PopTodd

Hence, the new thread I just started. By the way, does Ann Magnuson belong in here, or the new one?

Talking about people who do more than just make a cameo appearance as themselves. Maybe it'll be a different list. Maybe not. Lyle Lovett Dwight Yoakam Justin Timberlake Jimmy Cliff Ann Magnuson (or does she belong in that first thread?)

I didn't really get anything this year. Buying myself some studio time in January.

HELLY YES, Spinal Tap counts! And, great call on Dan Akroyd, howdjadoo. So, for that matter, you gotta include John Belushi, too.

Neil Innes.

John Travolta can sing. Don't think that he writes songs, but as far as doing musicals and stuff, he can sing (and, of course, dance), so that is all cool. But, it seems like you are looking at actors as more than just being able to sing, but as musical artists in their own right. I can think of a few. Zooey Dachanel One of the most beautiful voices out there. And, She & Him isn't my thing, but it's not bad. Kevin Bacon Apparently The Bacon Brothers have some pretty decent roots/rock stuff. Rick Springfield Musician first, but then made his name as an actor before having hit songs

I think that it would be cool for each of us to have our own "Favorites of 2011" thread, and kinda show a little snapshot of each of our years, actually. It puts it in a nice context and allows for a nice spread. T'was done in another board that I frequent -- http://obner.org -- and I kinda like the way that those discussions are shaping up. A little more expansive. So I thought that I would (try to) start something like that here.

ALBUMS You know, I haven't heard nearly as many as most (all?) of you. So, here are the ones that seem to be sticking with me. (Order changes with my mood.): Yep - Yep Just hits all the right notes, with pitch-perfect covers that compliment the originals; that bring out depths in melody, harmony, and emotion that I'd just never recognized were there all along. I've wholeheartedly recommended it to non-Ob affiliated friends, and the response has been unanimously fawning. Raphael Saadiq - Stone Rollin' After the Motown fixations of The Way I See It, Saadiq has moved on to a harder-edged sound, c

Midnight In Paris The perfect balance of whimsy and thoughtfulness that only Woody Allen seems to be able to strike. I was in love with this movie from the opening montage of Paris street scenes that seemed to be able to give me a real feel of what the city is actually like, even never having been there. A masterful piece of filmmaking. Owen Wilson is pitch-perfect, and maybe even BETTER than Woody as the Woody character, as you can actually believe Wilson as a romantic lead. Probably my favorite movie of the year. Should get a best picture nod, if there is any justice.

That isn't from Josh, is it?!?

I discovered Wilco before they were born -- big Uncle Tupelo fan and was shattered when they broke up. But the first time that I heard Wilco was the first time that they played Chicago (maybe their second-ever show?). It was at Lounge Ax in 1994. The show was actually my second show of the night. Earlier in the evening I was at the Vic, at a Pegboy show, and they blew my freaking socks off. After the show, we heard a rumor that Jeff Tweedy's new band was going to be playing the LAx that evening, too (the friends that I was with were also big UT fans), so we hustled over to Lincoln Ave. and got

Wow. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2ZITfPhnwE&annotation_id=annotation_460054&feature=iv

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVwlMVYqMu4

Just picked this up: I've heard their songs covered by Bongwater ("The Drum," which is on this collection) and also by Mazzy Star ("Blue Flower," which is not), and I have loved them both. So, I looked into the band at AllMusic and liked the descriptions that I read. The album arrived yesterday and I've given it a first listen and made an initial impression: I love it. The best description that I can give is that it's like Yoko Ono, if her voice were tolerable and if she were backed by The Soft Machine. But then, there are strong undercurrents of Kurt Weill running through a lot of it too (

Tom Zé -- 98% (Even his failures are thrilling.) The Kinks -- 75% (Some of their late-period stuff was a bit lacking, but Ray Davies is still pound-for-pound the best songwriter alive, and Dave is underrated in that category.) Nick Lowe/Brinsley Schwarz/Rockpile -- 75% (Another brilliant songwriter with a great sense of humor. Such a vast catalog that the percentage is bigger than it seems.) Harry Nilsson -- 85% (He can sing just about anything and make it sound like magic. And then, there's his sense of humor. Love.) Brian Eno -- 60% (Maybe seems like it doesn't fit with that percentage, but

Actually thinking about it, pretty much every line in that song. A couple other faves from that one: "You wish upon a star, that turns into a plane" "If you were a pill, I'd take a handfull at my will And I'd knock you back with something sweet and strong"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_4EAajePTo

My parents are taking my oldest here today. I've never been. So, so jealous. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7lqKALvZfo Apparently, you NEED to have the toast.

Have you checked out that Daniel Romano record? I think that one may be up your alley.