Ducks Deluxe - 1975-07-01 - London (Last Night)

Ducks Deluxe
1975-07-01
100 Club, London, UK
'Last Night of a Pub Rock Band'(Liberated bootleg)
Audience recording, good quality
Mp3 @320 kbps

Continuing with legendary British 'Pub Rock' bands of the '70's, after the demise of Brinsley Schwarz (the band) in early 1975, guitarist Brinsley Schwarz and drummer Billy Rankin teamed up with their friend (and former Brinsley Schwarz roadie) guitarist Martin Belmont in his pub rock band, Ducks Deluxe, which was also in their final days and on the verge of calling it quits. Ducks Deluxe was formed by Belmont and guitarist Sean Tyla in 1972, initially with Ken Whaley (bass) and Michael Cousins (percussion), soon to be replaced by drummer Tim Roper, and additions of guitarist/songwriter Nick Garvey and (briefly) bass-keyboardist Andy McMaster. They released two albums, Ducks Deluxe (1974) and Taxi to the Terminal Zone (1975), after which McMaster and Garvey left. In 1975, Belmont and Tyla were trying to hold the band together a bit longer by bringing in Rankin and Schwarz, and Mickey Groome (bass), but the band pulled the plug in Mid-1975 anyway. But the Ducks were a 'real' pub rock band, harder-edged, and with a much rougher, looser sound than the clean, polished licks and harmonies of Brinsley Schwarz. The Ducks were a popular pub band with a strong following, but they never made any money so packed it in. But that's OK, because from here Schwarz, Belmont, and Bob Andrews went on to form The Rumour and teamed up with Graham Parker for a glorious run. Ex-Ducks Nick Garvey and Andy McMaster formed The Motors (another somewhat legendary pub rock band, 1977-1982). Sean Tyla went on to form Tyla Gang and subsequent solo projects. Anyway, here we have what has been called the final performance of Ducks Deluxe, at the 100 Club on July 1, 1975. And also joining in at the end here (for a couple songs) is none other than Nick Lowe and Bob Andrews (from Brinsley Schwarz). And they really live up to their pub rock name here, storming through a set of mostly classic rock covers (featuring a couple each from Dylan, CCR, and the Stones), as well as several Ducks originals. And although this ended the Ducks tenure at that time, it was not the end entirely, for years later, in 2007, Ducks Deluxe was re-formed (featuring Sean Tyla, Martin Belmont, Billy Rankin, and Mickey Groome) to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the original band, and they stayed together for touring, and eventually even a new album in 2010. In 2012, and continuing, the band is still touring, with the addition of Brinsley Schwarz back in the fold once again. So, rock on Ducks Deluxe, and all the old pub-rockers, wherever they might be.
  
Tracklist:
1. Intro
2. Fireball (Tyla)
3. Proud Mary (John Fogerty)
4. Trouble
5. Midnight Moon (Tyla)
6. Mighty Quinn (Dylan)
7. Here Comes the Night (Berns)
8. Knockin' on Heaven's Door (Dylan)
9. Have You Ever Seen the Rain? (Fogerty)
10. Amsterdam Dog (Tyla)
11. Jumpin' in the Fire (Tyla)
12. Run Rudolph Run (C. Berry)
13. Teenage Head (Flamin Groovies)
14. Coast to Coast (Garvey/Tyla)
15. Route 66 (B. Troup)
16. Encore
17. Little Queenie (Berry)
18. Brown Sugar (Stones)
19. Midnight Rambler (Stones)
20. Going Down the Road

Sean Tyla - gtr, vocals
Martin Belmont - gtr, vocals
Mickey Groome - bass, vocals
Brinsley Schwarz - gtr, sax
Billy Rankin - drums

Guests
Martin Stone, Les Brilleaux (from Dr. Feelgood) (track 15 only)
Nick Lowe - gtr, Bob Andrews - vocals (tracks 18-19 only)

Ducks Deluxe_1975-07-01_London.rar
Link updated 10/8/21

Brinsley Schwarz - January 1974 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Brinsley Schwarz
with the Bakersfield Brass
January 1974 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Audience recording, good quality
mp3 @ 320 kbps

Since the previous Brinsley Schwarz post has been so popular, here's some more live Brinsley. This one comes from a show in Amsterdam in 1974, and is a much longer and more complete show, as well as much less commonly available, than the widely available Cardiff, Wales show, also from 1974. More great stuff from Brinsley Schwarz.


Tracklist
01.  You Been Cheating
02.  Small Town
03.  I'll Be Doggone
04.  Love Is Gone
05.  Been So Long
06.  Ran Out Of Tears
07.  Happy Doing What We're Doing
08.  I'll Be Ahead
09.  Don't Lie To Me
10.  Surrender To The Rhythm
11.  Country Girl
12.  Range War
13.  Gonna Be A Breakdown
14.  Save The Last Dance For Me
15.  Down In The Dive
16.  Down In Mexico
17.  Ju Ju Man
18.  Wonder Woman
19.  Home In My Hand
20.  Run Run Rudolph
21.  Brown Sugar

Link updated 12/05/23
Brinsley Schwarz_1974_Amsterdam.rar

 

Brinsley Schwarz - Unknown Numbers (BBC Session Recordings) 1971-1973

Brinsley Schwarz 
1971-1973, 'Unknown Numbers' (Miscellaneous BBC Session Recordings)
FM Broadcast recordings, very good quality
Mp3 @ 320 kbps

It's certainly about time I feature something from the legendary British 'pub rock' band Brinsley Schwarz (1969-1975), who despite being a great band on their own, became known primarily for what its members went on to do afterwards. Brinsley Schwarz the band consisted of guitarist Brinsley Schwarz, Nick Lowe, keyboardist Bob Andrews, and drummer Billy Rankin, initially, and grew out of an earlier incarnation called Kippington Lodge. In 1971 (after their 2nd album), singer-songwriter Ian Gomm was added, and the roster was complete. Brinsley Schwarz released 6 fine albums between 1970 and 1974, and established a reputation as a great live band before splitting to go their separate ways in 1975. Their last album (New Favorites of...) was produced by Dave Edmunds, and they played as Edmunds back-up band on tour at that time and were featured on the live tracks from Dave's solo album, Subtle as a Flying Mallet. Of course, Nick Lowe then went on to team up with Edmunds in the great band Rockpile, as well as establish, record and produce for Stiff records (and many others, producing artists such as The Damned, Elvis Costello, Wreckless Eric, Graham Parker, and The Pretenders), as well as a full solo career of his own, on his way to becoming an icon of britiish pub rock, power pop, punk rock, and new wave, and in recent years, even gentleman crooner. Drummer Billy Rankin and guitarist Brinsley Schwarz joined up with guitarist Martin Belmont briefly in Ducks Deluxe before Schwarz and Belmont, along with keyboardist Bob Andrews then teamed up with Graham Parker to become The Rumour, and one of the best back-up bands in rock history (both with and without Graham). Ian Gomm also went on to a successful solo career. All these artists achieved some great things, but Brinsley Schwarz the band is generally only thought about as being a stepping stone to those other things. Yet, they were a great band, and their music deserves to be heard. In some ways, they are kind of the british equivalent to Buffalo Springfield, not so much in their musical style, but in the fact that although they were a great band, they are seen primarily as a pre-cursor to so much other great music (Buffalo Springfield, and members Neil Young, Stephen Stills, Richie Furay, and Jim Messina, of course, lead to CSN&Y, Poco, Loggins& Messina, Manassas, SHF Band, etc. as well as all their stellar solo work). But anyway, Brinsley Schwarz was pretty great, too, and their excellent musical chops, precision playing and singing, and brilliant songwriting, all stand out on these selections of tracks from various BBC live sessions. Knowing their subsequent musical directions, we expect the tight rock 'n roll sound and the soul influences they show, but what you may not expect, is the strong American country-rock influence shown here. In fact, their overall sound is more strongly influenced by The Byrds, Gram Parsons, and particularly The Band, than just about anyone else (especially in their early years). Great stuff here, yet most of it not known at all in the US. By the way, the performances/recordings included here are supposed to be different from any of the officially released BBC material (on 2 LPs, including Cruel To be Kind-2004, which is excellent), but I have not specifically verified this. So, check out Brinsley Schwarz, not for what its members did later, but for the great music they made that was all their own. 

Tracklist
1. Country Girl (Lowe)
2. Dry Land/Unknown Number (Gomm)
3. Silver Pistol (Lowe)
4. Range War (Gomm)
5. Egypt (Lowe)
6. Nervous on the Road (But Can't Stay at Home) (Lowe)
7. Rockin' Chair (Gomm)
8. Unknown Number (Lowe)
9. It's Been So Long (Gomm)
10. Don't Lose Your Grip on Love (Lowe)
11. Surrender to the Rhythm (Lowe)
12. Home in My Hand (R.Self)
13. Ju Ju Man (Jim Ford/Lolly Vegas)
14. 30 Pounder (Instr.) (Lowe/Gomm/Andrews/Rankin/Schwarz)
15. Hooked on Love (Gomm)
16. It's Been So Long (Gomm)
17. Why Do We Hurt the One We Love? (Lowe)
18. I'm Gonna Make You Love Me (Lowe)

Tracks 1-7, BBC In Concert, June 18, 1971
Tracks 8-13 BBC In Concert, May 4, 1972
Tracks 14-18, BBC In Concert, Apil 14, 1973

These are different performances/recordings from those on the officially released BBC recordings albums

Brinsley Schwarz_Unknown Numbers-BBC_71-73.rar
Link updated 09/27/21

Steven Page - 2011-08-27 - Lowell, MA

Steven Page
2011-08-27
Lowell, MA
Audience recording, good quality
mp3 @ 192 kbps

While we are covering the topic of recent Barenaked Ladies shows, how about taking a look (listen) at what former 'Ladie' Steven Page has been up to? In 2009, founding band member vocalist/guitarist/songwriter, after 20 years with the Barenaked Ladies, announced that he was leaving the band to pursue other opportunities (solo projects, theater, etc). From the very beginning of the band, Page had been the primary lead vocalist and songwriter, but as the years went on, guitarist Ed Robertson began taking on more lead and shared vocals with Steve, as well as writing more songs, both with and without Steve as a partner. Later, with the emergence of keyboardist Kevin Hearn and bassist Jim Creegan also starting to contribute songs and singing lead, Page's role and influence was somewhat diminished. Increasingly at odds with the choices and musical direction of the rest of the band, and wanting greater input and a more consistent outlet for his songs and musical vision, it was inevitable that he would part ways with the band at some point, which came in 2009. Although like all BNL fans, I wish that he were still a part of the group, I actually am quite OK with the split. I think it came at just the right time, was needed for both Steve and the remaining BNL to grow as musicians and artists, and was just the right thing for all concerned. They had a great run together as BNL, but it was time for Steve to move on. Of course, the rest of BNL continued on without Steve, and has fared quite well, overcoming some early insecurities as a quartet, and delivering two fine and successful albums (All in Good Time-2010 and Grinning Streak-2013) since the split (and great live shows, too), with each member thriving with their increased roles (yes, the new albums are decidedly different from the 'old' BNL, but still solid albums). Steve, also, has been free to pursue more diverse activities, from writing for the theater (Bartholomew Fair:A Comedy), performing with The Art of Time Ensemble, contributing songs to movies, and releasing a solo album, Page One (2010). Unfortunately, although his solo album is very good, showing off his diversity of influences, styles, and sounds, it did not get a very good reception from the public. While the BNL albums did very well on the charts (both reaching the top 25 in the US and top 10 in Canada), Steve's album was pretty much ignored by the media (no coverage or radio airplay) and public alike (failed to chart in US, and only reached #58 in Canada - where all BNL projects usually do very well). Steve and his music deserve better. Since then, Steve has only released a single ('A Different Sort of Solitude'/'Manchild' - 2012, A-side from the film French Immersion), but hopefully is at work on more songs for another solo album. So, Here is Steve in 2011, touring in support of his Page One album, with a fine audience recording of a very good show. This show features many (7) songs from the Page One album, numerous BNL songs, as well as a few from his previous solo album project (The Vanity Project, 2005, while still with BNL - also a very fine album BTW). So, come check out Steven Page, on his own and doing fine.   

Tracklist
01-lntro
02-A New Shore
03-Jane
04-Toronto To Lowell (talk)
05-lndecision
06-The Old Apartment
07-She's Trying To Save Me
08-Clifton Springs
09-Setting Up The Video (talk)
10-0ver Joy
11-Call And Answer
12-Honeymoon Story (talk)
13-Marry Me
14-School During Summer (talk)
15-What A Good Boy
16-Enid
17-These Wasted Words
18-So Young, So Wrong, So Long
19-0ld Lady Diarrhea (talk)
20-lf You Love Me
21-lt's All Been Done
22-The Chorus Girl
23-Thank You For Sharing
24-lntermittently
25-Brian Wilson

Steven Page_2011-08-27_LowellMA.rar
Link updated 11/8/21

Barenaked Ladies - 2013-10-19 - Atlantic City, NJ

BNL 2013-07-21 - Bangor (photo by BBKron)

Barenaked Ladies
2013-10-19
Tropicana Showroom, Atlantic City, NJ
Audience Recording, pretty good quality
mp3 @ 128 kbps (only available version)







Ok, here's the finale to the featured performers from the 'Last Summer On Earth Tour 2013', The Barenaked Ladies. As mentioned previously, I had the great fortune to be able to attend one of the shows from this tour, and it was a wonderful experience (This was a show I took the whole family to see, as my kids are also big fans of both Ben Folds and BNL). However, once again, I do not have any shows from the actual LSOE Tour to share, but I did find this October 2013 show from Atlantic City (which was the only 2013 show recording I could find). It is a nice show, and since it is from a standalone BNL concert, it has a longer setlist than they played as part of the LSOE tour. However, it is not a great recording, and I only found it available at this low quality 128 bitrate (This was made available through the bnlfans.net site). But despite those limitations, it still gives a good example of their current shows, highlighting the Grinning Streak and All in Good Time albums.

Tracklist
1. Odds Are
2. Never Is Enough
3. Pinch Me
4. Banter-beach cleanup
5. Let There Be Light
6. Gonna Walk
7. Every Subway Car (with Melissa McClelland)
8. Keepin' It Real (with Whitehorse)
9. Smile
10. Maybe Katie
11. For You
12. Brian Wilson
13. On the Lookout
14. Did I Say That Out Loud?
15. Aluminum
16. Big Bang Theory Theme
17. One Week
18. If I Had $1,000,000
19. Barenaked Rap/pop medley
Encores
20. Old Apartment
21. Alcohol
22. Blister in the Sun (Violent Femmes cover)

Originally made available through bnlfans.net
 

Link updated 11/8/21
Barenaked Ladies_2013-10-19_Atlantic City.rar