Chris Forsyth at the Cactus Club in Milwaukee on April 9, 2023

Chris Forsyth along with his band consisting of Tom Malach on guitar, Doug McCombs on bass, and Ryan Jewell on drums toured the midwest in April 2023 and appeared at the Cactus Club on April 9th. They co-headlined a tour with Garcia Peoples that was characterized by wonderful and creative jamming.

Purchase his latest album here.

Recording information:

CHRIS FORSYTH

2023-04-09

Milwaukee, WI

The Cactus Club

Chris Forsyth: guitar and vocals

Tom Malach: guitar

Doug McCombs: bass

Ryan Jewell: drums

Setlist:

01 Tomorrow Might As Well Be Today (3:48)

02 Bad Moon Risen (5:09)

03 Experimental and Professional (12:14)

04 Dreaming in the Non-Dream (15:42)

05 Powderfinger [Neil Young] (6:42)

Total time = 43:35

Microphones: Beyerdynamic MC930 in ORTF

Additional source: SBD feed from Alex

Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 32/96

Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (284 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that sort of thing

320 kbps mp3 files (123 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible 

video from a performance in San Francisco a month prior to this concert:

Doug McCombs at Constellation in Chicago on October 21, 2021

Doug McCombs is certainly no stranger to this blog. He has had an impressive career in jazz, rock, post-rock, and adjacent genres for several decades. McCombs has been a member of Eleventh Dream Day, Brokeback, Tortoise, Sea and Cake, Black Duck, and various Chris Forsyth bands including BASIC.

For this show he performed on guitar (and not his more typical bass) opening up for William Tyler and Marisa Anderson. This was an immensely interesting short set with a wide range of textures.

Recording information:

Doug McCombs

2021-10-21

Chicago, IL

Constellation

Doug McCombs: guitar

Setlist:

01 Part One (21:30)

02 Part Two (2:51)

Total time = 24:21

Recorded by Richard Hayes for this blog

Microphones: Audio-technica AT853

Preamplification: Church Audio CA9200

Recorder: Edirol R-05 at 24/48

Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (121 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that sort of thing

320 kbps mp3 files (71 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible 

video of Doug performing at Constellation about a year after this show:

BASIC at the Cactus Club in Milwaukee on December 13, 2024

BASIC is a trio featuring Chris Forsyth on guitar, Doug McCombs on bass and guitar, and Mikel Patrick Avery on drums and triggered samples. They came to Milwaukee back in December with a concert that featured songs from their first album as well as an at-the-time unreleased EP. 

Chris donated the recording of one of these tracks to a benefit album for musicians who lost their homes in the recent wildfires in Los Angeles, and also asked me to hold off on posting this recording until their EP was released. Now that the EP is out and their recent tour is complete, Chris has given the go ahead to post -- and everyone can now hear what I have been enjoying at home for the past four months. 

Buy their most recent release here.

Recording information:

BASIC
2024-12-13
Milwaukee, WI
The Cactus Club

Chris Forsyth: guitar
Doug McCombs: guitar
Mikel Patrick Avery: percussion

Tracklist:
01 For Stars of the Air (10:09)
02 Nerve Time (7:02)
03 Positive Halfway (8:18)
04 Changes, Changing (10:43)
05 Dream City (9:41)
06 Tension Envelope (16:06)

Total time = 61:59

Microphones: Line Audio CM3 in ORTF
Additional source: mono SBD feed
Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 32/96
Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

Thanks to amazing FOH engineer Alex for the soundboard feed

Recorded with permission by Richard Hayes

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (401 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that sort of thing

320 kbps mp3 files (222 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible 

Meg Baird at the Cactus Club in Milwaukee on November 2, 2022

During the last week of October and first week of November 2022, Meg Baird and Chris Forsyth toured the east coast and midwest with a unique concept: they shared the same rhythm section consisting of Doug McCombs on bass and Ryan Jewell on drums. Meg's band also featured Charlie Saufley (a fellow member of the band Heron Oblivion) on guitar.

 

Purchase Meg's most recent album here.

   
You can hear and download Chris' performance from that same evening here.

   
Recording information:

   

MEG BAIRD

2022-11-02

Milwaukee, WI at Cactus Club

Meg Baird: vocals, guitar, keyboards

Charlie Saufley: guitar

Doug McCombs: bass

Ryan Jewell: drums

Chris Forsyth: guitar on Track 9

Setlist:

01 Ashes, Ashes (6:05)

02 Mosquito Hawks (3:21)

03 Back to You (4:40)

04 Star Hill Song (6:15)

05 Twelve Saints (5:45)

06 Manfield and Cyclops (6:28)

07 Ship Captains (5:25)

08 Unknown (5:42)

09 Will You Follow Me Home (8:15)

microphone: Line Audio CM3 in ORTF

additional source: soundboard feed from Alex

recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 32/96

software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

Total time = 51:56

downloads:

16bit, 44.kHz FLAC files (331 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that

320 kbps mp3 files (226 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible 

Chris Forsyth at Judson and Moore in Chicago on April 8, 2023

During the week of April 7-12, 2023 I was fortunate to be able to see Chris Forsyth and Garcia Peoples perform four times on their co-headlining tour -- twice in Chicago and once each in Milwaukee and Madison. These will all eventually wind up on the blog so please keep an eye out for them.

  

For this tour, Chris was promoting his wonderful album Evolution Here We Come. The band was comprised of bassist Doug McCombs (Tortoise), drummer Ryan Jewell, and guitarist Tom Malach (also a member of Garcia Peoples). Forsyth has explored different methods to help keep tour costs down, and one ingenious method he has come up with is to share band members with his co-headliner (this was especially apparent when he toured with Meg Baird -- both used the same backing band).

   

On this date, Forsyth performed a cover by the band Television -- which I am sure has special significance for Chris, who at one time studied with Richard Lloyd. He also asked amazing guitarist Bill Mackay to accompany the band for the final two songs.

Buy multiple copies of his most recent album here.

Recording information:

CHRIS FORSYTH
2023-04-08
Chicago, IL
Judson and Moore Distillery

Chris Forsyth: guitar and voice
Tom Malach: guitar
Bill Mackay: guitar (tracks 4 and 5 only)
Doug McCombs: bass
Ryan Jewell: drums

Setlist:
01 Dreaming in the Non-Dream (16:22)
02 Heaven for a Few (8:08)
03 Friction [Television cover] (5:26)
04 Long Beach Idyll (10:25)
05 Robot Energy Machine (15:20)

Total time = 55:41

microphone: Beyerdynamic MC930 pair in ORTF
additional source: mono SBD feed
recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 32/96
software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

Recorded with explicit artist permission

downloads:

16bit, 44.kHz FLAC files (328 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that

320 kbps mp3 files (214 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible 

Chris Forsyth at the Cactus Club in Milwaukee on November 2, 2022

Guitarist Chris Forsyth was born in 1973 and grew up in New Jersey. His musical journey has been marked by a fusion of genres, blending elements of rock, psychedelia, and experimental music to create a sound that is both unique and highly satisfying.

Here is a fiery recording from Chris and band from November 2022 at the legendary Cactus Club in the Bay View neighborhood of Milwaukee

One of Forsyth's most interesting characteristics is his ability to navigate between structured compositions and improvisational passages. His guitar work is infused with intricate fingerpicking, dynamic shifts, and a strong sense of melody.

In addition to his solo work, Forsyth has collaborated with a diverse array of musicians such as William Tyler, Ryley Walker, and Meg Baird.

Forsyth's discography is exceptionally strong. Beyond his studio recordings, Forsyth is renowned for his live performances, many of which you can find on his bandcamp page. 

For this tour, he co-headlined with Meg Baird, each artist using the same core backing band of Doug McCombs on bass and Ryan Jewell on drums.

Thanks so much to Chris for going out of his way to help tapers and to request FOH sound engineer Alex to provide me with a board feed.

Buy his latest album here.

Recording information:

CHRIS FORSYTH

2022-11-02 

Milwaukee, WI 

Cactus Club

Chris Forsyth: guitar and vocal

Doug McCombs: bass

Ryan Jewell: drums 

Charlie Saufley: guitar (on track 7)

Source: SBD (stereo) + mics on 8 foot stand at mixing board

Microphones: Line CM3 (ORTF)

Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre 6ii at 32bit float, 96kHz

Software: Audacity, xAct, Fission

Set list:

01 Tomorrow Might As Well Be Today (3:45)

02 You’re Going To Need Somebody [Richard Thompson] (4:14)

03 Bad Moon Risen (5:08)

04 Experimental & Professional (9:02)

05 Heaven For A Few (8:18)

06 Long Beach Idyll (8:03)

07 Robot Energy Machine (15:38)

Total time = 54:08

downloads:

16bit, 44.kHz FLAC files (340 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that

320 kbps mp3 files (127 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible 

Black Duck at Acme Records and Music Emporium in Milwaukee on June 29, 2023

One of the absolute highlights of the 2019 Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, TN was seeing a trio of musicians from Chicago called Black Duck. Composed of Doug McCombs (probably best known as one of the bassists in the post-rock supergroup Tortoise, but also as the bassist for Eleventh Dream Day and Brokeback), Bill MacKay (who needs no introduction to followers of this blog) and Chicago jazz drummer Charles Rumback.

The performance took place at the tiny Pilot Light bar and was a furious storm of free improvisation featuring two guitars and drums. 

Since then, Black Duck has performed regularly and eventually evolved into playing written songs interspersed by improvised pieces. 

I remember being very excited to hear Bill tell me more than a year ago that the group had finished recording an album.

In June the group came to Acme Records to perform. I was fortunate to be able to record them using a solid one-channel soundboard feed and a pair of microphones about halfway back of the great room.

BLACK DUCK

2023-06-29

Milwaukee, WI at Acme Records

Doug McCombs: bass

Bill MacKay: guitar

Charles Rumback: drums

Tracklist:

01 Jam 1(6:44)

02 The Trees Are Dancing (4:47)

03 Jam 2 (5:07)

04 Of the Lit Backyards (5:03)

05 Jam 3 (2:39)

06 Delivery (7:03)

07 Lemon Treasure (9:04)

08 Jam 4 (4:32)

Total time = 44:59

Microphones: Line Audio CM3 pair in NOS on 8-foot stand about 15 feet from the stage

Additional source: mono soundboard feed

Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 32/96

Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

Recorded with explicit artist permission by Richard Hayes for the blog Milwaukee Taper.

https://blackduck.bandcamp.com/album/black-duck

https://charlesrumback.bandcamp.com/

https://billmackay.bandcamp.com/

https://acmerecordsmke.com/

With tremendous heartfelt thanks to Doug, Bill, and Charles for allowing me to record them and also to Ken for hosting the group at what is certainly the best record store in the world.

Downloads:

16 bit, 44.1kHz FLAC file (243 MB)

320kbps mp3 file (114 MB)

Check out the NYC Taper blog for a slightly more recent performance by Black Duck:

 http://www.nyctaper.com/2023/11/black-duck-september-9-2023-tubbys-kingston-ny/

Chris Forsyth and the Broken Mirrors Hotel Band at Acme Records in Milwaukee on July 12, 2019

I remember a quote I read somewhere of Chris Forsyth saying that he plays the same notes as Neil Young, just in a different order. That's not really the worst way to think of Forsyth, who just like Mr Young has been on a path of change throughout his career, with the sole constant being the intensity and virtuosity of his guitar playing. 

And just like Mr Young, he has several different bands he will perform with. This short midwestern tour (which also went to Chicago and Minneapolis) included Doug McCombs (of Tortoise, Black Duck, and probably other animal-named groups) on bass guitar, Jaime Fennelly (Mind over Mirrors) on synthesizer and Areif Sless-Kitain (who's played with McCombs in Brokeback and has been a member of several Chicago bands I'm not familiar with) on drums. This was truly an all-star band and every person in the room was fortunate to watch it unfold in real time.

The violet lights were turned down low this evening. It was a totally rocking experience, but the iPhone is not really designed to document totally rocking experiences at Acme Records, so I apologize about the photos. 

Of much higher quality is the recording. I used a stereo pair of Beyerdynamic MC930 (cardioid) microphones in ORTF stereo configuration about 10 feet from the stage and a Shure SM58 up near the drums. There was a PA which only contained Chris' vocals and some of Fennelly's synth parts. These were recorded using a Sound Devices MixPre6 and were then mixed with care for your enjoyment using Audacity.

Please support these fine artists and decent people by going to their shows, buying multiple copies of their merchandise (your friends need the music -- why aren't you buying music for your friends?), and talking to them like they are real human beings after shows. If they don't mind.

https://thechrisforsyth.com

https://chrisforsyth1.bandcamp.com

https://www.noquarter.net/artists/chris-forsyth-the-solar-motel-band/

https://mindovermirrors.bandcamp.com

http://www.thrilljockey.com/artists/tortoise

https://brokeback.bandcamp.com

downloads

(click on the file name to download):

16bit, 44.1kHz WAV file (592 MB)

(suitable for burning to CDs)

16bit, 44.1kHz ALAC file (380 MB)

(lossless compression audio playable on iProducts and computers)

320kbps mp3 file (142 MB)

(highest quality mp3 possible)