Sunday, October 31, 2021

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 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 the "Monster Mash" and 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"

Bobby "Boris" Pickett · The Crypt-Kickers "The Monster Mash"


Elvira "2 Big Pumpkins":

Friday, October 29, 2021

Live Streams: Phil Lesh and Friends Live at the Capital Theater

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: Phil Lesh and Friends Live at the Capital Theater

All month Phil will be bringing his friends to the Cap live, and you can stream each and every show if you can't make it in person. 

To get in the mood for this run here is some music from Phil and Friends from earlier this year at Brooklyn Bowl Nashville:

Full Show Friday: Melissa Etheridge - Kaaboo 2019

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...Melissa Etheridge!

Every April we have a special showcase for bands who are playing this years Jazzfest in NOLA. In 2021 Jazzfest is happening in October, so we will have a special Full Show Friday this month. Today we will focus on Melissa Etheridge who played Sunday October 17th.

Once again Jazzfest is canceled due to Covid. Hopefully it happens in April-May of 2022.

Here is an excellent full show from Etheridge playing Kaaboo back in 2019. Pro Shot, Pro Sound, Enjoy:

Thursday, October 28, 2021

Live Streams: Blackberry Smoke - Live From Red Rocks

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: Blackberry Smoke - Live From Red Rocks

Via Nugs.net:

To get in the mood here is some video from the group:

New Single from Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Full Album Barn Coming Soon

RtBE are huge fans of Neil Young and Crazy Horse (we wrote about them in our Masters series) and even though we weren't super excited by Colorado, we are always down to check out anything they do. 

Now here comes Barn, and the first single "Song of the Seasons" which is shows off the acoustic side of the Horse.

Listen to it here:
  

Album Review: Warcollapse - Bound to Die EP

Warcollapse 
Bound To Die EP
**and1/2 out of *****

The four song EP from Sweden's old school ragers Warcollapse is a distorted smash of sound as the band blitzkriegs through Bound To Die.

Out on Phobia Records, which is based out of the Czech Republic, Bound To Die delivers pummeling D-beat hardcore punk with speaker shaking noise. Opener "Manipulerad" is a highlight, using rattling cymbals and stutter guitar riffs all around the blasting drums, which shift into great grooving metal before a wailing solo. 

Rumbling bass kicks off the title track as guttural growls spit out the phrase around the chaos. "Skin One Up" pumps with a head banging intensity while closer "Hate and Disdain" slows down the ferocity to play with echoing vocals and vibrating solos before those filthy drums slam home the short EP.

The veteran Swedish crust punks Warcollapse have been thrashing about since the early 90's and continue to do the dirty work on Bound To Die.  
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Another bandcamp find. Support the band, buy the album, stream it on bandcamp or below:



 

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Live Streams: Ryan Stevenson - Weathering The Storm Tour

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: Ryan Stevenson

From the events description, where you can grab tickets, this is the show announcement:
Just Announced: Ryan Stevenson’s “WEATHERING THE STORM” Tour with special guest Tasha Layton coming to the DC★CONCERTS.COM Livestream Venue on Wednesday, October 27th at 8:30 PM EST (Lobby 8:00 PM) If you’ve not heard about it yet, Ryan Stevenson’s “WEATHERING THE STORM” is much more than a conventional concert. In contrast, Ryan has drawn on his unique genius to orchestrate this newly-crafted performance into a creatively fresh mix of music, stories & revival that you’ll not want to miss! Ryan’s OCTOBER 27th event date is the only Livestream scheduled for his “Weathering The Storm” tour. So, if Ryan’s tour’s not stopping in your town, DC Concerts has your ticket! ★ TICKETS: on sale starting Tuesday, September 21st at 10:00 AM Livestream Access Passes – Individual Households – $20.00 – Only 25 Limited VIP Packages available Small Groups & Youth Groups: Ryan Stevenson’s “Weathering The Storm” Livestream Event is a fantastic opportunity for your group’s Weds night or weekend gathering! We’ve got awesome ticketing opportunities for those looking to publicly broadcast this event to their group or congregation. – Groups as low as $10.00 per person for groups / congregations – Up to 10 – $15 ea. – Up to 20 – $12 ea. – 30 + $10 ea. ★★ Event Insiders 48-Hour Special Offer: Event Insiders Program Members: For the first 48-Hour of Ryan Stevenson’s ON SALE date – 10 AM, Sept 21st, Event Insider Program Members get: 20% OFF Livestream Passes and “Weather The Storm” Gear, Prize Giveaways and more. Non-members must register by 11:59 PM (midnight) Monday, September 20th to participate. Visit DCConcerts.com/Ryan for compete details.
Here is some video to get in the mood:


Album Review: Grateful Dead - Dave's Picks 39: 4/26/83 Spectrum, Philadelphia

Grateful Dead 
Dave's Picks 39: 4/26/83 
Spectrum Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
**and1/2 out of *****

Back in 2018 we discussed Dave's Picks in length, it was the first time we were reviewing a release in this series and wanted to correctly place it in the context of the Dead's music/official releases.  Now Dave's Picks has gone on longer than its predecessor Dick's Picks and choosing what to release is probably a difficult task. 

Like that review back in 2018 the newest Dick's Picks release comes from 1983, not the most banner year for the band. There is also a reason that 9/2/83 Boise State University Pavilion, Idaho show was released as Dave's Picks #27 and 4/26/83 Spectrum Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was held until Dave's Picks #39 years later; the Boise show is simply better. 

That's not to say there aren't interesting moments, exciting playing and things worth checking out on #39 but overall the average listener is not missing much if you skip this release. For the completists and Dead Heads they already know that the cassette tapes of the early to mid 80's make for some different sounding shows. Dave Lemieux and his production team did the best job they could but at various times sounds shift and things get a bit warped. 

The opening "Shakedown Street" (oddly the first one to appear on a Dave's Pick release) is a prime example as Phil Lesh's bass drops bombs about 3/4ths of the way through that shake speakers but his low end can get completely lost in the mix on other songs. The other noticeable oddity is the deterioration of Jerry Garcia's singing voice (also mentioned when reviewing #27) as some of his vocals are rough.  However, his lead guitar playing can still be sharp and cutting, see his blazing solo work on "Mexicali Blues", his skittering take on "Let It Grow" and "Morning Dew" which also has plenty of those Lesh bombs throughout.

It is not just Jerry though, the normally strong Brent Mydland, whose 80's injection was much needed, seems tired vocally here, even when he gets to play the rare "Maybe You Know" a Spencer Davis Group inspired tune filtered through an 80's time warp. On the better side of things is Bob Weir, vocally on point throughout the show from a pumped up "New Minglewood Blues" through a damn good combo of "Throwing Stones" > "Not Fade Away" Weir carries the tunes flowingly. 

The best musical passage arrives in the form of the "Shakedown Street" jam, the grooving "Men Smart, Women Smarter" which finds Jerry and Brent trading freaky licks and a dynamite "Help on the Way" > "Slipknot!" > "Franklins Tower" trio whose transition through the middle passage and final movement is fraught with danger and warbling on the edge; thrilling stuff.

This release also has a hefty chunk of bonus material from the previous night at the Spectrum with the second half of that shows second set represented. After a better than normal "Space" segment where the drummers Billy Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart stay out to participate, the 4/25 show delivers a cool "Wheel" > "Playin' in the Band Reprise" combo along with some rocking upbeat numbers including a jacked up "Going Down The Road Feeling Bad" and the "Satisfaction" encore, but the whole offering is a bit rickety at times. 

Also included are two songs from the 4/15/83 Rochester War Memorial show. "He's Gone" finds both Jerry and Brent in better voice while the rare "Little Star" is a psychedelic wandering with "Spoonful" teases, feeling like it could have been apart of the "Lost Sailor" > "Saint of Circumstance" saga.  

Overall not a must hear offering from the band, and there are better official releases from this era of the, Dick's Picks #6Dave's Picks #27, but it is always worth checking in on the Grateful Dead. 

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Support the band, buy the album and peep some video below:
(Not the official audio from Dave's Picks #39)

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

New Single from Ghostkeeper "Grassy Plains"

The newest single from Calgary, Alberta Canada band Ghostkeeper has a new single and video out titled "Grassy Plains".

You can listen to the single and check out the band's description of the tune below:

Our new single, “Grassy Plains,” charts a fantasy based on a post-apocalyptic scenario where the protagonist’s man has gone off to fight as a revolutionary soldier.

Driven to seek the help of the minegishi (sacred little people), she gathers medicine and words to bring her love home.

We sought to capture the story of lovers in a dystopian time who lament the distance between them as they struggle to find each other in one realm or another.

Our upcoming studio effort really boosted the belief in our visions and ideas. Originally, we felt more shy, tentative, and embarrassed. Now we’re able to get behind it a lot better.

Enjoy the nostalgic 70s vibe of this tune as you enter into the world of “Grassy Plains.”


Album Review: Parquet Courts - Sympathy For Life

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

It is of Parquet Courts - Sympathy For Life.

This is a pretty damn good, dance rock ready album in the vein of the Talking Heads

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


Monday, October 25, 2021

New Single from The Neverlutionaries "Stardust"

The newest single from the debut full length from the San Francisco alt-rockers (with a fantastic name) The Neverlutionaries has been released.


Check out the psychedelic rocking "Stardust" below:

Dylan Cover #502 Heartless Bastards & Charlie Musselwhite "You Ain't Going Nowhere" 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 Heartless Bastards & Charlie Musselwhite performing "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere" 


This month we have a special focus on artists who will be playing the 2021 Jazzfest in New Orleans. Today we highlight Charlie Musselwhite who played Saturday October 9th

Once again Jazzfest is canceled due to Covid. Hopefully it happens in April-May of 2022.

Thoughts on Original:
From the first time we addressed this cover:
A great song, and one that sounds so simple. It always felt to me that these are the kind of songs Dylan has seeping out of his pores, with lines like "Tailgates and Substitutes" that anywhere else would sound foolish yet here works wonders. The musical backing from the original Band version is loose and matched fantastically with the lyrics. I am sure it wasn't as easy going as it sounds on the final version, but what a gem of a track.

Cover:


Thoughts on Cover Artist:
RtBE enjoys all of these blues/rock artists. While the Heartless Bastards aren't playing Jazzfest, Charlie Musselwhite did. So we will end this month with this mix and match cover for a mix and match Jazzfest experience. The good news is, the next one is only a few months away....(HOPEFULLY!)
   
Thoughts on Cover:
A very cool video that shows the behind the scenes and the performance and Musselwhite's harp is powerful. Very cool live cover version.  

Sunday, October 24, 2021

Live Streams: Twiddle - Live from The Catalyst Santa Cruz, CA

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: Twiddle - Live from The Catalyst Santa Cruz, CA

Head west with jamband Twiddle as they play The Catalyst in Santa Cruz, CA. You can grab tickets at Fans

To get in the mood here is some video from the band:

Friday, October 22, 2021

Full Show Friday: Nicholas Payton Trio 11/15/14 Bear Creek Music 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...Nicholas Payton Trio!

Every April we have a special showcase for bands who are playing this years Jazzfest in NOLA. In 2021 Jazzfest is happening in October, so we will have a special Full Show Friday this month. Today we will focus on the Nicholas Payton Trio who will played Sunday October 10th.

Once again Jazzfest is canceled due to Covid. Hopefully it happens in April-May of 2022.

A really cool set from the Nicholas Payton Trio playing the Bear Creek Music Festival back in 2014. This set also gets a special guest appearance from another New Orleans legend George Porter Jr. (whose newest album is great) helping out on bass during the opening track.

A great jazzy show to get ready for this weekends tunes on the Fairgrounds. Not pro shot, but excellent video and sound. Enjoy:

Thursday, October 21, 2021

Album Review: Dwayne Dopsie and The Zydeco Hellraisers - Set Me Free

Dwayne Dopsie and The Zydeco Hellraisers
Set Me Free
***and1/2 out of *****


Hailing from one of the most influential Zydeco families Dwayne Dopsie has injected some blues and soul into the zydeco sound for his eleventh album Set Me Free. Dopsie is a dynamo on the accordion and vocals while The Zydeco Hellraisers keep the beat moving with down home feeling. 

Kicking off with the traditional sounding stomp and sway of "Take It Higher" the players throwdown and shake it as Paul Lafleur on washboard; guitarist Brandon David; Tim McFatter on saxophone; bassist Dion Pierre; and Kevin Minor on drums get the party started. The title track takes a cue from "Beast of Burden" by The Rolling Stones as the band update the sashay and sway with some Louisiana seasoning before Dopsie adds his own twist to the hip shake with "Shake Shake Shake".  

A pumping blues number gets cooking with "My Sweet Chaitanya", the aptly titled "DD's Zydeco Two Step" finds Dopsie flying around the accordion and singing in Louisiana French while "Lafayette Boogie" instantly brings a smile to any listeners face. "I Give It To You" is an fast, upbeat jaunt and a showcase for McFatter's saxophone while the shuffling "Talk To Me" focuses on the washboard and percussion from Lafleur and Minor.  

The slow blues cover of Guitar Slims "The Things I Used To Do" is a family affair with Dwayne's brothers Tiger, Anthony and Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. onboard while the bouncing "No Body's Gonna Love Me" is a showcase for Dwayne's accordion work; on an album full of impressive musical outings from the accordion genius this tune shines bright. 

The overall best of the collection though is "Louisiana Girl" which finds Erica Fox jumping on board to help the track along in winning soulful fashion. The whole band is clicking however, from the ever pumping accordion to Pierre's bubbling bass and David's ripping guitar solo; a definite album highlight. 

Set Me Free closes with the biographical "Have Those Days Again" as Dwayne Dopsie and The Zydeco Hellraisers continue to craft zydeco music in the original spirit while incorporating, blues, gospel, soul, rock and roll, bringing the Louisiana based genre to a wide audience.  

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Support the artist, buy the album and peep some video below:

Wednesday, October 20, 2021

New Single from Jack White "Taking Me Back (Gently)"

A new single from Jack White has been released titled "Taking Me Back (Gently)" 

Jack is one of our all-time favorites and RtBE has rated his past releases highly on top albums of the past decade.  Needless to say we can't wait for his next full length release. 

Check out the new single below:


Album Review: Chubby and the Gang - The Mutt's Nuts

Chubby and the Gang
The Mutt's Nuts 
****and1/2 out of *****

On Speed Kills, the debut from Chubby and the Gang, the band mixed a stout hardcore punk foundation with catchy choruses and surprising pop twists, producing one of the better albums of 2020. The outfit quickly returns and have raised the bar with The Mutt's Nuts, fifteen tunes which slam and swagger confidently while also expanding their sound in positive directions; a clear statement the band is ready for prime time.   

Frontman Charlie Manning Walker (aka Chubby Charles) is supported this go around by an expanded Gang of  Tom ‘Razor’ Hardwick, Meg Brooks Mills, Ethan Stahl and Joe McMahon. All players have roots in the English hardcore/rock scene, and the combo dances between genres as Manning Walker's gruff vocals lead the charge.  

There is another theme song to kick off this record, as the title track sets the scene and incorporates a Roger Daltrey stutter to announce a ripping guitar solo. The Rancid inspired "It's Me Who'll Pay" slams out aggressively while "Coming Up Tough" is a dynamite blast of Buzzcocks inspired strutting post punk. CatG continue their mix the pretty and profane as "Someone's Gunna Die" drumming blasts direct before soothing backing vocals and harmonica and "On The Meter" delivers a slice of West London sneers, mixing pop appeal with gutter trash punks. 

The band are much more open to traversing new musical avenues this go around. "Pressure" begins with metal like riffs before going full on guitar pedal psych-rock ala J Mascis for a phenomenal solo. Even more surprising is the band shift into balladry with "Take Me Home To London" an acoustic number in the vein of The Pogues and "Life's Lemons" which is a less successful but pulls in a wide range of original rock influences.   

The band can do straight ahead punk slamming with the best of them (see "Overachiever", "Getting Beat Again") but with The Mutt's Nuts they have broadened their sonic palette wonderfully. The garage rock, piano accented "Life On The Bayou" is a blast while closer "I Hate The Radio" is a dazzling slice of new wave inspired pop all this is and the bands best song of their short career, the anthemic "Lightning Doesn't Strike Twice", delivers a jolt of pure rock and roll. 

Chubby and the Gang have upped their game on The Mutt's Nuts, expertly keeping their punk edge while incorporating new influences and hopefully reaching new heights of fame.     
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RtBE rated the bands debut highly, this is an even better follow up. Support the band, buy the album, stream it on bandcamp or below and peep some video:

Tuesday, October 19, 2021

Album Review: Bob Dylan - Springtime in New York: Bootleg Series 16

Bob Dylan
Springtime in New York: Bootleg Series 16 1980-1985
****and1/2 out of *****

(This review is of the Standard Edition 2 CD version of this release)

When Bob Dylan released Bootleg Series 1-3 back in 1991 it was a revelation. These songs brought to light just how rich and fulfilling Dylan's studio work was throughout his whole career, which until then had been maligned as spotty. As the series has progressed, things have fluctuated with some installments highlighting career defining live shows, some serving as soundtracks and some just dumping every take/error/breath Dylan exhaled into a mic.

What the two CD Springtime in New York: Bootleg Series 16 1980-1985 does well is curate Dylan's outtakes, proving that his 80's songwriting, singing and playing were solid to excellent, and recalls the 10th installment of this series, illuminating a less than loved era.  Rather than releasing every take, these performances, culled from the recording of Shot of Love, Infidels, and Empire Burlesque, show Dylan as jovial, passionate, off the cuff and dynamic.

What is interesting is there are a few songs that first saw the light of day on first bootleg release which return with different takes here and while these are lesser versions this go around, it is fun to compare say this faster/fuller run through of "Blind Willie McTell" with the haunting classic officially released for the first time in 1991.   

Dylan fans should dive right in, but the performances are also accessible for newcomers to the bard.  Opener "Angelina" is slow simple and direct with affecting background vocals, the funky clunky rehearsal version of "Need a Woman" and the organ led "Keep It Between Us" particularly is a great tune for this series; a rehearsal song that is intriguing but not full out. 
   
Playful Dylan comes through with the Bo Diddley wail of "Price of Love" and the silly "Fur Slippers" which contrasts with "Yes Sir, No Sir" holy hellfire guitars as Dylan pulls away from his gospel years. Infidels has many alternate takes and all are worth hearing, perhaps the most eye opening is "Too Late" an early version of "Foot of Pride" one of the strangest songs in Dylan's oeuvre. Hearing that song evolve with cool floating, nightmare/dream like vibes is delightful. 

Also evolving is "Someone's Got a Hold of My Heart" which finds Mark Knopfler delivering a gnarly guitar tone as Sly and Robbie hold down the low end, this version trumps both the outtake of "Tight Connection To My Heart" here as well as the Empire Burlesque official version which is forever trapped in the slick 80's production amber. 

The live version of "Enough is Enough" flashes the semi-punk that Dylan displayed on David Letterman back in 1984 while "I and I" is more of a rock take than the reggae inspired album cut. "Emotionally Yours" goes in the other direction flashing a softer side with warm singing from Dylan before two of his best 80's songs are presented in alternate versions to end the collection. 

"New Danville Girl" is an early draft of "Brownsville Girl" and shows the freewheeling Bard in a groove, bringing in Woody Guthrie, Gregory Peck and and host of illusions, ending up exhilarating. A more upbeat version of "Dark Eyes" closes this installment and while not as impressive as the disk closing Empire Burlesque sparse stunner, it is what this series was meant to do, highlight the lost songs, unique takes and process Dylan has worked through to make some of the best music of the last seventy years. 
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Support the artist, buy the album, peep some video below:
 


Monday, October 18, 2021

Live Streams: Phil and Friends Live at the Capital Theater

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: Phil Lesh and Friends Live at the Capital Theater

All month Phil will be bringing his friends to the Cap live, and you can stream each and every show if you can't make it in person. 

To get in the mood for this run here is some music from Phil and Friends live from 2007 Mountain Jam:

Dylan Cover #501 David Sanborn & Michael Kamen & Eric Clapton "Knockin' On Heavens Door"

 In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is a cover by David Sanborn, Michael Karmen and Eric Clapton playing "Knockin' On Heaven's Door".

This month we have a special focus on artists who will be playing the 2021 Jazzfest in New Orleans. Today we highlight David Sanborn who played the Festival Sunday the 10th

Once again Jazzfest is canceled due to Covid. Hopefully it happens in April-May of 2022.

Thoughts on Original:
From the first time we tackled a cover of this tune:
The song that seems to have been covered by every and any one, but when originally recorded it it was featured on one of Dylan's oddest releases yet. A straight ahead mournful number that just seems to work somehow and like a lot of Dylan tunes has grown beyond it's humble beginning. The song is really a testament to his amazing songwriting which can seem simple at times. The tune has invaded culture (possibly because of all the covers) and I would wager is one of Dylan's most widely known tunes...

Cover:


Thoughts on Cover Artist:
David Sanborn is a smooth jazz saxophonist who is incredibly successful playing on a number of well known tunes. 

Thoughts on Cover:
This is a wacky one, but this is a wacky year for Jazzfest so why not highlight it?  From Lethal Weapon 2, in the scene when apparently Riggs died...even though (spoiler alert) he was in Lethal Weapon 3 and 4...hmmm? More of a instrumental motif based around Dylan's tune with Clapton singing the chorus, but the best part is probably Sanborn's sax lines. 

Sunday, October 17, 2021

Live Streams: Verzuz- Big Daddy Kane vs. KRS-1

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: Verzuz- Big Daddy Kane vs. KRS-1

Hip Hop legends are getting after it in this version of Verzuz TV:

Going to be great, you can also be there tonight in person at the Barclay's Center in Brooklyn. To get in the mood here are songs from both bad ass fellows:

Friday, October 15, 2021

Happy Tenth Anniversary to Angels & Vagabonds

10 years ago today, Angels & Vagabonds made our public debut, playing a show at the Village Lantern on Bleecker in Greenwich Village in NYC. 

The trivia question is, what was the bands original name for this show?  

We changed it to Angels & Vagabonds before our next live show a few months later, but we started out as Comic Book Bad Guys and our friend Mark crafted a kick ass flyer for our first gig:
 
We may have to go back to that name at some point, but in the near future (hopefully early 2022) we will have new music coming out. Until then check out our two EP's on Spotify, Bandcamp, iTunes, Youtube, Pandora, etc.

Today however we are reliving the past, thanks to everyone who has listened to our music, come out to that first show or any other one after that. 

Here are a few videos from our first show on 10/15/11 from The Village Lantern on Bleecker St. somehow they still exist on youtube, thanks David. 

The first song we ever played:

The first song we ever wrote:

And a song we have re-worked and will hopefully be coming out in 2022:

Full Show Friday: PJ Morton Live at Brooklyn Bowl 12/23/18

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...PJ Morton!

Every April we have a special showcase for bands who are playing this years Jazzfest in NOLA. In 2021 Jazzfest is happening in October, so we will have a special Full Show Friday this month. Today we will focus on PJ Morton who will be playing Today!

Once again Jazzfest is canceled due to Covid. Hopefully it happens in April-May of 2022.

Here is a great set from PJ Morton taken from the Brooklyn Bowl back in 2018 during his Gumbo Christmas tour. 

Pro Shot, Pro Sound, Enjoy!


Thursday, October 14, 2021

New Single and Video from Marissa Paternoster "White Dove"

One of RtBE's favorites, Marissa Paternoster is releasing her first self titled solo album and has delivered the first single.

Peace Meter will be out in December and "White Dove" is out today!


RtBE has covered Screaming Females and Noun here on the site (both outfits making our fab 50 from the last decade) and are very excited for this next step from Marissa, who we even interviewed waaaay back in the day, I even asked her about releasing solo work under the name Noun as opposed to her own name... 

Pre-order the album and listen to the haunting "White Dove" below:

Album Review: Howlin' Rain - The Dharma Wheel

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

It is of Howlin' Rain's newest release The Dharma Wheel.

We reviewed them way back in the day and have not really followed their career, but if you are fan of Steely Dan sounding 70's rock give this album a shot. 

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


Wednesday, October 13, 2021

Live Streams: Jazz Festing in Place, Fall 2021, Second Weekend

While this years uniquely scheduled Fall Jazzfest in New Orleans fell victim to Covid cancellation, WWOZ, the best radio station in the land, are still hosting their Jazz Festing in Place Fall Edition. The second weekend of their programing is starting tomorrow. 

You can tune in and listen live and now their cubes have been announced with a mouth watering, ear hole loving, ass shaking lineup:


Unfortunately this is how we celebrated the past few canceled Jazz Fests. Hopefully Spring 2022 finds RtBE back on the Fairgrounds.  Until then...Let's enjoy some of the bands WWOZ will be showcasing: 


Album Review: Pond - 9

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

It is of the band Pond's newest album, 9.

The Western Australia based, Tame Impala connected Pond has unleashed a 80's inspired freaky dance rock record with 9

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



Tuesday, October 12, 2021

New Single from Brass Queens Featuring Glen David Andrews

The Brass Queens are from Brooklyn, but they play their second line sound straight out of New Orleans. Their newest single features the New Orleans Treme Prince himself, Glen David Andrews.

The group and Andrews put their spin on the classic "Georgia On My Mind".  You can listen to the great cover below or on the bands bandcamp page

Album Review: Samantha Fish - Faster

 Samantha Fish 
Faster
***and1/2 out of *****
Over her last few albums Samantha Fish has been searching for a sound. From Appalachian folk, to Memphis soul to Blues rock, Fish has dabbled with everything. Her last offering Kill or Be Kind tried to combine it all while starting the obvious flirtation with modern pop. The ambitious Faster dives into those waters head first.   

From the album art tongue lick to the opening guitar licks, Fish is going all in on a modern sound. When she nails it, like on the ripping opening title track, the slinky dynamo "Twisted Ambition" and the organ over electric cackling feedback of "Imaginary War", she recalls the electro/rock/blues hybrid Jack White has displayed on his recent releases. Like those White records however there are a few misses and the album stutters along mixing inspiration with placid offerings ("Forever Together", "Crowd Control"). 

Working with  producer Martin Kierszembaum (Lady GagaStingSheryll Crow), Fish has made her preferences known, injecting tons of synth into the swaggering "All Ice No Whiskey" which contains a killer solo, before "Hypnotic" focuses on bleeps and full on electro groove. "Like a Classic" finds the blues strut stepping up around the confident playing while the closer on this short album "All the Words" is a straight ballad focusing on Fish's singing and lyrics. 

Backing Fish are drummer Josh Freese (Guns N’ RosesNine Inch NailsThe Replacements), and bassist Diego Navaira (The Last Bandoleros) as the band rev up the punky "So-Called Lover" that has a distinct TV On The Radio "Wolf Like Me" feel. The most surprising contributor to the album though is Tech N9ne who ends "Loud" with his rhyme scheme. That track is a good barometer on the album, the quiet to arena rock loud of its title, from verse to chorus, has the markings of a major hit, the guest at the end should solidify it, but there is just something off, keeping the tune and Faster as a whole from the heights shot for.

This modern pop progression was obvious from Fish's trajectory and is the right move. She is a blues guitar dynamo who will be able to play live in acoustic or electric settings for the rest of her career commanding a loyal fan base. However, she has loftier goals and pop superstardom is not beyond her talents, unfortunately Faster is just a first step and there are some stumbles along the positive direction. 
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Support the artist, buy the album and peep some video below: