radio barz

McCartney and Petty set to release massive live collections

Do you like your rock legends live? If so, you're in luck. Coming this month, two massive live collections:

• Paul McCartney,Good Evening New York City (2CD/1DVD), release date November 17
• Tom Petty, The Live Anthology (4CD Box Set), release date November 23

KCRW's Eclectic 24 Lives Up To It's Name

Really enjoying KCRW's new Eclectic 24 channel. Just in an hour's time tonight, the station played cuts by Joe Jackson, Joe Henry, L'avventura, Kate Miller-Heidke, Nick Cave and Taj Mahal.

Here are some videos by these featured artists, but I'd advise you to listen to Eclectic 24 for yourself. 

Kate Miller-Heidke - Politics in Space

(are you ok? pretty much.)

Taj Mahal - Senor Blues

Joe Jackson - Sunday Papers

You know, just like the album title says, Joe's was pretty much "the man." Great stuff.

LAvventura Swandive

Just a short sample of this pretty cool song.

My Favorite Books By Jim Harrison

Jim Harrison is my favorite author. His writing connects me to that place where the natural and mystic worlds mingle. There is something out there more authentic than strip malls, fast food and wireless access and his poems, stories and essays remind me of this. Here are a few of my favorite Jim Harrison titles:

Metric, "Gimme Sympathy" X Three

Metric's Gimme Sympathy, one of my favorite songs of 2009. Here are three versions. 

I like the quiet whisper of this acoustic version...

And live on KEXP...

Who had more fun than the New Barbarians? "Before They Make Me Run" - Live

Ron Wood and Keith Richards -- Must have been an interesting tour. Would love to hear the stories, if any are remembered. Here's a live performance of Before They Make Me Run, a tune that originally appeared on The Stones 1978 release "Some Girls."

FLASHGUNS - I Don't Not Love You - Acoustic Van Version

Sometimes all you need to make beautiful music is an acoustic guitar and a van...

David Lindley – Mercury Blues - The Roxy, Washington DC 1988

Big-time sonic fun for your Tuesday night hootenanny.

James McMurtry releases Live in Europe CD/DVD

One of my favorite live music experiences of SXSW 2008 was seeing James McMurtry and his band. So good, I went back two days latter to catch another set at the Continental Club. Raw power, pure emotion, swamp rock guitar and smart song writing combine to make McMurtry's music a great listen live or on disc. He's one of music most authentic storytellers and along with his band the Heartless Bastards, he just plain rocks. I'm looking forward to this collection from his recent European tour. 

Countrychart.com review of Live in Europe

James McMurtry Web site

Avett Brothers coming to Memorial Auditorium in Athens, Ohio, Feb. 24

One of my favorite bands, one of my favorite venues: The Avett Brothers will play Memorial Auditorium in Athens, Ohio, Wednesday, February 24. 

The concert is a partnership between Stuart's Opera House (another one of my favorite venues) and the Ohio University Performing Arts Series.

Big sun. Big fun. Bloodshot Records 15th Anniversary Block Party

Who knew some of the hottest weather and best music of summer 2009 would be saved for mid September? Bloodshot Records 15th Anniversary Beer-B-Q at The Hideout was a sun-drenched, beer-soaked, bbq-fueled blast.

Big fun led by insurgents Jon Langford, Sally Timms, Bobby Bare Jr., The Blacks and more. Sorry I had to depart (due to the dreaded "previous obligations") before Alejandro Escovedo and the Waco Brothers, but I thoroughly enjoyed the time spent and look forward to 16.

• Bloodshot Records on Amazon
• Jon Langford on Amazon
• Bare Jr. on Amazon
• Bloodshot Records Homepage
• Chicago Tribune: Bloodshot Records bands pay rollicking tribute to Chicago-based label
• Timeout Chicago: Live Review Bloodshot Records 15th Anniversary
• A Hearty Thank You for the Hideout Anniversary Party! (Bloodshot)