Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest -- LIVE -- Thursday, July 16, 2009

While LIVE's record sales may not be what it was during the Throwing Copper era they can still deliver a great crushing rock and roll show.
The band hit the stage in Ottawa at the Bluesfest looking like they had something to prove. This was no mere run through of their hits. Selling the Drama got the crowd moving and provide the first of many high points. I Alone and Dolphin's Cry turned into singalongs with singer Ed Kowalczyk directing the action.
The band was tight, loud and pushing the music forward creating an almost hypnotizing rhythm.
High points: I Alone, Lightning Crashes, Heaven, Lakini's Juice, Turn My Head.
Rating 3 1/2 out of 4 stars.

Cisco Bluesfest - The church Live in Ottawa Saturday, July 11, 2009

Caught the Church show in Ottawa on July 11th at the Bluesfest and wow what a show.
The band played a short but powerful set despite the on stage technical problems, (monitors cutting out, amps and cord problems) and the rain delays.... Something sure ticked Singer/bassist Steve Kilbey off. While he was all smiles and polite to the crowd he clearly was a having a tough time on stage. He joked that it had been 23 years since the church had played Ottawa. I for one hope they will be back very soon!!
The set highlighted the band's most recent release Untitled #23 with tracks such as Deadman's Hand, Pangaea, and Happenstance taking on a tougher, grittier feel than on the disc. (You do own it, don't you?, If not go and get it...NOW!!!!).
The sound out front was clear and full but could have been louder. Which is my biggest complaint concerning Bluesfest this year. I know noise bylaws are making it tough, but it is a rock show. Turn it up!!
For a band that's been around for 20 odd years, the church proved that they are a great, tight rock and roll band. If you get a chance, go see them live.
Rating 3 1/2 out of 4 stars.
What they played:
07/11/09 Ottawa, ON, Canada - Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest

Tantalized, Block, Day 5, North South East and West, Happenstance, Deadman's Hand, Pangaea, You Took, Operetta, Under the Milky Way, Reptile

Youngtown - Rock and Roll Museum - a Review

A little background info first.
Neil Young lived in Omemee during the 40's and early 50's. When his parents split up Neil went west with his mother and the rest of his family stayed in Omemee.
The Youngtown Rock and roll Museum celebrates Neil's life and work plus the great artists of the 50's 60's and 70's.
Is it worth the trip?
You better believe it is.
The museum is full of great pieces of memorabilia from the 50's through the 70's. So if you're not a Neil Young fan there is still plenty to see, hear and read.
Highlights include a marvelous Beatles display including John Lennon's hat that he wore in what would be the Beatles last photo shoot. See the Hey Jude album for a picture.
But there's more, lots more. Items from the Who, the Rolling Stones, the Guess Who. The list goes on and on.
So if you're off the beaten path and looking for somewhere to go, go to Omemee ( just outside of Peterbrough) and soak up some history.

Milltown Brothers - Slinky

A lost gem of Britpop. Before Oasis, Blur etc. these boys released this classic. According to MySpace the Milltown Brothers are still active. Enjoy.
Milltown_Brothers_-_Slinky.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/250671960/Milltown_Brothers_-_Slinky.rar

Jenny McCarthy's Surfin' Safari

The weather's getting better. Here's a various artist package. Little info inside but some lovely pictures of Ms. McCarthy:)
These are the original records
1. Misirlou --- Dick Dale
2. Surfin USA ---- Beach Boys
3. Walk, Don't Run -- Ventures
4. Tequila --Champs
5. Rumble -- Link Wray
6. Bongo Rock -- Preston Epps
7. Surf City --- Jan and Dean
8. Pipeline -- The Chantays
9. Surfin' Bird -- Trashmen
10. Let's Go Trippin' -- Dick Dale
11. Wipeout --- Surfaris
12. Surf Rider --- Lively Ones
13. Hawaii 5-0 --- Ventures
14. Surfin' Safari -- Beach Boys
High points : Rumble, Surf Rider, Pipeline
Various.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/223355839/Various.rar

Gram Parsons
I've just started reading Twenty Thousand Roads by David N. Meyer, a Bio of Gram Parsons. So far so good. I'll review the book when I'm finished with it. It got me to pull out the Gram Parsons cds and give them a spin.
Was he a genius? Was he just another Casualty? I'm still undecided. He did leave some great music and some great legends.
So today's post is Safe at Home - the International Submarine Band.
Gram's first true recordings. By the time this record was released he had left the group to join the Byrds and was making Sweetheart of the Rodeo. That's another post all it's own.
Overall Safe at Home is pretty good. Some great covers and a few originals. This is the ten song version. I believe there was another release with a bonus track or two. If you use YouTube there are posts of some other tracks, possibly from the first singles. I'm not sure and haven't bothered to investigate.
So enjoy Safe at Home and Gram Parsons' Cosmic American Music
gram_parsons_-_international_submarine_band.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/211815845/gram_parsons_-_international_submarine_band.rar

Blues Incorporated
Here's the first album by Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated.
Korner along with Cyril Davis basically kick started the British r & b scene which would launch the careers of the Rolling Stones, Cream and countless others. Davis would eventually leave Blues Incorporated to form the Cyril Davis All Stars.
Neither Korner or Davis would achieve the commercial success that their protegees would.
This first disc is a must for Brit Blues fans. Great songs and arrangements. davis is in fine form on the harmonica and Long John Baldry shows that he already knew his way around the blues.
Awesome stuff.
Alexis_Corner-R___B_From_The_Marquee.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/206465259/Alexis_Corner-R___B_From_The_Marquee.rar