Top Ten of 2010 - the Songs!

Lists, lists and more lists!  Everyone publishes year-end lists. Top tens, best of's, worst of's, likes, dislikes and so on... I want to play!

Here are my Top Ten songs of 2010.  The criteria is simple - I bought and/or downloaded the song and it was released in 2010 and it found itself in very heavy rotation on my iPod.

1. F*ck You - Cee Lo Green
Maybe the only time the "F-Word" sounds so happy and cheeky.  The Gnarls Barkley vocalist sings an ode to rejection and recovery.  The "clean" version was everywhere this summer and even covered by Gwyneth Paltrow on Glee!  Musically, it wouldn't be out of place in 1974.

2. How I Got Over - the Roots
The best live band in Hip-Hop and maybe in America, as well as Jimmy Fallon's house band.  Cool Philly soul, with a Rap breakdown in the bridge propels this contemporary urban protest song.

3. Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na) - My Chemical Romance
An ear-worm of the worst kind!  I challenge you to get this chorus out of your head. Bubblegum pop meets alt-rock meets post apocalyptic comic book adventure.  MCR comes roaring back from the Black Parade!

4. Paris (Ooh La La) - Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
My Break Out artist of the year!  Grace Potter and her band the Nocturnals are just starting to get the national exposure they so richly deserve.  Featured on VH1's latest Diva concert, Grace stole the show and duetted with the Wilson sisters of Heart.

5. What We Do - Devo
Everyone's favorite De-Evolutionists from Akron Ohio are back.  Unmistakably Devo and catchy as hell!

6. This Too Shall Pass - OK GO!
Maybe the coolest video of the year, and an amazingly well crafted pop nugget.

7. American Slang - The Gaslight Anthem
An E Street band for the 21st century?  The Gaslight Anthem lives up to the hype, if not that tag.  This is the song that the Boss would have recorded if he had fronted the Clash instead of that little combo from Asbury Park.

8. Hold On - All That Remains
Heavy metal continues to make inroads into the mainstream and this song from the Massachusetts metalcore outfit shows why.

9. Say You'll Haunt Me - Stone Sour
Stone Sour is the side project of Slipknot's lead singer.  Yeah, Slipknot - that scary, mask wearing band from Iowa.  Who imagined that a singer in a thrash band could have such a well developed pop sensibility and gift for melody?

10. Darling, It's True - Locksley
I discovered this power pop band from Madison Wisconsin while listening to Little Steven's Underground Garage.  The legacy of the British Invasion lives.

Honorable Mentions;
Zebra - Beach House
Hailing from Baltimore, Beach House's sound is a shimmering haze of soundscapes.

Let's Go Surfing - The Drums
You've heard this song... now you know who it is.  You're welcome.

Advent 2003 - revisited

The Mystical Nativity (Botticelli)

In 2003 I put together a mixed CD of Christmas music as a gift for friends and family.  In that same spirit, I offer it now as a playlist.  I wrote liner notes and included artwork in the packaging - it was a whole production.  So here it is, mostly without revision.
In America in the 21^st century, we celebrate three different Christmases. One is the Christian festival celebrating the birth of the Savior. Another is a popular holiday celebrating gift giving, family and friends. The third is some combination of the other two.

Too often we take an “either/or” approach to celebrating Christmas. I believe that in modern America, the truly Christian Christmas incorporates elements of both.

Our Christmas is truly a uniquely American celebration. Only Americans, it seems, can merge such disparate ideas as the humble birth of the Savior and the sometimes crass commercialization of the Holidays with little or no sense of irony. Such is the American gift, I think.

As Americans we are comfortable mixing the “sacred” and the “secular”, which explains the ease with which we plop Santa and his reindeer down next to the Nativity scene on the front lawn.

With that in mind, I have compiled this collection of Christmas tunes. What is more American than our Christmas, if not Rock n' Roll, Folk, Jazz, Country, Soul and R&B? Together these elements create a truly American sound of Christmas, don't they?

Some are sacred and reverent, some are not. Some are traditional, most are not. All are, I believe, great performances that capture the spirit of our American Christmas. So, enjoy and have a Happy Christmas and New Year!

I heard the Bells on Christmas Day – City on a Hill – It's Christmas Time

In religious art, the bell is an object that “calls the faithful to worship, is the voice of God” (G.Sill, A Handbook of Symbols in Christian Art, Simon & Schuster (1996). p. 128

Christmas Time is Here – Vince Guaraldi – A Charlie Brown Christmas

Poor Charlie Brown, he can't even get Christmas right. So here comes Linus to the rescue, with his reading of the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke. Without a doubt, the best of the Christmas TV specials. The addition of the jazz score by Vince Guaraldi doesn't hurt.

Little Saint Nick – the Beach Boys

Santa's sled is really a Hot Rod, who knew?

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Russ Taff

I just love the feel of this track. You can almost hear the cold wind howl outside as the fire crackles nearby. A nice glass of Gluvine or eggnog and you're all set.

Blue Christmas – Brian Setzer Orchestra

There's something bittersweet about Christmas. We all have someone who cannot be with us, that's why the song strikes a chord with me.

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) – U2

Another song of longing for an absent love, except this one is all about the groove, not the lyrics. You can hear/feel Phil Spector's Wall of Sound. Originally recorded by Darlene Love.

I'll be Home for Christmas – Al Green

The greatest soul singer ever.

All I Want for Christmas is You – Mariah Carey

This song sounds like it could have been recorded in 1963. Thirty years later, the Wall of Sound and Motown are still impacting pop music. If your Christmas party has this much energy, you won't need a New Year's Eve party.

White Christmas – Last Train Home

Washington D.C. Legends Last Train Home take Irving Berlin to the Honky – Tonk.

Away in a Manger – Buddy & Julie Miller

Buddy & Julie Miller are Nashville's best kept secret. Christians who move freely in the CCM,

country and rock worlds, give a down home feel to this classic. Buddy is Emmylou Harris's guitar player.

Fruitcake from Hell – Terry Scott Taylor

Where else would a fruitcake be from? From Terry's EP, “Songs for the Day After Christmas”.

Merry Christmas, Baby – Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band

The Jersey Turnpike is snowed in, but out the boardwalk a solitary storefront is illuminated. The sound of raw rock n' roll is irresistible – Merry Christmas from Asbury Park!

The Little Drummer Boy – Jars of Clay

Christian rock stalwarts, Jars of Clay bring their trademark sound to this classic. I still think of the old stop motion animation in the original TV special. Loved that camel!

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear – the Roches

It came upon the midnight clear,

That glorious song of old,

From angels bending near the earth,

To touch their harps of gold:

"Peace on the earth, goodwill to men,1

From heaven's all-gracious King."

The world in solemn stillness lay,

To hear the angels sing.

Wow.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel – Margaret Becker

This is a somewhat dated arrangement, but a powerful performance nonetheless. This song is one of my favorite Christmas hymns. Heavy on the Old Testament imagery.

O Come All Ye Faithful/O Holy Night – Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Christmas hymns rock opera style! TSO rocks!

O Holy Night – Leigh Nash (Sixpence None The Richer); Michael Tait (DC Talk)

My favorite Christmas hymn. You just can't match it for it's pure poetry. Leigh Nash's harmonies are otherworldly.

What Child is This? - Roberta Flack

This is so beautiful, it will make you weep, unless you have a heart of stone. Hail, hail the Word made flesh, The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Silent Night – Emmylou Harris

It is said that there exist over 300 translations of this song in the world. If angels can't sing like this, I don't want to hear them.

Holy Emmanuel – Terry Scott Taylor

Terry Scott Taylor is the patriarch of Christian modern rock. This track is featured on the City on a Hill – It's Christmas Time compilation.

Cry of a Tiny Babe – Bruce Cockburn

The best Christmas song you've never heard.

Playlist for a 60 mile walk...

Last week, I decided to undertake a fundraising walk that's grueling yet so rewarding: the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure. As you've probably guessed, it goes for 3 days, covering 20 miles each day through different neighborhoods of each host city and its surrounding areas. Two years ago, I took part in the Seattle 3-Day. I trained for a grand total of two weeks before check-in day. The result? I walked 10 miles on Day 1 before being sidelined with an inflamed sciatic nerve (underwent treatment in the medic tent). On Day 2, I walked nearly 11 miles before the sciatic nerve attacked (underwent treatment in the medic tent). On Day 3, I resolved to walk the entire course of just under 20 miles. I did, with lots of help from the helpful medics in the medic tent, who made a cushion for a bone spur that sprang up in my heel and used an electronic zapper on my pesky sciatic nerve. By the time I hobbled across the finish line, I could not feel my anything below my ankles. But the cheers, hugs and high fives from the walkers who finished before me suddenly filled me with energy and for a moment (a very BRIEF moment), I felt as though I could walk another 60 miles.

I did not take part in the 3 Day last year because, frankly, I couldn't raise enough money. The 3-Day requires each walker to raise at least $2300 in order to walk. This year, I signed up early (the Seattle walk isn't until September) and in addition to starting my fundraising efforts early, I'm also training more intelligently. I still remember how crippled I felt for two months after the last walk.

Earlier this week, I asked friends for songs to add to my walking workout playlist. A few sent suggestions. Then, on my way to work yesterday, I did my usual "SHUFFLE ALL SONGS" on my Zune and ended up with a fine little playlist in the making.  Here's my list:

1. Chelsea Dagger (suggested by Twitter friend @freezethepuck)
2. We Will Rock You - Queen (suggested by Facebook friend Jen Harrington)
3. Good Life - One Republic (suggested by Twitter friend @palindrome713)
4. Aways Love - Nada Surf (suggested by Twitter friend @palindrome713)
(The rest are from yesterday's SAS list)
5. Undisclosed Desires - Muse
6. Let It Rock - Kevin Rudolf (feat. Lil Wayne)
8. Broken - Bruce Dickinson
9. Get Your Kicks - Poets & Porn Stars
10. Take It Easy - Eagles
11. I Don't Know - Ozzy
12. Breakout - Foo Fighters
13. C'mon and Love Me - KISS
14. Gonna Make You Sweat - C+C Music Factory
15. New Moon On Monday - Duran Duran
16. Ace of Spades - Motorhead
17. Kill You - Eminem
18. The Battle - Fort Minor
19. Message of Love - The Pretenders
20. Antmusic - Adam Ant
21. What Comes Around - Beastie Boys
22. Hells Bells - AC/DC
23. Live at the Inferno - Raven
24. Shot in the Dark - Ozzy
25. Thunder Road - Bruce Springsteen
26. Blood Red Skies - Judas Priest
27. Moon Baby - Godsmack
28. Coming Home - Cinderella
29. Dance of Death - Iron Maiden
30. Careering - PiL
31. Hallowed Be Thy Name - Iron Maiden
32. Under the Influence - James Morrison
33. Panama - Van Halen
34. Lady of the Valley - White Lion
35. Gimme Gimme Gimme - Black Flag

So.... the playlist is a work in progress and I welcome your suggestions for songs that will keep me walking that extra mile.  Thanks!!!!

Thanksgiving Playlist

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving.  I have a lot to be thankful for, and music is certainly one of the many things I'm thankful for every day. So here's a short playlist for Thanksgiving.  What songs would you add?

1. Homeward Bound - Simon & Garfunkel
2. Flying Turkey Trot - REO Speedwagon
3. Sweet Potato Pie - Ray Charles and James Taylor
4. Thank You - Led Zeppelin
5. I Thank You - ZZ Top
6. Thank You For Being A Friend - Andrew Gold

Happy Thanksgiving to all and Cheers!

Rock the Vote!

Tomorrow is Election Day, so I thought a playlist of some topical songs would be fitting.  So here you go...

1. The Clash - Know Your Rights
2. Alice Cooper - Elected
3. Bruce Springsteen - This Land is Your Land
4. Bob Dylan - With God on our Side
5. Ray Charles - America the Beautiful

SAS Playlist - Humpday edition

I think my Zune knew that today was Wednesday, because it cranked out some awesome songs to help me get to work. I'm beginning to like the "Shuffle All Songs" feature.

Here are the songs that popped up today:

1. In the End ~ Linkin Park (LIVE)
2. Raise Your Hands ~ Bon Jovi
3. Love-Hate-Sex-Pain ~ Godsmack
4. Soldiers Under Command ~ Stryper
5. Father Time ~ Richie Sambora
6. Savior ~ Rise Against
7. Angel From the Coast ~ Thin Lizzy
8. AC/DC ~ Anvil (no, this song is not about the band AC/DC)
9. Times Like These ~ Foo Fighters
10. People Are People ~ Depeche Mode
11. Alabama Song ~ Doors
12. Paranoid ~ Ozzy (LIVE featuring Randy Rhoads)
13. Chinatown ~ Thin Lizzy
14. Try To Do Without It ~ Mr. Big
15. The Road to Hell ~ Bruce Dickinson (LIVE in Brazil)
16. The Crow Flies ~ Brother Cane
17. Per Te ~ Josh Groban

Yeah, yeah, I know the last song kinda sticks out like a sore thumb. But I like Josh Groban. I guess you could call him my "guilty pleasure." One day, I'll share my "All Guy" playlist with you. Maybe.

Playlists anyone?

Looking for a theme for a new playlist...got any ideas?

My Halloween Playlist

So here it is... my 2010 Halloween playlist.  I probably spent way too much time on this, but what are you going to do, right? 
I wanted to have a mix of the devil's rock music and fun party music with a dash of movie themes thrown in for good evil measure!  I hope you find something creepy here to enjoy!

1. Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be - AC/DC
2. Keepin' Halloween Alive - Alice Cooper
3. Sweet Transvestite - Apocalypse Hoboken
4. Carmina Burana (Introduction) - Atlanta Symphony Orchestra & Chorus
5. Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath
6. (Don't Fear) The Reaper - Blue Öyster Cult
7. A Night With The Jersey Devil - Bruce Springsteen
8. The Munsters Theme - Comateens
9. The Exorcist Theme - Tubular Bells - Michael Oldfield
10. Halloween - Main Theme - John Carpenter
11. Angel Main Theme - the Sanctuary Extended Remix - Darling Violetta
12. My Body's A Zombie For You - Dead Man's Bones
13. The Boogie Monster - Gnarls Barkley
14. Creatures Of The Night - KISS
15. Frankenstein Twist - The Mansfields
16. Science Fiction / Double Feature - Me First & The Gimme Gimmes
17. Thriller - Michael Jackson
18. Monster Mash - The Misfits
19. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Theme) - Nerf Herder
20. Dead Man's Party - Oingo Boingo
21. Zombie Stomp - Ozzy Osbourne
22. Super Villain - Powerman 5000
23. Pet Sematary - The Ramones
24. Living Dead Girl - Rob Zombie
25. The Time Warp - Rocky Horror Picture Show
26. Sympathy For The Devil - The Rolling Stones
27. Long Live the Dead - Sex Slaves
28. Ghost Town - The Specials
29. Boris the Spider - The Who
30. Dead Girls Are Easy - The 69 Eyes

Halloween Playlist

Working on a Halloween playlist... What's on yours?

Sunday Morning Femme Metal Video Playlist

I've never understood misogyny, especially in rock music.  I've read many accounts of female rockers who were harassed, condescended to and discriminated against while trying to break into the music business.  I never got it. 

Well, I think it's safe to say that, as in other areas of society, the girls have decided to come and play on their own terms!  To borrow from an old cliche, a woman needs a man like a fish needs an electric guitar!

Check out these female fronted bands.

Nightwish - Bye Bye Beautiful

Epica - Unleashed

Halestorm - I Get Off

Within Temptation - What Have You Done Now?

Leaves Eyes - Farewell Proud men

Wednesday "SAS" Playlist

Interesting list for the Hump Day commute:

1. Captain of the World ~ Sam Black Church
2. Carry On Wayward Son ~ Kansas
3. Voice in the Crowd ~ Marillion
4. Some Heads are Gonna Roll ~ Judas Priest
5. Play the Game Tonight ~ Kansas
6. Be Somebody ~ Kings of Leon
7. Random Acts of Kindness ~ Robbie Williams
8. The Beginning of the End ~ NIN
9. Standing on Top of the World ~ Van Halen
10. Living It Up ~ Kevin Rudolf
11. Like Suicide ~ Soundgarden
12. Superfantastic ~ Mr. Big
13. Gypsy Eyes ~ Jimi Hendrix

What's on your list? Come on, share!!! I need new music for my Zune!

Soft Rock Chewy Goodness!

Last Thursday I saw the Soft Rock Renegades at a club in NYC.  Below is the set list.  Sad to say, but this Metalhead knew all the words!

Africa by Toto was the definite high point for the capacity crowd.

• Sister Golden Hair - America
• ...Baby Come Back - Player
• The Things We Do For Love - 10CC
• Magic - Olivia Newton John
• Just The Way You Are - Billy Joel
• Summer Breeze - Seals & Croft
• Still The Same - Bob Seger
• You Are The Woman - Firefall
• Everything I Own - Bread
• Reminiscing - Little River Band
• Say You Love Me - Fleetwood Mac
• I Can't Go For That (No Can Do) - Hall & Oates
• I Just Want To Be Your Everything - Andy Gibb
• Africa - Toto
• Easy - Lionel Richie (The Commodores)
• Whenever I Call You Friend - Kenny Loggins & Stevie Nicks
• Lido Shuffle - Boz Scaggs
• Somebody's Baby - Jackson Browne

What would be on your Soft Rock playlist?  Come on, you know you have one!


\m/

Monday's AM "SAS" Playlist

Wow, did my Zune want to kick my butt on the way in to work this morning! I think it's got a hidden sensor that can tell when it's Monday... and when I'm dragging!

Here's this morning's "Shuffle All Songs" playlist:

1. What I See ~ Black Flag
2. Still of the Night ~ Whitesnake
3. Before It's Too Late ~ Goo Goo Dolls
4. I Woke Up Dreaming ~ Wendy Wall
5. October ~ U2
6. Something I Can Never Have ~ NIN
7. Kill Devil Hill ~ Bruce Dickinson
8. Wasted Years ~ Iron Maiden
9. Somebody Put Something in My Drink ~ Ramones
10. Captain of the World ~ Sam Black Church

What'cha got this Monday morning??

Sunday Morning Cardio Playlist 10/10/10

1. Journey - Do You Recall
2. Angel - Got Love if You Want it
3. Pearl Jam - Dissident
4. The Black Crowes - Go Faster
5. Rush - Working Man
6. Tygers of Pan Tang - Suzie Smiled
7. Starz - Sing It, Shout It
8. Audioslave - Broken City

Sons of Albion @ Fontana's on the Lower East Side, NYC

My colleague and I  were in New York for a business conference.  Technically we were out on Long Island and we came into the City with the group on the LIRR.  The group wanted to go and do the touristy thing at Times Square, having dinner at the ESPNZone.  The joke was on them, the ESPNZone has closed!  Anyway, Matt and I just couldn't fathom the idea of passing up on both a chance to see the Sons of Albion and catching some local flavor so we hopped the subway down to SOHO. 


We had a really great meal and some fine beers at a place called Spitzer's Corner that I found using my craft beer finder app on my iPhone.  Not sure about the name, but the place was very cool.  We sat at an open window facing the street. It was a beautiful evening and the locals were out in all of their glory.

After dinner we back-tracked to Fontana's.  It's a nice little divey place with it's music room in the basement.  The fire marshal notice said occupancy limited to 73.  So, it's a small place, but they had a good beer selection.  I had a nice Pumpkin Ale by a local brewery.  Damned if I can remember the name.

Anyway, the band came on a couple of minutes after 8 pm.  We joked that it wouldnt be very rock n' roll if they were punctual.  They came out, said "hi" and tore into the first song.

Their set was short, maybe 40 minutes, but they made the most of it.  Very high energy.  The singer is the son of Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant and every so often I could hear his Dad in his voice.  He sings in a bit of a lower range than his Dad, but occasionally he'd reach for a high note and I could really hear the family resemblance. 

This must've been what it was like in the early 90's.  I felt like what I was witnessing was not unlike Soundgarden's rise from the basement stages of clubs in and around Seattle. 

I would expect big things from these guys once their LP is released and they do a proper US tour.

Check them out on Facebook.

The "Shuffle All Songs" Playlist just keeps growing!

Here's a Double-Shot from Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. I have to say the songs I heard on the way to work really helped shape the rest of my day.

Tuesday's "SAS Playlist"

1. Stand & Deliver ~ Adam Ant
2. Master of Puppets ~ Metallica
3. Be Quick or Be Dead ~ Iron Maiden
4. Dogs in the Yard ~ Fame Soundtrack
5. Kissing Time ~ KISS
6. Fix Me ~ Rise Against
7. Vengeance ~ Temperedcast
8. Hallelujah/I Know It's Over ~ Jeff Buckley (live recording)
9. Shame ~ Rollins Band
10. King of the World ~ TALAS

Wednesday's "SAS Playlist"

1. Ninth Black Circle ~ Sam Black Church
2. Down in a Hole ~ Alice in Chains
3. Help Help ~ Pearl Jam
4. Tie Your Mother Down ~ Queen
5. Fight or Fall ~ Thin Lizzy
6. Take Hold of the Flame ~ Queensryche
7. Jardin d'Hiver ~ Keren Ann
8. Born in '58 ~ Bruce Dickinson (live recording)
9. Slaves & Bulldogs ~ Soundgarden
10. Duel of the Fates ~ Star Wars Soundtrack

So-- there you go. 20 songs that helped shape two of my days this week. What songs are shaping your days? Share!!!

Morning Commute "Shuffle All Songs" Playlist

This morning's songs ran the gamut, and what's more, I sang along to each and every one!
Here's the list:

1. Silent Lucidity ~ Queensryche
2. Odyssey ~ KISS
3. Desire ~ U2
4. The Number of the Beast ~ Iron Maiden
5. Don't Believe Her ~ Scorpions
6. One Tree Hill ~ U2
7. What A Wonderful World ~ Joey Ramone
8. Nothing Lasts Forever ~ Wendy Wall
9. The Great Destroyer ~ NIN

Sunday Playlist for the Hills

Sometimes randomness is a beautiful thing... my iPod spit out a great playlist for my session at the gym this morning. For a 30 minute "run" I got the following, with a bit of prompting...

Heaven And Hell by Black Sabbath - perfect warm-up tune, at about the 2:30 mark the tempo picks up just enough to really get the heart rate pumping.
Spoonman by Soundgarden - continuing the fast tempo with a bit of syncopation just to keep it interesting
I'm Not Afraid by Lacuna Coil - more high energy for the first hill, still pumping hard and fast enough to sprint it!
Keep Yourself Alive by Queen - a good motto for working out! approaching the second hill segment...
Sometimes by King's X - a downshift in tempo for the second grueling hill!
Dani California by Red Hot Chili Peppers - coming off of the second hill and then picking up the pace on the way into hill number three
Where's My Thing?, Pt. 4: Gangster of Boats Trilogy by Rush - a nice mid-tempo instrumental that allows for the intense concentration the final hill requires
Lost Highway by Jason & The Scorchers - a good fast finishing sprint
Dear God 2.0 by The Roots - a nice slow R&B number for a cool down

Jason & the Scorchers @ The Iota, Arlington VA

I saw Jason & the Scorchers for the first time in the early Eighties in a club in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. There were maybe 10 of us in attendance. The band played like their hair was on fire, mindless of the modest size of the crowd.

Friday night at the Iota in Arlington that fire is still burning. Even though the original rhythm section has been replaced by Al Collins on bass and Pontus Snibb on drums, the band still plays their signature blend of county and rock like the twenty somethings we all were back in that small Florida club.

The Iota is a small venue with a national reputation. Friday night was, sadly, my first time seeing a show there. I say sadly, because I've "meant" to go to shows there many times over the years and have always punked out for one reason or another - but no more!

I have referred to Jason & the Scorchers as my favorite band that no one has ever heard of. This is obviously not the case for the 200 or so other folks at the Iota Friday night.

The band is touring in support of their latest release Halcyon Days. Check it out and then buy it.

Anyway... the band opened with "Mona Lee" from the new album. Guitarist Warner E. Hodges' Stonsey riffs just about peeled back our eyelids, a dynamic of the small club experience! Hodges is an Army brat whose parents played Country Music shows all over Europe while he was growing up and I'd like to think that his "Bratness" informs his guitar playing. Sadly he is one of the most under-appreciated and overlooked guitarists of the last 20 years.

After a couple or three more songs, the band was warmed up enough to play hosts to their support act, Stacie Collins. Stacie is also the wife of Scorchers bass player Al. This lady brought the goods! She opened with the Scorcher track "200 Proof Lovin'" and easily made it her own. She followed with a few of her own numbers, both singing and playing the blues harp. I was quite impressed. As I told her after the show, I've never seen a woman play the harp like that - hell, don't think I've ever seen a woman play the harp, period!

Once Stacie was finished getting everyone in the place nice and sweaty, singer and frontman Jason Ringenberg rejoined the band on stage and they proceeded to rip through another 90 minutes or so of Scorcher's classics and tracks from the new album.

Some of the highlights, and by highlights I mean my favorite songs, included "Harvest Moon", "Lost Highway", "White Lies" and the Dylan cover "Absolutely Sweet Marie". Other highlights include picking up a piece of fringe from Jason's western shirt, having Al Collins give me a pick and getting a tour poster autographed by the band members - I felt like such a fanboy! Oh, and a hug from Ms. Collins! Unfortunately, it didn't occur to me to get pictures taken with the band or Stacie until halfway back to the car.

It was a great show, in a string of great shows over the past month, each one so different from the others. With no other shows on my radar for the remainder of the year, it will be one helluva a memory to close out 2010.

As a side note, Jason Ringenberg is also known as "Farmer Jason" an Emmy award winning "kids of all ages" act.

Selected discography : Halcyon Days, Clear Impetuous Morning, A Blazing Grace and Midnight Roads & Stages Seen

Concerts, concerts, concerts...

It's been a busy year for me. Lots of travel and mini reunions with old classmates. Not that any of them are old, mind you.

It occurred to me that its also been a busy year for concerts too. So far this year I've seen Epica, Megadeth, Testament, Cheap Trick, Iron Maiden, Dream Theater, Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, Rush, King's X and Accept, with Jason and the Scorchers next Friday.

Look for a couple of mini, or maybe not so mini-reviews coming soon!

Rock on!

Friday Morning Playlist

These are the first 25 songs to play on my iPod this Friday morning...

What are you listening to?

1. Rush - Freewill
2. Trent Reznor - Pieces from the Whole (The Social Network Soundtrack)
3. Alice in Chains - Acid Bubble
4. Alice in Chains - Down in a Hole
5. Street Songs - Alejandro Escovedo
6. Iron Maiden - Starblind
7. Sex Slaves - Long Live the Dead
8. Foo Fighters - Big Me
9. The Goo Goo Dolls - Rough Boys
10. The Refreshments - Wanted
11. Iron Maiden - Hallowed be Thy Name
12. Journey - City of Angels
13. Soundgarden - Black Rain
14. The Hold Steady - Soft in the Center
15. Led Zeppelin - Stairway to Heaven
16. The Like - Don't Make a Sound
17. The Like - Catch Me if You Can
18. The Grip Weeds - You're Not Walking Away
19. Taking Dawn - The Chain
20. Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse - Revenge
21. Rush - 2112:Overture
22. Altar Boys - Footsteps of Love
23. Stryper - Shining Star
24. ELO - Don't Bring Me Down
25. Stardeath and White Dwarfs - Those Who Are From The Sun...

Morning Drive Shuffle, Friday Edition

This morning's commute was much more pleasant than yesterday's. For one, the sun was out. For another, I'd enjoyed a great chat (along with coffee and croissant bread pudding I'd made) with a good friend. And... traffic moved pretty smoothly. Add this morning's Shuffle Playlist into the mix. Kind of interesting... but I'm kinda liking it. I'm rediscovering stuff I'd added then promptly forgotten.

Here's this morning's list:

1. "The Ripper" - Judas Priest (LIVE, from Unleashed in the East)
2. "Drifter" - Iron Maiden
3. "Viking Juice" - INXS
4. "L 'Ultima Notte" - Josh Groban
5. "Pushing Me Away" - Linkin Park
6. "Corner of the Sky" - Pippin (Karaoke version - and yes, I did sing all of it)
7. "Please Don't Stop the Rain" - James Morrison
8. "The Body" - PiL
9. "Shy Boy" - TALAS (LIVE)
10. "Aquarius" - Hair Soundtrack
11. "Last Kiss" - Pearl Jam
12. "Sandstorm" - Peter Gabriel (off of The Last Temptation of Christ soundtrack)
13. "With Love" - Gary Moore
14. "Voice in the Crowd" - Marillion (with Fish)
15. "Kanga-Roo" - Jeff Buckley (LIVE)

What happens when you hit "SHUFFLE ALL SONGS"

The past couple of mornings, I decided to hit "shuffle all songs" on my way into work. This can be a bit dangerous as my musical taste covers a wide range of genres- from classical to metal and beyond, but I was stuck in traffic so I thought, "What the hey." I can't remember the songs that popped up yesterday, but this morning, I actually scribbled them down as they came on, because my memory is not what it used to be. (I blame "exrtra-curricular activities" in my 20s - or maybe too many hits to the head. Choose whichever explanation makes you feel most comfortable).

So, without further ado- this morning's "Shuffle Commute Playlist:"

1. "With You" - Pippin Soundtrack
2. "Jump" - Van Halen
3. "The Hill" - Once Soundtrack
4. "The Prayer" - Josh Groban & Charlotte Church
5. "Rosalie" - Thin Lizzy
6. "Something's Got To Give" - Beastie Boys
7. "Heroes" - David Bowie
8. "Night" - Bruce Springsteen
9. "Dracula" - Bruce Dickinson
10. "Giving" - Collective Soul
11. "Mr. Self Destruct" - Nine Inch Nails
12. "Only You" - KISS
13. "The Scientist" - Coldplay
14. "Lust or Love" - Scorpions
15. "Ready for Love" - Gary Moore

So... my challenge to you: Tomorrow, set your Zune (or iPod or whatever brand of MP3 player you've got) on "SHUFFLE ALL SONGS." Then sit back and enjoy your eclectic (or not so eclectic) playlist. And don't forget to share them with us here.

Happy Listening! \m/