X-Ray Spex - Live at CBGB's 1978

This is X-Ray Spex playing live at CBGB's in New York USA, on the 17th March 1978.

X-Ray Spex were one of the few female (Poly Styrene) fronted punk bands from that era and were summed up more recently by John Lydon as follows - "Them, they came out with a sound and attitude and a whole energy - it was just not relating to anything around it - superb."

Source: Possibly soundboard (levels and audience noise suggest this is the case).

Sound Quality: 1970's punk - come on don't expect Hi-Fi - highly listenable good quality stereo will have to do!

Genre: Punk (UK) - New Wave

Set: Full live concert

Set List:

1 - Artificial
2 - I'm obsessed with you
3 - Let's submerge
4 - Identity
5 - Plastic bag
6 - I live off you
7 - Germ free adolescents
8 - I'm a poser
9 - Genetic engineering
10 - I'm a cliche
11 - The day the world turned dayglo
12 - Oh bondage up yours!
13 - Artificial
14 - Identity

Links: Official Website HERE, and Wikipedia HERE.

Comments: They never took themselves to seriously, had enough ability and unique attributes to get noticed, and if there had of been a punk charter for the time they could have been the model - (a few singles, one album, perform live after just the one rehearsal, and have a point of view).

X-Ray Spex played a short residency at CBGB's from which I understand this was liberated. Amongst those who turned out to see them were members of Blondie and Richard Hell from the Voidoids. In true punk spirit they were there to play, no single or album to plug, just some energetic live nights on stage.

You can read a little more through the above links, and for those of us of a certain age take a little saunter down memory lane.

(Download link is in comments below).

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Garbage - Dallas Texas - 1998

With one of Scotland's (UK) finest female vocalists, it's easy to forget that Garbage are primarily an American band from Madison Wisconsin.

This is Garbage back on the 15th October 1998 live in concert at the Bronco Bowl, Dallas, Texas, USA.

Source: I am uncertain, the originator of this copy suggests soundboard, however it may be from local FM (anyone shed some light on this?).

Sound Quality: Highly listenable (soundboard?) good stereo at 160kbps.

Genre: Indie / Alternative Rock

Set: Full live concert

Set List:

1. Temptation Waits
2. Not My Idea
3. I Think I'm Paranoid
4. Special
5. My Lover's Box
6. Hammering In My Head
7. Thirteen
8. #1 Crush
9. Stupid Girl
10. Vow
11. Wicked Ways
12. Queer
13. Push It
14. Only Happy When It Rains
15. You Look So Fine
16. Milk
17. Trip My Wire
18. When I Grow Up

Links: Official Website HERE MySpace site HERE and Wikipedia HERE.

Comments: It seems likely Garbage have run their course, which is preferable to releasing a tired new album for the sake of it.

In more recent times Shirley Manson has been working on some solo material and in the course of this departed Geffen Records who appeared to want a 'pop hit', (now there's a surprise).

Anyway this is a feisty performance as you would expect from a band of Garbage's calibre, so enjoy.

(Download link is in comments below - go to second link).

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Paul Simon - Live in London - 2006

This is Paul Simon live at the UCL Bloomsbury Theatre, London, on the 25th May 2006, in part promoting his then new album 'Surprise'.

Source: FM Broadcast from BBC Radio 2 originally aired 21.00-22.00 on Saturday 3rd June 2006.

Sound Quality: Excellent, recorded 'off air' in stereo, converted to mp3 @ 192kbps.

Genre: Folk - rock and pop orientated - oh come on you know !

Set: Limited set tailored for radio broadcast (see my comments).

Set List:

01 Introduction
02 Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes
03 Outrageous
04 Slip Slidin' Away
05 You're The One
06 Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard
07 How Can You Live In The Northeast?
08 The Boxer
09 Father And Daughter
10 Loves Me Like A Rock
11 Graceland
12 Wartime Prayers
13 Outro

Links: Official site HERE. Wikipedia tries to stay factual HERE.

Comments: The UCL (University College Theatre) is in Central London and seats 535, making for quite an intimate gig, especially for someone who can fill major city parks.

I understand he also performed 'Cecilia' and 'Boy In the Bubble' on the night, these may have been edited out to fit the show into a nice rounded one hour (ah - those schedulers and their stop watches).

Ironically the introduction goes on way to long and is rather gushing, (learning point, never let an obsessive fan near a microphone). The first song 'Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes' is nicely re-worked, the guy after all is a musical legend, that's all that needed to be said at the start.

(Download link is in comments below)

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Amy Macdonald - Live In Stockholm - October 2008

Amy Macdonald performed close to one hundred gigs last year, along with a host of promotional appearances.

This is Amy in concert on the 29th October 2008, live at Debaser Medis, Stockholm, Sweden.

Source: Audience recording, front area, close to centre.

Sound Quality: For audience - excellent! stereo (mixed as a labor of love - just listen) low audience noise - highly listenable.

Genre: Indie Pop - acoustic plus band.

Set: Full live performance with two tracks missing in action, lets hope they make it home.

Set List:

01 Bag pipe introduction
02 Poison Prince
03 L.A.
04 Youth of Today
05 Barrowland Ballroom
06 Footballers Wife
07 Mr. Brightside
(08 I wish for something more - sorry missing from this edit)
09 Mr. Rock and Roll
10 Next Big Thing
11 This is the Life
12 Hallelujah
13 Troubled Soul
14 Run
15 'Crowd encore'
(16 Dancing in the dark - sorry missing from this edit)
17 'Band presentation'
18 The Road to Home
19 Let's Start a Band

Links: Official site HERE, MySpace music site HERE.

Comments: OK, as previously mentioned I am a fully fledged fan of Amy's music, so expect no impartiality here.

Not only has she slogged the live circuit, and done the publicity stuff, most importantly of all, she writes great songs, performs them with vigour and heart, and does covers in a very personal style that you might believe she has composed them herself.

If you like myself, are usually put off, of downloading 'audience' recordings, this one is surprisingly good quality, and well beyond 'enthusiasts' material.

(Download link is in comments below)

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Watch this space - Live soundboard & FM stereo Amy Macdonald material planned to follow, (with superior quality versions of the missing tracks).

January and All That

During December & early January a number of music sites and magazines, indulge in the 'best of' the year passing, often with top 10's 20's 50's and so on.

Nothing wrong with all that, indeed it can be a great way of discovering bands and artists that otherwise may pass you by.

This got me thinking about some of the issues recently, regarding whole postings being deleted on various music sites (including this one) thanks to our friends in big record companies.

I took a quick look through the latter part of 2008, to remind myself of some of the bands and artists that I had discovered thanks in particular to other music bloggers.

Yes some are now already 'established', some yet to release an album, however I wonder if I would have given them any attention if it was not for those enthusiastic postings. The chances of a lot of these artists getting prime time exposure on UK radio, is limited, and in some cases any exposure is unlikely, for the profit driven, play safe industry.

Here are just five examples randomly selected:

Hajen (pictured above) was first featured on Swedesplease, an excellent source for new music from such a vibrant and musically diverse country. Known as Hajen which translates as Shark, Amanda Bergman for me, is one to watch out for in the coming year, to use the well worn cliche 'a breath of fresh air'.

Listen:

MP3: Sharks
Web Link: MySpace

Land of Talk are a Canadian indie rock band from Montreal, Quebec. The band consists of singer and guitarist Elizabeth Powell, bassist Joe Yarmush and drummer Eric Thibodeau.
Their first full length album, Some Are Lakes, was released in October 2008. For me they have a real buzz, along with a distinctive sound, very accessible.

Listen:

MP3: Death By Fire
Web Link: Official Site
Buy:Land Of Talk mp3

Okkervil River are an indie folk band from Austin, Texas. Formed in 1998, the band takes its name from a short story by Russian author Tatyana Tolstaya. The band released their fifth album The Stand Ins on September 9th 2008, from which the song below lead to my coming across this really fine band.

Listen:

MP3: Lost Coastlines
Web Link: MySpace
Buy:Okkervil River

First Aid Kit are another superb act from Sweden, who have an EP 'Drunken Trees' available through their My Space site. They are in my humble opinion one of the bands to watch out for this year (yes I know), see what you think.

Listen:

MP3: Our Own Pretty Ways
Web Link: MySpace
Buy: First Aid Kit

Amy MacDonald is now doing very well, and deservedly so, she has an exceptional style, and her songs are just far to catchy ! I expect most of you are familiar if not to finish this brief round up feel free to check out Amy here.

Listen:

MP3: Run
Web Link: Official Site
Buy:Amy MacDonald

John Prine - At The BBC - 1973

This is John Prine performing live for BBC Radio One, back in 1973 at the BBC Radio Theatre in London.

Source: One of BBC Radio 1's, 'In Concert' series from this era, originally recorded 'off air'.

Sound Quality: FM stereo, good clean quality.

Genre: Country, Folk, Protest, significant influence for recent Americana.

Set: Full BBC performance.

Set List:

01 Spanish Pipe dream
02 Illegal Smile
03 Donald and Lydia
04 Sam Stone
05 Pretty Good
06 Rocky Mountain
07 Hello In There
08 Everybody Needs Somebody

Links: Official stuff is pretty average, probably best represented by 'official' fan site HERE.

Comments: Back in 1972, Atlantic records released the album 'sampler' The New Age Of Atlantic', a phenomenal album that introduced many 'rock' fans to John Prine and others (check HERE for more album details).

John Prine's inclusion was the song 'Sam Stone' which put concisely by 'Wikipedia' can be interpreted as, a reference to the phenomenon of morphine addiction among war veterans (at that time the Vietnam war) as a result of its use to treat crippling and painful injuries, and its often lifetime repercussions.

Personally I think the song is as relevant today, and on many levels, as when it was originally written and performed by John Prine. Despite my young age at the time (honest), it made a lasting impression on me, but above all it's such a wonderful piece of observational music.

If you would rather just listen to Sam Stone, hit play below, the concert download link is in comments for this posting.



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Paul Weller - Live In London - 2001

This is Paul Weller in 2001, the year he undertook the 'Days Of Speed' world tour, with an excellent live album of the same name released, the emphasis being solo acoustic performances.



This performance was on the 23rd April 2001, at the BBC Radio theatre in London.

Source: Recorded and subsequently broadcast by BBC Radio 2.

Sound Quality: Very good 'off air' stereo recording, high standard.

Genre: Rock, first generation Mod revival, Soul.

Set: Full live performance, last track edited with 'abrupt end'.

Set List:

01 The Loved
02 Brand New Start
03 You Do Something To Me
04 Clues
05 Out Of The Sinking
06 Science
07 Sweet Pea, My Sweet Pea
08 Here's One That Got Away
09 All The Pictures On The Wall
10 Frightened
11 Everything Has A Price To Pay
12 That's Entertainment
13 Headstart For Happiness
14 Wild Wood (unfortunately ends abruptly)

Links: Official site with details of 'Weller At The BBC' an expansive collection of Paul Weller's performances for the BBC, released in November 2008, in various formats including different CD and DVD collections, please check HERE. Also informative Wikipedia entry for Paul Weller HERE.

Comments: This performance is not a part of last years BBC performances released by Paul Weller.

Actually this concert was broadcast by BBC (Radio Two) from the Radio Theatre, London in front of a specially invited audience of fans and competition winners, who were fortunate enough to be invited to the gig.

Buy Paul Weller: In addition to the links from the official site HERE, you can download a huge selection of Paul Weller mp3's via Amazon UK - Paul Weller mp3's at Amazon.

Download link in comments directly below.

Blondie - Glastonbury Festival - 1999

This is Blondie proving ever popular back on the 25th of June 1999, at the Glastonbury Festival in Somerset, England.



Source: As this is longer than the VH1 uncut broadcast of the show it is possibly soundboard.

Sound Quality: Very Good, 192kbps / 44,1kHz / Full Stereo

Genre: New Wave, Pop to Rock.

Set: Full festival performance.

Set List:

01 - Atomic (7:43)
02 - Shayla (4:22)
03 - Union City Blue (3:15)
04 - Denis (3:07)
05 - The Tide Is High (4:16)
06 - Sunday Girl (3:46)
07 - Maria (5:02)
08 - One Way or Another (4:42)
09 - Nothing Is Real But The Girl (3:37)
10 - Rapture (7:54)
11 - Heart of Glass (5:17)

Line Up:

Deborah Harry
Chris Stein
Clem Burke
Jimmy Destri
Leigh Foxx
Paul Carbonara

Links: Official label and band supported website, with 2009 tour details HERE.

Comments: Glastonbury 1999, enjoyed a hot and sunny weather environment, as opposed to the terrible rainy conditions a year earlier. The audience responded to this with a three day party atmosphere, perfect for a band like Blondie. Although promoting their, then new album 'No Exit' Blondie clicked into the whole festival buzz, and played many of their 'greatest' hits.

Download link in comments below.

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Status Quo - Live In Sweden 1971

Lets kick off 2009, with some heads down, no nonsense, mindless boogie, from rock monsters Status Quo !

Source: Concert soundboard.

Sound Quality: Excellent mixed stereo direct recording.

Genre: 1970's Rock'n'roll, hair, flares, and axe heroes.

Set: Performed on the 24th November 1971, at the Koncerthuset, Stockholm, Sweden, this is possibly just the second part of the gig.

Set List:

1. Juniors Wailing 3.36
2. Some one's Learning 8.00
3. Umleitung 7.58
4. In My Chair 3.17
5. Railroad 5.37
6. Roadhouse Blues 8.07

Line Up:

Francis Rossi - Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica
Rick Parfitt - Guitar, Vocals
Alan Lancaster - Bass
John Coghlan - Drums
Plus - Bob 'Bandie' Young - Harp

Links: Status Quo's excellent, comprehensive and well updated, official site HERE.

Comments: 1971 saw the band release the album 'Dog Of Two Head' thus confirming their natural shift to 'rockers'. Three tracks from the album are performed on this boot, Some one's Learning, Umleitung and Railroad.

Remaining ever popular Status Quo have long passed the 'parody of their own selves' stage, into 'cultural' rockers, whose often predictive sound, still sells out concert after concert, along with a lot of product.

Download link in comments below.

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