Josie Sanken, O'Neil's, Spicer, MN- 7/6/25

Josie Sanken
O'Neil's
Spicer, MN
July 6th, 2025

This is a "Midwest Sounds" recording (MWS372)

Lineage: SBD > Zoom H4Essential (32-Bit Float) + Zoom H4Essential Internals

-Feel free to remaster, share freely anywhere else, or convert to MP3. Please don't sell it or profit from it in any way. If you enjoy this show, support the artist by buying/streaming their music, attending a show or buying merch.

-Thanks to Josie Sanken for allowing me to record.

More pictures here: Link

https://www.facebook.com/JSANKENMUSIC/

Set 1

1. Take Me Home, Country Roads (John Denver cover)
2. Leaving on a Jet Plane (John Denver cover)
3. Jolene (Dolly Parton cover)
4. Automatic (Miranda Lambert cover)
5. Royals (Lorde cover)
6. Wicked Game (Chris Isaak cover)
7. I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) (Whitney Houston cover)
8. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For (U2 cover)
9. Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout the Good Old Days) (The Judds cover)
10. Ring of Fire (Merle Kilgore cover)
11. Tennessee Whiskey (David Allan Coe cover)
12. Rescue (Lauren Daigle cover)
13. Don't Stop Believin' (Journey cover)
14. Something in the Orange (Zach Bryan cover)
15. A Sky Full of Stars (Coldplay cover)
16. Cowboy Take Me Away (The Chicks cover)
17. Dixieland Delight (Alabama cover)
18. It Is Well (Bethel Music cover)
19. Stuck Like Glue (Sugarland cover)
20. Sweet Child o' Mine (Guns N’ Roses cover)

Set 2

1. Drift Away (Mentor Williams cover)
2. When the Stars Go Blue (Ryan Adams cover)
3. Harper Valley PTA (Jeannie C. Riley cover)
4. We Danced Anyway (Deana Carter cover)
5. Make You Feel My Love (Bob Dylan cover)
6. No One Else on Earth (Wynonna Judd cover)
7. What's Up? (4 Non Blondes cover)
8. Strawberry Wine (Deana Carter cover)
9. Someone Like You (Adele cover)
10. Jolene (Dolly Parton cover)
11. Free Fallin' (Tom Petty cover)
12. 9 to 5 (Dolly Parton cover)
13. Wagon Wheel (Bob Dylan cover)
14. God Bless America (Irving Berlin cover)

Archive.org / Google Drive

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Tapers notes: Audio quality on this one is a bit wonky, for some reason I was only able to capture Josie's vocals through the soundboard. Thankfully I have been using the internal mics to capture some ambience/crowd reaction recently, so I was able to get her guitar that way. But it's off to the side of her, so not in the best position for capturing her playing. Unfortunately, it was the only way I was able to add her guitar to this recording, so it will sound a bit in the background. Vocally though, Josie sounds great as always here, she just keeps getting better and better as time goes on.

"Got a mind to ramble, got a mind to roam
I'm travelin' light and I'm slow coming home"

High & Rising, The Cabooze, Minneapolis, MN- 7/6/25

High & Rising
The Cabooze
Minneapolis, MN
July 6th, 2025

This is a "Midwest Sounds" recording (MWS372)

Lineage: LyxPro SDPC-2 mics > Tascam DR-40X

-Feel free to remaster, share freely anywhere else, or convert to MP3. Please don't sell it or profit from it in any way. If you enjoy this show, support the artist by buying/streaming their music, attending a show or buying merch.

-Thanks to High & Rising for allowing me to record.

More pictures here: Link

https://highandrising.net/

Set 1

1. Darlin Games
2. Sugaree (Jerry Garcia cover)
3. Home
4. Scarlet Begonias (Grateful Dead cover)
5. Devil's in the Jukebox (Ray LaMontagne & The Pariah Dogs cover)
6. ?
7. 1952 Vincent Black Lightning (Richard Thompson cover)
8. Pancake and a Bad Idea (Barbaro cover)
9. Howl > Golden Sky (Dead Horses cover)
10. Brand New Key (Melanie cover)
11. Getting Ready to Get Down (Josh Ritter cover)

Set 2

1. Sweet Inspiration (Dan Penn cover)
2. No Stranger
3. Moth Song
4. Angel From Montgomery (John Prine cover)
5. They Love Each Other (Jerry Garcia cover)
6. Brown-Eyed Women (Grateful Dead cover)
7. ? > For What It's Worth (Buffalo Springfield cover) > Mississippi National
8. One More Saturday Night (Bob Weir cover)
9. Deep Elem Blues (Trad.)

Set 3

1. China Cat Sunflower (Grateful Dead cover) > I Know You Rider (Trad.) > I'm Gonna Sleep With One Eye Open (Lester Flatt cover) > I Know You Rider (Trad.)

2. Wanderlust
3. Shakedown Street (Grateful Dead cover)
4. Mama Tried (Merle Haggard cover)
5. Lookin' for the Good
6. Long Time Gone (The York Brothers cover)
7. The Days
8. The Tide Is High (The Paragons cover)
9. Hookah
10. Jolene (Dolly Parton cover)
11. Ramble On Rose (Grateful Dead cover)
12. Eyes of the World (Grateful Dead cover)
13. High & Rising

Laura Farley- Vocals, Upright Bass
Jym Farley- Acoustic Guitar

Archive.org / Google Drive

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Out of the north midwest and the banks of the mighty Mississippi River grew this “Groovy Grass” band of music makers. High & Rising most often plays as a quartet, with a unique combination of instruments that bring a fresh groovy sound to the Bluegrass & Folk Americana scene.

The band, led by Laura Farley (upright bass/vocals) and supported by Jym Farley (acoustic guitar), Ben Rohde (percussion) and Harrison Olk (Banjo) have quickly made a name for themselves through their prolific songwriting and performances along-side many notable musicians in the upper midwest music scene.

High & Rising has released two full-length albums: their critically-acclaimed debut album Howl and the most recent tribute to the Grateful Dead.
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Tapers notes: I was hoping for this to be a Matrix recording, but the soundboard portion didn't work out. The audio here is heavy on the reverb, and the soundboard recording was even heavier, so it was unusable. The final recording is of average quality, but listenable, and a great setlist makes it worth the time IMO.

"Got a mind to ramble, got a mind to roam
I'm travelin' light and I'm slow coming home"

Church of Cash, The Draw Park & Amphitheater, Ramsey, MN- 7/3/25

Church of Cash
The Draw Park & Amphitheater
Ramsey, MN
July 3rd, 2025

This is a "Midwest Sounds" recording (MWS371)

Lineage: LyxPro SDPC-2 mics > Zoom H4Essential (32-Bit Float)

-Feel free to remaster, share freely anywhere else, or convert to MP3. Please don't sell it or profit from it in any way. If you enjoy this show, support the artist by buying/streaming their music, attending a show or buying merch.

-Thanks to Church of Cash for allowing me to record.

More pictures here: Link

https://churchofcashmusic.com/

1. Folsom Prison Blues (Johnny Cash cover)
2. Tennessee Flat Top Box (Johnny Cash cover)
3. I Walk the Line (Johnny Cash cover)
4. Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down (Kris Kristofferson cover)
5. Bonanza (Jay Livingston & Ray Evans cover)
6. Sixteen Tons (Merle Travis cover)
7. Jackson (Billy Edd Wheeler cover)
8. I've Been Everywhere (Geoff Mack cover)
9. Too Smart Too Know, Too Dumb to Care
10. Get Rhythm (Johnny Cash cover)
11. I Won't Back Down (Tom Petty cover)
12. Everybody's Tryin' to Be My Baby (Carl Perkins cover)
13. Ring of Fire (Merle Kilgore cover)
14. Orange Blossom Special (Rouse Brothers cover)
15. Cry! Cry! Cry! (Johnny Cash cover)
16. Long Black Veil (Danny Dill cover)
17. There Ain't No Good Chain Gang (Johnny Cash cover)
18. Highwayman (Jimmy Webb cover)
19. These Boots Are Made for Walkin' (Lee Hazlewood cover)
20. One Piece at a Time (Johnny Cash cover)
21. Dance Trance
22. Take Me Home, Country Roads (John Denver cover)
23. Medley (Folsom Prison Blues/I Walk the Line/Riders in the Sky)

Jay Ernest- Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Alex Maier- Electric Guitar
Eric Struve- Bass
Jonathon TeBeest- Drums

Archive.org / Google Drive

+++
The Church of Cash is not just a band; it’s a mission. Founded by frontman Jay Ernest, this award-winning tribute to the legendary Johnny Cash brings the spirit, sound, and soul of the Man in Black to life with striking authenticity and raw energy.

With a deep respect for Cash’s timeless catalog and a passion for performing, Church of Cash delivers everything from early hits like “Folsom Prison Blues” and “I Walk the Line” to the powerful late-era ballads of the American Recordings. But they’re more than just a tribute—they’re a spiritual revival of classic American music, offering a fresh yet faithful interpretation that resonates with audiences of all generations.
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Tapers notes: None.

"Got a mind to ramble, got a mind to roam
I'm travelin' light and I'm slow coming home"

Keith Secola, Central Park, North Branch, MN- 6/24/25

Keith Secola
Central Park
North Branch, MN
June 24th, 2025

This is a "Midwest Sounds" recording (MWS370)

Lineage: LyxPro SDPC-2 mics > Zoom H4Essential (32-Bit Float)

-Feel free to remaster, share freely anywhere else, or convert to MP3. Please don't sell it or profit from it in any way. If you enjoy this show, support the artist by buying/streaming their music, attending a show or buying merch.

More pictures here: Link

https://secola.com/

1. Intro
2. Flute Medley
3. NDN Kars
4. Come and Get Your Love (Redbone cover)
5. Frybread
6. Wild Javelinas
7. This Land Is Your Land (Woody Guthrie cover)
8. ?
9. When the Buffalo Return as Children
10. NDN Kars (Round Dance Version)
11. Outro

Keith Secola- Vocals, Guitar
Steve Martinetti- Mandolin

Archive.org  / Google Drive

Dubbed by critics both "the Neil Young of the Native rock world" and "the Native Bruce Springsteen," Keith Secola has in many people's viewpoints achieved legendary status for his "NDN Kars" ("Indian Cars"), a popular song that is frequently considered a Native American anthem. Secola has released five well-received independent CDs since the early 1990s, and he has garnered three Native American Music Awards.

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Tapers notes: I knew the name Keith Secola from a few other musicians I follow, so I knew he was pretty well respected by his peers. I hadn't seen him before this show though, so I was glad to have this opportunity. He sang his best known song NDN Kars twice, the second being during a round dance in front of the stage where he invited everyone in the crowd to join in. He also sang "This Land is Your Land" with some Anishinabe lyrics included, which was pretty cool. Audio here is above average, a little windy in parts, but no major flaws otherwise.

"Got a mind to ramble, got a mind to roam
I'm travelin' light and I'm slow coming home"

Feed the Dog, The Potters Shed, Shell Lake, WI- 6/20/25

Feed the Dog
The Potters Shed
Shell Lake, WI
June 20th, 2025

This is a "Midwest Sounds" recording (MWS369)

Lineage: LyxPro SDPC-2 mics > Tascam DR-40X

-Feel free to re-master, share freely anywhere else, convert to MP3, just never ever sell it. Also, if you like this show, please support the artist by buying/streaming their music, buying a ticket to a show or buying merch.

-Thanks to Feed the Dog for allowing me to record.

More pictures here: Link

Seth Gamble

1. Intro
2. ?
3. Adequate
4. I'm Not Happy Unless I'm Feeling Down
5. ?
6. Dave Crane
7. Lock Tide
8. The Devil in Me
9. Sit the Day
10. Flat Earth Cosmography

Archive.org  / Google Drive

Seth Gamble is a musician based out of the Chippewa Valley. Using multiple instruments and a looper pedal Ready SETH Go! Brings the energy of a full band performing creative takes on popular songs.

Buffalo Galaxy

https://www.buffalogalaxy.com/

1. Intro
2. Paint
3. Tell Me
4. River Run
5. Hang Me, Oh Hang Me (Trad.)
6. Death Trip (Bad Livers cover)
7. Sink In > Light-Years Away
8. Morning Dew (Bonnie Dobson cover) > Reuben's Train (Trad.)

Johnny Kovarik- Vocals, Guitar
Pete Whiteman- Bass
Jake Rohde- Mandolin, Vocals
Zach Tauer- Banjo

Archive.org / Google Drive

Buffalo Galaxy (Minneapolis, MN) is where heavy hitting psychedelia meets old timin’ bluegrass. Their songwriting, patience, and personalities prove they can go deeper than your typical bluegrass band. Banjo, Mandolin, Upright Bass, and Acoustic Guitar play off each other reaching both interstellar space and a universal familiarity.

Feed the Dog

https://feedthedogband.com/

1. Intro
2. Ballad of Burl Ives
3. Yee-Haw
4. Polly's Magic Tea
5. I Know You Rider (Trad.)
6. Moonshiner > Leather Jacket > Beer for Breakfast
7. Little White Stone
8. Remote Control Dub
9. Drum Interlude
10. Life in a Day
11. This Guy
12. Goodnight Moon
13. Haggard

Tim McIlree- Vocals, Fiddle
Nick Spielman- Bass, Vocals
Erik Juvonen- Drums
Jon Miller- Acoustic Guitar

Archive.org  / Google Drive

Feed the Dog is an eclectic and action-packed, experimental jam-grass act. The midwest based 4-piece masterfully blends soul-pleasing songwriting rich in imagery and storytelling with a genre bending, shake-your-hips, instrumental flair. Their high energy performances are driven by the unique and progressive approach of each player: imaginative melodies with graceful ambiance skillfully crafted on the violin, tireless beats both dynamic and soulful confidently assembled on the drums, driving low end with finesse and intention forged on the bass guitar, and unique approach to playing the acoustic guitar blending fast picking bluegrass runs with the strength of blues and rock to evoke an emotional contrast between melancholy and hopeful.

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Tapers notes: I first saw Feed the Dog last summer at a music festival, and really enjoyed their sound, so when I saw them pop up with Buffalo Galaxy at one of my favorite venues, I jumped on it. The recording here is so-so, this was supposed to be a SBD/AUD mix, and the SBD portion didn't work out. Anticipating this being a mixed recording, I set my mics up in a position to get the best combination of crowd reaction and music, so it's not optimized for a strict AUD recording. This started a run of like 3 or 4 shows that the SBD portion of my recording didn't work for one reason or another, very frustrating. But, it's still a listenable recording, and Feed the Dog's setlist is ridiculously good.

"Got a mind to ramble, got a mind to roam
I'm travelin' light and I'm slow coming home"

https://tapersmanifesto.org/

Beth Bombara, Allendale Park, Rochester, MN- 6/18/25

Beth Bombara
Allendale Park
Rochester, MN
June 18th, 2025

This is a "Midwest Sounds" recording (MWS368)

Lineage: LyxPro SDPC-2 mics > Zoom H4Essential (32-Bit Float)

-Feel free to re-master, share freely anywhere else, convert to MP3, just never ever sell it. Also, if you like this show, please support the artist by buying/streaming their music, buying a ticket to a show or buying merch.

-Thanks to Beth Bombara for allowing me to record.

More pictures here: Link

Becky Schlegel

https://www.beckyschlegel.com/

1. Intro
2. So Embarrassing
3. Colorado Line
4. Laramie (aborted)

Becky Schlegel- Vocals, Guitar
Eric Christopher- Mandolin
Clint Birtzer- Acoustic Guitar
Rich Casey- Bass

Archive.org / Google Drive

Becky Schlegel is an award-winning songwriter who combines classic country, contemporary folk and bluegrass influences to craft a modern Americana sound that is uniquely her own.

Beth Bombara

https://bethbombara.com/

1. Intro
2. Give Me Something
3. When I Woke
4. Electricity
5. What You Wanna Hear
6. Carry the Weight
7. Good News
8. Upside Down
9. I Only Cry When I'm Alone
10. Anymore
11. Growing Wings
12. Up At Night
13. Everything I Wanted
14. Lonely Walls
15. Not Ready to Go

Beth Bombara- Vocals, Guitar
Sam Golden- Guitar
Mike Schurk- Drums
Kit Hamon- Bass

Archive.org / Google Drive

It’s not that it’s retro, really, but there is something of a different era about her music – it has an earnestness to it, an organic depth that feels natural and easy. The Columbia Tribune notes, “Her songs live in the same world as greats like Petty and Dylan; Gillian and Joni, and grow up like trees drawing nourishment from their roots. Bombara spent years on the road in other bands before encouragement from peers led her to start writing and performing her own music. “I never set out to be a lead singer,” she admits. But the songs were there, and who better to sing them than the writer herself?

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Tapers notes: I used to write a music blog many years ago, and Beth was one of the first musicians to send me material to review, so I've always had a sentimental spot for her music. I hadn't yet seen her live until this show, so I was very excited. The opener is a musician I was familiar with as well and enjoy. Unfortunately the weather had other plans, and Becky's set was cut way short by wind, rain and lighting in the area, so that was a bummer. But, the weather cleared up for Beth's set and stayed fine the rest of the night. Audio quality is great here, no real flaws to speak of, and Beth's set was killer, just great song after great song. I wish more people were aware of her, she's a great songwriter, and for taping purposes is very accomodating, making for a great experience. I'm hoping to see her again at some point, she said she likes to tour the midwest during the summer, and I can't blame her, winters here aren't for the faint of heart.

"Got a mind to ramble, got a mind to roam
I'm travelin' light and I'm slow coming home"

https://tapersmanifesto.org/

Samantha Crain, 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis, MN- 6/15/25

Samantha Crain
7th Street Entry
Minneapolis, MN
June 15th, 2025

This is a "Midwest Sounds" recording (MWS367)

Lineage: LyxPro SDPC-2 mics > Zoom H4Essential (32-Bit Float)

-Feel free to re-master, share freely anywhere else, convert to MP3, just never ever sell it. Also, if you like this show, please support the artist by buying/streaming their music, buying a ticket to a show or buying merch.

-Thanks to Samantha Crain for allowing me to record.

More pictures here: Link

Quinn Christopherson

https://quinnchristopherson.com/

1. Intro
2. Raedeen
3. ?
4. ?
5. Loaded Gun
6. ?
7. ?
8. ?
9. Erase Me

Archive.org / Google Drive

Quinn Christopherson is an Ahtna Athabascan and Iñupiaq songwriter, born, raised, and based in Anchorage, Alaska.

Samantha Crain

https://www.samanthacrain.com/

1. Intro
2. Dragonfly
3. Trap Door
4. Gumshoe
5. Bloomsday
6. Neptune Baby
7. Dart
8. Old Hallicrafter Radio
9. When We Remain
10. Joey
11. Ridin' Out The Storm
12. B-Attitudes
13. An Echo
14. Pastime
15. Elk City

Samantha Crain- Vocals, Guitar
Brine Webb- Bass
Billy Reid- Drums

Archive.org / Google Drive

Samantha Crain is a Choctaw-American singer, songwriter, film composer, and producer from Oklahoma. A two-time winner of the Native American Music Award, Samantha defies categorization, marrying folk music with the sounds of country rock and college indie. Samantha's latest album, A Small Death (2020), was released on Communion's Real Kind Records. The album received universal acclaim with tracks finding themselves in constant rotation on 6music.

Samantha has toured extensively over the past decade nationally and internationally, presenting ambitious orchestrated shows with her band as well as intimate folk-leaning solo performances. She has toured with First Aid Kit, Neutral Milk Hotel, Lucy Rose, The Avett Brothers, The Mountain Goats, and many others.

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Tapers notes: Some musicians create great music, some create important music, and very few create both. In my mind, Samantha Crain is one of those musicians, her lyrics always strike a chord, and stick with me long after I've listened to them. This was the first time I've seen her with a band, the previous few times I've seen her were solo appearances, so I was excited for a different type of experience. The show went above and beyond expectations, and I enjoyed listening back to it while mastering it. The opener was someone I was unfamiliar with, but I enjoyed their set as well. The sound here is great, one thing about a musician like Samantha is you aren't going to get many talkers because they are so focused on her, and it makes for a much more pleasant listening experience.

"Got a mind to ramble, got a mind to roam
I'm travelin' light and I'm slow coming home"

https://tapersmanifesto.org/