Our good friend PJ Sykes shot the awesome cover photo for Lambchop’s brand new live album which came out digitally this week (Nov 17) and will be released as a limited edition CD and high def video download next week (Nov 24) exclusively via the Merge Store.

Lambchop – Live at XX Merge (Cover photo by PJ Sykes)

As Merge fans know, Lambchop has been on the label since 1993, releasing a string of widely varied but consistently brilliant records. But the live Lambchop experience has been somewhat elusive in the U.S. While the band has toured the gilded theaters of Europe and elsewhere for nearly two decades, the Nashville group has seldom toured their home country. Kurt Wagner has performed solo on a recent Yo La Tengo tour, and Lambchop supported their recent album, (OH) Ohio, as an intimately stripped-down quintet in a couple of short bursts over the last year. To help celebrate Merge’s 20th Anniversary the band showed up in one of their largest lineups in recent memory — 11-strong, including multiple guitars, keyboards, piano, and a horn section. Lambchop performing live is always a powerful proposition, but on this night they started quietly with “I Will Drive Slowly” from their first album (I Hope You’re Sitting Down) and accelerated from there, each song seemingly faster and more intensely played than the last, building to a furious finale of “Up With People” and an epic “Give It.” By the end of their set, everyone in the packed Cats Cradle – band and audience both – was levitating a few inches off the ground…

Lambchop’s set at XX Merge was professionally recorded and filmed, and is available now for those who missed it, or for those who want to go back again.

If you’d like to see some more live video from XX Merge, you can check out the treasure trove of exclusive footage from the festival (including The Magnetic Fields, Superchunk, Conor Oberst, Polvo, Spoon, M. Ward, Destroyer, Wye Oak, and She & Him) over at www.babelgum.com/merge.

In honor of this new release, I’m giving away an XX Merge T-shirt, an XX Merge button, and a couple of limited edition XX Merge postcards by PJ Sykes. To enter this contest, fill out the entry form after the jump. US entrants only, one entry per household, contest ends on November 24, 2009.

Pictures of the prize pack goodies, Lambchop Live at XX Merge track listing and a video for Lambchop’s “Give It” after the jump.

“Lambchop Live at XX Merge Out Now Digitally (Audio + Video), Win a Merge T-Shirt, Button and Ltd Edition Postcards” continued after the jump

Paul McCartney – Good Evening New York City

Today (Nov 17) marks the release of Good Evening New York City the new live CD/DVD set by Paul McCartney documenting his stadium inaugurating three night stand at New York’s CitiField in July of 2009. Here’s a little press blurbage about the latest release from The Beatles former bass player:

Paul McCartney’s historic three-night musical christening of New York’s Citi Field, witnessed by 120,000-plus attendees and universally hailed as a concert experience for the ages, will be immortalized November 17 when Hear Music/Concord Music Group releases “Good Evening New York City”.

This momentous musical experience will be available in two formats: a 3-disc (2 CD + 1 DVD) standard edition and a 4-disc (2 CD + 2 DVD) deluxe version featuring expanded packaging and a bonus DVD including McCartney’s traffic-stopping, headline-making July 15 performance on the Ed Sullivan Theater marquee (including bonus numbers not aired on the Late Show with David Letterman broadcast).

Apparently wowing North American audiences wasn’t enough, because before the year is out, Sir Paul will embark on his first European tour in five years entitled “Good Evening Europe”. The 8 night trek will commence in historic Hamburg (where The Beatles cut their cut their teeth as a young band) and finish off before his hometown crowd in London, England.

This is my chance to bring our current show home to where it all began. Starting in Hamburg, ending in London and rocking everywhere in between. I’m very much looking forward to ending the year on a high. [TheTelegraph.co.uk]

Paul McCartney 2009 European Tour Dates
12/02/2009 Hamburg, Germany
12/03/2009 Berlin, Germany
12/09/2009 Arnhem, Netherlands
12/10/2009 Paris, France
12/16/2009 Cologne, Germany
12/17/2009 Cologne, Germany Lanxess Arena
12/20/2009 Dublin, Ireland
12/22/2009 London, United Kingdom

If you’d like to win a copy of Good Evening New York City standard edition (2 CD+ 1 DVD), you can fill out the entry form after the jump or follow me on Twitter and Tweet the following:

RT this for a chance to win a copy of Paul McCartney’s “Good Evening New York City” from @bumpershine http://bit.ly/2lVkHh

US entrants only please, contest ends on November 23, 2009. One entry per household please (IP checking enforced).

Check out the full album press release and official track listing after the jump.

“Paul McCartney Announces “Good Evening Europe” Tour, “Good Evening New York City” Live CD/DVD Comes Out Today, Win A Copy” continued after the jump

 
DOWNLOAD: Of Montreal – “Brush Brush Brush” (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Shiny Toy Guns – “It’s Halloween At The House Of Spooks” (MP3)

To cap off contest week, I’ve got a little something for the kids today. One lucky winner will receive the following Yo Gabba Gabba! prize pack:

1. Yo Gabba Gabba! Music Is Awesome! on CD,
2. Yo Gabba Gabba! “Welcome To Gabba Land” book, and
3. An awesome DJ Lance Rock T-shirt!

Contest ends on November 21, 2009 at 11:59 PM EST, 1 entry per household, US residents only. To enter the contest, fill out the entry form after the jump.

YGG videos, YGG tour dates and Music Is Awesome! track listing after the jump.

“Yo Gabba Gabba! CD, Book and T-Shirt Giveaway, YGG Tour Starts Saturday in LA” continued after the jump

Snow Patrol Prize Pack

Speaking of new releases, on Tuesday Snow Patrol released a 2 CD compilation of singles, covers, rarities and album tracks in celebration of their 15 year anniversary. Here’s a little press blurbage about Up To Now, their new career spanning retrospective:

Up To Now includes three previously unreleased songs, “Just Say Yes” “Dark Roman Wine” and “Give Me Strength”, as well songs from the two albums Snow Patrol released on UK indie label Jeepster Records: 1998’s Songs For Polarbears and 2001’s When It’s All Over We Still Have To Clear Up. The album also includes two songs by The Reindeer Section — an indie supergroup featuring members of Belle and Sebastian, Idlewild, Mogwai and Teenage Fanclub, among many others — from their 2002 album for Bright Star Recordings, Son of Evil Reindeer.

Other highlights include a cover of Beyonce’s “Crazy In Love” that was recorded as a live track for BBC Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe’s evening session at Maida Vale in London (with a rap performed by Lowe). Up To Now also features live versions of Snow Patrol’s hit singles “Run” (from their 2003 album Final Straw) and the double-platinum “Chasing Cars” (from 2006’s Eyes Open) that were recorded at London’s Union Chapel as part of an exclusive one-off show put on by Radio 1 presenter Jo Whiley to raise money for the charity MENCAP.

In more Snow Patrol news, last week saw the release of Late Night Tales, an exclusive late night DJ mix CD compiled by SP’s Gary Lightbody and Tom Simpson. In addition to containing tracks culled from deep within their personal record collections, the album includes a new Snow Patrol cover of “New Sensation” by INXS.

Finally, because it’s still contest week, I’m giving away a Snow Patrol themed prize pack which includes the following items:

1 Snow Patrol Umbrella,
1 Snow Patrol Tumbler,
1 Snow Patrol Lollipop, and
1 copy of Up To Now (2 CD compilation out 11/10)

Contest ends on November 19, 2009 at 11:59 PM. One entry per household, US residents only. To enter the contest, fill out the entry form after the jump.

UK tour dates, Up To Now and Late Night Tales track listings and a video for “Just Say Yes” after the jump.

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Hey folks, over at Bumpershine we’re big photography fans and that’s why we’re very excited to run this contest for a brand new Diana Mini courtesy of the good people at Lomography.

Diana Mini from Lomography

What is the Diana Mini you ask? Well, it’s the little sister of the Diana F+, but more specifically, it’s an analog camera that shoots a retro square format with an amazing half-frame feature that allows you to pack 72 shots onto one roll of 35mm film! Check out some more detailed specs on the Diana Mini below:

DIANA MINI FEATURES
• Square and rectangular half-frame formats at the flick of a switch
• Takes all types of 35mm film
• Shoots up to 72 shots per film on half-frame mode
• Shoots up to 36 shots per film on square mode
• Requires standard 35mm film development
• Ultra-compact and pocket-sized
• Multiple exposure functionality
• ‘B’ mode for long exposures
• Cable release attachment – a Diana first!
• Sunny and cloudy exposure settings
• Tripod mount
• Diana Flash Plug (Diana Flash available separately)
• Overlap frames across photos for endless abstract panoramas
• Compatible with the stunning Diana Flash

Full Square Frame

Half Frame

View everything else you need to know about the Diana Mini over here.

Fill out this entry form after the jump for a chance to win your very Diana Mini. Contest ends November 22, 2009 at 11:59 PM EST. A random winner will be notified and selected on November 23, 2009. Contest is only available to US residents, 1 entry per household, multiple entries will be disqualified.

“Lomo Diana Mini Giveaway” continued after the jump

R.E.M. – Live At The Olympia

Without a word of a lie, one of my biggest concert going regrets is not ever having seen R.E.M. play live. Granted, when I seriously into this band (from about the time of Life’s Rich Pageant up to Automatic For The People), they either: a) weren’t playing anywhere near where I lived, or b) had stopped touring completely (1989-1995). But now of course, all of that has changed, I live in the live music capital of the world and R.E.M. has gone on to tour again, but alas, I still haven’t seen them in concert. What I have done though, is moved ever so closer to an actual live concert experience by listening to their brand new live 2 CD set entitled Live At The Olympia. Here’s a little more about what that record is like:

The two-CD set, produced by Jacknife Lee, features 39 songs that capture the best moments from the band’s 2007 “working rehearsals” at Dublin’s fabled Olympia club where Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, and Mike Mills tested out new songs for R.E.M.’s 2008 studio album Accelerate.

If you too would like to hear R.E.M.’s Live At The Olympia, but would rather win it, than buy it, then fill out this entry form after the jump for a chance at your very own copy. A random winner will be notified and selected on November 17, 2009. Contest is only available to US residents.

Live at The Olympia track listing and concert videos after the jump.

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With its breathtaking setting and it’s eclectic choices in artists, the American Songbook at The Allen Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center is one of New York’s best annual concert series. This year, the American Songbook series is digging deep into the indie canon once again with shows by the likes of: Nellie Mackay, Dirty Projectors, St. Vincent, Gabriel Kahane and a Hal Willner curated evening featuring Rufus Wainwright (ahem, he’s Canadian), Bill Frisell, and Van Dyke Parks. Sure, you can see some of these acts at other venues in city, but once you’ve experienced a show at the Allen Room, you’ll realize why you wouldn’t want to go anywhere else.

In keeping with my Jazz at Lincoln Center theme, I’m giving a special prize pack which includes the following items:

One “first place” winner will receive:
1. Wynton Marsalis & Willie Nelson Play The Music of Ray Charles Blu-Ray Disc (Signed by Wynton Marsalis)
2. A pair of tickets to an upcoming Maceo Parker concert (Nov 13-14) at The Allen Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center

One “second place” winner will receive:
1. Wynton Marsalis & Willie Nelson Play The Music of Ray Charles Blu-Ray Disc

To enter the contest, fill out the entry form after the jump. A random winner will be notified and selected on November 12, 2009 at noon. Contest is only available to US residents.

View more details on the Willie Nelson/Wynton Marsalis Ray Charles DVD and the full American Songbook schedule after the jump.

“Jazz at Lincoln Center American Songbook Schedule Announced, Win a Signed Blu-Ray Copy of “Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis Play The Songs of Ray Charles” + Maceo Parker Tickets at Jazz at Lincoln Center” continued after the jump

The classic British comedy series Fawlty Towers has turned 30 years old and in honor of the occasion BBC Video has just released a 3 disc box set containing all 12 episodes of the original series, plus interviews, commentaries, outtakes and a whole disc worth of special features. The Times Online recently ran an interview with an interview with Prunella Scales (Sybil Fawlty) where they discussed the 30th anniversary of the series and her role in British television history:

One of the striking things about the shows is that most scenes were filmed once without the opportunity to reshoot if things weren’t quite right. On the new set of remastered DVDs, Cleese provides a commentary that reveals him as a frustrated perfectionist. He chuckles along at classic moments — “excuse me laughing at my own jokes, but I think that was Connie’s” — but is also hypercritical. He points out where moments of slapstick weren’t spot-on, analyses how lines could have been tweaked and picks over minute editing decisions: “Could have taken the first three seconds off that shot.”

But what is striking is how quick the show still seems. “It hasn’t lost pace, that’s the great thing about it,” says Scales. “And that’s because of the talent of Connie and John and the rigour of John; how fast he played. If you couldn’t keep up with him you had to really get in there. That’s what its enduring quality is, the pace.”

The reaction of the audiences when they recorded the shows was positive, but she had no inkling that she was involved in something that would go on to top polls of the greatest British television programmes. [Times Online]

This set is truly a gem and something every comedy fan should own, that’s why I’m pleased to offer 3 copies of Fawlty Towers: The Complete Series Remastered DVD box set to three lucky readers of this site. To enter the contest, just fill out the entry form after the jump (just don’t mention the war!). Winners will be notified and selected on November 11, 2009. Contest is available to US and Canadian residents.

But wait, that’s not all, in addition to my contest, there is a “Fawlty Towers Lookalike Contest” going on right now on Facebook where you can win even bigger prizes including a signed John Cleese Photo, a John Cleese signed Fawlty Towers DVD and a bunch of other FT related items. John Cleese himself will be picking the winners of this contest!

Bumpershine contest entry form, more info about the DVD box set and the Fawlty Towers Lookalike Contest after the jump.

“Fawlty Towers Complete Series Remastered DVD Giveaway + Fawlty Towers Lookalike Contest on Facebook” continued after the jump

Sure, this stuff would have probably gone great with your kid’s Halloween costume, but I guess I’m a day late and a dollar short for that. (I’d imagine it could still be part of a pretty good Chanukah present, but I digress.) In any event, if we went to Walmart today*, some of this Where The Wild Things Are merch might be 50% off, but I’ll one up the evil empire of everyday low prices and give it all away to you, my loyal readers (and random people trolling the Internet for free stuff), for free. OK, enough suspense, here’s what’s up for grabs:

1 Copy of the Where The Wilds Things Are Original Soundtrack on Vinyl;
1 Carol Mask;
1 Carol Tote Bag, and
1 Where The Wilds Things Are Crown.

To enter the contest, fill out the entry form after the jump. A random winner will be notified and selected on November 9, 2009. Contest is only available to US residents.

Where The Wild Things Are is in theatres now, the original motion picture soundtrack featuring Karen O and the Kids is available now on Interscope Records, and you can still purchase the award winning Maurice Sendak book that started it all in fine bookstores everywhere.

* Who’s kidding who, you can’t get quality schwag like this at Walmart.

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Islands at Siren Festival (07/19/2008)

Photo: Jon Klemm (more)
DOWNLOAD: Islands – “No You Don’t” (mp3)

Montreal’s Islands released a new record last month entitled Vapours, and in case you forgot, here’s what bumpershine critic-in-residence Drake had to say about it when it came out:

For those that found Islands‘ sophomore release Arm’s Way a bit too prog-y, I’ve got good news for you, Vapours is a return to the kitchen sink-pop that Nick Thorburn joyously captured on their debut, Return to the Sea. At times Vapours is a bit all over the map, and there a couple of tracks (including “Shining” and “The Drums”) that slip into Arm’s Way-like tendencies, but on the whole, the album sounds like the quirky pop-driven Islands you’ve come to know and love. Highlights include the title track, the soulful (and auto-tune utilized) “Heartbeat,” and the bright pop of “Tender Torture.”

Islands are on the road right now promoting Vapours and I’ve got a pair of tickets to give away to their show at the Bowery Ballroom on November 5 with Jemina Pearl (Buy Tickets). To enter, send an email to contests@bumpershine.com and tell me who Islands last opened for last time they played NYC (best guesses will be accepted to). One random winner will be chosen and notified on Monday, November 2.

More Islands tour dates after the jump.

“Islands Ticket Giveaway, New Album “Vapours” Is Here, Tour Dates (Bowery Ballroom)” continued after the jump

Timber Timbre

From now until midnight on October 31, Canada’s Taylor Kirk aka, Timber Timbre will be giving away his entire self titled Arts & Crafts debut record for FREE at www.timbertimbre.com. I’ve actually listened to the Timber Timbre album quite a few times now and while I can’t really place it in any kind of box, the adjectives “haunting” and “eerie” always come to mind whenever I hear it. Since it’s perfect mood music for a haunted house, it’s no surprise then that this treat of a record is being offered just in time for Halloween.

For those of you that missed his recent performances at CMJ, Timber Timbre is coming back to town on November 20 to play Joe’s Pub. For those of you that haven’t heard this Polaris Prize nominated record yet, download it while you still can! More Timber Timbre tour dates after the jump.

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(Untitled)

The Hebrew Hammer (Adam Goldberg) is back on the big screen this weekend and this time he’s not playing an Orthodox private dick, but rather a composer of “unlistenable” music who becomes romantically involved with an art gallery owner (Marley Shelton). His new film has the Google friendly title of (Untitled) and it opens in New York and other selected cities today (Oct 23). I haven’t seen it yet, but the trailer looks pretty funny, and Marshall Fine of the Huffington Post seemed to be pretty jazzed about it:

A laugh-out-loud satire with a dry-martini wit, (Untitled) manages the neat trick of poking wicked fun at the worlds of experimental music and art — from all angles — even as it gives a humorously sympathetic look at the plight of the serious artist working far outside the commercial mainstream. [HuffingtonPost.com]

Last but not least, because I haven’t done this in a day or two, I’m giving away a couple of movie related items to one lucky reader who emails me at contests@bumpershine.com and tells me the name of their favorite Adam Goldberg movie. You could win the following:

1) A copy of the official movie soundtrack by David Lang, and
2) A full size movie poster.

US residents only please, a winner will be chosen on Friday, October 30. Please include your name and address if you want to have a chance at winning.

Check out the (Untitled) movie poster and trailer after the jump (keep your eyes peeled for Dean & Britta’s Dean Wareham).

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Delta Airlines has signed a “new and exciting” sponsorship agreement with Madison Square Garden and according the @MSGnyc Twitter Feed, they are giving out free Metallica tickets today at Grand Central. Upon further investigation, it seems like it is more like “a chance to win tickets”, rather than a guarantee.

Brand ambassadors will be around New York City and at Delta’s local terminals through Saturday, October 24th handing out scratch and win boarding passes.

Check out the list of dates and times for all the giveaways below.

Delta is now the Official Airline of Madison Square Garden.

To celebrate the partnership, Delta and MSG are offering fans exciting discounts and the opportunity to win flights on Delta and tickets for upcoming sporting events and concerts at The Garden.

Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009
TIME LOCATION
8-11 AM LaGuardia Airport Terminal
8 AM-2 PM Columbus Circle
8 AM-2 PM Grand Central
11 AM-2 PM Madison Square Garden North Mall
5:30-10 PM Madison Square Garden North Mall

Friday, Oct. 23, 2009
TIME LOCATION
8-11 AM LaGuardia Airport Terminal
8 AM-2 PM Bryant Park
8 AM-2 PM Times Square
11 AM-2 PM Madison Square Garden North Mall
6:30-10:30 PM Madison Square Garden North Mall

Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009
TIME LOCATION
8 AM-2 PM SoHo
8 AM-2 PM Washington Square Park
11 AM-2 PM Madison Square Garden North Mall

 
DOWNLOAD: Betty Davis – “Is It Love or Desire?”

Two weeks ago, the master restorers and ultimate crate diggers over at Light In The Attic Records put out two fantastic new reissues from the “Queen of Sexified Funk”, otherwise known as Betty Davis. Like all of their releases, these two new albums are both meticulous and beautiful creations; each one includes a deluxe 32 page booklet featuring the original album artwork, new liner notes, unseen photos, and full song lyrics.

The hard to find Nasty Gal, Betty Davis’ third album and her first on a major label (Island) appeared briefly on the shelves in 1975 and is finally getting its first official CD release some 35 years later. Though a falling out with the label would cause Nasty Gal be her last record released on Island, she recorded a final album originally entitled Crashin’ From Passion in 1976 in Bogalusa, Louisiana at the famed Studio In The Country. Up until now, a one-of-a kind acetate pressing of this album had quietly circulated in private hands, while the original master tapes sat forgotten in vaults in New York and Louisiana. Bouyed by the success of their 2007 reissues (They Say I’m Different and Betty Davis), the folks at LITA were able to recover that lost Betty Davis album and officially release it for the first time ever under the name of Is It Love Or Is It Desire. Because I haven’t given anything since last week, I’m giving away copies of both Nasty Gal and Is It Love or Desire to one lucky winner who emails me at contests@bumpershine.com and tells me who was Betty Davis’ famous musician ex-husband? A random winner will be chosen and notified on October 26, 2009. (Contest open to US entrants only, please include your name and address in the email.)

Rosanne Cash – The List

Rosanne Cash’s new album The List comes out this Tuesday (October 6) and it features versions of 12 classic songs selected from a list of essential country tunes given to her by her father, Johnny Cash, in 1973.

On Tuesday, you’re releasing your 14th album, “The List,” a stirring leap into the past whose title refers to an actual list of 100 mostly country songs compiled by your father, Johnny Cash, in 1973 in an effort to expand your teenage taste in music beyond the Beatles.
He realized that I lacked something essential about my own musical genealogy, and he made this list for me. He said, “This is a template for excellence.” He would play the songs for me on his guitar, and I sought out the records in the years afterward.

Did you have a good relationship with him?
It’s hard to be close to a drug addict when they’re active. He was erratic and withdrawn. But when I was 17, he said, Come with me, and I left the day after I graduated high school, went on the road with him. It was wonderful. He was clean and sober by that time. That’s when he wrote the list for me, on the bus.
…
My favorite song on the album is “Heartaches by the Number,” which you perform with Elvis Costello. You also sing duets with Bruce Springsteen, Jeff Tweedy and Rufus Wainwright. Don’t you know any female performers?
I did ask Neko Case, and she sang with me on a song that’s just on iTunes. We have “Satisfied Mind.” [NYTimes.com]

The List is currently streaming in its entirety on NPR music (for one more day at least), and you can listen to it over here. If you like what you hear, then send an email with your name and address (US residents only please) to contests@bumpershine.com for a chance to win a copy of The List on vinyl. A random winner will be selected and notified on October 12, 2009. But wait, there’s one more thing… New Yorkers get to watch Rosanne perform The List at the opening of the 30th Anniversary Season of St. Ann’s Warehouse by on October 9th and 10th. Tickets are currently on sale, visit stannswarehouse.org for more information.

Video for “I’m Movin’ On”, The List track list and some more Rosanne Cash tour dates after the jump.

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