Always trust a "carny" -- Leon Russell

Good evening Rawkers. Let's spend a minute or two celebrating an artist often overlooked but universally respected by fellow musicians -- Leon Russell.

Like Bob Dylan, Neil Young and other troubadours with unusual singing styles, Leon Russell is not often appreciated by the average listener. His vocal quality and phrasing is definitely out of the ordinary. But a closer, extended listen reveals an artist who grows on you -- and the Lawton, OK native's offerings come to be enjoyed as much as a fine, aged bourbon.

Tough to peg, Russell made a name for himself as a sought-after session man and as a solo artist in rock, gospel, R&B, folk and county. In fact, he's probably recorded with musicians of just about every genre you can name.

Word is, he's currently working on an album with Elton John (someone with whom Leon has recorded before....).

The essential listen is his 1970 album, titled simply "Leon Russell" (the blue album). But "Carny" (1972) represents his most successful solo effort, having reached No. 2 on the charts.

The G.O.T. encourages you to get your hands on some quality vinyl from this great artist and to discover what some of your favorite artists aleady know -- Leon Russell is one in a million.

Go in peace....

G.O.T.

GOT's Best of the Decade.....

Where's the Rawk, people!!!!!

Ok, Rolling Stone mostly fumbled this month by ignoring much of the decade's real rock and roll in favor of the banal, the bland and the basically boring (for my REO-loving friends out there, "banal" means trite and predictable. Terms you should be totally familiar with).

But after slagging several of the mag's top picks (good call on Bruce, btw) it's only right to offer up my own opinions for public ridicule.

Whaddya think, rawkers -- condone or condemn (the following offered in random order).

AC/DC -- Black Ice (2008). The aging school-yard bullies offer up a fresh, hard punch in the face, bloodying the nose of today's wimpy wuss crap. And I'm cheering 'em on. Nice work, fellas. Let's see the tour.

U2 -- While i know many of you can't stand the band, i happen to think they are great. And they did the decade well by sprinkling it with three great rock albums that feature some wonderful stuff: All That You Can't Leave Behind (2000), How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (2004) and No Line on the Horizon (2009). Really fantastic material here and i can't wait to see them in Seattle June 20. Yeah, Bono is a turd who's opinion of himself is a bit over the top, but i can ignore that. A LOT of credit goes to ANY band who has made a ton of music but keeps putting out interesting music.

Bruce Springsteen -- Five fine offerings: The Rising (2002), Devils & Dust (2005), We Shall Overcome -- the Pete Seeger Sessions (2006), Magic (2007) and Working On a Dream (2009). Major props for output and variety alone by a rawk legend. Never really been a Born to Run fan, but Bruce won me over during the 00's. Beyonce indeed....

Green Day -- These guys are the real deal and carry rawk's banner aloft loudly and proudly. Happy to say i'm a fan. I LOVED American Idiot (2004), and think 21st Century Breakdown (2009) is a great album as well.

Metallica -- Shoved metal up your @$$ with Death Magnetic (2008) and ensured that the heavy stuff would remain alive and well late into the decade and beyond. Was kinda uncomfortable with Some Kind of Monster video though..... metal masters getting touchy-feely make me a bit uncomfortable.

The Beatles -- Let it Be....Naked. Finally fixed the mistakes made in 1969 by producer Phil Spector. The release allows the music to be heard as it was intended. Hear it again for the first time.... The title track alone is worth the price by itself.

You'll probably disagree, and i can't wait to hear it.

Go in peace....

G.O.T.

Good evening Rawkers. So. Rolling Stone is beyond lame. You kidding me? Best artists of the decade include Beyonce, Radiohead, Kanye West, Arcade Fire and MIA?

WTF????

Top album of the decade is Radiohead, followed by the Strokes, Wilco and Jay-Z?

What has happened to rock and roll? That is all so lame it hurts. They all should be shoved off the wuss cliff. Think the GOT is gonna puke....

Damn....

Go in peace.... if you can.

G.O.T.