A site dedicated to culture with a focus on popular music; from the fringes to the forefront.
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Live Review: The Hold Steady 20th Anniversary Show - 1/28/23 Music Hall of Williamsburg
Album Review: Jeong Lim Yang - Zodiac Suite: Reassured
Monday, January 30, 2023
Dylan Cover #566 Ben Sidran featuring Joe Drexler "Knockin' On Heaven's 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 Ben Sidran playing "Knockin' On Heaven's Door'"
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 it is one of Dylan's most widely known tunes...
Friday, January 27, 2023
Full Show Friday: The Bad Plus and Joshua Redman at Detroit Jazz Festival 2015
Thursday, January 26, 2023
202021 Recap: Favorite Albums, Shows, etc
With all the hectic happenings at the end of the year, things can be missed. This is a catch up post to point out a few of our favorite things from 2022 that shouldn't go unnoticed.
Our picks for favorite album art of 2022, where we check out some creative album art from the last year.
Our picks for our favorite archival releases of 2022.
Our picks for favorite live show of 2022, it was a mix of live streams and live outings.
Finally our favorite albums of the year. The honorable mentions and top ten list are all lined up.
If you are looking for more suggestions, we also have our list of the top fifty albums of the past decade which you can check out and yell at us about.
Feel free to let us know your choices for all of the above in the comments and thanks as always for reading and exploring...as the patron saint of this site stated:
Album Review: Cecile McLorin Salvant - Ghost Song
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Album Review: Ray Palousek - Feelings EP
Album Review: Ezra Furman - All Of Us Flames
Tuesday, January 24, 2023
Album Review: Orchestra Gold - Medicine
Album Review: Sun Ra - Prophet
Monday, January 23, 2023
Quentin Sauvé Releases New Single "Tunnel"
Dylan Cover #565 Ben Sidran "Gotta Serve Somebody"
In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is a cover by Ben Sidran playing "Gotta Serve Somebody'"
From the first time we tackled a cover of this tune:
This powerful call of hell-fire and brimstone rained down from the mountaintop as Dylan proclaimed his faith proudly, and this was the first song that most of the public heard confirming the fact that Bob did indeed "Go Jesus". It is point and fact with its belief and message. You gotta serve somebody... can't be simpler then that when it comes to faith can it? The original has a driving beat and a propulsion to it that sounds urgent, but not as urgent as Bob sings, reinforcing the proclamation through his powerful lyrics and leaving no man or woman on the sidelines...he brings everyone into this spiritual battle, and whatever your beliefs it is impossible not to feel Bob is committed as he runs through the verses and chorus.
Cover:
Friday, January 20, 2023
Mighty Brother Release New Video for Single "Weighed Down"
Full Show Friday: Jasmine Myra - Art School Live Festival 2022
Thursday, January 19, 2023
New Single from Screaming Females "Brass Bell" Full Album Out 2/17
Album Review: Heart of Ghost - Summons
Wednesday, January 18, 2023
New Single from Galactic, "Ready For Me" Feat. Cimafunk and Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph
Album Review: Ernie Vincent - Original Dap King
Tuesday, January 17, 2023
Album Review: Neil Young and Crazy Horse - Toast
Back in 2000-2001, Neil Young and Crazy Horse were searching for a sound and tried out some different offerings after Young had spent some time in Argentina. One effort evolved into the album Toast which was ready to go and then shelved by Young. Now it receives its official release as Volume 09 of Neil Young Archives' Special Release Series.
Album Review: Margo Price - Strays
Monday, January 16, 2023
Happy MLK Day: March on Washington 1963
This is a tradition here at RtBE. While we are including this in our Monday Dylan series, this is a necessary break from the routine.
We are happy to dedicate this Monday to him. To help celebrate the day we will post Bob Dylan singing "Only A Pawn In Their Game" from the1963 March on Washington DC.
Have a great day and make sure to watch this, MLK's last prophetic public words:
It is still so incredibly moving.
The full speech is located here and worth listening to as well and you can read this amazing writing which unfortunately is still relevant today from King as well:
Friday, January 13, 2023
2023 New Orleans Jazzfest Lineup Announced!
Full Show Friday: Madeleine Peyroux Live in Switzerland 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2023
NOLA 2023 Jazzfest Artist Predictions
The lineup for the 2023 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival will be announced tomorrow but RtBE got the early scoop...
Album Review: Basher - Doubles
Wednesday, January 11, 2023
Album Review: Mindforce - New Lords
Album Review: Joshua Redman Brad Mehldau Christian McBride Brian Blade - LongGone
Tuesday, January 10, 2023
Great Read: Nate Rogers "Is Live Music Broken?"
Album Review: Iggy Pop - Every Loser
Monday, January 9, 2023
Dylan Cover #564 Ben Sidran "Subterranean Homesick Blues"
In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is a cover by Ben Sidran playing "Subterranean Homesick Blues'"
Saturday, January 7, 2023
Happy 9th Anniversary to Angels & Vagabonds Debut, The A&V EP
It has been fun writing about music on various websites and publications over the last fifteen plus years, but nothing beats the act of creating music, playing it live and recording it. Our first EP was an excellent experience, a huge learning process for me personally, and the whole band are still very proud of the final result.
From the serendipitous cover photo that stayed exactly as Bruno_Pek_ shot it, to the great production from our good friend Glen, to the contributions of everyone involved, The A&V EP is a joy to remember. More importantly, we still like listening to it and you can do that now.
You can download from our bandcamp site, you can buy it from iTunes, stream it on Spotify or below. As always, thanks for reading, and on this day I can say thanks for listening to my music.
Friday, January 6, 2023
Full Show Friday: Dirty Dozen Brass Band - Live 4/23/21
Thursday, January 5, 2023
New Album and Twentieth Anniversary Shows from The Hold Steady
Album Review: Takuya Kuroda - Midnight Crisp
Wednesday, January 4, 2023
Live Stream: A Celebration of Justin Townes Earle
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: A Celebration of Justin Townes Earle
Live from the Ryman tonight Steve Earle and The Dukes headline a celebration to his son Justin Townes Earle who died in the summer of 2020. There is an all-star Americana lineup support Steve and the Dukes including Amanda Shire, Lily Hiatt, Shooter Jennings and more.
Watch it on Mandolin, and peep a song from the late Justin Townes Earle below: