Wednesday, September 1, 2010

My all-time top 200 favorite inspiring albums! (sorta)

The original idea was to compile a top-ten list. That turned out to be too difficult to accomplish. My influences are way too wide and varied to capture it in ten albums. So I went for top-twenty and well as you can see it eventually turned into my top-two hundred! Still an extremely difficult task and honestly depending on my mood I'm sure these rankings would differ frequently. I challenge you to give a good 'go' at it.

  1. 1. Back In Black -AC/DC
  2. 2. Obscured By Clouds -Pink Floyd
  3. 3. Skull N' Roses -Grateful Dead
  4. 4. Eat A Peach -Allman Brothers Band
  5. 5. Bat Out Of Hell -Meat Loaf
  6. 6. Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs -Derek & The Dominoes
  7. 7. Houses Of The Holy -Led Zeppelin
  8. 8. For Everyman -Jackson Browne
  9. 9. Dark Side Of The Moon -Pink Floyd
  10. 10. Waiting For Columbus -Little Feat

  11. 11. The Last Waltz -The Band
  12. 12. The Harder They Come Soundtrack -Jimmy Cliff
  13. 13. Abby Road -The Beatles
  14. 14. Workingman’s Dead -Grateful Dead
  15. 15. Live At Budakon -Bob Dylan
  16. 16. The Healing Game -Van Morrison
  17. 17. Highway 61 -Bob Dylan
  18. 18. Naturally -JJ Cale
  19. 19. Maggot Brain -Funkadelic
  20. 20. Exile On Main Street -The Rolling Stones

  21. 21. Blood On The Tracks -Bob Dylan
  22. 22. Blizzard Of Oz -Ozzy Osborne
  23. 23. Animals -Pink Floyd
  24. 24. Band Of Gypsys -Jimi Hendrix Experience
  25. 25. Babylon By Bus -Bob Marley & The Wailers

  26. 26. 461 Ocean Blvd. -Eric Clapton
  27. 27. So Long So Wrong -Alison Krauss & Union Station
  28. 28. Remain In Light -Talking Heads
  29. 29. Astral Weeks -Van Morrison
  30. 30. Live At The Fillmore East -Allman Brothers Band
  31. 31. Led Zeppelin IV -Led Zeppelin
  32. 32. Deja Vu -Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
  33. 33. Troubadour -JJ Cale
  34. 34. ’74 Jailbreak -AC/DC
  35. 35. Cheap Thrills -Big Brother & The Holding Company
  36. 36. Shakedown Street -Grateful Dead
  37. 37. Point Of Entry -Judas Priest
  38. 38. Nature Of The Beast -April Wine
  39. 39. Moondance -Van Morrison
  40. 40. Highway To Hell -AC/DC
  41. 41. Pearl -Janis Joplin
  42. 42. Alive! -Kiss
  43. 43. Rumors -Fleetwood Mac
  44. 44. Really -JJ Cale
  45. 45. Foreigner 4 -Foreigner
  46. 46. Zebra -Zebra
  47. 47. Moving Pictures -Rush
  48. 48. I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll -Joan Jett
  49. 49. High ‘N’ Dry -Def Leppard
  50. 50. Electric Ladyland -Jimi Hendrix Experience

  51. 51. Changesonebowie -David Bowie
  52. 52. Led Zeppelin III -Led Zeppelin
  53. 53. Diary Of a Madman -Ozzy Osbourne
  54. 54. Surrealistic Pillow -Jefferson Airplane
  55. 55. American Beauty -Grateful Dead
  56. 56. Sticky Fingers -The Rolling Stones
  57. 57. Blind Faith -Blind Faith
  58. 58. 77 -Talking Heads
  59. 59. Live After Death -Iron Maiden
  60. 60. Old And In The Way -Old And In The Way
  61. 61. Imaginos -Blue Oyster Cult
  62. 62. Bark At The Moon -Ozzy Osbourne
  63. 63. Terrapin Station -Grateful Dead
  64. 64. Something/Anything? -Todd Rundgren
  65. 65. Giant Step/De Ole Folks at Home -Taj Mahal
  66. 66. Court and Spark -Joni Mitchell
  67. 67. Stop Making Sense -Talking Heads
  68. 68. At Folsom Prison -Johnny Cash
  69. 69. Live At The Grand Opera House -Van Morrison
  70. 70. Road to Ruin -The Ramones
  71. 71. Ra -Utopia
  72. 72. The Wall -Pink Floyd
  73. 73. Are You Experienced? -Jimi Hendrix Experience
  74. 74. Aretha Live at Fillmore West -Aretha Franklin
  75. 75. Running On Empty -Jackson Browne

  76. 76. Axis: Bold As Love -Jimi Hendrix Experience
  77. 77. Tupelo Honey -Van Morrison
  78. 78. Speaking In Tongues -Talking Heads
  79. 79. Couldn’t Stand the Weather -Stevie Ray Vaughan
  80. 80. Blows Against The Empire -Jefferson Starship
  81. 81. Pyromania -Def Leppard
  82. 82. Greatest Hits -James Taylor
  83. 83. Black Sabbath Vol. 4 -Black Sabbath
  84. 84. Sports -Huey Lewis & The News
  85. 85. Saturate Before Using -Jackson Browne
  86. 86. The Best of Blondie -Blondie
  87. 87. G N’ R Lies -Guns N’ Roses
  88. 88. Tattoo You -The Rolling Stones
  89. 89. Full Moon Fever -Tom Petty
  90. 90. Shout At The Devil -Motley Crue
  91. 91. Alive II -Kiss
  92. 92. Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band -The Beatles
  93. 93. Blues For Allah -Grateful Dead
  94. 94. Let It Be -The Beatles
  95. 95. The Slider -T. Rex
  96. 96. Greetings From Asbury Park, NJ -Bruce Springsteen
  97. 97. Dreamboat Annie -Heart
  98. 98. Dynasty -Kiss
  99. 99. Tapestry -Carole King
  100. 100. Allied Forces -Triumph

  101. 101. Rock ‘n’ Roll High School Soundtrack -The Ramones
  102. 102. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath -Black Sabbath
  103. 103. Lost In Love -Air Supply
  104. 104. Who’s Next -The Who
  105. 105. Toys In The Attic -Aerosmith
  106. 106. Pay The Devil -Van Morrison
  107. 107. Appetite For Destruction -Guns N’ Roses
  108. 108. Subterranean Jungle -The Ramones
  109. 109. Tommy -The Who
  110. 110. Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll -Rainbow
  111. 111. White Album -The Beatles
  112. 112. Born Again -Black Sabbath
  113. 113. Quadrophenia -The Who
  114. 114. Live at Watkins Glen -The Band
  115. 115. Very Best of Cream -Cream
  116. 116. Freeze Frame -J. Geils Band
  117. 117. Nebraska -Bruce Springsteen
  118. 118. Seven Turns -Allman Brothers Band
  119. 119. Late For The Sky -Jackson Browne
  120. 120. The Last In Line -Dio
  121. 121. Extraterrestrial Live -Blue Oyster Cult
  122. 122. Shades Of Two Worlds -Allman Brothers Band
  123. 123. Born To Run -Bruce Springsteen
  124. 124. Jerry Garcia Band (Live) -Jerry Garcia Band
  125. 125. Free-for-All -Ted Nugent

  126. 126. Gov’t Mule -Gov’t Mule
  127. 127. The Soft Parade -The Doors
  128. 128. Dire Straits -Dire Straits
  129. 129. Music From Big Pink -The Band
  130. 130. Made In Japan -Deep Purple
  131. 131. Electric Warrior -T. Rex
  132. 132. Meddle -Pink Floyd
  133. 133. Evangeline -Emmy Lou Harris
  134. 134. Wish You Were Here -Pink Floyd
  135. 135. We're Only In It For The Money -Frank Zappa
  136. 136. Machine Head -Deep Purple
  137. 137. Slide It In -Whitesnake
  138. 138. Led Zeppelin II -Led Zeppelin
  139. 139. Never Mind The Bullocks -The Sex Pistols
  140. 140. Fire Of Unknown Origin -Blue Oyster Cult
  141. 141. Powerage -AC/DC
  142. 142. Closing Time -Tom Waits
  143. 143. Flexible -Steve Vai
  144. 144. Back At The Chicken Shack -Jimmy Smith
  145. 145. Physical Graffiti -Led Zeppelin
  146. 146. As Recorded At Madison Square Garden -Elvis Presley
  147. 147. Blood Sugar Sex Magik -Red Hot Chili Peppers
  148. 148. Led Zeppelin -Led Zeppelin
  149. 149. Master Of Puppets -Metallica
  150. 150. Women And Children First -Van Halen

  151. 151. Live at Leeds -The Who
  152. 152. Love -The Cult
  153. 153. The Pretender -Jackson Browne
  154. 154. Weird Scenes Inside The Gold Mine -The Doors
  155. 155. Tres Hombres -ZZ Top
  156. 156. Ummagumma -Pink Floyd
  157. 157. True Democracy -Steel Pulse
  158. 158. Slowhand -Eric Clapton
  159. 159. Let There Be Rock -AC/DC
  160. 160. The Mob Rules -Black Sabbath
  161. 161. Blow By Blow -Jeff Beck
  162. 162. The Song Remains The Same -Led Zeppelin
  163. 163. Electric -The Cult
  164. 164. Too Fast For Love -Motley Crue
  165. 165. Van Halen -Van Halen
  166. 166. Eliminator -ZZ Top
  167. 167. Discipline -King Crimson
  168. 168. Combat Rock -The Clash
  169. 169. Europe '72 -Grateful Dead
  170. 169. Love At First Sting -The Scorpions
  171. 170. Metal Health -Quiet Riot
  172. 171. Graceland -Paul Simon
  173. 172. Trick or Treat Soundtrack -Fastway
  174. 173. Ride The Lightning -Metallica
  175. 174. Holy Diver -Dio
  176. 175. Unleashed In The East -Judas Priest
  177. 176. Live From Austin -Delbert McClinton
  178. 177. Van Halen II -Van Halen
  179. 178. Greatest Hits -Jim Croce
  180. 179. Dirty Deeds (Done Dirt Cheap) -AC/DC
  181. 180. Prime Prine -John Prine
  182. 181. Beggar's Banquet -The Rolling Stones
  183. 182. Atom Heart Mother -Pink Floyd
  184. 183. Mothership Connection -Parliament Funkadelic
  185. 184. Sailin' Shoes -Little Feat
  186. 185. From The Mars Hotel -Grateful Dead
  187. 186. Nearly Human -Todd Rundgren
  188. 187. Peace Of Mind -Iron Maiden
  189. 188. The Best Of -Hall & Oates
  190. 189. Frampton Comes Alive -Peter Frampton
  191. 190. Its' Naz -Nazareth
  192. 191. Mad Dogs And Englishmen -Joe Cocker
  193. 192. Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley -Robert Palmer
  194. 193. Imagine -John Lennon
  195. 194. Bad Attitude -Meat Loaf
  196. 195. Dancin' on The Edge -Lita Ford
  197. 196. In The Dark -Grateful Dead
  198. 197. Repo Man Soundtrack -Various Artists
  199. 198. 3.V -Zebra
  200. 199. Lark's Tongues In Aspic -King Crimson
  201. 200. Morrison Hotel -The Doors


Saturday, May 8, 2010

"YOU CAN'T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT"


Sam Cutler has delivered the goods in his new novel about working as tour manager for both the Rolling Stones and the Grateful Dead. The book is refreshingly intelligent and well written. From the moment I started reading the first pages, I read the book straight through cover to cover. I could immediately identify with Cutler’s passion as both a writer and a man behind the scenes. This passion lives and breathes close to my heart as I’ve been continuously working on my own memoir involving my work behind the rock and roll curtain, specifically my personal and professional experiences also had within the Grateful Dead family.

Whereas the Stones and the infamous battle of Altamont are concerned, General Cutler puts you there like no other interpretation I’ve ever read or seen. The author celebrates the accomplishments, failures and utter chaos that define the human condition; especially when that human is subjected to the war like conditions of a massive public gathering gone horribly mad. History has indeed shown us that these events and the people involved in them were significantly important. Sam gives us an inside perspective like no other could. He lived it, he breathed it, he bled it and now he delivers it to us in a well reflected essay for us to enjoy and contemplate.

Personally I absolutely loved reading his version of events and I highly recommend to all to get back on the bus for this one, it’s a worthy trip.

-Dewey Paul Moffitt

Thursday, October 8, 2009

NEW ACE FREHLEY CD!


Ace Frehley’s 'Anomaly' is deeper, more talented and soulful than all the post-1983 KISS albums combined.

Ace Frehley is the reason I began to play guitar when I was nine and listening to this album makes me feel like a kid all over again. For many years, my guitar hero had disappeared so far into the disappointing influences of alcohol and drug addiction that I was convinced the world would never get him back. We are so fortunate that our space hero not only survived his excesses but has actually returned to earth and finally delivered a classic rock and roll album that makes you want to just forget that the post-1983 KISS ever happened.

The songwriting is so pure and true it gets into your head and your heart like only iconic rock legends can do. Ace certainly has something to say and he delivers his introspection with pure sonic grace (no boom necessary). There is no lack of passion on the soaring instrumentals either. Frehley's classic and harmonious tone would make Les Paul very proud.

The CD packaging was an unexpected bonus... nice touch Ace!

These songs are well worth the wait and my compliments to Anton Fig and Frank Munoz for their outstanding contributions. There is an overall album feel like something you would expect to come out in the late '70s but laced with maturity and a modern production quality.

Ace along with Marti Frederikson absolutely nailed "Fox On The Run" and makes you wonder why this classic has not been delivered by Frehley in the past. Check out track 11... "It's A Great Life" -what a hidden gem. It reminds me of something Brian Eno would produce for the Talking Heads or Roxy Music.

Frehley has proven again that he is the real heart and soul behind what we loved so much about KISS. Internally, we have always known this and thank God Ace has finally accepted it. 'Anomaly' is the proof that, with integrity, Ace has risen above and beyond his former band mates fraudulent attempts to keep the KISS cash machine rolling.

Thank you Mr. Frehley for sharing your passion with the world again.

-Dewey Paul Moffitt

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Austin. 18-19 July 2009.


Austin, Texas is a very hot town this time of year... temperatures were in the triple digits during our recent visit there. Saturday the 18th was an extremely special occasion as we played the Kilgore-Karnes wedding just outside of town with yours truly as the best man. The setting was just incredible -we played outside under an old oak tree to many old and new friends.

Sunday the 19th we performed at Lake Travis' Iguana Grill. I can honestly say the people of Austin are very attentive when it comes to live music. I personally felt very appreciative performing for such an enthusiastic audience. Although I have always loved Austin, I now have a new appreciation for the local music fans there... thank you... we shall return soon.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Telluride. 10-11 July 2009. Bubble Lounge.


For those of you that know me well, you know that I am passionately in love with the village of Telluride, Colorado. My life changed there in 1991 when Bill Graham hired me to work stage production for his Mid-Summer Music Festival. That led to my working behind the scenes with the Grateful Dead in the years following.

I have only returned to Telluride a handful times since 1991 and every time I do I am reminded of the magical energy that town possesses. Last weekend was no exception. The Bubble Lounge is cozy little oxygen bar located next door to the legendary bakery, Baked In Telluride. 18 years ago I used to play my acoustic guitar on the Baked In porch.

The shows I performed last weekend were very fun acoustic shows for some really great people. On Saturday, I was joined by percussionist John "JB" Bunting. The show went on after KOTO's annual Doo-Dah concert in the park, which featured two bands I used to pomote back in my Gainesville days: George Clinton & The P-funk All-stars and Rusted Root.

I cannot wait until I can return to Telluride with the full band. I'm hoping it will be very soon. Meabwhile, I posted some great pictures of the area on my facebook page here: TELLURIDE PHOTO GALLERY

Next weekend: Austin, Texas... yeeeeehaw!!!

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Limited time CD and T-shirt offer

Hello everyone,

The new Dewey Paul Band CD, "Ancient heart" (with Bill McKay and Arnie J. Green) has arrived! The CD will not be available through on-line stores for another month or so. However, we are looking to generate some funds for our upcoming tour and could use your help. We will mail the new CD out to you right away if you can contribute with one of the following options.

For $10 flat, you get two (2) copies of the new CD (option A) or one of the new CD and one of last year's masterpiece "On The Devil's Highway" (option B). Either way, you get two CDs for ten bucks and FREE SHIPPING & HANDLING.

-or-

For $20 flat, you get one of the above options PLUS a two-sided short sleeve Dewey Paul Band T-shirt (black with Hawk and PBR-DPB logo). Sizes are regular XL/L or baby doll L/M. That's two CDs and a shirt for just twenty bucks and FREE S&H.

Please make payments via Paypal to deweypaulband@gmail.com. Be sure to include your choices/sizes and mailing address. You will receive two confirmation emails, one via Paypal and one via gmail.

Thank you so much for your time.

Dewey Paul Band
http://www.deweypaul.com

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Keystone. 20 June 2009. Summer Solstice at the GOAT.


We played our longest show ever on Saturday. I could not think of a more appropriate time and place to kick off summer. The longest day of the year inspired us to perform 4 sets for Summit County locals Ellie and Dustie's wedding reception held at Keystone's GOAT Soup and Whiskey.

A fantastic time was had by all. This is our home stage where we performed last new year's eve and recorded tracks for our new CD. Oh and there was that time I beat that guy over the head with my guitar, but that's a story for another day. Saturday's celebration was a very joyous and peaceful occasion. It was wonderful to spend the day playing music and hanging out with so many local friends. If there's one venue that we will miss as we tromp through the midwest and south this summer, it will certainly be the GOAT.

songs I remember performing at this show (not in order) which represent a good cross section of the tunes we play:
you ain't goin' nowhere (dylan)
let the good times roll (dead/trad.)
when i paint my masterpiece (dylan/dead/band)
me and my uncle (dead)
all you have
atlantic city (springsteen)
one day
life by the drop > (srv)
deal > (dead)
life by the drop
colorado rain
nowhere road (steve earle)
hard sun (eddie vedder)
a good year
this is my masterpiece
tonight i'll be staying here with you (dylan)
jack straw (dead)
sugaree (dead)
get up jake (the band)
tulsa time > (don williams/clapton)
women are smarter > (trad./dead)
ride me high > (jj cale/panic)
travelin' light > (jj cale/panic)
you've got another thing comin' (j priest)
said the man with a cane
cleaning windows (van morrison)
a good year
they call me the breeze > (jj cale)
goin' down (trad/cale/beck)
goin down the road feeling bad > (woody guthrie/dead)
loose lucy (dead)
fortunate son (fogerty)
tangled up in blue (dylan)
down by the river (neil young)
cc rider (trad./dead)
dark hollow (trad./dead)

and there were a few others.