Friday Night Videos

Favorite 10 classical composers

2012-01-10T14:51:00.000-08:00

Johann Sebastian Bach

Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Ludwig Van Beethoven

Niccolo Paganini

George Frideric Handel

Georges Bizet

Johann Strauss II

Sergei Prokofiev

Edvard Grieg

Favorite 10 pop-rock artists

2012-01-08T23:10:00.000-08:00

Ween

David Bowie

Sonic Youth

Rheostatics

Beatles

Frank Zappa

Led Zeppelin

Rolling Stones

Jack White

Smiths

Haight-Ashbury

2011-10-08T21:34:00.000-07:00

One of the most popular music scenes of all time, it was during the 'Summer of Love' in 1967 that this unexceptional San Francisco intersection would emerge as a cultural landmark. More than a goldmine of terrific art and counter-culture, it defined an entire movement and became the permanent mecca for hippies, beatniks, bohemians, and all their imitators. Crazy politics aside, psychedelic rock still remains among the most sentimental and listened to genres of modern popular music.

Haight-Ashbury's prime messengers, the Grateful Dead, would for the next three decades unwittingly provide the template for everything hippy. Their tours were psychedelic carnivals that provided a religious rite of passage for those who would come to be known as Deadheads. It was Jerry Garcia's death in 1996 that finally laid rest to one of music's most unique followings.

Jefferson Airplane's "Somebody to Love" and "White Rabbit" were the twin themes from the summer of 1967 and terrific samples of two different psychedelic styles. The adrenaline rush of "Somebody to Love" was the up tempo blues-rock sound that had become popular in America and the U.K., while "White Rabbit" was the ultimate acid trip, less a traditionally structured song and more of a hypnotic two minute trance.

Getting their start as the house band at the legendary Avalon Ballroom in 1966, Big Brother and the Holding Company would later that year team up with a young Janis Joplin, launching her into one of the 60's most memorable icons.

Two lesser known bands from the scene: Blue Cheer (named after a brand of LSD) with "Summertime Blues" and Moby Grape (named after a joke involving a purple whale) with "Hey Grandma."

Quicksilver Messenger Service with "Fresh Air," live at another seminal San Francisco concert hall, The Fillmore.

David Lynch soundtrack side A

2011-03-28T10:00:00.000-07:00

One of Hollywood's most unique filmmakers, his name has become synonymous with modern cinematic surrealism. His first three major films (Eraserhead, The Elephant Man, and Dune) presented a sporadic, though brilliant mind with a particular fondness for the dreamy and bizarre. He is the rare sort of artist that appeals to both cult and mainstream audiences, and sometimes neither.

It wasn't until his 1986 release Blue Velvet that he found his voice. His embrace of pop music, used in wonderful juxtapositions, would be a common theme in his later work. Blue Velvet was partly inspired by the dark elements Lynch heard in Bobby Vinton's early 60's hit.

Even more chilling was his use of Roy Orbison's "In Dreams."

Long time Lynch music collaborators producer Angelo Badalamenti and singer Julee Cruise with the ethereal "Mysteries of Love."

If David Lynch himself had a personal theme, it could be nothing more than the first few seconds of Julee Cruise's "Falling." He did after all write the lyrics to the song. Another Badalamenti-Cruise project, the Grammy Award winning Twin Peaks theme became more popular than the short lived TV series.

The light and breezy "Rockin' Back Inside My Heart."

One of Lynch's most diverse uses of music was in his 1990 film "Wild at Heart." Thrash, pop, big band, rockabilly, cool jazz - all here with nothing out of place. The sunny, optimistic sounds of Glenn Miller's "In the Mood" that introduces the movie quickly gives way to one of Lynch's all time most gruesome scenes.

Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game" was the perfect theme for the movie, a haunting rockabilly ballad that perfectly channelled the 50's crooning Elvis in Nicolas Cage's 'Sailor Ripley' character.

Nickelback

2011-01-17T16:19:00.000-08:00

Having sold over 30 million discs, Canada's Nickelback is one of the nation's all time most popular rock and roll exports. They have been nominated a half dozen times for every major music award and with the exception of a Grammy (despite six nominations), they have won at least a couple from each event.

Since their second release, the late 90's breakthrough The State, they were poised to sound like they could define the next post-grunge FM sound. Charted singles like "Breathe" and "Leader of Men" sounded like a rising band ready for the spotlight. Their 2001 release Silver Side Up made them bona fide rock stars, and with arena anthems like "Never Again," "Too Bad," and especially the popular "How You Remind Me," it was easy to see why.

The next year lead singer Chad Kroeger would team up with journeyman Josey Scott for the Spider-man 2 classic "Hero." Though Kroeger was the only member of Nickelback on the song, it didn't matter. Same music, same face, same thing. "Nickelback" was now in the business of big Hollywood themes.

Through the decade it's been steady as she goes:

Gold and platinum records, blockbuster movie themes, WWE and Olympic anthems. They sell out concerts worldwide and have influenced dozens of chart topping bands. As far as rock bands go, they don't get much bigger.

So why do they suck?

They may be one of the world's most popular rock acts, but they are reviled in a way no band has ever been before. Not Poison, not Bon Jovi. Nickelback hatred is unique. Despised by critics and constantly mocked by the public, this video from a few years ago displays a short timeline of the perpetual attacks that seem to take place on Wikipedia's Nickelback entry. Relentless, it is one of the most vandalized non-political pages I've ever seen:

By the late 90's it was assumed that the FM sludge of bands like Bush, Creed, and Big Wreck would be on its way out. Except for the purpose of music history, no longer would there be use for the term 'post-grunge.' This tiresome cliche of rock grandeur was supposed to end with the new millennium, but the zombie Nickelback resurrected the corpse.

In addition, Nickelback has come to symbolize the phony rock star. A glossy rock and roll rebel that is nothing more than a subsidiary of a big corporation. Their tensionless and perfectly crafted songs about strippers and booze as seen from the loser's table has become the muzak of FM radio. Strange, considering they're nice, humble guys who don't even party like rock stars should. That might actually be the sole reason for the immense Nickleback hatred: they're boring.

Magnolia

2011-01-17T16:18:00.001-08:00

Despite the A-list cast and big Hollywood pull, Paul Thomas Anderson's Magnolia wasn't very popular, but to many who have seen it, it's highly memorable. One of the most riveting movies of the past decade, it's a web of damaged characters, complex relationships, and some lingering and disturbing examples of loneliness. After the opening narration, Aimee Mann's spooky cover of Harry Nilsson's "One" sets the perfect tone for the movie.

The soundtrack is mainly an Aimee Mann vehicle as she performs all but a few of the songs. She received a Grammy nomination and an Academy award nomination for "Save Me," a video that has her filmed with different characters in different scenes from the movie.

The soundtrack's most beautiful song is without a doubt the haunting "Wise Up." The song occurs near the end of the movie where the characters, in various states of redemption seeking, individually sing along in a truly captivating sequence.

The few non-Aimee Mann songs include the film's score by Jon Brion and a couple of Supertramp songs: "Goodbye Stranger" and "The Logical Song." (audio only)

Tom Cruise's best role ever:

A link to the movie (missing part 5!) on YouTube.

Here's Aimee Mann 17 years ago with "I Should've Known."

And 25 years ago with 80's new wave band Til Tuesday.

Kids

2011-01-17T16:13:00.000-08:00

I originally started this post with a different title and a sampling of groups such as the Jackson 5 and Little Anthony and the Imperials, but somehow the musicians got younger and younger. It's interesting to see the period where the kids go from being 'really good for their age' to simply 'really good.' You can also see which kids will likely follow the singer-songwriter style, the virtuosity style, or maybe both. All the ages indicated are from the time of the video, not their ages today.

Though heavy with the child warble, five year old Wesley does a terrific job with Johnny Cash's 'Folsom Prison Blues.' Watching a five year old sing the line "When I was just a baby" (at 0:32) is priceless.

Brother and sister duo Dylan and Lauren at a county picnic with an incredible acoustic version of the Foo Fighters' 'Everlong.' The 'child sound' has almost faded from the sister's vocals while the guitar playing brother has the poise, and nearly the sound, of a professional.

An odd story behind eight year old prodigy Tallan Latz. Due to his young age, he has been banned by his home state, Wisconsin, from playing in bars or clubs. A closer examination of the story reveals other musicians might be the ones behind the lobby to keep him from playing, and it's easy to see why. Not only does he play like he was raised in the wild by a pack of blind old bluesmen, he's got the man on his back.

Here is 9 year old Japanese prodigy Yuto Miyazawa. His cover of Ozzy Osbourne's 'Crazy Train' is near perfect (the guitar playing anyway) but it's meeting his idol afterward that is the biggest thrill.

Here he is again a year later on Ellen, this time playing 'Paranoid.' More amazing is the short clip at 1:55 that shows him on stage with Ozzy. Incredible to see a child looking so comfortable in the role of rock star.

In a pink Cadillac

2007-04-10T20:05:00.000-07:00

As much an image as a genre of music, rockabilly will be forever linked with the sounds and styles of 1950's rock and roll. With it's slight country twang and lively beats, it has enjoyed occasional revivals and permanent influence. It remains one of pop music's most reliable sub-genres.

It all starts with the King. "Heartbreak Hotel" and "Jailhouse Rock."

Elvis' 1968 comeback special featuring one of rock and roll's most influential songs, "That's All Right," with Scottie Moore on guitar and D.J. Fontana drumming a guitar case.

With his distinct rock and roll sound sound (and showmanship), Chuck Berry remains the most influential guitarist of all time. Here's "Johnny B. Goode" and "Roll Over Beethoven."

The piano, then as symbolic to rock and roll as the guitar, served a much bigger role in the 50's than it does today. Here's Jerry Lee Lewis with "Great Balls of Fire."

A two in one from Carl Perkins, "Blue Suede Shoes" and "Your True Love."

Gene Vincent with "Be-Bop-a-Lula"

Two from my favorite performer of the era, Buddy Holly's "That'll Be the Day" and "Oh Boy."

Love them or hate them, they kept the rockabilly image from fading. Taking a shot at the hippies, Sha Na Na with "Rock and Roll is here to Stay."

And hey, if it wasn't for them, we might not have had this:

Though the legacy of rockabilly was greatly admired and emulated during the punk years, it seemed to return more to its original sound during the late 70's alongside the new wave scene. Despite being an American invention, it's revival was popular on both sides of the ocean. Here's Britain's Shakin' Stevens with "Green Door" and Rockpile with "Girl's Talk" and "Crackin' Up"

Having worked with guitarists Link Wray, Chris Spedding, and Danny Gatton, no one did neo-rockabilly better than 1970's New York City punk veteran Robert Gordon. Here's a cool live version of "Worryin' Kind."

Even Neil Young got in on the act with "cry, Cry, Cry" and "Wonderin."

So did Queen with "Crazy Little thing Called Love."

The most popular and commercially successful of the new wave of rockabilly bands, the Stray Cats had to get noticed in the U.K. by Rockpile to catch a break. You gotta like a band that can get away with mentioning their name in a song without sounding cheap. "Stray Cat Strut" and the equally cool "I Won't Stand in Your Way."

Strong in the 90's, Chris Isaak with "Wicked Game" (the Wild at Heart version) "Blue Hotel," and the live "Devil In Disguise" with LeAnn Rimes.

The rockabilly sound still showing up, sometimes in weird places. The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion with "Bellbottoms" and Mr. Bungle live with "Pink Cigarette."

Still the rockabilly king, Stray Cat Brian Setzer and his big band with "This Cats On A Hot Tin Roof."

And a little rockabilly guitar.

80's rap

2007-04-10T20:04:00.000-07:00

Though its roots trace back to the mid 70's, it wasn't until the early 80's that rap would establish itself as a mainstream music genre. Often told as the story of disco d.j.'s offering rhythmic wordplay between songs, rap is often overlooked as a tangent of the soul and funk genres. Rap music in the 80's was a name that tune of sampled James Brown and Chic riffs, including the genre's first official hit, the Sugarhill Gang's 1979 tune "Rapper's Delight."

Released a few years later, Afrika Bambaataa's "Planet Rock" would also be seen as one of rap's most influential singles.

With the breakdancing craze, rap was given an cool image to go along with the music. The two were near synonymous in the early 80's. Here's Grandmaster Melle Mel with "Beat Street Breakdown" from the popular breakdance movie.

'Don't push me cause I'm close to the edge' - Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five with "The Message."

Here's Grandmasters Flash and Melle Mel together with the unique "White Lines." Rap, later to be referred to as hip-hop, would grow from its mere rapping, sampling, and beatboxing stereotype to a genre that would incorporate singing, instrumentation, and genre-mixing.

Another example of a rap song with a singing chorus, Kurtis Blow with "If I Ruled the World."

One of the most influential rap groups of all time, and the first to become a household name, Run DMC with "Its Like That," "It's Tricky" (featuring Penn and Teller), and "Walk this Way" (featuring Aerosmith).

Similar to other other genres, rap music produced a few entertaining offshoots. One was novelty or fun rap like the Fat Boys' "Wipeout" or DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince's "Parents Just Don't Understand."

And like other genres, there's a fine line between fun rap and bad rap. MC Miker G and DJ Sven with "Holiday Rap."

Morris Minor and the Majors with "Stutter Rap."

Careful with this guy, you just might get blazed. Viral video sensation Danny Hazen with "Average Homeboy."

Not solely a man's game, the girls got in on the fun too. Here's J.J. Fad with "Supersonic" and Salt-n-Pepa with "Push It."

One of the few 80's groups to remain popular into the 90's, the Beastie Boys were the first (and still one of the very few) white boys on the rap scene. From their 1986 release Licensed to Ill, here's "No Sleep Till Brooklyn" and "Fight for Your Right."

By the middle of the decade, where rap styles were diversifying, so were the individuals creating the music. All these competing personalities also meant heightened levels of suave and swagger.

LL Cool J - "I Need Love"

Kool Moe Dee - "How Ya Like Me Now" (live)

Eric B & Rakim - "Paid In Full"

Young MC - "Bust A Move"

Tone Loc - "Funky Cold Medina"

Maestro Fresh Wes - "Let Your Backbone Slide"

By the late 80's, rap music's image was far removed from the colorful breakdancers shock popping through the harmless graffiti adorned streets. Inner city neighborhoods were nothing like this, even in the early 80's. With a more accurate narrative of the street, bands like New York's Public Enemy were one of the first to give rap music a much angrier and aggressive voice. Here's "Fight the Power" and a live version of "Rebel Without a Pause."

From the West coast, rap would find one of its more popular and controversial sub-genres in 'gangsta rap.' Ice-T with "Colors" and N.W.A. with "Express Yourself" and "Straight Outta Compton."

A T.O. state of mind

2007-03-10T22:13:00.000-08:00

Though not quite a city of world class status, the music Toronto has cultivated and exported over the decades could argue otherwise. Some extremely popular acts have not only been raised there, but many international musicians have either nested there or adopted the city as a second home. Two of the more popular radio stations, Q107 and CFNY (especially back in the day), are the best known for playing the homegrown talent, and there's a lot of it.

To start off, the grandaddys of the Toronto rock scene, the Band. Here's "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" from a 1976 Saturday Night Live performance.

Led by the unique vocals and the overt lesbianism of Carole Pope, Rough Trade scored their biggest hit in 1981 with "All Touch."

Same band, new name. Martha & the Muffins with "Echo Beach" and M+M with "Cooling The Medium."

The darlings of the early 80's new wave scene, the Spoons with "Nova Heart" and "Romantic Traffic" (staged in a Toronto subway!).

More 80's new wave. FM's "Just Like You," Jane Siberry's "Mimi on the Beach," and Chalk Circle's "April Fool."

Out with the synths, in with distorted guitars. The Pursuit of Happiness became well known with their power pop post-new wave sound. Here's "Killed by Love" and "She's so Young."

From the remains of The Pursuit of Happiness, Universal Honey's "Just Before Mary Goes."

The country-folk-blues sound (I've never been comfortable with the 'roots' label. It's accurate, but awkward.) Here's Blue Rodeo's "Trust Yourself," Cowboy Junkies' "Sweet Jane," and the Skydiggers' "I Will Give You Everything."

If there's a common thread among popular Toronto acts, it's their sense of fun. Videos like Moxy Fruvous' "My Baby Loves a Bunch of Authors," Meryn Cadell's "The Sweater," and Len's "Steal My Sunshine" are good examples.

During the 90's, if there's one thing Toronto knew more about than fun it was rock and roll. From indie to punk, classic rock to progressive, clubs like the Horseshoe, the Rivoli, Lee's Palace and the El Mocambo couldn't get enough of these bands.

Treble Charger - "Even Grable"

Tea Party - "Save Me"

hHead - "Flower"

Rusty - "Misogyny"

Our Lady Peace - "The Birdman"

Big Sugar - "Gone for Good"

Terrific 90's rock that stands aside the best of any city. This decade has yet to be as kind, with a few exceptions like Three Days Grace's "Just Like You" and Billy Talent's "Try Honesty" and "River Below."

A little on the softer side, my favorite Toronto soul act the Philosopher Kings' "You Don't Love Me (Like You Used to do)" and my latest indie favs Broken Social Scene with "Cause = Time."

The reigning kings of Toronto rock, Rush with "Limelight" and "Tom Sawyer."

The reigning kings of Toronto pop, Barenaked Ladies with "Lovers in a Dangerous Time" and "Old Apartment."

My all time favorite Canadian band, Toronto's Rheostatics. Unfortunately only a handful of videos exist, but there are couple of gems. The first video is the surreal "P.I.N." The second video is the "The Tarleks" featuring WKRP's Frank Bonner himself.

70's movie soundtracks

2007-02-26T23:35:00.000-08:00

What were the artists of the 60's to do after making some of the most original, memorable, tripped out music of the rock and roll era? Make original, memorable, tripped out movies. Introduced in the 50's, well acquainted in the 60's, in love by the 70's. The marriage of pop music and cinema was made official with movies like the Rocky Horror Picture Show, Tommy, Saturday Night Fever, and Grease.

The first video, the Fifth Dimension's "Age of Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In," is a late 60's tune from the late 60's Broadway hit "Hair." Though the movie wasn't actually released until 1979, it was the popularity of the stage production that helped influence theater and pop music.

Here's the intro to the 1979 flick where you'll hear a slightly longer and funkier version of "Aquarius."

The Who's Tommy was another 60's creation reborn in the 70's. The first video is a 1969 TV performance where they do "Tommy's Holiday Camp," "We're Not Gonna Take It," and "See Me, Feel Me."

The scene from Tommy with Tina Turner as the Acid Queen.

From the Who's lesser known rock opera made to movie, Quadrophenia, here's the scene for the tune "5:15."

From the 1971 oddity 200 motels, Frank Zappa (with Flo and Eddie, and the Mothers of Invention) with "Magic Fingers."

A three minute intro to the movie - crazy even by Zappa standards.

From the 1973 movie Deliverance, "Dueling Banjos."

From the same year, Carl Anderson performing "Superstar" from Jesus Christ Superstar.

Phantom of the Paradise was a 1974 release that brought together Paul Williams' music, Brian De Palma's directing, and 70's cutie Jessica Harper - a cult movie formula if there ever was one. Here she is with "Special to Me" and "Old Souls"

From the movie's coolest scene, rock theatre macabre with the Undead's "Somebody Super Like You" and Beef's "Life at Last."

With full on glam rock and a similar flair for the absurd, the next year would see the release of the most popular cult movie of all time: the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Here's "There's a Light," "Time Warp," and "Sweet Transvestite."

You know I didn't really want to include this, but the song is just that popular. "You Light Up My Life" was the theme song to the 1977 movie of the same name. The movie scene has actress Didi Conn lip-synching Kasey Cisyk's version of the song, though it would be Debbie Boone's version that would become the most familiar.

It's no surprise that during the 70's John Travolta was known by so many names: Vinnie Barbarino, Danny Zuko, Tony Manero. On the big screen or small he had the Midas touch. The soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever would become one of the biggest selling albums of all time thanks to the Bee Gees and the memories of his moves to songs like "You Should Be Dancing."

One of the more popular songs from the movie, the Bee Gees' "Night Fever."

The most endearing of all movie soundtracks, Grease is one of those rarities that has been popular with each new generation. Despite its 50's hot-rod greaser image and pure 70's pop songs, the movie's playful treatment of high school archetypes singing and dancing away their problems makes the movie timeless. Here's some more Travolta moves with the scene from the school dance-off.

Not so much Travolta dancing, more Travolta posing: "Greased Lightnin'"

Two of the most popular songs from the movie, "Summer Nights" and "You're the One that I Want."

Arguably the best song of the movie, Olivia Newton-John with "Hopelessly Devoted to You."

And one of my underrated favs, Frankie Avalon with "Beauty School Dropout."

A little more high school fun to finish it off. From their 1979 film, the Ramones with "Rock'n'Roll High School" and "Sheena Is A Punk Rocker."

90's Britpop

2007-02-11T00:01:00.002-08:00

It would have been just as appropriate to title this early 90's Britpop as nearly all the best music and the coolest scenes happened well before '95. The first explosion was the Madchester sound that got its start in the late 80's. Chimey psychedelic guitars, swirling Hammond organ sounds, lazy drummer dance beats, and sugary vocals. There wasn't an album review to be found that didn't contain one of these four descriptions. The five biggest bands of the scene, and ones people will always confuse with one another, the Charlatans (UK) with "The Only One I Know," Stone Roses "I Wanna Be Adored," Inspiral Carpets "Bitches Brew," Happy Mondays "Kinky Afro," and James with "Sit Down."

Not quite Madchester, but close. Soup Dragons with "I'm Free," The Farm "All Together Now," Jesus Jones "Right Here Right Now," and Trashcan Sinatras with "Bloodrush."

A worthy successor to the Madchester bands were the shoegazing bands. Basically a thicker, less dance and more brooding version of the earlier sounds. One of the best images of what shoegazing bands are all about is Swervedriver's "Duel." Distorted power chords, lazy vocals, mopey power-pop - all while tripping out in a meadow.

A few other typifiers of the genre, Adorable's "Sunshine Smile," Ride's "Leave Them all Behind" (with a mini interview to start the clip), and the lesser known Revolver with "Cradle Snatch."

The more pop friendly of the shoegazers, Catherine Wheel's "Show Me Mary" and Eugenius' "Blue Above The Rooftops," with I think the only video I've seen with the title tags throughout the entire song.

The Verve was probably the most popular of the bunch, scoring the biggest hit, and probably the death knell for the scene with "Bittersweet Symphony."

From their earlier days, "Blue."

Both featuring dreamy female singers, My Bloody Valentine and Lush were two of my favorites of the genre. The first is the guitar experimental MBV with "Only Shallow," the second the ethereal Lush with "Deluxe."

In light of all the outstanding music pouring out of Britain, it became common to label any good band as not only the previous genre killer, but quite possibly the next Beatles (good luck on that one). Here's some bands that were good but nowhere close to the hype that they were saddled with. Suede's "Metal Mickey" and Pulp's "Common People."

Blur with "She's so High" and Oasis' What's the Story Morning Glory. Blur vs Oasis? Blur, I guess.

Spaceman 3, Spritualized, solo, here, there, sometimes neither. Jason Pierce was Britain's J Mascis, only more space-like. Here's the beautifully haunting "Let it Flow."

Another spacey hit, Mansun with "Wide Open Space."

A little more upbeat, Ash with a couple of tunes featured on movie soundtracks. The first one is the title track from the movie A Life Less Ordinary, the second one "Jack Names the Planets" from the movie Angus.

Without question the kings of 90's Britpop, Radiohead with "Stop Whispering," "Just," and "My Iron Lung."

In case you haven't tired of Thom Yorke's voice yet, here he is teaming up with UNKLE and DJ Shadow for the Radiohead sounding "Rabbit in Your Headlights."

On the Ranch

2007-02-11T00:01:00.001-08:00

Not the one that's snortin' cocaine, when the honky tonk's all closed
But the one that prays for more rain, heaven knows

To start of, three generations of Hank Williams. The first will be remembered as one of the biggest pop music icons of the twentieth century, up there with Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Elvis Presley, and Bob Dylan. The first video is his early fifties hit "Cold Cold Heart."

A trend that started in the late 80's had the children digitally performing alongside their parents in music videos. Here's Hank Williams Jr. and Sr. with the popular "There's a Tear in My Beer."

With the help of a good banjo, it seems Hank Williams III is a little more country in live settings than his hellbilly image suggests. Here he is with the Damn Band doing a cool hoedown of "Smoke and Wine."

She was the first individual female to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and still its reigning chanteuse. Though she only lived to 30, Patsy Cline became a giant in pop and country music. Here she is performing the Willie Nelson penned "Crazy."

More country divas! Dolly Parton with "I Will Always Love You," Tanya Tucker with "Delta Dawn," and Tammy Wynette with "Stand By Your Man."

Before he became the man in black, Johnny Cash with four songs: "I Walk the Line," "There You Go," "Next in Line," and "Train of Love."

Cowboy hats, plantation style ties, and haystacks - now that's country. Ernest Tubb performing "Tomorrow Never Comes" with Billy Byrd on guitar.

Speaking of guitar, country music virtuosos are often overlooked next to their classical, jazz, or metal cousins. Here's a few examples of hot country guitar; Chet Atkins with "Humoresque," Jerry Reed with a smokin' five minute medley (endure the half minute banter at the beginning with Porter Wagoner and the slow intro, at about the 1:45 mark you'll that classic 'chickin pickin' sound, Leo Kottke and Doc Watson with "The Last Steam Engine Train," and Albert Lee with "Fun Ranch Boogie."

I've always preferred Western over Country, stompin' cowboy tales over twangy love songs. Stories like Ned Kelly, White Mansions, and yes, The Gambler. For a Western jam, it doesn't get any better than the Highwaymen. Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson performing "The Highwayman."

Here's Waylon on his own with probably the coolest tempo change in country music in "Honky Tonk Heroes."

And the coolest fiddle in country, the Charlie Daniels Band with "The Devil Went Down to Georgia."

He's hardly recognizable in the first video, but it's 1967 Willie Nelson with "Night Life." The second video has him in full hippie persona with fellow country hippie Neil Young for the terrific 80's hit "Are There Anymore Real Cowboys."

So these are certainly not the cowboys Willie and Neil were singing about, but they are the new breed of country music. Billy Ray Cyrus with "Achy Breaky Heart," Garth Brooks with "The Dance," Tim McGraw with "Memory Lane," and Shania Twain with "Up."

Electronica

2007-02-10T23:46:00.000-08:00

First and foremost, the group responsible for every uber German techno automaton stereotype, Kraftwerk. The first video is the popular "Autobahn," released in 1974, with animation added by Roger Mainwood in 1979. It is credited as being the first popular song of electronica music. The second video is Kraftwerk's early 80's release "Tour de France." The video is a little dull (just cyclists, nothing else), but about 20 seconds in you hear what is probably electronica's most familiar melody. It was surprisingly a popular song with breakdancers.

On the topic of breakdancing, here's an 80's classic from Herbie Hancock with "Rockit." With its beats, shock pops, and the best scratching solo ever, it remains the anthem of the early 80's breakdancing movement.

If you prefer humans instead of robots dancing the robot, try Break Machine's "Street Dance."

The Art of Noise's "Moments in Love" is one of the most haunting and ethereal songs in pop music. The video is for the radio friendly four and a half minute version. I have a ten minute mp3 version that still doesn't seem long enough.

On the heavier side, Ministry's "Over the Shoulder" and Skinny Puppy's "Dig It."

This is what happens when you mix electronica with a hippie. The Orb's early 90's hit "Little Fluffy Clouds."

While "electronica" would become a sub-genre of the rave scene, electronica sounding music would become more mainstream with a greater presence on the pop charts. A few progenitors of the movement, Tricky with "Black Steel," Chemical Brothers' "Block Rockin Beats," Prodigy's "Smack My Bitch Up," and Moby's "Porcelain."

With their unique grooves and pure pop melodies, my favorite electronica act is Air. I was hooked with these two songs from their debut Moon Safari, "Sexy Boy" and "Kelly Watch the Stars."

Here's another with an over-catchy pop melody, Ladytron's "Play Girl."

This one is just odd. Australia's the Avalanches with "Frontier Psychiatrist."

Had to include probably my favorite song when I think of electronica, the Chemical Brothers and the Flaming Lips with "The Golden Path."

And last a couple of freaky offerings from Sweden's Naked Ape. The first video, "Fashion Freak," was one of the inspirations behind this weeks electronica theme. They seem to like using sexy zombies in their videos. They do the same with the second video, the much weaker "Undo Redo."

Favorite performances

2007-02-09T12:04:00.000-08:00

Ween - The Final Alarm

Portishead - Cowboys

Nettle & Markham - Khachaturian's 'Sabre Dance'

Verdi's Anvil Chorus

Highwaymen - Highwayman

Paul Gilbert - Fly Me to the Moon

Hoa Hoa's - Postcards

Andre Rieu - Zorba's Dance

Robert Gordon - Someday Someway

Bryan Adams and Tina Turner - It's Only Love

Evanescence - Bring Me to Life

Dinosaur Jr - Forget the Swan

Buckethead