Free Download Friday #109: Black Country Communion Live

Another freebie from Black Country Communion (see previous posts) - this time from their forthcoming concert DVD (and album?): Live Over Europe.

To whet your appetite, here's a trailer:

According the the bumph on the pre-order page, the double DVD comes with a free download of a live track. Thankfully though, you don't have to wait for the DVD release because they are giving the track away on their website just now. Give them an email address, and they'll give you the link to download a live version of Song Of Yesterday.

And it is a belter of a track. From the opening solo by, through the outstanding solo about halfway through, to the ending that romps and then ends on a more gentle reprise, it would seem that Mr Bonamassa is on fine form and thoroughly enjoying himself.

Joe Bonamassa also takes the bulk of the vocal duties which is more than fine by me!

I can't remember why I couldn't see this band when they played Glasgow at the end of July but hearing this live track makes me absolutely determined not to miss them the next time they tour. (In fact, I've not managed to see Joe Bonamassa in concert either. Something else I really need to put right!)

So what do you think? Is Song Of Yesterday your cup of tea? And would you consider getting the DVD when it becomes available?

Free Download Friday #108: Tom Hollister Trio

Missed last week (incompetence rather than lack of tracks) but back with a belter of a Blues track.

The Tom Hollister Trio is another band I first came a on a cover disk from Classic Rock magazine. Their website is impressive with a good selection of live video and audio files to check out, for example, here's a video from their YouTube channel taken from the Steelhouse Festival in Ebbw Vale, South Wales recorded on the 20th August 2011:

Their facebook page also has a load of good information and links. They had made an ep available for free download through facebook but unfortunately, you can no longer get it free. Have a listen to one of the tracks to see what you (and I) missed and if you like it, it only costs a pound to download the whole three track ep!

Tell Her Not To Go (Live at Knebworth) by TheTH3

But this post isn't called "Very Cheap Download Friday". So where's the freebie? Well you can't get the Knebworth ep free any more, but you can get a free track recorded at Sonisfere in 2010 because you can download Sweet Words from their Bandcamp site. And what a track it is. If you like it, you can listen to three tracks from Sonisfere with this widget:

I make no secret of my admiration for trios. It seems to me, with only three in a band, there is no room for slackers. Everyone has to pull their weight... and with this band, it sounds like the guitarist is pulling hard enough for three people on his own. The frighteningly talented guitarist may be the first to grab the ear but the bassist/vocalist and drummer are far from shabby and they are the kind of band that rewards repeated listens.

As far as I'm concerned, with bands like this on the rise, the future of the Blues is not just safe but positively dangerous! (And that's a good thing, in case you are confused.)

So what do you think of TH3?

Freddy Mercury - Google Doodle

The Google Doodles are usually fun and interesting but every so often they out do themselves. Today's falls into the "above and beyond" category: an animated video of Queen's Don't Stop Me Now to commemorate Freddy Mercury's birthday.

I suppose it will eventual turn up in the Doodle Archive, but here's a YouTube video in case you are unlucky enough to live in America (where it will not be shown until tomorrow):

Not interactive like the Les Paul Doodle but still great fun. Thank you Google.

Free Download Friday #107: The Answer

Free Download Friday back after a long Summer break.

First off the blocks is a young Irish band called The Answer - a ridiculously young Irish band who play outstandingly good old school rock. I think I first became aware of this band when they featured on a cover CD of Classic Rock magazine and was impressed enough to track down Everyday Demons.

Here's a widget that will let you hear and download the free track they have on offer:

This is another free track that is offered in exchange for your email address.

It is a belter. Cormac has a great rock voice - somewhere between a snarl and a scream and the rest of the band drive the track along at breakneck speed. I really like this track and if you like it too, I suggest you give Everyday Demons a try.

Let me know what you think in a comment, or at the least, click one of the reaction boxes at the bottom of the post.

Free Download Friday#106: I am not a number!

After the "Not Keen" ratings last week, I thought I'd go back to more familiar, albeit somewhat quirky, territory.

As I've stated before, I like noisy guitar bands but while this band are noisy, there are no guitars to be heard... at least, none with six strings. Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling are a duo: one who sings and plays bass and one who plays drums. I find myself enjoying minimalist approaches and stripped back arrangements at the moment and you don't get much more stripped back than just bass and drums!

I promised you quirky and if a bass and drum duo and quirky enough, this pair named themselves after an episode from the cult TV series, The Prisoner and are planning to release seventeen tracks - one for each episode. You want more quirkiness? How about a video for a track that faithfully recreates the programme's opening sequence:


(If you are not familiar with The Prisoner, the band have helpfully provided a version of their video with a picture in picture of the original opening sequence.)

A couple of the tracks are available as free downloads, specifically Episode 12 - Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling and Episode 11 - It’s Your Funeral. other tracks can be accessed and purchased from the band's music page.

They remind me a bit of Miss The Occupier and I like what I've heard so far. Have a listen and tell me what you think... Or at least, click on one of the checkboxes below.

Be seeing you.

Feedback on Feedback

I get a small but relatively steady number of visitors to this blog. I always intend to do more with it: to write more, to engage more, but poor time management and general disorganisation combine and lead to the infrequent posts and quiet blog you are currently reading.

thumbs up, a photo by .nate on Flickr.

A wee while ago, however, I noticed that you could add a reactions widget to Blogger blogs. This meant people could respond to a post simply by clicking in a box. I liked the idea. People might not want to take the time to leave a comment but offering a Facebook-style "Like" option seemed like a good idea. I hoped it would lower the participation bar sufficiently to encourage a bit more feedback on the Feedback blog. I always meant to write about this feature, draw it to people's attention but somehow never got around to it. (See opening paragraph!)

Essentially therefore, the reactions feature has remained ignored/overlooked/unused (delete as applicable). Last week, however, there was a flurry of activity in that there were two "Not keen" checks on the I Can't Think Of Any Jokes post. Curses! I like funny songs but I guess they are not to everyone's taste. I can't promise I'll never feature a funny song again but I will wait a good while before I risk it!

In the meantime, if you want to influence what appears here, or what songs feature in Free Music Friday, get clicking those check-boxes. It only takes seconds and I will pay attention... Honest.

Free Music Friday #105: I Can't Think Of Any Jokes

Collect a punnett of terrible puns, write a catchy tune, add a chorus, and what do you get? You get this free download from Alfred Williams:

I can't think of any jokes by Blindingham
Sad nerd that I am, I had a go at transcribing the lyrics. I think I got most of it but was completely stumped by the second last joke; anyone want to offer a suggestion?

If you can't help with the missing lyric, perhaps you could suggest lyrics that could have been included but were inexplicably omitted. For example, he could have told the one about the skunk, but frankly it stinks.

{This is a partial cross-post from EdCompBlog, my education blog. If you are interested in seeing a video of this track, the Education blog is displaying it for your edification and enjoyment.}

{P.S. Thanks to the Mitch Benn Podcast for bringing this track to my attention.}