2UIBestow

2 Return .... or NOT 2 Return

2016-08-29T21:27:00.002+01:00

I've begun a new hobby recently as a casual record seller at car boot sales. My stock includes the following:

I'm considering doing a kind of retro review of albums I find.

Stay tuned!

I Am On A Break

2015-08-26T16:46:00.000+01:00

Yes folks .... we are on a short break:

However ..... NEWS

Congratulations...your blog 2UIBestow has made it onto the Blog Awards Ireland 2015 - Long-list!

Your blog has been long-listed in Best Entertainment Blog!!!

So yeah put that in your pipe and smoke it!

Here's a few songs with the word break in it!

List: Top 10 Pearl Jam Songs

2015-08-03T22:16:00.001+01:00

There's no logical reason for doing a Top 10 list of Pearl Jam songs other than I simply wanted to.

1. Breath

From the Singles soundtrack, Breath is a very early Pearl Jam composition and didn't make the cut for Ten. Ultimately this was a wise decision, because Ten is a perfect album and another 'hit' in the shape of Breath could easily have affected the balance of grunge rock and swooning ballads of Black, Garden and Release.

2. Nothingman

From the annoying 'Vitalogy' album, the one with five great songs and a bunch of punk rock fillers is where you'll find this gem 'Nothingman'. Probably had the biggest effect on me as a young adult.

3. Sleight of Hand

My love for Pearl Jam wavered a bit around 'No Code', even 'Yeild' failed to lift my spirits somewhat but 'Binaural' is a fine album. Towards the end of the album you'll find the Jeff composed 'Sleight of Hand'.

4. Jeremy

The funny thing about Jeremy is that it's only in recent years have I felt anything strong for Jeremy. The song is brilliant, with a superb video but when I listened to the intricate tones in Vedders grunting towards the end of the track that the emotion hit me hard.

5. Army Reserve

Taken from the album 'Pearl Jam' is this gem of a tune again towards the end of the album. Th 3 minute song is full of energy, great guitar rifts and a proper message.

6. Daughter

From V's is the anthem that is Daughter. Such great lyrics, great song but with Daughter it's Jeff's bass lines that are key to the beauty within:

7. Nothing as it Seems

Also from Binaural is Nothing as it Seems. Again the guitar rifts and the lyrics stand out ...

8. Porch

I just want to say ...... with this song Pearl Jam made it to my favourite band in the grunge era:

9. Pilate

From Yield is a little funny 3 minute song that contains one of Pearl Jam's best melodies ....

10. Immortality

One of Pearl Jam's perfect songs from Vitalogy

Long guitar solo .... check,
harrowing subject/tribute ...... check
great lyrics and vocals ...... check

Féile Remembered

2015-07-31T21:19:00.001+01:00

It's been in the news that 25 years ago Irish Summers got a bit more interesting with the arrival of Féile festivals. I was lucky enough to be a mid teen attender at Feile 1994 with great memories of dancing to Blur, the dangerous mosh pit of 'House of Pain' the rock and roll swooning of Primal Scream and perfect pop of Bjork.

There are a few funny clips from Feile on Youtube but we'll start with the line-ups!

The poster for the first Féile in 1990 was .....

In 1991 we had:

And in 1992 there was .....

There are currently no posters online for the Feiles of 1993 or the last one in Turles is 1994. Taken from Wikipedia here are a list of bands from each year:

1993[edit]

Acts included INXS, Iggy Pop, The Levellers, The Sultans of Ping FC, The Christians, The Shamen, Kerbdog, A House, The Frank and Walters and Chris de Burgh. Unruly behaviour by fans attracted criticism, with 141 arrests, mostly for drug possession, and two rapes reported.^[10] The concert reportedly generated IR£300,000 for the Gaelic Athletic Association.^[11] There were three stages, and the Jim Rose Circus.^[12]

1994[edit]

1994 was Féile's final year as an on-grounds camping festival and tagged 'The Last Trip To Tipp'. Acts included The Prodigy, Blur, The Cranberries, Björk, Rage Against the Machine, House of Pain, Kerbdog, Cypress Hill, Grant Lee Buffalo and Aimee Mann amongst others. This was the last year of the initial arrangement with the GAA for the use of Semple Stadium. Objections from locals prevented renewing the arrangement. Televised by MTV, many of the artists stated their praise for the crowd as one of the most electric audiences they'd ever had.^[13] Dance music dominated over rock in the lineups.^[14

Best Videos from Feile:

Check out the crazy crowd and Tony Fenton RIP in this coverage of Turnip Fish from The Sultans of Ping in 1992:

In 1993 The Levellers were one of the headliners:

Iggy Pop from 1993:

MTV were invited for 1994, here's Bjork headlining the Sunday night

Also from MTV in 94 was The Cranberries with Linger:

Here's a fine playlist of Feile videos you can browse through.

There's a fine Irish Times podcast here with a fascinating discussion about Feile:

http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/off-topic

Number 1: Glen Hansard - Being in Love (Top 20 Songs of 2015)

2015-07-31T11:41:00.001+01:00

I'm going back to regular blogging by posting a song a day. I'm doing this by way of numerous random lists beginning with .....

.... Top 20 Songs of 2015 so far.

Here's the full list .... what songs from this year did I miss out on?

20. R - Bubble Gum Geisha

19. Christof - Empty Handed

18. Gavin Glass - Better Left Alone

17. Cry Monster Cry - Postcards

16. The Blood Red Mountain Band - All The Times

15: Calexico - Falling From The Sky
14: Amano - Skies
13: Alabama Shakes - Gimme All Your Love
12: Vann Music - Boy

11: The Decemberists - Make You Better

10: JJ Grey & Mofro - A Night To Remember
9: Heartless Bastards - Hi-line
8: Hail The Ghost - Colony of Ants
7: Xavier Rudd & The United Nations - Warrior
6: The Hard Ground - Pucker
5: Alien Envoy - Break America
4: Father John Misty - Bored in the USA
3: Paul Tiernan - Happiness
2: Villagers - Hot Scary Summer
1: Glen Hansard - Being in Love

In March of this year Glen released an EP of Jason Molina songs entitled "It Was Triumph We Once Proposed…Songs of Jason Molina" as a tribute to the late great Jason Molina. 'Being in Love' is such a beautifully composed song that Glen does justice to .....

Number 2: Villagers - Hot Scary Summer (Top 20 Songs of 2015)

2015-07-30T11:39:00.000+01:00

I'm going back to regular blogging by posting a song a day. I'm doing this by way of numerous random lists beginning with .....

.... Top 20 Songs of 2015 so far.

20. R - Bubble Gum Geisha

19. Christof - Empty Handed

18. Gavin Glass - Better Left Alone

17. Cry Monster Cry - Postcards

16. The Blood Red Mountain Band - All The Times

15: Calexico - Falling From The Sky
14: Amano - Skies
13: Alabama Shakes - Gimme All Your Love
12: Vann Music - Boy

11: The Decemberists - Make You Better

10: JJ Grey & Mofro - A Night To Remember
9: Heartless Bastards - Hi-line
8: Hail The Ghost - Colony of Ants
7: Xavier Rudd & The United Nations - Warrior
6: The Hard Ground - Pucker
5: Alien Envoy - Break America
4: Father John Misty - Bored in the USA
3: Paul Tiernan - Happiness
2: Villagers - Hot Scary Summer

"We got good at pretending, then pretending got us good" .... Hot Scary Summer is the best song Conor O'Brien has written. I've listened to this hundreds of times this year. Love it.

Number 3: Paul Tiernan - Happiness (Top 20 Songs of 2015)

2015-07-29T00:13:00.000+01:00

I'm going back to regular blogging by posting a song a day. I'm doing this by way of numerous random lists beginning with .....

.... Top 20 Songs of 2015 so far.

20. R - Bubble Gum Geisha

19. Christof - Empty Handed

18. Gavin Glass - Better Left Alone

17. Cry Monster Cry - Postcards

16. The Blood Red Mountain Band - All The Times

15: Calexico - Falling From The Sky
14: Amano - Skies
13: Alabama Shakes - Gimme All Your Love
12: Vann Music - Boy

11: The Decemberists - Make You Better

10: JJ Grey & Mofro - A Night To Remember
9: Heartless Bastards - Hi-line
8: Hail The Ghost - Colony of Ants
7: Xavier Rudd & The United Nations - Warrior
6: The Hard Ground - Pucker
5: Alien Envoy - Break America
4: Father John Misty - Bored in the USA

This wonderful Van Morrison esque tune from Irishman Paul Tiernan who is based these days in France. Happiness is a gorgeous tune that deserves your attention.

Number 4: Father John Misty - Bored in the USA (Top 20 Songs of 2015)

2015-07-28T11:11:00.003+01:00

I'm going back to regular blogging by posting a song a day. I'm doing this by way of numerous random lists beginning with .....

.... Top 20 Songs of 2015 so far.

20. R - Bubble Gum Geisha

19. Christof - Empty Handed

18. Gavin Glass - Better Left Alone

17. Cry Monster Cry - Postcards

16. The Blood Red Mountain Band - All The Times

15: Calexico - Falling From The Sky
14: Amano - Skies
13: Alabama Shakes - Gimme All Your Love
12: Vann Music - Boy

11: The Decemberists - Make You Better

10: JJ Grey & Mofro - A Night To Remember
9: Heartless Bastards - Hi-line
8: Hail The Ghost - Colony of Ants
7: Xavier Rudd & The United Nations - Warrior
6: The Hard Ground - Pucker
5: Alien Envoy - Break America
4: Father John Misty - Bored in the USA

Lyrics this honest are a rare occurrence these days but Father John Misty preached his thoughts through a wonderful song about modern USA. Love it.

Check out Father John's performance of this tune on Letterman!

Number 5: Alien Envoy - Break America (Top 20 Songs of 2015)

2015-07-27T01:16:00.001+01:00

I'm going back to regular blogging by posting a song a day. I'm doing this by way of numerous random lists beginning with .....

.... Top 20 Songs of 2015 so far.

20. R - Bubble Gum Geisha

19. Christof - Empty Handed

18. Gavin Glass - Better Left Alone

17. Cry Monster Cry - Postcards

16. The Blood Red Mountain Band - All The Times

15: Calexico - Falling From The Sky
14: Amano - Skies
13: Alabama Shakes - Gimme All Your Love
12: Vann Music - Boy

11: The Decemberists - Make You Better

10: JJ Grey & Mofro - A Night To Remember
9: Heartless Bastards - Hi-line
8: Hail The Ghost - Colony of Ants
7: Xavier Rudd & The United Nations - Warrior
6: The Hard Ground - Pucker
5: Alien Envoy - Break America

A fine return to form from Nick Kelly with this tune about the demise of The Fat Lady Sings while touring America in the 90's. Great song and video!

Loads by Alien Envoy

Number 6: The Hard Ground - Pucker (Top 20 Songs of 2015)

2015-07-26T15:10:00.000+01:00

I'm going back to regular blogging by posting a song a day. I'm doing this by way of numerous random lists beginning with .....

.... Top 20 Songs of 2015 so far.

20. R - Bubble Gum Geisha

19. Christof - Empty Handed

18. Gavin Glass - Better Left Alone

17. Cry Monster Cry - Postcards

16. The Blood Red Mountain Band - All The Times

15: Calexico - Falling From The Sky
14: Amano - Skies
13: Alabama Shakes - Gimme All Your Love
12: Vann Music - Boy

11: The Decemberists - Make You Better

10: JJ Grey & Mofro - A Night To Remember
9: Heartless Bastards - Hi-line
8: Hail The Ghost - Colony of Ants
7: Xavier Rudd & The United Nations - Warrior
6: The Hard Ground - Pucker

The best song from Cork band's The Hard Ground second album 'Triptych' is in at number 6 in my top 20. I love how the song sways along with wonderful lyrics and vocals. Love this song ....

https://www.facebook.com/TheHardGroundOfficial

Number 7: Xavier Rudd & The United Nations - Warrior (Top 20 Songs of 2015)

2015-07-25T07:00:00.000+01:00

I'm going back to regular blogging by posting a song a day. I'm doing this by way of numerous random lists beginning with a Top 20 Songs of 2015 so far.

20. R - Bubble Gum Geisha

19. Christof - Empty Handed

18. Gavin Glass - Better Left Alone

17. Cry Monster Cry - Postcards

16. The Blood Red Mountain Band - All The Times

15: Calexico - Falling From The Sky
14: Amano - Skies
13: Alabama Shakes - Gimme All Your Love
12: Vann Music - Boy

11: The Decemberists - Make You Better

10: JJ Grey & Mofro - A Night To Remember
9: Heartless Bastards - Hi-line
8: Hail The Ghost - Colony of Ants
7: Xavier Rudd & The United Nations - Warrior

Australian legend Xavier Rudd released one of the most interesting albums with a new band 'The United Nations' which was far more upbeat, positive, life affirming and in the spirit of all things Marley. Love the album with Warrior being the standout track:

http://www.xavierrudd.com/

Number 8: Hail The Ghost - Colony of Ants (Top 20 Songs of 2015)

2015-07-24T07:00:00.000+01:00

I'm going back to regular blogging by posting a song a day. I'm doing this by way of numerous random lists beginning with a Top 20 Songs of 2015 so far.

20. R - Bubble Gum Geisha

19. Christof - Empty Handed

18. Gavin Glass - Better Left Alone

17. Cry Monster Cry - Postcards

16. The Blood Red Mountain Band - All The Times

15: Calexico - Falling From The Sky
14: Amano - Skies
13: Alabama Shakes - Gimme All Your Love
12: Vann Music - Boy

11: The Decemberists - Make You Better

10: JJ Grey & Mofro - A Night To Remember
9: Heartless Bastards - Hi-line
8: Hail The Ghost - Colony of Ants

Colony of Ants is a great indie rock ballad from an Irish band who have everything needed to make it big. A superb song from a fine debut album.

http://www.hailtheghost.com/

Number 9: Heartless Bastards - Hi-line (Top 20 Songs of 2015)

2015-07-23T07:00:00.000+01:00

I'm going back to regular blogging by posting a song a day. I'm doing this by way of numerous random lists beginning with a Top 20 Songs of 2015 so far.

20. R - Bubble Gum Geisha

19. Christof - Empty Handed

18. Gavin Glass - Better Left Alone

17. Cry Monster Cry - Postcards

16. The Blood Red Mountain Band - All The Times

15: Calexico - Falling From The Sky
14: Amano - Skies
13: Alabama Shakes - Gimme All Your Love
12: Vann Music - Boy

11: The Decemberists - Make You Better

10: JJ Grey & Mofro - A Night To Remember
9: Heartless Bastards - Hi-line

Country Rockers Heartless Bastards make awesome music and great videos to go with them. Watch them having a little gid at the music business!

From the new album, "Restless Ones", Out Now

iTunes: http://ptsnre.co/RestlessOnesiT
Amazon: http://ptsnre.co/RestlessOnesAmazon
PTSN store: http://ptsnre.co/RestlessOnesLPCD

http://www.theheartlessbastards.com
http://www.facebook.com/heartlessbast...
http://www.twitter.com/heartlessbstrds
https://instagram.com/heartlessbastards

Number 10: JJ Grey & Mofro - A Night To Remember (Top 20 Songs of 2015)

2015-07-22T07:30:00.000+01:00

I'm going back to regular blogging by posting a song a day. I'm doing this by way of numerous random lists beginning with a Top 20 Songs of 2015 so far.

20. R - Bubble Gum Geisha

19. Christof - Empty Handed

18. Gavin Glass - Better Left Alone

17. Cry Monster Cry - Postcards

16. The Blood Red Mountain Band - All The Times

15: Calexico - Falling From The Sky
14: Amano - Skies
13: Alabama Shakes - Gimme All Your Love
12: Vann Music - Boy

11: The Decemberists - Make You Better

10: JJ Grey & Mofro - A Night To Remember

JJ Grey & Mofro's new album Ol' Glory is the album you reach for when you want good time no fuss rock n roll. This track, @A Night to Remember' has a great bouncing bass line. Love it.

Number 11: The Decemberists - Make You Better (Top 20 Songs of 2015)

2015-07-21T07:00:00.000+01:00

I'm going back to regular blogging by posting a song a day. I'm doing this by way of numerous random lists beginning with a Top 20 Songs of 2015 so far.

20. R - Bubble Gum Geisha

19. Christof - Empty Handed

18. Gavin Glass - Better Left Alone

17. Cry Monster Cry - Postcards

16. The Blood Red Mountain Band - All The Times

15: Calexico - Falling From The Sky
14: Amano - Skies
13: Alabama Shakes - Gimme All Your Love
12: Vann Music - Boy

11: The Decemberists - Make You Better

One of my favourite albums of the year is the comeback album "What a Terrible World, What a Wonderful World". Such great tunes on there like 'Cavalry Captain', 'Anti-Summersong' and my favourite 'Make You Better'. You must get this album!

http://www.decemberists.com/

Number 12: Vann Music - Boy (Top 20 Songs of 2015)

2015-07-20T07:30:00.000+01:00

I'm going back to regular blogging by posting a song a day. I'm doing this by way of numerous random lists beginning with a Top 20 Songs of 2015 so far.

20. R - Bubble Gum Geisha

19. Christof - Empty Handed

18. Gavin Glass - Better Left Alone

17. Cry Monster Cry - Postcards

16. The Blood Red Mountain Band - All The Times

15: Calexico - Falling From The Sky
14: Amano - Skies
13: Alabama Shakes - Gimme All Your Love
12: Vann Music - Boy

Another song I listened to a lot was 'Boy' from Vann Music. The indie pop on offer fails to break boundaries but 'Boy' is a catchy infectious song which hits the spot.

In Photos: Swords Summer Festival 2015 {Alex Smyth, Joey Gavin & White Chalk}

2015-07-19T15:13:00.001+01:00

A great day for the family was had in Swords yesterday. Here's the photo set of the bands I got to see on the main stage in Swords:

Alex Smyth,
Joey Gavin,
White Chalk.

Listen to White Chalk while checking out the slideshow:

Number 13: Alabama Shakes - Gimme All Your Love (Top 20 Songs of 2015)

2015-07-19T07:30:00.000+01:00

I'm going back to regular blogging by posting a song a day. I'm doing this by way of numerous random lists beginning with a Top 20 Songs of 2015 so far.

20. R - Bubble Gum Geisha

19. Christof - Empty Handed

18. Gavin Glass - Better Left Alone

17. Cry Monster Cry - Postcards

16. The Blood Red Mountain Band - All The Times

15: Calexico - Falling From The Sky
14: Amano - Skies
13: Alabama Shakes - Gimme All Your Love

I fell for Alabama Shakes big time in Glastonbury and haven't stopped listening to them since. 'Gimme All Your Love' for me is the stand-out track from the new album 'Sound & Color'.

Number 14: Amano - Skies (Top 20 Songs of 2015)

2015-07-18T07:30:00.000+01:00

I'm going back to regular blogging by posting a song a day. I'm doing this by way of numerous random lists beginning with a Top 20 Songs of 2015 so far.

20. R - Bubble Gum Geisha

19. Christof - Empty Handed

18. Gavin Glass - Better Left Alone

17. Cry Monster Cry - Postcards

16. The Blood Red Mountain Band - All The Times

15: Calexico - Falling From The Sky
14: Amano - Skies

Another great 'find' this year was Dublin based artist 'Amano'. Her songwriting defies her age proven by the quality of the single 'Skies'.

In Photos: Colm Mac Con Iomaire at the Doolin Folk Festival

2015-07-17T10:27:00.000+01:00

The man who elevated The Frames to greatness with his fiddle performed a solid set of tunes on the Saturday afternoon at the Doolin Folk Festival. Check out the gig photos below:

Number 15: Calexico - Falling From The Sky (Top 20 Songs of 2015)

2015-07-17T07:30:00.000+01:00

I'm going back to regular blogging by posting a song a day. I'm doing this by way of numerous random lists beginning with a Top 20 Songs of 2015 so far.

20. R - Bubble Gum Geisha

19. Christof - Empty Handed

18. Gavin Glass - Better Left Alone

17. Cry Monster Cry - Postcards

16. The Blood Red Mountain Band - All The Times

15: Calexico - Falling From The Sky

Opening track of the new Calexico album is Falling From The Sky which sets the tempo of the new album perfectly. I love Calexico and the new album is great.

Number 16: The Blood Red Mountain Band - All The Times (Top 20 Songs of 2015)

2015-07-16T07:30:00.000+01:00

I'm going back to regular blogging by posting a song a day. I'm doing this by way of numerous random lists beginning with a Top 20 Songs of 2015 so far.

20. R - Bubble Gum Geisha

19. Christof - Empty Handed

18. Gavin Glass - Better Left Alone

17. Cry Monster Cry - Postcards

16. The Blood Red Mountain Band - All The Times

Like many people, I've been waiting for a long time to hear the debut album from The Blood Red Mountain Band and with a bit of luck the wait is almost over. 'All The Times' is a delightful little Americana/Folk song with great male/female dual vocals throughout. Superb song!

https://www.facebook.com/thebloodredmountainband

In Photos: The Evertides at Doolin Folk Festival

2015-07-15T12:55:00.003+01:00

One of my favourite 'finds' of the year are The Evertides. Great songs, beautifully sung and those harmonies are lush. Listen to The Evertides here:

Number 17: Cry Monster Cry - Postcards (Top 20 Songs of 2015)

2015-07-15T07:00:00.000+01:00

I'm going back to regular blogging by posting a song a day. I'm doing this by way of numerous random lists beginning with a Top 20 Songs of 2015 so far.

20. R - Bubble Gum Geisha

19. Christof - Empty Handed

18. Gavin Glass - Better Left Alone

17. Cry Monster Cry - Postcards

Cry Monster Cry released their debut album "Rhythm of Dawn" earlier this year with the lead single being the wonderful Postcards. It's a perfect slice of positive, uplifting pop music. Check it out .....

https://www.facebook.com/crymonstercry

Top 10 Acts at Knockanstockan

2015-07-14T15:05:00.000+01:00

I can't be at this year's Knockanstockan but if I were to be there here's the 10 acts I'd be front and centre for ......

Friday:

Sarah Red

Overhead, The Albatross

Travis Oaks

Ross Breen

Syd Arthur

Saturday:

Pete Pamf

Gavin Glass

White Chalk

Race The Flux

Elastic Sleep