Bruce Springsteen - 1980-12-31 - Uniondale, NY (SBD)

Bruce Springsteen

1980-12-31

Nassau Coliseum

Uniondale, NY

Soundboard Recording

192 kbps

Artwork Included

CD 1:

01. Intro

02. Night

03. Prove It All Night

04. Spirit In The Night

05. Darkness On The Edge Of Town

06. Independence Day

07. Who'll Stop The Rain

08. This Land Is Your Land

09. The Promised Land

10. Out In The Street

11. Racing In The Street

12. Piano intro

13. The River

14. Badlands

15. Thunder Road

CD 2:

01. Intro

02. Cadillac Ranch

03. Sherry Darling

04. Hungry Heart

05. Merry Christmas Baby

06. Fire

07. Candy's Room

08. Because The Night

09. 4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)

10. Rendezvous

11. Fade Away

12. The Price You Pay

13. Wreck On The Highway

14. Two Hearts

15. Ramrod

CD 3:

01. You Can Look (But You Better Not Touch)

02. Held Up Without A Gun

03. Midnight Hour

04. Auld Lang Syne

05. Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)

06. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

07. Jungleland

08. Born To Run

09. Devil With A Blue Dress On >

10. Good Golly Miss Molly >

11. C.C. Rider >

12. Jenny Take A Ride  Boogie >

13. I Hear A Train > Devil With. The Blue Dress On

14. Twist And Shout

15. Raise Your Hand

LINK REMOVED - OFFICIALLY RELEASED

As 1980 came to a close, so did the first leg of Bruce Springsteen’s tour in support of his double album, The River. During the tour, Springsteen’s set lists grew longer, with some shows lasting almost 4 hours, solidifying Bruce’s reputation for marathon performances. The tenor of the shows also changed somewhat, as the addition of songs from The River added a more somber note to portions of each concert. Bruce remarked "life had paradoxes,a lot of them, and you've got to live with them”, reflecting the mix of upbeat rockers and slower, more poignant tunes in the set list. Bruce brought his longer, more emotionally varied shows to Long Island, New York to close the year with 3 shows at the Nassau Coliseum. This soundboard recording captures the last night of the run,  a massive 40 song show, on December 31, 1980, 32 years ago today. Happy New Year!

Marshall Tucker Band - 1978-12-31 - New Orleans, LA (FM)

The Marshall Tucker Band

1978-12-31

The Warehouse

New Orleans, Louisiana

FM Broadcast

320 kbps

Artwork Included

01. Intro

02. Fly Like An Eagle > Long Hard Ride

03. Fire On The Mountain

04. Heard It In A Love Song

05. Dream Lover

06. Auld Lang Syne

07. Blue Ridge Mountain Sky

08. Can't You See

09. Hillbilly Band

10. Ramblin'

11. This Ol' Cowboy

12. Desert Skies

13. 24 Hours At A Time

14. Auld Lang Syne > I'll Be Loving You

15. Searchin' For A Rainbow

16. Will The Circle Be Unbroken

Marshall Tucker Band - 1978-12-31 - New Orleans, LA (FM)

The late 1970s and early 1980s were a difficult time for Southern Rock. The genre began to fall out of favor with the rise of punk and new wave music. Lynyrd Skynyrd fell victim to a tragic plane crash in 1977, which killed band members Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines and Cassie Gaines. The Allman Brothers dissolved, reformed and then dissolved again. Capricorn Records, which was the home to the Allmans and a host of other southern rock artists, including the Marshall Tucker Band,, collapsed in 1979 due to financial issues. The MTB would suffer its own tragedy just 4 months into the decade of the 80s, when bassist Tommy Caldwell died in an auto accident. Lead guitarist Toy Caldwell would leave the band 4 years later. Southern Rock, which has risen to prominence in the middle of the 1970s, would never again be the same. When the Marshall Tucker Band took the stage in New Orleans on December 31, 1978, 34 years ago today, however, they probably could not have imagined the difficult times to come. Or perhaps they did, as their closing song that night was Will The Circle Be Unbroken, whose last verse reads "One by one their seats were emptied, One by one they went away, Now the family is parted, Will it be complete one day? Download this FM broadcast and decide for yourself! PS - a big thanks to the folks at rock rare collection fetish for the artwork.

The Band - 1983-12-31 - San Francisco, CA (SBD)

The Band

1983-12-31

San Francisco Civic Auditorium

San Francisco, CA

Soundboard Recording

320 kbps

Artwork Included

01. Intro by Bill Graham

02. Feedback >Tuning

03. Tuning

04. Rag Mama Rag

05. Long Black Veil

06. The Shape I'm In

07. It Makes No Difference

08. Milk Cow Boogie

09. Mystery Train

10. King Harvest

11. Stage Fright

12. W S Waldcott Medicine Show

13. You Don't Know Me

14. Caledonia

15. Chest Fever

16. Java Blues

17. Willie and the Hand Jive

18. Bill Graham Outro

The Band - 1983-12-31 - San Francisco, CA (SBD)

In the summer of 1983, almost 7 years after the famous Last Waltz, The Band reformed and went back out on the road. Of course, it wasn't exactly the same as in the past, as only Levin Helm, Rick Danko, Garth Hudson and Richard Manuel took part in the reunion. Robbie Robertson, who had been the driving force behind the group's retirement, remained apart from his former band mates.That didn't stop The Band from performing all their old classics. Nor did it keep them from rekindling past musical relationships. They rang in the new year as the lead-in for old friends the Grateful Dead in San Francisco on December 31, 1983, 29 years ago today. Bill Graham, who introduced them 10 years earlier at Watkins Glenn, once again did the honors on this New Year's Eve. Download this soundboard recording to hear the newly reformed Band recapture and relaunch their musical legacy.

New Year's Eve Celebration at So Many Roads

As I'm sure you all know, New Year's Eve has always been a popular night for concerts, with some bands making it an annual tradition.  That abundance of concerts has translated into a plethora of bootlegs.  So, to help ring in the New Year, we'll present 3 - yes, that's correct, 3 - concerts for your downloading pleasure tomorrow. Starting at 10 am Eastern time, we'll present a new show every 6 hours, taking you right up to 10 pm Eastern, just 2 hours before we ring in the year 2013. We'll have concerts from The Band, Marshall Tucker and Bruce Springsteen!  So, get ready to celebrate the New Year  right here at So Many Roads.

Grateful Dead - 1978-12-30 - Los Angeles, CA (SBD)

Grateful Dead
1978-12-30
Pauley Pavilion, UCLA
Los Angeles, CA
Soundboard Recording
320 kbps
Artwork Included

1st Set:
01. Jack Straw
02. They Love Each Other
03. Mama Tried >
04. Mexicali Blues
05. Loser
06. Looks Like Rain
07. Stagger Lee
08. Passenger
09. Tennessee Jed
10. New Minglewood Blues
11. Sugaree
12. Promised Land

2nd Set:
01. I Need A Miracle >
02. Bertha >
03. Good Lovin'
04. Scarlet Begonias >
05. Fire on the Mountain
06. Playing in the Band >
07. Shakedown Street >
08. Drums >
09. Ollin Arrageed >
10. Space >
11. Saint Stephen >
12. Not Fade Away >
13. Goin' Down the Road Feeling Bad >
14. Around & Around

Encore:
01. One More Saturday Night

Notes: Last 4 songs supplied by audience patch

Grateful Dead - 1978-12-30 - Los Angeles, CA (SBD) 

On New Year's Eve 1978, the Grateful Dead closed the legendary Winterland arena in San Francisco with a mammoth 3 set performance. That concert has been officially released on both CD and DVD. On the video, Jerry Garcia talks about how hot the band played the night before, on December 30, 1978, 34 years ago today. Well, now you can download that show from Pauley Pavillion on the campus of UCLA  and see it - more accurately hear it - for yourself!

The Band – 1971-12-28 to 12-31 – New York (SBD)

The Band

Academy of Outtakes

1971-12-28 to 12-31

Academy of Music

New York, NY

Soundboard Recording

320 kbps

Artwork included

CD 1:

01. Cripple Creek

02. The Shape I'm In

03. The Rumor

04. Time to Kill

05. Strawberry Wine

06. Rockin' Chair

07. This Wheel's On Fire

08. Get Up Jake

09. Smoke Signal

10. I Shall Be Released

11. The Weight

12. Stage Fright

13. Life Is A Carnival

14. King Harvest

15. Caledonia Mission

16. WS Walcott Medicine Show

17. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down

18. Across the Great Divide

CD 2:

01. Unfaithful Servant

02. Baby Don't Do it

03. Genetic Method

04. Chest Fever

05. Rag Mama Rag

06. R&R Shoes

07. Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever

UltraSonic Rehearsal

December 1971

Long Island NY

08. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down

09. Across the Great Divide

10. WS Walcott Medicine Show

11. WS Walcott Medicine Show

12. Life Is A Carnival

13. Across the Great Divide

14. Unfaithful Servant

15. Chest Fever

Hidden track (not shown on back over)

16. Crash on the Levee (w/Bob Dylan)

The Band – 1971- 12-28 to 12-31 – New York (SBD)

In late 1971, The Band arrived in New York City for 4 shows at the Academy of Music on 14th Street, a venue which would later be known as The Palladium. Those performances, from December 28 to December 31, 39 years ago this week, spawned the live album Rock of Ages, which many critics rave captures the quintet at its peak. Of course, like most live albums, Rock of Ages didn’t present a complete concert as it happened, but rather offered just selected songs. Moreover, when the album initially was released on CD, many of the songs were further edited to fit the music onto a single disc. Given how badly record companies handle live albums, no wonder folks seek out bootlegs of shows! Fortunately for al of us in this case, a fantastic supplement (substitute?) for Rock Of Ages is readily available. This soundboard recording, dubbed Academy of Outtakes, provides 25 unreleased tracks from those 4 historic concerts, as well as 8 songs from the group’s rehearsal in Long Island earlier that month. Even if you own Rock of Ages, you’ll want this bootleg to get a truer sense of how The Band sounded live!

The Clash - 1978-12-28 - London, UK (SBD)

The Clash

1978-12-28

The Lyceum

London, UK

Soundboard Recording

320 kbps

Artwork Included

01. Safe European Home

02. I Fought the Law

03. Jail Guitar Door

04. Drug Stabbing Time

05. City Of the Dead

06. Clash City Rockers

07. Tommy Gun

08. White Man In Hammersmith Palais

09. English Civil War

10. Stay Free

11. Cheapskates

12. Julie's In the Drug Squad

13. Police and Thieves

14. Capital Radio

15. Janie Jones

16. Garageland

17. Complete Control

18. London's Burning

19. White Riot

The Clash - 1978-12-28 - London, UK (SBD)

On November 10, 1978, The Clash released their second album, Give “Em Enough Rope, which rose to #2 on the British charts, cementing the band’s position as leaders of the punk rock movement. In the US, however, commercial reception wasn’t quite as enthusiastic, with the album only climbing to #128 on the Billboard 200 list. American critics, however, lavished the album with praise. For example, both Rolling Stone and Time Magazine named it album of the year. Robert Christgau gave the disc an A, writing that the album conveyed “truths that couldn't be stated more forcefully with any other music.” The record was loud, intense, angry, defiant and politically charged, taking on topics ranging from global terrorism to racial conflict to war to corruption in government. This soundboard recording captures The Clash about a month after the release of Give ‘Em Enough Rope at the Lyceum in London on December 28, 1978, 34 years ago today. Download this one to hear The Clash at their early, snarling best, just a year before they would take the world by storm with the classic double album, London Calling.  FYI - date on the artwork is incorrect - the show is from 12-28-1978, not 01-03-1979.

Jimi Hendrix - 1965-12-26 - Hackensack, NJ (SBD)

Jimi Hendrix

with Curtis Knight & The Squires

1965-12-26

Georges Club 20

Hackensack, NJ

Soundboard Recording

256 kbps

Artwork Included

01. Driving South

02. California Night

03. Killing Floor

04. What'd I Say

05. I'll Be Doggone

06. Bright Lights, Big City

07. I'm A Man

08. Sugar Pie Honey Bunch

09. Get Out Of My Life Woman

10. Ain't That Peculiar

11. Last Night

12. Satisfaction

13. Land Of 1000 Dances

14. UFO (Demo)

15. Shotgun

16. Jailtoasts Intro

17. Jailtoasts

Jimi Hendrix - 1965-12-26 - Hackensack, NJ (SBD)

In 1967, he would be the newcomer who burned his guitar at Monterrey Pop. In 1969, he would be the rock god who closed Woodstock with the Star Spangled Banner. In 1970, he would be the icon that we lost way too soon. But in 1965, he was simply Jimi, playing guitar for Curtis Knight and the Squires. Knight was part of the 1960’s music scene in Harlem, so the Squires played most of their gigs in small clubs in the New York and New Jersey area. On December 26, 1965, 47 years ago today, Knight, Jimi and the Squires found themselves in Hackensack, NJ, at Georges Club 20 for a post Christmas gig. By some miracle, a soundboard recording exists from that show! Download it here to listen to Jimi Hendrix long before his rise to stardom.

Have A Happy And Peaceful Holiday

Wishing everyone a happy and peaceful holiday season.

Peace on earth, goodwill to all!

Holiday Break

We'll be away for a few days celebrating Christmas with the family! 

Be back posting music again on December 26! 

Everyone have a great holiday!

David Bowie - 2003-12-20 - Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island (FM)

David Bowie

2003-12-20

Atlantis resort & Casino

Nassau, Bahamas

FM Broadcast

320 kbps

Artwork Included

01. New Killer Star

02. Rebel Rebel

03. Fashion

04. Fall Dog Bombs The Moon

05. Cactus

06. Ashes To Ashes

07. The Man Who Sold The World

08. The Loneliest Guy

09. She'll Drive The Big Car

10. I'm Afraid Of Americans

11. Sunday

12. Heroes

13. Band Introduction

14. China Girl

David Bowie - 2003-12-20 - Atlantis, Paradise Island (FM)

Welcome to the first David Bowie post on So Many Roads. Yes, it know this isn’t classic Bowie from the Ziggy days, but there is a special reason for my choosing this bootleg, Bear with me a moment while I share a bit of history with you. Back in 1992, I married my lovely bride and we honeymooned at The Ocean Club, an intimate upscale resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas (go here for more on the Ocean Club),  Many of you may have seen the Ocean Club in the 2006 James Bond movie Casino Royale. The Ocean Club is simply amazing, first class in every way, including a beach that has been voted one of the 10 best in the world.  We had such a wondrous time that we went again in 1993. At the time of our 2 visits, the Ocean Club was part of Merv Griffin’s Paradise Island Resort and Casino.  Then in 1994, Merv sold all his properties on Paradise Island to Kerzner International Resorts, who turned the place into Atlantis.  Atlantis is an incredible resort, complete with its own water park, dolphin encounter, gourmet restaurants, casino - well just about everything you can imagine and even some things you can't (go here to see for yourself)!  My family and I have been fortunate enough to visit Atlantis several times in the last 10 years.  As part of the transformation of the resort, they have added a concert hall. Sheryl Crow, Rhianna, Taylor Swift, and Janet Jackson have all performed at Atlantis in recent years. One of the first stars to grace the Atlantis stage, however, was David Bowie, on December 20, 2003, 9 years ago today.  Download this FM broadcast of that show, and while you listen, check out the ATLANTIS and Ocean Club websites!

U2 - 1987-12-19 - Tempe, AZ (SBD)

U2

1987-12-19,

Sun Devil Stadium

Tempe, AZ

Soundboard Recording

128 kbps

Artwork Included

CD 1:

01. Where The Streets Have No Name

02. I Will Follow

03. Trip Through Your Wires

04. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For

05. Out Of Control

06. MLK

07. One Tree Hill

08. Gloria

09. Exit 

10. In God's Country

11. Bad

CD 2:

01. Bullet The Blue Sky

02. Running To Stand Still

03. Sunday Bloody Sunday

04. New Years Day

05. Pride

06. With Or Without You

07. El Pueblo Vencera > Mothers Of The Disappeared

08. People Get Ready

09. 40

U2 - 1987-12-19 - Tempe, AZ (SBD)

Welcome to our 5th US post here in December at So Many Roads. In the mid 1980s, U2 steadily gained increased public recognition and critical acclaim with each new album they released. As mentioned in previous posts this month, their 3rd album War, released in early 1983, marked a new chapter in the band's history, as their music took a far more political tone. Their next disc, the Unforgettable Fire, released in October 1984 went to #12 on the US Billboard charts, selling 3 million copies. Despite that growth and success, no one could have foresee what would happen when U2 released The Joshua Tree in March 1987. however, the band became the biggest rock and roll act in the world. The album debuted on the Billboard charts at number seven then quickly climbed to the top spot, where it remained for 9 consecutive weeks. The album spawned U2’s first two number one singles, With Or Without You and I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For. The band became only the 4th rock act to make the cover of Time Magazine, which proclaimed US as “Rock’s Hottest Ticket”. The Joshua Tree would win the Grammy Award for Album of The Year, while being hailed by critics as the band’s masterpiece. That opinion continues to this day. Rolling Stone, for example, in its 2005 list of the top 500 albums of all time, ranked the Joshua Tree at #27. This soundboard recording captures U2 on the next to last night of their tour in support of the album, on December 19, 1987, 25 years ago today, in Denver. Download this one to hear U2 at the moment they climbed to the top of the rock world.

Santana - 1969-12-18 - San Francisco, CA (SBD)

Santana

1969-12-18

Winterland

San Francisco, CA

Soundboard Recording

320 kbps

Artwork Included

 

01. Conquistadore Rides Again

02. You Just Don't Care

03. Fried Neckbones And Some Home Fries

04. Waiting

05. Treat

06. Gumbo

07. Evil Ways

08. Shades Of Time > Savor

09. Jingo

10. Persuasion

11. Soul Sacrifice PT 1

12. Shrieve Solo

13. Soul Sacrifice PT 2

Santana - 1969-12-18 - San Francisco, CA (SBD)

Of all the band's to play Woodstock, few got as significant a career boost as Santana did. Their incendiary performance was featured in the movie and helped propel sales of their debut album, which would be released on August 30, 1969, to #4 on the Billboard charts.  This soundboatrd recording captures the band later in that historic year, on their home tirf in San Francisco on December 18, 1969, 43 years ago today.

Van Morrison - 1995-12-17 - Dublin, Ireland (FM)

Van Morrison

1995-12-17

The Point Theatre

Dublin, Ireland

FM broadcast

224 kbps

Artwork Included

CD 1:

01. Ain't That Loving You Baby?

02. No Religion

03. Days Like This

04. Raincheck

05. That's Life

06. Wonderful Remark

07. Saint Dominic's Preview

08. Listen To The Lion

09. Slim Slow Slider

10. Vanlose Stairway > TransEuro Train

11. Irish Heartbeat

12. Ballerina

CD 2:

01. Tupelo Honey > Why Must I Always Explain?

02. Moondance

03. Whenever God Shines His Light

04. In The Garden / You Send Me

05. Star Of The County Down

06. Satisfied

07. Melancholia

08. I'm Not Feeling It Anymore

09. Madame George

10. Brown Eyed Girl

11. Have I Told You Lately

Van Morrison - 1995-12-17 - Dublin, Ireland (FM)

In June 1995, Van Morrison released the album Days Like This, the 23rd studio album of his long storied career. It also happens to be one of my favorites, filled with wonderful tunes such as Perfect Fit, No Religion, In the Afternoon, Songwriter, and the title track. If you don’t own it and were turned off by some of the mixed reviews, take my word for it - it’s a worth owning. The disc climbed to #33 on the Billboard charts in the US and did even better in the UK, where it reached #5. It was also nominated for The Mercury Prize, an annual award for the best album from the United Kingdom and Ireland. This FM broadcast captures Morrison on his home turf in Dublin, on tour in support of Days Like This. Download this one to hear one of the best sounding recordings you’ll find, featuring Van the Man, who can sometimes be a bit grumpy in concert, in quite a good mood!

Sheryl Crow - 1993-12-15 - Nashville (SBD)

Sheryl Crow
1993-12-15
The State Theater
Nashville, TN
Soundboard Recording
192 kbps
Artwork Included

01. Can’t Cry Anymore
02. All I Wanna Do
03. Leaving Las Vegas
04. Father Son
05. Solidify
06. The Na-Na Song
07. Strong Enough
08. Run Baby Run
09. What Can I Do For You
10. I Shall Believe
11. No One Said It Would Be Easy
12. Happy

Sheryl Crow - 1993-12-15 - Nashville (SBD)

When Sheryl Crow released the album Tuesday Night Music Club in August 1993, it garnered some critical accolades but very little public attention. Crow was featured in Rolling Stone’s “New Faces In Rock” section that year, but neither the album or its initial 2 singles charted. Finally, over a year later, the 3rd single from the disc, All I Wanna Do became a surprise smash hit, climbing to number 2 on the Billboard charts and carrying the album to the number 3 spot. So, when Sheryl Crow played the State Theater in Nashville on December 15, 1993, 19 years ago today, she was just another struggling rocker, hoping to one day get her big break! Download this one to hear Sheryl play almost the entire Tuesday Night Music Club disc live, long before the songs on that disc would become rock staples and she would become the first lady of rock and roll.

Black Crowes - 1996-12-15 - Las Vegas, NV (SBD)

The Black Crowes
1996-12-15
The Joint
Hard Rock Hotel
Las Vegas, NV
Soundboard Recording
320 kbps
Artwork Included

CD 1:
01. Jailhouse Rock
02. Feelin' Alright
03. Cursed Diamond
04. Bad Luck Blue Eyes Goodbye
05. Girl From the North Country
06. Dreams *
07. Willin' *
08. Tied Up and Swallowed
09. Twice As Hard

CD 2:
01. Hard to Handle
02. Boomer's Story
03. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
04. Jealous Again
05. Torn and Frayed
06. Silver Train
07. Happy

* with Warren Haynes

Black Crowes - 1996-12-15 - Las Vegas, NV (SBD) 

In the early part of  1996, The Black Crowes began work on their 4th album which would be entitled Three Snakes and One Charm. The disc was recorded at a rented home in Atlanta, where the band took up residence for several months to work together on the album. The band kicked off their world tour in support of the album on July 5 in Burbank, 3 weeks prior to the disc's official release.  The album climbed to #15 on the Billboard charts and received 3 star reviews from both Rolling Stone and All Music. As part of the promotional efforts in support of Three Snakes, the Crowes appeared on the VH1 program Storytellers. The show was relatively new at the time, with each episode capturing artists performing in front of a small and intimate live audience, telling stories about their music, writing experiences and memories. The Black Crowes' installment was just the fifth in the series, which eventually comprised 87 episodes over its original run. This soundboard recording captures the band, with some help from Warren Haynes, in Las Vegas in support of the Three Snakes album, on December 15, 1996, 16 years ago this very day.

Crosby & Nash - 1974-12-14 - San Francisco (SBD)

Crosby & Nash

1974-12-14

Whale And Fieldworkers Benefit

San Francisco, CA

Soundboard Recording

320 kbps

Atrwork Included

01. Intro

02. Deja Vu

03. Lady Of The Island

04. Prison Song

05. Carry me

06. Calley's Song

07. Sleep Song

08. King Of The Mountain

09. Time After Time

10. Guinnevere

11. Fieldworker

12. The Last Whale

13. Wooden Ships

14. What Are Their Names

15. Chicago

16. Long Time Gone

17. crowd

Crosby & Nash - 1974-12-14 - San Francisco (SBD)

On September 14 1974, when CSNY played their last show of that year’s tour at Wembley Stadium, they probably did not realize that the foursome would not tour again for over 25 years! Even the trio of CSN would take a hiatus from touring together, and while not as long as CSNY’s, it would still be 3 years before they went on the road again. In the interim period, Crosby and Nash went on tour playing their brand of socially conscious rock and roll. As Crosby and Nash were always among the leaders in trying to use rock and roll to bring about social change (think of songs like Chicago, Long Time Gone, Immigration Man and The Last Whale), it’s hardly surprising that the duo played a benefit for Whales and Fieldworkers (quite a combination!) in San Francisco on December 14, 1974, 38 years ago today. Producer/engineer, Wally Heider recorded the show for a live album, which was never released. Fortunately, the tapes have found their way into circulation, providing all of us with this excellent soundboard recording of that show.

Elton John - 1985-12-14 - London, UK (FM)

Elton John

1985-12-14

Wembley Arena

London, UK

FM broadcast

256 kbps

Artwork Included

01. Highlander

02. Tonight

03. One Horse Town

04. Better Off Dead

05. Rocket Man

06. Honky Cat

07. Burn Down The Mission

08. Someone Saved My Life Tonight

09. The Bitch Is Back

10. Song For You > Blue Eyes > I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues

11. Restless

12. Passengers

13. Bennie And The Jets

14. Sad Songs Say So Much

15. Shoot Down The Moon

16. This Town

17. Nikita

18. I'm Still Standing

19. Your Song

20. Wrap Her Up

21. Candle In The Wind

22. Can I Get A Witness

Elton John - 1985-12-14 - London, UK (FM)

On November 4, 1985, Elton John released the album Ice on Fire, which reunited him with producer Gus Dudgeon. The duo couldn’t completely recapture the magic of the 1970s. though the disc did climb to #48 on the Billboard charts with the single Nikita, reaching #7. Ten days after the album’s release, Elton launched a world tour in support of the disc. While his November and December shows would all be in the UK, in 1986 the tour branched out to the rest of Europe, and then North America. This FM broadcast captures Elton at Wembley Arena in London, on December 14, 1985, 27 years ago today. Download this one to hear Elton at the start of his last tour before needing surgery to repair nodules on his vocal chords!

U2 - 1981-12-13 - Malibu Club, NY (FM)

U2
1981-12-13
Malibu Club
Long Island, NY
FM broadcast
320 kbps
Artwork Included

01. Radio Announcer Introduction > Gloria
02. Another Time, Another Place
03. I Threw A Brick
04. Rejoice
05. With A Shout
06. Electric Co.
07. I Fall Down
08. October
09. I Will Follow
10. An Cat Dubh
11. Into The Heart
12. Out Of Control
13. Twilight
14. 11 O'clock Tick Tock
15. The Ocean
16. Radio Announcer Outro

U2 - 1981-12-13 - Malibu Club, NY (FM)

Welcome to our 4th U2 post this month as we continue to feature the band throughout December! A few weeks after my abortive attempt to see U2 at Hitsville in Passaic, NJ (go here for that story), the band played the Malibu Club in Long Island, NY, on December 13, 1981, 31 years ago today. The show was the last night of their US tour, a hectic 30 day jaunt that found U2 traveling not only up and down the East Coast, but also to points as far away as Los Angeles and San Francisco. The band was on the road in support of their 2nd album, October. WLIR-FM broadcasted the show live, providing the New York area its first chance to hear a U2 concert on the radio. If you missed that original broadcast, here’s your chance to download it and relive U2’s early days!

Rolling Stones - 1997-12-12 - St. Louis, MO (SBD)

Rolling Stones

1997-12-12

Trans World Dome

St. Louis, MO

Soundboard Recording

320 kbps

Artwork Included

01. Satisfaction

02. Let's Spend The Night Together

03. Flip The Switch

04. Gimme Shelter

05. Wild Horses

06. Anybody Seen My Baby

07. Saint Of Me

08. Corrina

09. Out Of Control

10. Waiting On A Friend

11. Miss You

12. Band Introductions

13. All About You

14. Wanna Hold You

15. It’s Only Rock & Roll

16. The Last Time

17. Like A Rolling Stone

18. Sympathy For The Devil

19. Tumbling Dice

20. Honky Tonk Women

21. Start Me Up

22. Jumpin' Jack Flash

23. You Can’t Always Get What You Want

24. Brown Sugar

Rolling Stones - 1997-12-12 - St. Louis, MO (SBD)

On September 29, 1997, the Rolling Stones released Bridges to Babylon, their last studio album of the 20th century. While the album met with mixed reviews, it still climbed to #3 of the Billboard charts in the US and certified platinum by November. The Stones launched a year long worldwide tour in support of the album, announcing their plans at a press conference underneath the Brooklyn Bridge! The Bridges to Babylon Tour would become the largest Rolling Stones tour to date, exceeding the sales of their record-breaking 1994-1995 Voodoo Lounge Tour. Estimates are that over 4.5 million people attended the 108 shows played during the tour. The Stones also introduced the use of a 2nd stage, called the B-stage, during this tour. Most nights, 3 songs were played from the B-Stage, before the band returned to the main stage to close the show. This soundboard recording captures the Stones on December 12, 1997, 15 years ago today, in St. Louis. Download this one to hear the Stones during their last stadium tour of the 20th century (Note - the No Security tour in 1999 featured only indoor arenas!).

Los Lobos - 1987-12-11 - Hollywood, CA (FM)

Los Lobos

1987-12-11

Hollywood Paladium

Hollywood, CA

FM Broadcast

320 kbps

Artwork Included

01. Introduction

02. San Antonio

03. How Much Can I Do

04. Let's Say Goodnight (not included - officially released)

05. Will The Wolf Survive

06. We Gonna' Rock

07. Pig Foot Shuffle

08. Tears Of God

09. My Baby's Gone

10. Come On Let's Go

11. Is This All There Is

12. Why Do You Do

13. Running Kind

14. Evangaline

15. Anselma

16. Serenata Nortena

17. Volver (not included - officially released)

18. I Got Loaded

19. Crossroads

20. Farmer John

21. Rosa Lee

22. La Bamba

Los Lobos - 1987-12-11 - Hollywood, CA (FM)

In summer of 1987, the movie La Bamba was released, telling the tale of Ritchie Valens rise to stardom and tragic death, along with Buddy Holly, in a plane crash on February 3, 1969, an event that Don McLean immortalized as “the day the music died” in his classic tune, American Pie. During the closing credits, Lou Diamond Phillips, who played Valens in the movie, along with the then little known band Los Lobos, perform La Bamba. Los Lobos would not be unknown for long. On June 30, 1987, the soundtrack for the movie hit stores, featuring the band covering 6 Ritchie Valens tunes. Their cover of La Bamba was released as a single and became a number 1 hit. (By the way, I hardly think its coincidence that soon after Los Lobos resurrected La Bamba, Jerry Garcia played the tune at several Grateful Dead concerts, including the September 18 show at Madison Square Garden that I’ve posted on this blog.) Then, just a week later, on July 7, Los Lobos released By Light of The Moon, an album of original material, whose theme focused on how and why the American dream eluded so many of the country’s working class. The disc received rave critical reviews, with Rolling Stone, All Music, and Robert Christgau, just to name 3, all singing the album’s praises. Songs such as The Hardest Time; One Time, One Night; River of Fools; Tears Of God and The Mess We’re In, mixed rock, blues, country and tex-mex influences, with rhythms that could get you up dancing and lyrics that reached into your soul. It’s one of those albums that once I bought it, it never left the turntable. If you don’t own it, you should. This FM Broadcast captures Los Lobos on December 11, 1987, a quarter century ago his very day, in Los Angeles, near the end of the band’s breakthrough year. This one is a must have, whether you’re a long time fan of Los Lobos or just looking to learn more about the band and their music.

Bob Dylan - 1975-12-08 - Madison Square Garden, NY (SBD)

Bob Dylan

1975-12-08

The Rolling Thunder Revue

Benefit for Hurricane Carter

Madison Square Garden

Soundboard Recording

256 Kbps

Artwork Included

1st Set:

01. Good Love Is Hard To Find

02. Introduction

03. Sleazy

04. Hula Hoop

05. Too Good to be Wasted

06. Laissez Faire0

07. Life On Mars0

08. Band Introduction

09. Alabama Dark

10. Need A New Sun Rising

11. Cindy (When I Get Home)

12. Mercedes Benz

13. Shadows and Light

14. Coyote

15. Edith and the Kingpin

16. Don't Interrupt the Sorrow

17. Bill Franklin

18. Muhammad Ali

19. Rubin Carter

20. Mr. Sapier

21. John J. Hooker

22. Many Thanks

23. Ramblin' Jack

24. Muleskinner Blues

25. Pretty Boy Floyd

26. Salt Pork, West Virginia

27. I'm a Ramblin' Boy

28. When I Paint My Masterpiece

29. It Ain't Me Babe

30. Lonesome Death of Hattie Carol

31. Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You

32. It Takes a Lot to Laugh

33. Romance in Durango

34. Isis

2nd Set:

01. The Times They Are A-Changing

02. Dark As A Dungeon

03. Mama, You Been On My Mind

04. Never Let Me Go

05. I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine

06. I Shall Be Released

07. Diamonds And Rust

08. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

09. Billy Rose

10. Joe Hill

11. Long Black Veil

12. Please Come to Boston

13. Intro to Roberta Flack

14. 25th of Last December

15. Why Don't You Move In With Me

16. Eight Miles High

17. Chestnut Mare

18. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down

19. Love Minus Zero

20. Simple Twist Of Fate

21. Oh Sister

22. Hurricane

23. One More Cup of Coffee

24. Sara

25. Just Like A Woman

26. Knockin' On Heaven's Door

27. This Land is Your Land

Bob Dylan - 1975-12-08 - Madison Square Garden, NY (SBD)

On December 8, 1975, 37 years ago today, Bob Dylan brought the Rolling Thunder review to New York's Madison Square Garden for the final concert of that triumphant tour. The concert was also a benefit for boxer Rueben "Hurricane" Carter, who Dylan had written about in his song Hurricane. That tune alleged that Carter had been the victim of racism, leading to a unfair trial that convicted him of a murder he did not commit. The concert raised over $100,000 for Carter's legal expenses. Thanks to the public attention brought to the case by the concert and the song, Carter eventually won the right to a new trial, but was again convicted. Finally, in 1985, that conviction was overturned, with the US District Court in NJ stating that the case had been "based on racism rather than reason and concealment rather than disclosure." Dylan and the Rolling Thunder troop pulled out all the stops for the benefit show, playing a monstrous 2 set concert, featuring over 50 songs. Download this soundboard recording to hear Dylan tell the “the story of the Hurricane, the man the authorities came to blame.”

Bruce Springsteen - 2003-12-08 - Asbury Park, NJ (SBD)

Bruce Springsteen 

& Friends

2003-12-08

Convention Hall

Asbury Park, NJ

Soundboard Recording

192 kbps

Artwork Included

CD 1:

01 Hold Out Hold Out

02 I'Ve Got A Feeling Everythings Gonna Be Alright (Victorious Choir)

03. Christmas Day (Max Weinberg 7 - Jimmy Vivino Vocals)

04. So Young And In Love

05. None But The Brave

06. Queen Of The Underworld (Jesse Malin)

07. Wendy (Jesse Malin)

08. R-O-C-K Rock (Garland Jeffreys)

09. 96 Tears (Garland Jeffreys)

10. Merry Christmas (I Don't Wanna Fight Tonight) (Ls)

CD 2:

01. This Time It'S For Real (Ssj-Ls)

02. Talk To Me (Ssj-Ls)

03. It'S Been A Long Time (Ssj-Ls)

04. Seaside Bar Song

05. Thundercrack

06. The Wish

07. Hold On I'M Coming (Sam Moore)

08. Somethings Wrong With My Baby (Sam Moore)

09. Fa Fa Fa Fa Fa(Sad Song) > I Thank You (W/Sam Moore)

10. Soul Man (Sam Moore)

CD 3:

01. Shine Silently (Nils)

02. Because The Night (Nils)

03. Kitty'S Back

04. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

05. Merry Christmas Baby

06. I Don'T Want To Go Home (Ssj-Ls)

07. My City Of Ruins (W/ Sam Moore)

08. What'S So Funny 'Bout Peace Love And Understanding

09. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town

Bruce Springsteen - 2003-12-08 - Asbury Park, NJ (SBD)

In the early years of the new century, Bruce Springsteen hosted several holiday shows at Conventional Hall in Asbury Park. The shows were usually billed as Bruce Springsteen, with the Max Weinberg 7 and Friends. The “friends” part of the bill was always intriguing because you never knew just who might show up. Last year we posted the December 17, 2000 show. Today, we have the December 8, 2003 show, which took place 9 years ago this very day. That was the 3rd of 3 shows that year, and according Backstreets.com, the best of the lot. &nbBruce was joined by Jesse Mailin, Sam Moore (of Sam and Dave fame). Garland Jeffreys, Southside Johnny and Little Steven to spread the holiday cheer. Download this soundboard recording and get an early start on the holiday season!

John Hiatt - 1990-12-06 - Chicago, IL (FM)

John Hiatt 

& The Fugitive Popes
1990-12-06
The Vic Theater
Chicago, IL
FM Broadcast
320 kbps
Artwork Included

CD 1:
01. Intro
02. Seven Little Indians
03. Stolen Moments
04. The Rest Of The Dream
05. Real Fine Love
06. Trudy & Dave
07. It'll Come To You
08. Your Dad Did
09. Paper Thin
10. Is Anybody There?

CD 2:
01. Back Of My Mind
02. Child Of The Wild Blue Yonder
03. Riding With The King
04. Memphis In The Meantime
05. Tennessee Plates
06. band intros
07. Slow Turning
08. Have A Little Faith In Me
09. Thing Called Love
10. Rock Back Billy
11. Heaven Help Us All

John Hiatt - 1990-12-06 - Chicago, IL (FM)

As mentioned in other posts on this blog, I think John Hiatt is one of rock’s most under rated and overlooked talents.  His run of albums between 1987 and 1995 - Bring The Family, Slow Turning, Stolen Moments, Perfectly Good Guitar and Walk On - are filled with exceptional tunes. Many of those songs have been covered by artists such as Bob Dylan, Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Willie Nelson, Jimmy Buffet and Joe Cocker. Unfortunately, Hiatt never achieved the commercial success he deserved. This FM broadcast captures him on December 6, 1990, 22 years ago today, on tour in support of Stolen Moments. Download this one to hear Hiatt at his peak.  Then after you listen, be sure to go out and buy his albums - this is an artist who deserves far more support than he’s gotten.

U2 - 1982-12-06 - London, UK (FM)

U2
1982-12-06
Hammersmith Palais
London, UK
FM Broadcast
128 kbps
Artwork Included

01. Surrender
02. I Threw a Brick Through a Window
03. A Day Without Me
04. An Cat Dubh
05. Into The Heart
06. Sunday Bloody Sunday
07. Cry > Electric Co.
08. I Fall Down
09. October
10. New Years Day
11. Gloria
12. I Will Follow
13. Fire
14. A Celebration

U2 - 1982-12-06 - London, UK (FM)

Our 3rd U2 post here in December takes us back to 1982 and the “Pre War” tour.  Broadcast on BBC Radio, this show captures U2 4 days after the Manchester show we recently posted, on December 6, 1982, 3 decades ago today, from the Hammersmith Palais in London. According to the U2gigs website, the Alarm opened for U2 that night, and Bono joined them to sing Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door. U2’s set featured material from their soon to be released album, a disc that marked a major turning point in the band’s career. Download this one to hear U2‘s music take a more serious and political tone.

U2 - 2000-12-05 - Irving Plaza, NY (SBD)

U2
2000-12-05
Irving Plaza
New York, NY
FM Broadcast
320 Kbps
Artwork Included

01. Intro By Cane
02. Intro By Matt Pinfield
03. Beautiful Day
04. Elevation
05. Stuck In A Moment
06. I Remember You
07. New York
08. I Will Follow
09. Desire
10. Ground Beneath Her Feet
11. Mysterious Ways
12. One
13. All I Want is You
14. Bad
15. 11 O'Clock Tick Tock
16. Won't Get Fooled Again

U2 - 2000-12-05 - Irving Plaza, NY (SBD)

Here’s our 2nd post this month featuring U2. It’s also our 3rd post today featuring a concert from New York City! In the fall of 2000, U2 launched a series of promotional events designed to promote their latest release, All That You Can’t Leave Behind. The events all set the stage for the following year’s Elevation tour, which we have featured on numerous occasions on this blog. The promotional activities included numerous radio broadcasts in the US and UK, as well as appearances on MTV’s TRL, Saturday Night Live and the MTV European VMA awards. The band also played 2 free concerts, for audiences of about 100 people, one in New York and one in London. This FM broadcast captures the 1st of those 2 shows, at Irving Plaza in New York City, on December 5, 2000, a dozen years ago today.  Download this one to hear U2 warm up for what would become the most legendary, and emotional, tour of their storied career.  One final note - according to this article, U2 also used this show to pay tribute to at least 15 other rock acts, including Frank Sinatra, Marvin Gaye, The Who, The Ramones, The Monkees  and The Rolling Stones.