Vexta

I really like Vexta's stuff, like other really great street artists she has a very unique and recognisable style.  I'm tempted to buy one of her pieces, but most of the things I've seen aren't quite as good as her street work (not sure why, but that seems to be the way with a lot of people).

Future of the Left

I didn't really think about the fact that the last post was so long it would knock Future of the Left off the front page.  If you've been waiting for the link its up there now.

Albums of the Year

Since I'm trying to make an effort to ensure more is happening here I thought I'd add a post of my favourite albums of the year.  However, since I'm not a flash music reviewer who gets free albums I only have three albums from 2011.  So this is a list of my favourite albums that I bought this year, regardless of when they came out.  In reverse order (to build a sense of excitement for my album of the year!):

15 - Japandroids - Post Nothing (2009)


For some reason they felt the need to add some really annoying vocal distortion to this album.  I just found it distracting.  Nonetheless this is a really good debut album.  I still have no idea why they chose not to include Younger Us though.

14. No Age - Everything in Between (2010)

Somewhat similar in sound to Japandroids.  This album reminded me a lot of New Zealand's Flying Nun era bands, particularly The Clean.  Which is a good thing.  I haven't heard any of their other albums so I don't know if that is a consistent theme.

13. Spiritualized - Songs in A & E (2008)

I'm sure a lot of people already know a lot about Spiritualized, but I'm pretty late to the party.  Although I know this isn't supposed to be his best album, its still one I've really enjoyed.  It feels really well formed and coherent.

12. Wild Billy Childish - My First Wild Billy Childish Album (2006)

When you've put out over 100 albums since 1979 (and that's only to 2006 when this was released) it can be quite daunting for the newcomer to figure out where to start.  Hence the need for a good compilation.  This pulls together material from a variety of his recent work.  Sound-wise you'll hear a bit of the White Stripes and Nirvana, who were both heavily influenced by Childish. 

11. Don McGlashan - Warm Hand (2006)


I went through a bit of a Don McGlashan/Muttonbirds kick at the start of the year.  For Australians think of him as New Zealand's Paul Kelly - incredibly talented singer/songwriter who probably hasn't had the international success they would have if they hadn't put so much of their home country into their music.  Don't take that to mean this is inaccessible to non-New Zealanders though - this is just a great album regardless of nationality.

10. Okkervil River - I Am Very Far (2011)

Hopefully you managed to make it to one of Okkervil River/Will Sheff's recent shows, in which case you know how good this album is.  It doesn't quite reach the heights of The Stage Names, but it does show greater musical variety, which is a good sign for their future.

9. Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest (2010)

Another band that made a trip to Australia in 2011 in support of a great album that doesn't quite reach the heights of their very best material (Microcastle).  Nonetheless, one of the marks of a truly great band is the ability to string together a series of brilliant albums, one or two more and I suspect these guys may be playing arenas.

8. McLusky - McLuskyism (2006)

I discovered McLusky via Japandroids cover of To Hell with Good Intentions.  Punky music, amusing and pointed lyrics, and incredible hooks make this hard not to enjoy.  McLuskyism collects their singles together, so is a good place to start.

7. Soundgarden - Live on i5 (released 2011, recorded 1996)

For those with BDO tickets wondering what Soundgarden are like as live band this will tell you all you need to know.  The only real letdown is their cover of Helter Skelter, otherwise this provides a great run through of their career in a live setting.

6. Sam Cooke - Portrait of a Legend 1951 - 1964 (2003)

This may seem a bit left field given the albums that have gone before, but I have pretty broad tastes, including a love of soul music.  Many people may only know Sam Cooke from A Change is Gonna Come (that was me before I got this album), but he produced a large number of amazing soul and gospel tracks (Only Sixteen, Chain Gang, Summertime, Good News, Shake, Havin' a Party).  For those unfamiliar with soul music I'd recommend starting with Otis Redding (The Dock of the Bay is a good compilation), and then checking this out.

5. Liam Finn - Fomo (2011)

This could easily have been my best album of 2011 (5 through 3 are pretty much interchangeable).  It's a nice progression from his debut album, and although theres still a lot of melody and noise, there is also a clear broadening of his vision.  I can't imagine that he won't be a huge star in the near future.

4. Byrds - Untitled/Unissued (originally released 1970, deluxe version released 2000)

I always liked by the Byrds but never found any of their albums that didn't seem to have major flaws.  This covers all the bases, without any flaws (even among the packed second disc).  The original idea for the album was to have one record of live material and another of new studio material.  The bonus disc here follows the same format, adding alternate studio takes and new live tracks, including four Dylan tracks.  The only real criticism could be that two packed discs are a bit overwhelming for those new to the Byrds, but for any fan I can recommend this unreservedly.

3. Wilco - The Whole Love (2011)

My favourite 2011 album.  Wilco fans have been split on their recent material (I'm a fan), but fans and critics alike have united behind this one, I'd put it in the same class as Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, and A Ghost is Born.  Some have seen this as an album that pulls together strands from all their previous albums.  I think that its more of a summary of where they are, acknowledging aspects of country, folk, pop, noise, and rock.  I can't recommend it more than to say I check every day to see if they've announced an Australian tour yet.

2. Robert Plant - Band of Joy (2010)

I like Led Zeppelin, but I'm not a big enough fan to bother with their solo stuff.  At least until I heard Robert Plant performing a couple of these tracks on Jules Holland.  This doesn't sound anything like LZ, instead it fuses classic folk and blues with a modern sound that is at once fresh and old (to understand the contradiction you'll have to listen to the album).  If this is what we get in exchange for no LZ reunion the world isn't such a bad place.

1. Japandroids - No Singles (2010)

Easily my favourite of the albums I've purchased this year.  It's hard to describe the perfection of this album - every track is a winner, fusing punk and hardcore into anthemic songs that will hold a gun to your head and force you to dance round the room.  I initially discovered them through the free Winston's Essentials compilation, which includes their recent non-album single Younger Us (maybe the best thing they've ever written).  Another band that desperately needs to tour Australia (I think I would die if a Wilco/Japandroids tour is announced).

Classic Bootlegs

One of the ideas I had to keep things interesting when there aren't any new shows to put up is to make some classic bootlegs available.  These are ones that I've listened to a lot and enjoyed.  To kick things off I thought I'd have a poll so people can indicate what they'd actually be interested in listening to (you can vote for more than one).  Some info on the options is below, vote using the poll on the right.

Pearl Jam - Atlanta '94

To my mind this is the greatest bootleg ever from a band well known for producing some great shows.  It captures them just before the release of Vitalogy (this is about the last time you get to hear Betterman without a singalong).  They play most of their first two albums, a few tracks from Vitalogy, some non-album tracks, and some covers.  Particular highlights are WMA (which has hardly ever been played), and an extended version of Porch.  Soundwise this is perfect - the show was broadcast by the band with any radio station able to broadcast it.

Wilco - Brooklyn '09

Like the Pearl Jam bootleg above this is a recording made available by the band, so sounds perfect.  The show has a festive atmosphere, with guest appearances from Feist, Yo La Tengo, and Ed Drost (from Grizzly Bear).  Highlights: an extended version of Spiders with Yo La Tengo, and Bull Black Nova.

Wilco - Singles Collection

Wilco are one of those bands that produces an enormous amount of material that doesn't make it onto their albums.  Hardcore fans put the effort in to track these tracks down benefit, but for more casual fans they miss out, which is sad given the quality of some of this stuff.  The version I have only goes as far as Summerteeth, but I'm working on updating this to cover everything up to the new album.

Bob Dylan - Munster (Germany) '00

Dylan's recent bootleg series has done a great job in filling the gaps in his recorded career.  My only real criticism of it is that its skipped most stuff since the 70's.  I suspect this is for commercial reasons, but its sad nonetheless because his material since then has actually been really good (particularly if you cherry pick the best of it).  This album is from after his 'comeback' with Time Out of Mind, but only features two track from that album (plus the non-album track Things Have Changed).  Instead this album focuses on reworkings of his back catalogue.  Again, the sound is perfect - (there have been a few calls for this, or one of the other similar quality live recordings) to be officially released.

Neil Young

I haven't figured out what Neil Young show would be the best to put up.  Probably something from the mid-70's (maybe '76 when he played both acoustic and Crazy Horse sets?).  There are lots of good quality ones, I'll just have to figure what is the best of the ones I have (any requests are welcome).

If there are any other artists, or particular concerts feel free to request them in the comments.

Note: all requests may be ignored.

Future of the Left - 16 December 2011, The Corner Hotel

I only recently discovered these guys via McLusky, who I found through Japandroids (amazing) cover of To Hell with Good Intentions on their No Singles album.  Well thank you (again) Japandroids, because in addition to getting to hear your one amazing album and one very good one, I got to discover Future of the Left, and just after doing so I get to see them live.

This show was great!  The Corner was pretty packed with enthusiastic punters (which I think is the reason the recording initially sounds a bit muffled).  FOTL came on and ripped through a set covering all their albums, their recent EP, their few days old single, and a handful of McLusky classics.  Of the new songs, I particularly enjoyed Beneath the Waves an Ocean, which started off slow but has a classic finish.  The others have grown on me with a few repeated listens, but I'll wait for the album before making my mind up.

Recording wise this is pretty good.  As I mentioned it starts off slightly muffled, but that doesn't last long.  I've got to offer some praise to the sound guy, who managed to keep things sounding powerful without simply cranking the sound up.

Arming Eritrea
Chin Music
Small Bones, Small Bodies
adeadenemyalwayssmellsgood
Beneath the Waves an Ocean
Sheena is a T-Shirt Salesman
Polymers are Forever
Manchasm
Failed Olympic Bid
You Need Satan More Than He Needs You
New Adventures
To Hell with Good Intentions
Robocop 4: Fuck Off Robocop
Without MSG I Am Nothing
Plague of Onces
Chastity Drive
Lightsabre Cocksucking Blues
Lapsed Catholics

Link to come (before Christmas) http://www.mediafire.com/?pklmje3apmj3w

Update: the good folks over at Fan Made Recordings also taped this - http://fanmaderecordings.blogspot.com/2012/01/future-of-left-corner-hotel-2011-12-16.html

E.L.K.

A few more of my favourite bits of street art.  These are a series by E.L.K.  Theres a nice alley by Queen Victoria market that has some of his work, but I haven't managed to get there with a camera yet.

Updates

Sorry for the lack of any new material - I've got a new job that is taking up a lot of my time.  I'm hoping to be able to put up a couple more shows this year, and have lots lined up for next year.

In the meantime, there is a complete recording of the Okkervil River show (I only managed to capture part of it) at fanmaderecordings.blogspot.com/.  I haven't had a chance to download it yet, so can't comment on the quality.  If I have the time and inclination I may create a hybrid recording if the portion of the show I recorded justifies it.

I'll be making more of an effort to post at least a couple of updates every week from now on, although they won't always include new shows obviously.

Till then, thanks for visiting.

Chris Cornell - 20 October 2011, at the Palais

My reaction to the first Cornell show was a bit lukewarm, but I thought his singing and the overall performance at this show were better than the first (my opinion of the first show has increased a bit with repeated listens too).  The crowd were much more vocal too, which he seemed to appreciate (though if you're going to yell out song requests why waste your time yelling for Hungerstrike when thats a song he plays every single night?).

On the other hand the girl next to me talked most of the way through the show (and manages to be heard on a few songs) - I don't really get why you'd want to pay $90 to go to a show and talk through it, but even if you do, please don't since you ruin it for the people that actually want to listen (not that she seemed to care).

The highpoints for me were Man of Golden Words, State Trooper (perhaps he could use a bit more looping in future?), Doesn't Remind Me, and A Day in the Life.  The low points - stupid talking girl, and Redemption Song (it's a great song, but I find it hard to take people seriously who play it acoustically, unless they happen to be Bob Marley).

http://www.mediafire.com/?ubrjjbmbsbly7

Imagine
Problem Child
I Am the Highway
Dandelion
Sweet Euphoria
You Know My Name
Fell on Black Days
Billie Jean
All Night Thing
Hungerstrike
Man of Golden Words/Comfortably Numb
As Hope and Promise Fade
Burden in My Hand
Like a Stone
Preaching the End of the World
When I'm Down
State Trooper
Seasons
Spoonman
Can't Change Me
Redemption Song
Black Hole Sun
Doesn't Remind Me
A Day in the Life

Scream
Wide Awake
Sunshower
Thank You

Chris Cornell Poster

Thanks to everyone who has come for the first Chris Cornell show, hope you enjoyed it (if anyone has any comments, particularly flattery but constructive criticism too, they'd be appreciated). 

While you wait for the second show, I thought I'd post this, which might be of interest.  There was an option to pay $199 for a ticket that guaranteed a seat in the front 15 rows, a wrist band, pre-show drinks and nibbles, and a poster signed and numbered by the poster artist.  The poster was the main thing in that package that tempted me, but in the end I couldn't justify the cost.  But now a limited number of the posters are available for sale from the artist's (Munk One) website.  Each poster costs $US45, but a ridiculous $29 for shipping.  Nonetheless, $75 all up isn't too bad.  If anyone wants one the link is below.  Only 30 are available, out of a total of 600.


Munk One Chris Cornell Poster

Chris Cornell - 19 October 2011 at the Palais

I know a lot of people are keen to hear this one, so hear it is, I'll try not to blather as much as usual.

Comments on the show: my overall impression was that he fell back on his 'scream' too much.  The guy has got a great voice, but not necessarily the material to do it justice (not that he doesn't have great songs, just not as many of them as his voice deserves).  Part of the problem was probably the obvious comparison with Eddie Vedder's shows earlier in the year (admittedly I'm a much bigger EV/Pearl Jam fan than CC/Soundgarden/Audioslave fan).  The crowd was pretty quiet (which was good for the recording), but he still played a few 'requests' (as I pointed out in a comment that with hindsight sounds pretty bitchy, the printed setlist was identical to what was played, so the 'requests' were more acknowledgements).

Comments on the recording: apparently when the batteries are changed in my recorder the settings can reset.  This meant that the gain was set to Mid, rather than Low.  If this wasn't an acoustic show the recording would probably have been ruined, but fortunately there is only occassional distortion during the applause (the only song significantly affected is Ground Zero).  Otherwise, the recording is pretty decent quality.

http://www.mediafire.com/?4cdfbd0edgu49

(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding
Can't Change Me
As Hope and Promise Fade
Ground Zero
Be Yourself
Wide Awake
Fell on Black Days
Outshined
Blow Up the Outside World
Call Me a Dog
Hungerstrike
Wooden Jesus
Seasons
A Satisfied Mind
Thank You
When I'm Down
Mind Riot
Getaway Car
Sunshower
Like Suicide
Like a Stone
Doesn't Remind Me

Billie Jean
Say Hello 2 Heaven
Black Hole Sun
Burden in My Hand
Long as I Can See the Light

The Wilco Book CD

As a big Wilco fan I check the fan site http://forums.viachicago.org/ on pretty much a daily basis.  The bands website doesn't have a forum on it, so this is pretty much the de facto official forum (people comment there on behalf of the band).

Recently, someone there asked for a copy of the CD from the Wilco Book.  For those who don't know Wilco released a book in 2004 that included various photos, diagrams, interviews, and other ephemera related to the band.  The book also included a CD of experimental music from the A Ghost is Born sessions.

In an interview Jeff Tweedy had mentioned that the band did a lot of experimenting at the time, such as setting up the studio so that members of the band could only hear a limited amount of what the others were playing.  I assume that these are from that experimentation.  Regardless, there are some pretty interesting things here, particularly for the hardcore fan, who will enjoy the more experimental versions of Hummingbird, and Company in My Back (titled Pure Bug Beauty on the CD).

As I've mentioned, this stuff is much more experimental than Wilco's other material, so those looking for the great lost Wilco album are better off checking out the various Yankee Hotel Foxtrot demos (which I will probably put up as part of my series of great bootlegs).  Note: the YHF demos are available from the Owl and Bear Archive (see links).

Lastly, for those who are concerned - I will never put up commercially available material.  However, this CD was difficult to get at the best of times, and is now out of print.  I put up a couple of comments at Via Chicago inviting anyone associated with the band to veto this, and no one did.  Nonetheless, if anyone has a problem contact me via email, or leave a comment, and I will take down the link.

Here it is:

Pure Bug Beauty
This is New
Diamond Claw
This is New (The Explanation)
What Good Am I
Here Comes Everybody
Hummingbird
The High Heat
Doubt
Barnyard Pimp
Rottnest
Hamani

[Update: apparently the old link was broken, so I've added a new one. If any links are broken for things you want send me an email]

https://mega.co.nz/#F!kdMBDb6b!VPMPz1gb1ihAtqp0b3G2fw

Lastly - I know lots of people are waiting for the Chris Cornell shows.  The first one is nearly done, and I'm hoping that the second one will follow relatively quickly since I did some of the processing simultaneously.

Will Sheff - 16 October 2011 at the Toff in Town

(Photo courtesy of freetoeknee from http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/)

When I started taping it was for shows like this.  Amazing performances that I (and hopefully others) would want to relisten to.  Thankfully the audience at this show was also great, and the recording turned out really well. 

I'm not planning on saying too much about the show, hopefully people will download it and make their own minds up.  The key points for me - a great set with songs I never thought I'd get to hear (e.g. The Presidents Dead), and reworkings of old songs (the version of For Real was worth the price of admission alone).  The only real let down was that the version of Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe was pretty bad.  I hoped that he would come out and play one of the songs I'd assumed we'd hear but hadn't (Westfall, Okkervil River Song) so that the show would end on the note it deserved, but sadly he didn't.  Nonetheless, this was a great show that deserves a listen.

http://www.mediafire.com/?x2mxcbp81dykh

Lay of the Last Survivor
Plus Ones
A King and a Queen
Happy Hearts
Red
Your Past Life as a Blast
Wake and Be Fine
The President's Dead
I Guess We Lost
A Stone
Unless It's Kicks
The Valley
For Real

Love to a Monster
Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe

Shows to be added

I know a few people are interested in getting the Chris Cornell shows so I wanted to put something up to say that they were both taped.  I haven't had a chance to listen to them properly, but based on the quick listen to get the setlist they are both pretty decent.

Before I post those though, I'll put up the Will Sheff solo show, and the Wilco Book CD, which a few people at http://forums.viachicago.org/ were after.  Given I haven't had a chance to do any processing of the Cornell shows expect to see the first one late next week and the second early the week after.

After these shows I don't have anything coming up for a while so I'm planning on putting up a few of my favourite bootlegs, the ones I think everyone should have.  Hopefully you'll enjoy them.

Okkervil River Gossip

Whether this is gossip depends on if you use the definition that says it must be sensational, or the one that says it can be trivial.  This is of the trivial (but a little interesting) kind.  At Will Sheff's show on Sunday (yes it was awesome, yes it was taped) prior to playing I Guess We Lost he mentioned it was from the EP of I Am Very Far b-sides they've released.  As far as I can tell that EP hasn't been released or even announced yet.  So there you go - look out for an EP from Okkervil River pretty soon.

In other news - I'm having some internet woes that will prevent me from uploading any shows this week.  Booker T Jones will be up as soon as I can, followed by Will Sheff's solo show.

Booker T Jones - 7 October 2011 at the HiFi

Booker T Jones is a legend.  However, that legend is largely (solely?) built on his status as a backing musician in one of the great backing bands.  Given this I was a bit uncertain seeing him live, would his voice stand up to renditions of songs that form part of the fabric of musical life?  Would he be able to carry a show as a frontman, rather than an incredibly skilled backing musician?

The answer to these was largely yes.  Helped in no small part by the incredible good will he engenders (in part because of the fact he comes across as a wonderfully nice guy) Booker T put on a show covering a small portion of the astounding number of classic songs he has featured on (I, for one, had no idea he played bass on Knockin' on Heaven's Door).  Being a huge Otis Redding fan I was particularly worried about his rendition of I've Been Loving You Too Long, but he managed to sing this (and everything else) with passion and skill.  Having said that, he wasn't able to raise the show to something truly extraordinary - he lacked the ability to work the crowd, and to craft and execute a set that would put him on a par with other greats of his era.  However, the quality of the show, and the warmth of the man meant that most people would have left with a smile.

Recording wise (yet again) there is a bit of annoying talking.  Hang 'Em High, in particular, suffers from an innane conversation from two idiots (how hard is it to go to a concert and actually listen?).  Nonetheless, most songs come out pretty well, and overall the recording is pretty good.

Link to come in the next 24 hours or so.   Internet woes mean that I won't be able to upload anything this week.  Sorry.  Here it is:

http://www.mediafire.com/?zc5kgcxfn44yw

Harlem House
Walking Papers
Take Me to the River
Born Under a Bad Sign
Green Onions
Soul Limbo
Oh Pretty Woman
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
Ain't No Sunshine
Hip Hug-Her
Time is Tight

Hey Ya!
I've Been Loving You Too Long

Melting Pot

Okkervil River - Lighting Design

OK, so compared to having a decent recording of the whole show this isn't much, but it is kind of interesting.  As usual after the show I tried to grab a copy of the setlist.  This time the guy handed me a handful of papers, which was weird.  Having a look through them I realised he had given me the lighting design notes, as well as the setlist.  This might be interesting for Okkervil River trainspotters (or lighting design geeks I guess), for others - not so much.

A couple of interesting things to note - don't expect to see any purples, magentas, light blues or light yellows on this tour.  Expect to hear So Come Back I Am Waiting at every show.  The numbering for the setlist is all over the place.  I assume this is because they have a list of songs with lighting instructions and cut and paste them for the setlist.  Based on the numbering I suspect they have 31+ songs worked up for the tour (including covers).  From the two shows they've played that I've seen setlists for (no Meeniyan setlist) they've only played 18 different songs, so there is some room for variation in the upcoming sets (although the numbering also suggests the first five songs are fixed, and the first seven or eight won't see much variation).

Anyway, still feeling bad about the recording fail, but the second OR treat is much better than this one.

Fail: Okkervil River - 14 October 2011 at the Forum

Don't get me wrong, Okkervil River were great, but recording wise I messed up a bit.  Forgot to check the batteries pre-show, with the result that I missed the end of the show, which was the best bit.  I haven't had a proper listen to it yet, but hopefully there is something worth putting up.  In the meantime, the setlist:

Wake and Be Fine
For Real
Rider
Black
Piratess
A Girl in Port
Song of Our So-Called Best Friend
We Need a Myth
The Valley
No Key, No Plan
So Come Back, I Am Waiting
John Allyn Smith Sails
Your Past Life as a Blast
Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe
Lost Coastlines (Not Recorded)

Hometown Farewell Kiss (Triffids Cover) (Not Recorded)
Westfall (Not Recorded)
Unless It's Kicks (Not Recorded)

At the end of the show Will Sheff came back out on stage, but none of the microphones were working.  He something shouted to the crowd (which I didn't hear) and left.  A slightly strange end to a very good show.

Update: apparently he said that they wanted to play another encore but the venue said they couldn't.  So on behalf of everyone that attended - FUCK YOU FORUM.


Apologies about the problems with the recording.  There will be (fingers crossed) a couple of small treats for hardcore Okkervil River fans in the next few days.

Big Boi - 3 September 2011 at the Palace, Melbourne

Although Andre 3000 gets most of the credit regarding Outkast, I think Big Boi is underrated.  His material for Speakerboxxx was better (although perhaps not as innovative) as Andrew 3000's.  So I was keen to see him when he played here on the tour for his new album. 

There is a saying that you should never meet your idols because they can only let you down.  Big Boi is far from being one of my idols, but having seen him live my opinion of him is much worse than it was.  The performance was fairly flat, but that happens sometimes.  A video show that consisted of the videos for the songs being played was redundant and detracted from the performance.  But worse were the varied hip hop cliches.  From the skanky girls invited to dance on stage at various points, to the periodic requests to 'put your motherfuckin hands in the air', there were enough cringeworthy moments to go round.  Lots of people in the crowd were too busy working on their gangsta impersonations to notice though.

That said, the quality of the recording isn't bad.  The sound is somewhat muffled, but that was what it was like at the venue.  As I mentioned previously, I intend to give a quality rating for all the shows I put up - in this case I would give this a 4.0.  Unless somebody requests a show I won't put it up if it rates less than 5.0 - so if you want this, comment.  In the meantime, here is the setlist:

Bust
ATliens
Skew it on the Bar-B
Rosa Parks
So Fresh, So Clean
Ms Jackson
General Patton
Follow Us
Ghetto Muzik
B.O.B.
Star Wars
The Way You Move
Southernplayalisticaddillacmuzik
Player's Ball/We Will Rock You
Shine Blockas
Fo Yo Sorrows
Shutterbug
Tell C-Bone
Kryptonite

Tangerine
(Unknown Track - any help would be appreciated)
Ain't No DJ

Liam Finn - 18 August 2011 at the Worker's Club, Melbourne

The day before his show at the Corner Hotel Liam had a warm up gig at the Worker's Club.  This one was just him and EJ Barnes, the same as the setup for his previous tours.  Unfortunately, having never been to the Worker's Club before, I got lost on the way and missed the first few songs.  Here is what I got (if anyone knows the first few songs please tell me):


...?
Fire in Your Belly
Gather to the Chapel
Energy Spent
Jam
Don't Even Know Your Name (w/ Jol Mulholland)
Cold Feet (w/ Jol Mulholland and Elroy Finn)
On Your Side
Honest Face
Chase the Seasons
Second Chance
Lead Balloon

Again, like the following night, this show was marred by an extraordinarily talkative crowd.  Liam and EJ didn't seem to mind (or perhaps it was better towards the front).  I haven't put this recording up because of the quality of the crowd, and the fact that this isn't a complete recording.  If anyone wants it leave a comment and I'll make it available.

Some Street Art

One of my favourite things about Melbourne is the street art.  I suspect that many people don't even notice the extent of it, or realise Melbourne's uniqueness in this regard.  The picture below is one of my favourites, it was on Little Lonsdale but has now been painted over.

Liam Finn - 19 August 2011 at the Corner Hotel, Melbourne

Apparently at least two people have visited this blog, neither of which are my Mum.  That is (literally) infinitely more interest than I anticipated so, as promised, here is the first recording - Liam Finn at the Corner Hotel. 

In terms of quality I'm a bit torn by this show, on one hand the performance is really good, on the other the crowd (particularly around me) were apallingly talkative (as you'll hear if you download).  The set was also somewhat affected by gear problems in the encore, which resulted in no bass in Jump Your Bones, and Gather to the Chapel being dropped from the setlist. 

My intention for the shows I upload is to give you an idea of the overall quality, taking into account the quality of the recording, the crowd, the performance, and anything else that affects the listening experience.  My rating for this show: 6.5 out of 10 (it would have been higher if not for the crowd).

The setlist:

I'll Be Lightning
Better to Be
Neurotic World
Energy Spent
The Struggle
Real Late
Plane Crash
Don't Even Know Your Name
Wise Man
Roll of the Eye
Second Chance
Lead Balloon

Jump Your Bones
(Gather to the Chapel - dropped from the setlist because of gear problems)
Wide Awake on the Voyage Home

Look for a link to be posted in the next few hours.  Done.

http://www.mediafire.com/?yfxmqx5tsbdx3

PS - For those unaware of it, Liam Finn actually has two official live shows available (unfortunately none for the current album).  You can get them for $US10 each (plus postage) from the link below.  I have both and can recommend them.

http://www.kufala.com/Liam_Finn-list.aspx

Welcome

Welcome to my blog.  Why are you here?  There is nothing here for you to see so its strange for you to be here.  What will be here?  Probably two things - recordings of bands (mainly) playing shows in Melbourne, and pictures from (mainly) around Melbourne.  Or perhaps I won't get round to putting anything up.  If I do put up anything you can expect it to happen in the next few weeks and be recordings of the following bands:

Liam Finn at the Corner Hotel
Big Boi at the Palace Theatre
Booker T Jones at the HiFi Melbourne

If you want to hear any of these feel free to post a comment, it will probably make it more likely that I'll put them up.  Maybe.