Monthly Archives: March 2010
Spring has sprung and the concert season is nigh upon us! SXSW kicked of the festivals and the summer concert series is just weeks away. Here is a list of the music fests that will draw a litany of artists and hordes of people. This list highlights the main( in my humbly superior opinion) music festivals that take place in the continental U.S. Most festivals are three days long and I’ve highlighted some of the featured (great) artists.
Festival |
Date |
Partial Line Up |
Coachellawww.coachella.com |
Apr. 16-18 |
- Jay Z
- Them Crooked Vultures
- Gorillaz
- Pavement
- Thom Yorke
- MGMT
|
New Orleans Jazzwww.nojazzfest.com |
Apr. 23-25 |
- Lionel Richie
- Simon & Garfunkel
- Black Crowes
- My Morning Jacket
- Jonny Lang
- Darius Rucker
|
New Orleans Jazz Week 2www.nojazzfest.com |
Apr. 29-May 2 |
- Pearl Jam
- Aretha Franklin
- B.B. King
- Van Morrison
- The Dead Weather
- Kenny Wayne Shepherd
|
Summer Campwww.summercampfestival.com |
May 28-30 |
- Gov’t Mule
- Avett Brothers
- ALO
- Yonder Mountain String Band
- Umphrey’s McGee
|
Sasquatchwww.sasquatchfestival.com |
May 29-31 |
- Band of Horses
- Vampire Weekend
- The National
- Public Enemy
- She & Him
- Massive Attack
|
Wakarusawww.wakarusa.com |
June 3-6 |
- The Black Keys
- Slightly Stoopid
- Widespread Panic
- John Butler Trio
- Blues Traveler
- State Radio
|
Bonnaroowww.bonnaroo.com |
June 10-13 |
- Dave Matthews Band
- Kings of Leon
- Jay Z
- Stevie Wonder
- Nora Jones
- The Flaming Lips
|
Lollapaloozawww.lollapalooza.com |
Aug. 6-8 |
Not yet released but always a stellar lineup |
Austin City Limitswww.aclfestival.com |
Oct. 8-10 |
Not yet released but always a stellar lineup |
The cool thing about the festivals is that if one takes place geographically close to you, you might catch some really good shows on both sides of the festival dates.
If you have attended any of the above or one not listed, let me know what was great about it and who you saw.
As mentioned in previous blogs I am a ACL acolyte and would strongly recommend that if you have the time and disposable income, you need to check itout.
Great music awaits!
Leave a comment | tags: ALO, Aretha Franklin, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Avett Broters, B.B. King, Band of Horses, Black Crowes, Blues Traveler, Bonnaroo Music Festival, Coachella, Darius Rucker, Dave Matthews Band, Gorillaz, Govt. Mule, Jay-Z, John Butler Trio, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Kings of Leon, Lionel Richie, Lollapalooza, Massice Attack, MGMT, Music you should be listening to!, My Morning Jacket, Nora Jones, Pavement, Pearl Jam, Public Enemy, Sasquatch Festival, She & Him, Simon & Garfunkel, Slightly Stoopid, State Radio, Stevie Wonder, SXSW, The Black Keys, The Dead Weather, the Flaming Lips, The National, Them Crooked Vultures, Thom Yorke, Umprey's McGee, Vampire Weekend, Van Morrison, Widespread Panic, www.aclfestival.com, www.bonnaroo.com, www.coachella.com, www.lollapalooza.com, www.nojazzfest.com, www.sasquatchfestival.com, www.summercampfestival.com, www.wakarusa.com, Yonder Mountain String Band | posted in Alt/Country Music, Alternative Music, Austin Music, Country Music, Folk Music, Heavy Metal Music, Indie Music, Live Music, Music, Pop Music, Rock Music, Southern Rock, Texas Music
Lucinda William’s is everyone’s collaborating darling who released her first album Ramblin’ in 1978. In her thirty plus years in the music business, she has released nine studio albums. Some might consider her a bit methodical or even a perfectionist based on the span of years between album releases. She started out in the country genre that was occasionally tinged with the blues.
She is a genre shifting chanteuse who has been nominated for ten Grammys in the following musical categories:
- Americana
- Rock
- Country
- Folk
- Pop
Williams received early critical recognition and the respect of her musical peers, but it took considerably longer for her to raise public awareness. This was due, in large part, to her renowned fastidiousness and the sporadic release of her albums. The pendulum swung with the release of her 1998 album Car Wheels on a Gravel Road. She has received three Grammy’s.
Lucinda Williams Discography:
- Ramblin’
- Happy Woman Blues
- Lucinda Williams
- Sweet Old World
- Car Wheels on a Gravel Road
- Essence
- World Without Tears
- West
- Little Honey
Williams is a prolific songwriter whose music has been covered by Tom Petty, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Emmylou Harris. In addition to covering her songs, many artist have saught her out to record with them. She has an unbelievable list of guest appearances. Below are just a few of the over sixty artists that Williams has collaborated or guest appeared on their album.
Willie Nelson |
Steve Earle |
Elvis Costello |
North Mississippi All Stars |
Flogging Molly |
M. Ward |
Graham Parker |
John Prine |
Ray Wylie Hubbard |
Top five Lucinda Williams Songs:
- Are You Alright (West)
- Right In Time (Car Wheels on a Gravel Road)
- Real Love (Little Honey)
- Get Right with God (Essence)
- Still I Long for Your Kiss (Car Wheels on a Gravel Road)
Check out Lucinda Williams at www.lucindawilliams.com
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oPgZoXZ1Z0
www.youtube.com/watch?v=10rdtk6Vixw&feature=related
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiKk9PCcTgY
Great music awaits!
Leave a comment | tags: Are You Alright, Car Wheels on a Gravel Road, Elvis Costello, EmmyLou Harris, Essence, Flogging Molly, Get Rigth with God, Graham Parker, Happy Woman Blues, John Prine, Little Honey, Lucinda Williams, M. Ward, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Music you should be listening to!, North Mississippi All Stars, Ramblin', Ray Wylie Hubbard, Real Love, Right In Time, Steve Earle, Still I Long for Your Kiss, Sweet Old World, Tom Petty, West, Willie Nelson, World Without Tears, www.lucindawilliams.com | posted in Country Music, Folk Music, Indie Music, Music, Pop Music, Rock Music
Ever have one of those days where good music followed you everywhere you went? Yesterday was one of those days. Got up early, courtesy of 4 dogs, and went to the Cowtown Diner in downtown Fort Worth. This was a first time experience and well worth the trip both musically and culinarally (not really sure if that is a word but I’m going with it). As we are walking to the table, I notice the siren song of the Cowboy Junkies emanating from the speakers then, James Taylor, Ray LaMontange, Josh Ritter, Shawn Colvin, Whiskeytown, Patti Griffin, Grant Lee Phillips and a litany of other great artists and songs for the duration of breakfast. In case you are wondering, the breakfast tacos (1 bacon, 1 sausage) were my choice of the morning and more than I could eat in one sitting. The biscuits and sausage gravy looked pretty good and I was told that the cheese grits were the highlight of the meal.
The next unexpected musical nirvana was Lowes, yes the home improvement store. Williams Fitzsimmons was the first song I heard and it was followed up by Josh Rouse and then Brendan James. After that, I was out in the garden center and out of the musical range.
The day culminated with watching a few episodes of House M.D. If you are not a fan, you need to check it out. Not only is it great television, there is some fine music wrapped in each episode. Yesterday was Lucinda Williams and Brett Dennen.
Unexpected great music is always one of those things that make the daily grind seem more tolerable or make the fun times that much better.
So, the questions of the day are:
Where have you found unexpected musical greatness?
What store or restaurant has consistently good music reverberating between their walls?
Thanks for playing!
Great music awaits!
2 Comments | tags: Breet Denne, Brendan James, Cowboy Junkies, Grant Leee Phillips, House M.D., James Taylor, Josh Ritter, Josh Rouse, Lucinda Williams, Pattie Griffin, Ray Lamontagne, Shawn Colvin, Whiskeytown, William Fitzsimmons | posted in Alt/Country Music, Alternative Music, Country Music, Folk Music, Indie Music, Music, Pop Music, Rock Music, Texas Music
The Big To-Do is the highly anticipated, recently released album by Drive-By Truckers. The album is solid and Trucker fans will not be disappointed. However, there were a few surprise on this album that seem a bit of a departure from their previous work.
The absence of Mike Cooley was the first thing I noticed when I listened to the album. Mike Cooley covers lead vocals on three songs and is sorely missed on the album. This is not a shot at the album but merely noted in deference to the greatness of Cooley’s calm, self assured vocals and considerable songwriting skills. His voice is as recognizable as Hood’s but is diametrically opposed in cadence, timbre, and texture. He contributes three songs and on Birthday Boy, he is a layer or two behind the music. Not the norm for his work and a little disappointing for all of the Cooley fans out there.
This is the first release since the departure of guitarist Jason Isbell. While the Trucker’s still have their three axe attack, John Neff does not contribute at the level of Jason Isbell. In addition to being one of three guitarists, Isbell was a strong contributor to the songwriting; he wrote and sang quite a few of the stand out songs from their catalog in the 00’s. Musically they are still exceptionally tight but just not breaking new ground with this album.
Shonna Tucker, the Trucker’s bassist, contributes two solid tracks. Her playing has always been extremely competent. This is her second album where she contributes lead vocals for tracks that she wrote. I think that Tucker’s contributions are an exceptional high light of the album. Her songs tend to be bathed a bit with a stylized country sound. You can almost picture her in a small, local bar singing to the swaying, two stepping couples after last call.
This album is heavy on Patterson Hood’s musical and vocal offerings. Of the thirteen tracks, he wrote the lyrics and covers lead vocals on seven. I am a huge Patterson Hood fan and I find his satirical writing style to be a refreshing escape from some of the worn out topics of other current musical acts.
Stand out Tracks:
- The Wig He Made Her Wear
- The Fourth Night of My Drinking
- Eyes Like Glue
- You Got Another
- Drag the Lake Charlie
Great music awaits!
2 Comments | tags: Drag the Lake Charlie, Eyes Like Glue, Jason Isbell, Mike Cooley, Music you should be listening to!, Patterson Hood, Shonna Tucker, The Big To-Do, The Drive-By Truckers, The Fourth Night of My Drinking, The Wig He Made Her Wear, You Go Another | posted in Alt/Country Music, Music, Rock Music, Southern Rock
So, this week has focused on music in a variety of, genres, decades, degrees of greatness and what some might call an assault to the auditory senses. To wrap up this fine week of blogging, I am going to take my writing cue from some of the responses to the Concert Blog.
Over the course of my musical life, I’ve been extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to see all of the shows I’ve seen. In addition to that, I’ve had the ability to create a personal library of considerable size in both CD and digital format. However, being a music devotee, I want more. I want more CD’s, more digital files, and more opportunity to catch live acts. I look back at the missed opportunities to see some amazing shows and kick myself for being too lazy, too late, or at times even too responsible to attend certain shows.
Today we are going to talk about concerts in both past and future terms. Confused yet? Good, me either. I will keep this in a Top 10 format and will list the concerts that I missed or at least wished I had the opportunity to see and I will also list the concerts that I want to see before I am unceremoniously taken from this lovely thing some call life.
Top 10 missed opportunities:
- Pink Floyd Momentary Lapse of Reason Tour
- U2 Joshua Tree Tour
- Guns N Roses & Metallica (I realize that tour was plagued with problems but at long as I am dreaming, if I had attended, it would have been a flawless, musical love fest with duel encores)
- Bruce Springsteen Born in the USA Tour (I’ve seen Bruce on several occasions but this tour was sort of a revival and they went all out and played monster sets (3-4 hours).)
- Uncle Tupelo (This band was such a tinder box of musical genius that there was no conceivable way for it continue. I’ve seen both bands from the former temperamental leaders (Jeff’s Wilco & Jay’s Son Volt) and would have loved to catch them early.)
- Led Zeppelin Reunion (This was never an option or an opportunity but man what a treat that would have been.)
- The Black Crowes (I had free tickets at Will Call for an early show they did in Dallas when they opened up for ZZ Top. I never made it to the show for various and sundry reasons. Looking back none of the reasons were reasonably worth what I missed.)
- 2002 Austin City Limits Music Festival (This was the inaugural musical voyage for ACL and it had a great lineup of bands on the rise as well as the ARC Angels reunion show.)
- Farm Aid 1 1985 (A great event with a stellar line up. Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Tom Petty, Neil Young, Billy Joel, John Mellencamp, Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison, B.B. King, Waylon Jennings, to name a few.)
- Nirvana (Just to be part of that bit of musical history.)
Top 10 Must See Acts:
- My Morning Jacket (Amazing live shows and wicked cool music)
- Red Hot Chili Peppers (I just dig them)
- Neil Young (Musical icon)
- U2 (They are awesome)
- John Mellencamp (Great catalog even when he was Johnny Cougar, John Cougar, and John Cougar Mellencamp)
- Phish (Ultimate Jam band that took the torch from the Grateful Dead)
- Paul McCartney (Come on, he is a friggin’ Beatle)
- Lyle Lovett (I like all his music even the song from the Stuart Little soundtrack and well, he was married to Julia Roberts!)
- Counting Crows (I realize that despite their latest release, they are in the twilight (or beyond) of their career but I really dig their live albums and think they would be fun to see live)
- The Eagles (I am a huge fan and begrudgingly have never seen them. In my defense, their exorbitant ticket price is one key factor to this dilemma.)
So dear reader, who is on your concert list?
Great music awaits!
4 Comments | tags: Austin City Limits Music Festival, B.B. King, Billy Joel, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Counting Crows, Farm Aid, Guns 'N' Roses, John Mellencamp, Johnny Cash, Led Zeppelin, Lyle Lovett, Metallica, My Morning Jacket, Neil Young, Nirvana, Paul McCartney, Phish, Pink Floyd, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Roy Orbison, The Black Crowes, The Eagles, Tom Petty, U2, Uncle Tupelo | posted in Alt/Country Music, Alternative Music, Austin Music, Country Music, Folk Music, Heavy Metal Music, Indie Music, Live Music, Music, Pop Music, Rock Music, Southern Rock, Texas Music
We hear a song, purchase/download some music; it raises our awareness of the band and then we become a fan. The concert is the culmination of our musical inclinations. It is the holy grail of the musical experience. At least, in our mind, it is.
The concert is the musical equivalent of craps (the game of chance, not Jack in the Box 2 for $1 greasy tacos passing through your bowels)
Some nights go like this:
You purchase your ticket with the expectation that it will be musical bliss and a night to remember. You get there, fight the crowd, listen to the mediocre, at best, opening act, and wait impatiently for the headlining show. After what seems like an eternity, out stumbles the drunk/high lead singer, forgets the words to your favorite song, becomes enraged at the crowds displeasure and walks of the stage giving you the double fisted one finger salute.
While other nights go like this:
You show up at some little dive barbeque joint and begin to think the show has been canceled because there are only four cars in the parking lot. You go in, order some food and a beer, take you pick of the abundantly available tables and notice two chairs on the stage and a couple of guitars. You take a seat, sip your bear and out strolls the singer and his buddy and the play for several hours, come sit down and thank you for coming to the show and take your request and play it before the night is over.
I’ve regaled you with some stories of concerts from my past and touted the greatness of Austin City Limits Music Festival but today, I’m going to chronologically list the concerts, to the best of my recollection, I’ve attended over the years.
Year |
Band |
1983 |
Quiet Riot |
Interesting Facts |
7th grade, first concert to attend and broke my ankle that afternoon after being chased by a large classmate who took off his belt and began swinging it at me. I left the hospital on crutches and planned on going to concert while my mother drove along beside me screaming at me to get in the car. Being 12 and disabled, mom won and I missed the concert. I did, however, get the t shirt as a consolation prize from my buddy who I gave the ticket to. |
1985 |
Def Leppard |
Interesting Facts |
My first official concert that I actually got to attend. Reunion Arena in Dallas, TX. Oddly enough, I do not remember much about the concert other than it kicked much 14 year old musical butt. |
1985-1989 |
Tom Petty
Stevie Nicks
Elton John
Don Henley
White Snake
Tesla
The Cult
Metallica |
Interesting Facts |
This period was the high school years and while there are funny stories, time has blurred the lines a bit.
- One concert I went to with a group of girls and as soon as we got to Starplex Amphitheater, they all had to go to the rest room. So, they opened the passenger door and all took turns squatting in the parking lot under the shroud of secrecy that was the afore mentioned door. Don’t worry ladies; your identity is safe with me.
- Another concert had some of the above mentioned girls and on the way home we got lost and drove around through an amazing fog which we likened to the moors, a Sherlock Holmes reference at the time, and eventually made it home. Some of attendees were really upset with the turn of events.
- White Snake concert we bought tickets from scalpers and got totally ripped off but thought we were so cool because we were seeing White Snake.
- Metallica was an amazing show and the first time I had seen mosh pits and thoroughly enjoyed the frantic pace of the music. Some fans really enjoyed the show and started lighting the lawn on fire and once security came out, the fire just seemed to move to another location.
|
1989-1992 |
Travis Tritt
Shenandoah
Various country acts at Billy Bobs |
Interesting Facts |
Some of my buddies were really in to country music and I would often tag along because I had nothing else to do and wanted to make some new female acquaintances. The Shenandoah concert was particularly memorable, not because the concert was good, in fact, I never actually saw them. I got kicked out of the bar because I was 18 and using a fake ID to buy beer. My buddies, of course, stayed and watched the show. The crushing event of the night was that the girl I took to the show also stayed inside and I sat alone in the back of my friend’s truck for several hours. The night was not a total loss, because I drank all of the beer in the cooler while sitting in the parking lot of Billy Bob’s. |
1993-1995 |
Lots of local acts in the musical mecca of Denton, TX
Rush |
Interesting Facts |
The Rush show stands out for two reasons:To procure the tickets for this concert, my buddy and I left Denton very, very early on a Saturday morning after a very, very, late Friday night to go to Lewisville Mall to get tickets. We arrived way too early and drove to Braums and got a double order of biscuits and gravy. While this might not read as funny as it was, we were way hung over and those biscuits and gravy were the magic elixir that restored our health. Night of the concert we pick up our dates, have dinner and head to Dallas. There is mild drinking, as colleges kids are known to do, and before you know it, we are on the floor of Reunion Arena basking in the glory of Rush. On the way home there is some conversation of the concert and the girl that I took begins to nod off a bit and then suddenly hurls into and on the door. We stop and ask if she is ok and she looks at us as if nothing happened and denies what is clearly on her chin, clothes, seat, floor, and of course door. We get home she gets out like nothing happened. |
1995-2005 |
The Dave Matthews BandMetallica
Linkin Park
Beastie Boys
Pat Green
Willie Nelson
Jack Johnson
Bob Dylan
Bruce Springsteen
Beck
G. Love & Special Sauce
Merle Haggard
Tori Amos
Korn
Chevelle
Robert Earl Keen |
Interesting Facts |
All pretty good shows and some artist like Dave Matthews and Pat Green I’ve seen multiple times. The one stand out concert story is this:A group of folks went to see Willie Nelson at Lone Star Park which is an outdoor horse track. His stage was set back a bit and there were risers and bleachers that elevated the fans to better see the stage. I am walking up, wearing loose cargo shorts and minding my own business, when I feel something moving up my leg and heading north central. I look down and there is an older woman with her hand up my shorts grabbing my junk. I jump up and swat at her as if she is some form of annoying insect and she looks up, smiles with what teeth she has left and says “Oh, excuse me” as if she had accidently bumped into me as were passing on a sidewalk. She then turned and walked away as if nothing had happened. |
2006-Present |
Pearl JamBen Harper
Foo Fighters
Tom Petty
Beck
G. Love & Special Sauce
Wilco
Son Volt
Drive-By Truckers
State Radio
Brett Dennen
Bruce Springsteen
B-52’s
Robert Plant & Allison Krause
Joe Purdy
Cross Canadian Ragweed
The Killers
The Tragically Hip
The Eli Young Band
Pete Yorn
Bob Schneider
James McMurtry
Kris Kristofferson
Merle Haggard |
Damien RiceDonovan Frankenreiter
Arcade Fire
The Shins
Okkervil River
Mason Jennings
The Black Keys
Ray LaMontagne
Queens of the Stone Age
Bob Dylan
Willie Nelson
Van Morrison
The Toadies
The Killers
John Mayer
Steve Earle
Bjork
Iron & Wine
Walt Wilkins
The Dead Weather
The Raconteurs
Lucinda Williams
Erin Ivey
Amos Lee |
Interesting Facts |
The majority of these artists have been seen at the Austin City Limits Music Festival which is an annual pilgrimage for me. Some artist I have seen both at ACL and their own headlining tour. |
So, there you have it, a little stroll down concert memory lane. Let me know about some of your favorite or at least memorable concert experiences and who is a must see when they roll through town.
Great music awaits!
4 Comments | tags: Amos Lee, Arcade Fire, B-52's, Beastie Boys, Beck, Ben Harper, Bjork, Bob Dylan, Bob Schneider, Brett Dennen, Bruce Springsteen, Chevelle, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Damien Rice, Def Leppard, Don Henley, Donavon Frankenreiter, Drive-By Truckers, Elton John, Erin Ivey, Foo Fighters, G. Love & Special Sauce, Iron & Wine, Jack Johnson, James McMurtry, Joe Purdy, John Mayer, Korn, Kris Kristofferson, Linkin Park, Lucinda Williams, Mason Jennings, Merle Haggard, Metallica, Music you should be listening to!, Okkervil River, Pat Green, Pearl Jam, Pete Yorn, Queens of the Stone Age, Quiet Riot, Ray Lamontagne, Robert Earl Keen, Robert Plant & Allison Krause, Shenandoah, Son Volt, State Radio, Steve Earle, Stevie Nicks, Tesla, The Black Keys, The Cult, The Dead Weather, The Eli Young Band, The Killers, The Raconteurs, The Shins, The Toadies, The Tragically Hip, Tom Petty, Tori Amos, Travis Tritt, Van Morrison, Walt Wilkins, White Snakc, Wilco, Willie Nelson | posted in Alt/Country Music, Alternative Music, Austin Music, Country Music, Folk Music, Heavy Metal Music, Indie Music, Live Music, Music, Pop Music, Rock Music, Southern Rock, Texas Music
Today we are going to talk about guilty pleasures. Musically, that is. Monday’s blog got a lot of great reaction and so today we are going to bare our soul and let loose our dirty little musical secrets. Clearly, we have some love for David Cassidy and Howard Jones.
Several people readily admitted that they did/do listen to some of the music that resides on the list of music you should not listen to. The majority of those people also admitted that they listened to it when it was new and fresh and did not have the open disdain that might be associated with it today.
However, we all have hidden secrets that we keep hidden deep on our iPod or tucked away on an unmarked CD. There are also songs that we are connected to that we will roll the windows down, open the sun roof, or drop the rag top and crank up the tunes. What are the songs that you will sit in the car, risk being late, and listen/sing until it is over? What are the songs that you clandestinely listen to but do not or would not openly lay claim to?
For today’s blog, we will have three; count them, 1, 2, 3 categories:
- Top(car, not clothing) down & loud
- Sit in car and be late
- Guilty & A Little Ashamed
Below are some of my guilty musical pleasures:
Artist |
Song |
Category |
Own CD |
R.E.M. |
It’s the End of the World As We Know It (and I Feel Fine) |
Top Down & Loud & Sit in Car |
Yes |
Bon Jovi |
Blaze of Glory |
Guilty & A Little Ashamed |
No |
Elton John |
Little Jeanie |
Sit In Car |
Yes |
Cinderella |
Don’t Know What You Got Tell It’s Gone |
Sit In Car |
No |
Corey Hart |
Sunglasses at Night |
Guilty & A Little Ashamed |
No |
Tom Petty |
Break Down |
Top Down & Loud |
Yes |
Violent Femmes |
Blister In the Sun |
Top Down & Loud |
Yes |
Van Halen |
Right Now |
Sit In Car & Guilty & A Little Ashamed |
Yes |
Stevie Nicks & Don Henley |
Leather & Lace |
Sit In Car & Guilty & A Little Ashamed |
Yes |
Styx |
Renegade |
Top Down & Loud |
Yes |
Foreigner |
Juke Box Hero |
Guilty & A Little Ashamed |
Yes |
Journey |
Wheel In the Sky |
Top Down & Loud |
Yes |
Beck |
Loser |
Top Down & Loud |
Yes |
Butthole Surfers |
Pepper |
Top Down & Loud |
Yes |
The Cult |
She Sells Sanctuary |
Top Down & Loud |
Yes |
Elton John |
Tiny Dancer |
Top Down & Loud & Sit in Car |
Yes |
Faith No More |
Epic |
Top Down & Loud |
Yes |
Fine Young Cannibals |
Good Thing |
Guilty & A Little Ashamed |
Yes |
Five For Fighting |
Superman (It’s Not Easy) |
Sit In Car & Guilty & A Little Ashamed |
Yes |
Gin Blossoms |
Hey Jealousy |
Top Down & Loud |
Yes |
Grateful Dead |
Touch of Grey |
Top Down & Loud & Sit in Car |
Yes |
David & David |
Welcome to the Boomtown |
Sit in Car |
Yes |
Billy Squier |
The Stroke |
Guilty & A Little Ashamed |
Yes |
Charlie Sexton |
Beat’s So Lonely |
Guilty & A Little Ashamed |
No |
The Moody Blues |
The Voice |
Guilty & A Little Ashamed |
No |
Glenn Frey |
Smuggler’s Blues |
Guilty & A Little Ashamed |
No |
REO Speedwagon |
Time for Me To Fly |
Guilty & A Little Ashamed |
No |
Night Ranger |
Sister Christian |
Guilty & A Little Ashamed |
No |
Great music awaits!
9 Comments | tags: Beck, Billy Squier, Bon Jovi, Butthole Surfers, Charlie Sexton, Cinderella, Corey Hart, David & David, David Cassidy, Don Henley, Elton John, Faith No More, Fine Young Cannibals, Five For Fighting, Foreigner, Gin Blossoms, Glenn Frey, Grateful Dead, Howard Jones, Journey, Music you should be listening to!, Night Ranger, R.E.M., REO Speedwagon, Stevie Nicks, Styx, The Cult, The Moody Blues, Tom Petty, Van Halen, Violent Femmes | posted in Alternative Music, Folk Music, Heavy Metal Music, Live Music, Music, Pop Music, Rock Music, Southern Rock
Ok, I thought yesterday’s blog was fun and elicited some reaction from you, the sweet , gentle reader and a few David Cassidy fans( ITILY ladies and possibly gentlemen) and also caused a bit of a stir on facebook as well. So, let’s go and reverse the whip.
I will attempt to continue to WOW you with my vast musical knowledge and then silently judge you if you are not impressed with my musical prowess. Just kidding, I would never judge you or your poor musical taste.
I do think that there are some artists that transcend genres and have universal appeal. Others have a loyal following and then have that one album that regales the masses and they are beloved for generations. Some of us grew up on music and we think it is greatness based solely on the nostalgia for the time and place in which we first heard it. And then there are music purist who likes a band /artist because they respect the lineage and the impact that they had on music.
I tend to be a bit of all of the above. There are some artists that I like because there is some form of connectivity that I really can’t explain, while others are truly a moment in time that has endeared me to an artist, and then there is the whole musical heritage piece. I am intrigued by the evolution of music and the artists that find themselves compelled to play. As mentioned previously in a blog, I have no musical talent. I do not play and instrument, I do not sing close to well, and I’ve never had aspirations to do either. I simply love to listen to music.
As much as I have a propensity to scorn/judge, in my humble opinion, awful music, I really respect the fact that those dreadful musicians had the nerve to attempt to play, at some point get signed, and were able to release an album or at the very least a single. When it comes down to it, I don’t judge the horrific musicians as mercilessly as I judge the faction who listens and procures the music.
So, below is a listing of artists/bands that you should be listening to and would be in any reputable music collection.
- Ryan Adams
- The Band
- The Beastie Boys
- The Beatles
- Beck
- The Black Crowes
- Jimmy Buffet (with love to Gwendolyn)
- Johnny Cash
- Eric Clapton
- Credence Clearwater Revival
- Drive-By Truckers
- Bob Dylan
- The Eagles
- Steve Earle
- Foo Fighters
- Pat Green
- Merle Haggard
- Ben Harper
- Jimi Hendrix
- Robert Earl Keen
- Led Zeppelin
- Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Dave Matthews Band
- John Mellencamp
- Metallica
- Willie Nelson
- Nirvana
- Pearl Jam
- Tom Petty
- Pink Floyd
- The Pixies
- Joe Purdy
- Radiohead
- R.E.M
- Red Hot Chili Peppers
- The Rolling Stones
- Rush
- Paul Simon
- Sonic Youth
- Sound Garden
- Bruce Springsteen
- James Taylor
- Traveling Wilburys
- U2
- Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Wilco
- Whiskeytown
- The Who
- Neil Young
- ZZ Top
I just listed the artist and not the album or albums that you should be listening to and really own by said artist. Also, I stopped at 50 and that took a considerable amount of restraint.
This is fundamentally meant to light the candle of thought and get you to think about your 50 artists. If you only had 50 artists that you could listen to, who would they be? Think of yourself as Tom Hanks in Cast Away and instead of Wilson the volleyball, you have an iPod with 50 artists and their entire catalog.
So take some time, peruse the list and let me know who you would have added or deleted from the list or send me you complete list.
Great music awaits!
2 Comments | tags: Beck, Ben Harper, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Cast Away, Credence Clearwater Revival, Dave Matthews Band, David Cassidy, Drive-By Truckers, Eric Clapton, Foo Fighters, James Taylor, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Buffet, Joe Purdy, John Mellencamp, Johnny Cash, Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Merle Haggard, Metallica, Neil Young, Nirvana, Pat Green, Paul Simon, Pearl Jam, Pink Floyd, R.E.M., Radiohead, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Robert Earl Keen, Rush, Ryan Adams, Sonic Youth, Sound Garden, Steve Earle, Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Band, The Beastie Boys, The Beatles, The Black Crowes, The Eagles, The Pixdies, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Tom Hanks, Tom Petty, Traveling Wilburys, U2, Whiskeytown, Wilco, Willie Nelson, ZZ Top | posted in Alt/Country Music, Alternative Music, Austin Music, Country Music, Folk Music, Heavy Metal Music, Indie Music, Live Music, Music, Pop Music, Rock Music, Southern Rock, Texas Music
Greetings music lovers and readers and possible lovers of my blog,
Over the course of the last few months I’ve taken the time to let you know what music you should be listening to. Cleary, my vast, superior musical knowledge needed an outlet and you needed another time waste in your day to avoid doing some menial form of drudgery.
So, today, I’ve decided to tell you what music you should NOT be listening to. The impetus for this blog can unwittingly, and will be, attributed to a friend of mine whose name I will absolutely and unabashedly use. Drum roll please………Tommy Blake ,formerly of DeSoto TX, now living in Ohio, thank you for your face book post yesterday recalling some of the ghastly music of the 80’s. Actually his post might have used an adjective that was more offensive than “ghastly” but I am not here to judge him or his intolerant ways. However, I am pretty sure it started with a G.
Anyway, the gist of his post was that while there was some good music to come from the 80’s there was also some really lame music and bands that scarred all of us 80’s children. As mentioned in previous posts, I completed my public school tour of duty in 1989 and was an ardent music fan from way back. I am not without sin when it comes to the music of my youth and I’m not looking for absolution for my errant ways.
This got me to thinking how each decade of music seems to scorch the musical earth at some point and the early period of the next decade is where some of the great music comes from. All decades have lame artists and bands. Those that have some meteoric rise never seem to last more than an album or two and once we have some distance, we realize how bad the music really was. The artists and bands that have had longevity are the ones that have persevered and not tried to ride the wave of the latest musical craze. They have stayed true to their art and what inspires them.
I realize that everyone has their own musical taste and that certain things are appealing to certain people. So, if you have ever listened to the artists mentioned in this blog, I feel your pain(trying to be empathetic) because I too listened to some (very few), not all of the artists mentioned. However, if you still listen to them, you need to never, ever read my blog again and for the love of all that is right in this world, stop reproducing.
So, with all of that out of the way, here is a list of artists you should NOT be listening to!
- Autograph
- Winger
- Milli Vanilli
- Debbie Gibson
- Ray Parker Jr.
- Glass Tiger
- Taylor Dayne
- Don Johnson
- Backstreet Boys
- Billy Ray Cyrus
- The Heights
- Ace of Base
- M.C. Hammer
- Chumbawamba
- Mr. Big
- Ugly Kid Joe
- Shaun Cassidy
- Howard Jones
- Warrant
- White Lion
- Europe
- Kenny G.
- Bad English
- Mr. Mister
- Falco
- Patrick Swayze
- NSYNC
- Celine Dion
- Ricky Martin
- Lou Bega
- Brittany Spears
- Extreme
- Nelson
- Tiffany
- Baha Men
- Wang Chung
- Slaughter
- Enuff Z Nuff
- Cutting Crew
- Richard Marx
- Michael Damien
- Mike & the Mechanics
- Bulletboys
- Skid Row
- Paula Abdul
- Hanson
- Wilson Philips
- Marky Mark & the Funky Bunch
- New Kids on the Block
- Right Said Fred
- Saigon Kick
- David Cassidy
- Aldo Nova
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This is by no means a complete list! |
Great music awaits! |
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13 Comments | tags: Ace of Base, Aldo Nova, Autograph, Backstreet Bots, Bad English, Billy Ray Cyrus, Britanny Spears, Bulletboys, Celine Dion, Cumbawamba, David Cassidy, Debbie Gibson, Don Johnson, Enuff Z Nuff, Europe, Extreme, Falco, Glass Tiger, Hanson, Howard Jones, Kenny G., Lou Bega, M.C. Hammer, Marky Mark & the Funky Bunch, Michael Damien, Mike & the Mechanics, Milli Vanilli, Mr. Big, Mr. Mister, Nelson, New Kids On the Block, NSYNC, Patrick Swayze, Paula Abdul, Ray Parker Jr., Richard Marx, Ricky Martin, Rigth Said Fred, Saigon Kick, Shaun Casidy, Skid Row, Slaughter, Taylor Dayone, The Heights, Tiffany, Ugly Kid Joe, Wang Chung, Warrant, White Lion, Wilson Phillips, Winger | posted in Alternative Music, Country Music, Folk Music, Heavy Metal Music, Music, Pop Music, Rock Music, Southern Rock
Arcade Fire is the multi instrumentalist indie band from our neighbors to the north. That would be Canada for those of you that might be either geographically or border country cliché challenged. In addition to being a great band, they are also a testimony to the sacred and blessed union of holy matrimony as the band is fronted by the married duo of Win Butler and Régine Chassagne.
Formed in 2003, prior to the nuptials of Win and Régine, Arcade Fire released their self titled EP. While the debut was a solid effort it is forever lost under the greatness of their follow up album Funeral. Upon the release of Funeral in 2004, Arcade Fire took the music world by surprise and their debut EP was rereleased. Their music made it to the Late Show with David Letterman and saw them opening three shows for U2 during the Vertigo tour, and two Grammy nominations.
2007 saw the release of Neon Bible the highly anticipated follow up to Funeral. The album debut at #2 and was well received by critics. The themes on the album seem to be more external and in some cases overly dramatic.
Arcade Fire Discography:
- Arcade Fire
- Funeral
- Neon Bible
Top 5 Arcade Fire Songs:
- Headlights Look Like Diamonds (Arcade Fire)
- Crown of Love (Funeral)
- No Cars Go (Neon Bible)
- Wake Up (Funeral)
- Intervention (Neon Bible)
Musically, Arcade Fire uses an array of musical instruments to wrap each song in its own sonic temple. While guitars, bass, and drums are a staple to any band, these crazy cats are playing piano, viola, cello, double bass, xylophone, glockenspiel, keyboards, French horns, harp, and mandolin. This is not just the studio version, most of the instruments go on tour and the multi talented band members swap instruments throughout the live show.
At times, the band is sonically explosive, beautifully textured, and always a formidable backdrop to the anguished and often pleading vocals of Win Butler. The variety of instruments do not sound out of place nor do they seem over indulgent.
Check out Arcade Fire at www.arcadefire.com
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-wEBmLht5g
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Mum6ggkBJs&feature=related
Great music awaits!
3 Comments | tags: Arcade Fire, Crown of Love, David letterman, Funeral, Headlights Look Like Diamonds, Intervention, Music you should be listening to!, Neon Bible, Regine Chassagne, The Late Show with David Letterman, U2, Vertigo, Wake Up, Win Butler, www.arcadefire.com | posted in Alternative Music, Indie Music, Music, Rock Music