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.
top 10
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.
Ornette Coleman
If you invented a school of music called “harmolodics,” you might think it means “Lots of harmony! Lots of melody!” Apparently to Ornette Coleman, it meant “I put those terms in the name, so now I don’t have to put them in my music!” But the MacArthur people claim him as a genius, so what do I know?
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Back when “world music” was a thing (anybody here old enough to remember that?), the RealWorld label (anybody remember them?) put out a sampler compilation of music from around the globe. My favorite track by far was the one by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. It was a 14-minute chanted prayer, repeated over and over at increasing speed. In other words: Awesome.
NRBQ
Last night Marcia and I went to a show of Latin/flamenco interpretations of Monk, which was awesome. That prompted me to dig up an old Monk tribute CD, which is also awesome. That CD introduced me to (top 3 all-time favorite, always-awesome) Carla Bley. It also contains tracks by NRBQ. Which is a long way of saying, I don’t know much about NRBQ, but clearly they are awesome.
Playlist of the Day 