Top Five Records: Female Singers

Recently Rolling Stone Magazine published the The 100 Greatest Singers list. Loven 'em or hate 'em the Rolling Stones lists will get you talking and, in my case, thinking about my favorite singers. Starting with the ladies - here's my top 10 list in no particular order:

Ella Fitzgerald – Bewitched With a vocal range spanning three octaves, Ella Fitzgerald was noted for her purity of tone, phrasing and intonation, and a "horn-like" improvisational ability, particularly in her scat singing. All that aside, her voice is so warm and gentle. When I hear her sing I want to wrap my body with her voice like a blanket.

Suzanne Vega - 99.9 F I know this sounds cliche - but I would listen to Suzanne Vega read the phone book. Her voice is so convincing and she sings great stories. I fell in love with Vega's voice with her 1992 album 99.9F°. This album is definitely worth seeking out.

Sheryl Crow - Steve McQueen Sheryl Crow is an amazing musician, singer, and songwriter. And she's hot too. There is a sexiness associated with her voice that, combined with attitude, draws you into to every song she sings like cheap romance novel.

Aretha Franklin - Save Me Rolling Stone ranks Aretha Franklin as the Greatest Singer of All Time. I wouldn't go that far but I would say that her voice is the very definition of soul music.

Pretenders - Precious I love Chrissy Hynde. She is my favorite rock and roll female singer of all time. I came to this conclusion the first time I heard "Precious" - trk one from the debut Pretenders album. I believe rock and roll is all about attitude. Chrissy Hynde's voice sweats attitude.

Madonna - Beautiful Stranger It only been in the last ten years or so that I've come to appreciate and respect Madonna as a musician and not a whore. That's a little strong but, frankly, I just didn't get it. Then, in 1998, she released Ray of Light and I thought, "Wait a minute, there's a lot more to Madonna than a pretty smile and nice cans. This woman can sing."

Maria Callas - Printemps Qui Commence Printemps qui commence from the opera Samsom et Dalila. In an attempt to seduce Samson away from his leadership of the Israelite uprising, Dalila and a group of girls dance for him and Dalila sings how spring is blossoming all around her. Yet, in her heart, she feels like it is still winter. As you listen to Maria Callas sing this song you'll feel the pain of the chill in her heart. Her voice is absolutely beautiful.

Liz Phair - Johnny Sunshine Once you get past the sex songs and the shock value of her lyrics you'll relize that Liz Phair is a great song writer who, like Sheryl Crow, uses her voice to seduce you.

Linda Ronstadt - Blue Bayou I never really thought much of Linda Ronstadt until one day I really listened to her version of "Blue Bayou." In the same way Aretha stole "Respect" from Otis Redding, Ronstadt made Roy Orbison's "Blue Bayou" her very own.

Bonnie Raitt - Blender Blues My love affair with the blues and Bonnie Raitt began the first time I ever heard her sing "Blender Blues." Bonnie is only 23 years old singing this song but somehow she conveys a maturity well beyond her age. This recording is from a 1972 WMMR live concert recording that should be officially released. Her performance, guitar playing, interaction with the audience, and her singing is amazing.

Ultimate 80s Music Playlist

687 songs, 2 days, 3.47 GB

About a year ago I heard that some friends we going have an 80s Party. I'd thought I'd help out and contribute a playlist of 80s music. Well little did I know this project would take me a year to compile and grow to 687 songs. Interesting to note, I've never been a fan of "80s music." In fact, I've gone on record that 1980s produced some of rock's worst songs.

All that aside, I believe my playlist kick ass - it's extensive and complete, yet, I feel I've missed a song or two. Please, download my 80s music playlist and take a look. Let me know if you see any blaring omissions.

Chocolate City, y'all

george clinton's dream comes to life

In 1975 George Clinton and Parliament released Chocolate City. The song's largely spoken vocals (delivered by George Clinton) express pride in "Chocolate Cities", that is, cities with a majority black population. The singer playfully hypothesizes what it would be like if there was an African American in the White House, and assigns the following people to positions in government:

Uh, what's happening CC?
They still call it the White House
But that's a temporary condition, too.
Can you dig it, CC?

And when they come to march on ya
Tell 'em to make sure they got their James Brown pass
And don't be surprised if Ali is in the White House
Reverend Ike, Secretary of the Treasure
Richard Pryor, Minister of Education
Stevie Wonder, Secretary of FINE arts
And Miss Aretha Franklin, the First Lady
Are you out there, CC?
A chocolate city is no dream
It's my piece of the rock and I dig you, CC
God bless Chocolate City and its (gainin' on ya!) vanilla suburbs

Now that we have an African American in the White House I wonder how much George Clinton's vision will come to life. Time will tell. Can you dig it, CC?

Listen / Download: Chocolate City - Parliment

Chase Utley's F---ing Parade Speech

Better than “I had a f---king Dream Speech!”

Jamie Moyer, Brett Meyers, Brad Lidge, Ryan Howard, Jayson Werth and others react to
Chase Utley'scomments at Citizens Bank Park, following yesterday's parade.
(Michael Bryant/Staff Photographer )

The fan's reaction.

Top Five Records: Creepy Scary Songs

Halloween 2008

D.O.A. – Bloodrock "D.O.A." gives a grisly first person account of the aftermath of a plane crash. The vocalist describes the bloody sheets he lies in with a missing arm and a dead girl lying next to him, as the ambulance attendant looks over him with little hope. The song ends with the ambulance siren being shut off, indicating that the patient has died and is D.O.A.

Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath What is this that stands before me? Figure in black which points at me. Turn around quick, and start to run. Find out I'm the chosen one. Oh nooo! Ozzy may be the best vocalist ever for this type of death rock. I recommend listening to this song in the dark.

Bela Lugosi's Dead - Bauhaus Songs really don't get creepier than this dark gem. Hard to believe this was Bauhaus' first single. Everything about this song is perfect - vocal, guitar, and woodblock drumming. Bauhaus should have broke-up after the single's release.

Thriller - Michael Jackson I know this is a bit cliche but everything about this song bleeds Halloween: the sound effects, the lyrics, the video, the Vincent Price cameo, and of course, the man of a thousand faces, Michael Jackson himself. "I'm not like other boys."

Hamburger Lady - Throbbing Gristle She's dying, She is burned from the waist up, On her arm, Her ear is burned, Her eyelashes are burned, She can't hold things up, And even with medical advances, There's no end in sight, For hamburger lady.

Extra Halloween Treat Actress Mercedes McCambridge, who won an Oscar for the 1949 film "All the King's Men" provided the raspy voice of the demon-possessed Megan in 1973 horror classic "The Exorcist." McCambridge is quoted saying that her voice work was "hardest work she had done for a film." This clip is McCambridge rehearsing for the role. I don't know what the devil sounds but I bet this is close. Download / Listen: Mercedes McCambridge - Demon Rehearsals

Long Live the Queen

Queen in the 1980's

My brother recently sent the following email.

OK. What gives? I have and enjoy Queen up to and including Jazz and then they fall off my radar. Let's say you're walking down the street and some guy comes up to, points a gun at your eye and says, "What are your favorite tunes off The Game, Flash Gordon, Hot Space and The Works?" What do you say?

My answer:

Oh, that's easy...

Every song on The Game is really good. The big hits were "Another Bites the Dust," "Crazy Little Thing Called Love." Sequentially, The Game is perfect. Every song is perfectly placed. I recommend listening to it in its entirety. The Game is last great Queen album.

"Put out the Fire" from Hot Space. Actually, it was more like Hot Shit. I thought Hot Space was trying too hard to sound like "Another Bites the Dust". This song is the only song that sounded like a true Queen tune. The Queen / Bowie classic, "Under Pressure," came from those sessions too.

I always enjoyed "Flash" as a song.

The Works was spotty but it did contain "Radio GaGa," "I Want to Break Free," and the fantastic "Hammer to Fall."

A Little Magic contained "One Vision."

1989's The Miracle contained "I Want it All" and 1991's Innuendo had the awesome "Headlong." Both songs feature some great guitar work and post-AIDS Freddie does a great job with the vocals.

You also might want to check out a tune from Roger Taylor's Fun In Space called "Airheads."

I had so much fun answering the question that I sent it to other Queen fans.

Bob Andreano's answer:

I say, Sir, download the following songs:

1) ALL of The Game

from Hot Space:
2) Staying Power
3) Back Chat
4) Body Language (yes, I think it's worth it)
5) Under Pressure

from The Works:
6) Radio Ga Ga *
7) Hammer To Fall +
8) Is This the World We Created

from A Kind Of Magic:
9) One Vision (7" or 12" version)

ESSENTIAL B-SIDES (!):
10) A Human Body
11) Soul Brother
12) I Go Crazy (12" or 7" version - both as sick)

alternate B-side:
13) Blurred Vision (One Vision instrumental remix)

from Roger Taylor's Fun In Space LP:
14) Beautiful Dreams

* alternate version:
the Live Aid performance

+ alternate versions:
a) the Live Aid performance
b) 12" promo only "Head Bangers Mix"

Erin Riley's answer:

Impossible to choose between individual Queen songs.

In order of my favorite LP's:

1. The Game
2. The Works
3. Flash Gordon - Hot Space tied for last

Beth Mann's answer:

I think I’d first have say, “What kind of strange ass mugger are you?”

Then I’d say:

The Game – "Play the Game" (one of my fave intros, a few of my fave lines “When you’re feeling down and your resistance is low, light another cigarette and let yourself go” and just love the sentiment of it.)

Flash Gordon – Damn, that’s tough. There’s a pretty little instrumental piece I remember in it. I think its called The Kiss? I don’t know if I’d even like it now. The theme song, I suppose, for kitsch value. It’s pretty theme songy – dramatic and superhero written all over it.

The Works – I Want to Break Free...I guess.

Hot Space – I know, its a easy choice, but "Under Pressure." I still can enjoy that song, after all of these years. And not too many songs exemplify today’s world, today’s pressures, like that one...at least to me.

I don’t know. I might have to take the bullet.

How would you answer my brother's question?

Frank Sinatra Stamp Cachet

I recently gave eBay store owner Captain Kirk's Stamps permission to use dad's Frank Sinatra art in stamp cachets - sold exclusively on eBay. The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines a cachet 1: as a design or inscription on an envelope to commemorate a postal or philatelic event 2: an advertisement forming part of a postage meter impression. All I asked for in terms of payment is that dad received proper credit. From the eBay listing:

CACHET CHAT: The late Don Altobelli's artwork is featured on this cachet [with special permissions granted by Paul Altobelli...thanx, Paul!]. We found Mr. Altobelli's style captured many of Sinatra's 'off camera' expressions. Can't you just see the 'wheels turning' in this captured moment?

Visit Captain Kirk's eBay store to view and purchase a Frank Sinatra Stamp Cachet featuring Don Altobell's artwork.

Paul Altobelli, Steve Murray, and Willie Mays

Hangin' out with the Say Hey Kid

Paul Altobelli, Steve Murray, and Willie Mays

Top Five Records: Live Albums

1. Get Yer Ya Ya's Out – Rolling Stones
   
   The Stones really were the "greatest rock and roll band in world" that 1969 Thanksgiving weekend of concerts. "Ahh New York City you talk a lot. Let's have a look at ya."
   
   
   
   
2. Live at Leeds – THE WHO
   
   This was a "metal" album before there was metal. I actually prefer the original release over the expanded "complete" concert 1996 and 2001 cleaned-up re-releases. The original 1970 release is dirtier.
   
   
   
   
   
3. At Budokan – Cheap Trick
   
   I, like so many kids at the time, discovered Cheap Trick with this album. I'll take the many of the live versions of these songs over the studio recordings particularly "I Need Your Love."
   
   
   
   
   
4. Live at the Apollo – James Brown
   
   Some call this the greatest live recording of all time. In fact, the Library of Congress added it to the National Recording Registry. Clocking in at just over 31 minutes in length - Live at the Apollo should only be listened to in its entirety.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Live at the Regal – BB King
   
   Not only is this a great live album but Live at the Regal widely heralded as one of the greatest blues albums ever recorded and is #141 on Rolling Stone Magazine's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
   
   

Michael and Joey

Two Bad Ass Mutha F'ers