BEEHIVE CANDY

Brian Wilson is one of a very few number of artists, that I feel comfortable about being referred to as, a musical legend or the like. It's not just the fact that he overcame his personal health difficulties, that kept him out of the music scene for so long, that gives him the right to such accolades. For me it is the music. Pure and simple, just that - the music. His contribution to the Beach Boys legacy in recent years, and the stunning recreation of so many classics live, along with some newer material, has been the proverbial 'breath of fresh air' popular music so often begs for. This is Brian Wilson at the Roskilde Festival in Denmark in 2005. The annual Roskilde festival has a number of synergies with the UK's Glastonbury festival amongst others, their web site is well worth a visit, I wonder if getting tickets is just as difficult? Therefore it is no suprise that he played Glastonbury just a few days earlier, as part of the Smile tour from that year. ...

When I was a mere young lad in my teens, this Led Zeppelin bootleg was often talked of, in 'hushed undertones', however neither my friends or I ever owned a copy. For a while it became something of a status symbol to have heard it, or even know of someone, that had a copy. In reality as far as bootlegs go this really is something special. Cutting and pasting shamelessly from Wikipedia, (where this boot has it's own entry!) here is a rough history of the bootleg. Live On Blueberry Hill (also known as Blueberry Hill) is an audience recording. It is well known for being one of the first ever Led Zeppelin bootlegs, and indeed one of the first ever rock and roll bootlegs ever released. It was initially released on the Blimp label. The sleeve notes described it as "One hundred and six minutes and fifty three seconds of pure alive rock." The album was subsequently pressed on the Trade Mark of Quality label and shipped to England. Live On Blueberry Hill de...

Hootie and the Blowfish originally formed at the University of South Carolina back in 1985, the line up being, Darius Rucker, Dean Felber, Jim "Sonny" Sonefeld and Mark Bryan. This is an acoustic gig, with some extras, that having listened to earlier today, sounds really good. I am not that familiar with their music, however having enjoyed this, I will be checking out some more! The concert was recorded on 'home turf' at the Horeshoe, University of South Carolina, and consists of: Set List: 1. Time 2. Sad caper 3. Running From An Angel 4. She Crawls Away 5. The Earth Stayed Cold At Dawn 6. Gravity Of The Situation 7. I Hope That I Don't Fall In Love With You 8. Let Her Cry 9. So Strange 10. Hold My Hand Plus recorded at GLR (BBC Radio) London on the 1st May 1996 (acoustic session). 11. Sad Caper 12. The Earth Stayed Cold At Dawn Finally Live at The Ed Sullivan Theatre NYC on the 23rd May 1996 13. Old Man and Me Sound quality is very go...

I have always liked Kate Bush . She epitomises every thing that is good about a creative artist & musician. I could go on and on, I guess you know all this. She has been, and remains one of the best female artist's in popular, and contemporary music. This is a compilation of live TV appearance soundtracks, 70's & 80's charity contributions, and limited live material that has been circulated under the title ' Butterfly Kisses'. I am not sure if this was originally one of those cynical 'rip off' Cd's traded as an official release, or just a collection of fans material (hopefully it is the latter). Track listing: 01 - Wuthering Heights (3:00) BBC TV, Top of the Pops - 16 Feb 1978. 02 - The Man with the Child in His Eyes (2:51) 03 - Them Heavy People (2:48) TV (New York), Saturday Night Live - 09 Dec 1978. 04 - Under the Ivy (2:13 Studio, Abbey Road, March 1986. 05 - Breathing (3:07) 06 - Do Bears? (3:49) BBC TV, Comic Relief - 04 April 198...

Am I glad I was just a minor in 1967. The whole hippie, summer of love, flowers in your hair, psychedelic thing would surely have sucked me in. These day's, I'd be recounting tales of just how 'far out' I really was, in that boring monotonous way that only old stoners can. Hmmm maybe... This is another moment in rock music history. First of all the venue, the 'Cafe Au Go Go'. The Cafe au Go Go was a Greenwich Village night club located in the basement of 152 Bleecker Street, New York, NY. The club was the first New York venue for the Grateful Dead, and has a veritable whose who, of 1960's artists that played there. Jefferson Airplane performed for two weeks at the Cafe au Go-Go, with supporting act Richie Havens, from February 1967. This recording was from 4th March 1967. As far as the Jefferson Airplane go, they had formed in 1965, in San Francisco, with their debut show on August 13th 1965, at the Matrix nightclub (San Francisco). Vocalist ...

Celebrating the 100th post on this still very young blog, I can think of no finer band than The Black Crowes. Back on the 26th July, I put up the full concert from the 19th March 2006 at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire. The following evening (yep - I make that the 20th) they played a second concert, and here is where you start to learn just how cool, unique, talented, and other thingies the Black Crowes are. They play a very different set, different songs, unique jams, and a stonking performance. Now the 19th March gig can still be downloaded, so if you are new to the band, why not download the first part of the 19th and compare it to the first part of the 20th March performance. If you are not a fan at the end of both, do the following. Go and stand in front of a full length mirror, look yourself up and down (no touching) and say out loud, "I am not a rock'n'roller". There is no known cure for this condition, however a quick dose of James Blunt,...

Time for another bout of Whats Up Doc? Plenty of very good new music, some brand spanking new, some recent. Not long now before the record industry starts the season of inevitably dodgy repackaged compilations... So whats on my play list right now? Lets start with the new album from Siouxsie namely 'Mantaray'. If you like anything by the Banshees, or The Creatures, it's a must to check out. Have a listen to: Links Removed - MP3 Policy. Siouxsie - Into a Swan (radio edit).mp3 Official site and more info HERE . Radiohead have announced the release of a new album - 'In Rainbows', as I am sure all their fans already know. For full details go to their site HERE . Two options, one - pre-order to download the single album, you choose the amount you want to pay, and two - order the comprehensive Cd & vinyl package, that will be dispatched in December. Some of the songs from the new album were played on their tour last year. Whether they are like the finished article, ...

When is a bootleg, not a bootleg? "I think 1986 was a peak", states The Waterboys founder Mike Scott, "We never really came back to where we were in 1986." How good was their concert at Glastonbury in 1986? So good that in 1998, Mike Scott released a live album of The Waterboys including the Glastonbury performance, despite the fact it had been bootlegged from the radio broadcast twelve years earlier! It's all a bit of a conundrum, when you consider the 'official release', and what has subsequently happened, it goes like this. According to Mike Scott, the album was put out by New Millennium Records (although Amazon.com credits it to "Msi", and All Music Guide credits it to "Pilot" and "Griffin"). Mike Scott claims that New Millennium stopped paying royalties to the band but continued to sell the album. The album is not listed on the band's own 'official' discography. Whatever the actual facts are,...

If you are not familiar with The Quarrymen , John Lennon's 'skiffle' group, that eventually became The Silver Beatles, and then of course The Beatles, the Wikipedia article HERE is really interesting. I thought of just providing some selected parts within this posting, but the whole article provides excellent background to this recording. This rehearsal recording was made just four weeks before they changed name to The Silver Beetles, and John Lennon's friend Stuart Sutcliffe made up the quartet. This recording was made at Paul McCartney's home early in 1960, prior to Pete Best joining as drummer, and of course the Hamburg, Germany era. This is obviously a wonderful piece of musical history, and the audio quality reflects the historical aspect, home taping circa 1960, likely on one microphone, and with a muffled sound and hiss, that an old tape would retain however much you try to clean it up. That said I find it fascinating, and a must have for any Beatl...

OK lets get the all important 'Queen Of Soul' reference stated, and out of the way! From the mid 1970's Aretha Franklin's musical career was struggling, not surprisingly as her personal life was troubled by family tragedy and a big problem with tax debt issues. In 1980, Aretha Franklin's career was given a much-needed boost thanks to a cameo appearance on The Blues Brothers, singing 'Think' as Mrs. Matt Murphy. That same year, Clive Davis signed Aretha, to his Arista Records. 'United Together' and 'Love All The Hurt Away', a duet with George Benson, returned her to the Top 10 on the Billboard R&B charts. Her 1982 release, 'Jump To It', produced by longtime admirer Luther Vandross, gave the singer her first R&B chart-topper and pop success since '(Giving Him) Something He Can Feel'. The Jump To It album enjoyed a long run at Number One on Billboard's R&B Albums chart. Aretha was back on form, as th...

Carlos Santana is sixty years young this year, yep once again another one of those now familiar milestones for music fans. Was it really 35 years ago that I bought Caravanserai , an album of timeless qualities, which I think pretty much sums up so much of the music of Santana. This concert was recorded in 1976. Lets get the period in context. Carlos Santana along with Tom Coster, producer David Rubinson, and drummer Ndugu Leon Chancler had formed yet another version of Santana, adding vocalist Greg Walker. The album "Amigos" was released in 1976 which featured the songs "Dance, Sister, Dance" and "Let It Shine" and had a strong funk and Latin sound. The album also received considerable airplay on FM (USA) album oriented rock stations with the instrumental "Europa (Earths Cry Heavens Smile)" and re-introduced Santana back into the charts. Rolling Stone magazine ran a second cover story on Santana entitled; "Santana Comes Home"...

Guess which one went on to a solo career and acting? Hmmm.... OK so Fish was a bit of an extrovert, that said Marillion have done very well since he left, way back when. This is interesting, the band on tour prior to 'Misplaced Childhood' being released, and the very successful hit single 'Kayleigh'. They played some of the 'forthcoming material', which for Marillion fans, is fascinating to hear. The comments from Fish, introducing the 'new material', also demonstrates that the final album structure was not quite as planned. Also the lyrics on 'Kayleigh' are different from the final album/single version. This was recorded at the Hammersmith Odeon on December 14th 1984. The original source was stereo soundboard, and considering that the likely path was vinyl, then CD, and finally digital, the sound quality remains excellent. Setlist is: 01. Garden Party 02. Cinderella Search 03. Jigsaw 04. Chelsea Monday 05. Pseudo Silk Kimono / Kayleigh 06. Bitt...

Welcome to Bootleg Originals number one , an occasional look back to some of the defining moments in rock bootleg history. Bootlegs have been around for a long time, way before rock'n'roll, however this series will focus on the rock/pop era. 1969 tends to have tacit agreement, as the year rock bootlegs began to surface for sale, particularly in the USA. Bob Dylan is often regarded as an early 'target'. Other obvious candidates were The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones. It was made easier when the Rolling Stones undertook a 17 date US tour, in November 1969, culminating at the notorious Altamont concert on December 6th. The third date (two shows) on November 9th 1969, at The Oakland Coliseum in California, has been widely circulated as a boot. It was the US 1969 tour, and the subsequent bootlegs, that lead to the official release of the 1970 Rolling Stones album 'Get Your Ya Ya's Out!' (predominately recorded from the Madison Square Garden concerts element ...

Steve Forbert is still touring, and also released a new album back in June. In some ways you have got to hand it to the guy. Back in the late 1970's he was hailed as the 'new Bob Dylan' by some prominent music journalists. Down the years comparisons have been made with Bob Seger, Bruce Springsteen, and anyone else whose name begins with B! Along with this he has carried the long term 'underrated artist' label with dignity and endurance. In a recent review of his current album he was described as the 'veteran Mississippi troubadour who mixes gentle folk/pop with the occasional piquant rocker'. Anyway you draw your own conclusions. My thanks to Chris for sharing this recording with me (along with some other rarities to follow soon), it is a fine example of Steve Forbert back towards the start of his musical career. From two concerts : Capitol Theatre, Passaic, New Jersey, 1979. 1 Song For The Sun 2 What Kinda Guy (acoustic version) 3 Thin...

This is a Cranberries boot known as 'Live Wire' from 1995. I have only seen them in concert once, a few years after these performances, I was not disappointed. Having been a fan of their music since the first album, I was mightily impressed with them live, so coming across a number of live concert boots, was a pleasure. The good news is they have been a consistent class act, so if you want more from them let me know! Live Wire is a compilation of three different concerts, from their 2005 world tour. This is Live Wire: Tracks One to Nine at The Milton Keynes Bowl, Milton Keynes, England - 30th July 1995. 1. Sunday 2. Linger 3. Pretty 4. Wanted 5. Daffodil Lament 6. I Can't Be With You 7. Zombie 8. Not Hollywood 9. Dreams Tracks Ten to Fifteen at The Point Theatre, Dublin, Ireland - 2nd June 1995. 10. Sunday 11. Dreaming My Dreams 12. I Can't Be With You 13. I Just Shot John Lennon 14. Twenty One 15. Ridiculous Thoughts Tracks Sixteen to...

In 1977 Punk was happening, I was listening to lot's of young (similar age), high energy bands, raw and fresh, even if the musicianship was pretty low tech. For me Fleetwood Mac were really special in the day's of Peter Green, in the late 1960's, they had then morphed into adult orientated rock, and I stopped taking notice of them. With hindsight of course, things are different. Rumours was a solid album, and maybe some of Fleetwood Mac's songs, have and will continue to stand the test of time, more so than a lot of the 70's punk scene. Anyway to the point. This is Fleetwood Mac live in Nashville on May 21st 1977, at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium. This is during the 'Rumours' tour, and the band are playing really well, with excellent vocals. Set List: Cd1 01 Welcome 02 Say You Love Me 03 Monday Morning 04 Dreams 05 Oh Well 06 Rhiannon 07 Oh Daddy 08 Never Going Back Again 09 Landslide 10 Over My Head 11 Gold Dust Woman Cd2 01...

Mink DeVille formed in San Francisco having performed initially as Billy DeSade & the Marquis and also The Lazy Eights before settling on the name Mink DeVille. They relocated to New York in the late 1970's, and were quickly associated with the local burgeoning punk scene. The reality was that at heart Mink DeVille was a soul orientated band with roots in R&B, the blues and even Cajun music. This year their founder Willy DeVille, celebrates thirty years as a recording artist, 'oh how time flies' when you are having fun. This is Mink DeVille Live from The Bottom Line, New York, USA, back on September 12th 1980. If you are not familiar with the band, I strongly urge you to give them a listen. Many may recognise their hit single 'Spanish Stroll', there is however far more to this band. They are one of those bands that simply light up a venue when they perform. This is a 'stonking' performance! The set list is as follows: 1. Harlem Noctur...

This is the 'broadcast' part of REM live in Hyde Park, London, on the 16th July 2005. It was the final date of their 2004/05 world tour, and had been put back one week due to the terrorist attack on London's tube system, just days earlier. I have seen a number of bands and artists myself in Hyde Park. I recognise it has been used considerably as a venue in recent years. A good number of charitable events have been televised in the UK. It is easy to get the impression that this is a fine venue to play. Hyde Park is a very big place, a very large park. For around ten years now, the gigs are performed with the stage at the Marble Arch end. The audience are placed parallel with Park Lane going south, between the internal roads. If nothing else, I hope I have confused some New Yorkers at there own game now, regarding concerts in Central Park (this time last year I was in Manhattan so understand this is said with kind affection). Put simply this part of Hyde Park ...

There was a time when Genesis would have automatically been included in my top favorite five bands. When Peter Gabriel left, like many I thought it was the end, however although the sound and style gradually developed, it was still Genesis, and some good music was produced. In 1980 the album Duke was released, and I was really impressed ! With hindsight this was the beginning of the end of my Genesis 'must buy - must have' era. After that for whatever reason only the odd song here and there appealed to me. As regards Phil Collins solo material, sorry I have tried, but it ain't for me. I think early on, he made to much of an effort not to sound like Genesis, but with respect was never going to be a crooner. To the point - This is Genesis towards the end of my 'Top Five Favorite' era. The details - Genesis live at The Lyceum London (second night) on the 7th May 1980. The Lyceum was one of the smaller venues they played on this tour. Set List: CD 1: 0...

This is Elvis Presley Live at Greensboro, North Carolina, USA, on the 14th April 1972. I am not an Elvis aficionado, probably not even up to amateur standard, by any Elvis Presley fans measurement criteria. I do not impersonate him though, surely this gets me some street credibility back ? I tried to get some background on this concert and failed miserably. I know Elvis toured in 1972, he sold out Madison Square Gardens for four consecutive nights, and a video of him touring won a Golden Globe for best documentary that year. What is curious for me, is that the very limited notes that accompanied this concert say it was his first performance of 'Burning Love' on stage. This was released in 1972 and was his last top ten hit in the U.S. single charts, so from that perspective there is a little bit of Elvis history here. Oh well onto the main reason I am posting this, easy one as usual, not being a major Elvis fan, I swallowed the hype, and decided to give it a play, next thing I k...