(February 2020) Episode 249 of the “opus project” is HANK WILLIAMS. The influence of Hank cannot be understated. He set the standards — musical style, performance, tone, lyrical themes — by which all country music that followed is measured. I’m not a country fan, but I do enjoy artists closer to its roots. The dude could write a tune.
Favorite song: I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry
Compared to expectations: same
(December 2019) Episode 243 is JOHNNY CASH. If there were a Mount Rushmore of the Voices of America, he would be on it. I appreciate the independent, even rebellious, spirit of his long and storied career – resisting capture by corporate Nashville, collaborating with artists across genres (U2, Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, etc.), exploring concept albums. I love his musical expression of a personal ideology that defied political categorization: respect for the forgotten/downtrodden/persecuted man (exemplified by “Man in Black” and “Bitter Tears”) – a rare wokeness for its time and his genre. But most of all his songs are just plain enjoyable (even though I’m not a fan of country music). This was a long one, at ~80 albums.
Favorite album: American Recordings
Favorite song: Man in Black
Favorite duet: If I Were A Carpenter (with June)
Worst album: The Rambler
Favorite Period: Sun recordings
Least favorite genre: gospel
Compared to expectations: same
(March 2019) I have completed episode 206 of my “opus project.” This edition: LEAD BELLY. A master in blues and folk, Lead Belly’s songs also touched on gospel, children’s songs and topics of the day like FDR, Hitler and the Titanic. His songs were thankfully preserved by the Lomax recordings for the Library of Congress, making him influential, particularly for his technique on his big 12-string guitar. Despite, or maybe because of, his scoundrel-ish life, his voice always sounds like he’s having a great time.
Favorite song: Bottle Up and Go (love the guitar work)
Compared to expectations: same
(June 2018) I have completed episode 170 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s full discography. This edition: LEONARD COHEN. He is a legend. And yet, I can’t get much beyond meh with much of his work. As a poet, his lyrics are the heart of his music. But since lyrical content is the last thing I listen to in music, I am missing the depth of appreciation. I prefer the earlier folk material, but also the last sparse, dark recordings. One interesting observation is how the pitch of his voice drops with each album, from medium-high register on the first albums to nearly inaudible depths by the final ones.
Favorite album: Songs of Love and Hate
Favorite song: Suzanne
Compared to expectations: ↓
(July 2015) I have completed phase 54 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s full discography from beginning to end. This episode: BOB DYLAN. This was a long one, some three dozen studio albums across a 5+ decade career. Lots in here to cherish, lots to forget, and plenty in between. He’ll inspire you and then he’ll bore you, but there is no doubt that Zimmerman is one of the premier songwriters ever.
Favorite album: Blonde on Blonde
Favorite song: Subterranean Homesick Blues
Favorite period: 1963-1966
Strong comeback: 1997-2006
Great song you’ve never heard: Nettie Moore
Least favorite period: the 1980s
Worst album: Self Portrait
The world could live without : Christmas in the Heart
Compared to expectations: same
(July 2014) I have completed phase 30 of my “opus project,” wherein I listen to a band’s entire discography from start to finish. This episode: SIMON AND GARFUNKLE.
Favorite album: Bookends
Favorite song: The Boxer
Compared to expectations: same
(April 2014) I have completed phase 23 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s full discography in order. This episode: NICK DRAKE.
Favourite album: Five Leaves Left
Favourite song: Time Has Told Me
Compared to expectations: same
