Superb Live

The National - 2008-08-07 Oya Festival, Norway

2008-08-18T21:45:00.007+01:00

Here's an exceptional show by The National, recorded two weeks ago in Norway. A further proof they are the most exciting band today, and that Alligator may in fact be the record of the decade. The video can be streamed here.

2008-08-07 Live @ Oya Festival, Norway

Start A War

Brainy

Secret Meeting

Baby, We'll Be Fine

Slow Show

Mistaken For Strangers

Abel

Squalor Victoria

Racing Like A Pro

Apartment Story

Ada

Fake Empire

Mr. November

Buy: All

Belle & Sebastian - 1999-04-25 Bowlie Festival, Camber Sands, UK (Live MP3s)

2008-07-12T17:13:00.005+01:00

This is the legendary show from Belle & Sebastian at the Bowlie Festival, where they were the most exciting band on earth. Which other band could have performed a show like this one? 4 different members (Stuart M, Stuart S, Isobel and Stevie) singing a combination of songs from their 3 Albums (with the definitive live version of Sinister), EPs (Dogs, Jenny, Jane) or Unrealeased repertoire (The Wrong Girl will end on LP4, Graffiti, Wooskie on EPs, Landslide and Paperboat are still unrealeased). What a quality and the sound.... ah the sound ......You'll be in good hands till text show in a month time.

1999-04-25 Bowlie Festival, Camber Sands, UK

Slow Graffiti

Seeing Other People

Dog On Wheels

The Wrong Girl

A Century Of Fakers - missing

I Know Where The Summer Goes - missing

Winter Wooskie

Simple Things - missing

If You're Feeling Sinister

I Don't Love Anyone

Paper Boat

The Boy With The Arab Strap

Photo Jenny

Landslide *

Lazy Line Painter Jane
The Kids Are Alright (The Who) - missing

* from Fans Only DVD, rest is from the BBC2 Broadcast (hence the missing songs)

The Go-Betweens - Clouds (Live MP3)

2008-04-20T21:36:00.004+01:00

Robert Forster is releasing throughout the world his new album, The Evangelist. I was looking for it over the week end at my record store and since I could not find it, decided to download it yesterday on iTunes. It just took two listens to come to the evidence this album is a MASTERPIECE. There could not be a better tribute to Grant McLennan than this beautiful record, filled with timeless songs, melodies and the amazing singing of Robert. I simply do not recall having been so moved by a record at first listen. Here are some Go Betweens tunes sung by Robert (Baby Stones is on Robert Forster first album, but the live here is by The Go Betweens)

MP3: Clouds (1999-05-27 Live Munich Br2 Radio)

Other MP3s by The Go Betweens, sung by Robert Forster

MP3: Rock'n'Roll Friends (Live On Snap with Deirdre O'Donoghue 1997)

MP3: Baby Stones (Live in London 2004)

Buy:

Tindersticks - This Heart's of Mine (Live MP3)

2008-04-13T09:22:00.004+01:00

For me, the most anticipated release of 2008 is The Hungry Saw by The Tindersticks. Like for Boxer release last year, expect frequent posts (and maybe something special) in the next weeks. To start, here's a song from Simple Pleasure, a record I love but which seems to be very underrated. I really encourage those who have that record to give it a new listen.

MP3: This Heart's of Mine (2001-10-16 - Cirkus, Stockholm)

Buy: The Hungry Saw

Rufus Wainwright - The Art Teacher (Live MP3)

2008-04-13T09:15:00.002+01:00

Sorry for the lack of posts last week-end......

MP3: The Art Teacher (Live in Hambourg, Germany 2007)

Buy #4: Want II (with Bonus DVD)

The National - Mansion on The Hill (B. Springsteen Cover) (Live MP3)

2008-03-30T17:56:00.003+01:00

The National covering Bruce Springsteen during a tribute show in NY in 2006. On top, few other covers from The Boss (looks like The Cardigans one has been the song most downloaded on the blog !)

MP3: Mansion on the Hill (2006 New York Guitar Festival)

Buy: Boxer

Other Great B. Springsteen Covers:

The Cardigans - Downbound Train (Live Popstad 2004)

Heather Nova - I'm on Fire (Live in Nagoya, Japan 1995)

Heather Nova - Like a Hurricane (N. Young Cover) (Live MP3)

2008-03-30T17:41:00.003+01:00

I thought about posting some great covers this week-end. First, Heather Nova covering Neil Young. A haunting performance of Like a Hurricane. The song appeared as a B-Side to the Truth and Bone single, along with her cover of I'm on Fire from Bruce Springsteen, which I already posted and can still be downloaded here.

MP3: Like a Hurricane (1995 Live in Hiroshima)

Buy: Oyster

The Divine Comedy - The Booklovers (Live MP3)

2008-03-24T21:13:00.002+01:00

A repost of The Booklovers by The Divine Comedy, one of my favorite post on the blog.

MP3: The Booklovers (Live in Paris 1994)

Buy: Victory for the Comic Muse

Sigur Ros - Andvari (Live MP3)

2008-03-24T21:04:00.003+01:00

Looks like my Sigur Ros post a few weeks ago was well appreciated so I thought I'd post another track from the show.

MP3: Andvari (2005-11-27 Live in Reykjavik, Iceland)

Buy: Heima

Band of Horses - Funeral (Live MP3)

2008-03-16T12:12:00.004+01:00

I was planning to see Band Of Horses live this week end, but the show was sold out - which is something rare in Switzerland ... - and it was the first time I did not take my tickets in advance......So I'll continue listen to my live mp3's for a while :).

MP3: Funeral (Live in Sweden 2006)

Buy: Everything All The Time

Built To Spill - I Would Hurt A Fly (Live MP3)

2008-03-16T12:04:00.003+01:00

Some classic tunes this week-end, first from Built to Spill. I would Hurt A Fly is from the Perfect from Now On LP and the live Mp3 here is from the official LP "Live".

MP3: I Would Hurt A Fly (Live in Denver, 1999)

Buy: Live

Nick Cave - The Mercy Seat (Live MP3)

2008-03-09T21:50:00.003+01:00

Nick Cave released a new LP, Dig Lazarus Dig few weeks ago. And while I have not heard it, I thought it'd be a good opportunity to finally post something. And while I prefer the softer songs, The Mercy Seat is has always been the concert highlight during the few times I saw him.

MP3: The Mercy Seat (Live Seed LP)

Buy: The Boatman's Call

dEUS - Magdalena (Live MP3)

2008-03-09T21:38:00.004+01:00

Belgium' best rock band, dEUS will return in April with a new album, the Vantage Point, which will be definitely worth checking, as dEUS easily rivals with the best bands in the UK and US. Here's Magdalena fom the Ideal Crash, my favorite LP.

MP3: Magdalena (Live Pinkpop 2006)

Buy: The Ideal Crash

Sigur Ros - Hoppípolla (Live MP3)

2008-03-02T14:34:00.005+01:00

One band that never made up to now the blog for reasons unknown is Sigur Ros. I started listening to Takk again, which is a record I love (and also most accessible). Also worth checking is the double album Hvarf/Heim , released end of last year.

MP3: Hoppípolla(Live in Reykjavik, Iceland, 2005)

Buy: Takk

The Magnetic Fields - I Don't Believe You (Live MP3)

2008-03-02T14:21:00.003+01:00

It is only possibble to follow-up a post by Jens Lekman with a post by The Magnetic Fields. They have just released a new album, Distorsion. But recently, I have listened more to 69 Love Songs (probably one of the Top 10 record of the decade) and I, which features I Don't Believe You.

MP3: I Don't Believe You (Live in Toronto 2004)

Buy #2: I

Jens Lekman - Pocketful of Money (Live MP3)

2008-02-23T18:36:00.002+01:00

There are not a lot of great shows happening in Geneva, usually one or two a year. So we got lucky last Wednesday as Jens Lekman was in town (he said his first ever date in Switzerland), and gave us an amazing show ! Thank you again.

MP3: Pocketful of Money (Live Mozaique 2005)

and remember from the previous posts:

MP3: Black Cab (Live Sweden 2005)
MP3: A Sweet Summer's Night in Hammer Hill (Live Mozaique 2005)
MP3: The Opposite of Hallelujah (Live P3 Radio, Sweden 2007)

Buy: Night Falls Over Kortedala

Nada Surf - Are You Lightning ? (Live MP3)

2008-02-23T18:22:00.002+01:00

Earlier this month, Nada Surf released LP5 called Lucky. I still need to give it more listens but one of my favorite track so far is Are You Lightning ? Here's the album version and an acoustic version at KRCW.

MP3: Are You Lightning ? (Live KCRW 2008)

MP3: Are You Lightning (Lucky)

Buy: Lucky

Modest Mouse - The World At Large (Live MP3)

2008-02-16T19:57:00.003+01:00

So finally I make a post by Modest Mouse. After 150+ more posts, I realised I had never put anything so this week-end is a catch-up. The World At Large is the first song I ever heard by them and probably still my favorite today.

I just wanted to comment on the survey on what Superb Live sould post. I have to say I did not expect to have so many people saying they want to have full shows....The idea behind superb live is that people build a playlist with the individual tracks. I did not want to go with full live shows given it was going too time consuming, that there are already great blogs for that (see links) and eventually piss-off some people. Now I should never say never, but the day that happens, it will be the only post of the month.

MP3: The World At Large (XFM Session)

Buy: Good News For People Who Love Bad News

Ben Lee - Float On (Modest Mouse Cover) (Live MP3)

2008-02-16T19:48:00.002+01:00

A modest mouse week-end. First, a repost. Ben Lee covering their smash hot Float On. If somebody knows the origin of the recording, I'd love to know.

MP3: Float On (Live)

Buy: Awake Is the New Sleep

Sparklehorse - More Yellow Birds (Live MP3)

2008-02-02T18:16:00.000+01:00

There was a disturbing news few weeks ago on Pitchfork that Sparklehorse had left their label Astralwerk / Capitol. I hope we hear from them very soon as I cannot imagine life without new sparklehorse music. In the meantime, here's More Yellow Birds, one of my favorite from the Wonderful Life LP.

Talking abount Yellow Birds, I wanted to contribute letting everyone know about the Yellow Bird Project, a Montreal-based, non-profit initiative. They collaborate with musicians in designing a T-shirt, which they print and sell them on their website. All of the money goes to the charity, chosen by the contributing artist (so far includes The Shins, CYHSY, Hayden, Devandra Banhart, Joseph Arthur, Stars etc..... and many more to come hopefully).

Please visit the site and purchase a T-Shirt (I'm getting the CYHSY one).

MP3: More Yellow Birds (Live Amsterdam 2002)

Buy: All 4 Albums

Antony And The Johnsons - You Are My Sister (Live MP3)

2008-02-02T18:13:00.001+01:00

First, a repost.

MP3: You are my Sister (2005-11-22 LSO St Luke's, London )

Buy: I'm a Bird Now

The Cardigans - "superb live" mix tape (Live MP3s)

2008-01-26T16:23:00.001+01:00

Few weeks ago, I was delighted to read on The Cardigans web site that they were releasing a "Best of" album on Jan 30th with an extra disc of Bonus material. But as I was reading the tracklist - whis is excellent of course - I found it missed some of my favourite tracks (which is always the case with "best of" albums as you all know...). So I had the idea - as an appetizer :) - to create this mix tape with the tracks I once posted on superb live plus some new ones I was planning to post someday.

"superb live" mix tape:

In the Round (Instrumental) (Cologne 11 March 2006)

And Then You Kissed Me (Helsinki 2003-10-28)

Explode (Helsinki 2003-10-28)

For What It's Worth (Polar Session 2001)

Changes (Black Sabbath Cover) (BBC Radio 2 Session)

Downbound Train (B. Springsteen Cover) (Live Popstad 2004)

Don't Blame Your Daughter (Diamonds) (Live on Fair Game from PRI)

Bonus

Walking The Cow (Daniel Johnston Cover) (Live in Malmo, Sweden 2001)

Buy: Best Of

Mazzy Star - Fade Into You (Live MP3)

2008-01-19T12:30:00.000+01:00

I found few weeks ago this great collaction of rare songs from Mazzy Star on the excellent (but too rarely updated !) blog The World In Perforated Lines. It reminded me that I missed the sensual voice of Hope Sandoval !

MP3: Fade Into You (Live, Unknown Location)

Buy: So Tonight That I Might See

Tindersticks - Another Night In (Live MP3)

2008-01-19T12:22:00.000+01:00

This week-end, 2 "classic" songs by 2 "classic" bands I miss. First, The Tindersticks doing Another Night In from the Curtains Album. While Another Night In has always been my favorite Tindersticks song, I recently re-discovered the Curtains album which I had somehow under-estimated vs the rest.

MP3: Another Night In (Live Inrockuptibles Festival, France 2003)

Buy: Curtains

Beirut - Cocek + After the Curtain (Live MP3)

2008-01-12T19:52:00.001+01:00

Both of Beirut albums made my Top Ten list in 2006 & 2007. So I was really interested to see him live, but missed him. Fortunately, I found this amazing show in Amsterdam (which you can stream here). As I recorded it and cut it, I forgot to split 2 songs, Cocek and After the Curtain. Listening to the show, I thought they fit so well together that I decided to keep them as such and make a post. Cocek is unrealeased yet and After the Curtain is the closing song to Gulag Orkestar, and I love how they played it.

Check out also the live MP3 of Nantes in the 2007 Best Album section

MP3: Cocek + After the Curtain (Live at Paradiso 15-11-2007)

Buy: Flying Club Cup

Rufus Wainwright - 14th Street (Live MP3)

2008-01-12T19:37:00.001+01:00

Back to the traditional posts. Let's start the year with a true entertainment! And for this, who's better than Rufus Wainwright ?

MP3: 14th Street (Live at Fillmore Theatre, San Francisco 2004)

Buy #2: Want One

PS: last week, superb live reached 100'000 visits! Thank you all !

The National: Boxer (Acoustic)

2008-01-05T13:19:00.000+01:00

Together with Neon Bible, Boxer was my favourite album of 2007. For the first post of 2008, I wanted to do something special, so I got the idea of posting acoustic / stripped down versions of each song. In fact, I had made this playlist a while ago and have been listening more than the album ! The songs are now tagged in the exact album order and under the name Boxer - Acoustic, so I recommend you get all the files. You can find all the complete sessions on The National forum page here. If someone has acoustic or stripped down versions of Squalor Victoria or Guest Room, please send them to me.

1. Fake Empire (Live on WXPN 6/20/07)
2. Mistaken For Strangers (Live At Gideon Coe Radio Show 2007-04-20)
3. Brainy (Live: KEXP October 2 2007)
4. Squalor Victoria
5. Green Gloves (9:30 Club in Washington, D.C, June 2007)
6. Slow Show (Live on WXPN 6/20/07)
7. Apartment Story (WOXY.com Lounge Act)
8. Start A War (Live: KEXP October 2 2007)
9. Guest Room
10. Racing Like A Pro (9:30 Club in Washington, D.C, June 2007)
11. Ada (Live on Radio Libre, Belgium 2007)
12. Gospel (Live on Radio Libre, Belgium 2007)

Bonus
13. You've Done It Again Virginia (WOXY.com Lounge Act)

See you in 2008

2007-12-29T16:48:00.000+01:00

I'm away , so there won't be any post till 2008. Thanks to all and best wishes. philippe

The Best Albums of 2007

2007-12-14T21:50:00.000+01:00

Well it's already year end. 2007 seems to have passed like a flash but was rich of amazing music. Compared to 2006, it was quite easy to put my top 10 list this year. Again, this is just the 10 albums I liked the most. I could not hear everything so if someone sees something obvious missing, feel free to eMail me. But the overall story is quite straight in the end: with the release of Boxer and Neon Bible, The National and The Arcade Fire have not only release the best two albums of the year but have confirmed there are also the best two bands of the decade!

10 - PJ Harvey: White Chalk. PJ Harvey reinvent herself with a splending dark, haunting piano-driven album.

MP3: The Devil (Live on Morning Becomes Eclectic 2 Nov 2007)

9 - Okkervil River: The Stage Names. Took me some time to like it. Try get the limited edition with the acoustic versions.

MP3: Plus One (acoustic version from the Stage Names Special Edition)

8 - Radiohead: In Rainbows. I paid $9.90.

MP3: Videotape (Live Basement EP 2007)

7 - Loney, dear: Loney, Noir. My only small disappointment for the year is that I did not discover too many new artists. Loney, dear from Sweden was the one I liked the most.

MP3: I am John (Live Radio Session NPR 2007)

6 - Interpol: Our Love to Admire. It took me more time than the others to appreciate the new Interpol record, but I still can't stand the cover. It's a pity.... They really don't want us to buy CDs anymore.

MP3: Pioneers to the Fall (Live at Southside Festival 24 June 2007)

5 - Jens Lekman - Night Falls Over Kortadela. Pop music has moved to Kortadela, Sweden.

MP3: The Opposite of Hallelujah (Swedish Radio P3 Live Session 2007)

4 - Beirut: The Flying Club Cup. A great surprise. More accessible, yet as fascinating as Gulag Orkestar. Beirut confirms he was not a one album wonder but he's here to last.

MP3: Nantes (Live at Paradiso 2007)

3 - Feist: The Reminder. The second great surprise of the year. Thought Let It Die was overated, so I did not want to buy The Reminder. But thanks to all the good review, I gave it a chance, and now, I can only say that all the "hype" is fully justified. This album is sublime.

MP3: 1,2,3,4 (Live on NPR)

1b - The Arcade Fire: Neon Bible. 10 months after, here's my final conclusion on that album: a Masterpiece from start to finish!

MP3: Ocean of Noise (Live at Oxegen Festival 2007)

1 - The National: Boxer. First, I can only recommend those who have never heard ot The National to go buy their records and to those who listened to them but did not love them to listen again and again. Boxer is neither better nor worse than previous LPs. It is just the 4th chapter of a passionate story.

MP3: Racing Like a Pro (Live White Sessions 2007)

The Divine Comedy - Queen of the South (Live MP3)

2007-12-10T17:39:00.000+01:00

OK, back to more traditional posts this week. The Divine Comedy playing Queen of the South (from their 1st LP, Liberation) during their 2006 Black Session.

MP3: Queen of the South (Live Black Session 2006)

Buy #5: Absent Friends

The House of Love - Shine On (Live MP3)

2007-12-02T21:35:00.000+01:00

The Ultimate Bootleg Experience blog posted few weeks ago the black session by The House of Love and it was an excellent opportunity to remember this excellent band. The Black Session starts with a fantastic accoustic version of Shine On, one of their most "popular song" if I can say so. It's really worth checking out.

MP3: Shine On (Black Session 1992)

Buy: The House of Love

Suede - The Wild Ones (Live MP3)

2007-12-02T21:26:00.001+01:00

We conclude our month of with British Bands. First, Suede (London Suede in the US), really started the whole britpop movement. But after second record, Dog Man Star, guitarist Bernard Butler left, and the band, despite some very good tunes after, never reached again the brilliance of the first two records. I'm sure we will see Suede together some days.

MP3: The Wild Ones (Live in Copenhagen, Denmark 2002)

Buy: Dog Man Star

Blur - Beetlebum (Live MP3)

2007-11-24T19:47:00.000+01:00

During the "britpop" times, there used to be a rivalry between Oasis and Blur. Years after, I think it is clear to everyone that Blur won the war in the end. It started, when they went the "americana" way and released 3 majestic records, Blur (with opener Beetlebum featured below), 13 and the extraordinary Think Tank.

MP3: Beetlebum (Live in London 2003)

Buy: Think Tank

Pulp - Mile End (Live MP3)

2007-11-24T15:32:00.000+01:00

This week, we look at two of the best bands from the "britpop" area, Pulp and Blur. Mile End was a b-side from the Different Class area (Something Changed single) and featured on the soundtack of Trainspotting.

MP3: Mile End (from Peel Session LP)

Buy #2: Different Class

The Smiths - Panic (Live MP3)

2007-11-11T19:35:00.001+01:00

One reunion I would not bet a lot of money on is The Smiths. And of course, that's the one you'd like the most...... (that's because I saw the other ones before it was too late). I read that Morrissey has a new record and compilation, and is not interested, but as we say in french, "hope keeps one alive" :)

MP3: Panic (from Rank)

Buy: The Queen Is Dead

The Stone Roses - Breaking into Heaven (Live MP3)

2007-11-11T19:21:00.000+01:00

Last week, I was writing it would be nice to see Ride and The Boo Radleys reform. Talking about Reunion, this week are the two Bands, where reunion seems right now unlikely, yet would be the biggest of all the recent ones (incl. Led Zep :))

First The Stone Roses. I picked the song Breaking Into Heaven, the opener from the second and last album, The Second Coming. I remember at the time where this album was released how critical people were. I always loved this record, the diversity of the sounds though maintaining a certain consistency all along. To me, a masterpiece, the best of all the 90s British Pop Rock records above OK Computer, Definitely Maybe, Urban Hymns etc....

MP3: Breaking Into Heaven (Live in Ireland 1995)

Buy: Second Coming

The Boo Radleys - Lazarus (Live MP3)

2007-11-03T20:26:00.000+01:00

A Band I would love to see reunite is The Boo Radleys. This band was responsible for one of the best LP of the 1990's, Giant Steps. But they were mostly known for their #1 UK Single, Wake-Up Boo!, which made them look as one of the bunch of one-time hit band from the Britpop area when in fact they were so much more than that.

MP3: Lazarus (Live from Mile End Stadium 1994)

Buy: Giant Steps

PS: wanted to thank the great blogs, The Undertow and T.U.B.E for putting a link to superb live.

Ride - From Time to Time (Live MP3)

2007-11-03T20:10:00.000+01:00

You may have noticed that the blog does not really feature a lot of british bands. As I said numerous time, I'm really disappointed with the lack of good british bands today. I cannot even recall when was the last time a good one emerged . So I decided to spend the month of November posting MP3 by British Bands, when they used to rule the world. Let's start with Ride. For those, too young to have known them, here's the profile by amazon.com: "Ride was an essential element of the wall-of-sound, trippy, melodic shoe-gazing movement of the early '90s. Nowhere is their best album and is one of the prettiest albums of that era. Songs are psychedelic wash of reverberation, and ghostly, passive vocal melodies. Born from the womb of My Bloody Valentine distortion, Ride tempers their sound with an easier melody, reaching across to the pop spectrum. "

MP3: From Time to Time (Live Light LP)

Buy: Nowhere

Lambchop - Nashville Parents (Live MP3)

2007-10-27T18:43:00.001+01:00

Lambchop seemed a natural fit with the Vic Chesnutt Mp3. Here's a second live extract from their classic album, Nixon.

MP3: Nashville Parents (Live in Vienna, 2004)

Buy: Nixon

Vic Chesnutt - The Gravity of the Situation (Live MP3)

2007-10-27T18:27:00.000+01:00

I discovered Vic Chesnutt through the compilation Sweet Relief II in the mid 90's, where artists such as REM, Sparklehorse, Gargbage and many others were covering his songs.... giving him a the status of a "cult" artist, which he was. But Vic Chesnutt is still well active and has a new record out (which I have not yet listened, my bad:)), North Star Deserter

MP3: The Gravity of the Situation (Live in Athens, Georgia 2002)

Buy: About to Choke

Beirut - Nantes (Live MP3)

2007-10-20T10:15:00.001+01:00

Beirut have just released their second album, The Flying Club Cup, and in summary, it is a fantastic record. To me, the best surprise of the year. Gulag Orkestar was already great, but I found this new album much better, easier to listen and more accessible. Here's Nantes and the recording is taken from the excellent La Blogotheque. The Video can be downloaded here.

MP3: Nantes (Live in the Street of Paris 2007)

Buy: The Flying Club Cup

The Divine Comedy - Summerhouse (Live MP3)

2007-10-20T10:04:00.000+01:00

Few weeks ago I downloaded from the excellent Part of the Queue Blog the 2004 Black Session by The Divine Comedy. It is a stripped -down band and toward the end of the set, they perform the Summerhouse, a song that never tilted with me untill I listened to this version.

MP3: Summerhouse (Live Black Session 2004)

Buy #4: Promenade

Feist - So Sorry (Live MP3)

2007-10-14T22:00:00.000+01:00

I'm one of the many who has been blown away by The Reminder. I had discovered Feist with Let It Die and thought it was quite good. But with The Reminder, she made an exceptional record, and there's nothing else to say than go buy it if you still haven't done so.

MP3: So Sorry (Live in Chicago 2006)

Buy: The Reminder

Kings of Convenience - I Don't Know What I Can Save You From (Live MP3)

2007-10-14T21:54:00.000+01:00

from Wikipedia: "Kings of Convenience are an indie folk-pop duo from Bergen, Norway. Consisting of Erlend Øye and Eirik Glambek Bøe, the musical group is known for their delicate tunes, calming voices, and intricately subtle guitar melodies. Both Øye and Bøe sing in their tracks, and both of them compose"

MP3: I Don't Know What I Can Save You From (Live in Bonn, Germany, 2004)

Buy: Quiet Is The New Loud

Repost: Radiohead - Nobody Does It Better & Stop Whispering (Live MP3)

2007-10-07T20:51:00.000+01:00

I've been blown away by Radiohead's announcement this week (reminder here). I think this step is a major turnout in the music business.... something I was desperatly waiting for: name your own price, music immediately available (no lead time, leaks or other problems), all the money in the artist pocket etc...This is going to free music and I hope many other bands will do the same. This also highlights how dumb record companies are these days.... for not understanding to dump CD prices down and get the money from other sources. Believe me (... and this is perfectly fine with me...), Radiohead is going to make plenty of money with the contributions, sold-out tour, merchandising, luxury editions, royalties etc. from in rainbows. Whether you're a fan or not, please go to Radiohead website and purchase in rainbows to help change the record industry. Personally, I'll pay $9.90. This is the price of a record on iTunes USA and what I think standard pricing should anyway be.

MP3: Nobody Does It Better (Live in Sweden 1995)

MP3: Stop Whispering (Live in Sweden 1995)

Buy: In Rainbows

Rufus Wainwright - Foolish Love (Live MP3)

2007-09-30T10:15:00.001+01:00

I've been recently chasing solo performances by Rufus Wainwright. I really prefer to listen to him solo on piano vs with the full band. I'll post more of the stuff I found recently, but here's already one, Foolish love.

MP3: Foolish Live (Live KCRW)

Buy: Rufus Wainwright

Repost: Heather Nova - I'm On Fire (B. Springsteen Cover) (Live MP3)

2007-09-30T10:02:00.000+01:00

Another repost this week, from Heather Nova superbly covering The Boss !

Live MP3: I'm On Fire (B. Sringsteen cover) - Live in Japan 1995

Buy: Oyster

Repost: Tindersticks w/Paula Frazer - Buried Bones (Live MP3)

2007-09-22T14:20:00.000+01:00

Here is a Post #3 by Tindersticks. They released few weeks ago a 2xCD of their BBC sessions and I recommend everybody to get it.

MP3: Buried Bones (Live Botanique 2001)

Buy: BBC Sessions

Repost: Belle & Sebastian - If You're Feeling Sinister (Live MP3)

2007-09-22T14:00:00.000+01:00

This week I wanted to repost some early tracks from the blog as the links have not been available for a while. So here's post #2 from June 2006, by Belle and Sebastian.

MP3: If You're Feeling Sinister (Live Bowlie Festival 1998)

Buy: If You're Feeling Sinister

The Dears - You and I Are A Gang Of Losers (Live MP3)

2007-09-15T10:23:00.001+01:00

I was expecting to see The Dears appear in all the music festivals this summer. Maybe I'm just crazy but somehow I feel that Gang of Losers did not allow them to reach a broader audience (a la Arcade Fire). The thing is that Gang of Losers is a grower and - while I still prefer No Cities Left - it has a good bunch of amazing songs, one of which is You and I Are a Gang Of Losers.

MP3: You and I Are a Gang of Losers (Live in Canada, Jul 2oo7)

Buy: Gang of Losers

The Magnetic Fields - All My Little Words (Live MP3)

2007-09-09T14:53:00.000+01:00

Lately I've been thinking of stopping the blog. Just can't think what to put on. And then, I find this great show from The Magnetic Fields here and everything is back on track!

MP3: All My Little Words (Live in Canada 2004)

Buy: 69 Love Songs

Repost: Jens Lekman - A Sweet Summer's Night On Hammer Hill & Black Cab (Live MP3)

2007-09-09T14:43:00.000+01:00

Here's a repost of the Jens Lekman MP3s. Check-out his new album Night Falls Over Kortadela , which was released in Sweden this week, and order it on his website to receive a bonus disc !

Live MP3: A Sweet Summer's Night On Hammer Hill (Acoustic) (Live In Holland 2005)

Live MP3: Black Cab (Live 2005)

Buy: Night Falls Over Kortadela

The Go-Betweens - Rock'n'Roll Friend (Live MP3)

2007-09-02T16:54:00.000+01:00

I've been listening a lot to The Go-Betweens recently, thanks to 2 great blogs, misha4music and the mixing desk who posted some amazing shows. Here's one fantastic song, which is originally a b-side to the singles from 16 Lovers Lane (one of my all time favorite album). The song is here performed live acoustic in a kcrw show in 1987. It is so amazing that Robert almost apologize that the only reason it is only a b-side is that he wrote it after the 16LL session and needed some songs for b-sides.

Live MP3: Rock'n'Roll Friend (Live KCRW 1987)

Buy: 16 Lovers Lane

Turin Brakes - State of Things (Live MP3)

2007-09-02T16:44:00.000+01:00

British duo Turin Brakes is set to release a new album Dark on Fire on Sept 17th. I was disappointed with the last album, but let's hope that with this one they regain the momentum of the first two.

Live MP3: State of Things (Live at Brixton Academy)

Buy: The Optimist

Kevin Drew & Feist - Safety Bricks (Live MP3)

2007-08-25T22:44:00.001+01:00

Kevin Drew from Broken Social Scene joins ex-BSS member Feist during her 2007 KCRW session to perform together a track from his first and upcoming LP, Spirit If. Looking forward to Spirit If.. as Safety Bricks is one of the best track I heard this year.

Live MP3: Safety Bricks (Live KCRW 2007)
MP3: Safety Bricks (from Spirit If...)

Buy: Spirit If

Daniel Johnston & Yo La Tengo - Speeding Motorcycle (Live MP3)

2007-08-25T22:31:00.000+01:00

This is quite a live take. Daniel Johnston joins by phone Yo La Tengo to sing Speeding Motorcycle - YLT covered in their 1990 Album, Fakebook. The recording was - I think - released as a single and the song appears on YLT excellent rarity compilation Genius + Love.

MP3: Speeding Motorcycle (Live on WFMU Radio 1990)

Buy: Welcome To My World

Badly Drawn Boy - Magic In The Air (Live MP3)

2007-08-17T19:49:00.000+01:00

Artist: Badly Drawn Boy

MP3: Magic In The Air (Live in Glastonbury 2001)

Buy #2: One Plus One Is One

Joseph Arthur - Leave Us Alone (Live MP3)

2007-08-17T19:41:00.000+01:00

There was a lot of electric sounds in the last few weeks to I thought we'd go back to smoother sounds. Here's the great Joseph Arthur in a splendid acoustic version of Leave Us Alone. The song was recorded during a benefit show for John Kerry in 2004 and the whole show used to be available for free download on his website.

MP3: Leave Us Alone (Acoustic) (Live in NY 2004)

Buy #2: Our Shadows Will Remain

Frank Black - Gouge Away (Live MP3)

2007-08-12T15:36:00.000+01:00

A really cool live version of Gouge Away by Frank Black and The Catholics... really worth checking. The man has a lot of news. A best of, which I DO NOT recommend anyone to buy (did not like the tracklist + one who has nothing should just get the first two LPs..... timeless classics) then a new album, Bluefinger in October.

Live MP3: Gouge Away (Live at Lowland Festival 2001)

Buy: Frank Black

REM - So Fast, So Numb (Live MP3)

2007-08-12T15:22:00.001+01:00

Few months ago I read one these dumb survey called the 500 great lost tracks by Q magazine. Surprisingly, it was quite interesting and it had this REM song at #4, which I thought isn't such a lost track, rather a fan favorite! I guess it depends how you see things. Anyway, I kept this in mind for a post and so here it is today. The song is from the Perfect Square DVD.

Live MP3: So Fast, So Numb (Live in Germany 2003)

Buy#2: Up

PS: those interested in the survey can find it here

Neil Young & Crazy Horse- Hey Hey, My My (Live MP3)

2007-08-05T17:17:00.000+01:00

Well, I guess there's no need to tell the story behind that one....

Live MP3: Hey Hey, My My (Live 1991 - Weld)

Buy: Weld

Nirvana - Lithium (Live MP3)

2007-08-05T17:08:00.000+01:00

It's hard to believe this recording of Lithium by Nirvana is 15 Year old....Lithium is considered by many fans the favorite song, while the Reading performance is considered the most memorable moment of Nirvana's career !

MP3: Lithium (Live in Reading 1992)

Buy: Nevermind

Filexoom Files Unavailable

2007-08-05T17:07:00.000+01:00

Hello,

I got the following message from Filexoom, which means a lot of files cannot be accessed. When you put the mouse cursor on the link, you'll be only able to download those on Savefile (13 tracks in total). Otherwise, head to the Hype Machine to listen to the blog.

Hello All FileXoom.com Members

We apologize for the recent problems with accessing your files and the site. We have been moving servers and ran into some unforeseen problemsWe are in the middle of major upgrades to FileXoom to not only make the site Quicker, but also loading with Faster Downloading of your files.All files will be available within the next few weeks. Please bear with us as it is over 2TB of customers files moving at 800kb/s.If you need your files urgently, please send an email to support@filexoom.com and we make your files high priority.Once again, please bear with us as we go through our transition.Kind RegardsFileXoom Team

A Camp - Walking The Cow (Daniel Johnston Cover) (Live MP3)

2007-07-28T16:25:00.001+01:00

.... then A Camp (aka Nina Persson from The Cardigans) cover Daniel Johnston. Good news is that she's preparing a second album !

Live MP3: Walking The Cow (Live in Malmo 2001)

Buy: A Camp

The Strokes - A Salty Salute (Guided by Voices Cover) (Live MP3)

2007-07-28T16:15:00.001+01:00

2 amazing covers this week. First, The Strokes covering Guided by Voices...

Live MP3: A Salty Salute (Live in Chile 2005)

Buy: Room on Fire

Josh Rouse - Rise (Live MP3)

2007-07-21T10:33:00.001+01:00

Last week-end I was in Barcelona, and found - to my big surprise ! - the new Josh Rouse CD - Country Mouse, City House - which I thought was released later this month. To be honest, after a week, I have not been able to listen beyond track 3 (single Hollywood Bass Player) as those first tracks are so good I have to start again (also like on the Interpol CD) ! So he's somehow back to the sound, arrangements and mood of his masterpiece 1972, the perfect mix of pop,country and soul that Belle&Sebastian was trying to get at in their last album (I love them , but in that field, they still have a margin of improvement to reach Josh's excellence)

Live MP3: Rise (Live in Nashville Dec 31st 2003)

Bonus MP3: Italian Dry Ice (from Country Mouse, City House)

Buy: Country Mouse, City House

Interpol - Stella Was A Diver And She Was Always Down (Live MP3)

2007-07-21T10:22:00.000+01:00

I bought the new Interpol album and it is all but disappointing, a really good surprise ! For some reasons, I was expecting something bad, probably because of the horrible animals cover :). Anyway, now, all is good. So here's a live mp3 of Stella, which was recorded at La Route du Rock in 2002 (French Festival). I have several Interpol concerts and this version is by far the best I heard.

Live MP3: Stella Was A Diver And She Was Always Down (Live at Route du Rock 2002)

Buy: Our Love To Admire

James - Skindiving (MP3 & Live MP3)

2007-07-12T19:54:00.000+01:00

I don't think it's been much advertised that James reunited this year for a bunch of show....I look forward seeing them. Here's one of my favorite track from their master piece, Laid, which for some reasons unknown is not part of the usual setlist / "best of" records... Here's a live mp3 and a remix which I think is terrific !

Live MP3: Skindiving (England 1993)

MP3: Skindiving 1-3-4 (Remix)

Buy: Laid

Jarvis Cocker - Tonite (MP3 & Live MP3)

2007-07-12T19:46:00.001+01:00

Well, I'm out this week end to Barcelona, at the summercase festival, so I thought I would post songs by two of the artists I will see. First, Jarvis Cocker. While I'm still not totally sold on his entire solo release, Tonite is one of the great song from last year.

MP3: Tonite (from jarvis)

Live MP3: Tonite (Live Black Session 2006)

Buy: jarvis

The Cardigans - Downbound Train (B. Springsteen Cover) (Live MP3)

2007-07-01T16:55:00.001+01:00

I have praised many times the excellence of The Cardigans. Here, they do an amazing cover of Downbound Train from Bruce Springsteen. It was recorded during their Long Gone Before Daylight Tour. Downbound train is from the Born In The US LP. You can find another cover of a song - I'm On Fire - from that LP by Heather Nova here.

Live MP3: Downbound Train (Live Popstad 2004)

MP3: Bruce Springsteen - Downbound Train (from Born In The USA)

Buy: Long Gone Before Daylight

The Go-Betweens / Grant McLennan - Black Mule (MP3 & Live MP3)

2007-06-30T17:56:00.000+01:00

Last week I spoke about Intermission, a compilation grouping the best solo work of Robert Forster and Grant McLennan of The Go-Betweens. And to be fair, I should have put as well a song by Grant. Here's Black Mule, that he sang during the last Go-Betweens tour. The version is from the must-have official CD/DVD release That Striped Sunlight Sound.

MP3: Grant McLennan - Black Mule

Live MP3: The Go-Betweens - Black Mule (Live Brisbane, June 2005)

Buy #2: That Striped Sunlight Sound

The Go-Betweens / Robert Forster - Baby Stones (MP3 & Live MP3)

2007-06-24T16:02:00.000+01:00

A compilation grouping the best solo work of Grant McLennan and Robert Forster of the Go-Betweens has just been released (and is on its way to my home). A year after Grant's death, it will be a good time to discover those songs that should have been part of the Go-Betweens discography, to the extent that the Go-Betweens played some of these songs during their final tour. Here's Baby Stones by Robert Forster and played by the Go-Betweens in 2004, one of my all-time favorite song.

MP3: Baby Stones (Robert Forster - Danger in the Past)
Live MP3: Baby Stones (The Go-Betweens - Live in London 2004)

Buy: Intermission

Adam Green - Jessica (MP3 & Live MP3)

2007-06-24T15:45:00.000+01:00

Artist: Adam Green

MP3: Jessica (Friends of Mine LP)
Live MP3: Jessica (Live in Munich, Germany 2005)

Buy: Friends of Mine

Jens Lekman - A Sweet Summer's Night On Hammer Hill (MP3 & Live MP3)

2007-06-16T18:14:00.000+01:00

Another Post I wanted to do for the 1 Year of Superb Live was actually to do a Re-Post of my 1st Post - link not available anymore - and which I kind of still think it's the best mp3 I posted on the blog ... an amazing acoustic version of A Sweet Summers Night On Hammer Hill by Jens Lekman. Actually, if someone has an opinion on what they thought was the best post, I'll be interested to know!

MP3: A Sweet Summer's Night On Hammer Hill

Live MP3: A Sweet Summer's Night On Hammer Hill (Live Acoustic - Motel Mozaique 2005)

Buy: Oh You're So Silent Jens

1 Year / 100 Posts ! Yo La Tengo - Season of the Shark (MP3 & Live MP3s)

2007-06-16T17:47:00.000+01:00

First of all, sorry to all for the lack of posts in the last couple of weeks as I was out of town. But now is a good time to be back as I realise this is the 100th post and also the 1 Year of superb live. I had been thinking for a while what the 1 Year Post should be. I wanted to post a live mp3 of my favorite song. But as it changes often :), I took a more pragmatic approach and looked into my iTune to see what was the song played the most often. And I was half suprised to see it was Season of the Shark by Yo La Tengo ! I just can't explain the relationship with that song but the reason why I played it so much is that I put it almost in all my playlists. The song fit all my moods. The challenge then was to get live MP3s. Kenneth from sunsquashed.com was kind enough to send two live MP3s (one with the full band and one acoustic). And for those who don't know the original, you can find it below as well.

So enjoy and thank you to all for reading superb live and for all the friendly messages !

MP3: Season of the Shark
Live MP3: Season of the Shark (Live on WDET - Detroit June 2003)
Live MP3: Season of the Shark (acoustic) (Live on WXPN July 2003)

Buy: Prisoners of Love

The Divine Comedy - Commuter Love (Live MP3)

2007-05-27T14:12:00.000+01:00

In the mood of the Tindersticks and Jack posts, here's Commuter Love by The Divine Comedy. Another song (see the Sunrise post) I overlooked from their Fin de Siecle record......

MP3: Commuter Love (Live at Shepherds Bush Empire, London 1998)

Buy #3: Regeneration

Jack - F.U (MP3 & Live MP3)

2007-05-27T13:10:00.000+01:00

From Amazon.co.uk: "Jack were formed in Cardiff in 1992, based around the songwriting partnership of Anthony Reynolds and guitarist Matthew Scott, both of whom had relocated to London by the end of 1993. By the end of 1995, Jack was a six piece, signed to Too Pure/Beggars Banquet Records. Jack's debut album, 'Pioneer Soundtracks', produced by Peter Walsh was released to worldwide critical acclaim (Ian Penman's Guardian CD of the week etc), in the summer of 1996. There was some excellent press ('Bloody essential' - Alan Jones, Melody Maker) and considerable success"

Just over ten years after its original release, this album, named as one of the albums of 1996 by much of the music press, has been augmented by another disc of sixteen tracks incorporating single versions, b-sides, demos and live material from a Paris concert recorded at the Cigale in November of the same year. Together with revamped artwork and a sixteen page booklet, this is a lovingly curated release."

I had bought this record in 1996 and loved it. This is the first time in my life I buy a CD for a second time (the 10th anniverary edition), mostly to post the live version of my favorite song on the record, F.U. Because many may not know well Jack, I'm posting both the CD and live versions. Hope you enjoy.

MP3: F.U

Live MP3: F.U (Live in Paris 1996)

Buy: Pioneer Soundtracks

Tindersticks - Raindrops (Live MP3)

2007-05-19T19:36:00.001+01:00

Few weeks ago I surfed on a very cool site that was designed for the release of an album called Songs For The Young At Hearts. This is a collection of children songs and poems sung and read by an incredible cast including Stuart Murdoch, Robert Forster, Jarvis Cocker, Kurt Wagner ... and Stuart Staples from the Tindersticks (who also piloted the project). The album which can be streamed on the site is really very good (the original song Hey Don't You Cry by Stuart is simply a classic). One you should offer to anyone with or without children :). So in memory of the good times with the Tindersticks, here is Raindrops.

MP3: Raindrops (Live at Bloomsbury Theatre 1995)

Buy #2: The Second Tindersticks Album

The National - You've Done It Again Virginia (Live MP3)

2007-05-19T19:20:00.001+01:00

So this is the fifth and final MP3 of The National. Boxer will be out Monday in Europe and Tuesday in the US. I hope everyone reading the blog will rush to get it. I was lucky today because the record store already started selling it... ! So for the last post, I wanted to put this live acoustic version of a B-Side from the Lit Up EP called You've Done It Again Virginia. This is easily one of my Top 5 songs from The National. I always wondered why this was a B-Side because it's so good. Then I remembered about the early Belle and Sebastian EPs, and thought that it was not a B-Side but rather a Non-LP track :)

MP3: You've Done It Again Virginia (Live on Radio Libre, Belgium 2007)

Buy: Boxer

Broken Social Scene - Anthems For a 17 Year Old Girl (Live MP3)

2007-05-19T18:10:00.000+01:00

One of the band I wanted to see live but could not yet is Broken Social Scene.. and given the excellence of this live show in Sweden (which can be entirely downloaded on the excellent the line of best fit), I now hope they'll be touring again soon.

MP3: Anthems For a 17 Year Old Girl (Live in Sweden 2004)

Buy: You Forgot It In People

The National - Baby We'll Be Fine (Live MP3)

2007-05-13T21:08:00.000+01:00

So we continue our countdown to The National release of Boxer on May 22. This week is a track from Alligator, Baby We'll Be Fine, live at KEXP. For those who think I'm crazy with the greatness of this band, check out this survey done by Berkeley Place on the The 25 Best Indie Albums Ever (..according to the Blogosphere) :) !

MP3: Baby We'll Be Fine (Live at KEXP)

Buy: Boxer

Bjork - Bachelorette (Live MP3)

2007-05-13T20:53:00.000+01:00

Another new release is from Bjork. Volta was out earlier this week... and apparently there is a collaboration with Antony ! I have to say I've never been a huge fan but easily admit that she's one of the most influential artist in the last 15 years. And the live shows are amazing too.

MP3: Bachelorette (Live Box 3 [Homogenic Live])

Buy: The Greatest Hits (...I hate best of records but in her case, their are too many good songs spread out on the different records... )

Wilco - Company In My Back (Live MP3)

2007-05-13T20:38:00.000+01:00

Wilco new record, Sky Blue Sky is out on Tuesday. It took me a while to get into this band. I had bought at the time Yankee Hotel Foxtrot but did not like it. My colleague Steve kept on hammering on me how great they were so I gave it multiple listens and finally got it ! By the way, I highly recommend anyone interested in discovering this band to get the fantastic DVD called I'm Trying to Break Your Heart which documents the recoding of YHF. The song here is taken from their previous LP, A Ghost In Born and the live version from the official release called Kicking Television. I wanted to post a song from YHF but always liked how Company In My Back sounds live vs the record version.

MP3: Company In My Back (Kicking Television: Live in Chicago)

Buy: Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

The National - Available (Live MP3)

2007-05-03T12:26:00.000+01:00

It is great that The National are getting so much buzz - which started few months after the release of their now legendary 3rd LP Alligator. As I read all the good articles, I am somewhat disappointed to hear little references to Sad Songs for Dirty Lover which is still my favourite LP. So here is Available - which I hope will be played a lot in the upcoming tour - recorded at the 2003 Black Session show.

MP3: Available (Live Black Session 2003)

Buy #4: The National

Primal Scream - Shoot Speed / Kill Light (Live MP3)

2007-05-03T12:09:00.000+01:00

One of the most amazing band to see live is Primal Scream. Of course, you need to get great songs to start with - and they have plenty - but the shows are truly a unique experience. Here's Shoot Speed / Kill Light from the 2003 Japan-only release Prml Scrm, Live in Japan.

MP3: Shoot Speed / Kill Light (Prml Scrm in Japan 2003)

Buy: Vanishing Point

The National - 90-Mile Waterfall (Live MP3)

2007-04-27T22:12:00.000+01:00

So we continue the countdown to the release of Boxer by The National. Still 3 weeks to go.....so here's this week 90-Mile Waterfall, one of my favorite song from Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers, recorded live in a very different way during a session on WOXY radio. I kind of much prefer the original, but this one should be an interesting MP3 for fans of The National.

MP3: 90-Mile Waterfall (Live on WOXY)

Buy #3: Cherry Tree EP

Loney, Dear - I Am John (Live MP3)

2007-04-27T22:02:00.000+01:00

Another amazing Swedish artist is Loney, Dear. I discovered him this year with his superb Loney Noir album. Fans of early Belle and Sebastian albums will definitely like him. Check this out and if you like, buy the record !

MP3: I Am John (Live on NPR 2007)

Buy: Loney Noir

The National - Secret Meeting (Live MP3)

2007-04-23T10:59:00.000+01:00

See Below

MP3: Secret Meeting (Live at Later....With Jools)

Buy #2: Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers

Love Is All - Ageing Had Never Been His Friend (Live MP3)

2007-04-23T10:52:00.000+01:00

It took me a while to get into Love Is All world. I got the CD based on the great reviews but I only liked them recently after multiple listening. Their first LP, 9 Times That Same Song should have been in my 2006 Top 10, another miss :)

MP3: Ageing Had Never Been His Friend (Live KEXP)

Buy: 9 Times That Same Song

M-1: The National: Boxer

2007-04-23T10:40:00.000+01:00

In a month, my favorite band, The National, will release their 4th Full Length record, Boxer. At this stage, I see only this record challenging Arcade Fire' Neon Bible for record of the year. Why ? Because why on earth would a band that produced 3 majestic LP and 1 EP would lose inspiration ! I know Boxer has leaked a month ago, but I did not look after it (nor downloaded the free track available on The National web page..). I want to go to my store on May 22, buy it, tear the package, slip the CD in my stereo.... and be blown away....In the meatime, to celebrate this upcoming release and keep patience, I will post a live track every week untill May 22.

The Arcade Fire - The Guns of Brixton (The Clash Cover) (Live MP3)

2007-04-14T09:06:00.000+01:00

It's been several weeks after it's release and I can comfortably say that The Arcade Fire' Neon Bible is an exceptional record. Took several listens - but less than Funeral - to realise that. I'm not sure now which of the two is record of the decade, that's perhaps the only issue :). Together with The National, their are way above the other bands. So here's a great audio of their cover of the Clash' Guns of Brixton, live on The Culture Show.

MP3: The Guns of Brixton (Live on The Culture Show 2007)

Buy: Funeral & Neon Bible

Beirut - Postcards From Italy (Live MP3)

2007-04-14T09:00:00.000+01:00

Beirut was undoubtedly one of the few breakthrough artist of 2006. I really look forward to the follow-up to Gulag Orkestar. In the meantime, here is Postcards from Italy.

MP3: Postcards from Italy (Live in Portand 2006)

Buy: Gulag Orkestar

Jason Collett (w/ Paso Mino & Feist) - Hangover Days (Live MP3)

2007-04-07T14:00:00.000+01:00

I was glad to find few weeks ago on a blog (I forgot which .... I'm sorry)... a great live version of my favorite song from 2006, Hangover Days by Jason Collett (from Broken Social Scene). While the original song is a duet with Emily Haines, this one is sung with Leslie Feist.

MP3: Hangover Days (Live in Minneapolis Jan 2006)

Buy: Idols of Exile

J Mascis - So What Else Is New ? (Live MP3)

2007-04-07T13:48:00.000+01:00

So Dinosaur Jr is re-uniting with the original line-up and releasing a new album. Personally, I discovered them with Green Mind and never got to the old stuff... which I'm sure I will in the upcoming weeks.Anyway, I remember being struck when I got a solo live record by Jay Mascis, called Martin and Me, on how the songs sounded accoustic.

MP3: So What Else Is New (Martin +Me)

Buy: Where You Been

Live Music Blogs

2007-04-03T22:26:00.000+01:00

Please check out these two great blogs for live music

Some Bootleg

All Night Thing

Nada Surf - Blonde on Blonde (Live MP3)

2007-04-01T15:04:00.000+01:00

I have huge respect for Nada Surf. I was amongst those snobbing them at the time of their hit Popular (you all know how suspicious it is when bands hit the top with their first single...). They proved me all wrong. When I heard the first note of The Proximity Note, their second LP, I quickly changed my mind. What an amazing indie-pop rock record, a definite must-have. Could it get better - I would even have been happy with slightly less - with Let Go, the following one? Excellent at first listens but the thing is... this record kept growing on me, for about two years easily of repeat listenings. I consider this an absolute classic, one of my favorite record, one that you can hear irrespective of your mood, the weather, the time of the day. I don't know why it took so long before I posted something by Nada Surf, probably because I could not make up my mind on which song to pick!

MP3: Blonde on Blonde (Live in Toronto 2003)

Buy: Let Go (Get the EU version with No Quick Fix and a Different Tracklist Order than the US)

Death Cab For Cutie - Title and Registration (Live MP3)

2007-04-01T14:02:00.000+01:00

These week end are two posts I wanted to do for a long time. First, a song by Death Cab For Cutie, another Band very popular in the US but not in Europe. Lead singer Ben Gibbard is also the voice behind The Postal Service (which I'm sure their first and only album to date will be considered in years as one of the top record of the decade). Here's Title and Registration from their US breakthrough record Transatlanticism.

MP3: Title and Registration (Live in Vancouver 2003)

Buy: Transatlanticism

Luna - Dear Diary (Live MP3)

2007-03-24T15:19:00.000+01:00

I read of new record by Dean and Britta from Luna and it reminded me how good that band was. Thez definitely deserved more success. I had this live mp3 from a radio show. Don't know the exact origin, but it sounds really good.

MP3: Dear Diary (Live Radio Show)

Buy: Penthouse

Elliott Smith - I Figured You Out (Live MP3)

2007-03-24T15:05:00.000+01:00

Like many, I miss Elliott Smith. I continue to listen him a lot. There is a new central live mp3 archive database here. Downloading few shows, I discovered this song, I Figured You Out, that I never heard before and it has become one of my favourite elliott smith song. It's from a show in 2003 , the year of his death. I don't know if it was ever recorded in studio. If somebody knows, thanks for letting me know.

MP3: I Figured You Out (Live in Texas 2003)

Buy: Either / Or

The Decemberists - The Engine Driver (Live MP3)

2007-03-11T15:16:00.000+01:00

The Decemberists is another band I like, though like Modest Mouse, I'm not yet fully into. I think they are releasing The Crane Wife in Europe now, so I thought I'd post a live take of my favorite song, The Engine Driver from their previous LP, Picaresque.

MP3: The Engine Driver (CBC Radio 3 Concert, Feb 2004)

Buy: The Crane Wife