Friday, January 31, 2014

Grammy Awards

The usual "the Grammys don't matter" snark was all over the place last week.  Most of it similar to what we hear when people say the Rock Hall is inconsequential.
But the Grammys do matter and always will to many of the people who win.  I concede that getting to perform on the show is just as important.  There is still a sizable chunk of people who only follow a certain genre that will get to see a variety of acts.

There is also that thing about getting a sales bump.  I don't have hard data, but know from past headlines that most winners and performers get one.

Still, it's only the musical cynic that still believes that artists don't want to win an award, or get into the Rock Hall.
The Grammy voters have made some questionable decisions.  But it's that age old showbiz word "exposure" that's the key with it and other musical awards shows.  Reaching a larger pool of the public that don't buy many albums anymore.

The newest trend at the Grammys are the collaborations.  So you get Chicago with Robin Thicke.  Metallica with Lang Lang.  Madonna on "Same Love".  But too much means too much time wasted.  The show almost it the 4 hour mark and foolishly cut off a Trent Reznor & Co. finale that was just picking up steam.
With its resurgence, the Grammy people don't when to stop or cut the fat.  But in the age of DVR's it doesn't matter anyway, as you can skip through the dull parts.

And people are tuning in.  28 million this year which is the 2nd highest total since 1993.  With its high ratings last year as well, its possible that the Grammys are becoming critic-proof when it comes to its telecast.  Much like the Oscars.  The public is going to tune in no matter what.
But put on a great, flawless show.  Like the Oscars, the Grammys may never get there either.


Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Pete Seeger

What has struck me the most from reading obituaries on Pete Seeger is that most of them come to same conclusion.  We just don't have performers like this anymore.  Seeger pushed buttons, did things his own way, and sang for as long as his 94 year old body would let him.
But there was courage in the man.  And he paid for it.  Blacklisted, kept off TV for 15 years, he shrugged it off and kept performing. And became a hero to a generation of not just Folk singers but Rock ones as well.

My earlier point about not having performers like Seeger anymore will only grow as I read more obits down the road.  But no one wants to upset anyone anymore.  Protest songs by someone of Seeger's stature are no where to be found.  And certainly no big name artist speaks out like he did.

Sure those were different times.  But were they?  There is still much in the world to sing about, and the things Seeger spoke up for are still out there.
Pete Seeger was an original voice, and remained so until he passed.  Where are the original voices today?

Playlist for 1/28

10CC - Sheet Music & How Dare You
Rosanne Cash - River & The Thread
Sharon Jones - Give The People What They Want
Jennifer Nettles -That Girl
Broken Bells - After the Disco
Chvrches - Bones of What You Believe

Thursday, January 23, 2014

2013 Nashville Scene Ballot

Another critic's poll I took part in for 2013, from the Nashville Scene.
They don't provide individual links to the voters poll, but if you scroll down to the end of the page at the below link, you will see my name.

Nashville Scene

Here's the ballot I sent in:


Albums
1. Kacey Musgraves - Same Trailer Different Park
2. Ashley Monroe - Like A Rose
3. Brandy Clark - 12 Stories
4. Mavericks - In Time
5. Pistol Annies - Annie Up
6. Kelly Willis & Bruce Robison - Cheater's Game
7. Steve Earle - Low Highway
8. Mavis Staples - One True Vine
9. Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell - Old Yellow Moon
10. North Mississippi All Stars - World Boogie Is Coming

Singles
1. Kacey Musgraves - Follow Your Arrow
2. Guy Clark - My Favorite Picture Of You
3. Darius Rucker - Wagon Wheel
4. Brandy Clark - Take A Little Pill
5. Ashley Monroe - Two Weeks Late
6. Pistol Annies - Hush Hush
7. Blake Shelton - Mine Would Be You
8. Band Perry - Done
9. Kacey Musgraves - Blowin' Smoke
10. Miranda Lambert - Mama's Broken Heart

Monday, January 20, 2014

Playlist for 1/20

Shannon McNally - Small Town Talk
Laraaji - Celestial Music
William Onyabor  - Who Is
Ancestors of Rap - Various
Overboard of the Holy Ghost - Various
Okkervil River - Golden Opportunities 3
Beyonce - s/t

Friday, January 17, 2014

Critic's Polls

Yes, once again I did vote in the Village Voice Pazz & Jop critic's poll.  I also voted in the Nashville Scene critic's poll.

Below is my Nashville Scene 2013 ballot:


Albums
1. Kacey Musgraves - Same Trailer Different Park
2. Ashley Monroe - Like A Rose
3. Brandy Clark - 12 Stories
4. Mavericks - In Time
5. Pistol Annies - Annie Up
6. Kelly Willis & Bruce Robison - Cheater's Game
7. Steve Earle - Low Highway
8. Mavis Staples - One True Vine
9. Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell - Old Yellow Moon
10. North Mississippi All Stars - World Boogie Is Coming

Singles
1. Kacey Musgraves - Follow Your Arrow
2. Guy Clark - My Favorite Picture Of You
3. Darius Rucker - Wagon Wheel
4. Brandy Clark - Take A Little Pill
5. Ashley Monroe - Two Weeks Late
6. Pistol Annies - Hush Hush
7. Blake Shelton - Mine Would Be You
8. Band Perry - Done
9. Kacey Musgraves - Blowin' Smoke
10. Miranda Lambert - Mama's Broken Heart
 I will post a link to these 2 Polls when the come online.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Pazz & Jop 2013 Ballot

I've been voting in the Village Voice Critic's Pazz & Jop Poll since the early 2000's.  
Here's the link to my 2013 ballot:

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Playlist for 1/14

Harry Nilsson - RCA Albums Collection
Sam Cooke - RCA Albums Collection
Donny Hathaway - Anthology Box Set
Donny Hathaway - Extension of A Man
Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway
Shelby Lynne - Thanks
William Tyler - Impossible Truth

Friday, January 10, 2014

Streaming 2014

So, I realize that I haven't listened to all the Donny Hathaway studio albums after all.  I go on Rhapsody and Spotify and neither one has 1973's Extension of A Man.  Puzzling because they have everything else.  So, I decide to Google the album and a full stream comes up on You Tube.  Free listening.  But why wasn't it available on the streaming sites?  Oh well, streamed it on You Tube. In fact, until You Tube starts charging for these things, I would suggest you try them first (if you're not a Spotify or Rhapsody subscriber) for full album streams.

What I'm trying to say is that this is what 2014 and beyond is going to be like.  We want what we want and at the click of our mouse.  There are complaints that Billboard is calculating streams of songs on You Tube into their weekly chart rankings.  But I say it's about time. Even though I subscribe to Spotify, I still go to You Tube when I want to hear (or see) a song.  Like I said.  Only the dinosaurs are whining about what is happening to today's streaming world.  Garth Brooks won't put his songs on Itunes because he's rich and doesn't need the money.  Not over some price or any thought that his music needs to be heard as a whole album.

Wednesday, January 08, 2014

Elvis at 78

Read the 2 Peter Guralnick books on Elvis.  Then read the Elvis chapter in Greil Marcus' Mystery Train.  Those should give you enough of an understanding on Elvis' impact, not just on music but on society as well.

Anyway, as I do twice a year (birthday, death), below is a link to an overlooked Elvis song.  This time I thought I'd go right near the very end.  Elvis' monolithic cover of Timi Yuro's "Hurt".  Released and recorded in 1976, it peaked at #28 on the Hot 100 and went Top 10 on the Country charts.

This video shows Elvis in 1977 singing the song, but the audio is actually the studio cut.

"Hurt" Studio version

Tuesday, January 07, 2014

Playlist for 1/7

Sara Bareilles - Blessed Unrest
Bill Callahan - Dream River
Garth Brooks - Blame It All On My Roots
Tommy Keene - Excitement At Your Feet
Luke Bryan - Crash My Party
Patty Griffin - Silver Bell

Sunday, January 05, 2014

More Music Books

More Music Books that I can recommend:

Johnny Cash - Robert Hilburn
Rod - Rod Stewart
Respect Yourself - Robert Gordon
Love Goes To Buildings on Fire - Will Hermes
Oxford American 2013 Music Issue:  Tennessee
Ugly Things #36  (Music Zine, but reads like a book)

Pops (Life of Louis Armstrong) - Terry Teachout
I'm Your Man - Life of Leonard Cohen - Sylvie Simmons
The Doors - Greil Marcus
Soundtrack of my Life - Clive Davis
Turn Around Bright Eyes - Rob Sheffield
Mo' Meta Blues - Questlove
Return of the King - Gillian S. Gaar
Merle Haggard - David Cantwell
Outlaw Waylon, Willie, Kris and the Renegades of Nashville - Michael Streissguth
Rhino Records Story - Harold Bronson

Friday, January 03, 2014

Phil Everly

From the Beatles to Simon & Garfunkel and every harmonic group today.  All owe a debt to the Everly Brothers. When news of The death of Phil Everly was reported, I thought about their place in Rock and even Country history. They are in both the Rock and Country Hall's, and every time you hear a duo singing someone is bound to mention the Everly sound.
In addition to their various singles collections, check out their classic albums: Roots, It's Everly Time and Songs Our Daddy Taught Us.


Rock Hall Wish List (2014 Updated)

I'm sure someone as brought most of these names up to the NomCom at some point.  Good arguments can be made as to why each of these belong.  Some of you have other names you want to see in.  And I've no doubt missed a few.

This is in no particular order:

Roxy Music
Neville Brothers/Meters
ELO
Yes
Spinners
Clovers
Gram Parsons
Chic
Janet Jackson
Def Leppard
Smiths
"5" Royales
Spaniels
Teddy Pendergrass/Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes
Junior Wells
Link Wray
Paul Butterfield Blues Band
N.W.A.
Barry White
Luther Vandross
Patti LaBelle
Moody Blues
Chicago
Whitney Houston
Dionne Warwick
Cyndi Lauper
Lesley Gore
Joe Cocker
Los Lobos
Monkees
Zombies
War
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Steve Miller Band
Steve Earle
Cars
Chaka Khan
Kool & The Gang
Todd Rundgren
Commodores
Warren Zevon
Billy Preston
Willie Nelson
J.J. Cale
B-52's
Bon Jovi
Deep Purple
Rick James
Ohio Players
Doobie Brothers
Joe Tex
Johnny Burnette & The Rock & Roll Trio
Paul Revere & The Raiders
Marvelettes
Billy Ward & The Dominoes
Richard Thompson/Fairport Convention
New York Dolls
Joan Jett
Husker Du
Replacements
New Order/Joy Division
Sonic Youth
LL Cool J
Patsy Cline
Lucinda Williams
Emmylou Harris
Cheap Trick
Doug Sahm/Sir Douglas Quintet
Chuck Willis
Chantels
Mary Wells
Go-Go's
Bangles
Dire Straits
Mott The Hoople
Stylistics
Devo
Captain Beefheart
Duran Duran
Love
Jim Croce
Harry Nilsson
Glen Campbell
J. Geils Band
Cure
MC5
Johnny Winter
Journey
Little Feat
Mitch Ryder
Gary "U.S." Bonds
Three Dog Night
Bad Company/Free
Jimmy Buffett
Zombies
Raspberries
Big Star
Bill Withers
Steppenwolf
Gap Band
Neil Sedaka
Shangri-La's



Elvis Costello Best Songs Poll

A new year, another poll.  This time on Elvis Costello.  30 songs, 5 albums.  Costello has recorded a ton of albums since 1977.  But his best decade was his first.  And most of these are from that era.

1.  Pump It Up
2.  Alison
3.  Peace, Love & Understanding
4.  Accidents Will Happen
5.  Watching the Detectives
6.  Radio Radio
7.  Every Day I Write The Book
8.  Tramp The Dirt Down 
9.  Oliver's Army
10. Shipbuilding
11. Veronica
12.  Chelsea
13.  Red Shoes
14.  God Give Me Strength
15.  I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down
16.  Clubland
17.  Man Out of Time
18.  Riot Act
19.  Lipstick Vogue
20.  Only Flame In Town 
21.  45
22.  I Want You
23.  Less Than Zero
24.  Two Little Hitlers
25.   Good Year For The Roses
26.  On Your Way Down 
27.  Tokyo Storm Warning
28.  New Lace Sleeves
29.  Beyond Belief
30.  Almost Blue 

1.  Armed Forces
2.  My Aim Is True
3.  This Year's Model
4.  Trust 
5.  Imperial Bedroom

Thursday, January 02, 2014

Notes on My Year End Lists

My #1 album had been set for months.  That's usually the case when it comes to making my lists.  Although there are late releases that sneak through and obscure titles that I miss that do the same, my top titles rarely change.
So it was with Kacey Musgraves album.  But the other albums on that Top 20 are very good indeed.  And there were many just below the Top 20.  I'm sure I've underrated a bunch of stuff. For 2013 I kept it a solid 20.  Also, the Daft Punk single was an easy choice for my #1.  The only head-scratching occurred with the reissue list.  The Harry Nilsson collection just edged out the Art Brut one.  And, not to praise myself too much, but I haven't seen the Art Brut on any other reissue list, but I think it's a fabulous collection.

Yet the usual disclaimer.  I haven't heard everything that was released in 2013.  In 20 years I'll still be catching up.  Even in this age of everything at our fingertips, we will never be able to hear all we want. I also think my year end lists are tilt too populist.  My album list didn't include enough titles that aren't showing up on other lists.   So, consider my year end lists as I do others:  just a snapshot of my little musical window of that year.  But not the whole picture.
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