Neil and Randy...

So, in my haste to put together my pretentious "check me out I listen to Thelonious Monk and The Beatles" diatribe, I omitted two of the greatest living songwriters on the planet: Neil Young and Randy Newman.

So, mea culpas all around... and I will say, with just a little smugness, that I am glad I grew up in a generation when you could hear cats like these on top 40 pop radio. Seriously, could you imagine "Heart of Gold" or "Old Man" - both bona fide hit singles - on a Top 40 station today? (answer: no, no you couldn't). "Heart of Gold" actually went to number one on the singles chart - maiking it the only time a Neil single would be on the top of the hit parade. Anyway, everything cost a nickel back then too... it also snowed as I walked uphill to go to school obviously, blah blah blah... Goddam kids today don't understand the struggle.

Anyway, sit back and enjoy the two videos below, won't you...? Thanks much.