retroblog.net

I recently came across an old boot of Genesis performing live at Madison Square Garden during their 1986 Invisible Touch Tour. Listening to the recording takes me back to senior year in high school when I saw them in early 1987 at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill. It was one of the first “big arena” -type shows that I had been to at the time and so I was really taken aback with the what I saw that night. It was a fabulous show and this boot of the New York City show is a nice representation of that particular tour. The recording seems to be taken from a cassette of the soundboard. At various instances there are some “wow and flutter” effects which indicates stretching of the audio tape due to use. But even with the sonic imperfections, it’s still a fantastic document of the full show. The NYC gig was fairly early in the tour so “Follow You Follow Me” was still on the setlist and “In the Cage” was played toward the end of the show which they changed once they got into larger stadiums in 1987.

I had to laugh a bit when I heard those old Simmons drum sounds during “Home By the Sea”. Those Simmons drum kits definitely sound *dated* now and I can’t believe they actually played with those old trigger pads on stage. Those Simmons pads were like hard plastic so they were pretty brutal on the hands and arms when played for long periods of time. That’s the mid-80’s for ya. And if you’ve seen the Genesis 1987 Wembley video footage of them, you get the additional chuckle of seeing Mike Rutherford and Daryl Steurmer in “Miami Vice” garb. heh.

retroGrade : B+

The recording is worth seeking out especially if you’re fond of 80’s-era Genesis material like I am.

Live NYC 09-30-1986
artist: Genesis
Date: September 30, 1986
Venue: MSG, NYC
Sound quality: soundboard recording (cassette quality)

the live band:
Tony Banks: Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Mike Rutherford: Guitars, Basses, Backing Vocals
Phil Collins: Acoustic & Electronic Drums, Vocals
Chester Thompson: Acoustic & Electronic Drums
Daryl Steurmer: Guitars, Basses, Backing Vocals

Tracklist:
CD 1
Mama (8:39)
Abacab (10:52)
Land Of Confusion (5:13)
That’s All (6:31)
Domino (12:41)
In Too Deep (5:42)
The Brazilian (5:38)
Follow You Follow Me (5:14)
Chester Thompson Intro (1:04)
Tonight Tonight Tonight (9:11)

CD 2
Audience Participation Time (4:28)
Home By The Sea (12:06)
Throwing It All Away (7:34)
Daryl Steurmer Intro (1:11)
In The Cage (8:00)
…In That Quiet Earth (3:58)
Supper’s Ready (8:28)
Invisible Touch (5:08)
Drum Duet (4:59)
Los Endos (6:48)
Turn It On Again (11:02)
(more…)

In honor of Valentine’s day I thought I’d post another installment of the RetroBlog mix tape. This time around, it’s a collection of the bittersweet aspects of love. yeah, I guess I’m just a cynical old fart. heh. check it out, enjoy the tunes.

Anyway, I hope you’re having a fantastic weekend but with all the snow around the east coast, please drive safe!


I can see your face but I know it’s not real
too much confusion caused by how I used to feel…
Eric Clapton – Old Love


We used to say “Ah Hell, we’re young”
But now we see that life is sad
And so is love …
Kate Bush – And So is Love


well, you’ve gotta be crazy to want a guy like me
yeah, you’ve gotta be out of your mind, crazy
Well, there must be some kind of mistake to give your heart away
yeah, you’ve gotta be out of your mind, crazy…
Icehouse – Crazy


Dr. Yang, now her voicemail box is full
And she won’t call me, I’m feeling like a fool
The last time I saw her in her car
I threw her shit out in the yard
Locked her out and headed to the bar…
Ben Folds – Lovesick Diagnostician


There’s a tension I can taste that speaks for the danger
Let the warnings go to waste
Eyes that reflect a secret fire that covers the fear inside
In a flash we’re lost from sight to explore the romance that we hide
And the thrill of the chase plays a part in the chances we take
We escape to the world after dark…
Survivor – Backstreet Love Affair


All my girls are no where to be found
they all split when I’m in trouble
but I’ll tell you all my secrets if you stick around
the “undercover-lovers” under the covers
I just wanna use your love…
Katy Perry – Use Your Love


you are my weakness, my weakness
You’re my Achilles’ Heel
The flame that melts the steel in my heart…
Todd Rundgren – Weakness


And once again she calls to me
Then she vanishes in thin air
And how she takes my breath away
Pretending that she’s not there
I would bleed to love her…
Lindsey Buckingham – Bleed to Love her


It’s not too late for us
We still got hope and trust
We can still hang tough and let it slide
And when it’s all too much
We’ll leave it in the dust
Climb up on that bus and ride…
Shawn Colvin – Let it Slide

While my kids were watching Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs the other day, I was in the kitchen doing some cleaning when I heard a vaguely familiar intro during one of the scenes. I went over to the family room to listen more closely and I immediately recognized the artist – Trevor Rabin. For some reason, the music editors of the film chose to include the intro to a old song of his titled “Promises”. I’m not sure why but perhaps it’s a nod and a wink to Rabin since he does soundtrack work for big-time movie producer Jerry Bruckheimer. In any case, hearing that lil’ snippet of Rabin’s song made me pull out his 1989 album Can’t Look Away for a quick listen. It’s a phenomenal album by the way. I wish Rabin would take a timeout from the lucrative work in movie soundtracks and get back to rockin’ out on the guitar a bit more. It has been way too long Trevor!!

It looks so easy to be walking close behind
And I found it easy to be near you all the time
I’m looking at you now as if you knew the way
But I can’t reach you, you’re far away
It doesn’t seem so easy like the river that flows upstream

Promises! Don’t give me promises
Don’t give me promises when all you do is lie
No promises when all I do is cry

Look for the questions from the minds of those who care
You’ll find them waiting and you’ll learn that we can share
Losing the love been looking out for freedom
Been losing our love along the way …
- Promises by Trevor Rabin
(more…)

It’s time once again for Retroblog.net’s Friday Free for All. For today’s edition, I thought we should explore the vast underworld of bootlegs a bit. thanks to the almighty internets, the sharing of rare and interesting boots exploded these last few years. here’s just a random sampling of some that I have on hand at the moment.

Enjoy the tracks. and feel free to post a list of some of your favorite boots.

please note the sound quality will vary here due to these being “bootlegs” obviously.

GTR – Away (No One is to Blame) from the unreleased NeroTrend album (1987). This features Max Bacon on lead vocals and Steve Howe on guitar. Steve Hackett left the group at this point and Robert Berry was his replacement.

Paul McCartney and Elvis Costello – So Like Candy demo from the Flowers In the Dirt Sessions boot (1988). This is a great version that features both McCartney and Costello singing lead.

Todd Rundgren – Slut from the Vancouver August 25, 2006 boot. a great audience recording. It’s a rough and loose rendition with Tony Levin on bass and Jerry Marotta on drums.

Lindsey Buckingham – Go Insane from the Coach House December 10, 1992 boot. an awesome solo performance of his early eighties hit. definitely an improvement over the original recording which sounds a bit dated now due to the heavy use of the Fairlight sampler.

Susanna Hoffs – Darling One from her unreleased columbia album (1994). This is from the album that Columbia Records rejected. Hoffs ended up re-recording this song (along with some others) for her 1996 album “Susanna Hoffs”. This particular version is more upbeat than the officially released one.

Yes – Cinema/City of Love from the June 19, 1994 Canandaigua, NY boot. There are a ton of boots from this tour since the band did a simulcast of each show via “ConcertSonics”. Even though the “Talk” album isn’t one of my favorites, I thought some of the performances on this tour were pretty strong. I definitely miss Trevor Rabin, though. It’s definitely way overdue for Rabin to get back on stage!!

Journey – Send Her My Love from the Detroit Raised On Radio simulcast in 1986. It’s not the greatest sounding live recording but the “Raised on Radio” tour is fascinating to me for a multitude of reasons – one of which is the presence of Randy Jackson (of American Idol) on bass for this tour. listening to these old live recordings of Journey make me miss Steve “the voice” Perry even more!

—
Happy Friday, everyone!

Todd Rundgren mentioned during his recent chat on Rundgren Radio that the live dates scheduled in October will be the last remaining shows supporting his 2008 album, Arena. So essentially this will be the last chance for Todd fans to experience the entire “Arena” album live. Be sure to catch one of the shows if you can!

Sun 10/18/09 Bay Shore, NY – YMCA Boulton Center
Tue 10/20/09 Rochester, NY – German House Theater
Wed 10/21/09 Annapolis, MD – Rams Head
Fri 10/23/09 Philadelphia, PA – Wachovia Spectrum (with Hall & Oates, the Hooters)
Sun 10/25/09 San Juan Capistrano, CA – The Coach House

The Spectrum show in Philadelphia is part of the “Final Farewell Concert Series” for the Spectrum which includes major rock acts like Bruce Springsteen and Pearl Jam closing out the sports arena. And believe it or not, tickets for the Hall & Oates/Rundgren show are only $6!!!

As for the musicians Todd will be using for these shows, it’ll be the usual “Arena” band minus Rachel Haden. I guess there was a scheduling conflict so in Rachel’s place will be none other than bassist Sara Lee. I’ve personally seen Sara Lee play live several times in the past, including her stint with the B-52’s and the Indigo Girls. She’s a fantastic bass player and it will be great to see her play along side the Wizard himself, Todd Rundgren.

OK, it’s time now for the Song of the Day! Since we’re on the subject of Todd’s Arena tour, I thought I’d post one of the many highlights from his Arena set.

Weakness by Todd Rundgren

I don’t keep a lot of secrets
But the ones I do will die with me
It’s not because I’m hiding something
A trusted friend I try to be

But when every adversary lies in wait to test me
My world they would undo
And they’d break me down to nothing if they only knew

That you are my weakness, my weakness
You’re my Achilles’ Heel
The flame that melts the steel in my heart

I don’t pretend to be objective
I will always come down on your side
But every time I see or hear or smell you
My bias grows more hard to hide

And when the truth must be protected
I find myself distracted
My duty I abuse and in the battle’s clamor
The flaw within my armor might shake the secret loose

There’s no ties
As far as anybody knows, no surprise
As far as anybody knows, you and I
As far as anybody knows, have no ties
And as far as they know, my will is bulletproof
And I’d be no good to no one if they knew the truth

That you are my weakness, my weakness
You are my Kryptonite
The sun that shines a light on my soul…
—

Download a live version of “Weakness” [mediafire, mp3]
recorded off the live webstream of the Norwegian Wood show in Oslo, Norway, 13 June 2009. (courtesy of TR fan robznl)

(more…)

happy friday, everyone! To celebrate the weekend, I thought I’d share some tunes. Usually when I share some mp3s here on retroblog, I’d have some sort of theme and label it a mixtape but for the “free for alls” I’m going completely random. enjoy!

Rush – Time Stand Still – one of my favorites off of the “Hold Your Fire” album.

John Hiatt – Bring Back Your Love to Me – I love the vocal harmonies on this one.

Paul Shaffer and the World’s Most Dangerous Band – Something About You – a level 42 cover by Paul Shaffer and company.

Paul Anka – Mr. Brightside – a big band remake of the Killers’ song.

Sarah Brightman – Only An Ocean Away – I can only take Sarah in short bursts. Her voice can sometimes be a bit grating. but it’s still a good song.

Tenacious D – Beelzeboss – the clean version. – I think it’s funnier to hear these guys replacing all the cuss words with stuff like “you mother truckers”. heh.

I told you these would be completely random!!

I recently stumbled across an interesting 2001 interview with guitarist Jimmy Haun (currently with Circa and AKA) conducted by Henry Potts that’s posted on Henry’s Bondegezou website. I’ve always known that Haun contributed guitar work on some of the tracks on Yes’ 1991 Union album but I didn’t realize the extent of his contributions. According to what he said in the interview, Haun pretty much redid the bulk of Steve Howe’s guitar tracks on the album. Apparently Howe, Rick Wakeman and Jon Anderson weren’t really getting along with each other during the making of the album (yeah, I know, what’s new?) and producer Jonathan Elias had to rely on other studio musicians in order to complete the tracks.

Here’s an excerpt of the Haun interview:
So I went to A&M studios in Hollywood to meet Jon Elias and he played me the rough tracks for the new ABWH album. Basically he told me Arista felt Steve’s guitar parts were unacceptable and that he had just soloed over all the songs. Now this was partially true. What they wanted was a blend of the old classic Steve Howe sound mixed with Trevor Rabin! I guess they felt it would sell more records. So Jonathan gave me a mix of three songs with no guitar on them (“Without Hope”, “Dangerous” and “Silent Talking” ), told me to do what Howe/Rabin would do. So in my home studio I recorded wall to wall guitar parts and mailed Jonathan the tape to New York. There was also two other name guitar players (I wish I could tell you who) who had done the same thing but they liked my tape the best, so I flew to New York for approximately three months and recorded guitar for my favorite band (a dream come true!)
about the song: “Shock to the System”:
Must have been a shock to Steve’s system—there is simply no Steve Howe on that at all! Steve had, of course, written the opening riff (which I ended up replacing for sonic reasons). I think this was my favorite track because I got to write most of the riffs and there was this new section we came up with and tacked on at 4:10 and the riff is very reminiscent of “Gates of Delirium”. And I had to replace some of the bass! (Tony Levin left his bass at the studio so we got his exact sound and added the sections.) I guess Steve refused to play this section live. (This is the track that Rabin played for Steve on the plane during the Union tour and Steve’s mouth dropped.)

read the complete interview on Henry Potts’ website.

It’s definitely a great read for those like me who are always interested in that particular era of Yes. The Union album as a whole isn’t one of my favorites but I have to say that it spawned a once in a lifetime tour with eight legendary musicians on one stage.

Anyway, for today’s song of the day I thought I’d post a live version of a song from the much maligned Union album. enjoy.
—
Shock to the System

Shock to the system,
But you’re going back inside of the light.
Shock to the freedom,
Only one more body of love in the rolling
They’re rolling back to you!
Dreaming all the time; they be dreaming all the time.

Shock to the politicians,
You know they just got burned by the fire.
Shock to the freedom whispers,
They’re only coming after the rolling
They’re rolling, coming over!
Dreaming all the time; they be dreaming all the time.

So, in answer to the prayer, the one you want is there,
The one you feel inside of you.
So, in answer to the dream, this time you are so clear
It’s always got to be this way …forever…

Shock to the future, shock to the rights of Mankind.
And they won’t even go blind when they see what’s going on.

So, in answer to the prayer,
The one you feel is there,
The one you feel so close to (the order of the Sun).
And everyone is one and all the pieces fit together.
Did it all begin with Someone?
Did it all begin with Someone?
I could not admit to being alive!

- Shock to the System (from the Mountain View, California show, August 1991) [download mp3 via mediafire]
(more…)

Well, it looks like all those Todd Rundgren fans on the other side of the Atlantic will no longer have to be so envious of those living near Ohio now. Rundgren Radio’s special A Wizard A True Star LIVE concert in Akron has now spawned a sister show in London!! Apparently, Doug and Mel of Rundgren Radio has caused such a buzz with their September 6th AWATS gig that a concert promoter in the U.K. decided to schedule Rundgren to perform A Wizard, A True Star at the London HMV Hammersmith Apollo on Saturday February 6th, 2010. I’m not totally sure why the show couldn’t have been scheduled any earlier but there you have it. I’m sure Todd fans are just glad to see that there’ll be another AWATS gig planned after the September 6th Akron show. Who knows, maybe now with two official AWATS shows scheduled, it’ll all snowball into a full AWATS tour! wouldn’t that be awesome? Let’s make it happen. Get those tickets now!

For more info on the 2010 London AWATS show, check out the official NoblePR press release.

For info on the September 6th Akron Show, head on over to AWATSLive.com

And in honor of the recently announced U.K. show, I thought I’d share a few live versions of some AWATS tunes. enjoy!

International Feel (live 1994 at the Forum in London)
Here we are again, the start of the end but there’s more
I only want to see if you’ll give up on me
But there’s always more…

Never Never Land (with a twist 1997)
I know a place where dreams are born
And time is never planned
It’s not on any chart, you must find it in your heart
Never Never Land…

Zen Archer (Live Feb. 28, 1998 Florida)
Rivers of blood, oceans of tears,
life without death and death without reason…

I’m So Proud/Ooh Baby Baby (live Feb. 28, 1998 Florida)
Mistakes, I know I’ve made a few
But I’m only human, you’ve made mistakes too…

Just One Victory (Live 1981 Akron Ohio)
The time has come to take the bull by the horns
We’ve been so downhearted, we’ve been so forlorn
We get weak and we want to give in
But we still need each other if we want to win…

Ethel performing “Flamingo/Zen Archer” (live at TROMP International Music Festival Nov. 2008)

Bonus – Bill Lloyd’s brilliant cover of “I Don’t Want to Tie You Down” (from a tribute to Todd Rundgren CD)
Sometimes it’s hard to look up under
The times we’re going through
I scratch my head and stare and wonder
How to face the day anew…

Note: the mp3 files are hosted on mediafire for a limited time so grab ‘em while you can.
(more…)

Well folks, it’s time for another edition of the RetroBlog mix tape. And surprise, surprise, it’s the annual Valentine’s edition. Since last year’s theme was skewed toward the cynical end of things, so I thought I’d balance it out by swinging back toward the sappy side. I’ll call this set, “Love, AOR style”. for those that might not get the term – AOR refers to an old rock radio format called “Album Oriented Rock”. enjoy.

I Believe in a Thing Called Love – The Darkness
Can’t explain all the feelings that you’re making me feel
My heart’s in overdrive and you’re behind the steering wheel
Touching you, touching me,
Touching you cause you’re touching me

Love Will Find a Way – Yes
Here is my heart waiting for you
Here is my soul, I eat at chez nous

No Matter What – Def Leppard
No matter what you do, I will always be around
Won’t you tell me what you found, girl
Ooh girl, I want you

Oxygen – Bryan Adams
My pulse racin’, my head’s in a spin,
I need to see you darlin’, ’cause you’re my oxygen

Every Night – Paul McCartney (soundcheck, 1993)
Every night I just wanna go out, get out of my head
Every day I don’t wanna get up, get out of my bed
Every night I want to play out
And every day I wanna do
But tonight I just wanna stay in
And be with you, and be with you

I Want You So Bad – Heart
When the wind blows through your hair
I want you so bad, want you so bad
I see your smile boy everywhere
I want you so bad, want you so bad

When You Love a Woman – Journey
When you love a woman
You see your world inside her eyes
When you love a woman
You know she’s standin’ by your side
A joy that lasts forever
There’s a band of gold that shines waiting somewhere..

Hold On my Heart – Genesis
So hold on my heart please tell her to be patient
‘Cause there has never been a time
That I wanted something more..

Keep it Right Here – Survivor
There will be nights some restless nights
When you’re alone your thoughts start to wander
Wonderin’ if it’s right, you search the night
Baby you’re home, why look any farther..

*Note*: as always, files are hosted on savefile.com for a limited time. So get ‘em while you can.
(more…)

OK, have you O.D.’d on all the saccharine sweet holiday muzak on the radio like I have? Please for the love of all that’s decent in the world, there is absolutely no need for anyone to hear another rendition of “Jingle Bell Rock” or “Winter Wonderland”… and oh Lord, don’t even get me started on describing to you which level of hell Celine Dion’s version of “Blue Christmas” is.

Yes, I’m in a “mood”. Let me express it with my very own Christmas mix tape. I’ve got the songs that are a little more in-line with reality. and don’t worry, there’s no Celine Dion here. I call this Retroblog’s moody Christmas music 2008. enjoy!

Broken Heart for Christmas by Steve Lukather
I’m all alone this Christmas, nothing’s merry ’bout today
Yeah, I’m all alone this Christmas
Nothing’s merry ’bout today
It’s quiet here this evening, it’s a lonely holiday..

That was the Worst Christmas Ever by Sufjan Stevens
Our father yells
Throwing gifts in the wood stove, wood stove
My sister runs away
Taking her books to the schoolyard, schoolyard..

Christmas, Baby Please Come Home by Death Cab for Cutie
They’re singing deck the halls
But it’s not like christmas at all
I remember when you were here
All the fun we had last year…

December Child by Cindy Lauper
Snuggle up and let me hold kiss
Your baby breath in the dark and cold
On a silent night long ago
Another mother held her babe and told him
Close your eyes December Child..

Sweet Secret Peace by Neil Finn
Beautiful are you, your hands are new
All you feel is real and right and true..

In the Bleak Mid-Winter by Shawn Colvin
In the bleak midwinter
Stormy winds may blow
Earth stood hard as iron
Water like a stone..

When I Get Home for Christmas by Snow Patrol
It’s funny how you misunderstand
I only wanna hold her hand
You’re so far from me all year long
I can’t seem to right my, right my wrong

The Christmas Song by Weezer
You told me you would bring presents and treats
Cheering my spirits with homemade sweet meats
Here I sit waiting beside the tree all by myself..

OK now, go have a moody Christmas!!
laterz!
Retroblog