Whats Up Doc - Number Nine - April 2008

A second helping of 'Whats Up Doc' this month, exclusively for The Puppini Sisters.

OK I am a little late as their second album was released in February, and yes, they have received considerable attention in the UK media, however just in case you have missed them, here's an unashamed plug from the Beehive!

The Puppini Sisters led the British retro wave in 2006 with their 1940’s-influenced blend of pop with swing, a gorgeous sense of glamour, and fun.

Their debut record, Betcha Bottom Dollar, was the fastest selling jazz debut in Britain on its release, also debuting at number 2 on the US jazz charts and in the Top 10 of Billboard’s Heatseekers chart.

In that vein, their second album The Rise & Fall Of Ruby Woo is a collection of highly original songs written by the trio, including “I Can’t Believe I’m Not A Millionaire” and “Jilted,” as well as extraordinary covers of tunes by artists ranging from Barry Manilow to BeyoncÈ. The Puppinis’ trademark watertight harmonies are still present, as is their love of and respect for music from a bygone era.

Watch 'I Can't Believe I'm Not A Millionaire'


Also check out the excellent track Jilted from the latest album:

Links Removed - MP3 Policy.

The Puppini Sisters - Jilted.mp3

And from their first album a pretty cool Blondie cover:

Puppini Sisters - Heart of Glass.mp3

Buy The Puppini Sisters Cd's through our Amazon affiliate store HERE. Download purchase options HERE.

Check out their official website HERE.

Elvis Costello and The Attractions - Live In The USA - 1978

Declan Patrick MacManus aka Elvis Costello was one of a good number of energetic performers on the London 'pub' circuit in the mid 1970's.

He was linked to the 'punk' scene and perhaps more fittingly to the development of 'new wave' music.

This recording is from his first USA tour in 1978, with material from his 1977 debut (My Aim Is True), and his then forthcoming new album 'This Years Model'.

The frenetic energy of Elvis Costello and The Attractions is recaptured in full on this recording.

Performing live at The Warner Theater, Washington DC, USA on the 28th February 1978, the concert was broadcast on WHFS-FM.

Set List is:

1.Pump it up.
2.Waiting for the end of the world.
3.No action.
4.Less than zero.
5.The beat.
6.(The angels wanna wear my) Red shoes.
7.(I don't want to go to) Chelsea.
8.Hand in hand.
9.Little triggers.
10.Radio radio.
11.You belong to me.
12.Lipstick vogue.
13.Watching the detectives.
14.Mystery dance.
15.Miracle man
16.Blame it on Cain.
17.Chemistry class.

Sound quality is very good stereo FM and edited down to the full concert performance only.

DOWNLOAD LINK IS IN COMMENTS BELOW.

As always some Elvis Costello material is available in the Beehive Candy Store.

Wilco - Live In Seattle - 2002

This is what the UK's Uncut Magazine had to say about Wilco in 2007.

'Sometime in the late 1980s, Jeff Tweedy and some friends from Belleville, Illinois, formed a band called Uncle Tupelo. They were pretty good, as it happens, but the impact they had was phenomenal. By fusing American roots music with the scrappy vigour of punk and grunge, Uncle Tupelo accidentally kicked off the entire alternative country scene. Quite an achievement.

But that wasn’t good enough for Jeff Tweedy. In 1994, Uncle Tupelo split up, and Tweedy began a quest to stretch the parameters of what we could loosely call Americana - though he’d probably baulk at the term himself. Tweedy put together Wilco and, over the course of six studio albums, various elaborate and rewarding projects and multiple gifted line-ups, the band have become one of the most inventive and popular bands in America'.

Praise indeed, and having listened to their music over the years, I tend to agree that Wilco are one high quality band.

You can listen to a more recent Wilco concert in full HERE from February 27th 2008, recorded by NPR, in the USA.

The recording I have to share is a remastered soundboard recording, and captures the band in really good form and mood.

This featured concert recording is from the Bumbershoot, Seattle Arts Festival, Seattle, WA, USA on the 2nd September 2002.

Set List is:

1. Spiders (Kidsmoke)
2. I'm Trying To Break Your Heart
3. War On War
4. Kamera
5. Sunken Treasure
6. A Shot In The Arm
7. How To Fight Loneliness
8. Heavy Metal Drummer
9. I'm The Man Who Loves You
10. Jesus, Etc.
11. I'm Always In Love
12. Red Eyed And Blue
13. I Got You
14. Less Than You Think
15. California Stars
16. Misunderstood
17. Far Far Away
18. Hesitating Beauty
19. I'm A Wheel
20. Outtaside (Outtamind)

Sound quality is excellent stereo soundboard sourced.

THE DOWNLOAD LINKS ARE IN COMMENTS BELOW.

Some links of interest, first of all Wilco official site HERE, (with links to itunes or other purchase options), NPR music site (check this out if you have not yet done so) HERE, and some Wilco CD's also available in the Beehive Candy Store HERE.

Whats Up Doc - Number Eight - April 2008

This is the April minimalist edition of 'Whats Up Doc', in keeping with those fine chaps The Raconteurs website.

Released recently then, check out the excellent new Raconteurs album - 'Consolers Of The Lonely'.

The Raconteurs - 2 - Salute Your Solution.mp3
The Raconteurs - 05 - The Switch and the Spur.mp3
The Raconteurs - 13 - These Stones Will Shout.mp3
(links for The Raconteurs removed - see comments below)

However those nice folks at NPR are currently 'officially' streaming two tracks from the new album HERE.

Buy HERE.

Portishead have not rushed into their third album (called Third) fans may also want to tread a little carefully - mixed revues all round.

Links Removed - MP3 Policy.

Portishead - Machine Gun.mp3

Buy HERE.

REM recently released 'Accelerate', if you are a fan you will probably have a copy (reviews have been generally quite positive), if you are unsure then checkout:

REM - 06 Accelerate.mp3
REM - 10 Horse to Water.mp3

You can lead a horse to water, can you make it drink? Official site purchase options HERE, for those who fancy a drink.

This continues to be played on the radio and is so catchy it gets right inside my head, so have some in your head.

The Ting Tings - Great DJ.mp3

Check out buying the equally cool album HERE.

See? short and to the point this month. And finally permission to groove granted!

Monty Alexander - Love And Happiness.mp3

More Monty HERE.