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 ...).