Rex's Top Ten For 2009

Succumbing to vast listener demand, Rex has authored a Top Ten List for 2009. Here are this year's nominees:

1)Hank Ballard "Nothing But Good" Boxed Set (Bear Family)

Our RnB Godhead finally gets the lavish reissue treatment he so richly deserves.

2)Trashmen at the WFMU Record Fair.
Ringo may hate 'em, but the first ever appearance by the T-Men in NYC will never be forgotten. Re-live the magic thanks to Martin Waters Here!

3)Bo Diddley "Ride On" 2-CD (Hip-O-Select)

Several unissued cuts here reaffirm Bo's stature as the greatest American ever. "Bring Them Back Alive" is required listening.

4)The Art of Harvey Kurtzman: The Mad Genius of Comics.

You can keep the Koran...this is our sacred text.

5)Sun Ra "Rocket Ship Rock" LP/CD (Norton)

Previously unissued takes from Yochanan (The Space Age Vocalist) just when the world needed them the most.


6)Tito's Tacos Culver City, California

Cheap in the best sense of the word. Greasy in the best sense of the word.

7)Roy Loney and Cyril Jordan of the Flamin' Groovies at Southpaw, Brooklyn, NY.
What a thrill to see the legendary San Francisco band that gave a stiff middle-finger to all the dull, dopey 60s hippy-dippies that ruined that region.

8)Warren Oates: A Wild Life (Screen Classics) by Susan A. Compo.
An unsung hero of the silver screen who brought an unhinged intensity to every role he ever played.

9)R&B Humdingers CD series
A great six volume (and counting?) set of 50s/60s vocal group and R&B rarities filled with Fool's Paradise favorites...highly recommended for your home stereo collection.

10)The Bobbettes and the Ponderosa Stomp at Lincoln Center (and on WFMU).
Hear them sing the censored, original version of "Mr. Lee" on the special Music to Spazz By broadcast!

And, of course, the launch of the Rock and Soul Ichiban blog and webstream (where the Hell else would you see a Fool's Paradise Top Ten?)