#dicks den

(pic source Shakena Thornton from Business Week)

I went to see my brother play in a great, nameless septet last night at Dick's Den here in Columbus. It's led by a guy named Jesse Henry of Spikedrivers fame. Jesse writes these amazing tunes like it's as easy as breathing for him. 

Jesse had one of my all-time favorite bass players Jeff Ciampa--a Columbus guy who I'd put up against anyone in the world--playing with him. He was righteous as always. As was Tyler (my brother on guitar). They killed it. Interesting songs. Great playing. Two sax players to boot.

Anyway, it reminded of a great record Jeff wrote and produced several years ago with some local heroes in a band called Omnipop. I busted that out this morning (still awesome), and that reminded me of a list I began in the Reuben Van with Jonathan Hape (Reuben's bass player, and of Room & Board fame and several other incarnations of great musical things).

This list was our personal top 50 records, but the criteria were specific. This list wasn't our favorite records or "best" records; it was the top 50 records that have influenced us heavily, i.e. changed the musical trajectory of our lives, in one way or another. So I dug out the list I had started (Yeah, I had it in a spreadsheet. Whachu gon' do 'bout it?). It's not complete, but I'm now going to complete it then post for the influence and/or judgement of everyone. I think you should, too.

The top five so far are as follows (subject to change):