Posts by Scott Bernstein

Once a year, Grousing The Aisles comes out on the last work day of the week. And that day is today, which means it’s essentially a Friday right now.

Here’s my friendly advice to help you celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday weekend: Start downloading these shows now, so that when you get back from your holiday host you’ll have plenty of music to wash out all the Christmas music that will begin to surround you. And with a last name like Bernstein, I’d rather hear a mix of classic rock, funky soul and jambanditry, like this week’s fresh slate of downloads:

Heart — 08/03/76 SBD (FLAC)

This is one of the tastiest-sounding of all soundboards from Heart, which in 1976 was just starting its climb to rock infamy. Not only does this recording feature original hits such as Magic Man and Crazy On You, but the Wilson sisters tear their way through three hotter-than-fuck Led Zeppelin tunes: Lez Zeppelin has nothing on the original female Zeppelin. Cameron Crowe is a lucky man — his wife Nancy Wilson drops guitar solos that offer some serious face meltage. Since this show is a must own, we also offer up the 320kbps MP3 files from sendspace. And, c’mon, check out those sweet mullets. Read on for more great downloads…

It may be Monday, but we can take some solace in the fact that we have a short week in front of us. Remember, New Year’s is only five weeks off at this point, so start making those plans, concert or otherwise… Hall of Fames officially jump the shark after the Long Island Music Hall […]

You can breathe again, it’s Friday. While you get your plans together for tonight, check out these items from Al Gore’s Interweb: MSG officially announces that it has leased the Beacon Theater, and if they change the name I will chain myself to the marquee Beck wants to be a jamband Guitar pyrotechnics from Wednesday night’s Umphrey’s […]

Just think, one week from today we’ll all be off and celebrating the turkiest of all days. We’re almost there, and to help you get to the short week faster, check out this list of 19 bands that have never played Bonnaroo. Why not an even 20? Because that’s how I roll. Keep in mind the band […]

We’ve gone grousing the aisles once again to help you get over this week’s hump. This edition returns to our jambandian roots, with a few clever diversions into classic rock. We’re moving beyond torrents and opening up the floor to streaming shows, as well as MP3 downloads. Don’t worry, we’ll alert you as to what’s what.

Benevento/Russo Duo – 11/3/2006 Matrix (FLAC)
bt.etree.org/details.php?id=501756

Compliments to The Duo — it’s a very fan-friendly move to allow tapers to record matrix versions and spread them within days of the show. The sound quality on this particular show is amazing, and it helps that the band kicks the proverbial asses of Something For Rockets, Becky and 9×9. The Duo gets better every show they play, and we look forward to watching their continued upward trajectory.

Read on for more on The Clash, The Who, The Santana, The Umphrey’s, The Phish, The Grateful Dead, The J. Geils Band and more…

With Phish now defunct, our only chance to hear unreleased music sits idly in the band’s extensive archive. As the band’s archivist for the past 10 years, Kevin Shapiro holds the key to the vault. Luckily for the fans, he’s a good man, and thorough, with an incredible ear (probably two).

Recently Kevin graciously took time to answer a few — well, eight — questions about the new Colorado ’88 issue, under-the-radar Phish shows and more…

Scott Bernstein: Why Colorado ’88? How did the idea come up?

Kevin Shapiro: When I discovered Phish around 1990, that first tour was already the stuff of legend among Phishheads. In that sense, I’m sure the general idea pre-dates me working with the band. One of the first things I did on the job was work with Shelly to get the master cassettes from Mike Lynch to keep safe in the archives. He always hoped they’d be released someday.

In the past couple years we’ve released some landmark Phish: The Island Tour, New Year’s Eve 1995 and Live in Brooklyn; plus, downloads of New Orleans Relief and the fall 1994 Olympia and Salem shows. Colorado ’88 is the earliest live Phish release, and it’s a crucial link in the chain. The composition, improvisation, intensity and wit in the music and banter are really powerful, as is the sense of being with the band in such an intimate setting. It’s must-hear Phish.

When Mike Lynch recently requested his tapes back, that was kind of the final straw to convince the band it was time to release the best of the run…

It’s not often music fans find an opportunity to screw over Clear Channel, but businessman Bill Sagan did just that. Four years ago, Sagan bought legendary concert promoter Bill Graham’s archives on the cheap from the media giant, and he’s continued to leverage every piece of material in the collection. For us, it’s only getting […]

Welcome to another week of work and dress shoes. On the bright side, next week is already Thanksgiving, so stay strong, and stay black. As usual, Hidden Track helps you adjust to the dimness of Monday with a healthy serving of links: A huge score for us: Wolfgang’s Vault adds streaming audio, with over 300 concerts available […]

I’d like to personally raise my middle finger to those of you that have off for Veteran’s Day. Ace and I are slaving away at work, waiting for five o’clock like the dude in Loverboy’s “Everybody’s Working For The Weekend.” Anyway, let’s dig into the Leftovers mom threw in the fridge for us… Jambands.com features […]

Umphrey’s McGee, known for its innovation in spreading the music and the gospel, has a new one for you. If you’re a taper and you circulate the show, they’ll let you in for free. You think I’m fucking with you? I am not fucking with you. UM today issued its new taping and photography policy, […]

Once again, Hidden Track can be your personal prognosticator: Warren Haynes today officially announced the details of his 18th Annual Christmas Jam, as we hinted at earlier this week. Better act quick — tickets go on sale this Saturday. Word to the wise, if you have any interest in attending this event, book a room […]

Sometimes a band needs to shake things up before it can make it to the top. Today, I take a look at the significant changes in personnel that actually have benefited the bands. I don’t usually explain my choices, but this week I’m saying, “Why not?” You’ve all been good to me, it’s the least I […]

Most Internet banter places Trey Anastasio’s appearance somewhere between Eric Clapton and Chuck Norris. But we ran a cadre of musical portraits through the new Hidden Track Facial Recognito 3000, and as it turns out, Bob Weir looks more like the redheaded ass-kicker/name-taker than Big Red. Trey? It seems that he’s more a cross between Jane Fonda, Ellen DeGeneres and Dolph Lundgren. Seriously.

Myheritage.com is a new social networking sites for families. The site is largely negligible, except for a cool feature that let’s you upload a picture of someone so it can find celebrity lookalikes. We gave the service a spin using some of our favorite musicians, and the results may surprise you…

You’ve gotta love a piece of software that says Bob Weir looks like both a crazed murderer and the kid that fucked a pastry in American Pie. Let’s see some more…

It’s time for our regular Hump Day Grousing Spectacular, and today we’ve got an impressive collection of audio torrents for you to hop on and download. We’ll start with two severely underrated shows from the 1980s, move into two ’90s bands that’re still rocking shit today, head into hippie-friendly territory and finish it all off with some Jay Leno favorites. Trust me, your slut of an iPod will thank me…

Talking Heads – 08/20/83 SBD
http://www.shnflac.net/details.php?id=1c619889db6041ca47525061c8c368bd3c8eef67

Stop Making Sense is one of the best, if not the best, rock films ever made. The band hit the road in August 1983 with their concept and filmed a few shows in December for the movie. Featured here is one of the first shows from the tour, and the band stretches out a bit more than they did when it was time to film. Bernie Worrell owns faces on this great sounding recording.

We’re nearing the Christmas season and yet no announcement’s been made…

Finally, unofficial word’s starting to trickle out about the 18th Annual Warren Haynes Christmas Jam. Bluestraveler.net reports:

“…flyers handed out at a recent Gov’t Mule show in Greensboro, North Carolina state that the John Popper Project would be part of the lineup for the 18th Annual Warren Haynes Christmas Jam. According to the flyers, the X-Mas Jam will also feature Audley Freed; Col. Bruce Hampton; Dave Matthews; Dave Schools; Gov’t Mule; Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives; the New Orleans Social Club featuring Ivan Neville, George Porter, Henry Butler and Leo Nocentelli; and the Taj Mahal Trio. The show will take place December 18th at the Asheville Civic Center in Asheville, NC; more information is expected to be announced soon on xmasjam.com.”

Caveat: If that date is indeed accurate, this would mark the first time the X-Mas jam would be held on a Monday, which doesn’t make a whole lotta sense. Being that we’re only about one month away, let’s get some answers, Warren…

Update: It’s possible the show will be that Saturday, December 16th. We’ll keep you updated as the rumors continue to flood the Internets…

I guess the fans have been on their best behaviour…it now appears as if Genesis will indeed announce details about its “Turn It On Again” tour tomorrow.

Check the official Genesis website for details on how to tune into the webcast of the 12 pm GMT press conference. But are you really going to wake up at 7 am just to hear Phil Collins announce the band’s kinda back together?

The real question is, are you excited for a Genesis reunion without Peter Gabriel?

Save the chit-chat, let’s just jump right into the links: An Aquarium Drunkard posts a great piece and a slew of downloads from the Exile On Main Street sessions Bruce Hornsby looks back at his brilliant career For those of you that thought Stevie Nicks was a founding member of Fleetwood Mac, get your history lesson right […]

This may have been the longest week ever…am I right? Well, Friday is finally here, and we’ve got our regular batch of end-week leftovers to keep you entertained: Relix gets Page Six fever with its new Rumors page Stretching the definition of jamband, here’s one for ya: Babs Streisand gets the Trey treatment, getting a drink thrown at her […]

Welcome back to The B List — we’re glad you made it to Thursday. Last week we posted a Top 10 list. But this week, like a Frito-Lay product in a bigger bag, we are giving you “30% MORE” for free, just because we like the cut of your jib. Don’t take it for granted, for who knows what next week […]

Since the dawn of rock and/or roll, bands have circled Halloween on their calendars as one of those special occasions. From the Grateful Dead routinely breaking out Werewolves of London to Zappa playing New York City to the popular rock band Phish covering a historical album for its second of three sets, Halloween traditions and enthusiasm can be found all over the scene.

That tradition continued last night and this past weekend, as many artists and groups played those special kinds of shows all across these United States. We’ll begin here with Widespread Panic, and read on after the jump for 11 more reports from around the country. And now, little man, we present this round-up to you…

Widespread Panic – MGM Grand, Las Vegas NV

One of the longest and strongest Halloween resumes belongs to Widespread Panic. The band gave some love to their fallen brother (Airplane), JerryBear (Morning Dew), and fellow Athens band REM (Can’t Get Here From There). I’m sure many Spreadnecks passed out at their computers when this setlist came rolling in.