Coolest Guitar Solo of 2007

Hands down, Nels Cline guitar solo on Wilco’s “Impossible Germany.”  I heard the song several times before I knew who the band was, but I recognized Nels’ sound instantly. The solo ranks up there with Richard Thompson’s solo on “The Border” and Television’s “Marquee Moon”

Favorite Amoeba Hollywood In-Store Performances:

Vieux Farka Toure: Best son of a famous father to perform at Amoeba this year.

Paul McCartney:  For the sheer madness of it all.

Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings:  The best in-store of the year.

Ollin:  The Chicano and Irish group performed Pogues covers for St. Patrick’s Day. They were so good The Pogues took them on tour.

Money Mark:  Money Mark’s back-up singers that night were Petra Haden and Cava. Are you kidding me?  It made all his sweet pop songs sweeter.

Antibalas:  It doesn't matter to me who left in the group, that they aren’t African or didn’t create Afro-Beat, the band still delivers and delivered that night.

Brother Ali:  Ali brought back that 1990’s Ice Cube flow to Amoeba that night.