Grousing The Aisles: “Third Ball” AKA Phish – Live In Woodstock, NY June 6, 1996
Third Ball (Phish) – 06/06/1996 MP3s [zip file] Phish took the first part of 1996 off to start recording their follow up to 1994’s Hoist entitled Billy Breathes. Phish pretty much stayed holed up in the studio trying to finish things up. The quartet managed to come to the surface twice in the Spring. Once […]
Grousing The Aisles: Foamfoot 01/08/1994
Foamfoot – Live @ The Troubador [zip file]
When I think of a supergroup, I usually think that term is usually used ironically. It’s usually a band that consists of members from other bands that have come together to make sub-par (and usually less than sub-par) music compared to the music that was made by their former outfits. Exceptions to this rule are bands like Led Zeppelin and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. While I wouldn’t necessarily consider Foamfoot a “super group” so to say, the result of these guys getting together for a night of music was unpretentious, fun and just flat out bad to the friggin’ bone.
On a January night in 1994, Foamfoot took the stage of the Troubadour in Los Angeles as what has to be one of the greatest cover bands ever formed! The band consisted of Chris Robinson on vocals (The Black Crowes), Jimmy Ashurst on bass (Izzy Stradlin & The JuJu Hounds), Marc Ford on guitar (The Black Crowes), Gary Louris on guitar (The Jayhawks), Eric Bobo on percussion (Cypress Hill/Beastie Boys) and Andy Sturmer on drums (Jellyfish).
READ ON for more on Foamfoot…
GTA: Jellyfish – Santa Cruz, CA 08/02/1991
Jellyfish – Live at The Catalyst – 08/02/1991 MP3s [zip file]
It’s really a shame that there is such a small amount of “live stuff” out there for Jellyfish. Anyone who is a Jellyfish fan and who has seen the band live knows what a powerful force this band was. Jellyfish had the ability to craft a pop song that packed such a powerful punch that by the time you knew what hit you, you were smiling ear to ear.
In such a short time and only releasing two albums, Jellyfish left behind a legacy of music that has stood the test of time better than many (if not most) of their peers. They were gone before they really got started and have to this day vowed to never reunite. I find myself often wondering what would’ve happened had they just held on a bit longer. Would they have been bigger? Would they have made some more amazing music or would they have become jaded and frustrated and released sub-par material that would’ve had me wishing they would’ve stopped at Spilt Milk. Regardless of what is, what was and what may never be, Jellyfish’s music is a standing testament of how even amazing artists like this can go un-noticed and fly totally under the radar.
READ ON for more on Jellyfish in Santa Cruz on 8/2/91…
Grousing The Aisles: Sting – 07/27/1988
Sting – 07/27/1988 SBD [Disc 1] [Disc 2] [Disc 3] In 1988, former Police frontman Sting was touring behind the fabulous, if not his greatest ever, solo release Nothing Like the Sun. The band that toured behind him consisted of none other than the great Branford Marsalis on the sax and a cast of top-shelf […]
Grousing The Aisles: Aerosmith – Unplugged
Aerosmith – Unplugged: The Full Show [MP3s] In 1990, Aerosmith performed in front of an intimate audience as part of MTV’s Unplugged series of acoustic performances. The band had been touring in support of their most recent album Pump which boasted hit singles/videos Love In An Elevator, Janie’s Got A Gun and What It Takes. […]
Grousing The Aisles: Calexico In Stockholm
Calexico – Stockholm 04/25/2003 [MP3] [Stream] Formed in 1990 around the core of guitarist/singer/songwriter Joey Burns and drummer John Convertino, Calexico has been delivering their own brand of eclectic music starting with their debut album Spoke in 1996. Acting more so as a collective, besides Joey & John, the band’s revolving door of musicians over […]
Grousing The Aisles: Mazzy Star 11/12/1994
Mazzy Star – Chicago, IL 11/12/1994 [MP3] There’s not too many Mazzy Star live shows floating around so being the fanboy that I am of this band, I’ll take what I can get. This is an amazing soundboard recording from the Cabaret in Chicago which I feel truly captures the feeling the mood of Mazzy […]
GTA: Leftover Salmon – 02/01/1995
Leftover Salmon – 02/01/1995 SBD Boone, NC [MP3] [Stream] 1994-1999 or so was a great time for jambands. Some of the best bands of the genre were at their peak in this time frame and Leftover Salmon was one of them. They developed their own style, a hybrid of Zydeco, Rock, Blues, Bluegrass and Country […]
GTA: Charlie Hunter & Pound For Pound
Charlie Hunter & Pound For Pound: Zurich, Switzerland – 10/30/1998 [MP3] [Stream] Jazz guitarist Charlie Hunter crossed over into the jamband scene thanks to the 1998 release Return Of The Candyman with his new combo Pound For Pound which featured Stefon Harris on vibraphone, John Santos on percussion and Scott Amendola on the drums. This […]
Grousing The Aisles: Alex Skolnick Trio
Alex Skolnick Trio 09/13/2002 – Chicago, IL [MP3] [Stream] The Alex Skolnick Trio is a jazz project put together by heavy metal guitarist Alex Skolnick who is best known for his work as the lead guitarist for the legendary metal band Testament. Skolnick, who was a student of guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani, left Testament in […]