Brand X - 1977-09-28 - Glass Onion, Rochester, NY

Brand X
1977-09-28
Glass Onion, Rochester, NY
FM Broadcast Recording, very good quality
Available in both lossless (FLAC) and Mp3 (320 kbps) versions
 

Jazz fusion-progressive rock band Brand X picked up where the original Mahavishnu Orchestra left off and took the jazz-rock branch of the progressive rock movement to a whole new level. More jazz, more rock, and more progressiveness. Brand X was formed in 1975 by guitarist John Goodsall, bassist Percy Jones, and keyboardist Robin Lumley. Genesis drummer Phil Collins was invited to join in on some early band rehearsals, and this core group eventually recorded the first Brand X album, Unorthodox Behavior (1976). Collins played with the band whenever he was not busy with Genesis commitments. For their next album, Moroccan Roll (1977), percussionist Morris Pert was added to the lineup. But with Collins busy with his own Genesis tour, another drummer had to be recruited for the band's upcoming 1977 North American tour, and jazz drummer Kenwood Dennard was brought in (and a very capable replacement he was). A Live album from the 1977 tour was released, Livestock (1977). The band endured lineup changes for the next album, Masques (1978), with Collins unavailable, and Lumley and Pert leaving, but Collins returned for the next album, Product (1979). Two more albums were released in the subsequent years (which included Collins and Lumley on some tracks), Do They Hurt? (1980) and Is There Anything About? (1982), however, these consisted primarily of outtakes from the Product sessions, and the band had essentially disbanded in 1980 after their world tour. Goodsall and Jones later revived the band in 1992 (although Goodsall and Jones were the only members from previous incarnations) for a couple of new albums, but again disbanded by 1997. But following a 2016 reunion (including Goodsall, Jones, Lumley, and Dennard), the band was re-formed for additional touring and is still active. Here is a show (2 sets) from their heyday in 1977 (although does not include Collins, as he was touring with Genesis). Great 1970's jazz-rock fusion/progressive rock.

Tracklist:
Disc 1: Early Show
1. Radio Intro/Disco Suicide
2. Why Should I Lend You Mine
3. Deadly Nightshade
4. Nightmare Patrol
5. Nuclear Burn
Disc 2: Late Show
1. Disco Suicide
2. Earth Dance
3. Malaga Virgen
4. Access To Data
5. Why Should I lend You Mine
6. Deadly Nightshade

John Goodsall - Guitar
Percy Jones - Bass
Robin Lumley - keyboards
Morris Pert - Percussion
Kenwood Dennard - Drums
 

FLAC - Brand X_1977-09-28_Rochester_FLAC.rar

Mp3 - Brand X_1977-09-28_Rochester_mp3.rar

 

Mahavishnu Orchestra - 1973-02-17 - Case Western University, Cleveland OH

Mahavishnu Orchestra
February 17, 1973
Adelbert Gymnasium,
Case Western University,
Cleveland, OH
Soundboard recording, excellent quality
Available in both Lossless (FLAC) and mp3 (320 kbps) versions

British jazz guitarist John McLaughlin started out playing in several different UK bands and doing session work in the mid 1960's. In 1969, he moved from London to New York to get involved in the NY Jazz scene. And very active he was, playing with Tony Williams, Wayne Shorter, MiroslavVituos, Joe Farrel, and most notably, he played on numerous Miles Davis albums, including In a Silent Way, Bitches Brew, Live-Evil, On The Corner, Big Fun, and A Tribute to Jack Johnson.He also released a series of solo albums, including Extrapolation (1969), Devotion (1970), and My Goal's Beyond (1971) around this time. That last album was inspired by John's Indian spiritual leader Sri Chimnoy, and it was from inspiration that he took on the name 'Mahavishnu'. Following that album, McLaughlin recruited Panamanian drummer Billy Cobham and American violinist Jerry Goodman, who had worked with him on the album, to join him in his new jazz-rock fusion band, the Mahavishnu Orchestra. Also joining the bad was Irish bassist Rick Laird and Czechoslovakian keyboardist Jan Hammer. Their musical style blended many genres, combining jazz with high-volume electrified rock, complex rhythms and unusual time signatures, Indian and European classical music, and funk. Their first two albums, The Inner Mounting Flame (1971) and Birds of Fire (1973), both all instrumental, were released to rave reviews and enthusiastic responses. They were at the forefront of the jazz-fueled contingent of progressive rock music of the early 1970's. However, during sessions for their next album, tension, turmoil, and personal disagreements within the group erupted and the sessions were aborted, and the band split. A live album Between Nothingness and Eternity (1973) was released (which included songs from the aborted sessions), but those sessions were not released until nearly 40 years later (The Lost Trident Sessions - 2011). McLaughlin quickly re-formed the band with new players in 1974 (Jean-Luc Ponty-violin, Gayle Moran-keyboards, Ralph Armstrong-bass, Narada Michael Walden-drums), and another series of albums released (Apocalypse-1974, Visions of the Emerald Beyond-1975, and Inner Worlds-1976), although with some additional personnel changes with each album, before the band broke up again in 1976. McLaughlin went on to various other projects over the years, including Shakti, One Truth, and The Translators, before re-forming Mahavishnu again in 1984, with original drummer Billy Cobham, but by this time their music was very different from the original band. After this short-lived 3rd incarnation, McLaughlin went on to the John McLaughlin Guitar Trio and other projects. Billy Cobham had a successful solo career, as well as playing with many other bands. Jan Hammer and Jerry Goodman also had successful careers working with various musicians, as well as an acclaimed album together (Like Children-1974). But here we have a great show from the early heyday of the original band, after the release of Birds of Fire, but before the demise of the original lineup. Here is an impressive display of the innovative and influential style of the original Mahavishnu Orchestra.

   
Tracklist:
1. Birds Of Fire >
2. Open Country Joy
3. Hope >
4. Awakening
5. Miles Beyond
6. One Word
7. Sanctuary >
8. The Dance Of Maya
9. Vital Transformation

John McLaughlin - Electric Doubleneck Guitar
Rick Laird - Electric Bass
Jerry Goodman - Electric Violin
Jan Hammer - Keyboards
Billy Cobham - Drums

FLAC - Mahavishnu Orchestra_1973-02-17_Cleveland_FLAC.rar
updated 08/03/23
mp3 - Mahavishnu Orchestra_1973-02-17_Cleveland_mp3.rar

Intersting side note: Notice (from concert ad above) that Aerosmith was the opening act (pre-fame), which seems like a strange combo. Not sure most Mahavishnu fans would be into Aerosmith, or vice versa, but sometimes those strange matchups work out (Remember that famously, Jimi Hendrix once opened for The Monkees).

 

Steve Winwood & Eric Clapton - 2007-06-19 - Highclere Castle, Hampshire, UK

Steve Winwood & Eric Clapton
2007-05-19
Highclere Castle, Hampshire, UK'La Belle Equipe (The Beautiful Team)'
'Countryside Rocks' (Tarantura TCDBF - 4 - 1, 2)
Soundboard (direct digital audio feed from webcast) recording, excellent quality
Available in both Lossless (FLAC) and Mp3 (320 kbps) versions

Continuing with a look at Steve Winwood's career, in 2003 Steve released his eighth solo album, About Time. This album featured a scaled-back sound and style (basic 3-piece band with some added sax and flute) which was more reminiscent of his Traffic days and more of a jazz-rock feel. In 2007, Winwood teamed up with Eric Clapton for a benefit show at Highclere Castle, and then played additional dates with Clapton at the Crossroads Guitar Festival that year. His collaboration with Clapton continued in a series of shows in 2008, 2009, and 2010, as well as release of live album (Live at Madison Garden) from their 2008 shows. But here we have the first of those Winwood-Clapton reunions, at Highclere Castle, in a great recording (from a webcast) of that show. Winwood's band plays the first set, then Clapton joins them for the second set, which features multiple Blind Faith songs in addition to other Clapton favorites. Check it out.

Tracklist:
Disc 1: Steve Winwood Band
1. Introduction
2. I'm A Man
3. Higher Love
4. Back In The Highlife
5. Dear Mr. Fantasy
6. Why Can't We Live Together
7. Keep On Running
Disc 2: Steve Winwood Band with Eric Clapton
1. Introduction
2. Watch Your Step
3. Presence Of The Lord
4. Crossroads
5. Little Queen Of Spades
6. Can't Find My Way Home
7. Had To Cry Today
8. Gimme Some Lovin'

The Band:
Steve Winwood  organ, guitar, vocals
Jose Neto  guitar
Paul Booth  organ, sax
Richard Bailey  drums
Karl Vanden Bossche  percussion
Special Guest (disc 2):
Eric Clapton  guitar, vocals

FLAC - Winwood-Clapton_2007_05-19_Highclere Castle_FLAC.rar

mp3 - Winwood-Clapton_2007_05-19_Highclere Castle_mp3.rar

Traffic - 1994-08-03 - Giant's Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

Traffic
1994-08-03
Giants Stadium, East Rutherford NJ
Soundboard recording, very good quality
Mp3 @ 320kbps

Steve Winwood, after re-connecting with former Traffic bandmate Jim Capaldi on some songs for his Refugees of the Heart (1990) solo album, when he began working on his next album asked Capaldi to help him out on it. The resulting songwriting collaborations eventually became designated a new Traffic album, Far From Home (1994), even though only Winwood and Capaldi were involved (with Steve playing all the instruments except drums, and Jim adding some drum, percussion, and backing vocals). So, it wasn't exactly a reunion album as much as Steve and Jim just hanging out and working together on some songs. Nonetheless, it was labelled a new Traffic album, what would be their last, and it garnered much success. For the accompanying world tour, former bassist Rosko Gee joined in, and veteran multi-instrumentalist Randall Bramblett (Sea Level, and much session work) was added on flute. sax, and keyboards, along with Mike McEvoy (keyboards) and Wlfredo Reyes (drums), making a strong touring band. For part of their tour, they opened for the Grateful Dead, upon a request from Bob Weir based on a fan suggestion. The tour was a big success, but did not lead to any further recording or touring from Traffic. Many years later, in 2005, a double live album from this 1994 tour was released as The Last Traffic Jam, and it was dedicated to Jim Capaldi, who had died of stomach cancer that year. Here is a fine show from that 1994 tour, one of the dates where they opened for The Dead, and which featured Jerry Garcia joining the band on 'Dear Mr. Fantasy'. Although the setlist was a bit shorter on these opening sets than for their headlining shows on this tour, it's still a great show, and nice to hear Jerry Garcia jamming with Traffic.

Tracklist:
01. Riding High
02. Some Kinda Woman
03. Medicated Goo
04. Mozambique
05. Rock And Roll Show
06. Rainmaker
07. Empty Pages
08. Low Spark Of High Heeled boys
09. Light Up Or Leave Me Alone
10. John Barleycorn
11. Dear Mr. Fantasy*

Steve Winwood - Guitar, Piano, Vocals
Randall Bramblett - Flute, Saxophone, Keyboards
Mike McEvoy - Keyboards
Rosko Gee - Bass
Wilfredo Reyes, Jr. - Drums, Percussion
Jim Capaldi - Drums, Vocals

with special guest
*Jerry Garcia - Guitar (Track 11 Only)

Traffic_1994-08-03_EastRutherfordNJ_mp3.rar

Steve Winwood - 1991-03-22 - Yokahama, Japan

Steve Winwood
March 22, 1991
Yokohama Arena, Japan
"Glad - Live in Yokohama"
Soundboard recording, excellent quality
Available in both Lossless (FLAC) and Mp3 (320 kbps) versions

Here's more Steve Winwood. Following the phenomenal success of the Back in the High Life album and tour (1986), Steve went to a new record label, Virgin, for his next couple albums, Roll With It (1988) and Refugees of the Heart (1990). Roll With It was another big success, reaching #1 on the Billboard charts and producing multiple hit singles. Although Refugees of the Heart was not quite as succesful, it did feature a reunion of Winwood with Traffic bandmate Jim Capaldi, which ultimately lead to the recording of the final album attributed to Traffic (but was really just a Winwood album that also featured Capaldi), Far From Home in 1994.
Here we have an excellent show from Steve's 1991 tour that includes songs from throughout his career.

Tracklist
Disc.1 (54:19)
101. I'm a man
102. While you see a chance
103. Hearts on fire
104. Another deal goes down
105. One and only man
106. In the light of day
107. Valerie
108. The low spark of high heeled boys
109. Glad
Disc.2 (46:58)
201. Feelin' alright
202. Medicated goo
203. Split decision
204. The finer things
205. Roll with it
206. Higher love
207. Back in the high life again
208. Gimme some lovin'


Players:
Steve Winwood (vocals, keyboards, guitars)
Randall Bramblett (sax/keyboards)
Russ Kunkel (drums),
Luis Conte (percussion)
Michael Rhodes (bass)
Larry Byrom (guitar/keyboards/vocals)

FLAC - Steve Winwood_1991-03-22_Yokahama_FLAC.rar

mp3 - Steve Winwood_1991-03-22_Yokahama_mp3.rar
 

Steve Winwood - 1986-09-17 - Blossom Music Center, Cleveland, OH

Steve Winwood
Blossom Music Center, Cleveland OH
1986-09-17
'Superstars In Concert' WNEW-FM Broadcast Recording, very good quality
Available in both Lossless (FLAC) and mp3 (320 kbps) versions

Continuing with Steve Winwood's Post-Traffic career: After a disappointing response to his first solo album, Steve Winwood (1978), Steve found commercial success with his 2nd album, Arc of a Diver (1980), and charting his first solo hit single 'When You See A Chance'. This was followed in 1982 with Talking Back to the Night, which eventually yielded a hit with 'Valerie', although it was several years later (after reissued in a compilation). Both of these albums were recorded at Winwood's home studio in England where he played all the instruments and sang all the vocals (true 'solo' albums). But by 1986, Winwood moved to New York, and desiring to play with other musicians, he invited an impressive collection of guest stars (Joe Walsh, James Taylor, Chaka Khan, Niles Rogers, James Ingram, Randy Brecker, Steve Ferrone, etc) and session musicians to record his next album. That album, Back in the High Life (1986) threw in a bit more soul and gospel into his pop, rock, and R&B mix, and resulted in his biggest hit yet (Multi-platinum album), with the single 'Higher Love' topping the charts and winning 2 Grammy Awards (Song of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance). Follow-up singles 'Back in the High Life' and 'The Finer Things' also did well. The album also won an additional Grammy for Best Engineered Album. Winwood followed that success with another smash hit album, Roll With It in 1988. The show today comes from his triumphant Back in the High Life 1986 Tour, an excellent radio broadcast show that certainly features the current album, as every song from Back in the High Life is performed, along with a couple each from his earlier albums, Traffic, and Spencer Davis.

Tracklist:
01 Intro
02 Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys
03 Glad
04 Take It As It Comes
05 Freedom Overspill
06 The Finer Things
07 My Love’s Leavin’
08 While You See A Chance
09 Valerie (short gap due to tape flip)
10 Split Decision
11 I’m A Man
12 Higher Love
13 Back In The High Life
14 Gimme Some Lovin’

Band:
Dony Wynn - drums
Carl James - bass/vocals
Paul Pesco - guitar
Carole Steele - percussion
James Hooker - keyboards
Danny Wolinski - keyboards/saxophone
Bob Leffert - trumpet
Dollette McDonald - vocals

FLAC - Steve Winwood_1986-09-17_Clevelend_FLAC.rar

mp3 - Steve Winwood_1986-09-17_Clevelend_mp3.rar

Dave Mason & Friends - 1979-06-02 - Greek Theater, Berkeley, CA

Dave Mason and Friends
1979-06-02
Greek Theater, Berkeley, CA
FM Broadcast Recording, very good quality
Available in both Lossless (FLAC) and Mp3 (320 kbps) versions

Moving on with Post-Traffic artists, here is Dave Mason. Although Dave Mason was a founding member of Traffic, and contributed on and off to the band through 1970, he never quite fully fit in with the group, not collaborating much, generally just showing up with his songs already formed and the band expected to play them as he wanted. So, although he contributed some great songs, he never seemed fully invested into Traffic, and kept quite busy outside the band even during the times he was ostensibly a part of it. During those years Dave Mason hung out and played with some really big names, including Jimi Hendrix (introduced Jimi to and played on 'All Along the Watchtower'), the Rolling Stones (Beggar's Banquet), and Eric Clapton with Delaney and Bonnie. And Dave was always more in the singer-songwriter vein, with less of the jazz influences as the other Traffic members. After leaving Traffic, he released his first solo album, Alone Together, in 1970, which yielded the hit single 'Only You Know and I Know'. He also released a duo album with Cass Elliot, Dave Mason & Cass Elliot, around that time.  After a dispute with his record company over his next album, Mason left, and the album Headkeeper (1972) was released despite Mason's protests. Mason moved to Columbia Records and released a string of increasingly successful albums, It's Like You Never Left (1973), Dave Mason (1974), Split Coconut (1975), culminating in Let it Flow (1977), which featured his biggest solo hit, 'We Just Disagree', as well other songs that received radio airplay, and reached Platinum sales status. Subsequent albums, Mariposo de Ora (1978) and Old Crest on a New Wave (1980) were less successful and marked the last of his Columbia albums and the slow decline of his solo career. Here today we have a show from Dave in the late '70's, still riding a wave of popularity, and joined by his regular band featuring ace guitarist Jim Krueger, as well as some of his rock star friends, with Stephen Stills sitting in, and Joe Cocker dropping by for a couple songs. A fine show from an FM broadcast, with Dave showcasing his solo songs along with a couple from his Traffic days and some classic rock covers.    

Tracklist:
1. Share Your Love
2. Only You Know and I Know
3. Pearly Queen
4. You Are Every Woman
5. Take It To the Limit
6. Look At You, Look At Me
7. I Fell In Love
8. Watching the River Flow*
9. We Just Disagree
10. Bring Your Love In
11. Let It Flow
12. All Along the Watchtower
13. band intros, encore break
14. Stand By Me
15. second encore break
16. Feelin' Alright*

Dave Mason Band:
Dave Mason - vocals, guitar
Jim Krueger - vocals, guitar
Mike Finnigan - vocals, keyboards
Jimmy Haslip - bass
Rick Jaeger - drums
with special guests
Stephen Stills - guitar
Mark Stein - keyboards
Lisa Robbins - vocals
and * featuring Joe Cocker - vocals

FLAC - Dave Mason_1979-06-02_Berkeley_FLAC.rar

mp3 - Dave Mason_1979-06-02_Berkeley_mp3.rar