Blog Blog Blog Blog Blog

Until I can think of something interesting to blog about here's a very good list of blogs to read.

30 Great Blogs

America's Most Eligible Bachelor?

I think Obama's speechwriter, Jon Favreau, will get a few votes.

Jon Favreau Profile - Esquire

A Cool Picture

McCartney & Lennon, 1964. Christmas Show Rehearsal, Donmar Hall, London

Top Ten Shows

This was a tough one. When the shows of The National, Kings of Leon, Kathleen Edwards, KT Tunstall, Ray Lamontagne, and Ra Ra Riot, are left off the list, you know it's been a stellar year for live music.

1. Neil Young with Death Cab at Cox Arena
2. The Hold Steady at The Casbah
3. Bruuuuce at The Honda Center
4. Ryan Adams at Spreckels
5. The Avett Brothers at The BellyUp
6. My Morning Jacket at Open Air Theater
7. Missy Higgins at The BellyUp
8. Radiohead Cricket Ampitheater
9. Blitzen Trapper The Casbah
10. Vampire Weekend The Casbah

Field Trip: Missy Higgins

Put Missy Higgins on the list of "Mucicians I Want To Follow Around the Country in a VW Van" (Ryan Adams, Wilco, Brandi Carlile, The Avett Brothers, My Morning Jacket, Bruuuce, Neil Young, and The Hold Steady).

MH is a mere wisp of a girl with a strong and lovely voice. She's a good (and improving) song writer who moves easily from ballads to rockers. But, what puts her in the top of my favorites list is that she is a completely engaging performer. She commands the audience's attention with her confidence and sparkle.

Before the show I had pretty much decided on a top ten concert list for 2008. It now must be redone.

Top Ten Songs 2008

A definitive top song list is impossible because it's a moving target as my preferences change hourly. But tis the season, so here are ten (actually 11) songs I liked a lot in 2008.

1) Furr/Black River Killer -- Blitzen Trapper (I couldn't decide)
2) Murder in the City -- The Avett Brothers
3) Acid Tongue -- Jenny Lewis
4) Right Hand On My Heart -- The Whigs
5) The Modern Leper -- Frightened Rabbit
6) Oxford Comma -- Vampire Weekend
7) Bouncing Ball -- honeyhoney
8) Lord, I'm Discouraged -- The Hold Steady
9) Scared At Night -- Kathleen Edwards
10) Secret -- Missy Higgins

Top Ten Albums of 2008

Have you been checking SW hourly for my top ten list of albums for '08? No, well here it is anyway.

1. The Midnight Organ Fight -- Frightened Rabbit
2. Furr -- Blitzen Trapper
3. Stay Positive -- The Hold Steady
4. Only By the Night -- Kings of Leon
5. Vampire Weekend -- Vampire Weekend
6. Gleam II -- The Avett Brothers
7. Asking for Flowers -- Kathleen Edwards
8. Mission Control -- The Whigs
9. On A Clear Night -- Missy Higgins
10. Wrecking Ball -- Dead Confederate

Field Trip: Blitzen trapper

Blitzen Trapper is growing on me. I had seen them a couple of times as an opening act and came away thinking generic neo-classic rock band. Nothing special. In the mean time they have released two really strong records and developed a compelling live show. And, if the response of the sold out Casbah crowd is any indication their future is bright.

Put them on my "Must See" list.