December 4, 2008

The B List: 10 Best Archival Releases of ’08

Scott Bernstein December 4, 2008 9 Comments

We’ve reached December which means it’s time for every website, blog and music fan to start putting together their best of lists including us. Each week in December, I’ll present a new B List featuring my favorites of the year. Here’s a list of my ten favorite live archival releases of 2008…

10. Widespread Panic – Carbondale 2000

Release Date – 06/10/2008
Highlights – Jack, Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys, Chilly Water
The Skinny – Widespread Panic finally opens up their vault to release a fantastic show featuring the late Mikey Houser.
Where You Can Sample This Disc – Imeem

READ ON for the Top Nine Live Archival Releases of 2008 featuring albums from Ween, Frank Zappa, The Clash, Neil Young and much more…

Kermit + LCD Soundsystem = Masterpiece

Scott Bernstein December 4, 2008 1 Comment

This could be my favorite viral video of the month… [youtube]fXFfcubPYEE[/youtube] [Directed by Simon Owens, HT – MBV]

Pullin’ ‘Tubes: Remembering Frank Zappa

Scott Bernstein December 4, 2008 1 Comment

Today marks the anniversary of Frank Zappa’s death in 1993 and the music industry hasn’t been the same since. We would love to hear what Frank would’ve thought about Napster

Bloggy Goodness: R.I.P. Odetta

Jeffrey Greenblatt December 4, 2008 No Comments

We are a couple of days late on this, but we wanted to report on the passing of music and civil rights legend Odetta, of heart disease at age 77.

Review: Lotus and Telepath @ Irving Plaza

Jeremy Gordon December 4, 2008 2 Comments

Words: Carla Danca
Photos: Jeremy Gordon

This past Saturday night in New York City, two of Philadelphia’s finest jamtronica bands, Lotus and Telepath, held court at the sold out Fillmore NYC at Irving Plaza. With dozens of young fans (16+ show) milling about looking for extras Telepath got the night off to a blazing start.

The three piece keyboard, bass, and drums mixed in music and beats from India and Africa, packing the floor early with the faithful eager to celebrate the holidays. The band ran through an upbeat 45 minute set, which included a Jingle Bell Rock tease and a callout to those dressed in Santa outfits and glow charms. A few in the crowd even noticed Mike Rempel of Lotus joining in and playing his unplugged guitar just off stage, no wonder as he and band mate Chuck Morris had sat in the night before in Pittsburgh.

Finally it was Lotus’s turn to take the stage. After road testing their newest material in Boston, St Louis, Denver, San Francisco, New Orleans and more than a dozen other cities and over 40+ shows, the band showed what a difference a few months can make. Kicking off with the ever-evolving fan favorite Bellweather, Lotus interspersed new tunes with old and turned the main floor into a tightly packed sweatbox of delirious fans. The second set highlights included Age of Inexperience, Shimmer & Out, and of course the encore, Hammerstrike, which ended with Jesse Miller grabbing his keyboard and thrusting it upward in delight. READ ON for more Lotus goodness…