Washington Post music critic J. Freedom du Lac is online every Tuesday at 2 p.m. ET to talk about the latest on the music scene: hip-hop, pop, alternative, country, alt-country, rock, reggae, reggaeton, R and B and whatever it is that Kevin Federline does.

The transcript follows.

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washingtonpost.com: There's Something About Mary at the Grammys

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washingtonpost.com: This Time, He's a Solo Man; Sam Moore Hopes to Be Just as Sensational Without Dave

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J. Freedom du Lac: Greetings, peeps. You'd best behave today, as I'm dedicating this chat to my beloved grandmother who passed away over the weekend.

She lived a long and wonderful life, and I'm celebrating it at this very moment by listening to the great Eddie Vedder-Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan song, "The Long Road."

And I wished for so long, cannot stay/

All the precious moments, cannot stay/

It's not like wings have fallen, cannot stay/

But I feel something's missing, cannot say.

Holding hands are daughters and sons/

And their faiths just falling down, down, down, down/

I have wished for so long/

How I wish for you today.

We all walk the long road. Cannot stay/

There's no need to say goodbye/

All the friends and family/

All the memories going round, round, round, round/

I have wished for so long/

How I wish for you today.

And the wind keeps roaring/

And the sky keeps turning gray/

And the sun is set/

The sun will rise another day.

We all walk the long road. Cannot stay/

There's no need to say goodbye/

All the friends and family/

All the memories going round, round, round, round/

I have wished for so long/

How I wish for you today/

How I've wished for so long/

How I wish for you today.

We all walk the long road.

---

I love you, grandma.

Okay then, let's do this.

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Carson City, Nev.: So who won the Grammies?

J. Freedom du Lac: Sir Georg Solti.

You might not have him on your iPod, but the longtime former music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra won 31 Grammys during his lifetime. Well, 32 if you count the renowned conductor's Lifetime Achievement Award.

(By the by, the number of Grammy Awards given to the Beach Boys during the band's lifetime: Zero. Nicely done, Recording Academy.)

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Washington, D.C.: Hey Mr. J. - Is it true that Bono can write the Lord's Prayer on the head of a pin?

J. Freedom du Lac: Not at all. But give the man an ultra-fine-point pen and a grain of rice and away he goes.

Speaking of Bono, the same in-law who prefers Poison to the Beatles and Beach Boys noted last night that she'd rather listen to Celine Dion than U2. She doesn't care for Celine, but she *really* dislikes U2. Nails on a chalkboard, she says. But she's not a completely lost cause. I mean, she digs the Dixie Chicks and Metallica and Johnny Cash, and she's planning to see Prince at 3121. So she remains on my Christmas card list ... for now.

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San Angelo: So it's looking like the Persephone's Bees album is gonna be the "unjustly overlooked future cult classic" of 2006. But what I'm wondering is...how did this album get released by a major label in the first place? It has nothing to do with anything that's currently fashionable, either on the charts or in indie circles. Could this this be a case of an album so good that even folks at Columbia Records can recognize its charms? Or is it just that Angelina is wicked hot?

J. Freedom du Lac: I was wondering the same thing when "City of Love" came on my iPod during a recent flight. Persephone's Bees don't really fit the mold of a major-label artist circa 2006. They're too cute and weird and, as you noted, they're not exactly following the current trends. With major-label deals harder to come by these days, it's pretty surprising that the PBees landed on Columbia.

I mean, I could see them getting a deal in the mid-90s, when alt-rock radio was going strong, and artists like the Cardigans ("Lovefool"), Chumbawumba ("Tubthumping") and OMC ("How Bizarre") were scoring big-label hits, some more unlikely than others. Back then, labels were throwing around deals like they were going out of style -- which they were, apparently. Not so anymore.

The PBees could be a passion project for somebody at the label. Or maybe the Columbia suits really think there's a chance that the band can do some sales damage. I'm not seeing it, though, even if I do like 'em. At the very least, they should be able to make a decent living selling songs to TV shows, movie soundtracks and advertisers.

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Arlington, Va.: Any recommendations for someone who digs the new MMJ, last years Nada Surf and the new Beck?

J. Freedom du Lac: Take a peek at Joseph Arthur's "Nuclear Daydream." It just might work for you. Certainly works for me, as it's Top 10 for 2006. (And no, I won't cover the rest of my list today - I haven't yet figured out the final three slots, for which there are about 18 contenders.)

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Washington, D.C.: Has rock music gotten that bad, or are the Grammy's just clueless? Tom Petty, Neil Young, RHCP, and John Mayer???? What????

Please tell me that rock is not dead!

J. Freedom du Lac: The Recording Academy isn't the greatest barometer.

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Springfield, Va.: Oh boy! Tell us all about the new Jay-Z record or Gwen Stefani record. Oh wait, I already know. They're junk.

J. Freedom du Lac: Brought to you by Iggy and the Scrooges.

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Washington, D.C.: Paul Farhi just called you a miserable no-good glue-sniffing non-radio-listening punk in his chat and said he wants to hurt you bad.

I might be reading between the lines, but I think that's what he said.

J. Freedom du Lac: I will not be baited into a chat war by that two-bit weasel slug. Tony Kornheiser's greatest hit of 2006 came when he called Farhi "that putz in Style." (At least, I think he was talking about Paul. But maybe he really meant Chris Richards.)

Farhi has another thing coming to him. Or, rather, leaving him: I'm thisclose to finalizing a deal with the Station Break Dancers, who are fed up with Farhi (aren't we all?). I hope to officially introduce the Freedom Rockettes before the new year.

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Fairfax, Va.: J.Free, how was the Prince show at 3121 last week? Is it worth the $125 because I'll be there in Feb.

Thanks!

J. Freedom du Lac: It wasn't the best Prince show I've ever seen, but it was pretty excellent nonetheless. The room is small but they don't pack it in; even when it's sold out, which it has been throughout his run, you still get some personal space, which is nice. The little purple polyglot played for more than 2 hours, and the set included plenty of "3121" stuff (title track, "Lolita," "Black Sweat"), plus some of the older stuff: "Purple Rain," "Kiss," "Partyman," "Anotherlover," "Nothing Compares to U," etc. Great band that could play pretty much anything: Blues ballads, power rock, ragtime/gospel instrumentals, even a cover of Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy," which Maceo Parker sang on some sort of vocoder-type device while Prince exhorted the crowd by waving a towel. Maceo also handled lead on "Pass the Peas." Prince is as tireless as ever: After the official show ended, he invited the crowd to come next door, to the restaurant, where he, Maceo et al jammed until the break of dawn. Very highly recommended experience. But go sooner than later, as the Rio isn't sure when the run will end. It's up to Prince, it seems. I believe he just signed on for January dates, but nothing has been set for February. He will, of course, be gone for at least one weekend, when he's playing the Super Bowl halftime show.

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Toby Keith was shut out?: Impossible. When I think of poverty in this country -- when every day is a struggle and every dawn is a victory -- there is a country music soundtrack to those little victories. And it is Toby Keith, singing proudly about being a Ford truck man. If country is the "white man's blues," about thwarted hopes and persistent struggles, Keith soothes the troubled soul by informing listeners that he will only drive a $34,000 truck. God bless Toby Keith: He is perfectly in tune with the realities of poverty in this country.

J. Freedom du Lac: Yeahbut at least he doesn't charge Springsteenesque prices for his concert tickets. I'm not saying they're comparable live performers; not even close. But have you noticed what that great champion of blue-collardom and the American underclass charges for tickets these days? You could buy a full fleet of $34K trucks with the gate receipts and still have money left over to pick up some of those monster duallies I saw tooling around Vegas for the National Finals Rodeo. God bless The Boss.

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Arlington, Va.: OK, so you're holding out on your top 10, fair enough. But what about worst 10 or most disappointing 10, or something along those lines?

J. Freedom du Lac:#1 on the bottom 10 list: Neil Young's Living With War.

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Washington, D.C.: Yo Free

Know any web sites for music that function like film affinity, where you rate films and find other people who have similar tastes?

J. Freedom du Lac: I do not. Anyone?

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Alabama: Condolences on your grandmother's passing.

Did Sam have anything to say about the Blues Brothers' "Soul Man" cover? I've usually heard it described as such: Belushi had a lot of enthusiasm, and not so much singing talent.

J. Freedom du Lac: Thanky. In lieu of flowers, please send a copy of the new Bob Wills box set that came out on Columbia/Legacy.

The Blues Brothers cover didn't come up. But given our conversations about other singers -- and, in some cases, "SANGers" (you have to be a great singer to be a sanger, natch) -- I don't think Sam would rate the Belushi-Akroyd version of "Soul Man" very highly. He has very high standards when it comes to vocal performances. As he should. I mean, the guy was once invited to replace Sam Cooke in the Soul Stirrers! He is most definitely a SANGer.

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San Diego, Calif.: What is the difference between in the Grammy "Song of the Year" and "Record of the Year" categories? Both seem to honor a single.

J. Freedom du Lac: Song of the year is a writing award. Record of the year honors the performance and production. There's a lot of crossover in the category this year, as four of the five record nominees are also up for song of the year: Mary J. Blige's "Be Without You," James Blunt's "You're Beautiful," the Dixie Chicks' "Not Ready to Make Nice" and Corinne Bailey Rae's "Put Your Records On." The exception is Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy," which is replaced in the song of the year category by Carrie Underwood's "Jesus, Take the Wheel." Though it's not really Carrie Underwood's song: The tune was written by Brett James, Hillary Lindsey and Gordie Sampson. All of the other performers had co-writing credits on their song of the year entries.

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Leesburg, Va.: So, when can we expect your top 10 albums of 2006? I know there's still 3 weeks left in the year, but I think it's safe to say that nothing great is going to be coming out before the end of the year. Can you give us a sample of what to expect?

J. Freedom du Lac: Presently scheduled to run on the final Sunday of the year. I think it's pretty obvious which albums are locks, since I've talked about them here repeatedly. Solomon Burke's "Nashville," eg. The Coup's "Pick a Bigger Weapon." Dylan's "Modern Times." Etc etc. But I can't finalize the list just yet. I mean, there's always a chance that I'll love the new Bow Wow album enough to put it in my Top 10. (It's a .003% chance. But a chance nonetheless.)

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If I might ask: So was your grandmother responsible for your preternaturally expansive knowledge of sixties music or are you way older than you appear to be ?

J. Freedom du Lac: Given that she left behind an extensive 8-track collection of Perry Como recordings, I'd have to say no. But she did teach me how to play a mean game of mah jong.

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Indianapolis, Ind.: New to the chats. What's your take on Bright Eyes? I like 'em.

J. Freedom du Lac: Welcome. I like 'em, too. Reviewed a live show about a year ago (link coming in 3...2...1), and "I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning" was Top 10 for me in '05. "Lua" landed in my Top 21 singles list, as well.

By the by, I'm not doing the singles this year, though. Chris Richards is handling that list with an expanded year-end edition of "Singles File." I'm already writting a letter to the editor to complain about the list, as he's not putting "Crazy" at No. 1. Instead, he's considering that lame Nelly Furtado-Timbaland tune, among others. Boo, hiss. (Kornheiser was definitely talking about Chris when he mentioned that putz in Style.)

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washingtonpost.com: Bright Eyes, Over Two Dark Circles

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About That Unscheduled Chat: JF: Can't the powers that be, there, have some kind of geeky Desktop Alert when you have an extra chat? Like the one on the Grammys? Politics, Sports & Gossip are great diversions, but there's Only 1 U!!!

J. Freedom du Lac: Who do U think Eye am? Prince?

I was amused to see that on the ticket and signage outside the club, it said something about a "per4mance."

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Washington, D.C.: Will you do your top songs of 2006 as well? I don't buy albums anymore.

Oh and really enjoy The Singles File. I just wish Chris would pick more songs that were actually available as singles.

J. Freedom du Lac: I wish Chris would pick more songs that I actually liked! (I keed, I keed.)

He may be doing his own chat about the year-end singles list. In early January. So bring the noise when he pops up online.

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Newport, R.I.: So I finally bought the newest Dixie Chicks album and it is AWESOME. What else should I stop dragging my feet on buying (I already have Nashville)?

Sorry to hear about your grandma.

J. Freedom du Lac: It's pretty terrific. So, so tuneful, with great harmonies. And I like the Rick Rubin house band quite a bit. You might investigate the Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins album, "Rabbit Fur Coat," if you haven't already. I think you might like. Also, this might be a bit far afield for you, but one of the best albums of the year that nobody ever talks about is Candi Staton's "His Hands," an amazing soul album that includes covers of Burke, Merle Haggard, etc.

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Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.: J Free, what gets you rockin' around the Christmas tree?

J. Freedom du Lac: Spiked egg nog - hold the egg nog.

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She's no pre-crack Whitney but...: Mary J. Blige is self-admittedly not a great singer. She acknowledges her pitch problems. What makes Mary great is the material and the passion with which she delivers it. Her songs speak to a lot of people - men and women alike. Can you tell I'm in love?

J. Freedom du Lac: I've heard this argument before, particularly from a friend who used to work as an editor at Vibe and has long insisted that I'm insane for doubting Mary's greateness. OK, so I'm insane. But I can't get past the pitch problems. I don't think any less of you for loving her, though.

I still think it'd be great to marry Christina Aguilera's technical ability and range with Mary J's ability to emote. You'd have something close to the perfect soul SANGer. But as I've noted before, she already exists, and her name is Aretha Franklin.

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Leesburg, Va.: Make sure you write down your top singles of 2006, even if they won't be published. I think those of us who read you chat would like to see the list. Personally, I would put The Coup's My Favorite Mutiny at the #1 single of 2006. Crazy would be a very close 2nd.

J. Freedom du Lac: I'll publish my 1gles list in the first chat of 2007. "My Favorite Mutiny" is definitely up there. Don't know if you heard, by the way, but The Coup is down for the count right now. Bad tour bus accident earlier this month after a show in San Diego with Mr. Lif. No life-thretening injuries, but they lost everything when the bus went up in flames. Boots Riley recently posted a plea for help, noting: "Most of us had every stitch of clothing we owned on there. We lost clothes, computers, recording equipment, cameras, IDs, phones, keys to cars and homes. We lost cash. We lost all our damn instruments and equipment to perform with. We were and are happy to walk away with our lives. But now we're home. Most of the band touring with The Coup has kids, rent that won't quit, bills, and holiday expenses coming. We need money, because like I said the band doesn't have the tools that they make a living with."

He's seeking donations. You can go to The Coup's Myspace page for more info.

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Free unsolicited gift idea: J. Free:

I've got the iPod on while working and just heard the Del-Vetts' "Last Time Around" which reminded me of one of the great box sets of all time: "Nuggets." 4 CD's of great 60's garage rock done by a bunch of people you've never heard of, but who had at least one great moment in them. First chance to discover the Sonics, one of the great unsung rock bands ever. Don't even know if it's still available but get it if you can, people.

J. Freedom du Lac: Agreed: Nuggets is one of the all-time great box sets. Not good enough to surpass James Brown's "Star Time," but it's up there.

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RE: I still think it'd be great to marry Christina Aguilera's technical ability and range with Mary J's ability to emote: Think twice before you play God like that, Dr. Freedomstein.

When I was a kid, I tried to switch the brains of a turtle and a hamster and all I got was a big mess (and big trouble from mommy).

J. Freedom du Lac: You're making that up.

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Music to Die By: When my mom collapsed and went into the hospital earlier this year, my sister and father and I spent her last hour before her surgery (from which she never regained consciousness and died six days later) singing old Mills Brothers songs, big band tunes from her youth, and even show tunes to her (she was a big "Oh What a Beautiful Morning" fan). And the greatest memory I have of that week was watching her lips form the lyrics to join along every once in a while. After surgery, as she lay unconscious, I played soft hymns. So many people don't know hymns anymore, but I myself can't imagine dying to anything else. So my question to you is: What music will you want to die by, when your time comes?

J. Freedom du Lac: Brian Eno's "An Ending (Ascent)."

Or maybe "I'll Fly Away," the Mavis Staples version. (Though I love the Alison Krauss-Gillian Welch take from "O Brother" as well.)

I'd also be okay with Tom Waits' "Come On Up to the House" and Warren Zevon's version of "Knockin' On Heaven's Door."

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Anonymous: I don't think it's legal for you to say spiked eggnog. Spike Lee has an injuction out on that phrase.

J. Freedom du Lac: The same Spike Lee who pretended to fall asleep while I was interviewing him back in my college days? I could totally take him.

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Christina Aguilera?: She would oversing "Row Row Row Your Boat." She sounds the same on every record and her warbling makes me ill.

And yes, Ree Ree is without peer.

J. Freedom du Lac: Speaking of Ree Ree, I saw her, too, in Vegas. The Imperial Palace has a bunch of impersonators doing some sort of Legends revue, and so Aretha's doppelganger was staring at me from a billboard 10 stories up. So, too, were Elvis, Tom Jones, Bette Middler and some dude who looked more like Prince than Prince does these days. It was kinda creepy.

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Boston, Mass.: Don't forget the even-better Nuggets II, covering the UK pop-psych and freakbeat scenes and great Euro and South American garage as well!

J. Freedom du Lac: I didn't like the sequel quite as much, but it's definitely worth exploring.

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Washington, D.C.: Hi Freedom and everyone,

Why does Beyonce seem to get more terrible with each solo release? The only song I really like is "Irreplaceable." The rest, including "Ring the Alarm" are nothing more than radio favorites-IPod rejects.

Is it just me?

J. Freedom du Lac: Nope, she definitely planted a turd blossom this time around. Must run in the soon-to-be-family, since Jay-Z's latest album is a stinker, too.

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20009: Farhi says if you nick the Station Break Dancers, he's changing the name of his chat to "Tuesday Afteronon Delight". Tit for tat.

J. Freedom du Lac: He can have it. Starland Vocal Band is so 2006. Or was it 1976? Oddly enough, Boots Riley says in his post about The Coup's bus crash that it happened just after Will Ferrell and friends did their "Afternoon Delight" bit in "Anchorman," which was playing on the bus.

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Paradise City, Md.: So...is Chinese Democracy going to come out this year? There are only two more Tuesday's left in 2006.

J. Freedom du Lac: Doesn't sound like it. But if/when the thing finally does come out, is anybody going to care?

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Tulsa, Okla.: Beyonce has a new album out? Awesome! She's Hot!

J. Freedom du Lac: I'm curious to know how many magazine covers she's been on this year, between the ramp-up her album release and, now, the advance hype for "Dreamgirls." It's very possible that she's set some sort of cover-girl record.

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McLean, Va.: J. Free:

The one thing the Grammys do well is honor a long-time performing great with a bunch of awards for their most recent release. Unfortunately, it doesn't always mean that latest work is great, they just seem to finally get around to honoring them. I think of people like Ray Charles or Paul Simon. Any idea who's the old favorite who gets the big night this year?

J. Freedom du Lac: Grammy loves the old guard, for sure. But I don't see any obvious candidates for that kind of a big night in February, as the leading nominees are on the younger end of the spectrum. The Red Hot Chili Peppers are the old men among the major-awards nominees, but they ain't exactly Ray Charles, Paul Simon or Eric Clapton or whatever.

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Virginia: Please please please tell me that "10,000 Days" is on your on the bottom 10 list.

J. Freedom du Lac: Sorry, it's not. I don't hate Tool. I just don't get 'em.

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Washington, D.C.: Homer Simpson has a SVB tattoo...bet you already knew that though.

J. Freedom du Lac: And you don't?

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More Music to die to: Antony and the Johnsons, pick your song from I Am a Bird Now.

J. Freedom du Lac: Or, Johnny Cash's tear-jerking cover of Hank Sr.'s "On the Evening Train," which just came on my iPod. I think that's a sign that it's time to wrap things up.

Thanks for stopping by, folks - and thanks for all of your nice words and wishes. I'll be back for one more chat this year, next Tuesday, and then we go dark for the holidays -- if only to give Chris Richards a week off from all the online abuse. Cheers.

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