Friday, April 28, 2023

New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Starts Today, Stream on WWOZ

The best festival in America returns today! If you can not get to the Big Easy for The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage FestivalWWOZ has the answer.

You can stream the festival through their website. This is one of the best radio channels in the country, so you should pop in and stream regularly (and donate), but these next two weekends are a must if you can't be at the Fairgrounds.

RtBE will be down very soon and we can not wait, we will be checking out this stream to tide us over, you should do the same. Peep a few videos of acts playing this weekend:



Full Show Friday: Kenny Loggins - Live in Santa Barbara (1983)

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...Kenny Loggins!


Every April (and first week in May) we have a special showcase for bands who are playing this years Jazzfest in NOLA. Today we will focus on Kenny Loggins who will be playing Sunday April 30th.

On his final tour, Kenny Loggins will play this Sunday, April 30th at the Fairgrounds. It's gonna be alright...nobody worry about me...

Assembled from various VHS sources. Setlist below. Enjoy:

Thursday, April 27, 2023

Album Review: Kyle Roussel - Nola a la Mode

Kyle Roussel
Nola A La Mode
**** out of *****

One of the brightest piano players currently at it in New Orleans has stripped out everything else to deliver his first solo, piano only offering, as Kyle Roussel's serves up a tasty slice of Nola a la Mode

Roussel is a graduate from New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) and has played with everyone from Irma Thomas to Jon Batiste, to Christian Scott, to The Preservation Hall Jazz Band. A stout, energetic force on the ivories, his newest release shines the spotlight on his lyrical takes on the 88 keys directly. That is where he continues the tradition, as there are flashes of all of the great New Orleans piano masters who came before him and a lot more.  

The independently released album opens with "Dorothy", a cool breeze with lots of flair and energetic playing; an excellent way to open the album. "The Crave" is dramatic, weaving and bobbing while "Keep on Gwine" is a joyous bouncing affair. Roussel works best throughout this solo album when he toys with frameworks and injects different directions. 

Following in the path of James Booker's "Black Minute Waltz" Roussel uses classical Chopin like lines, moves through jazz inspired scenic pastures and then almost drowns the number in technical overkill but manages to pull back with a cheeky waltzing ending. "A Taste of Honey" is even better as the pop standard starts with large, operatic tendencies, with catastrophic storms brewing before getting sweet in bluesy style, only to end in large powerful fashion; an album highlight. 

Other interpretations are solid if not as exciting. "Elanor Rigby" sounds a bit straight forward, "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" sacrifices gospel passion for more technical/dramatic flair. Better are his piano designed takes on "Mississippi Mud" which grooves things out (while showing off more of his Booker and Dr. John influences) and the smooth prettiness of "Genuflection" which feels like a warm sunset.       

The album runs long for a piano only affair, however, there are lots of good efforts that arrive late.  "Marzique Dancing" gives a tune from Harold Battiste a dramatic run through, "Frankie and Johnny" takes Duke Ellington's big band number and distills through one piano with Professor Longhair inspiration, the multi-layered "Songs of Praise" is a trip, while "Tipitina and Me" along with a tasty version of "Southern Nights", brings Allen Toussaint's influence to the forefront.  

No matter who wrote it, or made it famous, Roussel injects his own feelings, style and unique interpretation into the track, rendering it anew. He can seemingly do it all on piano with second line bounce at times mixed in with floral right hand runs, all wrapped up in staggering classical technique outlined by a soulful spirit; Kyle Roussel's Nola a la Mode is a bright showcase for this talented artist.   
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Support the artist, buy the album, peep some video below:

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Live Review: Mephiskapheles, Hub City Stompers and Butterbrain @ Bowery Electric 4/20

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


It is a live review of last Thursday's ska show at Bowery Electric in NYC. Mephiskapheles, Hub City Stompers and Butterbrain played the LES venue. 

Was a fun time seeing some friends out and about, hanging downtown. 

Support the acts, read the review and peep some live video below (unfortunately, not from this show):


Album Review: Blondshell - Blondshell

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


It is of Blondshell's self-titled debut album. 


Originally I had just planned on reviewing this on RtBE as I missed it when it was released a few weeks ago, but it is so good I asked Shane over at Glide if they wanted the review and they did. 

This is one of the best albums of the year so far, originally we gave it 4 and a half stars out of five. Give this one a listen. 
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Support the artist, buy the album, read the review, peep some video below:

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Live Stream: Father John Misty @ The Stone Pony Tonight

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 @ Stone Pony

If you can't make Father John Misty's performance down on the shore a the Stone Pony, you can stream it over on Nugs.net. You do need a membership, but that entitles you to a ton of music. 

To get in the mood here is a FJM live tune:


RIP Harry Belafonte

Activist, artist Harry Belafonte has passed away, he was 96 years old. 


Usually for RIP's I make a brief comment, post a song, and direct people to the NY Times article or elsewhere. I will still do that. 



However, I also had the pleasure of listening to this great American talk years back at NYPL when he released My Song and I wrote a review of that special night. 

You can read the full piece below.

Album Review: Dr. John - Solo Piano Live In New Orleans 1984

Dr. John
Solo Piano Live In New Orleans 1984
*** out of *****

With Jazzfest on the horizon, the Tipitina’s Record Club looks to a past late night Festing show for their most recent release. Dr. John’s Solo Piano Live In New Orleans 1984 was recorded on the paddle boat SS President, cruising the Mississippi River after a day of music at the Festival that year. 

The brief vinyl outing was captured at an odd time in Dr John’s career. He had left yet another label and had just released the solo studio album Dr. John Plays Mac Rebennack, as he was searching for a new path and wouldn't find it for some time.

“Dorothy” an original tune from that album starts this live show as Mac shows off his underrated piano playing. He also delivers his original, “Such a Night” with a gorgeous, classically influenced intro, this set however is more to pay homage to the great New Orleans piano players who came before him, while establishing the good Dr. right in that very same category.

The opening tune dipped into “Junko Partner” and the run to close side A of “Qualified” > “Sick and Tired” > “Goodnight Irene” are all musical tips of the cap to James Booker whose influence is everywhere on this night, along with David Bartholomew. They aren't alone though as Dr. John gives Lloyd Price’s classic “Stagger Lee” an injection of some new lyrics. While Mac’s playing is top notch, his voice this evening is harsher than normal, especially starting out, before things warm up.

Professor Longhair himself gets some love as Dr. John delivers a fairly tame cover of “Tipitina” while the set ends with Mac mixing up his classic “Mama Roux” with two songs from the criminally underrated Huey “Piano” Smith as he seamlessly transitions into “Rockin' Pneumonia And The Boogie Woogie Flu > Don't Ya Just Know It” to wrap up the short show.

For those who have never heard Mac Rebennack’s solo piano work this release will be eye opening, for longtime fans it is fun to hear some classics in this sparse setting. Dr. John’s Solo Piano Live In New Orleans 1984 is an excellent capturing of a long gone night where a New Orleans icon paid tribute to the past with classical piano flourishes.
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Support the artist, buy the album and peep some video below:

Monday, April 24, 2023

New Single/Video from Malevitus "BloodLetter"

The excellent art-rock/post-punk outfit from New Orleans, Malevitus have a new single/video to celebrate the life of their late drummer Carlo Nuccio. 


The track is called "BloodLetter" and you can check out the great video for the ripping track below. RtBE are fans and friends with the group, you should follow the band on social media and support them as they rock. 


Dylan Cover #578 The Staple Singers "A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall"

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is a cover by The Staple Singers playing " A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall"


All April (and the first week of May) RtBE focuses our Monday Dylan Cover Series on artists who are playing this years New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Today is Mavis Staples who plays the festival this Friday April 28th


Thoughts on Original
:
From the first time we tackled a cover of this song:
Dylan singing from a position of fear as he poetically discusses the Cuban Missile Crisis and the possibility of Nuclear annihilation. Dylan also mentioned in Chronicles that the song was inspired by a feeling he got when reading microfiche newspapers in the New York Public Library: "After a while you become aware of nothing but a culture of feeling, of black days, of schism, evil for evil, the common destiny of the human being getting thrown off course. It’s all one long funeral song." An apt description and a powerful song from a young songwriter.

Cover:


Thoughts on Cover Artist:
Long time favorites of RtBE, Mavis and The Staple Singers are American treasures. We have reviewed multiple albums from Mavis, seen her live a few times and really enjoy her spirit, voice and presence. 

Thoughts on Cover:
This is obviously cheating a little bit as just Mavis is playing Jazzfest, but she is singing lead here with Pervis. It is a strong song and repetition of the music drives that home, while not a personal favorite it is solid. Unfortunately we will be missing this Friday the 28th at Jazzfest, but if you are there make sure you check out Mavis.      

Friday, April 21, 2023

Full Show Friday: Terry & The Zydeco Bad Boys - Live on Swamp and Roll

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...Terry & The Zydeco Bad Boys!


Every April (and first week in May) we have a special showcase for bands who are playing this years Jazzfest in NOLA. Today we will focus on Terry & The Zydeco Bad Boys who will be playing Sunday May 7th.

Here we go with that zydeco! Get your dancing shoes on from Terry & The Zydeco Bad Boys live from Black Gold Casino and originally broadcasted by KDCGTV on their show Swamp and Roll.


Pro Shot, Pro Sound, Enjoy:

Thursday, April 20, 2023

GEARS Release New Single/Video "Fix What's Broken"

Last summer we shared a song from the hard rock Miami based outfit GEARS and now they are back with a new tune titled "Fix What's Broken"


Check out the heavy, nu-metal influenced, slamming effort below:

Album Review: Mike Tod - Mike Tod

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


It is of Mike Tod's self-titled debut album. 

Mike is a fan and collector of old songs and he sings a few here with great success. 

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

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Alberta Rockers The Hi-Tops Release New Single "Shiver"

The Alberta based alt-rockers The Hi-Tops have just released their new single "Shiver" off of their upcoming EP.

Check out the revved up, punk influenced rocker below:

Drive-By Truckers Releasing The Dirty South: The Directors Cut 6/16

The Drive-By Truckers are celebrating The Dirty South, revisiting the album and are offering The Directors Cut on 6/16.

Not just a re-issue, the album has added songs, and re-mixed and re-recorded vocal tracks on a few songs. You can pre-order it today and check out the new version of "Putting People on the Moon" below:



Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Album Review: Temples - Exotico

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


It is of Temples newest album titled Exotico


Lots of dance laden, electro rock and roll coming at you with this one from the British, Kettering based band. The album was also produced by Sean Ono Lennon

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

Monday, April 17, 2023

Dylan Cover #577 Cha Wa - Masters of War

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is a cover by Cha Wa playing "Masters of War"


All April (and the first week of May) RtBE focuses our Monday Dylan Cover Series on artists who are playing this years New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Today is Cha Wa who play the festival Sunday April 30th

Thoughts on Original:
From the first time we tackled a cover of this tune:
Ranking as one of his most accusatory and cutting tracks Dylan condemns the whole "war machine" on this classic and vital song (the "hope that you die" line is so facking cold, it is brutal). Often misrepresented as an attack on war itself (Dylan always said he wasn't a pacifist) this track calls out the government for using war-as-business (the Cold War in particular) and business-as-war models when lives are put on the line for meaningless reasons. As alive and burning now as it was in 1962 when he wrote it.
Cover:


Thoughts on Cover Artist:
Cha Wa are one of RtBE's favorites on the New Orleans scene these days.  There has been a major band shift resulting in The Rumble, who we like even more, but Cha Wa still brings the heat.  We LOVED this album, rating it high in our year end wrap up

Thoughts on Cover:
A great cover with guest Alvin Youngblood Jr. (who we saw at Jazzfest years ago) helping out. The group sets the spacey scene with percussion and smoky horn work.  The lyrics are sung powerfully and the New Orleans spirit is infused with Dylan's strong lyrics. An all around fantastic cover for this series. 

Friday, April 14, 2023

Full Show Friday: Jazmine Sullivan - Essence Fest 2021

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...Jazmine Sullivan!


Every April (and first week in May) we have a special showcase for bands who are playing this years Jazzfest in NOLA. Today we will focus on Jazmine Sullivan who will be playing Saturday April 29th.

Check out Jazmine Sullivan's set from Essence Festival in New Orleans from 2021.

Pro shot, Pro sound, Enjoy:


Thursday, April 13, 2023

Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band: Live Around NYC - Spring 2023

Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band: Live Around NYC - Spring 2023
4/1 Madison Square Garden, 4/3 Barclay's Center, 4/11 UBS Arena


Three nights, three separate arenas, over nine hours of music, Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band brought their larger-than-life rock show to the New York City area these past few days and delivered the goods, yet again.

I was lucky enough to catch them on my own mini-tour, at Madison Square Garden (4/1), Barclays Center (4/3) and UBS Arena (4/11) and was incredibly impressed by each outing with almost nothing critical to say.

Only a complete cynic or a fool could deny the power of this band which has been at it for over fifty years and still manages to blow it all out, song after song. When you consider the ages of the core group members – now in their seventies – the experience of seeing this outfit is nothing less than shocking.


Rather than cruise-control retirement shows they still give total effort and display a burning desire to rock. When you add in the five-piece horn section (Curt Ramm, Barry Danielian, Eddie Manion, Jake Clemons, Ozzie Melendez) and four backup singers (Curtis King Jr., Lisa Lowell, Michelle Moore, Ada Dyer) the incredibly full-bodied propulsion gives lift-off to the arena ready numbers. The motor of the whole production is, the about to turn seventy-two-year-old Max Weinberg whose drumming (highlighted particularly during the propulsive “Candy’s Room” on two of the nights) is fierce and a force to be reckoned with by anyone half his age.

Then there is The Boss himself, who, while perhaps not as active on stage as he once was, sings as strong as ever, is playing more leads than you might remember and continues to take his adoring fanbase in the palm of his hand and place them close to his heart each show. Simply put, the seventy-three-year-old is one of the great showmen in rock history and while I get tired standing for three hours a night watching, he seems like he could keep going another hour plus if the venues let him.


The three concerts stayed predominately to the same script with each era of Bruce’s robust career getting an airing. Like the early days of the looser freewheeling outfit? Then you are rewarded with a jazzy, solo filled “Kitty’s Back” and a percussion heavy “E-Street Shuffle”, the grooviest performance of this admittedly grooves deficient outfit. Revel in more recent memories with a splash of heartache? Perhaps “Wrecking Ball”, “Last Man Standing” or “The Rising” will get your hands raised and tears flowing. The desire is there for a few covers? “Nightshift” is smooth and “Trapped” had two airings to huge crowd reactions Want hits? You are in luck; they never seem to stop.
 

Every night, three songs into the show, the band started “Prove It All Night” and each performance was a highlight. Max slammed the band forward, while Bruce delivers a searing closing solo with a crashing crescendo; 99% of rock bands would kill to close a show with this gem of a song, and E-Street are only three songs in. Not enough? “The Promised Land” arrives two songs later and with his harmonica, pinch of Americana and a hefty dose of good old rock and roll; The Boss and company proceed to tear the roof open again.

It speaks to his incredible career that Springsteen can still fill up arenas so expertly with super hits. Efforts like “Out in the Street” and “Backstreets” had the last rows in the buildings up and singing with unparalleled crowd responses. Each night also saw special songs arrive for the first time this tour. The Ranger fans in the Garden were treated to a beautiful “Jungleland”, the Brooklyn bums found out that “It’s Hard To Be A Saint In The City” and Long Island felt the thundering synth bass and bomb blasts of “Born In the U.S.A”; each bust out kept his rabid fans delighted.


That is where the real magic unfolds, in the crowds, as the encores roll out and the lights are turned on in the arena. The predominantly older audience get a chance, perhaps their last, to connect with their hero through the songs of their youth. “Tenth Ave Freeze Out” is a joyous explosion, “Thunder Road” evokes powerful past decisions, “Rosalita” praises the sense of adventures yet to come while “Glory Days” hits hard, as the majority in attendance easily recognize the truth, humor, and honesty contained in that tune.

However, nothing can hold a candle to “Born to Run”. On this tour it is delivered with an incredibly potent horn section that captures the essence of arena rock like no other. The crowds sing and dance, envisioning past senses of freedom, the open road, a future that was there for them, closing too soon…only to be brought back to the present with the knowledge of being alive, now, and vitally experiencing this song. A pinnacle moment in any music going fan's life; “Born to Run” is mega.


Rapturous applause and chants of “Bruuuuce” follow every move that Springsteen makes, and as he still delivers performances like these, it is easy to see why. I am no super fan of Springsteen, but I am a super fan of rock and roll in all forms, and this meaty, bombastic, straight ahead banging with a soulful legendary center tour of Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street band can make a believer of all in attendance any night, in any arena, anywhere. See them while you can.



New Single/Video from Adam Monaco for "Nevermind"

The Philadelphia based indie-folk artist Adam Monaco has released his newest single, a soothing mix of acoustic strings, voices and floating thoughts titled "Nevermind"

Check out the very pretty track below:



Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Album Review: Sial - Sangkar

Sial
Sangkar
***and1/2 out of *****


The newest offering from the Singapore based hardcore/punk band Sial is titled Sangkar (cage in English). A six song 7 inch/digital offerings that bursts with blistering energy and rage, but also remains listenable and even catchy at times. 

Arriving on London's LA VIDA ES UN MUS DISCOS, the brief outing is instantly ear catching and mosh inducing. The songs never take a breath as the group are blazing right from the opening "Tali" as the hard and infectious punk slams with bass bumps, guitar screeches and penetrating female vocals in the Malay language.   

A slow burning buzz starts "Hasta" which pumps up like an evil sounding, sped up "Cherry Bomb" using echoing screams. The drums slam and the low end pushes the excellent ""Sia-Sia" which delights with a mid-song whip saw guitar break before a hardcore breakdown that manages to remain groovy as hell. 

The hits literally keep coming as "Gilas" builds with dramatic punk flair before slamming straight ahead with old-school thrash vibes, while the huge drums highlight the title track that ends with psychotic laughter. The noise intro lasts briefly before the straight up thunder of the closer "Mana" as the group wraps up this short but exhilarating release. 

Sial (which translates roughly to Unlucky) are strong and powerful throughout Sangkar, while also remaining enjoyable over it's eleven minute run time; excellent hardcore/punk rock in any language. 
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Support the group, buy the album and peep some video below:

Blondshell Debuts New Single "Salad" and UK Tour Dates

Blondshell (aka Sabrina Teitelbaum) delivers her newest single "Salad".


Check out the NYC based artists new track below, which has a Cranberries sound and dark humor floating through the lyrics. Lots of talent here and RtBE will be reviewing the full album very soon. 

Catch her on tour in the UK, dates under "Salad":


Blondshell UK Live Dates
11th May - The Great Escape, Brighton
12th May – The Great Escape, Brighton (w/ The Pretenders)
24th May – Moth Club, London
25th May – YES, Manchester
26th May – The Louisiana, Bristol
27th May – Wide Awake Festival, London

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

Album Review: Matthew Logan Vasquez - As All Get Out

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


It is of Matthew Logan Vasquez's newest solo release, As All Get Out.


RtBE have been fans of MLV for a while and this album is up and down, but good overall.  

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

New Video from The Stone Eye "Not My Circus"

Philly's The Stone Eye have a new video for their tune "Not My Circus"


The track sounds as if Alice and Chains listened to "Sun King" by The Beatles on repeat during a black out, got up and tried to write a new track, subconsciously influenced.  

Check it out:


Monday, April 10, 2023

Dylan Cover #576 Los Lobos "Billy 1"

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's artist is Los Lobos covering "Billy 1"  

All April (and the first week of May) RtBE focuses our Monday Dylan Cover Series on artists who are playing this years New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Today is Los Lobos who play the festival Sunday April 30th

Thoughts on Original:
On one of the strangest albums of Bob's career sits "Billy 1". Having never done a score for a movie, Dylan mixed forgettable background music with some strong originals for Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid. A few of those originals have blown past the album in status (see "Knockin' On Heaven's Door"). "Billy 1" never could escape the albums weird fate though. Not very well known, yet is it that much different than Bob's work a few years later on say Desire?!? Well maybe, anyway, it is a neat little tune. According to Dylan's site, he has only played it once live..so it is ripe for interpretation. 

Cover:


Thoughts on Cover Artist:
Los Lobos are one of the great all time acts and after seeing them last December live for the first time, we are excited to have an opportunity to check them out again on Sunday the 30th down in New Orleans. 

Thoughts on Cover:
The group amps up their Tex-Mex sound with Mexican instrumentation while digging into the southwestern tale. A tailor made cover from one of the great American bands cover a great American artist with Mexican flair. While I stated earlier this song is ripe for covering, Los Lobos may have made the definitive version right here.   

Friday, April 7, 2023

Live Stream: Doom Flamingo & Big Something @ 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: Doom Flamingo & Big Something

If you can't get to Brooklyn Bowl tonight, you can still live stream the show on FANS

To get in the mood here are tunes from both bands. 


Full Show Friday: Leon Bridges 7/30/2016 Lollapalooza, Grant Park, Chicago

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...Leon Bridges!


Every April (and first week in May) we have a special showcase for bands who are playing this years Jazzfest in NOLA. Today we will focus on Leon Bridges who will be playing Thursday May 4th.

Here is Leon's set from back in 2016 at Lollapalooza in Chicago.

Pro Shot, Pro Sound, Enjoy:

Thursday, April 6, 2023

NOLA's The Rumble Announce Debut Album and Tour

RtBE's favorite new New Orleans based act, The Rumble, have announced their debut album Live at The Maple Leaf.

To support this they also announced their first expanded tour and will be coming to New York City. As fans who have seen the band multiple times in NOLA, we can't wait to catch them in the big city. 

Grab the album, catch a show and peep some video below:

New Song from Silver Synthetic "The Door"

One of RtBE's favorites Silver Synthetic are back with a new tune, "The Door". 


RtBE really dig the group, having caught them live, reviewed their debut album, and ranked it highly on our year end list from 2021. Their new tune, "The Door" continues their trend of taking '60's pop/psych rock influences and sprucing them up with a dash of energy, harmonies and sense of wonder. 

"The Door" sounds like The Byrds had a few too many margaritas on a sunny afternoon with friends and are now running late for their dinner date. Check it out below:

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

New Single/Video from Detroit's Austin Mulka "6-MAM"

The Detroit based rocker Austin Mulka has released a new single titled "6-MAM"


Check out the heavy, 90's alternative inspired track below.

Album Review: Mike Dillon & Punkadelic - Inflorescence

Mike Dillon & Punkadelic
Inflorescence
***and1/2 out of *****


The follow up to Mike Dillon's triple release in 2020 is Inflorescence, as he continues to spin his mix of vibraphone sounds with ease and a deft touch. 

In listening to the record, two words kept creeping into my head, 'Frantic' and 'Groove'. Dillon, along with his talented band mates (Brain Haas - Fender Rhodes, Piano, Bass Moog, Melodica and Nikki Glaspie - Drums, Cymbals, Vocals) waver between these two points with grace and power. The trio dip into insane waters only to ease back and find a groove with marvelous accuracy. 

The opening "Desert Monsoon" embodies both the frantic and the groove as keys, bass, and ooh/ahh vocals percolate. Dillon's vibes dominate the title track which uses a distorted rock ending successfully while "Slowly But Surely" overflows with ideas. Electro keys and drums highlight the brief "Stravinsky Spectacles" and "Slippery Slope" is perfectly titled with it's descending motifs while the swooning "Pandas" deploys the squeeze box and Dillon's dexterous vibe work. 

The closing "Never Been To Paris" is a a bit of a rehash and the aimless carnival sounds of "Homer and Debs" wanders too long, but the group really display their talents on a few numbers. Glaspie's drums drive the best groove (on an album full of them) as "Apocalypse Daydream" pumps forward with Haas' bass and "Devil's Playground" is the overall best of the bunch with it's rhythm bumping and exclamations of "yeah" which feel organic and well earned. 

Mike Dillon and Punkadelic's Inflorescence is a strong collection of numbers that range from the chaotic to the head bopping as Dillon, Haas and Glaspie know how to groove and freak it out with the best of them.  
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Support the artists, buy the album and peep some video below:

Tuesday, April 4, 2023

Deux Furieuses Release New Video for "Let Them Pass"

The UK post punk outfit deux furieuses mark the third anniversary of lock down with a new video for their tune "Let Them Pass"



Check out the pandemic inspired video below:

Album Review: The Hold Steady - The Price of Progress

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


It is of The Hold Steady's newest album The Price of Progress.  


It is a return to form for the band after Open Door Policy, which is our least favorite album from them. Each song here plays out like an indie film. The songs are strong, well constructed and affecting. While perhaps the album doesn't rank with their all-time best, it certainly can join Thrashing Thru The Passion as a reminder that even these days the band can still get it together.  

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


Monday, April 3, 2023

Dylan Cover #575 Larkin Poe "New Pony" 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 Larkin Poe playing "New Pony"


All April (and the first week of May) RtBE focuses our Monday Dylan Cover Series on artists who are playing this years New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Today is Larkin Poe who play the festival Thursday May 4th

Thoughts on Original:
From the first time we tackled a cover of this song:
Street Legal is a messy mid-life Dylan outing that is odd for many reasons. "New Pony" is probably the first of those oddities, coming on the heels of album opener "Changing of the Guards". This slow, drawn out blues based number lazily rides the country with over done backing vocals helping Bob and the old nag along. The tune brings in a saxophone and conga drums as it fades out. A fairly forgettable song on a fairly forgettable album. 

Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
RtBE have heard Larkin Poe a few times as the roots rock band have been on our peripheral radar. Here's hoping we get to catch them down in New Orleans in a few weeks. 

Thoughts on Cover:
I have a sneaking suspicion that Larkin Poe may have heard another group (who we featured a few months back) covering this song and given it a shot based on The Dead Weathers version.  I could be wrong but this more rock than country version fits that mold. Anywhichway, this loose cover is steeped in the blues, guitar solos and a manic live feel. Very cool, maybe they will break it out at Jazzfest.