Cornbread Harris, Hook And Ladder Theater, Minneapolis, MN- 4/23/26

Cornbread Harris
Hook And Ladder Theater
Minneapolis, MN
Apr. 23rd, 2026

This is a "Midwest Sounds" recording (MWS415)

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 as always to Cornbread Harris for allowing me to record.

More pictures here: Link

https://cornbreadharris.bandcamp.com/

"Cornbread's 99th B-Day Party Extravaganza"

Set 1

1. Intro
2. Blue Blue Blue
3. Deeper Blues
4. Night Train (Jimmy Forrest cover)
5. Take the "A" Train (Duke Ellington and His Orchestra cover)
6. Early in the Mornin' (Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five cover)
7. When I Been Drinking (Big Bill Broonzy cover)
8. Organ Grinder Blues (Clarence Williams cover)
9. Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think) (Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra cover) > Happy Birthday to You (Mildred J. Hill & Patty Hill cover)
10. Intermission Riff

Set 2

1. Intro
2. Jam Blues
3. Candy Man
4. All Blues (Miles Davis cover)
5. Never Ending Love Song
6. Pennies From Heaven (Eddy Duchin & His Orchestra cover)
7. The Cornbread Song
8. Put the World (Back Together)
9. Blue Monk (Thelonious Monk cover)
10. ?

James Samuel "Cornbread" Harris Jr- Piano and Vocals
James "Jimmy Jam" Harris III- Keyboard
Nathan Berry- Trombone
Maurice Jacox- Vocals and Alto Sax
Scott Soule- Bass
Rocko Bolero- Guitar
Douglas Hill- Drums
Jason “Bobby Jay” Marks- Trumpet
Benjamin Link- Trombone
Sam Brooks- Saxophone

Archive.org / Google Drive

The Hook & Ladder Theater is very proud to present a very special event celebrating the 99 year-old birthday of legendary twin-city performer, James Samuel ‘Cornbread’ Harris Sr., his band of Friends and some very special guests!

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Tapers notes: My recorder shut off for some reason at some point during set 2, but thankfully I was recording video and was able to patch the missing audio with that. I was missing about the last 25 minutes of the show, so at the start of "The Cornbread Song" there is a difference in audio for the rest of the show. Unfortunate, but I tried to make the best of it, and I'm still not sure why my recorder died, I've been running a lot of tests since. This is an otherwise great recording, the show was great, always cool to see Cornbread and his son share the stage. Here's to hoping I'll see Cornbread next year at the 100th birthday extravaganza.

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

Backstage Nashville, Chatfield Center for the Arts, Chatfield, MN- 4/18/26

Backstage Nashville
Chatfield Center for the Arts
Chatfield, MN
Apr. 18th, 2026

This is a "Midwest Sounds" recording (MWS414)

Lineage: Zoom H1Essential (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

Andrea Lyn

https://www.andrealyn.com/

1. Intro
2. Homegrown
3. Simpler Days
4. Drivin'
5. Stronger Woman
6. Talk

Alyssa Flaherty

https://www.alyssaflaherty.com/

7. Cherry on Top
8. One Small Step for Man
9. Inside Out
10. Out of Line
11. La La La La I Can't Hear You
12. Amazing Grace (John Newton cover)
13. Talk

Ray Stephenson

https://www.raystephenson.com/

14. Honkytonk Road
15. Feel Like Falling Again
16. Mama and Me
17. Red River Blue (Blake Shelton feat. Miranda Lambert cover)
18. Hemingway’s Whiskey (Guy Clark cover)
19. Talk

Jim Collins

20. She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy (Kenny Chesney cover)
21. Baby Be My Love Song (Easton Corbin cover)
22. Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven (Kenny Chesney cover)
23. I Don't Feel Like Loving You Today (Gretchen Wilson cover)
24. Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not (Thompson Square cover)
25. The Good Stuff (Kenny Chesney cover)
26. It Just Comes Natural (George Strait cover)
27. Big Green Tractor (Jason Aldean cover)
28. Damn Strait (Scotty McCreery cover)
29. You Are My Sunshine (Jimmie Davis cover) (All musicians on stage)

Archive.org / Google Drive

Backstage Nashville is a unique hit songwriters show that has quickly become one of Nashville, Tennessee’s top tourist attractions. Music lovers from all over the world come to Backstage Nashville to hear country music’s greatest hits and the stories behind them. You might even hear a song before it becomes a hit on the radio! Since 2016, Backstage Nashville has been described as the “Grand Ole Opry meets the Bluebird Cafe”. This intimate experience gets you up close and personal with Nashville’s top songwriters.

JUST ADDED: Award-winning singer-songwriter Andrea Lyn who hails from Minneapolis, Minnesota, will be opening this concert; bringing a distinctive blend of heartfelt songwriting and soulful Americana-country influence.

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Tapers notes: I learned about this event through Andrea Lyn, I had contacted her about recording an upcoming show of hers, and she asked if I would be interested in recording this one as well. I said yes, and even though I wasn't familiar with any of these artists except for Andrea, they were all enjoyable, and it ended up being a fun night. During Alyssa Flaherty's first song she had her guitar muted accidentally, about halfway through the song a sound tech came on and tapped the mute button and there it was, loud and clear. Other than that, no real flaws to speak of, I had a great spot for recording and I was pleased with how this turned out.

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

Becky Schlegel, VFW Post 1215, Rochester, MN- 4/17/26

Becky Schlegel
VFW Post 1215
Rochester, MN
Apr. 17th, 2026

This is a "Midwest Sounds" recording (MWS413)

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 as always to Becky for allowing me to record.

More pictures here: Link

https://www.beckyschlegel.com/

Set 1

1. Gone Like the Wind
2. So Embarrassing
3. Travelin' Soldier (Bruce Robison cover)
4. Sad Songs on the Radio
5. Christmas in Prison (John Prine cover)
6. Spanish Pipedream (John Prine cover)
7. Me and Bobby McGee (Kris Kristofferson cover)
8. Laramie
9. Lifeboat

Set 2

1. ?
2. ?
3. Climbing High
4. ?
5. Come on Over to Saint Paul (The Buck-Fifty Boys cover)
6. Never Mention Your Name
7. Lonesome
8. If We Make It Through December (Merle Haggard cover)
9. Folsom Prison Blues (Johnny Cash cover)

Becky Schlegel- Vocals, Guitar
Anthony Ihrig- Banjo, Vocals
Eric Christopher- Violin, Mandolin, Vocals
Kevin Rowe- Bass, Vocals

Archive.org / Google Drive

Songstress Becky Schlegel's music is original, drawing on the influence of classic country, bluegrass, folk, and her own thoughtful spirit. Becky's incredible voice floats, whispers then soars above music of the highest quality. She takes her listeners on a musical journey, exploring new places and meeting new people in every song.

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Tapers notes: This was originally supposed to be a SBD/AUD mix, but before the show Becky let me know she wasn't certain about having me plug in as she's had recordings like that not turn out all that great. So, I had to improvise and set up right in front of the speaker and hope for the best. Unfortunately it didn't turn out as well as I had hoped, and that was my fear with a last second adjustment. But when an artist is so open to me taping them, I will always adibe by what makes them feel comfortable, and I'm grateful to Becky for being so open to it in the first place. That being said, I pulled out every mastering technique I could think of and I think it's actually a pretty listenable recording with some flaws here and there. Musically the band and Becky were top notch as always, this is easily one of the best musical acts going right now in the state, so I felt lucky to be in attendance and capture the music. I've got 3 more dates on the schedule for Becky, so I'm hopeful to get a better quality recording at those shows.

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

Pieta Brown, Oak Center General Store, Lake City, MN- 4/11/26

Pieta Brown
Oak Center General Store
Lake City, MN
Apr. 11th, 2026

This is a "Midwest Sounds" recording (MWS412)

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 Pieta for allowing me to record.

More pictures here: Link

Liz Draper

https://lizdraper.bandcamp.com/

1. Intro
2. ?
3. ?
4. Groningen Nevel

Archive.org / Google Drive

Liz Draper: classically and jazz-trained versatile bassist, has performed, recorded and/or toured internationally with such groups as the Grammy Award-winning Okee Dokee Brothers, Soul Asylum, Charlie Parr, The Rose Ensemble, Ben Weaver, Orkestar Bez Ime, and Davina and the Vagabonds. A professional musician since age 16, Liz has performed in an astonishing array of musical genres and ensembles, from jazz and classical to folk, metal, improvisational, experimental, Balkan, and chamber strings.

Pieta Brown

https://www.pietabrown.com/

1. Come All You Fair and Tender Ladies (Trad.)
2. Wishes Falling Through the Rain
3. Calling All Angels
4. Roll and Tumble Blues (Hambone Willie Newbern cover)
5. Ask for More
6. In My Mind I Was Talking to Loretta
7. No Not Me
8. I'm Gone
9. Rosine
10. Painter’s Hands
11. Other Way Around

Pieta Brown- Vocals, Guitar
Liz Draper- Bass, Harmony Vocals
Jeremy Ylvisaker- Guitar, Harmony Vocals

Archive.org / Google Drive

Pieta Brown: Hailed as a “self-styled poetess, folk goddess, and country waif” by the BBC, Pieta Brown first came to international prominence with the release of her self-titled debut in 2002. Since then she has released multiple highly critically acclaimed albums, EPs and singles, with much attention being paid not only to her distinct sound and style, but also the power of her singing and songwriting, including fan favorite, Paradise Outlaw, which Bon Iver mastermind Justin Vernon has called his “favorite recording made at our studio.” Brown has toured worldwide with artists such as John Prine, Amos Lee, Brandi Carlisle, JJ Cale, Ani DiFranco, Mavis Staples, and Calexico among others.

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Tapers notes: After catching the Cat Clyde show in Davenport, IA on Friday night, I stopped at "The World's Largest Rest Stop" in Walcott, IA for the night, and headed out in the morning for Lake City for this show. I was definitely feeling the effects of being in the car for 24 of the last 30 hours, but once the show started it was all worth it. Liz Draper opened the night with a stand-up bass set, which was really beautiful, and Pieta closed out the night with a sublime set of her own. I tried a different spot for recording than I have in the past, and I was thrilled with the results.

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

Cat Clyde, Raccoon Motel, Davenport, IA- 4/10/26

Cat Clyde
Raccoon Motel
Davenport, IA
Apr. 10th, 2026

This is a "Midwest Sounds" recording (MWS411)

Lineage: Zoom H2 internal mics

-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

Boy Golden

https://www.boygolden.ca/

1. New Orleans
2. Mountain Road
3. Those Memories of You (Alan O’Bryant cover)
4. Smoke on the Breeze
5. Suffer
6. Like a Child
7. Eyes
8. Bad Habits

Liam Duncan- Vocals, Guitar
Austin Parachoniak- Guitar
Fontine- Hamrony Vocals, Tambourine

Archive.org / Google Drive

From stoner-boy to country-boy, blue-boy to a golden-voiced-man, Boy Golden has embodied them all. Now, as our guide, Boy Golden leads us through this next experience with kindness and humour, straight down Highway 5 and headlong into For Eden. Ten stories told from his heart, his dreams and his real life, For Eden is about searching for things - like dreams, love and better versions of himself, all wrapped up in some idea of a perfect place, be it real or imagined. But Paradise isn’t an outer realm; it’s the peace Boy Golden’s found within.

From the lyrics, to the music, to the accompanying behind the scenes stories and newsletters, Boy Golden’s honesty and clarity are magnificent. At times they magnify small wells of sadness, bringing forth the tears; other times they widen smiles, decimate guilt and fear, and others still, his songwriting eases the boundaries between folk, bluegrass, Americana and pop music.

Cat Clyde

https://catclydemusic.com/

1. Where Is My Love
2. My Love
3. Everywhere I Go
4. Real Love
5. The Gloom
6. Wild One
7. Hold My Hand
8. Mystic Light
9. Wanna Ride
10. The Man I Loved Blues
11. Man’s World
12. Papa Took My Totems
13. Cowboy Dreams (Boy Golden cover) (with Boy Golden)
14. Press Down (with Boy Golden)
15. All the Black
16. Dark Back
17. So Cold
18. Night Eyes
19. Another Time
20. Yer Blues (The Beatles cover)
21. The River (Cat Clyde solo)

Cat Clyde- Vocals, Guitar
Michael Bayer- Drums
Aaron Khawaja- Bass
Sam Peterson- Guitar

Archive.org / Google Drive

Cat Clyde is a singer/songwriter based out of rural Ontario, Canada. A combination of driven, soulful blues and sweet, folk-tinged, dulcet tones that carry a particular sense of familiarity provide the structure on which she creates her unique sound. With influences ranging from Patsy Cline and Lead Belly to Karen Dalton and Bobbie Gentry, this patchwork of musical significance, when stitched to her modern approach, fits like a well-tailored, corduroy-road cloth. Cat is currently finishing up her next album to be released in 2026 on Concord Records, with one song being released so far,“Wild One”.

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Tapers notes: I had seen Cat Clyde before I had ever heard her, back in 2019 when she opened for J.S. Ondara at the same venue (different building at the time though), and have ultimately become a bigger fan of Cat over the years. She has a new album out that is fantastic, so I was thrilled to see she was coming to the midwest. She played a show the night after this in Minneapolis, but since I already had tickets to another show that night, I made the decision to take the trek to Davenport. It was worth every minute, this was a fantastic show, and I was riding high the whole next day while driving to the next concert. Audio is pretty good here, I had tested some external mics with another recorder, but it didn't turn out as well as I had hoped, thankfully I brought the old reliable H2 just in case. The setlist here is great, I think she hit just about every song I was hoping to hear. During "Real Love" there was a marriage proposal on stage by someone from the crowd, so it was cool to be able to document that.

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

Bob Dylan, La Crosse Center, La Crosse, WI- 3/27/26

Bob Dylan
La Crosse Center
La Crosse, WI
Mar. 27th, 2026

This is a "Midwest Sounds" recording (MWS410)

Lineage: Zoom H1Essential (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.

https://www.bobdylan.com/

1. To Be Alone With You
2. Man in the Long Black Coat
3. All Along the Watchtower
4. I Contain Multitudes
5. False Prophet
6. Black Rider
7. Love Sick
8. Goodbye Jimmy Reed
9. I Can Tell (Bo Diddley cover) (followed by band introductions)
10. I've Made Up My Mind to Give Myself to You
11. Crossing the Rubicon
12. When I Paint My Masterpiece
13. Forgetful Heart
14. Soon After Midnight
15. Nervous Breakdown (Eddie Cochran cover)
16. Every Grain of Sand

Bob Dylan - Vocals, Electric Keyboard, Harp
Tony Garnier - Electric and Standup Bass
Anton Fig - Drums
Bob Britt - Acoustic Guitar
Doug Lancio - Acoustic Guitar

Google Drive

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Tapers notes: Another great Bob Dylan show, at least in my opinion. I hear and read a lot about how dissatisfied people are that Dylan doesn't "play the hits", and he doesn't talk to the audience, and while I can understand that point of view, I don't agree with it. I go to see him play what he wants to play, he's not a human jukebox or a nostalgia act. He's also not a speaker or hosting a Q & A, here's there to play music, and that's what I'm there to see him do. I've always said I would take Dylan's style, where he doesn't talk to the audience, over a musician who banters too much, then you lose out on potential songs because they are talking too much. Bob is not for everyone, but for those who go in with an open mind, there aren't many better experiences.

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

Bob Dylan, Mayo Civic Center, Rochester, MN- 3/24/26

Bob Dylan
Mayo Civic Center
Rochester, MN
Mar. 24th, 2026

This is a "Midwest Sounds" recording (MWS409)

Lineage: Zoom H1Essential (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.

https://www.bobdylan.com/

1. I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
2. Man in the Long Black Coat
3. All Along the Watchtower
4. I Contain Multitudes
5. False Prophet
6. Black Rider
7. Love Sick
8. Key West (Philosopher Pirate)
9. I Can Tell (Bo Diddley cover)
10. I've Made Up My Mind to Give Myself To You
11. Crossing the Rubicon
12. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
13. When I Paint My Masterpiece
14. Soon After Midnight
15. Nervous Breakdown (Eddie Cochran cover)
16. Every Grain of Sand

Bob Dylan - Vocals, Electric Keyboard, Harp
Tony Garnier - Electric and Standup Bass
Anton Fig - Drums
Bob Britt - Acoustic Guitar
Doug Lancio - Acoustic Guitar

Google Drive

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Tapers notes: After missing out on seeing Bob last year in Mankato, I was pleasantly surprised to see Minnesota pop up again on his itinerary, and thankfully tickets were within my budget this time. Sound here is good, I'm sure better recordings will pop up, but I always enjoy sharing my recordings regardless. The first track has a couple interruptions as people were still trying to get to their seats, but after that there is negligible crowd noise. Highlights for me were Key West, it's one of my favorite late era Dylan songs, and Nervous Breakdown, it's probably one of my favorite Eddie Cochran songs, so it was cool seeing Bob pay tribute to a fellow Minnesotan. Looking forward to seeing Bob again Friday, so look forward to that recording at some point as well.

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