Souther-Hillman-Furay Band - 1974-07-07 - Ft. Wayne, IN

The Souther-Hillman-Furay Band
1974-07-07
Memorial Coliseum, Fort Wayne, IN
FM Broadcast?, very good quality recording
mp3 @ 192 kbps

Speaking of great, all-but-forgotten, short-lived 'supergroups', I just found this show from the wonderful Souther-Hillman-Furay Band (thanks to Romeo Delight on the G101 Forum - Much Thanks!). I always really liked these guys and spent many hours listening to their 2 albums back in the mid-70's. I had looked for live shows by them previously, but never found any, until now, so this is a real rarity. For those that don't know or remember, SHF Band was a country-rock 'supergoup' that combined the talents of singer-songwriter J.D Souther (solo, the Eagles), Chris Hillman (The Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers, Manassas), and Ritchie Furay (Buffalo Springfield, Poco), and were backed up by other former Manassas and FBB alums, Paul Harris and Al Perkins, and superstar drummer Jim Gordon. They formed in 1973 at the suggestion of David Geffen at Asylum records specifically for the purpose of creating a country-rock supergroup. They only made two albums (Souther Hillman Furay Band-1974, Trouble in Paradise-1975), and had just one hit single (Furay's 'Fallin' in Love'), before going their separate ways due to internal tension and personal differences within the group, and lackluster record sales, but I always thought they were a great combination of artists, made a bunch of excellent songs, and were one of the best bands of their kind in their day. Unfortunately, although they may have made a great combo musically and stylistically, personally there were problems from the beginning, and they never really bonded as a group (all of the songs were written by each individually, with no collaborations among them at all), and since they were not all that successful commercially, they disbanded by 1976. This recording is from their first and only tour in 1974 (a planned subsequent tour in 1975 was cancelled due to an extended illness of Furay), and catches the group while they still seem happy to be performing together. This Ft. Wayne show was was an opening set on a bill that also included The Eagles and Joe Walsh and Barnstorm (and tickets sold for about 4 bucks - those were the days). It's a fun and lively set, and it's a special treat and a real hoot to hear them play Souther's 'How Long' as a closer here. This same song (in an almost identical arrangement BTW) became the huge comeback hit for the Eagles almost 35 years later, in 2007 (although this was not a SHF song, few people seem to know that the song was originally on Souther's 1972 debut album). So, once again, please enjoy this unique glimpse of the legendary, but short-lived, SHF band. 

Lineup:
JD Souther
Chris Hillman
Richie Furay
Al Perkins
Paul Harris
Jim Gordon

01 Safe At Home
02 Border Town
03 Let’s Dance Tonight
04 The Heartbreaker
05 Believe Me
06 Rise And Fall
07 Flight of the Dove
08 Trouble In Paradise
09 Fallin’ In Love
10 How Long

New Link (Updated 10/02/24)
Souther-Hillman-Furay_Band_Fort_Wayne_1974.rar

 

The Best (K.Emerson, J. Walsh, J. Entwhistle, J.Baxter, S.Phillips) - 1990-09-26 - Yokahama, Japan

The Best
(Keith Emerson, John Entwhistle, Joe Walsh, Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, and Simon Phillips)
September 26, 1990
Yokohama Arena,
Yokohama, Japan
Soundboard (from TV broadcast), Very Good Quality
mp3 @ 320 kbps

OK, here is a really intriguing oddity. Now, I know that most of the so-called 'supergoup' incarnations don't last very long, or don't live up to expectations, but here is one that came and went and I never even heard anything about them. This show was a shock to me when I came across it recently, as I had no idea such a union ever occurred. This was of interest because it was such an unusual mixture of talent and styles, Keith Emerson and Joe Walsh in the same band, with Skunk Baxter and John Entwhistle? A musical clash fusing early Steely Dan with ELP, The Who, and the Eagles? Wow, all bands I really like, so this looked very intriguing, but a seemingly odd combination of talent. A look at the setlist indicates that they basically played a selection of greatest hits from the bands of each of the members. I read that these were songs selected as the favorites by the rest of the band. And actually, the results are surprisingly good, and well-worth a download and listen.  Fortunately, these are not just mindless covers trying to duplicate the originals, rather the band really seems to take their roles seriously, and contribute some very different and unique versions of the songs, incorporating all the members musical expertise, and stretching out on extended jams. As far as I know, Emerson has never been in a band where his keyboards were not the primary and dominant component. Thus, it is very interesting to hear him in this band with 2 great guitarists, and his contributions on the other's songs (that aren't keyboard-oriented songs). Although on some songs, like 'Life in the Fast Lane' and 'My Wife', it is a bit disconcerting to hear Emerson's constantly moving keyboards in the background, some of his additions are positively breathtaking, such as his skillful piano licks in 'Bodhisattva' and 'Reeling in the Years', or putting everything from the 'Jaws Theme' to classical pieces like 'Night on Bald Mountain' into 'Boris the Spider'. And it is very interesting and exciting to hear Skunk and Walsh combine guitar forces (and different styles) on several songs, like 'My Wife', 'Life in the Fast Lane', 'Too Late the Hero', Reeling in the Years', and especially 'Bodhisattva' (which is probably Steely Dan's best song ever, and this version is truly unique and amazing). We also get other unique offerings throughout, such as epic versions of Emerson's 'Fanfare for the Common Man' and 'America' (complete with extended Entwhistle bass and Walsh guitar solos). It is a bit odd, though, that with all the musical talent here, they didn't bring in anyone who could sing, as they went with an unknown vocalist (Rick Livingstone), who actually does a pretty good job handling the different vocal styles of the various original songs. All in all, this is a very unique and entertaining show for anyone who is a fan of these varied musicians and bands. This was obviously a very short-lived collaboration. I don't know if there was ever any intent for them to do original songs as a band or not, but I'm sure that would have been quite unique, also. In actuality, I don't know if this band ever played anything more than these few shows in Japan. It would appear that this show, recorded for broadcast on Japanese TV is the only musical document that exists for this strange and unique 'supergroup'. But, I am so glad that I did get to hear these unique song versions by 'The Best'. And I hope you like them, too. I got this from TonyR over at the G101 forum, so thanks for making this unique show available Tony! If anyone knows anything more about this band, please let me know. Did they ever do any shows in the U.S. or Europe? or did they just implode after these Japan shows? Regardless, check 'em out, the once-and-only assemblage of monster talent, The Best. 

Tracklist
01. Seven Bridges Road / Life In the Fast Lane
02. My Wife
03. Bodhisattva
04. Fanfare For the Common Man
05. Rikki Don't Lose My Number
06. Simon drum solo
07. Rocky Mountain Way
08. Too Late the Hero
09. America / Look At Us Now
10. Boris the Spider
11. Reelin' In the Years
12. Takin' It To the Streets

John Entwistle - bass
Jeff "Skunk" Baxter - guitar
Joe Walsh - guitar
Keith Emerson - keyboardss
Simon Phillips - drums
with:
Rick Livingstone - vocals
Hamish Richardson - backing vocals
Angus Richardson - backing vocals
Fergus Richardson - backing vocals

New Link! (Updated 02/06/24)
The_Best_-_1990-09-26_-_Yokohama.rar

Lossless version also available here

Graham Parker & The Rumour - 1980-10-18 - Rockpalast - Essen, Germany

Graham Parker & The Rumour
1980-10-18
Rockpalast, Grugahalle, Essen, Germany
Soundboard recording, excellent quality
mp3 @ 320 kbps

Here's another great Graham Parker & the Rumour show, this one from what would be their final tour together, in support of their last album, the Up Elevator, in 1980. This is from the Rockpalast series, so has great sound, and features many songs not in the earlier shows. So, enjoy. By this time, keyboardist Bob Andrews had already left the group and was not replaced, so for this tour, they had Nicky Hopkins sit in on keyboards. I got this from the fine blog 'Music ruined my life', so I have to thank them for making this available, and they also have several other GP boots and out of print albums there, so check 'em out.

tracklist:
01  Stupefaction                            
02  No Holding Back                      
03  Jolie, Jolie                         
04  Love Without Greed                    
05  Discovering Japan                     
06  Passion Is No Ordinary Word        
07  Howlin Wind                          
08  Thunder And Rain                     
09  Manouvers                            
10  Don't Get Exited                     
11  Beating Of Another Heart             
12  Empty Lives                          
13  Devils Sidewalk                         
14  Endless Night                           
15  Can't Get No Protection                  
16  Nobody Hurts You                         
17  Hey Lord Don't Ask Me Questions         
18  Tripe Face Boogie                      
19  Soul Shoes                             
          
Musicians:
Graham Parker - guitar, vocals
Brinsley Schwarz - guitar, vocals
Martin Belmont - guitar, vocals
Stephan Göulding - drums, vocals
Andrew Bodnar - bass, vocals
Nicky Hopkins - piano

New link! (Updated 10/5/21)
GPRumour_1980_Rockpalast.rar

Graham Parker & The Rumour - 1977-03-17 - BBC

Graham Parker & The Rumour
1977-03-17
BBC Sights & Sounds, London
TV Broadcast recording, excellent quality
New! Now upgraded to mp3 @ 320 kbps
(previous version was 192 kbps)

I'm delighted to see how popular the previous Graham Parker posts have been. So, here's another show, the audio from a TV broadcast of the BBC show Sights & Sounds from relatively early in Parker's career, following his second album with the Rumour, Heat Treatment. Here again, he's backed by that great band, The Rumour. So, here's some vintage GP from 1977.
 
Tracklist:
01. Heat Treatment
02. Silly Thing
03. Fool's Gold
04. Pourin' It All Out
05. Gypsy Blood
06. Don't Ask Me Questions
07. Hold Back the Night
08. Not If It Pleases Me
09. Soul Shoes
10. Kansas City

New Link! (Updated 10/5/21)
GP&Rumour_1977-03-17_BBC.rar

Graham Parker (solo acoustic) - 1991-02-08 to 12 - London

Graham Parker (solo acoustic)
1991, 02-08 to 02-12
Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK
(Opening act for Bob Dylan)
Audience recording, very good quality
mp3 @ 320 kbps

Continuing with some later Graham Parker, here is a rare treat, solo acoustic performances from 1991, as he opened for Dylan in London. This was right around the time of the release of Struck By Lightning, which is one of Graham's very best albums. Although I love the early stuff with the Rumour, I have to say that, overall, Struck By Lightning is my all-time favorite Parker album (Ironically, it was poor sales of this brilliant album that resulted in RCA dropping Parker from the label). And here, we get many songs from that album, as well as others from this and other periods. As the opening act for Dylan, he performed alone with just his guitar and harmonica. Here, I have combined the shows to include all the unique songs he performed over the 4 days of that event. I have included the full show for the first night (2/8/91), then added in only the songs that were different from the subsequent nights. I have included all 4 versions of the medley that started with 'Don't Let It Break You Down' because he played it a little different each night, inserting different snippets of other songs. So, here, you get them all, and can choose which version you like best. This is an excellent-sounding audience recording. I got this from The Rare Stuff awhile back, and so have to thank the popculturist over there for making these great shows available. for those that want the full sets from all 4 shows, you can get them over at The Rare Stuff. So, here then, is a quite different sounding Graham Parker (from that heard on the previous Rumour show), toned down a bit, but as great as ever, in all his musical splendor.
 
tracklist:  
2/8/91
01. Introduction/Watch The Moon Come Down
02. Over The Border (To America)
03. Strong Winds
04. And It Shook Me
05. She Wants So Many Things
06. Guardian Angels
07. Hotel Chambermaid
08. Don't Ask Me Questions
09. Wrapping Paper
10. Blue Highways
11. When I Was King
12. Don't Let It Break You Down/Here Comes The Sun (instr.)
13. The Sun Is Gonna Shine Again
2/9/91
14. That's What They All Say
15. The Kid With The Butterfly Net
16. The Three Martini Lunch
17. Museum Of Stupidity
18. You Can't Be Too Strong
19. Get Started, Start A Fire
20. No Woman No Cry
21. Don't Let It Break You Down/Substitute/This Is How It Feels/Here Comes The Sun (instr.)
2/10/91
22. Between You And Me
23. Success
24. Don't Let It Break You Down/Sweet Jane/Substitute/Here Comes The Sun (instr.)
2/12/91
25. Don't Let It Break You Down/Sweet Jane/I'm Free/Here Comes The Sun (instr.)

The songs in the medleys with 'Don't Let It Break You Down' are just snippets, not full-length.
The core songs of 'Watch The Moon Come Down', 'Over The Border (To America)', 'Strong Winds', 'Guardian Angels', 'Wrapping Paper', 'Don't Let It Break You Down', and 'The Sun Is Gonna Shine Again' were played at most or all shows, with 'Don't Let it Break...' and 'Sun is Gonna Shine...' ending each show.

New Link! (Updated 05/04/14)
Graham_Parker_1991-02-08-12_London.rar

Graham Parker & The Rumour - 1979-06-24 - Seattle

Graham Parker and the Rumour
1979-06-24
Paramount N.W. Theatre, Seattle WA 
FM broadcast (KISW), very good quality
mp3 @ 192 kbps
Artwork Included

I'm going to start our 'New Year's Revolution' with some Graham Parker. It's really about time I posted some Graham Parker. Last year, I started the year by featuring Elvis Costello, so it's only right Graham gets to start out the year this time. Graham Parker emerged from the British Pub-rock scene in the mid-70's and was the real originator of the developing 'angry young rocker' new wave music style. He preceded Costello, Jackson, and the others by a couple years, yet never achieved the success that they did, despite much critical acclaim. His non-stop, high-energy, incendiary live performances with The Rumour are legendary, and his later, more refined, compelling, personal, and evocative songwriting continued to set high standards for all singer-songwriters. If you haven't already, check out his excellent 'New Year's Revolution' on my 2010 Christmas Collection. Hearing that again reminded me how good he has been his entire career, and lead to these posts. Also, a couple weeks ago, I had a strange musical dream where I was listening to this beautiful, wonderful song, and it turned out to be a duet with the current-day Graham Parker and Elvis Costello harmonizing with each other. In the dream, this was an incredible revelation and a truly beautiful musical moment. Now, as far as I know, Graham and Elvis have never performed together, but it would be pretty cool, right? Now, I don't know why I dreamt that, or what the song was, but it definitely made me want to hear some more Graham Parker. So, I 'll post a couple of Parker's shows. This first one, a fine radio broadcast from 1979, the height of The Rumour days (and in support of arguably their best album, Squeezing Out Sparks), features many of their most well-known songs and their trademark unrelenting pace for the whole show. So, here's to Graham Parker, another of the all-time great, but sadly under-appreciated rock artists.

Tracklist
01. KISW Intro
02. Discovering Japan
03. Local Girls
04. Soul On Ice
05. Don't Get Excited
06. Back To School Days
07. Howling Wind
08. Heat Treatment
09. Stick To Me
10. Mercury Poisoning
11. You Can't Be Too Strong
12. Passion Is No Ordinary Word
13. Clear Head
14. (Hey Lord) Don't Ask Me Questions
15. Protection
16. Saturday Night Is Dead
17. Nobody Hurts You
18. Soul Shoes
19. Encore Applause
20. E: I Want You Back
21. E: Pouring It All Out

Band:
Graham Parker: Lead Vocal, Rhythm Guitar
Brinsley Schwarz: Guitar and Backing Vocals
Martin Belmont: Rhythm Guitar and Backing Vocals
Bob Andrews: Keyboards and Backing Vocals
Steve Goulding: Drums and Backing Vocals
Andrew Bodnar: Bass

New Link! (Updated 10/5/21)
Graham_Parker_And_The_Rumour_-_Seattle_24_June_1979.rar