Mark Stratton's Blog: AGGASPLETCH

19: Sweet – Action (iPod Challenge)

This song ranks this high mainly due to it’s longevity in my life. Long after my love of other songs by Sweet died out to just mere liking them a lot, ‘Action’ has remained a favorite, albeit one I don’t listen to nearly as much as I used to.

As you may expect, I do tend to be reminded of when the record was released when I listen to it, thus I’m in the 6th Grade again in my mind. I had no friggin’ clue what this song was about at the time, being as ignorant of the ways of the world in general...

20: Crowded House – Don’t Dream it’s Over (iPod Challenge)

American composer Aaron Copeland once said, “Why a good melody should have the power to move us has thus defied all analysis.” So, instead of accepting the inherent challenge in those words, let’s just accept them as fact. Let’s also accept as fact that this song moved a whole lot of people and still does.

One of the best concert experiences I ever had was seeing the reconstituted Crowdies at the Uptown in Kansas City a few years ago. It was somewhere between revival and communion with the fan...

iPod Challenge Bonus Edition

This video, which draws out the genius and serious commitment to Tolkien and the Beastie Boys, is offered instead of a simple audio track today. It’s amazing for a DYI affair.

Click here to view the embedded video.

A few years ago, during a group email exchange with friends, somebody (probably me) made a crack about somebody being a Hip Hop Hobbit as a response to another persons saying the voices in their heads were Hobbits. This came from a serious Tolkien fan and the words ‘Hip Hop Hobbit’ r...

21: You Can Dream of Me – Steve Wariner (iPod Challenge)

It’s no secret I like Country Music to those who really know me. However, when I first made this list, there wasn’t much representation on the list. I dunno what I was thinking. However, the long hiatus has allowed for a few corrections as I’ve had time to reconsider.

One of the things about Country songs I like is the stories of human living. Sure, the songs about momma, trucks, the rain, prison and gettin’ drunk are fun but what makes Country relatable to me is the stories. Thus, that’s why...

22: PFR – Home Again (iPod Challenge)

I’m sure most know the basics of the Parable of the Prodigal Son. The boy who left home with his part of his inheritance in hand, who squandered it all, was working jobs lower than many slaves, decided to go back home to work as a servant to his father and was received with open arms and a party due to the joy of the lost coming home.

I was the lost returning home in the early 90s’. I’d grown up in the church, had a deep faith with which I was constantly conflicted. I was also a hypocrite. In...

23: The Way it Is – Nicole Atkins (iPod Challenge)

A deep breath. Turn it up, you can hear it. Then that voice…

“Don’t tell me

My love’s not the one that I want

That he’s not the one that I need

I’d rather

find out for myself”

Astunningalto, scraping the bottom of its register, with a mishmash of instruments and sounds join in on the fourth word. Again, that voice reaches out and demands to be heard, to be felt, to be recognized as something more than just a voice. There is more than a story, but an epic ballad going on here, sweeping in scale and...

24: Sunday Bloody Sunday – U2 (iPod Challenge)

Claiming some Dad-Rock cred here and fuck you if that bothers you. Although, I gotta admit that I was gobsmacked when I first saw the term “dad rock” and wondered if I needed to get some Geritol to go with my AARP membership and Metamucil dosage in the mornings whilst listening to Aerosmith. I refuse to let punk kids who won’t GET OFF MY LAWN ruin my day by insulting the soundtrack of my life.

That aside, nothing screams Dad Rock (or classic rock if you’re uptight about labels) louder than U2....

25: Into the Valley by The Skids (iPod Challenge)

It opens with a rumbling bass line. Then a guitar joins in. It finally explodes to life complete with an e-bow, a sound quite familiar to fans of Big Country. I’ve loved this song from the first moment I heard it, which was decades after its release.

I may have seen the video on MTVback when MTV still mattered, but without radio follow up it drifted away from me. The attraction became apparent after listening and doing some reading online and it was Stuart Adamson, the guitar player.

His sound...

Writing Process Blog Tour

Jeebus, has it been this long since I’ve taken electron in hand and posted here? While the question is rhetorical in nature, the reality is it’s been far too many months since I’ve bothered to even look here, never mind post.

Many thanks to my Twitter-Daughter, Megan for the nomination, I hereby point the fickle finger of fate at Heather Grace Stewartand Joe Heschbecause it’s Tuesday and why not, right? Thanks to my Twitter-Daughter for the kick in the pants that made this post happen.

What are...

Guest Post – Americana, Five Example by Scot Isom

Today’s Guest Post is by the ever humble Scot Isom. Take it away, Scot!

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When Mark asked me to do a guest blog, I didn’t hesitate. Since I knew he occasionally had guest bloggers, I already knew what I would write about should he ask. I share Mark’s passion for music, though clearly my taste is better (EDITOR’S NOTE: “Hey, now!”).

First of all, I have degrees in art and art history, was an airborne infantryman in the 82nd Airborne and write poetry and fiction. Somehow I ended up...