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Because I love this sort of thing, let's face it...

'First, make a list of your overall top-20 artists. Then, for each of these artists, add the 8 most similar artists to your list. Delete any duplicates, add up the number of entries on your list and this will give you some idea of how eclectic your listening habits are. A score of 9 represents an extremely unvaried musical taste while a 160 represents an extremely varied one.'

1. Bob Dylan
-1- Bob Dylan and The Band
-2- Neil Young
-3- The Band
-4- Woody Guthrie
-5- Leonard Cohen
-6- Donovan
-7- Joan Baez
-8- Neil Young & Crazy Horse

2. The Beatles
-1- John Lennon
-2- George Harrison
-3- Paul McCartney
-4- Ringo Starr
-5- Paul McCartney & Wings
-6- The Who
-7- Wings
-8- The Rolling Stones

3. Belle and Sebastian
-1- Camera Obscura
-2- God Help The Girl
-3- The Magnetic Fields
-4- The Boy Least Likely To
-5- Jens Lekman
-6- of Montreal
-7-The Gentle Waves
-8- The Shins

4. Joan Baez
-1- Peter, Paul & Mary
-2- Judy Collins
-3- Pete Seeger
-4- Phil Ochs
-5- Bob Dylan
-6- Joni Mitchell
- Woody Guthrie
-7- Arlo Guthrie

5. Vienna Teng
-1- Charlotte Martin
-2- Corrinne May
-3- Rachael Sage
-4- Dar Williams
-5- Sarah Slean
-6- Rachael Yamagata
-7- Thea Gilmore
-8- Sarah Fimm

6. Leonard Cohen
Bob Dylan
-1- Tom Waits
-2- Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
-3- Lou Reed
Neil Young
Joan Baez
-4- Nick Drake
-5- Tim Buckley

7. Jim Croce
-1- Harry Chapin
-2- James Taylor
-3- Dan Fogelberg
-4- John Denver
-5- Gordon Lightfoot
-6- Don McLean
-7- Jackson Browne
-8- Bob Seeger

8. John Denver
-1- Jim Croce
-2- Kenny Rogers
Dan Fogelberg
Gordon Lightfoot
Peter, Paul & Mary
-3- Anne Murray
-4- Neil Diamond
James Taylor

9. Over the Rhine
-1- Waterdeep
-2- The Violet Burning
-3- Sandra McCracken
-4- Hem
-5- Derek Webb
-6- The Innocence Mission
-7- The Choir
-8- The Choir

*An aside: I still don't understand why all of OtR's linked bands are Christian, as some of their songs are about sex and none that I have heard have obvious religious messages, they do not mention god during concerts, and they say nothing about Christianity on their website. Still looking for some insight here...

10. Flogging Molly
-1- Dropkick Murphys
-2- The Real McKenzies
-3- The Tossers
-4- The Pogues
-5- The Mahones
-6- The Bloody Irish Boys
-7- Blood or Whiskey
-8- The Dubliners

11. The Shins
-1- Death Cab for Cutie
-2- Band of Horses
-3- The Decemberists
-4- Vampire Weekend
-5- Rogue Wave
-6- The Postal Service
-7- Ra Ra Riot
-8- Fleet Foxes

12. The Traveling Wilburys
George Harrison
-1- Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
-2- Tom Petty
Ringo Starr
-3- Jeff Lynne
-4- Electric Light Orchestra
-5- Mudcrutch
-6- Roy Orbison

13. Brandi Carlile
-1- Indigo Girls
-2- Patty Griffin
-3- Ingrid Michaelson
-4- Catie Curtis
-5- Missy Higgins
-6- Melissa Ferrick
-7- Rosie Thomas
Rachael Yamagata

14. Jewel
-1- Sarah McLachlan
-2- Sheryl Crow
-3- Lisa Loeb
-4- Heather Nova
-5- Paula Cole
-6- Alanis Morissette
-7- Natalie Merchant
-8- Anna Nalick

15. Ingrid Michaelson
-1- Meiko
-2- Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson
-3- Sara Bareilles
-4- Priscilla Ahn
-5- Jenny Owen Youngs
-6- Erin McCarley
-7- Greg Laswell
-8- A Fine Frenzy

16. Feist
-1- Broken Social Scene
-2- Kings of Convenience
-3- Cat Power
-4- Emily Haines & the Soft Skeleton
-5- Stars
-6- She & Him
-7-Metric
-8-Rilo Kiley

17. Alanis Morissette
-1- Tori Amos
Sheryl Crow
-2- Jewel
-3- Natalis Imbruglia
Sarah McLachlan
-4- The Cranberries
-5- Meredith Brooks
-6- Fiona Apple

18. Ludovico Einaudi
-1- Roberto Cacciapaglia
-2- Giovannia Allevi
-3- Wim Mertens
-4- Max Richter
-5- Michael Nyman
-6- Fabrizio Paterlini
-7- David Nevue
-8- Dustin O'Halloran

19. Modest Mouse
-1- Ugly Casanova
-2- Built to Spill
-3- Wolf Parade
-4- Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
-5- Neutral Milk Hotel
Death Cab for Cutie
-6- The Flaming Lips
-7- Bright Eyes

138... not bad. Also, this is meaningless, like your life. :) Luckily, it has enabled me to find a few artists I wish to explore further.

Most popular releases on soundamus 12 Jan 2009 to 18 Jan 2009
Use soundamus to create a feed of new and upcoming music releases from the artists you listen to on last.fm.


Artist: Franz Ferdinand
Album: Ulysses
Label: Domino
Release Date: 16 Jan 2009




Artist: Antony and the Johnsons
Album: The Crying Light
Label: Rough Trad (Indigo)
Release Date: 16 Jan 2009




Artist: This Will Destroy You + Lymbyc Systym
Album: Field Studies
Label: Magic Bullet Records
Release Date: 13 Jan 2009




Artist: Shiny Toy Guns
Album: Stripped/Nothing Compares 2 U
Label: Cleopatra
Release Date: 13 Jan 2009




Artist: Love
Album: Love Live: Whisky A Go-Go 1978
Label: Pinnacle
Release Date: 13 Jan 2009




Artist: Kreator
Album: Hordes of Chaos
Release Date: 13 Jan 2009




Artist: Six Organs of Admittance
Album: Rtz
Release Date: 16 Jan 2009




Artist: Saosin
Album: The Grey - EP
Release Date: 13 Jan 2009




Artist: Madlib
Album: Beat Konducta Vol.5 & 6
Label: Stones Thr (Groove Attack)
Release Date: 13 Jan 2009




Artist: Girls Aloud
Album: Loving Kind
Release Date: 12 Jan 2009



Artist: Q-Tip
Album: Gettin Up
Label: Motown
Release Date: 13 Jan 2009




Artist: Peter Tosh
Album: Playlist: The Very Best of Peter Tosh
Label: playlist
Release Date: 13 Jan 2009




Artist: Sylvain Chauveau
Album: Black Book of Capitalism
Label: Type
Release Date: 16 Jan 2009




Artist: Lalo Schifrin
Album: The Dead Pool
Label: Aleph Records
Release Date: 12 Jan 2009




Artist: John Tejada
Album: Fabric 44
Release Date: 12 Jan 2009




Artist: Indigo Girls
Album: Playlist: The Very Best of Indigo Girls
Label: Sony Legacy
Release Date: 13 Jan 2009



Artist: Dwarves + Roryce Craker
Album: Dwarves/Roryce Craker
Label: Zodiac Killer
Release Date: 13 Jan 2009



Artist: White Lion
Album: When the Children Cry: Demos '83-'89
Label: Cleopatra
Release Date: 13 Jan 2009




Artist: J. Tillman
Album: Vacilando Territory Blues
Release Date: 12 Jan 2009




Artist: Markus Schulz
Album: Global DJ Broadcast Top 15 - January 2009
Release Date: 12 Jan 2009




Artist: Judy Garland
Album: Love Songs
Label: Savoy Jazz
Release Date: 13 Jan 2009




Artist: K'naan
Album: Troubadour
Label: A&M / Octone
Release Date: 13 Jan 2009




Artist: White Lies
Album: To Loose My Life...
Label: Polydor
Release Date: 12 Jan 2009




Artist: Beware of Safety
Album: Dogs
Label: Mylene Sheath
Release Date: 13 Jan 2009




Artist: The Low Frequency in Stereo
Album: Futuro
Release Date: 12 Jan 2009




Artist: Pan.Thy.Monium
Album: Dawn of Dream + Khaooohs
Release Date: 13 Jan 2009




Artist: Dan Fogelberg
Album: Playlist: The Very Best of Dan Fogelberg
Label: Sony Legacy
Release Date: 13 Jan 2009




Artist: Maria Muldaur
Album: Richland Woman Blues
Label: Stony Plain Music
Release Date: 15 Jan 2009




Artist: Bang Camaro
Album: Bang Camaro II
Label: 8th Impression
Release Date: 13 Jan 2009




Artist: Dexter Freebish
Album: The Other Side - the Best of Dexter Freebish
Release Date: 13 Jan 2009




Artist: Punto Omega
Album: Noche Oscura Del Alma
Label: Trisol (Soulfood Music)
Release Date: 16 Jan 2009




Artist: Marta Sudraba + Rihards Dubra + Eriks Esenvalds + Arturs Maskats + Valts Puce + Peteris Vasks + Máris Sirmais + Altera Veritas + ElIna Endzele + Ivo Kruskops + Rihards Zalupe + Gidon Kremer + Beate Zviedre + Elina Vijuma + Ilze Rubike + Inga Lisovska + JO
Album: Dawn is Breaking: Choral Music from Latvia
Label: Quartz
Release Date: 13 Jan 2009




Artist: The Derek Trucks Band
Album: Already Free
Label: Sony Legacy
Release Date: 13 Jan 2009




Artist: Heather Headley
Album: Audience of One
Label: EMI
Release Date: 12 Jan 2009



Artist: La Grande Sophie
Album: Des Vagues Et Des Ruisseaux
Release Date: 13 Jan 2009



Artist: Pretty Boy Floyd
Album: Glam as Fuck
Label: Cleopatra
Release Date: 13 Jan 2009




Artist: Steve Perry
Album: Playlist: The Very Best of Steve Perry
Label: playlist
Release Date: 12 Jan 2009




Artist: Sensiva
Album: Draught
Release Date: 13 Jan 2009




Artist: Too Pure To Die
Album: Confess
Release Date: 13 Jan 2009




Artist: Machines Don't Care
Album: Beat Bang
Release Date: 13 Jan 2009

Here's my list - 1980

1. Call Me - Blondie
2. Another Brick In The Wall - Pink Floyd
3. Magic - Olivia Newton-John
4. Rock With You - Michael Jackson
5. Do That To Me One More Time - Captain and Tennille
6. Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Queen
7. Coming Up - Paul McCartney
8. Funkytown - Lipps Inc.
9. It's Still Rock And Roll To Me - Billy Joel
10. The Rose - Bette Midler
11. Escape (The Pina Colada Song) - Rupert Holmes
12. Cars - Gary Numan
13. Cruisin' - Smokey Robinson
14. Working My Way Back To You/Forgive Me Girl - Spinners
15. Lost In Love - Air Supply
16. Little Jeannie - Elton John
17. Ride Like The Wind - Cristopher Cross
18. Upside Down - Diana Ross
19. Please Don't Go - K.C. and the Sunshine Band
20. Babe - Styx
21. With You I'm Born Again - Billy Preston and Syreeta
22. Shining Star - Manhattans
23. Still - Commodores
24. Yes, I'm Ready - Teri De Sario With K.C.
25. Sexy Eyes - Dr. Hook
26. Steal Away - Robbie Dupree
27. Biggest Part Of Me - Ambrosia
28. This Is It - Kenny Loggins
29. Cupid, I've Loved You For A Long Time - Spinners
30. Let's Get Serious - Jermaine Jackson
31. Don't Fall In Love With A Dreamer - Kenny Rogers and Kim Carnes
32. Sailing - Christopher Cross
33. Longer - Dan Fogelberg
34. Coward Of The County - Kenny Rogers
35. Ladies Night - Kool and the Gang
36. Take Your Time - S.O.S. Band
37. No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) - Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer
38. Too Hot - Kool and the Gang
39. More Love - Kim Carnes
40. Pop Muzik - M
41. Brass In Pocket - Pretenders
42. Special Lady - Ray - Goodman and Brown
43. Send One Your Love - Stevie Wonder
44. The Second Time Around - Shalamar
45. We Don't Talk Anymore - Cliff Richard
46. Stomp - Brothers Johnson
47. Heartache Tonight - Eagles
48. Stomp - Brothers Johnson
49. Tired Of Toein' The Line - Rocky Burnette
50. Better Love Next Time - Dr. Hook
51. Him - Rupert Holmes
52. Against The Wind - Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band
53. On The Radio - Donna Summer
54. Emotional Rescue - Rolling Stones
55. Rise - Herb Alpert
56. All Out Of Love - Air Supply
57. Cool Change - Little River Band
58. You're Only Lonely - J.D. Souther
59. Desire - Andy Gibb
60. Let My Love Open The Door - Pete Townshend
61. Daydream Believer - Anne Murray
62. I Can't Tell You Why - Eagles
63. Don't Let Go - Isaac Hayes
64. Don't Do Me Like That - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
65. She's Out Of My Life - Michael Jackson
66. Fame - Irene Cara
67. Fire Lake - Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band
68. How Do I Make You - Linda Ronstadt
69. Into The Night - Benny Mardones
70. Let Me Love You Tonight - Pure Prairie League
71. Misunderstanding - Genesis
72. An American Dream - Dirt Band
73. One Fine Day - Carole King
74. Dim All The Lights - Donna Summer
75. You May Be Right - Billy Joel
76. Hurt So Bad - Linda Ronstadt
77. Should've Never Let You Go - Neil Sedaka and Dara Sedaka
78. Pilot Of The Airwaves - Charlie Dore
79. Off The Wall - Michael Jackson
80. I Pledge My Love - Peaches And Herb
81. The Long Run - Eagles
82. Stand By Me - Mickey Gilley
83. Heartbreaker - Pat Benatar
84. Deja Vu - Dionne Warwick
85. Drivin' My Life Away - Eddie Rabbitt
86. Take The Long Way Home - Supertramp
87. Sara - Fleetwood Mac
88. Wait For Me - Daryl Hall and John Oates
89. Jo Jo - Boz Scaggs
90. September Morn - Neil Diamond
91. Give Me The Night - George Benson
92. Broken Hearted Me - Anne Murray
93. You Decorated My Life - Kenny Rogers
94. Tusk - Fleetwood Mac
95. I Wanna Be Your Lover - Prince
96. In America - Charlie Daniels Band
97. Breakdown Dead Ahead - Boz Scaggs
98. Ships - Barry Manilow
99. All Night Long - Joe Walsh
100. Refugee - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

So, I'm involving myself in this lyrics game that's so popular these days.

I think you all know the rules. Shuffle, first one or two lines of each song, no cheating.

Ready?


1. It's down to this, I've got to make this life make sense. 3 Doors Down -- Away from the Sun.

2. Tell me why baby, why baby, why baby, why you make me cry. George Jones -- Why Baby Why.

3. I had a girl, she was the best around.

4. I knew a gal and I like her still, she said she knew she would trust me.

5. I'd gladly lose me to find you. I'd gladly give up all I had.

6. Fear and panic in the air, I want to be free from desolation and despair. Muse -- Map of the Problematique.

7. I used to be bad but I don't have to be bad no more.

8. And no one saw the carny go, the weeks flew by. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds -- The Carny.

9. The first thing I remember was asking papa "why," for there were many things I didn't know.

10. Waterfall, nothing can go wrong.

11. Well my heart knows me better than I know myself, so I'm gonna let it do all the talking.

12. It's amazing how you can speak right to my heart. Without saying a word, you can light up the dark.

13. Well my time went so quickly, I went lickety-splitly down to my ol' 55.

14. It was just after sunrise and down by the sea. James Taylor -- Soldiers.

15. Where did your long hair go, where is the girl I used to know?

16. Every night I ask myself that same old question, "why?" And every day the answer seems more distant.

17. I hear tell it's far away and no one goes there now, but if we set our sights you know we'll get there somehow.

18. There must be lights burning brighter somewhere. There must be birds flying higher in a sky more blue.

19. Oh, Alabama, the devil fools with the best laid plan. Neil Young -- Alabama.

20. Early in the morning, the factory whistle blows. Bruce Springsteen -- Factory.

21. Even now, I remember all the endless spaces you filled with your love.

22. My cup is cold, my faith is old. My soul is sold to melancholia.

23. I met you on the midway at a fair last year.

24. I fell asleep on a late night train. I missed my stop and I went round again. Keane -- Try Again.



And, of course, the connections.
The Beach Boys Dan Fogelberg Elvis Presley Neil Young Poco Bruce Springsteen The Who Linda Eder Keane Joni Mitchell Emmylou Harris KT Tunstall Alison Krauss James Taylor Tom Waits Coldplay George Jones 3 Doors Down Syd Barrett Paul McCartney Muse Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds Creedence Clearwater Revival

I've recently acquired quite a bit more music, which is a definite cause for happiness.

The Who -- Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy
Dan Fogelberg -- High Country Snows
Derek and the Dominos -- Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers -- Damn the Torpedoes
Kitaro -- Silk Road I
Jim Brickman -- Disney Songbook
Todd Rundgren -- Something/Anything?
The Raveonettes -- Chain Gang of Love
Old 97's -- Too Far to Care
Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young -- Deja Vu
Led Zeppelin -- Led Zeppelin I
John Mellencamp -- Scarecrow
Guns N' Roses -- Appetite for Destruction
Elton John -- Tumbleweed Connection
Thin Lizzy -- Bad Reputation

Submitted for your reading/listening pleasure, more proof that my player has a mind of its own.

Opening credits: The Kinks - Lola

Waking up: Boz Scaggs – Georgia

An ordinary day: The Outlaws – There Goes Another Love Song

Hanging out with friends: The Platters – Only You

A crush: Billy Preston – Will It Go Round In Circles

First date: The Beach Boys – California Girls (well I was born there)

First kiss: Barry Manilow – Could It Be The Magic

Falling in love: The Isley Brothers – Shout

Misunderstanding: Daughtry – Used To

Fight scene: Canned Heat – On The Road Again

Breaking up: The Police – Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic (must refer to the other woman)

Deep thought: Bo Donaldson & the Heywoods – Billy Don’t Be A Hero

Life's okay: Glenn Miller – King Porter Stomp

Phone call at night: The Pointer Sisters – He's So Shy

Mental breakdown: Albert Morris - Feelings (LOL what can I say ...)

Driving: Lynyrd Skynyrd – Free Bird (long version)

Learning a lesson: Dan Fogelberg – The Power Of Gold

Flashback: The Hooters - And We Danced

Secret love: Marc Ribot – Las Lomas De New Jersey

Partying: Led Zeppelin – All My Love

Everybody dance now: James Taylor – Handy Man

Flirting: Dave Clark Five – Glad All Over

Sex scene: Benny Mardones – Into the Night (somewhat cringe-worthy in this context)

Regretting: The Animals – Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood

Snow falling: Ram Jam – Black Betty

Long night alone: The Carpenters – Goodbye To Love (how emo)

An accident: Stan Getz - Eu E Voce

Thinking of home: The Beatles - You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away

Reaching the final battle: Blood, Sweat & Tears - You’ve Made Me So Very Happy

Final battle (part 1): Muse - Stockholm Syndrome (okay now this makes more sense)

Final battle (part 2): Edward Bear - Last Song

Final words: Olivia Newton-John - Have You Never Been Mellow

Death scene: Chicago - Saturday in the Park (choked on ice cream?)

Funeral song: Billy Preston - Nothing From Nothing

End credits: Faces - Stay with me

Michael Stanley / "Let's Get The Show On The Road" / Friends & Legends (4) / ? 1973

Artist: Michael Stanley
Original Album: Friends & Legends
Track: Let's Get the Show on the Road

Two-minute track preview via itsaboutmusic.com

"And today's for sale /
And it's all you can afford /
By your own admission /
Well, the whole thing's got you bored"

I woke up to this song this morning, and as I lay there listening to it, I realized the SotD has never highlighted this local hero or Michael Stanley Band! For shame!

Cleveland (Rocky River) native Michael Stanley was a lesser known but well-connected part of the early 70s "singer/songwriter" era, releasing two solo albums before forming MSB in 1975. They were a major draw in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio in the late 70s and early 80s, but they only achieved modest success nationwide. Almost no one - and not just Clevelanders - doubts that they deserved more national success.

Today's selection features David Sanborn on the saxophone. Michael's good friend Bill Szymczyk (Eagles) produced, as he has for many of Michael's albums over the years, with J. Geils co-producing the sax parts. Barnstorm (Joe Walsh) perform on this album, as does Manassas and Dan Fogelberg.

If you're new to Michael's/MSB's music, start with the excellent compilation Right Back at Ya (1971-1983) (2004). IMHO the only notable exception on that disc is Hard Time from their final major-label album You Can't Fight Fashion (1983). That's also the album that produced the Top 40 single that's probably their most-widely known song, My Town, for which over 100 city-specific edits were made.

For a non-compilation recommendation, Heartland is probably considered their best album. It featured MSB's first Top 40 hit He Can't Love You - that's Clarence Clemons on the saxophone - and a lesser hit but probably most-fan-beloved Lover.

These days, Michael fronts Michael Stanley & The Resonators, who play the region regularly and includes several former MSB members like keyboardist Bob Pelander and drummer Tommy Dobeck as well as later addition guitarist Danny Powers.

Michael is also the afternoon drive disc jockey for WNCX. I've met him on a few occasions, and he's a sincere, down-to-earth Clevelander, if a bit reserved, which may come from hearing "you guys shoulda been more successful" from knuckleheads who never consider that he might have heard that about ten-thousand-too-many times.

You can get two-minute previews and download all of Michael and MSB's music via itsaboutmusic.com (192kbps MP3, $0.89 per track), or at eMusic if you're on there. You can get CDs via Michael's website.

Solo tracks also recommended:
Coming Up For Air (from Coming Up For Air, 1996) This is an intense, heavy track in which Michael deals with his December 1991 heart attack while vacationing in Las Vegas, but anyone who has gone through a deeply-affecting life-changing moment can definitely relate.

Eleanor Rigby (from Eighteen Down, 2000) This is one of my favorite Beatles tracks, but I like Michael's version just as much, if not more, than the original. This version really has a haunting sense of hopeless melancholy.

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