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(The Charlatans - going on 20 years and still one of the best)

I have been a huge fan of The Charlatans ever since I first saw them live at The Hollywood Palladium in 1993. It's been one of my favorite memories of a live gig (and this goes back to 1966, so they're in some good company) ever since. They've gone through numerous changes in personnel, label and direction since then. But they've always been an exciting band to listen to especially live, and the best part is they're still going strong and sounding great as ever. New album slated to come out in 2010.

I ran across this recording of their 2001 Birmingham Academy gig by way of the ever-astounding BBC6 Music. Naturally, I had to post it and, if you aren't familiar with The Charlatans, give you a one-hour taste of what you're missing.

Believe me, it's not too late to add them to your favorites list.

. . .or us, for that matter . . .

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(Elbow - After 12 years it's starting to pay off)

Not an obscure band, or one whose entire recorded history fits on one small record, but a band who have always been critically acclaimed and now are becoming wildly successful, 12 years after they got started.

Elbow aren't all that well known here in the States (unless you listen to some of the alternative stations around the country, which are getting to be less and less), but they've always enjoyed a good reputation in their native England and around Europe.

Any Day Now is off their very first release "Asleep In The Back" which came out early in 2001.

It sounded great then - it holds up now.