I enjoyed hearing about the lifeboat. When I vote, I'm still pretty much living in iTunes, so I throw my favorite 40 or so favorite tracks in a playlist and try to decide what the top 10 is, the next ten etc. and basically create a bubble at the end where the final cuts are made.
1. Pleased To Meet Me2. Hootenanny3. Let It Be4. Tim5. Stereo/Mono
Bold didn't place if I did this right.Can't Hardly WaitI Will DareLeft Of The DialValentineTalent ShowSixteen BlueWithin Your ReachKiss Me On The BusColor Me ImpressedAnswering MachineUnsatisfiedI'll Be YouI.O.U.Asking Me LiesNightclub JittersHaydayHere Comes A RegularSkywayOttoNever MindTake Me Down To The HospitalFavorite ThingAlex ChiltonAndrogynousHold My LifeOne Wink at a TimeLittle MascaraGoNobodyAnother Girl, Another Planet
― campreverb, Wednesday, 14 October 2020 04:37 (three years ago) link
glad to see that unsatisfied got the consolation prize of most number one voted
― covidiot wind, blowin every time you lift your mask (voodoo chili), Wednesday, 14 October 2020 04:45 (three years ago) link
campreverb i like that process! i will try that next time maybe
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 14 October 2020 04:47 (three years ago) link
Well the upside is then I have my own curated playlist to throw on my iPod. Partying like it’s 2010 over here let me tell you.
― campreverb, Wednesday, 14 October 2020 04:51 (three years ago) link
oh and PSA to everyone on this thread who hasn’t read Trouble Boys yetGO READ THE BOOK YA CLOWNS it’s very good and sad and all the thingsthat is all
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 14 October 2020 04:58 (three years ago) link
another thing about "left of the dial": that wasn't a phrase that people used before that song, as far as i know. they invented that. possibly one of their most lasting influences!― fact checking cuz, Wednesday, October 14, 2020 1:01 AM
― fact checking cuz, Wednesday, October 14, 2020 1:01 AM
I once saw a YouTube comment I can't find anymore that claimed this phrase has a double meaning; that it also refers to the position of a receiver in a phone booth when Westerberg and his girlfriend would call each other on the road. Don't know if that tracks entirely but it's an incredible layer to that song.
― Chris L, Wednesday, 14 October 2020 07:05 (three years ago) link
My ballot.
― Patriotic Goiter (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 14 October 2020 10:02 (three years ago) link
Tracks
1. Left of the Dial2. Alex Chilton3. Unsatisfied4. Answering Machine5. I.O.U.6. Hold My Life7. Sixteen Blue8. Androgynous 9. We’re Comin’ Out10. Kiss Me On the Bus11. Kids Don’t Follow12. Bastards of Young13. I Will Dare14. Black Diamond15. Color Me Impressed16. Here Comes a Regular17. Treatment Bound18. Portland19. Within Your Reach20. Run It21. Achin’ to Be22. Favorite Thing23. Go24. I Don’t Know25. Take Me Down to the Hospital26. Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out27. Buck Hill28. Talent Show29. Can’t Hardly Wait30. Swingin Party
Albums
1. Let It Be2. Tim3. Stink4. Hootenanny5. Pleased to Meet Me
― Western® with Bacon Flavor, Wednesday, 14 October 2020 11:11 (three years ago) link
Ugh at those comments on your blog, Alfred.
― Garu’s Got a Rona (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 14 October 2020 12:24 (three years ago) link
Guys suck.
― Patriotic Goiter (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 14 October 2020 12:30 (three years ago) link
Pretty much.
― Garu’s Got a Rona (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 14 October 2020 12:35 (three years ago) link
Re-listened to “Tim” yesterday and realized “Lay It Down Clown” would have been an excellent DLR-era Van Halen track.
― Western® with Bacon Flavor, Wednesday, 14 October 2020 13:01 (three years ago) link
My ballot!
Tracks:UnsatisfiedSixteen BlueI Will DareColor Me ImpressedAlex ChiltonSwingin PartyValentineKids Don't FollowLeft of the DialFavorite ThingLittle MascaraBastards of YoungAnother Girl, Another PlanetAndrogynousCan't Hardly WaitYou're Getting Married - Solo Home DemoRaised In The CityThe LedgeAnswering MachineTakin A RideHere Comes A RegularKick Your Door DownSeen Your VideoI.O.U.SkywayDarlin' OneShiftless When IdleBad Worker (Demo)Love You Till FridayAnywhere's Better Than Here
Albums:Let It BeTimPleased To Meet MeSorry Ma, I Forgot to Take Out The TrashHootenanny
― covidiot wind, blowin every time you lift your mask (voodoo chili), Wednesday, 14 October 2020 13:05 (three years ago) link
My houseboat ballot:Left of the DialSixteen BlueGoFavorite ThingJohnny's Gonna DieUnsatisfiedIf Only You Were LonelyBlack DiamondColor Me ImpressedSeen Your VideoI'm in TroubleGod Damn JobKids Don't FollowAndrogynousCustomerCan't Hardly WaitBastards of YoungWithin Your ReachSkywayLittle MascaraRun ItTake Me Down to the HospitalBuck HillAlex ChiltonThe LedgeNever MindAchin' to BeTalent ShowMerry-Go-RoundHere Comes A RegularAlbums:Sorry MaStinkHootenannyLet It BeTim
― Garu’s Got a Rona (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 14 October 2020 13:15 (three years ago) link
Thanks for the poll.
1. "Alex Chilton" (40)2. "Answering Machine" (36)3. "I Will Dare" (33)4. "Johnny's Gonna Die" (30)5. "Color Me Impressed" (28)
6. "Kids Don't Follow" (24)7. "Left of the Dial" (24)8. "Unsatisfied" (24)9. "Can't Hardly Wait" (24)10. "Favorite Thing" (24)
11. "Within Your Reach" (19)12. "Go" (19)13. "Rock 'N' Roll Ghost" (19)14. "Pool & Dive" (19)15. "Hayday" (19)
16. "I'll Be You" (14)17. "Skyway" (14)18. "Little Mascara" (14)19. "Bastards of Young" (14)20. "Seen Your Video" (14)
I think "Pool & Dive" was my only idiosyncratic choice (who else voted for it?). I counted down a Top 100 on college radio in the late '80s and had "I Will Dare" on there; on another one, a different college station, sometime in the 2000s, I went with "Answering Machine"; and then switched to "Alex Chilton" for a Facebook Top 100 in 2015. So I made those my top three.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 14 October 2020 13:26 (three years ago) link
I'm chuckling at Alfred calling out Westerberg's sentimentalism by making his #2 song a Rodgers/Hammerstein classic.
― campreverb, Wednesday, 14 October 2020 14:12 (three years ago) link
Great poll/rollout, Nag3! "Unsatisfied" was my #1. I used to play drums along to Let It Be all the time not long after it came out. My drum teacher at the time had me to do a transcription of a song's drum part, and play along to that song, for each week's lesson. He was really into drummers like Jeff Porcaro and, for reasons that remain unclear to me, Bill Gibson (from Huey Lewis & The News). When I brought in "Unsatisfied," his reaction to the song was, "This is just a simple beat; there's nothing challenging about it." My argument is, it's like being Bob Dylan's drummer: you have to help tell this story, the dynamics and phrasing have to complement and bolster the story's meaning, you can't get in the way of it, and you also have to swing. But me being 12 or 13 at the time, I wasn't articulate enough to say any of that to my drum teacher in "Unsatisfied"'s defense. For the next lesson, he made me learn, play, and transcribe a song that he considered far superior: Chicago's "Stay The Night."
― Montgomery Burns' Jazz (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Wednesday, 14 October 2020 14:20 (three years ago) link
My list:
TOP REPLACEMENTS TRACKS 1.Fuck School2.Dope Smoking Moron
TOP SOLO / SIDE-PROJECT TRACKS Chris Mars "Popular Creeps" That time Tommy was in a P Diddy video
TOP ALBUMS 1. Stink
― chr1sb3singer, Wednesday, 14 October 2020 15:20 (three years ago) link
SongsTaking a ride (20)If only u were lonely (18)Kids don’t follow (21)F**k School (22)Color me impressed (8)Within your reach (27)Buck Hill (28)I will dare (4)Favorite thing (10)Tommy gets his tonsils out (17)Androgynous (14)Unsatisfied (11)Gary’s got a Boner (23)Sixteen Blue (29)Answering machine (9)Hold my life (7)I’ll buy (26)Kiss me on the bus (12)Waitress in the sky (5)Swinging party (15)Bastards of young (3)Left of the dial (16)I.O.U. (6)Alex Chilton (1)Skyway (2)Can’t hardly wait (25)Talent Show (13)I’ll Be You (18)Achin’ To Be (24)Darling one (30)
AlbumsTimLet it beDon’t Tell A Soul (Dead Man’s Pop version)Pleased to meet meHootenanny
I’ve been thinking that why isn’t the ability to create an emotional connection with the listener considered a category in which a musician can be virtuosic or not virtuosic? I’ve always been left cold by “chops are what matters” types.
― rattle, Wednesday, 14 October 2020 15:40 (three years ago) link
Think it comes back around at the top level: people like Lester Young saying learn the words, listen to singers and their phrasing, etc. But some journey rock guitar (or drum) teacher on the other hand...
― Garu’s Got a Rona (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 14 October 2020 15:59 (three years ago) link
I swear one of these days I'll take part in a poll where my votes aren't super-vanilla (part of the problem is you guys did so many polls before I was aware of 'em):
Trax only:
01 I Will Dare02 Takin’ a Ride03 Alex Chilton04 Color Me Impressed05 Bastards of Young06 Skyway07 Run It08 Valentine09 Sixteen Blue10 Answering Machine11 Fuck School12 Careless13 Within Your Reach14 Androgynous15 Shiftless When Idle16 Hold My Life17 The Ledge18 Never Mind19 All Shook Down20 Little Mascara21 Customer22 Happy Town23 Swingin Party24 Take Me Down to the Hospital25 Unsatisfied
― Evans on Hammond (evol j), Wednesday, 14 October 2020 16:07 (three years ago) link
I think Paul is a virtuoso songwriter, or wasbut chops vs feeling is a false binary that overall I reject
― Blues Guitar Solo Heatmap (Free Download) (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Wednesday, 14 October 2020 16:08 (three years ago) link
Same. There was an article on the Big Thief singer where the writer placed the two in opposition, like as though AL’s emphasis on emotional connection was independent of virtuosity. Then that post above about the drum teacher (LOL).
― rattle, Wednesday, 14 October 2020 16:21 (three years ago) link
yeah music teacher/guitar mag dudes are kind of have their own worldview haha
― Blues Guitar Solo Heatmap (Free Download) (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Wednesday, 14 October 2020 16:30 (three years ago) link
big thief is a great example though of a band that really touches people in a very intimate way and their chops are subtle enough that they maybe aren't noticed or remarked upon enough - but yeah that whole band kills and she is a very unique and cool player (as is the other guitarist)
― Blues Guitar Solo Heatmap (Free Download) (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Wednesday, 14 October 2020 16:50 (three years ago) link
I just listened to Let It Be for the first time in a long time & what is it with the years but I really get it now, for the first time.
I get caught by Westerberg's sentimentality, I fall for it, I've always been in love, but Bob Stinson's playing is what sticks this time. You all have taught me how to listen to music in other ways & I'll always be grateful for that.
― All cars are bad (Euler), Wednesday, 14 October 2020 16:55 (three years ago) link
I'd heard Sixteen Blue countless times but in relistening to it now really heard Bob's solo channel the sense of youthful confusion.
― Chris L, Wednesday, 14 October 2020 17:17 (three years ago) link
It's a shame Bob couldn't be in the band through Pleased to Meet Me (and obv it's known he wasn't super engaged during the Tim sessions) they aren't the Mats as much without him, something special went out of it
That story where he gets sober for a little while and Paul tells him "drink or get off my stage" is one of the saddest, cruelest things I've ever heard
― Blues Guitar Solo Heatmap (Free Download) (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Wednesday, 14 October 2020 17:25 (three years ago) link
I almost went to reread that last night but couldn't
― Garu’s Got a Rona (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 14 October 2020 17:31 (three years ago) link
is "Sixteen Blue" also a reference to football? ("Blue 16!" sounds like something a quarterback would yell, just before saying "HUT!")
― president of my cat (Karl Malone), Wednesday, 14 October 2020 17:34 (three years ago) link
Just looked at the Sorry, Ma liner notes here. Forgot that Paul played the second lead on "Johnny's Gonna Die." It's good.
― Garu’s Got a Rona (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 14 October 2020 18:30 (three years ago) link
(Alway's feel a little weird posting after the POLL is over)
― Garu’s Got a Rona (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 14 October 2020 18:32 (three years ago) link
Thank you Nag3 for your hard work, tabulation and excellent art selections! This thread brought me a lot of joy. My ballot:
Category 'A'
I Will DareBastards Of YoungAlex ChiltonLeft Of The DialTakin' A RideColor Me ImpressedCan't Hardly WaitTake Me Down To The HospitalUnsatisfiedThe LedgeAnswering MachineFavorite ThingHold My LifeValentineNever MindWe're Comin' OutSixteen BlueHere Comes A RegularI'll Be YouKiss Me On The BusAchin' To BeWe'll Inherit The EarthTalent ShowLittle MascaraPortlandMerry Go RoundSadly BeautifulShiftless When IdleWithin Your ReachAnywhere's Better Than Here
Category 'B'
World Class FadNot A Moment Too SoonNever Aim To PleaseHigh TimeFriday Night Is Killing MeLookin' Out ForeverTurn It UpBest Thing That Never HappenedLove UntoldWe May Be The OnesGot You DownSilent Film StarWithout A ViewNo Place For YouTiny PiecesWaiting For SomebodyNothingMamaDaddyDidNot This TimeDsylexic Heart
Category C (Hootenany in 'E')
Let It BeHootenanyTimSorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The TrashPleased To Meet Me
― BlackIronPrison, Wednesday, 14 October 2020 19:22 (three years ago) link
Paul = PeteTommy = RogerChris = JohnBob = Keith
― veronica moser, Wednesday, 14 October 2020 19:32 (three years ago) link
I have just been thinking about the last line the past few days! How I love the playing but the fun-loving antics are ultimately tiresome and depressing.
― Garu’s Got a Rona (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 14 October 2020 19:34 (three years ago) link
First one works too. Talented guys, a bit full of themselves. Second one too, dudes who were born to rock. And then Chris/John works as talented guys in the background behind the other showboats.
― Garu’s Got a Rona (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 14 October 2020 19:35 (three years ago) link
paul = genetommy = paulchris = um, crissbob = ace
(i have not fact-checked this)
― fact checking cuz, Wednesday, 14 October 2020 20:01 (three years ago) link
paul = jimmytommy = robertchris = JPJbob = bonzo
― Blues Guitar Solo Heatmap (Free Download) (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Wednesday, 14 October 2020 20:06 (three years ago) link
― fact checking cuz, Wednesday, October 14, 2020 3:01 PM (seven minutes ago) bookmarkflaglink
post very much out of character!
― covidiot wind, blowin every time you lift your mask (voodoo chili), Wednesday, 14 October 2020 20:10 (three years ago) link
lol
― Blues Guitar Solo Heatmap (Free Download) (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Wednesday, 14 October 2020 20:11 (three years ago) link
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
― fact checking cuz, Wednesday, 14 October 2020 20:40 (three years ago) link
Ahem
― Garu’s Got a Rona (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 14 October 2020 20:56 (three years ago) link
Although now I think I probably would switch Chris and Tommy.
Paul = AxlTommy = Tommysorry thats as far as my joke goes i’ll see myself out
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 14 October 2020 21:00 (three years ago) link
tommy: charismatic showman; Chris, weirdo introvert, eccentric songsmith in the shadow of celebrated big shot; only way Tommy = John is if Tommy is the best musician in the band as that is conventionally understood, which I guess is right…
― veronica moser, Wednesday, 14 October 2020 21:28 (three years ago) link
Yes to the latter.
― Garu’s Got a Rona (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 14 October 2020 21:29 (three years ago) link
Is there any argument with that?
― Garu’s Got a Rona (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 14 October 2020 21:30 (three years ago) link
Remember when Spin gave a handful of staffers plane tickets to random places in search of the "soul of rock and roll" or something? First, man, remember when they could just do that, give random plane tickets to people to go random places, let alone have the budget to do so? But second, they came to the conclusion that Paul Westerberg was it and sure, it's a silly, meaningless distinction that he probably made fun of in the cover story, but if it was going to be anyone ...https://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lz4tiv1QMW1qeetdyo1_1280.jpg
― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 14 October 2020 21:58 (three years ago) link
Just a couple months before Nevermind...
― "...And the Gods Socially Distanced" (C. Grisso/McCain), Wednesday, 14 October 2020 22:00 (three years ago) link
I hope it's not the chaletJust a waste of time
― Garu’s Got a Rona (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 14 October 2020 22:03 (three years ago) link