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

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,

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

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

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

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

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