Bob Dylan – Zepp DiverCity, April 4, 2014
Zepp DiverCity
Tokyo, Japan
April 8, 2014
Continue reading Bob Dylan: Zepp DiverCity, Tokyo, Japan April 8, 2014 (full concert audio)
Reckoning is the second album by the American alternative rock band R.E.M., released April 9 in 1984 by I.R.S. Records.
It was produced by Mitch Easter and Don Dixon and was recorded at Reflection Sound Studio in Charlotte, North Carolina over 16 days in December 1983 and January 1984. Dixon and Easter intended to capture the sound of R.E.M.’s live performances, and used binaural recording on several tracks. Singer Michael Stipe dealt with darker subject matter in his lyrics, and water imagery is a recurring theme on the record. Released to critical acclaim, Reckoning reached number 27 in the United States—where it was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America in 1991—and peaked at number 91 in the United Kingdom.
R.E.M. – So.Central.Rain:
I had bought Murmur and loved it, but it was this album that really sealed my love for R.E.M. , and you could (most of the time) hear what Michael Stipe was singing! Reckoning builds on the energy of Murmur, but they sound more mature. They had been touring and recording and sound so much more sure of where they want to go, this album is the culmination of energy, experience and a clear view of what R.E.M. should be about. It is a classic album!
Continue reading Today: R.E.M. released Reckoning in 1984 30 years ago
First Aid Kit return 10th of June with a follow-up to their 2012 sophomore set, The Lion’s Roar. Producer Mike Mogis is back on board. The new album is called Stay Gold.
The newly released track, My Silver Lining, shows that First Aid Kit is in “kind of” a hippie mode, they “keep on keeping on” and the New Riders would have been proud. The south-western early 70s country/rock is intact. The snippets that we’ve heard sounds a bit “wider”, more cinematic. Maybe because of the strings by the Omaha Symphony Orchestra. The photos are from a concert at the Oya festival in 2012.
My Silver Lining is a great track in the car, and it gets better with each listen!
My Silver Lining (audio):
Continue reading New music: First Aid Kit give us a taste from the album Stay Gold
Very good audience recording.
Zepp DiverCity
Tokyo, Japan
April 5, 2014
Continue reading Bob Dylan: Tokyo, Japan April 5, 2014 (Audio)
Tommy Tokyo (Tommy Lorange Ottosen) with backing from Lise Voldsdal and Gøran Grini gave us a sacred evening last night in Veavågen. It was his second of two shows at Smio and the reports from the first night were very positive, “magic” was the words that kept coming up. Could he re-create the magic this Saturday night? He could, and he did. It was magic.
Tommy Tokyo has, on his last solo album (We blister and we bleed), written songs about more personal issues than on his first proper solo album (And the Horse Came Riderless…) The first album dealt with global issues and is in many ways a protest album. It seems like Tokyo is on a journey from sonic soundscapes with his band Starving For My Gravy to global themed songs on his first solo album to the close at home and more personal themed songs on his last record.
The concert was concentrated around his last two records but we also got three re-arranged songs from his album with Starving for my gravy, Smear your smiles back on.
It’s an exiting journey and he also gave us a taste of where he might be heading next. He sang two songs in Norwegian, two very naked and intense songs. An album in Norwegian would be very nice and the two songs, Jenta (The Girl) and Bli som ny (Becoming new or be as new) were, for me, two of the highlights of the concert.
The concert was intimate, sometimes almost “gospel like” and it felt very special to be a part of the event. We were about 70 lucky people having a wonderful evening at Smio in Vea, Norway.
So, a big thank you to the people at Smio who set up these small and wonderful events!
– Hallgeir
PS: If you use the pictures please include a link to Johannasvisions. They were taken on my trusted compact, Nikon Coolpix A.
Continue reading Tommy Tokyo live at Smio April 5 2014 Photo Special