Set: Gypsy Biker/Out In The Street /Radio Nowhere/The Promised Land/Spirit In The Night/Wooly Bully (Sam The Sham cover)/Darlington County/You Can Look (But You Better Not Touch)/Darkness On The Edge Of Town /Youngstown/Murder Incorporated/She’s The One /Livin’ In The Future /Mary’s Place/Working On The Highway/Racing In The Street/The Rising/Last To Die/Long Walk Home/Badlands

Encore: Seven Nights To Rock/4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)/Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out/Glory Days/Born To Run/Rosalita/Bobby Jean/American Land/Thunder Road/Dancing In The Dark/Born To Be Wild (Steppenwolf cover)

There are few touring acts that inject more of themselves into a performance than Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. Last night the group performed for thousands of Springsteen die hards at the Harley-Davidson Roadhouse along Milwaukee’s Lakefront in celebration of the motorcycle giant’s 105th anniversary.

It’s hard to imagine a more perfect match than The Boss for such an evening. The crowd was a mixture of bikers and everyday curiosity seekers, hoping to put a big exclamation point on both the festivities and the summer season. After 31 songs and just over three and a half hours of music, the only gas left was found in the chrome tanks atop two wheelers taking people home.

Springsteen seized the occasion to curate his set list with road focused numbers, starting out the evening with a most appropriate version of “Gypsy Biker” from his most recent record, Magic, before launching into “Out In The Street.” Using previous Springsteen concerts as past precedent, I’d never see The Boss so animated and in high spirits. The combination of a few days rest, the last day of the tour and a rabid audience lent to a night that I certainly won’t forget anytime soon. Pacing the stage like a caged tiger, Springsteen on many occasions found himself in the first few rows of the crowd, giving fans an up-close experience, he collected signs from the audience and used as a driving force for the set list. One such request was the amusing and blast from the past cover of “Wooly Bully.”

I can honestly say that I can’t remember a better live trio of songs than last night’s “Glory Days,” “Born To Run,” and “Rosalita.” “Born To Run” is a standard and expected, but going into the night the other two were high on my wish list before the show began. With each passing song as the evening neared the three hour mark everyone began to assume the evening was sadly coming to a close. Instead, the band played on. I was certain that “Thunder Road” would send the riders off into the night only to be treated by a gorgeous version of “Dancing In The Dark” and a very welcomed surprise cover of “Born To Be Wild.” A perfect selection to conclude and unforgettable evening.

As we walked along Lakeshore Drive we listened as the thousands of bikers started up their bikes and roared by us one-by-one. It was something to be seen, and it was one of the loudest things I’ve ever heard. The tour is now over, but let last night be a reminder that Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band are not to be missed if your city is graced with their presence.

Video: Bruce Springsteen - “Born To Be Wild” (Harley-Davidson 105th Anniversary)
Myspace: Bruce Springsteen

“Recorded in closets, living rooms, kitchens, attics, bathrooms and studios from San Francisco’s Mission District to Greenpoint, Brooklyn to Fayette County, Kentucky, The Island Moved in the Storm is none of those places and all of them at once: It is a moment of beauty, stolen from a fleeting world.”

Read carefully. I’m about to reveal one of this year’s finest records. Songs filled with banjo, bells, and organ - painting a landscape for Matt Bauer to sing his beautiful stories. The Island Moved In The Storm, released this week on La Société Expéditionnaire (home of MoB favorites Lewis & Clarke), reminds me of more delicate version of William Elliot Whitmore.

Grab a taste of the record with a free and legal download of “Don’t Let Me Out” and by all means, take my recommendation straight to the purchase point.

Chicago fans catch Matt Bauer at the AV-Aerie on Saturday, October 11th.

Photo: Mikael Kennedy
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Myspace: Matt Baur
MP3: Matt Bauer - “Don’t Let Me Out”

Find MP3’s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic

Radiohead’s live broadcast from Santa Barbara last night documented the last show of their US tour, one I’m happy to say I caught them twice on. For those of you that watched it live, you can definitely agree the sound and video was brilliantly captured. It’s only a matter of time before the whole thing is up and viewable somewhere, but until then, let’s take a look at some of the videos already up.

Radiohead - “There There” (Live webcast from Santa Barbara)

Radiohead - “15 Step” (Live webcast from Santa Barbara)

Radiohead - “Idioteque” (Live webcast from Santa Barbara)

Radiohead - “Optimistic” (Live webcast from Santa Barbara)

Radiohead - “All I Need” (Live webcast from Santa Barbara)

I always prefer when bands retain their band name rather than add the main contributor/songwriter to the mix (see also Michael Franti & Spearhead), JJ Grey & Mofro is guilty of that. Having followed the band through many records and seen them both within state lines and their Florida swamp roots, I feel I’ve got a pretty good feel for the group.

Though the band’s fan base has come predominately from jam-focused music fans, their music should also appeal to fans of the delta blues and soul. New record Orange Blossoms puts the group out on the road in support, and, lucky for Wisconsin fans, two dates to take it all in.

11/22 - JJ Grey & Mofro - Shank Hall, Milwaukee
11/23 - JJ Grey & Mofro - Majestic Theatre, Madison

Myspace: JJ Grey & Mofro

Find MP3’s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic

+Bookmark our Wisconsin shows pages for all your concert announcements+

I’ve caught Lyrics Born in basements, bars, and at various festivals throughout the years. He’s been good to Madison, making it a usual stopping point for him on his tours. This time through he’ll play the Majestic Theatre on Friday, November 7th.

Tickets: $17 Advance / $20 Day of Show
On Sale: September 5th

Myspace: Lyrics Born

Find more MP3’s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic

+Bookmark our Wisconsin and Chicago shows pages for all your concert announcements+

Present day soul troubadour James Hunter has eluded me with each swing through the state. I’ve sadly missed him each time he’s performed Summerfest in Milwaukee. His latest, The Hard Way comes with our highest recommendation, especially for fans of Van Morrison or Sam Cooke.

He’s scheduled two Wisconsin dates in Madison and Milwaukee, see him if you can.

11/22 - James Hunter/Susan Tedeschi - Barrymore Theatre, Madison
11/26 - James Hunter/Susan Tedeschi - Northern Lights Theater, Milwaukee

Myspace: James Hunter
MP3: James Hunter - “Jacqueline”

The Walkmen’s You & Me is one of the year’s finest rock and roll records. A return to form for a band that might have lost a few over the course of recent releases. One look/listen to the video above for “In The New Year” should cast aside any lingering reservations.

Catch the Walkmen at the Barrymore Theatre in Madison opening for Okkervil River on Sunday, September 14th.

Myspace: The Walkmen
MP3: Daytrotter Session

Find more MP3’s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic

Last year Land of Talk released one of my favorite records, Applause Cheer Boo Hiss. The group that calls Montreal home, readies the release of Some Are Lakes via Saddle Creek on October 7th. The new record receives a helping hand from Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon who recorded nine tracks in “an old converted church outside of Montreal” (wonder who that belongs to) and another at his parents home in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

The band/label have made available the title track as a free and legal MP3 download below. Get on that!

Madison fans will want to get familiar with all things Land of Talk as they’re holding down opening duties for the upcoming Broken Social Scene show at UW’s Memorial Union Theater on Saturday, October 11th.

Previously: 4 Questions with Land of Talk

Myspace: Land of Talk
MP3: Land of Talk - “Some Are Lakes”

Find more MP3’s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic

Murder By Death’s latest on Vagrant Records, Red of Tooth and Claw found my Americana/punk vein. They’ll swing through Madison for a stop at The Annex on Friday, August 29th. I caught up with Adam Turla for our continuing 5 Questions with Muzzle of Bees feature.

Could you lend some information on the recording process of Red of Tooth and Claw? Where and how was it recorded, and were there any lessons learned that you’ll apply towards future recording sessions?

It was recorded at Dark House Studios in Franklin, Tennessee in a mansion that looks like a giant birdhouse. We learned that being well rehearsed and having all the songs written completely allows you to blow through the recording and watching the playoffs/world series every night when you’re done recording.

We’re always looking to uncover new favorite artists, are there any band(s)/record(s) that you could recommend to our readers?

The guy supporting our headlining tour in October is called William Elliott Whitmore. He is one of our favorite musicians. he sounds like a 1000 year old man.

The internet has dramatically altered the way artists can reach an audience. With things like blogs/myspace/etc, what are your thoughts on the power of the internet in terms of helping (or hurting) your music?

More people casually listen to more bands because its free. I think that the internet helps bands that are writing one hit wonders and hurts bands that craft albums meant for in depth listening. In that way I think that it dumbs down culture. that being said, its still pretty awesome to send out a myspace blast about a tour you have, and knowing that 50000 people will get that bulletin.

If you were to cover and entire night’s worth of someone else’s material whose would you choose?

Maybe the Pogues?

We are actually doing a 7″ series where we trade covers with other bands. On the first one that comes out this fall, William Elliott Whitmore covers our song “dynamite mine” and we cover his song “one man’s shame”. We are talking to a bunch of other bands like Lucero, O’Death, and Dresden Dolls and hopefully some of them will work out.

You have a lengthy tour you’re about to undertake. Are you guys able to write while touring or is that something you reserve for time off the road?

We rarely write on tour because i feel like its a mixed interest. occasionally if tour puts me into a mood that is usable for a song, i may attempt to use that for the song.

Myspace: Murder By Death

Find MP3’s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic

ZZ Top follow MoB favorites The Avett Brothers and Crosby, Stills & Nash as the next in line to team up with legendary producer/knob tweaker Rick Rubin. What makes this story interesting is Rubin’s floating of the idea for ZZ Top to team up with the The Black Keys, who can now add Billy F. Gibbons to their increasing fan base.

Billboard.com has the skinny:

Though it’s on the road until early November, ZZ Top is gearing up for its next album — its first with producer Rick Rubin under a new deal with Rubin’s Columbia-distributed American Recordings imprint.

“All I can say at this point this a new venture between the two of us,” guitarist Billy F. Gibbons tells Billboard.com. “I’ve known Rick for 20 years and we’ve waited for this opportunity for a double decade. I’ve not sat down with him pointedly to get down to business just yet, but I feel very comfortable working within the framework that he envisions. He’s got a good feel on the pulse, and I’m very interested in what he might have in mind.”

Gibbons says that Rubin has forwarded one idea — hooking ZZ Top up with the Black Keys for some writing and possibly recording. “I’m such a big fan of those guys … it makes total sense,” says Gibbons, who first checked out the band during a fall 2005 show at New York’s Irving Plaza. “And that’s pretty down and dirty, which is good for ZZ Top.”

There is some new material around already, from a 15-day studio session Gibbons did in May with a couple of engineers, during which he says he “managed to squeeze out 15 tunes.

“It was just me kickin’ back and having a good time,” Gibbons recalls. “We did everything from a black church gospel ballad to updated versions of ‘Rollin’ and Tumblin’,’ did some Jimmy Reed take-off things, just keeping that bluesy thread throughout. I think that as long as we maintain that blues tradition, the material takes on an identity that’s easily digestible, at least in terms of what our fans have asked for.”

Gibbons says he hopes ZZ Top hits the studio shortly after its tour cycle, which includes its current run of dates with Brooks & Dunn and then an In Your Face Tour headlining run that starts Sept. 26 in Wichita, Kan. “There’s just a lot of enthusiasm between us now,” Gibbons notes, “and I think that it’s setting us up to go directly into the studio and keep that momentum that seems to be hitting.”

Meanwhile, ZZ Top will release an expanded 25th anniversary “Eliminator (Collector’s Edition) on Aug. 26, and Gibbons has recorded a version of Chuck Berry’s “Run, Rudolph, Run” with Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl and Motorhead’s Lemmy Kilmister for the “Metal Christmas” compilation, due this fall.

Thanks to my friends at Via Chicago for the tip!

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Milwaukee fans can catch ZZ Top on Friday, August 29th at the upcoming Harley-Davidson 105th Anniversary. Who’s seen them before? I own nor have I explored any of their records. Should I? If so, which ones can you recommend?