The Bluemoon Song Cup 2023

[City Hobgoblin]

Solo artists seem to be the mega popular artists in the US? Including in genres like Country - Garth Brooks, Willie Nelson, Shania Twain etc.
The Beach Boys seem to be sort of cross-generational national treasures?
Rap and Hip-Hop really exploded, as mentioned.

In terms of rock I'd suggest The Velvets for influence. In terms of shifting units probably Fleetwood Mac, Bon Jovi and the dreaded Eagles?

 

[chesterbells]

Voted Beatles but that ragged live version posted did Jimi no favours whatsoever. This studio version sounds much superior imho

 

[FogBlueInSanFran]

Solo artists seem to be the mega popular artists in the US? Including in genres like Country - Garth Brooks, Willie Nelson, Shania Twain etc.
The Beach Boys seem to be sort of cross-generational national treasures?
Rap and Hip-Hop really exploded, as mentioned.

In terms of rock I'd suggest The Velvets for influence. In terms of shifting units probably Fleetwood Mac, Bon Jovi and the dreaded Eagles?

I don’t consider FM American, but after adding Nicks and Buckingham they had a fantastic run. Bon Jovi were harmless, but among The Eagles many sins, I believe “The Long Run” is one of the worst records ever made.

 

[RandolphMABlue]

Brits get to claim a whole host of contenders for greatest band ever, but back to an off-topic I've brought up before -- who's the greatest American rock band? "Band" because I'm leaving off artists like Dylan and Springsteen and Elvis as "solo" artists.

It's very, very controversial, and I wouldn't do it, but I actually think you could craft at least a credible argument for Beastie Boys in terms of popularity and influence. A topic for another time though.

One could also make a good argument for The Byrds. From the early folk-rock of Mr. Tambourine Man, thru the early psychedelia of Eight Miles High and Wasn't Born to Follow, then on to the seminal country rock of Sweetheart of the Rodeo, the Byrds were constantly evolving and left an incredible legacy.

 

[bennyboy]

Remember -- I'm NOT making the argument -- I'm saying you COULD -- depending on how important you think hip-hop is in terms of American music genres and the evolution of rock/pop.

I've seen cogent arguments for The Beach Boys, Grateful Dead, REM, The Ramones, Talking Heads and others. It's why I think it's an interesting topic.

I think my favo(u)rite American band is probably Steely Dan btw, but hard to call them the "greatest" when they operated outside a lot of traditional norms. Anyhow -- don't want to derail -- just added it on OPs mention of the Beasties.

Steely Dan is one of my greatest disappointments in music.
Saw a clip of Reelin in the Years on the Old Grey Whistle Test and was blown away by them.
Turned out about the only thing i have liked from them.
Springsteen another.Rosilita and Born to Run on the same show.Nothing else after bar a couple of songs.
I suppose we all have them.Groups with a couple of songs you loved but you found them to be disappointing after.
A thread in there somewhere.

 

[FogBlueInSanFran]

Steely Dan is one of my greatest disappointments in music.
Saw a clip of Reelin in the Years on the Old Grey Whistle Test and was blown away by them.
Turned out about the only thing i have liked from them.
Springsteen another.Rosilita and Born to Run on the same show.Nothing else after bar a couple of songs.
I suppose we all have them.Groups with a couple of songs you loved but you found them to be disappointing after.
A thread in there somewhere.

That’s remarkable. That said, I think a lot of folks think “Reeling In The Years” is their best song, so I get it. And they definitely got slicker and jazzier as time went on and they became studio recluses.

 

[mancity111]

I don’t think they made a single bad album and they made, what, ten? As usual (no shock) you and I agree on their two best! I just think in terms of influence they are less significant because their sound was so unique AND because it required session musicians who were really skilled. No one could copy them even if they wanted to. They’re in a category by themselves. Maybe that’s enough for “greatest”, but I think influence is important to my definition.

I always thought they were in a category by themselves which is why many would not consider them for greatest category as both you and I define greatest but in part that is precisely why I was always drawn to them. In their own way , the right way IMO they expected perfection and that meant in part on obtaining session muso's who were just first rate and I am sure on many occasion drove to consume much harder liquor etc than otherwise. They never let me down and I cannot say that for many an artist.

I know many would rate the likes of the Eagles as having greater influence and tenure to laying claim as a " greater " band but no , not for me its Steely Dan hands down in terms of respect , sound , musicianship , song , emotion and even influence and I agree the Long Run is a shocker and amid much ridicule bar perhaps one or two songs Hotel California not much better. I don't have a single song of theirs in my play list and like Billy Joel and perhaps Bob Seger as individual artists they are much overrated but I wouldn't castigate someone who prefers to listen to these artists as opposed to Steely Dan I just know that don't appreciate what they are missing out on.

 

[cyan]

Greatest American band?

Holland-Dozier-Holland

 

[hilts]

Greatest American band?

Holland-Dozier-Holland

The Dutch solicitors?

 

[hilts]

I say, steady on............

Haha you're kidding?

Americas best band.