Now that Ryan Bingham has an Oscar for Best Original Song, I feel like I can highlight his album “Mescalito” for all of you and perhaps you’ll take me seriously.  Contemporary country music has a bad reputation for willingly embracing parody of its own values (and not without reason; see Blake Shelton’s current No. 1 single Hillbilly Bone).  But, again, if you dig a little deeper than top 40 radio you’ll find some truly genuine and inspired music.

Bingham grew up in West Texas, dropped out of school at 17, and started touring the States as a bull rider.  In other words, he’s earned the right to write country music without scorn;  dude’s legit.  Released in 2007, “Mescalito” was his first major label album.  It (and his June 2009 album “Roadhouse Sun” that I haven’t heard) were both produced by former Black Crows guitarist Marc Ford.  I throw that tidbit in there because I know a few of you get hard-ons over the Black Crows and if their guitarist can dig it than so should you.

Bingham has a voice that sounds like he’s done a few more years of hard living than are possible given his youth.  Then again, he was damned bull rider.  Besides the pure country flavor of tracks like Long Way From Georgia and Ever Wonder Why, there’s enough rock influence on the record to make it accessible for listeners who aren’t accustomed to fiddle and slide.  Highlights of the album include The Other Side, Bread and Water, Hard Times, Don’t Wait For Me and the aforementioned Ever Wonder Why.  Download the album and lemme know what ya think.

Just for fun, here’s Jeff Bridges performing Bingham’s Oscar winner The Weary Kind from “Crazy Heart”.  Also, remember the spunky lead guitarist for Bad’s first backing band in the bowling alley?  That’s Bingham.

Was listening to my ipod at the gym… realized some songs ramp it up towards the end leaving me either wanting more, or replaying the song… A few of note:

Led Zeppelin Stairway to heaven… I know, its cliche, but it’s the original song that just keeps building and building until is rocking your balls off… if you want to go deeper try Achilles last stand… you’re probably saying “damie, that song is 11 minutes long, and hammers from the start”  to which my response is fuck you, it’s my list, it’s led zeppelin, and if you can’t appreciate the way bonham is smashing those drums through the floor then i can’t help you

Pearl Jam – Rearview mirror – for my money, their best song.  I always listen to it twice.

Prince – Purple Rain – try watching the movie, then listening to that song as he closes it out with the guitar… I can’t keep my eyes dry, and I know Patrick you can’t either

speaking of Patrick, Navar’s Big Orange just goes off… thank you PB, BB and JM

Red Hot Chili Peppers – Wet Sand – John Frusciante kills it at the end.  Anyone who thinks they can keep making songs like that without him is a retard

Metallica – One – ’nuff said

Guns ‘n Roses – Double talkin’ Jive – get the money motherfucker… Slash does some work… and if you can get some footage of him doing it live back in 92-94ish, i strongly recommend it

Dire Straits – Brothers in Arms – i found a live version of this song where Mark Knopfler really uncorks it  at the end

Great White – Rock me – this is the rural minority after all… just staying true to the roots

Queens of the Stone Age – 3’s & 7’s – just an awesome song…

Tool – Forty Six & 2 – another awesome song…. Eulogy should be given a listen too

Last weekend the official rag of the Vatican published their list of the top 10 Rock albums of all time.  See below (in order of release):

1. Revolver - The Beatles
2. If I could Only Remember My Name – David Crosby
3. The Dark Side of the Moon – Pink Floyd
4. Rumours - Fleetwood Mac
5. The Nightfly – Donald Fagen
6. Thriller - Michael Jackson
7. Graceland - Paul Simon
8. Achtung Baby – U2
9. (What’s the story) Morning Glory - Oasis
10. Supernatural – Carlos Santana

This has to be the most absurd list of all time.  I verified this story from four different sources to make sure it wasn’t a complete joke.  I even headed over to The Onion to make sure this wasn’t one of those times that some dumb ass picked up one of their satirical stories and ran it elsewhere.  Of course, there are some worthy entries on the list but they’re completely overshadowed by the more confusing choices.

CSNY?  The Byrds?  Nah, fuck it, I’m the Pope and I like David Crosby’s solo work.  Simon and Garfunkel?  Sure, but not before solo Simon.  To be perfectly honest, I had to wiki Donald Fagen and its just more of the same.  Steely Dan was great but The Holy See much prefers Mr. Fagen’s work post-Steely.

The Catholic Church endorses this album as one of the best ever.

But by far the most egregious inclusion is Sanata’s Supernatural.  The sales of that album were driven mainly by a duet he did with Rob Thomas called “Smooth”.  Remember?  Other collaborators on the album: Dave Matthews, Everlast, and Eagle Eye Cherry.  Anyway, judge for yourself:

Why can’t every year be as awesome as 1991?  Why you ask?   Just look at some of the all time great albums released that year:

1.  Guns ‘n Roses – Use Your Illusion I & II

2.  Nirvana – Nevermind

3.  RHCP – Blood Sugar Sex Magik

4.   Pearl Jam – Ten

5.  Soundgarden – Badmotorfinger

6.  Metallica – Black album

Can anyone find a year with 6 better albums?

I was able to head over to the Gramercy Theatre last night to see Daniel Merriweather perform.  I remembered him from the Mark Ronson record and saw him sing with Mark back at his show at the Highline Ballrom (about a year or 2 ago…not sure).

The show was solid and this was the first time I have been back to the theatre since it ceased from being the Blender Theatre (wow, that’s really interesting).  He played a solid set including an interesting cover of the White Stripes “You Don’t know What Love Is (You Just Do As Your Told)” as well as Paul McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed.”

You can see a decent video of the entire performance of his cover of the Smiths song “Stop me if you think you have heard this one before” at the bottom as well as some pix and the setlist.

Setlist:

For Your Money
Chainsaw
Change
You Don’t Know What Love Is (White Stripes Cover) <-I will post my video of this soon
Live By Night
Giving Everything Away
Cigarettes
Getting Out
Impossible
Stop Me/Keep Me Hanging On <-video of this from last night posted at the bottom.
I Think I’m In Love
Maybe I’m Amazed
Red <-Get this song NOW…it’s great and was fantastic live.

Nothing Like A Tall Boy

I also took a bit of video that turned out pretty good.  Here is