Live Stuff: Mazzy Star – The Black Sessions – 10-26-1993

Mazzy Star – Black Session #38
Paris, France – 1993-10-26
[.zip archive]

01 Mary of silence
02 Ghost highway
03 She hangs brightly
04 Bells ring
05 Halah
06 Blue light
07 Ride it on
08 Into dust
09 Give you my lovin’
10 Blue flower
11 Tonight that i might see
12 Wasted
13 Rock section

In 1993, Mazzy Star appeared on The Black Sessions, a radio show in Paris, France in which a band would do a full set in front of a live studio audience. This is an amazing set that once again showcases Mazzy Star in a live environment that is both appropriate and comfortable for their delicate sound. Enjoy!

Lost Treasure: Razor White – The Black Demo (1987)

Razor White – The Black Demo [zip file]

This episode of Lost Treasure is one that I couldn’t be more psyched about. Back in 1987, a little metal band out of New Orleans released a 5 track demo with hopes they would someday be one of the next big metal bands. As many by now know, Razor White’s first singer was a guy by the name of Phillip Anselmo who went on to front Pantera. Troy Marks came in behind him and actually solidified the band making them the powerhouse they were to become. Boasting a sound that was pretty damned heavy for their genre and for the time, Razor White was easily one of the biggest metal bands out of New Orleans. Their live shows were out of control fun and they played with all the balls out energy of an arena band and had mucho talent to boot. They were tight as a fucking drum and Troy Marks, in my opinion, had what it took to be an amazing voice in Heavy Metal.

The band played their asses off and always seemed to be “this close” but never quite got there. The band released a full length album in 1991 independently called “Just What The Doctor Ordered” which was produced by local homeboy and Lillian Axe guitarist Stevie Blaze. The album lacked the guts and intensity of the EP and instead the band tried their hand at more hooky, catchy types of songs which to me sold them short. The group disbanded not long after with drummer Steve Joseph going on to manage New Orleans sludge kings Crowbar that also featured his former Razor White band mate Matt Thomas on lead guitar.

I used to listen to the fuck out of “The Black Tape” and it eventually died sometime in 1991 after YEARS of wear and tear. A few nights ago, I got a message from Al over at Paranoize that he had “The Black Tape” posted on his website along with many other late, great New Orleans bands such as Exhorder and Graveyard Rodeo. The site is a real great walk down memory lane so head on over there and check it out. He’s also got a great YOU TUBE page that’s got some great videos from classic N’awlins metal bands like The Slugs and Victorian Blitz which is a kick ass thing to see after all these years. Thank you Al and everyone involved with Paranoize for bringing back these great memories! You guys made my year!

The Black Crowes Are Stuck Inside Utopia

The Black Crowes will be launching their “Stuck Inside Utopia Tour” on August 25th at the legendary Wolf Trap in Vienna, VA. This just may be one of the most anticipated tours of the summer. The Crowes will be touring in support of their new album “Before The Frost” which comes out on September 1st. The concept behind making this album was quite original and extraordinary. The band set up at Levon Helm’s barnhouse studio is upstate New York and performed all of the new, never before heard songs in front of a live audience. The first single, “I Aint Hiding”, showcases the Crowes ability to work and think outside of the box by presenting us a song that is funky but not funky in the traditional Crowes fashion but in the disco fashion. I know that the term “disco” gets tossed around pretty lightly when describing a style of funky music but this is definitely disco with a Crowes flair to it. How do I feel about it? In all honesty, I’ll have to give it a few more listens. It is so different and not what I was expecting that I really have to go into this one with unbiased ears. I can’t wait to hear what the rest of the album has in store for us.

This tour should be a lot of fun. Unfortunately, The Levon Helm Band is only doing the first few shows but the fantastic new band Truth & Salvage Co. will be opening all the shows for the tour. These guys are absolutely amazing and I can’t wait to check them out. They are the closest thing to a modern “The Band” than anything I have heard in years. Their debut album was produced by none other than Brother Chris Robinson and from what I hear will be available at the shows this summer. Be sure to get there early and check these boys out!

“Stuck Inside Utopia Tour”
Aug 25 @ Vienna, VA – Wolf Trap/The Filene Center (w/Truth & Salvage Co. – On Sale Now)
Aug 26 @ Hyannis, MA – Cape Cod Melody Tent (w/Truth & Salvage Co. – On Sale Now)
Aug 27 @ Boston, MA – Bank of America Pavilion (w/Levon Helm Band – On Sale 6/12)
Aug 29 @ Atlantic City, NJ – Borgata Event Center (w/Levon Helm Band – On Sale 6/13)
Aug 30 @ Baltimore, MD – Ram’s Head Live (An Evening With – On Sale 6/12)
Aug 31 @ Lancaster, PA – American Music Theatre (w/Truth & Salvage Co. – On Sale 6/20)
Sep 02 @ New York, NY – Rumsey Playfield @ Central Park Summerstage (w/Levon Helm Band and Truth & Salvage Co. – On Sale 6/12)
Sep 04 @ Westbury, NY – Theatre at Westbury (w/Truth & Salvage Co. – On Sale 6/12)
Sep 05 @ Asbury Park, NJ – Stone Pony Summerstage (w/Truth & Salvage Co. – On Sale 6/12)
Sep 06 @ Virginia Beach, VA – American Music Festival (w/Truth & Salvage Co. – On Sale TBA)
Sep 08 @ Bridgeport, CT – The Klein (w/Truth & Salvage Co. – On Sale 6/14)
Sep 09 @ Jim Thorpe, PA – Penn’s Peak (w/Truth & Salvage Co. – On Sale 6/13)
Sep 11 @ Utica, NY – Saranac Brewery (w/Truth & Salvage Co. – On Sale 6/12)
Sep 12 @ Rama, Ontario – Casino Rama (An Evening With – On Sale 6/14)
Sep 13 @ London, Ontario – Centennial Hall (w/Truth & Salvage Co. – On Sale 6/12)
Sep 16 @ Providence, RI – Lupo’s (An Evening With – On Sale 6/12)
Sep 17 @ Burlington, VT – Higher Ground (An Evening With – On Sale 6/12)
Sep 18 @ Kingston, NY – Ulster Performing Arts Center (w/Truth & Salvage Co. – On Sale 6/16)
Sep 24 @ Oklahoma City, OK – Oklahoma State Fair (w/Truth & Salvage Co. – On Sale 6/11)
Sep 25 @ Huntsville, AL – Big Spring Jam (Festival w/Truth & Salvage Co. – On Sale Now)
Sep 26 @ Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium (w/Truth & Salvage Co. – On Sale 6/19)
Sep 28 @ Oxford, MS – The Lyric (w/Truth & Salvage Co. – On Sale 6/19)
Sep 29 @ Knoxville, TN – Tennessee Theatre (w/Truth & Salvage Co. – On Sale 6/19)
Sep 30 @ Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore (w/Truth & Salvage Co. – On Sale 6/19)
Oct 02 @ Asheville, NC – Thomas Wolfe Auditorium (w/Truth & Salvage Co. – On Sale 6/19)
Oct 03 @ Atlanta, GA – Chastain Park Amphitheatre (w/Truth & Salvage Co. – On Sale 6/14)

Grateful Dead – U.S Blues

Phish’s Halloween Costume… What Will It Be?

So MTV (remember them?) recently posted on their website a list of what they thought would be some likely contenders for Phish’s Halloween Costume. As you know, Phish has announced a 3-day Festival that will take place somewhere in the US on 10/30, 10/31 and 11/01/09. In past years, Phish has donned a “costume” every Halloween by performing an album by another band in it’s entirety such as “The White Album” by the Beatles, “Remain In Light” by the Talking Heads and “Loaded” by the Velvet Underground. My personal favorite of all of them was the Talking Heads album but then again, maybe I’m partial because I actually got to see them do that one on Halloween ‘96 in Atlanta. I felt like it was an amazing match for the band and to be totally honest, after hearing them perform that particular album, a good bit of Phish suddenly made sense to me.

So since MTV has their list, I’ve decided to compile my own list of albums that I’d love to see them do (watch out as I’m sure many other Phish bloggers will be doing the same). So here we go:

Crosby/Nash “The Lee Shore” Is Musical Perfection

This song, and this version in particular, has been my “safe place” for the past few weeks. Last night before I went to bed, I put on this video, I closed my eyes and I let myself drift off. In my mind, it’s one of the most perfect songs I have ever heard in my life. As a songwriter, this is the kind of song that I strive to write. I honestly believe that a great song is a song that can take you away; take you completely out of your body and out of your mind and transport you to someplace completely different. When I hear this song, I feel like I can smell the salt water, feel the movement of the ocean beneath me and before the song was over, I was out like a light.

Watching this video is just as soothing and relaxing as listening to it. While Crosby looks totally “out of it”, he looks “in it” if you know what I mean. He looks completely connected and his delivery is damn near perfect without trying. I can remember the last time I fell in love with a song as much as I’ve fallen in love with this one. It makes me smile, it makes me cry, it makes me happy to be where I’m at and it makes me want to go some place that I’ve never been before. Cros nailed it and ya know, it makes you wonder if he even knew it at that point. This song is perfection in my ears and it’s something that I strive for as an artist; not so much perfection but the ability to write a song that can take people away to someplace so wonderful.

Phish Announce Mysterious 3-Day Festival

The homepage of Phish’s website was updated with a mysterious graphic (see left) announcing a 3-day festival occurring on 10/30, 31, and 11/01. As you can see, Idaho, Oklahoma and West Virgina have all been blacked out on the map which means it’s probably safe to say that those states WILL NOT be hosting this festival. It’s been speculated by fans that eventually, all the states will be blacked out over time with only ONE state remaining which will be where the festival location will be. I’m sure Mr. Minor and his crew of phanboys are working out some mathematical algorithm as we speak to determine just where the festival will be and just what the chances are that Phish 3.0.1 will perform Spock’s Brain before or after a sick and crunchy Meatstick jam.

Here’s what I think will happen. I think what’s REALLY going to happen is this. Over the next few months of summer, all the remaining states will be blacked out EXCEPT for Vermont but here’s the kicker… the festival will not be held in Vermont. Trey and Co. will hole themselves up at the Farmhouse and perform for three days straight beaming the show via satellite to the other 49 United States. There will be no set breaks. The band has been hibernating in air tight cylinders that were left to them by the now deceased Michael Jackson (closet Phish phan) and they will open, releasing the band minutes before the first show on October 30th. This hibernation period is what is allowing Phish to gain the energy to perform every single fucking song they have ever written PLUS… are ya ready… The Dude of Life, Vida Blue, Pork Tornado and every crappy version of Trey’s solo career will be present to allow other band members a break to go pee and get a soda for a few minutes. Halloween night will see the band doing covering the Woodstock soundtrack and the encore will be none other than a 35 minute Tweezer after which they will all peel off one by one and re-enter their cylinders… ON STAGE and then carried off by members of String Cheese Incident who are now unemployed because of Phish’s comeback.

Actually, I think the festival will be held on the sight of the Cochella Festival in California.

Live Stuff: Jellyfish – Live at The Catalyst – Santa Cruz, CA 08/02/1991

Jellyfish – Live at The Catalyst – 08/02/1991 [zip file]

It’s really a shame that there is such a small amount of “live stuff” out there for Jellyfish. Anyone who is a Jellyfish fan and who has seen the band live knows what a powerful force this band was. Jellyfish had the ability to craft a pop song that packed such a powerful punch that by the time you knew what hit you, you were smiling ear to ear regardless. In such a short time and only releasing two albums, Jellyfish left behind a legacy of music that has stood the test of time better than many (if not most) of their peers. They were gone before they really got started and have to this day vowed to never reunite. I find myself often wondering what would’ve happened had they just held on a bit longer. Would they have been bigger? Would they have made some more amazing music or would they have become jaded and frustrated and released sub-par material that would’ve had me wishing they would’ve stopped at “Spilt Milk”. Regardless of what is, what was and what may never be, Jellyfish’s music is a standing testament of how even amazing artists like this can go un-noticed and fly totally under the radar.

This is another great show from “The Bellybutton Tour” that showcases the band a little wiser to the road and playing with all the confidence and fun of a seasoned touring band. The band delivers a great set of Bellybutton heavy material sprinkled with some goodies such as the never released “Mr. Late”, Wing’s “Jet” and a killer set closing cover of Badfinger’s “No Matter What. Enjoy this one and spread it around. If you or anyone you know has any other LIVE Jellyfish stuff to share, please drop me a line at thegreatsouthernbrainfart@gmail.com and we’ll be sure to share it with all the fans out there!

Enjoy!

Crosby Stills Nash and Young – As I Seek, So Shall I Find…

The older I get, the more I start to feel like I sound like my fucking dad did when I was like 14 or so. “What’s the matter with music today? It all sounds the same. You can’t understand what they’re saying.” and the all time classic “They just don’t make ‘em like they used to. Don’t get me wrong, I still love a lot of the bands that I loved when they were brand new. Bands like Poison, The Black Crowes, The Quireboys, etc. I feel like those are great bands but ya know, there’s a reason why younger generations explore previous generation’s music. It’s because they’re looking for something that’s just not there in the present time. When I was younger, I found the Doors, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix and artists of the such to be that “something” for me. Today, a younger generation looks to bands like Poison, Motley Crue and Iron Maiden for that “something” that just isn’t offered to them by the modern, radio polished bands that are force fed to them by the over commercialized world of radio. So all this to say that Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young ended up being one of my huge “somethings” that I sought out and found in my early 20’s.

All I remembered about CSN was my father owning and playing the hell out of their debut album and Deja Vu. I remembered the chorus to “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” before I even knew who it was or what the song was called because of hearing it so much as a kid. Like any other kid, I rebelled against the “old people’s music” and found my own world in Heavy Metal. Sometime after I turned 20, I just felt this sudden urge to find something that was missing. I didn’t know what it was but it was found in the collection of records owned by my dad. Go figure, the same music I spent my life running from beckoned me back and showed me exactly what it was I had been missing all my life.

Live Stuff: Sting – Los Angeles, CA – 07/27/1988

Sting – 07/27/1988 [Disc 1] [Disc 2] [Disc 3]

In 1988, former Police frontman Sting was touring behind the fabulous, if not his greatest ever, solo release “Nothing Like The Sun”. The band that toured behind him consisted of none other than the great Branford Marsalis on the sax and a cast of musicians/singers that delivered the songs from this album with all the class, style and beauty that they were captured for the album.

The live shows didn’t have all the glitz and glamor that many shows around this time were having. Instead, the music and the songs were the true showcase of these performance and Sting stepped up to the occasion. Sting also managed to show his varied influences and inspirations by doing songs by artists/composers such as George/Ira Gershwin, Jimi Hendrix, Woody Guthrie and Frank Zappa.

This show was originally recorded with the intention of having some of these songs used for a live album that never saw the light of day. This is the show, in it’s entirety recorded at LA’s Wiltern Theater. Enjoy!

Sting – 1988/07/27 ‘Wiltern Theatre’, Los Angeles, CA

• (Set 1)
  • Someone To Watch Over Me (George & Ira Gershwin) > Sister Moon, Band Introduction > Lazarus Heart > Too Much Information, Englishman In New York, Rock Steady, Straight To My Heart, Tempted (Tilbrook/Difford), One World (Not Three), If You Love Somebody (Set Them Free), Bring On The Night > When The World Keeps Running Down, Lonely House (Kurt Weill), The Idiot Bastard Son (Frank Zappa), I Don’t Wanna Be (performed by Dolette MacDonald), L.A. Promise (performed by Delmar Brown), If You Love Somebody (Set Them Free)*, Bring On The Night**
• (Set 2)
  • Intro, Blasphemy (performed by Kenny Kirkland and Branford Marsalis), They Dance Alone (Gueca Solo), Consider Me Gone, King of Pain, Be Still My Beating Heart, Walking In Your Footsteps, Fragile (Portuguese), Guitar Solo > Little Wing Intro, Little Wing (Jimi Hendrix), The Secret Marriage, Don’t Stand So Close To Me, Mack The Knife (German and English), Cario Mio Ben (Italian), Ne Me Quitte Pas (French) (Jacques Brel), Home On The Range (Woody Guthrie), Every Breath You Take
• * repeated track
  ** repeated track, song is cut
• Notes: In 1988 Sting had serious plans to release a live album of (parts of) the show recorded at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles on July 27, 1988. Eventually this never came about, but the complete recording surfaced on the bootleg “The Art Of The Heart” in October 1992.
• a 181 minute recording of this concert circulates