The Who “The Real Me” (1973)
John Entwistle always said he did not play the bass. He insisted he played the bass guitar. The difference was not merely semantic. The man nicknamed “The Ox” established a treble-rich sound unlike most anyone in his era or since (per Entwistle’s own description: “Full treble, full volume”). And I would suggest, nowhere is it...... Read More
The Gourds “Gin And Juice” (2001)
I’m not into much Hip Hop. But I can appreciate a good song when it’s done right. The Gourds, a handsome alt-country / progressive bluegrass band out of Austin, take care of that for us here. And if you watch the second short clip, you’ll see the song’s originator can dig it this way too....... Read More
Brothers Johnson “I’ll Be Good To You” (1976)
The Brothers Johnson was the name of a moderately successful ‘70’s funk band made up of brothers George “Lightnin’ Licks” Johnson on guitar and Louis “Thunder Thumbs” Johnson on bass (their nicknames, not mine). It’s also the collective alter ego for my high school friend Duck and I when a couple of OGs such as...... Read More
Beatles “I’ve Got A Feeling” (1970)
There’s not a lot to say about the Beatles that hasn’t already been said, so I won’t try much here. But I chose this song because in many ways it seems a perfect exemplification of what made the Beatles what they were – which was, c’mon, the greatest band of all time. This was at...... Read More
The Lone Star Cafe // Albert Collins “Iceman” (1991)
The best live music venue of my lifetime is The Lone Star Cafe, formerly located at the corner of 5th Avenue and 13th Street in New York City. When it closed in 1989, Manhattan music fans lost their only true honky-tonk and blues joint. They also lost a 40-foot iguana. More on that later. The...... Read More
David Bowie “Stay” (1976); Apollo 100 “Joy” (1972)
I started going to NY Rangers games at The Garden with my dad when I was about 7 or 8 years old, and it was love at first, ah, skate. Hockey immediately became, and will unquestionably always be, my favorite sport. The moment when the players first take the ice just prior to the game...... Read More
Farrelly Brothers // Electric Light Orchestra “Showdown” (1973); Smashmouth “Do It Again” (2000); Billy Stewart “Summertime” (1966)
Look, with a 2-minute graphic diarrhea scene, you either find it funny or you don’t. In other words, you probably either love Farrelly Brothers movies or hate them. Unimaginably gross, dreadfully inappropriate, off-puttingly dark, hopelessly juvenile? Check, check, check and check. Yes, I love them. I’d guess that the Farrelly’s are probably best known for...... Read More
Jefferson Starship “Jane” (1979)
The incredible singing of Mickey Thomas makes Jefferson Starship's "Jane" a pleasure worth being guilty over.... Read More
Cake “Short Skirt / Long Jacket” (2001)
No popular music incorporates the highly complex percussion instrument the vibraslap more so than the band Cake. But what's a vibraslap, you ask..... Read More
Led Zeppelin “Fool In The Rain”
For one Led Zeppelin song, the sound of rock's most recognizable drummer, John Bonham, was quite unfamiliar... Read More