Sparks - A Little Live In London - 1995

Is the glass half full or half empty?

Lets go for half full on this occasion.

Sometimes broadcasters only cover or transmit part of a concert, and I am guessing (having as a Sparks fan, tried to check this one out) this is what occurred here.

Contractual obligation, a lack of appreciation on the part of the producer or presenter, other more 'current favorable artists', and of course available 'air-time' in the 'pre-digital' age, may have resulted in Sparks being cut down to just a thirty minute broadcast on this occasion - who knows?

If I had a pound, a dollar (US or any other) or a Euro, for every artists song that has 'lifted' some of Sparks unique style and creativity, I reckon I would be doing very well financially.

There are more complete Sparks bootlegs out there, this one stands by the audio quality, and the actual performance on the day.

1994 saw the brothers Mael return with the release of 'Gratuitous Sax and Senseless Violins', in turn providing the hit singles "When Do I Get To Sing My Way?" and "When I Kiss You (I Hear Charlie Parker Playing)".

Recorded live at the quite unassuming Mile End Stadium, in East London on the 17th June 1995, this is Sparks touring after the 1994 album release.

The element recorded is:

1.No.1 Song In Heaven / Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth.
2.Let's Go Surfin'.
3.When I'm With You.
4.This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us.
5.Beat The Clock.

Total Playing Time 28:49

This is a BBC stereo recording @ 320kbps

TO DOWNLOAD CLICK ON COMMENTS BELOW FOR THE LINK.

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Goldfrapp - Glastonbury 2004 (plus new album preview)

Goldfrapp have a new CD album release (Seventh Tree) due out here in the UK on the 25th February 2008.

I am an unashamed and somewhat 'gushing' fan of Goldfrapp.

No doubt (and based on the last three albums) I will buy the deluxe CD/DVD version of the album for my collection, regardless of the freebie mp3 versions that arrive.

Every album they have released, contains a healthy amount of 'new direction' whilst retaining the very essence of Goldfrapp, which is a unique style that skips across genres and keeps music cretins (sorry critics) on their feet.

From the fourth coming album here is the initial 'single' release:

Goldfrapp - A & E.mp3

Back in 2004 Goldfrapp played Glastonbury, and thankfully a reasonable part of their show was recorded for broadcast, on either MTV or the BBC who were both present at that years event.

This is one continuous segment of the performance (except for the first song which opened the show and is edited on).

The performance starts with Utopia, and ends with a sublime and quite sensitive version of Black Cherry.

What lies between I noted down and subsequently mislaid, so just enjoy the show as it was originally ripped, and discover for yourself the superb remainder.

This is a very good stereo recording.

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The Monkees - Live in Japan 1968

In the early days of The Monkees, there was some fuss over the fact that session musicians played on their first couple of albums.

Add to this the fact that they had been brought together for a TV series, any thought of artistic integrity or status was a definite no.

However they were fun, their fan base included The Beatles, and repeats of the TV series, still appear time and again on cable and satellite channels.

However by 1968 the TV series was over, the band completed a far east tour, the last with Peter Tork as part of the band at that juncture, and their very alternative and psychedelic film 'Head' was released.

This is from the 'far east' tour, and captures a band that at least live, probably still had something to prove.

You can also enjoy a couple of 'hot rocking' Japanese DJ's whose voice overs, bring a huge smile to my face, somehow I think this was pretty serious stuff for them.

Clearly from a radio broadcast of the show - FM thankfully - but remember this was 1968, so don't expect audio heaven, that said it is highly listenable, after the initial intros.

This boot is apparently called 'Made In Japan - 1968' and the actual concert was at the Budokan Hall, Tokyo, Japan, on the 4th October 1968.

Set list is:

01 - Last Train To Clarksville
02 - I Wanna Be Free
03 - DW Washburn
04 - Daydream Believer
05 - Cuddly Toy
06 - Salesman
07 - It's Nice To Be With You
08 - Mary, Mary
09 - Cindy, Cindy
10 - Peter Percival Patterson's Pet Pig Porky
11 - Johnny B Goode
12 - Gonna Build A Mountain
13 - I Got A Woman
14 - I'm A Believer
15 - (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone

Band line up was:

Micky Dolenz: Drums, Vocals
Davy Jones: Percussion, Bass, Vocals
Michael Nesmith: Guitar, Vocals
Peter Tork: Bass, Organ, Banjo, Vocals

Reloaded 21/June/2015 link in comments.

Jeff Buckley - Live at WNEW - 1995

Having posted a number of Jeff Buckley live performances last year, I will try hard not to repeat myself.

The previous boots are still available, and continue to be downloaded, I guess by new visitors to the Beehive, and a few who discover us through Googling Jeff etc.

This is Jeff live at WNEW (Sony Studios) with a very fortunate audience, who also got to 'enjoy' his wine, as well as the music - it will all become clear when you listen.

It is so good to hear him in such a fantastic mood, and the intimacy of the event really makes this performance special.

WNEW-FM were at this time just into a new music format, that was promoting, less mainstream 'alternative rock' artists, and Jeff fitted in well to these aspirations. It's a great shame the station did not stick at this, but at least they are back to music these days, rather than the horrendous 'talk radio' set up, that existed a few years back.

This then is Jeff Buckley live at WNEW, Sony Studios, New York City, USA, on April 6th 1995.

Set List:

1 Dream Brother
2 So Real
3 Mojo Pin
4 Grace
5 Lilac Wine
6 Last Goodbye
7 Eternal Life/Kick Out The Jams
8 Lover, You Should've Come Over

(Kick Out The Jams is of course an MC5 cover).

Sound Quality: Good quality FM recording.

Reloaded - 03/June/2013 - download link in comments.