Dallas has a fairly decent "coffee-shop" music scene - with a couple of locations bringing in national and regional touring artists. I've always found that singer-songwriter shows at coffee shops are cozy, low-key and intimate. You get to sit about 6 feet from the artist as they sing their hearts out. That intimacy is one of those elements that tends to get lost as you move into larger venues.

For me, Opening Bell Coffee, in downtown Dallas is one of the best coffee shop venues I've ever been to. Its located in the basement area of a building that was renovated to become a series of condos, and is located about a block from the rest of the "southside" downtown music venues, the Palladium, the Loft, Gilley's and Poor Davids Pub.

In early 2007 I had a chance to catch Rana Mansour there - an intensely talented, Persian-America singer songwriter. With heavy jazz, pop and R&B leanings, Rana's voice and piano playing produce classic soulful tunes. Her voice is just addictive, powerful and near perfect. My humble opinion. Comparisons have been drawn to Fiona Apple and Alicia Keys. Thats probably right.

At this particular show, Rana was using the house piano, which had a very slight bar room/saloon type sound to it. It made for an interesting counter point to her jazzy songs. To record the show, we dangled a single mic over the piano along with a mic for her vocals. I've been really pleased for the results, with several of the tracks from the show getting heavy rotation around the house and on the iPOD (and Zune and Zen).

Here's her bio for those interested in her musical background.

Check out the studio version of 'Lose Control' and the live versions of 'Mistake' and 'Unfavorable Sign' below for a sample of her talents.

On a side note - theres no references to Rana Mansour on the Hype Machine, so let me say that Lullabyes is also pleased to introduce Rana to the blogosphere!

Studio MP3:
Lose Control

Live MP3 MP3s:
Intro
Somebody With You
Mistake
Lover
Autumn Leaves (Johnny Mercer)
Sweet Sadness
Lose Control
Show The Way (David Wilcox)
Unfavorable Sign
Bavar Kon (Googoosh)
Leaving Home
Don't Worry Baby
Lovesong (The Cure)

Labels: dallas, indie, live mp3s, opening bell coffee, soundboard mp3s, studio mp3s

Here's the companion set to yesterday's post on Sondre Lerche.

Opening for Sondre was former Semisonic guitarist, lead singer and primary song-writer Dan Wilson. As we've mentioned several times over the last couple of months, Dan Wilson recently released 'Free Life' - his first solo record since the break up of Semisonic a few years ago.

Great set, my only regret was that I couldn't capture it from the soundboard - rather, I had to revert back to my trusty mics.

Featuring Semisonic classics (as well as the back-story for 'Closing Time' - you've got to hear it to believe it), the bulk of the tracks from his new solo record, as well as a song that he wrote for 'the Chicks' (aka the Dixie Chicks), the set was absolutely beautiful - and to be totally honest, I think that I prefer the live solo arrangements of the tracks from 'Free Life' to the studio recorded versions.

You of course can make up your mind! If you don't listen to anything else, be sure to grab and check out 'All Kinds'. Beautiful.

Enjoy.

Live MP3 MP3s:
Intro
Hand On My Heart
Breathless
'Dixie Chicks'
Easy Silence
'2 Things'
Sugar
Baby Doll
'Junior'
Closing Time
'Seattle'
Free Life
'Sing With Me'
All Kinds

Labels: audience mp3s, club dada, concerts, dallas, indie, live mp3s

So regular readers should already know I'm a big fan of Norwegian pop-darling Sondre Lerche.

Read about him on Lullabyes here and check out this older show we taped in Houston, back in 2003.

Dallas has been lucky enough to have Sondre Lerche visit a couple of times this year. Earlier in the year he wandered through with his band 'the Faces Down' in support of his closest-thing-to-rocking-out yet record, 'Phantom Punch' and played at the now-defunct Gypsy Tea Room. In November, he visited again - frequenting Club Dada with former Semisonic lead-man Dan Wilson.

Amazing amazing show. I'd seen him earlier this year at SXSW, it was an outside venue, with a fairly lacking sound system. Seeing him close up and indoors was an absolute treat and a much better venue for his fun and cozy shows.

Ever prolific, Sondre's put out two records this year - the 'fore mentioned 'Phantom Punch' and more recently he provided the soundtrack for the Steve Carell vehicle, 'Dan in Real Life'. The latest show in November was in support for this new soundtrack, and Sondre played quite a few of the songs from the record - though sadly we didn't get a solo take on 'Hell No' - originally a duet with Regina Spektor.

Fortunately, we did get an amazing rendition of 'Modern Nature' with a full-on sing-a-long from the choir-like ladies in the audience. I haven't heard an audience sound this good since Matt Wertz.

Other highlights include 'Sleep On Needles', 'Two Way Monologue' and his various funny anecdotes between songs. You can tell he was thrilled to have worked on 'Dan in Real Life' with at least 4 monologues on the experience.

Great recording of a great show. Enjoy.

Buy 'Phantom Punch' here - and the 'Dan in Real Life' Soundtrack here.

Live MP3 MP3s:
Don't Be Shallow
'Club Dada'
After All
Everyone's Rooting For You
'Faces Down'
Airport Taxi Reception
'Changing Strings'
Say It All
Maybe You're Gone
'Dan In Real Life' Part 1
To Be Suprised
'Dan In Real Life' Part 2
My Hands Are Shaking
'Dan In Real Life' Part 3
I'll Be OK
Dead Passengers
'Duper Sessions'
Human Hands
'Merch Booth'
Happy Birthday Girl
'Unreleased Track'
I Know I Know
Tragic Mirror
Two Way Monologue
Encore Break
'Dan In Real Life' Part 4
Modern Nature
Phantom Punch
Sleep On Needles
Outro

Labels: club dada, concerts, dallas, indie, live mp3s, soundboard mp3s

I'm pretty excited about the upcoming week. Love Thanksgiving - Turkey... stuffing... gravy... pumpkin pie... repeat. Good times.

For the kids in Dallas, the coming week is also bringing some fairly decent shows to town. Club Dada is doing especially well - with great shows on back to back nights, this Thursday and Friday.

Thursday's visitors are Sondre Lerche and Dan Wilson (of Semisonic) fame. I never got to see Semisonic, even though I always wanted to - so seeing Dan in a tiny little venue like Dada should be a great experience. Read about Dan's new record here.

Now I've seen Sondre twice - at SXSW earlier this year, and in Houston a few years ago. The Houston show ranked as one of the coziest and fun little shows I've ever been to - and its definitely the one I listen to most from that year. Check it out here.

Friday brings Wild Sweet Orange and the Whigs to Club Dada. Not that familiar with the Whigs - but I've been enjoying Wild Sweet Orange's tracks over at their MySpace and I have it on good authority that their live show rocks. Should be a good time. Check out their track 'Wrestle With God' below - then head over to their MySpace and check out 'Ten Dead Dogs'.

MP3 MP3s:
Wild Sweet Orange - Wrestle With God

Labels: club dada, dallas, studio mp3s, tour dates

Hands down , Great Northern is the best band I've discovered this year.

Their track, Low Is A Height, from the album 'Trading Twilight to Daylight' is supremely beautiful - lush instrumentation, primarily made up of a simple crackling beat, piano, synthetic strings, gentle strumming acoustics and occasional glockenspiel back Rachel Stolte's lush multi-tracked vocals. Most beautiful song I've heard in a long time. The rest of the album is also excellent - featuring more rocking girl/boy tracks. Fairly radio-friendly tracks. I think its just a matter of time before we hear Great Northern all over the place.

Check out 'Low Is A Height' at their site.

I got to see a striped down version of Great Northern play a show at Good Records. Rachel Stolte and Solon Bixler played a short 3 song acoustic set in advance of their set that night at the Cavern with Robbers On High Street.

Live MP3 MP3s:
Intro
Our Bleeding Hearts
Babies
Home
Outro

Tour Dates:
2007-11-12
Crocodile Cafe
Seattle, Washington

2007-11-15
Larimer Lounge
Denver, Colorado

The Jackpot Saloon
Lawrence, KS

2007-11-17
7th Street Entry
Minneapolis, MN

2007-11-18
Schubas Tavern
Chicago, IL

Labels: concerts, dallas, good records, indie, live mp3s, soundboard mp3s, tour dates

Well its been a great week for music in Dallas - I've gotten to see Final Fantasy, Cadence Weapon, Great Northern, Robbers on High Street, Northern State and Tegan & Sara. I missed Regina Spektor, Spoon and the Polyphonic Spree. I'm a bit sad about Spree and Spektor - but both were mid week and I couldn't get to the shows.

Still stellar week and lots of recordings. Also got lots of new CDs - so should be some good posts coming up.

First - Robbers On High Street. I'd just picked up a copy of their latest record - Grand Animals, then had a chance to see the band play at Good Records with Great Northern.

The record is great - you can stream the bulk of it over at their MySpace page. Check out Crown Victoria, its my favorite track and fairly representative of the band. They really remind me of a band I used to listen to from Tulsa - the Mellowdramatic Wallflowers, fun, jaunty tracks featuring organs and jangly guitars that accompany hummable vocal lines.

Great little show - the bands atypically a 3 piece, but they expanded their lineup live to include 2 additional players. Good choice as it allowed them to better represent their recorded materials. The guys played 3 quick tracks from their new record and the recording came out well, though the vocals were a little low in the mix for the first couple of songs.

Catch them out on their tour with Great Northern - a really great pairing of bands.

Live MP3 MP3s:
Intro
Guard At Your Heel
Crown Victoria
Your Phantom Walks The Hall
Outro

Labels: dallas, good records, indie, live mp3s, soundboard mp3s

Quick post tonight!

Got to see Christian Hjelm, lead singer for the Denmark-based band Figurines, play a solo acoustic set at Good Records last Saturday afternoon.

Quick little four song set from Hjelm primarily drawing from their new album, When the Deer Wore Blue.

Live MP3 MP3s:
Intro
Good Old Friends
Angels Of The Bayou
Drove You Miles
Rivalry

Labels: dallas, good records, indie, soundboard mp3s

Eisley's sparkling new record, Combinations, came out today in all fine record stores near you. In support - Eisley are playing a series of acoustic shows around the US.

Dallas Texas got to play host to Eisley on their release date - for not one, but two shows!

Before heading over to House of Blues for their late show, the Eisley sisters stopped by Good Records for an early evening, truly acoustic (ie no drums or bass) mini-show. Playing to a near packed house the girls played some older favorites along with highlights from the new record.

It ended up being a beautiful recording with Stacy and Sherri DuPree's lovely voices harmonizing perfectly over the acoustic guitars and piano sections. If you need a starting point, go to the end and listen to Invasion.

Buy Eisley's new record, Combinations here.

Tour Dates:
8/16 Houston, TX - Meridian
8/18 Orlando, FL - The Social
8/20 New York, NY - Joe's Pub

Live MP3 MP3s:
I Could Be There For You
Come Clean
Golly Sandra
Go Away
Many Funerals
Marvelous Things
Invasion

Labels: concerts, dallas, good records, indie, live mp3s, soundboard mp3s, tour dates

Good Records got a visit from Bishop Allen on Sunday - a kind gesture to all the good people of Dallas who didn't want to drive up to Denton to see them on Saturday night.

Another great set from Bishop Allen - and in many ways the quieter, in-store set up at Good Records was even more enjoyable then seeing them in rock mode, in Denton.

This ended up as a matrix recording - combining two different recordings, one that captured the vocals, keyboards and acoustic instruments through the mixing console, and a second using audience mics to get the "room" sound. Since the drums, electric guitars, and the bass weren't mic'ed this was the best way to ensure the recording actually sounded like the bands performance.

I think it came out pretty well - let me know what you think. And on a side note, this may quite possibly be one of the loveliest versions of Butterfly Nets I've heard yet.

Enjoy.

Live MP3s MP3:

Intro
Click Click Click Click
Like Castanets
The Monitor
The Same Fire
Rain
Butterfly Nets

Labels: audience mp3s, concerts, dallas, good records, indie, live mp3s, soundboard mp3s

I was thinking about not posting anything for this show - just this lovely pic of Meg & Dia and the links to the tracks. My thought process was, if I ran across a band with this pic, I would listen to their tracks!

Kidding aside - here's a really quick in-store show that the two sisters played at Good Records a few months ago. Enjoy!

Live MP3 MP3s:
Intro
Setting Up Sunday
Masterpiece (Wrong Key)
Masterpiece
Monster

Tour Dates:
07/24/07 Virginia Beach, VA Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach
07/25/07 Columbia, MD Merriweather Post Pavilion
07/26/07 Moosic, PA Toyota Pavilion At Montage Mountain
07/27/07 Detroit, MI Comerica Park
07/28/07 Tinley Park, IL First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
07/29/07 Minneapolis, MN HHH Metrodome
07/31/07 Milwaukee, WI Marcus Amphitheater
08/01/07 Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music Center
08/02/07 Cleveland, OH Time Warner Cable Amph.@Tower City
08/03/07 Camden, NJ Tweeter Center At The Waterfront
08/04/07 Uniondale, NY Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
08/05/07 Englishtown, NJ Raceway Park
08/07/07 Noblesville, IN Verizon Wireless Music Center
08/08/07 Burgettstown, PA Post-Gazette Pavilion
08/09/07 Mansfield, MA Tweeter Center
08/10/07 Darien Center, NY Darien Lake Theme Park Resort
08/11/07 Barrie, ON Park Place
08/12/07 Montreal, QC Parc Jean-Drapeau
08/14/07 Maryland Heights, MO Verizon Wireless Amph. St. Louis
08/15/07 Bonner Springs, KS Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
08/17/07 Nampa, ID Idaho Center Amphitheater
08/18/07 Quincy, WA Gorge Amphitheatre
08/19/07 Saint Helens, OR Columbia Meadows
08/22/07 Fresno, CA Selland Arena
08/23/07 Marysville, CA Sleep Train Amphitheatre
08/24/07 Chula Vista, CA Coors Amphitheatre
08/25/07 Carson, CA The Home Depot Center

Labels: dallas, good records, indie, live mp3s, soundboard mp3s, tour dates

Well I thought I'd seen every potential variation of recording a band, but every once in a while you get to experience something entirely new, and extremely fun. Monday was one of those times.

I had wandered over to the House of Blues to tape Limbeck doing an exclusive acoustic set for Lullabyes, before their gig with The Format later that night. I had planned to record them through the soundboard, but the doors to the venue had opened earlier than expected and that wasn't going to be option.

Rising to the challenged, we decided we were going to get an acoustic set one way or another - so we ended up on a landing in the the stair well leading up to the dressing rooms, with yours truly holding up microphones while the lads in Limbeck played in a little semi-circle around me. There's a first time for everything!

We taped two songs in the stairwell and then two songs in the "small" secondary venue at the House of Blues called The Cambridge Room. Even though the session was captured in the most low-fi way imaginable the recordings came out beautifully.

The acoustic interpretations of Limbeck's normally electric songs highlighted gorgeous (and perfect) backing harmonies along with their strength as musicians and songwriters.

I'm excited to offer these fantastic and exclusive recordings of Limbeck. Enjoy!

Live MP3 MP3s:
Trouble
Names for Dogs

Limbeck's touring extensively over the next couple of months - be sure to check them.

Tour Dates:
7/22 St. Petersburg, FL
7/24 Ft. Lauderdale, FL
7/25 Atlanta, GA
7/26 New Orleans, LA
7/27 Memphis, TN
7/28 Tulsa, OK
7/29 Albuquerque, NM
7/31 San Diego, CA
8/1 Hollywod, CA
8/2 Anaheim, CA
8/3 San Francisco, CA
8/4 San Francisco, CA
8/5 Seattle, WA
8/7 Vancouver, BC
8/9 Calgary, Alberta
8/10 Edmonton, AB
8/11 Saskatoon, SK
8/12 Winnipeg, MB
8/15 Ottawa, ON
8/15 Rochester, NY
8/16 Toronto, ON
8/18 So. Burlington, VT
8/19 Boston, MA
8/21 New York, NY
8/22 Sayreville, NJ
8/23 Philadelphia, PA
8/24 Norfolk, VA
8/25 Washington, DC
8/26 Carrboro, NC
8/28 Cincinatti, OH
8/29 Cleveland, OH
8/29 Cleveland, OH
8/30 Grand Rapids, MI
8/31 Detroit, MI
9/1 Chicago, IL
9/2 St Paul, MN
9/4 Iowa City, IA
9/5 Sauget, IL
9/6 Lawrence, KS
9/7 Eaglewood, CO

Labels: concerts, dallas, house of blues, indie, live mp3s

I got to check out Marc Broussard last week at the newest (and quite possibly the finest) venue in Dallas, the House of Blues.

I guess I'm slightly behind the times here because until I got an email on Marc's new record, SOS (Save Our Soul), I'd never heard of him - and it was my loss.

First the record - SOS. Let me steal right off of Marc's website here -

Marc plumbed the vaults of historic labels like Motown and Stax to create 11 performances that are sweltering and incendiary - and true... Classics by Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Stevie Wonder, Otis Redding and others

When I got the original email I had a picture of Marc, and that quote. To be honest, my first thought was - THAT guy is going to cover THOSE guys and pull it off? After hearing one song, I knew he had. The boy can SING. Perfect inflection, perfect tone - Marc own's every classic he covers on SOS. Check out the MP3 for Love And Happiness below - the head over to his MySpace for a few more excellent tracks.

Second the show. One word can describe it - tight. Bringing a thoroughly smooth and funky guitar rock sensibility to both the cover tunes, and well as his original songs, Marc and his band owned the two thousand or so people who were at the House of Blues that night. In fact I haven't seen this many sorority girls singing their hearts out since John Mayer a few years ago.

Single men - attend the closest Marc show near you, then send me an email of thanks.

Guys in relationships - take your girl to the closest Marc show to you, then send me an email of thanks.

Oh and quite possibly the best bit of the experience? They record EVERY show and will sell you a copy after the concert ends for $15. Show your loved one a great time, then buy them a memento that they can keep forever.

Studio MP3:
Love And Happiness

Live MP3:
Rock Steady

Tour Dates:
Tue 07/10/07 Knoxville, TN Bijou Theatre
Thu 07/12/07 Nashville, TN Cannery Ballroom
Fri 07/13/07 Atlanta, GA Center Stage
Sat 07/14/07 Charlotte, NC Neighborhood Theatre
Sun 07/15/07 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
Mon 07/16/07 Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club / Lounge
Wed 07/18/07 Sayreville, NJ Starland Ballroom
Thu 07/19/07 New York, NY Fillmore New York At Irving Plaza
Sat 07/21/07 Amagansett, NY Stephen Talkhouse
Sun 07/22/07 Camden, NJ Wiggins Park
Tue 07/24/07 Baltimore, MD Rams Head Live!
Wed 07/25/07 Cleveland, OH House Of Blues
Thu 07/26/07 Indianapolis, IN The Vogue
Fri 07/27/07 Chicago, IL House Of Blues
Sat 07/28/07 Minneapolis, MN Fine Line Music Cafe
Wed 08/01/07 Covington, KY Madison Theater
Thu 08/02/07 Saint Louis, MO Blueberry Hill's Duck Room
Fri 08/03/07 North Kansas City, MO Voodoo Lounge/Harrah's Kansas City
Sat 08/04/07 Boulder, CO Fox Theatre
Tue 08/07/07 Salt Lake City, UT The Depot
Wed 08/08/07 Boise, ID Big Easy Concert House
Thu 08/09/07 Portland, OR Aladdin Theater
Fri 08/10/07 Vancouver, BC Richard's On Richards
Tue 08/14/07 Crystal Bay, NV Crystal Bay Club Casino
Wed 08/15/07 Santa Cruz, CA Moe's Alley
Thu 08/16/07 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore
Sat 08/18/07 Los Angeles, CA The Avalon
Sun 08/19/07 Anaheim, CA House Of Blues
Mon 08/20/07 San Diego, CA House Of Blues
Sat 08/25/07 Spanish Fort, AL Blue Gills
Mon 08/27/07 Baton Rouge, LA Varsity Theatre
Tue 08/28/07 Baton Rouge, LA Varsity Theatre

Labels: concerts, dallas, house of blues, indie, live mp3s, soundboard mp3s, studio mp3s, tour dates

So do I need to tell you about Abra again?

Read this, this, this and this to learn (a lot) more about my favorite Texas artist, Ms Abra Moore.

I had the honor of catching her last weekend at the acoustically outstanding Poor Davids Pub in the Lamar area of downtown Dallas. She was touring in support of her new record, On The Way, and even though I've seen her at least a dozen other times over the last decade, I can firmly say that this was the most intimate and most beautiful performance yet.

Accompanied by Will Sexton, who played subtle and atmospheric guitar parts, Abra played over an hour and a half of songs from all four of her solo albums. The new tracks from the On The Way were especially powerful, my favorite being the opener Sugarite.

If you have a chance to check her out, don't miss it - its a magical experience.

Live Shows:
Jun 30 Cactus Cafe Austin, TX 8 PM
July 5 KFAN Fredericksburg, TX 3:30PM
July 8 WXRV's Riverfront Festival Newburyport, MA
July 28 Go Bar Athens, GA
Aug 21 Borders/WBJB Emerging Artist Series Eatontown, NJ
Aug 22 Sellersville Theater Sellersville, PA
Aug 25 The Living Room New York, NY 10 PM
Aug 27 WUMB Boston, MA noon
Aug 27 WMVY Martha's Vineyard, MA 5 PM
Aug 27 The Dock Martha's Vineyard, MA 9 PM
Sept 10 WYCE Festival Grand Rapids, MI

Live MP3s:
Sugarite
Taking Chances
After All These Years
Birthday Song
Happiness
Ku'u Ome O Kahaluu
4 Leaf Clover
You
Into the Sunset
If You Want Me To
Shining Star
Family Affair
Step Without Looking
I Believe
Take Care of Me

Labels: concerts, dallas, indie, live mp3s, poor davids pub, soundboard mp3s

I had the opportunity to see and tape Land of Talk last Tuesday, during their co-headlining tour with the Rosebuds, and it was a fantastic experience.

I'd first seen Land of Talk a few months ago at SXSW (read and listen here)and had been dutifully impressed with Elizabeth Powell and Company. Her heady and urgent vocals perfectly meshed with Land of Talks fiery indie rock. I can only say that as impressed as I was at SXSW, it didn't compare to this show.

Elizabeth was in top form, with her sultry vocals cutting through the mix. What may have been most suprising was how perfectly in key she stayed - even while shredding away at her guitar. Accented with differentiating bass melodies and powerful drums, Land of Talk completely rocked the house. For current fans, you'll be pleased with the array of new songs that are featured as part of this set - including my new fav Some Are Lakes.

To top it off, the venue they played at, the Cavern, is a great space. An intimate room, it may hold a couple of hundred people - tops. An intimate little stage occupies the corner next to the entrance, and the listening area unfolds in front of it. Not only were the acoustics great, but theres an area towards the back that's seperated from the "front" room by some arched open doorways which effectively blocks all cigarette smoke and features a bunch of couches. Great for lounging and having drinks with friends. Last but not least, the drinks were dirt cheap. Just can't beat it.

If all of that wasn't enough, the Land of Talk kids were some of the nicest indie-rockers I've met in a long time. Since this isn't a gossip blog we won't get into the details, but we can reveal on good authority that theres definitely some cross Land of Talk/Rosebuds romance going on. ;)

Live MP3s:
Intro
Some Are Lakes
Breaxxbaxx
Magnetic Hill
Yuppy Flu
Summer Special
Sea Foam
Speak To Me Bones
Give Me Back My Heart Attack
Young Bridge
It's Okay
All My Friends
Death By Fire
Outro

Labels: cavern, concerts, dallas, indie, live mp3s, soundboard mp3s

I went out and saw Land of Talk play with the Rosebuds last night - now I am really really tired, but it was really really worth it. Im in the middle of editing the show right now and will try and get it up tomorrow.

With that said - its 9pm and Im ready to go to sleep, but here's a quick post for you, before I do.

Got to catch Matt Wertz at the now-defunct Gypsy Team Room. I was very excited about getting to tape this show, since I had really enjoyed his set when I saw him in 2006 (ready about it here). However, when I got to the show I was suprised to see large hi-def cameras scattered around the room.

I wandered over to the crew and found out that they were filming 4 songs for HDNet. Nice. What was not so nice was that they were using all the soundboard audio outs, so I only got to tape the last few songs!

I've set my DVR to record every instance of True Music on HDNet - Im hoping to see the songs I didnt get to tape at some point, but as I always say - somethings better than nothing!

Enjoy.

Live MP3s:
Everything's Right
The Day Forever Died
Sweetness in Starlight
Red Meets Blue

Labels: concerts, dallas, gypsy tea room, indie, live mp3s, soundboard mp3s

Have I mentioned how much I love Good Records? Not only do they have the best and most varied selection of records in Dallas, but they host killer shows in an intimate, casual and SMOKE FREE atmostphere. Oh and everyone who works there is just nice nice nice. I keep talking about how I'm going to quit taping at all other venues... I don't really mean it, but it's a nice thought whenever I leave a club at 1am smelling like an ashtray.

Anyway - Good Records and our friends over at Gorilla vs Bear hosted an all acoustic Grizzly Bear last week. It was a dazzling, stripped down and near etheral set. In fact my girl gave it the highest praise possible - "This is the best show you've ever taken me to." And believe me, she gets dragged to all sorts of wonderment.

So here's the full set! I know you all will enjoy it as much as we did.

Live MP3s:
Soundcheck
Intro
Easier
Plans
Shift
Service Bell
Knife
On a Neck, On a Spit

Labels: concerts, dallas, good records, indie, live mp3s, soundboard mp3s

Clearly, Of Montreal needs no introduction so let me make a few comments on the recording. I love it. The stereo mixing is gorgeous - especially the way the guitars play off of one another.

The band was in top form last night at the Gypsy Tea Room - with 900 Dallas kids losing themselves to the glittering goodness of Kevin Barnes and company.

All in all, it makes me sad that Gypsy is closing down at the end of March. Thank goodness I have tickets to another half a dozen shows there...

Live MP3s:
Intro
Suffer For Fashion
Sink The Seine
Pussy Freak
Faberge Falls For Shuggie
Drum Intro
I Was Never Young
Cato As A Pun
Heimdalsgate Like a Promethean Curse
Band Introduction
Du Og Meg
Art Snob Solutions
Vegan In Furs
Labyrinthian Pomp
She's A Rejecter
We Were Born The Mutants Again With Leafling
October Is Eternal
I Was A Landscape In Your Dream
Bunny Ain't No Kind Of Rider
Gronlandic Edit
Oslo In The Summertime
The Party's Crashing Us
Rapture Rapes The Muses
Encore Break
A Sentence of Sorts In Kongsvinger
Chrissie Kiss The Corpse
Requiem For O.M.M.2
Outro

Labels: concerts, dallas, gypsy tea room, live mp3s, soundboard mp3s

Something extra special for everyone today. For the first time ever, we're posting a show on the day of the taping!

Here's Kevin Barnes, lead singer from Of Montreal, playing a solo, acoustic gig at Dallas' Good Records, from earlier this afternoon.

Playing to a packed house, Kevin played a full 10 song set that included Of Montreal favorites, a brand-new song "Something To Be Laughed At" and various covers. Be sure to check out his interpration of The Beatles "I Will" and the beautiful, heart-breaking rendition of Neil Youngs "Harvest Moon"

And check out Of Montreal on their current tour!!

Tour Dates:
2-19 - Norman, OK - Meacham Auditorium @ Univ.of OK
2-20 - Lawrence, KS - Granada
2-21 - Columbia, MO - Blue Note
2-22 - Springfield, MO - Remington's Downtown
2-23 - Birmingham, AL - Bottletree
2-24 - Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse
3-5 - Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle
3-6 - Fall's Church, VA - State Theatre 18+
3-7 - Clinton, NY - The Annex @ Hamilton College
3-8 - Philadelphia, PA - Trocadero
3-9 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza 16+
3-10 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza 16+
3-11 - Boston, MA - Avalon
3-12 - Montreal, QC - La Tulipe
3-13 - Toronto, ON - Opera House
3-14 - Detroit, MI - Magic Stick
3-15 - Chicago, IL - Cabaret Metro
3-16 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
3-17 - Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theatre
3-19 - Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom
3-20 - Newport, KY - Southgate House 18+
3-21 - Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge 18+
3-22 - Asheville, NC - Grey Eagle
3-23 - Columbia, SC - Headliners 16+
3-29 - Gainesville, FL - Abbey Road 18+
3-30 - Miami, FL - Studio A
3-31 - Orlando, FL - The Club At Firestone
4-1 - Jacksonville, FL - Freebird Live
4-2 - Tallahassee, FL - The Moo

Now I've got to run go see the full band play at Gypsy Team Room!!

Live MP3s:
Intro
I Will (The Beatles)
Climb the Ladder
Chrissie Kiss The Corpse
Requiem for O.M.M.2
Du Og Meg
Heimdalsgate Like A Promethean Curse
Suffer For Fashion
Something To Be Laughed At
Green Typewriter Suite (Olivia Tremor Control)
Harvest Moon (Neil Young)

Labels: concerts, dallas, good records, indie, live mp3s, soundboard mp3s, tour dates

Have you figured out that i'm a big Jude fan?

I've posted on him a few times over the last year. Read those posts here, here and here.

I'd seen him a few times a couple of years ago in Los Angeles, at the Largo - a lovely little industry showcase/restaurant. Unfortunately the Largo, while a killer venue, take a very nazi-esque attitude to taping. So I've never managed to get a soundboard recording of Jude.

All that changed in October when he came through Texas. He was playing 3 dates - Austin, Dallas and Houston - all mid week. By some small miracle I happened to be in Dallas for work the day he was playing there, so managed to catch that show and the Houston show the next night.

Though the Houston show was significantly longer, the Dallas show was definitely the better of the two. There were about 50 (screaming) fans there, who crowded the stage and sang along to almost every song. Jude played a solid selection of songs that ranged across all his entire discography. He also took all sorts of fun requests. Unfortunately the only request he could not play was the one that I yelled out, Homerun Hillary (you can check out the studio mp3 on the second link I posted above.) Sigh.

Some of the best tracks of the night were songs from his brand spanking new record, Redemption - which came out in France a month or two ago - and which is finally available in the States at cdbaby.com - to check it out and buy it go here.

Couple of quick notes - the soundguy had added some delay onto Judes vocals, we realized it was too much during track 3 and minimized it. The Asshole Song is performed on the guitar - very cool change since its usually performed on the organ.

MP3s:
Jude - All I Want To Do

Live MP3s:
Intro
Married
Im Sorry Now
Prophet
Your Eyes
Run To My Room
Break-Up Song
Jude Story - France
Love Letters
Indian Lover
Intro to...
Gay Cowboy
Rick James
I Know
Intro to...
Black Superman
You Mama You
Jude Story - The OC & Redemption
Money
The Asshole Song
Everything's All Right
I Do
Love Love Love

Labels: concerts, dallas, gypsy tea room, indie, jude, live mp3s, soundboard mp3s, studio mp3s

So you may have noticed a slow down in posts lately. Well, there's a reasons for that - Lullabyes is moving all the way down the street (ie I-45) from H-Town aka Houston, to the Big D. Dallas, Texas. I've been in transition stage lately, and haven't had an Internet connection, thus no Blog Posts.

Now I've got to admit, I'm pretty excited about this move. Don't get me wrong, I love Houston. Of the (many) cities that I've lived in (including a previous stint in Dallas), Houston has been my absolute favorite. Beautiful town, great people, diverse cultures, more restuarants then you can shake a stick at, and of course its Space City. As a bit of sci-fi fan I've always liked knowing that NASA was just down the street.

With that said, from a musical perspective, its clear that Dallas gets a lot more concerts then Houston does - especially when it comes to Indie music. There's been many a night when I've been reading Gorilla vs Bear and been slightly pissed that some band is playing in Dallas, and skipping over Houston.

So - 2007 is going to be a good year. If anyone knows of a good show in Dallas that should get taped and shared, let me know!

More to come.

Labels: concerts, dallas, houston, indie, move