Thursday, September 30, 2021

EELS New Album Extreme Witchcraft Coming in January

The fourteenth studio album from EELS, Extreme Witchcraft is coming at the end of January. 

RtBE has reviewed lots of EELS in the past and E crafted an amazing album in Blinking Lights and Other Revelations.  The first single off his new album has also been released and can be heard below, it is called "Good Night On Earth". 

EELS leader Mark Oliver Everett, aka E, co-produced the record with PJ Harvey producer and guitarist John Parish, marking the first time the two have recorded together since 2001’s Souljacker album. EELS are also set for a spring 2022 tour of Europe and America, starting March 11 in Belfast. 


Voodoo Rhythm Records Label Compilation - Volume 5 Out 10/1

The most recent Voodoo Rhythm Records compilation is out this Friday (10/1) and it is the fifth from the label. 


Artists like The Monsters, Sloks and Nestter Donuts are all on the comp. The artists all rage around the punk genre with noise rock, garage rock and country punk. From the record label themselves:

Voodoo Rhythm Records was founded in Bern Switzerland 1992 as a need to give a platform for uncontrolled non mainstream rock'n'roll in any un-conform way, and it Stands for Expanding you're inner space set free your inner Demons to confront your Outer Devils with Rock'n'Roll and this is what those 15 Bands on this Compilation do, the Monsters from Switzerland with a song from their up coming Album 'you're class I'm trash' or Degurutieni from Japan with his Hi Exotic Hymn 'Acme in the afternoon' and our Brand New Horse in the Stall Nestter Donuts from Spain with his Incredible Flamenco Trash One Man Band!!!! and many many more the Label is not here just to release Another
album, we work on all the releases 100% and more from artwork to the recordings etc as well with this one the picture Disc artwork is made by the Romanian Artist Andy ‚sinboy’ Luke (Bad Decisions) he is responsible for other great artworks as well and the Mastering is by Lo Spider from the Swamp Land Studio in Toulouse France.
Here is a tune by the Sloks:


Wednesday, September 29, 2021

RTJ4 Deluxe Released with Lil Wayne Remix and More

RtBE's highest rated album of 2020 has just been re-released in a deluxe version, as Run The Jewels deliver RTJ4 Deluxe

Our review of RTJ4 mentioned how it captured the cultural zeitgeist, and things haven't changed all that much as we roll into the finale of 2021. 

Grab the album here.  Peep out the "Oh La La" remix with Lil Wayne below:

 

Album Review: Pastor T.L. Barrett - I Shall Wear A Crown

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

It is of the Pastor T.L. Barrett's newest box set, I Shall Wear A Crown

This is a pretty amazing collection of funky gospel soul.  The bass playing in particular is impressive from all involved, hell, everything is impressive; this is a fierce collection of soulful tunes. Even if gospel music isn't normally your bag, you can probably get down with these most of these tunes. 

You can buy the box here, peep some video below:

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

New Album From Greensky Bluegrass Coming in Janurary

The jam-grass outfit Greensky Bluegrass are delivering their next album Stress Dreams at the end of January. 

RtBE loved the bands last offering, All For Money, and ranked it high on our year end list in 2019. The record is produced by Dominic Davis and engineered by Glenn Brown. Here is a video regarding the new album, we can't wait to hear it.  

New Single from Allison Lorenzen, "Mirrors", Full Length in November

The newest single from Denver, Colorado based Allison Lorenzen has been released, titled "Mirrors". The artists debut full length will be available in November and it is titled Tender.


You can listen to the enchanting track below. 



Live Review: Neal Francis, Ikebe Shakedown 9/22/21 Brooklyn Bowl, NYC

Live Review:
Neal Francis, Ikebe Shakedown
9/22/21 Brooklyn Bowl, NYC

On the first day of fall in New York City things were still hot as the summer heat stuck around a bit longer. The music in Williamsburg Brooklyn Bowl didn't cool things down either as both Neal Francis and Ikebe Shakedown delivered pumping sets to the faithful who came out on Wednesday night.

The cinematic instrumental soul band started the night as Ikebe Shakedown played tight grooves in the vein of The Budos Band, Antibalas and Menahan Street Band. The expansive band presentedtheir spaghetti western mix of funky styles with power and precision delivering songs like their new single "Horses" confidently. The group had splashes of Afrobeat with a clear tribute to Fela Kuti during their opening set which had the crowd up and dancing. 

Neal Francis took over next playing as a four piece the group dove directly into their mix of '70s rock, soul, and jam band interplay/exploration. Unfortunately some sound issues to start kept Francis piano low in the mix for the first few tunes but things worked themselves out when he moved over to organ bringing in a Canned Heat smokey vibe to the proceedings.  

Noticeably retro from the shag hair cuts to the open collar satin shirts, Francis and the band bring to mind many comparisons. From the early Elton John rock, to freewheeling carnival vibes of Leon Russell to the flowing soul of Billy Preston, the band and Francis look to the past for inspiration. Francis work on the organ with a unique whammy bar built in also conjures up heavy metal vibes at times as the powerful drums were wailing away in supportive Bonham fashion. 

A set highlight was the original "Can't Stop the Rain" as the crowd joined in singing and the band extended the number for a jam laden freak out. Tightly knit on stage, the band were expansive playing to a joyful midweek crowd that was happy to have heart warming live music back in their lives. 

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Support the artists and peep some of their tunes below:

 

Monday, September 27, 2021

Bob Dylan Announces Fall Tour Dates for Late 2021

Bob Dylan has announced a fall tour for late 2021. The tour will cross a good part of the country.
 


Full tour dates below and I hope that everyone stays healthy and the tour is a success. 

Watch this page on bobdylan.com for updates. All information is subject to change.



RIP Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis

The great saxophonist Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis has passed away, he was 80. 

Ellis was instrumental to James Brown legendary sound and we discussed his playing back in our Masters Series. Ellis helped write and arrange songs including “Cold Sweat” and “Say it Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud.” After that he played with Van Morrison and more. 

One of his old running partners Bootsy Collins mentioned his passing:




Dylan Cover #498 Sasha Robertson & Tim Robertson "Subterranean Homesick Blues" 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 Sasha Robertson & Tim Robertson playing "Subterranean Homesick Blues".

Thoughts on Original:
From the first time we posted a cover version of this tune:
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:
This is the first time RtBE has come across Sasha Robertson & Tim Robertson. Tim Robertson is a guitarist, composer, arranger, performer, and teacher located in New Orleans. That city will feature heavily next month on RtBE with Jazzfest on the horizon. 

Thoughts on Cover:
A straight ahead live acoustic cover of this speedy tune with electric guitar support.  A fun breezy take on the tune with a sped up vocal pace which charmingly rambles off the rails a bit. Happy Monday.

Saturday, September 25, 2021

Happy 20th Anniversary to Southern Rock Opera

Twenty years ago today the Drive By Truckers released their breakthrough record, Southern Rock Opera

This was the album that started the bands run as one of the best in the world, proving that they had the talent and songwriting to express their southern roots to the world. 

While RtBE got into the band much later and would usually lean towards their newest records, their live offerings and their Isbell era killers, it can not be denied that this was the album that broke DBT to the masses and it still holds up. 

On the 20th anniversary of the day it was originally released, buy the album and listen to some tunes. 


Friday, September 24, 2021

Live Streams: Billy Strings - Renewal

For the last year live music was on lock down (like everything else in New York City). Live streams and old concerts have become essential for live music junkies like RtBE. Things are improving on the pandemic front in this city, but live streams will be an option for the foreseeable future. We will highlight various shows/streams/virtual events for your viewing and listening pleasure and as a way to help out the artists. You can always check out or weekly Full Show Friday series for concerts from the past and as always please support the artists any which way you can.



Today we highlight: Billy Strings Renewal: A Two-Evening Celebration of Music, Community & Nature

Billy Strings plays live from Buena Vista Colorado the next two nights celebrating the release of his new album, Renewal. Grab tickets for the two night event