I have a bit habit of occasionally (or slightly more than occasionally) recording amazing shows, and then posting them days... months... years later.

I think in this case it was because I taped two Grizzly Bear shows on that particular day in February 2007, and all the attention went to the earlier show - an acoustic performance hosted at Good Records by Gorilla vs Bear, recorded by yours truly, and video taped by several other local Bloggers. Check out the audio, and several of the video tracks at the earlier post here.

So, back to the later show - the actual "tour stop", a full on electric gig at Club DaDa, brought me a whole new appreciation for the band. I'd been a bit hit or miss on the production choices on their records, and the particular slant they gave the tracks - but the live electric experience brought the focus back to the songs and I was particularly impressed by the near Pink Floyd vibe that permeated the whole set. The band also pulled out a particularly inspired rendition of the Crystals "He Hit Me", though I think my favorite was Colorado.

The entire set also benefits from having been mixed in stereo, with every instrument having their own clearly defined space in the mix. Make sure you give a listen to the show with headphones on - these guys are masters with their effects pedals. Good stuff.

Live MP3 MP3s:
Intro
Easier
Showcase
Lullabye
Little Brother
Service Bell
Knife
Final Round
Don't Ask
Colorado
He Hit Me (The Crystals)
Fix It
On A Neck, On A Spit

Labels: club dada, dallas, grizzly bear, indie, live mp3s, soundboard mp3s

Here's the companion set to yesterday's post on Sondre Lerche.

Opening for Sondre was former Semisonic guitarist, lead singer and primary song-writer Dan Wilson. As we've mentioned several times over the last couple of months, Dan Wilson recently released 'Free Life' - his first solo record since the break up of Semisonic a few years ago.

Great set, my only regret was that I couldn't capture it from the soundboard - rather, I had to revert back to my trusty mics.

Featuring Semisonic classics (as well as the back-story for 'Closing Time' - you've got to hear it to believe it), the bulk of the tracks from his new solo record, as well as a song that he wrote for 'the Chicks' (aka the Dixie Chicks), the set was absolutely beautiful - and to be totally honest, I think that I prefer the live solo arrangements of the tracks from 'Free Life' to the studio recorded versions.

You of course can make up your mind! If you don't listen to anything else, be sure to grab and check out 'All Kinds'. Beautiful.

Enjoy.

Live MP3 MP3s:
Intro
Hand On My Heart
Breathless
'Dixie Chicks'
Easy Silence
'2 Things'
Sugar
Baby Doll
'Junior'
Closing Time
'Seattle'
Free Life
'Sing With Me'
All Kinds

Labels: audience mp3s, club dada, concerts, dallas, indie, live mp3s

So regular readers should already know I'm a big fan of Norwegian pop-darling Sondre Lerche.

Read about him on Lullabyes here and check out this older show we taped in Houston, back in 2003.

Dallas has been lucky enough to have Sondre Lerche visit a couple of times this year. Earlier in the year he wandered through with his band 'the Faces Down' in support of his closest-thing-to-rocking-out yet record, 'Phantom Punch' and played at the now-defunct Gypsy Tea Room. In November, he visited again - frequenting Club Dada with former Semisonic lead-man Dan Wilson.

Amazing amazing show. I'd seen him earlier this year at SXSW, it was an outside venue, with a fairly lacking sound system. Seeing him close up and indoors was an absolute treat and a much better venue for his fun and cozy shows.

Ever prolific, Sondre's put out two records this year - the 'fore mentioned 'Phantom Punch' and more recently he provided the soundtrack for the Steve Carell vehicle, 'Dan in Real Life'. The latest show in November was in support for this new soundtrack, and Sondre played quite a few of the songs from the record - though sadly we didn't get a solo take on 'Hell No' - originally a duet with Regina Spektor.

Fortunately, we did get an amazing rendition of 'Modern Nature' with a full-on sing-a-long from the choir-like ladies in the audience. I haven't heard an audience sound this good since Matt Wertz.

Other highlights include 'Sleep On Needles', 'Two Way Monologue' and his various funny anecdotes between songs. You can tell he was thrilled to have worked on 'Dan in Real Life' with at least 4 monologues on the experience.

Great recording of a great show. Enjoy.

Buy 'Phantom Punch' here - and the 'Dan in Real Life' Soundtrack here.

Live MP3 MP3s:
Don't Be Shallow
'Club Dada'
After All
Everyone's Rooting For You
'Faces Down'
Airport Taxi Reception
'Changing Strings'
Say It All
Maybe You're Gone
'Dan In Real Life' Part 1
To Be Suprised
'Dan In Real Life' Part 2
My Hands Are Shaking
'Dan In Real Life' Part 3
I'll Be OK
Dead Passengers
'Duper Sessions'
Human Hands
'Merch Booth'
Happy Birthday Girl
'Unreleased Track'
I Know I Know
Tragic Mirror
Two Way Monologue
Encore Break
'Dan In Real Life' Part 4
Modern Nature
Phantom Punch
Sleep On Needles
Outro

Labels: club dada, concerts, dallas, indie, live mp3s, soundboard mp3s

I'm pretty excited about the upcoming week. Love Thanksgiving - Turkey... stuffing... gravy... pumpkin pie... repeat. Good times.

For the kids in Dallas, the coming week is also bringing some fairly decent shows to town. Club Dada is doing especially well - with great shows on back to back nights, this Thursday and Friday.

Thursday's visitors are Sondre Lerche and Dan Wilson (of Semisonic) fame. I never got to see Semisonic, even though I always wanted to - so seeing Dan in a tiny little venue like Dada should be a great experience. Read about Dan's new record here.

Now I've seen Sondre twice - at SXSW earlier this year, and in Houston a few years ago. The Houston show ranked as one of the coziest and fun little shows I've ever been to - and its definitely the one I listen to most from that year. Check it out here.

Friday brings Wild Sweet Orange and the Whigs to Club Dada. Not that familiar with the Whigs - but I've been enjoying Wild Sweet Orange's tracks over at their MySpace and I have it on good authority that their live show rocks. Should be a good time. Check out their track 'Wrestle With God' below - then head over to their MySpace and check out 'Ten Dead Dogs'.

MP3 MP3s:
Wild Sweet Orange - Wrestle With God

Labels: club dada, dallas, studio mp3s, tour dates