(April 2018) I have completed episode 163 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s full discography. This edition: ROBERT JOHNSON. We pretty much owe everything to this man. There are only 42 surviving recordings of his songs (13 are alternative takes), but you can hear his influence everywhere.
Favorite song: Sweet Home Chicago
Compared to expectations: same
(January 2018) I have completed episode 153 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s full discography. This edition: JANIS JOPLIN. One of best voices of all-time. Many classic songs, although the albums, with the variety of backing bands, are uneven affairs.
Favorite album: Pearl
Favorite song: Me and Bobby McGee
Favorite song written by Janis Joplin: Move Over
Special sauce: Big Brother and the Holding Company
Compared to expectations: same
(May 2017) I have completed episode 123 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s full discography. This edition: TOM WAITS. One critic aptly described his voice as “like it was soaked in a vat of bourbon, left hanging in the smokehouse for a few months, and then taken outside and run over with a car.” Great lyrical storytelling too. I am drawn more to the weird stuff than the ballads or the jazz/piano material.
Favorite album: Rain Dogs
Favorite song: Gun Street Girl
Favorite period: 1983-87
Compared to expectations: ↓
Opus Project 