John Common brought Blinding Flashes of Light to the Oriental stage last week for a showcase of material from their upcoming album (planned for release in May 2009).  The full lineup of BFOL musicians is nothing less than stellar, drawing on artists well-known for their contributions in other local bands:

Jess De Nicola Mefford — vocals, keys
Wes Michaels — cello
Carl Sorensen — drums
Jimmy Stofer — bass, vocals
Jon Wirtz — piano, organ, melodica, accordion, xylophone

If you’re the hands-on type, right on the heels of the PKO concept, John has yet another artistic idea cooking for the forthcoming CD release.  For inspiration while starting out on this creative woodworking endeavor, here’s a live version of the music that will ultimately complement your visual masterpiece.

John Common and Blinding Flashes of Light
2.20.2009
The Oriental Theater, Denver, CO

Source:  Microtech Gefell M300’s > Lunatec V3 (opti-mod) > Nomad JB3 > WAV > Adobe Audition 3.0 > CDWave > Flac16
Taped by:  Lance Stack

Setlist:
1. intro
2. You Got the Lonely
3. Wide Open World
4. The Man Who Could
5. Love is a Shark
6. The Fall
7. Go To Hell With Me
8. “My Favorite”
9. Can You Hear Me
10. Don’t Follow Virginia
11. Same Scar
12. The Dreamers
13. In My Neighborhood
14. Do You Know My Name
15. Amazing Grace *

Notes:
* = unamplified, with The People’s Kazoo Orchestra

FLAC files and available at the Live Music Archive.
A zipfile of the mp3s is available here via megaupload.

I’m close to being caught up on January’s recordings.  Here’s a Meadowlark set from Jen Korte and the Loss, featuring appearances by Bianca Mikahn, Lady Speech, and Matt Gilliam!

Jen Korte and The Loss
1.10.2009
The Meadowlark, Denver, CO

Source:  Microtech Gefell M300’s > Lunatec V3 (opti-mod) > Nomad JB3 > WAV > Adobe Audition 3.0 > CDWave > Flac16
Taped by:  Lance Stack

Setlist:
1. 5 a.m.
2. Fleeting
3. It’s A Little Hard, Dear
4. Down, Down, Down
5. Shoreline
6. Pull the Plug
7. If I

A zipfile of the mp3s is available here.

There were probably as many coughs coming from the stage last night as there were strikes on the hammered dulcimer.  :)  In retrospect, the New Denver Orchestra is well worth catching a cold over,  but that didn’t stop me from taking an extra dose of vitamins this morning!

New Denver Orchestra
2.22.2009
Brooks Center Arts, Denver, CO

Source:  Microtech Gefell M300’s > Lunatec V3 (opti-mod) > Nomad JB3 > WAV > Adobe Audition 3.0 > CDWave > Flac16
Taped by:  Lance Stack

Setlist:
1. Kirushige
2. unknown #1
3. unknown #2
4. (tuning, stories, etc.)
5. Water Song
6. unknown #3
7. The Processional

A zipfile of the mp3s is available here.
FLAC files can be downloaded as a zipfile here.

Ellison Park brought his Parade of Elephants out for a pair of full-band shows at the Oriental and Bluebird this weekend.  Here’s the Oriental set, a short opener for Achille Lauro and John Common.

Ellison Park’s Parade of Elephants
2.20.2009
The Oriental Theater, Denver, CO

Source:  Microtch Gefell M300’s > Lunatec V3 (opti-mod) > Nomad JB3 > WAV > Adobe Audition 3.0 > CDWave > Flac16
Taped by:  Lance Stack

Setlist:
1. Like a Portrait
2. I Keep You in a Flask
3. The Truth is Stomping on Me
4. Rinse
5. White Paper and Glue

A zipfile of the mp3s is available here.
FLAC files can be downloaded as a zipfile here.

Maybe it was the environment provided by a larger venue.  Maybe the band maintains an edge by taking their songs to the whetstone between each performance.  Regardless of the reasons, this is easily my favorite Achille Lauro show to-date.

Achille Lauro
2.20.2009
The Oriental Theater, Denver, CO

Source:  Microtch Gefell M300’s > Lunatec V3 (opti-mod) > Nomad JB3 > WAV > Adobe Audition 3.0 > CDWave > Flac16
Taped by:  Lance Stack

Setlist:
1. “No Brakes”
2. “Friend’s War”
3. Cold Poetry
4. Summertime
5. Super Natural Beings
6. Buried Under Ice
7. Cardboard Divas

A zipfile of the mp3s is available here.
FLAC files can be downloaded as a zipfile here.