Monday, June 13, 2022

Live Stream: Ben Folds - Stream This!

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: Ben Folds - Stream This!

Ben Folds is playing solo and live tonight, you can catch it over on mandolin

To get in the mood here is a video from the artist. 

Dylan Cover #534 floydion "I Threw It All Away"

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's artists, floydion doing a cover of "I Threw It All Away" 


This month we are doing another special focus in RtBE's Dylan Covers series. In the past we have highlighted The ByrdsCoulson-Dean-McGuiness-FlintThe HolliesJoan OsbourneMountainBetty LeVette , Reggae Covers and many more.

This month we highlight floydion for a full month of Dylan Covers.

Thoughts on Original:
One of the brief sweet gems on Nashville Skyline as Dylan shows off his new vocal style with ease. The lyrics are direct about him screwing up a relationship. Mountains and rivers are blatantly sexual as the track breezes by with Dylan not all that broken up by his mistakes. More of a "Woah is me, oh well, moving on" feel to the country tinged ballad. A personal favorite off of this outlier album in Dylan's catalog.   

Cover:


Thoughts on Cover Artist:
floydion aka Gerry van der Laan is a singer songwriter from Amsterdam who posts covers to his youtube channel. We found him and really dug his singing style and wanted to showcase him this month. 

Thoughts on Cover:
A sweet cover that stays fairly true but gets a light more classical feel, a touch removed from the American country tinged original.  Excellent vocals from floydion as he sings gloriously. 

Live Streams: Amanda Shires - Live From Relix Studios

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: Amanda Shires - Live From Relix Studios

Check out this afternoon's (2pm EST) free stream from the Relix Studios of Amanda Shires. 

To get in the mood here is some new music from her:

Friday, June 10, 2022

Live Streams: Governor's Ball Streaming On Twitch

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: Gov's Ball Streaming on Twitch

Check out Gov's Ball Twitch Channel as the NYC hip-hop/pop festival out at Citi Field will be streaming there all weekend. 

To get pumped check out some video below of Lil Wayne who was a late addition to the lineup, filing in for Migos


Full Show Friday: High On Fire - 12/7/19 @ The Regent Theater Los Angeles, CA

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...High On Fire!

One of RtBE's favorite metal acts gets the nod for this Full Show Friday the 13th as High on Fire graced the stage and were recorded at The Regent Theater in LA on 12/7/19. 

Not pro sound or video, but good enough for this Friday, full set list below. Enjoy:


0:01:09 - Blood From Zion 0:06:25 - Spewn From The Earth 0:11:24 - Steps Of The Ziggurat/House Of Enlil 0:21:08 - Rumors of War 0:24:23 - DII 0:28:31 - Speedwolf 0:33:55 - Fertile Green 0:39:45 - Devilution 0:44:50 - Carcosa 0:56:55 - Baghdad 1:03:59 - Freebooter 1:10:05 - Fury Whip 1:17:25 - Snakes For The Divine 1:27:14 - Electric Messiah

Thursday, June 9, 2022

New Single from Yify Zhang "Hallelujah"

The New York City based pianist/songwriter/indie-pop artist Yify Zhang has a new video for the single "Hallelujah"

Photo: Kevin W. Condon

Zhang had this to say about the track:
"Writing "Hallelujah" felt like a channeling experience. The song came out of nowhere. At first it was just the haunting few notes of the intro. I looped it over and over again until the words came. And when they did, the song became a confessionary tale. "Hallelujah" is a quiet anthem celebrating female triumph, killing all that dulls our power and spirit until we can live our fullest, unrestrained selves."
Check out the video and tune below:

Album Review: Slang - Cockroach In A Ghost Town

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

It is of Slang's debut release, Cockroach In A Ghost Town

This is some interesting rock that harkens back to the Alternative hey-day. It is a touch, poppy, a touch industrial, a touch all off-putting in a good way, like the title alone it conjures up images, not always soothing ones. 

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


Wednesday, June 8, 2022

New Single from Bonny Light Horseman, Full Album and Tour in the Fall

Back in 2020 Bonny Light Horseman's self-titled debut was some of the best Americana/folk RtBE has been lucky to listen to. Now the the trio of Anaïs Mitchell, Eric D. Johnson, and Josh Kaufman Have announced their second full length Rolling Golden Holy.

RtBE loved their debut and rated it high in our look back at 2020. The new album comes out in October with a tour to accompany it, but the first single, "California" is released today. Enjoy:

Album Review: The Surfrajettes - Roller Fink

The Sufrajettes 
Roller Fink
**** out of *****

From the first look at the popping album art you can tell the creativity is flowing on the debut, from Toronto's Surfrajettes. Not only do they have one of the coolest names for an all-female, surf rock instrumental outfit, their album is designed as a musical 'all-skate' down at your local rink.

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

Album Review: Drive-By Truckers - Welcome 2 Club XIII

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

It is of the Drive-By Truckers newest album Welcome 2 Club XIII

RtBE love DBT and have reviewed their albums for over a decade now, ranking a few super high in year end and decade end wrap ups. We also love them live a ton

This one doesn't immediately hit home as well as some others, but it may grow and is certainly full of tight tunes.

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



Album Review: The Frightnrs - Always

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

It is of The Frightnrs newest album, Always.

It is a good collection of rocksteady and reggae as the band pays homage to their deceased lead singer.

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



Monday, June 6, 2022

New Single from Plastic Rhino "Scream So Loud"

The Los Angeles based hard rock outfit Plastic Rhino have released their new single "Scream So Loud" off of their upcoming album Terminus

From the band: 

"'Scream So Loud' is about how us ladies are beyond over and done with toxic male dominated energy in our lives. From having things "Mansplained" to us over and over, to men in general doubting our talents and efforts in contributing to society. We are constantly questioned whether we have the knowledge on certain subjects we talk about, as well as our talents and power."

Listen to the track below:


Dylan Cover #533 floydion "Most Likely You'll Go Your Way And I'll Go Mine"

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's artists, floydion doing a cover of ""Most Likely You'll Go Your Way And I'll Go Mine"" 


This month we are doing another special focus in RtBE's Dylan Covers series. In the past we have highlighted The ByrdsCoulson-Dean-McGuiness-FlintThe HolliesJoan OsbourneMountainBetty LeVette , Reggae Covers and many more

This month we highlight floydion in our Monday's Dylan Cover Series.

Thoughts on Original:
From the first time we tackled a cover of this song:
It's that thin, that wild mercury sound. It's metallic and bright gold, with whatever that conjures up. Those are the phrases that Dylan himself used to describe the sound that he wanted on Blonde on Blonde. Safe to say he got it and perhaps never more so than on "Most Likely You Go Your Way And I'll Go Mine". That whirling organ that sounds like it may actually take flight, the tempo, the cutting lyric, hot damn this song is a joy. RtBE actually got to see him open a show way back with this one and it was a hoot, not as good as the original, but a gem to see live and hear anytime.
The closest I ever got to the sound I hear in my mind was on individual bands in the Blonde on Blonde album. It's that thin, that wild mercury sound. It's metallic and bright gold, with whatever that conjures up.
Cover:


Thoughts on Cover Artist:
floydion aka Gerry van der Laan is a singer songwriter from Amsterdam who posts covers to his youtube channel. We found him and really dug his singing style and wanted to showcase him this month. 

Thoughts on Cover:
This one is a stunner and the reason for this monthly showcase of floydion. We randomly found this while searching for Dylan covers on youtube and loved it whole heartedly. He takes an upbeat, spinning off the rails Dylan original and slows it down with gorgeous acoustic playing and vocals that are super heartfelt and soaring. He even infuses the lyrics with a more personal tone than the original. 

Covers like this are the reason RtBE continues this series as these reinventions are so cool to find and listen to.  Enjoy the monthly focus on this lesser known artist.  

Sunday, June 5, 2022

Happy 10th Anniversary to Japandroids - Celebration Rock

On this day ten years ago Japandroids released their best album Celebration Rock

RtBE are huge fans of the band and of this album in particular. We rated it high in our year end list of 2012 and our best of the decade list as well. 

Turn it on and play it loud to celebrate this joyful albums 10th anniversary. 


Friday, June 3, 2022

Live Streams: Digable Planets - Live from City Winery DC

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: Digable Planets - Live from City Winery DC

The long running hip hop act play City Winery DC tonight. You can live stream the show on Mandolin

To get in the mood, here is the groups biggest hit:

Full Show Friday: Aretha Franklin Fillmore West - 03/07/71

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...Aretha Franklin!



It is time for "The Queen of Soul" to jump into our Full Show Friday series. This is the official audio and video of this historic concert.  Full set list below. 

Pro shot pro sound, enjoy:

Aretha Franklin - Full Concert Recorded Live: 3/7/1971 - Fillmore West (San Francisco, CA) More Aretha Franklin at Music Vault: http://www.musicvault.com Subscribe to Music Vault: http://goo.gl/DUzpUF Setlist: 0:00:00 - Respect 0:03:57 - Call Me 0:08:52 - Love The One You're With 0:13:30 - Bridge Over Troubled Water 0:21:01 - Share Your Love With Me 0:25:04 - Eleanor Rigby 0:27:43 - Make It With You 0:32:36 - Don't Play That Song 0:36:15 - You're All I Need To Get By 0:41:02 - Dr. Feelgood 0:49:08 - Spirit In The Dark 1:04:44 - Spirit In The Dark (Continued) 1:14:06 - Reach Out And Touch (Somebody's Hand)

Thursday, June 2, 2022

4MAG NITROUS Release "Pillars of Strength" Single from ELECTRIC CONCEPTION"Album

Southern Louisiana's Heavy Rock/Metal band 4MAG NITROUS have signed with SODEH Records. Their album ELECTRIC CONCEPTION will be released on the label and they have also delivered a new video for their "Pillars of Strength" single.


Check out the single and video below. You can stream the full album on Spotify

Album Review: Delta Spirit - One is One

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

It is of Delta Spirit's newest release One is One

RtBE was not fans of their reunion release at all, this one is much better. They truly are the Bret Saberhagen of indie rock to these ears. 

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


Wednesday, June 1, 2022

Happy 30th Anniversary to Los Lobos Kiko

This is a week late, but we wanted to wish a happy thirtieth anniversary to the most successful of Los Lobos albums, 1992's Kiko

On May 26th 1992 the band released this album and while they had success in the past, this was the one that really sealed the deal as it spans Americana, Chicano, Rockabilly, Blues, Tejano, Roots and Psychedelic rock. In truth this band can do it all and is wildly underrated when it comes to their range, scope and success as songwriters/musicians. 

While RtBE dug their last album, when we reach for Los Lobos it is usually Kiko or their first album that gets played the most often. That said, any and everything we have heard from the band we have enjoyed. Here is hoping they keep rolling along.  

To celebrate 30 years of Kiko, buy the album and enjoy a few songs below:


Live Review: Rough Seven 5/8/2022 Maple Leaf Bar New Orleans, LA

Rough Seven
5/8/2022 
Maple Leaf Bar New Orleans, LA

The Morning Forty Federation were scheduled to play a late night Sunday show at the Maple Leaf Bar to wrap up the second weekend of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, but like lots of shows this year it was canceled because of Covid. Thankfully, Forty member Ryan Scully had his solo project primed to take over the slot as the Rough Seven ripped their unique mix of noise rock, gospel vocal passion, and avant-garde jams into the uptown club, taking over the time slot. 

Having just played the night before at BJ's in the Bywater, the group was primed and flowing. The fill in set found them without vocalist Meschiya Lake, but her absence allowed the band to flush out their noisier tendencies even more. Scully told everyone to breath, stretch and get ready to get their asses kicked by the band as the group stuck to the same set list as the previous night, opening with new rager "Orange Potatoes". 

The wah-wah effects of Rob Cambre's guitar and the pulsing keys of Ratty Scurvics rang out powerfully as the feedback dripped into "Had A Home". "Golden Parachute" had some ragtag slamming as Stoo Odom and Mike Andrepont pushed the group forward while Rick Hukill's trombone joined the fray. 

The elegant emotion of "Meltdown" was on full display as was the title track from the groups first album Give Up Your Dreams. The ballad "St. Anthony" had a harder edge as the group banged into the changes before a cataclysmic rendition of Etta James "I Would Rather Go Blind" saw Scully yelling and flailing, flinging himself all over the stage with furious abandon. 

That thrashing caused some haywire with the pedals and connections onstage, leading to a mini set break as vodka sodas were delivered to the stage and an impromptu gypsy jazz inspired "Shitting In A Bucket" broke out. The band vamped with the avant-garde jazz based Odom, Cambre and Scurvics (who were all playing the Maple Leaf for the first time) slashing in experimental style before the issues were fixed.  

The break energized the front man, as Scully lead the charge into the highlight of this night, a new garage rocker called "Where's My Phone". The straight ahead tune was a contorting journey, taking many volatile turns as Scully and Cambre traded riffs and the low end pumped up before dipping back into soft feeling, then reprising the garage noise clanging for a soaring final time. 

The band kept the fuzzy raucous sounds cooking for "Preacher By Day" and ended the set with their blisteringly emotional cover of Christina Aguilera’s "Beautiful" as all in attendance joined in. Every time the band plays live they need to be experienced as they twist emotions, rock hard as hell and deliver affecting, soul replenishing vibes while teetering on the edge of total collapse, screaming out into the humid New Orleans night. 
________________________________________
Simply put the Rough Seven are one of RtBE's favorite bands of all-time. They got it all, and while the sound isn't great in this video, you can check out this full show while it is up on Youtube: