Monthly Archives: June 2007

Richard Thompson is currently on tour supporting one of his strongest albums in quite some years, Sweet Warrior, and he performed a free concert in Prospect Park in Brooklyn last night. Under the most difficult conditions, Thompson delivered a stunning performance of new material and classics, proving once again that he is one of the most prolific and yet under-appreciated performers of last four decades.

But, oh, the rain. With any outdoor concert, the elements play a part in the experience, but this recording is an extreme example. As Thompson took the stage, it began to rain and in the middle of the second song (“Bad Monkey”), the skies opened with a torrential downpour and lightning. The commotion during that song is obvious on this recording. The concert was halted for about 15 minutes, and the crowd ran for cover.

Thankfully, my equipment was not drenched, due to the kindness of a older couple providing cover with a plastic tarp. It rained on and off throughout most of the concert, and there are moments when the surrounding noises of umbrellas and people fleeing for cover can be heard. There is one song missing from this recording (“Mingulay Boat Song”), as my Marantz digital recorder seized near the end of “I’ll Never Give it Up”, most likely as a result of excessive moisture. After a reset, the recording resumed and the balance of the set was captured.

All things considered, under the most difficult circumstances possible, this recording is nevertheless an outstanding capture of a memorable Richard Thompson concert. For an example of this recording at its best, sample the encore “Sunset Song”.

Interestingly, this recording comes almost exactly 10 years to the day since the last time I recorded Thompson, June 15, 1997 at the Fleadh Festival. That 1997 recording will be posted on this site in the coming months.

This recording is no longer available at NYCTaper. Search the web and you’ll probably find it.

Richard Thompson
2007-06-21
Prospect Park Bandshell
Brooklyn, NY USA

Digital Master Recording
Recorded from in Front of the Soundboard Booth
Center Seating Section

DPA 4021’s > Marantz PMD-660 (Oade BCM) > flac

Premiere Download offered at
https://www.nyctaper.com
nyctaper@nyctaper.com

Setlist:
[Total Time 1:30:48]
01 Needle & Thread
02 Bad Monkey
03 Dad’s Gonna Kill Me
04 Take Care the Road You Choose
05 The Wrong Heartbeat
06 Al Bowlly’s in Heaven
07 1952 Vincent Black Lightning
08 One Door Opens
09 I’ll Never Give It Up//
Mingulay Boat Song [not recorded]
10 A Man in Need
11 I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight
12 Wall of Death
13 Read About Love
Encores:
14 Sunset Song
15 Mr. Stupid
16 Persuasion
17 Tear Stained Letter

Information:
txt file

Verification:
md5 file

As with all recordings posted on this site, please support this outstanding artist, visit Richard Thompson’s website, and buy his commercial releases.

Purchase Richard Thompson’s latest CD

If you have not heard of Scott Maher, you soon will. Scott’s perfectly crafted pop songs are both melodic and lyrically strong. His debut album Cartoon Moon received rave reviews, and a groundswell of support is developing in his hometown of Dublin, in NYC, and in LA, where he performs in July. He is currently working on a second album, and has recorded 2 songs for a film to be released this Summer.

The recording captured below was done with Scott’s permission, from a microphone stand in front of the soundboard, with my Neumann microphones. The recording captures Scott with a full band, performing a tight set of representative material.

Scott Maher
2007-06-19
Luna Lounge
Brooklyn, NY USA

Digital Audience Master Recording
Recorded from in Front of the Soundboard Booth
Dead Center, approximately 20 feet from the PA

Neumann KM-150’s (AK-50 Hypercardiod Capsules) > Apogee Minime >
digital coaxial > M-Audio Microtrack > flac

Premiere Download offered at
https://www.nyctaper.com
nyctaper@nyctaper.com

Setlist:
[total time 48:31]
01 Cinema Smile
02 Pyramid
03 Mojo
04 Moving On
05 Reveal
06 Shine
07 Cartoon Moon
08 Roundstone
09 My Star
10 High Time

If you download this recording, please support the artist and visit Scott’s Website to get news and purchase his CDs. Scott’s CDs can also be purchased at CD Baby.

Becca Stevens is the lead vocalist for Bjorkestra, and her performance last night stands as a shining example of why Bjorkestra works so well. Becca is an extremely talented singer, and she performs Bjork’s music not as in imitation or a mimic. The compositions become Becca’s songs, and yet maintain faithful to the originals. A prime example is the encore of “Its Oh So Quiet” from last night. Becca performed the song in a more traditional big band jazz style than Bjork and provided her own flourishes, but maintained the dynamic of Bjork’s version.

The flac files posted below were recorded again from the prime location with my best equipment, with thanks again to Travis for permission and access. The recording has better stereo separtion, and a better vocal mix than the February recording.

Download the Complete show in FLAC [HERE].

Travis Sullivan’s Bjorkestra
2007-06-15
Highline Ballroom
New York, NY USA

Digital Audience Master Recording
Recorded from in Front of the Soundboard Booth
Dead Center, approximately 40 feet from the PA

Neumann KM-150’s (AK-50 Hypercardiod Capsules) > Apogee Minime >
digital coaxial > M-Audio Microtrack > flac

Setlist:
[Total Time 1:40:30]
01 Hunter
02 Hyperballad
03 I Go Humble
04 Jòga
05 Cocoon
06 Army of Me
07 Unravel
08 Alarm Call
09 Pluto
10 Show Me Forgiveness
11 Who Is It
12 [band introductions]
13 Human Behavior
14 Its Oh So Quiet

Please support this unique and compelling interpretation of the music of Bjork.
http://www.bjorkestra.com

Bjorkestra at Bowery Ballroom
January 20, 2006

As the founder and host of the Bjork Hub since March 2004, I’ve had a lot of contact with Bjork-related projects, some of which have worked with the hub in artist promotion. Of these, the Bjorkestra is by far the most rewarding.

Bjorkestra succeeds so effectively for two very distinct reasons: the quality of the musicians, and the content and vision of the creation. The musicians are essentially a “who’s who” in the new wave of young downtown NYC jazz musicians. The concept of Bjorkestra is quite simple, Bjork’s music set in big band brass arrangements–and the execution of that concept is quite superbly done. The arrangements are original, yet capture the essence of the music, and leave ample room for the musicians to breathe their own unique abilities into the framework of the songs. It also helps that Travis Sullivan is an engaging individual, and he stamps his gregarious personality all over the music.

Bjorkestra is performing on Friday June 15, at the Highline Ballroom in NYC. If you have the opportunity to attend this concert, by all means make your way to the venue and experience this superb act.

The performance captured in the recording posted below is both musically outstanding, and a very enjoyable listen. Travis was nice enough to place me on the guest list, and allow me to record from inside of the soundboard booth, with a microphone stand, using my best equipment. The result is an honest and clear capture of Bjorkestra.

Direct download of Complete show in FLAC is [HERE].

More about FLAC

Travis Sullivan’s Bjorkestra
2007-02-02
The Canal Room
New York, NY USA

Digital Audience Master Recording
Recorded from Inside the Soundboard Booth
Dead Center, approximately 30 feet from the PA

Neumann KM-150’s (AK-50 Hypercardiod Capsules) > Apogee Minime >
digital coaxial > M-Audio Microtrack > flac

Setlist:
[Total Time 1:44:10]
01 Overture
02 Hyperballad
03 Alarm Call
04 Enjoy
05 Jòga
06 Army of Me
07 Unravel
08 Pluto
09 Show Me Forgiveness
10 Hunter
11 Who Is It
12 Cocoon
13 Human Behavior

Please support this unique and compelling interpretation of the music of Bjork, and visit the Bjorkestra site.