Deep Purple – Highway Star (Live)

If there weren’t enough reasons to love PBS already, add an exclusive Levon Helm special to list. In August, the network will debut Ramble at the Ryman – a feature filmed on September 17, 2008 at the renowned Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Ol’ Levon was joined by a number of his famous friends for this gig including Sheryl Crow, John Hiatt, Sam Bush and Buddy Miller.

Helm mixes songs from his tenure as a member of The Band with songs from last year’s Electric Dirt album. As with most PBS specials, broadcast dates and time vary by station. Keep your eyes on PBS.com’s TV Schedules section to find out when it airs in your neck of the woods. Here’s a look at  a clip of Levon and his band performing Ophelia from Ramble at the Ryman…

Among the blur of bands that I caught at SXSW back in March, the one that I’ve been meaning to sit down and write about is Fanfarlo since catching a killer daytime set from them. The London-based act uses an odd menagerie of  instruments (saws, clarinets, cellos, mandolins, ukuleles, melodicas and thermins) to produce a cacophony of melodic folk-rock noise has been garnering a number of justifiable comparisons to Arcade Fire, and that’s not even mentioning the similarities in between the lead singers’ vocals.

Fanfarlo, who has a number of upcoming European festival dates scheduled, recently released their debut album, Reservoir, which they made available for a mere dollar to download via their website (and now can be grabbed for the low, low price of $5.99). Check out the video for Harold T. Wilkens…

The band will head to the U.S. this fall for shows in L.A. and New York City.

The second leg of Phish’s summer tour kicks off on Thursday night at Red Rocks in tiny Morrison, Colorado and anticipation is building to a fever pitch for those attending the four-night stand at the historic venue. For those of us who aren’t familiar with Red Rocks, our friend The Joker of the Coventry Blog put together a fantastic list of tips and tricks you should read.

Among the topics The Joker clues us in on are the pros and cons of each parking lot, advice about what to expect from the weather and the location of the venue’s best shitter. I caught the last Phish four-night stand at Red Rocks in 1996 and one thing I don’t seem to remember from that run of shows was reserved seating. The Joker gives the low down…

This show is GA for the first 24 or so rows, then there will be a yellow rope for a “Reserved” section rows 25-50 ish, and then GA up at the top. There is a video screen on Fishman side. I like the sound from rows 15-25 the best.

We’ll be tweeting live from Red Rocks for @YEMblog so be sure to follow.

Are you attending any of the Phish shows at Red Rocks? Do you have any tips you’d like to share with our readers or any questions about the venue that others may be able to answer? Leave a comment below…

For the second installment of Through The Years – the column in which we prepare a YouTube playlist featuring a video from each year of a band’s career – we’re focusing on prog-pop heroes Genesis.

The oldest Genesis clip we could find on YouTube was filmed in 1970 and our playlist includes a clip from every year onwards until 1992. There doesn’t seem to be anything from ’93 – ’97 on the site, but we’ve added a video from the ’98 and recent ’07 Genesis tours onto the end of the playlist for good measure. Take a look…

READ ON for a list of the tracks we used this week…

After skipping 2009 due to founder Armand Sadlier’s health issues, Jam In The Dam returns in 2010 for three days of jams at The Melkweg in Amsterdam on March 21-23. Umphrey’s McGee, Yonder Mountain String Band, Les Claypool, The New Mastersounds and The Bridge are all on the bill for the 2010 installment of the fest. Tickets go onsale this Wednesday.

Travel packages will be available through Consider It Dan.

Here’s a quick look at six other stories making the rounds…

• Bruce Springsteen busts out a slew of tour debuts
• U2 returned home for three epic concerts in Dublin
• Allman Brothers Band documentary makes FL debut
• The Grateful Dead’s Taper Section is still going strong
• The Cardinals find a new lead singer – Kiwi Gin Wigmore
• Bruce Hornsby talks to the APP about his busy summer

Finally, The Floor – the official Umphrey’s McGee blog – points us in the direction of a blog put together by one of the band’s fans who is volunteering down in Africa for the Peace Corps. Check out this clip of a pack of African children getting down to the UM classic Partyin’ Peeps.

Drawling drummer Levon Helm welcomed Chris & Rich Robinson and Adam McDougal of the Black Crowes to join his band for a version of The Weight at the Fraze Pavilion, Kettering, Ohio on July, 15, 2009. Take a look…

The Weight – Levon Helm w/ The Black Crowes

Levon and the Crowes hook up again for a few shows starting on August 27.

Biography offers a triple shot of rock music programming on Thursday night with profiles of Axl Rose & Guns n’ Roses (8PM), The Red Hot Chili Peppers (9PM) and Kurt Cobain & Nirvana (10PM). If you want to watch them all, just grab your kilt, sock and flannel shirt and you’ll feel right at home.

Monday, July 27 [all times Eastern]

• The Beatles: A Hard Day’s Night [IFC 8:15AM]
• Queen: Live at Wembley [VH1 Classic 5PM]
• Rolling Stones: Let’s Spend the Night Together [VH1 Classic 9PM]
• David Letterman: Dave Matthews Band [CBS 11:30PM]
• Conan O’Brien: The Fray [NBC 11:35PM]

Tuesday, July 28

• Mary J. Blige: Storytellers [Palladia 1PM]
• Iron Maiden: Somewhere Back in Time [Palladia 7PM]
• Film: The Rocky Horror Picture Show [Fuse 8PM]
• Jeff Beck: Live at Ronnie Scott’s [Palladia 10PM]
• The Daily Show w/John Stewart: Spinal Tap [Comedy Central 11PM]

Wednesday, July 29

• Bruce Springsteen: Storytellers [Palladia 9AM]
• Stevie Nicks: Live in Chicago [VH1 Classic 11AM]
• Spectacle w/Elvis Costello: The Police [Sundance 10PM]
• Classic Albums: Fleetwood Mac, Rumours [VH1 Classic 11:30PM]
• Jimmy Fallon: Passion Pit [NBC 12:35AM]

Thursday, July 30

• Classic Album: Nirvana, Nevermind [VH1 Classic 6PM]
• Guns n’ Roses: Biography [Biography 8PM]
• Red Hot Chili Peppers: Biography [Biography 9PM]
• Kurt Cobain: Biography [Biography 10PM]
• Carson Daly: Ben  Harper and Relentless7 [NBC 1:35AM]

Saturday finally brought a day of gorgeous summertime weather worthy of the incredible lineup. With a slew of hay laid down on the fields to soak up the extra moisture and keep the mud at bay, the music never stops at Gathering of the Vibes, but it sure is a lot nicer enjoying it in the sunshine.

[All Photos by Jeremy Gordon]

The day began with a surprise announcement that State Radio wouldn’t be able to make it for their 5:30 PM slot so all of the morning bands were given a little bit of extra time which seems to put smiles on fan’s faces.

The Ryan Montbleau Band, a festival favorite from Boston – who never disappoint with their blend of silly, soulful songs that can’t help but put a smile on your face – took full advantage of the precious extra minutes. Their setlist included favorites off 2007′s Patience on Friday album including Eggs plus 75 and Sunny as well as Dead favorite Unbroken Chain. Even the wet field couldn’t stop all the pretty girls from hooping along.

• GOTV 2009 Recaps: Day 1, Day 2

READ ON for more from Jeremy and Carla on the Vibes…

Day Two of the Gathering of the Vibes began with sunny skies ominous signs lay ahead. King for a Day kicked off the main stage, a local CT band that has played Vibes for four years now, their set included a lovely Jack-a-Roe. It’s great to see so many area bands taking to the stage here at Vibes – showing and promoting the area’s live music scene.

[All Photos by Jeremy Gordon]

Strangefolk hit the stage next and guitarist Jon Trafton’s wife Jennifer came to the stage and sat in on backing vocals for a song. The shout out of the day, however went to Chuck Garvey of moe. who saved Jon’s broken amp and possibly the show.

JJ Grey and Mofro haven’t been to a GOTV in many years since the festival moved from its upstate NY location, but that wasn’t lost on the audience when he started on the classic blues standard I Got My Mojo Workin’. Like they say Vibes is about re-connecting with old friends and turning to your neighbor to make new friends so it’s only fitting that his southern hospitality fits right on in.

Wavy Gravy, a gentleman that has been on the scene for longer than most attendees yet still finds ways to let his clown spirit shine, took to the stage and guided fans through a fun journey as the official MC for the event.

READ ON for more on the Vibes from Carla and Jeremy…

We’ve been slacking on our Friday Mix Tapes of late, but fear not loyal HT readers – we think this week’s fantastic mix will make up for its recent absences. This week’s batch of tasty tunes is dedicated to the seemingly lost art of the duet, with a number of my favorites from the last few years. So without wasting anymore time with this intro, let’s just get at it…

We kick things off with the only song here that is not a duet, but the one that that inspired this whole mix: John Prine’s Donald & Lydia, which I caught Deer Tick and Liz Isenberg covering in San Francisco. This version comes from the appropriately titled John Prine Live. From there we’ve got the aforementioned acts dueting on Friday Xiii, from the brilliant Born On Flag Day. Next up, we’ve got one of my favorite tunes off Wilco (The Album), the sublime pairing of Leslie Feist and Jeff Tweedy on You & I.

Then, we’ve got Norah Jones collaborating with Ryan Adams on Dear John from the underrated album of Adams’ trifecta of 2005 releases – Jacksonville City Nights. We follow that up with Jenny Lewis and Elvis Costello pairing up for Carpetbaggers from Acid Tongue. Finally, we close things out with one of the all time classic duets – Islands In The Stream. This version comes from MMJ’s epic New Years Eve show at Madison Square Garden and features Nicole Atkins and Jim James bringing down the house. Did we miss any? Leave your favorite current contemporary duet in the comments.

It’s been a while since we’ve had a post on the Felice Brothers, so when Jennifer Kirk told us she shot the band (bang, bang, bang went Jennifer’s Camera) at the Masters Musicians Festival in Somerset, KY; we asked if we could share them with our readers. Let’s take a look…

The Felice Brothers are part of The Big Surprise Tour which kicks off in Hampton Beach, NH on August 4. They’ll be joined by Old Crow Medicine Show, Dave Rawlings Machine and Justin Townes Earle. The tour runs for two weeks. READ ON to check out the rest of Jennifer’s photos…

As the vibe tribe began to assemble, the faithful flocked to Seaside Park Thursday, seeking out good weather but reinforcing against the threat of rain. The 14th annual Gathering of the Vibes began with blue skies but ultimately couldn’t escape the storms that have plagued the summer.

[All Photos by Jeremy Gordon]

Luckily, however, there was enough sunshine to power the wonderful new GreenVibes stage with its partial solar energy requirements. Reckoning, a local band from Long Island lit up the afternoon with its set including hits from The Dead, the Allman Brothers as well as a take on Phish’s Birds of a Feather, putting everyone in the party mindset. Local Artist P.J Pacifico opened the main stage with a folk- tinged roots rock set including a very intimate Beatles cover.

The Donna Jean Godchaux Band (aka the former Zen Tricksters) continued on in the legacy of the Grateful Dead with the former singer giving us a taste of her famous vocals. With Donna’s voice mixing wondrously with Jeff Mattson’s guitar, you are almost transported to a time 30 years ago. Though the rain began to fall, the crowd spun along to new originals and favorite Dead tunes like Sugaree, Scarlet Begonias and Samson & Delilah.

READ ON for more from the 2009 edition of Gathering of the Vibes…

Now to many of you when you hear the words Sloppy Joe you have visions of ground meat in a tomato-ish sauce served on a plain hamburger bun.

Good food for sure but not the Sloppy Joe I am talking about. In Millburn, NJ on Millburn Avenue is a sandwich shop called The Millburn Deli. Their version of the Sloppy Joe is made on fresh, sliced to order rye (yes I said the bread was sliced to order) and your choice/combination of deli meats. There is also a “Friday Joe” created for Lent which is Tuna and Egg Salad. The sandwiches come in two sizes, the regular Sloppy Joe and the Monster Joe. Above is my favorite Monster Joe, Corned Beef Pastrami, Swiss, Cole Slaw and Russian dressing (and butter on the bread).

The Millburn Deli has been open since 1946 and owned by the current owners since 1991. It is one of those places where there is someone who owns the business, but the place is really the community’s. Anyone who grew up in the West Orange, South Orange, Short Hills and Millburn area can recall memories of going to events, etc growing up and seeing Millburn deli Sloppy Joes being served. Just this past weekend my cousin and I rented a zip car and drove from NYC to Millburn just to have Sloppy Joes. This is a very special sandwich and so worth the trip to New Jersey if you have never been.

328 Millburn Ave
Millburn NJ 07041
973.379.5800
Open Monday-Sunday 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Every Day

READ ON for other stuff from the foodie-verse this week…

For the name of the eighth festival Phish will throw, the band has come up with about as uncreative name as it gets… Festival 8. Festival 8, the group’s first three-day festival, will take place at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, CA on October 30 – November 1 during which time the band will perform eight sets.

Tickets for Festival 8 go onsale this upcoming Monday and will run $199 + a $1 Waterwheel donation + service charges. You’ll be allowed to camp with your car near the festival site for a $15 fee per vehicle. The Festival 8 website contains a FAQ which cleverly answers a number of questions you may have or never thought of. So, are you going to attend Festival 8?