Ten Essential Tracks for Mothers Day (It's This Sunday, Slackers)

Another Mothers Day is upon us. Let's make her a Ten Essential Playlist for her iPod. I know she likes indie, punk and the like so here is my list for Mom:
1. My Mom Still Cleans My Room..........MXPX
2. Anything by "Say Hi To Your Mom"
3. Cockadoodledoo............Momma Stud
4. The Sky is Falling and I Want My Mommy.....NoMeansNo
5. I Wanna Get a Mohawk (But Mom Won't Let Me Get One)...AFI
6. My Mother Was A Chinese Trapeze Artist...The Decemberists
7. Mother Superior........Good Riddance
8. Tie Your Mother Down......Queen
9. Mother Knows Best.......Richard Thompson
10. Anything by Frank Zappa and the Mothers

Flying Pig: Ten Essential Tunes for a Swine Flu Epidemic

Flying Pig
Originally uploaded by Lizette Greco

The Swine Flu has flown, or at least it seems to have. Here is a list of tunes to load up for such an occaision:

1. Little Piggies... The Beatles
2. Little Pigs... Mucky Pup
3. War Pigs... Black Sabbath
4. Old School Pig... Tilt
5. Devils, Rats and Piggies... The Mekons
6. Pork Tornado... Pork Tornado
7. Primus... Pork Soda
8. When Pigs Fly... by local scene artists Eddie & the F@#k Munkeys
9. Smell the Bacon... Madball
10. Pigs (Take your Pick...)... Pink Floyd

Just a nice little playlist to celebrate the pig flu season and all the things it has brought us. Hope you enjoy. Where else would you find psychedelic rock and hardcore on the same playlist...

Ten Essential Uplifting Punk Songs for these Hard Times!

"Rise above" graffiti, Erie Canal
Originally uploaded by jcolman

Times are tough. Here is a batch of punk songs that will make it easier. In no apparent order, here are some of my favorites:

Rise Above - Black Flag
The be all end all of great punk tunes! "Try to stop us, it's no use!!!" Henry Rollins screaming into the mic, and he means business...

I'm Not Down - The Clash
A very personal and thoughtful account of personal trials and mustering up the strength and courage to overcome them.
"I've been beat up, I've been thrown Out
But I'm not down, Oh I'm not down
I've been shown up, but I've grown up
And I'm not down, Oh I'm not down"

Somewhere Over the Rainbow - Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
If this classic song done up SoCal punk style doesn't bring a smile to your face, then, as Louis Jordan would say, "Jack, you dead!"

I'm OK You're OK - MXPX
In a comforting way, MXPX is like your old pal, reminding you of better times, and that things are gonna be alright...

Do or Die - Dropkick Murphys
Leave it to the Murphs to give you the wakeup call against complacency. Don't let the bastards get you down!
"Your dreams are in danger, and We Must Rise
Our time has come we are under the gun It's Do or Die"

Living - The Circle Jerks
"Everyday is such a test, When this world's such a mess
But I'll try hard- I'll do my best, Won't get bogged down- like all the rest
Got no hamsters in my head- No monkeys on my back
No chains and shackles- to hold me down I wanna fly- I wanna fly"
That was my theme song back in the early 90's. I better find that cd and give it a spin!

New Day Rising - Husker Du
The whole lyric is like, Bob Mould shouting and screaming over and over "New Day Rising", but for some reason I get comfort from this...

Somewhere - Husker Du
Once again, in bittersweet verse, Bob Mould promises us that:
"Somewhere the dirt is washed down with the rain
Somewhere there's happiness instead of pain
Somewhere satisfaction has no name Somewhere I can
be the same". Hopeful lyrics.

I Believe in Miracles - The Ramones
I used to be on an endless run. Believe in miracles cause Im one.
A have been blessed with the power to survive. After all these years Im still alive.
I believe in miracles.
I believe in a better world for me and you.
I have been blessed with the power to survive.
After all these years Im still alive.
The futures here today. Its not too late.
Its not too late, yeah! I believe in miracles.
I believe in a better world for me and you.
Oh, I believe in miracles. I believe in a better world for me and you
Very deep stuff in a Ramones sort of way.

Rise Up - Pennywise
"Well it's up to you what you really want to do - take time - to find a way
Focus on your vision you're on a secret mission
Ignore what the masses say
Well it's up to me what I really want to be
And I'm still searching for the day
We got to fight we got to feel we got to know that this is real
If we're going to win this race
We gotta rise up open our eyes up."

Put these tracks on a playlist and you might find yourself feeling better about the world, the economy, the situation we are currently in. I know you folks out there have some favorite tunes, so PLEASE comment below!
Rise Above!!!

Ten Essential Women of Punk?

calendar girl punk rock jenny 3
Originally uploaded by Robots For Magnolia

Who are the Ten Essential Women of Punk? I can think of lots of great candidates. Nowadays there are tons of great punk singers of the female persuasion. The Soviettes, The Eyeliners, Tilt, the list goes on, and there are plenty of great female artists in the punk genre... But who were the first? Who paved the way? Here is my list. If I left anyone out, feel free to comment! In no particular order.

Patti Smith:
Who is considered the poet laureat of punk. I remember her stuff coming on the scene in the late 70s (editor's note, I am an old fart) and the passion of her lyrics and vocals. She brought a literate and lucid vision to the music scene at the time, and was (and still is) an original. Most people are at least partly familiar with her from the near hit Because the Night. My fave was always Pissing in the River.

Exene Cervenka (X)
Passionate singer of the great SoCal punk band X, I always loved the sense of urgency Exene displayed in her vocals. The album Los Angeles is a definite "add" for any collection, and my favorite tune by X was Breathless. This was actually done for the soundtrack of the 80's film Breathless, but the tune was better than the movie anyway.

Wendy O.Williams (Plasmatics)
When punk was scary and new, so was Wendy O. My mind reels with pictures of WOW blowing up a car on the Tom Snyder show, blowing up school buses, wielding a chainsaw onstage. She was both scary and exciting, like her music. The blonde mohawk and schoolgirl skirt, whipped cream and duct tape. Not to be confused with any other band leader on the planet... She had attitude, and showmanship. She tragically ended her life a few years back.

Debbie Harry (Blondie)
Not a true punk by today's style, but punk in a NY art house sort of way. Like Talking Heads, Blondie, Television, etc. who were considered punk in the 70's. Debbie had a great stage presence, classic beauty and an interesting voice. I always liked Rip Her to Shreds with its attitude. She pioneered mixing rap and rock with Rapture. They delved into new wave, electronica, dance and punk.

Joan Jett (The Runaways)
I am the same age as Joan and these ladies. As a hormone- raged teen, seeing Joan, Cherie, and Lita et al, was quite overwhelming. One performance of Cherry Bomb was enough to start an adolescent male riot. I give Joan the vote since she was the best known, but all the Runaways deserve the nod. They paved the way for riotgirl punk and bands like The Donnas.

Kim Gordon (Sonic Youth)
Noise, art punk, hardcore or whatever, Kim was one of the original noisemakers who helped launch the avant garde punk scene in the early 80s. She was just one of the band, not a novelty, as bands with female members were in the days before the came on the scene.

Gaye Advert (The Adverts)
From the other side of the pond, I needed someone to represent britpunk. Gaye fills that bill. She is one of the original britpunk women I remember from back in the day. Good punk vocs and stage presence, with tons of the britpunk attitude. I like the old snarling dog style of the British rockers.

Kira Roessler (Black Flag)
Kira gets the nod because she was tough enough to tour with Black Flag. I'm not sure that I am even tough enough to tour with Black Flag. Van rides to nowhere, sleeping on floors, eating stale fast food... For additional punk rock cred, she was once married to Minutmen bassist Mike Watt as well. And a very good bassist. I saw her and Mike Watt in Chicago as "Dos" doing their 2 bass spiel back in the early 90's. Good show!

Nico (Velvet Underground)
Not punk as we know it, but proto-punk. Nico showed that women did not need to all sing ballads and play the victim, but could be on the cutting edge of rock music. I give her the pioneer award for her work with Lou Reed and the Velvets.

Suzi Gardner (L7)
Although more of a grunge player, I am giving Suzi props because she walks the line between grunge and punk. She also appeared on the Black Flag cut Slip it In. She was the female character providing miscellaneous moans, vocals, screams, etx. It don't get more punk than that.

Alright, who did I leave out? Post angry and insightful comments below! I love girls with guitars!!! Especially the angry ones.

The Dirty Dozen Year End Round Up: The Twelve Most Popular Stories on The Dissident Times for '08

These are the most popular stories voted on by your little mouse-clicking fingers. A little schizo, but so is our blog, our readers and that's okay. Man does not live by punk and politics alone! In a world where Al Franken is a maverick, and John McCain is on Saturday Night Live, anything can happen. What a great year.
Drum Roll please:

1. Henry Rollins Spoken Word Tour of 2008 There seemed to be mucho interest in what Henry has to say, as this was the top article of the year. Henry is a rennaissance man and all-round interesting character. Little did I know during his Black Flag days that he would go on to have a successful career as a talk show host and spoken word artist. I was lucky enough to meet Henry back in '86. He was "intelligent and intense". That is how I always describe him. He has a busy mind, a great sense of humor, and a vitality that is always refreshing.
2. Ten Essential Punk Albums You Should Own. This article was one of my "Ten Essential" series that I like to write to help expose people to new music and artists. I tried to get 30 years of punk and boil it down to the 10 best albums. I could have made it the Top 100, as it was hard to narrow down the list. I tried to pay homage to as many styles of punk from different locales and eras as I could.
3. Anti-Flag Playing a free show at the Republican National Convention. A lot of hits on this came from ground zero itself, Minneapolis. Don't be confused, they were not doing a gig at the RNC, but at a different venue. The concert also featured Rage Against the Machine and others, and was great by many accounts.
4. Story of the Year Releases New Album. This seems like it should be number one, as "story of the year", but it managed a respectable #4 on the list. The St. Louis band turns out tasteful licks with just enough hard edge, good lyrics and hummable melodies to keep you tuning in. The new cd satisfies in several categories. Buy it.
5. New Release of Eva Cassidy material. Who is Eva? She is a jazz/folk/pop singer from DC that died 10 years ago. She had such a powerful voice that it will haunt you. Why else would bloggers like me be talking about her 10 years after her death. She had a purity and natural talent that stands tall even after all these years. Celebrate her life and get some Eva. I know this is a punk blog mostly, but give in to your tender side, bro. I think I love her.
6. Fender's New Joe Strummer Telecaster. Here is an amalgam of everything I love. Punk-The Clash-Fender guitars-Street art. The only way it could be more appealing to me is if it had a picture of my kids on it, got 50 miles per gallon and smelled like pizza.
7. MXPX celebrates 16 years in-yer-face. This article was a nice little howdy do to a punk band that I have always liked. They are straightforward, melodic, classic punk and a nicer bunch of boys you will not find. Happy 16th, MXPX!
8. Live CD: The Clash at Shea Stadium. The Clash at their best in a live concert cd at Shea Stadium. The band sounds tight, vibrant and as important as ever. Buy this disc too or ask Santa to get it for you. I love the Sandinista and London Calling era, and I love this too.
9. Unknown Hinson's Live CD in the works. For the uninitiated, Unknown Hinson is half vampire, half pyschobilly master of the Telecaster. He comes to town a couple of times a year looking for fresh blood. Nice sparse tunes done full-blown rockabilly style, with Unknown's unique delivery. This is priceless stuff!
10. Camper Van Beethoven retrospective Camper Van was there before indie had a name. Their stuff was quirky and different. This article was just a little roundup of a band that I remember fondly from the late 80s and early 90s. I think I accused an old roomy of stealing that CD, but I found it again in a cd folder since the article was written. What is the statute of limitations on libel?
11. Ten Essential Reggae Artists to Know. I never claimed to be a reggae expert, but I do like the music. Here, I just wanted to pay respect to some Reggae artists I felt have had a big influence on the genre over the years. I always loved how bands like Black Uhuru could sound so hopeful and so sad at the same time. There are tons of great reggae bands out there, and this was my list of ones I found worth the listen.
12. The Urges- Psych Ward New cd that merges the atonal and tuneful, the straight ahead with the psychedeilc. It is nice to see newer bands coming out with worthy takes on classic genres, and taking the music to new places in the process.
    
    So that, my friends, is it. Have a great new year, keep your ears open to new music, and contact us with your favorites and opinions on our favorites. May 2009 rock and rock hard!
    
    
    

Ten Essential Grunge Artists You Should Know

Grunge
Originally uploaded by thedrio

In the minds of many, grunge is dead and gone. Though the heyday has long past, the genre did produce some very good and interesting bands. I like to compile lists of artists and albums that I call the "Ten Essential". In no particular order, I group up ten artists that I consider essential if you were to start a record collection of that genre. So break out the old jeans with the knees torn out and your best (torn) flannel shirt... without fanfare, here is my list of ten essential grunge artists you should know.

Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains, alongside Metallica, was the definitive metal band of the early '90s. The band featured a bleak, minimalistic sound that balanced grinding hard rock and subtle acoustic tracks. They straddled a line between metal, punk and garage that placed them among the front ranks of the Seattle-based grunge bands.

Green River
One of the first, if not THE first grunge band, and named for the Green River in the Seattle area, members went on to form other notable grunge bands such as Mother Love Bone, Mudhoney and Pearl Jam. Their tone has been described as dirty, sludgy and gleefully ugly... I can't disagree.

Mudhoney
Here is what allmusic.com says about the band. Mudhoney were the first real success story for Sub Pop Records; their indie-scene success laid the groundwork for the movement that would (briefly) make Seattle, WA, the new capital of the rock & roll universe; and they took the sweat-soaked and beer-fueled mixture of heavy metal muscle, punk attitude, and garage rock primitivism that would become known as "grunge" to the hipster audience for the first time, who would in turn sell it to a mass audience ready for something new. Well said...

Nirvana
The breakout artist of the grunge movement. They were not the first, but they were at the onset of grunge's popularity, with their gazillion seller "Nevermind". In the minds of many, they created grunge. We know this to be incorrect, but in terms of influence, Nirvana topped the scene. After Kurt Cobaine's death, a great post-grunge band Foo Fighters emerged from the ashes.

Pearl Jam
Back in '90, my roommate wore out the cd "Ten". I think it was my cd, but he wore it out. Rising from the ashes of Mother Love Bone, they went on to become one of the most popular bands of the '90s. According to allmusic.com: "After vocalist Andrew Wood overdosed on heroin in 1990, guitarist Stone Gossard and bassist Jeff Ament assembled a new band, bringing in Mike McCready on lead guitar and recording a demo with Soundgarden's Matt Cameron on drums. Thanks to future Pearl Jam drummer Jack Irons, the demo found its way to a 25-year-old San Diego surfer named Eddie Vedder, who overdubbed vocals and original lyrics and was subsequently invited to join the band." the rest is history, as they say.

Soundgarden
This was actually the first grunge band I caught on to. I heard their first outing, and it seemed to be a refreshing hard rock (read: non-hair band) take in the late 80s.A guy I know from A&M gave me a demo copy of their first record, and I enjoyed the fresh sounds. Zeppelinesque, I thought at the time. These guys brought a metal tone to alt rock.

L7
More than just the obligatory "all girl" band of the genre, L7 brought a punk sensibility and ethos to grunge. They hailed from LA, but were often lumped in with the "Seattle Movement" of the early '90s. Founded in 1985 by a pair of guitarists/singers, Suzi Gardner and Donita Sparks, they forged a sound that was in the right place at the right time for success. Suzi has punk street cred, as she was featured on Black Flag's "Slip it In".

Melvins
The Melvins revelled in the slow, sludgy sounds of Black Sabbath meets Black Flag. Slow and heavy and barren of indulgent guitar solos — it's dark and plodding. The Melvins' first record was released in 1987 and in 1993 they went to a major label, thanks to Kurt Cobain. The band formed in Aberdeen, WA, the same town that produced Nirvana's Cobain and Krist Novoselic.

Mother Love Bone
On the grunge family tree, this band gave birth to Pearl Jam. One of the original grunge acts, they were harkening back to a sound from the early 70's glam and metal scene. The untimely death of lead singer Andrew Wood brought about the early demise of MLB and the birth of Pearl Jam.

Screaming Trees
The Trees melded punk, psychedelia and metal into an awesome sound. Never quite the darlings of the MTV grunge explosion, they had a sound that seperated them from the run of the mill acts of the time. These guys were cut from their own cloth, and not easy to pidgeonhole alongside other acts and therefore never attained the towering heights of other Seattle area bands.

Stone Temple Pilots
Stone Temple Pilots turned grunge into stadium rock, to the delight of fans and scorn of critics, who saw them as derrivative of arena rock and other Seattle acts of their era. Less like the dark lyrics and droning of many other bands, they had a tight, radio-friendly sound that holds up pretty well.

Ten Essential Punk Albums You Should Own

Here is another of my useless "Ten Essentials" lists. This is my subjective, opinionated, useless list. If you disagree with it, fine. How punk is that?

Black Flag- Damaged

This was the "White Album" for alienated youth in my day. Black Flag and Henry Rollins combined to form a scary amalgam of punk and metal noise not unlike the Hindenberg crash. When Henry shouts "I want to live... I wish I was dead", it was like a rallying cry for us 80's punks.

Dead Kennedys- Frankenchrist

This album was deemed so dangerous that the LAPD had to break some heads... Jello Biafra's satirical lyrics and the band's fast-paced delivery set the tone for Reagan-era punk. This infamous psychedelic edged hardcore album features 10 tracks including the old favs Soup Is Good Food, Jock- O- Rama, Goons Of Hazzard and MTV Get Off The Air!

Descendents- Somery
What more can be said? "All"! These guys wrote the blueprint for SoCal self-effacing punk with a sense of humor. Their "heart on sleeve" tunes were emo before there was emo. Short, interesting uptempo songs rule the day. All-O-Gistics should be a recognmized religion...

Husker Du- Zen Arcade

Recorded in a whirlwind session, this double album set the standard for hardcore and noise punk. The swirl of guitar feedback, and pounding drums set a thousand imitators in motion. Songs like "Broken Home Broken Heart" invented emo, while others like "Standing by the Sea" pushed hardcore into new directions with longer and slower arrangements and new ideas. This is a must have cd.

Minor Threat- Discography

Invented straight-edge punk. Sparse, emotional music that predated emo, before emo was a bad word. Minor Threat was short-lived but long will be remembered. One of the all time classics.

Minutemen- Double Nickels on the Dime

This double album had like a hundred songs on it. All of them good. DIY punk from 'Pedro CA. This was my soundtrack for the 80's. "This Ain't No Picnic" was a great one... The neat lyrics by D. Boone, the pounding bass from Mike Watt and the impeccable druming of George Hearly was a match made in indie punk heaven. The sound was sparse and excitable. As Mike Watt would say in his unique dialogue: "These guys jammed econo".

Rancid- 2000

The Punk Revival record that shows that punk is still alive and kicking. This album is THE punk record of the new millenium. Makes you love punk again. In the 90s, as I got a job and became a member of society, I was searching for some new grooves. Along came great SoCal bands like Rancid, NOFX and the gang. This album rocks, it goes for the throat, and it proves that the younger generation "gets it". Punk lives!

Ramones- Ramones

The first punk record ever. The Ramones invented punk. Do not be misled...

I remember hearing this album and thinking, these guys are nuts. Second playing... these guys are pretty good. Third playing... these guys are gods... Took arena rock and sacraficed it on the alter of rock and roll.

Sex Pistols- Never Mind the Bollocks

The Britpunk esthetic. Snarling, bad attitude, off key. Often imitated, never topped. Johnny Rotten set the standard for impudent, arrogant, hateful band leaders in the early days. Sid Vicious was, well Sid Vicious. And the rest of the band wailed with an urgency and self-destruction that let you know that the Pistols would self destruct but become imortal.

The Clash- London Calling

As a high school kid growing up, this album was my favorite. So many songs. So many styles. The Clash showed that you can be punk and still cover a lot of territory. Here is ska, punk, crooked jazz, street folk, and a plethora of other styles filtered through this amazing band.

Hope you find some good albums on this list. If you have any comments, or other albums I forgot, let me know. Here is a good start for a punk cd collection that will show you a lot of different bands that were important along the way. Happy listening!

Ten Essential Reggae Artists to Know

Like my list of essential Blues artists, here is a list of reggae artists that I feel are "must haves" for any startup reggae collection. If you want to expand your musical knowledge and add a new style to your CD collection, here are a few suggestions in the reggae genre. In no particular order, here are some reggae artists I feel have had much influence in their field.
1. Bob Marley
The most influential reggae artist, known throughout the world. Bob Marley transcended musical influence and was also a social influence in the world.Simple, plaintive tunes that spoke to the masses about oppression, racism, and freedom. "Legend" is a great disc to start with. Dig a little deeper and add "Uprising" and "Rastaman Vibration". There are a lot of interesting books and DVDs about Marley and his influence in reggae and beyond.
2. Black Uhuru
Black Uhuru (Swahili for "Freedom) incorporated modern beats and electronic drums in their sound. They were THE band of the 80s and early 90s. Great songwriting, excellent grooves and an instantly recognizable sound were the trademark of Uhuru. My favorite albums were "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner", "Iron Storm" and "Red". There is an "Ultimate Collection" available as well.
3. Mutabaruka
Dub poet and reggae artist, Muta's words are as great in print as they are to a reggae beat. I recommend "Check It" which was recorded in the early 80s, but still has an urgency for today, as well as his "Greatest Hits" collection that is available. Mutabaruka mixes pain, humor, politics and many other emotions into his raves. Do yourself a favor and check out his stuff.
4. Aswad
My favorite CD is "Hulet" although Aswad has always maintained a great, tight reggae groove filled with excellent musicianship. Aswad has often incorporated smooth R&B influences into their music and have had crossover appeal because of this.
5. Sly and Robbie
Sly and Robbie have appeared on countless reggae recordings over the years. They have also recorded with Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones. Playing together for many years has allowed them to have a remarkably tight Bass and Drums sound that lays down a thick groove. Having Sly and Robbie on the recording is like the reggae "Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval". You know it is quality stuff. Their own CD "Friends" won a Grammy in 1999.
6. Peter Tosh
Peter Tosh cut his teeth with Bob Marley and the Wailers early on. Going out on his own in the 70's, "Legalize It" was a dangerous, subversive thought, and Peter Tosh had it on his album cover, standing in front of a pile o' weed... Other than that, the recording was excellent and thoughful. This CD is a must for an understanding of reggae back in the day. Powerful stuff. His "No Nuclear War" is another great one, and won the 1988 Grammy for Best Reggae Album. His "Captured Live" album is also a good one.
7. Bunny Wailer
Another Bob Marley and the Wailers graduate, Bunny Wailer was the softer of the reggae sound, producing "Roots" reggae that is thoughtful and soulful. "Blackheart Man" is a great example of his sound and soul. Over the years he has won 3 Grammy awards for Best Reggae Album. "Time Will Tell" was one such CD and was a tribute to Marley.
8. Burning Spear
Nominated for 11 Grammy Awards over the years, Burning Spear has produced consistantly excellent music over the years. Burning Spear hails from the same town as Bob Marley and Marcus Garvey, Spear advocates messages of honesty, peace, and love, along with the religious and political messages of Rastafarianism and black unity. "People of the World", "Resistance" and "Rasta Business" are all excellent, although all of Spear's material is of high quality.
9. Toots and the Maytals
Here is another group that goes all the way back to the beginning of time, or at least seems to. They are as influential as Marley musically although not socially or politically. The group appeared on one of reggae's greatest soundtracks, - "The Harder They Come", a 1972 film starring Jimmy Cliff .On Vanity Fair's Top 10 Best Soundtracks of all time. Their material has even been recorded by The Clash.
10. Jimmy Cliff
Cliff's career took off at age 14 with "Hurricane Hattie". "Hard Road to Travel" was another influential early recording. "Wonderful World, Beautiful People" and "Vietnam" were both well received early material as well. He won a Grammy in 1985 with "Cliff Hanger". He has been active in both reggae and pop music and had many hits. His music has been covered by artists such as Bruce Springsteen and Cliff has collaborated with many pop, rock and R&B artists.

Hope this little guide will get you interested in expanding your musical pallate. Reggae is great soulful music and everyone should have some in their library. Happy Listening!

Ten Essential Surf Artists to Know

I have always liked surf music. It has laid back grooves, mixed with great instrumental tracks and WAVES of Fender guitars! Here in no particular order, is one more of my random musical guides:
1. Dick Dale and the Del-Tones
The undisputed and reigning king of surf! Dick Dale's staccato attack on the Fender Stratocaster is timeless. Wielding a metallic seafoam Strat, Dick has a tone and delivery that will peal paint off the wall. His early stuff was great, and many say he invented the style, and he has continued to put out decent material even into recent years. You gotta love this guy!
2. The Beach Boys
These guys were the most popular surf band, and eventually went on to become one of the most popular pop bands of their era. The Wilson Brothers with Mike Love and Al Jardine, and their great musicianship and nice harmonies, defined the laid-back Southern California sound. Brian's great studio production and musical vision, and the 'Boys musical prowess took them to the top of the charts. The Beach Boys were around long after the Surf craze died out. "Pet Sounds" and "Endless Summer" are among my favorites.
3. Jan and Dean
Best known for "Surf City", Jan and Dean epitomize the cool California sound of Surf. I will always remember their "Batman" album from my childhood. I wore the grooves off of that one. Tragedy struck this pair and cut them down in their prime. But if you want a great slice of California sunshine, check out Jan and Dean.
4. The Surfaris
Who hasn't heard "Wipeout"? It is a classic of the surf genre. Led by a great drummer, Ron Wilson, and a cool guitar attack, the Surfaris were head and shoulders above the average surf band. Their run of successful albums in the early to mid 60's was quite impressive.
5. The Ventures
Hawaii 5-0, "Walk Don't Run" and "Pipeline" are the best track here. The Ventures played straightforward instrumental surf. This band continued on and off into the 90's and had a worldwide influence. The Best of the Ventures is a must-have of the surf genre.
6. The Trashmen
Widely known for the wacky hit "Surfin Bird" this combo combined crazy vocal techniques with booming guitars and beats that can still be heard in punk acts today. Hailing from Minneapolis, they gained popularity doing surf in the Midwest to the land-locked fans of the genre. Their sound is reminiscent of the wild and unabashed rock and roll we all love.
7. The Chantays
A true surf band, hailing from Santa Ana, California, they are known best for the tune "Pipeline". Catchy instrumental melodies with nice guitar work were the calling card for this band. They represented the legit surf bands, as their biggest hit was reportedly recorded in the back of a surf shop. They were the real deal.
8. Ronny and the Daytonas
Although they were from Nashville, these guys straddled the line between surf and revved-up hotrod tunes. Not surprising considering they were named after a hotrod. I include them in my list since they represented the convergence of the two popular styles of the early 60s. "GTO" was the hit here. Come to think of it, their main hit was named after a hotrod too...
9. The Tornados
Here is one of the earliest of the surf bands. Their instrumental hit "Bustin Surfboards" set the tone for surf. Precise, melodic guitar lines, instrumental grooves, and splashy and pounding drums were their style. And REVERB REVERB REVERB!!! This set the tone for many of those who would follow.
10. The Pyramids
In 1964, the Pyramids hit the charts with "Penetration," the last big national instrumental surf hit, and one of the best of thegenre. From Long Beach, California they too were the real deal SoCal surf outfit. A victim of the British Invasion, which stole the spotlight from the Surf sound, they disbanded after one album and a few singles.They were there at the end of the era, and their hit "Penetration" left a resounding echo.
Hope this list gives you something to think about. Happy Listening!

Ten Essential Blues Artists to Know

So you want to learn more about the Blues? Here is a list in random order of essential artists and recordings to get familiar with the genre. Start your collection from the vast resources of eBay listings! You will find a treasure trove of rare and valuable tunes!!!
In no particular order:
1. Muddy Waters: "The Father of the Chicago Blues"
Great albums include "Hard Again" which was a compilation of old and new tunes with an allstar band including Johnny Winter, Pinetop Perkins, James Cotton et al. No collection should be without a collection of Muddy's hits and there are many nice compilations out there. Muddy took the Delta sound and electrified it in Chicago, with such musicians as Willie Dixon, Koko Taylor, Little Walter and James Cotton.
2. B.B. King: "The King of the Blues"
The most widely recognized blues artist of all time, BB has made it from the Mississippi cotton fields to the White House and Buckingham Palace. A true worldwide artist, BB has played the blues EVERYWHERE. My favorite is the boxset "King of the Blues" which covers his career from the 50's to the 90's. "Live at the Cook County Jail" is another classic. BB King "Live at the Regal" is classic BB live. It was described as an opera of humor, depression and every emotion in between.
3. John Lee Hooker " The King of the Boogie"
JLH is a great storyteller and his songs are full of emotion. I like his early stuff, which is great with tracks like "Dimples", "Boom Boom", "Mighty Fire" etc. I also like his later works such as "Mr. Lucky" which featured Hooker's tracks with Dr. John and Carlos Santana. Hooker was an original whose influence can be heard everywhere, in such groups as ZZ Top and others. Get a greatest hits compilation and you won't be dissatisfied.
4. Albert King "Godfather of the Blues"
I like Albert for his more modern urban style blues, with full horn sections and the Hammond organ blaring away. "I'll Play the Blues for You" is a classic of the early 70's era that I still listen to all the time. Self taught, Albert played a Gibson Flying V which is a strange choice for a bluesman. It is his signature axe.
5. Koko Taylor " The Queen of the Blues"
Koko entered the traditionally all-male blues genre and demanded respect. Songs like "I Can Love You Like a Woman or Fight You like a Man" say it all. Koko teamed up with Willie Dixon early on and she learned how to take a song and make it a hit. "Wang Dang Doodle" is her signature tune, penned by Willie Dixon. "I Got What it Takes" is a classic recording from her early days. At 72 years old, she shows no signs of slowing down.
6. Elmore James "King of the Slide Guitar"
Delta bluesman Elmore James brought the slide guitar to the attention of blues fans early on. Slide guitar is a difficult style to master, and can still be heard by the likes of Little Ed, Bonnie Raitt, and others. Elmore's early tracks were very influential and his style still rings through today.
7. Robert Johnson "King of the Delta Blues"
Early blues artist Robert Johnson was a delta bluesman, favoring the folksy and sparse style of the region. There is a nice box set of Robert Johnson available that contains his essential tracks. This is early blues so the recording quality is not always the greatest. The singing and playing shines through these rough tracks, however.
8. Willie Dixon "The Poet Laureate of the Blues"
A writer, producer and bass player, Willie Dixon was also an artist in his own right. An influential artist of the Chicago scene, his tracks have been recorded by the likes of Led Zeppelin, the Doors, Grateful Dead, the Kinks, as well as all the usual blues artists. A good book on Willie is "I Am the Blues" [ISBN-0-7043-0253-5]. Many good compilations exist of his material. Get one!
9. Howlin' Wolf "Smokestack Lightning"
From Mississippi, like so many other artists of the genre, Wolf moved to Chicago and the whole Chess Records scene in the 1950s. An influential artist, his Blues Shouting style was unique. A nice compilation "His Best" contains all the hits.
10. Bo Diddley "The Originator"
Bo was the bridge between blues, boogie and rock and roll. Still rocking it after all these years, his trademark square guitar in hand, Mr. Diddley still rocks the house. Voted to Rolling Stone's 100 most influential artists list, many great recordings exist of Bo Diddley.
Hope this helps. I love the Blues and want to help others who want to get some discs, but maybe didn't know where to start. Happy Listening!

Ten Essential Jazz Guitarists to Know

Here is another of my endless lists of artists you should know in a certain genre. I enjoy doing these because if you are interested in a certain style, this will give you an idea of where to start. As alway, the artists are in no particular order. Just a list of great artists in the genre.
1. Charlie Christian
All discussion of jazz on a guitar starts right here with Charlie. He was an originator and innovator in the genre. Using the guitar as a solo instrument in jazz was not really done that much before him. He used chord voicings that were like a little horn section, playing chord solos on the amplified electric archtop guitar, with the swing of a Coletrain or Monk. All jazz guitarists can trace at least some of their technique and style to Charlie Christian.
2. Wes Montgomery
Described as a natural extension of Charlie Christian, Wes picked up the torch and carried it forward. Wes used a heavy tone and a thumb stroke to produce his trademark tones. Soloing in single notes, octaves and then chord fragments, Wes played difficult passages with the upmost of ease. I recommend ALL of his recordings. I have never been disappointed by a Wes Montgomery recording. The Riverside sessions, as well as the Verve sides, were are great. Wes is my all time favorite guitarist and jazz artist.
2. Barney Kessel
An early electric guitarist, Barney Kessell was both a commercial studio musician and a sought- after jazz player. In the era after Charlie Christian, Kessell picked up the torch of the jazz guitar and carried it forward. He cut his teeth performing with greats like Artie Shaw and Oscar Peterson. In the 70s, Kessel played with a guitar trio with Herb Ellis and Charlie Byrd. Talk about an all-star team! I loved Kessel's smooth "west coast" style.
3. Herb Ellis
Herb played Bop with a western drawl, they say. Including elements of bop and western swing style riffs, Herb was an excellent guitarist. Herb has done trio work with Joe Pass and Barney Kessel, and his fluid style rings through. Herb played with Oscar Peterson, Ella Fitzgerald, and a myriad of others.
4. Joe Pass
Joe was a great guitarist and creator of his own "virtuoso" style, as can be heard on his "Vitruoso" album series on Pablo records. He would play impossible arrangements of standards on the solo guitar, unaccompanied. In a group setting, Joe played with Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughn, as well as Oscar Peterson, Duke Ellington, and Count Basie. His expressive solo runs on guitar and beautiful chord voicings. You gotta check out some Joe!
5. Django Reinhardt
Here is a pre-electric guitarist who had a great influence on the jazz scene. He used an "outside the box" approach to solos and melodies that hearkened back to his gypsy soul. Django took the humble accoustic guitar and put it front and center on the bandstand alongside "serious" jazz instruments. He passed away at the dawn of the electric age, but his style and influence will not be forgotten.
6. Jim Hall
I include Jim Hall because I like his non-flashy style of playing. His style is more laid back and he likes to create beautiful sonic landscapes with his chords. Jim does not try to impress with hot licks, but to find the right chord and tone to fit the song. He is creates some of jazz guitar's most beautiful music because of his fundamental style.
7. Kenny Burrell
Duke Ellington listed Kenny as his favorite guitar player. Not a bad endorsement. No doubt it was for his tasteful, swinging style and cool bop. He played on sesions with Dizzy Gillespie, Coltrane and Billie Holiday to name a few. Kenny did a lot of nice solo work as well as the sides he cut with the aforementioned jazz legends.
8. Pat Martino
Pat has been a great innovator in jazz guitar, emerging in the 60s. Pat incorporated jazz, rock and world music into his style, and created something entirely new. Pat had a stroke at age 36 and had to completely relearn the guitar. He did, and is still a great guitarist.
9. Pat Metheny
Pat is not afraid to take chances. That is for sure. Like artillery, some of it hits the target and some of it doesn't. Pat is both a talented player and fearless innovator. That said, be careful of his material because some of it is very challenging to the listener. Pat brings modern- era playing into jazz guitar using world, avant garde, rock etc. into his technique.
10. Al Di Meola
I put Al on the list because it's my list and I wanted him there... But seriously, I have been a fan of Al's beautiful playing since I caught on with him in the 70s with Return to Forever. Al plays a fusion of world, flamenco, latin and classic jazz riffs and blends them into a nice mix. One of the most melodic and romantic players of the modern era.
These are the guys I would check out if I was interested in getting into a jazz cd collection and liked guitar music. There are an incredible amount of great jazz guitarists, and I had to leave a lot of greats off the list, but these are the ten I feel have had the most influence. Happy Listening!

Ten Essential Bluegrass Artists to Know

1. Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys
Monroe was born at Jerusalem Ridge Kentucky, the youngest of eight children. Because his older brothers had already taken up the fiddle and guitar, Bill was left with the mandolin. He would go on to make this weak stepchild instrument his own, and a formidible force as well. With his brother Charlie he began forming a new style of music called Bluegrass. In 1939, he auditioned for a spot on the Grand Ole Opry, impressing Opry founder George Hay. Fast tempos and virtuosity characteristic of bluegrass music was a staple of the group even early on. The addition of banjo prodigy Earl Scruggs in December 1945 rounded out the group. Scruggs played banjo a distinctive three-finger roll that caused a sensation. Monroe had also acquired the 1923 Gibson F5 model "Lloyd Loar" mandolin which became his trademark instrument for the rest of his career. Later on, Bill settled into the role of musical patriarch, continuing to influence younger musicians and sometimes bully them as well to keep his vision of Bluegrass true. He considered himself the father and caretaker of bluegrass, and more than 150 musicians played in the Blue Grass Boys over the decades. Monroe tended to recruit promising young musicians as apprentices before turning them loose to become artists in their own right. Some of Monroe's band members who went on to greater prominence include Flatt and Scruggs, Mac Wiseman, Jimmy Martin, Carter Stanley, Del McCoury, Peter Rowan, Don Reno, Sonny Osborne and Chubby Wise. One of my favorite things is when he recorded with guitar virtuoso Doc Watson. You will notice Bill Monroe "Bluegrass Boy" dna scattered throughout all the acts listed below.
2. Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs / Foggy Mountain Boys
Flatt and Scruggs were also early members of the Blue Grass Boys. Moving on as musicians do,they then formed the Foggy Mountain Boys. Scruggs' banjo playing and Flatt's warm vocals were a key component to their sound. Most famous for "The Beverly Hillbillies" theme and "Petticoat Junction", as well as "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" from the soundtrack of "Bonnie and Clyde".They had broad appeal in the 60's. They split in the late 60's due to different musical visions. Scruggs saw the beginning of the "Newgrass" movement on the horizon while Flatt, a traditionalist, continued on with his sons in the Earl Scruggs Revue. Flatt died in 1979. Scruggs still performs occasionally, as his health permits.
3. Jimmy Martin
An off-shoot of Bill Monroe and His Bluegrass Boys, Martin put the "high lonesome" voice in Bluegrass. Martin challenged Monroe to raise the key on many classics to B flat or B (B is for Bluegrass! they say). He was in the classic Bluegrass Boys lineup with Flatt and Scruggs. Martin's lead defined "lonesome" in songs such as "Memories of Mother and Dad" and "I'm Blue, I'm Lonesome". He left and started "The Sunny Mountain Boys" in the early 50's, featuring banjo master J.D. Crowe. My favorite tune was always "Widowmaker", the truck driving tale. He also appeared on the Dirt Band's classic, "Will the Circle be Unbroken". Any of Martin's albums that feature a picture his coondogs or Jimmy wearing a loud sport coat (I think they all did) is worth checking out.
4. The Stanley Brothers and the Clinch Mountain Boys
Carter and Ralph Stanley hailed from rural, mountainous Dickenson County VA. between the KY and TN borders, growing up on a small farm in the Clinch Mountains. Their music followed an old time style, with Ralph playing banjo in the old two-finger style, as well as old-timey claw hammer style. They formed the Clinch Mountain Boys in the mid 1940's, one of the earliest bands to adopt the new music style called Bluegrass [created by Bill Monroe]. Carter played guitar and had a knack for writing lyrics that conveyed strong emotion. The Stanley's style remained close to the Primitive Baptist stylings they grew up with. The brothers performed together until 1966 when Carter Stanley passed away. After Carter's death Ralph revived the Clinch Mountain Boys and is still performing. Among the musicians who have played in the modern era Clinch Mountain Boys are Ricky Skaggs, Keith Whitley and Larry Sparks. Ralph's career was given a major lift with his appearance on the successful soundtrack of "Oh Brother Where Art Thou" Among my favorite Stanley Brothers' recordings are "Man of Constant Sorrows", "Rank Stranger", "Angel Band", and "Ridin' That Midnite Train".
5. J.D. Crowe and the New South
James Dee Crowe of Nicholasville Kentucky is a banjo player best known as J.D. Crowe. And what a banjo player he is. He is known for his tremendous ability to keep the timing and rhythm of the beat with clockwork accuracy. With his band, New South, he tours the country throughout the year, playing Bluegrass festivals and the Grand Ole Opry on occasion. Crowe got his professional start playing with Jimmy Martin's Sunny Mountain Boys while still in his teens.The 1975 version of Crowe's New South band is widely considered one of the most influential bluegrass groups of the last thirty years. The band consisted of Crowe on banjo,Ricky Skaggs and Tony Rice along with Jerry Douglas. In other words an all-star team. I love the gospel tunes like "The Model Church".
6. Ricky Skaggs
Ricky Skaggs started playing music at age 6, and as a child he played mandolin on stage with Bill Monroe. He also wanted to audition for the Grand Ole Opry, but was too young. In his mid-teens, Skaggs and teen prodigy Keith Whitley started playing together with Whitley's banjoist brother Dwight. By 1970, they had earned a spot opening for the Clinch Mountain Boys. Skaggs and Whitley were eventually invited to join Stanley's band. He later joined J.D. Crowe and the New South. After an almost seperate Country Music career that brought much success, in the 1990s and 2000s, Skaggs returned to his roots, as well as experimenting with new sounds. With his band, Kentucky Thunder, he is a perennial winner of Grammy Awards and International Bluegrass Music Association for best bluegrass album. "Ancient Tones" and "Bluegrass Rules" are both excellent recordings by Skaggs. I also like his duet CDs with Tony Rice. "I always want to try to promote the old music, as well as trying to grow, and be a pioneer too," Skaggs has said.
7. Del McCoury Band
Del McCoury, leader of the Del McCoury Band, plays guitar and sings lead vocals along with his two sons, Ronnie and Rob who play mandolin and banjo. Del sang lead vocals and played rhythm guitar for the Bluegrass Boys in the 60's, with whom he first appeared on the Grand Ole Opry in 1960s. Del and company became members of the Grand Ole Opry in October 2003 and has relocated to Nashbille. McCoury has performed with bands such as Phish, Sting and Steve Earle. I like his CD "The Cold Hard Facts" which includes a cover of a Tom Petty tune as well as Robert Cray. I also like his cover of the Richard Thompson tune "Vincent Black Lightning 1952."
8. Alison Krauss and Union Station
Arriving on the scene in the late 80s- early 90's, Alison and Company brought great interest to Bluegrass in an new era. Alison's pure vocals and the nice instrumenation of the band gave them broad crossover appeal. She also won many awards as a young fiddler in her natice Illinois. I include them as they have kept the flame of Bluegrass going into the future.
9. Newgrass Revival
You will either love them or hate them. They featured influential members such as Sam Bush and Bela Fleck. New Grass has come to be a nickname for progressive bluegrass. The New Grass Boys did odd things like tour with Leon Russell, and open for the Grateful Dead. They were also notable among bluegrass bands for their instrumentation, which included drums, piano, electric guitar and bass, electric mandolin, electric fiddle, slide mandolin, etc. They straddled the line between bluegrass and jam band. Nearly every album contained at least a 7 to 20 minute instrumental, and the songs lasted even longer in their live performances. At the time, bluegrass was very traditional and the New Grass boys kicked down the doors; the New Grass Revival had long hair, wore whatever they wanted, and played whatever they wanted, including music such as classic rock, reggae and protest tunes, all done up bluegrass style.
10. The Osborne Brothers
Before there was Ozzy Osborne, there was THE Osborne Brothers, Sonny and Bobby. They were an influential early act from the hills of Eastern Kentucky. Best known for their hit "Rocky Top", their pure harmonies and down-to -earth approach caught the attention of fans. During the 1960s, the duet caused some controversy among purists for incorporating electronic and percussion instruments in their live act. The were highly regarded for their virtuosic soloing and tight, high vocal harmonies. I have long admired their vocal abilities as well.