Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Playlist for 9/27

Charles Mingus:
Pithecanthropus Erectus
Clown
Blues & Roots
Mingus Dynasty
Oh Yeah
Charles Mingus Presents Charles Mingus
Black Saint and the Sinner Lady
Let My Children Hear Music

Duke Ellington:
Blues In Orbit
Money Jungle (w/Charles Mingus, Max Roach)
Far East Suite

Herbie Hancock - Mwandishi/Crossings/Sextant
Oliver Nelson - Blue and the Abstract Truth
George Russell - Jazz In The Space Age

Sun Ra - Atlantis/Lanquidity
Arthur Blythe - Lenox Avenue Breakdown

Friday, September 23, 2016

Magazines I Read Update

Some of the magazines (Print) that I read:

American Songwriter
Bass Player
Beatlefan
Big Takeover
Billboard
Blue Suede News
Blues Revue
Bob Dylan Fanzine Isis  (UK)
Classic Pop  (UK)
Classic Rock  (UK)
Down Beat
Echoes of the Past
Elvis The Man and His Music  (UK)
Empire Magazine  (UK)
Endless Summer Quarterly
Entertainment Weekly
Flashback (UK)
Goldmine
GQ
Guitar Player
Guitar World
Jazz Times
Jazziz (UK)
Living Blues
Magnet
Modern Drummer
Mojo  (UK)
Mother Jones
Nation
New York Magazine
New Yorker
Now Dig This  (UK)
Oxford American
People
Prog (UK)
Q  (UK)
Record Collector  (UK)
Relix
Rolling Stone
Shindig (UK)
Songlines (UK)
Sports Illustrated
Tape Op
Ugly Things
Uncut  (UK)
Under the Radar
Vanity Fair
Vintage Guitar
Vintage Rock (UK)
Vive Le Rock  (UK)
Wax Poetics
Wire  (UK)
Wired

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Playlist for 9/20

Kelsey Waldon - I've Got A Way
Angel Olsen - My Woman
John Paul White - Beulah
Paranoid Style - Rolling Disclosure
Dandy Warhols - Distortland
Wilco - Schmilco
Pylon - Live
Pylon - Chomp
Pylon - Gyrate
Pylon - Chain
Gang of Four - Another Day Another Dollar
Gang of Four - Solid Gold
Jaco (Documentary 2015 on Jaco Pastorius)
Winding Stream (Documentary 2014 on Carter Family)
Keep On Keepin' On (Documentary 2014 on Clark Terry)

Saturday, September 17, 2016

Oasis: Top 25 Songs Poll

Another poll I participated in.  This time listing the Top 25 Oasis songs.  Oasis' first 2 albums are perfect Britpop.  After that things get murkier.  Noel Gallagher begins to lose his touch for catchy, Rock songs, in favor of longer, more lugubrious songs.  So, my own list is top heavy with stuff from those first two albums.  Yet, I was still able to find enough songs from the rest of their catalog to come up with 25 songs.

1.  Supersonic
2.  Wonderwall
3.  Rock 'N' Roll Star
4.  Live Forever
5.  Don't Look Back In Anger
6.  Morning Glory
7.  Stop Crying Your Heart Out
8.  Some Might Say
9.  Importance of Being Idle
10. Lyla
11. Songbird
12. Champagne Supernova
13. Shock of the Lightning
14. Acquiesce
15. Slide Away
16. Little By Little
17. Talk Tonight
18. Cigarettes & Alcohol
19. Waiting For The Rapture
20. Underneath The Sky
21. Stand By Me
22. Hindu Times
23. She's Electric
24. Fade Away
25. It's Getting Better (Man)

Top 5 Albums
1.  Definitely Maybe
2.  (What's The Story) Morning Glory
3.  Stop The Clocks
4.  Masterplan
5.  Be Here Now

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Playlist for 9/13

XTC - Drums and Wires
Young Marble Giants - Colossal Youth
Okkervil River - Away
Joe Jackson - I'm The Man
Joe Jackson - Beat Crazy
Joe Jackson - Jumpin' Jive
Joe Jackson - Body and Soul
Kinks - Everybody's In Show-Biz
Now 59
Never A Dull Moment - 1971  (Book)  - David Hepworth

Saturday, September 10, 2016

Music Years Of My Life: 2001

We all seek comfort in music when tragedy strikes.  One of the things I remember most about that day 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 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 even 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:  Alan Jackson's "Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning" and Aaron Tippin's "Where The Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly" were the most played in the latter part of 2001.

Many people have noted Clear Channel's now infamous banned or not banned  songs, which 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.  Banned or not?

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.

Tuesday, September 06, 2016

Playlist for 9/6

Thad Jones - Magnificent
Undisputed Truth - Face To Face With The Truth
Glenn Jones - Fleeting
Steve Gunn - Eyes On The Lines
Marisa Anderson - Into The Light
Lori McKenna - Bird & The Rifle
Lori McKenna - Bittertown
Lori McKenna - Massachusetts
Lori McKenna - Lorraine
Lori McKenna - Heart Shaped Bullet Hole
Kandace Springs - Soul Eyes
Jon Pardi - California Sunrise
Blake Mills - Heigh Ho

Monday, September 05, 2016

2017 Rock Hall Nominee Predictions

Populism rules! Well, it did in 2016.  But what about 2017?  That's the puzzling question we are all confronting when making this year's picks.   My own predictions run the usual NomCom scenario of newbies, known names, critical darlings, returnees and best of all, some surprises.

Once again, I have to throw this out there: I've been following the Rock Hall for a long time, but I have no moles within the NomCom feeding me info, so these picks are just a guess. NomCom members apparently are told not to talk about what goes on at their annual meeting.  Some little tidbits do sneak out.  This is why it's so hard to predict what will happen.  And in the end, only a handful of my choices will make the cut, anyway.

But we do have to wonder.  If there is indeed a need to satisfy HBO with big name inductees, what will happen to the nomination chances for those that don't fit that description?  Does this mean that past nominees like Gram Parsons, Joe Tex, Replacements and the Meters won't return to the ballot?

Anyway, 15 nominee picks below,  plus one with an **, which is explained next to their name.

1. Cars - Nominated for the first time last year, these New Wave/AOR/Top 40 staples should get another good look this time.  Or a populist group like Journey or ELO  could land here.

2. Chaka Khan - Last year 5 R&B act were nominated, and none got in, so I gave the NomCom credit for giving the genre a try.  I expect they'll get close to that number this year. Nominated solo last year and with Rufus in 2012, Chaka's a big enough diva with more than enough crossover appeal to get back on the ballot.

3. Chic -  At this point I wouldn't be surprised if they don't get nominated.

4. Commodores -  Yep, this would be a surprise.  But, hey, how about a "Populist" R&B pick for a change?  And let's face it, the Hall is lacking in 70's/80's R&B inductees.  Lionel Richie & Co. were a pretty popular crossover group along the lines of Earth, Wind & Fire.  I'd also like to see SpinnersKool & The Gang, Ohio Players, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes get some attention.  The NomCom loves War, so they are probable.

5. Eurythmics  -  Annie Lennox is a beloved figure, and the Eurythmics had just enough hits Stateside to dodge the dreaded "Too British" tag.  There were only 3 women nominated in 2016 (Chaka KhanJanet Jackson and the 2 women who round out Chic), and the Hall was rightly slammed for having no inductees.  So, I'm certain the NomCom will have 4, maybe 5 on the ballot this year.
Re: Eurythmics. Although not thought of as 80's Indie Rock/Alternative, they could fill what is usually given in that yearly slot.   If not then the Smiths or the Cure will be back.

6. Janet Jackson - She might be too big a name to pass up, even though her pregnancy (or post-pregnancy) will coincide with next year's April induction ceremony.

7.  Joan Baez - Too Folkie for the Rock Hall?  That could be Baez's problem, but the Hall could use another Folk inductee and it's Baez that deserves it.  Don't know if the NomCom cares about these things, but she just turned 75 last January. And she's another Baby Boomer icon.  Just think who they could get to induct her (hint: initials B.D.)  BTW- this slot could also go to Nina Simone.
Also: nominate Baez or Simone and we're certain to hear from the old "That Ain't Rock Crowd" (aka the Eddie Trunk Gang or if you want to get technical, the Rockists).

8.  Judas Priest - So, now we get to the "What will Tom Morello do?" part of the program.  Eddie Trunk (yep, him again)  may not be on the NomCom but he might have Morello's ear.  We know he's told him to push Judas Priest on the ballot.  Is it a slam dunk?  Maybe Morello will push for someone else.  A non-Metal act like Bad Company  (FWIW, Steven Van Zandt's wife is always complaining that Paul Rodgers is a big Hall snub) would be a good choice.  Stay tuned.

9.  Kraftwerk - Nominated 3X, last in 2015, one of those influential bands that the NomCom adores, but voters haven't come around to yet.  I don't think the NomCom's going to give up on them.

10. Los Lobos - Last year's surprise pick could be back if Dave Marsh is as passionate about them as he was last year. Marsh's support centered around American politics in late 2015 regarding Hispanics. Well, a year later nothing has changed.  Enough for another nomination?

11. Monkees - This will be interesting.  A well-received tour and album could put them over the top.  But the NomCom works in strange ways.  I'm still not totally convinced about this.  If you're looking for a different mid-60's act, then this could go to the Zombies, Marvelettes, Shangri-Las.

12. Nine Inch Nails -  The NomCom obviously loves them.  On the ballot the last 2 years.

13. Pearl Jam -  Too easy.

14. 2Pac  -  Too big to ignore in his first year eligible?  Lots of other Hip Hop acts to choose from:  LL Cool J, De La Soul, Eric B. & Rakim.

15. Yes -  Twice nominated, it seems like every other AOR act is getting in, but them.  This is another spot the Moody Blues could take over.  Or ELO.


**Willie Nelson -  A perfect choice for the Musical Excellence slot.  The last Country act inducted was in 2009 (Wanda Jackson), and she started in Rock.  Before that, Floyd Cramer in the Sideman category in 2003, so this is a genre that is sorely lacking.  And there are good contenders:  Patsy Cline, Glen Campbell.  Both would garner lots of support from voters.  The first time I thought of Willie for the Hall was back in 2009.  Willie is as big a musical icon as there is and he's crossed genres with hits on the Pop Top 40 chart.

Just Missed The Cut:
BTW- Have to admit that the list below might be a better ballot than the one I'm predicting.

Aaron Neville/Neville Brothers
Bad Company
Bon Jovi
J. Geils Band
Cure
ELO
Joe Cocker
Journey
Kate Bush
Marvelettes
Motorhead
Harry Nilsson
Nina Simone
Nine Inch Nails
Roxy Music
Spinners
Link Wray
War
Warren Zevon

I remain a strong advocate for some kind of Veterans Committee which would induct pre-Beatles era acts.  The Hall seems to be playing around with the Early Influence category anyway.  Time to scrap it and bring in something new.

Read my thoughts about it in a post I did in December 2015.
Rock Hall Snubs & Veterans Committee

email:  tmlane12@gmail.com

Friday, September 02, 2016

Playlist for 9/2

Van Morrison:
Hard Nose The Highway
Period Of Transition
Common One
Beautiful Vision
Inarticulate Speech of the Heart
Sense Of Wonder
Live at the Grand Opera House Belfast
No Guru, No Method, No Teacher
Poetic Champions Compose
Irish Heartbeat
Avalon Sunset
Enlightenment

Neil Young:
Trans
Everybody's Rockin'
Old Ways
Life
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