Best Concerts I Have Attended

For whatever reason, I had a "fancy" to blog about music. Well, I realize it is only fair to list the best concerts I have seen. Before I write this, I hope to keep it a simple top five list ... But I am curious if I can stick to that or not.

First I have a huge disclaimer, and I am not writing this to solely embarrass my wife. We had the opportunity to see one of my favorite artists, Beck, on a Friday night (the end of a school week). She literally fell asleep about halfway through the concert and I had to take her home to bed. Since I didn't see the whole show, I am excluding this from my top five, although I believe it would have been high on my list. He was awesome.

5. Alanis Morissette (1995) - Prior to reaching international fame for her Jagged Little Pill, I had the pleasure of seeing Alanis perform at a club concert on a first date in Nashville (I cannot remember the name of the now defunct menu). I may not know much about music, but I knew she was a force to be reckoned with (I did not know, however, that she would play God in two Kevin Smith films).

4. Eric Clapton (1992) - Slowhand. Memphis. Sunshine of Your Love/Layla/Crossroads. Enough said.

3. Living Color (1991) - I saw them play at Memorial gym of all places, and although they only had one true hit, they had one helluva show. I still crank up Cult of Personality whenever I hear it. I wish I could remember the band that opened for them, but my memory isn't that good.

2. Fiona Apple (2006) - I witnessed the most raw, emotional, truthful concert ever at The Ryman. My wife and I were just a few rows from the front of the stage. Her voice sounded better than it does on any album she has recorded, and at times I wondered if she would emotionally be able to make it throu the set. simply amazing.

1. Ben Folds (2005) - My favorite all time artist, at my favorite all time venue (The Ryman). The Fray opened for him (this was prior to Grey's Anatomy launching them to super stardom, which isn't deserved in my opinion), but the show belonged to Ben. I have seen him play with Wheezer, the Nashville Symphony, and solo, but this is the one concert that truly stands out more than any other. I am not sure anything will ever top this.

Honorable Mentions: Beck, Better than Ezra, The Raconteurs, Arcade Fire, The Rolling Stones, George Strait.

For a Good Laugh ... Artists I am embarrassed that I ever saw perform: Nelson, Experience Unlimited, and Travis

Artist I paid to see, but only saw his bus ... MC Hammer (yes, this is a long story ...).

Bands I Wish I Could Have Seen in Concert

I don't claim to be a music guru, but I think I have pretty good taste for someone who cannot carry a note and is embarrassed to sing at church. The other day I started thinking about great bands I never had the opportunity of hearing play live (due to my age and the fact I didn't attend my first concert until 1990). So, here are the bands I wish I would have seen perform live.

5. The Jimi Hendrix Experience - One of the greatest guitarist of all time, and although I cannot comprehend just how good he was, I know that I like it.

4. Cream - I had the pleasure of seeing Clapton in the spring of 1992 and it was incredible (and coincidentally my brother's first ever concert). While he sang several classic Cream songs, I would have preferred to hear the band in their prime.

3. Led Zeppelin - In middle school I was told in my music appreciation class they were as close to satanic music as you could get. By the time I graduated high school, I realized this was hogwash and they were a great band who scared a lot of people. C'mon people, they sing more about Tolkein than the devil.

2. The Doors - My senior year of high school, I was Jim Morrison in an air band competition. I think he was a genius, and has one of the greatest baritone rock voices of all time (close second to Chris Cornell). I also dig the organ solos.

1. The Beatles - Greatest. Band. Ever. Enough said.

Looking at my list, I realize I must enjoy British music more than I maybe realized.

Honorable Mention: Guns N Roses (90s tour only), The White Stripes (I have seen Jack White, and I can always hope there is a reunion tour), Soundgarden (see #2), Beastie Boys (still hoping), and Ben Folds Five (with a new album, I am hoping this will happen).

Best Films of 2011

I actually almost forgot I had a blog. Apparently having a second child not only leaves you with almost zero free time, but it causes blog memory loss. Anyway, I was googling doppelgänger and found this cool blog name, and realized it was mine, so I decided to post about something I enjoy, the cinema. As previously mentioned, free time has become close to non-existent, so I haven't seen as many films as I would have liked. I have yet to see Tree of Life, Undefeated, The Artist, Take Shelter, Contagion, or The Ides of March.

After trying to compile my top ten, I came up with only 14 films I had the "pleasure" of seeing this year. Needless to say, several won't make my list (Captain America, Beginners, Thor, Crazy, Stupid Love, and The Lincoln Lawyer).

10. Young Adult - Diablo Cody and Ivan Reitman (both of Juno fame),created a dark, disturbing film with masterful performances by Charlize Theron and Patton Oswalt.

9. The Help - Being one of a half dozen people who have yet to read the book, I can highly recommend this film for the ensemble acting alone. Octavia Spencer won a well deserved Oscar and Viola Davis was robbed.

8. Super 8 - Yes, it may be The Goonies meets ET, but any film with Kyle Chandler playing a dad gets a thumbs up by me (although he will always be Coach Taylor). Seriously, this film was fun and I felt 8 years old watching it.

7. Drive - Shockingly a tad more violent than I expected, but Gosling delivered. Film noir for the millennial generation with an amazing soundtrack. Definitely worth seeing, but not for the faint of heart.

6. Bridesmaids - My introduction to Kristen Wiig was funnier than I anticipated. For those thinking this is a female version of The Hangover, think again ... It is funnier.

5. The Descendants - Payne doesn't disappoint. My man crush on Clooney still exists. And the funniest two scenes possibly in a film all year. Plus, Shailene Woodley will be a star. Book it.

4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - True, I knew how it would end, but I could care less. The magic cinematic voyage of our favorite wizard is over, and it couldn't have been any better, unless it had been nominated for a best picture.

3. Midnight in Paris - Seeing Hemingway in this film more than makes up for having to watch one of my least favorite actors, Owen of my own last name (who actually was well cast for this role). Woody's best film since Match Point deserves a larger audience. Do yourself a favor and watch this film.

2. Hugo - Scorsese at the helm of a children's picture about the love of cinema. Need I say more? If you didn't see it in 3D, it is your loss.

1. Moneyball - I will admit, I had doubts about how such a great book about stats in baseball could ever be translated for the big screen. I was wrong. Very wrong. This film was outstanding. Brad Pitt is at the top of his game and the script co-adapted by Sorkin sparkles. Once again, Hollywood hits a grand slam making a baseball pic.

Well, that's it ... Agree, disagree, but whatever you do, be sure to see my top 3.