Neil Young And Crazy Horse - Live in Boston 11.22.76

Words // Scott Pingeton

With rumor swirling, and now hard proof, that Neil Young was recording new music with Crazy Horse, I've started digging back into my own Shakey archives.  As much as I love all incarnations of Neil Young, the Crazy Horse is my favorite - who doesn't love those long jams on "Down By The River" and "Cortez The Killer", or the sheer power of "Powderfinger" or "Hey Hey, My My"?  Here's a brilliant recording of NY and Crazy Horse at the Boston Music Hall in 1976.  An incredible 90 minute set that starts with an acoustic set and ends with a fiery electric Crazy Horse set - and he did it all again later that night.

Side note - shows like this make me wish I was around for the pre-arena rock show days.  Boston Music Hall (the Orpheum now) hosted every major artist in the 70s - Neil Young, The Who, The Rolling Stones, Springsteen and on down the list.  Those days aren't coming back, but what an incredible opportunity to see bands of that caliber in the relatively intimate confines of a theater instead of a corporate, souless basketball arena that we're forced to see today's biggest acts in.

The Boston Music Hall show is available below for stream or download in excellent sound.  If this doesn't get you excited for new Crazy Horse music (and hopefully a tour), then nothing will!

Neil Young And Crazy Horse
Boston Music Hall - Boston, MA
November 22, 1976 (Early Show)

The Old Laughing Lady
Human Highway
Journey Through The Past
Pocahontas
Needle And The Damage Done
Give Me Strength
A Man Needs A Maid
Sugar Mountain
My Country Home
Don't Cry No Tears
Down By The River
Lotta Love
Like A Hurricane
After The Gold Rush
Cortez The Killer
Cinnamon Girl
Are You Ready For The Country?

Full set download: mp3 zip

Ivan & Alyosha: Live in Somerville 1.19.12

Photo by Alex Crick (http://backbeatseattle.com)Words // Scott Pingeton

I stumbled onto Ivan & Alyosha's excellent Fathers Be Kind EP fairly late in 2011, but it didn't take long for it to earn a spot on my year-end favorite EPs list.  Lush harmonies and pop sensibilities made it an easy listen, and listen I did - over and over and over.  A sure favorite for fans other PNW exports Fleet Foxes and The Head And The Heart.

When i heard the band would be warming the Somerville Theater stage for Aimee Mann, I promptly marked my calendar.  Seeing a band for the first time usually means a late night in an Allston or Cambridge club, which is great and all - but I am old and lame now, inching ever closer to 30.  Needless to say, the early start time, cushy theater setting and middle-aged Aimee Mann crowd suited me just fine, thanks.  Joking aside, one of the benefits of a theater vs. rock club is the sound, and the Somerville Theater was perfectly suited for the band's soaring harmonies.

As the band took the stage I was surprised to see 4 mics lined up across the front of the stage and no drum set.  Percussion was limited to tambourine, and frequent clapping/stomping.  The rest of the band traded off acoustic guitars, an electric guitar and all contributed vocals.  The band kept the crowd, which started small and steadily filled-in throughout their set, interested with songs off Fathers Be Kind, plus a heavy dose of new material.  Likeable between-song banter kept the mood relaxed and if the job of the opening band is to get whet the crowd's musical appetite and get them engaged - Ivan & Alyosha did just that.  "I Was Born To Love Her" opened the set, "Fathers Be Kind" was a late-set favorite that received a roaring ovation and the capacity crowd happily clapped and sang-along with the set-closing "Glorify".  Judging by the line at the band's merch table and comments overheard from those around me, I'd say the band won over some new fans.  I can't wait for them to return for a longer, headlining set in one of those aforementioned clubs.

The full set is available for stream/download below.  Sound is generally very good, with some limited crowd noise.  Thanks to the sound crew/staff at the Somerville Theater and of course to Ivan & Alyosha for allowing me to tape.  Enjoy the recording and please support the band.

Ivan & Alyosha
Somerville Theater - Somerville, MA
January 19, 2012

I Was Born To Love Her
Unknown / New?
Easy To Love
New Song
New Song
Unknown / New?
Unknown / New?
Fathers Be Kind
Glorify

Songs For Wednesday: Nick Waterhouse, Buxton and more

Words // Adam Sharp

It's (again) been entirely too long since I checked in around these parts, but I bring musical gifts as a peace offering. Going forward I'll be posting every week or so with music I've been listening to that I think you should check out, but today's post is all about catching you up on some unbelievable tunes I've stumbled upon lately. Here's some tunes I think you'll like. Enjoy.

Nick Waterhouse - "I Can Only Give You Everything"
This song has absolutely consumed me lately with its catchy, energetic throwback R&B, showing up in every playlist I make and finding itself being the first song I link someone to when they ask what I'd recommend. (website)

Buxton - "Boy of Nine"
Another song that has continually shown up in my daily listening, 'Boy of Nine' is a jam full of mandolins and good vibes, the type that's going to show up on oodles spring mixes in a few months (including, most likely, mine).  (website)

Buxton - Boy of Nine

 

David C. Clements - "Hurricane"
'Hurricane' is a cold, slow building song made for the end of one year and the start of another, full of themes and confessions that come out during late night conversations on long, cold winter nights and an underlying redemptive spirit that sounds absolutely perfect as a new year begins.  (website)

David C. Clements - Hurricane

 

Ruler - "Keep Moving"
It's obviously early, but this tune, built on an addicting, flimsy bass line and some strong percussion, is the current leader in the clubhouse for 'Catchiest Rock Song of 2012.' (website)

Noah Gundersen - "Ledges" (Live at The Big House)
I have been enamored with the beautifully dark music of Noah Gundersen lately, the honest, cutting lyrics hitting a chord within me like few others currently are.  (website)

The Record Company - "Don't Let Me Get Lonely"
This is the type of ramshackle, bluesy number that is part of the soundtrack to a night of bad decisions.  (website)

The Record Company - Don't Let Me Get Lonely

Wildlife - Stand In The Water

Words // Scott Pingeton

Yesterday's post was truly new music.  Today's post is new-to-me music.  What the two have in common is that they're catchy-as-hell unabashed indie rock anthems from the Great White North.  Toronto's Wildlife dropped their debut album in November, and the lead track is "Stand In The Water", a song that adds layers upon layers of sounds - acoustic guitars, crunch electric fuzz, a pounding beat, soaring synths and gang vocals.  It's a sound that reminds me of two other Canadian bands you may have heard of... Broken Social Scene and The Arcade Fire.  Guaranteed to get your mind off the snow outside and thinking of summer days at the beach.

Wildlife - Stand In The Water

Plants and Animals - Lightshow

Words // Scott Pingeton

Sometimes you hear a song that you instantly know will just melt faces and get the jaded hipsters moving at a live show.  "Lightshow", the first single off Plants and Animals' upcoming album The End of That, is one of those songs.  The song layers both acoustic and electric guitars, cacophonous percussion, lyrics that beg to be shouted back at the stage and some loud/quiet dynamics.  It may be anthem-by-numbers, but by the time the guitar solo and "oh oh" refrain comes along, I defy you to not raise your beer and shout along.  The track is streaming below and The End of That drops February 28.

Obsessions... The Wooden Sky and Conrad Plymouth

Words // Scott Pingeton

I've fallen into a rut lately, and that has manifested itself as a lack of variety here on VV and in the social firehose that is twitter and facebook.  Over the past couple months I've heaped a ton of gushing praise onto two artists in particular:  The Wooden Sky and Conrad Plymouth.  Both bands have new albums coming out in 2012, and I couldn't be more freaking stoked.

Knowing that I need to use some discretion with how much I write about these bands, for fear of alienating any readers that aren't quite as obsessed as I am, I'll just combine a few bits of information into a single post.

The Wooden Sky just released "Child Of The Valley" the first track off their upcoming LP Every Child a Daughter, Every Moon a Sun.  It's great, as you would expect - starting as a gently-strummed folk tune and swelling to a crescendo that recalls a grittier Fleet Foxes.

The Wooden Sky - Child Of The Valley

We also have a Facebook campaign to get the band booked at Newport Folk in 2012...if you hear the above song and don't think it would sound sublime echoing across Newport  Harbor, please leave this site immediately (not really).  But if you do agree, go here to show your support for our campaign.  Here's hoping we'll see these guys at Newport in July.

In other news... Kitchen Sessions shot a video of The Wooden Sky performing "Take Me Out" off their recent EP on a porch in Somerville.  The video was featured in Paste Magazine's mPlayer...check it out below, and check back from more videos from their house show that day.

Conrad Plymouth is hard at work recording their debut LP with the help of Bon Iver's Justin Vernon.  I am obsessed with this band, and can't wait to hear the end result.  In the meantime I wanted to share this great live video of "Fergus Falls" off their stellar 2010 EP.

Looking back... Newport Nightcap 2011

Words // Scott Pingeton

Six months ago I was counting down the days to another Newport Folk Festival...and our Newport Nightcap afterparty.  Putting together a lineup of four fantastic artists, organizing beer sponsorships, ticket sales, lighting/sound, coordinating with a venue ill-equipped for an event of its size and everything else that went into the party (not to mention holding down a demanding day job) was tough.  But ultimately so so worth it.  The party was a huge success - great music, a HOT, packed, sold-out venue and even a little mention in Billboard magazine for our troubles.  It was a ton of fun for me personally and hopefully for everyone that could make it.

After Newport weekend we wrapped up our coverage of the festival, but what seemingly got lost in shuffle was coverage of the Nightcap.  I was too busy to take photos or video, and only managed to get recordings of two of the four bands.  Then just a few days ago, the good folks and Kitchen Sessions sent over some incredible videos shot that night - I didn't even know these existed!  The audio is a little inconsistent, but I think these show what an incredible night it was.  Great memories.

Vikesh Kapoor - Mack The Knife

Pearl And The Beard - Sweetness

Swear And Shake - Johnnie

Kingsley Flood - I Don't Wanna Go Home

Adam Arcuragi - The Well + PA's Lounge Feb 3

Words // Scott Pingeton

Lately I've been thorougly digging Like a fire that consumes all before it, the third full length from Adam Arcuragi, due out on January 31.  Arcuragi, a Georgia native now based in Philadelphia, mixes Appalachian folk influences with soul, gospel and modern indie-folk.  These 12 songs that alternately recall hymns and call-to-arms and are sung with such conviction that you feel compelled to hang on every word, or sing along - whichever fits the mood.  I wasn't aware of Arcuragi's music until now, but I plan to dig deeper into his back catalog.  Listen to The Well below, a track that was recently featured on NPR Music's Winter Music Preview:

Adam Arcuragi - The Well

Adam Arcuragi will be at PA's Lounge in Somerville on Friday February 3 - tickets just $10 at the door.  Be sure not to miss this show, I'm guessing Arcuragi will be playing much bigger venues soon.

Kalispell - Last Year EP

Words // Scott Pingeton

New Years Resolution: Be better about reading emails + listening to artist submissions

Somewhere along the way, reading through the blog's email started to feel like a chore...most likely because I get more emails about dub-step remixes and wanna-be pop stars than stuff that I might actually listen to.  As a result of all this riff-raff, some worthwhile emails fall through the cracks.  That's what happened here.  Lost in the abyss that is my email, was a polite and informative email from Kalispell's Shane Leonard.  For the record it was flagged for closer inspection, but that rarely means that I'll actually go back and read it or listen to the music.  In this case, I did actually go back, and I'm glad I did. 

Kalispell is based out of Eau Claire, Wisconsin - a folk collective that features the songwriting of Shane Leonard, with accompaniment from members of S. Carey's and AA Bondy's bands.  The instrumentation is subtle; just enough to paint a sonic landscape, but not enough to distract from the lyrics.  Piano, fingerpicked guitar, brushed snare and Leonard's engaging stories.  Now if I had only read the email sooner I, and maybe some of you, could have seen Kalispell in JP or Somerville last week.  I guess the brief, three song Last Year EP will have to tide me over until the next time they make it to Boston.