Post by Hugh Beaumont on Jun 18, 2007 17:02:16 GMT -5
Okay, I started to write this out, like, a month or two ago and just never got around to posting it. I don't think any of these people go together all that well, but I don't feel like thinking this through that much. I'm simply picking my dream team, even though it might sound like chaos.
Lead Singer
Jeff Tweedy (Wilco)
I know a lot of people aren't familiar with Jeff, but his voice is just so expressive in its simplicity. He can be bluesy and soulful, detached and robotic, thoughtful and sweet... it's a voice that I can usually empathize with in some way. Also, a great songwriter and a warm, likable personality.
Honorable Mentions: Cat Power - smokey and beautiful. If I had to choose a female lead, she would be it, hands down. Sting - brilliant, though his range appears to be less than it was in his younger days. Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz) - I could listen to almost anything that his voice is involved in. Rivers Cuomo (Weezer) - his voice is nothing like it used to be, but he once had an excellently simple, expressive voice. Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age) - there's something about his voice that I just can't get enough of. Also: Bono, Peter Gabriel, Thom Yorke (Radiohead), Freddie Mercury, Elvis Costello.
Lead Guitar
Jack White (White Stripes)
Some say he's a hack. I say, shut up. I think he deserved Rolling Stone's title of the 17th greatest guitarist of all time. He's very imaginative and draws from a number of influences, and he never ceases to amaze me. I'd also love to hear him howl alongside the rhythm guitarist...
Honorable Mentions: Tom Morello (Rage) - someone who also often amazes me. Rivers Cuomo (Weezer) - highly underrated. I've heard him do some astounding things with a guitar. He was raised on early metal and it shows. The Edge (U2) - just brilliant. Another who is capable of much more than he lets on. Joey Santiago (Pixies) - phenomenal, versatile guitarist. Capable of creating any number of moods, from the disturbing to the playful.
Rhythm Guitar
Frank Black (Pixies)
Well, I had to get him in there somehow. I imagine that he'd be a nice background-vocal yang to Jeff Tweedy's yin or, uh, something. Yeah, I really don't have much to say about rhythm guitar.
Bass Player
Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
I love this man's energy. The sheer passion that he throws into his bass playing is contagious. I can't think of another bass player to rival his skill and stage presence.
Honorable Mentions: Adam Clayton (U2), Kim Deal (Pixies), Colin Greenwood (Radiohead).
Keys
Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead)
The man is just brilliantly imaginative with all manner of effects, and I just have to include him in here somewhere. The best part about having him in your band, apart from his brilliance, is his ability to pick up almost any instrument and amaze with it.
Honorable Mention: Ben Folds. I'm sure there are others I could honorably mention, but I don't feel like giving this category anymore thought.
Drums
Stewart Copeland (The Police)
I'm running out of cliched ways to compliment these people. He's really good, basically. I love the man. That's all.
Honorable Mentions: Tre Cool (Green Day) - the man is absolutely insane. He's something like the drummer version of Flea. Neil Peart (Rush) - how could I not? Meg White (White Stripes) - not an elaborate drummer, but I adore her rock-solid pounding. Feels good. Larry Mullen Jr. (U2) - again, a very steady backbone. Always knows exactly what a song needs. Gene Krupa - amazing. That's all I've got to say about that. Also: Dave Grohl (Nirvana), Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), John Bonham (Zep), Carter Beauford (Dave Matthews).
Songwriter
Paul Simon
I honestly think his material from the 1980s-and-on is some of the most well-written, enjoyable music ever. Deep, silly, casual, serious... it can be so many things. I don't think I genuinely enjoy any other songwriter as much as Paul Simon.
Honorable Mentions: Bob Dylan - naturally. They Might Be Giants - I can use both of them, right? When the Johns are on, they're on. John Lennon - sometimes a little dark for me, when solo. Still, he's obviously written incredible material. Also: Elvis Costello, Jeff Tweedy (Wilco), Fiona Apple, David Byrne, Bruce Springsteen.
I really hope someone reads and replies to some of that, because I just wasted the better part of an afternoon working on the stupid thing.
Lead Singer
Jeff Tweedy (Wilco)
I know a lot of people aren't familiar with Jeff, but his voice is just so expressive in its simplicity. He can be bluesy and soulful, detached and robotic, thoughtful and sweet... it's a voice that I can usually empathize with in some way. Also, a great songwriter and a warm, likable personality.
Honorable Mentions: Cat Power - smokey and beautiful. If I had to choose a female lead, she would be it, hands down. Sting - brilliant, though his range appears to be less than it was in his younger days. Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz) - I could listen to almost anything that his voice is involved in. Rivers Cuomo (Weezer) - his voice is nothing like it used to be, but he once had an excellently simple, expressive voice. Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age) - there's something about his voice that I just can't get enough of. Also: Bono, Peter Gabriel, Thom Yorke (Radiohead), Freddie Mercury, Elvis Costello.
Lead Guitar
Jack White (White Stripes)
Some say he's a hack. I say, shut up. I think he deserved Rolling Stone's title of the 17th greatest guitarist of all time. He's very imaginative and draws from a number of influences, and he never ceases to amaze me. I'd also love to hear him howl alongside the rhythm guitarist...
Honorable Mentions: Tom Morello (Rage) - someone who also often amazes me. Rivers Cuomo (Weezer) - highly underrated. I've heard him do some astounding things with a guitar. He was raised on early metal and it shows. The Edge (U2) - just brilliant. Another who is capable of much more than he lets on. Joey Santiago (Pixies) - phenomenal, versatile guitarist. Capable of creating any number of moods, from the disturbing to the playful.
Rhythm Guitar
Frank Black (Pixies)
Well, I had to get him in there somehow. I imagine that he'd be a nice background-vocal yang to Jeff Tweedy's yin or, uh, something. Yeah, I really don't have much to say about rhythm guitar.
Bass Player
Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
I love this man's energy. The sheer passion that he throws into his bass playing is contagious. I can't think of another bass player to rival his skill and stage presence.
Honorable Mentions: Adam Clayton (U2), Kim Deal (Pixies), Colin Greenwood (Radiohead).
Keys
Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead)
The man is just brilliantly imaginative with all manner of effects, and I just have to include him in here somewhere. The best part about having him in your band, apart from his brilliance, is his ability to pick up almost any instrument and amaze with it.
Honorable Mention: Ben Folds. I'm sure there are others I could honorably mention, but I don't feel like giving this category anymore thought.
Drums
Stewart Copeland (The Police)
I'm running out of cliched ways to compliment these people. He's really good, basically. I love the man. That's all.
Honorable Mentions: Tre Cool (Green Day) - the man is absolutely insane. He's something like the drummer version of Flea. Neil Peart (Rush) - how could I not? Meg White (White Stripes) - not an elaborate drummer, but I adore her rock-solid pounding. Feels good. Larry Mullen Jr. (U2) - again, a very steady backbone. Always knows exactly what a song needs. Gene Krupa - amazing. That's all I've got to say about that. Also: Dave Grohl (Nirvana), Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), John Bonham (Zep), Carter Beauford (Dave Matthews).
Songwriter
Paul Simon
I honestly think his material from the 1980s-and-on is some of the most well-written, enjoyable music ever. Deep, silly, casual, serious... it can be so many things. I don't think I genuinely enjoy any other songwriter as much as Paul Simon.
Honorable Mentions: Bob Dylan - naturally. They Might Be Giants - I can use both of them, right? When the Johns are on, they're on. John Lennon - sometimes a little dark for me, when solo. Still, he's obviously written incredible material. Also: Elvis Costello, Jeff Tweedy (Wilco), Fiona Apple, David Byrne, Bruce Springsteen.
I really hope someone reads and replies to some of that, because I just wasted the better part of an afternoon working on the stupid thing.