Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Album Review: Thee Sacred Souls - S/T

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

It is of Thee Sacred Souls debut, self-titled release on Daptone Records

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


Album Review: Action Bronson - Cocodrillo Turbo

Action Bronson 
Cocodrillo Turbo
***and1/2 out of *****

The wide ranging Action Bronson returns with his first album in two years as Cocodrillo Turbo crawls out of the murky darkness and shambles fourth on a linking motif of roars and bird calls connecting each of the ten tracks here. 

The low key affair plays to Bronson's strengths as short songs start and stop around verses and very few choruses as if he feels no real need to make major artistic statements, just get high and rhyme. The opening "Hound Dog" has a tough repetitive guitar riff supporting the flow before crashing quickly and dripping into the best effort on the album "Tongpo". A spaghetti western/surf riff around a harmonica and jungle drums straight out of Screaming J Hawkins slow bop along as Bronson admits to not knowing about jail and driving sports cars across the Bellagio lobby. Conway the Machine helps out and delivers some of the strongest rhymes, and by far the funniest line around the ex-governor of New York State.    

Bronson rhymes about wrestlers, sports stars, food and more. Everyone from Latino Heat, Mr. Socko, Allen Iverson, John Randell, Magic Johnson, pickles and Vodka slices gets an airing as the talented MC just lets his mind wander. The bass bumps and jazz cymbals arrive on the most polished track, "Subzero" but next to barely song offerings like "Jaws" the tightness level is low here. 

The repeating soul samples of "Jaguar" are pleasant while the beeping of "Turkish" becomes distracting. The best beat here shows up for "Zambezi" which also has an opening verse from Roc Marciano as the cool laid back beat flows before Bronson also delivers a powerful verse. The album closing "Storm of The Century" goes more jazzy with beats as Bronson stays raw with rhymes, juxtaposing styles with success.     

Stakes are never high and that suits Action Bronson just fine as Cocodrillo Turbo allows the modern day renaissance man (if an incredibly stoned one) pure freedom to let his animal instincts out to positive effect over the quick rolling joint. 
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Support the artist, buy the album and peep some video below:

Tuesday, August 30, 2022

Album Review: Marcus King - Youngblood

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

It is of Marcus King's newest release Youngblood.

A solid slice of classic 70's inspired radio rock. 

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


Monday, August 29, 2022

New Single from Man The Lifeboats titled "The Fires of England"

The English folk rock outfit Man The Lifeboats have released a new single titled "The Fires of England"

It is off their upcoming full length release Soul of Albion due out in October. Check out the new Brexit inspired single below:

Dylan Cover #545 KneeDeep "Meet Me In The Morning"

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 KneeDeep playing "Meet Me In The Morning"

Thoughts on Original:
From the first time we tackled a cover of this tune:
A swaggering track that rose out of the ashes of "Call Letter Blues" (which was later released on The Bootleg Series Volume 1-3) "Meet Me In The Morning" is a shot of blues after the blissfully mournful "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go" as it kicks off side two of the famous Blood On The Tracks. The song is one of the ones Dylan recorded in NYC for Blood on the Tracks and it pulses with the city's energy. A cool note about this straight ahead song (which is tailored made for covering) is that Jack White is a big fan, playing it at times at his shows and got Dylan to perform it for the only time ever on 9/19/07 in Nashville, TN.  

Cover:


Thoughts on Cover Artist:
This is the first time we have heard KneeDeep, who are, Dave Smith - guitar and vocals Rocky Kramm - guitar and vocals Jay Cunningham - bass and vocals. 

Thoughts on Cover:
Hearing the bugs clicking and chattering around the porch, with the syrupy slow groove and vocals, make this one so sweet. The perfect late August live cover as KneeDeep do this one justice with their acoustic playing, and vocal harmonies. A really special treat of a listen. 

Friday, August 26, 2022

New Album, The Car, Coming from Arctic Monkeys

The Arctic Monkeys have announced a new album to be released in October. It is titled The Car.

RtBE are huge fans of the band, ranking AM as our favorite album of the last decade, however their last release was a major let down to say the least. 

Curious where they go this time, but from the sound of it they are staying in the same vein as Tranquility Base: Hotel + Casino so we shall see.  Until then, here are some live tunes from the band:

Full Show Friday: Mozart Gala Concert: 250 Years of Mozart

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...Mozart Gala Concert: 250 Years of Mozart!


This week we have the Mozart Gala Concert: 250 Years of Mozart. Switching it up a bit this week to live classical music for this summer Full Show Friday. 

This concert took place in 2006 and some info on it:
Riccardo Muti will lead the Vienna Philharmonic in a concert at the Grosses Festspielhaus featuring baritone Thomas Hampson, pianist Mitsuku Uchida, violinist Gidon Kremer, violist Yuri Bashmet, and mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli, a last-minute substitute for soprano Ren_e Fleming. The program includes Piano Concerto No. 25, the Symphony in D major ("Haffner"), concert arias, and excerpts from The Marriage of Figaro and Don Giovanni.

Pro shot, pro sound, enjoy:

Thursday, August 25, 2022

Live Streams: Valerie June at Ram's Head

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: Valerie June at Ram's Head

Valerie June is live streaming tonight on Mandolin from Ram's Head On Stage. RtBE have reviewed and appreciated June's work in the past and look forward to this stream. 

To get in the mood here is a great live tune from June, her cover of Mazzy Star's "Fade Into You":


Album Review: Orgone - Lost Knights

Orgone
Lost Knights
*** out of *****

The newest offering from the long running Los Angeles based outfit Orgone, titled Lost Knights is a mix of seventies sounds that convey a burning love for raw rockin' and rollin' soulful outings. 

The band Sergio Rios (guitar) Adryon de León (vocals) Dan Hastie (keyboards) Sam Halterman (drums) Dale Jennings (bass) open the album with "Working For Love". The track combines most of the things that make for a Orgone tune this go around; heavy bass, rock focused guitar, sweet singing, funky drumming and a solid solo tossed in to wrap it up. The following instrumental "Samson" harkens back to the early days of the band and could easily be sampled (or used in whole really) as a backing track for an MC. 

The mixing of 70's classic rock and funky rhythms hit their peak on "Burn" which sounds like a smoky, more metallic, Funkadelic excursion from 1978. The band keeps the soulful grooving rock with strong vocals from de León on both "Lay Down Your Life" and album closer "Hazel" also reminiscent of P-funk, but again more on the rock vibe as opposed to the funk side of things. 

That rock love is thoroughly explored on the Iron Butterfly sounding "Going Going Gone" which is fuzzy but not all that engaging, same could be said for the more rock based instrumental "Crusader". The band works best when all of their loves and styles combine, like on the distorted guitar soul of "Stand By Your Brother" and particularly "Wicked Karma".

The best track here, "Wicked Karma" fuses upbeat almost punkish drums, distorted bass rumbles and backing vocals all around a psychedelic soul base. Jamming keyboard work and potent lyrics also add to the overall success; this standout offering is a pumping jam that pushes all the right buttons. 

While not all the tracks on Lost Knights are up to that high level, there are solid offerings throughout which show Orgone's amalgamation of 70's influences still have the power to move. 
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Support the band, buy the album and peep some video below:

Wednesday, August 24, 2022

Live Review: Spoon @ Baby's All Right Brooklyn NY 8/23/2022

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


It is of Spoon's surprise club show at Baby's All Right. A super cool night of music. 

Support the band, see them live, read the review and peep some video below:


Album Review: Joe Marcinek Band - JMB5

Joe Marcinek Band
JMB5
***and1/2 out of *****

The newest offering from the Joe Marcinek Band is a genre ranging collection of instrumentals as the guitarist fronts a slippery outfit who morph and slide behind him throughout JMB5, the not so subtlety titled fifth offering from the outfit, released on Vintage League Music

The core group are fronted by Marcinek on guitar, with Robert Walter on Hammond organ and Pete Koopmans on drums. They are supported throughout by Greg Spero – Piano, Jason Hann – Percussion, Alex Wasily – Trombone, Sean Erick – Trumpet, Jordan Donald – Sax each popping in and out to round out the sound. 

Opener "Dog" is a funky stroll with polished guitar lines leading into a jamming middle section as the instruments all speak to each other in warm fashion, if only for a little too long. The group deliver some Caribbean flair with the calypso tinged "Reciprocity" which also delivers jazzy guitar runs before the light samba on album closer "Bella" which is a showcase for all the excellent percussion work of Hann and Koopmans.   

Moving to the northern most city of the Caribbean for influence, "Lagniappe" brings that second line New Orleans bounce and Tremé parading to the album with bright horn work while further on up the Mississippi the Chicago blues come alive on the warm "Doggone Blues" complete with rich horns and organ. 

That organ work from Walter is dynamite and especially forefront on "Vitalizing" dominating the brief punchy highlight number. The two most complete offerings incorporate all Marcinek's influences into instrumental amalgamations as "Cool Down" is rooted in the blues but expands like a chrysalis out of a cocoon primed to fly while "Bulldog" is wide ranging offering built around skittering drums and bright psychedelic sounds from Marcinek's soaring guitar.  

The eight originals, written by Marcinek, easily glide through sweet sounds and smooth pastures as the players on JMB5 combine blissfully, delivering an easy-going, joyful, instrumental journey. 
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Support the artist, buy the album and peep some video below:



Tuesday, August 23, 2022

Album Review: THICK - Happy Now

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

It is of THICK's newest album, Happy Now. 

Big mid-90's power/pop/punk influence on this and Weezer kept jumping to mind when reviewing, but Weezer hasn't written songs this good in literal decades. 

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



Monday, August 22, 2022

Dylan Cover #544 Marc Maza "Million Miles" 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 Marc Maza playing "Million Miles"


Thoughts on Original:
From the first time we tackled a cover of this tune:
From the barren blues of Time Out Of Mind comes "Million Miles". While not a standout on that album, the song was prophetic, hinting at the fantastic twelve bar blues variations that would dominate Dylan's next two releases. When first heard though it doesn't jump out, just feels like yet ANOTHER solid track from the bard.

Cover:


Thoughts on Cover Artist:
This is the first time RtBE has heard Marc Maza who is a French musician. 

Thoughts on Cover:
Maza puts in a lot of work on guitar, adding a sweet into, and random fills and runs but never takes away from the song. Maza is super talented and plays the blues on the acoustic with a flair for the dramatic. Definitely a cover worth hearing. 

Friday, August 19, 2022

New Coney Island Mermaid Parade Video for "Summer Days" by Kongress

Kongress (Otto von Ruggins) has released a new song "Summer Days" which uses footage from over thirty years of Coney Islands Mermaid Festivals to craft a unique musical/visual experience. 


Check out the very experimental/David Bowie inspired tune and historic video below:

Full Show Friday: Shaggy LIVE Woodstock Festival Poland 2015

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...Shaggy!

This week we have Shaggy LIVE Woodstock Festival Poland 2015. 

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


Setlist: 00:00 Intro 02:10 Long Time 04:04 Bonafide Girl 09:20 Boombastic 11:13 Oh Carolina 13:00 (Medley) 18:20 Angel 22:16 Strength of a Woman 25:34 In the Summertime 29:35 Love Mi Jamaica 32:12 Church Heathen 34:34 Can't Fight This Feeling 38:25 I Wanna 41:53 It Wasn't Me 46:04 I Need Your Love 50:58 Hey Sexy Lady 55:25 Feel the Rush

Thursday, August 18, 2022

Live Streams: Styles P - Good Times 2.0

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: Styles P - Good Times 2.0: Styles P and Friends

From Veeps, where you can get the live stream:

Styles P & Friends, celebrate the 20th year anniversary of his hit single "Good Times" (I Get High) and the release of his new cannabis strain". Join us for this epic celebration of hip-hop music performances and light one up!

Starts at 8pm EST. Here is the original tune to get in the mood:



Album Review: Mo Lowda and the Humble - Lily Pads

Mo Lowda and the Humble
Lily Pads
** out of *****


The Philadelphia, PA based indie rock outfit Mo Lowda and the Humble newest offering is a quick, three tune EP titled Lily Pads. The group consists of lead singer/guitarist Jordan Caiola, bassist/keyboardist Jeff Lucci, drummer Shane Woods, with touring member Kirby Sybert pitching in when the band plays live. 

The opening title track of the brief three song outing uses dreamy, washing guitars swaying around speakers in front of light percussion, synths and vibrating bass. Lyrically a change has come with "Grew up loving Jesus/more than you loved yourself" resulting in an outside influencer pushing decisions that need to be made. An odd choice finds the band dropping out mid-song and then flowing back in with an outro that drips into the instrumental "Rescue Boats" which plays simply as an exhale of "Lily Pads" and little else. 

The easy rolling music seeps into the background before the shaking percussion and rich bass pushes "Snowbird" as the light airy vocals from Cailoa float through. The track ends just when it is picking up steam and seemingly ready to bust out and probably will on the live stage.   

Playing more like an A&B side of a single, with an instrumental break in-between, Lily Pads is a very short dip into this Philly bands surroundings. However, those swirling sonic environments are rich as the band pumps their bright, dance laden, indie rock sound. 

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Support the band and peep some video below:

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Live Review: Rage Against The Machine and Run The Jewels 8/12/2022 MSG, NYC

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

It is of Rage Against The Machine's live show from Friday night at the Garden with Run The Jewels opening. 




Support the band, see them live, read the review and peep some video below:


Album Review: Trombone Shorty - Lifted

Trombone Shorty
Lifted
***and1/2 out of *****

Five records into his studio recording career Troy Andrews, aka Trombone Shorty has firmly established a pattern of delivering solid, genre ranging songs as he has become the new ambassador for his beloved New Orleans world wide. Funk, jazz, blues, rock, R&B, all diffused through a pop filter, get airings throughout Lifted as Shorty and his main band, Orleans Avenue, continue their stout, crowd pleasing efforts...if never quite delivering that home run tune. 

Opener "Come Back" is the best of the bunch this go around. It has smooth singing from Andrews, brilliant horn parts, wah-wah guitar and bright production which pops. Shorty and company move into a Bruno Mars get down jam direction for the slinky, poppy funk of "Lie To Me" and the clean, party rocking joyousness of "Might Not Make It Home".

Orleans Avenue, Shorty and guest Gary Clark Jr. punch up the heavy rock on "I’m Standing Here" which features solos from Shorty and Clark that are dynamite before the meaty riffs of the title track brings things higher. The album is dedicated to Shorty's mom who recently passed and is featured on the excellent cover photo. It is notable that Lifted is the first Trombone Shorty effort without an instrumental or cover song which could be why Shorty took extra time with this personal release. 

When Shorty slows down things aren't as engaging, however Lauren Daigle delivers sweet vocals on "What It Takes" and "Forgiveness" is a great lyric, just a dull musical outing. Shorty and company are more successful on the modern NOLA sound of the clap happy, percussive funk of "Miss Beautiful" as his beloved hometown seeps into every sonic pore and closer "Good Company" which ends things with the strongest horn work on the whole album. 

RtBE has discussed this before but Shorty is an amazing live artist who has yet to truly meld his talents into studio efforts, or made that one killer song/album that will bring him superstar recognition his talent deserves, and that is fine. There is very little to dislike on Lifted, as everyone involved delivers professional modern poppy funky rock and R&B to the masses.   
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Support the artist, buy the album and peep some video below:


Tuesday, August 16, 2022

Live Streams: Noah Kahan - Live From Red Rocks

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: Noah Kahan Live @ Red Rocks

Tune into Mandolin tonight to catch Noah Kahan live from Red Rocks. 

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


Album Review: Golden Dawn Arkestra - The Gold Album

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

It is of Golden Dawn Arkestra's newest release, The Gold Album

The record is a mix of afro-beat, soulful funky jazz inspired vamps and electro EDM. 

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


Monday, August 15, 2022

Happy 50th Anniversary to The Band's Live Album Rock of Ages

Today marks the 50th Anniversary of The Band's live album Rock of Ages, which was released back in 1972. 


While RtBE is more partial to The Last Waltz, Rock of Ages is no slouch when it comes to The Band getting after it live. Enjoy a few tunes from the album, play them loud.


BLACKSTARKIDS Release New Video for Single “SEX APPEAL”

BLACKSTARKIDS have released their new single and video “SEX APPEAL”


The outfit have also announced their upcoming full-length project CYBERKISS*, out September 23 via Dirty Hit.

Check out the video below:

Dylan Cover #543 River Lynch "She Belongs To Me" 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 River Lynch playing "She Belongs To Me"

Thoughts on Original:
The first song in this series was a different cover of this track, here is what I wrote about it then and still feel the same way:
This is a gem of a song, a twisted tale that entwines beauty and deceit, darkness and sparkling Egyptian Red Rings.  One of Dylan's best in it's mystery, elusiveness and bitter biting undertones; really pure Dylan and one of his all time classics.  Loved it when I first heard it, still love it today.

Cover:


Thoughts on Cover Artist:
This is the first time we are coming across River Lynch

Thoughts on Cover
A straight ahead acoustic live cover that is performed confidently by Lynch. Vocally Lynch almost feels like he is channeling Lou Reed to cover Bob Dylan, pretty interesting. 

Sunday, August 14, 2022

Live Stream: Stern Grove Festival: Phil Lesh + Friends & Midnight North

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: Stern Grove Festival: Phil Lesh + Friends & Midnight North

A killer free live stream from out in California today as Midnight North open for Phil Lesh and Friends at the Stern Grove Festival in San Francisco.  

Register over at Mandolin for this event.  Below are tunes from both artists to get pumped for this show:


Saturday, August 13, 2022

Live Stream: Father John Misty - Live at The Orpheum Theater New Orleans, LA

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: Father John Misty - Live at The Orpheum Theater New Orleans, LA

Taking the elegant stage tonight in the Big Easy is Father John Misty as he tours on the back of his newest album, Chole and the Next 20th Century.  Grab the stream over on Mandolin.

To get in the mood here is a Misty tune:


Friday, August 12, 2022

Full Show Friday: Goose 3/12/22 Philadelphia, PA

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...Goose!

This week we have the jamband  Goose from March 12th of this year playing in Philadelphia, PA. 

Pro shot and sound, full setlist below, enjoy:

3/12/22  The Fillmore, Philadelphia PA 
I: 0:00 All I Need> 24:44 California Magic> 37:00 Dr. Darkness, 43:48 Red Bird 
II: 1:07:29 Hungersite, 1:27:27 Please Forgive Me*, 1:38:08 Arcadia, 1:54:48 Fish In The Sea$, 2:10:34 This Old Sea>2:28:00Factory Fiction# E: 2:53:00 thanks, 2:54:54 Arrow 1:54:48 "What's up! you all feelin cool? ...thanks Philly!' 🤠 *David Gray $Fat Freddy's Drop #Vasudo

Thursday, August 11, 2022

The Black Angels Release New Single "Without A Trace"

The Black Angels have a new album coming out this fall, Wilderness of Mirrors, and now the second single (after "El Jardin") and album opener has been released titled "Without A Trace".  It is a classic sounding psych rock effort from the group.

Check out the lyric video for "Without A Trace" below:

Album Review: Near Beer - Near Beer

Near Beer
S/T
**** out of *****

The Los Angeles, CA based indie-rock/pop-punk outfit Near Beer's debut full length is a mix of shiny rocking guitars and mid-life looking lyrics as the outfit grow old and clings to youth concurrently. 

The trio of Joey Siara (vocals, guitar), Brent Stranathan (drums), Jeremy Levy (bass, backup vocals) get their kicks with loud rocking guitar layers around mini anthemic tunes as Siara (The Henry Clay People) dove back into music, writing these ten songs and releasing the self-titled effort exactly ten years from his last musical offering. 

Fans of guitar driven odes developed in bars and cleaned up in the studio will have a lot to love here. Opener "Yelling at a Dog" deals with stresses of adulthood, chugging along, chomping and rising with big drums, odd digital bleeps, fuzz and riffs all while bemoaning selling guitars to pay rent. The slower "Double Double" eases back the energy with some swinging while "Headlights" and the shout along "Sleeping is for Suckers" keeps that sweet easy sound, falling more on the restrained indie rock side of things.     

The band can also push it up tempo with the powerful drums urging the punk chaos forward on "Paper Cups" but it is the mixing of these styles where the trio succeed the most. The catchy riffs from Siara are everywhere, especially poignant on the band life ode "Dead Drummers" and the poppy joy of "Thursday". The only misfire on the album is the experimental closing "Celsius Man" which drags too long without any direction.  

The group injects their style into a stripped down, classic country ode "Whiskey/Wine" rising the ear ringing style with honesty in winning fashion. The group takes everything they do well and ramp it up a notch on the highlight offering "Mixtape Generation". The ode to days forgotten, features a snaking riff, pounding drums and descriptive lyrics which are intoxicating as the group shouts about friendship, love, loss, growing up, evolving and ultimately staying the same. 

There are lots of touch points to the tunes, modern acts like Beach Slang and Japandroids as well as older groups like The Replacements arise often throughout this pleasurable slice of indie/pop-punk. The trio of Siara, Stranathan, and Levy deliver the goods as Near Beers simple joy of playing rock shines through on their self-titled debut effort.  
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Support the band, buy the album and peep some video below:

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

New Single from Ghost Light Out Now, Full Album In October

The jamband Ghost Light is releasing their first single titled "Take Some Time" from their upcoming album, The Healing, which will be released in October on Royal Potato Family records. 


We reviewed their live album Cervantes, but this studio effort sounds like a step up. Check out the track below:


Album Review: Various Artists - Take Me To The River: New Orleans

Various Artists
Take Me To The River: New Orleans Soundtrack
**** out of *****

The soundtrack to the extremely affecting film, Take Me To The River: New Orleans is a slice of the city itself as legends, new artists and famous guests all join the party, adding their spice to the musical gumbo of this long running soundtrack. For those who are already fans of the city and it's music and newcomers as well, this capturing of sounds will be a fruitful listening experience to compliment the film.  

The effort begins under the hot and hazy sun, slowly working up a sweat with a looping pace, as Cyril Neville (backed by the Voices of The Wetlands) croons that he is "In Love With My Nola" around light Caribbean breeziness before Big Freedia brings the dirty get down bounce, helped along by Mannie Fresh and Galactic. 

The party really kicks off when The Soul Rebels and 5th Ward Weebie shoutout the area code of "504 (Enjoy Yourself)" delivering a highlight offering which drips into the party propelling "Street Parade" by Dumpstaphunk with Cyril Neville. This being New Orleans, the good times just keep rolling through PJ Morton's electric "New Orleans Girl" which gets jumping with the likes of Cheeky Blakk and Rebirth Brass Band.   

The film and soundtrack took a long time to come together and lots of artists who participated are no longer living, including 5th Ward Weebie, Art and Charles Neville and perhaps someone who represented NOLA more than anyone else over the last half century, Dr. John. The good doctor plays two piano offerings supported by Davell Crawford "Jock A Mo" (written by Davell's grandfather James "Sugar Boy" Crawford) and the moving "Someone To Love". Crawford takes the solo piano reigns and ups the ante with the gospel influenced spiritual "We Shall Gather By The River", a heartfelt stunner. 

From the churches to the clubs, that is how New Orleans rolls, and this soundtrack is no different as Snoop Dog, G-Eazy and William Bell contribute on a supped up rendition of the classic Allen Toussaint/Lee Dorsey hit "Yes We Can Can" as George Porter Jr. and more support the hip hop flow. Aaron Neville shouts out to legends and locales on the funky as all get out "Stompin' Ground" that features some of the best horn work on the album courtesy of The Dirty Dozen Brass Band

Those bright horns are everywhere though and the jazz legend Donald Harrison helps out the next generation known as the Tipitina's Interns on their popping version of the traditional "When The Saints Come Marching In" and the modern generation with his nephew Christian Scott. That duo light up the ears with a blazing modern jazz display titled "Sand Castles Headhunters", stunning from the first notes. 

The soundtrack runs long, but there is a lot to cover musically with this town.  The percussive Mardi Gras Indians get after it with The 79ers Gang "Wrong Part of Town" and the chanting Big Chief Monk Boudreaux who guzzles that "Firewater". The Cajun country is represented by The Lost Bayou Ramblers who fiddle around and bring onboard Walter "Wolfman" Washington and Ani DiFranco to round out "Blue Moon Special". Classic soul and R&B, which traces lineage down river, also gets an airing as the legendary Irma Thomas partners with the modern day diva Ledisi to sing the powerful "I Wish Someone Would Care" backed by the funky grooves of George Porter Jr., Eric Krasno, Ian Neville, and Ivan Neville

While it runs for miles like the river itself, and the sequencing gets a bit odd at times, there is no doubt that there are many many musical gems to be found within. This could very easily have been a triple album or beyond with the immense musical talents and offerings found down south in New Orleans. Be sure to watch the documentary film and then pick up the soundtrack to Take Me To The River: New Orleans for hours of funky fun. 
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Having seen the film back in April, RtBE finally gets to the soundtrack.  It is a doozy. 
Support the artists, buy the album and peep some video below:



Tuesday, August 9, 2022

New Video and Single from Asylums "Understand The Psychology"

The Southend based English band Asylums have released their newest single, the power pop "Understand The Psychology".


Check it out below and here is some info regarding the cool video:
Arriving with an official video directed friend of the band JJ Eringa, the accompanying visuals for “Understand The Psychology” draw inspiration from Terry Gilliam’s Monty’s Python animations and feature exclusive footage of the band recording at Rockfield Studios interspersed with their storming recent performance on the Glastonbury Leftfield stage in 2022.

Album Review: T Bone Burnett - The Invisible Light: Spells

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

It is of T Bone Burnett's second entry into his Invisible Light trilogy titled The Invisible Light: Spells

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


Monday, August 8, 2022

A Vulture Wake Release New Video for Single "Lost Cause Of The Year"

The Midwestern hard rocking A Vulture Wake have a new EP coming out in September titled Animal, it will be their second EP of 2022. Their first single from Animal was just released. 


Check out "Lost Cause Of The Year" below, pre-order the album today:  


Dylan Cover #542 Emmylou Harris "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" Live

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's artists, Emmylou Harris performing a live cover of "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" 

Thoughts on Dylan Original:
From the first time we tackled a cover of this tune:
A simple little number coming off of John Wesley Harding it discards the lyrical wizardry for a down home spin.  We are rewarded with easy bliss, not often found in Dylan tunes. The emotions displayed by the singer here are heartfelt, hearty and easy going, just like the tune as a whole. Always a pleasant ride, bring that bottle over here...   

Cover:


Thoughts on Cover Artist:
RtBE has always enjoyed Emmylou Harris, but never totally dove into her albums or live shows. Will hopefully do that soon. 

Thoughts on Cover
Fantastic cover, putting the country swagger into the tune with simple strumming and soaring, powerfully strong vocals. Excellent all around. 

Friday, August 5, 2022

Full Show Friday: Queen Live Wembley Stadium 1986

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...Queen!

This week we have Queen Live from Wembley Stadium 1986

Check out Freddie Mercury and the fellas at one of their most iconic shows, Wembley Stadium 1986.

Pro sound, pro video, full setlist below. Enjoy:



1:17 One Vision 5:46 Tie Your Mother Down 10:00 In The Lap of The Gods 12:27 Seven Seas of Rhye 13:45 Tear It Up 16:45 A Kind of Magic 22:39 Ay-Oh 24:42 Under Pressure 28:20 Another One Bites The Dust 34:29 Who Wants To Live Forever 38:34 I Want To Break Free 42:12 Impromptu 45:00 Guitar Solo 54:12 Now I'm Here 1:00:47 Love of My Life 1:05:30 Is this The World We Created 1:08:19 I Don't Care (Baby You're So Square) 1:10:00 Hello Mary Lou (Goodbye Heart) 1:11:25 Tutti Frutti 1:16:05 Bohemian Rhapsody 1:21:56 Hammer To Fall 1:27:41 Crazy Little Thing Called Love 1:34:34 Radio Ga Ga 1:40:39 We Will Rock You 1:43:26 Friends Will Be Friends 1:45:33 We Are The Champions 1:49:44 God Save The Queen