Clockwork Angels

Rush was better this week than I have seen them in years. A show for the ages.

Oh my God

Your FAVORTITE concert of 2007?

Man, Oh, Man.  Very tough choice.  Do I HAVE to pick 1?  Nope:  my blog, my rules.

Well, I missed my man Bruce Hornsby this year.  Had to make a choice between him and Stevie Wonder.  The concerts were very close together and in another life I may have made it to both–but things were just too hectic.   (Do I sense a new year’s resolution coming on here)? 

So first a list of the artists I saw:

Stevie, can I just say, STEVIE FREAKING WONDER.  My Lord.  What a show!  Best part of the show:  being within earshot.  Worst part of the show.  There was no encore!  Perhaps because the winery has some agreement that shows must stop at a certain time but it ended and you could tell Stevie was just getting pumped.  He could have played 2 more hours.  If he comes to your town and tours in 2008.  Sell whatever you can.  Pay whatever you must.  GO.

Rush.  I was in the crib listening to these guys…I’ve loved them forever.  C’mon, I’m a drummer.  Duh.  Neil Peart, please.  And Geddy and Alex.  The boys were ON that night.  Geddy sounded better than at ANY show I can remember.  Best part of the show: Neil smiled and laughed.  No, really–they played from such a wide range of albums.  It was  aural orgasm.  Ewwww,  did I write that? [sound of browsers clicking shut].  News:  they ARE touring AGAIN in 2008.  In the words of Vincent Vega:  I’m goin’, I’m fuckin’ going.

Ben Folds:  The man is insane in concert.  Best part of the show:  I have never seen someone lead the audience as a chorus through his song with stage right singing part A of a bridge and stage left doing part B.  Worst part of the show:  I waited too long to buy tickets so had to buy scalped tix on the street.  No biggie.  The end justified the means.

Patty Griffin:  She is one of the best songwriters to come along in 25 years.  What a talent.  And what a voice.  That comes from this little tiny person.  Best part of the show:  Ummm.  All of it!  Worst part of the show:  Opening band was a little far out – then he turned out to be her drummer.  Very talented.  Just did not seem to jibe with the main show. 

Pink Martini:  What, you’ve never heard of Pink Martini?  Have you been under a rock?  Do you listen to NPR?  You don’t?  [Emily Litella voiceover]:  Nevermind!  Hang on Little Tomato – – Instant classic.  Best part of the show, sorry honey, China Forbes in some silver dress.  How shallow.  Really I was there for the music, but the picture show wasn’t bad.  Best part of the show:  Amazing musicianship.  And the way the leader got out of the way and let everybody do their thing.  How democratic of you, Thomas!  Worst part of the show.  Nosebleed seats and not able to sit with our friends because it was first come first served seating. 

 And now…the choice.  How predictable!  A tie between Rush and Stevie.  Shyeah.  As IF.  I can’t dis either one. 

Songs that move you~

 As in, get you dancing, move you to tears, or stir your soul:  Here’s some of mine…I’d love to hear yours.

This post was originally titled top 10.  But I broke my own rule.

Pass the “O” by Yogoman Burning Band  (find them on myspace @ http://www.myspace.com/yogomanburningband

P-Funk by Parliament Funkadellic

A Change is gonna come by Sam Cooke

Beautfiul Day by U2

Boogie Woogie Country Girl by Big Joe Turner

Blue Monk by Thelonius Monk

Chet Bakers Unsung Swan Song by David Wilcox

Crosstown Traffic by Jimi Hendrix

 Donna non vidi mai by Puccini

Dos Gardenias by Buena Vista Social Club

Overjoyed by Stevie Wonder

Entre Nous by Rush

Three of a Perfect Pair by King Crimson

Gettin Jiggy Wit It by Will Smith

Maybe I’m Amazed by Paul McCartney

Hallelujah I just Love Her So by Ray Charles

Hard to Handle by Otis Redding

Honky Cat by Elton John

How Far am I from Cannan by the Soul Stirrers

I Wish by Stevie Wonder

I Will by The Beatles

Into The Mystic by Van Morrison

Izzo (H.O.V.A) by Jay-Z

Let’s Stay Together by Al Green

Sweet Potato by Cracker

Lost and Lookin’ by Sam Cooke

Make You Feel My Love by Bob Dylan

Me & Bobby McGee (Kristofferson) as sung by Janis Jolpin

My Old School by Steely Dan

Thunder Road by Springsteen

Promised Land as done by Elvis (shout out to Chuck Berry)

This is Us by Mark Knopfler

See The Same Way by Bruce Hornsby

Subterranean Homesick Blues by Bob Dylan

The Seeker by The Who

The Sweetest Gift by Sade

Redemption Song by Bob Marley

Will it go round in circles by Billy Preston

Lowdown by Boz Scaggs….there are more but we could be here forever!

Top 10 albums of all time

We had a discussion over Christmas dinner about which albums would make it into our top 10 of all time.

The responses were interesting.  I’d love to hear yours as well.

This is far more than 10, but there were a lot of people at the table.

Some of them, in no particular order were:

Ziggy Stardust by David Bowie

Are You Experienced by Jimi Hendrix

Joshua Tree by U2

Moving Pictures by Rush

Bitches Brew or Kind of Blue, both by Miles Davis

Songs in the Key of Life by Stevie Wonder

Physical Graffiti by Led Zeppelin

Hot House by Bruce Hornsby

Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen

What’s Goin On by Marvin Gaye

Legend by Bob Marley

Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd

A Love Supreme by John Coltrane

Who’s Next by The Who

Cracked Rear View by Hootie and The Blowfish.  Just kidding, but 16 million mofos bought this, damn it.  And I’ll bet you were ONE of them!

August and Everything After by The Counting Crows….

This is an interesting post.  Perhaps you’d like to throw your list in as well?

How cool is that?

Rush Moving Pictures Puzzle

This Rush puzzle, features the cover artwork from Moving Pictures. This 1000 piece ouzzle, when completed, measures 27″ X 20″. This is a great gift for that special Rush fan!

http://www.rushbackstage.com/rushbackstage/rush-moving-pictures-puzzle/index.html