Top 50 Favorite Music Artists

Six years ago, while I lived in Chicago, I posted a well thought out list of my top 50 favorite musical artists, The 50 Greats. The list has been long over due for an update, so I figured it was a great way to start the new year. Each year I try to adjust the list as I come to appreciate new artists while letting go of others. It's a top 50 list that I have put much thought into over the past few years. It slightly changes each year as I increase my general understanding of music. For the most part, the top 10 is quite the same as my original list, which I think is a clear statement of the artists' musical impact on me. Another thing to note from this list is my wide range of genres, from classic rock, electronic, classical, jazz, blues, rap, and many more. I enjoy it all! So without further ado here is my carefully conceived list of top 50 musical greats.

50. Tom Petty
Genre: Heartland Rock
Years Active: 1969-present
Nationality: American
Previous Position: #41 (Up 9 spots)

Significance: I've always dubbed Petty as a "Man of the Midwest", perhaps cause of his mention of an Indiana town in Last Dance with Mary Jane. Although he was born in Florida, his music is the essence of heartland rock. His music has always been a go-to for parties and jamming with the family.

49. Antonio Vivaldi
Genre: Baroque Composer
Years Active: 1703-1740
Nationality: Italian
Previous Position: #27 (Up 22 spots)

Significance: He can be considered one of the most influential baroque composers alongside Bach, and most significant for his violin concertos. His Four Seasons series is one of the most recognized works of violin music. His music has always been very soothing and relaxing to me, especially during the springtime. His name is no doubt synonymous with the violin, which happens to be my favorite instrument much thanks to his sensual music.

48. Fun.

Genre: Indie Rock
Years Active: 2008-Present
Nationality: American
Previous Position: New Addition

Significance: This is a new addition to my list, of which I have only discovered several years ago. Their musical style is quite original defined by the powerful vocals of their lead singer, Nathan Ruess. Many of these songs consist of him belting out notes in a very harmonious pitch. I first discovered them during the winter of 2012 during courier days and have enjoyed them ever since. They're one of the few modern bands of whom I try to follow with great interest.


47. Marvin Gaye

Genre: Soul
Years Active: 1961-1984
Nationality: American
Previous Position: #47 (Same)

Significance: His was the voice of soul music, paving the way for the Motown scene of the 1960s. He had so many catchy hits with his musical styles of funk, R&B, and soul. His rendition of the National Anthem at the 1983 NBA All star game remains a very iconic moment in the artist's career. His sudden death at the age of 44 (shot by his father) was just one of many sad musical tragedies. His passionate singing always resonates well and he is hands down the father of soul music in my book.


46. Bruce Springsteen

Genre: Heartland Rock, Folk
Years Active: 1965-Present
Nationality: American
Previous Position: New Addition

Significance: This is a new addition whom I never considered top 50 material, until the fall of 2012. Perhaps it was a girl, the fall weather, a trip to Bloomington, or running on the Monon that got me hooked. Before that I had always thought of Bruce as just another mainstream Rock and Roll musician, however I have now come to really appreciate his folk heartland music. He's got a very rusty soulful voice, and I enjoy many of his hits. I also enjoy his We Shall Overcome album with the E Street Band.

45. Royksopp
Genre: Electronic Downtempo
Years Active: 1998-present
Nationality: Norwegian
Previous Position: #26 (Up 19 spots)

Significance: Ever since I was in college I've come to really enjoy electronic trance and downtempo music. I first stumbled upon the relaxing melodies of Royksopp from commercials during the 2006 World Cup. Then I heard their music in the Fifa soundtrack, and instantly became a fan. I listened to their music during my time in Chicago as well as here in Indy, whether on drives, runs, chores, or just good relaxing.

44. Billie Holliday
Genre: Jazz
Years Active: 1933-1959
Nationality: American
Previous Position: New Addition

Significance: She's a new addition to my list, as I have recently come to appreciate jazz music over the years. I discovered her during my jazz phase of 2011. Her voice is so emotional and no matter what the song it has a very enticing quality to it. She was one of the first famous African American singers, a product of the jazz age and the Harlem Renaissance. To this day her music is very distinctive and a cut above most jazz singers.

43. BB King
Genre: Blues
Years Active: 1948-present
Nationality: American
Previous Position: #42 (Up 1 spot)

Significance: He is without a doubt the father of blues, and his music is a true definition of that title. It was thru my brother Philip, who I began to appreciate the art of guitar blues, and it was BB King who defines that genre. I listened to him alot during my time in Chicago 08. His music is very distinctive thanks to his deep voice and very skillful guitar technique. He is often considered one of the greatest guitarists of all time, a master in his field, and music I've enjoyed for some time now.

42. Johnny Cash

Genre: Country
Years Active: 1954-2003
Nationality: American
Previous Position: New Addition

Significance: Here's another new addition from my original list, of an artist who has grown on me over time. It's quite shocking because I've always detested country music, however Johnny Cash is quite original. In a way he could be considered the father of country music as he infused gospel with a twangy rock and roll. His voice was his defining feature as deep and distinctive as was his melodies. It was the 2005 movie, Walk the Line, that helped me appreciate this artist all the more. We also play jam to many of his melodies such as Folsom Prison Blues.  

41. Daft Punk
Genre: Electronic
Years Active: 1993-Present
Nationality: French
Previous Position: #23 (Up 18 spots)
Significance: Perhaps one of my first favorite techno artists I discovered was Daft Punk. It was during college that I began to enjoy the music of techno, specificaly thie distinctive electronic upeat sound of Daft Punk. It was great music for running yet even better for dancing and partying. Each of my younger brothers enjoyed this band as well. We'd often play their music at Kekionga summer parties by the lake.

40. Enigma
Genre: Electronic, Downtempo, Worldbeat, New Age
Years Active: 1990-2011
Nationality: German
Previous Position: #37 (Up 3 spots)

Significance: Perhaps one of the first new age/downtempo artists I got into was Enigma. It was during my grade school and high school days where my mom would often play these meditative tracks before falling asleep. This German electronic group has various melodies of culture and world-beat that I found to be very soothing. During my college days I would often fall asleep to the music of Enigma.

39. Edith Piaf
Genre: Cabaret
Years Active: 1935-1963
Nationality: French
Previous Position: New Addition

Significance: This is another new addition, of whom I did not discover until my time in Fishers, 2010. I was living in a very nice apartment, with a new job, and was going thru all sorts of musical inspiration. I believe it was a biopic I saw starring Marion Cotillard, that introduced me to this unique French musical icon. Her passionate music led me to a greater fascination for French culture. To this day I enjoy Edith Piaf's music, most especially her "La Vie en Rose".

38. Johann Sebastian Bach
Genre: Baroque Composer
Years Active: 1703-1750
Nationality: German
Previous Position: New Addition

Significance: One of many classical artists that I admired ever since I was a kid and still do today. My dad had a big collection of classical music he'd often play around the house or even on his piano. Bach's music has a very delightful melody to it. It is very easy on the ears, quite similar to Mozart's romantic style, He has so many famous melodies such as Jesu, Minuet, Tocatta and Fugue, and one of my all time favorites the Sleepers Awake (just to name a few). His biography is quite unfamiliar to me, however his music still holds a very significant place in my book.  


37. R Kelly

Genre: Rhythm and Blues
Years Active: 1989-Present
Nationality: American
Previous Position: #30 (Up 7 spots)

Significance: As I was coming of age in high school, there can be no deliberation that the music of my time was hip hop, r&b, and rap. I can't deny my roots, and many of these artists of that time will always be on my top 50 list. The music of R-Kelly is one of those examples, a very upbeat, soulful, and exciting music. He has produced numerous hits, both slow songs and party songs. Despite his controversial life, his music will always be some of my favorite hip hop. He especially reminds me of my old friend Sergio. We use to dance and belt out his songs especially Step in the Name of Love.


36: Neil Young
Genre: Folk Rock
Years Active: 1960-present
Nationality: Canadian
Previous Position: #46 (Down 10 spots)
Significance: His music is a unique fusion of classic rock and folk rock, defined by his twangy voice, rocking guitar, and poetic lyrics. I enjoyed him with Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young long before I began to understand his music as a solo artist. His albums After the Gold Rush and Harvest were his defining works of classic folk rock. He's also one of my dad's favorite musicians.


35. Paul Simon

Genre: Folk Rock; Worldbeat
Years Active: 1957-Present
Nationality: American
Previous Position: New Addition

Significance: Although some of his greatest work was during his time with Art Garfunkel, his solo career was just as significant in my book. I often consider many of my favorite artists to have had a significant group career as well as a solo career (John Lennon, Neil Young). In the case of Paul Simon he was always the artistic sole, and his solo albums such as Graceland are clear demonstrations of that. He has a poetic artistry that matches his unique vocal range.

34. Jack Johnson
Genre: Indie Rock
Years Active: 1999-present
Nationality: American
Previous Position: #36 (Down 2 spots)

Significance: His is a modern day Indie Hawaiian rock, the essence of mellow music. His soothing vocals, simple lyrics, and acoustic melodies make for many catchy songs. I often associate the music of Jack Johnson to my college days, meeting new people on campus, or just cruising around in EJ's car. His music is very relaxing and I could never get tired of.

33. Nelly

Genre: Rap
Years Active: 1993-present
Nationality: American
Previous Position: New Addition

Significance: Here is another one of my high school roots, the hip hop music of Nelly. I remember all to well the drives to school my freshmen year, listening to Country Grammar or driving with friends listening to Ride wit Me. It was no doubt the music of my coming-of-age as a whole new world began to unveil itself. Whether it was girls, drinking, cruising, or partying with friends there was always the rebellious rap music of Nelly.


32. Bon Iver
Genre: Indie Rock
Years Active: 2007-Present
Nationality: American
Previous Position: New Addition

Significance: This is another new addition to the list, part of my musical inspiration of 2010. Perhaps it was the environment of the BACA and my coworkers, yet I got hooked on various new artists in those days such as (Phoenix, Vampire Weekend, etc). I don't remember whether it was a co-worker or a self discovery, yet they were a very non mainstream group, and had such a unique almost trance-like quality about them. Its not hard yet more a soft almost psychedelic rock band. Their lead singer, Justin Vernon, is the core of the group, and offers such a great soft and sustaining pitch to the group. For Emma was my favorite song for some time during the springtime of 2010.


31. Carlos Santana
Genre: Classic Rock

Years Active: 1966-Present
Nationality: Mexican
Previous Position: #14 (Up 17 spots)

Significance: He is considered one of the greatest guitarists of all time, and is influential for his infusion of Latin style rock. I became familiar with the name Carlos Santana as early as my high school days however did not appreciate him until college. It was during the summer of 2005 that I joined Sergio, Lauren, and my brother on the ultimate hippy road trip to go watch him live in concert. We got extremely drunk and stayed at a campsite nearby after the concert. It was a very memorable experience and the music was phenomenal. To this day he is one of my favorite rock artists.


30. The Who
Genre: Classic Rock
Years Active: 1964-Present
Nationality: British
Previous Position: #18 (Up 12 spots)

Significance: During my classic rock phase of 2006-2007, I began to admire the hard rock of The Who. I remember listening to their music on my travels for Sportvision and even watching the rock opera film Tommy. I came to admire Roger Daltry's powerful vocals and Pete Townshends' destructive guitar style. In 2010 one of my coworkers from the BACA gave me several of their live performances on dvd, and I came to enjoy the band all the more.


29. Phoenix

Genre: Indie Rock
Years Active: 1999-present
Nationality: French
Previous Position: New Addition

Significance: I caught on to this Indie Rock band during my 2010 musical phase, however I had heard of their hits a couple years earlier. Their early claim to fame was 1901, a very modern rock party song which I enjoyed while living in Chicago. Their music has great vocals, and a unique fusion of electronic and rock and roll. They remind me of my cousin Jennifer or just driving around Fishers during my days at the BACA.


28. Rolling Stones
Genre: Classic Rock
Years Active: 1962-present
Nationality: British
Previous Position: #20 (Up 8 spots)

Significance: This is a band I've always held in high regards for their cultural impact and came to admire them during my classic rock phase of 2007. As most famous rock bands of the 60s, they're carried by their front man Mick Jagger and their skilled lead guitarist, Keith Richards. It's quite amazing they're still around today after 50 years performing and making music, however there best stuff was no doubt in there early days. They've always been one of my dad's favorite bands and we've often jammed to many of their songs.


27. Wilco
Genre: Indie Rock
Years Active: 1994-Present
Nationality: American
Previous Position: #39 (Down 12 spots)

Significance: Here's a band with a unique modern sound, a mellow experimental rock. I first got into them when I lived in Chicago in 2008, quite fittingly since they happen to be from Chicago. I would listen to them quite often on train rides or around my apartment. If I had to pick any band that would sum up my year in Chicago it would have to be Wilco. I even saw them in concert in the summer of 2013 thanks to a hookup from Lauren. Jeff Tweedy is a modern day musical genius. They have many songs that I enjoy and Impossible Germany is one of my all time favorites.


26. Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young

Genre: Folk Rock
Years Active: 1968-Present
Nationality: American
Previous Position: #17 (up 9 spots)

Significance: This group is a unique blend of classical folk rock artists, who broke away from each of their respective bands to form this popular band during the late 1960s. David Crosby came from the Byrds, Stephen Stills and Neil Young came from Buffalo Springfield, and Graham Nash came from the Hollies. Many of their songs were fueld with protest lyrics, however all had incredible acoustic guitar and harmony. I discovered them in my rock phase of 2007 and to this day often listen or jam to them with my dad. I remember enjoying them on my flights for Sportvision.


25. Frank Sinatra

Genre: Pop, Jazz
Years Active: 1935-1995
Nationality: American
Previous Position: #19 (Up 6 spots)

Significance: His crooning voice has such a distinct familiarity to it that I have known and admired most my life. Sinatra's songs have an Italian style to them, mixed with the jazz of the days, and an essence of New York/American culture. His music is quite simple. like that of a pop tune, however what makes it so significant is his incredible voice. It is a clear and precise voice that lures the listener in thru it's catchy tunes. Sinatra's music and his cultural significance or on par with that of Elvis. I'm not so much a fan of Elvis, however to me Sinatra is the defining music of American culture.


24. Fleetwood Mac

Genre: Classic Rock
Years Active: 1967-Present
Nationality: British/American
Previous Position: #33 (Down 9 spots)
Significance: It was during my Classic rock phase of 2007 that I discovered my appreciation for Fleetwood Mac. However I quickly discovered that I had already known many of their popular hits such as Dont Stop Thinking About Tomorrow which my dad, brother, and I would often jam to. Their defining feature is their lead female vocalist, Stevie Nicks, a rare thing during it's time. Their music is an infusion of folk, blues, and soft rock. They have had many hits throughout their long tenure, and their 1977 release of Rumours is regarded as one of the greatest rock albums. They have so many hits I enjoy including the instrumental Albatross and Stevie Nick's rendition of Silver Springs.


23. Beach Boys
Genre: Classic Rock
Years Active: 1961-Present
Nationality: American
Previous Position: #35 (Down 12 spots)

Significance: I have always been familiar with the catchy Beach Boy summertime music ever since I was a kid, however I began to appreciate them during my 2007 classic rock phase. There's so much depth to the Beach Boys than just that summertime pop music there often associated as. Their music is actually quite versatile, and their album Pet Sounds was a groundbreaking release of psychedelic rock during the 1960s. I've come to enjoy many of their songs and especially their instrumentals.


22. Vampire Weekend
Genre: Indie Rock; Worldbeat
Years Active: 2006-present
Nationality: American
Previous Position: New Addition

Significance: It was during my musical reawakening of 2010 that I discovered the catchy music of Vampire Weekend. It has a cultural worldbeat flair to it, in the likes of Paul Simon' or Dave Matthews Band. Their lead singer and guitarist Ezra Koenig is the driver of the group, with a powerful vocal range to each song. They have many hits that I enjoy to drive to in my car or run to. This music also reminds me of my college friends and our many parties in Indianapolis. Their song Diplomat's Son is one of my all time favorite tunes.


21. Ray Charles
Genre: Jazz and Soul
Years Active: 1947-2004
Nationality: American
Previous Position: #32 (Down 11 spots)

Significance: His is a unique soulful music I remember ever since I was a kid. He was a unique artist, a blind soulful piano playing jazz and blues artist. I was aware of his name and music at a very young age, with songs such as Hit the Road Jack and Georgia. It wasn't until I saw the film Ray a biopic of the musician starring Jamie Foxx that I began to appreciate him on a much deeper level. The music of Ray Charles is full of soul and passion. His repertoire of songs range from celebratory party music to strikingly emotional and heartfelt. He had a skill with the piano that matched his passionate baritone voice.


20. Richard Wagner

Genre: Classical Romantic
Years Active: 1833-1883
Nationality: German
Previous Position: New Addition

Significance: This is a new addition to my top 50 list, since it was not until recently that I have come to understand and admire the ingenious music of Richard Wagner. I have always known of his Ride of the Valkyries and had associated him around that one piece. However there is so much depth and sensuality to the music of Wagner that words cannot do justice. His music is that of pure emotion and romanticism. His work is quite unique from other composers of his time, since it is operatic, and merely pieces to his total work of art. His greatest play was his Der Ring des Nibelungen. Some of my favorite pieces of his are the Parsifal overture, the Lohengrin prelude, Das Rheingold prelude, and the Tannhauser overture.


19. Enya
Genre: Celtic, New Age, Worldbeat
Years Active: 1980-Present
Nationality: Irish
Previous Position: #13 (Up 6 spots)

Significance: My admiration of the music of Enya began in high school, when our religion teacher, Mr. Wheeler would make us listen to her music during study time. It was something quite rare in our school that preferred hip hop music yet everyone came to enjoy it. Her music is so soothing and relaxing, like that of meditation. I came to admire her all the more with her songs in Lord of the Rings. I used her hit song, Only Time to complete my first video editing project of our junior year prom. During college I would sleep to her music and often use it for studies.


18.  112

Genre: Rhythm and Blues
Years Active: 1991-present
Nationality: American
Previous Position: #22 (Down 4 spots)

Significance: Here's another prime example of a musical band that influenced me in my high school and college days. Although they are positioned high up in this list, admist some musical giants, I can't deny the impact they had on me. It was the music of my coming of age period during high school and college parties. I best associate their music with my best friends at the, (Sergio, Palmer, and Brittany) as 112 was always our go to jams. Whether cruising in Sergio's car, partying at Palmer's house, dance parties in our dorm rooms, or even power hours, we were always belting the harmonic and exciting tunes of 112.


17. Lemon Jelly
Genre: Downtempo
Years Active: 1998-2008
Nationality: British
Previous Position: New Addition

Significance: I'll never forget the way I discovered this unique non mainstream electronic band. It was on a flight in the fall of 2008 for Sportvision. I don't remember to which city or what game, however I instantly fell in love with this radio station on the airplane, playing the relaxing and entrancing music of Lemon Jelly. I had my greatest nap ever on that flight thanks to their music, and the discovery was complete. I added their station to my Pandora mix, and came to own every single one of their albums and tracks. I would often sail through my courier days, listening to their music. And I would often run to their music, quite usually on the Monon Trail during the springtime. Their music has a very unique and enticing style to it, that I greatly enjoy.

16. Cranberries
Genre: Celtic Rock
Years Active: 1990-Present
Nationality: Irish
Previous Position: #28 (Up 12 spots)

Significance: This alternative celtic rock band was very popular during my days in jr. high and during my coming of age days. I came to appreciate them all the more during high school. I'd use their music, (as well as the Gladiator soundtrack) as motivation for my track and soccer matches. I'd often go to sleep to this music as well in my bedroom back at Park Ave. Their defining feature is the beautiful and unique voice of their lead singer, Dolores O'Riordan. She is also backed by a grunge alternative band. Normally I don;t care for alternative, punk, or grunge music, however her voice and the Celtic styles makes this band one of my favorites.


15. Pyotr Tchaikovsky

Genre: Classical
Years Active: 1856-1893
Nationality; Russian
Previous Position: New Addition

Significance: I grew very familiar with the classical music of Tchaikovsky as a young child, much thanks to his Nutcracker ballet during Christmas time. Many of these tunes are still some of my favorites during Christmas, however Tchaikovsky has so much more to offer. His music is the embodiment of Russian culture, in which he lead the five great composers of the time to identify their heritage. During my time in college I came to understand Tchaikovsky on a deeper level thru his 1812 Overture and many of his waltzes. Also after watching the film, Black Swan, I came to admire that ballet as well, and quite frankly have come to enjoy all of his music. It's very unique, relaxing, sensational and truly classical.

14. Creedence Clearwater Revival
Genre: Classic Rock
Years Active: 1967-1972
Nationality: American
Previous Position: #25 (Down 9 spots)

Significance: I have been familiar with their music ever since I was young, however came to associate and appreciate them during my classic rock phase of 2007. They have a distinctive swampland rock to their music, folksy yet heavy at the same time. Their songs were political as they were celebratory. They were carried by the Fogerty brothers, with soulful singing and jamming. Their music has always been my favorite to jam and sing to with my dad. Some of my favorite songs of theirs include, Have you Ever seen the Rain", Down on the Corner, Proud Mary, and Bad Moon Rising.


13. The Doors

Genre: Psychedelic Blues Rock
Years Active: 1965-1973
Nationality: American
Previous Position: #15 (Down 2 spots)

Significance: It was during my classic rock phase of 2007 that I began to greatly admire the classic rock sound from the Doors. It's a unique music of poetry and psychedelic bluesy wonder led by their rebellious legend, Jim Morrison. His deep voice and free flowing style is truly one of a kind. He lead the Californian counter culture movement of the 1960s.

I came to better understand the story of Jim Morrison from the biopic, The Doors. He was ahead of his time, an old soul with a revolutionary approach to music, however also very troubled and an acholic, he sadly died at the young age of 27.. He was supported by a very skilled band and keyboardist, Ray Manzarek who provides one of the defining sounds of the band. Although they were quite shortlived, only releasing 6 studio albums, their music has become synoumous with Hippy, Californian, and American culture.


12.  ATB
Genre: Trance, downtempo, electronic
Years Active: 1998-present
Nationality: German
Previous Position: #9 (Up 3 spots)

Significance: I enjoy classic music just as much as I enjoy modern music, and the electronic music of ATB is no doubt my music of the future. There are many who criticize "techno" as lacking in musical artistry however I disagree. I think this digital sound is very soothing to the sensations, and can be used for celebration and relaxation alike. It was Philip who introduced me to ATB during my college days (I believe it was my junior year). I remember laying on my bed at times just enjoying these trance like songs. I would run to it, drive to it, relax to it, and truly get lost in the music. I always enjoy instrumentals, and much of ATB's music is surreal, psychedelic instrumentals that always suck me in. I saw him perform live in Chicago, 2009 with my brothers and Shawnna and Stef. He always holds a special place high up on my list, and I could never get tired of his music.


11. John Lennon

Genre: Classic Rock
Years Active: 1970-1980
Nationality: British
Previous Position: #8 (Up 3 spots)

Significance: He has always been my favorite Beatle, because of his voice yet also his deep lyrics. It was my senior year in college, 2007, that I began to understand that John Lennon also had a solo career that was just as significant. After the Beatles breakup, for 10 years he continued to produce music.

He and the Plastic Ono Band had a very experimental, psychedelic, and lovely sound to it. It was clear during this time that he had truly transcended through his love for Yoko Ono. His music during the 70s is all about peace and love. Some of my favorites of his include Imagine, Jealous Guy, #9 Dream, and Oh Yoko. I think John Lennon was a modern day prophet, and to lose him at the young age of 40, was such a great tragedy. His music and message will always live on however.  


10. Mozart
Genre: Classical Romantic
Years Active: 1762-1791
Nationality: German-Austrian
Previous Position: #2 (Up 8 spots)

Significance: He has always been my favorite classical composer with so many great family memories. It was the 1984 film, Amadeus, that introduced this musical genius to me. The film was a classic during the holidays when we visited Grandma in Battle Creek, Michigan. I came to understand Mozart's life and music thru this comedy/drama film. His career began at a very young age, and there's no question that he was musically gifted.

I've continued my utmost appreciation for his music most my life. His music is true beauty and romance as every note captures your attention. A perfect example of this is the Serendade of Winds, a melody that heighten's the senses in a smooth flow of instrumental harmony. Some of his music is lovely and easy on the ears, while others are strong and dark in nature, such as his Requiem, however each of his compositions is total divine perfection.


9. Bob Marley
Genre: Reggae
Years Active: 1962-1981
Nationality: Jamaican
Previous Position: #5 (Up 4 spots)

Significance: I've been familiar with the name and music Bob Marley since I can remember. However I particularly remember it was in high school that I began to appreciate this unique reggae music. I remember driving with my friends in high school and enjoying his upbeat music. I furthered my appreciation in college, and came to understand his Rastafarian philosophy; peace, love, and spirituality.

 I remember I use to have a giant poster of his in my apartment at Beech Tree when I lived with P-Rod and Dana. Bob Marley is no doubt the father of Reggae, and provides very distinct vocals with a rhythmic and tropical style to his music. It's the type of music I enjoy to listen to in the summertime or maybe use it as an escape to a tropical fantasy setting. He was another modern day prophet, who tragically died far too early. There are so many of his songs such as Redemption Song, No Woman No Cry, and Stir it Up that have inspired me on a deeper level.


8. Pink Floyd

Genre: Psychedelic Rock
Years Active: 1965-1994
Nationality: British
Previous Position: #3 (Up 5 spots)

Significance: I began to understand the music of Pink Floyd during my senior year in college. I had known of the band for some time, yet wasn't entirely familiar with them until that last semester. I quickly came to enjoy their relaxing, soothing, and psychedelic sound. The album of Dark Side of the Moon quickly became my all time favorite album. I continued to study the band during the summer of 2007 and into 2008 during my year in Chicago. I especially listened to their music during my Sportvision travels and my trip to West Virgina with my mom, grandma, and Andres.

 I wasn't so crazy about their early experimental music under the leadership of Syd Barret. However after their founding member fell off the deep-end, the band took a new direction as a whole. Each of it's members, David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Richard Wright, and Nick Mason offered a perfect balance of artistic instrumentation and psychedelic wonder. I often associate their music with wine, meditation, and philosophy.  Truthfully I do not like every one of of their songs, as I do the rest on my top 10 list. However the many songs of theirs that I do like are such top quality, (also considering Dark Side of the Moon is my favorite album) this band is definitely top 10 material in my book.


7. Simon and Garfunkel
Genre: Folk Rock
Years Active: 1957-1970
Nationality: American
Previous Position: #11 (Down 4 spots)

Significance: This is a musical duo that I have been familiar with since I can remember. Their music is so easy on the ears with perfect harmony. Paul Simon provides the depth and soul while Art Garfunkel takes the vocals to new heights. I remember my good friend Jaybo was always fond of them and we'd often cruise to their music. It was in college that I came to appreciate them all the more, as well as during my classic rock phase of 2007. My brother and I would often jam to their music with my dad, songs such as El Condor Pasa, The Boxer, and America.

I'll never forget during my time in Chicago, walking into a bar at Wrigleyville with my friends after the Cubs had won, and the song Cecilia was playing at full blast; it was total jubilation. However it was the springtime of 2011 as I began a new life as a courier in Indianapolis, that their music brought me the highest of inspiration. It was the first time I began to appreciate poetry and musical lyrics. Songs such as Dangling Conversation, Bookends, and April Come She Will brought me such pleasure. Their music is soothing on the ear as it provides perfect vocal balance as well as poetic depth.

6. Michael Jackson
Genre: Pop
Years Active: 1964-2009
Nationality: American
Previous Position: #6 (Same)

Significance: The pop music of Michael Jackson was the first music I ever got into as a young kid. I remember in the early 90s he was releasing some of his golden stuff and his videos were always very entertaining to me I loved the way he sang, the way he danced, and everyone of his music videos. He was so cool to me, especially in Smooth Criminal. His favorite song of mine was Man in the Mirror. It was an an admiration that only continued to grow as I grew older.

In high school his music was popular at the dances and he was still releasing new hits. I even came to enjoy his earlier stuff with the Jackson 5, songs such as Ben, I'll Be There, and their Christmas album. I remember my best friend in high school, Sergio was also obsessed with MJ, and we'd always belt out his music together. For me his music has been most associated with the falltime and Halloween thanks to classic Thriller album. He was known as the King of Pop, a fellow Hoosier native, however suffered from skin sickness and many controversies. His death in 2009 was a major shock to me, and a terrible lost to musical culture. His significance however is unforgettable, with so many great hits.

5. Coldplay
Genre: Indie Rock
Years Active: 1996-present
Nationality: British
Previous Position: #10 (Down 5 spots)

Significance: The band Coldplay is one of the defining rock bands of my generation, most specifically my time in college. They are carried by the ingenious vocal range and writing of Chris Martin as well as a very original sounding band. It was during my time in college from 2003-2007 that Coldplay released two of their most popular albums, A Rush of Blood to the Head and X&Y. I remember my sophomore year listening to their music with my friends Lauren, EJ, Karlan, Lizzie, and Sarah.

In the summer of 2005 I saw them live in concert with Lauren, Audrey, and Lizzie. Afterwards we had a very memorable party for Lizzie's 21st birthday and I remember the music of Coldplay was playing the entire night at the party. My enjoyment of their music continued after my college time, and into Chicago and Costa Rica. In the summer of 2008 they released another great album, Viva La Vida or Death and All his Friends. It became the theme music of the summer as did their next two releases Mylo Xyloto (2011) and Ghost Stories (2014). I use their music to run, to drive, or just to relax around the house and can honestly say I enjoy every one of their songs.

4. Led Zeppelin
Genre: Classic Rock
Years Active: 1968-1980
Nationality: British
Previous Position: #4 (Same)

Significance: I remember it was my senior year in college that I came to enjoy the music of Led Zeppelin. It's funny before that I always thought of them as an old heavy metal group of acid rock, however that's not the case at all. Their music is very versatile; bluesy, folksy, psychedelic, and heavy. I would often group them with Pink Floyd, as the two bands became my favorites during my classic rock phase of 2007 and into Chicago 2008.

I remember their music was pivotal to me as I began my career with Sportivsion traveling all over the country to work for ESPN College Football. Quite fittingly it was on a plane ride to San Francisco, California, where I first heard and was inspired by the song Going to California. (The song even mentions an airplane experience.) I've collected every one of their tracks, dvds, and even some of their artwork. I especially enjoy their easy melodies and instrumentals such as That's the Way and Bron-Yr-Aur. Their music is the fun and alive and it seems each year I go thru a new phase of their music. I especially enjoy them in the summertime.

3. Bob Dylan
Genre: Folk Rock
Years Active: 1959-present
Nationality; American
Previous Position: #12 (Down 9 spots)

Significance: It was not until my junior year in college that I came to understand and admire the poetic music of Bob Dylan. I had always known of him and that he was one of my dads all time favorite artists, yet I came to an appreciation on my own terms. It was the summer of 2006, a very inspirational summer as it was the year of the World Cup, and I was working at WTIU that year. I use to love that night-shift job, where I monitored the local PBS and NPR stations. One night there was a very interesting documentary about Bob Dylan that grabbed my attention. I was most impressed with his rebellious approach and his revolutionary style to music.

At first listen, his voice isn't the most soothing, as it's very twangy and offbeat, however it's an acquired taste. It's calm type of music, that requires a more intellectual state of mind, to admire a simple acoustic melody with soul. There's no question that Dylan's finest work was during the 60s at the height of the Vietnam War and the CounterCulture movement. He continued to release music to this day, and is a living legend in my opinion. I futhered my understanding during my courier days in Indianapolis, thru songs such as Don't Think Twice its Alright, Visions of Johanna, and It Aint me Babe. I was fortunate enough to see him in concert in the summer of 2013, thanks to Lauren. As expected his performance was sub-par, as an older stubborn man, and he only played 2 of his classics. Yet still to see him in the flesh was a great honor. He has so many songs, and it seems I'm always discovering a new one.

2. Dave Matthews Band
Genre: Rock, Jam, Jazz-Fusion, Worldbeat
Years Active: 1991-present
Nationality: American
Previous Position: #7 (Down  5 spots)

Significance: The music of Dave Matthews Band is my hands down favorite modern day rock group. They played a significant influence on my college years, the same as Coldplay did. However I had known of the Dave Matthews Band long before college, and into my junior high days. I remember it was through Lauren that I came to fully appreciate this band as a sophomore at IU. Whether chilling at Maxwell Terrace, Sterling Apartments, or driving in my old green truck his music was everywhere. It was very popular all around the campus among fellow classmates, and to me his music was like the theme of my four years in college. I remember the music inspired me during this time on so many levels, even as I began to dibble into guitar rhythm myself.

I continued to enjoy his music after college during my time in Chicago and into Indianapolis. I would often drive and run to his music. In the summer of 2012 I had one of the most memorable experiences when I went to watch him live with friends in Noblesville. Everything about his music is unique and great. His vocals are strong, with a wide range of high and low notes. His lyrics are deep, often dark in subject matter yet also uplifting, spiritual, and hopeful. His music is festive, jamming, and true instrumental pleasure. I enjoy just about every one of his songs, including his solo album. Some of my favorites include, Dreaming Tree, Cry Freedom, and Two Step.


1. The Beatles
Genre: Classic Rock
Years Active: 1960-1970
Nationality: British
Previous Position: #1 (Same)

Significance: It was during my childhood years, that I became familiar with the significance of the Beatles. They were my dad's all time favorite band and he would always sing their songs on the long drive to school. I remember one year he brought home the movie, Yellow Submarine, which hooked us all and watched it many times. My brother and I had the entire movie and songs in the movie memorized. The appreciation continued throughout high school, however it reached a new height in college as I came to appreciate their music on my own terms. Perhaps before college I had thought of the Beatles as a pop rock band however in college, specifically my sophomore year, I came to understand their later stuff such as the Revolver, Sgt. Peppers Lonely Heart Club Band, and the White Album). This music had much more artistic depth then their early stuff.

That year The Beatles became an important transition from my hip hop to my classic rock appreciation. I'll never forget listening to A Day in the Life while lying on my bed in Maxwell Terrace. At that point I became hungry for knowledge. It was a time of political, artistic, and social inspiration for me and the Beatles were at the forefront of that semester. By my senior year I had come to collect and enjoy every song they had ever released. I had posters of theirs all over my bedroom walls, including their famous Abbey Road. I continued the appreciation after college, living in Chicago, and on my many travels. In 2008 I had a very memorable trip to Las Vegas with the Palmers, where we saw the Cirque de Soliel performance of Love. That year the movie Across the Universe was released which was a musical homage to the band. John Lennon has always been my favorite of the four, yet I think each were extremely influential. Some of my favorite songs include Flying, Rocky Racoon, and Two of Us. This music has been my undisputed favorite for many years now, and I hope to really share it with someone special someday.

Honorable Mention

• Beethoven
• My Morning Jacket
• Jagged Edge
• 50 Cent
• Nora Jones
• Sting
• Smashing Pumpkins
• Van Morrison

Omissions from Original 2009 List

• Radiohead
• U2
• Three Dog Night
• Smashing Pumpkins
• Sting
• Van Morrison
• DJ Tiesto
• Donovan
• Chopin
• Doobie Brothers
• The Eagles
• John Mayer
• Jimi Hendrix
• Kayne West

New Additions to Original 2009 List

• Johnny Cash
• Bruce Springsteen
• Johann Sebestain Bach
• Paul Simon
• Fun.
• Bon Iver
• Phoenix
• Vampire Weekend
• Richard Wagner
• Lemon Jelly
• Pytor Tchaikovsky

Movie Review: The Hobbit Trilogy

Just yesterday I watched the final chapter in Peter Jackson's Hobbit trilogy, The Battle of the Five Armies, and decided to make a review on all three films. It has become an annual tradition to watch Lord of the Rings around Christmas time and these movies have become classics to me. I remember waiting in line in high school to watch the premiers. I hardly watch movies in theaters as much, however had to make an exception for this recent release. It was well worth the money and a fitting conclusion to the prequel series.

Just like most I was somewhat disappointed when I heard the news that JR Tolkein's book of the Hobbit was going to be adapted into three movies. This seemed like quite a profitable scheme to stretch this short book into three films. However as an avid fan of the Middle Earth fantasy, I was still excitied at the idea of extra footage. 

To add to this excitement was that the same cast and director from Lord of the Rings trilogy was returning for this one. (Peter Jackson, Iam McKellen, Andy Serkis, Hugo Weaving, Cate Blanchett, Elijah Wood, Orlando Bloom, and Ian Holm) Each character did an excellent job reprising their roles, and director Peter Jackson did a fine job as well in restoring the same Middle Earth from his previous project ten years ago. 

With that said, I can plainly say that these recent films are nowhere near as exciting as the Lord of the Rings series. This is not so much a reflection on Peter Jackson's direction however just the story as a whole. It's a story that is obviously stretched beyond boredom, and would have done nicely as one very long film. One thing to consider is that the original book of The Hobbit is only half the size of the Fellowship of the Ring. It was a children's book, soft in it's nature, and served as a prequel to the much deeper series to follow. These films are also very different from the book, and I feel Peter Jackson may have taken a bit too much liberty with Tolkein's original story. 

An Unexpected Party (2012)

The opening of this trilogy is quite clever as it takes us back to the Shire, the exact scene before Frodo suprises Gandalf for Bilbo's 111th birthday. The older Bilbo (reprised by Ian Holm) is deep into his writing, looking over his old maps and telling Frodo (reprised by Elijah Wood) of his old memories. His memories then fade to 60 years before, where a much younger Bilbo (played by Martin Freeman) is smoking his pipe and happy with his quiet life. That is all until Gandalf (reprised by Ian McKellen) visits him and brings a band of dwarves to his door.

The portrayal of the 13 dwarves is done quite well, as they are a merry bunch, strong and of good cheer. They sing, they eat, they joke, they smoke, and are all incredibly stout warriors. They are lead by their stubborn leader, Thorin Oakensheild (played by Richard Armitage) on a quest to reclaim their home at the Lonely Mountain. They request that Bilbo become join their company as their burglar. After some deliberation Bilbo agrees and joins Gandalf and the 13 dwarves on a journey across Middle Earth to reclaim the mountain from the terrible dragon Smaug.

Along the way Bilbo becomes quite valuable to the company of dwarves as he saves them from three giant trolls and finds a magical ring in a cave. He is able to steal the ring from Gollum (reprised by Andy Serkis) in a game of riddles, and uses it to help him throughout the adventure. All the meanwhile the leaders of middle earth such as Gandalf, Radagast, Saruman, Elrond, and Galadriel become concerned by the return of Sauron through a Necromancer. The film ends in a final confrontation with the dwarves and the warg-riders lead by their cheif orc, Azog the Defiler. Of the three films, this one was my least favorite, and besides the opening scenes I felt it dragged on and was quite boring in adventure.

The Desolation of Smaug (2013)

A year later came the 2nd chapter in Peter Jackson's three part Hobbit series, and this one I enjoyed much more than the previous one. The dwarves continue their journey to the lonely mountain and first come across a skin changing bear, known as Beorn. At this point Gandalf leaves the company to seek this Necromancer with Radagast the Brown. Meanwhile the dwarves get lost in the forests of Mirkwood, where they are captured by giant spiders, saved by Bilbo, then captured again by the woodelves. Here we see the heroic Legolas return to the story (reprised by Orlando Bloom). He leads a band of warriors, including the beautiful Tauriel (played by Evangeline Lilly from Lost). 

The dwarves are held captive in the kingdom of Thranduil (played by Lee Pace) who refuses to let them go. During this time one of the dwarves, Kili falls for the she-elf Tauriel, which I thought was a nice twist to the story. The dwarves are once again saved by Bilbo and his magical invisible ring and escape through wine barrels on a river. They are then chased by orcs and wood-elves in a somewhat ridiclous battle. This was perhaps the dumbest part of the movie, as Legolas jumped from head to head killing orcs. Legolas and Tauriel save the escaping dwarves from the orcs, and choose not to pursue them much longer. However at that point it seems clear that both Tauriel and Legolas are banished from their kingdom.

The final part of the film is the best in my opinion, where we are taken to Lake-town and inside the Lonely Mountain. The dwarves meet a fisherman, named Bard (played by Luke Evans) who smuggles them into the town and helps them find weapons to make their stand for Erebor. However a confrontation emerges within the lake-town by it's corrupt leaders who do not share in Bard's regard for the people. Nonetheless they allow the dwarves to set off on their campaign by striking a bargain that they return a portion of the treasure to Lake-Town. 

The dwarves finally make it inside the mountain, where Bilbo is asked to find and steal the Arkenstone from the dragon Smaug. Bilbo once again uses his magical ring, and luckily he quickly finds the Arkenstone, however he is also discovered by Smaug the Magnificent (a true wonder in CGI graphics). Bilbo is able to escape the dragon's fury, and is aided by the dwarves who engage Smaug in a battle through their mineshaft. At the end of the film it appears the dragon is outwitted and defeated by the dwarves, however it is the contrary, and the film closes with the furious Smaug taking flight to Lake-town. 

The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)

The final film of the series was perhaps the most exciting, almost non-stop action. It began right where it left us, with the dragon Smaug beginning to attack Lake-Town. The havoc he brings upon the town is devastating causing many of the townspeople to flee. That is until Bard, with the help of his son, is able to use his black arrow to pierce the dragon's heart. The town is in ruins and word quickly spreads throughout Middle Earth, that the dragon has been slayed and the treasure of Erebor is up for grabs.   

Meanwhile Gandalf is held captive in Dol Guldur, where the spirits of the 9 kings are summoned to finish him off. That is until Galadriel arrives with the help of Elrond and Saruman to fend off this evil. An exciting battle of sorcery takes place where the good are able to cast away the dark spirits. At this point we are given a precursor to Saruman's intentions of helping Sauron return. There is also a hint of love shared between Gandalf and Galadriel, however it is very brief. Gandalf then returns to the lonely mountain, where he knows a great battle awaits. 

The dwarves on the mountain, especially their leader, Thorin, have grown sick and greedy by the treasure. Bilbo refuses to hand over the Arkenstone, for he believes Thorin is no longer himself. To make matters worse an alliance is formed between the men of Lake-town and the woodelves of Thranduil to reclaim some of their treasure from the mountain. It appears war is at the gate of the mountain however Bilbo comes up with a cunning plan to use the Arkenstone as leverage. However this plan makes no difference once Thorin's cousin, Dain arrives with a great army to defend his cousin's claim. It once again appears a battle is about to occur between the elves and the dwarves, that is until Azog the Defiler arrives with a massive army of orcs.

At that point comes an awe-aspiring moment, the true essence of Peter Jackson's artistic filming. The dwarves and elves unit against the orc army, in a beautiful and tactical stand (quite reminiscent of the battles of Helms Deep and Pelanor Fields). Thus begins the war at the foot of the mountain, whilst Thorin and his company look onward unwilling to leave their gate. Legolas and Tauriel join in on the confrontation and also discover a 2nd army approaching to flank the dwarves and elves. At this point Thorin finally comes to his sense and leads his band in a heroic charge. 

There are two great face-offs that occur simultaneously at the climax of the battle. Thorin takes his best wariors, Kili, Fili, and Dwalin to kill Azog. Meanwhile Legolas faces off and kills Bolg in a long dramatic battle. To my surprise Kili, Fili, and Thorin are all killed in the end by Azog. Thorin however is ale to defeat Azog with his final thrust, and says a fitting farewell to Bilbo before he dies. What was especially disappointing is the heartbreak that came from Tauriel after she saw Kili was dead. 

This finale was all an abrupt and unexpected shock to me, that did not exactly make for a happy ending. Nonetheless Bilbo's adventure had come to an end, and he was accompanied by Gandalf back to the shire. He was happy to be home once again, however a changed person, just as Gandalf had predicted. However it wasn't so much the adventure that changed him yet his discovery of the ring, which of course would pave the way for the great peril to come. 

Cultural Look: La Belle Epoque

Continuing with inspiration from Midnight in Paris, I wanted to highlight one more Golden Age that is mentioned in the movie; La Belle Epoque. This time period can be ranged from the early 1870s to the onset of WWI as a period of artistic inspiration. It's golden decade occurred during the 1890s and was centered in Paris, France. During this time many masterpieces of art, literature, and theater were created. It was also a time of new cultural expression.

Historically for the French people, it was an era of peace. Following their defeat at the Franco-Prussian War, the French Third Republic was established in 1870 to rebuild their infrastructure. With the aid of new industrial technologies and sciences it became a time of optimism for the French people. Paris once again began to thrive as the capital, and soon cultural expression began to unfold within the city. Notable post-impressionist artists such as Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Gaugin, and Edgar Degas made their home in Paris. It also was a center for musical theater and operettas bringing forth notable names such as Johann Strauss III, Igor Stravinsky, Erik Satie, Claude Debussy, Gabriel Faure, and Maurice Ravel.

At the World Fair of 1889, Paris displayed it's new culture of art to the world.  The highlight of this fair was the new architectural wonder, the Eiffel Tower. It was a monument unlike anything before it;s time and served as a beacon of modern art.

Also during this time the nightlife of Paris took to a new level, with the emergence of the Moulin Rouge cabaret in 1889. This nightclub was unlike anything prior to it, specializing in the art of burlesque, a promiscuous play of music, dance, comedy, and drama. And in 1893, the Maxim restaurant of Paris opened as a very unique and popular spot for artistic entertainment. This site was renown for its Art Nouveau and brought out many famous artists such as Marcel Proust, and Georges Feydeau.


The Portrayed Artists of the Bella Epoque

Henri de Toulouse: (1864-1901) French painter and illustrator considered one of the most well known painters of the post-impressionist period. He was also considered a key figure in France's golden age of the 1890s known as the Bella Epoque. Growing up as a child he had a growth disability and was unable to partake in the physical activities of his peers, thus he turned to art. His work became a defining feature of France's Post-Impressionist movement, and he was closely associated with the legendary Vincent Van Gogh. He died at the very young age of 36 due to a life of alcoholism.

Portrayal: He is portrayed by Vincent Menjou Cortes as a quiet man sitting at the Moulin Rouge working on his illustrations. He is joined by Gil and Adriana in the film, and later by Edgar Degas and Paul Gauguin. He seems perplexed and curious with the entire social setting.

Edgar Degas: (1834-1917) French painter often considered a father of impressionism in the likes of Claude Monet and Renoir. By the time of the Bella Epoque he was already a well known painter, however was still influential to the post-modernist movement. He considered himself a realist painter and specialized in portraits and the art of dance. Although he despised many of his contemporaries and lived a solitary life he still collaborated with other famous impressionist peers such as Manet, Pissaro, Cezanne, Gaguain, and Van Gogh.

Portrayal: He is portrayed by Francois Rostain as an older man accompanying Gauguin. He joins Henri, Gil, and Adriana to discuss the golden ages of art.

Paul Gauguin: (1848-1903) French painter who was very influential to post-modernist art during the Bella Epoque. He went thru various styles and phases from impressionism to cloisinism to synthenism to primitivism. He was closely associated with Vincent Van Gogh, and spent 9 weeks painting with him in Arles, France. His Night Cafe at Arles was a well worthy competition to Van Gogh's similar piece. Some of his early post-impressionist paintings in Paris were his best work in my opinion. He suffered bouts of depression and alcoholism and died at the young age of 54.


Portrayal: He is portrayed by Olivier Rabourdin and joins Henri, Gil, and Adriana at the Moulin Rouge. While Adriana states that this is a golden age they are living in, Gauguin states it would be much more exciting to have lived during the Italian Renaissance.

Other artists mentioned in the film:

Auguste Rodin: (1840-1917) French sculptor considered one of the greatest sculptors of the modern era with many notable works. His statue of The Thinker is regarded as one of the best known sculptures of all time. He was inspired during the 1870s while visiting Italy and seeing the famous work of Michelangelo and Donatello. He moved to Paris in 1877 where he used this inspiration to create his own independent style of realism.

By 1880 he was a well regarded name in Paris, and contributed to the Belle Epoque through art salons and commissions. His magnum opus came as a commission for a museum to create a portal. He used inspiration from Dante's Divine Comedy to create his Gates of Hell, an elaborate group of sculptors which featured two of his most famous ones, The Thinker and the Kiss. Rodin spent four decades working on this project. By 1890 he was a world renown figure, and many of his sculptures were displayed at the 1900 Paris World Fair.

Henri Rousseau: (1844-1910) French painter considered a leading figure of post-impressionist naive and primitive art. His work is truly original as it incorporates masterful impressionist techniques with simplistic designs of color and nature. He specialized in jungle and tropical settings of which he was inspired from books and the botanical gardens of Paris. The Sleeping Gypsy is Rousseau's most famous piece, considered one of the most recognizable paintings of the modern era. He spent most of his artistic career living in Paris. The first half of his life, he worked as a tax collector and did art on his free time. After the death of his wife in 1890, he retired from his job to focus primarily on art.

He moved to the art district of Paris, known as the Montparnasse in 1893 that was already booming with artistic inspiration from the Belle Epoque. It was here that Rousseau painted his masterpiece of the Sleeping Gypsy in 1897. He collaborated with many famous artists of the time and went on to inspire many as well including Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali. He was a self taught genius whose art was not truly recognized until after his death in 1910.

Vincent Van Gogh: (1853-1890) Although he is not mentioned in the film, his famous painting of the Starry Night serves as the poster theme. The famed Dutch artist is considered a master of post-impressionism painting and perhaps one of the greatest painters of all time. He began to emerge as an artist of still life paintings in Netherlands from 1882-1886. Following this he moved to Paris in 1886, at a studio of Montmarte where he took his art to a whole new level. He began to collaborate and meet many emerging artists of the time such as Henri de Toulouse, Georges Seurat, and Paul Signac. He also became close friends with painter Paul Gauguin, and after Paris, he moved to Alres where he completed some of his masterpieces.

Van Gogh had a specialty for painting sunflowers, portraits, cypresses, flower orchards, and wheat fields. However he constantly suffered from depression and his madness continued to grow worse by this time. At one particular instance after an argument with Paul Gaugin, he had a psychotic breakdown and cut off his ear. Following this episode he admitted himself into the mental asylum of Saint Remy where he continued to paint masterpieces. It was here that he painted his magnum opus of the Starry Night as he looked out of his window at the St. Paul monastery.

He was an extremely troubled genius, and his madness got the best of him in 1890, when he committed suicide with a gun in a wheat field. He died at the very young age of 37, and his paintings were not truly celebrated until after his death. However his post-modernist art became the staple of the Belle Epoque. He is one of my favorite painters of all time, and his Starry Night, The Cafe Terrace, and the Starry Night over the Rhine are some of my all time favorite paintings.  

Other Artists of the time worth mentioning:

Paul Cezanne: (1839-1906) Famed French painter he was very influential on post-impressionism of the Belle Epoque. His early work dated back to the 1860s, of which he was more of a impressionist painter, and had close associations with other famed painters of the time such as Camille Pisarro. Together they developed a new transition into what has been labeled as the post-modernism movement. It wasn't until the 1880s and 1890s of the Belle Epoque, the Paul painted some of his best work such as The Card Players.

Georges Seurat: (1859-1891) Famed French painter, well regarded for his post-impressionist work. He was born in Paris, and achieved early success at the start of the Bella Epoque. He helped found the Society of Independent Artists, a collaboration of regarded artists such as George Seurat and Signac. He died at the very young age of 31, however achieved many inspirational paintings during his brief time such as the Bathers at Asneires and Sunday Afternoon at the Island of La Grand Jatte.

Camille Pisarro: (1830-1903) Famed Danish artist who was very influential in the transition of modernism to post-modernism. He spent many of his influential years in Paris during the Belle Epoque developing a unique style of pointillism with other renown artists such as Seurat and Signac.

Georges Faydeu: (1862-1921) Famed French playwright considered the father of cabarets and comedic theater. He wrote over 60 plays of absurd and comedic themes, which spanned the golden years of La Belle Epoque.

Erik Satie: (1866-1925) Famed French composer and pianist who was very influential on the avant garde theater of the Belle Epoque. His most famous work of the Gymnopedies paved the way for a new style of minimalism and repetitive music. At the time Operettas and musical theater were transitioning from drama to comedic entertainment.


Maurcel Praust: (1871-1922) Famed French novelist, whose prominent novel, In Search of a Lost Time, is regarded as one of the finest novels of the twentieth century. He spent his teenage and younger years studying in Paris at the height of La Belle Epoque, and begun work on this classic novel in 1909.

Claude Debussy: (1862-1918) Famed French composer considered a very prominent musician of the modern impressionism era. He studied music in Rome where he was inspired by Franz List, and thus settled in Paris at the height of the Belle Epoque, to make his own way. He began working on his most famous piece, La Claire de Lune, in 1890 and completed it in 1905.  

Gabriel Faure: (1845-1924) Famed French composer well known for his romantic works of Pavane and his Requiem. He spent his middle years at the height of the Belle Epoque composing at operattas and teaching music lessons. This eventually lead him to a much cherished post as the head of the Paris Conservatoire in 1905.

Jules Cheret: (1836-1932) Famed French lithographer and painter whose poster art became the media of the popular culture. Many of his posters became prime advertisements for the most popular nightclubs such as the Moulin Rouge and Folies Bergere. His art was popular long before the Belle Epoque, whoever he used the age to gain further fortune. His early work was considered an influence on Henri-de Toulouse.


Emile Zola: (1840-1902) Famed French author well regarded for his innovative naturalist style of writing. He was inspired and influential to the years of the Belle Epoque. He also played an important role in exonerating the wrongfully accused Jewish soldier, Alfred Dreyfuss by supporting him through his journalism. He is best known for his novels, Les Rougoun-Macquart and Theresa Raquin.
Camille Saint-Saens: (1835-1921) Famed French composer well regarded for his Romantic compositions. He reached his most prominent heights towards his later career during the Bella Epoque. He was closely associated with the emerging modern composers of the time such as Gabriel Faure, however he remained true to traditional approach. Some of his finest works were homages to Richard Wagner and Franz Listz. He is best known for his Symphony No 3 and Carnival of Animals which were considered reolvutionary works that finely represented the golden age that was The Bella Epoque.

Maurice Ravel: (1875-1937) Famed French composer highly regarded as a prominent figure of modern impressionist music. He studied with Gabriel Faure and Claude Debussy in Paris, however did not emerge until the later years of la Belle Epoque. His famed Bolero was not released until 1928, however it can be derived from inspiration during this era in Paris.

Settings of the Bella Epoque

The Gilded Age: Following the Civil War, The United States began a reconstruction phase that eventually lead them on a path to economic prowess. By the turn of the century they were entering a new golden boom of commerce as a global market to be reckoned. This economic boom has become known as the "Gilded Age". Famous American author, Mark Twain coined this clever term as a reference to the growing economy that hid the country's social problems.

While America became the front runners of economic growth, they were not the only ones to share in the booming market. England was also thriving during the Victorian Era as was Germany during the Wilheminism Era. This fourising global fervor was also shared by the country of France, economically and artistically and it later became referred to as their "Belle Epoque" French for Beautiful Age.

The Eiffel Tower: It's hard not to think of Paris these days without having the Eiffel Tower as it's main symbol. It was completed at the height of the Belle Epoque as a homage to the French Revolution (100th year anniversary). The project was designed by engineer Alexander Gustave Eiffel, of who the monument was named after. Construction started in 1887 and was completed 2 years later as an entrance way to the Universal Exhibition of 1889. It was seen as an architectural wonder unlike anything of it's time, a true beacon of modern art.

The Eiffel Tower was regarded for it's groundbreaking architecture yet also it's astonishing height which at the time became the tallest building in the world; a title it held for over 30 years until the Empire State Building was completed in New York City. To this day it remains one of the most recognizable structures in the world and a classic demonstration of this artistic renaissance.

Art Noveau: The defining artistic style of the Belle Epoque was Art Noveau, which means "New Art". This was a total form of art displayed in architecture, fine arts, decoration and fashion throughout Paris at the end of the 19th century. It was considered a pivotal transition from the older style of romanticism to a newer modernistic style.

The defining features of Art Noveau are it's strong curves sometimes considered "whiplashes". It often displays vivid colors and infuses an element of the Japanese art of woodblock prints known as Ukiyo-e. This modern style was used by many emerging painters and sculptors of the time such as Gustav Klimt, Lautrec and Rodin to name a few. The art also played a major role in artistic advertisements and posters of the era.

Operettas and Salon Music: During this age, the overly dramatic and romantic music of operas, was lightened with simpler melodies. This style of music consisted of brief songs from the piano or violin, sometimes repetitive in form. Operettas served as the new form of opera house, a much more mild performance with hints of drama, yet also less serious environment. Often comedic twists were laced into
the work, derived from the popular theater and cabarets of the time. Many notable composers partook in the musical scene of the Bella Epoque such as Erik Satie, Claude Debussy, Gabriel Faure, Camille Saint-Saens, and Maurice Ravel. 

Folies Bergere: This music hall was established in 1869 as an opera house, years before the start of the Belle Epoque and the popularity of the Moulin Rouge. It is English for "Crazy Shelter", as it became known as a hotspot for the wild parties of Paris. By the 1890s it became a cabaret dance hall, in a similiar style as the Moulin Rouge. It featured the same platform of seductive modern dancing women. One of the most prominent stars of this club, happened to be an American named Loie Fuller. Her modern dance attracted the attention of many painters of the time such as Luatrec, Rodin, and the famed poster artist Jules Cheret. ,

Moulin Rouge: Another of the defining features of this Beautiful Epoch was the new style of cabaret dancing featured at the Moulin Rouge. This nightclub opened in 1889 and featured new styles of vaudeville entertainment and dancing. It operated almost like a restaurant or a dance hall, with food and drinks and seductive dancing all around. The professional dancers and entertainers were known as courtesans and revered for their beauty. Notable performers such as Liane de Pougy, La Goulue, and Jane Avril, served as inspiration for the famed painter Henri Toulouse-Lautrec.

It was at the Moulin Rouge that the famous can-can dance began, which consisted of a line of women in elaborate costumes and skirts, dancing in high energy and kicking their legs up in unison, in a very suggestive manner. There were also stages and sketches and musical grand shows always playing. The nightclub was often notorious for it's promiscuous scandals, which often included nude women in some of it's extravagant shows. Nonetheless it was always the place to be, often competing with the older Folies Bergere. The original platform of the Moulin Rouge paved the way for modern theater and nightclubs. It captured the spirit of the Belle Epoque, and to this day it remains a major tourist attraction of Paris.

Maxims: This popular bistro was opened in 1893 and quickly became one of the most famous restaurants in Paris. It had a very fashionable dinning room covered in themes of Art Nouveau. It attracted many notable artists of the time such as Marcel Prous, and Georges Faydeu.  It is portrayed in Midnight in Paris as a classy setting almost like a ballroom with soothing music, dancing, and fine dining.

Cultural Look: Paris in the 1920s

The film Midnight in Paris, is full of art history and I thought it'd be fun to highlight some of these artists and places that are portrayed in the movie. It's no question that Paris in the 1920s was an artistic renaissance, and a branch of the Jazz Age. It was a coming together of the worlds most renown artists of the modern era. Historically it was an end to WWI and an economic boom that spanned the globe. The Roaring 20s was an inspiring time for many people, and Paris became the heart of the party.

It is quite interesting to consider that it did not become a major hub for artists until the turn of the century with the unveiling of the Eiffel Tower. In the 1890s the city experienced a golden age known as the Bella Epoque. In the 1920s it once again experience a golden age of avant-garde and post-modernism often referred to as the Lost Generation. Paris thus became a center of artistic inspiration similar to the role Florence played on the Renaissance of the 1500s. To this day the city of Paris has become synonymous with artistic expression.

The portrayed artists of 1920s Paris

Scott Fitzgerald: (1896-1940) American author, considered one of the greatest of the 20th century best known for his masterpiece of Great Gatbsy. He also wrote many other notable novels and short stories such as This Side of Paradise, The Beautiful and Damned, Tender is the Night, and the Curious Case of Benjamin Button. He spent some of the prime of his years in Paris, during the 1920s Jazz Age. His relationship with socialite, Zelda, is also a note of interest, as she was the inspiration to many of his writings. He died at the young age of 44, most likely due to his heavy drinking lifestyle.

Portrayal: In the film he is portrayed by Tom Hiddleston as a very friendly gentlemen yet conflicted by his love for Zelda.

Zelda Fitzgerald: (1900-1948) American socialite and novelist best known as the wife of Scott. Her outgoing character and their neurotic relationship was used as material in much of Scott's famed writings. She also used material from their relationship to publish a semi-biographic novel, Save Me the Waltz. Due to her outgoing lifestyle, she was considered the first female flapper, the quintessential feminist of the Roaring 20s. She however struggled with various mental disorders such as bipolar disease and schizorphrenia and died at the young age of 47.

Portrayal: She is portrayed  by Allison Pill as a neurotic and manic depressive socialite. She states that drinking is her true skill.

Cole Porter: (1891-1964) American composer and songwriter best known for his compositions of musical theater and hit songs such as "I've Got You Under my Skin". He was born into a wealthy family from Indiana, and found his musical inspiration in 1920s Paris. Although he was a homosexual he married, a divorced socialite, Linda Lee Thomas to maintain their social status. The remained married until her death in 1954.

Portrayal: He is portrayed by Yves Heck as a charismatic piano player that can truly stimulate a room. His crooning music of "Lets Fall in Love" is the opening welcome to Gil's magical trip.

Josephine Baker: (1906-1975) American dancer, singer, and actress often referred to as the "Black Pearl" or the "Creole Goddess". She began her career as a vaudeville dancer at the age 15 during the Harlem Renaissance in New York City. It did not take long for her to shine on Broadway as the first famed African American singer and dancer. She traveled to Paris in the 1920s and became a stunning attraction to many. Her fame in Paris led her numerous lead roles on theater as well as movies, and in 1934 she became the first African American to star in a major motion picture, in a french film called Zouzou.


Portrayal: She is portrayed by Sonia Rolland only for a brief moment as she dances for others at the Bricktop bar. Her dancing takes Gils shock to a new level.

Ernest Hemingway: (1899-1961) American author and journalist considered one of the greatest of American modern literature. He published many famed novels and short stories, such as the Old Man and the Sea. His writing was no doubt derived from his adventurous life which included four marriages, service in WWI, service in the Spanish Civil War, WWII, and a safari in Africa in which he was almost killed twice. He found his literary inspiration whilst living in Paris in the 1920s and formed the basis of the "Lost Generation". In 1954 he won the Nobel Prize for Literature and spent the remaining of his years in Cuba. He committed suicide in 1961 at the age of 61.

Portrayal: He is portrayed by Corey Stoll as an adventurous, alcoholic, passionate, and outspoken writer. He is perhaps Gil's greatest council, as the two share numerous conversations about life, love, and writing.

Gertude Stein: (1874-1946) American author, playwright, and art collector. By the 1920s, Gertude has established her art gallery on 27 Rues de Fleurus in Paris France as the salon of Modernist artists from literature to painting. Many notable artists came to her for direction and consultation on their work such as Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, Scott Fitzgerald, and Henri Matisse. She was an artist herself, a poet and a playwright. She is often credited with the coining of the term "Lost Generation". She was also a feminist and homosexual, and had a long lasting relationship with Alice B Toklas. In Gertude's Autobiograhpy of Alice B Toklas she describes her time in Paris as well as her love and companionship with Alice.

Portrayal: She is portrayed by Kathy Bates, as the well respected and opinionated art collector. She is seen giving advice to Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, and many other notable names. She is the pivotal counsel to Gil, in reading his manuscript, she gives him the direction he's been looking for.

Alice B Toklas: (1877-1967) American art collector and co-host to Gertude's Avant-garde salon in Paris. She is famed as the confidant and love-interest of Gertude Stein. They met in Paris in 1907 to start the gallery of art that would soon attract numerous American artists. Although she always played the quiet second to Gertude, she was described as the foundation of the salon and the basis for Gertude's biography. The two remained together until Gertude's death in 1946.

Portrayal: She is very briefly portrayed by Theresa Bourou Rubinsztein, where her and Ernest share a momment. Its not doubt an accurate portrayal as she was always in the shadows of Gertrude's direction.

Pablo Picasso: (1881-1973) Spanish painter often considered one of the greatest artists of the 20th century. He is well known for his artistic styles of modernism, surrealism, and cubism. He was also very political and often used his art, to make abstract statements such as portrayed in his masterpiece of Guernica. He went through many artistic periods, dating back to the late 1800s, and by the Golden age of the 20s he had already risen to fame. He was well known by many artists as a leading figure in the surrealist movement. He still however moved to Paris by 1915 and found heavy influence from Gertude Stein's avant-garde salon. He was proud of his Spanish heritage yet spent most of his time in France to avoid political entanglements.

Portrayal: He is portrayed by Marcial di Fonzo Bo as a passionate and stubborn artist. He argues with Gertude over his abstract painting, La Baigneuse, which is a homage to his mistress, Adriana, Although he is only seen in this one sequence he plays an important role as Adriana's lover in a conflicted relationship.

Djuna Barnes: (1892-1982) American author who paved the way for modernist-feminist writing in her novel, Nightwood. It was one of the first novels with lesbian themes. She was noted as a key figure of the Greenwich Village scene of the 1910s and later moved on to Paris in the 1920s where she experienced great inspiration.

Portrayal: She is portrayed by Emmanuelle Uzban only in a very brief scene where she is dancing the Charleston with Gil.

Salvador Dali: (1904-1989) Spanish painter and surrealist well regarded for his artwork and imaginative approach. He spent a good portion of his early influential years in 1920s Paris, where he began his surrealistic approach. He developed close friendships with visual artist Man Ray and filmmaker Luis Bunuel. He incorporated styles of cubism, dada, and surrealism into his paintings. One of most famous works was the Persistence of Memory. Many of his works were visions derived from his dreams. His masterful art was often overshadowed by his flamboyant and eccentric persona.

Portrayal: He is portrayed by Adrien Brody as eccentric character with an obsessive point on Rhinos. While Gil tries to discus his perplexing situation to him, he rather averts to a surreal explanation about Rhinoceroses.

Man Ray: (1890-1976) American visual artist known for his early contributions to the Dada and Surrealist art movements. He was a well regarded painter however also paved the way in new art forms through photography and other various forms of media. He moved from New York City to Paris in 1921 where his photography quickly gained the attention of many artistic giants.

Portrayal: He is portrayed by Tom Cordier as a close friend to Dali and Bunuel. He is as eccentric as the others, a surrealist who tries to understand and reason the complexity of Gil's situation.

Luis Bunuel: (1900-1983) Spanish filmmaker well regarded for his experimental surrealist movies. Some of his accolades include Los Olvidados (1950), Viridana (1961), The Exterminating Angel (1962), Tristana (1971), The Discrete Charm of the Bourgeois (1972), and That Obscure Object of Desire (1977). Much of his early inspiration came from studying at the University of Madrid with Salvador Dali, and the two both began their career in the art scene of 1920s Paris.

Portrayal: He is portrayed by Adrien de Van as a rather naive and curious film director. He is closely associated with Dali and Man Ray's surrealist circle, however also has a conversation with Gil regarding a future movie, which happens to be the inspiration to his Exterminating Angel film, about a group of people at a dinner party go increasingly mad.


Henri Matisse: (1869-1954) French painter and sculptor considered a leading figure of modern art with the likes of Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali. He experienced some of his greatest inspiration and work whilst in Paris from 1901-1917 including the Dance, Woman with a Hat, and the Blue Nude. He was a frequent visitor of Gertude Stein's art gallery and often a rival of Pablo Picasso. By the golden age of the 1920s he was already a very well established artist and relocated to the city of Nice, France, however still had an influence on the movement.

Portrayal: He is briefly portrayed by Yves-Antoine Spoto as he debates the price of one of his paintings with Gertude Stein.

TS Elliot: (1888-1965) American poet and playwright, often considered one of the greatest poets of the 20th century. He studied philosophy at Harvard then moved to England where he began to teach and write. He made frequent trips to Paris where he met and was inspired by other writers at the time such as James Joyce. Some of his most notable works are The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, The Waste Land, and Four Quarters. In 1948 he won the Noble Prize for Literature.

Portrayal: He is briefly portrayed by David Lowe, as Gil mounts the old vehicle that serves as a time machine. Gil tells Elliot that "Prufrock is his Mantra" referring to Elliot's masterpiece The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock.


Other mentioned notable artists in the film;

Jean Cocteau: He is the famed French writer and filmmaker, best known for his works Les Enfants Terribles and Beauty and the Beast. He is mentioned as the host of the opening party that Gil enters.

Amedeo Modigliani: He is the famed Italian painter mentioned as Adriana's first lover.

Coco Channel: She is the famed French fashion designer mentioned as Adriana's inspiration that brought her to Paris.

Georges Braque: He is the famed French painter and colleague of Pablo Picasso who is mentioned as another of Adriana's lovers.

William Faulkner: He is the famed American author best known for his works, The Sound and the Fury, As I lay Dying, and Light in August. At the close of the film as Gil breaks up with Inez he uses Faulkner's quote to describe how "the past is not dead. It's not even past"

James Joyce: The famed Irish author best known for his novel Ulysses. While the story was set in Dublin and a reference to the Odyessy it was in Paris of the 1920s where Joyce found the inspiration to finish this masterpiece.   




The Setting of Paris 1920

Les Annees Folles (Crazy Years): The Roaring Twenties were a wild time of partying and artistic expression that was felt worldwide. It began it's base in the urban cultural cities such as New York, Chicago, Berlin, London, Los Angeles, and Paris. It was a time of innovation, inspiration, and liberal expression. This decade were referred to as the "Annees Folles" by the Parisians, which is French for "the crazy years".

The 1920s were a time of peace and economic boom following the devastation of WWI. It marked a cultural turning point as old traditions were abandoned and new trends took way such as as jazz, art deco, and the female flapper. This new renaissance was also aided by new technologies such as the automobile, motion pictures, and radio. During this time Paris became a center for modern art, fashion, music, literature, and sheer cultural expression.


The Jazz Age: The musical emergence of Jazz began to unfold during the Roaring 20s. It sprouted from the United States, with rising stars such as Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. Quite naturally it spread to other larger cities most notably Paris. Jazz music was used as the primary influence of the new golden age of discovery, where people were expressing themselves through various forms of modern art and dance such as the Charleston. One of the most famous to make the crossover from America to France, was Josephine Baker. She became a center-stage vaudeville dancer, singer, and performer under the lights in Paris.

Stein's Art Salon: Gertude Stein and her partner Alice B. Toklas turned their house into an art salon, on 27 Rue de Fleurus. By the 1920s it became a gathering point for many major names in modern literature and art. Stein collected art, yet also was a writer herself and had to set aside time where she could work on her personal projects. Saturday evenings became the bustling time for artists to visit her salon.  Many of the above mentioned artists would frequent her salon for opinions and collaborations. It was here the "Lost Generation" term was used to describe this group of artists that defined the modern era.

This salon is often considered the first museum of modern art. Other notable artists that worked with Stein include; Sinclair Lewis (American novelist), Ezra Pound (American poet), Thorton Wilder (American playwright), Sherwood Anderson (American novelist), Francis Picabia (French painter), Carl Van Vechten (American photographer), Paul Bowles (American composer), Andre Derain (French painter), Joseph Stella (Italian painter), and many more.

Deyrolle: There is a brief scene in the movie of which the artists are having a party at a museum of stuffed animals. This famous Parisian Taxidermy is a real store that was and still is a hot-spot for trendy clients and tourists alike. It is a museum, gallery, store, and tourist attraction all-in-one place, for people wanting to purchase or admire these exotic stuffed animals.

This particular shop has historic value to it, since it was first opened back in 1831, by an entomologist. It nearly went down in flames in 2008, however was salvaged by the community as this had now become a historic landmark. The Deyrolle Taxidermy store is one of the longest running shops of it's kind.

Movie Masterpiece: Midnight in Paris

I first saw this Woody Allen film last year and was immediately a fan. I knew I just had to add it to my collection. It's a romantic comedy with a subtle twist of fantasy. I've seen it several times now and can say it's about as complete as a movie can get. It is cultural, romantic, historic, artistic, comedic, and sheer out entertaining from the start. It was nominated for many awards.

I especially enjoy the film for it's homage to art, literature, and music. It captivates the imagination through it's beautiful setting of Paris France. The city itself serves as more than a backdrop or establishing shot yet rather the driving force of the film. Whether at day, in the rain, or at night the city is the core of Woody's masterful film.

Woody Allen's Original Screenplay

The film is not an overly dramatic plot yet rather an extremely witty one, as it incorporates Woody's usual dry humor (Annie Hall, Vicky Cristina Barcelona).He once again provides a truly original screenplay with this work (which rightfully won an Academy Award). It's a character driven plot, a romantic-fantasy, that revolves around an aspiring writer, Gil Pender (Owen Wilson). Gil is on vacation with his fiance, experience a bit of a writer's block yet finding great inspiration from the city of Paris. However Gil get's no support from his practical fiance, Inez (Rachel MacAdams) her parents, nor her friends. Inez parents and friends merely serve as juxtapositions to Gil's dreamlike ideals. It is rather through the Parisians, (Marion Cotilliard and Lea Seydoux) that Gil is able to find his inspiration.

One of the best catches of this film is it's fantasy twist that highlights cultural and artistic references from the 1920s. Woody Allen is able to subtly tie this fantasy into his plot, by sending Gil on magical time traveling trips to the 1920s. When the clock strikes midnight, Gil boards an old vehicle and finds himself sharing drinks and discussion with famous artists of the time. This magical twist is never fully explained, however it's irrelevant since it's all seen from Gil's aspiring eyes. To add to this imaginative twist, is many notable guest star performances, great costume designs, as well as a very catchy jazz soundtrack. The film is bursting with romantic, artistic, and cultural innuendos that leaves the viewer wanting more. Within its themes of art, nostalgia, and romance is it's ultimate homage to the beauty that is Paris, both past and present.

The Original Characters

Gil Pender is the protagonist of this film played by Owen Wilson. He is somewhat of a hopeless romantic, a screenplay Hollywood writer who wants to give actual literature a try. His only obstacle however is that his fiance does not share his artistic passion, and he finds himself at a lack of inspiration. That is until he falls in love with the city of Paris.

Inez is the fiance of Gil, portrayed by Rachel MacAdams. She is a practical upper class woman who plays somewhat of an antagonist to Gil's daydreaming. Although she has her brief moments she is constantly arguing and belittling Gil. She is supported by her wealthy parents who feel that Gil is not a good choice for her. By the end of the film it is quite clear that Inez is only in it for the status and doesn't truly love Gil and his artistic ideals.

Inez's father is a wealthy business man played by Kurt Fuller, who doesn't care much for France much less Gil. It is clear that he is a conservative person who despises any liberal agenda whatsoever. He even goes as far as to have Gil followed in the night.

Inez's mother is the classic snooty mother, played by Mimi Kennedy. She supports her daughter yet hardly trusts Gil's artistic ambitions.

Paul Bates is an old friend of Inez, played by Michael Sheen. He is described as a pedantic, pseudo-intellectual who has an academic opinion on everything from art to psychology. He is a very dis-likable character, who claims to know everything and in doing so he steals Inez away from Gil.

Carol Bates is the extremely loyal wife to Paul, played by Nina Arianda. She appears to be an intellectual herself however much more in awe of her know-it-all husband.

Adriana is Gil's love interest set in the 1920s, played by Marion Cottillard. Although she is not based on a historical person, she can be identified as a mistress of Picasso, Modigliani, Hemingway, and Braque. She is very lovely with a taste for fashion and the arts and especially fond of Gil's lost yet innocent ideals. However she fades away into the Bella Epoque or perhaps Gil's fantasies.

Gabriella is a young Parisian woman who sells music in the markets, and shares a natural chemistry with Gil. She is played by Lea Seydoux. She shares Gil's passion for Cole Porter, Paris in the rain, and perhaps art in general. At the end of the film she walks with Gil by his side.


The Soundtrack

01. “Si tu vois ma mère” – Sidney Bechet

02. “Je suis seul ce soir” – Swing 41
03. “Recado” – Original Paris Swing 
04. “Bistro Fada” – Stephane Wrembel
05. “Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall In Love)” – Conal Fowkes (Composed by Cole Porter)
06. “You’ve Got That Thing” – Conal Fowkes (Composed by Cole Porter)
07. “La conga blicoti” – Joséphine Baker
08. “You Do Something to Me” – Conal Fowkes (Composed by Cole Porter)
09. “I Love Penny Sue” – Daniel May
10. “Charleston” – Enoch Light & The Charleston City All Stars (Composed by James P Johnson)
11. “Ain’t She Sweet” – Enoch Light & The Charleston City All Stars (Composed by Milton Ager)
12. “Parlez-moi d’amour” – Dana Boulé (Composed by Jean Lenoir)
13. “Barcarolle from “The Tales of Hoffman” – Conal Fowkes & Yrving & Lisa Yeras
14. “Can-Can from Orpheus In the Underworld” – The Czech National Symphony Orchestra (Composed by Jaques Offenbach)
15. “Ballad du Paris” – Francois Parisi
16. “Le parc de plaisir” – Francois Parisi