PopTodd

I was just about to. But, also: Rev. Gary Davis I have this amazing collection: And, if you want some gritty Chicago-style blues: Magic Sam This is his masterpiece: The version of "Sweet Home Chicago" that is on here is the one that everybody since has been aping. Pretty much the definitive version.

Cornershop just stood in one place and looked bored. It's a shame for a band whose music is so danceable.

That's where I picked it up -- where I picked up both volumes. And, I gotta look out for those showcases.

Just picked up Vol. 2 yesterday. (I've had Vol. 1 for a while now.) Both are damn, damn good! Here's the AllMusic (4.5-star) review for Vol. 1: I'll send a song or two sampler if you're interested. But, this is a labor of love thing that a local (Chicago) guy pretty much funded out of his own pocket. So I'm loathe to send any more than one or two songs. Anyway, just wanted to bring it to your attention. It's Deep, deep soul well worth checking out by any serious soul/R&B fans. (Both vols.)

Various Artists - The Birmingham Sound: The Soul Of Neil Hemphill, Vol. 2 Guided By Voices - Alien Lanes Love - Forever Changes The Knack - Get the Knack The Shins - Chutes Too Narrow

I remember kinda liking these guys back in H.S., but not much more. Except their bass player was huge: Is it worth picking up a cheap best of? Or, Champagne Jam is available for $1 at Amazon. That's the one that I remember. Is it really any good? No?

#1 (IMO): Joe Pisapia - Daydreams (I think that I might have mentioned that album somewhere else before. )

Electro-Shock Blues is where I started. And, although I adore that album, I have yet to delve any deeper. Still, that is a brilliant record.

On first listen, yes. Yes I do. Very, very good! Here's today's selection: Beto Villares - Beto Villares David Ruffin - David The Beatles - Abbey Road (de-emphasized black triangle remaster) Harry Nilsson - The Point The Exploding Hearts - Guitar Romantic

Just arrived:

Just arrived in the mail: :dance :dance :dance

Raphael Saadiq - The Way I See It Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot Tim Buckley - Goodbye and Hello The Boo Radleys - Kingsize

Willie Nelson - Teatro Eels - Electro-Shock Blues Smoking Popes - At Metro The Replacements - Pleased To Meet Me

Cowboy Junkies - The Trinity Session

Oh yeah! The Replacements -- 2 (the second time was at their final show at Grant Park) Neutral Milk Hotel -- 2 (once at an in-store and once at Lounge Ax) and: Cornershop -- 3 (once as a headliner, once as an opener, and once at an in-store)

Shrimp Boat A friend was in from out-of-town and wanted to go to the blues bars instead. I figured that, since they were local, I'd get another chance. They broke up before I got that chance. Damnit!

I saw them only once... their debut in Chicago, at Lounge Ax. And yes, I do need to see them again. Both the wife and I do want to get out to see them. (They're one of her faves, as well.)

The peppermint soap is amazing!

Jonathan Richman -- 6 Steve Earle -- 3 Stereolab -- 3 The Sea and Cake -- 3 Cocktails -- 3 The Slammin' Watusis -- 3 (every time as an opening act) Uncle Tupelo -- 2 Meat Puppets -- 2 Pixies -- 2 Blur -- 2 Pulp -- 2 Yo La Tengo -- 2 Pogues -- 2 Bob Mould -- 2 Super Furry Animals -- 2 Local (Chicago) bands: Flavor Channel -- 6 Falstaff -- 5 Paper Airplane Pilots -- 3 As you can see, I don't get to see too many bands more than once, so anyone that I can remember seeing more than once is included here.

I think there is some on: Jimi Hendrix - "Are You Experienced"

Oh, and just a month ago, my wife won tickets to see Marc Olsen and Gary Louris at an invite-only thing at a small club here in Chicago (Hideout). We couldn't get a sitter and couldn't go -- they only gave us ONE DAY notice that we had won. Damnit. That one hurt.

I'll agree with that, too. Actually, a couple of years ago, I put together a mix of songs that I deemed to be "Perfect". This is it: Live - The Bangles Septembur Girls (live) - Big Star Ju Ju Man - Brinsley Schwarz Israelites - Desmond Dekker Jennifer Save Me - Golden Smog Her Father Didn't Like Me Anyway - The Humblebums I Know You Don't Love Me - Ike Turner Long Time Ago - Jellyfish Jenny Artichoke - Kaleidescope The Last Thing To Go - Kris Kristofferson Dick About It - MOTO So It Goes - Nick Lowe Wagon Wheel - Old Crow Medicine Show Little Ole Country Boy - Parliament Hung

I think what bothers me about all the criticism of the current administration is not that the Republicans aren't entitled to do so, but the way in which they are doing it, and the SPEED with which they are doing so. They guy hasn't even been in office 2 months yet, and they are already calling Obama a failure. Considering the mess he was left to clean up, I think that you have to give the guy a shot a doing his job and you can't throw up roadblocks just for your (or your party's) own political gain. That's what disgusts me. Give the guy a fighting shot, because if he does succeed, it will he

Grateful Dead, Boston, 1995 Jerry died and couldn't make it.