Fresh Bread

Kasabian - Acoustic mp3s

Kasabian thoroughly impressed me when I saw them last October at the Across The Narrows Festival in Staten Island.  The power and sound the band brought to the stage was tremendous....and did I mention this was at an outdoor venue?  I missed their Bowery show earlier in 2005 but will not miss the opportunity to see them with a roof over my head in September at Webster Hall.  This must be the warmup for their Virgin Music Festival USA  gig on the 23rd in Maryland.

I can't wait for the roof-contained ferocity that is their live show.  The band is touring  to support its next studio album Empire (due out in the UK September 12th - available for pre-order as an Import from Amazon). 

I've been meaning to post these three tracks I downloaded off the dime for sometime.  While these versions aren't as exciting as the studio material they are good 'n fun.  Hope you enjoy the acoustic versions of some great Kasabian songs from their first album.

                Kasabian - Session Acoustique
                2004-12-08 
                Oui FM, Paris, France

Processed Beats.mp3

L.S.F..mp3

Test Transmission.mp3

the new single "Empire" is available at Comfortable Dummy

Tickets are on sale for Kasabian's 9/20 show at Webster Hall.

T.J.I.F. - 08.11.06

THANK JAH!!!!!!!  It's Friday.....and a special Friday indeed. 

Medeski, Martin, and Wood have teamed up with jazz guitarist John Scofield on a new album, Out Louder, due out September 26th on the band's own Indirecto Records.  This marks the second time MMW have teamed up with Scofield.  The first time was on Scofield's 1998 A Go Go record where MMW provided more of an accentuating hand instead of collaborative approach to recording.

A description of the album from MMW's site:

...music not of this world, yet rooted in the earth tones of jazz, funk, and blues. Music from the heart, for the mind, and made to shake the earth, not to mention the body...

So you may be asking yourself how this is reggae related and hence a TJIF post.  Simple.  The last track on Out Louder is a improved laced cover version of Peter Tosh's pot-smoking anthem "Legalize It" (...even the lawyers too.....).  Enjoy this track and make sure you check out the new album on September 26th.

p.s. - Out Louder also contains a nice interpretation of The Beatles' "Julia". 

Legalize_It - MMSW.mp3

T.J.I.F. - 07.14.06

THANK JAH!!!!!  It's Friday.  It's hooter hotter in the city than its been all summer...pretty humid, hazy, stupid no cool breeze....just in time for the amazingly free (sweet!) outdoor (not sweet!) concert this weekend:  the Village Voice's Siren Festival at Coney Island.

This weather has me thinking of my first reggae concert...Third World at the Boathouse in Norfolk, VA circa 1993.  My older brother (who ironically listens to only Metal and Jethro Tull these days) was a big fan...my parents made him and his friends take me along to the concert...i didn't know many songs, but I did know this one: 

1865_(96_Degrees  In_The Shade)  - Third World.mp3

Another Third World treat for you - their cover of Burning Spear's "Slavery Days".  This version - which is on their self-titled 1976 debut album -  differs drastically from Spear's - where Spear is defiant and angry, Third World is groove-oriented...almost dub, with a big climactic ending.

Slavery_Days - Third World.mp3

T.J.I.F - 07.07.2006

THANK JAH!!!!!!  It's Friday.  It's Trey Day here at Phresh Bread...soon I'll be heading out to Jones Beach for G.R.A.B. co-headlining with Phil and Phriends.  While I've passed on my really hardcore jammy days, I cannot hide the phact Trey is my guitar idol and phavorite musician.   I am also a big phan of Marco Benevento and Sir Joe Russo (aka the Duo).  Toss in a side of Cactus and my excitement level goes sky high.

1st, a sick ass/dubed out "Windora Bug" from Trey's 1999 solo tour stop in Asheville, NC.  Russ Lawton and Tony Markelis hold the phat drum and bass phor trey to loop his magical Languedoc guitar sounds over.  This clocks in over 11 minutes...prepare to get lost - in a good way.    

Windora  Bug.mp3

Here's a less-jammy-yet-just-as-sick cover of Jimi's "The Wind Cries Mary" from the same show.  Seriously, Trey nails this song.

The Wind Cries Mary.mp3

Lastly, a sweet  youtube video of Phish's own reggae tune, "Makisupa Policeman".  This version is on Live Phish Vol. 1 - 12/14/95. 

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).

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)

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

Paul Simon - BBC Radio 5.25.2006 mp3s

From Last Week, Paul Simon Live on BBC Radio 2.  Paul used this secret show to debut material from his new Bryan Eno-produced album "Surprise" to the UK. 

May 25th, 2006

Ucl Bloomsbury Theater

T 01 - Introduction.mp3
T 02 - Diamonds On the Soles Of Her Shoes.mp3
T 03 - Outrageous.mp3
T 04 - Slip Slidin Away.mp3
T 05 - You're The One.mp3
T 06 - Me And Julio Down By the Schoolyard.mp3
T 07 - How Can You Live In the Northeast.mp3
T 08 - The Boxer.mp3
T 09 - Father and Daughter.mp3
T 10 - Loves Me Like A Rock.mp3
T 11 - Graceland.mp3
T 12 - Wartime Prayers.mp3

note:  missing "Cecilia" and "Boy In the Bubble" from original broadcast but does include a reworked/less african version of "Diamonds On the Soles"

purchase "Surprise" here

Thierry Listens To His Heart Just Like Howe Gelb

Thierry Henry ended months of speculation this past week and signed a four-year contract with Arsenal FC.  He is the world's best striker - a man who can change the result of a game with amazing individual performances (see his goal versus Real Madrid video here).  This is equivilent to Michael Jordan almost leaving the Bulls in his prime but at the last minute deciding he couldn't leave the windy city.

Thierry stated during his press conference:

'It's been amazing since I joined, there had been so much speculation about me leaving - I won't lie, it crossed my mind. But I think with my heart and it told me to stay.'

Thierry had the opportunity to go play for Barcelona FC in Spain and earn buttloads more money than Arsenal was offering.  It's not often anymore in professional sports to find a top star taking less money to stay with the team he loves.

This makes me think of a great tune by Howe Gelb.  The lead singer of Giant Sand released a solo album this year, 'Sno Angel Like You.  A brief description of the album:

Howe recorded ‘SNO ANGEL LIKE YOU with the help of a Canadian gospel choir called Voices of Praise, but this is not gospel music, in theme or in content. Howe describes the album’s goal: “it was a grand experiment to see if we could mesh the sounds of the muck I make with the dizzying effect of the glorious sound [the choir] makes.” (link)

The choir act as an amazing layer woven into Gelb's honest lyrics.  This is showcased on one track in particular, "Nail In the Sky".  Peep the chorus:

Never going to leave,
Never going to leave this heart alone;
Hammer of the gods leaves a nail in the sky,
Home is where the hat’s hung high

Thierry Henry's hat will be hung high over North London for the rest of his career.

Nail In The Sky - Howe Gelb.mp3

A.I.H. - the Avalon 05.18.06

Would you skip your Senior HS Prom to go see a relatively obscure band from Australia?  Thursday night at the Avalon, a group of like 15-20 kids made that choice.  Architecture In Helsinki's music was the draw and those kids danced their asses off the entire night...to the delight of AIH.

My first trip to the old Limelight, I instantly took to this very cool venue housed in an old church.  It took me quite a while to find a good spot amongst the packed crowd- at one point I ended up in the middle of the crazy prom-skipping kids.  Quite fittingly Talking Head's "Naive Melody (This Must Be the Place)" began to play over the speakers as I settled into a spot directly underneath the steeple, dead center about 20 feet back. 

AIH began their show with the very ominous intro to "Neverevereverdid" which sounded hellish before settling nicely into the meat of the opening track to In Case We Die.  AIH's hour-long set consisted mostly of material from In Case.  It also included one new song (didn't catch the name) and a couple off their second album ("The Owls Go" and "Fumble").  "It's 5!", "Wishbone", and "Frenchy, I'm Faking" had the floor of the Avalon shaking.  Before "Cemetary", lead singer Cameron Bird commented on how suprised and thankful he was that the kids chose their show over the usual HS ritual and dedicated the song to them.  During the first song of the encore, the band brought up to the stage one lucky couple to have their dance on stage during AIH's love track "Maybe You Can Owe Me". 
"Do the Whirlwind" brought the house down one final time after the lovey-dovey-ness of "Maybe...."  Lots of energy, lots of dancing, lots of hand clapping.  Leaving the Avalon I overheard one concert goer say:  "THAT was a dance party!"

Souvenirs.mp3 from AIH's first album Fingers Crossed

Listen to four In Case We Die tracks on AIH's myspace page