While hard at work on her upcoming album (titled Mariana), Michelle Blades has been sneaking in frequent shows around Phoenix.  Here’s a full band performance opening for Flesh the Racist Crayon at The Trunk Space.  Michelle’s last two releases are both available via bandcamp.

Michelle Blades
12.12.2010
The Trunk Space, Phoenix, AZ

Source:  Mix [Microtech Gefell M300’s > Lunatec V3 + DPA 4060’s > DAD6001’s] > Oade Mod Edirol R44 @ 24/48 > SDHC > Adobe Audition 3.0 > Resample to 16/44.1 > CDWave
Taped by: Lance Stack

Setlist:
1. unknown (soundcheck)
2. Strawberry Ghost
3. To M.L’s Paintings
4. Like Wildflowers
5. Heart of Clover
6. Mariana
7. La Vérité
8. improv song

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

Here’s one of my AZ favorites, Stephen Steinbrink and French Quarter.  I’d previously seen French Quarter at Rhinoceropolis, but it was nice to see the band playing on their home turf.  Most of Stephen’s output is available for purchase from Life’s Blood and Gilgongo.

Stephen Steinbrink and French Quarter
12.12.2010
The Trunk Space, Phoenix, AZ

Source:  Mix [Microtech Gefell M300’s > Lunatec V3 + DPA 4060’s > DAD6001’s] > Oade Mod Edirol R44 @ 24/48 > SDHC > Adobe Audition 3.0 > Resample to 16/44.1 > CDWave
Taped by:  Lance Stack

Setlist:
1. intro/soundcheck
2. It’s Not Just Kissing
3. Lucky Passing Dream
4. unknown
5. Goodbye Alligator Skin
6. More Real [The Necessaries]
7. A Tiny Seed
8. When I Was A Young Girl [trad.]
9. Wet Cloud
10. Neighbors In The Bedroom

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

(Photo by Vicki Robison.)

Here’s Thursday night’s Roger Clyne solo show to keep you warm on this cold, snowy evening.

Roger Clyne (solo acoustic)
1.06.2011
Soiled Dove Underground, Denver, CO

Source:  Microtech Gefell M300’s > Lunatec V3 > Oade Mod Edirol R44 @ 24/48 > SDHC > Adobe Audition 3.0 > Resample to 16/44.1 > CDWave
Taped by:  Lance Stack

Setlist:
1. I Do
2. ¡Americano!
3. Hello New Day
4. Mexico
5. Counterclockwise
6. Feeling
7. My Best Friend’s Girl -> Easy
8. Buffalo
9. Ballad of Lupe Montosa
10. Switchblade
11. Better Beautiful than Perfect
12. City Girls
13. Tell Yer Momma
14. Maybe We Should Fall in Love
15. Leave an Open Door
16. Mekong
17. banter *
18. Banditos *
19. Wanted *
20. intermission *
21. Marie *
22. Beautiful Disaster *
(Encore)
23. Whiskey Rain %
24. Lonesome Johnny Blues %
25. Green and Dumb %

Notes:
* = with Jim Dalton
% = with Jim Dalton, Johnny Hickman and Jeremy Lawton
(Mics were placed at head height, along the front drink rail.)
Thanks to Chip for the setlist help!

A zipfile of the MP3s is available here.
FLAC files and other formats are available at the LMA.

(Photo by Pat Rosenthal.)

Colorado’s Hickman-Dalton Gang, a collaboration between Johnny Hickman (Cracker) and Jim Dalton (Railbenders, Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers), is in the studio this month working on a followup to their 2007 EP, creatively titled Volume #1.  ;)  The pair opened for Roger Clyne at the Soiled Dove Underground this week, and were joined by proficient multi-instrumentalist Jeremy Lawton (Big Head Todd and the Monsters).

The Hickman-Dalton Gang
1.06.2011
Soiled Dove Underground, Denver, CO

Source: Microtech Gefell M300’s > Lunatec V3 > Oade Mod Edirol R44 @ 24/48 > SDHC > Adobe Audition 3.0 > Resample to 16/44.1 > CDWave
Taped by: Lance Stack

Setlist:
1. Too Many Years
2. Papa Johnny’s Arms *
3. Mexican Jail #
4. You’ve Got a Problem *%
5. Long Tall Pine Tree *
6. Justin O. Picker *
7. Old Border Town #
8. Mr. Wrong *
9. Let’s Toke the Whole Day Off *%
10. banter
11. Friends *

Notes:
* = with Jeremy Lawton on lap steel
# = with Jeremy Lawton on accordion
% = live version omitted pending release of the upcoming album
(Mics were placed at head height, along the front drink rail.)

A zipfile of the mp3s is available here.

A super-short (but fun!) set from Tristan Jemsek (a.k.a. Dogbreth), who was on tour with Iji and Mega Bog this fall.  You can check out the Dogbreth discography here!

Dogbreth
9.30.2010
Rhinoceropolis, Denver, CO

Source:  Mix [Microtech Gefell M300’s > Lunatec V3] + [SBD > 1/4″] > Oade Mod Edirol R44 @ 24/48 > SDHC > Adobe Audition 3.0 > Mixdown > Resample to 16/44.1 > CDWave
Taped by:  Lance Stack

Setlist:
1. Love Staff
2. Keep My Room Clean
3. Passing Moments
4. Yer Smile *
5. Hunger Pains *
6. Black Coffee *

Notes:
* = w/ Erin (Mega Bog) and Zach (iji)

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