Monday, March 30, 2009

Sholi: S/t

I usually don't post/upload new stuff. I like those blogs, yeah, actually I do (I find them absolutely necessary to find what is really worth buying, no matter what RIAA may say about that), but I like to keep this blog about bands' or solo artists' albums I really got to know (or about good bootlegs: which are one of many things I think make the internet so good: no more money given to fake labels or for you-don't-know-what-kind-of-quality recording).
So: Sholi, instead, are a young band, from the USA, and they've released so far only one EP and this debut album. What can I say about them? They are a mix of thing I like a lot in music: post-rock, good songwriting skills, and a nice balance of assonance and dissonance.

So, check their myspace page if you will or just give it a try buy downloading the album right here:

Sholi: S/t

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Robert Forster: Sex God (Disc 1 & 2)

"Sex God" is a collection of precious bootleg recordings of Robert Forster's spanning from live recordings dating from 1991 to 1996, and including also some "Danger In The Past" demos. Which means: a lot of stuff, and quite rare too (there seems to be not many Forster's boots out there from the nineties), and I mean to make a point when I say that, for example, it is a great joy to be able to listen to (what probably is) the first public performance of When she talks about angels (from the "Mark Radcliffe" radio sessions at BBC Radio One), and I personally could never get tired of listening to Danger in the past (the album demos obviously do not sound perfect, but they are very good and of great interest: it is, for instance, captivating to see how I've been looking for somebody can sound good also without (that wonderful sounding) piano).
Also among my favourites: the plain, simple solo acoustic rendition of Love is a sign (from Disc 2), Grant Hart's acoustic 2541 (I actually thought it should have made it to the Intermission Best Of instead of Frisco Depot, and not only because I love Husker Du) and Rock 'n' roll friend of course (though nothing can beat the 1987 KCRW radio sessions).
And last (but not least) a big big thank you to Uli who managed to upload this for me (and for you, yeah).

In case someone didn't get how much stuff you'll find in here I'm posting the tracklists as well.

Traclist(s):

Disc 1:
Magasinet, Gothenburg, Sweden, February 17, 1991 (radio broadcast)
01. Is This What You Call Change
02. Love Is A Sign
03. People Say
04. I've Been Looking For Somebody
05. Dive For Your Memory
06. Baby Stones
07. Spring Rain
08. Leave Here Satisfied
"Danger In The Past" demos
09. Danger In The Past
10. The River People
11. I've Been Looking For Somebody
12. Drop
"Danger In The Past" outtake
13. Falling Star
"Greater London Radio" session, UK, April 21, 1993
14. Atlanta Lie Low
Triple J "Acoustic Sessions", Australia, May 26, 1993
15. The Circle
16. Falling Star
17. Drop (cuts)



Disc 2:
Phaat Chalice, Sydney, Australia, June 24, 1995 (radio broadcast)
01. Danger In The Past
02. Love Is A Sign
03. I've Been Looking For Somebody
04. 121
05. 2541
06. The Circle
07. Part Company
08. Dive For Your Memory
09. Crying Love (cuts)
"Mark Radcliffe" session, BBC Radio One, UK, August 7, 1996
10. I Can Do
11. Rock 'n' Roll Friend
12. She Sang About Angels
BBC Radio One session, UK, July 1994
13. 3AM
14. Interview
15. Baby Stones


Sex God (Disc 1)
Sex God (Disc 2)

Monday, March 09, 2009

Tortoise: Live 1999, Frankfurt

I've been a Tortoise fan for quite a long time now (since 1998's TNT), I've seen them play them live only once (and Jeff Parker is one of the very people I asked for an autograph, btw, and man was he kind! It got to the point where it was hard to see who was thanking whom...), and I also saw (probably during that same year) Chicago Underground Trio, so I was really delighted when I bumped into this bootleg with Tortoise during their TNT tour sharing (part of) a performance with CUT (plus Fred Anderson).
And it's not only that: it is a great quality show. I had also another boot on my hands but when I re-listened to that one I had no doubt this one is SO much better.

Tracklist:

1. Intro
2. TNT
3. Tin Cans & Twine
4. In Sarah, Mencken, Christ, and Beethoven There Were Women and Men
5. Track 6 Intro
6. Unknown
7. I Set My Face to the Hillside
8. Ten-Day Interval
9. Unknown
10. Swung from the Gutters
11. La Jetee

Tortoise Live 1999