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Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Mean Woman Blues/Blue Suede Shoes
In part 47 of my youtube countdown I present to you two titans of classic rock and roll. Jerry Lee Lewis, the Killer, and Carl Perkins, the king of rockabilly, united, as they often were, having a ball playing a medley of “Mean Woman Blues,” and “Blue Suede Shoes.” This video is a blast of…
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The Beatles, Strawberry Fields Forever
In part 46 of my youtube countdown, we travel back to the past again, my past. When I was 17 years old, “Strawberry Fields Forever” was my favorite song in the world. I don’t know why exactly, but this song just seemed like the greatest work of music I’d ever heard. I loved the loping…
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Ween, Freedom of '76, The Jane Pratt Show
The alternative vibe continues in part 45 of my epic youtube countdown. This time its Ween, on the, ahem, “unforgettable” Jane Pratt Show in 1993 playing “Freedom of ’76.” The song, a slow soul jam, comes from Ween’s brilliant album Chocolate and Cheese. Ween, for the uninitiated, consists of Gene Ween (aka Aaron Freeman, lead…
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The Flaming Lips, She Don't Use Jelly, Live on Letterman
Welcome to part 44 of my youtube countdown! Today I bring you a real blast from the past. It’s the Flaming Lips on the David Letterman show in 1995 performing their only commercial pop hit, “She Don’t Use Jelly.” I discovered the Flaming Lips when I was 17 years old ten years ago, right before…
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The Magnetic Fields, Grand Canyon
In part 43 of my youtube countdown, I present to you the Magnetic Fields singing “Grand Canyon,” one of their great songs off their epic 69 Love Songs album. The Magnetic Fields are the brainchild of serially depressed genius Stephin Merritt. To me, Stephin is lyrically as brilliant as Bob Dylan..yes, I know what I…
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17 Year Old Biggie Smalls, Street Rap Battle
For part 42 of my youtube countdown, we continue our prodigy theme as we take a look at Christopher Wallace, aka Biggie Smalls, aka the Notorious B.I.G.. In this clip we see a 17 year old Biggie on the street in Bedstuy proving that he will be the best rapper in the world. There is…
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Jeff Beck and Tal Wilkenfeld, Freeway Jam + Blue Wind
In part 41 of my youtube countdown, we take a look at some prodigies. One is an old prodigy by the name of Jeff Beck, the guitar virtuoso of the guitar virtuoso factory known as the Yardbirds (Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page.) The other is the opposite of old, a sexy 24 year old bass whiz…
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Jerry Lee Lewis, I'm On Fire
Woohoo! Welcome to the 40th entry in my now glorious youtube favorites countdown. In it, I bring you a breathtaking clip of pure rock and roll power, Jerry Lee Lewis singing “I’m On Fire.” “I’m On Fire” was a 1964 single Jerry released at the height of his anti-fame, meaning the time when the public…
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Michael Jackson, James Brown, and Prince
Part 39 of my youtube countdown is loaded with star power. In it, you’ll see a Prince, a King, and a Godfather, the Holy Trinity of R&B, dance, funk, and soul. In 1983, at a James Brown concert, we have the Godfather calling to stage the King of Pop in all his pre-insane person glory. …
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George Harrison, Paul Simon, Here Comes the Sun
For part 38 of my youtube countdown, I have another fantastic George Harrison duet. This time its with Paul. No not McCartney, but SIMON! This version of George and Paul tackle George’s incomprehensible 1969 stunner, “Here Comes the Sun.” The occasion was Saturday Night Live and the results were breathtaking. George hits all his acoustic…
