Top 100: 70 - 61

A Note: I've been getting some interesting feedback from my list so far (some positive, more of it negative) to the extent that I'm saying this; I'm not looking to make people like my taste in music as my taste can best be described as eclectic (which is one reason I am so big onto Soundtracks and why I'm allowing them on this list) and know that this causes some people frustration as they then can't 'label' me as a "Country fan", "Alternative fan", "Rock 'n' Roll fan" and so on...

The frustration has come across in some of the emails I've received (they dont have the gall to put them into the comments) and I now feel complied to say this to those critics; I refuse to apologize for my taste in music. This was supposed to be a fun excercise, but it seems to be steering vastly far away from that, to the point that I am unsure if I will continue this list and at the same time reinforcing my thoughts I've had about folding my blog all-together as my readership has dwindled and my comments have fallen off the face of the earth. But I'm starting to get preachy andthis post is starting to feel like a friggin' "Very Special Episode" post... so on with the countdown...


70 – The Rat Pack Live at the Sands by The Rat Pack. What can I say, I love ‘em all as you’ll see as this list continues. I’m not sure where my love of Sinatra, et al came from, but it’s there, and this album catches it perfectly with the selection of songs and the dialog between the three of them. This is only the 2nd official release of Rat Pack material (released immediately after the Oceans 11 remake came out) and if you like the Rat Pack, I suggest you pick this one up, you won’t be disappointed.


69 – Head Soundtrack by The Monkees . The soundtrack from their one and only film and years ahead of its time. Favorite Song: “The Porpoise Song”


68 – Funkentelechy Vs. the Placebo Syndrome by Parliament. I like funk, what can I say? And these guys are funk-masters extraordinaire.


67 – Eye to the Telescope by KT Tunstall. One of the best (recent) albums I've heard in years. The fact I discovered her via a free iTunes video of her performance on The Today Show worries me a little… but what can you do? She's good. Favorite Song: “Suddenly I See”


66 – Excitable Boy by Warren Zevon. He was a master, but you have to be in a mood for him. Favorite Song: I know it’s trite to mark this as my favorite, but it is; “Werewolves of London”


65 – Desperado Soundtrack by Various Artists. A very good album with some great music in the mariachi style. Listen to "Quedate Aqui" by Salma Hayak, it’s sexier than Marilyn Monroe's 'Happy Birthday' ditty. Give it a little listen (hopefully, if the site is working today) HERE. Favorite Song: “Strange Face of Love” by Tito & Tarantula


64 – Our Side of the Story by Last Gentlemen. Again! My brother met these guys in concert at U of I while he was a DJ (see #71) and they gave him a few copies of this album and he, as always, gave one to me. All I can say is 'wow'. Can best be described as a mix of punk and alternative with some classic rock thrown in for good measure. Good luck trying to find this album… though I have found a place to download it if you want... for free... and legal.


63 – Burnin’ by Bob Marley & The Wailers. The man. The doobie. The legend. Favorite Song: “Get Up, Stand Up”


62 – Hot House by Arturo Sandoval. One word can describe Sandoval and his music; “¡Ululación!” A bit of a flashback to the trumpet styling of a Dizzy Gilespie, Sandoval blends his Cuban roots into his jazz teachings and the result is an infusion of Latin, jazz and funk. This is one of his later albums (released in 1998), and you can tell that he's still experimenting with his playing... and it still works. Favorite Song: “Funky Cha-Cha”


61 – Mermaid Avenue by Billy Bragg & Wilco. As you’ll soon start to notice, I'm a HUGE fan of Wilco as they will be making multiple appearances on this list. I found this album the same time I found Wilco's double-album "Being There" and it doesn’t disappoint as they take on the song catalog of Woody Guthrie. Favorite Song: “At My Window Sad And Lonely”