woody allen top 5

One of the reasons why I love New York so much is Woody Allen. The first movie I saw of his was Manhattan Murder Mystery. I must have been 12 years old, and (luckily) I didn’t get a lot of the jokes about the problems that come with neuroses and women. Still, there was something that I really liked about the man: the way he talked, complained, pondered about life and enjoyed the arts. How he depicted New York also struck a chord: a city where you could find something and someone new every day.

The other night, the IFC channel showed two Woody movies in a row: Manhattan and Annie Hall. These are considered his classics, but I don’t rate Manhattan among his best work – although the opening sequence, the photography and Isaac’s list of what makes life worthwhile are truly brilliant.

Anyway, here’s my Woody top 5:

Crimes and Misdemeanors

Hannah and her Sisters

Annie Hall

Husbands and Wives

Zelig

CMJ 2009

The CMJ Festival in New York was an overwhelming experience but a bit of a letdown as well.

All the venues were spread out over the city so it took a while to get around from one place to the other. And most venues we’re really small.  I didn’t really get a festival feeling of being together with a large crowd of celebratory, like-minded people. But maybe it’s also due to the fact that I link festivals to summertime and except for one sunny day, it was very rainy.

Another downer was that the line-up wasn’t that great. Most of the 1,000 acts were unknown, smaller bands trying to get a record deal. Then again, I did do some cool discoveries and my press badge gave me the chance to visit a lot of those notorious NYC clubs (Cake Shop, Piano’s, Knitting Factory etc).

My 3 favorite acts (they really blew me away):

Lewis & Clarke: best sound

Dolorean: best songs

J.T. Bauer: best voice

3 favorite bruce songs per album

songs are listed in album order

Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.
Spirit in the Night
(this is the only song that I really like from this album)

The Wild, The Innocent and the E Street Shuffle
Kitty’s Back
Rosalita (come out tonight)
New York City Serenade

Born to Run
Thunder Road
Tenth-Avenue Freeze Out
Jungleland

Darkness on the Edge of Town
Badlands
Racing in the Street
Prove it All Night

The River (since this is a double album I allowed myself to be greedy)
The Ties That Bind
Two Hearts
Independence Day
The River
Stolen Car (the Tracks version is even better)
Drive All Night

Nebraska
Atlantic City
Highway Patrolman
State Trooper

Born in the USA
Downbound Train
I’m on Fire
Dancing in the Dark

Tunnel of Love
Tougher than the Rest
Brilliant Disguise
One Step Up

Human Touch
Human Touch
I Wish I Were Blind
A Man’s Job

Lucky Town
Lucky Town
If I Should Fall Behind
My Beautiful Reward

The Ghost of Tom Joad
The Ghost of Tom Joad
Straight Time
Across the Border

The Rising
Into the Fire
Further on the Road
The Rising

Devils and Dust
Devils and Dust
Long Time Comin’
Jesus Was an Only Son

Magic
Radio Nowhere
Long Walk Home
Devil’s Arcade

Working on a Dream
This Life
Kingdome of Days
The Wrestler