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Listening to BBC Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe recently interview Dan Auerbach and asking him to visit and do a recording session at the station, reminded me of the late great BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel. Zane Lowe is, in some quarters, seen as carrying forward the legacy of John Peel who sadly died in 2004. It’s a weighty responsibility, though they both seem to be big fans, or rather champions of The Black Keys music.
I look forward to The Black Keys next live recording session on Radio 1 in 2010. It’s also perhaps a good opportunity to look back at The Black Keys past BBC Radio 1 live recordings.
In 2003 The Black Keys were more popular in the United Kingdom than anywhere else with the exception of Australia. The reason partly being they could get their records played on radio in those countries. The other was they toured heavily and had the support of people like John Peel on Radio 1, the national youth station. In Australia they were championed by the BBC1 equivalent Triple J radio.
John Peel had long supported new bands. He had an uncanny knack of more often than not recognising quality bands just needing a break. He gave them that opportunity and led with with his appreciation for the new. An important vehicle in presenting those bands was his Peel Sessions, as they becme known.
The Peel Sessions were an opportunity for a band to be recorded live in the radio studio, or Peel Acres – John Peel’s home and alternate radio studio. The quality of the recordings of the bands, who would shortly reach mainstream popularity, has become legend. A John Peel endorsement aided the incubation of a developing band by not only giving them exposure but also the confidence to go forth with his support.
You can listen to the Old Corn Market live Peel Session show below. It’s probably my favourite live recording of The Black Keys. There’s a fantastic intro from John Peel at the start. Even better is his summary of the show at the end of ‘Heavy Soul’ when he returns to the stage and says:
It’s not in my contract to come and speak to you at after the band has played, but I think you’ll agree with me, what is so good about these two, is they just don’t know how good they are.
Never a truer word said.
The Black Keys recorded 3 Peel Sessions including set lists:
20/04/2003 @ Maida Vale 4 Studios
Set You Free
Hard Row
No Trust
The Moan
31/07/2003 @ Peel Acres
Thickfreakness
I Cry Alone
Have Love Will Travel
No Fun
Them Eyes
Busted
The Black Keys have given influential BBC radio DJ Zane Lowe the first listen and play of the Danger Mouse produced track ‘Tighten Up’ off their new ‘Brothers‘ album.
MP3: Tighten Up and BBC Radio 1 interview with Dan Auerbach
Is ‘Tighten Up’ then the lead single from the album even though ‘Howling For You’ is being released as a 12″ on April 17 in the USA?
Zane says:
From out of nowhere comes a Black Keys album called ‘Brothers’. No word on the grape vine, no rumour, no warning, no nuttin’. No complaints. Big fan of Black Keys. Always have been. And the new tune ‘Tighten Up’ adds a little sweet soul to their dynamic blues. Here’s hoping the other 14 tracks match up. As if they won’t.
I’m not sure where Zane’s been if he’s a big fan and not known the new ‘Brothers’ album is on its way – obviously not checking in on this website regularly
Update:
The Black Keys have now added the track to their MySpace page for streaming.
For many fans, meeting Dan and Pat from The Black Keys makes the music even better. Recounting meeting the band is a popular thread on The Black Keys Fan Lounge Forum.
So coming across this fan video (below) of The Black Keys performing live from the side of the stage clearly had a story behind it.
Watching The Black Keys from the side of stage would have to be a dream experience for most fans. No one just gets there without knowing someone who knows someone – unless you somehow have met the band.
The Black Keys Fan Lounge contacted jeangreydp, who took the video, about how exactly it was she managed to find herself side of stage watching The Black Keys perform. It’s a classic tale of a fan being in the right place at the right time:
It all began in Oakland, CA. I live south of there in Santa Clara and my best friend Jorden (a girl!) is a huge TBK fan. We went to the show and it was fantastic. Afterward we were hanging out at the bar at the venue and Patrick came out with some friends and we started drinking together. After a ‘greyhound’ or two we relocated down the street a bit and realized that the band was going to be in St. Louis, MO. playing a private show at a University campus.
I’m originally from St. Louis and already had a trip planned with my friend that same week. So, they put us on the guest list and we showed Patrick and some friends around St. Louis the night before the show. After the show we went to a low-key bar and met up with Dan.
It was a pretty good time and they are nice guys. My friend is an amazing artist and is going to be sending them designs for some shirts in the near future so perhaps you will be seeing them at the shows!
Good on you, jeangreydp, and thanks for sharing your story.
The Black Keys are finally organising their videos and live show footage on their own YouTube page: http://youtube.com/theblackkeys
The channel is adorned with the new ‘Brothers’ album graphic look.
The Black Keys Fan Lounge understands their record label is seeking to upload all available videos they have on file for the band here. Then live footage will be added as it comes to hand.
It’s a pro-active step to take the initiative to deliver quality vision and sound recordings of the band – all too often missing from uploaded camera phone vision from fans. Alike the new band Twitter News Feed, the YouTube channel will better co-ordinate and improve offerings to fans.
The Black Keys Fan Lounge understands Jonah Schwartz, who was the videographer on the Blakroc project, was present during the recording of the Brothers album at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Alabama, USA. It will be interesting to see how this video vision is presented and no doubt it will appear on this channel. Perhaps it will be used for a series of videos leading up to the album release ala Blakroc, a documentary of the recording, or used for a live video?
I've always been curious about this... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Black_Keys_discography#Music_videos Hit the City under music videos on their discography page on Wikipedia. Never heard of it before or seen it. Anyone know? […]
Name: Johnny Country of residence: The Netherlands First Black Keys album you ever bought: Thickfreakness When did you first see the Keys live?: 2003 First question you'd ask Dan or Pat if you randomly sat down next to them: Can you please make a new record fast? Have you ever met Dan or Pat?: Yes (I remember Dan being very polite and kind.) If you were […]
