Started when I was messing with playlists, and I realized that some of the good stuff was missed , like Robert Earl Keen’s early work. And Jimmy Bufffet’s canon, but mostly A1A (&c.) plus his recent album, which has a really good cover of the Dead’s Scarlet Begonias.
10. 9. 7. 8. Siegfried, 3rd opera in the cycle, all four CDs. Takes care of all facets of classical music in one sitting, although, a 4-hour opera is a long sitting. Still, it’s better story than the more famous Valkryies one. Possibly better music, too.
6. 5. Lyle Lovett’s Step Inside this House
4. REK’s Live #2 (come on, a song about a 5-pound bass?)
3. The Grateful Dead’s Live from the Mars Hotel
One of Buffett’s live albums maybe? All the good songs plus some stage banter? Jerry Jeff’s Viva Terlingua? ZZ Top, either Tres Hombres, or a greatest hits? And where’s Devo fit in? How about Free Bird? Pink Floyd? Instead of just a song, what album from the 80’s? Are The Clash essential? Yes? What’s missing for the top two spots?
2.
1.
Playlists!
All right, this one is too good to pass up, “You are what’s on your playlist.” Right. Houston? I think we have a problem here.
I’ve got a couple of “road lists” I keep around for ubiquitous road CDs that invariably get left behind, like in a rent car or something.
Try this one:
Fistful of Dollars.
If I had a Boat (Lyle Lovett) (and I’d love to find Jimmy Buffet version of that song – heard it live once.)
Gulf Coast Romance (Luke Olson)
Once you clear the jetty (Larry Joe Taylor)
Subterranean Homesick Blues (Bob Dylan)
Friend of the Devil (Grateful Dead)
Conversation with the Devil (Ray Wylie Hubbard)
7 months 39 days (Hank III)
Punk Rock Girl (Dead Milkmen)
Hellbilly Joker (Hank III bootleg)
The Boys of Summer (The Ataris)
California Uber Alles (The Dead Kennedys)
Live Intro (ZZ Top)
Heard it on the X (ZZ Top)
(Texas Radio and the Big Beat) (The Doors)
Mexican Radio (Wall of Voodoo)
On the Run (Pink Floyd)
That ought to give the “psycho analyst by playlist” folks a head scratcher. As the ad says, “But wait, there’s more!” Another list, just a second trial run.
Gilligan’s Island Theme
Higher and Higher (Moody Blues)
Hey Boy Hey Girl (The Chemical Brothers)
Don’t let the man get you down (Fatboy Slim)
Juke Joint Jumping (Wayne “the train” Hancock)
If the shoe fits (Hank III)
West Texas Highway (Lyle Lovett’s amazing cover album)
Call me the Breeze (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
Headed South (Larry Joe Taylor w/Steve Fromholz)
Senorita (Los Lonely Boys)
Route 66 (Wayne Hancock)
Runnin’ and Gunnin’ (Hank III boot)
Cross town Traffic (Jimi Hendrix)
Freebird! (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
In the words of the Dead Milkmen, “Choke on this you …” (Instant Club Hit)
As an added bonus, to really confuse the analysis? Wagner’s Ring Cycle, all four operas.
Then I had an idea: here’s one more playlist to figure me out: straight out of Apple’s iTunes.
A careful analysis of the genres, content and styles suggest a leaning towards, movie and sitcom scores, protest and rock music from 40 years, and just a touch of honky-tonk plus some post-punk progressions, art rock, and several items that defy categorization, like Lyle Lovett (Texana, really), Larry Joe Taylor (coastal and western), and just a hint of the 80’s new wave.
I think that would indicate I’m pretty mentally unstable. COOL!
