Tag: Rolling Stone

The Rolling Stone is Wrong. Part Three.

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I’ve already discredited the Rolling Stone’s greatest guitarists list and their greatest singers list, so I might as well keep going and discredit their greatest artist list.

The Real Greatest Artists of all time

1.   The Rolling Stone says: The Beatles

      Jack Beverly says: The Beatles

Hey! Look at that we actually agreed. Well, I mean, it’s kind of hard to disagree on this one. I mean, the Beatles just are the best. I really don’t think there’s anyone out there that would disagree with us either. I mean, who hasn’t heard of the Beatles? And who doesn’t know the whole chorus to “Yellow Submarine”?

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2.   Rolling Stone says: Bob Dylan

       Jack Beverly says: The Rolling Stones

       I know, this list is not very original, but there’s no way the Stones are going anywhere below number two. It’s kind of strange how a couple of English kids made music that sounded so authentic and bluesy. Still, one of the greatest debates to have about music is what’s a better album, Beggar’s Banquet or Exile on Main Street.  It’s Exile on Main Street, in case you were wondering.

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3.   Rolling Stone says: Elvis

      Jack Beverly Says: Chuck Berry

      It might be easier to say who Chuck Berry hasn’t influenced. His style of guitar and just pure excellence drove the Beatles and the Stones to their first hit songs. Just like Robert Johnson was the father of the Blues, Chuck Berry was the father of Rock n Roll. His music transcended racial boundaries for one of the first times in music history. But don’t worry, even though he’s in his eighties, he’s still playing concerts around the world.

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The Rolling Stone is Wrong. Part 2.

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Several days ago, I wrote a blog explaining why the Rolling Stone’s list of the top 100 guitarists ever was wrong. Today I’ll be explaining why their list of the 100 greatest singers is wrong.

The Real Top 100 Singers of All Time

1.    Rolling Stone Says: Aretha Franklin

       Jack Beverly Says: James Brown

It’s kind of hard to throw Aretha Franklin off of the top spot, especially for the reason I’m about to give. James brown just had…more. Not only was he the greatest singer of all time, but he was the greatest showman too. He’s just everything a singer should be, times a million. I warn you, what you’re about to see is quite possibly the greatest performance ever. Take a seat before you watch it.

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2.     Rolling Stone Says: Ray Charles

        Jack Beverly Says: Aretha Franklin

If you look up soul in the dictionary, you won’t find it. Instead, in its place, you’ll see a big picture of Aretha Franklin taking up about half of the page. Aretha Franklin is one of those few people that when she sings, it just sounds so damn easy. It just sounds like that’s the way she talks. If music had a mother, it would be Ms. Franklin.

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3.     Rolling Stone Says: Elvis Presley

        Jack Beverly Says: Steve Winwood

If we were going with the most influential singers of all time, maybe Elvis wouldn’t be knocked off the top three. But, since its just the best singers, I have to go with Steve Winwood. Spencer Davis group, Traffic and Blind Faith are just a few of Winwood’s accomplishments. If I could only listen to one singer for the rest of my life, it would have to be this guy. He never forces his voice, and it just sounds right.

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The Rolling Stone is Wrong. Part One.

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The other day, I went on the Rolling Stone’s website for the first time. I usually just read the print version, but I went on the website to see what it was like. While on there, I saw an advertisment for a bunch of lists named things like “100 Greatest Guitarists“, “500 Greatest Songs” and “100 Greatest Singers”. So I looked at them. And they were wrong.

So let’s do some correcting.

The Actual Greatest Guitarists

1.     Rolling Stone says: Jimi Hendrix

        Jack Beverly Says: Eric Clapton

        What you’re all probably saying: But, but, but its Hendrix! Wahh how could you not pick Hendrix?

         Because Eric Clapton was born, that’s why. While yes, it is true that Hendrix has a much more unique sound when he plays, it’s also a fact that only one person has yet to hit a bad note playing guitar. Seriously, listen to any solo he does, it’s all perfect. Having been in bands like Cream, the Bluesbreakers, the Yardbirds, Derek and the Dominoes, Bonnie and Delanie’s tour group, Dave Mason’s tour group and even his massively successful solo career has made him the greatest guitar player ever.

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2.    Rolling Stone says: Eric Clapton

       Jack Beverly says: Jimi Hendrix

       Yeah yeah, get over the fact he’s in second. Jimi Hendrix was one of those people that took something that had been around forever and changed it to influence everyone that came after him. I really can’t say much more than that, just listen.

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3.     Rolling Stone says: Jimmy Page

        Jack Beverly sez: Robert Johnson

        I actually feel bad putting Robert Johnson this far down. In terms of influence, he’s higher than first place. His style has been copied by literally everyone on this planet that has ever played a guitar post the 1930’s. Rock n Roll came from this one man’s guitar. He was a God ahead of his time.

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The XX.

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The XX

The XX are a musical group from London specializing in indie pop/rock. Formed in 2005, the group came together to create simple, but effective, music. Living up to the indie genre, the music they create is definitely individual, standing out in the music industry.

Releasing their first album “XX” in 2009 the group received much praise for their individuality and great music. In the same year they won the Mercury Music Prize and were ranked as “one of the best of year” in the Rolling Stone.

The XX’s sound works well because of the dual voices used. The males soothing deep tones compliment that of the females and accompanied by simple acoustics the music molds together perfectly.

The band’s music is simple but catchy with their warming tones creating the perfect ambience for a night by an open fire or a time of relaxation. Due to release an album this year, fans are excited see if the new material can triumph over that of the legendary “XX.” Lets just hope they don’t disappoint.