Eric Clapton & Friends - 2007-12-31 - Woking, Surrey, UK

Eric Clapton & Friends (performing as 'Complete Abandon')
with special guests Joe Walsh, Pete Townshend, and Ringo Starr
12/31/2007
Woking Leisure Center, Woking, Surrey, UK
Soundboard recording, excellent quality (Mid Valley MVR 594/595)
mp3 @ 320K
Artwork included

Happy New Year Everyone! For this year's New Year's Eve Concert presentation here is a unique show (in great quality) from Eric Clapton and some very special friends. Apparently, this is something that Eric has done regularly, that is, perform on New Year's Eve at a small venue in Woking with a different 'band' name each time, as part of a 'dry' NYE show (apparently, the show is partly sponsored by a local Alcoholics Anonymous chapter). In 2007, the band was called 'Complete Abandon', and in addition to such notable players as Gary Brooker and Andy Fairweather Low, also featured guest appearances by Joe Walsh, Ringo Starr, and Pete Townshend. The setlist consists primarily of old Rock 'n Roll and Blues standards and classics, and is certainly not a typical Clapton show, but it is a good old-fashioned rollickin' good time, and represents a unique one-of-kind show experience. So, here is Eric and Friends as Complete Abandon in a great NYE show. Enjoy!

Tracklist:
Disc 1
1. Introduction
2. Knock On Wood
3. Reconsider Baby
4. You Can't Judge A book By Looking at the Cover
5. Sea Cruise
6. Gin House
7. Rockin' Robin
8. Rocky Mountain Way
9. Boys
10. Honey Don't
11. Old Black Joe

Disc 2
1. Auld Lang Syne
2. In The Midnight Hour
3. Hoochie Coochie Man
4. Lucille
5. Blueberry Hill
6. We Shall Not Be Moved
7. Goodnight Irene
8. Three Steps to Heaven
9. Cocaine
10. A Whiter Shade of Pale
11. Shake Rattle and Roll
12. Little Queenie

'Complete Abandon' lineup
Eric Clapton
Henry Spinetti
Dave Bronze
Andy Fairweather Low
Paul Wassif
Chris Stainton
Gary Brooker
Michelle John
Sharon White
Special guests:
Ringo Starr
Pete Townshend
Joe Walsh

http://depositfiles.com/files/cg0rlatdq

Obtained from Viva Les Bootlegs quite awhile back. Thanks!

BB Chronicles Holiday Sampler 2012 - No Rest for Ye Merry Gentlemen

No Rest for Ye Merry Gentlemen
A BB Chronicles Holiday Sampler
(A collection of different versions and variations of 'God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen', performed by a variety of artists in a variety of styles)
Various Artists
mp3 @ 192-320

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays everyone! Here I have this year's Holiday collection, but this one is something different. I know that many disdain the annual holiday-themed music blitz, but as I've said before, I love Christmas and holiday music, and one of the things I love about it is hearing all the different and varied versions of some of the same perennial holiday classics. When an artist can provide a new and interesting interpretation of a familiar and well-worn standard, while still maintaining the qualities we love of the original song, it is just a joy to hear. With that in mind, what I decided to do for this year's compilation was to show some of the many different styles and interpretations of a single traditional Christmas Carol, that I find very appealing. Yes, that's right, this collection consists of a single song, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, done many different ways and styles. So, here we have 7 vocal and 7 instrumental version of that famous song, from the traditional to the bizarre, ranging from orchestral to solo guitar, accapella to choir, classical to jazz, and then some, but each with some very appealing and interesting aspects. I realize that this won't appeal to everyone, and might seem tedious to some (the same song over and over), but I really think that these are all good, some even great, versions, and it is really amazing just how varied and different the same song can be. OK, so this may not be a collection you want to consistently play straight through all the time, but certainly there are multiple different versions that you can really enjoy. Now, there were many traditional carols that I could have used for this type of exercise, but I chose GRYMG because it seemed to have among the best variety of different types of versions and styles (at least that I was familiar with), from the traditional vocal to the jazz improvisations, yet this is probably not one of the very 'top' or most famous of the carols, that is, it is not one that simply everyone does.
      But first, before we start, a little about the carol itself. This is a 'traditional' English carol, thought to have been written sometime around the early-mid 1700's by an unknown author (sometime before 1760, which was the first known published version). There has been some confusion over the meaning of the title and first line, 'God rest ye merry, gentlemen', as there should be a comma after merry. Thus, it does not really refer to 'merry gentlemen', but rather that God should keep you merry, followed by gentlemen, with 'rest' here referring to 'keep or make'. Another interesting note is that in the original published versions in the 1700's, the lyric was 'you' not 'ye, and it appears that it was changed to 'ye' in more modern times to give the carol a more quaintly old-fashioned feel. 
Anyway, hope you enjoy these. Go through and pick out your favorite (and least favorite) styles and versions. And are there any other versions you know of that you like better than these? Let me know.   

Tracklist: Artist - style
(All songs are variations on 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen)
1. London Symphony Orchestra w/Chorus - Traditional Orchestral (with choir)
2. The Whiffenpoofs (Yale Accapella group) - Traditional vocal (Accapella)
3. Acoustic Christmas - Instrumental (Acoustic instruments)
4. Aimee Mann (2006-12-11 - KCRW) - Contemporary vocal (Pop-rock)
5. John Fahey - Instrumental (Solo guitar)
6. Barenaked Ladies (w/ Sarah McLachlan) - Folk-Rock vocal
7. Chuck Leavell - Instrumental jazz (Solo piano)
8. Chicago - Pop vocal
9. Smokey Mtn Christmas - Instrumental (bluegrass-appalachian)
10. The L.A. Gospel Singers - Gospel-R&B vocal
11. Steve Laury - Instrumental (Smooth Jazz)
12. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Pop-soul vocal
13. Chick Corea Elektric Band - Instrumental (Jazz)
14. Brian Setzer Orchestra - Instrumental (Big Band Swing-Rock)

BBChronicles Holiday Sampler-2012_No rest.rar

BTW, my personal favorites of these are: Barenaked Ladies, for vocal version (I think this swingin' folk-rock version (w/Sarah M.) is the best overall version I've heard. It just has a very cool updated 'Kingston Trio' style to it with the upright bass, guitar and great vocals); and Chuck Leavell's (Former keyboard player for Allman Brothers and his own band Sea Level) beautiful solo piano version (Check out his excellent Christmas album "What's in That Bag?", that features several jazzy piano instrumentals of classics, as well as some funky, rollickin' vocal and original tracks, too. One of my favorite Christmas albums). Also alot of fun are John Fahey's solo guitar track (also from a very good Christmas album: The New Possibility), and Brian Setzer's swingin' Big Band versions.   

BB Chronicles Christmas Chollection 2010

BB Chronicles Echlectic Christmas Chollection 2010 (repost)

A unique mix of live and rare versions of Christmas, Winter, and Holiday Season songs from various artists.
Various recordings (FM, SBD, audience) of varying quality (mostly good to excellent)
mp3 @ 128 to 320 kbps

Here, once again, is my compilation of some lesser-known holiday songs that I put together a couple years ago. I'm reposting it again for the Holiday season for those that may not have already gotten it.  I do have another somewhat different collection that I am also putting together, and I hope to have that ready to post later this week. But for now, here is my previous (but still very good) collection. Here are a few notes about the collection (also posted previously).

I put this together from various versions and tracks I have compiled over the last several years. All of the versions here are live, otherwise unreleased, or available as free downloads, thus some of the versions are not the best quality (compared to the commercial releases). But, I think it is a fun and entertaining collection. I know there are many who are not that fond of Christmas songs in general, and modern versions of the same traditional songs in particular. But I happen to love the seasonal Christmas songs, and love to hear new and different versions of old classics, as well as original new Christmas-related songs. Thus, this collection features a mixture of old and new songs, heartfelt and jovial, serious and silly, but most probably by artists and versions you may not have heard before. Some of these tracks have been included in various other well-dispersed Christmas boots (Like Santa's Boots & Upon This Night), but there are several others that are unique to this compilation. I have purposely not included some of the more famous tracks & artists, but have gone with lesser-known versions and other stuff that I really like.

I start  things off with a couple by the wonderful Aimee Mann (from a radio broadcast promoting her 2006 unconventional Christmas album, One More Drifter in the Snow, and as you might expect from her, it's not the most cheery Holiday album, but still very good), first a rather somber, but spirited 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman', followed by one of her own powerful originals, 'Calling Mary'. Next up is one I consider a Christmas Classic, but is not very well-known. It is the very beautiful, but melancholy 'Christmas Face' by Fisher. I first heard this over 10 years ago on the old mp3.com site, and it is just a gorgeous song. Fisher has survived their entire career solely on internet sales of their music, and they regularly offer their Christmas songs, including this one, for free download at their website. This is a seasonal favorite at my house. As good a start as those songs are, however, it was really time to lighten things up, so who better to bring some fun to the Holidays but The Barenaked Ladies, and their 'Jingle Bells' is a riot, perhaps the best version of this song ever (It starts all slow, overly serious, and pretentious, but then bursts into all out childish fun and glory, even including the perennial grade school variation verse [you know, 'Batman smells...' etc.]). Then things get even more ridiculous as Horatio Sanz and his SNL buddies take the stage with their ultra-cheesy, yet somehow cool, 'I Wish It was Christmas Today' taken from the original SNL broadcast (This may have been Horatio Sanz' finest moment on SNL). Then the 'Ladies are back with a clever and original ditty,'Elf's Lament' (from their excellent 2004 Barenaked for the Holidays album), a twisted take on a labor dispute at Santa's Workshop. Next, we return to somewhat more traditional holiday fair with Marti Jones' version of 'Rockin Around the Christmas Tree'. For those not familar with Marti, she was a wonderful female vocalist who had a string of fine albums in the '90's (Again, this is one of the best versions of this song I've heard). Then there is Bruce Cockburn with a gritty 'Early on one Christmas Morn', followed by Jackson Browne actually doing a cover of the little-known Timbuk3 satirical holiday protest song 'All I Want For Christmas is World Peace'. Next, is Steven Page (from BNL) in a fun duet with Rita MacNeil (Canadian TV hostess?) from her TV show. Next is another internet oldie, a song I discovered from the old mp3.com site over 10 years ago, a vocalist that went by the name C. Basinet doing 'Santa Baby' (I don't know anything about her, or what happened to her after this, but again, this is one of the best versions I have heard of this song). Then we have slightly different versions of some traditional songs done by Dave Alvin and Brian Setzer's Swing Orchestra, and a Greg Lake solo version of ELP's 'I Believe in Father Christmas', followed by a hilarious rebuttal by The Kinks, who have quite a different take on 'Father Christmas' (Unfortunately, the quality of this live version is sub-par, but it was the only decent unofficial recording of this classic I could find. If you have the original studio version, by all means substitute it in place here). Next is a short Christmas ditty from Yo La Tengo, a moving rendition of 'Please Come Home for Christmas' by Fiona Apple, and Rick Danko's 'Christmas Must Be Tonight'. Another underrated vocalist, Shawn Colvin, contributes a touching 'Merry Little Christmas', followed by a beautiful, stirring version of Joni Mitchell's classic 'River'. The Christmas portion of the collection comes to a rousing finish with Darlene Love's yearly revisit of 'Christmas (Please Come Home)' for the David Letterman Show (this was the 2006 version) of what has become a twenty-something-year TV holiday tradition. Then we move on to New Year's as Dave Edmunds rings it in with Chuck Berry's 'Run Rudolph Run' from an MTV NYE Bash (I think Edmunds studio version of this song is THE definitive version, even better than Chuck's own). Then Graham Parker gets serious and enlightens us about the 'New Year's Revolution', a great and compelling song. And finally, we close the whole thing out with a suitably austere and touching 'Auld Lang Syne' by Fisher. Anyway, so there it is, hope you like it. Let me know what you think of this compilation relative to other offbeat Christmas collections out there.

Hope you all have a Very Merry Christmas and Holiday Season.
Tracklist
01. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Aimee Mann (2006-12-11 - KCRW Santa Monica)
02. Calling Mary - Aimee Mann (2006-12-11 - KCRW Santa Monica)
03. Christmas Face - Fisher (free download - www.fishertheband.com)
04. Jingle Bells - Barenaked Ladies (2004-12-14 - WTMX Chicago)
05. I Wish It Was Christmas Today - SNL (H.Sanz, J.Fallon, C.Kattan, T.Morgan - TV)
06. Elf's Lament - Barenaked Ladies (2004-12-14 - WTMX Chicago)
07. Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - Marti Jones (1995-12 - Birchmere FM)
08. Early On One Christmas Morn - Bruce Cockburn (1992-12-20 - NY FM)
09. All I Want For Christmas Is World Peace - Jackson Browne (1993-12-12 - NY FM)
10. Baby It's Cold Outside - Steven Page & Rita MacNeil (1993 Canada TV)
11. Santa Baby - C. Basinet (2000? - from old mp3.com site)
12. I'll Be Home For Christmas - Dave Alvin (1992-12-25 - Hollywood FM)
13. Sleigh Ride - Brian Setzer Orchestra - 2009-12-12 - Thackerville)
14. I Believe in Father Christmas - Greg Lake (1994-12 NY TV)
15. Father Christmas - The Kinks (1977-12-13 - Pawtucket)
16. It's Christmas Time - Yo La Tengo
17. Please Come Home For Christmas - Fiona Apple (live)
18. Christmas Must Be Tonight - Rick Danko (1997-12-08 - Wash. DC)
19. Merry Little Christmas - Shawn Colvin (1998-12-24 KGSR Austin FM)
20. River - Shawn Colvin (1998-12-24 KGSR Austin FM)
21. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Darlene Love (2006-12-22 - Letterman Show TV)
22. Run Rudolph Run - Dave Edmunds (1986-12-31 - MTV RocknRoll Ball)
23. New Year's Revolution - Graham Parker (1994-12-18 FM)
24. Auld Lang Syne - Fisher - (free download - www.fishertheband.com)

New Link! Updated 09/29/23
BBChronicles_Christmas_2010.rar.

Some other Christmas-themed offerings still available here on the blog are:

A couple of  Bruce Springsteen Live Holiday Collections available Here

Chicago's Live Christmas Show from 1998 available Here

Graham Parker & The Rumour - 2012-12-02 - Huntington, NY

Graham Parker & The Rumour
December 02, 2012
Live at The Paramount, Huntington, NY
mp3 @ 320 kbps
Audience recording, very good quality

This just in, another wonderful show from the current Graham Parker & The Rumour Reunion Tour. This one, from just about a week after the first show in Tarrytown (featured here), is from Huntington, NY, has a somewhat shorter set, but features a better recording (brighter, clearer) than the last one, and thus makes it easier to hear everything the band is doing (as well as Graham's heartfelt vocals), which makes this one even more of a joy to listen to (although it is missing several great songs from the opening night show). One song that was added for this show, though, was 'Stupefaction', from The Up Escalator. So, here is another great show from these legendary performers on another stop on this legendary tour (for details on band and tour, see previous post). Enjoy!

Tracklist:
01. Fool’s Gold
02. Stop Cryin’ About The Rain
03. Hotel Chambermaid
04. Get Started. Start A Fire
05. Watch The Moon Come Down
06. Live In Shadows
07. I’ll Never Play Jacksonville Again
08. A Lie Gets Halfway ‘Round The World
09. Long Emotional Ride
10. Discovering Japan
11. Nobody Hurts You
12. Protection
13. Stupefaction
14. Local Girls
15. Passion Is No Ordinary Word
16. Soul Shoes

Lineup:
Graham Parker - vocals, guitar
Steve Goulding - drums
Andrew Bodnar - bass
Bob Andrews - keyboards, vocals
Martin Belmont - guitar, vocals
Brinsley Schwarz - guitar, vocals

GPRumour_2012-12-02_-_Huntington.rar

Graham Parker & The Rumour - 2012-11-24 - Tarrytown, NY

Graham Parker & The Rumour
November 24, 2012
Live at the Tarrytown Music Hall, Tarrytown, NY.
Audience recording, very good quality
mp3 @ 192 kbps
Custom artwork

This is turning into a big year for one of our long-time favorites, Graham Parker. Earlier this year, he reunited with his legendary crack back-up band from his glory days, the Rumour (complete with all 5 original members), and now they have released their first new album together in over 30 years (titled Three Chords Good, available now), and even better, have now started out on tour together, again, for the first time in over 30 years. Graham and the Band are also featured prominently in a new Hollywood Movie (Judd Apatow's This Is 40, starring Paul Rudd) that is premiering soon, and is providing much (needed) publicity for Graham and the Rumour (and yes , they actually appear and perform in the movie, not just as part of the soundtrack). And to top that all off, here is an actual recording from the first night of their new tour, launched in Tarrytown, NY, 11-24-2012. So, here is a good quality audience recording from that first night, and it shows Graham and the Band in fine form. They put on a great show, featuring a good mix of new songs (7 from the new album) and old classics (over a dozen from the classic period of GP&The Rumour). Ok, maybe they don't still have the same fire and intensity they once did, but they sound great, and it is wonderful to hear them back together playing live again. And, although I have not heard the entire new album, what I have heard (and the new tracks here), sound really good to me, so I'm sure the new album is worth getting, too (I will be getting it, just haven't gotten to it yet). So, anyway, enjoy this gem in the next stage of Graham's wonderful career, and really, how great is it to hear him with the entire Rumour band (Martin Belmont, Brinsley Schwarz, Bob Andrews, Andrew Bodnar, and Steve Goulding)?  Enjoy.

Taper (larryrulz) notes: Fantastic start to the first Graham Parker and The Rumour tour in over 30 years. The audience was into it but not a distraction at all. The setlist is a good mix of new and old… In this recording, there is a gap of about two minutes’ duration between the end of 'Local Girls' and the beginning of 'You Can’t Be Too Strong'. The gap consists mostly of applause and a very brief portion of Graham’s banter before 'You Can’t Be Too Strong'. No music is missing.

Tracklist:
01. Fool’s Gold
02. Stop Cryin’ About The Rain
03. Nothin’s Gonna Pull Us Apart
04. Snake Oil Capital Of The World
05. intro to Get Started. Start A Fire
06. Get Started. Start A Fire
07. Watch The Moon Come Down
08. intro to Old Soul
09. Old Soul
10. Hotel Chambermaid
11. Live In Shadows
12. A Lie Gets Halfway ‘Round The World
13. intro to Jacksonville
14. I’ll Never Play Jacksonville Again
15. intro to Long Emotional Ride
16. Long Emotional Ride
17. Discovering Japan
18. Nobody Hurts You
19. Protection
20. Thunder And Rain
21. Coathangers
22. Local Girls
Encore 1
23. You Can’t Be Too Strong
24. Passion Is No Ordinary Word
25. applause
Encore 2
26. Don’t Ask Me Questions
27. Soul Shoes

Lineup:
Graham Parker - vocals, guitar
Steve Goulding - drums
Andrew Bodnar - bass
Bob Andrews - keyboards, vocals
Martin Belmont - guitar, vocals
Brinsley Schwarz - guitar, vocals

GPRumour_2012-11-24_Tarrytown.rar

Thanks to the taper (larryrulz) and BigO Worldwide for making this available.

Steely Dan - 1994-09-02 - Dallas, TX SBD

Steely Dan
September 2, 1994
Live at Starplex Amphitheater
Dallas, TX
Soundboard recording, excellent quality
mp3 @320k
Artwork included

OK, here's a another recent find that has already appeared on a number of other blogs, but this is just too good to not post here as well. What we have here is a superb-sounding soundboard recording from the 1994 'Dan Tour. This is easily the best quality recording available from this tour, and likely one of the best-sounding 'Dan boots from any tour, so this is some great stuff, that apparently has only recently become available.
Although I personally much prefer the early 'Rock Band' Dan of the 1974 tour to the later 'Smooth Jazz' Dan of these later tours, still, any year Steely Dan is great stuff, and for these initial reunion tours of 1993-1994 it was soooo good to finally get to hear Steely Dan live again after so many years (like almost 20?) of no Live Dan shows. So, here we have a fantastic recording and a great show, featuring a similar, but still somewhat different, setlist from that featured on the 1993 tour (as indicated in 1993 St.Louis show previously posted here. This time, we still have 2 tracks from Becker's solo album '11 Tracks of Whack', but they are 2 different songs this time ('Down in the Bottom' and 'Hard Up Case' replaces 'Book of Liars' and 'Fall of '92'). This show, surprisingly, does not contain any songs from Don's solo albums (previously, they had featured 'IGY' and 'Green Flower Street' from The Nightfly, and 'Teahouse on the the Tracks' from Kamakiriad), but that allows them to feature more Steely Dan tracks, including 'True Companion', 'Aja', 'Kid Charlemagne', 'Sign In Stranger', and 'FM', that were not played at the previous year's St.Louis show, so we get to hear several different songs this time around, as well as the great rest of the show as previously featured, and, again, in wonderful quality. Enjoy!
 
Tracklist
Disc 1
01 Instrumental Overture (The Royal Scam->Parker's Band->the Fez)
02 Aja
03 Reelin In the Years
04 Josie (with Drum Solo)
05 Hey Nineteen
06 Down in the Bottom
07 Sign in Stranger
08 Peg
09 Band Introductions
10 Babylon Sisters
11 Black Friday

Disc 2
01 True Companion
02 Green Earrings
03 Bodhisattva
04 Deacon Blues->
05 Tomorrow's Girls
06 Hard Up Case
07 Chain Lightning
08 Third World Man
09 Kid Charlemagne
10 My Old School
11 FM

------------------------------------

THE BAND:
Donald Fagen: Vocals, Fender Rhodes, Melodica
Walter Becker: Guitar, Vocals
along with,
"The Citizen Steely Dan Orchestra 1994"

Dennis Chambers: Drums
Bill Ware III: Vibes, Congas, Percussion
Tom Barney: 5-string Bass
Georg Wadenius: Guitars
Warren Bernhardt: Acoustic Piano, Fender Rhodes
Diane Garisto: Vocals
Brenda White-King: Vocals
Catherine Russell: Vocals
Chris Potter: Tenor Sax
Cornelius Bumpus: Tenor Sax
Bob Shepard: Tenor, Alto and Soprano Sax

 Steely_Dan_1994-09-02_Dallas_mp3.rar

Thanks to T.U.B.E. and BigO Worldwide, where I first became of (and obtained) this show, for making it more available.

Arlo Guthrie - 1967-10-01 - Alice's Restaurant Live - New York

Arlo Guthrie
1967-10-01
The Bitter End Cafe, New York, NY
Soundboard recording, good quality
Available in both lossless (Flac) and mp3 (@ 320 k) versions

Here is a Genuine Thanksgiving Classic, Arlo Guthrie performing Alice's Restaurant Massacree. Awhile back someone in a conversation was referring to the lack of holiday-type songs for Thanksgiving. Of course, I said, well there is the quite remarkable Alice's Restaurant, and he replied, that no, that doesn't count as a traditional Thanksgiving song. Well, I don't know about in your household, but certainly in mine, Alice's Restaurant is definitely a traditional holiday festivity, we always play it every Thanksgiving, and always enjoy it very much. And hey, the song is now 45 years old, so that should certainly qualify it as a traditional classic song, shouldn't it? It is certainly a comedy classic. Anyway, so here it is, just for the Holidays, and just in case you were somehow tired of the original album version, here is a somewhat different live version (clocking in at over 26 min.), to change things up a bit. In fact, just to give you even more to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, I've included an additional, earlier live version that also is somewhat different (I'm sure every live version is necessarily different from any other), to enjoy all over again. So, here is the incomparable Arlo Guthrie, from way back in 1967, with not one but 2 versions of this beloved Thanksgiving classic. Enjoy!
Happy Thanksgiving!

Tracklist
01. The Motorcycle Song/
02. Alice's Restaurant Massacree/
03. The Pause Of Mister Claus/
04. Closing Remarks
Bonus track: Alice's Restaurant (another version, from 1967-2-27 FM NY, WBAI Radio Broadcast)

Originally obtained from The Midnight Cafe Much Thanks Matt!


mp3: Arlo_Guthrie_1967-10-01_NY_mp3.rar

FLAC: Arlo_Guthrie_1967-10-01_NY_FLAC.rar

Neil Young & Crazy Horse - 2012-10-26 - New Orleans, LA

NEIL YOUNG & CRAZY HORSE
October 26, 2012
Live at the Voodoo Experience, City Park, New Orleans, LA
Excellent webcast (Broadcast on October 28)
mp3 @ 224 kbps

Here's some more Neil, in great quality once again, and this time featuring the full setlist (5 more songs than NY show), from the New Orleans show. We have been blessed to get several quality soundboard shows from this recent tour, so I had to feature another one that has the full show. And although the setlist has remained pretty constant on this tour, with only one or two songs changing each night, this show features one of the few times that 'Like a Hurricane' has been played this tour. I have also included as a bonus track a sensational version of 'Down By the River' from the Austin City Limits Festival show, which was the only show where that song has been played so far (otherwise, same set as New Orleans minus Mr.Soul &LAH). BTW, the previously featured NYC show was the only show so far to include 'Rockin' in the Free World'.  So, here you go, another great Neil show from the current tour, with a special bonus.
 
Tracklist:
01. Love And Only Love (23.1MB)
02. Powderfinger (12.1MB)
03. Born In Ontario (6.9MB)
04. Walk Like A Giant (37.5MB)
05. Needle And The Damage Done (3.5MB)
06. Twisted Road (5.4MB)
07. Ramada Inn (24.6MB)
08. Cinnamon Girl (6.3MB)
09. F*!#in’ Up (19.2MB)
10. Psychedelic Pill (8.6MB)
11. Mr Soul (9.7MB)
12. Hey Hey, My My (Into The Black) (11.8MB)
13. Like A Hurricane (27.3MB)
Bonus track:
14. Down By the River (2012-10-13 - Austin City Limits Festival, Austin, TX)

Lineup:
Neil Young - vocals, guitar
Frank “Poncho” Sampedro - vocals, guitar, keyboards
Billy Talbot - vocals, bass
Ralph Molina - vocals, drums

Thanks to BigO Worldwide for making this available.

New Link (11/27/20)
NYCH_2012-10-26_-_New_Orleans.rar

Neil Young & Crazy Horse - 2012-09-29 - Central Park, New York

NEIL YOUNG & CRAZY HORSE
September 29, 2012
Live at the Global Citizen Festival, Central Park, New York City, NY
Excellent Palladia HD broadcast.
mp3 @ 320 kbps

Here's some new Neil Young from his current tour with Crazy Horse, and great stuff it is. If you have not yet heard his latest album, Psychodelic Pill (double album w/Crazy Horse), or any shows from this latest tour, you really should check it out. Even if you have been disappointed with Neil's last few albums, this is definitely a return to form, classic Neil, jammin' out with Crazy Horse. Certainly not afraid to just let the tracks go wherever he wants to take them, and just releasing them that way, there are 3 tracks that clock in at over 15 minutes each (and 1, Driftin' Back, at over 27 min.). In this concert recording, an excellent quality broadcast from the Global Citizen Festival in Central Park, although it is a shortened festival set compared to his full-length concerts, Neil mixes in some of his standards with new tracks ('Born in Ontario', 'Walk Like a Giant', 'Twisted Road'), and the tone is clear, with Neil and his favorite veteran band, just tearing through these songs like they were half their advanced age. There's no question that Neil's still got it, and then some, and it is great to hear him carrying on like this, still with such passion, skill, and clarity.
 
Tracklist
01. Love And Only Love
02. Powderfinger
03. Born In Ontario
04. Walk Like A Giant
05. The Needle And The Damage Done
06. Twisted Road
07. F*!#in’ Up
08. Rockin’ In The Free World (with Dan Auerbach and Dave Grohl - guitar and backing vocals + many other guests on backing vocals)
time:70:45

Lineup:
Neil Young - vocals, guitar
Frank “Poncho” Sampedro - vocals, guitar, keyboards
Billy Talbot - vocals, bass
Ralph Molina - vocals, drums

NYCH_2012-09-29_-_Central_Park.rar.

The Band - 1971-12-06 - Boston Garden, Boston

The Band
December 6, 1971
Boston Garden, Boston, MA
Audience recording, good quality
Available in both lossless (Flac) and mp3 (@ 320K) versions


While I'm going back and posting stuff from the 'classic' bands featured on this blog, here's another great show from The Band, that has relatively recently surfaced, and is not as readily available as other shows. The recording is pretty good, although not all that great (certainly no comparison to the great recordings from this time period in 'The Academy of Outtakes' boot previously featured here). But the show itself is great, and well worth hearing for Band fans.
  
Tracklist
01.  Life Is A Carnival
02.  The Shape I'm In
03.  The Weight
04.  Stage Fright
05.  King Harvest (Has Surely Come)
06.  Smoke Signal
07.  Unfaithful Servant
08.  Up On Cripple Creek
09.  Time To Kill
10.  Shootout In Chinatown
11.  The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
12.  Across The Great Divide
13.  Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever
14.  The Genetic Method
15.  Chest Fever
16.  Rag Mama Rag

mp3: Band_1971-12-06_Boston_mp3.rar

Flac: Band_1971-12-06_Boston_FLAC.rar

Links updated 08/31/21

The Kinks - 1972-03-05 - Boston, MA

The Kinks
March 5, 1972
Orpheum Theater, Boston, MA
Audience Recording, Good Quality
mp3 @ 320 kbps
New: Lossless version also added

Here's another vintage Kinks show that is not readily available, from 1972, right around the time that they recorded their live show for the live portion of the Everybody's in Showbiz double album. In fact, this show was just a couple days after the NY shows that were recorded for the album. This is a decent (but not great) quality audience recording of the full show from this period, which includes many of their classics and a few surprises. This was the first of two appearances in Boston in 1972, as the boys played here again at the end of the year (11/12/72), and that November show is also readily available.

Tracklist:
1: Top of the Pops  4:02
2: You're Lookin' Fine  6:07
3: Get Back in Line  3:43
4: Muswell Hillbilly (with band introductions)  3:22
5: Waterloo Sunset  2:24
6: Sunny Afternoon  4:01
7: Banana Boat Song  1:12
8: Brainwashed  2:42
9: Mr. Wonderful  :49
10: Acute Schizophrenia Paranoia Blues  4:10
11: Holiday  3:54
12: Skin and Bone (end cuts, spliced)  3:56
13: Alcohol  6:49
14: Complicated Life (end spliced)  4:12
15: Harry Rag  1:14
16: You are My Sunshine  2:25
17: She's Bought a Hat like Princess Marina  3:28
18: Baby Face  3:12
19: Lola  6:07
20: You Really Got Me >  2:24
21: All Day and All of the Night  1:31
22: Victoria (end cuts)  2:08
runtime: 73:59

Ray Davies: acoustic guitar, lead vocals
Dave Davies:  lead and slide guitar, backing vocals
John Gosling: keyboards
Mike Cotton: trumpet
John Beecham: trombone, tuba
John Dalton: bass
Mick Avory: drums

Kinks_1972-03-05_Boston_mp3.rar
New Links (Updated 05/22/23)
By request, here is the show in a lossless (Flac) version:
Kinks_1972-03-05_Boston_FLAC.rar

LITTLE FEAT
January 30, 1975
Jaap Edenhall, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Part of "The Warner Brothers Music Show '75" - Little Feat, Montrose and Tower Of Power
Audience recording, very good quality
mp3 @ 320 kbps

Here's a great Little Feat Show from their classic early days that has only recently surfaced (thanks to taper Hans Devente). Although it has been featured on several other blogs already, it was too good to not post here, too. Although not quite up to the exquisite sound quality of the Ultrasonic sessions previously posted here, this is nonetheless an excellent audience recording, with very good sound, and a great performance. And although it consists of mostly the same songs as the Ultrasonic sets, it is always great to hear different live performances of these gems. This set is also enhenced by the inclusion of the soundcheck set, which provides a glimpse at their pre-show warmup, which also includes some casual 'funk' and 'fusion' jammin'. So, it's a great new addition to the Little Feat live collections.

Soundcheck:
01. "A" Funk groove
02. "A" Fusion groove
03. Tuning of the oscillators / getting Kenny's levels
04. Skin It Back mic check, band check
05. Rock and Roll Doctor
06. Spanish Moon
07. Truck Stop Girl... "How we doin'? OK. Good!"

Set List:
01. Crowd/Intro
02. A Apolitical Blues
03. Two Trains
04. On Your Way Down
05. Walkin' All Night
06. Skin It Back >
07. Fat Man In The Bathtub
08. Rock and Roll Doctor
09. Oh Atlanta
10. Sailin' Shoes
11. Cold Cold Cold >
12. Dixie Chicken (tape flip)
13. Dixie Chicken (conclusion) >
14. Tripe Face Boogie > Bill Payne solo > Bag Of Reds > Tripe Face Boogie (conclusion)
15. Willin'
16. Introducing Tower Of Power Horns and Chester Thompson (clavinet)
17. Spanish Moon (with Tower Of Power Horns and Chester Thompson on clavinet) >
18. Teenage Nervous Breakdown
19. The Fan

Little Feat_1975-01-30_Amsterdam_FLAC.rar

Restoration Days

Re-uploading and fixing old broken links

OK now, after months of not doing anything about all the old dead links on the blog, over the last several days I have been working behind the scenes to restore most of the posts to full working order (even I was getting really tired of still seeing all those long dead megaupload links still hangin' around). I have now re-done all the mp3 links for the oldest stuff here (all of 2008 and 2009 posts), as it seems there are still folks coming along that want to get access to those earlier offerings. I am also working to finish up the last sections that are not functioning (previously I restored all the more recent posts, from 2012 back through the latter part of 2010), so that now the only primary artist catalog posts that have not yet been restored are those of Elvis Costello and Genesis (and I will get to those shortly). So then, all the links have been restored for Neil Young, The Kinks, Little Feat, the Guess Who, Counting Crows, and most everybody else (although some of the FLAC links are still down, as surprisingly, there just hasn't been much interest in them overall (very few downloads). There also are just a few others that I have misplaced the files and can't re-upload until I find them again, but hopefully will get them back, too. So, anyway, if you have requested any re-uploads over the past few months, or there were some of the older posts that you wanted but couldn't get, or if you have only recently discovered this blog and were disappointed that so many of the links were dead, well now is the time to check back, because, most likely, your downloads have been restored. If not yet, then they soon will be. Thanks for the continued interest, and stay tuned for more new stuff coming soon, too.

Aimee Mann - 2000 & 2003, Hamburg & Norfolk, VA

Aimee Mann
2000-04-09
Angie's Nightclub, Hamburg, Germany
2003-02-05
The Norva, Norfolk, VA
Soundboard and audience recordings, very good and good quality, respectively
mp3 @ 192 and 329 kbps

Here's another of my favorite female singer-songwriters from recent years. I first heard Aimee Mann around 1999 (on 'You Could Make a Killing') and was instantly taken with her style and sound. Then I heard her songs in the Paul Thomas Anderson Film Magnolia (1999) and had to hear more from her. That was followed closely by her Bachelor No.2 (2000) album, which (together with the Magnolia songs) is I think her very best work, and then the Lost in Space (2002) album, which is also very good. I just love her cynical, world-weary, yet also breathtakingly beautiful vocal style and inimitable songs. No one else quite sounds like or has a style like Aimee Mann (For a rather depressing, yet also strangely uplifting, Christmas album, check out her One More Drifter in the Snow-2006). So, featured here are a couple of live sets from what I consider her very best period, covering from
1999 to 2003. The 2000 Hamburg show features a great recording, but a too-short set (perhaps from a radio broadcast?), so I have added to that with a couple songs from 1999 and most of her full show at the Norva in 2003, which is not nearly as good a recording (audience), but features her full set and many different songs (several from Lost in Space). So, please, enjoy some Aimee Mann.

Tracklist:
1 It's Not safe
2 Save Me
3 How Am I Different
4 Long Shot
5 Wise Up
6 Deathly
7 Ghost World
8 Calling It Quits
9 Red Vines
10 The Fall of the World's Own Optimist
11 The Moth
12 Sugarcoated
13 Humpty Dumpty
14 Susan
15 Amateur
16 You Could Make a Killing
17 Wonderwall (with Duncan Sheik)
18 That's Just What You Are
19 This is How It Goes
20 Pavlov's Bell
21 Long Shot
22 Driving Sideways
23 Invisible Ink
24 Sweet Home Alabama
25 Deathly

Tracks 1-8 - 2000-04-09, Angie's Nightclub, Hamburg, Germany (192k)
Tracks 9-10 - 1999-08-07, Tramps, NYC, NY (192k)
Tracks 11-25 - 2003-02-05, The Norva, Norfolk, VA (320k)

Aimee_Mann_20002003_Hamburg-VA.rar
Link Updated 10/9/21

She & Him - 2010-07-11 - Louisville, KY

She & Him
(Zoe Deschanel & M. Ward)
2010-07-11
Forecastle Festival
WaterfrontPark, Louisville, KY
Audience recording, good sound quality
mp3 @ 320 kbps

OK, now that we've gotten some female singing and songwriting going, let's stay with that for a bit and feature a few more of my favorites. Here's She & Him, the duo of Zoe Deschanel and M. Ward. Of course, we've known since her brief but charming rendition of 'Baby, It's Cold Outside' in the film Elf (2003), that actress Zoe Deschanel could sing, but not until she teamed up with M.Ward around 2007 did we realize her full musical talents, as Deschanel sings, plays piano and ukelele, and writes all the original songs for She & Him. But it was this collaboration with Ward that brought Deschanel's songs alive, as Ward provides, in addition to cool guitar grooves, the arrangements and overall style to the songs. And a delightful combination they are, with a decidedly retro, 'sixties feel, and hip, but sparse production style. Zoe's charming vocals take center-stage, with Ward mostly staying in the background, but to me it is really Zoe's songwriting (on the originals) and song selection (on the covers), as well as Ward's cool production, that make it all work. Sure, the sound is light and breezy, some might say too sugary, on many of the numbers, but it also is just so much fun to listen to. I much prefer their second release, Volume Two (2010), over their first, Volume One (2008), and so that tour is what is featured here. My favorites by them are 'Thieves', 'Lingering Still', and 'Don't Look Back', all Deschanel originals, and to me, 'Thieves' was the best single of 2010, and one of the most jauntily, hauntingly beautiful songs I've ever heard, and it actually was the first song I ever heard by them (in early 2010), and I was just mesmerized by it. Anyway, here's She & Him, with a light and fun show from 2010. I also added a few extra songs at the end from some other shows, that features some more interesting cover songs.

Tracklist:
1. I Thought I Saw Your Face Today
2. Change is Hard
3. Rave On
4. I Was Made For You
5. Thieves
6. Black Hole
7. Over It Over Again
8. Lingering Still
9. Magic Trick
10. Gonna Get Along Without You Now
11. In The Sun
12. This Is Not a Test
13. Ridin' In My Car
14. Don't Look Back
15. Why Do You Let Me Stay Here
16. Sweet Darlin'
17. Roll Over Beethoven
18. I Put a Spell On You
Bonus tracks:
19. Take It Back (2010-07-06 - Terminal 5, NYC)
20. You Really Got a Hold On Me (2010-07-06 - Terminal 5, NYC)
21. You Turn Me On, I'm a Radio (2010-07-06 - Terminal 5, NYC)
22. Sentimental Heart (2010-07-06 - Terminal 5, NYC)
23. Fools Rush In (2010-07-06 - Terminal 5, NYC)
24. Wouldn't It Be Nice (2010-09-05 - Paramount Studios, Hollywood, CA)

She__Him_-_2010-07-11_-_Louisville_KY.rar

Link updated 10/9/21

Sara Bareilles - 2009-03-02&03 - Chicago, IL

Sara Bareilles
Live From the Gravity Tour
2009-03-02&03
Schuba's, Chicago, IL
Free Web-Only Live Album, previously available through Sara's web site
http://www.sarabmusic.com/  (but no longer available there)
mp3 @ 256 kbps

Again, sorry for the extended delay between posts, but here we are again, with something a little different, in that (1) this isn't something very old, and (2) it comes from a very talented female singer-songwriter, who regrettably haven't been featured much here previously. Now, I'm not presenting this from any kind of notion that I need to feature more women, or any other such nonsense. No, this is being presented because it is just damn good music. Now, I have to admit that I only discovered just how good Ms. Bareilles is quite recently, and I have just been floored by her songs and style ever since. Like most people I first heard her on her big hit 'Love Song' a few years ago, and although I was impressed by that song (strong piano and forceful defiant vocals), I assumed that she was just another pop singer, and didn't really follow-up to hear more from her. It was only after my daughter started getting interested in her, and I saw her on 'The Sing-off' that I started to pay attention. Her first major label album, Little Voice (2007), is just incredible, I highly recommend it, it contains excellent songwriting, superb vocals, and an extraordinarily cool style and feel. She is much more than a 'pop' singer, with a great jazzy, bluesy, gutsy, sultry style, and great songs (best tracks, the 1-2 knockout punch of 'Come Round Soon' and 'Morningside'). Her style has been described as "slightly edgy, stompy piano-based pop rock that incorporates jazz and soul" and I guess that is as pretty good, although somewhat generic, description. To me, I would say that she is the best new female singer-songwriter to come along since Norah Jones, and that's saying alot. Her 2nd album, Kaleidoscope Heart (2010) is a bit more pop-oriented, but still very good. So, if you haven't heard her beyond what is played on the radio, definitely check her out. Presented here is a live promo album that was previously given away free to fans through Sara's web site. It's pretty short, so I added a few tracks from the Live from Abbey Road set.  

Tracklist:
1. Intro
2. Bottle It Up
3. Come 'Round Soon - Vegas
4. Free Ride
5. Intro
6. Love Song
7. I'm On Fire (featuring Tony Lucca)
8. Gravity
Bonus tracks:
Live From Abbey Road (2008)
9. Love Song
10. Gravity
11. Morningside
12. Oh Darling!

Sara Bareilles_2009-03-02_Chicago.rar
New link (Updated 10/9/21)

Extended absence, back soon

Hellooo out there! (sound of eerie echo returns). OK, things have been deathly quiet here since I last posted, just about a month ago. Sorry for the extended absence, hadn't intended on being away so long. Although actually, I have been back for a couple weeks now, just very very busy with my work, and haven't had a chance to get back to the blog. And honestly, it has also been difficult summoning the motivation to start posting again, what with all the problems and obstacles recently. But I still have a great interest in the blog, so I will get back on track with some new posts soon (as well as getting back to restoring some of the old posts that have been dormant for far too long). So, hang in there (keep checking back), and I'll get this show back on the road very soon. Thanks for your patience.

The Silos - 1990 Tour Live Compilation - 'Flipping The Bird'

The Silos

(Another great former Gainesville area band)
'Flipping The Bird'
1990 Tour Live Compilation (3-CD set)
Soundboard recording, very good quality, made and compiled by Joe Chinnici
mp3 @ vbr (180-320 kbps
  
Update of previous post

Just wanted to let those (few) people who have shown interest in the Gainesville artists know about a very cool link that has a vintage Silos show in great quality. As you should know, The Silos were the bend Walter Salas-Humara formed after leaving The Vulgar Boatmen. They created alot of buzz in the late eighties to early nineties, released several indie tapes and albums, and one major label album (The Silos, on RCA, 1990 - aka "The One with the Bird on the Cover") that was (like with the Boatmen) critically acclaimed, but sold poorly. They continued on for many years in various forms (usually Walter with varying different band members), but never made it big, and this early 1990's period is generally considered their best (although they're still around and still good today). Well, Brian Doherty, who was the drummer with the band during that time, and also went on to play with/for bands like They Might Be Giants, XTC, and Ben Folds, has a blog and has recently been writing about his experiences in the music biz, including his time with The Silos, and he has some very interesting comments, observations, and stories that he tells. But most importantly, he also shares a download of a 3-cd compilation of live tracks from their 1990 tour, a high quality soundboard recording made by their sound guy, Joe Chinnici. Brian states that he thinks this is the best recording by the band, capturing their full potential as a great Rock 'n roll band better than any of their released albums. He also recounts what a great and special band the Silos were back then. Be sure to check this out, and marvel at how this excellent band never quite made it. So, I have included a link to Brian's blog that lists all the Silos-related posts, including the live compilation download (entitled Flippin the Bird). However, since in a recent check Brian's download link was dead, I have also included my own updated download link for the live compilation, so that this will remain available here, regardless of the status of Brian's websitei. But thanks to Brian (and Joe) for making this available, and by all means check out Brian's site to get the full scoop on his adventures with the band, as well as his other writings and posts). If you do visit his blog and want to leave a comment, be sure to tell him that you heard about him from the BB Chronicles.

Brian Doherty's website (and info on The Silos):
http://briandohertydrummer.blogspot.com/search/label/the%20silos

The Silos - Flippin The Bird - Live 1990.rar
New link - updated  09/18/21 

You also should know that The Silos (in a somewhat different form) are also still active, and they have a web site (http://www.thesilos.net/) where virtually all of their records and tapes are still available (and they even have a new album, too), so check that site out also. 

The Vulgar Boatmen - 1982 - Women and Boatmen First (very first recording)

The Vulgar Boatmen
1982 - Women And Boatmen First
First self-released cassette tape
Gainesville, FL
Digital transfer from tape copy, good quality
mp3 @ 320 kbps

OK, so to finish up this look at thr Gainesville Music scene, here's another look at The Vulgar Boatmen, this time, their very first recording, their early long-lost self-released indie cassette tape from 1982, Women and Boatmen First. This is the earliest version of the group, primarily featuring Walter Salas-Humara and John Eder. Although this very early version of the group was decidedly different from the later Robert Ray-Dale Lawrence collaboration, there still was a noticeable glimpse of what the group would eventually become. Robert Ray had just joined the group at this point, and here is what he later had to say about the early Boatmen sound: "The very early Vulgar Boatmen were dominated by John Eder, a singing non-musician who worked much more conceptually and ironically than either Walter or I do. The songs were very "new wavy": frantic tempos and novelty lyrics. The original band had saxophone, which was later replaced by the viola. I think the music has changed, but since I am part of that change, I find it hard to say exactly how. I would say it has become less busy and cluttered, more repetitive and matter-of-fact, less influenced by Elvis Costello (musically) and the Ramones (lyrically) and more by Otis Redding and John Lee Hooker (though we sound nothing like either of them)." (Robert Ray, 1992). Here is another assessment from someone associated with the group: "To me, the first record is more of an off-beat art project that sounds more along the lines of the first Feelies record or Talking Heads than it does the Boatmen... and for the most part, the Boatmen in 1982 has very little to do with, or in common with,  the Vulgar Boatmen in their hey-day, circa about 1992." (Robert Wescott, Mary Janes manager, 2002).
The Boatmen followed up this cassette with another indie cassette-only release in 1984, titled All Bands On Deck, which featured a sound that began to more closely resemble style more closely associated with the later Boatmen releases (Unfortunately, I do not have this tape, nor have ever heard it). After the 1984 tape, Walter departed, and the band was left in the capable hands of Ray, which then began the beginning of the 'classic' period of the Ray-Lawrence collaboration.
So, although not yet the classic sound and style that later became the Boatmen, here is their beginnings. This recording comes from a digital transfer of a cassette copy of the original cassette release, so it may not be pristine sound, but this is a quite rare recording, not available anywhere I know of. So, check out where The Boatmen started out, then check out their more impressive classic releases (1989-You and Your Sister, 1992-Please Panic, and 1995-Opposite Sex).

Tracklist
1.Suzanne Sommers In El Salvador
2.Puntos de Partida (Latin Love)
3.Drink More Coffee (Waste More Time)
4.Hook In My Lip
5.Everyone Is Critical
6.Homeostasis
7.The King's Last Words (Before He Died)
8.I Don't Care
9.Susan
10.This Is War
11.How Round 'n' Round (live)

The Vulgar Boatmen (original lineup):
Jerry Bartolomeo
Steve Cimerberg
Carey Crane
John Eder
Rick Ellis
Helen Kirklin
Robert Ray
Walter Salas-Humara
Ann Waters
Scote Weinkle

Vulgar Boatmen_1982_Women&Children First.rar
New Link (Updated 07/23/24)

Note: picture included here is NOT from the 1982-era band, but is the earliest picture I have of the Band (from Indiana branch?).

The Vulgar Boatmen - 1989 - You and Your Sister

The Vulgar Boatmen
1989 - You and Your Sister
vinyl rip, very good quality
mp3 @ 320 kbps

OK, first, sorry for the delay in posting. I was away for awhile and didn't get a chance to post. But what I have for you today is well worth the wait. Here we have, not only the culmination of the Gainesville Music connection, but one of the all-time great, classic roots-rock albums, that you've probably never heard of. For now, finally, we come to The Vulgar Boatmen, a legendary group, that somehow never became famous, but certainly should have. OK, first, their story is not one of the typical rock band. Initially, the group was started by Walter Salas-Humara and John Eder in 1982 at the University of Florida, and they made quite a splash locally at the time with an edgy mix of new wave, roots-rock, and humor, and issued a couple of independent cassette-only releases over the next couple years. One of the members added during this time was a young English professor (actually Film Studies) at the the University by the name of Robert Ray. By 1984 or so, Salas-Humara and some of the original members had graduated and were moving on (Salas-Humara went on to form The Silos, another very good, underrated band that are worth checking out), leaving The boatmen primarily in the hands of Robert Ray. Now, prior to this, Robert Ray had met Dale Lawrence, then a student at Indiana University (and who had been in the proto-punk band, The Gizmos), and they had formed a songwriting and performing partnership. After Ray moved to Florida, they continued to collaborate with each other by sending cassette tapes back and forth, working out songs together. Robert would then play the songs with his band, The Vulgar Boatmen in and around Gainesville, and Dale would play them with his band at the time, Right to Left, in Indianapolis. Now, this is when the sound and unique style of The Vulgar Boatmen really came together, in the mid-eighties. The band was becoming a local legend in Gainesville, even though they only performed very ocasionally, usually on campus or at special events just a few shows a year. Meanwhile, in Indianapolis, Dale also renamed his band The Vulgar Boatmen, so now there were two different bands, playing the same songs, both as The Vulgar Boatmen (Florida and Indiana branches). Although their local fame grew, Ray still had his faculty position, and could not tour (and had no interest in touring), so the Indiana version of the band became the touring version of the band, playing throughout the Midwest, and eventually more wide-reaching places. By 1989, The band released their first record (vinyl-only), You and Your Sister, on an independent label. The recording band was predominantly the Florida band, with Dale Lawrence added. Thus, The Gainesville Boatmen became known more as the recording band, and the Indiana band was the touring band. Unless you were in the Gainesville area at the time, you probably never had the opportunity to hear the Gainesville band (but they were great live!). So, if you've heard of the band at all, or saw them ,it was probably the Indiana version. You and Your Sister received much notoriety and acclaim from just about everyone who heard it (which was still very limited), but with Ray not touring, and the unusual nature of the band, they didn't really go anywhere. But Ray and Dale continued to work together, writing songs, and cultivating the style of the band. By 1992, they released their first CD, Please Panic, which many thought was even better than You and Your Sister. But again, they received minimal national recognition. They continued on in this way for a few more years, just playing a few highly anticipated shows a year in Gainesville, but their legend growing. In 1995, they signed with Warner Brothers to release an album worldwide, but things went wrong, and their next album, Opposite Sex, was only released in Europe and the UK. Although the album received acclaim in the UK, and was planned for a US release, management upheavals at the label resulted in no US release, and them getting dropped from the label completely. This was about it for the band at this point, with members moving on to other things (They already had numerous different lineups over the years). So, things were somewhat dormant then, their albums were out of print (Opposite Sex has still never been released in the US), and that was that. However, even with their music unavailable, those who were fans, continued to build the reputation of the band (and Robert and Dale continued as much as they could). Then in 2003, they released a compilation album of highlights from their previous albums, called Wide Awake, featuring remixed and remastered tracks. Dale again set out touring with his version of the band. But still, no breakthrough. In recent years, their music has become more available, with You and Your Sister finally becoming available on CD, and their album tracks available on Amazon and Itunes (as mp3s). But the important thing is, regardless of their history and story, that the music is great, classic stuff. And it is remarkably timeless. It could have been made in any decade over the past 50 years, yet still sounds contemporary. Their sound has many influences, yet has its own distinctive style. You can definitely hear the influences of other early eighties bands like REM, The Feelies, the dB's, but also classic sounds of the Velvet Underground, Buddy Holly, and the Everly Brothers. They have a great natural style and sound, laidback, but with tension, with very sparse and simple, but effective, arrangements (and great melodies and hooks), and has also sometimes been referred to as roots-pop. Their style and music also fits right in with the current trend of roots-oriented music by bands like Mumford & Sons, Fleet Foxes,and others, as well as groups like Uncle Tupelo and, of course, Wilco. These guys were alt-country before that category existed. Of course, to me, they have the epitome of what I think of as 'The Gainesville Sound' (sorry Indiana, who claim them also, but to me this is pure Gainesville), and you can also even hear some Tom Petty in there somewhere.
So, today I am presenting what I consider to be their best album (although many others prefer Please Panic), You and Your Sister. Now, just for this one time, I am violating my rule of not presenting any commercially available music, because this music is not very widely available, and, as I see it, more people need to hear and be aware of this music before they will consider buying it. So, for a limited time, I am making this album available here, to check out. I think you will not only like it, but then will check out, and possibly buy their other available music. So, I hope this is alright with the band, but I really see it as an opportunity for more to experience and be aware of this great band. To me, this is just one of those classic, seminal albums that everyone should have and enjoy. So, I urge you all, if you've ever liked or appreciated the music I've posted here, or agreed with anything I've had to say about music, then you must get this and really listen to it closely. I am confident that if you like any of the music here, or any of the influences listed, then you will like this band. And perhaps will seek out their other music. If you really listen to it, I know that the music will stick with you long after the album is done, and you will find yourself humming and singing the refrains throughout the day. OK, as you can tell, this is a special album for me. Now, enough talk, please check out one of the greatest bands you've never heard of, The Vulgar Boatmen.

Tracklist.
01.  Mary Jane
02.  You And Your Sister
03.  Margaret Says
04.  Katie
05.  Drive Somewhere
06.  Change The World All Around
07.  Fallen Down
08.  Hold Me Tight
09.  Cry Real Tears
10.  Drink More Coffee
11.  The Street Where You Live

The Vulgar Boatmen (1989)
Jim Bays
Carey Crane
Michael Derry
Dale Lawrence
Robert Ray

Note: When re-issued on CD, an additional track 'Decision By The Airport' was added (after 'Drive Somewhere'). But, since this is the original 1989 vinyl release version, that track is not included here.

Unfortunately, download of this album no longer available (depositfiles received copyright infringement complaint). Please seek out Vulgar Boatmen releases where available elsewhere. Here is link to Vulgar Boatmen music available through Amazon.com: Amazon.com link - Vulgar Boatmen
By all means, Please purchase the music of this great, neglected band.

Some live shows available:
I mentioned this in the comments, but wanted to post it here also.
Although I do not know of any live recordings of the Gainesville branch of the band, there are several live shows from the Indiana branch of the group (from 1990-2007) that are available through the Indiana band website Musical Family Tree here: http://www.musicalfamilytree.com/band/the_vulgar_boatmen

Here they also have a recent blog entry indicating that the band is still performing (June 2012), with a brief history, etc: http://www.musicalfamilytree.net/profiles/blogs/indiana-music-archive-the-vulgar-boatmen
so check that out too. Thanks.

Aleka's Attic (River Phoenix's band) - 1989-1993 - miscellaneous tracks

Aleka's Attic
(River Phoenix's Band)
Miscellaneous tracks (1989 tape, unreleased 1993 album)
Gainesville, FL
mp3 @ 128 kbps

While we are discussing the Gainesville music scene in the late '80's, I have to mention Aleka's Attic, the band formed by and featuring Hollywood film actor River Phoenix. In 1987, The Phoenix family, with multiple children with budding acting careers (River, Rain, Joaquin, and Summer) and had already appeared in numerous films and TV shows, moved to the Gainesville Area (first, in town, then later to a large ranch in the surrounding area), to get away from the corrupting influence of Hollywood. And River was by far the most succesful, having appeared in major films such as Stand By Me, Mosquito Coast, Running On Empty, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and receiving much acclaim and notoriety, even an academy award nomination, and all by the age of 17. Anyway, as River became immersed in the emerging Gainesville Music scene, it inspired and stimulated his musical creativity and ambitions. River formed his band, Aleka's Attic, which also featured his sister Rain and a couple of his new Gainesville friends. The Band was started in late 1987, and almost immediately became the buzz of the area. Through his industry connections, he received a development deal from Island records to record an album within 2 years. Unfortunately, due to his growing movie career and schedule, they were unable to complete the album within that time, and ultimately Island opted out of the deal. But when River was in Gainesville, he devoted most of his time to the band, and they recieved much notoriety in a short time, often playing at the Hardback Cafe, and receiving some important opening act gigs with national touring bands like The Psychedelic Furs, Sonic Youth, and others. The band became very popular around the area, and even received national attention, and in turn bringing national attention to the Gainesville Music Scene. He was friends with big names like Michael Stipes (REM) and Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), and was immensely liked, as an actor, musician, and positive role model for teens. The band put out a short (4-song) independent tape that they sold at gigs around 1989-1991, but no records were ever commercially released. Only one track, 'Across The Way' was ever released commercially during this time, as part of a benefit album, 'Tame Yourself' for PETA, one of many causes and charities River actively supported. By 1993, River was more determined than ever to put together an album, which he was funding himself, and apparently recorded many new tracks for it. Among his friends it was often said that, as good as he was as an actor, music was always his true passion. But all band activity came to an abrupt end in October 1993, when River tragically died of a drug overdose in California, at age 23. Although it has been reported that in subsequent years Rain spent alot of time going through the recordings to prepare an album, still no Aleka's Attic album has ever been released (rumored to be due to a dispute among other band members), although a few isolated tracks have appeared on other compilations. River Phoenix himself has remained immensely popular among fans, with numerous tribute web sites, books, and songs written about him. It would seem that eventually his music will be officially released, too. Not surprisingly, however, most of the recorded Aleka's Attics songs (including the nearly complete 1993 album, tentatively titled 'Never Odd or Even' or 'Zero') have been available in various forms as bootlegs over the internet for several years.

So, then, the big question is, was Aleka's Attic really any good, or were they just popular because of River's fame? Well, now, you can decide for yourself. Here are all the available Aleka's Attic songs, from their early 1989 tape, to the unrelaeased 1993 album. To be honest, I was never a big fan, but I think there was definite potential in those early tape songs (I hear a cool kind-of XTC vibe and feel in songs like 'Goldmine' and 'Too Many Colors'), whereas some of the 'neveroddoreven' (a palindrome, River seemed to like palindromes and wordplay) stuff is pretty spaced-out or mildly annoying. But I know that some really like the band. Even back in their heyday, there was a definitive split in local opinions about them, from those that were really into the band, and those that thought they only got attention because of River's fame. Overall, I think they are quite interesting, and who knows what they might have been able to do if River hadn't died so young. Certainly worth checking out.  Anyway, here they, another unique entry in the Gainesville music scene, Aleka's Attic.

Note: I have purposely only posted low bitrate versions of these tracks (they are the most common forms available on the web) in order to give people a chance to hear these, but yet not actively compete with higher quality official versions, if they should ever be released (which I think they will someday). BTW, it has been reported that Michael Stipe bought the rights to all of River's demos and recorded material from the original Island recording deal, so perhaps that might also be released someday.

Tracklist
1989 band tape
1. Goldmine
2. Too Many Colors
3. Across The Way
4. Blue period
Miscellaneous unreleased
5. In The Corner Dunce
6. Popular Thinks (Live)
7. Where I've Gone

Unreleased album 1993 - tentative title: 'Never Odd Or Even' aka 'Zero'
1. Alone We Elope
2. Below Beloved
3. Bliss Is...
4. Dog God
5. Get Anything
6. Note To A Friend
7. Safety Pins & Army Boots
8. Scales & Fishnails
9. Senile Felines
10. You're So Ostentatious

Aleka's Attic original lineup:
River Phoenix: vocals, guitar
Rain Phoenix: vocals
Josh McKay: bass
Josh Greenbaum: drums
Other contributing musicians (later tracks):
Tim Hankins
Sasa Raphael
Michael Perfitt

http://depositfiles.com/files/wwc9w7kkm

WHAT anne LIKES... - 1990 - self-released cassette

WHAT anne LIKES...
1990
Original Self-released Cassette Tape
Soundboard recording, good quality, digitized from original cassette
mp3 @ 320 kbps

Continuing with my look at Gainesville, FL, we now shift to the late '80's (the time period I was there) and a relatively thriving music scene, where bands played at places like The Hardback Cafe, MFP, and Simon's among other constantly changing venues. I guess most of the bands would be generically termed 'alternative', but there was a wide variety of styles. For me though, the band that most set the tone for the Gainesville music scene at that time was a band that only rarely even played live, but when they did, it was an occasion worth celebrating. That band was 'Vulgar Boatmen', but more about them later. Today, I feature something a bit different. Unlike Tom Petty, or Don Felder and Bernie Leadon, who went on to musical fame and fortune after leaving Gainesville, today I am featuring a completely obscure Gainesville band that popped up in the late '80's, played for awhile, self-released a single cassette-only album, then, as far as I know, dissappeared. They were called 'WHAT anne LIKES...', and they were a really fun, spirited, and quirky band, that I really enjoyed at the time. They merged many styles, sounds, and influences, but basically, were just a lot of fun. Lead by the songwriting/performing team of Bill Stephenson and Ned Davis, they featured a bright, driving guitar, with songs highlighted by Bill's trumpet and/or horn arrangements. And I found that, over the years, I kept coming back to play that one cassette of theirs, because it was just really cool. Anyway, that cassette was independently released by the band in 1990. I left Gainesville soon after that, so don't really know what happened to the band, which was composed primarily of UF students or possibly graduate students, but never heard anything more about them. In doing a web search for them, I did find an old website (but very little else), consisting of a single page, that indicated they were planning a new album, but that they were going through changes, with Ned and Paul leaving the band. Don't know what year this was from, but apparently quite awhile ago. I do know that drummer Jonathan Isley joined up with Vulgar Boatmen shortly after they released their cassette. Anyway, their cassette release, which, as far as I know, has been completely unavailable anywhere since shortly after 1990, is very good, and worth checking out for a number of reasons. Although their original songs are very good and quite memorable, for many, it may be the covers included here that attract the most attention. For fans of Elvis Costello, there are actually 2 stunning covers included here, first, an outrageous mash-up of Costello's 'Pump it Up' and George Clinton's 'Atomic Dog' called 'Funk it Up, Dog!', then a gorgeous re-invention of one of Costello's most obscure songs, 'Poison Moon'. This song was only available as an unfinished, underdeveloped demo recording from Costello's early home tapes, But WaL has enhanced and polished it up to stunning effect, and a finished song that I'm sure even Elvis himself would fully appreciate. Anyway, here is WHAT anne LIKES, from 1990, and another part of Gainesville's interesting history. I realize that this is really obscure stuff, but for the adventurous downloader, this is some really interesting stuff. Admittedly, the sound and recording are not very polished, but it has great drive, spirit, inventiveness, musicality, and humor. Give it a listen. 

Tracklist:
1. Tin can
2. Please Don't Start
3. Manly Man
4. Dr. John's Suitcase
5. Funk it Up, Dog!
6. Poison Moon
7. Not To Remember
8. Fat Man
9. Faculties
10. Tributary

WHAT anne LIKES... :
Bill Stephenson: vocals, guitars, trumpets
Ned Davis: guitars, vocals, fretless bass, hand drum
Paul Miller: five-string bass
Jonathan Isley: drums, percussion, background vocals


(BTW, if anyone associated with WaL is still out there, let me know, I'd love to hear from you. My purpose in posting this is to let more people hear the music they created, but if anyone connected with the band objects to posting this opposes this, I will remove it. thanks.)

Lin updated (03/30/21)
WHAT anne LIKES_1990_cass.rar

The Eagles - 1975-05-17 - Philadelphia

Eagles
(featuring Bernie Leadon and Don Felder)
May 17th, 1975
The Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
Audience recording, good quality
mp3 @ 320 kbps

Like Tom Petty, Don Felder was born and raised in Gainesville, FL, and started playing guitar at around age 10. Being a couple years older than Petty, Don was already a good guitar player when he started his first band at age 15, The Continentals, which also featured another young guitar player by the name of Stephen Stills (Stills was a military kid and his family moved around quite abit, but happened to be in Gainesville for some of his high school years). In 1964, another young guitar-banjo-mandolin player, by the name of Bernie Leadon, also moved to Gainesville for his later high school years (his father was an Aerospace Engineer, who took a faculty position at the University of Florida there). Although Bernie was more partial to country and bluegrass music, and Don was rock n' roll, Don and Bernie became good friends (hanging out at Lipham's Music), and when Stills left the band soon after that, Bernie came in to replace him. And at that time, around 1965, the band's name changed to the Maundy Quintet. Over the next couple years, Don and Bernie's Maundy Quintet and Tom Petty's The Epics were noted as the best of the local high school bands. By 1967, they had finished high school, and Bernie head off to the west coast to join some other friends there and check out the California music scene. Don headed to New York to join a band called The Flow. Of course, Bernie's California adventures soon lead him to stints with country-rock pioneers Dillard and Clark, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and ultimately the Eagles. Don's band had fallen apart, and he did various session work and gigs. But then in early 1974, as the Eagles were beginning to really take off, Bernie gave Don a call to join them to add some slide guitar to a song they were doing ('Good Day in Hell') to finish up their next album (On the Border). The band really liked Don's guitar work and style, and after playing for them just one day, The Eagles asked Don to join the band, which, of course he did, and from then on The Eagles were a quintet. Don's harder rock guitar sound fit in well with the more rock-oriented direction the band was interested in (well, all except Bernie) at the time. So, for the rest of 1974 and 1975, Bernie and Don were both part of the Eagles as they became a superstar band. Not surprisingly, there are no recordings of Don and Bernie from their Gainesville days, but, of course, there are many from their Eagles days together. This is a show from the 1975 tour. But, of course, Bernie and Don's days together with the band did not last that long. Tensions were mounting between Bernie and Don Henley and Glenn Frey, as Bernie's style and music were being pushed to the back ground and Henley and Frey took greater control of the band, their style, and marketing. The division between them was never more obvious than on the One of These Nights album (1975), where most of the album contained a much slicker, pop sound (designed for top40 radio), whereas Bernie's 2 songs, the cosmic Banjo instrumental 'Journey of the Sorcerer' and the folkie 'I Wish You Peace', stuck out as out of place from the rest of the album. Tensions mounted through the 1975 tour, This show, from Summer 1975, was near the end of Bernie's run with the band, as just a few months later, Bernie would infamously pour a beer over Glenn Frey's head, and walk away from the band for good. Bernie was rather quickly replaced by rocker gutarist Joe Walsh. Don would stay with the band for many years, but certainly not without drama of his own. When the Eagles officially broke up after a particularly contentious concert in Long Beach in July 1980 (where Felder and Frey were constantly bickering and threatening each other all through the show), it certainly looked to be end for them. But then, 14 years later, in 1994, The Eagles re-formed, and invited Don back into the band (but not Bernie, because he had quit them), and Don continued, albeit rather unhappily, until he was fired from the band in 2001. Lawsuits and allegations followed, and eventually, Don wrote and published a rather scathing 'tell-all' book about his time in the band titled 'Heaven and Hell: My Life in the Eagles'. Although Bernie kept active in music, he maintained a rather low profile in his years after the Eagles, preferring to just play in other's bands and do session work, etc. He has had two solo albums and worked with countless other groups, especially those of friend Chris Hillman, but has never really sought the kind of stardom he had with the Eagles. Don, also has done mostly session work and miscellaneous gigs, since leaving the Eagles. But, here they both are, hopefully in happier times, as part of the Eagles. So, here for the next part odf our tribuite to Gainesville, FL, are Gainesville High School's own, Bernie Leadon and Don Felder (and some other guys) in The Eagles in 1975.
 
tracklist:
1. Take It Easy
2. Outlaw Man
3. Doolin' Dalton/Doolin Dalton Reprise
4. Train Leaves Here This Morning
5. Peaceful Easy Feeling
6. Desperado
7. Ol' 55
8. One Of These Nights
9. Instrumental (Blackberry Blossom)
10. Midnight Flyer
11. Journey Of The Sorcerer
12. Too Many Hands
13. Already Gone
14. Good Day In Hell
15. James Dean
16. Witchy Woman
17. Chug All Night
18. Best Of My Love
19. Tequila Sunrise
 
http://depositfiles.com/files/ioexq2kik

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (w/Stevie Nicks) - 2006-09-21 - Gainesville, FL

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
September 21st, 2006
With Special Guest Stevie Nicks
30th Anniversary Concert
Stephan C. O'Connell Center, University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida 
Soundboard recording, very good quality
mp3 @ 320 kbps

Here's one more Tom Petty/Gainesville show, this one commemorating the 30th Anniversary of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. It was another special homecoming for Tom and the boys, 13 years after their last Gainesville show. It was proclaimed "Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Day" by the Gainesville mayor, and in a pre-concert ceremony each member of the band was presented a key to the city of Gainesville, as well as receiving the Uinversity of Florida Distinguished Achievement Award (regarding the key, Petty quipped "It's a lot nicer than the one we got in Chicago"). The concert itself, held once again at the O'Connell Center at the University of Florida, sold-out quicker than any event there ever, with all tickets sold in about ten minutes. And it was a very special event. Not only did it commemorate their 30th Anniversary, but they also had Stevie Nicks as a special guest to sing on several songs, including Tom and Stevie's hit duet performance of "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around". So, here it is, another magical homecoming concert event for Tom and the city of Gainesville.

Tracklist:
1. Listen to Her Heart
2. Mary Jane's Last Dance
3. I Won't Back Down
4. Free Fallin'
5. Saving Grace
6. I'm a Man
7. Oh Well
8. Handle With Care
9. Stop Draggin' My Heart Around (with Stevie Nicks)
10. I Need to Know (with Stevie Nicks)
11. It's Good to Be King
12. Down South
13. Southern Accents
14. Insider (with Stevie Nicks)
15. Learning to Fly (Acoustic - Stevie Nicks backing vocals)
16. Don't Come Around Here No More (with Stevie Nicks backing vocals)
17. Runnin' Down a Dream
18. You Wreck Me
19. Mystic Eyes
20. American Girl (with Strevie Nicks)

New Link! Updated 08/02/21
Tom Petty_2006-09-21_GainesvilleFL.rar

Tom accepts key to the city of Gainesville, FL (09-21-2006)