Jan 1: Hank Williams died in 1953 and Townes Van Zandt died in 1997

Townes and Hank

Hank Williams died in 1953 and Townes Van Zandt died in 1997

Hank Williams (September 17, 1923 – January 1, 1953), born Hiram King Williams, is regarded as one of the most important country music artists of all time. Williams recorded 35 singles (five released posthumously) that would place in the Top 10 of the Billboard Country & Western Best Sellers chart, including 11 that ranked number one.Hank Williams died in 1953 and Townes Van Zandt died in 1997

John Townes Van Zandt (March 7, 1944 – January 1, 1997), best known as Townes Van Zandt, was an American Texas Country-folk music singer-songwriter, performer, and poet. Many of his songs, including “If I Needed You,” “To Live is to Fly,” and “No Place to Fall” are considered standards of their genre.

 

Continue reading Jan 1: Hank Williams died in 1953 and Townes Van Zandt died in 1997

Classic concert: The Allman Brothers Band April 20 1979 Capitol Theatre NJ (Full Concert )

allman1

The Allman Brothers Band April 20 1979 Capitol Theatre NJ

This is good quality audio and video of the complete show and a strong performance by The Allman Brothers, which included Bonnie Bramlett. Following the drum solos in the middle of “Pegasus,” John Belushi joins the band onstage and sings “Hey Bartender.” This was broadcast live on WNEW so fans are very familiar with this show. The show was presented by John Scher. Earlier that month, the ABB began its first tour since disbanding in 1976. This tour was in support of the recently released “Enlightened Rogues” LP.

This Allman Brothers show has been bootlegged on several occasions.

Continue reading Classic concert: The Allman Brothers Band April 20 1979 Capitol Theatre NJ (Full Concert )

The Best EPs of 2014

photo: alldylan
photo: alldylan

The Best EPs of 2014

There are many reasons to put out an EP—a taste an upcoming full-length, finding a way to release a collection of  b-sides, covers or other odds and ends.

There are several common threads in the choices we’ve made, you can find them without me pointing out the obvious.

The EP itself can be a variety of things. An 10-track collection or a three song collection…  The Ida Jenshus release could be counted as a full album release, and it would have in the Vinyl/LP days. Anyhow, these are the best of 2014:

Also check out:
Best Albums 2014 35-20
Best Albums 2014 19-10
Best Albums 2014 9-1

1. Ida Jenshus – Let it go:

The most ambitious and best release in Europe this year! …and I’m really looking forward to her new album.

letitgo

Continue reading The Best EPs of 2014

Dec 31: Paul Westerberg was born in 1959 Happy Birthday!

paul-westerberg

Misdirection is my path. How many roads must a man walk down before you can call him lost?
~Paul Westerberg (2012 interview)

Reading music is like listening to flowers. I don’t understand the concept.
~Paul Westerberg

Any musician who can stop.. may be a musician, but they’re no artist. If it’s in your blood, it can’t stop flowing.
~Paul Westerberg

Paul Westerberg – Dyslexic Heart (Official Music Video):

Continue reading Dec 31: Paul Westerberg was born in 1959 Happy Birthday!

Classic concert: Patti Smith Group Full Concert Capitol Theatre NJ 1979

Photo: Klaus Hiltscher 1978
Photo: Klaus Hiltscher 1978

Patti Smith Group Full Concert  Capitol Theatre NJ 1979

“Redondo Beach… is the beach where women… love other women.”
– Patti Smith intro to the song, Redondo Beach

This is a gem from Music Vault, an almost two and a half hour with The Patti Smith Group right after the release of Easter. What a band and what a great time for the band and Patti Smith. They tear through the songs, the band is as tight as they get and the power is immense. I can understand Bob Dylan’s admiration of this force of nature.

Patti Smith could not have been met with a more enthusiastic home-crowd, and it’s a really great performance. This is from the year I discovered this wonderful artist (from Rockpalast 1979) But it is here in New Jersey that Patti Smith is at home and the performance really feels like she is with a familiar bunch of people.

Primal performance with a band at the top of their game!

Continue reading Classic concert: Patti Smith Group Full Concert Capitol Theatre NJ 1979