1. My go-to song when someone says 'play something' is Charlie Rich's Lonely Weekend. (Alternate, if something quieter is appropriate, Johnny Rivers' Poor Side of Town.)

2. Linda Thompson.

3. I don't know what qualifies as a hit, but presumably one of the late hard rock numbers like Destroyer or Low Budget. I like Come Dancing, which will probably win this category easily.

4. I really thought Reeves Gabrels would bring out the best of Bowie in Tin Machine.

5. Emmylou Harris (I'm really not that familiar with Denny's work).

6. It's always been consumer information, i.e., is this worth my money? A better understanding of an artist, style, etc. is nice too. Not entertainment.

7. I've always been mainly a guitar player. I love to play the drums, but I'm really not good enough to carry a band. I think what I'd really like to do is play bass, because I know how the bass works, which most guitarists don't. Plus I'd like to be in a band with a better guitarist than me. The only problem is that singing and playing the bass simultaneously is wicked hard.

8. Never been a big fan of this. Lennon I guess?

Fill in the blank: Songs about -- the life of a rock musician on the road -- typically annoy me.

Fill in the blank: The prime exception to the previous statement is -- the Kinks.

1. Jambalaya
2. Sandy Denny
3. All Day/All Night (You Really Got Me does the job already.)
4. U2 - Edge
5. Emmylou in a BIG way.
6. What does it sound like? Does it work?
7. Play bass, covet vocals
8. No idea
9. Mystical crap
10. "Stonehenge" by Spinal Tap

"Stonehenge" is an excellent selection, Loophole!

1. John Trubee's "Blind Man's Penis" or Jon Wayne's "Mr Egyptian"
2. Sandy Denny
3. Art Lover or Destroyer
4. Wings
5. Emmylou
6. Nothing really. Perhaps some consumer awareness or making it a blimp on my radar of music discovery.
7. to play tamborine like Tracey in the Partridge Family or drum like Helen Wiggin.
8. Have to think about this one. Lennon comes to mind at first, but I've been listening to Amon Duul II's Carnival In Babylon and the double track vocals are quite effective.
9. Living in the USA/proud to be an American..etc
10. Chuck Berry's "Back In The USA", Flamin' Groovies "In The USA

1. Tell All The People, but only if I had the ridiculous horn section to back me up.

3. Shangri-La, because then I could claim it as my own.

6. Other artists named in the review should be in bold.

8. Double-tracked Lennon was the first thing that came to my mind, too.

"Stars are Blind" by Paris Hilton

I don't know those ladies

The Village Green Preservation Society. I hate that kind of shit

Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, and Howe

Emmylou: I love Her

excited about new music

I play guitar and sing, but I covet the drum throne

Mick Jagger "I'll Take You To The Top"-Tattoo You

cars

Little Red Corvette

1. Back when I dabbled in karaoke, my best song was easily "Pleasant Valley Sunday."
2. Sandy Denny
3. "(Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman"
4. Pink Floyd via David Gilmour
5. Sandy Denny
6. A sense of whether the record is worth my money or not.
7. I really should've learned guitar when I was younger. Ah well.
8. Someone on that Classic Albums series claims David Gilmour was really good at that.
I like BigSteve's answers for 9 and 10.

Oats, you have NAILED question #3, in my opinion, of course...

1. One of my own. For some reason I'm more skittish about singing covers. Less risk of comparison with originals, I suppose.

2. Sandy Denny.

3. Superman (Oats beat me to the punch)

4. Adrian Belew-era King Crimson

5. I covet drumming in a big way.

6. Sandy Denny Lane

7. I hope to get a good idea about what the record sounds like.

8. Lennon, though Elliott Smith comes close at vocal double-tracking.

9. Patriotism

10. La Marseillaise? I'll have to ponder that one.

1. I actually did the one song I'd do, and I did it one time, so if you weren't there, you kissed my entire performing career. I sang Should I Stay or Should I Go.

2. Don't care.

3. I'll take Come Dancing. Phooey on that.

4. Backstreet Crawler. I remember thinking Paul Kossoff would show those Bad Co. guys what it was all about. He didn't, but I wonder what I'd think of it now? I haven't heard it in years.

5. Emmylou

6. An idea of what the record sounds like, and how it fits into the grand scheme of things (its pedigree, I guess). I think you have to find reviewers and kind of stick with them. Some of those guys like everything and some of them hate everything, so those are no help. I want them to sound like they mean it, too.

7. I'm okay at hand clapping, but I'd kill to be a top tier foot stomper.

8. Don't they all do this now?

9. spirituality

10. I don't know. They pretty much bug me and I tune them out.

Tvox, I totally understand what you mean with patriotism for number 9. I always feel like when I'm at a public performance of one of those songs that I'd better start thinking right or someone is gonna beat right thinking into me.

I certainly wouldn't sing Dream On, my falsetto is shot. I would like to try Days by the Kinks.

I've little experience with this, probably Linda.

Catch Me Now I'm Falling, it's an embarassing ripoff of Jumpin' Jack Flash.

Rush. I bought one of their albums when I was learning bass to hear some Geddy Lee. Well, I learned that part for Limelight, and that's about all I got out of it. A lot of lessons about the kind of band I wouldn't want to be in.

Emmylous Harris. Kind of a MILF too.

I really don't want to get hyperbole. I would hope at least one line is entertaining. It's still a written piece so maybe they ought to have a little writing talent, otherwise it's just an opinion that's only going to be as good as their actual taste. I usually don't have the time to figure out what theirs is and whether it
it's enough like mine to buy what they like.

Play at bass, suck at guitar, suck worse at drums and piano. I guess covet the ability to play any idea in my head on guitar.

Lennon vocals, I like hearing the minor differences. I'm a big fan of little mistakes.

I'm with Tvox - songs about patriotism.

Livin' In The USA by Chuck Berry

1. Summer Girls, by LFO, because I like girls that (sic) wear Abercrombie and Fitch.
2. Linda Thompson (?)
3. This is a tough one... Apeman? I really don't know.
4. Schnell Fenster
5. Emmylou
6. I want to be able to tell that the writer is sharp enough to be a reliable witness to the music, I want the writing to describe the music and not the personal aspects of the artist.
7. Lead guitar.
8. Well, Lennon's been said a billion times, so I'll say Rock Town Hall's favorite figurehead, Elliott Smith.
9. Songs built around naming the days of the week or months of the year annoy me.
10. The Chrismas spiritual, "What month was Jesus born in?".

I'm an awkward singer, and like sticking to the background vox, but I do sing regularly in the Emmaus Public Singing Society (our kids' sing-along group doing the Hokey Pokey, Beatles, VU, Hank Williams, &c.) as part of the groups stance that singing is a privilege and an obligation, for humans. Since we are the only animals known to understand public humiliation, we owe it to each other. You are wrong to say "I can't sing. Bad it may be, but it's possible. Sing, man, sing!

I know little enough of Linda Thompson or Sandy Denny to have a preference.

The Kinks are one of the few bands who have no hits that make my skin crawl. Steve's got it with Come Dancing, maybe, but I don't hate it. It's just the bottom of the pile.

I thought early Santana (first few albums) lived up to him fine. Otherwise. I bought Missing Persons before I'd heard it based solely on Terry Bozio's ability to get Dale Bozio's formidable and scantily-clad body into the press kit.

Emmylou's fine, I guess. Is there a Sandy Denny Day coming up you're laying groundwork for?

What do you most hope to get out of reading a record review?

I hope to get a laugh or two, a piece of info I didn't know, and a reasonable sense of whether to save my money or not.

If you primarily play a particular musical instrument (including vocals), what other instrumental role do you most covet?

I don't waste time coveting! I leap in and acquire a juvenile, half-assed skill and produce a simulacrum of glory for immediate gratification!

Who's the most effective artist at executing double-tracked performances (vocals, guitar, whatever)?

Unrath.

Fill in the blank: Songs about _________ typically annoy me.

Cars.

Fill in the blank: The prime exception to the previous statement is __________.

Cars.

Randy Newman, Short People
Sandy Denny
Paranoia
Steve Howe, Yes
Sandy Denny
The writer's engagement with the music
Brian May
Objectifying women
Stray Cat Blues

On the subject of reviews and comparing songs or albums to other groups or albums, which can be both useful and lazy, depending on the approach: is there any album that gets held up for comparison that will make you particularly motivated to hear the song or album being reviewed? For example, if I read an album or song review and the White Album or “White Album-era” is invoked, I’m almost always inclined to hear what’s being reviewed. This despite (or because of?) not really knowing what that comparison necessarily means.

On the other side, for those who have put out their own music, have you ever heard/read someone discuss/review your music by comparing it to someone else’s and been completely baffled by the comparison?

Sandy Denny

If you could erase one hit song by The Kinks from the public record, which song would it be?

Why y'all hatin' on "Low Budget"? I don't think I ever need to hear "Lola" again.

Name a band you initially thought was cool based on the musicianship of a particular member but later realized that musician's strengths were not enough to carry the day (most obvious example: Santana, thanks, initially, to the strength of the band's namesake).

I used to think Ted Nugent was a kick-ass guitar player when I was in Junior High. Looking back, I realize he was a singles artist, and I just rationalized my enjoyment of his singles through immature rockist glasses.

Sandy Denny or Emmylou Harris?

Not that I actually care much, but Sandy again.

What do you most hope to get out of reading a record review?

A boner.

If you primarily play a particular musical instrument (including vocals), what other instrumental role do you most covet?

I wish I could really play the piano. I just can't get the left hand to do one thing while the right does another!

Who's the most effective artist at executing double-tracked performances (vocals, guitar, whatever)?

I like how AC/DC's twin guitar attack often plays exactly the same thing. The combination of timbres and slight intonation differences really fattens things up. Great trick! Lynyrd Skynyrd often had two guitarists playing exactly the same solos with similar effect.

Fill in the blank: Songs about _________ typically annoy me.

Jesus

Fill in the blank: The prime exception to the previous statement is __________.

Anything written before 1800.

Alexmagic asks:

is there any album that gets held up for comparison that will make you particularly motivated to hear the song or album being reviewed?

So many albums and artists I love have been claimed as influences by bands and critics that I don't hear (or hear enough) that it's tough to find comparisons that mean anything to me anymore. (I'm sure I've been as guilty of this as anyone.) When something's compared to Village Green-era Kinks, however, I still take notice. Bands compared to that style Kinks usually follow the model well. The problem for me then becomes, Could this band play early style Kinks rock 'n roll, if required? Most bands that get into Village Green-era Kinks have bypassed their earlier rock workouts. They're all delicate and sensitive without that sense of danger that was lurking behind even the most pastoral Kinks recording.

On the other side, for those who have put out their own music, have you ever heard/read someone discuss/review your music by comparing it to someone else’s and been completely baffled by the comparison?

We had an early review in Option, I believe, that commpared us to Husker Du, a band that none of us liked. True, we did have some Big Men in the band and a husky voiced singer, but we were a bit insulted by the comparison, as silly as that now reads. Option never gave us good reviews. Their typical stance on our recordings back in the vinyl day was, "These guys would be really good if they weren't so tight." Someone there must have felt we owed the rock world a Land Speed Record (isn't that an early, sloppy Husker Du album?).

1. "Send in the Clowns," dressed as a Canadian mountie.

2. Sandy Denny

3. "Superman"

4. Beside Santana, I'll say early Jeff Beck Group, which had a number of musicians I liked (Beck, Stewart, Ron Wood, drummer Micky Waller - I think that's his name) yet rarely delivered a *song* I actually liked.

Sandy Denny, although Emmylou is much hotter.

I like to get some sense of what I might like about the record as well as a sense of what moved the writer of the review.

I covet the bass role, as my good friend and excellent bassist Chickenfrank is probably all too aware.

Layup: John Lennon with Jimmy Page second

A girl being admired from afar/on a pedastal

"Big Brown Eyes"

1. Oh I don't know..."Young Pilgrims" by the Shins maybe? I'd wanna play the guitar part too.

2. Sandy Denny

3. Just heard it the other day: Superman

4. ELP

5. Emmylou Harris

6. A sense of "Thank god there's more than one good song on this thing!"

7. Play drums, covet guitar. (Tvox - I'll give you drum lessons and you can teach me some guitar licks)

8. Elliott Smith's double vocals are cool.

9. Songs about "partying" typically annoy me.

10. The prime exception to the previous statement is "Swingin' Party" by the Replacements.

the one song you'd sing in public:

Werewolves of London - Ahhhhwooooo!

Linda Thompson or Sandy Denny?:

Y'know i kind of missed the point of that whole English folkie thing, except maybe for Lindisfarne and John Barleycorn. Check.

erase one hit song by The Kinks?:

Well even the Dead went disco with Shakedown Street, I guess you could almost forgive the Kinks for 'Superman', but naaaah! Ultimate fail!

not enough to carry the day:

Joe Walsh with the Iggles...


Sandy Denny or Emmylou Harris?

Gotta go with Emmylou. Angel from Montgomery and Oooh Las Vegas...fuggeddaboutit!

What do you most hope to get out of reading a record review?

Always hoping to read the reviews by folks with better taste than me so's I can improve my choice of musical friends...

what other instrument?

play guitar and slide, must learn pedal steel!

top double-tracker?

George Martin!

Fill in the blank: Songs about _pencil neck geeks_ typically annoy me.

Fill in the blank: The prime exception to the previous statement is _pencil neck geek_.

I'll irritate more of you blokes with a baeball question. I received an email this morning telling me which songs will be played when at the new Nationals ballpark.

"The first Home Run launched out of Nationals Park by one of our Nats players each game will be followed by local legend Chuck Brown's "Bustin Loose"!"

The first time you ever stand up, stretch and sing-along in the 7th inning -- after "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" of course -- you'll be singing "Shout" by Otis Day and the Knights.

Finally, when the Nationals put a curly "W" on the board after a Nats win, the fans will be celebrating to U2's "Beautiful Day

The voting choices they had were:

Home Run Song Final Standings
1. Bustin Loose by Chuck Brown
2. Song 2 (Woo Hoo) by Blur
3. Off We Go (Air Force Theme) by Robert Crawford
4. Because We Can by Fat Boy Slim
5. Kernkraft 400 by Zombie Nation

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7th Inning Stretch Song Final Standings
1. Shout by Otis Day and The Knights
2. Twist and Shout by The Beatles
3. Build Me Up Buttercup by The Foundations
4. You Gotta Have Heart by Damn Yankees The Musical
5. September by Earth Wind and Fire
6. The Gambler by Kenny Rogers
7. YMCA by the Village People
8. Rock Me Gently by Andy Kim

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Victory Song Final Standings
1. Beautiful Day by U2
2. Celebration by Kool And The Gang
3. Dancing In The Streets by Martha Reeves and the Vandelas
4. How Do You Like Me Now by Toby Keith
5. Rock and Roll Part 2 by Gary Glitter

Commence arguing about what went wrong!

Hey, Mockcarr -- I am *extremely* pleased that "Bustin' Loose" is the home run song. I'm actually a bit surprised, given the usually whiter-than-white suburban audiences at the park. Heck, that song is a bit obscure, even by "inner city" standards. Well, normally. But the fact that the real "Chocolate City" will be represented in the home park is *awesome*! Plus, it's a good song!

If I was a closer, I’d make sure my contract guaranteed that they had to play “Hair of the Dog” when I came in for a save.

Given that the closer is Chad Cordero, we'll need a visitors' home run song instead of some fancy entrance prelude.

I agree that Bustin' Loose was appropriate. I'm just pissed off about hearing Beatiful Day about 40 times this year.

1. Most days I sing in public anyway.
2. Sandy Denny
3. "Rock and Roll Fantasy"
4. Edgar Winter's White Trash, based on Rick Derringer's 'strengths'. Not enough, to say the least.
5. Sandy Denny
6. A good read, maybe a chuckle, factual information based on having heard the record in question.
7. Bassist is my dream job.
8. Mitch Easter
9. Rock and roll
10. "Rock and Roll" by the Velvet Underground, or "Rock and Roll Queen" by Mott the Hoople.

Linda Thompson or Sandy Denny?

I'm largely unfamiliar with Sandy Denny and have been obsessed with Linda's recordings with her former husband lately, so I'll have to give the edge to Linda. Of course I know eventually I'll wind up listening to Sandy since I'm headed in this direction.

If you could erase one hit song by The Kinks from the public record, which song would it be?

Definitely "All Day and All of the Night". It's basically the same song as "You Really Got Me". Not that it's bad or anything (in fact I've always kinda preferred it to "You Really Got Me"), but it's just a bit redundant.

Sandy Denny or Emmylou Harris?

Again I have to go with Emmylou here, mainly for her work with Gram Parsons, and because of my lack of familiarity with Sandy.

Who's the most effective artist at executing double-tracked performances (vocals, guitar, whatever)?

Elvis Costello, specifically on songs like "Love for Tender" where he layers his voice to make it sound almost like a choir of background singers that are all him, of course.

Fill in the blank: Songs about _________ typically annoy me.

Children (sung from the parents' perspective)

Fill in the blank: The prime exception to the previous statement is __________.

Graham Parker's "The Kid with the Butterfly Net"

9. Songs about "partying" typically annoy me.

10. The prime exception to the previous statement is "Swingin' Party" by the Replacements.

Annie Hayden (formerly of the band Spent_ does a heartfelt cover of this song on her album, Enemy of Love, which has been in heavy rotation at my house as of late.