November 2007

Here’s a little reminder that Phish’s Vegas ’96 went onsale today, just in case you’ve missed any of the 80 emails they sent announcing the release. Vegas ’96 finds Phish

The truth about that “song from Fenway” hath been revealed: “Neil Diamond held onto the secret for decades, but he has finally revealed that President Kennedy’s daughter was the inspiration for his smash hit Sweet Caroline.”

The Benevento/Russo Duo sets up in Williamsburg on Thanksgiving Eve, a surprisingly rare New York show following years of playing the shit out of this city.

The Duo built up incredible momentum over the past couple years: The jamband crowd praised their individual efforts on the widely (and wrongly) panned summer 2006 tour with Half of Phish, while the hipsters watched as Pitchfork generously heaped kudos all over their sophomore album, Play Pause Stop.

But Marco and Joe covered the brake, going their separate ways for much of the year. Despite a recent tour, nobody knows what the future holds for the twosome nor whether they’ll choose to make their livings with other musicians.

Regardless of the Duo’s long-term plans, both parties are producing fantastic music away from each other. Sir Joe’s teamed up with American Babies and debuted his Anti-Jazz Raygun imprAvant death metal band, while Marco’s making incredible jazz-plus music with equally incredible musicians.

And now comes word into Hidden Track headquarters that HYENA Records will release Marco Benevento’s new solo studio album, Invisible Baby. In addition to Marco, the new album features JFJO and TLG’s Reed Mathis, Matt Chamberlain and The Slip’s Andrew Barr. We’re told this album will be released digitally on January 8th, and the physical CD version will come out on February 12th.

• Stream: The Real Afternoon Party — Marco Benevento [ropeadope]
• Stream: Atari — Marco Benevento [ropeadope]

Many Clapton fans went apeshit when Col. Reunion announced he’d be pairing up with former Blind Faith bandmate Steve Winwood for three shows at Madison Square Garden in February. A good portion of those fans then went conversely apeshit when they realized a decent seat would cost them at least $145 with fees, all for that ever-elusive taste of nostalgia (and chips). That’s right bollocks.

But if you want a $265 look at the reformed collaborators for considerably cheaper (though, obviously, not live), Rhino today released the Crossroads Guitar Festival 2007 on a 38-track DVD just in time for the Black Friday rush.

Filmed in HD from every angle, the two-disc set captures the best efforts from a star-studded lineup that included the aforementioned Winwood (for Presence Of The Lord, Dear Mr. Fantasy, Had To Cry Today and Crossroads), as well as B.B. King, Willie Nelson, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi, Jeff Beck, Robert Randolph, Vince Gill, Sheryl Crow, Buddy Guy, John Mayer and many more.

Now as part of our Everybody Wins When We Plug Something And In Return They Offer Me Free Shit To Give Away contest, we’ll send you a free copy of the Crossroads DVD and a heady copy of Clapton’s autobiography if you chime in below and answer this query: You are Slowhand, and you’re putting together next year’s big guitar jam — who are the five [living] guitarists you’d want on the festival’s bill? Sound off in the comments for your shot to win.

• View the Crossroads E-Card here or buy the two-disc DVD here
• Sample Video: Presence of the Lord (Clapton/Winwood) — QT or WMV
• Sample Video: Belief (John Mayer) — QT or WMV
• Sample Video: Sweet Thing (Vince Gill) — QT or WMV
• Sample Video: Tulsa Time (S. Crow/Clapton/Gill/A. Lee) — QT or WMV