Random Shuffle Shocker: Old White Guys Do It Better!

I'm talking about making rock & roll music, any old way you use it. What the fuck else could I be talking about anyway, you salacious, race-based bastards?

Generally speaking -- or should that be generally blogging - I'm not a big fan of the white man. In politics, for instance, or corporate America, white dudes are generally overpaid and frankly overrated. But late last night I was listening to my iPod on Random Shuffle and heard "Scare Easy" from the recent album by Mudcrutch, the original group that brought Tom Petty from Florida to El Lay. The band featured two other eventual Heartbreakers - the perennially under worshiped god Mike Campbell and the eternal keyboard guru Benmont Tench, as well as guitarist Tom Leadon and drummer Randall Marsh who missed out on rock fame by that much, as Maxwell Smart might say. Proving that sometimes late actually is better than never, Mudcrutch have delivered not only one of the year's greatest rock album, but one of Petty's better efforts ever. I was fortunate enough to catch Mudcrutch during a recent show at the Troubadour in West Hollywood, and it was one of the most joyous, life-affirming concerts in recent memory. Old white guys may not be able to last quite as long as they once did, but at least we try hard, and like Petty says, we don't scare easy.

Here's further proof that after we Caucasians give up our historic hold on the presidency -- as well we goddamn should -- there ought to still be some gigs left over for old white guys -- which for the purposes of this discussion covers anyone over the age of 40.

HOME BEFORE DAWN -- Neil Diamond.
Both Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench can be heard on Diamond's latest and arguably greatest album - a mature and extremely passionate song cycle. To borrow a phrase from one of the inspired songs here, he shows some "Pretty Amazing Grace" for a white guy at any age. Home Before Dawn recently became Diamond's first #1 album ever -- one of the most encouraging and attractive examples ever of a mature white guy on top.

NOTHING BUT THE BEST -- Frank Sinatra
Okay, the Voice may have been silenced, and the man only rocked and rolled the way he wanted to, yet I defy you to find a better singer than Old Blue Eyes anywhere on the charts. Want to know why Sinatra still matters and charts so well? Take one listen to the opening "Come Fly With Me" and feel it for yourself, boys and girls. As an old white guy from the Garden State myself, the Chairman still makes me proud.

HALFWAY, PLEASED -- Curt Smith
For some, Smith may be just the other white guy in Tears For Fears, but to me, he's an old friend and fellow dad who's just made one of the stronger albums of 2008 by writing and singing beautifully about his own middle ages. As he presents songs about life, love and family here, there are moments of pure harmonic convergence that reminded me of Brian Wilson at his best. And speaking of Brian Wilson at his very best, I just got a first sneak preview of his upcoming album. Get ready because it's not just some marketing line this time -- Brian's Back!

DETOURS -- Sheryl Crow
Okay, so Sheryl is clearly a woman -- a still red hot woman too, I'll unnecessarily mention -- but do yourself a favor and give this album a first or second chance because Crow has come through the good, the bad and ugly, and delivered her best and most pointed album yet. I've known Sheryl a bit since before she had an album out, and I've never felt her put more of herself in her music. This is a heartbreaking yet inspiring album that I suggest old white guys put on as they do the right thing and write those checks to the Obama campaign in the months still to come.

Comments

[SallyMutant]

Your column is an affront to the late Mr. Diddley. And Jelly Roll Morton. And Fletcher Henderson. And Joe Williams. And Big Joe Turner. And Wynonie Harris. And Sam Cooke. And Jackie Wilson. And Ray Charles. And James Brown. And Curtis Mayfield. And Marvin Gaye.
Though it should be pointed out that very very old white guys can truly cook--look at Scarlatti and Bach.

[LiberalBuzz]

"Here's further proof that after we Caucasians give up our historic hold on the presidency -- as well we goddamn should "

One of the most racist comments I've read here in a long time. Since when should ANYONE HAVE to give up anything. Are you suggesting that we now put the presidency of the U.S. under Affirmative Action now? Obama is doing well BECAUSE HE IS QUALIFIED and that is what defines who should lead us, NOT HIS COLOR. (yeah there is good arguments about some past leaders (Bush, Bush, Raygun), but that is hardly because they were white. Can you imagine this country under Malcom X or Farrakhan or Sharpton?

AND further you really don't have a clue do you about music? You have YOUR tastes, but your definitions of what is the best are pretty bad.

Just sayin', ya know?

[twohearts]

Nothing against old white guys (Jagger & his ilk, for example), but you're crazy. N Diamond = rock & roll?? Sheryl Crow ? Frank Sinatra is rock and roll? What? What about old black guys or women of any stripe?

Tears for Fears was nothing without Oleta Adams. There are so many younger, black girls or even white ones I can think of that are far better than Sheryl C. So, she's pretty good & has found some good songs & musicians. Good for her.
Ever heard of Joan Armatrading, Indie Arie, Melissa Etheridge, Jimi Hendrix? Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell? etc. etc....OK, they're not all alive, and labels can be silly, but really....­.These people changed music a lot.
Well, I could go on & on, but it's bedtime & it's not my column. :-)

[situationcritical]

I assume you're referring to the old white guys who stole rock and roll from young black guys.

[wayoutleft]

old white guys can always get their music on barack's ipod

[Desiderata]

Excuse me, but this old white guy would like to recommend under the Neil Diamond "best of the best" catagory his underappreciated "TapRoot Manuscript" album. Not only is the B-side "African Trilogy" the pinacle of hisgreatness before his gradual decline to mediocrity and Christmas tunes, but the A side "Coldwater Morning" should have been as big a hit as any of his early, serious, compositions.

Age tamed Diamond to the catchy tune, and the words and music that wroungout souls was sacrificed to the commercial.