Good Week for Music on The Late Show

The Black Keys and Yim Yames both performed this week on The Late Show with David Letterman. Playing alongside Yim is country/folk legend John Prine. They play "All the Best" which Yim recorded for an upcoming tribute album to John. The Black Keys played "Tighten Up" which is off their album Brothers.




">

Concert Review: Pearl Jam @ Madison Square Garden, NY 5-21-10

I've seen these guys quite a few times since my 1st PJ show in 2003. None of their shows have ever disappointed me but a few definitely stand out from the rest. This was certainly one of them. One word...EPIC. They played for just over 2 1/2 hours with a set full of hits and rarities for die-hard fans.

One rarity that was a real treat was when Ben Bridwell from opening act Band of Horses joined the group on stage during the 2nd encore for a terrific rendition of Hunger Strike (check out the video below). And what Pearl Jam show would be complete without the insanity of buying the show's poster as soon as the doors open? For those who don't know, the poster is different for each show of the tour and is available in limited quantity. Thus why you'll always see a line of people with poster tubes stressing out about getting one. This show's poster was designed by Ames Bros. It's definitely one of my favorites.

This was the last show on the band's current tour and they definitely ended it on a high note.

Youtube: Pearl Jam - Hunger Strike @ MSG

Set List: Corduroy, Hail Hail, Do The Evolution, World Wide Suicide, Got Some, Breath, Nothing Man, I’m Open - dedicated to Howard Zinn, Unthought Known, Grievance, Amongst The Waves, Present Tense, Not For You/Modern Girl (Sleater Kinney), Push Me Pull Me, Rats, Daughter/WMA, The Fixer, Why Go

1st encore: The End with string quartet, Just Breathe with string quartet, Lukin II with string quartet, Black Red Yellow, Sweet Lew, Given To Fly, Spin The Black Circle, Rearviewmirror

2nd encore: Wasted Reprise, Better Man/Save It For Later (Charley, Cox, Morton, Steele, Wakeling), Black, The Real Me (Townshend), Hunger Strike with Ben Bridwell from “Band Of Horses” (Cornell), Alive, Kick Out The Jams (Davis, Kramer, Smith, Thompson, Tyner), Yellow Ledbetter/Star Spangled Banner

Music For A Cause: Appalachian Voices Tour

I got an email the other day about this upcoming tour. It doesn't look like I'll be able to make it to any of the shows unfortunately. The tour supports an important cause though and it's great of these guys to bring attention to it. From Yim Yames' website:

"Yim Yames, singer-songwriter Daniel Martin Moore and genre-bending cellist and vocalist Ben Sollee will embark on a nine date Appalachian Voices tour in an effort to raise public awareness of the devastating practice of Mountaintop Removal coal mining throughout Appalachia. A portion of the proceeds from the tour will benefit Appalachian Voices, for which the tour was named, an organization devoted to ending mountaintop removal coal mining together with diverse environmental problems impacting the central and southern Appalachian Mountains."

Check out the shows if you can. If not, check out the link below and learn about Mountaintop Removal Mining.
Appalachian Voices

Upcoming Show: The Black Keys - Philadelphia July 30th

Earlier this week I got tickets to see The Black Keys when they come to town in July. They are blues-rock at it's present day best. The guitar & drum duo have put out several amazing albums over the last decade and each one keeps getting better in my opinion. July can't come soon enough. Here's a recording of a show they did back in 2008. Also be sure to check out their new album "Brothers" which comes out next week.

The Black Keys - Spaceland L.A. 4-8-08
1-Introduction
2-Thickfreakness
3-Hard Row
4-Busted
5-Yearnin'
6-Countdown
7-She Said, She Said
8-The Moan
9-Them Eyes
10-The Breaks
11-Set You Free
12-No Trust
13-Have Love Will Travel
14-I'll Be Your Man
15-Do The Rump
16-Heavy Soul
17-No Fun
Download: Black Keys @ Spaceland

New to Me: Fang Island

Fang Island's self-titled album is an enjoyable debut from the Brooklyn NY based group. I was surprised to find that a number of tracks on the album are instrumental only. For what it lacks in lyrics however they make up for in driving guitar riffs and electronic beats. I can see this album living in my car this summer for when I need some good driving music.
Fang Island - website
Fang Island - myspace

Concert Review: My Morning Jacket - Columbia, MD 5/1/10

Simply an incredible performance by one of, if not the, best live bands out today. I heard that a construction crew had to be called in the next day to repair the roof that MMJ blew off the joint! But seriously, a stellar set and great stage presence made this a show that won't be forgotten anytime soon.

The Preservation Hall Jazz Band rounded out the show, playing the opening set and joining MMJ on stage for the encore (including a rendition of "Move On Up" by Curtis Mayfield that is still stuck in my head). Jim James won the award for outfit of the evening, wearing a snazzy blue suit complimented with a gun holster (holding orange duck hunt guns) and the occasional black cape. The setlist was very well crafted, showcasing the band's range and diversity musically. Many thanks to a fellow fan for recording this show and posting it the following day! Follow the link below to experience musical bliss.

Setlist:
Kentucky Derby Call->
Eminence Front (The Who)->
One Big Holiday
Gideon
Off The Record
I’m Amazed
Mahgeetah
Tonight I Want To Celebrate With You
Golden
What A Wonderful Man
Lay Low
The Way That He Sings
Wonderful (The Way I Feel)
Carried Away
Steam Engine
Smokin’ From Shootin’->
Run Thru Reprise
Touch Me I’m Going To Scream Pt. 2
Anytime

Encore:
Wordless Chorus
Carnival Time (Al Johnson)
Dancefloors
Move On Up (Curtis Mayfield)

Download: MMJ - Columbia, MD