Into the Vault, Part I

This was going to be another musing on the RRHOF, covering the sociological implications of the things I’ve seen on my first year as a hall watcher, but since that post stubbornly refuses to let itself be written right now (Yeah, I hear you: “Oh darn.”) it seems like a good time to take a break from Hall angst and just play some tunes. Besides, it’s a good title for Halloween.

For some time, Atlanta’s primary FM classic rock station, WSRV 97.1 “The River,” had a two-hour show on Sunday nights called “The Deep River Music Vault,” hosted by listeners playing 20 songs of their choice. Format wasn’t enforced, so you’d hear great stuff: everything from a cut off of Priest’s first album to local acts to Vicki Lawrence.

The Vault was appointment listening for me and had an audience, but Atlanta radio being what it is, it was canceled about a year ago. But before that happened, I was fortunate enough to host an episode that was actually pretty well received and still stands up, IMHO, as a listenable set; hopefully you’ll think so as well.

1. Masters of War – Roger Taylor (1980) 

Recorded for Taylor’s second solo album. Not for purists.

2.  Most Likely You Go Your Way and I’ll Go Mine – Todd Rundgren (1975)

From “Faithful.” I was going to use cuts from my favorite albums list, but got onto a cover tangent.

 

3.  Crying in the Night – Buckingham Nicks (1973)

I don’t think that plan of re-releasing this album and touring with the original band is going to happen.

4.  Movement and Location – Punch Brothers (2012)

The aural equivalent of a neat shot.

5.  Learn How to Live (live) – Billy Squier (1985)

Unabashedly 80s, complete with emotional girl in the audience. But a nice version, with the late Jeff Golub and a teensy cameo by “the Fifth Door,” Doug Lubahn, on bass.

 

 

 

And Away We Go: Thoughts on the Rock Hall Ballot

Not sure what this says about my life, but waiting for the announcement of this year’s slate of nominees for the RRHOF Class of 2017 was sort of like waiting for Christmas as a kid.  Well Santa, aka the NomCom, outdid himself this year: the list seemed to go on forever, with plenty of surprises. With nine first-timers and some hoped-for and deserving returnees, you could slice it any number of ways and come out with a great class that would make a lot of people happy.

I didn’t do too badly in my first set of predictions, although it IS a bigger list and two were no-brainers. But I think I’m the only one among the predictions I read to have picked Journey, so I’ll take it.

There are plenty of excellent act-by-act rundowns online with more to come, so these are just some musings on the overall process.

While we wait…My RRHOF Ballot

OK, I lied; another RRHOF post. But since it looks like the nominations won’t be announced for a while, I’ve killed time (more than I thought I would; this was hard–at times on par with trying to describe colors) and make my own ballot.

This is by no means an inclusive list, merely the currently eligible names I would likely throw out if say, Joel Peresman called me in a panic saying the entire NomCom was trapped in an elevator and they needed my help. A few are on my current prediction list, so it could change again very soon.

Playing Catch Up: 2017 RRHOF Nominee Predictions

Briefly, thanks to everyone who’s taken time to read this blog so far and offer thoughts and corrections–I’m already achieving the goal of learning more than I post. Thanks also to the RRHOF blogging community, especially Future Rock Legends, for welcoming me and spreading the word on Twitter.

The Rock Hall nominee announcement should be any day now, so posted mainly as a benchmark for future attempts, this is a slightly expanded version of the list I submitted to FRL. It’s my first stab at trying to predict an entire ballot and as such is extremely safe (I chickened out of adding Big Star) and oh-so-conveniently hedged in places.

Not holding my breath, but more than five inductees this time around would be welcome.

So now I’m caught up with Hall talk; the next time on this subject we’ll be strapping in for the ride and reacting to this year’s slate of nominees.