My Morning Jacket Live Webcast Tonight at 9 PM

Catch the event here:
www.youtube.com/mymorningjacketVEVOas it happens live at 9:00pm EST / 6:00pm PST
on Tuesday, May 31st.

HOW TO VIEW MY MORNING JACKET'S "UNSTAGED" EVENT

For the first time in American Express "Unstaged" history, you will be able to live-stream the My Morning Jacket event through your mobile device. Using the VEVO or YouTube apps for iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, and Android you can stream through the mobile device of your choice.

Here are some end user guidelines to follow for viewing on your home computer:

What are the system requirements to view the live stream?

PC Requirements:
• Intel® Pentium® 4 2.4GHz or Intel Core 1.6GHz (SSE2-enabled processor required for AMD systems) or higher
• Microsoft Windows® XP with Service Pack 2 or newer
• 512MB of RAM
• Graphics card with 28MB of RAM.
• 50MB of available hard-disk space for installation
• Microsoft DirectX-compatible sound card and display adapter
• Adobe Flash Player 10.1 or newer

Mac Requirements:
• Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) or higher
• Safari 4 or Firefox 3 browser or higher
• Any Mac with Intel CPU
• 512MB of RAM (recommended but not required)
• Flash Player 10.1 or higher

What are the minimum bandwidth requirements for the viewer?You will need a broadband connection such as DSL or cable with at least 500Kbps download bandwidth.

What software do I need to view a live stream?You only need an Adobe Flash video player available at www.adobe.com. If you have Flash 10.1 installed but are unable to see a stream, try turning off video hardware acceleration: right-click on the video window and select “settings,” then un-check “enable hardware acceleration” in the Settings tab. Close the settings window and re-load the web page.

How do I get the live stream and video to play?The live stream will load automatically and deliver the video to you much like watching television.

How do I know which stream option to select?The live stream is “encoded” in different sizes to accommodate all users and remove any guesswork on your end. The AEG Digital Media video player will automatically detect your connection speed and deliver to your PC or Mac the most appropriate stream to optimize your viewing experience.

Can I stream at full screen?Yes simply click the TV icon to render a full screen stream and click the Esc key to return to standard viewing.

Is the live stream in HD?Yes if you have an adequate internet connection you will automatically be streaming in HD. Sit back and enjoy.

Nothing happens when I click on an event.Your browser may be blocking pop-ups. Be sure you allow pop-up windows to be opened from your domain.

I can’t watch any live video. What should I do?Ensure that you have a broadband Internet connection (cable modem or DSL). You will not be able to watch the video without a broadband connection. If you have Flash 10.1 installed but you only see black where the video should be, try turning off video hardware acceleration: right-click on the video window and select “settings,” then un-check “enable hardware acceleration” in the Settings tab. Close the settings window and re-load the web page.

What if my stream disconnects?
Try closing your browser and reloading the stream. For best experience limit any additional web traffic while watching live events – downloading a large file can cause problems with the live video feed.

Why hasn’t the event started yet?
Double check the start time and ensure you are adjusting for different time-zones correctly. If an event starts at 9pm in New York (ET) it will be online at 6pm Local Time in California (PT)

New Music Review: My Morning Jacket "Circuital"

A giant gong sounds the beginning of the album and then a Planet of the Apes string section announces the start of the album with "Victory Dance".  A funky repetitive dark groove begins while Jim James vocals vibes a coming storm in from the distance and the silhouette of riders on their horses appear on the hill.  As the first track demolishes upon itself and while still staring into the hypnotic album cover its hard to tell if this album which started in darkness will just sink so low you wont be able to see your hand in front of your face.





As the title track "Circuital" emerges into some major power chords the mood lifts and turns into one of the best songs on the album.  "The Day is Coming" is full of pretty chords and melody floating over some sparse drums and more rhythmic keyboard.  Not even half way through this album and its evident this is an album that will hold interest and continue to keep listeners off guard but extremely pleased.  We haven't heard an acoustic folk sounding song from MMJ in a while but they give us a nice one on "Wonderful (the Way I Feel)."
Lighter moments come on "Outta My System" and the apparent first single "Holdin on to Black Metal" which during this song I couldn't figure out what or how the instruments were being used used in "Holdin on to Black Metal" to make sound.  Is it a guitar with a wah-wah pedal or keyboards?  The mystery of these guys continues.  MMJ is full of surprises on this album
In some moments of songs at the latter end of the album sound la bit like Evil Urges and Z melted together and then "Slow Slow Tune" comes on with its distant wailing pedal steel guitar and Everly Brothers tinted chorus.  This is a great album...go listen to it and let yourself experience what good music sounds like.

Listen to Circuital here.


The Showbiz Kids Rating: 9 out of possible 10 


Michael Smith, The Showbiz Kids

20 Years of moe.

Coming off the heels of headlining the Summer Camp Festival this weekend in Chillicothe, Illinois, follow the link to read the Relix article about jam band veterans moe., who are celebrating 20 years together as a band.   

My Morning Jacket...not just for formal breakfast dining

I can remember pulling out of my neighborhood and hearing the pedal steel sounds of "Golden" from It Still Moves floating out of my car speakers. At first I thought this was some cool 70s song I had somehow never heard before. Then this voice emerged like it was coming from the bottom of an empty grain silo. I wanted to hear the rest of the song but really I wanted it to end so I could hear who this band was. This was 2003 so the land before time didn't have iPhones and shazaam apps to identify music. I had to wait for the dj. "We just wrapped up the last set of music with "Golden" by My Morning Jacket  off their new album It Still Moves. I think I said out loud..."My Morning Jacket ...what the %#$^  does that mean"? Pulling up the album online didn't help either. I was greeted by this large grizzly bear with gold tinsel draped on it and that was all that was on the front cover.  No sign of the band...so the mystery  intrigued me.  I have been under their spell ever since.

Their new album Circuital will be released on Tuesday May 31st so in few days leading up until Tuesday I want to give a brief review of one of their last three albums.



I finally figured out where songs on It Still Moves like "Golden" and "Mahgeetah" were triggering in my music DNA.  In my own mind I was hearing guitar finger picking strains of "Everbody's Talkin"performed by Harry Nilsson (Nilsson) from the 1969 movie Midnight Cowboy. That's just me...

If I could continue down the twisted road of my music mind their sound is like country music from an alternate universe.  It has reflections of current alt country that has been transmitted out into deep space years ago and then after alien sound mixing and editing has been sent back to earth in this form. The song "Run Thru" is a good example.

Their jam throughout this album brings in brass and guitar.  "One Big Holiday" has been one of their biggest hits and has been regular favorites at Bonnaroo festival  and on their tours.  Some of their songs seem to be like walking thru thick honeysuckle.  "Rollin' Back", "Just One Thing" and "Steam Engine" are beautiful slow rolling songs that you need to allow to grow over you like time lapsed photography.  All the songs off this record have a balanced rock sweetness that you need to listen to on a lazy Summer evening.

This album is still unique and continues to sound like nothing else to me.

Michael Smith, The Showbiz Kids

Gil Scott-Heron: April 1, 1949 - May 27, 2011

We've posted once before about our admiration for Gil Scott-Heron, so no need to repeat except to say that he was a wholly original and dynamic force to reckon with.

For my part, I count myself lucky to have heard his music at crucial points in my life. Or, as someone wiser than me has said, "Say not in grief that 'he is no more,' but live in thankfulness that he was.

You WILL be missed Gil. Rest easy.

Saturday Morning Videos

Just wanted to share a couple of songs that popped up on the iPod while I was on my jog this morning....man, I wish I was going to the 'Roo!!

Rolling Stone's List of the 500 Greatest Albums

An eclectic and stellar panel of experts — including the Rolling Stone editors, Fats Domino, Flea and Britney Spears — voted on the following albums, by everyone from Abba to ZZ Top, from Robert Johnson to the White Stripes, in 2003.  Follow the link for full list. 

Happy 85th, Miles!!!

 Miles Dewey Davis III (May 26, 1926 – September 28, 1991) was an American trumpeter, bandleader, and composer.

Widely considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Miles Davis was, with his musical groups, at the forefront of several major developments in jazz music, including bebop, cool jazz, hard bop, modal jazz, and jazz fusion. Many well-known musicians rose to prominence as members of Davis' ensembles, including saxophonists Gerry Mulligan, John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, George Coleman, Wayne Shorter, Dave Liebman, Branford Marsalis and Kenny Garrett; trombonist J. J. Johnson; pianists Horace Silver, Red Garland, Wynton Kelly, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Joe Zawinul, Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett and Kei Akagi; guitarists John McLaughlin,Pete Cosey, John Scofield and Mike Stern; bassists Paul Chambers, Ron Carter, Dave Holland, Marcus Miller and Darryl Jones; and drummers Elvin Jones, Philly Joe Jones, Jimmy Cobb, Tony Williams, Billy Cobham, Jack DeJohnette, and Al Foster.

On October 7, 2008, his album Kind of Blue, released in 1959, received its fourth platinum certification from the RIAA, signifying sales of 4 million copies.^[3] Miles Davis was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.^[4] Davis was noted as "one of the key figures in the history of jazz".^[5]

On November 5, 2009, Rep. John Conyers of Michigan sponsored a measure in the US House of Representatives to recognize and commemorate the album Kind of Blue on its 50th anniversary. The measure also affirms jazz as a national treasure and "encourages the United States government to preserve and advance the art form of jazz music."^[6] It passed, unanimously, with a vote of 409–0 on December 15, 2009.^[7] 

Happy 70th birthday, Bob Dylan!

Bob Dylan celebrated his 70th birthday this week and to celebrate we wanted to share his guest performance during the encore of the Grateful Dead's show from Madison Square Garden on October 17, 1994.

Free Music Download: WSP DIrty Side Down Remixes

Shut Up and Drive (Big Gigantic Remix)
Uptempo and hard hitting, no surprise it?s undeniably the crowd pleaser mix. Hyped builds, bassy electro-funk, and saxophones make it one of the most precious gems on this EP.
www.biggigantic.net/apbtm

Cotton Was King King (Michal Menert Remix) 
Michal's subtle instrumental work and use of atmospheric tracks transform a popular jamtronica production style into a highly original work of art. Balancing the mix, those elements effortlessly lift the heavy bass hook into the realm of the psychedelic, the unexplored, and the mind-bendingly sublime. 
www.michalmenertmusic.com

Saint Ex (J. Boogie Remix)
Touches of Dub and Reggae make this one of the most infectious remixes on the release. Nothing boring about this one. Its constant melodic exploration paired with the pure force of the vocals construct a complete sensory experience. 
www.jboogie.com

Dirty Side Down (DJ Logic Remix) 
Earthy and reflective, remains accessible whilst managing to maintain it?s haunting and ethereal qualities. 
www.djlogic.com

North (SoJorn Remix)
A modern re-imagining of the classic jam, summons varied influences, yet remains clean, cohesive, and understated- allowing the spirit of the original to dominate the mix. 
www.sojorn.net

Visiting Day (BoomBox Remix)
Walking their bass lines through the beautiful wilderness that is Widespread Panic, BoomBox's remix is an exemplar of a fundamental production style. Lucid, catchy, with a touch of angst, this mix is sure to have a wide appeal.
www.thisisboombox.com

Saint Ex (Gramatik Remix)
Hip-hop inspired eletctro banger that perfectly preserves the raw organic elements of the original. 
www.gramatik.net

Click here to download.

In Stores Today: Phish Live In Utica 2010

On October 20, 2010 Phish played their first ever show in Utica in the heart of the Mohawk Valley. Utica Memorial Auditorium is a hockey arena with a capacity of about 5,500 and a design very similar to another round room and favorite Empire State Phish venue, Madison Square Garden. Utica was the smallest venue on Phish's fall tour and the atmosphere was charged with electricity. One clever fan even went so far as to craft a "Guyutica" sign that no doubt helped shape the night’s events. A new camera mounted at the front-of-house position accentuated the light show in a way never before featured on a live, indoor Phish DVD. The box set presents three hours of Phish in an intimate venue with an inspired audience that returned the energy at every turn.


The Utica box set features the complete October 20, 2010 performance on 2-DVDs and 2-CDs. The nearly three hours of music on the Utica box set was recorded with 64 channels of digital multi-track and mixed and mastered, appearing on the DVD's in 5.1 Dolby surround and full-resolution, uncompressed PCM stereo. The video was shot with 8 cameras (16:9 widescreen), recorded and post-edited in High Definition. Regions 1-6.

If you order "Live In Utica" from Phish Dry Goods, you'll receive "Phish: I-90s", a free bonus CD compilation featuring archival material from as early as nineteen years before the "Live In Utica" DVD release. This collection follows the band along the I-90 New York Thruway as they honed their skills in drummer Jon Fishman's home state, recalling highlights from some of the region's many great Phish shows in the 90s. Recorded by Paul Languedoc, compiled by Kevin Shapiro and mastered by Fred Kevorkian, this bonus CD will be included in all Phish Dry Goods orders of Live In Utica while supplies last.

PHISH - Live In Utica 2010 Tracklisting
DVD Disc One
1. My Soul
2. Stealing Time From The Faulty Plan
3. Vultures
4. Wolfman's Brother
5. Cities >
6. Guyute
7. David Bowie
8. Wilson >
9. McGrupp And The Watchful Hosemasters >
10. Saw It Again >
11. Run Like An Antelope

DVD Disc Two
1. Drowned >
2. Sand >
3. Theme From The Bottom >
4. Axilla >
5. Birds Of A Feather
6. Tela >
7. Split Open And Melt >
8. Have Mercy >
9. Piper >
11. Split Open And Melt >
12. Slave To The Traffic Light
Encore:
13. Good Times, Bad Times

CD Disc One
1. Vultures
2. Wolfman's Brother
3. Cities >
4. Guyute
5. David Bowie
6. Wilson >
7. McGrupp And The Watchful Hosemasters >
8. Saw It Again >
9. Run Like An Antelope

CD Disc Two
1. Drowned >
2. Sand >
3. Theme From The Bottom >
4. Axilla >
5. Birds Of A Feather
6. Split Open And Melt >
7. Have Mercy >
8. Piper >
9. Split Open And Melt >
10. Slave To The Traffic Light

"I-90s Phish" Tracklisting
1. Brother (5/17/92 Achilles Rink, Union College – Schenectady, NY)
2. Possum (5/17/92 Achilles Rink, Union College – Schenectady, NY)
3. Faht (7/15/93 Cayuga County Fairgrounds – Weedsport, NY)
4. Tweezer (5/9/92 Syracuse Armory – Syracuse, NY)
5. Lifeboy (7/15/93 Cayuga County Fairgrounds – Weedsport, NY)
6. David Bowie (11/4/94 Onondaga War Memorial Auditorium – Syracuse, NY)
7. Slave To The Traffic Light (8/12/98 Vernon Downs – Vernon, NY)
8. Daniel Saw The Stone (7/15/93 Cayuga County Fairgrounds – Weedsport, NY)

Bon Iver's 'Bon Iver': A Track-by Track Breakdown

Rolling Stone magazine takes a look inside the band's second album which was accidentally leaked last week on iTunes.....read full article here.

The Showbiz Kids: Widespread Panic 5/20/11 Hangout Festival, Gulf Sh...

The Showbiz Kids: Widespread Panic
5/20/11 Hangout Festival, Gulf Sh...: "Widespread Panic 5/20/11 Hangout Festival, Gulf Shores, AL Click below to preview tracks from this show DOWNLOAD THIS SHOW"

Widespread Panic 5/20/11 Hangout Festival, Gulf Shores, AL Click below to preview tracks from this show DOWNLOAD THIS SHOW

Widespread Panic Headlines The Hangout Festival

It's that time of the year again-festival season, and the one band  season who is synonymous with festivals is Widespread Panic.  They are celebrating their 25th anniversary this year and over the past 10 years, have headlined almost every major festival in America including Bonnaroo, where WSP has headlined more than any other artist.  


They are a regular mainstay at Jazz Fest and added a smoking set at The Hangout Festival to their impressive resume just last night.  Panic is no stranger to the gulf coast; they have been playing Mobile since the 80’s and their recent stands at Orange Beach have been perfect excuses for Spreadheads to enjoy the beach and some stellar jamming!


Last night's show is available for download here.  

Bands You Need To Know: honeyhoney

The Los Angeles, CA duo, honeyhoney, opened for Xavier Rudd at the Bijou Theatre in Knoxville, TN on Wednesday night, and The Showbiz Kids were in attendance and equally impressed.  We had a chance to briefly meet the talented and gracious duo, Ben Jaffe and Suzanne Santo, after their set and they had sold completely out of their debut album, First Rodeo, at the merchandise table if any indication of how the audience received the band. 

Honeyhoney is a cool and unique blend of alt-country, swampy blues, and Appalachian folk music.  Suzanne Santo's sultry alto channels elements of Nancy Sinatra and is perfectly accompanied by Ben Jaffe's rustic-retro guitar playing.   

Prior to forming honeyhoney, guitarist Ben Jaffe composed music for Nickelodeon and other various cartoon shows, while Suzanne Santo was as an actress, with supporting roles in Law & Order, Blind Justice and the film Imaginary Heroes.  The band is signed to Ironworks Records, a label jointly owned by Jude Cole and actor Kiefer Sutherland. 

I was able to pick up a download card for the band's forthcoming album, Billy Jack, and have listened repeatedly since the show on Wednesday night.  The new songs are fantastic and the band will be making new fans and believers in every city they play on tour with Xavier Rudd. 

If you have the chance, go see this band live; you will be in for an unexpected and enjoyable time.  In the meantime, check out their music here .