Dylan Cover #688 Todd Snider "The Man In 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 Todd Snider playing "The Man In Me"

Thoughts on Original:

From the first time we tackled a cover of this tune:
Almost a forgotten throw away track from Bob, which proves how great he really is, this peach of a song originally appeared on New Morning. The famous La-la-la's are so unlike Bob it instantly stands out as unique in his back catalog. "The Man In Me" is playful, loving, sincere yet deceptive. It took on an added life after showing up in the cult classic The Big Lebowski and now has a whole new generation digging its quirky sounds.  

Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:

RtBE did a special focus on Todd Snider covering Dylan back in December for a month, but we didn't get to this full band live gem. So it enters the Dylan Cover Series now instead. 

Thoughts on Cover:

A shaggy, rollicking full band cover from Snider and crew that is a bit wooly and unkept. Strong vocals, guitar bass and drum. A fun ramble through a fun tune. 

Happy 55th Anniversary to The Stooges Fun House

Today marks the 55th Anniversary of The Stooges sophomore release Fun House. 

This iconic record marked a step up from their debut and still sounds raucous today. 

Enjoy The 4th of July with The Grateful Dead

The United States celebrates it's Independence today, and while the country has deep rooted issues and problems we are dealing (and not dealing) with, it is still the best country mankind has founded in our sordid history. So enjoy the outdoors, hanging safely with friends, and living life. What better soundtrack for that is there than The Grateful Dead?!?!

We took the opportunity a few years back to talk about the Best American Band question on July 4th. Now (in a tradition started years ago) we are just giving you our answer in concert form, the Grateful Dead's July 4th 1989 concert. What a doozy! It is the perfect time to bust it back out and get Truckin' Up To Buffalo.

Album Review: Ferris Blusa - And That's When I Saw Gawd

Ferris Blusa

And That's When I Saw Gawd

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

For his album And That's When I Saw Gawd, the New Orleans based hip hop artist Ferris Blusa partnered with the Madison, WI based producer Observe Since 98 to craft a full length flowing album that thematically holds together questioning televangelism, religion and more. 

Album Review: Valerie June - Owls, Omens, and Oracles

Valerie June

Owls, Omens, and Oracles

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

On her recent releases the Memphis, TN based artist Valerie June had been focusing on softer, slower, relaxing, acoustic efforts. With her sixth studio full length, Owls, Omens and Oracles, June has returned a bit to her indie-rock roots as June mixes grandiose soul, modern r&b, pop and gospel coloring the sound and tone. 

Album Review: Patterson Hood - Exploding Trees & Airplane Screams

Patterson Hood

Exploding Trees & Airplane Screams

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

The fourth solo studio album from Patterson Hood is titled Exploding Trees & Airplane Screams and it continues his personal tales of odd occurrences and knack for effective story telling through ten songs. Some of the tunes are about Hood's childhood and were written in the 70's while others deal with adulthood and were written much more recently during the Covid lockdown. 

New Single/Video from Hail The Sun "The Drooling Class"

The Chico, California based, post-hardcore band, Hail The Sun have a new single/video out, "The Drooling Class".

Check out the slamming video and tune below:

Album Review: Durand Jones & The Indications - Flowers

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

It is of Durand Jones & The Indications - Flowers. 

A retro soul album, in the vein of The Stylistics, delivers a pleasant ride. 

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

New Single from T-Ray The Violinist "High Vibration"

The New Orleans, LA based T-Ray The Violinist has a new single out "High Vibration".

Check out the dramatic mix of hip-hop, strings and more below:

New Video/Single from Madeline Kenney "Semitones"

The Oakland, CA based artist Madeline Kenney has a new single/video out for her song "Semitones".

Dylan Cover #687 Phil J Gray "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" 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 Phil J Gray playing "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" 

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 June we highlight live Dylan covers from Phil J Gray 

Thought's on Original:

From the first time we reviewed a cover of this tune:

This song is so iconic and flat out awesome, even people who dislike Dylan have to enjoy this tune right? Biting and yet not bitter, a toss off of the grandest proportions, "Don' Think Twice, It's All Right" is epic and yet so straight forwardly simple. It easily ranks as one of the bard's best works, truly a classic and has been covered by so many people in so many ways.

Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist

Back in October 2024 we came across Mr. Gray, aka MUSIC MAN and dug his style of straight ahead, live acoustic Dylan covers. Turns out he does a bunch, so all month we will focus on him and his Bob covers.

Thoughts on Cover

A great spin through an excellent song. We end our month of June's special focus on a high note with Mr. Gray! Thanks for reading and listening. 

Full Show Friday: The Ventures 30th Anniversary

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 Ventures!

With summer kicking into high gear here in NYC, let's get some surf rock flowing for our Full Show Friday this week. This show was originally recorded in 1983 but wasn't released until 1989, the 30th anniversary of the band. 

Pro shot, Pro Sound, with a ton of guest. Full set list below. Enjoy!

The Ventures 30th Anniversary 00:00 1 Wipe Out / Guest / MAX WEINBERG 03:45 2 Tequila / Guest / JEFF BAXTER 06:36 3 Apache / Guest / PETER FRAMPTON 09:28 4 Memphis / Guest / RICK DERRINNGER 12:50 5 Telstar / Guest / CHRIS SPEDDING 15:11 6 Out Of Limits / THE RAYBEATS 17:05 7 Perfidia / Guest / ROBBY KRIEGE 19:18 8 Slaughter 0n 10th Avenue 21:21 9 Sleep Walk / Guest / JEFF BAXTER 24:40 10 Bumble Bee Twist / Guest / ROBBY KRIEGER 27:03 11 Let's Go 29:17 12 Hawaii Five-o / Guest / MAX WEINBERG 31:49 13 Pipeline / Guest / PPETER FRAMPTON & CHRIS SPEDDNG 34:59 14 Walk Don't Run The Ventures Don Wilson / Guitar Nokie Edwards / Guitar Bob Bogle / Bass Mel Taylor / Drums

Live Review: Dr. Dog 6/21/25 Forest Hills Stadium Queens NY

Dr. Dog

6/21/25 Forest Hills Stadium Queens NY

The Philadelphia based Dr. Dog ceased touring in 2021 but have not retired. They released their excellent self titled album last year and occasionally play a few shows here and there. The groups largest NYC headlining concert to date took place on Saturday night June 21st at Forrest Hills Stadium in Queens.  

Happy 50th Anniversary to Bob Dylan and The Band's The Basements Tapes

Happy 50th Anniversary to Bob Dylan and The Band's The Basements Tapes. 

One of the great albums of both artists career, and the start of bootleg/outtakes albums that spawned a whole industry. 

Album Review: Lukas Nelson - American Romance

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

It is of Lukas Nelson's American Romance. 

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

Live Review: Goose - 6/23/25 Racket NYC

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

It is of the recent Goose show from 6/23/25 at Racket in Manhattan. Thanks to Greg for taking me to my first Goose show. 

Album Review: HotlineTNT - Raspberry Moon

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

It is of Hotline TNT's newest release Raspberry Moon, out now on Third Man Records. 

The album is really solid for fans of pretty guitar rock. 

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

New Single from Lori Rayne "The One That Ran Away"

The Nashville, TN based artist Lori Rayne has released her newest single, "The One That Ran Away". 

Check out the track that mixes up a lot of genres below:

New Single/Video from Sabine McCalla "Could You Be Love"

New Orleans based artist Sabine McCalla has a new video out for her single "Could You Be Love"

Check out the smooth flowing, throwback R&B track below:

 

Dylan Cover #686 Phil J Gray "Desolation Row" 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 Phil J Gray playing "Desolation Row" 

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 June we highlight live Dylan covers from Phil J Gray 

Thoughts on Original:

From the first time we tackled a cover of this track:

A magnum opus of early Dylan. A song that is mystical and heated, politically charged while never explicit. One of the more expansive songs he has written and an early indicator that Dylan was on another level lyrically. From Ezra Pound to Bette Davis there are literary references, pop culture bits and a complete fabled world that comes alive in the ears. A true high point when it comes to Bob Dylan songs.

Cover:

 

Thoughts on Cover Artist:

Back in October 2024 we came across Mr. Gray, aka MUSIC MAN and dug his style of straight ahead, live acoustic Dylan covers. Turns out he does a bunch, so all month we will focus on his tunes.

Thoughts on Cover:

Gray takes a bit of Dylan's exhausted defeatism out of the tune with this live cover. An impressive cover as this tune is a beast to take on, and Gray does a good job in his particular style.  

Full Show Friday: Yuck Live In Concert: NPR Music At SXSW 2011

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...Yuck!

This week we go back to the alt-rock of Yuck in 2011. This tour came after their debut release which RtBE reviewed. Check out the pro-shot, pro-sound, set list below. Enjoy!

5:09 - Holing Out 9:13 - The Wall 13:14 - Shook Down 16:57 - Suicide Policeman 21:48 - Get Away 26:09 - Suck 31:03 - Operation 34:55 - Rubber

Album Review: The Hallelujah Ward - Everybody Swoons

The Hallelujah Ward

Everybody Swoons

*** out of *****

The debut full length release from the Milwaukee, WI based trio The Hallelujah Ward, Everybody Swoons, is a twinkling mix of indie rockers as the eight tracks presented here show a band tackling a few different sub genres while buzzingly moving forward.    

Album Review: Bo Dollis Jr. & The Wild Magnolias - Chip Off The Old Block

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

It is of Bo Dollis Jr. & The Wild Magnolias - Chip Off The Old Block

Album Review: Joan Osborne - Dylanology Live

Joan Osborne

Dylanology Live

*** out of *****

Back in 2017 Joan Osborne released a collection directly titled Songs of Bob Dylan, (RtBE highlighted a few in our Monday Dylan Cover series) and her newest release, Dylanology Live features a selection of songs from the follow up tour. Osborne sings with dynamics and a few key guests stop by to help liven up the sound. 

New Single/Video from Electric Litany "Diamonds"

The London based Electric Litany have a new video out for their synth laden tune "Diamonds"

Check it out below:

Album Review: WITCH - SOGOLO

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

It is of WITCH's newest release SOGOLO. 

New Single/Video from Sports Team "Boys These Days"

The London based indie rock outfit Sports Team have a new single/video out for the title track from their new album "Boys These Days"

Regarding the video...

Album Review: Brittany Davis - Black Thunder

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

It is of the sophomore release from Brittany Davis titled Black Thunder. Davis is an exciting up and coming artist to keep an eye on.

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

Dylan Cover #685 Phil J Gray "Positively 4th Street" 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 Phil J Gray playing "Positively 4th Street" 

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 June we highlight live acoustic Dylan covers from Phil J Gray

Thoughts on Original:

From the first time we tackled a cover of this song:
There are two songs I go to when I think of mean, spiteful, angry, hurtful, badass Dylan and this is one of them. Young but full of piss and hate, Dylan sings this tune to obviously someone he can't stand. I really don't care who it is specifically about, because that rarely, if ever, matters in songs, but Dylan rips into them here. It is a good one for any artist to use to lash out at slights (real or perceived). It has never been one of my favorites, but it is hard to deny how powerful this tune is. 

Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:

Back in October 2024 we came across Mr. Gray, aka MUSIC MAN and dug his style of straight ahead, live acoustic Dylan covers. Turns out he does a bunch, so all month we will focus on his tunes.

Thoughts on Cover:
Out of all the covers we are sharing from Mr. Gray this month, this one is the toughest fit for his style. He plays very upbeat, and sings with a palpable radiating positive energy that the meanness of Dylan's words doesn't really match. A solid effort though on a brutal song. 

Full Show Friday: Bikini Kill @ Macondo, Los Angeles, CA 4/25/93

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...Bikini Kill!

Check out the riot grrrl legends from Macondo, Los Angeles California in 1993. Fan shot and original sound. 

Album Review: Eric Johanson - Live in Mississippi

Eric Johanson

Live in Mississippi

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

The blues rocking guitarist and songwriter Eric Johanson's newest release, Live in Mississippi, captures his raucous live sound as the New Orleans based artist mixes up the blues, rock and roll, soul and a touch of voodoo. 

New Single from Nicolette Marie "Only One"

The Nashville based pop artist Nicolette Marie has released a new dance ready track "Only One"

Check out the club focused electro number below:

Album Review: Grateful Dead - Dave's Picks 54 Baltimore, MD 3/26/73

Grateful Dead 

Dave's Picks 54 Baltimore Civic Center 

Baltimore, MD 3/26/73

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

Standard disclaimer: When reviewing any Grateful Dead release at this point, it needs to be noted that a lot of the truly great shows from the band have already been professionally released. (If you are new to the band, check out RtBE's Beginners Guide to The Grateful Dead Part's one and two.) With their vast back catalog on archive.org and all of their previous releases, the band's selections are running thin when it comes to must own, professionally released concerts.

That said, the band still release shows because rabid fans (RtBE included) will listen to everything they put out. So let's dive in...

New Single from The Dirty Nil “Spider Dream”

The Hamilton, Ontario based outfit The Dirty Nil have a new single out, "Spider Dream".

Check out the tune below:

Album Review: Frankie and the Witch Fingers - Trash Classic

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

It is of the new release from Frankie and the Witch Fingers, Trash Classic. RtBE dug their recent live album and loved their previous studio release, Data Doom,  ranking it as one of our favorites from 2023. This one is a bit different, no Afrobeat and more spastic energy, which we like less. 

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

Happy 40th Anniversary to Bob Dylan's Empire Burlesque

Happy 40th Anniversary to Bob Dylan's Empire Burlesque. 

While not considered one of his classic records,  Empire Burlesque has some interesting moments. The biggest issue/stumbling block in re-visiting the record, outside of the hideous cover art, is just how 80's sounding it is. Self-produced by Dylan, he let Arthur Baker (New Order, Afrika Bambaataa) do the final mixing and the result was a very of-the-time sound in 1985.

Dylan Cover #684 Phil J Gray "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go" 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 Phil J Gray playing "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go" 

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 June we highlight live Dylan covers from Phil J Gray  

Thoughts on Original:

Arriving just after "Idiot Wind" the breezy "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go" acts as a breather on Blood on the Tracks, but on it's own it is a gorgeous little number. A poetic love song that feels fresh every time it slips into the ear as the protagonist is in a world of bliss and doesn't want it to end, but knows it always will. Miles away from "Idiot Wind", but just as vital, showing off Dylan's easy charm and flowing word play/vocal style, I mean how cool is the "I’ll look for you in old Honolulu San Francisco or Ashtabula" run through?   

Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:

Back in October 2024 we came across Mr. Gray, aka MUSIC MAN and dug his style of straight ahead, live acoustic Dylan covers. Turns out he does a bunch, so all month we will focus on his tunes.

Thoughts on Cover:

A tune that fits Gray's performance style wonderfully and he does a bang up job. 

Full Show Friday - Prince Live 9/9/88 Dortmund Germany

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...Prince!

Back to 1988 over in Dortmund Germany this week for our Full Show Friday with none other than Prince whose birthday would have been celebrated tomorrow. So we are celebrating a day early. Pro shot, Pro sound, Enjoy!

 

Album Review: My Neptune - Despina

My Neptune

Despina 

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

The debut EP, Despina, from the New Orleans, LA based My Neptune is a bittersweet slice of restrained dream-pop, as the quartet exhales around pensive tunes that vibrate, sway and swell. 

New Single from Darko "Canvas"

South England’s progressive punk outfit Darko have released their newest single "Canvas".

Check out the short, aggressive, filled with changes and tone track below: