It's hard to believe 2011 is almost over (time flies when you're listening to hot jams), but that means it's time to highlight some of the year's best new releases. Here, we present songs from non-jazz concerts that hit the site between January and June. Click on the song/artist name in the pop-up player, or on the links in the "Related Concerts" box below, for more information and to stream the entire shows.
We hope you've enjoyed the new music as much as we have - happy Vault digging!
1) From The Who's first farewell show in 1982.
2) Doesn't get much better than Dylan and the Band in 1974.
3) Van Morrison live-in-studio.
4) Journey live-in-studio with members of the Doobie Brothers, Stoneground and Tower of Power.
5) From a 1981 benefit concert, Dr. John is accompanied here by Rock Derringer and Edgar Winter, among others.
6 - 7) A pairing of fine funk.
8) From Lou Reed's European Rock and Roll Animal tour in 1973.
9 - 11) Don Henley, John Lee Hooker and Nils Lofgren sets were among this year's releases recorded at Neil and Pegi Young's 1992 Bridge School Benefit concert.
12) This was the finale of a 1987 "Legendary Ladies of Rock" concert, featuring Ronnie Spector, Martha Reeves, Lesley Gore, Brenda Lee and others, backed by a band that included Jimmy Vivino and Clarence Clemons on sax.
13) From the 1998 installment of Los Lobos' traditional December run at the Fillmore.
14 - 15) A pairing of heavy metal.
16) Warren Haynes leads this incarnation of Phil Lesh and Friends through one of his classics.
17 - 19) From the 1968 Newport Folk Festival: the "Backstage Jam" was an impromptu session while people were finding their seats, Mississippi Fred McDowell was an unannounced surprise, and Joan Baez sounds her sweetest while backed by the Charles River Valley Boys.
20) There is nothing else on the site quite like this performance by Terry Riley, synth-wiz and inspiration for The Who's "Baba O'Riley." Close your eyes and float downstream.
21) A song from a set of acousti