Monday, June 16, 2003
First of all, I’d like to thank those that helped me survive another birthday last week. I really haven’t felt like ‘celebrating’ a birthday since I turned 21 a very long time ago. Regardless, this birthday allowed me to indulge some of my passions, namely music and beer. I received a broadband internet connection as a gift, and that now affords me the privilege of downloading huge music files (among other things) at very high speeds. In addition, I enjoyed several rounds of stouts and Kilt Lifters with my friends and colleagues. All in all a very good birthday.
Anyway, here’s what’s currently loaded in my CD player:
1) Warren Zevon – Genius: The Best of Warren Zevon
Warren Zevon is one of those great but under appreciated singer-songwriters that has always operated just outside the mainstream. Like Randy Newman and John Hiatt, two other personal favorites, Zevon’s biggest hits were generally performed by someone else (in this case Linda Ronstadt). While I generally prefer individual albums over compilations, this single disc nicely gathers Zevon’s best stuff (including “Werewolves Of London”, “Poor Poor Pitiful Me”, “A Certain Girl”, and “Lawyers, Guns, And Money”) in one place. Sadly, Warren is currently dying of terminal lung cancer, and will likely never receive proper recognition in his lifetime.
2) Pete Yorn – Day I Forgot
Following his strong debut (2001’s MusicForTheMorningAfter), expectations were likely set too high for Pete Yorn’s sophomore effort. At first listen this album doesn’t sound bad, but there doesn’t seem to be anything here that wasn’t done better on the debut album. I’ll revisit this critique after a few more listens.
3) Bill Monroe – The Music Of Bill Monroe 1936-1994 Disc 3
When exploring unfamiliar genres of music (bluegrass in this case), I think it’s a good idea to seek out the true originals and innovators rather than the latest fad. Of course, applying this same concept to everyday life would mean that everybody’s first car should be a 1915 Model A Ford or some such thing, but that’s a topic best discussed over multiple rounds of drinks. The late Bill Monroe is rightfully considered the founding father of bluegrass music. This disc highlights his work from 1958-1969, a time in which he and his band reached the pinnacle of their art.
4) Yonder Mountain String Band – Celebrity Theater, Phoenix AZ August 22, 2003 (bootleg)
I attended this show last year, and I was pleased to find it available for download on the web (YMSB is one of many ‘jambands’ that allows taping of their shows). The playfulness of this progressive bluegrass band tempers my memory that some #$%hole keyed my car in the parking lot that night.
5) Counting Crows – Across A Wire: Live In New York City, Disc 1
Disc one of this album is perhaps my favorite Counting Crows release, as it captures the band playing unplugged and acoustic in a quiet setting. Originally broadcast on VH1, the entire set has a kind of casual and spontaneous feel, sorta like hearing the Counting Crows playing in your living room. Great fun. Disc two of this double CD set is a rather noisy live electric set that I find rather useless.
6) The Dave Brubeck Quartet – Time Out
This classic jazz album from 1959 includes the hit “Take Five”, a song that every one of you has heard countless times (trust me on that).
TURNTABLE CORNER: Believe it or not, I still have a turntable. These are the most recent albums to cross it.
The Ramones – The Ramones
Although I’ve also got this album on CD, the Ramones seem like the kind of band that belongs on vinyl. When Joey Ramone died a couple of years ago, I remember reading a tribute that said something like “Old punks never die, they just move closer to the back.” Well said, I think.
Thanks to all of you that have e-mailed using the link at the top of this page. Keep the e-mails coming, as it makes me feel like this is somewhat less of a waste of time. Cheers!
Anyway, here’s what’s currently loaded in my CD player:
1) Warren Zevon – Genius: The Best of Warren Zevon
Warren Zevon is one of those great but under appreciated singer-songwriters that has always operated just outside the mainstream. Like Randy Newman and John Hiatt, two other personal favorites, Zevon’s biggest hits were generally performed by someone else (in this case Linda Ronstadt). While I generally prefer individual albums over compilations, this single disc nicely gathers Zevon’s best stuff (including “Werewolves Of London”, “Poor Poor Pitiful Me”, “A Certain Girl”, and “Lawyers, Guns, And Money”) in one place. Sadly, Warren is currently dying of terminal lung cancer, and will likely never receive proper recognition in his lifetime.
2) Pete Yorn – Day I Forgot
Following his strong debut (2001’s MusicForTheMorningAfter), expectations were likely set too high for Pete Yorn’s sophomore effort. At first listen this album doesn’t sound bad, but there doesn’t seem to be anything here that wasn’t done better on the debut album. I’ll revisit this critique after a few more listens.
3) Bill Monroe – The Music Of Bill Monroe 1936-1994 Disc 3
When exploring unfamiliar genres of music (bluegrass in this case), I think it’s a good idea to seek out the true originals and innovators rather than the latest fad. Of course, applying this same concept to everyday life would mean that everybody’s first car should be a 1915 Model A Ford or some such thing, but that’s a topic best discussed over multiple rounds of drinks. The late Bill Monroe is rightfully considered the founding father of bluegrass music. This disc highlights his work from 1958-1969, a time in which he and his band reached the pinnacle of their art.
4) Yonder Mountain String Band – Celebrity Theater, Phoenix AZ August 22, 2003 (bootleg)
I attended this show last year, and I was pleased to find it available for download on the web (YMSB is one of many ‘jambands’ that allows taping of their shows). The playfulness of this progressive bluegrass band tempers my memory that some #$%hole keyed my car in the parking lot that night.
5) Counting Crows – Across A Wire: Live In New York City, Disc 1
Disc one of this album is perhaps my favorite Counting Crows release, as it captures the band playing unplugged and acoustic in a quiet setting. Originally broadcast on VH1, the entire set has a kind of casual and spontaneous feel, sorta like hearing the Counting Crows playing in your living room. Great fun. Disc two of this double CD set is a rather noisy live electric set that I find rather useless.
6) The Dave Brubeck Quartet – Time Out
This classic jazz album from 1959 includes the hit “Take Five”, a song that every one of you has heard countless times (trust me on that).
TURNTABLE CORNER: Believe it or not, I still have a turntable. These are the most recent albums to cross it.
The Ramones – The Ramones
Although I’ve also got this album on CD, the Ramones seem like the kind of band that belongs on vinyl. When Joey Ramone died a couple of years ago, I remember reading a tribute that said something like “Old punks never die, they just move closer to the back.” Well said, I think.
Thanks to all of you that have e-mailed using the link at the top of this page. Keep the e-mails coming, as it makes me feel like this is somewhat less of a waste of time. Cheers!
