The Subdudes - Live At The Rams Head

Size: 253 MB
Time: 53:22
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2008
Styles: Blues, Rock, Funk
Art: Front

CD 1:
01. Intro (Spoken Word) (1:43)
02. Poor Man's Paradise (6:04)
03. Papa Dukie And The Mud People (8:45)
04. Light In Your Eyes (6:36)
05. Carved In Stone (3:52)
06. Why Can't I Forget About You (5:09)
07. Montage (Spoken Word) (3:05)
08. Street Symphony (6:30)
09. Sarita (6:06)
10. Half Of The Story (5:27)

CD 2:
01. Fair Weather Friend (5:08)
02. If Wishing Made It So (4:25)
03. All The Time In The World (5:31)
04. Late At Night (6:00)
05. Fountain Of Youth (4:30)
06. No Man (7:02)
07. Thorn In Her Side (6:02)
08. Next To Me (Encore) (6:37)
09. It's So Hard (Encore) (9:30)

Recorded on location at The Rams Head Tavern / Live on Stage / Annapolis, Maryland.

Led by singer/guitarist Tommy Malone and accordionist John Magnie, the Subdudes draw most of their inspiration from the sounds of their native New Orleans, blending blues, gospel, funk, and R&B with their own harmony vocals; their sound is also notable for the band's substitution of a tambourine player for a drummer. The band came together after backing artists such as Joni Mitchell and Roseanne Cash, and released its eponymous debut in 1989. Like the group's subsequent albums (including 1991's Lucky, 1996's Primitive Streak, and 1997's Live at Last), The Subdudes featured a mix of covers and originals. After an eight-year sabbatical, the Subdudes joined Bob Dylan guitarist Freddy Koella to produce Miracle Mule in spring 2004. Keb' Mo' would be the producer for the band's 2006 effort, Behind the Levee, and Street Symphony would follow in 2007. ~Steve Huey

Live At The Rams Head MP3
Live At The Rams Head FLAC

---

The Subdudes - The Subdudes / Behind The Levee

Album: The Subdudes Size: 97.2 MB
Time: 41:20
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1989
Styles: Blues, Funk, R&B
Art: Front, Back, CD

01. Any Cure (3:45)
02. Light In Your Eyes (3:55)
03. Tell Me What's Wrong (3:46)
04. Need Somebody (3:40)
05. Run Little One (3:37)
06. Big Chief (3:22)
07. One Time (4:17)
08. She's Alone (3:39)
09. Got You On His Mind (3:30)
10. Tupelo (3:33)
11. Help Is On The Way (4:11)

From the opening bassline and tambourine of their debut album, it is clear that the Subdudes are no ordinary band. Rooted in the music of New Orleans, the Subdudes are a soulful band clearly influenced by local acts such as the Neville Brothers. The arrangements focus on the interplay between the musicians to create a relaxed groove -- the music is dense but never cluttered, and the Subdudes make use of accordion and alternate percussive instruments such as congas to give the music an organic feel. The most striking feature of the band, however, is the impassioned vocal performances; earthy harmonies are their trademark, and they are used to great effect to create singalong choruses in songs such as "Got You on His Mind" and "Need Somebody." This album is great party music, and the uplifting songs effectively capture the spirit of New Orleans. ~Vik Iyengar

The Subdudes MP3
The Subdudes FLAC

---

Album: Behind The Levee Size: 95.2 MB
Time: 40:32
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2006
Styles: Blues, Rock, Funk
Art: Front & Back

01. Papa Dukie And The Mud People (4:39)
02. Next To Me (4:15)
03. No Vacancy (2:26)
04. One Word (Peace) (3:23)
05. Social Aid And Pleasure Club (3:25)
06. Time For The Sun To Rise (6:09)
07. Let's Play (3:36)
08. Looking At You (4:14)
09. Keep My Feet Upon The Ground (4:04)
10. Prayer Of Love (4:17)

Though between the time of recording Behind the Levee and the time of its release the levees of the title had been largely destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, the music carries an air of relaxation and safety. This is basic New Orleans funky, bluesy rock & roll. With production by Keb' Mo', the album is a carefully crafted one that largely returns the Subdudes to their older territory. There's probably not anything new here stylistically, but that's really the key. The music is simultaneously fresh and nostalgic, conserved but energetic. John Magnie keeps his accordion pumping a solid rhythmic melody, Steve Amedee plays the tambourine like his life depends on it, and bassists Tim Cook and Jimmy Messa add their flair to the proceedings. All, though, provide some funky vocal riffs throughout. It's not an adventurous sound the band is after here, but it's a terrific album full of fundamentals with quality performances all around. These guys are just having fun now. ~Adam Greenberg

Behind The Levee MP3
Behind The Levee FLAC

---

The Subdudes - Lucky

Size: 105.2 MB
Time: 44:42
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1991
Styles: Southern Rock
Art: Front & Back

01. Push And Shove (3:37)
02. Deepest Thoughts (3:52)
03. Straight Shot (3:34)
04. Tired Of Being Alone (3:35)
05. Laughing At Birds (3:49)
06. The Ballad Of Gunther Johnson (3:58)
07. Dolly's Song (Have You Ever Thought...) (4:22)
08. I Can't Wait (3:07)
09. Another Heartbreak Now (3:18)
10. Someday, Somehow (3:27)
11. Wide Load (4:02)
12. Bye, Bye (3:56)

The Subdudes produce a soulful musical blend combining the rhythmic feel of their native New Orleans, gospel-inflected vocals, and deeply personal lyrics. Ironically, the band has no one playing the standard drum set, but percussionist Steve Amedee is amazing with only a tambourine and a modified drumstick. On Lucky, their second release, the band is at its finest, with all the elements coming together to produce a unique sound, highlighted by Tommy Malone's heartfelt lead vocals and understated guitar work, punctuated with John Magnie's inventive keyboard and accordion playing. The original compositions are outstanding, especially "Push and Shove," "Deepest Thoughts," and the intensely personal "Laughing at Birds." The whimsical "Wide Load" features the Rebirth Brass Band blaring at full throttle, while "I Can't Wait" is a fine piece of funk, built on a bluesy guitar riff straight out of Captain Beefheart's playbook. The band also delivers a tasty cover of Al Green's "Tired of Being Alone." Lucky is quite appealing and immensely listenable from start to finish. Nonetheless, the Subdudes were one of those bands that built a steadily growing following on the strength of their live performances, delivered consistently strong albums, but never found the key to break through to the commercial success their music deserved. ~Jim Newsom

Lucky MP3
Lucky FLAC

---

Various - Louisiana: Live From Mountain Stage 1 & 2

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 59:17
Size: 135.7 MB
Styles: Louisiana blues, Zydeco
Year: 1996
Art: Front

[4:34] 1. Beausoleil - La Danse De La Vie
[4:40] 2. The Neville Brothers - Ayiti
[3:41] 3. C. J. Chenier - Louisiana Two-Step
[5:09] 4. The Radiators - Long Hard Journey Home
[7:51] 5. Dr. John - Such A Night
[3:26] 6. Jo-El Sonnier - Evangeline Special
[5:12] 7. Allen Toussaint - Mother-In-Law Lipstick Traces
[3:34] 8. Al Rapone - Chere Duloone
[4:03] 9. Steve Riley - La Toussaint
[3:32] 10. Queen Ida - Choupik Two-Step
[2:55] 11. Wayne Toups - Johnny Can't Dance
[5:10] 12. Buckwheat Zydeco - Jeleron
[5:25] 13. Terrance Simien - Don't Wanna Cry No More Terrance Simien

Mountain Stage is a two-hour music radio show, first aired in 1983, produced by WV Public Broadcasting and distributed worldwide by National Public Radio (NPR) and the Voice of America's satellite radio service. Hosted by Larry Groce, the program showcases diverse music, from the traditional to modern. It is recorded before a live audience, usually at the Culture Center Theater in Charleston, West Virginia, but occasionally travels to other venues elsewhere in the United States.

Louisiana: Live From Mountain Stage mc
Louisiana: Live From Mountain Stage zippy

---

Album: Louisiana 2: Live From Mountain Stage
Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 42:38
Size: 97.6 MB
Styles: Louisiana blues, Cajun
Year: 1998
Art: Front

[5:13] 1. Marcia Ball - La-Ti-Da
[3:25] 2. Wayne Toups - Two Step Mamou
[4:37] 3. The Iguanas - Don't Treat Her Mean
[5:57] 4. Dirty Dozen - Caravan
[3:31] 5. Sonny Landreth - Shooting For The Moon
[2:42] 6. Queen Ida - Hey Labas
[3:12] 7. The Subdudes - Angel To Be
[2:29] 8. Jo-El Sonnier - So Long Baby
[4:06] 9. Beausoleil - Menage A Trois Reels
[2:57] 10. C. J. Chenier - Bow Legged Woman
[4:25] 11. Olympia Brass Band - Should I

One of radio's best music shows brings you the very best in Louisiana music on this collection from Blue Plate. Marcia Ball, queen of New Orleans good time blues, does a jumping "La-Ti-Da." There's Cajun music aplenty with the newer sounds of Jo-El Sonnier and Wayne Toups, as well as the traditional reels of Beausoleil. Queen Ida and C J Chenier give you a healthy dose of Zydeco and, naturally, there's a taste of Dixieland from the Dirty Dozen and the Olympia Brass Band. For those who like it on the cutting edge, the Subdudes and Sonny Landreth (killer slide guitar!) are also on hand. As they say in Louisiana, it's "always for pleasure" ... that ain't no lie! ~Lars Gandil

Louisiana 2: Live From Mountain Stage mc
Louisiana 2: Live From Mountain Stage zippy

---