posted by Tom Lane at 8:49 AM
First posted in September 2016
We all seek comfort in music when tragedy strikes. One of the things I remember most about September 11, 2001, was going to Borders to buy the new Bob Dylan album, "Love and Theft" in the late afternoon. 9/11 was a Tuesday, which back then was New Release day, so I did what was normal for me on a Tuesday, and go to Borders (or Circuit City) and check out the latest CD's. It was odd that inside this big store people were going about their daily business of browsing books, magazines, CD's, etc., while over the store's speaker system was a newscast of 9/11 events.
The comfort of entertainment in times like that can't be denied. For some it's as much needed as family, faith. On September 21 the first benefit concert was broadcast, America: A Tribute to Heroes. An unplugged/acoustic show, which featured many notable performances. On October 20, a bigger event was staged, Concert For New York City, which had many powerful moments.
There were also patriotic songs post 9/11, mostly from the Country field. Two I liked were Alan Jackson's "Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning" and Aaron Tippin's "Where The Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly".
Many people have noted Clear Channel's infamous memorandum of songs which the company suggested radio stations not play. The list came out a week after 9/11. In the end, it's memo didn't say stations couldn't play, say "In The Air Tonight" or "Free Fallin'", but suggested use their own judgment. Still, as misguided as the their list was, it gives you an idea of how fragile the national psyche was in those early days.
Music has always played a part in my life. In times of stress and personal pain, music can soothe you. We always go back to the songs we love.
posted by Tom Lane at 5:51 AM
1. Paul McCartney - It's very simple. He's a Beatle. But he also had a massive solo career. Who didn't love the Beatles? Well, maybe someone out there didn't. But not anyone in my world.
2. Stevie Wonder - Seems to me that Wonder had already reached the "beloved figure" moment right after Songs in The Key Of Life was released in 1976
3. Willie Nelson - Like Dolly, Willie is a Country music legend who is instantly recognized outside of his genre. A 2023 Rock Hall of Fame Inductee at age 90, he continues to tour and record.
4. Bob Dylan - The greatest songwriter who ever lived? Many would say yes. But even if he's not #1, Dylan advanced what was possible as a singer/songwriter.
5. Joni Mitchell - Her battle back from a brain aneurysm in 2015 won her even more fans. And her back catalog of classic recordings has continued to find newer listeners.
6. Elton John - In July of this year, Elton finished a lovingly reviewed "Farewell Tour", which brought the nostalgia factor to new levels of admiration.
7. Mick Jagger/Keith Richards/Ronnie Wood/Bill Wyman - Jagger & Richards are so linked that it proved impossible to separate. Ronnie Wood has been with the band since 1976. While Bill Wyman left the Stones in 1993, he is still part of their history.
8. Ringo Starr - Again, like McCartney, he's a Beatle. More than Paul, George, and John, he was the Beatle who carried his lovable persona into a solo career that is still viable.
9. Bruce Springsteen - The "Voice of the Working Class" also known as "The Boss"? It would be impossible to rank him outside the Top 10 with those credentials.
10. Barbra Streisand - She amassed a huge, passionate fan base almost from the start of her career in the early '60s.
The Rest
Adele
Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson
Al Green
Alison Krauss
Ann & Nancy Wilson
Annie Lennox
Barry Gibb
Beyonce
Billy Joel
Bonnie Raitt
Bono & The Edge
Brenda Lee
Buddy Guy
Carlos Santana
Carly Simon
Carole King
Celine Dion
Chaka Khan
Cher
Dave Grohl
David Byrne
Daryl Hall
Debbie Harry
Diana Ross
Dion DiMucci
Dionne Warwick
Elvis Costello
Emmylou Harris
Eric Clapton
Frankie Valli
Garth Brooks
George Benson
George Clinton
George Strait
Gladys Knight
Gloria Estefan
Herb Alpert
Herbie Hancock
Iggy Pop
Jack White
James Taylor
Janet Jackson
Jay-Z
Jeff Lynne
Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis
John Williams
Johnny Mathis
Kelly Clarkson
Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds
LL Cool J
Lady Gaga
Linda Ronstadt
Lionel Richie
Madonna
Mariah Carey
Mavis Staples
Miranda Lambert
Missy Elliott
Neil Diamond
Neil Young
Nile Rodgers
Pat Benatar
Patti LaBelle
Paul Simon
Pete Townshend & Roger Daltrey
Peter Frampton
Phil Collins
Queen Latifah
Randy Travis
Ray Davies
Reba McEntire
Rihanna
Robert Plant & Jimmy Page
Rod Stewart
Ronald & Ernie Isley
Sade
Shakira
Shania Twain
Sheryl Crow
Smokey Robinson
Snoop Dogg
Steven Tyler & Joe Perry
Steven Van Zandt
Stevie Nicks
Sting
Taylor Swift
Tim McGraw
Tom Jones
Van Morrison
Vince Gill
Yo-Yo Ma
posted by Tom Lane at 9:16 AM
posted by Tom Lane at 2:26 AM
All recommended Dolly Parton albums:
posted by Tom Lane at 7:14 AM
posted by Tom Lane at 7:31 AM
Back in 2023, I published a list of the 100 Most Loved, Living Musicians And it was a real toss-up at #1 between Paul McCartney and Dolly Parton. Ultimately Dolly came in at #2.
This what I wrote:
“ Thanks to her philanthropy she has become known as Saint Dolly. Not just confined to the Country genre, she long ago became an icon known throughout the world.”
I first heard Dolly Parton in the early 70’s because my Dad listened to Country radio a lot in that time. And because he was an Army soldier stationed in Fort Bragg, NC in the 60’s/early 70’s, I went to my Country music shows. Sadly, I was too young to remember the shows. But I do remember being there. My Dad said we went and saw Haggard, Pride, Jones, Wynette, Lynn and Porter and Dolly.
My favorite era of Dolly’s remains the pre-crossover years from the late 60’s to mid-70’s. Some of her most authentic recordings came from these years. This is what made her a genius. Especially “Coat of Many Colors”.
But Dolly was always destined to be bigger than just a Country star. And crossing over to the Pop charts was only a matter of time by the late 70’s. She was no dumb blonde. A savvy business woman who knew how to market her brand. Remember, Dolly grew up poor. Her ambition was to always break free of whatever restraints weren’t her way.
Not only an incredible musician/singer/songwriter, she was also one of our greatest humanitarians. It’s why always said she was one of the most beloved people in the world.
This is a good time to dig into Dolly’s recorded legacy. Start at the beginning. Check out the Porter duets. All her albums prior to her 1077 Pop chart breakthrough. The 1987 Trio album she made with Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris. Check out her 90’s bluegrass records. And her “Rock” record from 2023 that celebrated her much deserved induction into the Rock Hall. Take it all in. Her movies too. She was a singular artist. A genius.
Here's some albums by Dolly I recommend:
9 to 5 and Odd Jobs
posted by Tom Lane at 12:21 PM
