Live MP3s

Welcome to the "Live" page. Below you will find an assortment of live recordings from the past few years of Preacher Boy's career. Some of these tracks are solo acoustic, and some are band tracks. Some of these are versions of songs that have been released on albums, some of these songs have never been released. But they're all live, they're all some version of Preacher Boy, they're all streaming audio, and they're all free, so...
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1. "Jackson Street" Live at E-Town in Boulder, Colorado 10.3.04

E-Town is a live radio show that gets taped in Boulder, Colorado. In addition to Preacher Boy on this bill, the show also featured Ruthie Foster, and Big Head Todd and The Monsters. This is a solo acoustic performance of a song from "Demanding To Be Next."


2. "Death Letter Blues" Live at Schuba's in Chicago, Illinois 9.23.04

Preacher Boy opened up for Big Sandy and The Fly-Rite Boys on this night, after having not been on a bill with these fellas since a show at The Catalyst in Santa Cruz, California back in the mid-nineties. This is a solo acoustic version of a song, originally written by Son House, that appears on "Demanding To Be Next." As you'll hear, this is a substantially more hyped-up version.

3. "Catfish Blues" Live at Schuba's in Chicago, Illinois 9.23.04

This is a solo acoustic version of a song that originally appeared, in full band form, on the Preacher Boy album "Gutters and Pews," on Blind Pig Records, which was originally released in 1996. This version of this old country blues classic is based on a version performed by Willie Doss at The Newport Folk Festival in the mid 1960s.

4. "Down South Blues" Live in Brooklyn, New York 2004

This was recorded live at a warehouse party in Bushwick, Brooklyn, with Preacher Boy on vocals and amplified National Steel guitar, and Jamie "Beatnik Beats" Moore on the drum kit. The performance also features DJ Leora on the turntables.

5. "Dancing At Home Tonight" Live in Brooklyn, New York 2004

This is an original composition that has never been released on an album. It was recorded with Preacher Boy on vocals and amplified National Steel guitar, and Jamie "Beatnik Beats" Moore on drums, at Great Lakes, in Brooklyn, where the two musicians held down a regular residency under the name "PB&J." A free Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich bar was always provided.

6. "Death Letter Blues" Live in Brooklyn, New York 2004

This is an electrified-up version of the Son House tune that appears in solo acoustic form on "Demanding To Be Next." It was recorded with Preacher Boy on vocals and amplified National Steel guitar, and Jamie "Beatnik Beats" Moore on drums, at Great Lakes, in Brooklyn.

7. "Up The River Again" Live at The Knitting Factory, New York, 8.29.02

This was recorded at an album release party for Miller's Farm, a fantastic cityfied country band that includes Bryan Miller as songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist. This is a full band version of an original tune that has never been released. And what a band it was! In addition to Preacher Boy on vocals and National Steet guitar, the ensemble featured Jim Campilongo on electric guitar (who, if you remember, played on Preacher Boy's first two albums for Blind Pig Records), as well as Brian "Beanman" Fay on drums, Tim "Steps" Luntzel on upright bass, Eric Rasmussen on clarinet, and the afore-mentioned Bryan Miller on harmony vocals.

8. "If I Had Possession Over My Judgement Day" Live at The Knitting Factory, New York, 8.29.02

This was recorded at an album release party for Miller's Farm. This is a full band version of an old Robert Johnson song. The band that night featured Preacher Boy on vocals and National Steel guitar, Jim Campilongo on electric guitar, Brian "Beanman" Fay on drums, Tim "Steps" Luntzel on upright bass, and Eric Rasmussen on saxophone.

9. "It's Cold Tonight" Live at The Knitting Factory, New York, 6.02

This is a trio version of a tune that originally appeared on "The Devil's Buttermilk." The trio consisted of Preacher Boy on vocals and Martin nylon-string guitar, Paco on upright bass, and Brian "Beanman" Fay on drums.

10. "The Cross Must Move" Live at The Local in Brooklyn, New York 2.02

This was recorded at The Local, also known as The Rock Star Bar, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Preacher Boy and Colin Brooks used to hold down a regular residency there. This is a full band performance of a song that originally appeared in solo acoustic form on the very first Preacher Boy album, entitled "Preacher Boy and the Natural Blues," which was released in 1995. The song was written for the soundtrack of a film by Teddi Dean Bennett. The band that night, billed as "Preacher Boy and The Squeaky Wheelchairs," consisted of Preacher Boy on vocals and National Steel Guitar, Paco on upright bass, Brian "Beanman" Fay on drums, and the afore-mentioned Colin Brooks on lap slide guitar.

11. "Broke and Low" Live at Penny Lane in Boulder, Colorado, 11.7.01

This was recorded at a cafe gig in Boulder. This tune was actually recorded for the "Gutters and Pews" album, but ended up as an outtake, left off in favor of "I Won't Be There," which the label thought was a stronger ragtime-type tune. This is a solo acoustic version of the song.

12. "Purgatory's Sad Little Ghost" Live at Penny Lane in Boulder, Colorado, 11.7.01

This song was originally recorded for "Gutters and Pews," but the label didn't like how the song was produced ("too much delay on the vocals"). Preacher Boy and Bryan Zee (who co-produced the record) refused to back down, so the song ended up as an outtake. This is a solo acoustic version of the song.

 

 

 

 

 
©2006 Christopher Watkins. All rights reserved. Copying prohibited.