“Tacos are like what the voices of a hundred angels singing Bob Dylan while sitting on rainbows and playing banjos would taste like if that sound were edible.”
- Isabel Quintero
Here's a pointless exercise that I came across recently. I thought I'd give it a go just for the folly of it, but it turned out to be surprisingly distressing. For it, you must return to an island that you are deserted on. You are to pick one band or solo artist for each letter of the alphabet that you would want to have with you until you are found (if that happens). Like I said, it turned out to be a challenging activity. Some Sophie's Choices had to be made. Though I would have liked to have included some younger artists/bands that I enjoy, I tended to go with older ones because of the large body of their work.
You drop the “The” from band names and you use the first letter of the last name of solo artists. Here goes.
A - The Allman Brothers: Right off the bat I'm faced with a gut-wrenching choice. It could have easily been AC/DC, Aerosmith, Ryan Adams, Bryan Adams, The Avett Brothers. I quote Charlie Brown, “Aaugh!”
B - The Beatles: Really a no-brainer although Big Star, Bad CO and The Black Crowes made strong pitches.
C. The Cars: An embarrassment of riches here. CCR, Cracker, Counting Crows. But still…
D. Dire Straits: This one hurt. Can you imagine having to leave off Dylan? And Drivin'-n-Cryin' are near and dear to me. I understand, Sophie!
E. The Eagles: Their catalog of gems is just too huge to skip. Kathleen Edwards and Steve Earle in the shadows.
F. Fleetwood Mac: Gotta go with them.
G. The Guess Who: The Goo Goo Dolls came to mind but, I guess, No Sugar Tonight for them.
H. The Hold Steady: I went with them over Heart. Tough choice. Also, Imogen Heap. Love her.
I. Ingram Hill: It's a sentimental pick. They were a band of youngsters from east Memphis that had a couple of fine albums out in the early 2000s.
J. Jason and the Scorchers: I want some Cow Punk on the island.
K. Robert Earl Keen: Solo work by Kevn Kinney from Drivin'-n-Cryin' was a consideration.
L. Lynyrd Skynyrd: Sorry Led Zeppelin and Miranda Lambert. I didn't even blink.
M. John Mellencamp: No debate.
N. Shane Nicholson: I'm going with him, by golly.
O. The Outlaws: Over The Outfield and Oasis. Guitar gunslinging wins out.
P. John Prine: I understand. No harder choice than picking Prine over Petty.
Q. Queen: I guess.
R. R.E.M.: This was hard. I'm leaving off Bob Dylan AND The Rolling Stones. I may burst into flames.
S. Todd Snider: Todd is the man. He and John Prine will provide some levity for my lonely desert existence. Squeeze, Mindy Smith, Martin Sexton and Steely Dan were on the ballot, though. Springsteen…nope, not anymore.
T. Toto: Turnpike Troubadours a strong second.
U. Uncle Tupelo: Over U2. Boy, that took some hard thinking. I guess I'm staying with my roots.
V. Van Halen: I mean, there's Van Morrison and The Velvet Underground, but, nah.
W. Wilco: Definitely could have gone with Loudon Wainwright III or The Weepies. Again, went with the roots.
X. XTC: Then She Appeared.
Y. Neil Young: Is there another choice?
Z. Warren Zevon: My immediate choice was ZZ Top, but I know them too well. I went with Zevon for his range and sardonic wit.