2008: Top 10 CDs

Every website and blog has a yearend list of some kind. Since I’m a fan of lists, I thought I’d give it a go.

While these CDs were not all released in 2008, I acquired them in 2008 (hey, it’s my blog, so it’s my rules!). I received these as gifts, burned copies, but I bought most of them. Yes someone still buys CDs; I’m soooo old-school.

I ignored a disc if it just had one good song or didn’t last too long in my CD player. But the winners here were on my MP3 in heavy rotation this year. Here’s the list:

#1 – John Mellencamp “Life, Death, Love, and Freedom”

Some call this disc depressing, a middle-aged man contemplating death. I would say to that “of course it is.” I think it’s sincere, contemplative, and speaks from the gut. Playing this will wipe your impression away of John as a smug asshole who did “Jack & Diane” back in the 80s.



#2 – Clueso “So Sehr Dabei”

I bought a boatload of discs on my Germany trip but this is the best. The songs are as good as anything on English language radio, and probably a bit better.



#3 – Ruben Blades “Mundo”

I got this on a whim and was blown away. It was released a couple of years ago. More than a world music album, it takes salsa and Celtic music and whatever and mashes it in a big bowl. There’s not much new to music these days, everything is derivative. But Ruben? Clever, top notch and original!



#4 – Mark Ronson “Version”

Chockfull of British musical celebs like Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen, and Robbie Williams. Sounds like a throwback to Tom Jones heyday, but covering current songs by newer groups like Coldplay and Britney Spears (really).



#5 – Ich + Ich “Von Selben Stern”

I know I’m out on a limb here, but these guys make me think of a German Gnarls Barkley.



#6 & 7 – The Essential Album #1 & 2

This was a bit of a cheat. It’s a collection I picked up at Tesco this summer. But I can’t seem to put the CD down. It’s loaded with hits from Euro artists like Jamie Cullum, OneRepublic, Take That, and Kate Nash, plus some golden oldies like “Wild World” from Cat Stevens. Nifty! (here's a Jamie Cullum cut below)



#8 – Muse “Black Holes + Revelations”

I’ve read they’re called Radiohead-lite, but I don’t care. These bombastic, spacey songs make my nipples hard!



#9 – Idina Menzel “I Stand”

This record keeps me in touch with my inner 12-year-old girl. Mrs. Taye Diggs (the lucky bitch!) and “Wicked” star has a great record here. Makes me sing in the shower.



#10 – David Hidalgo + Louie Perez “Unreleased Songs & Rare Recordings”

Any Los Lobos project will surely end up in my Top 10 lists. And this David and Louie collection is a no-brainer. Available only on the Los Lobos website so get yours now!



Runners Up (in no particular order)
The Killers “Day & Age”
Madonna “Hard Candy”
Kaiser Chiefs “Off With Their Heads”
Estelle “Shine”
Duffy “Rockferry”
James Morrison “Undiscovered”
Keane “Perfect Symmetry”

Missteps from Old Favorites (love the artists to death, but can’t warm up to these discs)
Coldplay “Viva La Vida”
k.d. lang “Watershed”

2008: The Year in Concert Tours

Pollstar announced the highest grossing concert tours for 2008. What a sad sack of a list. Nothing on it but old farts and has-beens. The only relevant groups to tour were Kenny Chesney and Rascal Flats? Huh?

The List:

Madonna ($105.3 million)
Celine Dion ($94 million)
The Eagles ($73.4 million)
Kenny Chesney ($72.2 million)
Bon Jovi ($70.4 million)
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band ($69.3 million)
Neil Diamond ($59.8 million)
Rascal Flatts ($55.8 million)
The Police ($48 million)
Tina Turner ($47.7 million)

I guess with even the shitty seats in concert venues at $80 a pop, you tend to gross a high dollar amount. But Celine Dion? The Eagles? I thought they were dead... Celine, I mean.

Glad I could contribute to Madge's divorce settlement. Guy will be so happy!

Betty's hair

Not sure if that's her new style or just a wind machine set on 'high', but this is a recent headshot for Betty Buckley (one of my girlfriends!).

Eartha Kitt - RIP

Read the appreciation in the NYTimes here. She was 81.
Above: 2007

Above: Catwoman on "Batman" TV series

Above: 1950 Paris

Happy Holidays

Flame cologne

I just heard about this. Not a joke. Burger King has launched a cologne for a limited time. It's called "Flame" and is reminiscent of flame broiled meat.

Here's where you can buy it online: FLAME

I dunno, I like the smell of my own meat.

Now for a Mariachi break

Y Nos Dieron Las Diez con Rocio Durcal & Pepe Aguilar (1997)

Today's Fill-up!

Kathy Griffin on Leno

Kathy was on Leno this week. I have been jonzing for a new episode of her "D-List", but until it returns, this is a nice fix.

Oh and be sure to watch these clips soon - they're bound to be removed.

U2 - I Believe in Father Christmas

I love the new U2 Christmas song! Edge's guitar-work makes me feel like I'm floating. Oh and love the lights on the floor of the stage.

Grammy Nominations 2009

While I know the Grammy's aren't relevant any more, but I still like to read the list of nominations. Some of them are so out of touch, but some are good, quality choices where the public really hasn’t heard the music before so they poo-poo it. Regardless here are some of my thoughts on the 2009 nominations (in no order or reason):

Record Of The Year
"Please Read The Letter"
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss

Just so weird that a "non-single" was nominated, but I'm thrilled. It was my favorite CD of the year and my favorite track on the disc.

Album Of The Year
"Raising Sand"
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss

In a category with Coldplay and Radiohead, I still hope Robert & Alison wins!

Song Of The Year
"American Boy"
Estelle featuring Kanye West

The over-played "Love Song" by Sara Bareilles might win, but the "American Boy" hook is still in my cerebral cortex.

Best New Artist
Duffy

She's "Amy-light" I know, but she's grown on me. "Rockferry" is a nifty CD.

Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals
"Apologize"
OneRepublic

Coldplay is one of my favorite bands but this OneRepublic track is terrific. Hope they win.

Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals
"Rich Woman"
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss

Oooh...up against Madge and Justin Timberlake's "4 Minutes"...I'm still routing for Robert & Alison.

Best Dance Recording
"Just Dance"
Lady Gaga & Colby O'Donis
"Give It 2 Me"
Madonna

I just saw Lady Gaga on "Ellen" this week, but Madge has to win. She closed her concert with this and for hours all I could hear was "Give it to me....yea..."

Best Electronic/Dance Album
"Bring Ya To The Brink"
Cyndi Lauper
"X"
Kylie Minogue

Toss up for me in this category. Cyndi's comeback is quite good, but Kylie has the consistancy.

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
"Rufus Does Judy At Carnegie Hall"
Rufus Wainwright

Going up against 2 Christmas CDs, a Sinatra covers CD, and ANOTHER Natalie Cole CD, my money is on Rufus. You go girl!

Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals
"Rock N Roll Train"
AC/DC

This nom made me giggle. Up against Coldplay, Radiohead, Eagles and Kings of Leon, the Aussie lads seems so out of place. But I'm glad to see them in there. Rock fucking on, boys!

Best Country Collaboration With Vocals
"Killing The Blues"
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss

Shawn Colvin's version of the song breaks my heart, but this is quite good too. Robert & Alison, yeah!

Best Latin Pop Album
"Cómplices"
Luis Miguel

Woo hoo! Still going strong, after all these years! Maria must be pissed!

Best Regional Mexican Album
"Amor, Dolor Y Lágrimas: Música Ranchera"
Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano
"Canciones De Amor"
Mariachi Divas

I think Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano is good. But I've never heard of Mariachi Divas. I must check that one out!

Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album
"Raising Sand"
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss

‘Nuf said!

Best Contemporary World Music Album
"Shake Away"
Lila Downs

Initially I thought this an odd category for this album. But I think it's appropriate. She's just as good legends as Youssou N'Dour and Gilberto Gil. Go Lila Go!

Best Comedy Album
"For Your Consideration"
Kathy Griffin

She didn't get her nomination for Spoken Word which is what she wanted, but she's nomed anyway. I'm afraid the late George Carlin will win, however.

Best Musical Show Album
Gypsy
In The Heights
The Little Mermaid
South Pacific
Young Frankenstein; The Musical

I know "In The Heights" won the Tony, but "Gypsy" is my score. And w/ Patti LuPone? Heaven...!

Best Classical Album
"Weill: Rise And Fall Of The City Of Mahagonny"

I own this on DVD, but pitifully haven't watched it. Maybe this is my excuse. My girlfriend Audra stars, along w/ Patti LuPone.

Butterball Thanksgiving

Above: Pic of my plate at Thanksgiving dinner. Everything was delish and yes, I over-amped on the Brussels sprouts. That was only my first helping. I paid for it later, but that's TMI.

Somewhere my mom found this Butterball turkey breast ONLY. It's not pressed meat, but just the breast of the turkey (I carved the thing so I know it was the real deal). It came cooked already, she warmed it up in the oven. It was moist and delicious. [pic was taken w/ my new Razor phone; it too came out good]

Oh and I had to include this pic of my lunch from Thanksgiving. I love a good German lunch [again, snap taken on my FIRST helping...needless-to-say, when I got back home after my holiday visit, I had a salad!]

Rugby is Hot

I feel dirty copying pics from other people's blogs, but it's certainly a compliment here. Seems this was an ad in France...click on it to make it bigger!

Love For All

This priest walks into a bar....

Umeko Buffet

They say there's a new owner. But the prices listed in black electrical tape don't bode well for me.

Gas Prices Today

I gave 'em a $20 and I got change! Holy cow!

Butternut Squash

So I'm at Farmer's Market today and decided to buy butternut squash for the first time. I'd read how to cook them and thought of giving them a whirl.

As I scanned the huge selection, I decided on this little guy. Yes, I thought it looked about the size of male genitalia. I chuckled inside. When I went to pay, the woman said to me, "That looks about the portion for one?"

I nearly fell over with her unintentional double entender! Once home I decided to continue the adolescent joke and am posting this picture.

Tsk, tsk!

Windows - Before & After

We took the plunge and replaced all the windows and sliding door for some new double pane windows. They're terrific. And I sure hope - come next year - we see the benefits to our utility bills.

So here's a few snaps of before and after of just some of the windows.

BEFORE: Two bathroom windows
AFTER: Notice the double-hung feature. It's so we can open the top for ventilation and not have the neighbors see inside! I'm taking the snap standing next to the neighbor's wall, so you know they COULD see me "in the buff."

BEFORE: Sliding door from the pub to house

AFTER:

BEFORE: Window for the Business Office

AFTER:

I feel toasty already!

No Reason, Just Because!

Brooke Shields commercials

Trying to figure out what all those ads were talking about, I found this 4 minute version which explains it. Hilarious!

Miso Japanese Cuisine

I mustn't forget my terrific meal at Miso on Halloween. I'd read about the place and tried it for the first time. This was my selection of sushi. Yum!

I wasn't sure if the waitress was in Harajuku gear or just Halloween clothes, but it was a fun atmosphere.

And I know it's going to sound wrong, but I appreciate it when I'm eating "ethnic" cuise and there are typos on the menu. Tells me the people writing it have English as their second language - MEANS THE FOOD IS AUTHENTIC.

They spelled "Budwizer" with a "Z". And they made "Budlite" one word, for 'eff sake! I love that!

Read the review from Janet S. here.

Angeline's Louisiana Kitchen

Had a delicious meal at Angeline's in Berkeley last weekend. The shrimps were delicious, the green beans crisp and fresh, but...
...my side order of sauteed Brussels sprouts w/sage-garlic brown butter was KICK ASS! I mean, I could have eaten nothing else but this. I look at this picture and my mouth waters...

...sure the dessert of beignets were tasty, but I wanted MORE BRUSSELS SPROUTS!

Read the review by Janet S. here.

MTV Europe Awards 2008

The show happened last night in Liverpool. The lads from Tokio Hotel where there and got some weird, made-up award. I won't even bother finding out what it is...but it's worth posting these nifty pics. Bill - the lead singer - is truly a freak, but I admire him for going out in public like that. The girl has balls!

Oh and Bono gave Paul some sort of Rock God award. I like seeing them cupcaking...!

Mixed Emotions

"And as the presidential gallery gained a face of color, who would have thought that 70% of people of color who voted, would support writing discrimination into a Constitution...."

Estelle "American Boy"

I love how she sings a bit behind the beat, in that sweet, slurred voice. Reminds me of a kinder, gentler, less stoned Billie Holiday or Amy Winehouse or Corrine Baily Rae.

Read about who she is here.

Be warned: This hook is bound to become part of your unconsciousness.

Beer Fridge

It's like looking directly into my brain: St. Pauli Girl, Spaten, and pomegranates.

King Oyster Mushroom

Look what I bought today!

I talked with the Crazy Mushroom Lesbian Lady at Farmer's Market. I have been buying some of her shrooms for quite some time now. And I wanted something different. She steered me to this bad boy. I think it's called a King Oyster mushroom.

She said I could slice it and saute, of course. Or since it's so meaty, I could marinate and BBQ like a portobello. That's exactly what I'm going to do tonight!

Bathroom Floor - Before & After

Had a seal on one of the toilets leak. The damage wasn't bad - no mold or rot - just needed new floors. So here's some before and after pictures.

Bathroom 1 - Before:
Bathroom 1 - After:
Bathroom 2 - Before:
Bathroom 2 - After:(already some blue tape to get ready for new base boards and paint! Both bathrooms need paint!)

Ventura / Channel Islands

Had a swell time in the Ventura area last weekend. As these snaps prove, the weather was gorgeous except for a bit of wind.
And the Channel Islands? This is how the "other half" lives [below].
There's street after street of these huge houses that are in the 2+ million price range. If you drive down a side street, you can see that each home backs up to the ocean and they all have boats. These 2 snaps are the BACK of the home. Nice!
I need to take up sailing.

Bear Who?

I admit, I stole these snaps from the Bear Blog I read.
But I bet you can't guess this bear? He's Hollywood - to be sure - but not a usual bear....Can't guess?
Yep, Bubba Bruce...Willis that is...

Stewie Sucks Nipple

The funniest no dialog scene EVER!

Hadrian's Wall

Nothing says Monday morning like pictures from Hadrian's Wall. Yea, this article in the SF Chronicle talks about visiting this location in England. I can just picture myself wearing rugged boots and a hooded coat, walking along the walk in the middle of friggin' nowhere. Beautiful calm and glorious solitude, it would be achingly gorgeous!
Ahh to be on holiday...anywhere but here, chained to my desk. "A means to an end" right?

Drunk Pumpkins

Thanks for the SPAM Smiley!