Natalie Merchant - Live Portland, Maine (1996)

Natalie Merchant - Live Portland, Maine (1996)

I suppose you could say this bootleg captures Natalie Merchant back when she was good, somewhat famous, and in-line with the rest of the industry. Recorded live at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland, ME on 2/25/1996 - the bootleg pulls from the solo artist's debut solo album, 1995's "Tigerlilly" and her second album the less than memorable "Ophelia." After 10,000 Maniacs Natalie Merchant was spun gold, able to rock, jab, blues, and out folk anyone. In 1995 she was massive, but then again so was The Lilith Fair. I suppose I dug this bootleg out, because Natalile Merchant is on the comeback trail. Hailing a new album - "Leave Your Sleep" a collection of children's songs and ancient folk tales, the American songwriter is loose and imaginative. Also, I see she's appearing at the Mountain Winery playing a show of I suppose classic hits. She could have been so much larger with a back catalog like a mile long. I guess her road lead to other paths, so we're left recollecting her best works in this live bootleg performance. Looking back not forward on this one. Again, another post for my lady, who loves Merchant and the Maniacs...

Natalie Merchant - Live Portland, Maine (1996)

01 – Ophelia

02 – San Andreas Fault

03 – Last Goodbye

04 – Carnival

05 – Surrender

06 – Space Oddity

07 – Life Is Sweet

08 – Stockton Gala Days

09 – Wonder

10 – When They Ring The Golden Bells

11 – Kind & Generous

12 – These Are Days

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Echo & the Bunnymen Live @ Coachella (2010)

Echo & the Bunnymen Live @ Coachella (2010)

I guess Echo & the Bunnymen are getting a lot of coverage in the news for their covers, which they've been playing in between "Lips Like Sugar", "Do It Clean", and "Nothing Lasts Forever". I suppose that's news, but they've been doing it since 1984. Who can forget Del Shannon lyrics sandwiched into "Over The Wall"? It's what in my mind, in 1984, made the Bunnymen unique - interjecting lyrics, poems and scuttlebut into their songs a la The Doors. Ian Mcculloch's lyrics and sorrowful delivery, soaring and falling - like a lost spirit is what makes those snippets legendary. How he chooses them or why, is a mystery only he knows. (Score 10 pts if you have the legendary Scandanavia boots with all the covers perfomed live by the original Bunnymen).

This classic audio from the recent Coachella 2010 show also includes a smattering of covers (The Doors’ “Roadhouse Blues", snippets of Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side” and “Coney Island Baby” along with Wilson Pickett’s “In the Midnight Hour”). It is a wild set from the legendary band including lots of freaks from Coachella delving into the cuts, like "The Cutter" and "Bedbugs & Ballyhoo". The audio appears courtesy of of music lovers over at Web In Front, a music blog that is too hip for our times. Additionally, rip is burned and cleared via aluche99. Much love and respect to both for giving us our Christmas presents in April this year! Additionally, what a hits set, "Do It Clean" to kick it off and no "Ocean Rain" - I would say a set for purists.

Echo & the Bunnymen Live @ Coachella (2010)

01. Do It Clean

02. Rescue

03. Villier’s Terrace

04. Roadhouse Blues (The Doors)

05. Bring On The Dancing Horses

06. Bedbugs & Ballyhoo

07. Nothing Lasts Forever

08. Walk On the Wild Side/ Coney Island Baby (Lou Reed)

09. Back of Love

10. Lips Like Sugar

11. The Killing Moon

12. The Cutter

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The Horrors - Live The Corner Hotel (2010)

The most recent The Horrors album made me a believer. The Horrors have their origin in the early 2000s where they became interested in obscure vinyl and DJing. During trips to London and on the Southend circuit, Rhys "Spider" Webb met Faris Badwan (Faris Rotter) and Tom Cowan (Tomethy Furse) through their shared interests in '60s garage rock, and in 2005 the three formed a band with Joshua Hayward and Joseph Spurgeon (Coffin Joe). This band, a motely group conspired to look like The Addams Family, rooted the live presence of the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and coupled the sounds of 60's garage rock and late 90's industrial-lite to form their unique horror-inspired sound. From hot singles like "Sheena Is a Parasite" to the lush, Bunnymen-inspired sounds of Primary Colours the band rips the roof off the house in this live set from 2010. The Corner Hotel performance showcases New Ice Age and Count In Fives as two highlights from the live set. Additionally, while I jam to Primary Colours while writting this, I have added a second deluxe show (albeit without song list) for the rare Live at the Casbah (2009) performance. Two huge The Horrors mega shows for the price of one!

The Horrors - Live The Corner Hotel (2010)
01. Intro
02. Mirror's Image
03. Three Decades
04. Primary Colours
05. I Can't Control Myself
06. New Ice Age
07. Scarlet Fields
08. I Only Think of You
09. Whole New Way
10. Who Can Say
11. Sea Within A Sea
12. Ghost Rider (Suicide Cover)
13. Count In Fives
14. Sheena Is A Parasite
15. Gloves

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D'Angelo - Live Stockholm, Sweden (2000)

D'Angelo - Live Stockholm, Sweden (2000)

I know D'Angelo has some problems right now, probably moore than most considering the pressure and talent combination he carries. His latest album James River has been promised but will probably never the see the light of day. It reads like a whose-who of talent including collaborations from Cee-Lo, Prince, @questlove, and others. It begs to wonder if the pressure inflated him up into what he is now, or if he really wasn't talented, but a prop by the music industry (Milli Vanilli, Lauren Hill) that included mixes, producers, fake backup singers, and conspiracies. I would hate to think that given how cool and smooth the Cruisn' album was and the final Voodoo album shaped up. Either way this man's career seems to be as smoggy and curvey as a smoke monster, with a lot of legal ups-and-downs and a whole lot of mystery to his specific contributions and talent. Another artist eaten up by the pressures to perform. The bootleg below shows this man, at the height of his career, perfoming live at the Cirkus in Stockholm, Sweden on 7/8/2000. Prepared for one of those fine quality radio broadcasts, this bootleg delivers velvet smooth R&B and funk courtesy of D'angelo in a rare funk. The jazzmatazz improve helps make the show more of a respectable jazz sojourn more than a rocksteady flashmob.

D'Angelo - Live Stockholm, Sweden (2000)
01 - Devil's Pie
02 - Improv
03 - Send It On
04 - Feel Like Makin' Love
05 - Chicken Grease
06 - Me And Those Dreamin' Eyes Of Mine
07 - Shit, Damn, Motherfucker
08 - Improv
09 - Left & Right
10 - Improv
11 - Improv
12 - Brown Sugar
13 - Lady
14 - Improv
15 - Improv
16 - Untitled (How Does It Feel)

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McCrank's Juke - April Mix (2010)

McCrank's Juke - April Mix (2010)

It's been a busy April with a lot of fuckin' work and a whole crapload of music dumping out prior to the summer blista. New/Old bands like The National, Passions, LCD Soundsystem, and Shivaree are on my shuffle and on my radar for April. I would add that these fine tracks also, some appear on the playlist at KSCU, so it proves again they still have some taste left. This McCrank's Juke playlist is rife with new bands and hits for the April get down that has been happening. From rain and earthshakes to baseball, Coachella, the passing of jazzmatazz legend Guru, and the Echo & The Bunnymen tour. The new sounds from Passions, Sleigh Bells, The Films, Fang Island and the big hitters make music to my ears. Apart from that I am looking forward to a healthy and robust music May - with appearances locally of The Heavy and A Place To Bury Strangers. Critical albums should be popping up fresh, ready to delight the pre-summer and post-summer crowds. Until then as as things settle down a bit (and Google loosens the dog collar), here is the playlist, mix-tape and mashup of songs directly from McCrank's Jukebox. PS. I am looking for live audio from EATB Coachella and the live Fillmore show in SF. Holla if you wann 'em.

McCrank's Juke - April Mix (2010)

01. All I Want - LCD Soundsystem

02. Endless - Passions

03. Massage Situation - Flying Lotus

04. Crown On The Ground - Sleigh Bells

05. Lullabye For Roads and Miles - Frankie Rose & The Outs

06. Strange Hands - The Films

07. Very Busy People - The Limousines

08. Life Coach - Fang Island

09. Bloodbuzz Ohio - The National
10. I Will Go Quietly - Shivaree

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Counting Crows - Live @ Orange Peel, NC (2009) II

The second part of the famous Counting Crows show recorded at the Orange Peel in North Carolina on 12/12/2009. This audience recording from The Warren Hayes Christmas Jam (Asheville Civic Center) provides a few classic nuggets, not found anywhere else. My friend Jim is probably salivating, attempting to get his hands on the master bootleg. Featuring Adam Duritz in rare form and covers like, The Beatles "The End" coupled with hits off the Counting Crows last album, performed live! I know the show was rare and the size of the files huge, but this is one show not to miss. Part one was posted a day or so ago and this is the final part of the 2 day performance. Not else much to say, but a whole lot to listen to...(PS quit bitchin about the old picture of the band from the early 90's. It is what it is).

Counting Crows - Live @ Orange Peel, NC (2009) II
01 - Round Here
02 - Golden Slumbers
03 - Carry That Weight
04 - The End
05 - Miami
06 - Goodnight L.A.
07 - 1492
08 - Washington Square
09 - A Long December
10 - Rain King (with Warren Haynes)
11 - With A Little Help From My Friends (with Warren Haynes)
12 - Rain King (with Warren Haynes)
13 - This Land is Your Land (with Warren Haynes)

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Counting Crows - Live @ Orange Peel, NC (2009)

One of the most forgotten albums of last year was The Counting Crows' Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings which was most excellent and probably should have been at the top of the best of lists for last year. The songs are original, the sound is what we've come to love, and the songs are deep and reflective. I guess you could say it rivaled the early success of the group. (My friend Jim may beg to differ). All I can say is that this bootleg from 2009, captures the band in an intense show, giving it all they've got at The Orange Peel in lovely Asheville, North Carolina on 12/11/2009. The show was billed as the Pre-Chirstmas Jam and included some quick jams with Warren Hayes (of Gov't Mule fame). This bootleg is thankfully from a radio broadcast, so the sound is clear and the unplugged folk alt rock is at it's core. This two day residency features some rare songs and covers including "With A Little Help From My Friends" and "Girl From The North Country". It also captures the band at another zenith, prior to their tour with Augustana and their fade out to 2010. Now departed from Geffen, we'll see what the future holds for The Counting Crows. I know I heard about sessions at Abbey Road and possibly some Glider solo acts, but I am holding out hope. Big thanks to Mystic Chords of Memory, one of the only truly great music blogs left, independent! Thank you! Part II to be posted real soon!

Counting Crows - Live @ Orange Peel, NC (2009)
01 - Girl From The North Country
02 - Hanging Tree
03 - If I Could Give All My Love -Or- Richard Manuel Is Dead
04 - Friend Of The Devil
05 - You Ain't Goin' Nowhere (with Warren Haynes)
06 - Sullivan Street (with Warren Haynes)
07 - Meet On The Ledge
08 - Rain King / Thunder Road / With A Little Help From My Friends

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Echo & the Bunnymen - Live Ferrand, France (1983)

Echo & the Bunnymen - Live Ferrand, France (1983)

This rarest of rare Echo & the Bunnymen bootleg was recorded in Clermont, Ferrand, France on March 3rd 1983. Probably at the height of of the bands early career. The track listing has been pulled from good old Steve Doughtys webpage, and it features the rare songs like "Gods Will be Gods" and "My White Devil" - some of the tracks off the fabulous and mostly my favorite "Porcupine" album. Describes as: "The Porcupine album is the epitome of rock band as heroic archetype – young men on some ill-defined but glorious mission, one easily as timeless as the stars and the sea." I can't think of a better and more dark and oppressive album that isn't from a band like Joy Division, than this Echo & The Bunnymen classic. The setlist is pretty solid and the sound captures this moment in time, not as clear as one would prefer -- but the concert is here in it's entirety. Lastly, a bonus interview session is included with Pete de Freitas and Ian Mcculloch. Now, I know tht the Bunnymen plan to play both the historic "Crocodiles" album together with "Heaven up Here" in a mega concert being done solely in the UK in December 2010, but I ask you...When will there be a complete concert featuring Porcupine or perhaps the 1987 classic (and USA favorite) Echo & The Bunnymen / Grey album?

Echo & the Bunnymen - Live Ferrand, France (1983)

01 - Gregorian Chant

02 - Going Up

03 - With A Hip

04 - Gods Will Be Gods

05 - Show Of Strength

06 - Zimbo

07 - The Cutter

08 - Rescue

09 - My White Devil

10 - Porcupine

11 - Crocodiles

12 - Intro

13 - All That Jazz

14 - Heads Will Roll

15 - Back Of Love

16 - Heaven Up Here

17 - Over The Wall

18 - Do It Clean

19 - Mac & Pete Interview

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McCrank's Juke - Rare Motown Mix (2010)

Now you probably don't see this very often, especially at McCrank's Juke - a mix tape of old classic Motown songs. I put this together for my friend in Washington DC, who grew up on The Big Chill and the sounds of Berry Gordy Jr. and his classic Motown review. A kid from the 80's he was very muxh into the old wall-of-sound music, from The Temptations to the soulful R&B of Marvin Gaye. I know that I have seen the legends back in the 80's thanks to him - prior to most of them retiring, passing away, and or simply fading into oblivion. Most of the bands with the original members, including The Four Tops, Temptations, Smokey Robinson, etc. I consider this gift to him, my mix tape - pulled from rarities and sub-releases. Some of the lesser-known songs and other straight out jams. I also rounded out the tape with three inclusions that can't be missed - the additionn of Otis Redding (Atlantic/Stax Records) and the recent neo soul & big band from the UK - The Heavy. Lastly, the man who can bring the Motown soul back, and currently re-creating the original sounds, Raphael Saadiq. Yes, the guy from Tony! Toni! Toné!. You'll notice, the last three inductions aren't Motown artists, but they are a jumping off point for further R&B and neo soul exploration. Some "tip of the hat", if you will, to my friend from DC, who thrives on the 60's sounds. You can find most of these songs on iTunes or from a very cool and classy blog called: Soul-Sides.

McCrank's Juke - Rare Motown Mix (2010)
01. Still Water (Love) - Four Tops
02. Baby Don'tcha Worry - Tammi Terrell
03. Sorry Is A Sorry Word - The Temptations
04. He's My Sonny Boy - The Supremes
05. I've Passed This Way Before - The Temptations
o6. That's The Way Love Is - The Isley Brothers
07. Sad Souvenirs - Four Tops
08. It's Love I Need - Marvin Gaye
09. Home Cookin' - Jr. Walker & The All Stars
10. That's How Strong My Love Is - Otis Redding
11. Love Like That - The Heavy
12. Love That Girl - Raphael Saadiq

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Passion Pit - Live Melbourne Big Day Out (2009)

Passion Pit - Live Melbourne Big Day Out (2009)

I am kind of pissed that I didn't take the opportunity to see Passion Pit at The Blank Club in San Jose last year. It would have been while the young band was just getting ready to blow-up and become the monolith that plays festivals like the Coachella 2010 and appears on Late Night with @jimmyfallon. These guys have a truly unique energy and enthusiasm that bubbles forth in their music. The candyland electronic sounds coupled with the music-box like innocence, just makes the pulse pound. A very lively group and a fine concert to take in for sure. That is why I am so pissed. The good news is that Passion Pit is coming back to San Francisco at the Warfield April 15th. I guess I get my second chance. Hopefully, I can take in this bootleg before then, so I am amped out and critically prepared for the major dance off and sing along. As you may know, Passion Pit was originally formed as a solo project in late 2007 by Michael Angelakos in his Emerson dorm room. The songs, which would later become the Chunk of Change EP, were written as a Valentine's Day gift to his then girlfriend. The band has since released a monster album Manners, which seems to be an indie staple and fodder for almost any commerical you can think of. I guess you could say they are the indie media darling of 2008. They're stretching it out into 2010 with this new tour and with the TV work (a la Moby), so perhaps I can quench my Passion Pit thirst with the below bootleg. This live show from the Melbourne Big Day Out Festival in 2009, featured a massive crowd completely full of energy. Theband in response to the free love, brought their best concert of the year. With 2 new songs and a Cranberries cover, this show is a great find for any new indie enthusiast. Bring it down into the pit!

Passion Pit - Live Melbourne Big Day Out (2009)
01. Intro
02. Eyes As Candles
03. Make Light
04. The Reeling
05. Let Your Love Grow Tall
06. Better Things
07. Moth's Wings
08. Sleepyhead
09. Smile Upon Me
10. Dreams (The Cranberries Cover)
11. Little Secrets

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