Saturday, May 28, 2022

My Top 30 Rock Hall Snubs (Updated 2022 Inductees)

  Once the Rock Hall inducted Kraftwerk and Gil Scott-Heron as Early Influences in 2021, then it was time for everybody to rethink how they believe their own Hall snubs had the best chance of induction. And if LL Cool J could be inducted as a Musical Excellence, what does this mean for other artists?

  In the past my Top 25 (now 30) snubs played along with the latest Hall rules. But those things change.  Because the Hall makes up new rules on a yearly basis.  In 2021 the Early Influence began inducting artists from the 70's. 

  For 2022, I've taken a bunch of my previous Top Artists and tried to slot them, along with new names into 3 categories.  A regular snub list and a separate list that includes probable musical excellence/early influence candidates among 60's-70's names.  At the end of those 2 lists, I've kept my pre-54 Early influence lists, but now just call it pre-60's.

  I believe there are some artists who could still get elected as performers even though they started in the 60's. And a few remain on my Top 30.  

  A reminder.  This is my own personal snub list, not who I think the Hall will induct.

Regular Snub List
1.  Spinners
2.  Rufus & Chaka Khan
3.  Kool & The Gang
4.  Dionne Warwick
5.  Smiths
6.  Barry White
7.  Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes/Teddy Pendergrass
8.  Cher
9.  George Michael
10. War
11. Monkees
12. Warren Zevon
13. Joe Cocker
14. Pointer Sisters
15. B-52's
16. Luther Vandross
17. Ashford & Simpson
18. New Order/Joy Division
19. Outkast
20. Bangles
21. Los Lobos
22. Jethro Tull
23. Sheryl Crow
24. Bad Company
25. Patti LaBelle
26. A Tribe Called Quest
27. Carpenters
28. Soundgarden
29. Devo
30. Beck

Musical Excellence/Early Influence 60's/70's Snubs
1.  Glen Campbell
2.  Gram Parsons
3.  Joe Tex
4.  Loretta Lynn
5.  Marvelettes
6.  Mary Wells
7.  MC5
8.  Merle Haggard
9.  Meters/Neville Brothers
10.  Neil Sedaka
11.  New York Dolls
12.  Tom Jones
13.  Willie Nelson

Early Influence Era (Pre-1960) Snubs
Big Mama Thornton
Billy Ward & The Dominoes
Carter Family
Chuck Willis
Clovers
Ella Fitzgerald
Patsy Cline
Son House
Wynonie Harris

Sunday, May 22, 2022

Playlist for 5/22

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Unlimited Love
Jon Batiste - We Are (Deluxe)
Esperanza Spalding - Songwrights Apothecary Lab
Ron Carter - Skyline
Bonnie Raitt - Just Like That
Lucius - Second Nature
Arooj Aftab - Vulture Prince
Black Coffee - Subconsciously
Superchunk - Wild Loneliness
American Song Contest (TV Series) 
Eurovision 2022
Billboard 2022 Music Awards

Saturday, May 21, 2022

Top 20 Daft Punk Songs (Poll)

The latest poll I voted in was on Daft Punk.  The helmet wearing French duo who updated Dance music for the post-Disco crowd with their mix of electronica, funk and catchy pop hooks.  Just as they began to crossover to mainstream success they broke up.   

One of the rules of the poll was being able to include side projects.  And to vote on our 3 favorite DP albums. 

1.  One More Time
2.  Get Lucky
3.  Around The World
4.  Music Sounds Better With You (Stardust)
5.  Da Funk
6.  Something About Us
7.  Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger
8.  Digital Love
9.  So Much Love To Give (Together)
10.  I Feel It Coming (w/Weeknd)
11.  Voyager
12.  Derezzed
13.  Robot Rock
14.  Starboy (w/Weeknd)
15.  Veridis Quo
16.  Lose Yourself To Dance
17.  Touch It/Technologic (Alive 2007)
18.  Human After All
19.  End Of Line
20.  Instant Crush

Top 3 Albums
1. Discovery
2. Random Access Memories
3. Homework

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Music List A Month (May): When I Die: Songs For My Funeral

 Alright, I admit the theme of this month's list is a little alarming.  No, I'm not dying, but I did turn 58 on May 5th.  And after two years of dealing with a world-wide pandemic, and seeing how quickly life can end, thinking about my own mortality is not that far-fetched. 

 This is actually a topic I've thought about for many years.  What would my family write about me in a newspaper obituary?  I've jokingly told them to include two things above all else:  "He was an Elvis Presley fan.  And a die-hard New York Jets fan."  As long as those are there, I'll be happy wherever I end up after death.

 I'm sure many people have seen social media posts on this month's topic.  "What song do you want played at your funeral"?  I've also told my family that only one act should be played.  Of course, Elvis Presley.  But what song?  I've mentioned that it could be a terrible song from one of his forgettable 60's movies, or it could be a classic.  

Thanks to the invention of the Internet, our social media footprints will (hopefully) outlive us all.  I'm sure a family member is checking out my blog and have come across this post.  So, below I'm listing a few songs that my son, friends and especially my wife, will all bring back memories of, well, me.  And, also, of our times together.  These songs will instantly be recognizable to them.  I hope it makes them smile.  And that would be fine by me.

Elvis Presley - Do The Clam
Elvis Presley - If I Can Dream
Elvis Presley - Suspicious Minds
Elvis Presley - Yoga Is As Yoga Does
Gregory Abbott - Shake You Down
Manhattans - Kiss and Say Goodbye
Stevie Wonder - You and I
Stylistics - You Make Me Feel Brand New
Tom Cochrane - Life Is A Highway


Tuesday, May 17, 2022

Missing From The Country Music Hall of Fame (Updated 2022 Inductees)

The 2022 Country Hall inductees were announced today: Keith Whitley (Modern Era), Jerry Lee Lewis (Veterans Era),  Joe Galante (Non-Performer).

The process to get into the Country Hall is explained here (as of 2012).  In short: One act is chosen from 3 categories every year: Veterans Era (45 years after achieving "national prominence").  Modern Era (20 years after achieving "national prominence").   Non-Performer, Songwriter and Recording/Touring Musician categories rotate every 3 years. Also: candidates are not eligible for one year after they pass away. 


Below are a list of artists, session musicians, songwriters, producers, etc., that have yet to be inducted as of 2022.

Al Dexter

Anita Kerr

Anne Murray 

Asleep At The Wheel
Billy Joe Shaver
Bob McDill
Bob Moore
Brad Paisley
Buddy Emmons
Buddy Killen
Carson Robison
Carter Sisters
Charlie Chase
Charlie Rich
Chet Flippo
Chicks
Clint Black
Crystal Gayle
Curly Putnam
Dallas Frazier
Don Rich
Doug Sahm
Dwight Yoakam
Earl Thomas Conley
Eddie Rabbitt
Faith Hill
Flatlanders (Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Joe Ely, Butch Hancock)
Freddy Fender
Garth Fundis
Gary Stewart
Gene Watson
Gram Parsons
Guy Clark
Hank Garland
Irving Waugh
Jeannie Seely
Jerry Douglas
Jerry Jeff Walker
Jim Owens
Jimmy Capps
Jimmy Martin
John Anderson
John Hughey
Johnny Horton
Johnny Paycheck
Johnny Rodriguez
June Carter Cash
Keith Urban
Kenny Chesney
Larry Gatlin
LeAnn Rimes 
Lesley Riddle
Linda Martell
Linda Ronstadt
Lloyd Green
Lorianne Crook 
Lorrie Morgan
Lucinda Williams
Lynn Anderson
Maddox Brothers and Rose
Mark O'Connor
Martina McBride
Mickey Gilley
Milton Brown
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Nudie Cohn
Patty Loveless
Ralph Mooney
Reggie Young
Robert K. Oermann
Rodney Crowell
Rosanne Cash
Shania Twain
Skeeter Davis
Stanley Brothers
Steve Earle
Stoney Cooper
Tanya Tucker
Tim McGraw
Toby Keith
Tompall Glaser & the Glaser Brothers
Tony Brown
Townes Van Zandt
Travis Tritt
Trisha Yearwood
Vern Gosdin
Wilburn Brothers
Wilma Lee

Saturday, May 14, 2022

Playlist for 5/14

Punch Brothers - Hell On Church Street
Ian Noe - River Fools & Mountain Saints
Erin Rae - Lighten Up
Maren Morris - Humble Quest
Molly Tuttle - Crooked Tree
Elizabeth Cotten - Freight Train
Weezer - SZNZ: Spring
Jack White - Fear Of The Dawn
Waylon Jennings - Man Called Hoss
Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain (Documentary)

Wednesday, May 11, 2022

RIP the Ipod

 I wrote the below post in September 2014, when Apple announced it was discontinuing the Ipod Classic. Now 8 years later, Apple has announced that they are discontinuing all of their Ipods.  

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. 

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.

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.


Tuesday, May 10, 2022

Top Music Videos Of All Time Poll (More Personal Picks)

Last month I posted about a poll that I participated in about my favorite music videos.  There were 961 videos submitted to vote for, in which the voter chose between 5 and 50.  This was a poll that required the voter to only pick from those 961 nominees.  I missed the deadline for nominees, so a bunch of my favorite videos didn't make the cut.  Below are some videos I probably would've included in my Top 50 had they been nominated.

Backstreet Boys - I Want It That Way
Bangles - If She Knew What She Wants
Bon Jovi - Livin' On A Prayer
Buggles - Video Killed The Radio Star
Clash - London Calling
Duran Duran - Rio
Foreigner - Waiting For A Girl Like You
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five - Message
Johnny Cash - Hurt
Lonely Island - Dick In A Box
Madness - One Step Beyond
Madonna - Borderline
Martina McBride - Independence Day
Merle Haggard & Willie Nelson - Pancho & Lefty
Michael Jackson - Beat It
Michael Nesmith - Cruisin'
Miranda Lambert - Kerosene
Smiths - Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before
Squeeze - Tempted
Tina Turner - What's Love Got To Do With It
Tracy Chapman - Fast Car
Van Halen - Jump
Wham - Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go
Whitesnake - Here I Go Again
Whitney Houston - How Will I Know
XTC - Dear God

Sunday, May 08, 2022

Best Mother's Day Songs

When most people think of Mother's Day songs, sentimentality usually wins out.  I've got a few of those listed below, but also some that avoid the teardrops.
                                                                                                                                             
Anthony Hamilton - Mama Knew Love
Beatles - Julia
Bill Anderson - Mama Sang A Song
Boyz II Men - Song For Mama
Bruce Springsteen - Wish
Carrie Underwood - Mama's Song
Dolly Parton - Coat Of Many Colors
Electric Light Orchestra - Mama
Elvis Presley - Mama Liked The Roses
Gerry Rafferty - Mary Skeffington
Gregory Porter - Mother's Song
Intruders - I'll Always Love My Mama
Jamie O'Neal - Somebody's Hero
Judds - Mama He's Crazy
John Lennon - Mother
Junior - Mama Used To Say
Lefty Frizzell - Mom and Dad's Waltz
Lenny Kravitz - Thinking Of You
Linda Ronstadt - Sweetest Gift
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Simple Man
Merle Haggard - Mama Tried
Miracles - Shop Around
Miranda Lambert - Mama's Broken Heart
Outkast - She's Alive
Paul Simon - Loves Me Like A Rock
Pink Floyd - Mother
Randy Travis - Angels
Ruth Brown - Mama He Treats Your Daughter Mean
Shirelles - Mama Said
Sizzla - Thank U Mamma
2Pac - Dear Mama
Spinners - Sadie
Sufjan Stevens - Fourth Of July
Taylor Swift - Best Day

Friday, May 06, 2022

Playlist for 5/6

For Love & Country (2022 Documentary)
Beth Hart - Tribute to Led Zeppelin
Ray Wylie Hubbard - Co-Starring Too
Linda Lindas - Growing Up
Hailey Whitters - Raised
Charli XCX - Crash
Rosalia - Motomami
Michael Buble - Higher

2022 Rock Hall Inductee Podcast (Guest Appearance)

You want to know my thoughts on the 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee class? 

I was a guest on Nick Bambach's Rock In Retrospect podcast with 5 other excellent Hall experts.

A must listen for all Rock Hall followers.  


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