I was curious whether “Pharoah” was a given name or stage name, so I looked it up. Turns out, it’s a little bit of both—his birth name is “Ferrell.” I also found out he lived in Oakland as a teen, so clearly he is awesome.
Month: May 2015
Pete Seeger
Doing this lists makes me realize that I know almost nothing about the protest/folk singers of the 50s and 60s. Sorry about that, Pete. I do know that he is not Bob.
Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys are so ridiculously over the top, they are in their own category of awesome. Their music is the fluffiest kind of dance-pop, their singer can’t sing … but their lyrics are so sad, and angry, and true. “She’s made you/Some kind of laughingstock/Because you dance to disco/And you don’t like rock” pretty much sums up my life ages 11-14.
Paul McCartney
I debated this one for a long time, given that McCartney’s solo work is pretty much the definition of “middle-of-the-road pop-rock.” But I decided to give him a list, because 1) as pop-rock goes, nobody is pop-rockier; and 2) I saw (well, heard—I was working on the concourse) him at the closing concert for Candlestick Park, where he played nonstop for almost three hours, was in great voice, and had Springsteen-level energy—all at age 72. That alone deserves some kind of shout-out.
Patti Smith
When I was a freshman in college, my friend Joanne used to perform in our dorm common room lip synching to “The Warrior” by Scandal featuring Patty Smyth. Actual lyrics from the chorus: “Shooting at the walls of heartache/Bang bang.”
This is the other Patti Smith.
Patsy Cline
For many of the musicians who didn’t make it much (if at all) past 30—Hendrix, Joplin, etc.—you could argue that their early demise was karmic payback for their behaviors and choices. But Patsy Cline? I’m pretty sure the worst thing she ever did was say “heck.” Once.
Pat Metheny
Being a wannabe jazzbo, I guess I’m supposed to love Pat Metheny. Disciple of Ornette Coleman! Played with Joni Mitchell! But his music just doesn’t do it for me—I find it too synthy and sweet. Plus, the hair. I just can’t with the hair.
OutKast
Max used to play baseball with a kid named Chris. Chris is a big bruiser (think post-anger Incredible Hulk, minus the green skin) who has the sweetest personality and the cutest laugh you’ve ever come across. Chris once told me that he loved OutKast because they are weird. He is correct.
Otis Redding
Thoughts on Otis Redding: WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE IDEA THAT BEING A SOUL SINGER MEANS HAVING SOME SOUL IN YOUR VOICE?
The end.
Oscar Peterson
When Daveon started elementary school, his first best friend was Quin Peterson. And you can tell it’s Monday, because that’s really all I got. Sorry, Oscar.
Playlist of the Day 