The problems associated with early live recordings of bands, particularly Rock bands, of the 60's, had mostly to do with the limitations of technology brought on by PA systems just not being able to handle the level of sound. It was very rare for an engineer at the time to actually record a band performance because, again, the limitations of technology and portable equipment were in their infancy. So a lot of early performance recordings were done by people in the audience, using battery powered reel-to-reel machines that were small enough to carry around on your shoulder, a microphone stuck in front of a stage speaker and hoping for the best because you couldn't hear anything once the band got started. And that's how the Bootleg industry was born.

Or, the local radio outlet would send a recording team and a truck loaded with equipment parked outside the venue and sometimes their own Sound system, and a decent recording was made and everybody was happy. Sometimes the band would release that live performance as an album and then the record company was happy. As time went on the technology evolved and companies such as the forward thinking Tychobrahe pioneered concert sound and the world was happy.

This weekend's Backstage is a performance that was recorded by one of those radio outlets. Sveriges Radio, the network in Sweden, sent a team to record the newly formed Traffic, who were performing in Stockholm in September of 1967.

Here is what you'll be hearing:

Traffic - Stockholm - Sept 12, 1967
Sveriges Radio

1. Giving To You
2. Smiling Phases
3. Coloured Rain
4. Hole In My Shoe
5. Feelin' Alright
6. Paper Sun
7. Dear Mr. Fantasy

Line up: Steve Winwood Dave Mason Chris Wood Jim Capaldi

Traffic during their exciting, formative period. Around the time their first album was released.

The sound is surprisingly good but a little quiet in places (particularly during announcements). But for a historic document, a wonderful glimpse into a band that went on to become a legend in Rock, whose music is still enjoyed and discovered by new fans, this is quite amazing.

Enjoy.

Taking a break from Festivals the week for an appreciation of one of the world's great Soul/Funk geniuses. Curtis Mayfield, live in Concert from Nottingham, England and recorded by The BBC on February 18, 1984.

Mayfield is probably best known for his soundtrack to SuperFly, but his legend goes back way further than that. As a member of the R&B Vocal group, The Impressions, he was responsible for such 60's anthems as Amen, People Get Ready and a string of other hits.

As an artist, writer and producer, he pioneered that combination of Soul, Funk and Consciousness raising that was such am integral part of the '70's and '80's in music.

Here is a rundown of this week's concert:

Curtis Mayfield - 1984-02-18 Nottingham,England
Venue: Marcus Garvey Centre

Setlist:
1. Mighty Mighty, Spade and Whitey (5:58)
2. Gypsy Woman (3:34)
3. All Night Long (6:00)
4. People Get Ready (2:39)
5. Superfly (3:45)
6. Freddy's Dead (4:54)
7. Move On Up (7:05)
8. We Gotta Have Peace (5:27)

Enjoy the long weekend and don't get crazy out there.

We're slowly getting there; about 10% of our goal so far. Thanks to the amazing outpouring of donations from all of you to keep Newstalgia from extinction. Keep it going. Anything you can do will be unbelievably appreciated. You're making a difference!

David Bowie tonight. Someone I haven't played, I don't think, ever on The Roundtable. I ran across this session recorded on May 23, 1972 for the John Peel Program at The BBC and had to include it.

Vintage Bowie from the classic period, turning the Music world Glam in the process.

Here's what's up tonight:

1. White Heat, White Light
2. Hang On To Yourself
3. Suffragette City
4. Moonage Daydream
5. The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust

Not that you're going to want to break out the day-glo eyeliner or Platform boots and cover yourself in glitter or anything. But it IS Friday night, and I suppose you could. . .

Or just turn it up and let the music do it for you.

Hopefully, our servers are up and working and are in the mood for some 70's Headbanging in the form of Scottish rockers Nazareth.

This is from a series of sessions the band did at The BBC in 1973 and comes around the time their first A&M (U.S.) album, Razamanaz came out. Nazareth had been together since 1968 and really didn't get to the top of their game (audience-wise) until Hair Of The Dog was released in 1975. With Hard Rock gaining a huge popularity in the States, Nazareth were in a perpetual state of criss-crossing the U.S. - and the hard work paid off. At last report they're still together (with several personnel changes over the years, naturally) and still touring.

But for tonight it's the band during their upward climb phase. Here's what they play:

1. Broken Down Angel
2. Vigilante Man
3. Shapes Of Things

Shapes of Things is their take on the Yardbirds classic. They would go on to score huge interpreting other bands song, most notably Love Hurts, which was their breakthrough International hit.

As a precursor to Heavy Metal, Nazareth typified the 70's evolution of Hard Rock and more than justified the inducement to "play loud".

And of course, that wouldn't hurt with tonight's tracks.

I realize I've been a little lax in my Bob Marley postings of late. Not for any good reason. Things just get buried under other things and they slowly fade from view after a while.

Well, hopefully to try and remedy that, I'm posting a live session they did for the BBC on November 26, 1973.

Here's what they play:

1. Kinky Reggae
2. You Can't Blame The Youth
3. Get Up Stand Up

In the odd event you aren't in the mood for anti-road rage and a little Satie to go along with the evening, here is something that should shake it all loose for you.

You just never know.

I think just about everything Jimi Hendrix ever recorded has been preserved and reissued in one fashion or another. The BBC Sessions were re-issued in 1998 and are probably still in print.

But in the odd event you aren't familiar with them, here is a set recorded in session at the BBC on December 15, 1967.

The Jimi Hendrix Experience In Session At The BBC

December 15, 1967
1. Day Tripper
2. Spanish Castle Magic
3. Radio One
4. Wait Until Tomorrow

The inimitable Mr. Hendrix.