Blues Rock from Vintage Trouble

Yeah, chocolate and peanut butter are a classic combination, but that can't hold a candle to the soul, rhythm and blues, and rock classic combination brought by Vintage Trouble.

Their writeup reads, "a new kind of soul band had been born with unlimited creativity and force."

The band is strong enough to open for the Rolling Stones and The Who this summer. Acts like that are quite an endorsement. Maybe you have seen them on The Tonight Show, Conan, Jools Holland, and making the rounds.

The Vintage Trouble 4-song NoiseTrade Sampler features the lead single off their debut album, "Blues Hand Me Down"; a live track of their song "Love With Me"; an acoustic version of their song "Nancy Lee"; and a recording of their song "World's Gonna Have To Take A Turn Around".

Official Website | Facebook | YouTube

Music License: All Rights Reserved
Artist Location: Los Angeles, California, USA

Bluegrass and Blues from The Student Loan

How about some knee-slappin' bluegrass, blues, and mountain music from The Student Loan? This performance was recorded live in Suva, Fiji in March of 2009 as part of the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Exchange Program.

"The Student Loan is an internationally touring bluegrass band that has been recognized by Jazz at Lincoln Center as the cutting edge of American roots music. They have worked extensively as musical ambassadors for the U.S. State Department and have performed in 16 countries on 5 continents. Borrowing heavily from a wide variety of styles their original music mixes catchy bluegrass melodies with classical and jamband forms to create an innovative new acoustic musical style distinctly their own." --Official Website

Official Website | NPR Interview | Facebook | Flickr | CD Baby

Music License: not stated, assume All Rights Reserved
Artist Location: USA

Lilian Hak, Torchy and Bluesy

Lilian Hak recorded a beautiful session as a stripped down two-piece outfit with loops at WFMU that aired on This Is the Modern World with DJ Trouble. Lilian's music is not easily pegged. Think torchy k.d. lang, classic soul, early blues rock, and vocal jazz. Check her out and fall in love. This session is one of our favorites at the FMA.

Official Website | SoundCloud | YouTube | Facebook | myspace | last.fm | FMA | Store

Music License: Creative Commons BY-NC-ND Image: detail of cover of Old Powder, New Guns album
Artist Location: The Netherlands

Classic Rhythm and Blues from Quinn DeVeaux

Quinn DeVeaux and The Blue Beat Revue offer you their album Under Covers. It is a great collection of classic soul, early rock, and R&B favorites.

Official Website |  YouTube | Facebook | myspace | Store | CDbaby | iTunes

Music License: All Rights Reserved
Image: album cover
Artist Location: Oakland, California, USA

Blues Rock on Zap! Azul

When it was still living, BandSoup put out a great compilation of blues rock, Zap! Azul. The album features 17 blues laced rock songs from 17 different artists. Rock on!

Download includes PDF with links to all the artists and more music.

Music License: © All Rights Reserved
Image: album cover

RhymeSquare Comps

Being fans of Ill Papa Giraffe [Facebook], we were happy to find them on the new sampler from UK independent clothing label RhymeSquare, RhymeSquare: Volume Three, Late Spring. Check all three volumes.

Typical modern hip hop sadly reflects ignorance, negativity, misogyny, and violence. In some shining scenes, however, you find intelligence, positivity, equality, and community -- all vital to early hip hop. This is one of those shining scenes. Hear their messages. Most of the artists on this RhymeSquare compilation are artists to support and celebrate. That says something good about the good people at RhymeSquare, too.

Go on and get yourself some fun music, fun threads, and a cool little bear at RhymeSquare!

Official Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Blog

Music License: all rights reserved
Artist Location: United Kingdom

Positive Messages To Get You Through

"Imagine what you could do, if you just believed in you?" -- Dawn Pemberton

Message Positive is an uplifting 18-track mix on the Free Music Archive with songs of positivity and inspiration to act.

The compilation jumps nations and continents and visits the genres of hip hop, soul, rhythm and blues, funk, ambient, chill, reggae, dub, rock, folk, singer-songwriter, rockabilly, blues, electronica, pop, novelty, children, dance.

Message Positive features Axial, BJ Block and Dawn Pemberton, The Crevulators, Eaters, Great Lake Swimmers, Higgins, Ill Papa Giraffe, Jon Rauhouse and Neko Case, Kelley Stoltz, Neko Case, Nobody's Bizness, Propaganda Anonymous, Salakapakka Sound System, Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars, Spinnaface, Spinningmerkaba, Uncle Neptune, and Underling.

Every moment is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, baby.

[Download Message Positive]  

UPDATE: Sorry. Download stopped working when mix featured on FMA, 
so here is a rebuild. Hope it works for you now.
 

Music License: see individual track for license
Image: "Happy Sun" by pinkpuffball

Blues And Roots From Alligator Records

Legendary Chicago-based, independent blues label Alligator Records is offering a free blues and roots music sampler right now in celebration of Public Radio Music Month.

Like Alligator Records on Facebook, and get your copy of Alligator Records Presents Blues And Roots. While you are at it, show your support by liking 170 Million Americans for Public Broadcasting, too.

"Alligator Records, in collaboration with NPR and public radio stations is now offering a FREE downloadable 17-song sampler to help bring attention to Public Public Radio Music Month. Alligator Records Presents Blues And Roots features songs selected from throughout the label's storied 42-year history. This sampler will be available through May 11th. Download your free sampler now!"
-- Alligator Records

• Alligator Records (LIKE on Facebook)
• Public Radio Music Month (LIKE on Facebook)
• 170 Million Americans for Public Broadcasting (LIKE on Facebook)

See our earlier post "Blues From Alligator Records" for more about Alligator Records, our favorite blues and roots label.

Kevin Seconds Solo

7 Seconds was formed in the 1980s and remains among the longest lived of any group from the first wave of California hardcore punk with legendary records, like Crew and Walk Together, Rock Together.

Frontman Kevin Seconds continues to perform and record with 7 Seconds and has branched out into other avenues with his solo work. His release Don't Let Me Lose Ya is far from hardcore. The album is singer-songwriter relaxed rock and American folk "with the vitality of someone who is content to follow his muse," to quote Quote Unquote Records.

The album's label, Asian Man Records, describes it this way:

"Kevin Seconds' new album makes apparent what longtime fans already know: Kevin Seconds is a pop troubadour with a protest singer's heart, writing catchy, impeccably well-crafted tunes. "

Don't Let Me Lose Ya is available for free download with a suggested donation of $5. You can also purchase the album in LP, CD, and cassette formats at Asian Man Records.

Official Site | Donate | Buy Album |  Wikipedia | Bandcamp | Facebook | Myspace

license: Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike

Blues From Alligator Records

Legendary Chicago-based, independent blues label Alligator Records offers free mp3 selections on the their website to showcase some of their artists. Our music library would be poorer without Alligator Records. We recommed their collections, too. In fact, 22 years later, their 1991 anniversary compilation is still in regular play here.

The label was founded by Bruce Iglauer in 1971. He was also one of the founders of Living Blues magazine. Iglauer began the label to put out a record by his favorite band, Hound Dog Taylor and the HouseRockers, just four years before Hound Dog passed away. Delmark Records, where Iglauer worked, was not interested in the project, so he funded and produced the record himself.

Within the year, Iglauer left Delmark and concentrated on Alligator Records. We all reap the benefits of that decision, because the label has recorded the best in blues. Some of their artists include Big Walter Horton, Koko Taylor, Clifton Chenier, Marcia Ball, Albert Collins, Johnny Copeland, Lonnie Brooks, Lil' Ed and The Blues Imperials, Eddy Clearwater, Sam Lay, Smokin' Joe Kubek, Roomful of Blues, Eric Lindell, JJ Grey and MOFRO, Lee Rocker, Cephas and Wiggins, Michael Burks, Charlie Musselwhite, James Cotton, Tinsley Ellis, and Robert Cray to name just a few!

Check out the Alligator Records website to see what tasty freebies are being shared now, and invest in some releases to keep this treasure of a label alive.

Official Website | YouTube | Facebook | MySpace | ReverbNation

U.S. Army Band Ensembles

The United States Army Band has been the premier musical organization of the U.S. Army since 1922 when Army Chief of Staff General John J. “Black Jack” Pershing directed that it be formed to emulate the premier European military bands he had heard during the First World War. The Band has been known as “Pershing’s Own” ever since.

The Band provides musical support for US leadership, including all branches of government and for a spectrum of national and international events in support of public diplomacy, community and international relations, recruiting initiatives, soldiers and their families, and music education programs. The U.S. Army Band was also widely known during its early years for radio broadcasts featured on several national networks.

The U.S. Army Band and it's smaller ensembles periodically offer selected recordings on their websites. Here are some of the releases and collections currently available.

click images to enlarge

	US Army Strings - Strings Selections Classical, Strings, Modern Composition, Peoples Music | changing selection of songs The U.S. Army Strings, a premier ensemble of the U.S. Armed Forces, provide a musical backdrop for many of the country's most notable events. Their mission is to serve as musical ambassadors for high level military and government events at home and abroad, as well as in concert for public audiences. The elite musicians that comprise this ensemble have been trained at the most prestigious music conservatories and universities in the country. This versatile ensemble performs as The U.S. Army Strolling Strings, mixed chamber ensembles, and The U.S. Army Orchestra.
	US Army Blues - Live At Blues Alley (at online jukebox) Jazz, Blues, Swing, Big Band, Brass, Percussion | 11-song album + PDF booklet The U.S. Army Blues is the premier jazz ensemble of the United States Army. After informal beginnings in 1970, this 18-piece ensemble became an official element of the Army Band in 1972. Comprised of exceptional jazz musicians from across the nation, the Army Blues strive to fulfill their mission through public concerts, educational outreach, and the preservation of the tradition of America's unique art form: jazz.
	US Army Concert Band - Marches Of America (at online jukebox) Marches, Military, Orchestra | 15 of 18-song album + PDF booklet Headquartered in Washington, DC, The U.S. Army Concert Band has performed in concert venues such as Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall, Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and Hollywood Bowl. The ensemble participates in ongoing, educational outreach and often appears at national and international music events.
	US Army Blues - Something Old, Something New: Yours to Borrow From the Blues Jazz, Blues, Swing, Big Band, Brass, Percussion | 9-song album + materials listed below "Introducing "Blues + YOU": play-along tracks available online--free of charge--so musicians can practice with mp3 downloads in a variety of configurations! Tailored to intermediate and advanced players, this unique product will become an invaluable resource for both college and high school jazz programs. The newest recording from The U.S. Army Blues, Something Old, Something New: Yours to Borrow From the Blues has tools to use and tunes to enjoy!" Materials include: Complete arrangements with score and individual parts as PDF files Separate full-band mp3 files minus lead trumpet, lead alto saxophone, lead trombone, and each rhythm instrument Mp3 files of rhythm section only for solo or full horn section practice
	US Army Chorus - Chorus Selections Male Choral, Classical, Vocal Pop, Folk, Military, Americana | changing selection of songs In 1956 The U.S. Army Chorus was established as the vocal counterpart of The United States Army Band and is one of the nation's only professional men's choruses. From its inception, The U.S. Army Chorus has established and maintained a reputation of excellence in the performance of male choral literature. Beyond the traditional military music and patriotic standards, the repertoire of the Army Chorus covers a broad spectrum which includes pop, Broadway, folk, and classical music.
	US Army Chorus - Christmas With The Chorus Male Choral, Classical, Vocal Pop, Folk, Holiday, Nonsecular, Christmas, Winter | 18-song collection

license: US Government Public Domain

Seattle's Best Female Vocalist

Seattle-based singer/songwriter Shannon Stephens earned the Best Female Vocalist title in the Seattle Weekly 2012 Best Of issue. Preview and download her free EP, Cold November, by clicking the cover in the widget or here. Official Website | Facebook | Asthmatic Kitty | Bandcamp photo by Ankur Verma

Glimpse Trio

San Francisco Bay area group Glimpse Trio released their brand new self-titled ten-song EP on Boxing Day, 26 December 2012. These tracks will be part of their third album set to be released soon. Glimpse Trio bills themselves as blues, jazz, rock, and experimental rock. Downbeat magazine took it a step further calling them the next generation of fusion explorers. Official Website | Facebook | BandCamp | Twitter

You Are Not Stealing Records on FMA

This week the catalog of Portugal based netlabel You Are Not Stealing Records was added to the Free Music Archive.
The following mix pulls some easy favorites from many of the YANSR albums on the FMA. You will want to jump around in the mix to find items you enjoy, because a broad spectrum of genres are covered.
These include Ambient, Ambient Electronic, Avant-Garde, Blues, Chip Music, Classical, Composed Music, Electronic, Experimental, Experimental Pop, Field Recordings, Folk, Goth, Indie-Rock, Industrial, Lounge, Metal, New Wave, Noise, Noise-Rock, Polka, Post-Rock, Punk, Reggae - Dub, Rock, Rockabilly, Sound Collage, and Surf.
That's a lot of ground for one label! Enjoy!

Loved Like a Milkshake, Wesley Willis Tribute

Wesley Willis (1963-2003) was an artist and musician from Chicago who released hundreds of songs with his own unique sense of humor. His chronic schizophrenia was reflected in his work which leaned toward the bizarre and obscene. Willis gained a cult following and major label attention.

One of his labels, the prominent independent Alternative Tentacles described Wesley's work as "simultaneously disturbing, hilarious, blunt, and intoxicating. Wesley's sheer excitement and unaffected honesty about every cultural phenomenon, defined his music as truly individual, and truly punk rock."

Sadly, in 2002 Wesley was diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML). He underwent emergency surgery in June 2003, and passed away in August of the same year.

Hiji, a.k.a. M-Halo, soon thereafter organized a tribute album to honor Wesley Willis. Work for LOVED LIKE A MILKSHAKE: A WESLEY WILLIS TRIBUTE ALBUM began when Hiji posted a Craigslist listing suggesting a tribute of cover songs. The response was positive and the following 18 songs were selected. The final product was released for free online in November 2003 and produced by M-Halo with mastering and additional production by Tom Gordon.

Enjoy the entire album LOVED LIKE A MILKSHAKE: A WESLEY WILLIS TRIBUTE ALBUM on FMA!