Is there anything cooler than the Live Music Archive? Where else could you possibly download or stream more than 44,000 shows by 2,650 different artists? If you listened to one show from the archive a day, it would take you over 120 years to make it through all the shows currently on there.

This week’s edition of Grousing The Aisles looks at three shows that have been uploaded to the LMA over the past few days, and we’ll also point you in the direction in a buncha other cool shows on that site.

Derek Trucks Band 11/8/2007 DAUD [FLAC, MP3, STREAM]

It’s clear that Derek Trucks has been spending more time with his solo band than playing with the Allman Brothers Band. The chemistry between Trucks and the members of his band is undeniable. Keyboardist Kofi Burbridge excels at laying down beautiful melodies, allowing Trucks’ solos to soar. Vocalist Mike Mattison’s soulful voice adds an extra layer of bluesy goodness to the mix. The dynamic rhythm section of Todd Smallie on bass, Yonrico Scott on drums and Count M’butu on percussion have jelled nicely providing a steady danceable beat.

The Derek Trucks Band showed off their potent formula for a crowd that seemed to lap it up at a recent show in Collingswood, NJ. Gonna Move works oh-so-nicely as a peppy opener, leading into a more bluesy segment of Volunteered Slavery and I’ll Find My Way. Trucks finally works some of his instrumental magic during a powerful solo during the traditional Hurts Me Too. Other highlights include Mattison’s growling delivery of Get Out of My Life Woman, as well as the impressive interplay between band members during My Favorite Things. Derek and his band bring their powerful show to the ‘burbs this weekend hitting Bridgeport, CT on Thursday, Englewood, NJ on Friday and Mamaroneck, NY on Saturday. Read on for more downloads…

Blues Traveler 11/5/2007 DAUD [FLAC, MP3, STREAM]

John Popper may have lost a tremendous amount of weight, but he is still capable of delivering an extra large dose of personality, as I found out by checking out one of Blues Traveler’s recent gigs from Boston. Popper’s powerful voice and harp skills can still fire up a crowd more than 10 years after Traveler’s heyday. Last month Traveler released Cover Yourself, an album featuring acoustic re-dos of the band’s greatest hits and has taken the new versions on the road, adding a new element to their live shows.

Blues Traveler treated the Boston crowd to five completely different versions of classic BT tunes from the album. Some of the tunes actually sound better in their new skins. Just For Me cooks thanks to the addition of a mellow backbeat that transforms the song into something Little Feat might play. But some classics just shouldn’t be messed with. Bobby Sheehan would turn over in his grave if he heard the new bluesy version of Mountains Win Again. Regardless, you gotta give Traveler credit for trying to do something different instead of just dropping the typical, boring greatest hits package that litters the shelves of record stores everywhere. Blues Traveler brings the Cover Yourself tour to The Cabooze in Minneapolis on Friday night and will support Matisyahu at the Roseland Ballroom on December 4th.

Keller Williams and the WMDs DAUD [FLAC, MP3, STREAM]

Photo by HMCDani2

Keller Williams really needs to keep the WMDs as his permanent backing band. Williams’ music sounds so much more robust with the help of talented players behind him. From the moment Best Feeling begins, the band propels Williams’ songs and makes them just generally more…interesting. Gibb Droll’s guitar-playing shines brightly on the originals and fantastic covers of the Dead’s One More Saturday Night and Porno For Pyro’s Pets. Drummer Jeff Sipe could be the best musician on the stage, adding steady layered beats to every tune. Seriously, Keller, can you please add these guys permanently or at least bring the WMD’s to the Northeast?

Here are five other amazing shows on the archive:

We’re sure there are tons of amazing shows on the Archive from bands we’ve never even heard of. Wanna suggest a new band for us to check out for next week? Leave a message below turning us on to someone new…