Entries from February 2009 ↓

My son Charlie got together with a couple of his mates and made this video for his history class on U.S. President Andrew Jackson.

What can I say other than watch the video.

Before the time and tunes are forgotten I wanted to journal some Top 10 and other music lists I made in the family.

I’m happy to note that Max and Charlie are both playing guitar and continue to explore a real cross section of music. John is playing Violin at his Kindergarten and had his first recital in December (watch the video here). Yours truly is continuing on with his own guitar work and I’m hoping to get my first keyboard this year, or more specifically a digital music workstation that will allow me learn piano and make my own band.

At Christmas in the Bay Area I asked Max and Charlie what bands would make their top 10 (chronicled below along with @seerysm’s and my list) and just this week both of them volunteered their favorite bands of today.

Right now Max (almost 18) is listening to a lot of Pulp and his top three songs from Pulp are

1. This is hardcore
2. Common people (video)
3. Sorted out for E’s and Wizz

Charlie’s favorite band of the moment is Muse. His top 3 Muse songs are

1. Bliss (video)
2. Starlight
3. Plug in Baby

Good job guys, now go do your home work Charlie.

Max’s top 10 songs from Crissy are

1. Beatles
2. Bob Dylan
3. Sublime
4. Rolling Stones
5. Red Hot Chili Peppers
6. Led Zeppelin
7. The Doors
8. Pink Floyd
9. Oasis
10. Bob Marley & The Whalers

What can I say, the young man has good taste. Although I will note that if you were to pile up all the drugs these guys did collectively in their lifetime it would sink a freighter…

Charlie’s Top 10 from Crissy

1. Foo Fighters
2. Green Day
3. Cold Play
4. The Strokes
5. The Ramones
6. Sum 41
7. Jack Johnson
8. ?
9. ?
10. ?

Charlie clearly having some math problems (hence the home work comment earlier) but otherwise the list is good. At 13 I can forgive him for Sum 41. Damn Charlie.

Shan’s Top 10

1. Dave Matthews Band
2. Counting Crows
3. Foo Fighters
4. Sarah McLachlan
5. Prince
6. Marc Cohn
7. Pearl Jam
8. Bare Naked Ladies
9. Matchbox 20
10. Sting

My Top 10

1. Dave Matthews Band
2. Counting Crows
3. Foo Fighters
4. INXS
5. Pearl Jam
6. Prince
7. Marc Cohn
8. The Eagles (my #1 band for about 30 of my 40 years)
9. U2
10. The Who
11. Audioslave (I wrote this so I’m allowed to cheat!)
12. Red Hot Chili Peppers (yup, still cheating)

John and Julia are a bit young for a Top 10 list but I’d say Julia would favor Colbie Caillat (video for Realize) as her fave and John would say he’s paralyzed by Finger Eleven (video of Paralyzer).

Artists that we’ve discovered in 2008

All but Blind Pilot have been making great music for a long time but were new to me.

Blind Pilot – Blind Pilot’s album 3 Rounds and a Sound of 2008 is simply brilliant (buy it now). I’d go so far as to say these guys are the best new band of 2007 and 2008 and I don’t say that out of ignorance. Huge props to Kristen for this tip!

Beirut – strangely wonderful and difficult to categorize. Vocals remind me of Rufus Wainwright Check out their album The Flying Club Cup.

Sia – thanks Shan! Also check out the band she made her mark in – Zero 7. She’s been making good music for years but she was new to us in 2008

Regina Spektor -thanks Shan and Diary of a Call Girl on Showtime – heard one of Regina’s songs here. She’s a brilliant pianist and vocalist.

Glen Hansard (The Frames) and Marketa Irglova- Check out their album The Swell Season – they make an amazing duo. Thanks again Kristen (See the movie Once it’s fantastic)

Heartland (several musicians) Listening to NPR last year while driving along Dixie Higway here in West Palm Beach I was introduced to some classical virtuoso’s that play a whole range of music including Americana. The specific song I heard on NPR was Emily’s Reel, written for Yo Yo Ma’s daughter by Edgar Meyer and roots music legend and mandolinist Mike Marshall. Pick up the album Heartland, An Appalachian Anthology. Also of particular note are a range of songs on this album by violinist Mark O’Connor and double bass master Edgar Meyer.

I could talk, play, listen to, and write about music all day. I must get back to work!