Top 5 Female vocalists

I am trying not to let classics rule this list. Just because the voice is older doesn't make it better. However, the older voices are known for a reason.

Shirley Manson- Out of everyone on this list, except may

be Karen O and definitely Grace Slick, she ROCKED. That is not common for a female voice.

Duffy, New on the scene, but I just can't get enough pf her songs. She is a as great of a songwriter/performer as she is musician, which is a reason she only gets an honorable mention here, even though she is more my favorite than many

on the Top 5.

Karen O (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)- I am shocked she doesn't make the Top 5. But that is the trouble with a top 5 list. There can only be 5. I gave her an honorable mention only because her band adds a lot to her sound.

Billy Holliday- Alright, possibly her voice is better than some in my top 5, but I don't really crave listening to Billie Holiday, so I couldn't, in good conscience, put her in my top 5.

5. Beth Gibbons (Portishead),

This chick's voice is fuckin' sick. She invokes amazing levels of emotion. Her surprise lyrics don't hurt either.

4. Grace Slick (Jefferson Starship),

Grace Slick was fucked up. But like many great musicians her unfortunate drug addictions either helped or didn't hinder her amazing songs. Amazing.

3 Aretha Franklin,

Give R-E-S-P-E-C-T where it is due. This lady had pipes.

2. Zooey Deschanel, Yeah, I know what your thinking, "Why is she in the top 5 with Aretha and Ella?" Well, history aside, I think Zooey's voice is legendary. It's rare I think its shame someone got success as an actor before their fame as a musician, because Zooey makes ridiculously good music.

1 .Ella Fitzgerald,

How many people have fallen in love without one of her songs as part of the theme track? I don't know any, myself included. She is inconquerable. And I don't use that word lightly.

Top 5 Gastronomical Reasons I am Looking Forward to Europe

Rissotto in Venice, Venice is one of the two regions responsible for Rissotto, one of my favorite dishes to make.

Lamb in Nice, If any place knows how to make lamb right, its France. I understand Nice has some of the best restaurants for lamb in France.

Brian's Indian Cooking, When the friend we are staying with in Germany learned that Jodie and I loved Indian cooking, he made it his goal to perfect his Indian recipes. I look forward to comparing notes with him. Especially since Indian food is not my specialty.

Pizza in Rome, Pizza will be different in Italy, I imagine, but it is also its birth

place and I can't wait to try it.

Meat (Hopefully Goat) in Florence, Tuscany has less pasta and more MEAT. They season it simply and marinate, slow-cook or grill it. Mmmmm...meat.

Prosciutto from Italy, I LOVE Prosciuotto, I can't wait to try the real thing.

Cheese Fondue in Germany, My imperfect and incorrect understanding is that they serve cheese fondue before every meal in Germany. They also pass it out free in the streets, and each bite of fondue grants you three wishes.

A REAL Bratwurst in Munich, I

love German cooking and feel a little embarassed that nothing German made it to the top 5. Scnitzel, Spaetzel, etc. all are amazing.

5. Wine in Avignon (Hopefully Chateneuf du Pape,)

The French perfected wine before America was even discovered by Europeans. Their weather isn't as good as ours for wine, but

their centuries of knowledge more than makes up for it.

4. Bread & Cheese in Paris,

I hear their bread and cheese is unlike anywhere else in the world.

3. Pesto in Cinque Terre,

Can these simple ingredients be better in another place in the world? Well, the Italian River

ia invented centuries ago, so if they don't know how to make perfect, who does.

This has been my wife's favorite food since diapers, and she has de

finitley onverted me. I make it frequently.

2. Trappist Beer in Belgium,

This list is full if, "they invented this, they invented that." I'mm sure you're thinking, "what the hell else could they hav

e invented over there?" Well, try BEER.

Trappist Monks #1: "W'ere too poor to afford wine for the sacrament, so we'll have to ferment something else."

Trappist Monk #2: "What could we possibly ferment?"

Trappist Monk #1: "We have tons of Barley, Hops, and Wheat..."

Trappist Monk #2: "Well, that sounds delicious, Trappist Monk One. Perhaps if we add Yeast we can create another beverage of the Gods."

...And so they did. Never again ask what God has done for you, boys and girls. God has given you BEER.

1. Oktoberfest, Yes, I am aware this is the second consecutive listing in the top 5 concerning beer, but I'm going to be in Munich during Oktoberfest! I am going to be in the beer festival capital of the world, in the middle of the BEER FESTIVAL OF THE WORLD. That is not an exxaggeration. That is the fact. Even children drink beer in Munich during Oktoberfest. My ancestors drank beer every year in Munich on Oktoberfest. It's Oktoberfest, man. What Fest is better than a fest celebrating the greatness of BEER? None, I tell you. Oktoberfest shall be the second best day of my life. Not that I expect to remember a whole lot.