Polls

Every once in awhile, I participate in some random polls just for the fun of it.  This month I did 2 of 'em.  One was a Paul Simon Poll and the other best singles of 2003.  The Simon was could include Garfunkel so I tried to even it up between that and his solo years.
The 2003 one wasn't much different than the one I filled out for Pazz & Jop.  Don't think many changes were made.

But here are the 2:

1.  Bridge Over Troubled

2.  Mother and Child Reunion

3.  Me and Julio

4.  Boxer

5.  America

6.  Late In The Evening

7.  Mrs. Robinson

8.  Duncan

9.  Graceland

10.  Cecilia

11.  Scarborough Fair

12.  50 Ways To Leave

13.  I Am A Rock

14.  Diamonds on the Soles

15.  Slip Slidin Away

16.  Loves Me Like A Rock

17.  You Can Call Me Al

18.  Kodachrome

19.  Homeward Bound

20.  Rene and Georgette Magritte

2003  Singles:  (In Order)

Stacy's Mom - Fountains of Wayne

Hey Ya - Outkast

7 Nation Army - White Stripes

I Believe In A Thing Called Love - Darkness

Don't Know Why - Norah Jones

Hurt - Johnny Cash 

Move Your Feet - Junior Senior

Are You Gonna Be My Girl - Jet

Cry Me A River - Justin Timberlake

3 Wooden Crosses - Randy Travis

Such Great Heights - Postal Service

The Way You Move - Outkast

Rock Your Body - Justin Timberlake

Seed 2.0 - Cody Chesnutt

Danger Danger High Voltage - Electric Six

It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere - Alan Jackson

Crazy In Love - Beyonce

Step In The Name of Love - R.Kelly

Deliverance - Bubba Sparxxx

Where Have All The Rude Boys Gone - Ted Leo

Playlist for 3/28

Wussy - Strawberry
Ella Fitzgerald/Joe Pass - Easy Living
Chiddy Bang -  Breakfast
Graffiti6 - Colours
Jay Farrar, etc.  - New Multitudes

Dad's Birthday

Sending  out a Happy 79th Birthday to my Dad, Thomas "Rocky" Lane.  My Dad passed away in 2008. We all miss him, but will love him forever.

2012 Country Hall Nominees List?

 Fayfare's Opry Blog.  The guy who runs this blog says he allegedly found a leaked version of the 5 finalists for the Country Music Hall of Fame in its 2 biggest categories  (there's a rotating 3rd for non-performers).


Modern Era: Garth Brooks, Ronnie Milsap, Oak Ridge Boys, Kenny Rogers and Ricky Skaggs.

Veteran Era: Archie Campbell, June Carter Cash, Connie Smith, Jerry Reed and Hank Williams, Jr.

 Garth Brooks and Connie Smith were elected.  This list, much like the Rock Hall's NomCom meetings are whittled down to 5 apiece.  For Modern Era acts, the Country Hall says that an artist is eligible 20 years after reaching national prominence.  For Veteran's its 40 years.  Not when they put out their first record.  Sounds strange.
The Country Hall used to do things differently on its CMA Awards telecasts.  It would invite nominees to the show and announce the winner on the telecast.  Of course, this caused a lot of grumbling.  Now, they do it in advance.
If you think the Rock Hall is missing names, the Country Hall is too.  I'm surprised that Randy Travis wasn't nominated this year.   Jerry Reed should have gotten in years ago.   The list goes on.
The difference between the Rock and Country Hall is the latter doesn't publicize its nominee list.  In fact voters aren't even allowed to say who was on the ballot.
But this is 2012, and we will always find a way.  

Playlist for 3/19

Bruce Springsteen - Wrecking Ball
Andrew Bird - Break It Yourself
Todd Snider - Agnostic Hymns
Carolina Chocolate Drops - Leaving Eden
Lyle Lovett - Release Me

Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks getting inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame 2 weeks ago on his first try was an easy choice.  Despite the fact that Brooks wasn't a big hit with music critics.  Something about his ego or big stage shows that turned them off.
But up until Brooks' ego began affecting his music in the late 90's, I was on board with him.  I thought his albums were solid, and didn't mind the stage  spectacle.

Brooks is now in some sort of odd semi-retirement, vowing to stay there until his kids graduate high school or college.  His hit days are probably past him.  But his last studio albums showed him struggling to come to terms with that fact.  He still believed he could sell over 10 million copies, not realizing that no one does that anymore.

He'll come back, and be a concert draw.  I'd be interested in his albums, too.  But he'll never get back to where he was in 90's.  I wonder if he knows that?

AI 2012

Yes, I am watching American Idol again this season.  I skipped most of the annoying audition rounds, though.  Can't stomach them anymore.  But I did start watching once the Top 24 were announced.

And, no, the judges aren't any better this year.  The only real voice is a non-judge, one Jimmy Iovine, who is kind of an overseer of the whole show.  His comments have been brutally honest.  More than can be said for the other 3 stooges, oh I mean, judges.

I know, the show is passe by now, but what the hell, I've been watching since season 1.  I'm sticking with it.

Hosting

I'm beginning to believe that hosting any awards show is a thankless job.  Billy Crystal was lukewarm at this year's Oscars.  Did anyone notice LL Cool J as Grammy host?  Does seem like Country Music Awards hosts have a better time, they just seem loose and less staid.
Of course, it doesn't help that everyone at the Oscars looked scared crap-less at the podium.  Everyone says why doesn't a Ben Stiller or Will Ferrell or Jim Carrey host?  Did you see the Chris Rock-hosted Oscars?  Yeah,  the problem is that the Academy reigns these people in to the point of their irrelevance.
Ricky Gervais was good at first, but his 2012 Golden Globes was wan.   He seemed scared to make fun of anybody?  That's what got him a return gig.
This year's Independent Spirit Awards always has a kick-back feel.  Seth Rogen was just the right amount of mean as host.  But that won't work with the Oscar's who demand rigidity.

Playlist for 3/11

Ray Charles - Rare Genius
Dunwells - Blind Sighted Faith
Howlin Rain - Russian Wilds
Quicksilver Messenger Service - Happy Trails
Punch Brothers -Who's Feeling Young Now
Gretchen Peters - Hello Cruel World

Can Adele Sell Again?

Adele will never sell this many albums again.  By the time she releases her next album, 21 will be shy of 10 million in the States.  Eventually, she'll hit that number.  But a repeat performance?  I say no.  History isn't on her side.
You see 21 is her Thriller, Purple Rain, Saturday Night Fever, Born in the USA.  Neither of those artists came close to selling that amount again.  21, and those albums I mentioned crossed over to people who don't normally buy albums anymore.  These types had to hear what their friends were saying about it and what all the hype was about.  Chances are good that even if they liked what they heard, they won't rush to buy her next album.

As great as it was, I think she can put out an even stronger album.  But you only capture the public's  imagination once, right?  At least nowadays you do.  I just want good music from her, sales be damned.  But people will say she failed if she doesn't match it.  Good music will win out.  I believe it will.

Playlist for 3/4

Re: Generation Music Project - various
Skrillex - Bangarang
Band of Skulls- Sweet Sour
Sharon Van Etten - Tramp

Lefsetz

http://www.wired.com/magazine/2012/02/mf_lefsetz/

The article, titled, "Who the Hell is Bob Lefsetz", isn't the first one written about him, but goes into more detail than any before.
Bob Lefsetz doesn't know anything more than you or me or many others who follow music.  He's an Industry insider, but even there what he writes about we could all figure out.
He's never done anything special in his early days to even warrant music bizzers to get all caught up in his blog.
What Lefsetz did do better than most bloggers is do what he does Pre-Internet.  He built up a base of loyal readers with his newsletter, and  then followed him when the Internet came along and Lefsetz began to offer his thoughts for free.

He's a nostalgic.  Longing for the good old days.  But if you read his blog, and I admit I do, you'll see the one thing he's right about is ragging on the Industry and artists for not keeping up with whatever the latest tech thing is.  He also doesn't care much for any new music from heritage acts, and believes they should give away any new recordings they make rather than humiliate themselves with low Soundscan sales.

I rarely agree with what he says, but I do check out his blog everyday.  I still think it's funny that someone with so little musical knowledge can get so many bizzers and artists upset.  Maybe that's why we keep reading.