What I am listening to

After admiring Dans I-Pod from afar (Imean the unit not the content) Dan and Kirsti gave me one for X-mas. Since then I have been busy building myself a music library and enjoying every minute of it. My first instinct was to revisit all the music I have enjoyed for years. The list is domonated by artists who rock but are mostly rooted in bues. Some of my favorites are. Eric Clapton- Particularly the album Eric Clapton and freinds, or his early efforts with Bonnie Bramlett/Jimmy Page/Blind Faith/Blues Breakers. I am not a big fan of anything beyond 461 ocean blvd. Johnny Winter- This guy is classic and has lots of music I havn't even listened to but I love the Second Winter album as well as a live album that has his rendition of Jumpin Jack Flash Stevie Ray Vaughn-Unfortunately his body of work is limited due to his untimely death but it is all great in my opinion. I still enjoy the rocknroll greats from back in the day but these guys standout as something I don't get bored with. I first realized I liked country music with Steve when we used to listen to bluegrass as I beat him in ping pong. A later exposure sealed the deal when I attended a Loggins and Messina concert, fully expecting to hear a mediocre rock band and was blown away by a 8 piece country band that I'm sure Hank and Mearle would have loved. I am not a fan of what I would call top 40 country, you know the whiny dribble heard on most country stations. It takes a certain Whiny dribble for me to enjoy it. Here are some of my current favorites. Billy Joe Shaver-I love this guy he sounds alot like Waylon Jennings who I also like but his band has a little more hard hitting blues/rock kinda thing goin on you just have to get past the gospel content of some of his best songs. Cross Canadian Ragweed-This band rocks and it is country no matter how loud you listen to it. David Ball- Here is a guy and band that occasionaly cross over to that whinny dribble heard on Top 40 country but The album Thinkin Problem in my opinion is really good. Hat, boots and longneck are optional. Lucinda Williams- I Know at least Steve and Dara know how good she is. I could go on,Steve Earle, Lyle Lovett, Chris Knight. This is a catagory that will never be exausted since good new country music is being made everyday.