2007 Year End Survey | Bill Simmon

Bill Simmon completes our trifecta of filmmakers in this year's survey. In 2007, Simmon moved closer to completing his documentary and concert film of The Pants by posting a clip from the concert here. You can also watch the trailer for the documentary here.

2007 also saw Simmon winning his second Seven Daysie award for the best non-political blog in Vermont for the always entertaining Candleblog. Simmon also won the award in 2005 before the award was split between political and non-political blogs.

1) What was your favorite song of 2007?

The Mesopotamians by They Might Be Giants from their 2007 release, The Else, was the best song on an album that was a return to form for that band and their show at HG was nerds in paradise. They sound as good as they ever have -- better, really.

They Might Be Giants | The Mesopotamians | Buy


2) What was your favorite album of 2007?

Is it lame to name an album that was recorded in 1971 and released in 2007? Neil Young Live at Massey Hall 1971 is a glowing star of pretty. It's Young at the absolute top of his game, alone with an acoustic guitar and a grand piano -- the way he was meant to be. This show was recorded just a month or so before Young recorded his album Harvest and features him introducing the song Old Man to a crowd that had never heard it before.

Other notable albums: Sky Blue Sky by Wilco, The Else by TMBG, In Rainbows by Radiohead, The Shepherd's Dog by Iron and Wine

3) What was your favorite concert of 2007?

I have to say TMBG at Higher Ground, because they sounded so good and the crowd was so nerd-tastic! Wilco & Low at the Shelburne Museum was beautiful too.

4) What was your favorite thing about 2007?

Selfishly, I liked getting my new kick ass MacBook Pro. I also liked winning the Goldstone Award at the Vermont International Film Festival. SXSW back in March was amazing. Seeing the film No Country for Old Men was a high point too.

5) What are your best wishes for 2008?

I hope to finish the ever-languishing Pants documentary I'm making and I would very much like a Democrat to win the Presidency in November. Last year I think I wished for a peaceful resolution to the war in Iraq and that didn't work. Your blog is broken!