1. Bob Dylan
The best there ever was and ever will be. No debate.
2. Bob Dylan
Yes, I put him as No.1 and No. 2. Anyone got a problem with that?
3. Townes Van Zandt
Unquestionably one of the best. I would have given anything to see this man perform live. One of the most gifted, and certainly one of the most tragic figures in American music.
4. Tom Waits
He's been making music for how long? Closing Time was what, over forty years ago? And you know what, I really don't think his skill has dropped off that much, if at all. Personally, I'm a fan of his work on Small Change, but almost anything he's done is wonderful.
5. Eric Bachmann
If you don't know who this is, then I laugh at you. You are small and feeble-minded.
6. Bruce Springsteen
I know some of his stuff is questionable, and might disqualify him from a Top Ten, but don't forget that he did Darkness at the Edge of Town and Lucky Town. Shit, The Ghost of Tom Joad was something like 20 years into his career. The man is a genius.
7. Paul Simon
It hurts me to put him this low, because he has written some true classics. This is one of the only musicians that I am very seldom NOT in the mood to listen to.
8. Elvis Costello
I feel like I'm saying the same things about all these guys. "He's great, I love him so much… One of the best songwriters ever, I'll bet he smells like a new car." Elvis is another one. A great all around songwriter with a solid body of work.
9. Tom Petty
Fuck all the haters. I still think he's doing good work after Damn the Torpedoes or Hard Promises. You know what, I own Echo, and I'm not ashamed to admit it.
10. Josh Ritter
Another relative new comer to this list. But a solid guy to close out on. I feel like he is really becoming a wonderful ambassador for American music.
Barely missing the cut: Sufjan Stevens, Paul McCartney (didn't crack the top ten because his solo career was sub par,) John Lennon, Sting, David Bowie, Guy Clark and Roger Waters. It was hard for me not to put Mark Knofler in the top ten because I effing love me some Knofler.
Post Script: After reviewing some of the likely hip hop candidates, I really didn't feel like they had as good a body of work as any of the top ten. I debated with the likes of Mr. Lif, Mos Def, The Gift of Gab and MC Zumbi of Zion I, but in the end, I didn't think they were quite there yet. With a couple more years and albums… for sure. And Talbi Kweli would have been given consideration, but… well, now he sucks.
Post, Post Script: James Taylor and Neil Young don't count as songwriters. I would be more inclined to put them in the "Hippies Who Need to Get a Job Category." Now, I know what you're thinking… "How can you say that? They are two of the best and most accomplished songwriters of all time!" No they aren't. They blow.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Top Ten Westerns of All Time
There's gonna be enough bushy mustaches to kill a man at thirty yards.
1. The Wild Bunch
The only movie that I can watch Ernest Borgnine in without laughing. To be fair, he did a great job in this movie, but he always just reminds me of someone's uncle who's had too many amaretto sours and tries to touch someone at the high school cheerleader's car wash. But I digress… The Wild Bunch is one of the most ass-kicking movies of all time. Done.
2. The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly
And so the Eastwood begins. And it's gonna flow like water my friends, cause the man with no name series was awesome. You could put any three of the movies on here, but like the uncreative chump I am, I'm gonna go with the one that everyone else thinks is the best.
3. Unforgiven
Even older Eastwood still scares the crap out of us. Had Clint Eastwood been born 100 years earlier, he would have been exactly the man he plays on screen. He would have killed his enemies with mind bullets of pure awesomeness and heavy metal.
4. The Magnificent Seven
So many great actors playing so many great characters. Yes, I know its just a rip off of the The Seven Samurai, but I love that movie too. Plus, I kind of have a man-crush on Steve McQueen in this movie. And Steve McQueen in Bullit. And in The Great Escape, and Sand Pebbles… hmm… that's not good.
5. Pale Rider
More Clint. He's even hardcore when he plays a man of god. Personally, I think that this is one of the most overlooked westerns, but who cares what I think.
6. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
After this and The Sting, Newman and Redford should have been legally obligated to appear in at least one movie together every other year. I know I'm getting a little off topic, but whatever, its my blog. If you want focus, write your own fucking blog.
7. High Noon
A movie about a man that takes no crap from no one. Not a band of bad guys, not the town folk. Shit, he even kills like 5 dudes between the time he marries his wife and the time that he has sex with her for the first time. That's hardcore.
8. Tombstone
Other than Willow, the best thing Val Kilmer has ever done. I would say that he makes this movie, but Russell and Paxton do a damn fine job at holding up their ends too. And of course Sam Elliott rocks our buttholes again. He always does.
9. The Searchers
John Wayne is coming in a little low on the list, but I felt it was necessary for him to make an appearance. I know he isn't the easiest actor to watch, partly because, well, he's terrible. But he did a good job in this movie, and it is without a doubt a Top Ten western.
10. Open Range
Yes, Kevin Costner! Bask in the glow of Costner! I know some people are gonna question this one being in the Top Ten, but that just means they haven't seen it. If they did, they would agree, because I'm right about this. It wails.
Barely missing the cut: Once Upon A Time in the West, Jeremiah Johnson, The Outlaw Josey Wales, Red River, How the West Was Won, Silverado. I've heard that some people would consider No Country for Old Men a western. I don't since its not set in the correct time period. But if I did, it would probably be Top Ten or close.
Post Script: Blazing Saddles is too cool for school.
Post, Post Script: Had Lonesome Dove not been a made for TV miniseries, I would have put that mother right up at No. 1. It rocks and should be required reading and watching for every citizen of our country.
1. The Wild Bunch
The only movie that I can watch Ernest Borgnine in without laughing. To be fair, he did a great job in this movie, but he always just reminds me of someone's uncle who's had too many amaretto sours and tries to touch someone at the high school cheerleader's car wash. But I digress… The Wild Bunch is one of the most ass-kicking movies of all time. Done.
2. The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly
And so the Eastwood begins. And it's gonna flow like water my friends, cause the man with no name series was awesome. You could put any three of the movies on here, but like the uncreative chump I am, I'm gonna go with the one that everyone else thinks is the best.
3. Unforgiven
Even older Eastwood still scares the crap out of us. Had Clint Eastwood been born 100 years earlier, he would have been exactly the man he plays on screen. He would have killed his enemies with mind bullets of pure awesomeness and heavy metal.
4. The Magnificent Seven
So many great actors playing so many great characters. Yes, I know its just a rip off of the The Seven Samurai, but I love that movie too. Plus, I kind of have a man-crush on Steve McQueen in this movie. And Steve McQueen in Bullit. And in The Great Escape, and Sand Pebbles… hmm… that's not good.
5. Pale Rider
More Clint. He's even hardcore when he plays a man of god. Personally, I think that this is one of the most overlooked westerns, but who cares what I think.
6. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
After this and The Sting, Newman and Redford should have been legally obligated to appear in at least one movie together every other year. I know I'm getting a little off topic, but whatever, its my blog. If you want focus, write your own fucking blog.
7. High Noon
A movie about a man that takes no crap from no one. Not a band of bad guys, not the town folk. Shit, he even kills like 5 dudes between the time he marries his wife and the time that he has sex with her for the first time. That's hardcore.
8. Tombstone
Other than Willow, the best thing Val Kilmer has ever done. I would say that he makes this movie, but Russell and Paxton do a damn fine job at holding up their ends too. And of course Sam Elliott rocks our buttholes again. He always does.
9. The Searchers
John Wayne is coming in a little low on the list, but I felt it was necessary for him to make an appearance. I know he isn't the easiest actor to watch, partly because, well, he's terrible. But he did a good job in this movie, and it is without a doubt a Top Ten western.
10. Open Range
Yes, Kevin Costner! Bask in the glow of Costner! I know some people are gonna question this one being in the Top Ten, but that just means they haven't seen it. If they did, they would agree, because I'm right about this. It wails.
Barely missing the cut: Once Upon A Time in the West, Jeremiah Johnson, The Outlaw Josey Wales, Red River, How the West Was Won, Silverado. I've heard that some people would consider No Country for Old Men a western. I don't since its not set in the correct time period. But if I did, it would probably be Top Ten or close.
Post Script: Blazing Saddles is too cool for school.
Post, Post Script: Had Lonesome Dove not been a made for TV miniseries, I would have put that mother right up at No. 1. It rocks and should be required reading and watching for every citizen of our country.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Top Ten Recording Artists of all Time
To have made this list, the artist in question needed to not only have a wonderful and prolific career, they needed to do it almost entirely on their own merit. For example, any of the Beatles do not qualify. Now, I know that there could possibly be a complaint about the whether or not my choice for #4 was prolific… to which I respond… blow me. And I am completely ignoring classical music. Last time I went to the symphony, I got pregnant, so… yeah. Still a little upset about that one.
1. Bob Dylan
That was a tough one.
2. Miles Davis
I know some of the later stuff kind of went off the deep end, but don't forget that he gave birth to the cool.
3. Marvin Gaye
Every now and then I check in with Marvin to see what's going on. That's a lie… I don't check in every now and then, I check in on Marvin every week.
4. Robert Johnson
Okay, I know that he only recorded what, 32 songs… but if it wasn't for Mr. Johnson, none of the other artists on this list would, well, be on this list.
5. Louis Armstrong
Another no brainer for a top list. I know he's not really jazz and he's not really vocal-easy-listening-grandpa music, but man could that guy make some music.
6. Chuck Berry
One of the most influential musicians of all time. Is, and always will be, one of the best.
7. Woody Guthrie
Almost single handedly spawned a major musical movement.
8. Billie Holiday
If sex had a soundtrack, I'm sure Billie would have the opening and closing tracks. The rest of the album would be the sound of a boot stuck in mud, and if you're like me, just a little bit of crying towards the end. But the important songs would be sung by Billie.
9. Paul Simon
I was really unsure about this one, because it really is debatable as to who was the more important member of Simon and Garfunkle…
10. Johnny Cash
A good one to finsh on.
Barely missing the cut: Townes Van Zandt, Tom Waits, Ella Fitzgerald, The Boss, Duke Ellington, Elmore James, Mr. Thelonious Monk, James Brown, Pete Seeger, and I debated Lou Reed and Iggy Pop, but really wasn't sure they would have made the top ten anyway.
Post Script: John Coltrane and Wynton Marsalis.
Post, Post Script: Bob Dylan.
With love and judgement,
The Delta Blues
1. Bob Dylan
That was a tough one.
2. Miles Davis
I know some of the later stuff kind of went off the deep end, but don't forget that he gave birth to the cool.
3. Marvin Gaye
Every now and then I check in with Marvin to see what's going on. That's a lie… I don't check in every now and then, I check in on Marvin every week.
4. Robert Johnson
Okay, I know that he only recorded what, 32 songs… but if it wasn't for Mr. Johnson, none of the other artists on this list would, well, be on this list.
5. Louis Armstrong
Another no brainer for a top list. I know he's not really jazz and he's not really vocal-easy-listening-grandpa music, but man could that guy make some music.
6. Chuck Berry
One of the most influential musicians of all time. Is, and always will be, one of the best.
7. Woody Guthrie
Almost single handedly spawned a major musical movement.
8. Billie Holiday
If sex had a soundtrack, I'm sure Billie would have the opening and closing tracks. The rest of the album would be the sound of a boot stuck in mud, and if you're like me, just a little bit of crying towards the end. But the important songs would be sung by Billie.
9. Paul Simon
I was really unsure about this one, because it really is debatable as to who was the more important member of Simon and Garfunkle…
10. Johnny Cash
A good one to finsh on.
Barely missing the cut: Townes Van Zandt, Tom Waits, Ella Fitzgerald, The Boss, Duke Ellington, Elmore James, Mr. Thelonious Monk, James Brown, Pete Seeger, and I debated Lou Reed and Iggy Pop, but really wasn't sure they would have made the top ten anyway.
Post Script: John Coltrane and Wynton Marsalis.
Post, Post Script: Bob Dylan.
With love and judgement,
The Delta Blues
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Top Ten Movies of 2008
1. The Dark Knight
"Delta, that pick is mindless and lame for the No. 1 spot. Every person in the country would put that at No. 1." Well, fuck you.
2. Pineapple Express
When will Danny McBride get his own comedy? Okay, other than Foot Fist Way. But to be fair, no one saw that, which is a shame. Anyway, Pineapple Express is brilliant with a capital Fuck Yeah. James Franco is great, Seth Rogan is great… even Rosie Perez doesn't make you want to gouge your eyes out and bury them.
3. Kung Fu Panda
You know you loved it. Even after you told yourself you were gonna hate it.
4. In Bruges
FINALLY a movie with Colin Farrel that we can watch without first removing our brain!
5. Iron Man
This movie was so good that I watched it for the first time, left the theater, took a dump and then snuck back into the same theater to watch it again.
6. Wall-E
Like Idiocracy, I'm fairly positive that this is what the world is going to turn into. But with that said, this movie was so cute it made me want to vomit bunnies.
7. Transsiberian
Good crime drama with a good deal of suspense. Not really a fan of Woody, but the fact that he played a total wiener made me actually like the casting. Sir Ben Kingsley plays a pretty metal Russian too.
8. Let the Right One In
A really good and disturbing Vampire flick from Sweden. I don't know about you all, but anything with kids as the bad guys creeps me out.
9. The Spiderwick Chronicles
Another really good kid's movie for the year. It seems like there are more of these popping up, which I like. We seemed to be in a bit a of a drought for a while there, with some pretty lame movies aimed at kids.
10. Slumdog Millionaire
Kind low on the list, but I alway like to close these things off with a bang. Danny Boyle delivers again… this is one worth the hype. And just as a side note, R.J.'s Ghost is not jumping on the Danny Boyle train, we've been fans for years. I owned the "Choose Life…" poster in college. Trainspotting holla!
Barely missing the cut: Appaloosa, Son of Rambow, Ghost Town, The Bank Job, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Hellboy II, Horton Hears a Who!, and Role Models.
Post Script: The Ghosts have yet to watch The Wrestler, Trick R' Treat, Frost/Nixon, Baghead, Frozen River or Milk. So this list could be altered in the near future. And fuck Benjamin Button.
Post, Post Script: If anyone ever makes a sequel to the X-Files Movie, or a fourth Indiana Jones movie, let us know. I'll bet those movies would be awesome, those are way too good and important to fuck up.
With love and judgement,
The Delta Blues
"Delta, that pick is mindless and lame for the No. 1 spot. Every person in the country would put that at No. 1." Well, fuck you.
2. Pineapple Express
When will Danny McBride get his own comedy? Okay, other than Foot Fist Way. But to be fair, no one saw that, which is a shame. Anyway, Pineapple Express is brilliant with a capital Fuck Yeah. James Franco is great, Seth Rogan is great… even Rosie Perez doesn't make you want to gouge your eyes out and bury them.
3. Kung Fu Panda
You know you loved it. Even after you told yourself you were gonna hate it.
4. In Bruges
FINALLY a movie with Colin Farrel that we can watch without first removing our brain!
5. Iron Man
This movie was so good that I watched it for the first time, left the theater, took a dump and then snuck back into the same theater to watch it again.
6. Wall-E
Like Idiocracy, I'm fairly positive that this is what the world is going to turn into. But with that said, this movie was so cute it made me want to vomit bunnies.
7. Transsiberian
Good crime drama with a good deal of suspense. Not really a fan of Woody, but the fact that he played a total wiener made me actually like the casting. Sir Ben Kingsley plays a pretty metal Russian too.
8. Let the Right One In
A really good and disturbing Vampire flick from Sweden. I don't know about you all, but anything with kids as the bad guys creeps me out.
9. The Spiderwick Chronicles
Another really good kid's movie for the year. It seems like there are more of these popping up, which I like. We seemed to be in a bit a of a drought for a while there, with some pretty lame movies aimed at kids.
10. Slumdog Millionaire
Kind low on the list, but I alway like to close these things off with a bang. Danny Boyle delivers again… this is one worth the hype. And just as a side note, R.J.'s Ghost is not jumping on the Danny Boyle train, we've been fans for years. I owned the "Choose Life…" poster in college. Trainspotting holla!
Barely missing the cut: Appaloosa, Son of Rambow, Ghost Town, The Bank Job, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Hellboy II, Horton Hears a Who!, and Role Models.
Post Script: The Ghosts have yet to watch The Wrestler, Trick R' Treat, Frost/Nixon, Baghead, Frozen River or Milk. So this list could be altered in the near future. And fuck Benjamin Button.
Post, Post Script: If anyone ever makes a sequel to the X-Files Movie, or a fourth Indiana Jones movie, let us know. I'll bet those movies would be awesome, those are way too good and important to fuck up.
With love and judgement,
The Delta Blues
Top Ten Albums of 2008
1. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
An inspired album. Well produced, melodic and complex.
2. Does it Offend You, Yeah? - You Have No Idea What You're Getting Yourself Into
This album lights the neighbor's cat on fire and and then blows it up. Will rock any pussy within 500 feet with the fury of its rock.
3. Nicolay & Kay - Time:Line
Its been awhile since I've heard a good concept album. Nicolay is the new Midas.
4. Mike Doughty - Golden Delicious
Keep 'em coming Mike. We were all upset when Soul Coughing broke up, but we're glad you're still making music.
5. Cloud Cult - Feel Good Ghosts
Super phun time music.
6. Common Market - Tobacco Road
Mellow Seattle hip-hop tunes. This group is one that's gonna be great to follow.
7. R.E.M. - Accelerate
I'm not gonna say that some of their later albums were bad, because I really enjoyed some of the stuff they've been doing. But this album really returns to what made us all fall in love with this band.
8. Mates of State - Rearrange Us
Great tunes in the vein of the New Pornographers slash Arcade Fire. For the life of me I don't know why this album hasn't been given more exposure.
9. The Cool Kids - Bake Sale
They really are gonna bring 88 back. Try not to love this album, I dare you.
10. The Foreign Exchange - Leave It All Behind
"TWO Nicolay albums Delta? Surely not…" Well, it squeaked in, cause its too good not too.
Barely missing the cut: She & Him - Volume One, Noah and the Whale - Noah and the Whale, The Fratellis - Here We Stand, Ida Maria - Fortress Around My Heart, Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson - Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson, Vetiver - Things of the Past, 88-Keys - The Death of Adam, The Tallest Man On Earth - Shallow Grave.
Post Script: After listening to Bon Iver, the Ghosts determined that he can go fuck himself. Eric Bachmann did virtually the same thing to record an album, and no one is lining up to blow him. Plus "Races…" blows "Emma…" out of the water.
Post, Post Script: We would have loved to put Amplive's "Rainydayz Remixes" on the list, but its not a full album. Sorry.
With love and judgement,
The Delta Blues
An inspired album. Well produced, melodic and complex.
2. Does it Offend You, Yeah? - You Have No Idea What You're Getting Yourself Into
This album lights the neighbor's cat on fire and and then blows it up. Will rock any pussy within 500 feet with the fury of its rock.
3. Nicolay & Kay - Time:Line
Its been awhile since I've heard a good concept album. Nicolay is the new Midas.
4. Mike Doughty - Golden Delicious
Keep 'em coming Mike. We were all upset when Soul Coughing broke up, but we're glad you're still making music.
5. Cloud Cult - Feel Good Ghosts
Super phun time music.
6. Common Market - Tobacco Road
Mellow Seattle hip-hop tunes. This group is one that's gonna be great to follow.
7. R.E.M. - Accelerate
I'm not gonna say that some of their later albums were bad, because I really enjoyed some of the stuff they've been doing. But this album really returns to what made us all fall in love with this band.
8. Mates of State - Rearrange Us
Great tunes in the vein of the New Pornographers slash Arcade Fire. For the life of me I don't know why this album hasn't been given more exposure.
9. The Cool Kids - Bake Sale
They really are gonna bring 88 back. Try not to love this album, I dare you.
10. The Foreign Exchange - Leave It All Behind
"TWO Nicolay albums Delta? Surely not…" Well, it squeaked in, cause its too good not too.
Barely missing the cut: She & Him - Volume One, Noah and the Whale - Noah and the Whale, The Fratellis - Here We Stand, Ida Maria - Fortress Around My Heart, Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson - Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson, Vetiver - Things of the Past, 88-Keys - The Death of Adam, The Tallest Man On Earth - Shallow Grave.
Post Script: After listening to Bon Iver, the Ghosts determined that he can go fuck himself. Eric Bachmann did virtually the same thing to record an album, and no one is lining up to blow him. Plus "Races…" blows "Emma…" out of the water.
Post, Post Script: We would have loved to put Amplive's "Rainydayz Remixes" on the list, but its not a full album. Sorry.
With love and judgement,
The Delta Blues
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
