The first album in over a decade from the New Orleans based heavy trio, Suplecs,is a collection of burly tracks that deal with tough topics such as death, divorce, suicide and addiction. Hymns Under A Blood Moon Sky may tackle overwhelming issues, but it is not despair filled as the group takes strength from their hometown, finding hope in hard times through music.
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 them, 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, including the ongoing Dave's Picks releases, the band's selections are running thin when it comes to must own, professionally released concerts.
That said, the Grateful Dead organization still release shows because rabid fans (RtBE included) will listen to everything they put out. So let's dive in...
In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is a cover by Tom Watt playing "Subterranean Homesick Blues"
Thoughts on Original: From the first time we posted a cover version of this tune: One of the most iconic songs from Dylan's most famous period and a very early showing of how powerful a music video could be. Dylan nods to beat poetry, current events, Chuck Berry's "No More Monkey Business", paranoia, and the Vietnam War all in around two minutes of linked lyrics over one of his earliest electric recordings. There is also the sly sense of humor which Dylan never gets enough credit for, while raging against the proverbial machine. A classic '60's tune in all respects and one non-Dylan fans usually love as well.
Cover:
Thoughts on Cover Artist: This is our first time hearing Tom Watt who is a successful British actor/writer, who someone apparently thought could be a teen pop star...Sorry Tom, they were wrong.
Thoughts on Cover:
Well in doing this series for over a decade plus now, we always try to focus on the better covers of Dylan. We come across a lot of non-professionals who upload their takes and while RtBE loves the enthusiasm of all of those, they won't all be showcased.
However, when something professional slips into our ears, and it is this bad, it needs to see the light of day. The fact that it hit #67 on the UK singles chart in 1985 tells you what an insane music year 1985 was and how weird British fans can be. Tom is not a singer, the music doesn't match, and overall it screams music biz cocaine decisions.
Previously, RtBE has said Tom Jones "Not Dark Yet" and Rod Stewart's "Love Minus Zero/No Limit" were the two worst covers we have come across. Now Tom Watt joins them and may jump to the front of the line, however, the other two are professionals and Watt seems to have been thrust into this by handlers, so I will cut him some slack. Seriously though, what is with the English and Dylan covers?!?! Special shout out to Alex for sending this our way.
Feel free to let us know which is best/worst in the comments.
The Minneapolis, MN based UltraBomb which consists of, Greg Norton (Hüsker Dü) — bass, backing vocals Derek O’Brien (Social Distortion, Agent Orange, Adolescents) — drums, backing vocals Ryan Smith (Soul Asylum) — lead vocals, guitar, have a new single out "no cap".
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...Jill Souble!
Today we hit NYC (back in 2018) for Jill Sobule's record release show for her album Nostalgia Kills at City Winery.
The New Orleans based Ryan Scully has fronted a host of bands, including Morning Forty Federation, The Rough Seven, Ten Gallon Tinfoil Hat, and Leopard Hound Blues Band while also finding time to record as a solo artist. His newest solo effort, What Should I Wear, is a hodgepodge collection of songs that run the gamut of his musical styles, having been recorded haphazardly over the last four years, which saw him work through major life changes.
In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's artists,Rasmus Söderbergdoing a live cover of "Not Dark Yet"
Thoughts on Original: From the first time we tackled a cover of this tune: A excellent Dylan tune from any era but one that in particular screamed "I'm Still Alive And Kickin'!" on Time Out Of Mind at a phase when Dylan was simply an after thought on the current popular music scene. One of Dylan's most haunting tracks; it is hard not to feel his emotions and finality of the coming darkness as Dylan sings this lyric set. An all-time great that is mysterious, foreboding, honest and powerful. First class Bob.
Cover:
Thoughts on Cover Artist:
This is the first time RtBE has encountered Rasmus Söderberg a Stockholm Sweden based singer songwriter.
Thoughts on Cover:
An excellent rendition that has passionate singing strong playing and while the tune is a downer all around, Söderberg injects it with a touch of hope, which does work. Great cover.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)