Top 10 LPs of 2007

Here it is. My year-end round up of the best long-playing platters of 2007.

10. White Stripes - Icky Thump
9. Duran Duran - Duran Duran's Red Carpet Massacre
8. M.I.A. - Kala
7. Kanye West - Graduation
6. Orson - Culture Vultures
5. Fall Out Boy - Infinity On High
4. Mike Farris - Salvation In Lights
3. Paul McCartney - Memory Almost Full
2. Amy Winehouse - Back To Black
1. Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare

Although it was nearly a coin toss between the Monkeys and Wino for the top spot. McCartney's LP was his strongest set in 20 years. Mike Farris' disc is a Stax-flavored gospel tour-de-force. The rest were nearly interchangeable. Although the most surprising enrty is Fall Out Boy. I didn't think I would like them in a million years. Biggest disappointments, well... the Duran disc suffers on the Timberland/Timberlake tracks and Prince's Planet Earth doesn't even make my top 10.

And here's a bonus. My favorite single tracks of 2007!

10. Justice - D.A.N.C.E.
9. Calvin Harris - Acceptable in the 80's
8. Kanye West - Flashing Lights
7. Paul McCartney - Gratitude
6. Pipettes - Pull Shapes
5. Orson - Ain't No Party
4 Amy Winehouse - Tears Dry On Their Own
3 (tie). John Doe - Pressing On/White Stripes - Icky Thump
2. Mark Ronson feat. Amy Winehouse - Valerie
1. Arctic Monkeys - Fluorescent Adolescent

Click a song title to hear the track and/or see video courtesy of YouTube. This should have been the Arctic Monkeys' year but, here in the States, they stiffed. I was particularly pissed that they got zero Grammy nods. Still they are my choice to top both of these lists. Fluorescent Adolescent is simply one of the finest guitar band pop songs since Wonderwall. They got stiff competition from Ronson's cover of the Zuton's Valerie. Featuring the ubiquitous Winehouse it, Valerie is another track in heavy rotation on my iPod. Wino is a f***ing mess, but she can sing a song. I can remember seeing Orson perform Ain't No Party back in 2004 down in Hermosa. John Doe's riveting cover of Dylan's Pressing On is the best moment on the monumental soundtrack to I'm Not There. Honorable mention: M.I.A. - Paper Planes; Common - The People; The Fratellis - Chelsea Dagger; Kat McPhee - Love Story; Locksley - Why Not Me?

Albums I'm anticipating for 2008?
ABC's Traffic
Michael Jackson's new CD
Norman Kelsey's A Talent For Loving. Of course!

Have a great weekend all!
Peace & Disco Beats

HollyWood Christmas

Last night, we hosted. Tonight, we are destined for Chaz Dean's Christmas Spectacular at his studio down in Hollywood. I was there yesterday getting my hair cut. Ah, for the first time in nearly a year, I had my hair styled by Monica, my girl. No more barbers for me for a while. Ha ha.

Anyway, I'm all dandied up, just drying off a bit more before leaving the house. It's freezing outside.

I'm very excited because the Grammy Ballot arrived today. People, I'm part of that vanguard trying to inject some modern taste into the votes. I must admit though, Paul McCartney will be getting the nod in a few categories. But this year, it's all about Amy Winehouse. No, no, no. She is the artist to be reckoned with this year. Forget her current death wish, check out her album Back To Black. Nominated in all 4 of the marquee categories, 10th Feb could be the night of her life if she lives to see it. For a bonus, check out her guest vocal Valerie on Mark Ronson's Version. Definitely the most talked about and popular musician of the year. Stay gold, Pony Girl. Stay gold.

Biggest Grammy disappointment: no noms for Arctic Monkeys. Boo!

I'll be posting my top 10 CDs of 2007 this week, so stay tuned.

I'm out of here. See you in Hollywood!

Peace & Disco Beats

Rocket 88 Has Hit The Highway

Hey Soul Mates,
I heard on the radio yesterday that Ike Turner had passed away. I had just gotten my ticketing info for the Grammy Awards, where I met Mr. Turner last year. All decked out in a rhinestone studded suit. Always a showman. Seeing him in person was a trip. So it was an odd coincidence for me. Ike won a Grammy in the best Trad Blues category and he made a charged acceptance speech as I recall.

Ike became an infamous villain in the very powerful Tina Turner story (she is amazing; whom he did discover), but his contribution to the start of Rock & Roll shouldn't be understated. Along with the likes of Big Mama Thornton, Chuck Berry, the Ink Spots and Louis Jordan, he was a musical pioneer. His playing is immortalized on the side Rocket 88 that many consider the first true Rock & Roll record. Deservedly so, Ike & Tina are in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Very much a case of judge the music, not the man. Because, in the end who can do the latter. The music has always endured.

Just some thoughts.

In my own music news, the CDs are pressed. Now waiting for shipment. I'm also excited about a new development overseas. There's a chance that an independent label (and its artists) will be involved with the tour. I'll keep you all posted. In the meantime, soak up all the Christmas spirit you can. I know I am, I started singing with the church choir to keep up my chops and make some joyful noises.

Peace & Disco Beats