Fuzzy Lion

Counting Crows have taken a page from the Pearl Jam book and launched their own live show download service. To celebrate the launch, the band is giving away a free show from Charlotte, NC in mp3 format to the first 10,000 people that register for the site. (Don’t worry, it’s free to register.)

Downloads will be available for every show from 7/28/08 on with most shows available in under 72 hours of their performance. Downloads will be available in both FLAC and MP3 depending on how much of an audiophile you are. Fans will also have the choice of purchasing a physical CD.

The pricing of the store appears to be $9.95 for mp3 format, $12.95 for FLAC, $21 for CD (price includes shipping) and $26 for a CD/mp3 bundle. Individual songs also go for 99¢.

I personally would love it many more bands did this. I was actually having a conversation today with a friend of mine who saw Bruce Springsteen the other day and was dying to have a copy of “Blinded By the Light” from the show. There is definitely a huge demand for soundboard live recordings and what better way for bands to make money in today’s shaky marketplace than to offer services like this.

Visit www.livecountingcrows.com for more details.

[Photo by Robert a.k.a. Bob]

There were quite a few albums released this week worth checking out…

First, if you’re a U2 fan, the deluxe editions of Boy, October & War have dropped and all feature an extra disc worth of rarities, alternate mixes and previously unavailable tracks. All the albums have been remastered and sound better than ever. I’m in love with the previously unreleased mix of “I Will Follow”…

There is also an iTunes exclusive U2 concert record in Paris in 1987. It’s actually an audio rip of the bonus DVD included in last year’s release of The Joshua Tree deluxe package. Check it out here.

iTunes also has an exclusive live Counting Crows record recorded in the SoHo Apple Store here in New York City. If you’re one of those who have drifted away from the band lately, you owe it to yourself to at least sample the tracks here. The brilliance of the Crows comes from their live show and this does a great job of capturing that magic. Check it out here.

On the indie front, Detroit’s PAS/CAL have released their long-awaited LP I Was Raised on Matthew, Mark, Luke & Laura. Listen to “Oh Honey We’re Ridiculous”:

[Download mp3]

Lastly, the debut album Toy Tugboats from North Carolina’s Sunfold was released this week. I’ve given this one a few listens and it continues to grow on me. Fans of The Sea and Cake will find this band’s rock/jazz/pop/rock sound to be very familiar. Listen to “Sara the American Winter”:

[Download mp3]

The first official single off the forthcoming Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings is now available for purchase at iTunes & AmazonMp3. I have to recommend going with Amazon here since their offering is DRM-free.

This now makes three songs that have been “officially released” and 2 that “leaked.” (”Cowboys” & “Come Around.”) Thus far, it seems like a pretty solid album and I’m definitely looking forward to hearing the rest.

Counting Crows will be releasing Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings on March 25, but to hold fans over, the guys are giving away two song, “1492″ and “When I Dream of Michelangelo.” While “Michelangelo” sounds like vintage Crows, “1492″ is a total departure from anything the band has done before.

Listen to:

“1492″

“When I Dream of Michelangelo”

Click here to download the mp3s.

One of the best live bands around today is Counting Crows. Despite not having released a proper studio album in over four years, the band still can throw together a successful tour, such as they’re doing this summer. This is due in large part to their amazing live show, and their just-released live album “New Amsterdam: Live at Heineken Music Hall” is the perfect testament to that wonder.

The album features a very solid set compiled over three days in 2003:

1. Rain King
2. Richard Manuel Is Dead
3. Catapult
4. Goodnight LA
5. Four White Stallions
6. Omaha
7. Miami
8. Hazy
9. Good Time
10. St. Robinson in His Cadillac Dream
11. Perfect Blue Buildings
12. Hanginaround
13. Goodnight Elisabeth
14. Hard Candy
15. Holiday in Spain

Amazon is selling the album for the ridiculously low price of $9.72 if you order it here.

In the meantime, here’s a track off the record, the classic song “Omaha“