A little late this past week, and unfortunately, the music arena never sleeps, so here we go.
 |
| Neil Young has led several artists to pull their music from streaming service Spotify in protest to the streaming service carrying Joe Rogan's podcasts regarding COVID-19 treatments. |
Last week, I had mentioned that Neil Young and Joni Mitchell had threatened to pull their music from Spotify in the wake of that streaming service supporting Joe Rogan's podcast after Rogan assailed the use of approved vaccines in favor of "unproven", alternative methods. Spotify was under fire for simply exercising "freedom of speech" which went against the grain of what are the approved vaccinations. As a result, Young and Mitchell have officially pulled their music from the service. That was followed by E-Street Band guitarist Nils Lofgren, who requested that his solo material be removed as well. Young's sometimes bandmates David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash followed suit, removing their solo efforts as well as their collaborations.
The other notable artist who removed songs from Spotify is India.Arie, who has sold millions of records, and who reached #24 on my blog featured on Santana's cover of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" back in 2010.
Spotify responded by at least providing a warning regarding the material on Rogan's podcast. While there are other streaming services besides Spotify, you have to wonder if these artists, all, with the exception of India.Arie, have been around for over fifty years, will hurt them. Granted, their fans most likely had their original vinyl albums, but will be deprived of listening to the service should they be subscribed to Spotify.
Without a doubt, this story will probably be continuing.
SHAME, SHAME: And then we have the 2022 nominations for the so-called Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and once again, it's left me and others scratching their heads. I really shouldn't give this phony group any attention, but it's fodder for discussing whether an artist should get in or not. I will try not to keep this long, but in a nutshell, here are the nominees, and whether they should or will get in.
Beck: First nomination for this artist who originally scored with the top ten "Loser" in 1994, but has done many styles since. As recently as a few years ago, he scored an Album of the Year award at the Grammys. He plays a variety of instruments and production techniques. He should get in, but probably will not.
Pat Benatar: Last nominated two years ago, and actually won the fan vote, she was snubbed that year and didn't even get nominated last year. She has been very influential with women in rock. She should get in and I predict she will.
DEVO: Another recent nominee, this new wave, eclectic band was more than "Whip It", their only top ten hit. They should get in, but probably will be snubbed once again.
Duran Duran: They rode the crest of the 1980's MTV revolution as well as one of the leaders of the second British invasion. They were teen idols but transcended that sometimes-restricting title. They are still actively recording. They should get in and will.
Kate Bush: I was taken to task last year for saying this British singer didn't deserve to get in. Fact is, she was very influential across the pond that had many hits in the late 1970's and much of the 80's and influenced many of the modern "Lilith"-era female singer songwriters. Yes, she should get in, but she'll probably get snubbed once again.
Eminem: First time eligibility and here he is. I still done understand why rappers belong here, but the door has long been opened for that genre. He was the biggest-selling artists of the 2000's. I don't think he deserves to get in this early, but he probably will get in.
Eurythmics: It may be a stretch to admit this synth-pop duo featuring Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart. Like Duran Duran they rode the second Brit wave and featured on MTV. Maybe not pure rock and roll, but more deserving that others on this list. But probably only one Brit new waver per year, so probably not.
Judas Priest: Metal band has been nominated recently, and many metal-heads are pushing for their induction but will probably be rebuffed again.
Fela Kuti: Nominated last year but nobody has ever heard from him, but has made noise in Africa, being from Nigeria. I haven't heard any of his material but is he more deserving than others in here. Really?
MC5 and New York Dolls: Both acts were probably ahead of their time. MC5 belongs in there as they were a forerunner for modern alternative rock, similar to The Stooges or Velvet Underground. This has to be their year. As for the Dolls, they probably fall short this year.
Dolly Parton: Another scratch-my-head moment. Don't get me wrong, I love Dolly Parton. She has had a remarkable career which is still going today. But she is a country artist. True, she moved in a more pop-rock direction around 1977 and had some pop-oriented hits like "Here You Come Again" and "9 to 5". I love her, but she isn't deserving of a so-called rock hall. As for her getting in, who knows in the warped mind of Wenner whether she will.
Rage Against the Machine: They were nominated last year but didn't get in; the Hall preferring Foo Fighters instead. Representing the industrial rock of the 1990's, they deserved to get in. I am going out on a limb and saying they will.
Lionel Richie: Another head scratcher. He is known for his ballads, there isn't any rock and roll about him. I like his music, but if he gets in, then perhaps we should make a case for Barry Manilow. His former band, The Commodores, are more deserving to get in, given their funk beginnings.
Carly Simon: If Carole King got in last year, then this singer-songwriter talent should do so this year. While some claim she isn't "rock", keep in mind that the free-form progressive rock stations played a lot of her songsand other introspective singer-songwriters of that era. She deserved to get in, and I predict she will.
A Tribe Called Quest: For some reason, Wenner is obligated to induct hip-hop groups into the Hall. They were popular in the early 90's, and their peers like Public Enemy, NWA and the like are in. Is it an issue of including black artists for diversity's sake? Attention Jann Wenner, there are black rock bands like Living Colour, Fishbone, Bad Brains, and Lenny Kravitz that do rock, and why aren't they in? Or does Wenner have some sort of racist attitude that black artists should do soul and hip-hop and not rock. But they'll probably get in.
Dionne Warwick: She was nominated last year and for some reason she is again. Again, a great singer, but she's more of a pop and MOR singer. Is it to appease the followers of her cousin, the late Whitney Houston, who is in?
Then again, this is all Jann Wenner's game and whatever he says goes.... just like the way I rank songs on my blog. Of course, the main difference is that Wenner's opinions are heard 'round the world.
HOT 100 and MY PLAYLIST: There is a new #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 as "We Don't Talk about Bruno" from the cast of the Disney movie Encanto, unseats Adele's "Easy on Me" after the latter's ten-week run; it's the first song from a Disney movie since 1993's "A Whole New World" from Aladdin. "Easy on Me" is #2 and "Heat Waves" by Glass Animals is still #3. Incidentally, Kid Rock's "We the People" which I discussed last week as it was #1 on the iTunes list, fell short of the Hot 100, Bubbling Under at #105. As the song is completely off the top 10 iTunes list as of today, while it might find its way on the lower part of the big chart, it is indeed a "fly by night" song. If the right really wants to make a statement, they should rally around a song for more than two weeks.
As for my list, Anna Lavigne continues at #1 with "Dance the Last Goodbye" which resurges a bit as the song has gone through my mind. It has four weeks at number one now, and there aren't any signs of it surrendering the top spot in the next few weeks. Ms. Lavigne's "This Time" continues in the runner-up spot. Babeheaven's "The Hours" and Kacey Musgraves' "Justified", still at 3 and 4 respectively appears to have peaked.
HOT HOT HEART: Elton John & Dua Lipa's "Cold Heart", still in Billboard's Top 10, resurges here 21-13 to grab Impact Honors. The song had peaked at #7 both here and Billboard, where it's currently number 10. More significant, is that the song is now on the Carolina Beach Music chart and getting airplay in those southeast stations.
Further down, there are three prime movers, led by yet another by Anna Lavigne's "Mindblown" (54-28, Mover of the Week); Tim Izzard's "Empty My Head" (58-30), and Babeheaven's "Don't Wake Me" (61-35).
BLOOD IS THICKER THAN (OIL AND) WATER: The Top Debut this week is the long-awaited song from twin-sister group Hegazy, with "Oil and Water" their first output in four years. The sisters, hailing from Staten Island have been active in these four years, being one of the first to perform remotely during the onset of COVID. They were recent featured in a Rolling Stone article during the 20th anniversary of 9/11 and how they, as Muslims, dealt with the tragedy. Hegazy's prior effort, the EP Young, yielded three top three blog hits, including the #1 "Here to Stay". "Oil and Water" shows the women in fine form. The song is a rather haunting mid-tempo, yet rhythmic, with awesome background production. A bit of a change-of-pace for the duo, but an awesome one that will get better with repeated listens.
Next is the latest by Winnetka Bowling League: "fiimy". If you wonder what is a fiimy, it's an acronym for "fuck it, I miss you". The song is a duet with Demi Lovato. The follow-up to the top 10 "Pulp" is a nice ballad that showcases the exchange between Matthew Koma and Ms. Lovato. WBL hasn't really made any national noise since the "Kombucha"/"CVS" days but perhaps with Demi featured here, it has a chance. I could see this on Hot AC radio. Lovato, a perennial Hot 100 charter, last made my list in 2017 with "Sorry Not Sorry", #71 blog that year, but she hit my top 10 two year's earlier with "Cool for the Summer". Could click.
Although Matt Weiss has been touring with his rock band Offguard, he is still pumping out the EDM, and his most recent entry is with Zitro, "Without Me". While this is Matt's first with Zitro, unless you're a devoted EDM fan, it seems like repetition. I like Matt's music, so I will give this a chance.
Sam Fender had two 2019 mid charters "Hypersonic Missiles" and "Can We Talk", but with his new one, already on the alternative charts, "Seventeen Going Under" is poised to make a big breakthrough...this is a chugging rock number complete with horns and full productions. Great stuff.
Also on the Alt charts is Bob Moses, a duo from New York City, again with a rhythmic rock song that scores very well. Next is the latest from The Weeknd, with "Sacrifice". A new, more rock-oriented direction for the singer who has had pop success the last few years. A nice, rather avent-guard trek which has been getting alt airplay. The direction may cost him some pop airplay, but that's in our favor. Rounding out the debuts are "Life on Mars" by Johnny Woods, the second track featured from the musician who played Roselle Park's Arts festival, definitely in a jazz mode, and the latest from Foo Fighters, "Love Dies Young".
Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist
January 30, 2022
|
This Week |
Last
Week |
ARTIST-Title |
Weeks
on List |
|
1 |
1 |
NUMBER ONE:  Album: Angels in Sandshores (4 weeks at #1) |
13 |
|
2 |
2 |
10 |
|
|
3 |
3 |
9 |
|
|
4 |
4 |
10 |
|
|
5 |
6 |
15 |
|
|
6 |
5 |
11 |
|
|
7 |
9 |
8 |
|
|
8 |
10 |
10 |
|
|
9 |
11 |
7 |
|
|
10 |
12 |
11 |
|
|
11 |
16 |
9 |
|
|
12 |
7 |
15 |
|
|
13 |
21 |
TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:  Album: The Lockdown Sessions |
18 |
|
14 |
8 |
10 |
|
|
15 |
19 |
11 |
|
|
16 |
26 |
7 |
|
|
17 |
24 |
9 |
|
|
18 |
13 |
9 |
|
|
19 |
15 |
10 |
|
|
20 |
20 |
9 |
|
|
21 |
22 |
16 |
|
|
22 |
14 |
26 |
|
|
23 |
18 |
13 |
|
|
24 |
27 |
Courtney Barnett - Write A Listing of Things to Look Forward To |
7 |
|
25 |
17 |
13 |
|
|
26 |
23 |
16 |
|
|
27 |
25 |
17 |
|
|
28 |
54 |
MOVER OF THE WEEK:  Album: Roses for the Ride |
2 |
|
29 |
29 |
18 |
|
|
30 |
58 |
2 |
|
|
31 |
28 |
25 |
|
|
32 |
37 |
5 |
|
|
33 |
31 |
35 |
|
|
34 |
32 |
7 |
|
|
35 |
61 |
2 |
|
|
36 |
35 |
24 |
|
|
37 |
51 |
3 |
|
|
38 |
48 |
3 |
|
|
39 |
53 |
3 |
|
|
40 |
42 |
7 |
|
|
41 |
43 |
8 |
|
|
42 |
45 |
4 |
|
|
43 |
38 |
26 |
|
|
44 |
49 |
5 |
|
|
45 |
33 |
13 |
|
|
46 |
39 |
9 |
|
|
47 |
46 |
12 |
|
|
48 |
--- |
TOP DEBUT:  (Single Only) |
1 |
|
49 |
34 |
14 |
|
|
50 |
36 |
12 |
|
|
51 |
55 |
3 |
|
|
52 |
30 |
7 |
|
|
53 |
40 |
13 |
|
|
54 |
47 |
6 |
|
|
55 |
70 |
2 |
|
|
56 |
50 |
31 |
|
|
57 |
65 |
3 |
|
|
58 |
41 |
8 |
|
|
59 |
64 |
3 |
|
|
60 |
62 |
Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats - Face Down in the Moment |
6 |
|
61 |
67 |
3 |
|
|
62 |
63 |
28 |
|
|
63 |
44 |
14 |
|
|
64 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
65 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
66 |
84 |
2 |
|
|
67 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
68 |
78 |
2 |
|
|
69 |
60 |
20 |
|
|
70 |
66 |
11 |
|
|
71 |
72 |
3 |
|
|
72 |
75 |
6 |
|
|
73 |
56 |
15 |
|
|
74 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
75 |
82 |
17 |
|
|
76 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
77 |
74 |
19 |
|
|
78 |
57 |
14 |
|
|
79 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
80 |
68 |
15 |
|
|
81 |
81 |
30 |
|
|
82 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
83 |
52 |
Christina Taylor, Haley Mae Campbell and Brenna Bone ft. Kaylee
Rose - Jingle Bell Rock |
7 |
|
84 |
77 |
31 |
|
|
85 |
83 |
5 |
|
|
86 |
87 |
33 |
|
|
87 |
59 |
8 |
|
|
88 |
73 |
10 |
|
|
89 |
69 |
5 |
|
|
90 |
88 |
22 |
|
|
91 |
71 |
7 |
|
|
92 |
76 |
8 |
|
|
93 |
79 |
6 |
|
|
94 |
80 |
12 |
|
|
95 |
85 |
15 |
|
|
96 |
86 |
11 |
|
|
97 |
89 |
9 |
|
|
98 |
90 |
21 |
|
|
99 |
91 |
8 |
|
|
100 |
94 |
25 |
|
|
Songs with the greatest increase in
favorite points over the prior week. ●
Songs with
25 or more plays on iTunes/iPods ▲ Songs with 50 or more plays.
|
|
Holiday Songs
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