Sunday, September 28, 2014

Playlist for 9/28

Leonard Cohen - Popular Problems
David Allan Coe - Once Upon A Time
Average White Band & Ben E. King - Benny & Us
U2 - Songs of Innocence
David Grisman - Mondo Mando
Eugene McDaniels - Headless Heroes of the Apocalypse

Friday, September 26, 2014

RIP Ipod Classic

Apple announced 2 weeks ago it was discontinuing the Ipod Classic.  I still have mine.  A 20GB one that holds just under 4000 songs.  What I have on it are the cream of my music collection.  In other words, the best Elvis Presley songs, not all Elvis Presley songs.

But while I still played the Ipod, I didn't use it as often.  In fact, I rarely took any songs off it.  The last time I made a major change on it was 3 years ago.  So, I'll probably have to get a Nano or Touch to add all the good songs that I've missed in the last 3 years.

The Ipod came out in October 2001, and I think I bought mine for Christmas.  Remember the Ipod Mini?  Yeah, I had one of those as well, but sold it years ago.  With Iphones able to do what the Ipod could do, Apple didn't see a need to keep it around.

Eventually, they'll close down all things Ipod. But I'll never get rid of mine.  It's still a thrill to hit the old Shuffle Songs option and be amazed at what's going to come up.  That's what made the Ipod the legend it was.  Some people made Playlists, but I never did.  It was all about the Shuffle.

There were some sad posts about the death of the IClassic.  But mine is still alive.  Still handy whenever I need a fix.  4000 songs strong.  Just waitin' to be shuffled.

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

U2

Count me as one of those who actually thought U2 releasing their album for free through Itunes was a good move.  Their album sales were going south anyway.  They were finally turning into a heritage act.  Selling out tours?  No problem.  Getting people to pay attention to your new music?  A problem that affects all older artists.

But I do have to agree with those that say the big issue here is the album format itself and the short attention span of listeners.  To some, just knowing that a full album had been placed in your Itunes library must have caused a headache.  Do I actually have to listen to a new U2 album?  Some of these people probably haven't heard a new U2 album in decades.

There was snark, for sure about all of this.  Bono has become a decisive figure among many. I count Sting as his only competition in that field.  Oh, back to Songs of Innocence. It's a good U2 album. Lyrically sticking to more nostalgia themes than I remember and musically trying to get some radio attention.

But here's what I really felt after listening to it.  I got it for free.  Kind of hard to be critical?  Yeah, kind of.  But I wonder if the bad publicity will scare off anyone else from doing this with an album of new material.  An album of covers?  Now I could see artists giving something like that away.


Sunday, September 21, 2014

Playlist for 9/21

Maroon 5 - V
Ariana Grande - My Everything
Ryan Adams - s/t
Robert Plant - Lullaby and ...
Shovels & Rope - Swimmin' Time
Basement Jaxx - Junto

ICYMI: Looking at 5 Genres & The Rock Hall

Below are 5 links to articles I wrote about what R&B, Blues, Country, Non-Performers and Music critics that deserve to be in the Rock Hall.

I'm open to any suggestions of names that I might have missed.


R&B Artists and the Rock Hall

Blues Artists and the Rock Hall

Country Artists and the Rock Hall

Non-Performers & The Rock Hall

Music Critics and the Rock Hall

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Playlist for 9/16

Dr. John - Spirit of Satch
L.C. Cooke - Complete SAR Recordings
Benjamin Booker  -s/t
Smokey Robinson - Smokey & Friends
Liam Bailey - Definitely Now
FKA twigs - LP1
Brad Paisley - Moonshine In The Trunk

Friday, September 12, 2014

2015 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nominee Predictions

The usual introduction.  Prediciting who the NomCom will nominate is tough.  You have to look at the list of first time eligibles, past nominees, names that haven't been nominated that are big snubs and most importantly, make a few guesses.  Apparently, although Joel Peresman denies this, NomCom members aren't allowed to speak about what goes on at their yearly meeting.  Some info does leak out, but most of them are quiet.

Although I follow all things Rock Hall, I have no special insider information on what the NomCom might do. Doesn't matter what NomCom member you follow on Twitter or Facebook. Some secrets never get out. We know some names members want inducted.  But that's never a sure-fire guarantee for a nomination.  So, some of my picks are mere musings on artists and scenarios.

But you can always expect surprises.  Especially, if like last year, with Tom Morello and Questlove, new members of the NomCom show up.

BTW- Future Rock Legends and I share 12 out of 16 names.  The Bill Withers shared pick has been on my mind for years.  Just karma between us, I suppose.

This year I'm putting up 16 names:

1.  Green Day - First time eligible, and just the sort of 90's name the NomCom wants.

2.  Stevie Ray Vaughan - I've been picking him every year since he's been eligible.  If not him, maybe a sympathetic nod for Johnny Winter or a NomCom fave like the Paul Butterfield Blues Band.

3.  Yes -  Didn't miss induction by much last year?  That's the rumor. Would be 2nd time nominated.

4.  Roxy Music - Incredibly puzzling to think they've never even been nominated.  Not once.  Maybe they need a reunion tour to get the NomCom to notice them.

5.  Chic - Hard to pick against another nomination.  But maybe they give Nile & Co. a rest this year?

6.   Smiths - I think they want the Cure in first.  But this would get a lot of ""will they or won't they show up" dialog going if they got inducted.  A high profile nomination.  The type the NomCom needs.

7.  Bill Withers - A singer-songwriter every year, and Withers as an R&B one would fit nicely.  I first thought about him in  2010 as a backup pick (2011 Predictions ) He would be a perfect pick. Loved by artists and critics.

8.  Monkees -  Always on the shortlist of snubbed acts.  Could also go to the Zombies, Turtles, Paul Revere & The Raiders or lots of other mid-60's era bands.

9.  Nine Inch Nails -As with Green Day, another first-time 90's name the NomCom would love to get to the podium.

10.  Joan Jett & The Blackhearts - Nominated in 2012, 2013. Her presence at the 2014 ceremony only makes this even more certain. But wouldn't it be funny if they instead nominated the Runaways?

11.  Link Wray - A surprise that he didn't go in  last year.

12.  N.W.A - Nominated last two years. They really, really want another Rap act inducted. I've only got one listed here, but LL Cool J could make another appearance.

13.  Kraftwerk - The NomCom likes them, which is usually enough to get back on the ballot.   Nominated twice before, the last in 2013.

14.  Chicago - Real close, right?  So why can't they get nominated?  Not critical favorites for one.   Maybe if they had split up for good after Peter Cetera left?  If not them, maybe another fan fave that's not loved by critics, Bon Jovi.

15.  Deep Purple - Lots of support among the Hard Rock community.  This would be their  3rd time on the ballot.

16.  Replacements - Kind of a surprise nominee last year.  Kids of the 80's were loving their nomination.  Could also go to another 80's fave, Sonic Youth.

Some more first time nominee possibilities that could get on the ballot:  Cars, Cheap Trick, Neil Sedaka, Neville Brothers, Lesley Gore, Turtles, Joan Baez, Paul Revere & The Raiders, Eurythmics, Joe Cocker, Steve Miller Band, ELO, Willie Nelson, Joan Baez, Sonic Youth.


Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Playlist for 9/10

Elvis - That's The Way It Is  (6CD)
Louvin Brothers - Complete Recorded Works 52-62
Vern Gosdin - Chiseled In Stone
Shooter Jennings - Don't Wait Up

Monday, September 08, 2014

ICYMI: Looking At 5 Genres & The Rock Hall

Below are 5 links to articles I wrote about what R&B, Blues, Country, Non-Performer's and Music critics that deserve to be in the Rock Hall.

I'm open to any suggestions of names that I might have missed.


R&B Artists and the Rock Hall

Blues Artists and the Rock Hall

Country Artists and the Rock Hall

Non-Performers & The Rock Hall

Music Critics and the Rock Hall








Wednesday, September 03, 2014

History of Pop

Might as well throw in my 2 cents on Bob Stanley's Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Story of Pop Music From Bill Haley to Beyonce. Clocking in at just under 600 pages, Stanley's definition of Pop music should appeal to those (like me) who applaud the Rock Hall for inducting many genres.  Stanley's definition of Pop music is all genres as long as you are in the "business" of selling it to a mass audience.

Like the title says, you get a history lesson that reads very quickly.  There's reasons to cheer on Stanley, who is also a member of the Brit band Saint Etienne.  A definitive chapter on the Bee Gees that is long overdue in any music book on that great group's place in history.  Also welcome appraisals of Hall & Oates,  the Turtles, a great chapter on pre-Beatles Pop (set in 1960), and other fine essays on Hip Hop and the Monkees.

There are some misses that with books like this all come down to personal taste. So, we disagree about Madonna, New Wave and even Huey Lewis. And there was a part of me hoping he was going to go all out and champion every guilty pleasure legend.  But it didn't happen.  But, if the Huey Lewis mention gives you pause, then you'll get an idea of how much is covered here.  I find the early chapters best, and think it loses steam as it reaches Beyonce, but Stanley gets credit. Not since Chuck Eddy's definitive Accidental Evolution of Rock 'n' Roll, has someone tried to cover so much, while trying to shine a positive critical light on those that rarely get much ink in Pop music history books.

Monday, September 01, 2014

Ramones Poll

Another Poll.  This time on the Ramones.  Top 25 songs and albums.  Top heavy with stuff from the 70's, and near the end some from the 80's forward.  Listening back to some of their stuff today it was obvious their debt to the 60's Phil Spector-era.

1.  Blitzkrieg Bop
2.  I Wanna Be Sedated
3.  Sheena Is A Punk Rocker
4.  Rockaway Beach
5.  Do You Remember Rock 'N' Roll Radio?
6.  Rock 'N' Roll High School
7.  Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment
8.  Baby I Love You
9.  Beat on the Brat
10.  Teenage Lobotomy
11.  Judy Is A Punk
12.  I Just Want To Have Something To Do
13.  KKK Took My Baby Away
14.  Cretin Hop
15.  I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend
16.  Pinhead
17.  53rd & 3rd
18.  Commando
19.  Bonzo Goes To Bitburg
20.  I Wanna Live
21.  Needles & Pins
22.  I Don't Wanna Grow Up
23.  Pet Sematary
24.  Too Tough To Die
25.  Merry Christmas

Albums
1.  Ramones
2.  Rocket To Russia
3.  Leave Home
4.  Road To Ruin
5.  Too Tough To Die
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