Sammy Kay Releases Aid & Abet to Benefit Ohio Statewide Abortion Fund

The folk/punk raspy rocker Sammy Kay has released a new digital 7" to benefit WHO Ohio Statewide Abortion Fund.

Check out the songs on Kay's bandcamp or below:

 

Album Review: Charger - Warhorse

Charger 

Warhorse

*** out of *****

We have written about this before, but there is a fine line between homage and straight ripoff when it comes to creating any form of retro looking music. That line comes directly from our Dan Auerbach review and remains an important component when any act is emulating a style or a favorite band in the studio.    

For Charger that band is clearly Motorhead, if their sounds don't give it away a few seconds in, their studio with a Motorhead flag on their bandcamp page surely does. As in Auerbach's case this isn't always a negative as the band takes that sound and infuses it with more musicianship and their own East Bay grittiness. The opening "Devastator" is a kicking growl of a way to start off a record as the Oakland, CA based metal/punk trio slams it's intentions down your throat from the get go. Tracks like "Forsaken Soul" and the hardcore slamming of "Will To Survive" are brutal in their heaviness as the band bruises forward. 

The players of Andrew McGee- Guitar, Matt Freeman- Bass/Vocals, Jason Willer- Drums/Vocals put slight touches on their sound throughout Warhorse. The glam influenced "Rolling Through the Night", the prog rock of "Dig Your Own Grave" and the Iron Maiden cream dream of "Summon The Demon" has guest vocalist Jake Nunn (Hell Fire) along for the screaming ride. 

 

Things can easily slip derivative at times, such as on the bass run highlighted "Black Motor" or "Running Out of Time" but they can also spice up the same old sound with lightning guitar solos such as on "Stand Fight or Die". "Luck of the Draw" too easily slips into a "Breaking The Law" spin off from Judas Priest, but the band ends strongly with the marching drums and gang vocals of "Sword of DIO". 

Charger proudly wear all of their influences on their black ripped t-shirted sleeves and Warhorse was created by Bay Area musical veterans to revel in those early 80's metal/punk sounds. Bang your head accordingly.     

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

New Single and Video from poolblood "twinkie"

Toronto-based artist poolblood celebrated singing to Next Door Records (The Weather Station, Cola, Ada Lea, etc) by releasing a new single/video "twinkie,"

The track was produced by Shamir (who also plays guitar & drums on the song). Check it out below:

Live Streams: Dogs In A Pile

We are now heading into the new normal with live music during the Covid-19 era. Live shows will need to be flexible and live streaming is a great way to keep music going. Streams have become essential for live music junkies like RtBE. Things are (hopefully) improving on the pandemic front but live streams will be an option for artists during 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 check out our 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: Dogs In A Pile. 

Check out the Relix Twitch channel tonight to catch Dogs In A Pile. 

To get in the mood here is a live tune from the band. 

Album Review: Yumi Zouma - Present Tense

Yumi Zouma

Present Tense

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

The Christchurch New Zealand, Canterbury based Yumi Zouma's third album Truth or Consequences was released on the day the world shut down, March 13th 2020. The band was about to embark on a world tour that was sold out and hyped to bring them to the next level, instead the four piece (Christie Simpson – lead vocals, samplers, keyboards, Josh Burgess - vocals, guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, drum programming, samplers, Charlie Ryder - guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, drum programming, samplers, Olivia Campion - drums) retreated home and decided to start recording their follow up from lockdown. 

The resulting Present Tense is a slight push away from their more electro based early albums towards a successfully developed, organic dance pop vibe.  Opener "Give It Hell" propels forward via firm bass supporting the light and airy piano and strings around Simpson's sweet singing. The most complete offering is the catchy as all get out "Where The Light Used to Lay" with it's bubbling percussion, synths, easy rolling hooks and cinematic scope. 

There is a sweet yet ominous mixing of emotions on "Mona Lisa" which uses a soaring finale to wrap up while "If I Had The Heart For Chasing" is more towards the bands electro dance past with pulsing pop vibes. Both songs "Of Me and You" and "In The Eyes Of Our Love" go full early 80's dancefloor while injecting acoustic strings and pauses to keep revelers on their toes. 

The understated "Razorblade" downshifts the tone of the album before cutting with fuzzy edges via a beautifully distorted guitar rave up while the introspective "Honestly, It's Fine" brings in woodwinds, strings, and synths expanding the sonic footprint. "Haunt" is a duet that feels a bit dull with it's electro swoons, before closer "Astral Projection" channels early Morrissey and brings back the acoustic strings to brighten the mood.  

Each of these tracks are pleasant in their own form and Present Tense as a collection of songs finds the band expanding their wings and taking flight. While there might not be a must hear track, the overall tone of Present Tense is that of an indie pop success as the outfit continue to prove they have what it takes to soar.

 

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

Testarossa Release New Video and Single "Welcome To The Show"

The Charlotte, NC rock and roll outfit Testarossa has release new video for their single "Welcome To The Show".

From the band themselves:

"Welcome to the show is basically a catchphrase for everyday life. Nothing too deep, just a soundtrack, if you will, for what we do. Grade A kick your ass. It’s the first song you play on the way to a concert or on the way to the gym or the bar, a date, whatever.. have fun. We most certainly are! And again welcome the sh*tshow! " - Testarossa

You can check out the retro leaning, glam rock tune and RV rocking video below:

Album Review: Porcupine Tree - Closure/Continuation

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

It is of Porcupine Tree's surprise comeback album Closure/Continuation.  

We here at RtBE are not big prog-rock fans, but if you are, check this one out.  

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

Gorillaz and Thundercat Release New Song “Cracker Island”

The cartoon group and the cartoon named bassist team up as Gorillaz invited the maestro Thundercat to hook up on their new tune "Cracker Island".

RtBE are huge fans of Thundercat, loving his last few albums and rating his killer live set from his Blue Note residency a few years ago as our favorite show from 2019. 

You can check the new song below:

Dylan Cover #536 floydion "Forever Young"

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's artists, floydion doing a cover of "Forever Young" 

This month we are doing another special focus in RtBE's Dylan Covers series. In the past we have highlighted The Byrds, Coulson-Dean-McGuiness-Flint, The Hollies, Joan Osbourne, Mountain, Betty LeVette , Reggae Covers and many more.

This month we highlight floydion for a full month of Dylan Covers.

Thoughts on Original:

From the first time we covered a cover of this tune.
"Forever Young" is a classic. A track that Dylan released two different versions of on Planet Waves, and a song tons of artists use to close out sets or play encores. Without doing research it has to be one of the top 5 most covered songs of his, and yet it was never one of RtBE's favorites. It is a great song, Bob has always treated it a bit sterile though and this is a flaw in Dylan; artists would give their whole careers to write a song like this and he treats it like an out take, Last Waltz version not withstanding.

Cover:


Thoughts on Cover Artist:
floydion aka Gerry van der Laan is a singer songwriter from Amsterdam who posts covers to his youtube channel. We found him and really dug his singing style and wanted to showcase him this month. 

Thoughts on Cover:

The most atmospheric of the covers this month finds floydion reimaging "Forever Young" as a haunting hymn with varying levels of swelling instrumentation. It is a bit drawn out for personal tastes but as with each of the artists covers this month, floydion takes a unique approach to the tune and that experimentation is always applauded by RtBE when it comes to this Dylan cover series. 

Stone Gossard, Ani DiFranco and Stanton Moore Release "Disorders" to Benefit National Network of Abortion Funds

An all-star group consisting of Stone Gossard, Ani DiFranco, Stanton Moore, Josh Evans, and Skerik recorded and released "Disorders" to benefit the National Network of Abortion Funds. 

More info from Righteousbabe.com:

A stroke of destiny, or the right place at the right time. This is how Stone Gossard (Pearl Jam) and Ani DiFranco connected to support women and their rights to reproductive health care. The track is “Disorders,” created by Gossard along with Josh Evans, Skerik and Stanton Moore, with lyrics and melody by DiFranco. Listen to “Disorders” HERE. All proceeds go to the National Network of Abortion Funds, which aims to remove the financial and logistical barriers to abortion access. “Disorders” is a production of Loosegroove and Righteous Babe Records.

About “Disorders” Gossard says, “What keeps me coming back to playing my guitar is the magic of how musical bits and pieces can transform into a complete song with a life of its own. The major ingredients are usually an inspired collaboration and some ephemeral fairy dust. What was recorded 6 years ago as a demo in New Orleans sat for a while until Skerik had the epiphany to ask his friend, the singer, musician, artist, and activist Ani DiFranco, to add her voice and words. Ani's fierce melodic independence and her visceral in-the-moment vocal performance took this track to a much higher plane. I'm thrilled have been part of this song and to have had the chance to collaborate with this incredible group of artists.”

DiFranco shares that longtime friend Skerik mentioned a track he was working on that needed vocals and lyrics and she offered to listen. “What showed up was a killer track with an evocative guitar hook, a shape, a vibe, a bombastic balls-to-the-wall outro. I marveled that anyone could record a song that sounded so cohesive and fully realized with no melody or lyric to guide it. I felt instantly inspired and honored. I was invited to sing about whatever I wanted.”

DiFranco continues, “With the imminent overturning of Roe v. Wade, women in every Republican stronghold in this country are left treading in a sea of unnecessary suffering, just trying to keep their heads above water. Poor women will be drowned by the score. That is why this track is a fundraiser for abortion access — to help women who don’t have resources but who desperately need abortions. I am so grateful for men like Stone, Skerik, Stanton — not just for the blessing of this track and the honor of being invited into it, but for actually seeing women in their full humanity and being willing to stand with them.”

For more info on “Disorders” go to: righteousbabe.com/pages/disorders

You can also listen below:

Full Show Friday: Violent Femmes - Live 1984 Lyceum Theater

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...Violent Femmes!

Heading back to 1984 for a live show from the Violent Femmes in London at the Lyceum Theater. 

Pro Shot, Pro Sound, set list below, enjoy:

TRACKS 1."It's Gonna Rain" 2."Prove My Love" 3."Country Death Song" 4."Spiritual" 5."Confessions" 6."Faith" 7."Gimme the Car" 8."Black Girls" 9."Add it Up" 10."Blister in the Sun" 11."Kiss Off" 12."Kiss Off" (reprise)

Live Streams: Greensky Bluegrass

We are now heading into the new normal with live music during the Covid-19 era. Live shows will need to be flexible and live streaming is a great way to keep music going. Streams have become essential for live music junkies like RtBE. Things are (hopefully) improving on the pandemic front but live streams will be an option for artists during 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 check out our 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: Greensky Bluegrass - Live from Relix Studios

The jam-grass outfit Greensky Bluegrass are getting down live and you can check them out tonight at 7pm from the Relix Studios. 

To get in the mood here is a tune from the band:

Album Review: Arcade Fire - WE

Arcade Fire

WE

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

On the sixth studio album WE from Arcade Fire the band is looking to meld their dramatic pop anthems and dance laden 80's rock, both of which the band has reveled in on past releases. That fusing is natural extension for the band on WE, but the end result never rises to the outfits lofty past standards. 

The album starts with piano laced, breathy vocal offering "Age of Anxiety I" which keeps a tight pulsing, but never goes over the top disco. While the tension fits the songs title and lyrics, going over the top is precisely what Arcade Fire does best and this track feels on the verge of exploding but never does. It's sister song "Age of Anxiety II (Rabbit Hole)" is the most 80's sounding effort with a neon glare and laser flares, but the track runs on too long and never pumps up the jams enough to slam a dance floor. 

Weepy vocals from Win Butler dominate the dramatic "End of the Empire I–III" as piano and sax fill up the less successful "End of the Empire IV (Sagittarius A*)". At this point the album seems sluggish and overwrought but the second half improves Arcade Fire's sounds.

The highlight offering is "The Lightning I, II" capturing what this group does best. The violins layer the sound while keyboards and percussion swell as the track kicks up into a straight rocking anthem with power and effecting grace. "Unconditional I (Lookout Kid)" continues the positive sounds as the stripped down folk start is catchy and a powerful lyric from a parent to a child, building and swelling with the bands patented sounds. 

Less successful is the more dance laden "Unconditional II (Race and Religion)" with lead vocals from Régine Chassagne, also featuring Peter Gabriel who adds backing vocals to the lightly bumping track. Surprisingly the album closing title track goes for underwhelming subtilty instead of over the top grandiose. The band has been open about their searching for the sound and with this being the final album from multi-instrumentalist Will Butler, perhaps there are new things on the horizon but as it stands WE is a hit and miss affair from the long running outfit.   

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

Say She She Release New Single "Norma" to Benefit Pro Choice America

The Brooklyn based disco/funk/soul outfit Say She She released a new single "Norma" on Bandcamp to benefit Pro Choice America. 

Pick up the single today over on their site or below:

Also check out another single of theirs, the catchy as hell "Blow My Mind"

Album Review: Erika Lewis - A Walk Around The Sun

Erika Lewis 

A Walk Around The Sun

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

The newest release from singer/songwriter Erika Lewis is a sweet slice of Americana that showcases her gorgeous vocals. Supplemented by easy strumming strings, weeping steel guitars and a few rocking efforts, A Walk Around The Sun, drifts in and surrounds like a warm summer breeze. 

The country laced, "A Thousand Miles" is a pretty opener, finding Lewis going high with her sweeping vocals around a relaxed swaying. The steel guitars and light drumming push forward the affecting "If You Were Mine" while the title effort amps up the stakes with a dramatic finish deploying rising guitars and drums. 

The album is predominantly locked in with a mixing of folk rock for most of the run time. "First Love" drags in a Southwestern desert flair, the rock goes a bit higher than the folk for "Loser" and especially the supped up, harmonica laced "Unsatisfied" before the fiddle and Lewis' powerful singing shine bright on "Running Wild".

Lewis and company shift up styles a bit behind a jazzy bass line, banjo and ominous percussion on "Hearts" while "Wild Thing" finds Lewis channeling Stevie Nicks herself on the Fleetwood Mac influenced track.   

Lewis wraps up the album by delivering a classic weeper in a country vein as the piano ballad "Thief And A Liar" allows all of Lewis angst to come bubbling up through her intoxicating vocals which never sounded better as they wrap up the robust folk-rock based effort A Walk Around The Sun.      

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

New Single, Album and Tour from The Black Angels

One of the slickest purveyors of noise/psych based desert rock and roll The Black Angels have announced a new album, tour and single. 

The first album from the group in 5 years is Wilderness of Mirrors and a full tour is in the works, traversing the country this summer and fall. 

The first single, "El Jardin" can be checked out below: 

Album Review: Vieux Farka Touré - Les Racines

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

It is of Vieux Farka Touré newest album Les Racines.

This is a solid album of music influenced by the music of North Mali. Fans of Songhoy Blues or Tuareg artists Bombino and Mdou Moctar will find a lot to like here. 

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

Dylan Cover #535 floydion "Not Dark Yet"

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's artists, floydion doing a cover of "Not Dark Yet" 

This month we are doing another special focus in RtBE's Dylan Covers series. In the past we have highlighted The Byrds, Coulson-Dean-McGuiness-Flint, The Hollies, Joan Osbourne, Mountain, Betty LeVette , Reggae Covers and many more.

This month we highlight floydion for a full month of Dylan Covers.

Thoughts on Original:
From the first time we tackled a cover of this tune:
A excellent Dylan tune from any era but one that in particular screamed "I'm Still Alive And Kickin'!" on Time Out Of Mind at a phase when Dylan was simply an after thought on the current popular music scene. One of Dylan's most haunting tracks; it is hard not to feel his emotions and finality of the coming darkness as Dylan sings this lyric set.  An all-time great that is mysterious, foreboding, honest and powerful. First class Bob.

Cover:


Thoughts on Cover Artist:

floydion aka Gerry van der Laan is a singer songwriter from Amsterdam who posts covers to his youtube channel. We found him and really dug his singing style and wanted to showcase him this month. 

Thoughts on Cover:

A stark cover that uses some cricket effects, but really gets over on van der Laan's vocals as the song lyrics are a powerful number that does the heavy lifting before the vocals take flight. A late swelling and light electric guitar work adds texture and nuance to wrap up the strong cover. 

Live Streams: Samantha Fish and Devon Allman Project from Brooklyn Bowl

We are now heading into the new normal with live music during the Covid-19 era. Live shows will need to be flexible and live streaming is a great way to keep music going. Streams have become essential for live music junkies like RtBE. Things are (hopefully) improving on the pandemic front but live streams will be an option for artists during 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 check out our 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: Samantha Fish and Devon Allman Project from Brooklyn Bowl

Tonight from Brooklyn Bowl comes some great guitar rock of both Samantha Fish and Devon Allman. Check out the stream tonight. RtBE will be in person at Brooklyn Bowl rocking out. 

To get in the mood here is video from both artists. 

Full Show Friday: A Tribe Called Quest - The Art Of Moving Butts In Europe 1990

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...A Tribe Called Quest!

Taken from the VHS The Art of Moving Butts in Europe 1990 this is early ATCQ and while it is not technically a full show (it is edited and has backstage footage) it is funky. Enjoy:

Live Review: Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen - 6/10/22 @ Zony Mash Beer New Orleans, LA

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

It is of Jon Cleary and The Absolute Monster Gentlemen from 6/10/2022 at Zony Mash Beer Project in New Orleans, LA.

It was a fun night of funky tunes and strong brew in Central City. 

Support the artists, catch them on tour, read the review and peep some video below from a different show:

Album Review: SAULT - AIR

SAULT

AIR

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

The pseudonymous British music collective SAULT's sixth studio album AIR is a complete shifting of gears for the group. AIR is the outfits take on choral music and orchestral sounds which rise out of lush surroundings. 

The opening "Reality" is a soaring display of vocalization and rising choral orchestration as it announces the famously allusive bands intentions. The three listed members of SAULT (Inflo – producer, various instruments Cleo Sol – lead vocals Kid Sister – lead vocals) provide a wealth of instrumentation and vocal support on "Air" as harps, flutes, French horns and twinkling strings all add to the atmosphere. The harp starts the adventure on "Heart" which uses the huge vocals as the music rises and falls around the voices. 

The centerpiece on the album is the twelve and a half minute "Solar" which begins with a peaceful flying feeling during the first movement before shifting to voices and dramatic, tension building horns. There is a repetitive middle section that fluctuates between loud and soft before a digital enhanced finale.  

"Time Is Precious" continues the going big feel as it presents a wide range of feelings with a cinematic scope and aura as it flows into "June 55" playing as one long diverse piece of music. The album ends with "Luos Higher" which scales back the theatrics to primarily focus on string instruments as they are plucked and talk to each other in worldly fashion.   

A unique offering in this digital age as SAULT looks back to a bygone era of music mixing the grandiose orchestration and choral vocalizations to winning effect on AIR. 

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

Greg Cartwright Ends Reigning Sound

The Memphis based Reigning Sound was one of the best garage rockin' soul influenced bands out there and as of last week they are no more. 

Due to Covid-19, Greg Cartwright (the founding and truly only full time member) canceled the groups upcoming European tour and announced that he was dissolving the band after releasing a live album earlier this month. It is unclear where Cartwright goes from here as he seems like a rock and roll lifer, having recently written songs with The Black Keys, producing longtime friends Quintron and Miss Pussycat and other projects. 

Odds are he will continue in some form, (maybe a follow up Parting Gifts record or Oblivions reunion is coming) but this post is for a reflection on one of RtBE's all time favorite groups. 

Reigning Sound made our 2000's decade best list over on Glide with the timeless Too Much Guitar and it can't be stated enough that we loved catching them live. Their first album is solid, Time Bomb High School is a classic as is their Live at Goner Records album. Love and Curses is one of our favorite from the band, their most recent album is also a joy to hear and we rated that high on our year end list. 

Point is, Reigning Sound rule.  

The band will be missed and RtBE like many other rock and roll fans will be waiting to see where Cartwright goes next as he is one of our all-time favorite songwriters, producers and performers.

So turn the volume up and play some of the band's best tunes below, one from each of their studio albums (all of which are worth owning) and a bonus live jam:

  

Live Streams: Marco Benevento - Live From Relix Studios

We are now heading into the new normal with live music during the Covid-19 era. Live shows will need to be flexible and live streaming is a great way to keep music going. Streams have become essential for live music junkies like RtBE. Things are (hopefully) improving on the pandemic front but live streams will be an option for artists during 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 check out our 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: Marco Benevento - Live From Relix Studios

At 4PM EST today Marco Benevento will be streaming live from Relix Studios in NYC. Check it out for free on their twitch channel. 

To get in the mood here is a tune from Marco:

Album Review: Bob Weir & Wolf Brothers - Live In Colorado

Bob Weir & Wolf Brothers 

Live In Colorado

*** out of *****

For the last few years Bob Weir has stripped down with fellow troubadours Jay Lane on drums and Don Was on stand up bass to deconstruct the Grateful Dead catalog via The Wolf Brothers touring band. The first official release from this outfit is the Live in Colorado album with selections culled from shows played at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado on June 8 and 9, 2021, and at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheatre in Vail, Colorado on June 11 and 12, 2021.

The eight tracks here run long and are never in a hurry to go anywhere. Supported by Wolf Brother regulars Jeff Chimenti (piano) and Greg Leisz (pedal steel guitar) the group gets a fuller sound by also having guests Sheldon Brown (tenor saxophone), Alex Kelly (cello), Brian Switzer (trumpet) Adam Theis (trombone) Mads Tolling (violin) joining on various songs. 

These guests really help the group as the jazzy sax work highlights opener "New Speedway Boogie" with Weir singing strongly. The Bob Dylan cover "A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall" is augmented by Leisz fluid pedal steel work while the piano focus from Chimenti on the Weir classic "Looks Like Rain" is an album highlight.  

Things aren't all successful though as "Big River" suffers from the band's slow pace as does the usually pumping "Lost Sailor/Saint of Circumstance" pairing as the players jazz focus saps the energy from these numbers. Better is the slowly grooving "West L.A. Fadeaway" and the newer Weir original "Only A River" that floats on a pleasant folk vibe. "Brother Esau" makes a strong case as a severally overlooked Grateful Dead song on this album as Weir and company deliver an invigorating performance; the most rock oriented here. 

With Dead and Company, various guest sit in's and more, Weir is constantly playing live, which is a blessing and The Wolf Brothers Live In Colorado is just another, more jazz/folk focused, musical step down a never ending road of his music.      

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

Live Review: Kermit Ruffins - 6/9/2022 Arthur's Tavern NYC

Kermit Ruffins

Live @ Arthur's Tavern 

NY, NY 6/9/2022

Early Show

During the first set of Kermit Ruffins Thursday night show at the historic Arthur's Tavern in the West Village of Manhattan he mentioned that he doesn't get paid for shows, he gets paid to get on airplane and travel to do these shows. The notoriously 'happy in New Orleans' Ruffins left his beloved town to headline a two night run at the famous jazz bar's Grand Opening (post Covid lock down) Party. 

Ruffins was in great spirits hanging with fans before hand in the tiny bar as people filed in. The full capacity was not more than a hundred people but the bar was full when trumpet blared, signaling the start of the proceedings as his four piece backing band dropped in. The quartet (Ruffins - Trumpet, Yoshitaka Tsuji - piano, Kevin Morris - bass, Jerry Anderson - drums) eased into things with a relaxed version of Louis Armstrong's "Sleepy Time Down South".

Things picked up with a jazz vengeance for "Jeepers Creepers" as each artist took a searing solo, the technical skills were flashed by all resulting in a highlight of the early set. Slow rolling ballads came next as Kermit jokingly sang the fun loving "Rosetta" and "I Can Give You Anything But Love" which found him mimicking a trombone solo, introducing himself as Trombone Shorty post song. 

Two Eddie Jefferson songs came back to back next which pumped up the swinging vibes and scat singing from Ruffins. Both "Paper Moon" and "Things Are Getting Better" were hot with the later finding Tsuji delivering a stirring piano solo. 

After those joyous numbers Ruffins had a Bud Light break on the side of the stage as Kimberly Woods took over vocal duty for a mid set run of standards highlighted by "Fly Me To The Moon". Kermit rejoined the band taking back over lead vocals for the fun romp of "New Orleans Lady" which included crowd singalongs and funky drumming. The band wrapped up the early set on the night with a blistering delivery of the "Flintstones Theme". 

Ruffins mentioned that he was so honored to play this venue, in-between cracking jokes and having a blast. Always a fun master of ceremony's, seeing Kermit Ruffins and company in the Big Apple is a rare treat, and seeing them in the tight confines of a historic jazz club which hosted the likes of Charlie Parker,  John Coltrane and more back in the day, makes this grand opening party even more special. 

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Support the artist, and peep some video from the previous night (6/8) below:

Live Streams: George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic with Dopapod

We are now heading into the new normal with live music during the Covid-19 era. Live shows will need to be flexible and live streaming is a great way to keep music going. Streams have become essential for live music junkies like RtBE. Things are (hopefully) improving on the pandemic front but live streams will be an option for artists during 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 check out our 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: George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic with Dopapod

Tonight, live from Relix studios, comes George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic with Dopapod. For access to the free stream check out the Relix Twitch channel. 

To get in the mood here is some recent live video of GC and P-Funk:

Album Review: Andrew Bird - Inside Problems

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

It is of Andrew Bird's newest release, Inside Problems. 

A warm slice of indie pop from Bird this go around. 

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

Live Stream: Ben Folds - Stream This!

We are now heading into the new normal with live music during the Covid-19 era. Live shows will need to be flexible and live streaming is a great way to keep music going. Streams have become essential for live music junkies like RtBE. Things are (hopefully) improving on the pandemic front but live streams will be an option for artists during 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 check out our 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: Ben Folds - Stream This!

Ben Folds is playing solo and live tonight, you can catch it over on mandolin. 

To get in the mood here is a video from the artist. 

Dylan Cover #534 floydion "I Threw It All Away"

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's artists, floydion doing a cover of "I Threw It All Away" 

This month we are doing another special focus in RtBE's Dylan Covers series. In the past we have highlighted The Byrds, Coulson-Dean-McGuiness-Flint, The Hollies, Joan Osbourne, Mountain, Betty LeVette , Reggae Covers and many more.

This month we highlight floydion for a full month of Dylan Covers.

Thoughts on Original:

One of the brief sweet gems on Nashville Skyline as Dylan shows off his new vocal style with ease. The lyrics are direct about him screwing up a relationship. Mountains and rivers are blatantly sexual as the track breezes by with Dylan not all that broken up by his mistakes. More of a "Woah is me, oh well, moving on" feel to the country tinged ballad. A personal favorite off of this outlier album in Dylan's catalog.   

Cover:


Thoughts on Cover Artist:
floydion aka Gerry van der Laan is a singer songwriter from Amsterdam who posts covers to his youtube channel. We found him and really dug his singing style and wanted to showcase him this month. 

Thoughts on Cover:

A sweet cover that stays fairly true but gets a light more classical feel, a touch removed from the American country tinged original.  Excellent vocals from floydion as he sings gloriously. 

Live Streams: Amanda Shires - Live From Relix Studios

We are now heading into the new normal with live music during the Covid-19 era. Live shows will need to be flexible and live streaming is a great way to keep music going. Streams have become essential for live music junkies like RtBE. Things are (hopefully) improving on the pandemic front but live streams will be an option for artists during 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 check out our 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: Amanda Shires - Live From Relix Studios

Check out this afternoon's (2pm EST) free stream from the Relix Studios of Amanda Shires. 

To get in the mood here is some new music from her:

Live Streams: Governor's Ball Streaming On Twitch

We are now heading into the new normal with live music during the Covid-19 era. Live shows will need to be flexible and live streaming is a great way to keep music going. Streams have become essential for live music junkies like RtBE. Things are (hopefully) improving on the pandemic front but live streams will be an option for artists during 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 check out our 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: Gov's Ball Streaming on Twitch

Check out Gov's Ball Twitch Channel as the NYC hip-hop/pop festival out at Citi Field will be streaming there all weekend. 

Gov Ball 2022 will be live on @twitch presented by @levis.

Full livestream lineup dropping soon 👀

— The Governors Ball (@GovBallNYC) June 7, 2022

To get pumped check out some video below of Lil Wayne who was a late addition to the lineup, filing in for Migos. 

Full Show Friday: High On Fire - 12/7/19 @ The Regent Theater Los Angeles, 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...High On Fire!

One of RtBE's favorite metal acts gets the nod for this Full Show Friday the 13th as High on Fire graced the stage and were recorded at The Regent Theater in LA on 12/7/19. 

Not pro sound or video, but good enough for this Friday, full set list below. Enjoy:

0:01:09 - Blood From Zion 0:06:25 - Spewn From The Earth 0:11:24 - Steps Of The Ziggurat/House Of Enlil 0:21:08 - Rumors of War 0:24:23 - DII 0:28:31 - Speedwolf 0:33:55 - Fertile Green 0:39:45 - Devilution 0:44:50 - Carcosa 0:56:55 - Baghdad 1:03:59 - Freebooter 1:10:05 - Fury Whip 1:17:25 - Snakes For The Divine 1:27:14 - Electric Messiah