The Smiths, live at Hacienda, 02/04/83. Watch the Smiths perform only their third live concert.
“We are the Smiths. We are not ‘Smiths,’ we are the Smiths.”
Setlist:
These Things Take Time
What Difference Does It Make?
The Hand That Rocks The Cradle
Handsome Devil
Jeanne
Wonderful Woman
Hand In Glove
Miserable Lie
Derek Piotr made one of my favorite albums of 2021. If you missed it, I profiled it here. For that album, Piotr mined some pieces from historical folklore while also including original pieces and instrumentation. This sparked a passion in Piotr to focus on archiving vocal recordings. He began archiving vocal recordings in 2020. Like many archivists, Piotr captures poetry, songs, interviews and the like. But what sets this collection apart, Piotr notes, is the “focus of this collection is on the "non-singer"; in other words, someone with no background in musical performance but who can still relate a song or folkloric memory.”
I recently touched base with Piotr about the project and he was kind enough to highlight five recordings which have really stood out to him so far.
01) :: #208 - Helen Barnes-Rielly performing "Le Carillon de Vendôme"
I had gone to Todd, NC, for the 2-year anniversary of the burning of the Todd General Store, and there was a little local T.V. spot going on with the owner, who is feistily trying to rebuild the site right now. Pretty much the only other thing in Todd is this little bakery, run by Helen. I asked her what I ask everyone, if her grandparents or parents sang anything, and she remembered this little bit of a song, which she called "Chapels of France". It stayed in my head for months, so I called her up one day and asked for it again, on tape this time. Turns out it's a children's song from the 1400's that her mother learned in Cincinnati, OH, from some nuns, who have probably been singing it unbroken these 500+ years.
Performed by Helen Barnes-Rielly.
Recorded July 27, 2022 in Todd, North Carolina.
Telephone recording. Fragment. Learned from her mother, Carolyn Mader, of Cincinnati, Ohio.
2: #103 - Jim Prentice performing "The German Clock Winder"
A rare example of Connecticut folk singing! I had gone out to West Cornwall to visit Jane Prentice, an Old-Time fiddle player, and she recalled one little tiny song for me that her grandmother sang, but mostly played her fiddle for me. Jim came in towards the end of our visit, and, though slightly hoarse from work, sang me a couple of songs right there and then, with no notice, including this one. It seems to have come to America from the British settlers; I have found several traditional versions from the UK.
Performed by Jim Prentice.
Recorded March 8, 2022 in West Cornwall, Connecticut.
3: #79 - Ian Patterson performing "The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy"
As I walked home one evening from where I was staying in York last summer, I noticed an elderly gentleman supervising construction on his roof. I intuited he might have folklore knowledge and this hunch paid off in spades—Ian's mother was a colleague of Edric Connor's who had traveled to the West Indies when Ian was small to do some field collecting. They collected this song, among many others, and published these songs in a small book. "The Virgin Mary..." in particular found its way into the Cambridge Hymnal, and the rest is history. It was very much a surreal experience to meet the son of the woman who had bridged this carol into broad accessiblity, purely by chance.
Performed by Ian Patterson.
Recorded September 9, 2021 in York, North Yorkshire, UK.
Fragment. Mr. Patterson's mother was a colleague of Edric Connor.
4: #207 - Sandra Noble performing "I've Worked Eight Hours This Day"
I had left a small advertisement in The Dalesman before I left Yorkshire last autumn, and roughly six months later, I got an email from Sandra, who insisted on singing this song (twice!) down WhatsApp for me. "He was a sea-captain, born 1876", she said of her grandfather. "He probably knew more risqué songs than that, but that's the one I remember. I came to live with my granny and grandad when I was 3 or 4." Bonus points for their hometown's name: Robin Hood's Bay! Spry listeners may also note some of Sandra's variation: Johnny Hooligan becomes Patsy Dooligan, and Donegal whiskers become "galigan".
Performed by Sandra Noble.
Recorded July 13, 2022 in Robin Hood's Bay, North Yorkshire, UK.
Telephone recording. One verse. Learned from her grandfather, Robert Watson (b. 1876).
5: #210 - Judy Arrowood performing "Don't Sell Daddy Anymore Whiskey"
Judy is related to the Bares and Turbyfills several times over; she was the last informant I visited In North Carolina this year and lived literally at the intersection of Elk Park Highway and Turbyfill Road. I spent several hours with Judy, who initially could recall Lena Turbyfill vividly, but nothing specifically musical; it was only when we got on the subject of Lena's sister-in-law Ethel Bare Turbyfill that Judy remembered Ethel's children, Shirley and Evelyn singing this song.
Performed by Judy Arrowwood.
Recorded August 4, 2022 in Smoky Straight, Newland, North Carolina.
Fragment. Learned from Shirley and Evelyn Bare.
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.”
“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:
Joseijoi Banzai
Death of Samantha
Catman (The Rosies Are Coming)
Winter Song
Death of Samantha (Reprise)
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:
Intro
The Mighty Ship
Think For A Minute
Anxious / Me And The Farmer
Get Up Off Our Knees
Caravan Of Love
Happy Hour
Rap Around The Clock
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:
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:
Wolves, Lower
Laughing
1,000,000 **
Moral Kiosk
Catapult
West of the Fields
Radio Free Europe
Ages of You
We Walk
Carnival of Sorts (Box Cars) ***
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)
ZZ Top MAY 28 1982
Westfalenhalle 1 Dortmund, Germany
Tour: El Loco-Motion Tour
Setlist:
Groovy Little Hippie Pad
I Thank You
Waitin' for the Bus
Jesus Just Left Chicago
I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide
Ten Foot Pole
I Love the Woman
I Believe I'll Dust My Broom
La Grange (with Sloppy Drunk Jam)
Tush
I typically like to post full concerts here at the Holiday at the Sea Music Blog. In fact, even though I haven’t been commenting on many of the posts, most of the videos I share are from concerts I have had at one point either on cassette or CDR from my tape-trading days. But sometimes, I just post things by artists I really like. One of those artists, you may have notices is the PNW hip hop duo known as Blue Scholars.
Blue Scholars are (were?) a politically conscious Seattle hip hop duo. Formed in 2002 while members, DJ Sabzi (Saba Mohajerjasbi) and MC Geologic (George Quibuyen) were both students at the University of Washington. The duo put out 3 full-length albums, 4 EPs and a lot of singles. All of which is worth hunting down while the group is on hiatus(?).
All of that to say, I searched and searched but couldn’t find a full video concert from the duo, so instead, I thought I’d just put together an appreciation post with some killer live cuts.
Enjoy.
Lalo Schifrin live for KEXP
Yuri Kochiyama live for KEXP
Morning of America live in an abandoned house
Sagaba opening for Kanye, Bumbershoot '06
Fou Lee live at KEXP
No Rest For The Weary Live at University of Washington
Eric Burdon and War Live in Denmark (1971).
Setlist:
Spirit
Love Is All Around
Train, Train
Dire Straits Rockpalast WDR Studio L, Cologne 16 feb 1979.
Setlist:
Down to the Waterline
Six Blade Knife
Once Upon a Time in the West
Lady Writer
Single-Handed Sailor
Water of Love
In the Gallery
Follow Me Home
News
What's the Matter Baby?
Lions
Sultans of Swing
Grateful Dead live at Tivolis Koncertsal, Copenhagen (07/21/72).
One drummer Dead. Europe ‘72. What else is there to say?
Setlist:
Me And Bobby McGee
Chinatown Shuffle
China Cat Sunflower
I Know You Rider
Jack Straw
He's Gone
Next Time You See Me
One More Saturday Night
It Hurts Me Too
Ramble On Rose
El Paso
Big Railroad Blues
Truckin'
Ted Hawkins was an American singer-songwriter born in Biloxi, Mississipi and who was often found busking in his adopted hometown of Venice Beach, California. He toured extensively in Europe and Australia but remained largely anonymous in the United States.
Here is the elusive 1996 Janice Engel documentary in three-parts.
Purchase Ted Hawkins’ music at Amazon
I don’t know a thing about this footage, but I’ve watched it several times over the years and thought I’d share it with you fine people on Holiday at the Sea. It features several live performances by Burnside, two seemingly on the side of the road and one at home (?) surrounded by family (?). We do know that there are notes that the footage was filmed in Pensacola County, MS, 09/02/78.
Sorry, I don’t have the setlist for this one but we could probably figure it out pretty easily if we were so inclined. I just haven’t been.
Enjoy.
KEXP presents Yo La Tengo performing live in the KEXP studio. Recorded on January 18, 2013.
Setlist:
I'll Be Around
The Point of It
Ohm
Before We Run
Important People:
Host: Kevin Cole
Audio Engineer: Kevin Suggs
Cameras: Jim Beckmann, Shelly Corbett & Justin Wilmore
Editor: Scott Holpainen
“The full live set video was premiered on the evening before the annual Piano Day worldwide celebrations (March 29th). The motivation to make the recording of the live performances which became the release ‘Live from Studio S2’ came from the invitation from the Berlinale Film Festival.”
Hania says:
“I decided to rearrange some of my favourite songs, which I have been performing live for years. Recorded live and captured in the iconic Studio S2, one of the recording studios of Polish Radio in Warsaw. The hall is fully covered with light wood, which reminds me of other Radio Studios all around the world - like Funkhaus in Berlin for example. There is a kind of intimacy when playing the little piano in this huge and also very high venue.”
Setlist:
Hawaii Oslo
Glass
Leaving
Buka
Important People and Facts:
The session was filmed by Rani’s long time collaborators - Mateusz Miszczyński, recorded by Agata Dankowska, mixed by Piotr Wieczorek and mastered by Zino Mikorey. Recorded live on the 4th of February 2021 in Warsaw.
Thelonious Monk Quartet, live in Amiens, France, 1966. This show is often referenced as part of the “Gordon Skene Sound Collection.”
Maison de la Culture, Amiens, France, March 23, 1966.
Setlist:
Blue Monk
Crepuscule With Nellie
Rhythm-A-Ning
Hackensack
Epistrophy
Evidence
I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
Round Midnight
Epistrophy
Players:
Thelonious Monk
Charlie Rouse
Larry Gales
Ben Riley
