America's 100 best
America's 100 best
This Labor Day my favorite public radio station asked for the top American cd/album of it's listener's. Here's the reults. Comments?
http://www.wyep.org/music_programs/100albums.asp
http://www.wyep.org/music_programs/100albums.asp
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Any list that has Allman Bros Eat a Peach and Live at the Fillmore ("In Memory of Elizabeth Reed") together with Coltrane's A Love Supreme and Miles' Kind of Blue is a pretty good list. I love the strong Heads representation and the Aja.
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And where was Let's Dance???Otis Westinghouse wrote:REM not that high up, though. Nor Tom W. Nor T heads. Only one VU LP shocking. I love the self-titled as much and at times more than the debut, and both would make my top 10 for sure.
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or New Kids on the Block or The Osmonds........or Britney....or Aguilera...etcnoiseradio wrote:Yeah, not all American stuff can be as cool as Bros. and the Spice Girls.
Redundant argument Mr Noise. crap is crap regardless of country of origin....and Let's Dance was crap in any language!
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American not as in uncool but as in produced and played by (mainly) Americans, with a glossy American sound, a rather American showbiz ethic, with Bowie as token British element. Attempt to make a feeble joke of your bizarre comment!noiseradio wrote:Yeah, not all American stuff can be as cool as Bros. and the Spice Girls.
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Otis was the one who used "American" as a synonymn for crap. I was just reminding him that the UK has produced its fair share of shit. Why not chastize him?Jackson Monk wrote:or New Kids on the Block or The Osmonds........or Britney....or Aguilera...etcnoiseradio wrote:Yeah, not all American stuff can be as cool as Bros. and the Spice Girls.
Redundant argument Mr Noise. crap is crap regardless of country of origin....and Let's Dance was crap in any language!
P.S. Gary Glitter
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I would argue that Young Americans does the same thing (admittedly more successfully). But you must know I wasn't seriously suggesting Let's Dance for the list. Just taking the piss.Otis Westinghouse wrote:American not as in uncool but as in produced and played by (mainly) Americans, with a glossy American sound, a rather American showbiz ethic, with Bowie as token British element. Attempt to make a feeble joke of your bizarre comment!noiseradio wrote:Yeah, not all American stuff can be as cool as Bros. and the Spice Girls.
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But that's just it - I think what Otis was trying to say was that it was a very American-sounding album, not that it was necessarily crap (although I know from his previous comments that it is far from his favorite Bowie album). Personally I think it's a fine album with a few really excellent pop tracks, though very glossy and a little dated-sounding now.noiseradio wrote:Otis was the one who used "American" as a synonymn for crap. I was just reminding him that the UK has produced its fair share of shit.
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I'll respectfully disagree that all Otis meant was that it was slick sounding. Here's the context:
1. List of greatest albums of all time.
2. People start bitching that their favorite isn't there or that some band they hate is (normal stuff).
3. I joke that Let's Dance is missing, knowing Otis will take the bait, as I enjoy messing with him about that album.
4. He jokes back that it "may as well be American..." as a dismissive remark.
So clearly in that context, Otis answered my (facetious) suggestion that Let's Dance belongs on the list with a playful jab at its merits, comparing it negatively with American music. (Which is cool. It was a decent joke.)
The irony is, of course, that the most famous and influential British acts of all time--the Beatles Zeppelin, and the Stones--went out of their way to sound "American." All their early records are attempts to mimic American musical forms. So Bowie's in good company.
1. List of greatest albums of all time.
2. People start bitching that their favorite isn't there or that some band they hate is (normal stuff).
3. I joke that Let's Dance is missing, knowing Otis will take the bait, as I enjoy messing with him about that album.
4. He jokes back that it "may as well be American..." as a dismissive remark.
So clearly in that context, Otis answered my (facetious) suggestion that Let's Dance belongs on the list with a playful jab at its merits, comparing it negatively with American music. (Which is cool. It was a decent joke.)
The irony is, of course, that the most famous and influential British acts of all time--the Beatles Zeppelin, and the Stones--went out of their way to sound "American." All their early records are attempts to mimic American musical forms. So Bowie's in good company.
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Actually I thought it was a bit misplaced to resume the (admittedly enjoyable) Let's Dance goading on a list of American bests, so I tried to come up with the best response I could in the context, which was admittedly feeble, although was not intended as dismissiveness per se, more saying 'well you may as well refer to it here as it has a very American slickness to it, and stars American luminaries such as Nile and Bernard and Stevie Ray' and ... why are we discussing this? I love loads of American music. No prejudice whatsoever. The Young Americans point is a fair one. The term 'American music by a British artist' would be more appropriate. Bowie was immersed in America at that point. there's nothing realy British about it. Back to the topic?
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Guided By Voices - Alien Lanes, Bee Thousand
Elliott Smith - XO, Figure 8, Either / Or
Harry Nilsson - Pussy Cats etc
De La Soul, 3 Feet and Rising
Pavement - Slanted and Enchanted, Crooked Rain Crooked Rain, Wowee Zowee
Blondie - Parallel Lines
The Raspberries - Fresh Raspberries, Side 3, Self Titled
Big Star- Three, #1 Record, Radio City
Cheap Trick - In Colour, Dream Police, Budokan, Self Titled, Heaven Tonight
The Byrds - Mr Tambourine Man, Notorious Byrd Brothers
Randy Newman - Good Old Boys etc
Rickie Lee Jones - Pirates
Just some of those missing from what is a pretty narrow and shitty list.
Elliott Smith - XO, Figure 8, Either / Or
Harry Nilsson - Pussy Cats etc
De La Soul, 3 Feet and Rising
Pavement - Slanted and Enchanted, Crooked Rain Crooked Rain, Wowee Zowee
Blondie - Parallel Lines
The Raspberries - Fresh Raspberries, Side 3, Self Titled
Big Star- Three, #1 Record, Radio City
Cheap Trick - In Colour, Dream Police, Budokan, Self Titled, Heaven Tonight
The Byrds - Mr Tambourine Man, Notorious Byrd Brothers
Randy Newman - Good Old Boys etc
Rickie Lee Jones - Pirates
Just some of those missing from what is a pretty narrow and shitty list.
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with endurance like the liberty bell
and he tells you of the dreamers
but he's cracked up like the road
and he'd like to lift us up, but we're a very heavy load
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