There is a group of musical artists that I tend to play every month, on average, and a group that I play about every other week. The odd thing about these groups is that it doesn't have a lot to do with how much I love their music -- many of my absolute fave artists do not appear on these lists at all. Also, these lists tend to slowly morph over time. But, for whatever reason, the lists do seem to occur and I can't help noticing. As things stand at this moment, here they are:

Monthly

Bye Bye Badman
The Chameleons
Collective Soul
Grant Green
The Mighty Scott Hamilton
Yusef Lateef
Love
The Mighty Pat Metheny
The Mock Turtles
Thelonious Monk
Rialto
Ride
Sonny Rollins
Horace Silver

Bi-Weekly

Adorable
Arctic Monkeys
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Donald Byrd
The Dream Academy
Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio
Hank Mobley
Ocean Colour Scene
Shed Seven
Swim Deep

Notable exceptions: for about the past ten or fifteen years, I have been listening to The Charlatans every week. And for about the past seven years, I have been listening to Sulk every day.

Charlatans drummer Jon Brookes, who left us on this date five years ago -- he is one of my faves

being able to listen to The Charlatans while driving

The birthday of my fave album of 2013, Graceless, released one year ago today -- rock on, lads!

Wishes, the first single by a newly reconfigured band appearing for the first time as Sulk -- released on this date two years ago! Happy birthday, Sulk!

Just got this album last night, after searching for it for nearly twenty years. Granted, it's not classic Stone Roses, but it's still The Stone Roses -- and, therefore, essential.



[Hear it now!]

The Stone Roses -- an album (and band) that captured the imagination of a generation (at least in the UK).  Especially recommended is the 20^th anniversary re-release, which includes: the album [remastered by the original producer], a disc of demos, and a DVD of their legendary August 1989 concert in Blackpool, widely considered to be a major turning point in their career.  They walked into that building a cult band and walked out a movement.

Timeless stuff which has spent years in my music players and my heart.

The year has wound down far enough that I may now safely announce: this is 2011's Song of the Year, by the Band of the Year.

Stone Roses reunion!

Yes, still lots of time for it to all fall apart before it gets off the ground... but this is the first time in fifteen years it has shown signs of anything other than a flat-out impossibility. Let's hope it works.

Whether they blow it or show the world, whatever happens... at least it's all four of 'em, back together at last!