It’s a great conversation starter. In “1,000 Recordings To Hear Before You Die,” longtime music writer Tom Moon lays out a comprehensive list of songs and albums that he considers musts. This is bound to set off harrumphing and howling. He will be in Chicago on Monday to defend his choices. Face Time had a few questions for him:
Q. So, how much griping have you heard about what you didn’t include?
A. [Laughs.] That, of course, is part of it. Any act of curating involves leaving something out.
But, I hope that what comes through is the diversity of what’s there.
Q. Uh, why Britney Spears?
A. I wanted to represent at least one example of the art of the pop single after 2000.
I was at the gym one day and I heard ‘Toxic’ … and I was stunned. Forget about this woman as a tabloid creature. … The song is pretty great, and it holds up really well. … Not to say it’s more important than Billy Joel or Bach, but … it does what it sets out to do so well.
Q. Can you imagine people lovingly listening to “Hella Good” and “Ray of Light” (both of which are in the book) years from now?
A. In the case of “Ray of Light,” without a doubt. If and when music scholars really look at the “Ray of Light” record, people will take that apart and their jaws will drop. I think that record is a gem. … In 50 years, people will still be listening to that album.
Q. Are there any Chicago artists that you think will continue to impress over the years? Any future classics here in our city?
A. Eleventh Dream Day and Tortoise. … There’s a lot of that stuff that will hang on and will cast a wider and deeper influence than it has.
Q. What are your thoughts about Wilco?
A. When you see bands like Wilco evolving … that’s a rare thing. They are one of the best examples of that. … Having the guts to let your band evolve in this current climate is laudable. We see that on all their records.
Q. Where are the Smashing Pumpkins? “Gish” is pretty great, no?
A. [Sighs.] So many people think Billy [Corgan] and what they were [in the ’90s] was so important, and I gotta say that partly because of his voice, these records don’t stay with me. I found myself thinking that this guy was good on the radio in one- or two-song doses.
Over time, I think these records will be less prophetic.
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More Top Picks Pliers Set
Moon will be at the University Club at noon Monday. Tickets are $25 and can be reserved through the Book Stall in Winnetka. The event includes lunch, and Moon will discuss the genesis of “1,000 Recordings” and play some songs.