Keith Jarrett - The Koln Concert
Keith Jarrett - "Part IIa [partial]
[From The Album "The Koln Concert"]
[Koln, Germany - 01/24/75]
Anyone with a passing interest in Keith Jarrett knows the Koln Concert is his best selling album ever.
[Album of the year, 1975 - Time Magazine] If you haven't yet experienced this recording, it's an improvised performance - he's just letting it happen, making it up as the piece progresses. Impressive technical abilities mix together with raw emotion to build improbable structures by force of will and ability alone. (As an aside, the Koln Concert has been transcribed for piano, can you believe that?) This is one of my all time favorite concerts - by anyone, anytime - so why sit on it. I'd like to know if anyone else is as emotionally transformed as I am when I hear this. I've played it enough times to know it note for note, and still remember just where I was my first time: I was walking across America (I did that once) and somewhere in California spent the night in the loft of a farmhouse that happened to have a record player and the Koln Concert. I didn't think such beauty was possible. The liner notes stated it was improvisation [whaaaa???]. I played it over and over 'til sunrise. Later I learned that once, when I was too young to remember, my Mother brought me along to a Keith Jarrett performance. She says he took the stage, sat down, leaned over the keyboard quietly until someone from the audience shouted something like, "D-Flat!" and Keith nodded and began to improvise. Thanks mom!
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Arlo Guthrie - Alice's Restaurant Massacree
Arlo Guthrie - Alice's Restaurant Massacree
[From The Album "Alice's Restauraunt"]
Thanksgiving Song #3 - It just wouldn't be Thanksgiving without Alice's Restaurant, all 18 minutes of it. Happy Thanksgiving.
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Adam Sandler - The Thanksgiving Song
Adam Sandler - The Thanksgiving Song
[From The Album "They're All Gonna Laugh At You"]
Thanksgiving Song #2 - Enjoy!
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Think Tree - The Word
Think Tree - The Word
[From The Album "Eight/Thirteen"]
Thanksgiving Song #1 - "Think Tree" were a local Boston band - Boston is considered 'local' to us here in tiny Providence, Rhode Island. They had a couple of hits, "Hire A Bird" from "Eight/Thirteen" and "Rattlesnake" from "Like The Idea". I don't think they received much attention outside of New England and Google wasn't able to add much in the way of biographies or photographs. "The Word" is meant to be humorous, half the track is musical performance, the other half is evangelical, preachy performance art. Or, well... you decide. And PLEASE - I'm begging, comments anyone? Just let me know whether you like this or not. Or just say hello. Or tell me where your Blog is, or your dogs name, I don't care... I feel like I'm in an M. Night Shyamalan movie - I know someone's out there - my stats counter tells me so - but it's a one way communication. I'm friendly, really. Thanks.
"Eight/Thirteen" is out of print. The follow up "Like The Idea", with the single Rattlesnake, is available at
Amazon
Love Spit Love - Am I Wrong
Love Spit Love - Wake Up
[San Francisco, CA - July 15, 1994]
Love Spit Love - Am I Wrong
[San Francisco, CA - July 15, 1994]
"Love Spit Love" is the second coming for Richard Butler of Psychedelic Furs fame. The band's debut album was released in 1992 with the hit single "Am I Wrong". I rather liked the album, and then... nothing for five years, until a second release on the Maverick label, and then another nine years pass and I guess Richard Butler is on to (ahem...) bigger and better things. These two tracks were recorded live for the radio station KFOG in San Francisco July 15, 1994. Enjoy - and please comment. Do you like these tracks? Any requests? Is this a first visit?
The album with the studio version of these songs is
Love Spit Love
Fred Frith - Cage de Verre
Fred Frith - Cage De Verre
[From The Album "Nous Autres"]
[Sorcerer Sound Studios, NY - 01/06/91]
I recently saw the Andy Goldsworthy documentary "Rivers and Tides". I recommend it if you're interested in his work, natural and temporary outdoor art installations. I couldn't help but thinking that the soundtrack reminded me of Fred Frith's solo guitar pieces and was surprised to see that in fact he had collaborated with the filmakers as writer and performer for much of the soundtrack. It's available everywhere:
"Rivers and Tides (Working with Time)". Here, for your listening pleasure, is a live performance from January 1991, together with René Lussier, entitled "Cage de Verre" from the official release "Nous Autres".
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Theme Week: Acoustic - Martin Sexton [redux]
Martin Sexton - Glory Bound
[Central Park, NY - July 19, 1997]
[From The Promo CD "Live IN NYC"]
Theme Week Zinger: a second live Martin track. Yesterday [11/18/04] I mentioned the Promo only "Live In NYC" CD and this version of "Glory Bound" is from that release. The original disc is hard to find however there
[was] one up on ebay right now [ended 11/20]. But copies (CDR, mp3) aren't hard to find either. Enjoy - PS: I look forward to reading comments...
This is a promo only release. Ask
Mr. Google or eBay...
Theme Week: Acoustic - Martin Sexton
Martin Sexton - Beast In Me
[From The Album "Live Wide Open"]
Martin Sexton - Can't Stop Thinking About You
[The Iron Horse, Northhampton, MA, 1996]
Martin Sexton rocks. He's got soul. He's got talent. He's preacher and sinner and ready to reach right down and tear out his heart for you - and you'll still want more. The recording of "Beast In Me" comes from the official release "Live Wide Open" - finally a live release after 12 years... [There was a seven track, promo-only live EP released in 1999 titiled "Live In NYC" which is difficult to find] The studio version of "Beast In Me" is from the CD "The American" and he'd been playing it live for a while. "Can't Stop Thinking 'Bout You" is a quiet version recorded at the Iron Horse in North Hampton, MA in 1996. Martin Sexton allows taping, I'll post additional live shows in the future. In the meantime, check out
this site.
Buy "Live Wide Open" at
Amazon
Theme Week: Acoustic - Dave Matthews
Dave Matthews - Stream
[From The Album "Live at Luther College"]
Dave Matthews - Lover Lay Down
[From The Album "Live at Luther College"]
Everyone knows who Dave Matthews is so I don't need to elaborate here. This particular live performance took place on February 6, 1996 prior to the release of "Crash" and "Before These Crowded Streets", before Dave Matthews was the hottest concert ticket around. So you'll hear excited fans, but thankfully not too many sloppy fair-weather fans singing along to every lyric. It's nice to hear familiar songs with the energy of a live show but with the hushed intimacy of a private performance. The recording is clean with Dave on guitar together with Tim Reynolds. The song "Stream" picks up where yesterday's "Mediterranean Sundance" left off, it's a quick flamenco style instrumental duet with Tim Reynolds. And "Lover Lay Down" shows off what Dave Matthews is best at, creating vivid images with his lyrics and technically difficult, yet easy to appreciate, guitar playing. This is an official release and still in print.
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Theme Week: Acoustic - John McLaughlin +
Di Meola, McLaughlin, De Lucia - Mediterranean Sundance / Rio Ancho
[From The Album - "Friday Night In San Francisco"]
Spanish virtuoso Paco De Lucia, American born and bred Al Di Meola and Englishman John McLaughlin (from Miles Davis fame) sit down for a crazy Friday night in, you guessed it, San Francisco, where they wow fans with some very dextrous playing. Listen carefully for 16th & 32nd notes - seriously, they're that fast. Imagine if you will you're visiting a planet where the native intelligent life descended from avians, instead of shit throwing primates. Now imagine they pick up guitars, start playing and are, well, quite good actually. Maybe that's a stretch, but it's what I picture when I listen to "Mediterranean Sundance": flightless human sized birds (like
David Brin's lavender scented avian "Gubru") pecking away at skittish flamenco and literally flying (get it, flying) on their guitars. I don't listen to this too often as I get a bit overwhelmed. It reminds me of how badly I suck on the guitar. But this is absolutely fantastic nonetheless. Pick it up if you like it as this is from an official release.
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Theme Week: Acoustic - Greg Brown
Greg Brown - Canned Goods
[From The Album "The Live One"]
"I am weary of chickens
They look up at us with their small eyes
as if we were unimportant.
And we are.
But it's hard to take it from a damn chicken."
Greg Brown's voice may be down and dirty, but his lyrics and guitar playing will pick you up and drop you back down into a beautiful summer in America, a summer we wish we all knew. Greg Brown is as much a storyteller as musician and you really get a sense of who he is listening to his songs, moreso than many other songwriters. You can't help but think that these songs are all basically about him, "Canned Goods" included - he's talking about his own family, right? He can't just be making this stuff up. This song is just so damn sweet. An enjoyable ride. This track is from the officially released "The Live One". Check out his website:
www.gregbrown.org
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Amazon
Theme Week: Acoustic - Glen Phillips
Glen Phillips - Everything Matters
[Messiah College, Grantham, PA 11/15/03]
Glen Phillips - Duck And Cover
[Messiah College, Grantham, PA 11/15/03]
Live from Messiah College, straight from Heaven itself, it's the son of god... just kidding. Nope, it's Glen Phillips, the first post for my first theme week - acoustic. This show is what I guess you'd call classic singer songwriter fare, or emo-folk if you're down with the kids. Competant guitar work, thoughtful singing, you know he's sincere. Very nice for a Sunday afternoon. Enjoy - more acoustic performances to folllow this week.
Get this entire show
here
Jamiroquai - Finsbury Park 06/08/97
Jamiroquai - Cosmic Girl
[London Finsbury Park · June 8th 1997]
Jamiroquai - Virtual Insanity
[London Finsbury Park · June 8th 1997]
No matter what planet you're from Jamiroquai is ready to get your head bobbin'. They're in a category all by themselves - a little bit Stevie Wonder, a little bit of Prince and a whole lot of Jason Kay, lead singer, songwriter and driving force behind the band throughout a few line-up changes. Jamiroquai are huge in the U.K. - not so huge here in America. Whether you call it funk, soul, R&B or dance, they resonate with many types of fans. These tracks are from a CD titled "The Cosmic Ride". [Feel free to comment below or make requests]
These tracks are from an unreleased show. Check out "Jamiroquai - Live In Verona (2003)" at
Amazon
Fugazi - Club Border, Burlington, VT.
Fugazi - Officer Friendly / Two Beats Off
[Live at Club Border, Burlington, VT 1991]
Fugazi - Repeater
[Live at Club Border, Burlington, VT 1991]
Exact date unknown (did some searching, no luck - anyone know for sure?). Everyone should see Fugazi's
"instrument". The band is relentless and has never lost their integrity - a rarity in todays music business, and they have suffered popularity due to it - but good for them. Offered here are two tracks from a typical live show. Check out the rest of the performance including between song political banter.
Get the complete show
here
Prince [Redux] - Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic
Prince - Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic
[Live 08/18/88, Paard Van Troje Holland]
I don't mean to repreat myself so early and I promise to post something else tonight, but I have requests for more from this show. Who knew there were still so many Prince fans around (and before you fire off an email, I'm a bigger fan than you are and can prove it - so I'm on your side...). This is another song from Prince's aftershow performance on Thursday, August 18th, 1988. A very energetic, upbeat and early version of Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic, which later became the title track of a Prince album eleven years later. The James Brown theatrics are great, "No more! No more!... Kick some ass!". I guarantee you'll be up and moving by the end of this one. Another post tonight - promise.
Where to find: Ask around Prince fansites or mailing lists.
Todd Rundgren's Utopia - Fox Theater
Utopia - Don't You ever learn
[Live 11/08/73]
Utopia - Black Maria
[Live 11/08/73]
Utopia - The Last Ride
[Live 11/08/73]
What hasn't Todd Rundgren done? He wears the hats of "...songwriter, video pioneer, producer, recording artist, computer software developer, conceptualist, interactive artist, and CEO, Rundgren has made a lasting impact on the form, content, and delivery of popular music..." So says his biography. I've always found Todd Rundgren to be intriguing in that "older brother's music" sort of way. It's impressive that he wrote, performed and produced entirely on his own the "Something/Anything?" album - you know, the one with "Hello It's Me". A talented guy, 'nuff said. These tracks are from a 45 minute radio broadcast including the bubbly DJ ("Todd who? Hey, it's only my day job"). Enjoy. Comments?
This is an unreleased show. Search for: "Todd Rundgren - Fox Theater"
XTC - Scissor Man
XTC - Scissor Man
[Live 04/17/81]
XTC - Making Plans For Nigel
[Live 04/17/81]
XTC - Generals And Majors
[Live 04/17/81]
I thought XTC never played live? They're a bit rushed here, maybe the rumors are true and Andy Partridge is just flying through the set to get off stage and sulk in the dressing room. XTC was one of the first college radio bands that turned me away from spoon-fed "popular" radio and I will always have a soft spot for English Settlement. I bought it on vinyl, and then cassette and now own the CD - and record companies wonder why we hate them... Anywhy, here are three tracks from a rare 1981 performance.
More Here
