October's Theme At So Many Roads

After featuring "New York, New York" in September, we've come up with another unique concept for October here at So Many Roads.  Our theme in October will be Back To Back.  Now that doesn't simply mean 2 shows in a row from the same artist. That would be way too easy.  What we'll be doing is featuring consecutive shows from the same tour from one artist! So, for example, on October 2 and 3, we'll have shows from Bruce Springsteen from those dates in 2009.  

Here's a complete list of the 9 sets of back to back shows that we'll present in October:

• Bruce Springsteen:  October 2 and 3, 2009
• Eric Clapton:  October 3 and 5, 1990 (a day off in between)
• Sting: October 10 and 13, 1990 (a couple of off days in between)
• Elton John: October 15 and 17, 2009 (a day off in between)
• Rolling Stones: October 17 and 18, 1981
• Bob Dylan: October 19 and 20, 1994
• The Byrds: October 23 and 24, 1970
• Derek & The Dominoes on October 23 and 24, 1970
• Jefferson Airplane: October 25 and 26, 1969

Enjoy the tunz!

Joe Jackson - 1979-09-29 - Palladium, New York, NY (FM)

Joe Jackson

1979-09-29

The Palladium

New York, NY

FM Broadcast

320 kbps

Artwork Included

01. Look Sharp

02. Friday

03. (Do The) Instant Mash

04. Get That Girl

05. Sunday Papers

06. Baby Stick Around

07. Amateur Hour

08. Is She Really Going Out With Him?

09. Kinda Kute

10. Don't Wanna Be Like That

11. I'm The Man

12. Got The Time

13. Ain't That A Shame

Joe Jackson - 1979-09-29 - Palladium, New York, NY (FM)

1970s - #6: Joe Jackson’s debut album, Look Sharp was released in the UK in January 1979, and then in the US, in April of that same year. Propelled by the single Is She really Going Out With Him, which climbed to #21 on the Billboard Charts, the album did even one better, reaching the #20 position. After touring the US in the spring in support of Look Sharp, Jackson returned to America in September for another run right beofre the launch of his 2nd album (yes - 2 discs in one year), I'm The Man. His concert at the  Palladium in NY on September 29, 1979, 33 years ago today, as captured in this FM Broadcast. was an pivotal gig in that helped jump start Jackson's career. The radio broadcast was not only recorded for for two installments of the King Biscuit Flower Hour but also simulcast on WNEW TV. Jackson and his band capitalized on this opportunity, deliverin an explosive performance packed with the strongest material from his first two albums when these songs were a fresh and exciting part of the new wave/punk movement!

Eric Clapton - 1974-09-29 - Uniondale, NY (SBD)

Eric Clapton

1974-09-29

Nassau Coliseum

Uniondale, NY

Soundboard Recording

192 kbps

Artwork Included

01. Better Make It Through Today

02. Can't Find My Way Home

03. Let It Rain

04. Little Wing

05. Singing The Blues

06. I Shot The Sheriff

07. Tell The Truth

08. The Sky Is Crying

09. Badge

10. Little Rachel

11. Willie And The Hand Jive

12. Get Ready

13. Blues Power

Eric Clapton - 1974-09-29 - Uniondale, NY (SBD)

About 2 years ago, we posted an Eric Clapton show from June 30, 1974 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, Long island, just a few miles outside of New York City. The artwork for that show also featured a concert from September 29, 1974, 38 years ago today, at the same venue. We promised then that we’d post that 2nd show, and while it has taken us longer than we thought, here’s a soundboard recording for your listening pleasure. Of course, I always wondered what possessed EC to play the Nassau Coliseum twice in one year. Of all the venues I’ve been to for a concert, none could have been worse than the Coliseum. I saw CSN there in 1978, and watched the building’s total lack of acoustics decimate the bands harmonies. I’ve only been back once since then, for a November 9, 1992 Springsteen show. My sister, who may have seen Bruce more times than I’ve seen the Dead, says it’s the worst Springsteen show she’s ever attended. Not that she’s ever seen, mind you, because our view from our floor seats was partially blocked by the wall of the entrance corridor. Built in 1972 and never really updated, the building has no charm or character, nor any of the history of a place like Madison Square Garden. Think of it this way – Elton John couldn’t think of anywhere else he wanted to play on his 60th birthday than Madison Square Garden. I don’t believe any band has said anything like that about the Coliseum. In any event, the good news is you can download and listen to this one without having to ever set foot inside the Coliseum!

Neil Young - 1978-09-28 - Madison Square Garden, NY (HQ Aud)

Neil Young 

& Crazy Horse

1978-09-28

Madison Square Garden

New York, NY

HQ Audience Recording

320 kbps

Artwork Included

1st Set:

01. Intro Music

02. Sugar Mountain

03. I Am A Child

04. Comes A Time

05. Already One

06. After The Goldrush

07. Thrasher

08. My My Hey Hey

2nd Set:

09. When You Dance I Can Really Love

10. The Loner

11. Welfare Mothers

12. Come On Baby Let's Go Downtown

13. The Needle And The Damage Done

14. Lotta Love

15. Sedan Delivery

16. Powderfinger

17. Cortez The Killer

18. Cinnamon Girl

19. Like A Hurricane

20. Hey, Hey, My, My

21. Tonight's The Night

Neil Young - 1978-09-28 - Madison Square Garden, NY (HQ Aud)

It's June 1979. I was home from college for the summer between my sophomore and junior years. I was hanging out in the air conditioning at home, trying to stay cool, listening to WNEW-FM. As the clock struck 2 pm, Scott Muni, one of WNEW's legendary DJs, started his customary afternoon shift that day with the following words: "This is the new one from Neil Young". With that, the house shook as the opening notes of Hey Hey, My My (that's the electric version) thundered and snarled from my stereo speakers. Neil's voice filled the room with the anthemic chorus of "rock and roll can never die". Five minutes later it was over, and I was in the car, on the way to Tower Records to purchase the album, Rust Never Sleeps. The disc was an instant classic, its acoustic and electric sides serving as counterpoints to one another, as did the opening My My, Hey Hey and the electric companion sited above. In addition to those 2 tracks, the album featured now legendary tunes such as Thrasher, Pocahontas, Powderfinger, Welfare Mothers and Sedan Delivery. Of course, in typical Neil fashion, he had been playing those songs in concert before he released them, and in fact, many of the tunes were recorded live at a 1978 show from the Cow Palace in San Francisco. This high quality audience recording is from that same tour, at New York's Madison Square Garden, on September 28, 1978, 34 yearsago today. Download this and you'll know why Rust Never Sleeps!

Bruce Hornsby - 2009-09-26 - New York, NY (EX Aud)

Bruce Hornsby

& the Noisemakers

2009-09-26

Town Hall

New York, NY

HQ Audience Recording

320 kbps

Artwork Included

CD 1:

01. I Truly Understand >

02. A Night On The Town > I Truly Understand

03. Paperboy

04. The Good Life

05. Little Sadie > White Wheeled Limousine

06. Preacher In The Ring Part 1 >

07. Preacher In The Ring Part 2

08. The Way It Is

CD 2:

01. I Truly Understand >

02. Prairie Dog Town

03. Black Rats of London *

04. The Valley Road

05. The Show Goes On

06. Rainbow's Cadillac

07. King Of The Hill

08. The End Of The Innocence

Encore:

09. Cyclone  

Bruce Hornsby - 2009-09-26 - New York, NY (EX Aud)

Is it possible for a memorable concert moment take place outside the concert hall with no music playing? Well, my answer to that question is a resounding yes! My wife and I saw Bruce Hornsby on October 24, 2009, at Town Hall in solid show by Bruce and the Noisemakers. After the show, as we pulled our car out of the parking lot and headed for home, we drove past the theater. Standing outside was the band - no Hornsby - but all the Noisemakers. I rolled down the window and yelled "you guys were great tonight". And the next thing I knew, the entire band came over to the car. The were shaking my hand, chatting with my wife and I, and thanking us for attending the show. Horns were honking, lights were flashing and we ignored it all , chatting away with with the Noisemakers. We held up traffic on 43rd street, just a block from Times Square for over 5 minutes. Only in New York! This excellent audience recording captures Bruce & The Noisemakers at the same New York venue 5 years later on September 26, 2009, 3 years ago today.

Grateful Dead - 1988-09-24 - Madison Square Garden, New York, NY (FM)

Grateful Dead

1988-09-24

Rain Forest Benefit

Madison Square Garden

New York, NY

FM Recording

256 kbps (vbr)

Artwork Included

CD 1:

1st Set

01. Iko Iko

02. Feel Like A Stranger

03. West L.A. Fadeaway

04. Little Red Rooster

05. Box Of Rain

06. Ramble On Rose

07. When I Paint My Masterpiece

08. Don't Ease Me In

CD 2:

2nd Set

01. Tuning

02. Chinese Bones

03. Neighborhood Girls

04. Crazy Fingers

05. Women Are Smarter

06. Every Time You Go Away

07. What's Going On >

08. Drums >

CD 3:

2nd Set (continued)

01. Space >

02. The Wheel >

03. Throwing Stones >

04. Not Fade Away

Encore

05. Good Lovin'

06. Knockin' On Heaven's Door

Special Guests:

- Mick Taylor on West LA and Little Red Rooster Rooster

- Suzanne Vega on Chinese Bones, Neighborhood Girls and Knocking On Heaven's Door

- Daryl Hall and John Oats on Every Time She Goes Away and What's Going On,

- Baba Olatunji & Michael Hinton on Drums

- Bruce Hornsby on Not Fade Away

- Jack Cassady on Good Lovin' and Knockin' On Heaven's Door

Grateful Dead - 1988-09-24 - Madison Square Garden, NY (FM)

As promised earlier, here’s the Grateful Dead from September 24, 1988, 24 years ago today, performing a benefit show at Madison Square Garden to help save the rainforest. It was only fitting for MSG to be the site of this benefit since the venue had a long tradition of hosting concerts for social change. For example, the "The World' Greatest Arena" was the site of what is considered the first large scale rock benefit show, The Concert For Bangladesh in 1971. The Garden also hosted The MUSE concerts in 1979, The ARMS Concerts in 1983 and would be the site of the Concert For New York in 2001 in the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy. For the rain forest benefit, The Dead were joined by an unusual assortment of special guests, making this one of the most unique concerts they ever played. Former Stones guitarist Mick Taylor sat in with the band during West LA Fadeway and Little Red Rooster. Suzanne Vega, famous for the tune Luka, sang Chinese Bones and Neighborhood Girls. Daryl Hall and John Oats joined the Dead to perform Every Time She Goes Away and What's Going On. Opening act Bruce Hornsby sat in during Not Fade Away, while old pal Jack Cassady from the Jefferson Airplane joined in on Good Lovin' and Knockin' On Heaven’s Door. Download this FM broadcast to hear the Dead and friends do their part for the rainforest, then go here to make your own contribution.

Bruce Hornsby - 1988-09-24 - Madison Square Garden, New York, NY (FM)

Bruce Hornsby 

& the Range

1988-09-24

Rain Forest Benefit

Madison Square Garden

New York, NY

FM Broadcast

320 kbps

Artwork Included

01. Western Skyline

02. Jacob's Ladder

03. Mandolin Rain

04. Every Little Kiss

05. Road Not Taken

06. Working in a Coalmine

07. The Way It Is

08. Look Out Any Window

09. Defenders of The Flag

10. Valley Road

Bruce Hornsby - 1988-09-24 - Madison Square Garden, NY (FM)

In September 1988, The Grateful Dead sold out a then record 9 nights at Madison Square Garden. Thanks to the Dead’s mail-in ticket program, which enabled long time fans to bypass the monopoly known as Ticketron (and later Ticketmaster) I was able to get 2 seats to each of the first 8 nights. On night 9, however, one of my closest friends had a 30th birthday celebration, so I had to take a break from Jerry and the gang. The show I missed, on September 24, 1988, 2 dozen years ago today, was a special benefit concert to help raise money to Save The Rain Forest. The Dead had become interested in environmental issues in the early 1980s and even addressed the subject in the lyrics to the song Throwin’ Stones. Prior to the benefit show, the band held a press conference at the U.N. to discuss the issues of climate change and to call for more measures to protect our environment. The night of the concert, the Dead brought in a host of guest stars to help them out. They even had a opening act, unlike the other 8 nights at MSG. hat lead-in artist was an old friend who would, of course, join the Dead 2 years later, the one and only Bruce Hornsby. Download this FM Broadcast of Hornsby’s opening set now; then come back later today for the Dead’s performance.

James Taylor - 1989-09-23 - New York (SBD)

James Taylor

1989-09-23

Benefit for Natural Resources Defense Council

Beacon Theatre

New York, NY

Soundboard Recording

192 Kbps

Artwork Included

CD 1:

01. Secret O' Life

02. You Can Close Your Eyes

03. Looking For Love On Broadway

04. Slow Burning Love

05. Traffic Jam

06. Twelve Gates To The City

07. Riding On A Railroad

08. Benjamin > Music

09. New Hymn

10. Carolina In My Mind

11. Wild Mountain Thyme

12. Baby Boom Baby

CD 2:

01. Fire and Rain

02. Only One

03. From Ankara To Izmir

04. Sweet Baby James

05. Old Blue

06. Sweet Potato Pie

07. Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight

08. Never die young (Cuts)

09. Walking Man

10. Shower The People

11. Sea Cruise

12. You've Got A Friend

James Taylor - 1989-09-23 - New York (SBD)

In 1981, James Taylor released the album Dad Loves His Work, which just like 6 of his previous 8 albums, made it to the top 10 on the Billboard charts (the other 2 by the way made the top 20!). Taylor’s life, however, was about to change dramatically. His then wife, Carly Simon, had given him an ultimatum: cut back on his music and touring, and spend more time with her and their children, or the marriage was over. The album's title was JT’s answer, and their divorce soon followed. Whether it was related or not is debatable, but with marriage’s end also came an end to JT’s chart success. He would not have another top 10 album until Hourglass in 1997, a gap of 16 years. Yet, although the public wasn’t buying his albums, they did turn out for his concerts. For example, in 1985, he played the Rock in Rio Festival in front of 300,000 people, an experience that so moved Taylor he wrote the song Only Dream in Rio about it. This soundboard recording captures JT in a more intimate setting, at the Beacon Theatre on New York City's Upper West Side, on September 23, 1989, 23 years ago today. The Beacon was recently bought by the same folks who own Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall,  Completely refurbished, the Beacon is one of the city's finest places to see a concert, located blocks from Central Park, in a neighborhood filled with fabulous brownstones, superb restaurants, and incredible museums and art galleries. Download this one to hear JT at a venue perfectly suited for his musical style.

Elton John - 2005-09-23 - Madison Square Garden, NY (Aud)

Elton John

2005-09-23

Captain Fantastic 30th Anniversary

Madison Square Garden

New York, NY

Audience Recording

128 kbps

Artwork Included

Peachtree Road Segment:

01. Introduction

02. Weight Of The World

03. Porch Swing In Tupelo

04. Answer In The Sky

05. Turn The Lights Out When You Leave

06. My Elusive Drug

07. They Call Her The Cat

08. Freaks In Love

09. All That I'm Allowed

Captain Fantastic Segment:

10. Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy

11. Bitter Fingers

12. Tell Me When The Whistle Blows

13. Someone Saved My Life Tonight

14. (Gotta Get A) Meal Ticket

15. Better Off Dead

16. We All Fall In Love Sometimes

17. Curtains

Jukebox Segment:

18. Funeral For A Friend > Love Lies Bleeding

19. Bennie And The Jets

20. Daniel

21. Take Me to The Pilot

22. Rocket Man

23. I Guess That's Why The Call It The Blues

24. Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word

25. Tiny Dancer

26. Band Introductions

27. Philadelphia Freedom

28. Sad Songs (Say So Much)

29. Empty Garden

30. Levon

31. Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me

31. The Bitch Is Back

32. Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting) (missing)

Encores

33. Crocodile Rock

34. Your Song (missing)

Elton John – 2005-09-23 – Madison Square Garden, NY (Aud)

When my wife and I bought tickets for Elton John’s Madison Square Garden concert on September 23, 2005, 7 years ago today, we didn’t realize just how special a show it would be. Elton decided that his run at the Garden would be the site to celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Captain Fantastic and The Brown Dirt Cowboy album. And what a celebration it was. Elton opened by playing 8 tunes from the recently released Peachtree Road album. Then, he played 8 songs off the Captain Fantastic disc. Given that the very first concert I had ever seen was Elton John in 1976, when he toured in support of the Captain Fantastic album, this show was like coming full circle. Now for some performers, 16 songs would be enough for an entire concert. In Elton’s case, though, he was just getting started. He then launched what he called the Juke Box portion of the show, playing 18 of his classic hit tunes. It was a 3 ½ hour marathon performance that left the Garden rocking even after we headed for home. While this audience recording of that night doesn’t sound as crisp as what I normally like to post, and is missing 2 songs, the show was too good, too historic and too meaningful not to post. Download it and remember why Elton is called Captain Fantastic!

Bruce Springsteen - 1978-09-20 - Capitol Theatre, NJ (SBD)

Bruce Springsteen

1978-09-20

Capitol Theater

Passaic, New Jersey

Soundboard Recording

320 kbps

Artwork Included

01. Good Rockin' Tonight

02. Badlands

03. Spirit In The Night

04. Darkness On The Edge Of Town

05. Independence Day

06. The Promised Land

07. Prove It All Nigh

08. It's My Life

09. Thunder Road

10. Jungleland

11. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

12. Fire

13. Candy's Room

14. Because The Night

15. Point Blank

16. Kitty's Back

17. Incident of 57th Street

18. Rosalita

19. Born To Run

20. 10Th Avenue Freezeout

21. Detroit Medley

22. Twist and Shout

Bruce Springsteen - 1978-09-20 - Capitol Theatre, NJ (SBD)

If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know all about the Capitol Theatre in Passaic, NJ, a town just about 15 miles west of Manhattan, by way of the Lincoln Tunnel. Very few, if any other legendary concert venues could also claim to be X-rated movie theater during the day! John Scher, the Bill Graham of the East Coast, started producing shows at the 3200-seat Capitol in 1971, soon after the Fillmore East closed. Thanks to Scher, many of rock's largest acts, such as The Stones, The Dead, The Who and Bruce Springsteen, would play shows at the Capitol long after they became superstars selling our 50,000 seat stadiums. This soundboard recording captures one of those legendary Springsteen shows at the Capitol, on September 20, 1978, 34 years ago today. Download this one to hear Bruce on his home turf, then check out his performance the previous night at the Capitol at this link.  By the way - I originally had a SBD of this show at 192 kbps that was missing 3 songs, but just 2 days ago, thanks to the folks at Midnight Cafe, We now have this 320 kbps SBD of the complete show!

Allman Brothers Band - 1971-09-19 - SUNY, Stonybrook, NY (SBD)

Allman Brothers Band

1971-09-19

State University of New York

Stonybrook, NY

Soundboard Recording

128 kbps

Artwork Included

01. Statesboro Blues

02. Trouble No More

03. Don't Keep Me Wonderin'

04. Done Somebody Wrong

05. One Way Out

06. Blue Sky

07. Stormy Monday

08. You Don't Love Me

09. Dreams

10. In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed

LINK REMOVED - OFFICIALLY RELEASED

Some times when I'm doing research for these posts, I learn something new about the band, or one of their albums or songs. Other times, I gain new insight into what was transpiring in the music world at the time of the concert covered in the post. Every now and then, I learn something new about the venue where the show was held. This is one of those posts where the concert location takes center stage. I had mentioned in an earlier post (Jefferson Airplane from 1970-05-01), that SUNY Stony Brook in Long Island NY was a hot bed for rock and roll concerts in the early 1970s. Yet despite having written those words, I don't think I fully understood what they meant until I started doing some research on this Allman Brothers show. In addition to this concert on September 19, 1971, 41 years ago today, the Allmans played Stony Brook 3 more times that summer and fall July 10, July 26 and October 23. Can you imagine 4 opportunities to see Duane, Greg and the entire Allman's contingent in 6 months at small college campus right outside New York City? I'm betting prices were under $5 a ticket! Oh well, if we can't bring back those intimate shows at bargain basement prices, at least we can still enjoy the incredible music, by downloading great bootlegs such as this soundboard recording! This 10 song included nearly 20 minute versions of Dreams and In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed, as well as an over 25 minute take on You Don't Love Me. This show is also significant because just over a month later, on October 29, Duane Allman died in a motorcycle accident. Download this soundboard recording, therefore, to hear one of the last live performances by the legendary guitarist and founder of the band.

Grateful Dead - 1987-09-18 - Madison Square Garden, New York, NY (SBD)

Grateful Dead

1987-09-18

Madison Square Garden

New York, NY

Soundboard Recording

320 kbps

Artwork Included

CD 1:

1st Set

01. Hell in A Bucket

02. Sugaree

03. Walkin' Blues

04. Candyman

05. When I Paint My Masterpiece

06. Bird Song

CD 2:

2nd Set

01. Shakedown Street >

02. Man Smart, Woman Smarter >

03. Terrapin Station >

04. Drums >

CD 3:

2nd Set (continued)

01. Space >

02. Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad >

03. All Along The Watchtower >

04. Morning Dew >

05. Good Lovin' >

06. La Bamba >

07. Good Lovin'

Encore

08. Knockin' On Heaven's Door

LINK REMOVED - OFFICIALLY RELEASED

Welcome to another of our September "New York, New York" posts! As the Grateful Dead launched their east coast tour in the fall of 1987, the band was riding an unprecedented wave of popularity.  The video for Touch of Grey had captured the imagination of the MTV generation, creating a whole new cadre of Deadheads. Ticket demand was so strong that the Dead sold out 5 nights at Madison Square Garden in September.  I was in the World's Most Famous Arena for all 5 concerts, but none was more memorable than the one that took place a quarter century ago today, on September 18, 1987.  Of the 50 Dead shows I had the privilege to see, this one was undoubtedly the best -- hands down!!  I sat in section 442, in the then infamous blue seats (since replaced by luxury boxes to reduce the amount of "rabble" that could attend concerts and sports events, as mentioned in out September 14 post), as far away from the stage as you could possibly get. Despite having the worst seats in the house, I knew I was at an all time great show. The 2nd set has some of the Dead's finest moments in the 80's, or any decade for that matter. It's one continuous string of music, and just when you think it's about to end, with the last verse of Morning Dew, not only does Jerry throw in another verse, with vocals and a guitar line that rips into your soul, but then the band turns in an amazing Good Lovin' > La Bamba > Good Loving segue! The Knocking On Heaven's Door encore, just about a year after we thought we had lost Jerry for good (he fell into a diabetic coma in 1986), was the perfect end to a perfect night. Even if you aren't a Dead Head, download this one and listen carefully - you may just get on the bus after you do!

Grateful Dead - 1990-09-14 - Madison Square Garden, New York, NY (SBD)

Grateful Dead
1990-09-14
Madison Square Garden
New York, NY
Soundboard Recording
256 kbps (vbr)
Artwork Included

1st Set:
01. Feel Like A Stranger
02. Sugaree
03. Minglewood Blues
04. Ramble On Rose
05. Black Throated Wind
06. Jack A Roe
07. Cassidy
08. Don't Ease Me In

2nd Set:
09. Scarlet Begonias
10. Fire On The Mountain
11. Truckin'
12. Terrapin Station
13. Drums
14. Space
15. The Other One
16. Wharf Rat
17. Sugar Magnolia

Encore:
18 U.S. Blues

Grateful Dead - 1990-09-14 - Madison Square Garden, New York, NY (SBD)

In 1989, some 21 years after it was first erected on the site of the old Penn Station at 33rd Street and 8th Avenue, Madison Square Garden (the 4th building to bear that name), underwent its first major renovation. The color scheme, a horrid combination of red, orange, yellow, green and blue seats, was changed to a more refined and updated purple and teal. Hundred of blue seats, which were way up on the 4th level, furthest from the action, were ripped out and replaced by 88 luxury boxes. In replacing the blue seats, the Garden had 2 motives. The first was financial, as luxury suites could bring in far more revenue, selling at that time for over $150,000 a year. The 2nd was public relations, as the blue seats had gained a less than respectable reputation thanks to the some quite passionate and extremely rowdy New York Ranger fans that occupied them during hockey season. How rowdy and passionate you ask? Well, Rangers fans in the blue seats would purchase Islanders, Bruins and Flyer jerseys, (representing 3 of the Ranger’s most hated rivals) and set them on fire in the arena, without a 2nd thought. In any event, the first events held in the Garden while renovations were in progress were 6 Grateful Dead concerts in September 1990. I went to 4 of those shows, including night 1 on September 14, 1990, 22 years ago today. Getting into the Garden that night amidst all the construction felt somewhat like cattle being led to the slaughter, but once we found our seats and the show began, everything turned out just fine. As I’ve mentioned in other posts, the period from 1989 to 1991 was perhaps the finest the band played after Jerry’s recovery from a diabetic coma in 1987. This night was no exception, with a surprise Truckin early in Set 2 and a one two punch of Sugar Magnolia and US Blues to send us all home. Interestingly, Bruce Hornsby did not join the band until night 2 at the Garden! Download this soundboard recording to hear the Dead open up the newly renovated Madison Square Garden.

Elton John - 1980-09-13 - Central Park, NY (FM)

Elton John
1980-09-13
Central Park
New York, NY
FM Broadcast
320 kbps
Artwork Imcluded

01. Radio Introduction
02. Funeral For A Friend > Love Lies Bleeding
03. Tiny Dancer
04. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
05. All The Girls Love Alice
06. Rocket Man (missing)
07. Sartorial Eloquence
08. Philadelphia Freedom
09. Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
10. Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)
11. All I Want Is You (missing)
12. Harmony
13. White Lady White Powder
14. Little Jeannie
15. Bennie And The Jets
16. Imagine
17. Ego
18. Have Mercy On The Criminal (missing)
19. Someone Saved My Life Tonight
20. Your Song
21. Bite Your Lip (Get Up And Dance)
22. Good Golly Miss Molly (missing)

Elton John - 1980-09-13 - Central Park, NY (FM)

As mentioned in an earlier post, Elton John ended his Louder As A Concorde Tour with 7 shows at New York’s Madison Square Garden in August 1976. He would play only 9 concerts in 1977 and would even announce his retirement at a November 3 show that year. The stress of writing, recording and touring had clearly caught up with Elton. The next time he played New York City would be in October 1979, but it would be a marked contrast to his 1976 shows. Instead of the 20,000 seat MSG, the venue would be the 3000 seat Palladium. Rather than being backed by a full band, Elton was accompanied only by percussionist Ray Cooper. The shows were a return to an earlier, simpler time in his career. When Elton finally did decide to come back to New York with a full band, he did it in a fashion befitting Captain Fantastic. On September 13, 1980, 32 years ago today, he played the Great Lawn in Central Park in front of almost 500,000 people. The show was broadcast on WNEW-FM and taped for a DVD, so plenty of video is available on You-Tube. During his 22 song set, Elton donned several costumes, including dressing up as Donald Duck for the encores. Near the end of the set, he played John Lennon’s Imagine, little knowing at the time that his long time friend would be tragically murdered less than 3 months later. Download this FM broadcast, containing 17 of the songs Elton played, to hear his triumphant return to the biggest stage of all in New York!

Sting - 2000-09-12 - Central Park, NY (FM)

Sting
2000-09-12
East Meadow,Central Park
New York City, NY
FM Broadcast
320 kbps
Artwork Included

01. If You Love Somebody, Set Them Free
02. After the Rain Has Fallen
03. We'll Be Together
04. Perfect Love Gone Wrong
05. All This Time
06. Seven Days
07. Fill 'Er Up
08. Fields of Gold
09. Every Little Thing She Does is Magic
10. Moon Over Bourbon Street
11. Englishman in New York
12. Brand New Day
13. Roxanne
14. Desert Rose
15. Bring On The Night> When the World is Running Down
16. If I Ever Lose My Faith in You
17. Every Breath You Take
18. Message in a Bottle
19. Fragile
20. Fragile coda
21. Goodbyes

Note: On "Fill 'Er Up", Sheryl Crow comes out to sing with Sting and Johnny Lang also adds some guitar.

Sting - 2000-09-12 - Central Park, NY (FM)

The end of the Dr. Pepper Music festival in Wollman Rink in 1976 did not mean the end of all concerts in Central Park. The vast 843 acre park (go here for more about this incredible oasis in the middle of the Big Apple) would still host numerous special performances by a litany of rock’s greatest legends, including a Simon and Garfunkel reunion in 1981, Diana Ross in 1985, Paul Simon in 1991 and Dave Matthews in 2003, not to mention a very special performance in 1980 that will be the subject of our next post. As part of New York City’s Millennium Celebration, Sting played a free concert in Central Park’s East Meadow on September 12, 2000, a dozen years ago today. Best Buy sponsored the concert to herald the opening of the first 15 of 40 planned retail stores in New York and New Jersey. The concert was Sting’s final stop on the US leg of his Brand New Day Tour, before heading off to Africa, Asia, Australia and South America. Download this FM broadcast of the show to hear “an Englishman in New York”.

Ian Hunter - 1981-09-11 - Pier 84, NY (FM)

Ian Hunter

1981-09-11

Dr. Pepper Concerts on The Pier

Pier 84

New York, NY

FM Broadcast

320 kbps

Artwork Included

01. Introduction by Bill Boggs (Announced the concert was being taped by a new network called MTV)

02. Once Bitten Twice Shy

03. Gun Control

04. Central Park and West

05. All The Way From Memphis

06. I Need Your Love

07. Noises

08. Just Another Night

09. Cleveland Rocks

10. Irene Wilde

Encore:

11. All the Young Dudes (Missing)

Ian Hunter - 1981-09-11 - Pier 84, NY (FM)

In 1981, the Dr. Pepper Music Festival was forced out of the Wollman Rink due to complaints from local residents about the noise from the concerts. As a result, the festival moved to Pier 84, on Manhattan’s West Side, right along the Hudson River. Two years later, Miller took over the sponsorship of the series, which ran another 5 years until 1988. I was fortunate to attend a host of shows on Pier 84 between 1982 and 1987, and in addition to the great music, I will always remember that the shows were held in the shadow of the U.S.S. Intrepid. The former aircraft carrier turned museum was docked right next door at Pier 86, providing an incredible backdrop to every show. This FM broadcast captures Ian Hunter on September 11, 1981, 31 years ago today, during the inaugural season of shows at Pier 84. The show is noteworthy for 2 reasons. First, during the introductions, fans are advised that the concert is being taped for a new network called MTV. That station had just launched on August 1, 1981. Second, if you see the video for this show (plenty of clips are on You-tube), you’ll notice that the Intrepid is conspicuous by its absence. That’s because the ship did not dock at Pier 86 until 1982! Download this one to celebrate the launch of both MTV and the Dr. Pepper Concerts On The Pier Series.

Crosby and Nash - 1976-09-10 - Wollman Rink, NY (HQ Audience)

Crosby & Nash

1976-09-10

Dr. Pepper Music Festival

Wollman Rink

Central Park, NY

HQ Audience Recording

320 kbps

Wollman Rink,

Central Park, NYC

CD 1:

01. tuning

02. Pre Road Downs

03. Immigration Man

04. The Lee Shore

05. Take The Money And Run

06. Page 43

07. So It Goes

08. Naked In The Rain

09. Foolish Man

10. Spotlight

11. Love Works Out

12. Simple Man

13. Fiddle Tune

14. Our House

15. Out Of Darkness

16. Guinevere

CD 2:

01. King Of The Mountain

02. Carry Me

03. Wind On The Water

04. Deja Vu

05. Miltary Madness

06. Almost Cut My Hair

07. Wooden ships

Encores:

08. Chicago

09. Teach Your Children

10. Long Time Gone

notes: with David Lindley

Crosby and Nash - 1976-09-10 - Wollman Rink, NY (HQ Aud)

In 1976, the 4 members of CSNY found themselves operating as 2 separate duos. One, led by Stephen Stills and Neil Young, recorded the album Long May You Run during the spring, then went on tour in the summer. Within days of hitting the road together, all the tensions that existed between the 2 since their days with the Buffalo Springfield came to a head. Young bailed after just 9 shows, sending Stills a telegram that read "Dear Stephen, funny how some things that start spontaneously end that way. Eat a peach. Neil." Things were much different for the duo of David Crosby and Graham Nash. They also recorded an album together, Whistling Down The Wire, and went on tour in support of it. Crosby and Nash, however, were harmonious off stage and produced beautiful harmonies on it. This HQ audience recording, from legendary taper Jerry Moore, catches the duo at the Wollman Rink in New York City’s Central Park on September 10, 1976, 36 years ago today. The Wollman Rink was the site of the Schaeffer Music Festival, which ran from June to September from 1968 through 1976, after which Dr. Pepper took over sponsorship (go here for more info). Download this one, therefore, to own a copy of what just might be the last concert ever in the Schaefer Music Festival series. PS - thanks to the folks at rock rare collection fetish for the covers.

Grateful Dead - 1991-09-10 - Madison Square Garden, NY (SBD)

Grateful Dead

with Branford Marsalis

1991-09-10

Madison Square Garden

New York, NY

Soundboard Recording

192 kbps

Artwork Included

1st Set:

01. Shakedown Street

02. C.C. Rider >

03. It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry

04. Black-Throated Wind

05. High Time

06. Cassidy

07. Deal

2nd Set:

01. Help On The Way > Slipknot! > Franklin's Tower

02. Estimated Prophet >

03. Dark Star >

04. Drums >

05. Space >

06. Dark Star (Reprise) >

07. I Need A Miracle >

08. Standing On The Moon >

09. Turn On Your Love Light

Encore:

01. It's All Over Now Baby Blue

Entire show with Branford Marsalis

LINK REMOVED - OFFICIALLY RELEASED

In the fall of 1987, the Grateful Dead played Madison Square Garden for 5 nights, a reflection of the band’s new wave of popularity in the aftermath of Jerry Garcia’s recovery from a diabetic coma, the release of the album In The Dark, and success of the single Touch of Grey, including the unique video for the tune featuring marionettes of the band members, that received extensive airplay on MTV. The band had never before played more than nights at the World’s Greatest Arena. From then on MSG became their home away form home in September, including 9 night runs in 1988 and 1991, and 6 night stands in 1990, 1993 and 1994, (Note – in 1989 the band played 5 nights at the Byrne Arena in NJ as MSG was under construction and in 1992 they cancelled the entire fall tour due to Garcia’s health issues.) Since I was living in NY at the time, I attended almost every one of those shows, as you can see if you check out the My Concerts page on this blog. I’ve already posted the September 18, 1987 show on this blog as it just may be the best Dead show I had the privilege to attend. Today, I’m posting another MSG classic I was fortunate enough to be at, a soundboard recording from September 10, 1991, 21 years ago today. The Dead were playing exceptionally well in 1990 and 1991, bolstered by the addition of Bruce Hornsby on keyboards, who helped inspire and drive Garcia to be at his best. This show also features a special guest, the one and only Branford Marsalis, on saxophone. With Marsalis on board, the night takes on a jazzy feeling, with some stunning improvisational moments, especially during the Help > Slipknot > Franklin’s Tower segue and the Dark Star jams in the second set. Deadbase rates this as the best Grateful Dead show of 1991 and I heartily concur. Download this one and see for yourself!

McGuinn, Clark and Hillman - 1979-09-09 - Hempstead, NY (SBD)

McGuinn, Clark & Hillman

1979-09-09

Calderone Concert Hall

Hempstead, NY

FM Broadcast

320 Kbps

Artwork Included

01. It Doesn't Matter

02. Release Me Girl

03. Chimes Of Freedom

04. Here She Comes Again

05. Feel A Whole Lot Better

06. Mr. Spaceman

07. You Ain't Going Nowhere

08. Feeling Higher

09. Backstage Pass

10. He Was A Friend Of Mine

11. Chestnut Mare

12. Turn! Turn! Turn!

13. So You Want To Be A Rock'n'Roll Star

14. Eight Miles High

15. Bye Bye Baby

McGuinn, Clark and Hillman - 1979-09-09 - Hempstead, NY (SBD)

Today, the building at 145 North Franklin Street in the village of Hempstead, Long Island, just 20 miles east of New York City, is a Baptist Church. During the 1990s and the early part of the 21st century, it was a multiplex movie theater. During the late 1970s and early 1980s, however, it was the Calderone Concert Hall, a venue on par with The Capitol Theater in Passaic and the Palladium in Manhattan. Artists such as Linda Ronstadt, Elvis Costello, Graham Parker, Joe Cocker, Joe Jackson, J. Geils and Jerry Garcia, just to name a few, all graced the stage at the Calderone. In fact, Garcia’s live album After Midnight was recorded at the venue on February 29 (yep - Leap day), 1980. McGuinn, Clark and Hillman played the Calderone on September 9, 1979, 33 years ago today, while on tour in support of their debut album. Fortunately, their set downplayed that disc in favor of classics from their days with the Byrds! Download this FM broadcast to relive the glory days of the Calderone Concert Hall.

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young – 1974-09-08 – Westbury, NY (SBD)

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

1974-09-08

1974 Reunion Tour

Roosevelt Raceway

Westbury, Long Island, NY

Soundboard Recording

192 kbps

Artwork Included

CD 1:

01. Love the One You're With

02. Wooden Ships

03. Immigration Man

04. Helpless

05. Military Madness

06. Johnny's Garden

07. Walk On

08. Almost Cut My Hair

09. Teach Your Children

10. Only Love Can Break Your Heart

11. The Lee Shore

12. Time After Time

13. Southbound Train

CD 2:

01. Another Sleep Song

02. Our House

03. Hawaiian Sunrise

04. Long May You Run

05. Ambulance Blues

06. Old Man

07. Change Partners

08. Myth of Sisyphus

09. You Can't Catch Me > Word Game

10. Suite: Judy Blue Eyes

11. Deja Vu

12. First Things First

CD 3:

01. Don't Be Denied

02. Black Queen

03. Revolution Blues

04. Pushed It Over the End

05. Pre-Road Downs

06. Carry On

07. Sugar Mountain

08. Ohio

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young – 1974-09-08 – Westbury, NY (SBD)

As we mentioned a few days ago, New York has always used its plethora of horse race tracks as venues for rock concerts.  In fact, on September 8, 1974, 38 years ago today CSNY took up residence at one for the final stop on their US tour, before they flew to England for a single show at Wembley on September 14. This one is from Roosevelt RACEWAY in Westbury, Long Island. Their August 8 show, exactly one month earlier, was from Roosevelt STADIUM in Jersey City, NJ, another historic Ny/NJ venue that we have discussed in numerous posts on this blog.  Now that we’ve cleared up the venue situation, it's on to the music. This show was another mammoth affair, 33 songs long, including 2 electric sets and 1 acoustic one. Maybe CSNY subconsciously knew this would be the end for a long while (next time they toured was 2000!), as they pulled out all the stops at this show. Right from The Love The One Your With into Wooden Ships opening pair, you can feel the energy that carried over into the entire performance. Carry On is a frenzied marathon, with the band seeming on the verge of disintegrating in a hailstorm of guitar lines and feedback. The sound is outstanding, as this is the show is the one complete soundboard from 1974 in circulation. Download this one to own a historic moment in the legendary history of both CSNY and NY area concerts

Bruce Hornsby - 1990-09-08 - Holmdel, NJ (SBD)

Bruce Hornsby

1990-09-08

Garden State Arts Center,

Holmdel, New Jersey

Soundboard Recording

320 kbps

Artwork Included

CD 1:

01. On The Western Skyline > (slight quality issues)

02. Not Fade Away >

03. On The Western Skyline

04. The Valley Road

05. The End Of The Innocence

06. Fire On The Cross >

07. Barren Ground

08. talk

09. Jacob’s Ladder

10. Stranded On Easy Street

11. Evangeline

12. A Night On The Town >

13. Jack Straw

CD 2:

01. Every Little Kiss

02. Lost Soul

03. Rhapsody In Blue tease

04. Tangled Up In Blue

05. It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry >

06. The Letter

07. Mandolin Rain (mid-cut)

08. Tupelo Honey

09. The Way It Is

10. Across The River >

11. Look Out Any Window (mid-cut)

12. ovation & talk

Encore

13. Another Day >

14. Defenders Of The Flag >

15. Happy Birthday >

16. Star Spangled Banner

Bruce Hornsby - 1990-09-08 - Holmdel, NJ (SBD)

As promised a few days ago, here’s Bruce Hornsby’s final solo performance before joining the Grateful Dead, from September 8, 1990, 22 years ago today. This soundboard recording captures Bruce at what was then called the Garden State Arts center in Holmdel, NJ, right off exit 116 on the Garden State Parkway. New Yorkers seeking to escape the city in the summer would often choose between the Long Island (such as Jones Beach, discussed in our September 1 post), and the Jersey Shore. Holmdel is just a few miles north of the beaches at Point Pleasant and Seaside Heights, two prominent Jersey Shore destinations. The Arts Center is a magnificent outdoor amphitheatre, with seating for 7,500 people under a saucer like roof, and room for another 10,000 on the lawn. The lawn seats were once the perfect spot to picnic under the stars while enjoying a show. Once PNC Bank acquired naming rights to the arena in 1996, however, concert goers could no longer bring in food while limits were placed on the size of blankets and lawn chairs that could be brought to the venue. Isn’t corporate sponsorship great? In any event, download this one and relive a friendlier time at the Garden State Arts Center!