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)
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
The next time you’ve got nearly 5 hours to kill, I’ve got the mix for you! These are not necessarily my “favorite songs of 2021.” Instead, these are choice cuts; one representative track from each of my favorite 50 albums of the year. Regardless of length.
Get ready for a ride.
Tracklist:
Pray for Peace by Ustad Saami from East Pakistan Sky
Recessinater by Birds of Maya from Valdez
The People vs. the Rest of Us by Damon Locks Black Monument Ensemble from NOW
Bell Song by 75 Dollar Bill featuring Barry Weisblat from Social Music at Troost Vol. 1
Ya Rossoul by Khaira Arby from Khaira Arby In New York (Live In 2010)
Movement by Bell Orchestre from House Music
Broken Mirror (A Selfie Reflection)/Composition 9 by Matthew E. White and Lonnie Holley from Broken Mirror: A Selfie Reflection
Riddim Rek Sa Niouy Mom by Wau Wau Collectif from Yaral Sa Doom
All That They Left You by Six Organs of Admittance from The Veiled Sea
Days Like These by Low from Hey What
VBS by Lucy Dacus from Home Video
Brothers by Phil Cook from All These Years
Dark In Here by the Mountain Goats from Dark In Here
Djougoh by Nahawa Doumbia from Kanawa
The Call by Madlib from Sound Ancestors
Beat Up Born Where I Come From by Ghost of Vroom from Ghost of Vroom 1
Dovetail by Girls in Airports from Leap
descension (Out of Our Constrictions) III by Natural Information Society and Evan Parker from descension (Out of Our Constrictions)
Beowulf’s Trip by Jeffrey Alexander and the Heavy Lidders from Jeffrey Alexander and the Heavy Lidders
World is Turning by Rose City Band from Earth Trip
Disposable Thumbs by Endless Boogie from Admonitions
Staggering With a Lantern by Mountain Movers from World What World
Albuquerque by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis from CARNAGE
OUR SIDE HAS TO WIN (for D.H.) by Godspeed You! Black Emperor from G_d's Pee At States End!
Juvenescence by Yasmin Williams from Urban Driftwood
Invisible Map by Derek Piotr from Making and Then Unmaking
You Can Regret What You Have Done by Matt Sweeney and Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy from Superwolves
This Old World by Billy Strings from Renewal
Kelp Highway by Drew Gardner from Drew Gardner
Jnoun ! by Bachar Mar-Khalifé from Ghost Songs
In Remembrance Of Those Fallen by Sons of Kemet from Black To The Future
Bertha The Cool by Marc Ribot’s Ceramic Dog from Hope
Give Me Back My Loving by Leo Nocentelli from Another Side
Don’t Let The Tears by Howlin’ Rain from The Dharma Wheel
Tree of Tule by Daniel Lanois from Heavy Sun
Way To Cairo by Native Soul from Teenage Dreams
Ethiopian Sunshower by Adrian Younge And Ali Shaheed Muhammad from Brian Jackson JID008
Zengadyw Derekou by Hailu Mergia from Tezeta
Ya Habibti by Mdou Moctar from Afrique Victime
Tropicale Moon by Mouth Painter from Tropicale Moon
Natural Facts by Wet Tuna from Eu’d To A Fake Boogie Volume 4
Shrinks the Day by Ryley Walker and Kikagaku Moyo from Deep Fried Grandeur
Musungu Elongo Paints His Face White to Scare Small Children by Kasai Allstars from Black Ants Always Fly Together, One Bangle Makes No Sound
Trap Life by Sault from Nine
Désert by Dobe Gnahoré from Couleur
Part 1 by Elkhorn from The Golden Lag
If It Comes In The Morning by Hiss Golden Messenger from Quietly Blowing It
Morning River by Steve Gunn from Other You
Shiva With Dustpan by Ryley Walker from Course In Fable
Cortez the Killer (live) by Neil Young and Crazy Horse from Way Down In The Rust Bucket
Browse my favorite albums of the year
Browse my “2021 Yearly Wrap-it-Up” which is really a ramble about seeing Phish
Browse my favorite books of 2021
Browse my favorite movies of 2021
Browse my favorite television of 2021
Listen to a nearly 5-hour very low quality mix of one song from each of my favorite albums of 2021 called “Soundtrack to the Collective Meltdown”
Here’s the dealio, my coolios.
Each year, I keep a running diary of sorts of all of the things I liked each year. If you’re interested (which I doubt you are), you can follow along with my real-time unedited yearly bookkeeping here.
At the end of each year I try to cull down the music section to what really defined my year musically. No ranking. Just great music. Here are 50 of my favorite 2021 albums in alphabetical order.
Albums In Visual Alphabetical Order:
Albums In Alphabetical Alphabetical Order:
Social Music at Troost Vol.1 by 75 Dollar Bill
Jeffrey Alexander and the Heavy Lidders by Jeffrey Alexander and the Heavy Lidders // Elixor of Life by Jeffrey Alexander and the Heavy Lidders
Khaira Arby in New York (Live in 2010) by Khaira Arby
House Music by Bell Orchestre
Valdez by Birds of Maya
Carnage by Nick Cave & Warren Ellis
All These Years by Phil Cook
Home Video by Lucy Dacus
Kanawa by Nahawa Doumbia
The Golden Lag by Elkhorn
Admonitions by Endless Boogie
Drew Gardner by Drew Gardner
Ghost of Vroom 1 by Ghost of Vroom
Leap by Girls in Airports
Couleur by Dobet Gnahoré
G_d's Pee At States End! by Godspeed You! Black Emperor
Other You by Steve Gunn
Quietly Blowing It by Hiss Golden Messenger
The Dharma Wheel by Howlin’ Rain
Brian Jackson JID008 by Brian Jackson, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Adrian Younge
Black Ants Always Fly Together, One Bangle Makes No Sound by Kasai Allstars
Heavy Sun by Daniel Lanois
Now by Damon Locks & Black Monument Ensemble
Hey What by Low
Sound Ancestors by Madlib
Hope by Marc Ribot’s Ceramic Dog
Ghost Songs by Bachar Mar-Khalifé
Tezeta by Hailu Mergia
Afrique Victime by Mdou Moctar
Dark In Here by the Mountain Goats
World What World by Mountain Movers
Tropicale Moon by Mouth Painter
Teenage Dreams by Native Soul
descension (Out of Our Constrictions) by Natural Information Society/Evan Parker
Another Side by Leo Nocentelli (1971)
Making and Then Unmaking by Derek Piotr
Earth Trip by Rose City Band
East Pakistan Sky by Ustad Saami
Nine by Sault
The Veiled Sea by Six Organs of Admittance
Black to the Future by Sons of Kemet
Renewal by Billy Strings
Superwolves by Matt Sweeney and Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy
Deep Fried Grandeur by Ryley Walker And Kikagaku Moyo
Course In Fable by Ryley Walker
Yaral Sa Doom by Wau Wau Collectif
Eau’d To A Fake Boogie Volume 4 by Wet Tuna
Broken Mirror: A Selfie Reflection by Matthew E. White and Lonnie Holley
Urban Driftwood by Yasmin Williams
Way Down in the Rust Bucket by Neil Young and Crazy Horse
Browse my favorite albums of the year
Browse my “2021 Yearly Wrap-it-Up” which is really a ramble about seeing Phish
Browse my favorite books of 2021
Browse my favorite movies of 2021
Browse my favorite television of 2021
Listen to a nearly 5-hour very low quality mix of one song from each of my favorite albums of 2021 called “Soundtrack to the Collective Meltdown”
Neil Diamond Live at the BBC (1971).
Setlist:
Countdown
Sweet Caroline
Neil Talking (solitary man story)
Solitary Man
Neil Talking (cracklin’ rosie story)
Cracklin’ Rosie
Neil Talking (BBC cup)
Done Too Soon
Modern Day Version of Love
Neil Talking (Bob Russell)
He Aint Heavy, He’s my Brother
Neil Talking (Holly Holy)
Holly Holy
I am, I said
Neil Talking (BLTSS Story)
Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show
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:
Kick Out The Jams by MC5
Get Back by the Beatles
Sweet Jane by the Velvet Underground
Commotion by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Parachute Woman by the Rolling Stones
St. Stephen by the Grateful Dead
The Eleven by the Grateful Dead
Rock & Roll by the Velvet Underground
Shakin’ Street by MC5
Down On the Street by the Stooges
Dig A Pony by the Beatles
Bootleg by Creedence Clearwater Revival
The American Ruse by MC5
Street Fighting Man by the Rolling Stones
I’ve Got A Feeling by the Beatles
Real Cool Time by the Stooges
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
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”
Charles Mingus Sextet, at the Konserthuset Stockholm, Sweden, April 13th, 1964 (Colorized).
Setlist:
So Long Eric
Meditations
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. 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:
Julius
Martian Monster
Soul Planet
My Friend, My Friend
Bouncing Around the Room
Scent of a Mule
More
Ghost
Set Two:
Loving Cup
Mike's Song--
I Am Hydrogen--
Weekapaug Groove
Everything's Right
A Life Beyond the Dream
Cities
Harry Hood
Encore:
Suzy Greenberg
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 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:
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:
The People Who Grinned Themselves To Death
The Mighty Ship
I Smell Winter
I Bit My Lip
Anxious
Caravan of Love
We’re Not Deep
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:
"Afrikaner Barista"
"Drapetomania!"
"Exit Without Saving"
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)
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:
Tala Tannam
Anna
Chismiten
Iblis Amghar
Soucome Tamachek
Afrique Victime
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
Visit Mdou Moctar’s Facebook page
Follow Mdou Moctar on Twitter
Purchase Mdou Moctar’s music at Bandcamp
Purchase Mdou Moctar’s music at Amazon
Listen to Tarha” by Mdou Moctar, from the ‘Blue Stage Session,’ featured on Episode 43 of The Global Elite Music Radio Podcast Supershow
Visit all Holiday at the Sea Mdou Moctar posts
To celebrate recent news of members of Faces reuniting to create new music, here is: “The Original Faces live video from BBC Crown Jewels. This is the video in it's entirety! Original date, 04/01/1972.”
Setlist:
"Three Button Hand Me Down"
"Maybe I'm Amazed"
"Too Much Woman (For A Henpecked Man)"
"Street Fighting Man"
"Miss Judy's Farm"
"Love In Vain"
"Stay With Me"
"(I Know) I'm Losing You"
From the Youtube page:
“The Ramones played the Rainbow Theater in London on December 31, 1977. The show became It's Alive, which was released in April 1979. It's Alive is considered one of the best punk records of all time.”
Setlist:
Blitzkrieg Bop
I Wanna Be Well
Glad to See You Go
You’re Gonna Kill That Girl
Commando
Havana Affair
Cretin Hop
Listen to My Heart
I Don’t Wanna Walk Around With You
Pinhead
Do You Wanna Dance?
Now I Wanna Be a Good Boy
Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue
We’re A Happy Family
