Star Search and a Musical Misfit

Turns out old friend Scott “Star Search” Smith (gloriously pictured to the left here) is one of the witty writers at Gothamist’s Midwestern property: Chicagoist. (Oh, can you even imagine how much trendy, urban Chicagoans despise the label Midwestern?  I express my jealously in snide name-calling). Scott writes about music and movies – all the pop culture I know nothing about and lots of cool underground finds…

A big fan of all-things-Chicago (b/c I am terribly homesick for my adopted hometown), I’ve been reading him for many, many months without knowing it. He’s posting five days a week now; so you can watch for (or, like me, obliviously miss) his byline every work-a-day morning.

In catching up, Scott didn’t miss the chance to tease me about my admittedly questionable music tastes, including a college adoration of a certain Tracy Chapman album and my current fascination with teeny band Linkin Park…

So, to further horrify his delicate musical sensibilities, I sent him this list of my favorite bands. And, I thought other readers might be amused, too … so, here’s what’s playing on my PC (or will be once the delightful Christmas music season has ended)

Overall favorites: Chuck Prophet, Erin McKeown, Jesse Sykes & the Sweet Hereafter, Leonard Cohen

For my old, folky soul: Ani DiFranco, Willie Nelson (the folk albums, not the country – sorry, J), Bob Dylan, Sheryl Crow

Because music should be happy: Jonathan Coultan, Jill Sobule, Lyle Lovett, No Doubt

Or, sometimes meaningful / political / wild: Johnnny Cash, K.D. Lang, Pink Floyd

Then way back in a retro mood: Camper Van Beethoven, Cracker, Green Day, James, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rusted Root

In my defense, I’d bet my Willie Nelson “Pancho, Lefty and Rudolph” CD that Scott is still making mix tapes in between episodes of Gilmore Girls … so, we all have our musical potato chips and white zinfandel moments, even the fine connoisseurs!

Comments

[Mr. Smith]

Dude, Gilmore Girls is a good show.

And you've had your fair share of glasses of White Zin...don't think that I don't remember.

Heh.

[Jim T.]

In all the years you've known/lived with me, you've noticed that I only play the folky Willie Nelson tunes? I don't believe I've ever plucked one of the truly country numbers.