LIVE: Jim James & M Ward (03/15/2008 @ St. David's Church)

I really wish I had been at this show. I've seen Jim James solo a number of times, once with M Ward, and each time it shines a new light on his MMJ material. Luckily for us, some fine fellow recorded the concert in its entirety (and it's fairly good quality). Recording details, credits, tracklist, and FLAC files can be found over at the archive.org page where I grabbed these tracks.

[Download entire concert as a ZIP file here.]

M Ward Solo
::: M Ward - Sad, Sad Song (live @ St. David's Church)
::: M Ward - Oh Lonesome Me (live @ St. David's Church)
::: M Ward - Poison Cup (live @ St. David's Church)
::: M Ward - Rollercoaster (live @ St. David's Church)
::: M Ward - Duet for Guitars #3 (live @ St. David's Church)

Jim James & M Ward
::: Jim James & M Ward - Chinese Translation (live @ St. David's Church)
::: Jim James & M Ward - One Life Away (live @ St. David's Church)
::: Jim James & M Ward - Outta My Head (live @ St. David's Church)
::: Jim James & M Ward - Wonderful (The Way I Feel) (live @ St. David's Church)
::: Jim James & M Ward - Golden (live @ St. David's Church)
::: Jim James & M Ward - Look at You (live @ St. David's Church)

Jim James Solo
::: Jim James - Bermuda Highway (live @ St. David's Church)
::: Jim James - It Beats 4 U (live @ St. David's Church)
::: Jim James - What A Wonderful Man (live @ St. David's Church)
::: Jim James - Sec Walkin' (live @ St. David's Church)*
::: Jim James - Librarian (live @ St. David's Church)*
::: Jim James - Smokin From Shootin (live @ St. David's Church)*
::: Jim James - Thank You Too (live @ St. David's Church)*
::: Jim James - I Will Be There When You Die (live @ St. David's Church)
::: Jim James - Gideon (live @ St. David's Church)

* indicates tracks from MMJ's upcoming release Evil Urges, which drops on June 10th.

[My Morning Jacket official website.]
[M Ward official website.]
[Download Music from eMusic; 25 song free trial.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to coodooaustin.]

Tags: mp3, music, live, my morning jacket, jim james, m ward, austin

MUSIC: Colin Meloy

Every once in a while I like to go to a concert where I sit down, relax, and get a chance to soak in the artist's talent. One such concert occurred in 2006 at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco; the solo tour of Colin Meloy (frontman of The Decemberists) eventually spawned the soon-to-be released live album (out on Kill Rock Stars). I also picked up a copy of the EP which Colin plays Shirley Collins songs which included the "Barbara Allen" track below (and a live version is on the new release). A previous solo tour included a Morrisey-themed EP and word on the street says that the new tour will offer up a Sam Cooke EP. Sweet. Anyhow, here's some solo Colin Meloy for your enjoyment.

::: Colin Meloy - We Both Go Down Together [from Colin Meloy Sings Live!]
::: Colin Meloy - Barbara Allen [from Colin Meloy sings Shirley Collins]
::: Colin Meloy - Everyday Is Like Sunday (live) [from Yeti 3]

You can also stream "Engine Driver" from the new album over at RCRD LBL. Pre-order the album (out on April 8th) from Insound in either LP or CD format and get two downloadable non-album tracks immediately for free.

Also, here's some tour dates:
4/7 Austin, TX La Zona Rosa
4/8 Dallas, TX Granada Theater
4/10 Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse
4/11 Asheville, NC Orange Peel
4/12 Charlottesville, VA The Satellite Ballroom
4/13 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
4/15 Somerville, MA Somerville Theatre
4/16 Brooklyn, NY Music Hall Of Williamsburg
4/17 Brooklyn, NY Music Hall Of Williamsburg
4/21 Chicago, IL Park West
4/22 Milwaukee, WI The Pabst Theater
4/23 Madison, WI Barrymore Theater
4/25 Lawrence, KS Liberty Hall
4/26 Boulder, CO Fox Theatre
4/28 Los Angeles, CA Henry Fonda Theatre
4/29 Santa Cruz, CA The Rio Theatre
4/30 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore
5/2 Seattle, WA Showbox
5/3 Portland, OR Wonder Ballroom

[Colin Meloy on myspace.]
[Download Music from eMusic; 25 song free trial.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to shikihan; pinhole!]

LIVE: Spoon @ Berkeley Greek Theatre (08/12/06)

One of my all-time favorite venues for catching live music is the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, California. Their summertime concert series always present an eclectic mix of genres and you can't beat the cool Bay Area evenings. In recent years I've seen The White Stripes, Radiohead, The Flaming Lips, and a host of others (including Paul Simon, where I sat up on the hill behind the theatre and drank boxed wine).

I also managed to catch the most excellent Spoon during their tour with Death Cab For Cutie. Lucky for me (and you), BayTaper.com recorded a set during the two-night stint and has made it available to the public. It's an excellent live recording of an excellent band. Enjoy.

::: Spoon - The Beast & The Dragon, Adored (Live in Berkeley on 08/12/06)
::: Spoon - Monsieur Valentine (Live in Berkeley on 08/12/06)
::: Spoon - Stay Don't Go (Live in Berkeley on 08/12/06)
::: Spoon - Jonathon Fisk (Live in Berkeley on 08/12/06)
::: Spoon - I Turn My Camera On (Live in Berkeley on 08/12/06)
::: Spoon - "Tune Up & Thanks" (Live in Berkeley on 08/12/06)
::: Spoon - Rhythm & Soul (Live in Berkeley on 08/12/06)
::: Spoon - Paper Tiger (Live in Berkeley on 08/12/06)
::: Spoon - Someone Something (Live in Berkeley on 08/12/06)
::: Spoon - They Never Got You (Live in Berkeley on 08/12/06)
::: Spoon - I Summon You (Live in Berkeley on 08/12/06)
::: Spoon - The Way We Get By (Live in Berkeley on 08/12/06)

If you don't already own some Spoon albums, do yourself a favor and pick up a couple.

[Spoon official website.]
[Download Music from eMusic; 25 song free trial.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to jasonEscapist; cameraphone!]

Tags: mp3, music, live, concert, spoon, berkeley, greek theatre

REVISIT: Arcade Fire (Magnetic Fields Cover)

Here's an older cover of a Magnetic Fields song that Arcade Fire did on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic show in 2005. I like it, and so will you.

::: Arcade Fire - Born On A Train (Magnetic Fields Cover) (Live)

If you're a fan of interesting and exciting music, check out the new releases at the new Gold Robot Records. Limited edition vinyl tracks by new brilliant artists.

[Arcade Fire on myspace.]
[Current Macktronic Contest = Free Stuff.]
[Gold Robot Records on myspace.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to miss bob reno.]

Tags: arcade fire, magnetic fields, mp3, music, live, macktronic