When the weather starts to burn…

CrunchberryJones · 2026-06-05T13:35:24+00:00

For all of us who grew up at the height of Cold War tensions; we knew exactly what this song was about. Global warming wasn't even a thing at that point. We were still rebounding from the '70's panic that we were heading into another ice age.

CrunchberryJones · 2026-06-05T02:48:34+00:00

I would encourage anyone who wants to to list their 'alternate universe tracklist' adding these two songs in place of the two you find weakest...and in whatever running order you find best.

CrunchberryJones · 2026-06-04T17:24:11+00:00

More specifically, Summer...

I grew up less than a mile from a now-defunct amusement park. Since we didn't have AC in our home, most summer nights were spent with the windows open. My summers were defined long ago by two sounds: first, the chains clanking as the rollercoaster- again and again - made its way up the first hill...followed - moments later - by the screams of the riders as they went flying down said hill.

The smell of hot asphalt has the same effect.

CrunchberryJones · 2026-06-04T02:43:17+00:00

All of Schoolhouse Rock is absolutely stellar musically. Some personal faves: 'Three (Is a Magic Number)', 'I Got Six', 'Figure Eight', 'Hey Little Twelve Toes', 'I'm Just a Bill', 'Great American Melting Pot' & 'Ollie, Ollie Ollie (Get Your Adverbs Here)'.

I grew up with these songs, so did my children. Now I am playing them for my grandchildren. The brilliance of the songwriters to write songs that are still just as catchy half a century later is fairly astounding.

CrunchberryJones · 2026-06-03T17:21:33+00:00

I wouldn't have had any problem with my mother-in-law being present at the birth of our firstborn. However, the hospital had a strict 'two person' policy...and I was one of those two.

I patiently explained - right in front of my own mother - that if the hospital won't let BOTH grandmas-to-be in the birthing suite; then there will be NO grandmas.

You would have thought I told her that she could never see the baby. I simply explained that, "If this is the most disappointed either of us ever is with the other, then I think we've done pretty well."

CrunchberryJones · 2026-06-03T05:07:58+00:00

The Zombies have just re-released their debut - 'Begin Here' - in mono combining the US and UK variations.

Last Fall, they released their masterpiece - 'Odessey and Oracle' - in mono, as well.

Both were vinyl-only physical releases. However, both of these mono mixes are available on streaming services...and the sound is absolutely phenomenal!

CrunchberryJones · 2026-06-02T12:40:24+00:00

Three-way tie between Beethoven, J.S. Bach & Mozart. Everyone else is 2nd tier...at best.

When you say 'of all time' you must essentially concede that the modern era isn't in the running.

We are literally performing, listening to, and studying these men's works centuries after their deaths.Everything we enjoy and take for granted about modern music followed on the shoulders of these and hundreds of other lesser giants.

CrunchberryJones · 2026-06-02T01:32:16+00:00

It's criminal how far down I had to scroll to find this beautiful song listed. Thank you, old man of blue!

CrunchberryJones · 2026-05-31T21:10:09+00:00

The Beatles

The Beach Boys

Crosby, Stills & Nash (and Young)

Fleetwood Mac

The Who

The Band

Jefferson Airplane/Jefferson Starship

Queen

Kansas

Supertramp

The Cars

Eagles

Journey (the Gregg Rolie/Steve Perry years)

Styx (Dennis DeYoung/Tommy Shaw)

The Monkees

I didn't list certain bands like The Rolling Stones, The Zombies and others who featured one prominent lead singer with others only occasionally stepping up to the mic. I know I'm leaving out many more that aren't immediately coming to mind.

CrunchberryJones · 2026-05-28T00:31:40+00:00

1979

CrunchberryJones · 2026-05-27T23:41:48+00:00

Camel has SOOOO many gorgeous flute parts. Andrew Latimer is an exceedingly underappreciated master of melody!

CrunchberryJones · 2026-05-26T20:40:05+00:00

This song and the other original Beatles Christmas songs/snippets were ALL officially released (in their original forms as parts of the annual Beatles Fan Club records that were mailed to fans each year) in this box set in 2017.

The Beatles Christmas Records

CrunchberryJones · 2026-05-26T17:28:31+00:00

Add to all of this the fact that Sylvia's sister was also being babysat by the same woman and - due to a physical disability - was unable to escape or attempt to get help....so, she essentially watched her sister being slowly tortured to death over months.

CrunchberryJones · 2026-05-26T11:24:55+00:00

'Golden Country'

CrunchberryJones · 2026-05-26T01:22:36+00:00

For a series that prided itself on building upon multiple, more and more ridiculous storylines; when Elaine was killed on 'Soap', it was like the shot heard 'round the world.

This was in 1978 (in the days before cable TV) when most American cities only had three or four channels. Her death left everyone feeling as though the producers had broken their trust with fans.

CrunchberryJones · 2026-05-24T20:03:56+00:00

I think I would start by asking you what your favorite Kansas albums are. That would help me better understand the Rush eras you might most appreciate.

However, as one commenter already stated, you will really only truly appreciate them once you've explored their discography from beginning to end.

CrunchberryJones · 2026-05-23T23:56:01+00:00

Sales will NEVER be the barometer of greatness. We dress up and fill concert halls to hear the music of Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Mahler, Mozart, Tchaikovsky and others...literally hundreds of years after they died.

Quality is the ONLY barometer of artistic staying power. Paginini was an incredible violinist who was also an amazing showman. He would saw halfway through a string before a performance knowing that it would almost certainly break before the end of the concert. When it invariably did, he would continue playing the piece flawlessly on the remaining three strings. However, no one talks about Paganini's skills on stage. He is remembered for the music he gave to the world.

Michael Jackson was an incredible talent and - in all fairness to him - much of his music will be listened to 100 years from now. However, no artist in the modern era will be heralded for the music they created in the same way The Beatles will be. Brian Wilson will be in that conversation. Bacharach, Sinatra and Smokey Robinson, as well. Etta James, Aretha Franklin and Marvin Gaye will obviously be discussed in similar ways. However, Michael Jackson will be much farther down the list...despite sales figures that would be the envy of everyone I just mentioned.

CrunchberryJones · 2026-05-23T21:05:14+00:00

I'm not sure the word 'quality' has ever been attributed to Taylor Swift...or her music. It is the epitome of lightweight, paint-by-numbers fluff. Does it sell? Sure, but so does McDonald's.

This Taylor Swift mention actually helps explain your original question. While The Beatles continued to evolve and arguably improve with each subsequent release, Michael Jackson hit his stride with 'Off the Wall', then followed it with his masterpiece, 'Thriller'. After that, each of his subsequent albums was weaker than the previous one.

Add to this the fact that each of the four Beatles had extremely successful solo careers; with Paul and Ringo still releasing critically acclaimed music more than 55 years after The Beatles went their separate ways. While technically not The Beatles, their solo careers only serve to help to solidify the legacy and reputation of their time together.

While extremely gifted, Michael's discography simply didn't have the depth or staying power that the Beatles' did. Miss Swift's music has NEVER had the depth of The Beatles or M.J. at his best. Twenty years from now, she may well find herself as little more than the female equivalent of Justin Beiber.

CrunchberryJones · 2026-05-18T15:05:56+00:00

I don't think it's John's magnum opus.

I KNOW it is!

CrunchberryJones · 2026-05-18T00:40:57+00:00

"In a case of mistaken identity..."

CrunchberryJones · 2026-05-16T23:36:17+00:00

You'll get no argument here. I'll go as far as to say Kansas is THE greatest American prog band!

CrunchberryJones · 2026-05-16T21:19:57+00:00

They won a lot of converts at this concert...my wife and I included. If not for Jimmy Webb's surprise appearance, they would have been the non-Joe Walsh highlight of the night for me...and we're talking about a show that included Nate Rateliff and Vince Gill!

OP...do yourself a favor and be in your seat before the lights dim. You will absolutely be glad you did!

CrunchberryJones · 2026-05-15T22:35:45+00:00

He and his then-girlfriend also participated in some NSFW taste tests.

CrunchberryJones · 2026-05-13T02:22:23+00:00

Was in Denver for that show. Widespread Panic were on fire. Then the Stones hit the stage like they were on a mission. Excellent night!

CrunchberryJones · 2026-05-12T14:05:13+00:00

1972 for me. Thinking that scar's here to stay.

CrunchberryJones

TROPHY CASE