The Cult - Live In London 1985

This is a live concert from The Cult, from 1985, the year they broke through to mainstream success in the UK.

In March 1985, The Cult recorded their fourth single, "She Sells Sanctuary", which charted at Number 15 in the UK charts.

It re-entered the charts at Number 56 in September 1986, spending 41 consecutive weeks on the charts.

The song has also been voted Number 18 in one of VH1's Top Indie 100 charts.

For me The Cult were one of the defining bands of the 'post punk' era.

The clear impression was of a band that played what they wanted to play, with a refreshing energy, and enjoyment for good old rock music.

Just to demonstrate how 'time flies' (as if the 1985 concert date was not enough) it was nearly two years later that The Cult, toured the USA as headliners, with a widely unknown band called Guns'N'Roses.

This is The Cult at The Hammersmith Odeon, London, on the 31st October, 1985.

The set list is:

1.Love.
2.Nirvana.
3.Christians.
4.Hollow man.
5.Big neon glitter.
6.Brother wolf sister moon.
7.(Here comes the) Rain.
8.Dream time.
9.She sells sanctuary.
10.Go west (crazy spinning circles).
11.Horse nation.
12.The Phoenix.

Recorded from a BBC Radio broadcast in FM stereo.

THE DOWNLOAD LINK IS IN COMMENTS BELOW THIS POST - JUST COPY AND PASTE (TO YOUR WEB BROWSER).

The Beehive Candy Store includes Cd's from The Cult HERE.

Focus - The Paris Theatre - London 1972

Having vivid, exciting, and first hand memories of the punk revolution, that was the mid 1970's, I remain surprised that the expression 'progressive rock' remains, as a use-able tag.

I suppose one of the saving graces of 'prog rock' from those heady late sixties and early seventies days, was the fact many of the performers were very capable musicians.

From a very English perspective, I never really thought of Focus as 'prog rockers', after all they were from Holland !

Those quirky alto flute riffs, accordion presence, 'different' guitar and drum solos, whistling, nonsensical vocals, falsetto singing, and yodeling, were a by product of being Dutch.

Focus remain to this day, and appear comfortable with the 'prog rock' tag, however I would venture to say, that however much my collection of old 'prog albums' grows, I cannot say for certain they belong there.

Rock they are, different they are, Dutch they remain, but their old music, has a timeless edge these days, that many first generation 'prog rockers' have sadly lost.

For your pleasure this is Focus - live at the Paris Theatre, London, England on the 20th July 1972.

Originally for a BBC FM broadcast, hosted by presenter Bob Harris ( of Old Grey Whistle Test fame), this is the whole session uncut.

1. Bob Harris Intro
2. Anonymous II
3. Brief Bob Harris Announcement
4. Focus I
5. Focus III
6. Answers Questions...
7. Focus II
8. Brief Bob Harris Announcement
9. Hokus Pokus

Band line up was:

Jan Akkerman - Guitars
Bert Ruiter - Bass, Backing Vocals
Pierre Van Der Linden - Drums
Thijs Van Leer - Keyboards, Flute, Vocals

Quality is very good (FM stereo or soundboard) and despite the odd 'Bob Harris' moment this is an outstanding performance, all the better for remaining unedited.

THE DOWNLOAD LINK FOR THIS FILE IS IN COMMENTS BELOW (COPY AND PASTE TO YOUR WEB BROWSER).

Some of the early Focus albums can be found on Cd HERE in the Beehive Candy Store along with Kraftwerk, Can, Earth and Fire, Gong and other great seventies European bands.

The Bangles - California USA - 1983

This is The Bangles live a couple of years before they hit the big time, with 'Manic Monday'.

Having morphed from The Bangs (for legal reasons), the band was part of the so called 'Paisley Underground' scene in LA, which featured groups that played a mixture of 1960s influenced folk-rock and jangle pop with a more modern punk/garage band undertone.

This is the band performing in Valencia, which a quick google suggests, is a pretty up market and wealthy location, sorry I do not know the specific venue.

In actual fact the band played two shows on this date, and I am pleased to have both of them to share, hence some songs appear twice, however they are very much to individual performances.

This is The Bangles - Valencia, CA, USA on the 27th May 1983.

Set lists are as follows:

Early Show:

Mary Street
Hazy shade of winter
I'm in line
Where were you when I needed you
Restless
Live
Dover Beach
The Real world
All about you
Tell me
Want you
How is the air up there

Late Show:

The Real world
Getting Out Of Hand
Restless
I'm in love
Dover Beach
Tell me
Outside Chance
Renaissance man
Mary Street
Steppin' Out
Want you
7 and 7 is
Pushing too hard

This is a good soundboard recording of both performances.

New file link in comments below - Re-uploaded 2012 (Stealth project).

Some Bangles goodies in the Beehive Candy Store including 'The Best Of' at a crazy low price.

Whats Up Doc - Number Six - February 2008

I am not a number !! - I am a free man !! - welcome to number six of 'Whats Up Doc' (fans of the sixties TV series The Prisoner, will know what I am on about).

The Drive By Truckers new album 'Brighter Than Creation's Dark', is the top choice for both of the UK's leading music monthlies, Uncut and Mojo Magazine, for their album reviews, in the March 2008 publications.

Not surprising, this is one incredible album.

Based in Athens, Georgia, though three out of five members (Mike Cooley, Patterson Hood, and Shonna Tucker) originally hail from The Shoals region of Northern Alabama, this is 'southern rock / Alt Country' at it's finest, I cannot recommend this album enough!

From the album check out:

Links Removed - MP3 Policy.

Drive By Truckers - Self Destructive Zones (07).mp3

Here is a live version (unofficial) recorded in Athens, Georgia a month ago, of another track on the new album.

Drive By Truckers - 3 Dimes Down (Live Version - 12th Jan 08).mp3

Buy or discover more HERE.

Serious fans of indie rock are no doubt already aware of Vampire Weekend, whose self titled debut album is now released.

Ignore the hype, this band are talented, and they do not rely on their 'Brooklyn New York' pedigree, in fact they just get on with playing what comes naturally to them, a nice mix of intelligence, street wise awareness, and energy.

The indie blogs are putting them about - here are the four main mp3's getting plugged.

Vampire Weekend - (02) - Oxford Comma.mp3
Vampire Weekend - M79.mp3
Vampire Weekend - (04) - Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa.mp3
Vampire Weekend - (10) - Walcott.mp3

Bet they exit the year, a whole lot better known.

Check out the new album with discount purchase options HERE.

Nick Cave's 'Grinderman' venture last year, has understandably led to a new 'Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' album.

The Grinderman album and subsequent live performances, seem to have lifted a weight off of Nicks shoulders, and this new 'Bad Seeds' album, has that edge, I have selfishly come to expect.

Check out the title track:

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Dig, Lazarus, Dig.mp3

Buy the album (inc discount) with 54 page booklet, including writings, lyrics, and photos HERE.

You have to be brave/mad/inspired/indulgent etc, to undertake an entire album of Dusty Springfield greatest hits covers.

Shelby Lynne has proven to be both inspired and highly respectful of Dusty, and has produced a lesson for anyone inclined to undertake a 'stripped down' or 'unplugged' version, of such a major and much missed artist.

Like many (I expect) I assumed this would be awful. It is not, it is emotional, yet so fresh and clean, go on, check these two songs, and differ if you must.

Shelby Lynne - How Can I Be Sure.mp3

Shelby Lynne - (02) - Anyone Who Had A Heart.mp3

Buy 'Just A Little Lovin' by Shelby Lynne HERE.

Following on from the Goldfrapp Glastonbury concert recently provided on the Beehive, and the 'A&E mp3' provided from their brand new album, here are a couple more tracks, to ensure as many visitors as possible, buy this superb release.

Goldfrapp - Happiness.mp3
Goldfrapp - Caravan Girl.mp3

Buy the new Goldfrapp album 'Seventh Tree' (deluxe CD/DVD plus generous discount) HERE.

These are just a taste from 'Seventh Tree' - Goldfrapp never cease to astound, and the album is an absolute pleasure.

In keeping with 'Whats Up Doc' the usual 'final song' or in this case couple of songs, are as ever for no other reason than, they are currently getting played in my car, and bringing back memories, some more recently then others...

JJ72 - Snow.mp3
Lee Marvin - I Was Born Under A Wandering Star (from 'Paint Your Wagon')).mp3

More HERE.

Until next time - Whats Up Doc?