Goose :: OK, They're Good! (Plus Trey Anastasio!)

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I’ll be honest: I’ve tried to dig Goose several times. I’ve watched several live sets and lots of people I respect dig them. I don’t know why, but I just didn’t connect with them. I think it may have something to do with the moustaches and my own biases. You see, my Dad had a mustache, and any time I try to grow one, I just see my Dad in the mirror, and I love my Dad, but that’s not what you want to see when you look in the mirror.

Anyhoo: (as always), I’m on a big Kurt Vonnegut kick, and I just watched the 2021 documentary which included the quote from Cat’s Cradle: “As Bokonon says: 'peculiar travel suggestions are dancing lessons from god.” That’s when Pitchfork decided to review the bands newest album Dripfield and I decided to give them another try.

Brady Gerber’s review includes this short section:

Watching their viral set at Peach Fest 2019—which, like many Goose sets, you can stream in full on YouTube—I thought wow, these guys can play. But it wasn’t just their virtuosic performances: Between the sprawling solos, they had actual songs that I walked away humming.

So, like any good Bokononist would, I went and watched that “viral'“ 2019 Peach Fest set. And I ended up digging it. A Lot. I sent it to my brother and a friend with the caption: “I think I might have been won over.” You see, they too had tried Goose before and found it not to their taste. But this set won them both over just like it did me. Maybe it will do the same for you. Maybe not. Either way, I hope you enjoy and occasionally stop along to remember that “I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, 'If this isn't nice, I don't know what is.”

The Deets:

Goose plays Peach Fest 2019 in Scranton, PA.

Setlist:

  1. Madhuvan

  2. Time to Flee

  3. All I Need

  4. Wysteria Lane

  5. Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo

  6. Arcadia

  7. The Way It Is

  8. Hot Tea

Trey Anastasio of that band from VT sat in the other night with Goose in NYC and thanks to the wonders of the technology, you can watch it right here right now:

The Deets:

  • Goose - Hungersite → Arcadia (feat. Trey Anastasio) - 6/25/22 Radio City Music Hall, New York, NY

Here is the band’s official video for Hungersite:

Meat Puppets Ring In The New Year (Just Not This One)

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The Meat Puppets play a private party in Tempe, AZ 12/31/99.

Only two songs.

But two glorious songs.

Setlist:

  1. Seal Whales

  2. Up On The Sun

  • Visit the Meat Puppets’ official website

  • Follow Meat Puppets on Facebook

  • Follow Meat Puppets at Tumblr

  • Purchase the band’s music at Amazon

Jake Xerxes Fussell: Live For Tiny Desk's Home Concerts

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It’s only February, but I can already tell you that Jake Xerxes Fussell’s newest album Good and Green Again will be on my year-end favorites list.

Drawing from folk, American and even bits of Appalachian music, Fussell has created a beautiful, challenging and yet hopeful album. His incorporation of strings and horns (sometimes reminding me of Gregory Alan Isakov flourishes) brings a lushness to the music that’s comfortable in all the right ways.

Earlier this year, Fussell recorded his (at home) NPR Tiny Desk Concert. According to NPR: “Fussell recorded at a friend's home in Pittsboro, N.C., with Casey Toll on upright bass and Libby Rodenbough on violin, harmonium and backup vocals. The mantle behind them is adorned with a tiny desk surrounded by various vegetable-shaped candles.”

You’re not going to find much better things to do with 18 minutes. Give it a try:

  1. Setlist:

  2. “The River St. Johns"

  3. "Have You Ever Seen Peaches Growing on a Sweet Potato Vine?"

  4. "Breast of Glass"

Players:

  • Jake Xerxes Fussell: guitar, vocals

  • Libby Rodenbough: violin, harmonium, backing vocals

  • Casey Toll: upright bass

  • Visit Jake Xerxes Fussell’s website

  • Follow Jake Xerxes Fussell at Facebook

  • Support Jake Xerxes Fussell at Bandcamp

  • Purchase Jake Xerxes Fussell’s music at Amazon

New Music Monday: In the Running :: Solilians

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Their label describes them as “Jewish mystics/drone/space pop explorers” and that gives you a pretty good starting point.

Solilans is the project of keyboardist Benjamin Malkin and began when Malkin wrote a 7” soundtrack for Ian Densford’s Binah Comics, a “super-powers tale sans violence”

Now a quartet featuring two vocalists, Neptune Sweet (Electric Djinn) and Sharon Malkin.

In the Running 2 is the second in I Heart Noise’s ongoing In the Running series and the second featuring Solilans. The first was a split EP with Boston’s Skyjelly. But this release find the attention placed on Solilans. As far as I can tell, “Klezmische” is a clever play on the group’s fusion of Kosmische with Klezmer music. If that’s difficult to imagine, you’re on the right track.

Fusing psychedelic, ambient, drone, and folk and even Indian instrumentation, the group creates sonic soundscapes that wash over you and wrap around your soul. With hypnotic, trance-like vocals, you might think of something along the lines of Sky Cries Mary (anyone remember them?). But this is truly original and creative music. There’s a balance throughout the release that weaves in and out itself. The disparate elements create a tension that keeps you engaged while the swooning vocals and repeating loops provide counteract that tension with mesmerizing effect. This balance between tension and release/relaxation is a wonderful musical theme throughout. I can’t wait to hear more from Solilans.

Highly recommended.

Preview:

The fine and fabulous folks over at Foxy Digitalis premiered the video for “Old Schmeckled Hen” earlier this year. Check it:

Pentangle Live On Belgian TV (1972)

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From the Youtube Page:

“This Belgian TV special from 1972 captures the band in all its glory as they work their way through six songs from the albums Solomon's Seal, and Reflection.”

Steve Gunn, Shahzad Ismaily, and Ryan Sawyer :: Live Improv Set at Union Pool, Brooklyn, NY 9/4/21

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Thanks so much to the amazing Bryon Whitley for posting this amazing set.

Steve Gunn, Shahzad Ismaily, and Ryan Sawyer performing a live improv set at Union Pool, Brooklyn, NY 9/4/21.

“A set of wonderful improvisational music created by three sensational musicians.”

  • Visit Steve Gunn’s website

  • Follow Steve Gunn at Facebook

  • Follow Steve Gunn at Twitter

  • Support Steve Gunn at Bandcamp

  • Purchase Steve Gunn’s music at Amazon

  • Read about Shahzad Ismaily at Pi Recordings

Yoko Ono's Plastic Ono Band :: Approximately Infinite Universe Live! [1973 Full Broadcast]

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John Lennon’s website notes:

“There’s a fury at the core of Yoko Ono’s 1973 rock opus Approximately Infinite Universe that was not apparent on previously recorded efforts. Ono has always been a master of turning pain and sadness into art, but here, there’s a clenched-fist intensity that sets it apart in her deep, unparalleled catalogue. Ono is angry. She proved that one can carry a boundless love for humanity and still be furious — furious at male/female relationships, at war, at your partner.”

Notes:

Yoko Ono (with John Lennon) is interviewed on May 12, 1973 for the PBS television program "Flipside" at The Record Plant East in New York City. She also performs tracks from her then latest album "Approximately Infinite Universe" (as well as a track released only as a single in Japan) with the Plastic Ono Elephant's Memory Band.

(Aired on June 30, 1973).

Setlist:

  1. Joseijoi Banzai

  2. Death of Samantha

  3. Catman (The Rosies Are Coming)

  4. Winter Song

  5. Death of Samantha (Reprise)

Endless Boogie Live at The Bootleg Theater (4/5/2016)

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Endless Boogie performs live at The Bootleg Theater, Echo Park, Los Angeles, California (April 5, 2016 ).

Sorry, don’t have the setlist for this one. You could probably figure it out if you wanted to. Otherwise, just jam.

Players:

  • Jesper Eklow (aka "The Governor") on guitar

  • Paul Major (aka "Top Dollar") on guitar and vocals

  • Mark Ohe (aka "Memories from Reno") on bass

  • Harry Druzd on drums

  • Follow Endless Boogie at Facebook

  • Support Endless Boogie at Bandcamp

  • Purchase Endless Boogie’s music at Amazon

Neil Diamond Live at the BBC (1971)

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Neil Diamond Live at the BBC (1971).





Setlist:

  1. Countdown

  2. Sweet Caroline

  3. Neil Talking (solitary man story)

  4. Solitary Man

  5. Neil Talking (cracklin’ rosie story)

  6. Cracklin’ Rosie

  7. Neil Talking (BBC cup)

  8. Done Too Soon

  9. Modern Day Version of Love

  10. Neil Talking (Bob Russell)

  11. He Aint Heavy, He’s my Brother

  12. Neil Talking (Holly Holy)

  13. Holly Holy

  14. I am, I said

  15. Neil Talking (BLTSS Story)

  16. Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show

  • Visit Neil Diamond’s official site

  • Purchase Neil Diamond’s music at Amazon

A Sliver Of The Whole :: A Holiday At The Sea Playlist

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This was originally a mix that was supposed to just feature some live Grateful Dead and live Velvet Underground cuts. That mix is still in the works, by the way, but this one morphed out of that project and features several other bands from the 1968-1971 sliver of time. Don’t ask me how it ended up being that, the mix made itself, man.

What we ended up with is a mix that features MC5, the Beatles, the Velvet Underground, Creedence Clearwater Revival, the Rolling Stones, the Grateful Dead, and the Stooges (and then kept going until I whittled it back down to these tracks). This is a mix I regularly play around the house, so, I hope you enjoy it; because this mix has been getting lots of Sonos time around here, whether the kids like it or not.

Setlist:

  1. Kick Out The Jams by MC5

  2. Get Back by the Beatles

  3. Sweet Jane by the Velvet Underground

  4. Commotion by Creedence Clearwater Revival

  5. Parachute Woman by the Rolling Stones

  6. St. Stephen by the Grateful Dead

  7. The Eleven by the Grateful Dead

  8. Rock & Roll by the Velvet Underground

  9. Shakin’ Street by MC5

  10. Down On the Street by the Stooges

  11. Dig A Pony by the Beatles

  12. Bootleg by Creedence Clearwater Revival

  13. The American Ruse by MC5

  14. Street Fighting Man by the Rolling Stones

  15. I’ve Got A Feeling by the Beatles

  16. Real Cool Time by the Stooges

  17. Graveyard Train by Creedence Clearwater Revival

  • Visit the Beatles’ official site

  • Purchase the Beatles’ music at Amazon

  • Follow Creedence Clearwater Revival at Facebook

  • Purchase Creedence Clearwater Revival’s music at Amazon

  • Visit the Grateful Dead’s official website

  • Follow the Grateful Dead on Facebook

  • Follow Grateful Dead on Twitter

  • Purchase Grateful Dead music on Amazon

  • Purchase MC5’s music at Amazon

  • Visit the official page for the Stooges

  • Purchase the Stooges’ music at Amazon

  • Visit the Velvet Underground’s official site

  • Purchase the Velvet Underground’s music at Amazon

R.E.M. Live at the 688, '81

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In February 1981, a year-and-a-half before ‘Chronic Town’ would be released, R.E.M. played three at Atlanta’s 688 Club.

Setlist:

1. “Rave On” (Partial)
2. “Burning Down”
3. “Dangerous Times”
4. “I Don’t Want You Anymore”
5. “Get on Their Way”
6. “Different Girl”
7. “Permanent Vacation”
8. “White Tornado”
9. “Narrator”
10. “Wind Out”
11. “Gardening at Night”
12. “Mystery to Me”
13. “Radio Free Europe”

Erykah Badu Live at Java Jazz Festival (2012)

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Erykah Badu Live at Java Jazz Festival (2012).

Setlist:

  1. Gone Baby, Don't Be Long

  2. 20 Feet Tall

  3. The Healer

  4. Appletree

  5. Love Of My Life

  6. Daylight (RAMP)

  7. Bag Lady

  8. Durand Bernarr Freestyle

Charles Mingus Sextet, at the Konserthuset Stockholm, Sweden

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Charles Mingus Sextet, at the Konserthuset Stockholm, Sweden, April 13th, 1964 (Colorized).

Setlist:

  1. So Long Eric

  2. Meditations

  3. So Long Eric (Second Version)

Players:

  • Alto Saxophone, Bass Clarinet – Eric Dolphy

  • Bass – Charles Mingus

  • Drums – Dannie Richmond

  • Piano – Jaki Byard

  • Tenor Saxophone – Clifford Jordan

  • Trumpet – Johnny Coles

Phish Live at Ak-Chin Pavilion (10.22.21)

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Phish live at Ak-Chin Pavilion. Phoenix, AZ. 10.22.21.

My wife and I hadn’t seen Phish live for 22 or 23 years (they haven’t played Phoenix in 18 years!). I think the last time we saw them was in San Diego? Anyway, that drought ended the other night with a phenomenal show.

Enjoy.

Setlist:

Set One:

  1. Julius

  2. Martian Monster

  3. Soul Planet

  4. My Friend, My Friend

  5. Bouncing Around the Room

  6. Scent of a Mule

  7. More

  8. Ghost

Set Two:

  1. Loving Cup

  2. Mike's Song--

  3. I Am Hydrogen--

  4. Weekapaug Groove

  5. Everything's Right

  6. A Life Beyond the Dream

  7. Cities

  8. Harry Hood

Encore:

  1. Suzy Greenberg

  2. Cavern

The Deets:

  • Phish 10/22/2021 Ak-Chin Pavilion - Phoenix, AZ

  • Source: DPA 4011a(PAS/40mm split/OTS@8')--Portico 5012--SD788t(24bit/96kHz)--MBit(16bit/44.1kHz)--FLAC

  • Recorded and transferred by Scott Schneider

The Housemartins - Hold Tight! Granada TV Special - City Lites, Farnworth 1986

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The Housemartins were an English Pop group active in the ‘80’s. The group blended British Pop, Soul and Gospel.

They were notable for their keen sense of humor; often billing themselves as “the fourth best band in Hull" (he best three bands being Red Guitars, Everything but the Girl, and the Gargoyles). But the band was about more than just humor. As Wikipedia notes: “Many of their lyrics were a mixture of socialist politics and Christianity, reflecting the beliefs of the band (the back cover of their debut album, London 0 Hull 4, contained the message, "Take Jesus – Take Marx – Take Hope").

Here’s another live video from 1986. This one says:

“On December 3rd, 1986, Granada TV show ‘Hold Tight’ featured THE HOUSEMARTINS in concert.

A special live production at the City Lites night club in Farnworth in December 1986.”

Enjoy.

Setlist:

  1. Intro

  2. The Mighty Ship

  3. Think For A Minute

  4. Anxious / Me And The Farmer

  5. Get Up Off Our Knees

  6. Caravan Of Love

  7. Happy Hour

  8. Rap Around The Clock

  • Follow the Housemartins at Facebook

  • Purchase the Housemartins’ music at Amazon

The Housemartins Whistle Test (London 0 Hull 4) Documentary?

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The Housemartins were an English Pop group active in the ‘80’s. The group blended British Pop, Soul and Gospel.

They were notable for their keen sense of humor; often billing themselves as “the fourth best band in Hull" (he best three bands being Red Guitars, Everything but the Girl, and the Gargoyles). But the band was about more than just humor. As Wikipedia notes: “Many of their lyrics were a mixture of socialist politics and Christianity, reflecting the beliefs of the band (the back cover of their debut album, London 0 Hull 4, contained the message, "Take Jesus – Take Marx – Take Hope").

Here’s a short (but two-part) film profiling the group. A short profile piece made for TV and broadcast in 1986. Features the band (Paul Heaton, Stan Cullimore, Hugh Whitaker, Norman Cook) in and around Hull plus interviews and live footage.

This is also known as the “Whistle Test” Documentary. I have only ever seen it edited into two parts. And, I mean, is it’ really a documentary? A feature? A featurette?

Whatever.

And here’s a special bonus piece with Norman and Stan “discussing” the breakup of the band:

  • Follow the Housemartins at Facebook

  • Purchase the Housemartins’ music at Amazon

the Housemartins Konzert 24.11.1986 - Ausschnitte

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The Housemartins were an English Pop group active in the ‘80’s. The group blended British Pop, Soul and Gospel.

They were notable for their keen sense of humor; often billing themselves as “the fourth best band in Hull" (he best three bands being Red Guitars, Everything but the Girl, and the Gargoyles). But the band was about more than just humor. As Wikipedia notes: “Many of their lyrics were a mixture of socialist politics and Christianity, reflecting the beliefs of the band (the back cover of their debut album, London 0 Hull 4, contained the message, "Take Jesus – Take Marx – Take Hope").

Here’s a live video from 1986 simply billed on the Youtubes as: “the Housemartins Konzert 24.11.1986 - Ausschnitte.”

Enjoy.

Setlist:

  1. The People Who Grinned Themselves To Death

  2. The Mighty Ship

  3. I Smell Winter

  4. I Bit My Lip

  5. Anxious

  6. Caravan of Love

  7. We’re Not Deep

  • Follow the Housemartins at Facebook

  • Purchase the Housemartins’ music at Amazon

Beauty Pill Plays the Tiny Desk

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NPR introduces this terrific set by saying:

“Beauty Pill's music is an invitation. In it, life whirs with plunderphonic glee and riffs are funky from the inside out, with rhythms that are equal parts hip-hop and go-go. Conceived, recorded and meticulously tinkered with over the course of eight years, Beauty Pill Describes Things As They Are was partly made in front of an audience after member Chad Clark recovered from a viral infection in his heart that nearly killed him. It's one of the year's most stunning records, as well as an argument for letting art rest, live and breathe before it's ready to be known by a listener. “

Setlist:

  1. "Afrikaner Barista"

  2. "Drapetomania!"

  3. "Exit Without Saving"

R.E.M. Live at the Raleigh Underground (1982)

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From the video’s Youtube page (posted in 2013):

“Yesterday was the 30th anniversary of the release of "Murmur" and somehow I stumbled upon the existence of this video which I'd never seen before. I love early R.E.M. especially "Chronic Town" and "Murmur"-era, so to get to see the band profusely sweating out these songs at such an early stage, and pro-shot, is just fascinating bliss. This was filmed less than two months after "Chronic Town" was released on I.R.S. and it's an outstanding document. It is also the earliest known professionally show footage of an R.E.M. show.

Setlist:

  1. Wolves, Lower

  2. Laughing

  3. 1,000,000 **

  4. Moral Kiosk

  5. Catapult

  6. West of the Fields

  7. Radio Free Europe

  8. Ages of You

  9. We Walk

  10. Carnival of Sorts (Box Cars) ***

  11. Skank (Jam)

** Mitch Easter, who produced "Chronic Town" as well as "Murmur" and "Reckoning" (with Don Dixon), joins the band on guitar)

*** As identified by peechpanda in the comments section, Peter Holsapple appears to join the band on guitar for this song)

Mdou Moctar Live in Niamey, Niger

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From the video’s Youtube Page:

“In winter 2020, the Mdou Moctar band met up in Niamey, the capital of Niger, to record a few songs in anticipation of the release of, Afrique Victime. We were staying on the outskirts of town at a friend's home. One day, we quietly set up in front of the house to film a few songs. Despite our relative isolation, the noise of the band inevitably attracted a crowd. What started as the four of us simply playing a few songs for a camera turned into a three-night run of rowdy concerts, bringing in hundreds of eager listeners. Each night, kids from all over the city would line up at our door, rushing over after their final evening prayer. These performances were completely spontaneous and wholly unplanned. Thanks to our audience, we were able to capture the spectacular energy of a typical Niamey concert for you. We're thrilled about it and hope you will be, too. Enjoy! “

Setlist:

  1. Tala Tannam

  2. Anna

  3. Chismiten

  4. Iblis Amghar

  5. Soucome Tamachek

  6. Afrique Victime

  7. Chet Boghassa

Important People:

  • Footage shot by: Mamadou Halidou & WH Moustapha / Dynamique image

  • Audio Recorded by: Mikey Coltun

  • Mixed and Mastered by Seth Manchester at Machines with Magnets