BEEHIVE CANDY

This is Leonard Cohen live at the Royal Albert Hall, London, England back on the 30th May 1988. The performance was recorded by the BBC (from their own soundboard) but never subsequently broadcast. In 1987, Jennifer Warnes's tribute album Famous Blue Raincoat helped restore Leonard Cohen's career in the USA and the following year he released 'I'm Your Man', which marked a drastic change in his music. Synthesizers ruled the album and Leonard Cohen's lyrics included more social commentary and dark humour. It was Leonard Cohen's most acclaimed and popular since Songs of Leonard Cohen. "First We Take Manhattan" and the title song have become two of his most popular songs. Source: Soundboard (BBC). Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@192kbps. Genre: Folk, folk rock, blues. Set: Full Set*. Track List: 01 Dance Me To The End Of Love 02 Ain't No Cure For Love 03 Who By Fire 04 Bird On The Wire 05 I'm Your Man 06 Sister...

Here's a band I really do like and new little about until those very nice folk at Paper Garden Records sent me a copy of their current album, and am I glad they did! I reckon a lot of people are gonna be 'getting into this band' in 2010, and those already in the know are probably feeling rather smug. Alcoholic Faith Mission are from Copenhagen however started out in Brooklyn in 2006. Whether it is the contradictory band name, the band’s multinational conception, or just the creation of eerily beautiful music, Copenhagen’s Alcoholic Faith Mission have already proved their worth in Europe with coverage in NME, AOL UK and more in addition to consistently selling out high-profile shows across the European continent. Listen: 'We All Have Our Shortcomings' Website: MySpace . Buy MP3's: Alcoholic Faith Mission Bio: Alcoholic Faith Mission started in Brooklyn, NY in 2006. The apprentices of dejection, Thorben Seierø Jensen and Sune Sølund, were wandering around in t...

This is The Specials live in concert back in January 1980 at Hurrah's, NYC. The Specials began at the same time as Rock Against Racism which first gathered in 1978. According to Jerry Dammers, anti-racism was intrinsic to the formation of The Specials, in that the band was formed with the goal of integrating black and white people. 2009 has seen the band undertake a 30th anniversary tour (minus Jerry Dammers, however Terry Hall has stated 'the door remains open to him'). The tour has been very well received, their performance on BBC's 'Later With Jools Holland' can be seen on You Tube HERE . This concert takes us back three decades to a much younger band. Source: FM Broadcast Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@256kbps. Genre: 2 Tone, Ska, New Wave. Set: Majority of set Track List: 01 Monkey Man 02 Rat Race 03 Blank Expression 04 Rude Boys Outa Jail 05 Too Hot 06 Doesn't Make It Alright 07 Stupid Marriage 08 Too Much Too Young 09 A Message To You ...

Double Trouble is a collection of live performances recorded during The Breeders 1993 tour. Formed in 1988 their first album, Pod (1990), received critical acclaim but was not commercially successful. The Breeders' most successful album, 1993's Last Splash, produced the hit single "Cannonball", and this material is from the tour that promoted the Last Splash album. The Breeders' history began when Kim Deal, then bassist of the Pixies, began writing new material while the band were on a post-Surfer Rosa tour of Europe with Throwing Muses. As neither band had plans for the short term, Kim Deal discussed possible side-projects with Throwing Muses guitarist Tanya Donelly. After rejecting the idea of creating a dance album together the pair decided to form a new band. Source: Soundboard Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@320kbps. Genre: Alternative Rock. Set: Compilation from various gigs. Track List: 01. Iris 02. Cannonball 03. Saints 04. Hag 05. Fortunately Gon...

Some email promo's have me yawning from about the second line onwards this one started as follows and kind of gained my attention. 'After an arduous recovery from a touring accident on the Autobahn while on tour in Germany (singer and main creative force Mike Law broke seven bones on the left side of his body) Brooklyn's New Idea Society has finally regained the momentum that was brewing on their previous album, "The World Is Bright and Lonely" (2007)'. Now I will be upfront and say I had not previously registered New Idea Society however having gained my attention I gave the two songs from the forthcoming album a listen and reckon they deserve at the very least a fairly decent plug from the Beehive. Listen: 'Thorns' Website: Official . MySpace . Buy: New album release TBC. Background: The new song is from an upcoming album produced by Andy LeMaster (Bright Eyes, Azure Ray). They are a huge departure from the bands previous recordings. Tracked i...

For those who are not familiar with The Ditty Bops they are an American band from Los Angeles, California. They were previously with Warner Brothers, however they now self produce their material. They are noted for their tight vocal harmonies and playful style, and are headed by Abby DeWald (vocals and acoustic guitar) and Amanda Barrett (vocals, mandolin and dulcimer). For those of you who are familiar with their wonderful music, then this is an absolute delight! This is a full concert of the band performing live at The Freight & Salvage Coffee House (The Home of Traditional Music) in Berkeley, California. This concert took place on the 7th March 2008 and the recording includes both sets. Source: Soundboard (see comments). Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@192kbps. Genre: Folk, bluegrass, blues, western swing, ragtime. Set: Full Set Set List: Set One: 1. Intro 2. In The Meantime 3. Million Dollars 4. You Made Me Love You 5. Feel From The Outside In 6. Seed Of Wonder 7. Skin...

Welcome to 2010FM where Beehive Candy will feature new artists, albums, events and the like, that capture our attention in the coming year. We kick off a couple of weeks early with Mighty Tiger who have just been signed up to Paper Garden Records and their 'Western Theater' album is scheduled for release on March 9th 2010. Seattle’s Mighty Tiger are a five-piece Capitol Hill dwelling chamber-pop group and also plan to tour down to SXSW and back with fellow Seattle rockers, 'Grand Hallway'. Listen: “33 1/3” Website: MySpace . Label/Buy: Paper Garden Records - Release tbc. Bio: With its members emerging from the Midwest and the Southwest, this particular collection of musicians unified in the dreary Pacific Northwestern Seattle, WA. Drawing from influences as diverse as Harry Nilsson to The Flaming Lips, Mighty Tiger applies vintage pop sensibility to indie rock innovation, creates a sound that is uniquely their own. Western Theater, Mighty Tiger's full-lengt...

'The Tour of Life' is the only ever tour by Kate Bush . During the 1979 tour, Kate became the first ever singer to use a wireless headset radio microphone on stage, which enabled her to incorporate extensive dance routines into her live shows. A number of reasons have been suggested as to why she subsequently abandoned touring, among them her reputed need to be in total control of the final product, which is incompatible with live stage performance, a rumour of a crippling fear of flying, and the suggestion that the death of 21-year-old Bill Duffield severely affected her. Bill Duffield, her lighting director, was killed in an accident during her 2nd April concert at Poole Arts Centre. Kate Bush held a benefit concert on the 12th May , with Peter Gabriel and Steve Harley at London's Hammersmith Odeon for his family. The tour comprised of 28 dates including five nights at The London Palladium. This is from her concert at the Carr'e Theatre in Amsterdam, Holland on ...

If I have some new music that I want to listen to I expect I am not alone in listening whilst doing something else like surfing the net or whatever. The Morakestra were playing in the background yesterday and I was trying to write an article and in the end I had to turn them off. Not because there was anything wrong, quite the opposite actually as they are so catchy, tuneful, and full of great guitar hooks and songs that they became a total distraction. Which of course is a joy as I love those moments when you realise you are listening to something that connects home. OK the band themselves have been around for a while, indeed their web site adds 'F ounders and key creative minds David and Will Mora are twin brothers who were proudly born and raised in the West Texas border city, El Paso, Texas. Fellow El Pasoan Jim Ward contributed to the rebirth of Morakestra via production and recording of the band's latest album, Witness to Connection, out June 2nd, 2009 on indie label Str...

Are you ready to rumble? There is nothing like a blast of rockabilly and a blues belter or two, to clear the cobwebs and the Stray Cats certainly know how to liven things up as was the case here back in the early 1980's Now I am a little confused over the venue or even city that this gig was actually from. The silver disc boot says the band were live in Los Angeles on April 28th 1982. It's just that the song 'Rumble In Brighton' keeps on having the lyrics changed to 'Rumble in Toronto' something the audience seems to appreciate. That aside this is one rocking concert from the band at the peak of their musical journey. It's not until 'Lonely Summer Nights' that the band slow things down a little, showing how well they could recreate 1950's rock'n'roll in differing styles. Source: Soundboard. Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@320kbps. Genre: Rockabilly. Set: Full Set. Set List: 1. Baby Blue Eyes (4:22) 2. Double Talking Woman (3:47)...

We are reliably informed that Daisy McCrackin was born in San Francisco and now lives in Los Angeles. So what else can I add, well having read her bio on MySpace her original move to LA was to develop an acting career, with some notable Hollywood credits to her name including 3000 Miles To Graceland (with Kurt Russell and Kevin Costner.) She also had the honor of being one of Michael Myers teen victims in a Halloween sequel from 2002 (no wonder she switched over to a music career), however clearly her artistic yearnings eventually led her away from LA for a while as she slowly developed her song writing and guitar skills. Having listened to her debut release 'Rodeo Grounds' I have to say there is something special about Daisy and her music. I would imagine she will appeal to both folk and indie fans alike, the comparisons are there (from Joni Mitchell to Beth Orton) however she has a unique and very intimate style that has a personal and charming edge. Listen: 'tell her...

This is the second in our new occasional series under the banner 'Rarities and Collectors Items' where the audio might not be first class but the interest factor is likely quite high. It's over thirty years since Sandy Denny passed away, and yet her influence as a folk singer and artist has remained down the years, her ability to interpret anything from traditional folk too folk rock setting the benchmark for those that have followed. This is a beautiful set recorded by a member of the audience who edited out the gaps and some applause however retained her conversation with the audience along with the songs. Being a small venue and with a respectful audience the intimate nature of the concert can be felt and heard. Performing on October 12th 1972 at the Guildhall, Newcastle, England this is the much missed Sandy Denny. Source: Audience recording Sound Quality: Very good for audience recording and era mp3@320kbps. Genre: Folk, Electric Folk. Set: Majority of set. Set ...

Julian Shah-Tayler is a solo artist who writes, produces and performs his own music. His EP - "Un Ange Passe" (dedicated to the memory of Christine Shroy-Hull) is released on 1st January, 2010. His debut album, “Coito Ergo Sum” is due for release spring 2010 on Impossible Thing Records. Julian has played guitar in 'Whitey' co writing the smash hit “Wrap It Up” which has been featured in Whip It, GTA 4, Sopranos, Kyle XY and CSI Miami. He has also played keys & sang with Siobhan Fahey (Shakespear’s Sister), and played keyboards & sang on Joaquin Phoenix’s solo album among others! Having listened to a number of his his songs, I reckon he could well break through in 2010, which would be deserved as his song writing and performance is quite stunning. The melodies and variety of styles he uses along with first class production have really gained my attention. Listen: 'Communication' Websites: MySpace Buy: Impossible Thing Records The debut solo EP “Un Ange ...

This is Dame Shirley Veronica Bassey , performing live with the BBC Concert Orchestra at the Electric Proms, Roundhouse London, England on the 23rd October 2009. One of the aims of Beehive Candy has been to provide variety and diversity in musical styles and genres. This has ensured that those who contribute tend to listen to music they might otherwise just pass by. Shirley Bassey is a superb live performer and this concert both reminds us of some of her wonderful hits across decades and that really good artists can appeal to audiences across different generations. It was announced in July 2009 that Shirley Bassey was recording a new album, with David Arnold as producer. By September 2009 artists who had written songs for the album included Manic Street Preachers, Gary Barlow, KT Tunstall, Pet Shop Boys, Kaiser Chiefs, John Barry and Don Black. The 11-track album, entitled The Performance , was released on the 9th November 2009. Shirley Bassey headlined at the BBC Electric Proms in he...

This is Aerosmith on the final night of their US 1988 tour. The gig took place at the Pacific Amphitheater, Costa Mesa, CA, USA back on the 15th September 1988. The album 'Permanent Vacation' was released in September 1987, becoming a major hit and the band's bestselling album in over a decade (selling 5 million copies in the U.S.), with all three of its singles 'Dude (Looks Like a Lady)', 'Rag Doll', and 'Angel' reaching the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100. The group went on a subsequent tour with label mates Guns N' Roses who have cited Aerosmith as a major influence. The tour was reportedly 'intense at times' because of Aerosmith's new struggle to stay clean, amidst Guns and Roses well publicized rampant drug use. Source: Soundboard. Sound Quality : Very good stereo mp3@192kbps. Genre: Rock. Set: Full Set. Set List: Disc 1 01 Rats In The Cellar 02 Same Old Song And Dance 03 Heart's Done Time 04 Let T...

Shamelessly copying and pasting from their MySpace site here's the background on another band to watch out for in 2010. ' City Light was started by Seattle singer songwriter Matt Shaw with long time friend and bay area producer Nick Andre, who's releases have featured Gift Of Gab, Lateef, Lyrics Born and more. As the project progressed they called upon musician and producer Denver Dalley from Desaparecidos, Statistics, and Intramural and Seattle singer songwriter Andy Fitts from Airport Cathedral and Aqueduct. Together the four of them worked to create one record from three corners of the country that mixed genres of indie-pop, rock , and hip hop. The end result is a dark and unique pop record full of catchy tunes, experimental electronica, and driving beats '. The album 'Burned Out Bright ' is due for release on the 26th January 2010, and having just listened through, this one is going on my personal play again list. You can also here more over on their MySpac...

Time flys by and it's is already over six years since the passing of Warren Zevon . There has been some dispute over the source of this broadcast, Warren clearly mentions the venue as London and the BBC did indeed broadcast his London concert in 1988 however the song order slightly differs. As far as I can gather this is a rebroadcast of the London show by a Dutch radio station, who may have edited the original a little. Leaving the detail aside this is an excellent concert from Warren Zevon accompanied by a superb band. The original performance was on the 25th January 1988 at London's Hammersmith Odeon. Source: FM Broadcast. Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@256 & 320kbps. Genre: Singer Songwriter, Rock. Set: Edited Broadcast Set. Set List: 1. Lawyers, Guns & Money 2. Detox Mansion 3. Boom Boom Mancini 4. Johnny Strikes Up The Band 5. Roland The Headless Thompson Gunner 6. Reconsider Me 7. Excitable Boy 8. Sentimental Hygiene 9. Accidentally Like A Martyr 10. Wer...

Now I like quirky and different, and mention the likes of the Bonzo's or Monty Python and my 'musical radar' tends to activate! Patrick and Eugene are yet another reason to keep an eye on whats new in the world of music, especially in these troubled times where record companies are inclined towards nicely packaged conformity or well controlled and marketable rebels. The UK press has stated "Banjos, bongos and alarm clocks, '20s jazz and '60s pop and sampled insect noises, Patrick & Eugene's irrepressibly eccentric summer romp has got it all." - NME "Whimsically English songs where Dixieland jazz intermingles with Afro-Cuban rhythms." - Q The Patrick & Eugene sound is comprised of banjos, ukuleles and sunshine pop vocals combined with whistles, bells and bongos to produce unique but accessible music for post-modern vaudevillians, with nods to Monty Python, Derek & Clive and even Woody Allen. Try to imagine Noel Coward on stage wit...

By 1988 Gary Lucas was making a name for himself in New York as a solo artist having left Captain Beefhearts Magic Band some years earlier. Having written 'Grace' & 'Mojo Pin' with Jeff Buckley in 1991 Jeff began performing with Gary Lucas in his band Gods And Monsters . As has been mentioned on the previous Jeff Buckley post, days after Gods and Monsters officially debuted in March 1992, Jeff Buckley decided to leave the band. In October 2002 Gary Lucas released 'Songs To No One' an album of material from studio sessions, home tapes, and club performances over two years of collaboration between himself and Jeff Buckley. The final track on that album 'Grace' was from a live performance at the Roulette Club in New York. This is the full set recorded live at Club Roulette, New York on the 5th April 1992. Source: Soundboard. Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@256kbps. Genre: Alternative Rock. Set: Full Set. Set List: 1. Dinks Song 2. Sweet Thing ...

This is Bruce Hornsby and The Range recorded from the Midnight show broadcast live by WNEW-FM, New York on the 2nd September 1986. The band formed in 1984 and were signed to RCA Records in 1985. Bruce Hornsby's recording career started with the biggest hit he has had to date, entitled "The Way It Is". It topped the American music charts in 1986. With a propulsive yet contemplative piano riff and the refrain, That's just the way it is / Some things will never change / That's just the way it is / But don't you believe them , the song was catchy and described aspects of the American Civil Rights movement and institutional racism. The song also hit a nerve with the American public, reflecting dissatisfaction with perceived economic decline in the early-to-mid 1980s. In years to come, the song would be sampled by at least six rap artists, including Tupac Shakur, E-40, and Mase. Source: FM Broadcast. Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@192kbps. Genre: Contempo...