Happy 45th Anniversary to Motörhead's - Ace of Spades

Happy 45th Anniversary to Motörhead's Ace of Spades.

The pinnacle of the band's career....

Full Show Friday: Joan Osborne - Infinity Music Hall 2014

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...Joan Osborne! 

Today we head back to 2014 for Joan Osborne at Infinity Music Hall in Hartford, CT. It is a nice mix of originals and covers. 

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

Tracklist: 01. intro 02. St. Teresa 03. Mongrels 04. Kitten's Got Claws 05. Work On Me 06. Game Of Love 07. Spider Web 08. One Of Us 09. Tupelo Honey 10. Rhymes 11. Brokedown Palace 12. credits

Happy 30th Anniversary to GZA - Liquid Swords

Happy 30th Anniversary to the GZA's excellent album Liquid Swords.

When you break down the Wu Tang's solo albums, Liquid Swords is always close to the top. 

Album Review: Eric Gales - A Tribute to LJK

Eric Gales

A Tribute to LJK

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

For his newest album, blues guitar slinger Eric Gales focused on a place as close to his heart as he could get, a tribute to his brother who passed away too young. A Tribute to LJK is dedicated to Emmanuel Gales also known as Little Jimmy King, a strong bluesman in his own right and someone who Eric always looked up to. Working with a solid band and a host of A-list blues guests, Gale has crafted a strong album that his big brother would be proud of. 

New Single/Video from Valerie June "Runnin' and Searchin'"

The Memphis, TN based artist Valerie June, has a new single out "Runnin' and Searchin'". 

RtBE are big fans of June, reviewing all of her albums dating back to 2013, ranking her in a bunch of our favorites lists and even getting her in the Full Show Friday series. 

She sounds great again on her newest single, check it out below:

Album Review: Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country - Horizons

Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country

Horizons

*** out of *****

The newest release from Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country, titled Horizons is a double album featuring fifteen tracks that fully luxuriate in (and for the most part keep separate) Donato's two great musical loves; classic country and modern jamband sounds.     

New Single/Video from Regrowth "Downpour"

The Cagliari based metal outfit Regrowth have a new video/single out "Downpour" 

Check out the screaming and slamming tune below:

Album Review: Cate Le Bon - Michelangelo Dying

Cate Le Bon

Michelangelo Dying

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

Cate Le Bon had another album she was working on when she realized she couldn't avoid the pain of her relationship break up, so she ditched that record and focused on Michelangelo Dying. It is an album on the Mexican Summer label that is full of heartache, longing and rebirth around Le Bon's cinematic sound structures of warped synths, languid guitars and looping beats. 

New Single from Louis O'Hara "Magpie"

The Pembroke Dock, West Wales based singer/songwriter Louis O'Hara has a new single out, "Magpie".

Check out the easy flowing effort below:

Album Review: George Porter Jr. and Runnin' Pardners - Porter's Pocket

George Porter Jr. and Runnin' Pardners

Porter's Pocket

*** out of *****

The newest offering from the legendary George Porter Jr. and Runnin' Pardners is a breezy nine song album of instrumentals that bump and shimmy. Porter's Pocket feels easy and natural, as if the band just started jamming and hit record. 

Dylan Cover #705 Sophie Zelmani "Most of the Time"

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's it is Sophie Zelmani performing a live cover of "Most of the Time" 

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.

For November 2025 RtBE will be showcasing covers that appeared on Masked & Anonymous: Music from the Motion Picture Soundtrack

Thoughts on Dylan Original
From our first cover take on this tune:
One of the best songs in Dylan's repertoire from any of his era's and also one of the most important, "Most Of The Time" proved Dylan was far from done as an artist.  Showing up on the return to form album Oh Mercy, "Most Of The Time" is a revelation with it's descending bass line and powerfully stark lyrics.  There is a palpable sense of desperation, longing,  sadness, a nervous sense of things are falling apart around singer; this tune touches a nerve and makes you stand up and take notice.

Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
This is the first time we have heard Sophie Zelmani who is a Swedish singer-songwriter

Thoughts on Cover:

A very cool understated cover that switches genders and works with Zelmani's quite vocals and subdued style.

Celebrating the Halloween Spirit Through Song

A few years ago, one of the best blogs out there, WFMU's Rock and Soul Ichiban (now called Boss Radio 66) put together a great collection of Halloween inspired tunes and playlists.

They have crafted one dealing with ghosts which you can directly download. Now there is also Weird-O-Matic streaming and a you can also drink a spooky cup o' Alligator Wine!

All of these are fantastic and as always Ichiban gives us old songs that are brand new to RtBE and also flat out awesome!

I mean how could we have missed The Bar-Kay's "Holy Ghost" for all of these years?

Damn that is some funky stuff. WFMU Rock and Soul Ichiban always delivers the goods, but in 2014 they got some help from their friends over at Fringe Factory who offered up a Halloween themed show themselves right here.

Below are a few songs that scream out Halloween to us. We got The Primates, The Sonics, The Upsetters, a tune by the fantastic Mummies, and of course it wouldn't be Halloween without the "Monster Mash" and Elvira. She closes out our Halloween focus with her Third Man Records release "2 Big Pumpkins" written by the B-52's Fred Schneider:

Full Show Friday: Misfits - Live @ Essen, Germany 1997

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...Misfits!

Happy 25th Anniversary to Outkast's - Stankonia

Happy 25th Anniversary to Outkast's Stankonia. 

The album proved to be the Atlanta, GA duos crowning achievement. 

Album Review: Lil Wayne - Tha Carter VI

Lil Wayne

Tha Carter VI

*and1/2 out of *****

If you thought waiting four years between Lil Wayne's major artistic statements, Tha Carter series, was long, you may have completely forgotten about him by now. Arriving seven years after Tha Carter V, comes Lil Wayne's fourteenth studio offering, Tha Carter VI. Unfortunately, Lil Wayne hasn't presented anything worth seeking out with this offering.  

New Single/Video from Maggie Koerner "Oaxaca"

The Shreveport, LA based singer songwriter Maggie Koerner has a new single/video out, "Oaxaca".

Her new album Upstate is out November 7th. Check out the powerfully haunting "Oaxaca" below:

Album Review: Wednesday - Bleeds

Wednesday 

Bleeds

**** out of *****

On their breakout album Rat Saw God, the Asheville, North Carolina based band Wednesday mixed loud feedback with pedal steel creating a "country-gaze" style that was exciting. On their follow-up, Bleeds, they shift gears again, not abandoning their country side, but pushing it more into the background in favor of alt-rock, punk and hardcore. This band feels vibrant, alive and ready to try anything on the successfully weird record. 

New Single from Lips of Strangers "Burn It Down and Start Over Again"

The New Brunswick, New Jersey based Lips of Strangers have a new single out, "Burn It Down and Start Over Again". 

Check out the pumping, new wavey track below:

Album Review: Robert Randolph - Preacher Kids

Robert Randolph 

Preacher Kids

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

The debut solo release from Robert Randolph is the talented pedal steel player's first on the historic Sun Records label and it is titled Preacher Kids. Randolph is a veteran of the music scene, having played for decades with his evolving Family Band, but has decided now is the time to step out with his first solo release on the classic label. 

New Single from James Hunter Six " Ain't That A Trip" with Van Morrison

The Essex, England based soul band the James Hunter Six have a new single out "Ain't That a Trip".

The tune features none other than Van Morrison. RtBE have been long time fans of the band, reviewing their past albums and catching them live which was one of our favorite shows of 2018.

Check out the cool tune below:

Album Review: Nova Twins - Parasites & Butterflies

Nova Twins

Parasites & Butterflies

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

The Nova Twins newest album Parasites and Butterflies continues the duo's sound expansion as Amy Love and Georgia South lean into their more hip-hop/pop flavored influences throughout their third record. Their heavier vibes take a noticeable backseat to more modern pop sounds and styles.  

Dylan Cover #704 Vicki Huang "Workingman's Blues #2" 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 Vicki Huang playing "Workingman's Blues #2"

Thoughts on Original:

From the first time we tackled a cover of this song:
One of Dylan's late career highlights, "Workingman's Blues #2" first appeared on Modern Times and was a stunning reminder of how Dylan can just completely nail it sometimes. The ease with which the piano and song flows out reminds of Dylan's best work, as if the song has always been there and he is just breathing it into existence at this time and place. It owes a debt to Merle Haggard, the Civil War, poet Henry Timrod and thousands of others, but is perfectly Dylan when it comes to the lyrics which bounce all over. A folk song, mistitled a blues song, for the workingman that feels aloof, pure Dylan

I may have been a bit down on the music of Modern Times in my original review (I have softened my stance a bit), but I was right about "Workingman's Blues #2", it stands with the greatest songs he has ever produced.   

Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
RtBE is new to Vicki Huang who is a an interesting artist with a host of different skill including playing a mean slide guitar. 

Thoughts on Cover:

Vicki focuses on piano for this one, delivering a very cool take on this powerful song. 

Happy 25th Anniversary to Medeski Martin and Wood's - The Dropper

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the release of Medeski Martin and Wood's album, The Dropper.

This record holds a special place with RtBE as we grabbed it right when it was released and really have dug it ever since.   

Full Show Friday: Wu-Tang - The Final Chamber 7/16/25 NYC Madison Square Garden

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...Wu-Tang Clan!

RtBE was at this show earlier this year, and just found it on youtube. Fan shot, fan sound, enjoy.

Album Review: Todd Snider - High, Lonesome and Then Some

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

It is of Todd Snider's newest album, High, Lonesome and Then Some. 

New Single from Alexis Plaen "Better Than Dead"

The Chicago based pop artist Alexis Plaen has a new single out "Better Than Dead".

Check out the neon glowing pop banger below:

Album Review: Brian Dunne - Clams Casino

Brian Dunne 

Clams Casino

**** out of *****

The Brooklyn based singer/songwriter Brian Dunne's newest solo album is a slice of modern NYC life as Clams Casino mixes lyrics that express exasperation and anger, wrapped up in folk rock and pop grandiose. 

New Single from Sofia Gillani "Vulnerability"

The London based pop artist Sofia Gillani has a new single out, "Vulnerability". 

Check out the pumping track below:

Album Review: David Gilmour - The Luck and Strange Concerts

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

It is of David Gilmour's newest live album, The Luck and Strange Concerts. Not sure how vital a third solo live album from Gilmour is at this point in his career, but there is no doubt the pristine sound (crucial for these songs) and Gilmour's playing has not diminished at all. 

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

Live Review: My Morning Jacket - Live 10/16/25 Brooklyn Paramount

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

It is of My Morning Jacket live on 10/16/25 at the Brooklyn Paramount. The show was a 20th anniversary celebration for their best album, Z. 

Support the artist, read the review, and peep some video below of a show a few days prior:

 

Album Review: Boyfriend - In The Garden

Boyfriend

In The Garden

*** out of *****

The multi-talented Boyfriend (Suzannah Elizabeth Powell) has released her newest album, In The Garden, dealing with one of the oldest stories out there, the creation of Adam and Eve from the bible. Never one to backdown from controversy, Boyfriend chooses to be more restrained on this concept record rather than dip into her more outrageous tendencies, keeping the album palpable to all. 

Dylan Cover #703 Adam Jarrett "John Brown" Live

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is a cover by Adam Jarrett playing "John Brown"

Thoughts on Original:

From our first time tackling a cover of this song:

An absolutely crushing anti-war song, that is a monster from Dylan and should be more famous. While "Masters of War" breakdown the war machine, "John Brown" addresses the human toll expertly. Musically it takes from the folk tradition, as lots of Dylan's early tunes do, but lyrical it expands upon the topic with passion and pain. A chilling tale of hurt and the cost of war, "John Brown" is an all-time great Dylan tune.  

Cover:


Thoughts on Cover Artist:
This is the first time RtBE has heard of Adam Jarrett before. 
  
Thoughts on Cover:

The acoustic cover is straight ahead with anger and venom coming through singing these tough words. Solid cover. 

Full Show Friday: Townes Van Zandt with Mickey White at AFRR 4-16-1988

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...Townes Van Zandt with Mickey White!

There aren't a lot of great videos of one of RtBE's personal favorites Townes Van Zandt playing live. This is a solid one. Pro Shot, Pro Sound, Enjoy:

Album Review: Kathleen Edwards - Billionaire

Kathleen Edwards

Billionaire 

*** out of *****

The singer-songwriter Kathleen Edwards returned in 2020 after almost a decade away from music, delivering the acclaimed Total Freedom. After a covers EP, she now releases Billionaire, a collection of ten tunes that move between generalities and specifics, produced by Gena Johnson and Jason Isbell who also play throughout the album. 

New Single/Video from Dwellings "Just A Man"

The Sacramento, CA based melodic, post-hardcore band Dwellings have a new single/video out for their tune "Just A Man". 

Check out the intriguing mix of metal, odd changes, a sense of pop sweetness in the tune below:

Album Review: Hot 8 Brass Band - Big Tuba

Hot 8 Brass Band

Big Tuba

*** out of *****

The new music from the GRAMMY nominated Hot 8 Brass Band was delivered under sad terms as the New Orleans outfit lost their sousaphone player and bandleader, Bennie Pete. The album, Big Tuba is a tribute to their fallen friend, who died way too young, as the band keeps the party rolling with heavy hearts. 

New Single/Video from h. pruz "Krista"

The Queens-based songwriter Hannah Pruzinsky has a new single/video as h. pruz titled "Krista". 

The dreamy, whispery, indie track floats by below, check it out:

Album Review: St. Paul and the Broken Bones - S/T

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

It is of  St. Paul and the Broken Bones self-titled offering.  

RtBE has reviewed all of SPatBB's albums and the last two did feel a bit stale and transitional. This one is rich and while not up to their first two offerings (Half The City and Sea of Noise), it is solid. 

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

New Single from Queen Quail "Last Night"

Berlin via Milwaukee indie pop/folk artist Queen Quail has a new tune out "Last Night"

About the song, the artist states the track emerged from:

Album Review: Jesse Welles - Pilgrim

Jesse Welles

Pilgrim

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

One of the fastest risers in the folk music scene Jesse Welles, releases music constantly on social media and his albums allow him to stretch out from his direct acoustic song. Pilgrim brings in a producer and guests expanding the prolific artists sound with some benefits and drawbacks. 

Dylan Cover #702 Paul Hall - "Bob Dylan's 115th Dream"

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 Paul Hall playing "Bob Dylan's 115th Dream"

Thoughts on Original:
From the first time we tackled a cover of this tune:
Showing up on one of Bob's greatest accomplishments Bringin' It All Back Home, "Bob Dylan's 115th Dream" always feels like a breather in the albums context. It is silly, the playful Dylan, a Dylan that still exists and can be forgotten about especially when getting "deep" into his serious songs. A vital part of Bob is his playful charm, and amongst the silliness and simple word play on this track he still manages to drop some bombs, " I said, 'You know they refused Jesus, too'/He said, 'You're not him'". A great example of a level of Bob's genius not often exhibit in this series, his playfulness. 

Cover:


Thoughts on Cover Artist:

This RtBE's first time coming across Paul Hall's music. 

Thoughts on Cover:
A different sort of cover. Very echoey and vibrating after opening with a long harmonica introduction. Paul Hart goes all in with lots strumming and swirling sounds as he goes through the crazy tale throwing in his own asides and chuckles to lighten the mood and move things along.  

 

Oh and RtBE obviously picked this for today because of the closing phrase, Happy Columbus/Indigenous People's Day.

I saw three ships a-sailin’
They were all heading my way
I asked the captain what his name was
And how come he didn’t drive a truck
He said his name was Columbus
I just said, “Good luck”

Full Show Friday: The Stylistics 10/11/24 Carnegie Hall NYC

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...The Stylistics!

Check out this show that took place almost exactly one year ago from the soul legends, The Stylistics.

 

Enjoy!

Album Review: Various Artists - Heart of Gold The Songs of Neil Young Vol 1.

Various Artists

Heart of Gold The Songs of Neil Young Vol 1.

*** out of *****

A new benefit album from Killphonic Records finds a host of A-List musicians covering Neil Young's classic tracks on Heart of Gold The Songs of Neil Young Vol 1. Proceeds from the album will benefit The Bridge School in Hillsborough, California.

New Single from Earls Of Babylon "Piece Of My Mind"

The bi-costal (Los Angeles/NYC) outfit Earls Of Babylon have new single out "Piece Of My Mind". 

Earls Of Babylon are the ongoing project from rock veterans Steve Conte and Brian Ray. About the song Conte states:

Album Review: Tedeschi Trucks Band - Tedeschi Trucks Band and Leon Russell Present: Mad Dogs & Englishmen Revisited Live at LOCKN'

Tedeschi Trucks Band 

Tedeschi Trucks Band and Leon Russell Present: Mad Dogs & Englishmen Revisited Live at LOCKN'

**** out of *****

In 2015 Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi decided to devote their LOCKN' set to a special performance. Having covered some of Joe Cocker's Mad Dog & Englishmen songs in the past (with rousing success) via their soul/rock group Tedeschi Trucks Band, the outfit worked up a full tribute to that album/tour even bringing onboard original members, including the musical director of the tour/show/album Leon Russell.  

Happy 45th Anniversary to the Talking Heads Remain in Light

One of the best albums of the 80's, Talking Heads Remain in Light turns 45 years old today. 

Album Review: Waylon Jennings - Songbird

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

It is of Waylon Jennings - Songbird. 

The album is the first of three Waylon Jennings posthumous albums, with brand new material, to be released by his son Shooter Jennings. That is pretty cool. Can't wait to hear the next two. 

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

New Single/Video from Kirby "NASTY"

The Mississippi based singer Kirby has a new single/video out for her single "NASTY".

Check out the funky as hell track below:

Album Review: Fishbone - Stockholm Syndrome

Fishbone

Stockholm Syndrome

*** out of *****

Going into the band's 46th year of existence, Fishbone saw some major changes and public feuds/ personal issues, as only Angelo Moore and Chris Dowd from the original band remain. Throughout all of the infighting the group felt inspired to release their most politically charged album, Stockholm Syndrome. 

Dylan Cover #701 Tim O'Brien "Señor (Tales Of Yankee Power)" 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 Tim O'Brien of the Dylan tune "Senor (Tales of Yankee Power)"

Thoughts on Original:
From the first time we talked about this tune:
A layered and moving song, the real highlight on a mixed up Dylan album (Street Legal), "Senor (Tales of Yankee Power)" is musically riveting and lyrically haunting.  Acoustic plucking, rolling drums and a forlorn trumpet color the tune musically while some straight ahead lyrics mix with the surreal and backup singers add "Oooh and Aaaah" behind the nasal delivery of the Bard.  Looking at the "Painted Wagon" and smelling the "Tail of the Dragon" are just two examples of bizarre lyrics that could pertain to nuclear war or something else entirely, making it all even more enchanting.  A gorgeous music background with perplexing lyrics and a strong vocal performance...yup, I dig this one a ton. 

Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
This is the first time RtBE has heard Tim O'Brien. He is a Nashville based singer/songwriter who has written tunes for Garth Brooks and the Dixie Chicks.

Thoughts on Cover:

A dynamite acoustic cover! The picking is excellent and pushes it towards bluegrass as does the quicker vocals. A really cool cover that is worth checking out.