Fresh Bread

Jay-Z "Reasonable Doubt" Anniversary Rehersal - Nokia Theater 06.24.06

Jay-Z's practice round for tonight's celebration in honor of the 10th Anniversary of his "Reasonable Doubt" LP release date was H-0-T...pun intended.  After waiting in a long ass line to get in (thank god it wasn't raining) we had the enjoyment of waiting in a hot Nokia until 11:15 for jigga to come out.  The Nokia's performance space was abuzz with a mixture of excitement and impatience.    Impatience turned to elation as the curtains were swept aside unveiling a string orchestra, conductor, horns, and percussion backing Jay-Z as he showcased "Reasonable Doubt".  Questlove of the Roots acted as drummer and musical director. 

Reasonable Doubt's storied history began as a bootlegged cassette tape, circulating among New York's hip-hop community. While the buzz on the young rapper from Brooklyn's Marcy Projects grew, the man who would go on to be crowned 'The Greatest MC of All Time' in a recent MTV News survey still struggled to land a record deal. As a result, Roc-A-Fella Records was born, and Reasonable Doubt was released on June 25, 1996.

Jay-Z treated the crowd to overtime following the completion of the album run-through.  I left a few songs in but the crowd was definitely bumpin' with enjoyment. 

The highlight for me was the transformation of the end of "22 Two's" into "44 Four's".

Sit Down Stand Up was there as well and has the details on the few guests that joined Jay-Z

T.J.I.F. - 06.23.06

Thank Jah!!!! It's Friday.  Happy Birthday to my beautiful woman, Angi.

I found this excellent soundboard recording a few days ago; i knew immediately excerpts would be posted here on TJIF.

Toots & The Maytals
June 16th, 2006
Chiasso, Switzerland
Festate

01 - Pressure Drop.mp3
02 - Do the Reggay; Time Tough.mp3
03 - Pomp And Pride; Reggae Got Soul.mp3
04 - Sweet And Dandy.mp3
05 - Funky Kingston.mp3
06 - Bam Bam.mp3
07 - One-Eyed Enos; Peeping Tom.mp3   

As always, make sure you go see Toots in concert...buy a t-shirt as well (I rock mine all the time).

Jay-Z Adds Second Show to Celebrate "Reasonable Doubt" - Saturday at Nokia

In addition to his sold out show at Radio City on Sunday, Jay-Z will play a show at Times Square's Nokia Theater Saturday night. 

A limited # of tickets on sale via Ticketmaster at 5pm today!!!

New Homey Alert!!! A-Town welcomes Casey Pierce Barkan

Big Mazel to my bro and sis-in-law on the birth of their first child, Casey Pierce Barkan.  Casey joined us on Saturday morning around 4:45 a.m.  I am now an Uncle x 3! 

Band Of Horses - Bowery Ballroom 06.16.06

Band of Horses played to a sold out, intern-infested crowd at the Bowery Ballroom this past Friday.  I was into the show from the first notes of the set opener, the excellent song "Monster".  Even better when they played "First Song" in the #2 slot.  Aside from a couple foul notes here and there, the band was spot on for the entire show.  "Funeral" kicked major ass live....with the strikingly fierce vocal delivery of lead vocalist Ben Bidwell leading the crowd into a fury. 

Highlights other than "Funeral" were "Our Swords", "Wicked Gil" (the uptempo album version, not the encore chilled out version"....yes, they played it twice), and "Weed Party".  Mt. Egypt's singer came out during the set for a duet Hall and Oates' cover.

Stale Bread - Download "Our Swords"

Arctic Monkeys / We Are Scientists - Roseland Ballroom 06.14.06

I've seen the Monks twice now.  They were excellent the last time (sans the nonchalant stage prescience).  They are a super tight sounding group of nineteen to twenty year old musicians.  Minor griping for no encore but I take solace in the fact "Fake Tales Of S.F.", "Mardy Bum", and "When The Sun Goes Down" were so amazingly awesome.

Brooklynvegan was there, taking some amazing photos ta boot, ta boot.

Remarkably, this was the first time I had seen We Are Scientists.  They were good - very indietacular.  A few AM's joined them on one song during the set.

Band Of Horses - Tix Still Available for Warsaw Show

Seattle's Band Of Horses have ruled my iPod for the better part of 2006.  I dig Everything All the Time in its entirety all the time.  Something about the band's take on indie-rock hits home with me, cajoling me into bobbing my head and hum along to the melody.  Needless to say, I'm stoked for Friday's NYC show. 

Tickets for Friday at the Bowery and Saturday in Hoboken are sold out but are still available for Sunday's show at the Warsaw in BKLN.

Our Swords - Band Of Horses.mp3

For those that haven't heard it, download arguably their catchiest song "Funeral" from the band's website.

T.J.I.F. - 06.09.06

THANK JAH!!!!!!!  It's Friday.  A special Friday indeed...I normally am not one to boast, but today I get to meet a legend.  The man who took THIS MAN from the ghettos of Trenchtown all over the world spreading the gospel of reggae. 

Chris Blackwell. 

Big Ups and Thank Jah for CB and his passion for music - most importantly reggae. Peep the roster of artists on his label, Island Records.

The list speaks for itself and, despite my utter love for Peter Tosh (and complete disappointment in how Blackwell forced Pete out in order to shine the light solely on Bob), I have to raise this man as a legend in the music industry.

Here is what Blackwell said in regards to the legacy of Bob:

    Bob is somebody who was an incredible role model. Anybody     you talk to, who has witnessed him, knows he really led by example. He was always on time for things-- which is hardly a Jamaican trait.

I went on a lot of the 1980 tour and he was always the first one on the bus. Traditionally, the star is the last one on the bus, if he isn't going in a limo. If there were a lot of people and they had to fly economy, he would travel with them.     He never put himself in a position where he would be seen as being different from anybody else.

In that respect, he was somebody who lived up to the example of the leaders of all the main religions: there is one quality all such figures have, which is humility. And Bob really had that natural humility. He was also a natural leader. Absolutely, truly natural.

Here is few crucial live tracks from H.I.M. Robert Nesta Marley, OM.  Big Up Chris Blackwell...SEEN!!!  in the words of Bob, ...lord I thank you....feel alright now....i'm gonna put it on....

Rastaman Chant -> - 4.4.76 Boston.mp3

-> Conquering Lion - 4.4,76 Boston.mp3

Johnny Was  4.4.76 Boston.mp3

Duppy Conqueror - 11.27.73 Leeds.mp3

You Can't Blame the Youth - 11.27.73 Leeds.mp3

Put It On - 11.27.73 Leeds.mp3

Nice Time - 10.4.75 Kingston, Jamaica.mp3

Jah Live - 10.4.75 Kingston, Jamaica.mp3

EDIT:  Bunny Wailer to join Ziggy, Stephen Marley on Tour - Roots Rock Reggae Festival (with support by Ozomotli)

Vegoose Is Back

October 27th - 31st, 2006.  Sin City.  Damn Skippy.

good work by justin to round up the 2005 torrents and downloads

the Mugs - Unreleased Track mp3

If you follow Freshbread regularly, you know I'm a big fan of Brooklyn-based the Mugs.  Paper Scissors Rock has been one of the most listened to albums for me this year.  I definitely know every song on the album.  They are great live.  They are one of seven NY bands to watch in 2006.

They recently played a set on KEXP Radio.  Here is the previously unreleased track (untitled because I don't know the name of it) which should be included on their next LP.

Untitled New Track - the Mugs.mp3

They next play this Thursday at Buttermilk in Brooklyn

 

Stale Bread - the Mugs @ Mercury Lounge 3.16.2006
Listen to four songs on their myspace page
pics above from their May 5th show at Rockwood