Awhile ago I was "tagged" in a Facebook survey asking me to name my top 25 most influential albums. It didn't take me very long to think of 25, but it was hard to narrow them down. As I stated before, music is such a vital aspect of my life. I can't go a day without listening to at least an hour's worth. They aren't listed in order of importance to me, just in the order they came to mind.
1. Paul Simon - Graceland (1986)
2. Van Morrison - Moondance (1970)
3. Elvis Presley - Elvis Presley (1956)
4. The Beatles - Rubber Soul (1965)
5. Johnny Cash - At Folsom Prison (1968)
6. Simon and Garfunkel - Collected Works (1988)
7. Jackie Wilson - The Ultimate Jackie Wilson (2006)
8. The Band - The Last Waltz (1978)
9. Bob Dylan - Masterpieces (1978)
10. Richie Havens - Résumé: The Best Of Richie Havens (1993)
11. Etta James - Tell Mama (1968)
12. Billy Joel -- The Stranger (1977)
13. Al Green - Let's Stay Together (1972)
14. Marvin Gaye - What's Going On (1971)
15. Carole King - Tapestry (1971)
16. The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds (1966)
17. Jim Croce - Photographs & Memories, His Greatest Hits (1974)
18. Eric Clapton - Unplugged (1992)
19. Aretha Franklin - I Never Loved a Man The Way I Love You (1967)
20. Barenaked Ladies - Stunt (1998)
21. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Déjà Vu (1970)
22. The Rolling Stones - Forty Licks (2002)
23. Muddy Waters - Electric Mud (1968)
24. Roy Orbison - Roy Orbison and Friends, A Black and White Night (1987)
25. Buddy Holly and The Crickets - 20 Golden Greats (1978)
So what are some of yours? I'm definitely interested to know!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
I dig Rock & Roll Music
Anyone who knows me at all knows that two of my biggest interests are politics and music. Since I've already graced this blog with my political views (don't worry, lots more of that to come), I figured I'd talk a little bit about my love of 50's and 60's music. As far back as I can remember, I have always loved "Oldies Music." My first crush was on Elvis Presley, and I was completely devastated when my parents informed me of his death that occurred 8 years before my birth. Yes, I was a broken hearted 7-8 year old girl, watching Viva Las Vegas in total disbelief that its star had been dead for years before I was even born.
A lot of my love for music comes from my parents. My Mom is more into Rock & Roll while my Dad is more into Folk music, so really I got the best of both worlds. My biggest influence however definitely comes from my Uncle Jack. In 1994 he passed away from a massive heart attack at age 38. It was a total shock to everyone in my family and I can't really say that any of us are really completely over it yet, I know I'm not. In 1994 I was 9 years old and after going to Rhode Island (his home) I contracted viral encephalitis. I was home sick for a few months and I spent a lot of that time listening to my Uncle's CD's, cassettes, and watching all of his musical series on VHS. The series I remember the most is the T.A.M.I. show. Just imagine the worst combination of extremely white teenagers (go-go boots and all!) trying their best to dance in rhythm with Chuck Berry, James Brown, The Supremes, The Beach Boys, and The Rolling Stones, all in black & white of course. It was similar to American Bandstand, but it was one long concert broken into sections, and of course no Dick Clark. The dancing wasn't pretty, but man was it entertaining. This was my first visual taste of REAL Rock & Roll. Seeing Chuck Berry do his famous duckwalk for the first time is something that I will never forget. I couldn't believe my eyes and ears. It was amazing and I truly believe that it was this series that made me fall in love with this genre of music.
I've been waiting impatiently for years for the T.A.M.I. show to come out on DVD. To my amazement, there was an article in last weeks Rolling Stone magazine about it's pending release in March. I was of course elated and rushed to Amazon.com to find it. Lo and behold here it is, T.A.M.I. Show DVD Collector's Edition. I pre-ordered it immediately. While I am excited about it's upcoming arrival in my mail box (is it March 23 yet??), I am slightly sad. I know that every time I watch it I'll think of my Uncle Jack and wish that he was there to make fun of the background dancers with me while enjoying some amazing music. I am thankful though, if it weren't for him, I know for a fact I wouldn't be this in love with 50's and 60's music. So thank you for influencing me so much, I still love you and miss you. I know we'll be watching the T.A.M.I. show together at the end of March.
A lot of my love for music comes from my parents. My Mom is more into Rock & Roll while my Dad is more into Folk music, so really I got the best of both worlds. My biggest influence however definitely comes from my Uncle Jack. In 1994 he passed away from a massive heart attack at age 38. It was a total shock to everyone in my family and I can't really say that any of us are really completely over it yet, I know I'm not. In 1994 I was 9 years old and after going to Rhode Island (his home) I contracted viral encephalitis. I was home sick for a few months and I spent a lot of that time listening to my Uncle's CD's, cassettes, and watching all of his musical series on VHS. The series I remember the most is the T.A.M.I. show. Just imagine the worst combination of extremely white teenagers (go-go boots and all!) trying their best to dance in rhythm with Chuck Berry, James Brown, The Supremes, The Beach Boys, and The Rolling Stones, all in black & white of course. It was similar to American Bandstand, but it was one long concert broken into sections, and of course no Dick Clark. The dancing wasn't pretty, but man was it entertaining. This was my first visual taste of REAL Rock & Roll. Seeing Chuck Berry do his famous duckwalk for the first time is something that I will never forget. I couldn't believe my eyes and ears. It was amazing and I truly believe that it was this series that made me fall in love with this genre of music.
I've been waiting impatiently for years for the T.A.M.I. show to come out on DVD. To my amazement, there was an article in last weeks Rolling Stone magazine about it's pending release in March. I was of course elated and rushed to Amazon.com to find it. Lo and behold here it is, T.A.M.I. Show DVD Collector's Edition. I pre-ordered it immediately. While I am excited about it's upcoming arrival in my mail box (is it March 23 yet??), I am slightly sad. I know that every time I watch it I'll think of my Uncle Jack and wish that he was there to make fun of the background dancers with me while enjoying some amazing music. I am thankful though, if it weren't for him, I know for a fact I wouldn't be this in love with 50's and 60's music. So thank you for influencing me so much, I still love you and miss you. I know we'll be watching the T.A.M.I. show together at the end of March.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Palinized
It's taken me awhile to choose my topic for my first post, but I definitely think I have it. Sarah Palin and the new "Tea Party Movement." I can't help but laugh hysterically whenever I read any articles or see anything on TV about either of them. I really can't understand for the life of me why anyone takes either of these things seriously. At all. Sarah Palin is such a joke that I can't even stand it anymore. Not only is she NOT intelligent whatsoever, but she will NOT just fade away with dignity. She just keeps going and going. While it's amusing to me, you'd think the GOP would make her shut up and hide her in a cave or something! It's ridiculous. Caribou Barbie, spare yourself and most importantly the American Electorate and go back to your igloo.
The latest update in the ongoing Sarah Palin fiasco is that she's seeking to be the "leader" of the Tea Party Movement. When I read this article (http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20100206/pl_politico/32610) I literally spit out my cherry coke zero laughing. SERIOUSLY? As if most of the country didn't already view this Tea Party crap as a total joke, now it just cements it in my mind!
Okay fine, I get it. People don't like paying taxes, I truly understand. Our economy is tanking and we can barely afford the things we have. You know what? You can't expect to get ANYTHING for free. This includes government services. How do you think they are paid for? If you don't want to pay taxes, fine, then don't. But please don't expect to have ANY access to the protection of the military, Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, roads, street signs, public libraries, snow removal, street repair, highway maintenance, state universities, museums, prisons, firemen, emts, policemen...I could go on and on, but I'll stop there. I think everyone gets the point.
STOP WHINING ABOUT IT and pay your damn taxes! I could go further and make crude jokes about morons wearing Tea Bags on their heads and thinking that they are starting a revolution of some sort. Please take yourself to a public library (PAID FOR BY OUR TAX DOLLARS), look up the Boston Tea Party, and read about what it was REALLY held for. It was not held because a bunch of GOP loving morons got together to change their tampons in unison because they didn't want to pay taxes in general. It was called TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION! Unless you live in Washington D.C. that does NOT apply to you in this country, so pay your taxes like every other law abiding American citizen, build a bridge (likely paid for by tax dollars as well), and GET THE HELL OVER IT! People's combined ignorance on issues never ceases to amaze me.
The latest update in the ongoing Sarah Palin fiasco is that she's seeking to be the "leader" of the Tea Party Movement. When I read this article (http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20100206/pl_politico/32610) I literally spit out my cherry coke zero laughing. SERIOUSLY? As if most of the country didn't already view this Tea Party crap as a total joke, now it just cements it in my mind!
Okay fine, I get it. People don't like paying taxes, I truly understand. Our economy is tanking and we can barely afford the things we have. You know what? You can't expect to get ANYTHING for free. This includes government services. How do you think they are paid for? If you don't want to pay taxes, fine, then don't. But please don't expect to have ANY access to the protection of the military, Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, roads, street signs, public libraries, snow removal, street repair, highway maintenance, state universities, museums, prisons, firemen, emts, policemen...I could go on and on, but I'll stop there. I think everyone gets the point.
STOP WHINING ABOUT IT and pay your damn taxes! I could go further and make crude jokes about morons wearing Tea Bags on their heads and thinking that they are starting a revolution of some sort. Please take yourself to a public library (PAID FOR BY OUR TAX DOLLARS), look up the Boston Tea Party, and read about what it was REALLY held for. It was not held because a bunch of GOP loving morons got together to change their tampons in unison because they didn't want to pay taxes in general. It was called TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION! Unless you live in Washington D.C. that does NOT apply to you in this country, so pay your taxes like every other law abiding American citizen, build a bridge (likely paid for by tax dollars as well), and GET THE HELL OVER IT! People's combined ignorance on issues never ceases to amaze me.
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