Whats Up Doc - Number Seven - March 2008

Welcome to this months 'Whats Up Doc'.

They have been called 'pop surrealists' and 'new wave kooks', their original 'trade mark hairstyles' clearly have had an influence on this blog, whatever, they are The B52's, and in these dark times, any band that can pick up sixteen years after they left off, with some fun music gets my vote!

The new album 'Funplex' is due out later this month, and here are two songs and two versions of the title track including a CSS remix, (CSS are just one of numerous bands to happily admit the positive impact The B52's have had on their music).

Links Removed - MP3 Policy.

The B-52s - Funplex.mp3
The B-52s - Funplex (CSS Remix).mp3
B52s - Hot Corner.mp3

Album details and purchase option HERE.

Another favorite band of The Beehive are The Black Crowes, who finally have their new album 'Warpaint' out, as of yesterday.

Recently insulted by Maxim magazine who reviewed and graded the album without even hearing it! The Black Crowes have released a fine album, that as you would expect, has their genuine rock'n'roll, low slung guitar sound, with Chris Robinson's vocals as consistent as ever.

It is just rock music, that's what they do, this will be played by many grateful fans of the band, that does not know how to sell out!

Listen to the opening track:
Black Crowes - Goodbye Daughters Of The Revolution(1).mp3

Official website HERE Beehive Candy Store CD option HERE.

Baltimore duo Beach House are a superb 'ethereal mood' music act.

Well I think they are superb, they are one of those bands I discovered by chance, along with a dozen of other music bloggers by the looks, in my case I had an indie music stream running in the background and their song shone out immensely (did I just type that?).

The album 'Devotion' is out now, please give them a listen if you have not done so as yet, hopefully you will see where I am coming from.

Beach House - 01 Wedding Bell.mp3
Beach House - 07 Heart Of Chambers.mp3
Beach House - 08 Some Things Last a Long Time.mp3

Album details and CD purchase option HERE.

Supergrass have literally grown up playing music, and at an average age of thirty years per band member, they are at some levels 'elder statesmen' of British post 'Britpop' music.

I have enjoyed every album they have released, and sense that in the cynical music press here in the UK, they have a rather unique position of pleasing both critic and your average punter, because they remain so very relevant.

The new album 'Diamond Hoo Ha' is to put it in Supergrass terms a stonker, with the usual energy levels and craftsmanship that makes this very British band so internationally fine.

Supergrass - 01 Diamond Hoo Ha Man.mp3
Supergrass - 07 Rough Knuckles.mp3

Check the new album out and the best of HERE.

I am conscious that this month is very UK and USA orientated, so lets finish with Sweden's The Cardigans, who have a 'Best Of' recently released.

Just one well known track to share, go buy the album, you may be surprised on the goodies you have missed out on, unless your a fan in which case you already know!

The Cardigans - Lovefool.mp3

Check out the best of album including a comprehensive bonus disc, fans are saying this is one of the best 'best of' albums ever released, not convinced then click and read the reviews HERE.

I hope this review has been of use, and as always I leave you with a song that has no relevance to the above at all.

The Korgis - Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime.MP3

So many mp3's so little time...

Echo And The Bunnymen - Kilburn National 1997

Echo & the Bunnymen formed in Liverpool in 1978 making them a whopping thirty years old this year, and as always reminding me of my own state of aging!

Their original lineup included vocalist Ian McCulloch and guitarist Will Sergeant, who both continue to be, the main stays of the band.

The band are scheduled to play a sell out show in September this year at London's Royal Albert Hall, complete with an orchestra to perform the album 'Ocean Rain'.

A little removed from their 'post punk' beginnings in Liverpool three full decades ago.

Anyhow, this is from just one decade ago and features Echo and The Bunnymen live at The Kilburn National, in London on the 17th October 1997.

This concert was broadcast by the BBC, and this is a good quality FM stereo recording of the gig.

Set list is:

1. Rescue.
2. I want to be there when you come.
3. Baseball Bill.
4. The Cutter.
5. Just a touch away.
6. Crocodiles.
7. Forgiven.
8. I'll fly tonight.
9. Seven seas.
10. Villiers Terrace.
11. Altamont.
12. Lips like sugar.
13. Ocean rain.
14. Nothing lasts forever.

THE DOWNLOAD LINK IS IN THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW THIS POST.

A few Echo and the Bunnymen Cd's in the Beehive Store HERE.

Lets hope the London gig later this year is made available, for those of us just a little curious to here the band complete with orchestra!

Madonna - Barcelona Spain - 1990

This is Madonna live on the 1990 Blond Ambition Tour.

This particular show from the 31st July 1990 was performed at the Estadi Olímpic, Barcelona, Spain, and featured a seven minutes long extravagant fireworks display after the show.
The show apparently had a few glitches.
Numerous technical mistakes included Madonna forgetting part of the lyrics to "Sooner or Later" and "Material Girl," and getting her monocle caught on her head-microphone at the beginning of "Express Yourself".

Not realizing that her headset microphone was still live as she exited the stage after "Where's the Party," resulted in her command at a backstage crew member to "Get the f### out of my f#####' way" and complaints about the oppressive heat to be broadcast to the audience while the dancers performed during the closing of the number.
Also, at the end of "Holiday" a man came on stage and put a shirt on Madonna to promote a product as Madonna commented "Anybody gonna arrest this man?"
Later, in the beginning of "Keep It Together", she told her audience, "Strange people walk on my stage, they put s### on me, I can't hear myself...I'd like to f####g kill somebody."
All this and the fact the overall tour was controversial in its own right - Marvelous stuff !!!

Sound quality: The show was taped and aired on television in Europe and Australia, and this is a pristine audio stereo soundboard copy of the show for your pleasure.

Set List:

01. Express Yourself
02. Open your Heart
03. Causing a Commotion
04. Where's the Party
05. Like a Virgin
06. Like a Prayer
07. Live to Tell
08. Oh Father
09. Papa Don't Preach
10. Sooner or Later
11. Hanky Panky
12. Now I'm Following You
13. Material Girl
14. Cherish
15. Into the Groove
16. Vogue
17. Holiday
18. Keep it Together

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

Heart - Chicago USA 1976

This is Heart Live in Chicago, USA, on the 3rd August 1976.

This boot has been called 'Heart'n'Zeppelin' for obvious reasons, tracks one, three, and five are all Led Zeppelin covers, which for Heart fans would, I imagine, make this something of a collectors item.

This recording was from a single CD, with some obvious editing, however this remains a feisty performance with an excellent collection of songs.

Band line up was:

Ann Wilson - lead vocals
Nancy Wilson - guitar and vocals
Roger Fisher - lead guitar
Howard Leese - guitar
Michael Derosier - drums
Steven Fossen - bass guitar

Set list:

1. Rock 'n roll
2. Heartless
3. The Battle Of Evermore
4. White Lightning & Wine
5. The Rover
6. Devil's Delight
7. Magic Man
8. Crazy On You
9. Barracuda

The recording is stereo soundboard sourced and good quality.

REPLACEMENT DOWNLOAD LINK IN COMMENTS BELOW (29/05/2010).