Album Review: Pond - 9

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

It is of the band Pond's newest album, 9.

The Western Australia based, Tame Impala connected Pond has unleashed a 80's inspired freaky dance rock record with 9. 

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

New Single from Brass Queens Featuring Glen David Andrews

The Brass Queens are from Brooklyn, but they play their second line sound straight out of New Orleans. Their newest single features the New Orleans Treme Prince himself, Glen David Andrews.

The group and Andrews put their spin on the classic "Georgia On My Mind".  You can listen to the great cover below or on the bands bandcamp page. 

Album Review: Samantha Fish - Faster

 Samantha Fish 
Faster
***and1/2 out of *****

Over her last few albums Samantha Fish has been searching for a sound. From Appalachian folk, to Memphis soul to Blues rock, Fish has dabbled with everything. Her last offering Kill or Be Kind tried to combine it all while starting the obvious flirtation with modern pop. The ambitious Faster dives into those waters head first.   

From the album art tongue lick to the opening guitar licks, Fish is going all in on a modern sound. When she nails it, like on the ripping opening title track, the slinky dynamo "Twisted Ambition" and the organ over electric cackling feedback of "Imaginary War", she recalls the electro/rock/blues hybrid Jack White has displayed on his recent releases. Like those White records however there are a few misses and the album stutters along mixing inspiration with placid offerings ("Forever Together", "Crowd Control"). 

Working with  producer Martin Kierszembaum (Lady Gaga, Sting, Sheryll Crow), Fish has made her preferences known, injecting tons of synth into the swaggering "All Ice No Whiskey" which contains a killer solo, before "Hypnotic" focuses on bleeps and full on electro groove. "Like a Classic" finds the blues strut stepping up around the confident playing while the closer on this short album "All the Words" is a straight ballad focusing on Fish's singing and lyrics. 

Backing Fish are drummer Josh Freese (Guns N’ Roses, Nine Inch Nails, The Replacements), and bassist Diego Navaira (The Last Bandoleros) as the band rev up the punky "So-Called Lover" that has a distinct TV On The Radio "Wolf Like Me" feel. The most surprising contributor to the album though is Tech N9ne who ends "Loud" with his rhyme scheme. That track is a good barometer on the album, the quiet to arena rock loud of its title, from verse to chorus, has the markings of a major hit, the guest at the end should solidify it, but there is just something off, keeping the tune and Faster as a whole from the heights shot for.

This modern pop progression was obvious from Fish's trajectory and is the right move. She is a blues guitar dynamo who will be able to play live in acoustic or electric settings for the rest of her career commanding a loyal fan base. However, she has loftier goals and pop superstardom is not beyond her talents, unfortunately Faster is just a first step and there are some stumbles along the positive direction. 

____________________

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

Live Streams: Phil Lesh and Friends Live at the Capital Theater

For the last year live music was on lock down (like everything else in New York City). Live streams and old concerts have become essential for live music junkies like RtBE. Things are improving on the pandemic front in this city, but live streams will be an option for 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 always check out or 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: Phil Lesh and Friends Live at the Capital Theater

All month Phil will be bringing his friends to the Cap live, and you can stream each and every show if you can't make it in person. 

To get in the mood for this run here is some music from Phil and Friends way back from 1999 which RtBE wrote about a bunch:

Live Streams: Shorty Fest @ Tipitina's

For the last year live music was on lock down (like everything else in New York City). Live streams and old concerts have become essential for live music junkies like RtBE. Things are improving on the pandemic front in this city, but live streams will be an option for 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 always check out or 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: Shorty Fest 

The phenomenal Trombone Shorty's benefit tonight for his Shorty Foundation will be held Tipitina's and live streamed.

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Back in 2013 RtBE was privileged to attend the first of these benefit concerts and have attended a few more over the years.  It is a great cause, so watch the stream and please donate. 

Dylan Cover #500 Dead and Company - "Knockin' On Heavens Door" 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 Dead and Company playing "Knockin' On Heaven's Door".

This month we have a special focus on artists who will be playing the 2021 Jazzfest in New Orleans. Today we highlight Dead and Company who played Saturday October 9th.

Once again Jazzfest is canceled due to Covid. Hopefully it happens in April-May of 2022.

Thoughts on Original:
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...

Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
While we love the Grateful Dead here at RtBE, even going so far as to call them the Best American Band, Dead and Co are not our favorite post Jerry incarnation. Always nice to hear the boys playing any sort of music these days though, especially a good take on a classic. 

Thoughts on Cover:

Since we started this series with a version of the Dead covering a Dylan tune, (after switching our Monday's series from Dead shows to Dylan Covers in February 2011)  RtBE figured we would bring it back full circle with a Dead-ish cover for #500.  Shocking we kept this series going so long. Here's to the next 500 covers. 

The Dead and Dylan go hand in hand. It was the Dead who inspired Dylan to begin his Never Ending Tour, revamping his songs and playing style endlessly....As for the cover presented today...This version is slow and drawn out with poignant guitar solos and nice harmonies. Very well done. 

Live Streams: NolaXNola from Tipitina's All Week

For the last year live music was on lock down (like everything else in New York City). Live streams and old concerts have become essential for live music junkies like RtBE. Things are improving on the pandemic front in this city, but live streams will be an option for 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 always check out or 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: NolaXNola from Tipitina's

The NolaXNola mini festival is happening in New Orleans over the next two weekends. With Jazzfest canceled it is a way to keep shows going and get some money in the local economy.  RtBE will be headed down next week, but this weekend you can virtually attend all of the shows going down at the world famous Tipitina's:

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To get in the mood, here is Dragon Smoke playing Tipitina's back in 2019, the band will be at the venue on 10/12:

Live Streams: Finger Lakes Grass Roots Festival

For the last year live music was on lock down (like everything else in New York City). Live streams and old concerts have become essential for live music junkies like RtBE. Things are improving on the pandemic front in this city, but live streams will be an option for 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 always check out or 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: Finger Lakes Grass Roots Festival 10/8,9/21

The Finger Lakes Grass Roots Festival takes place the next two days. 

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You can stream it on Stage It.  To get in the mood here is Donna The Buffalo who are playing tonight:

Full Show Friday: Kermit Ruffins & The BBQ Swingers Live at the Blue Nile 5/27/16

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...Kermit Ruffins & The BBQ Swingers!

Every April we have a special showcase for bands who are playing this years Jazzfest in NOLA. In 2021 Jazzfest is happening in October, so we will have a special Full Show Friday this month. Today we will focus on Kermit Ruffins & The BBQ Swingers who will be playing Sunday October 10th.

Once again Jazzfest is canceled due to Covid. Hopefully it happens in April-May of 2022.

Here is the legendary Kermit Ruffins leading his band through a great set of tunes at one of his very familiar stomping grounds on Frenchman Street, Blue Nile. A fun upbeat set of tunes from back in 2016.

 

While not pro shot, the video and sound are excellent. Enjoy:

La Luz Share New Lyric Video for "Oh, Blue"

The newest full length release from La Luz is due out at the end of the month, but the band have dropped a new lyric video for the track "Oh, Blue"

RtBE are well acquainted with La Luz having written about them a bunch in the past, and we are looking forward to the new album. Peep the lyric video for "Oh, Blue":

Interview with Frank Migliorelli on New Album: We're Not Kidding Around

Did an interview with my friend Frank Migliorelli where we discussed the Dirt Nappers new album We're Not Kidding Around.

RtBE has covered the outfit before a few times, but this is different, Frank and crew developed a children's album and website that parents can enjoy as well. 

Read the interview, visit the site and peep the video for more, especially if you have young kids:

Live Streams: Jazz Festing In Place, Fall 2021, First Weekend

While this years uniquely scheduled Fall Jazzfest in New Orleans fell victim to Covid cancellation, WWOZ, the best radio station in the land, are still hosting their Jazz Festing in Place Fall Edition. The first weekend of their programing is starting tomorrow. 

You can tune in and listen live and now their cubes have been announced with a mouth watering, ear hole loving, ass shaking lineup:

Unfortunately this is how we celebrated the past few canceled Jazz Fests. Hopefully Spring 2022 finds RtBE back on the Fairgrounds.  Until then...Let's enjoy some of the bands WWOZ will be showcasing: 

Live Review: Dr Dog - 10/2/21 Terminal 5 NYC

Live Review: 

Dr Dog

10/2/21 Terminal 5 NYC 

The scruffy pop troubadours from Philly are making their final rounds this year as Dr Dog decided to put an end to touring life. While the band isn't breaking up, their road schedule is coming to an end...until their reunion tour at some point if every other band is a barometer. That said, Dr. Dog has been a favorite live act to catch and I have done so every tour they have rolled through NYC since the first time I caught them way back at the Mercury Lounge in a blizzard during the early days of 2006.   

Now wrapping up their road journey in New York City's Terminal 5, the outfit played to a semi full house as their well loved tunes continued to recall classic rock icons while injecting a bit of their own sauce into the mix.

Playing in front of a beach glass via post-it notes back drop, the band kicked open the night with "Lonesome" which sparked a revival like response from the crowd who were singing along with almost every word. Huge drums kicked into "Where Did All The Time Go?" as the band hopped around stage literally dancing in circles for "The Rabbit, The Bat, and The Reindeer" while "Survive" flashed a few bars of "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" out to the Saturday night crowd. The twinkling "How Long Must I Wait" had couples swirling while the folk stomp of "Nellie" shook and quaked. 

Dr. Dog's harmonies are their calling card and all vocals were on point this night as tunes like "Ain't It Strange", "Bring My Baby Back" and "The Truth" rang out gloriously. Both "The Beach" with its slow waltzing grandeur and "Shadow People" with it's dramatic soaring, contained blazing guitar work, proving to be highlights on the night. 

Set closer "Heart It Races" also was in top form as the band hit all the right notes during the eighteen song set before taking a bow. The encore which saw opener Elvis Perkins in Dearland join for "Die, Die, Die" and "Jackie Wants A Black Eye" was a hoot while Dr. Dog ended their touring days in NYC with, appropriately, "Go Out Fighting". 

On stage Dr. Dog has remained consistently excellent over the years that I have had the privilege of catching them, delivering powerful live sets that are musically dexterous and most importantly fun; they will be missed...if this is really the end. 

   

 

Michot's Melody Makers with Leyla McCalla Releasing EP and Video

The Louisiana/Haiti connection is always strong, but when Michot's Melody Makers and Leyla McCalla team up to release an EP and video, things get taken to a new level. Tiny Island is a special capturing of the partnership live. 

RtBE has reviewed both MMM and Leyla in the past (rating Capitalist Blues our favorite album of 2019 and on our top albums of the last decade list) and even promoted a past live stream they shared earlier this year. Very happy to see them team up for Tiny Island.  From the Press Release:

Tiny Island was recorded and filmed by firelight on the night of March 6 on – yes, a tiny island -- in a small pond on Michot's home in Prairie Des Femmes, Louisiana. Played entirely live, the performance was put together for a tour stop on Ned Sublette and Ariana Hall's NOLA Reconnect, a virtual visit to Louisiana with attendees from all over America and Europe. Featuring a deep sonic collaboration with the tiny island’s frog and insect population, the set captures a more intimate and acoustic performance than the higher-decibel, psychedelic shows the Melody Makers are known for.

Grab the album today from Nouveau Electric Records. Here is some music from the combo:

Michot's Melody Makers ft. Leyla McCalla from Fast Friends on Vimeo.

Leyla McCalla – cello & vocals Louis Michot – fiddle & vocals Mark Bingham – electric guitar Bryan Webre – standup bass Kirkland Middleton – drums & t-fer   Executive producer: Ned Sublette for Postmambo Studies Produced by Louis Michot Recorded by Kirkland Middleton Mixed and mastered by Mark Bingham Film production by Conner Reever and Samuel Aguirre-Kelly for Fast Friends productions   1. Two Step de Ste. Marie 2. Latibonit 3. Les Plats Sont Tous Mis Sur La Table 4. Blues de neg francais 5. Bluerunner / La Lune est Croche NER 1021 http://nouveauelectricrecords.com/

Album Review: Various Artists - The Daptone Super Soul Revue Live at the Apollo

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

It is of the Daptone's new live album, The Daptone Super Soul Revue Live at the Apollo. 

Daptone is one of the best labels going today, they consistently put out great music. RtBE has reviewed many excellent records from the NYC crew and written about the label a ton.  

This live album is more great music.  If you like soul music check this out, it is that simple. 

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

New Stevie Nicks Cover EP from Angela Sclafani Edge of Seventeen

The New York City based artist Angela Scalfani's newest release is a tribute to her favorite artist Stevie Nicks. 

During the Covid lock down Scalfani was searching for inspiration and while dealing with writers block so she turned to her muse, Nicks.  Produced by Katie Buchanan, this 4 song EP titled Edge of Seventeen is a tribute to Nicks as well as a breakthrough for Sclafani.

Grab the four song, covers EP in the program of your choice.  

Dylan Cover #499 The Beach Boys "Times They Are A Changin'"

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 The Beach Boys  playing "The Times They Are a' Changin'"

This month we have a special focus on artists who will be playing the 2021 Jazzfest in New Orleans. Today we highlight The Beach Boys who play Friday October 15th.

Once again Jazzfest is canceled due to Covid. Hopefully it happens in April-May of 2022.

Thoughts on Original:
Short and sweet from the first time we tackled a cover of this tune:
Well it is his most famous song for a reason, it is one of the greatest ever produced in any genre, ever.

Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
The Beach Boys are a classic group, but one RtBE has always enjoyed less than others from the era. Wilson, Love and the fellas are fine, just never really fell in love with Pet Sounds etc. It is just personal preference, but they won't be appearing in our next round of The Masters series. 

Thoughts on Cover:

A tossed off cover that feels like it was half-assed and while a lot of Dylan songs were recorded that way, and can be covered excellently that way, this one is a bit lacking. One of the songs that should be taken seriously when delivered.  

Live Streams: Ween - Three Nights Live From Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas

For the last year live music was on lock down (like everything else in New York City). Live streams and old concerts have become essential for live music junkies like RtBE. Things are improving on the pandemic front in this city, but live streams will be an option for 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 always check out or 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: Ween - 10/1,2,3/21 Live From Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas

A hell of a live stream this weekend as the Boognish invades Brooklyn Bowl LV!  Gonna be a brown weekend in sin city. You can stream it if you can't make it in person. 

Grab tickets here. To get in the mood, here is some live Ween:

Full Show Friday: Nile Rodgers & CHIC Live Kendal Calling 2019

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...Nile Rodgers & CHIC!

Every April we have a special showcase for bands who are playing this years Jazzfest in NOLA. In 2021 Jazzfest is happening in October, so we will have a special Full Show Friday this month. Today we will focus on Nile Rodgers & CHIC who will be playing Friday October 15th.

Once again Jazzfest is canceled due to Covid. Hopefully it happens in April-May of 2022.

The disco funk of Nile Rodgers & CHIC will kick off our monthly focus of bands who are playing this years Jazzfest. A special October edition of Jazzfest is happening this year and it should be a hell of a two week run for the best festival in the world. 

Pro shot, pro sound, here is the 2019 set from Nile Rodgers and Chic at the Kendal Calling festival. 

Happy 30th Anniversary to Public Enemy's Apocalypse 91...The Enemy Strikes Black

Thirty years ago today, Public Enemy released Apocalypse 91...The Enemy Strikes Black.

Some thoughts on a RtBE Personal Favorite...