slow "Plastic Migraine" addresses Palermo's head issues directly but also drags as does "I Hate the Flowers". Both tracks are intentionally plodding with wallowing in the pain central themes, also "I Hate the Flowers" rumbles fairly well. Produced by John Agnello the group is in capable rock hands and their sound pleasantly fuzzes up fairly standard arraignments to very pretty heights combating the trauma in the lyrics.

Nothing's Dancing on the Blacktop is palpable for fans whose noiserock taste doesn't go much more angular than Sliversun Pickups and Gish era Smashing Pumpkins; Sunday morning shiny pop shoegaze with a side of bleakness in the lyrics. 
_________________________________________________________
Support the band, buy the album from bandcamp and peep some video:

Tuesday, October 9, 2018

Murphy's Law Return on Halloween with Drunken Rampage

A few weeks ago RtBE had the privilege to attend a benefit for Jimmy G the lead singer of Murphy's Law who has been dealing with medical issues and bills. Jimmy was in attendance and thankfully is recovering. So much so that they will be playing their first show back on Halloween in Brooklyn.
It is great to hear that Jimmy and crew will be back hitting the stage at The Kingsland in their home borough, even better news is that Drunken Rampage will be opening the show. RtBE has a personal connection with that band to as our friend Simon is the lead singer.

While Halloween falls on a school night, we may need to head out to BK to catch this great punk/NYHC lineup. Below is a few songs from both bands to get in the mood.



Album Review: Cedric Burnside - Benton County Relic

Cedric Burnside
Benton County Relic
*** and1/2 out of *****

Cedric Burnside is the grandson of hill country blues legend R.L. Burnside and son of blues drummer Calvin Jackson who played with R.L. as did Cedric to start his career. Clearly Cedric has the blues running through his veins and on Benton County Relic he dips into those basic cosmic truths with confidence.

These are minimalist back country blues, no flashy solos, or overproduced sounds; things are raw and incredibly stripped down. A track like "Call On Me" is a shining example of the simplicity when it works, a basic slow drum beat, easy strumming with the occasional lead riff and nuanced singing that proves Cedric's restrained vocal range can deliver the goods.

There are a number of these successful semi-simple offerings on the record, "Give It To You" is slithering and sexually direct, "Please Tell Me Baby" picks up the tempo and vocal dexterity and "Get Your Groove On" swaggers and struts around the back porch. "There's So Much" takes it a step further beautiful breaking it down to just Burnside and his quiet guitar with a passionate direct vocal, proving less can be more.

Opener "We Made It" is built around a dynamic blues riff and basic stomp that retro electric blues fans will naturally gravitate too while "Don't Leave Me Girl" sounds produced directly out of a band like The Black Keys catalog (they are fans of both him and his grandfather who've they covered in the past).

The two most raucous numbers show up late on the record with the country blues boogie getting an airing on the energetic "I'm Hurting" while disk closer shows off some great slide playing around manic drums and ganged up vocals during the chorus; an exciting autobiographical track that ends the record on a high note.

Songs in this vein/genre also can become dull fairly quickly if one of the two or three elements present doesn't grab you and the overly long and repetitious "Hard To Stay Cool" for example goes nowhere during its extended run. Also placing the two most upbeat numbers at the end makes for odd pacing overall for the record but for the majority of it's run Benton County Relic successfully scratches that electric, hill country blues itch.
_________________________________________________
Support the artist, buy the album peep some video below:

Monday, October 8, 2018

Dylan Cover #345 Bettye LaVette "It' Ain't Me, Babe"

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 Bettye LeVette playing "It Ain't Me, Babe"

This month we are doing another special focus in RtBE's Dylan Covers series. In the past we have highlighted The ByrdsCoulson-Dean-McGuiness-FlintThe HolliesJoan OsbourneMountain and more. Now the spotlight shines on Bettye LaVette and her recently released Things Have Changed covers album.

Thoughts on Original:
From the first time we tackled a cover of this song:
One of the best Dylan songs because it is universal, to the point, lyrical, smirking, self-centered and a perfect statement. Dylan has written lots of songs that can be covered well (as evident by this series) but "It Ain't Me, Babe" fits perhaps better then almost any other one into a huge variety of styles. That is because we have all been in the singers position one time or another...and it is a damn good song.

Cover:


Thoughts on Cover Artist:
RtBE first became aware of Bettye LaVette while watching The American Epic Sessions on PBS and were semi shocked to learn that until the last decade or so LaVette only had minor success in the industry. She is a powerhouse singer and can turn a phrase with the best of them, using Gospel, R&B, Soul and Funky backings to croon her way forward.

Thoughts on Cover:
RtBE has showcased lots of covers of this song often in this series because it is so universal. This may be one of the best we have ever heard as the soul just drips from LaVette and the band. The slow light drumming tempo and warm Rhodes piano sound works expertly letting LaVette's vocals growl, soar and emote in a subdued but incredibly effective manner. Another showstopper from LaVette and crew.

Friday, October 5, 2018

Full Show Friday: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers 10/2/94 Mountain View, CA

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...Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

I know we have featured them recently on Full Show Friday, but RtBE couldn't help celebrating Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers playing the Bridge School Benefit from almost exactly 24 years ago. Tom and crew are in great form, playing acoustically, mixing old and new favorites together right around the peak of the bands career.

Pro shot, pro sound, full setlist and info below. Enjoy:


Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers - Full Concert Recorded Live: 10/2/1994 - Shoreline Amphitheatre (Mountain View, CA) More Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers at Music Vault: http://www.musicvault.com Subscribe to Music Vault: http://goo.gl/DUzpUF

Setlist: 0:00:00 - Thirteen Days 0:03:19 - I Won't Back Down 0:06:50 - Girl On LSD 0:10:43 - King's Highway 0:13:56 - Mary Jane's Last Dance 0:19:29 - Learning To Fly 0:24:05 - You Don't Know How It Feels 0:28:15 - Time To Move On 0:32:28 - Runnin' Down A Dream 0:37:09 - Free Fallin' 

Personnel: Tom Petty - lead vocals, rhythm guitar Mike Campbell - lead guitar Benmont Tench - piano, vocals Scott Thurston - guitar, harmonica, vocals Howie Epstein - bass, vocals Stan Lynch - drums 

Summary: Enjoy Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers tearing it up acoustic style at the 1994 Bridge School Benefit in Mountain View, California. This unique performance features several choice obscurities as well as a wide ranging selection of Petty classics - from "I Won't Back Down" and "Free Fallin'" to "Mary Jane's Last Dance" and "Runnin' Down A Dream." One of the last Heartbreaker's performances to include drummer Stan Lynch, who would briefly be replaced by Dave Grohl, prior to the band's recruitment of drummer Steve Ferrone.