Dylan Cover #727 Billy Iuso "Queen Jane Approximately" 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 Billy Iuso playing "Queen Jane Approximately"

All April RtBE focuses our Monday Dylan Cover Series on artists who are playing this years New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Today is Billy Iuso who plays the festival Friday April 24th

Thoughts on Original:
When RtBE discussed Highway 61 Revisited on it's 60th Anniversary we called "Queen Jane Approximately" 'poetic folk rock goodness'. Hard to disagree with that as the words and music enchant, mixing very well. It is a put down tune, but not as harsh as others, the soothing music helps with the more cutting turns of phrase. This tune came more into RtBE's ear through Bob Weir singing covers of it with The Grateful Dead, as the band, and Bobby in particular, did a great job with the tune. Apparently Dylan never played it live until he took the stage with the Dead, so there is a clear connection there.   

Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:

RtBE became aware of Mr. Iuso back in 2023 and have enjoyed everything we have heard from him since. We dug him in the New Orleans Last Waltz we caught and most importantly, Billy is a Mets fan, so how can we not love him?!?   

Thoughts on Cover:

This live cover from the Broadside in 2024 is a nice straight ahead rendition from a clear fan. Iuso digs on Bob, as this whole show was dedicated to him, and that comes across with his singing and playing. A great piano interlude spruces things up from Joe Ashlar on keys as the band works through the tune with grace and ease.  

New Single from Mont Loser "You're gonna hear about me again"

The Paris based Mont Loser have a new single out "You're gonna hear about me again".

Their debut album is out next Friday. Check out the grinding/soaring track below:

Full Show Friday: The Dirty Dozen Brass Band - Grand Performances 6/15/24 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...The Dirty Dozen Brass Band!

Every April (and first week in May) we have a special showcase during our Full Show Friday series for bands who are playing this years Jazzfest in NOLA. Today we will focus on Dirty Dozen Brass Band who will be playing on Friday April 24rd

Album Review: BERTHA: Grateful Drag - Slayin’ in the Band Vol. 1

BERTHA: Grateful Drag

Slayin’ in the Band Vol. 1

*** out of *****

The Nashville based, Drag Queen Grateful Dead cover band, BERTHA: Grateful Drag have been playing their glamour filled live shows for a few years now on the jamband circuit. Their first live album, Slayin’ in the Band Vol. 1 is designed just like a show as tracks were taken from various recent concerts from all over the USA. As an added bonus, a portion of proceeds will benefit Trans Aid Nashville. 

New Video/Single from Em Armstrong "Maybe Probably Never"

The Mississauga, Ontario, based artist Em Armstrong has a new single/video out, "Maybe Probably Never".

About the song Armstrong states:

Album Review: Ratboys - Singin' To An Empty Chair

Ratboys

Singin' To An Empty Chair

**** out of *****

The Chicago, IL based Ratboys stoutly mix country, rock, and pop on Singin' To An Empty Chair, their sixth studio album and first for New West Records. 

New Single from Brontës "Asking For a Friend"

The Glasgow based pop rock outfit Brontës have released a new single "Asking For a Friend". Their self-titled debut will be released on April 21st. 

Check out the shimmering, love sick easy rocker below:

Album Review: Sunn O))) - Self-Titled

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

It is of Sunn O)))'s Self-Titled release on Sub Pop. 

New Single/Video from Nec Nymbl x RAjaw - "Idol Smashaz ft. Broken Sword"

The Toronto based Nec Nymbl x RAjaw have a new single/video out "Idol Smashaz ft. Broken Sword".

Check out the 90's leaning, hip-hop banger below:

New Single from Alicia Waller "My Day, Pt. II (If for the first time)"

The NYC based singer Alicia Waller has a new single out, "My Day, Pt. II (If for the first time)" and a new album titled Louder, Then coming out May 29th. 

Check out the grooving single with fantastic vocals below:

Dylan Cover #726 Bruce Hornsby "It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry" 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 Bruce Hornsby playing "It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry"

All April RtBE focuses our Monday Dylan Cover Series on artists who are playing this years New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Today is Bruce Hornsby who plays the festival Saturday April 25th.

Thoughts on Original:
From the first time we tackled a cover of this song:
One of my favorite titled songs in the Dylan catalog, for some reason the title just nails an elusive feeling and perfectly works with the tune. Also contains multiple epic lines, my favorite being "I wanna be your lover babe/I don't wanna be your boss", AMEN brother Bob.  A pretty straight forward blues number musically that lends itself to cover attempts, leading to...

Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:

We, like the majority of people, came to know Hornsby by his monster single, "The Way It Is" which is still a great song. Then we fell in love with his early 90's work with the Grateful Dead, who he shot new life into during tough times. He also was with The Other Ones in 1998 when we caught the guys playing a fun Dead set (which included "The Way It Is"). He s obviously still going strong, with a new record out in April, so stay tuned. 

Thoughts on Cover:

This cover starts with "Sunflower Cat" Hornsby's own tune based on The Grateful Dead's "China Cat Sunflower" so this is almost like a two-fer this Monday. The opening song is a fun upbeat romp for over five and half minutes. The Dylan cover is sung by Hornsby with energy and passion while the band continues in the "Sunflower Cat" musical motif. 

This pairing is interesting, and while we like both separately, together it is a bit odd. While not our favorite cover in this series, we would be stoke to catch it live at the Fairgrounds.    

New Single/Video from Tenille Townes "we could use a little more"

The Nashville, TN based singer-songwriter Tenille Townes has a new single/video out, "we could use a little more". 

About the song Townes states:

Full Show Friday: Cimafunk - San Javier 2024

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...Cimafunk!

Every April (and first week in May) we have a special showcase during our Full Show Friday series for bands who are playing this years Jazzfest in NOLA. Today we will focus on Cimafunk who will be playing on Thursday April 23rd

Album Review: Dan Owen - Neptune

Dan Owen

Neptune

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

The Shrewsbury, United Kingdom based singer-songwriter Dan Owen has a new, self-released album out titled Neptune. The folk-rock focused effort is an excellent showcase for the artists writing talents and engaging vocals. 

New Single from Ellie Heath "Pushing Forty"

The Edmonton, Alberta based singer songwriter Ellie Heath has a new single out, the title track of her upcoming album "Pushing Forty". 

About the song Heath states:

Album Review: Connie Converse - So Sad, So Lovely

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

It is of the Third Man Records re-release of Connie Converse's So Sad, So Lovely.

Happy 10th Anniversary to Bombino's Azel

Today marks the 10th anniversary of Bombino's album, Azel. 

His third studio album was produced by Dave Longstreth.

Album Review: Selwyn Birchwood - Electric Swamp Funkin’ Blues

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

It is of Selwyn Birchwood's excellent new release, Electric Swamp Funkin’ Blues.

New Single/Video from The Flatliners "Inner Peace"

The Richmond Hill, Ontario based punk outfit The Flatliners have a new single/video out, "Inner Peace"

Check out the revved up, angsty rocker below:

New Single from Ellen Benediktson "WID4L"

The Limhamn, Malmö, Sweden based singer Ellen Benediktson has a new single out, "WID4L".

About the song Benediktson states: