It's about that time of the new year, my top music picks from 2018....
Yea, I don't write to this blog all that much, but this entry is pretty much a guarantee....my top record choices from last year. As a rule, I always wait a month in to give myself a chance to look back, do some thinking, and some re-listening. Easy pickins' this year-by far hands down, Alejandro Escovedo was my fave, and the rest are in no particular order, just good stuff I've heard and really liked. There are a few standard favorites who can do no wrong in my book, but there are a few curve balls for you also....
When it came down to looking back, I realized I didn't probably listen to as much music as I normally do...been in the studio a good chunk of the year working on a new record with The Dirt Nappers, but overall, and looking back there were a bunch of good things that caught my ear.
I've also compiled a Spotify list of some songs- feel free to follow me and check it out-
Here we go:
Favorite/Best Of The Year:
Alejandro Escovedo-The Crossing
Timely, passionate and raw, this is a beautiful work of art, both musically, and in the design of the CD. Alejandro teamed up with Don Antonio, an Italian musician and his band and recorded a truly stunning piece of music here. There's an in-your-face-gut-punching delivery that Escovedo does SO well- one that echoes the desperation of people looking for asylum, looking for a new home, and willing to do anything they can to attain that. The stories of those who made it and continue to struggle and fight are here too, and given the current debacle of our current compassionless response to the immigration needs at the southern boarder, and the global refugee crisis, these song have an extra resonance and weight to them. The delivery of some of the songs is heart-wrenching- "Footsteps in the Shadows", "Texas is My Mother"- capture the desperation and the pound in your chest fear of being on the run. The punk-edged flavors of "Fury and Fire", and "Outlaw For You" get equally tempered by beautiful ballads like "Something Blue" and "Silver City". Not a bad note. Plenty of story. And a record that makes you think, feel, and wonder how we got so fucked up as human beings. Best line- "Come to think of it, the border crossed me, I didn't cross it. And if you really want to think about it, you're the wetback- coming across the Atlantic." Well said, well delivered. This guy is at the top of his game. Someone needs to turn this into a stage production.
Other Top Picks In No Particular Random Order
Richard Thompson - 13 Rivers-
RT is back. After a few records that were somewhat meandering, -good, but not his best-, this new record leaps out of the speakers and reminds you why this guy's name is always on the guitar player's top guitar players of all time list. Back to a rock and roll vibe, with that traditional feel, Thompson is like cask strength bourbon- biting, smooth, and you just can't stop drinking it.
David Ford-Animal Spirits-
David Ford is one of the most under appreciated songwriters, performers and singers out there today. I'm not even sure if anyone played this record on American radio. Honestly, this reminds me a bit of a Tom Waits record- maybe a touch of Rain Dogs- but with Ford's unique sonic quality and sensibility. How can such a nice guy write such edgy tunes? A hard to find CD, but stream this record on Spotify. Again and again.
Ry Cooder-The Prodigal Son
- Like Thompson, The Prodigal Son is a return to form for Cooder. I never miss a release, but the last few records haven't been for everyone. Ry teams up with son Joaquin, and the groove, feel and funk is there. Yea Terry Evans and Bobby King are there-God bless them. Yea Ry's playing is top notch. And yea, this album should be played loud. Kinda reminds me of Ry's "Get Rhythm"/"Borderline" releases a bit. The title track is a keeper, and the subtle delivery of "Living on Straight Street" is the definition of "laying back" but still delivering the soul......
Candi Staton - Unstoppable-
I wanna look that damn good in a leather outfit when I'm 79 years old. I know I won't be singing anywhere near this woman for sure. I'm a big fan of Mavis, but I'm sorry, Candi did a bit of schooling here -and she's sounding pretty damn amazing. Her past couple of records have been great, and while this one runs the risk of getting a bit preachy and syrupy, her delivery of the opening track, her heartfelt delivery of "What's So Funny...." and the overall energy of this record earned top marks in my book......glad this woman is unstoppable.
The Reverend Shawn Amos - Reverend Shawn Amos Breaks It Down-
Producer Shawn Amos's blues persona gives us a pretty interesting album. Some deep songs that wrestle with this country's race problems, some great production, and I love this guy's voice. This album also has a cover of Nick Lowe's tune- so good to see Nick able to generate a few royalty checks. In addition to Amos's own tunes, this record also has a killer version of the Bowie classic - "Jean Genie" - totally worth the price of admission alone.
Amy Helm - This Too Shall Light-
The title cut is hypnotic. The recording is impeccable. Helm sings with soul, sweetness and command. If I had to name a #2, this would be it. She also has an amazing ability to reinterpret songs- her version of "Mandolin Wind" is stunning. The Milk Carton Kids' "Michigan" gets totally owned by Helm. Years ago, Carlene Carter melted my heart. This year, Amy Helm stole it.
Sunflower Bean - Twentytwo In Blue-
Maybe it reminds me a bit of a Bangles album, maybe because the songs are hooky as hell, or maybe the extra bonus of some really great guitar playing caught my ear. A seriously fun powerpoprockandroll record capturing millennial angst without sounding like some weepy ass emo throwback album.
Jim James - Uniform Distortion-
James is in fine vocal form here, singing like only he can-and damn, what a wall of sound this record has......Big, booming, thick and fuzzy, but all wrapped around great songs. If you don't agree that "Throwback" is a great hook, go find a drawer at the local morgue.
Kim Ritchey-Edgeland-
My favorite "songwriter" album of the year. She edged out Grant Lee Phillips by a hair. I don't have any of her other albums, but this one is a pretty good introduction to a brilliant songwriter. Straight ahead lyrics capturing everyday life ("Red Line"), getting old ("Chase Wild Horses"), and the best "I told you so-" song ("Pin A Rose"-one of my favorite songs of the year) are just a few of this collection's highlights.
Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore - Downey To Lubbock-
Dave Alvin has the thickest, ballsiest guitar tone I've heard since SRV. He roars, but roars with control, authority and in perfect harmony with Jimmie Dale, that you can feel and hear the camaraderie these two guys shared making this album. Chock full of great songs, "The Gardens" is a powerful standout.
Three random singles I didn't mind hearing over and over:
"Wide Awake"- by Parquet Courts- a bunch of knuckleheads from Brooklyn.
"Cheers"-Anderson.Paak collab with Q-Tip. The best hip-hop has to offer. This guy is great.
"Mr. Tillman"-Father John Misty-Warren Zevon couldn't have written a better ode to drunkeness.
(and of course, "She Moves Like A Mystery"-thrown in there for good measure!)
That's it.....I would say that is a pretty solid year in music. Go out and buy some music for yourself. You'll be glad you did. So will a musician.
fm
When it came down to looking back, I realized I didn't probably listen to as much music as I normally do...been in the studio a good chunk of the year working on a new record with The Dirt Nappers, but overall, and looking back there were a bunch of good things that caught my ear.
I've also compiled a Spotify list of some songs- feel free to follow me and check it out-
Here we go:
Favorite/Best Of The Year:
Alejandro Escovedo-The Crossing
Timely, passionate and raw, this is a beautiful work of art, both musically, and in the design of the CD. Alejandro teamed up with Don Antonio, an Italian musician and his band and recorded a truly stunning piece of music here. There's an in-your-face-gut-punching delivery that Escovedo does SO well- one that echoes the desperation of people looking for asylum, looking for a new home, and willing to do anything they can to attain that. The stories of those who made it and continue to struggle and fight are here too, and given the current debacle of our current compassionless response to the immigration needs at the southern boarder, and the global refugee crisis, these song have an extra resonance and weight to them. The delivery of some of the songs is heart-wrenching- "Footsteps in the Shadows", "Texas is My Mother"- capture the desperation and the pound in your chest fear of being on the run. The punk-edged flavors of "Fury and Fire", and "Outlaw For You" get equally tempered by beautiful ballads like "Something Blue" and "Silver City". Not a bad note. Plenty of story. And a record that makes you think, feel, and wonder how we got so fucked up as human beings. Best line- "Come to think of it, the border crossed me, I didn't cross it. And if you really want to think about it, you're the wetback- coming across the Atlantic." Well said, well delivered. This guy is at the top of his game. Someone needs to turn this into a stage production.
Other Top Picks In No Particular Random Order
Richard Thompson - 13 Rivers-
RT is back. After a few records that were somewhat meandering, -good, but not his best-, this new record leaps out of the speakers and reminds you why this guy's name is always on the guitar player's top guitar players of all time list. Back to a rock and roll vibe, with that traditional feel, Thompson is like cask strength bourbon- biting, smooth, and you just can't stop drinking it.
David Ford-Animal Spirits-
David Ford is one of the most under appreciated songwriters, performers and singers out there today. I'm not even sure if anyone played this record on American radio. Honestly, this reminds me a bit of a Tom Waits record- maybe a touch of Rain Dogs- but with Ford's unique sonic quality and sensibility. How can such a nice guy write such edgy tunes? A hard to find CD, but stream this record on Spotify. Again and again.
Ry Cooder-The Prodigal Son
- Like Thompson, The Prodigal Son is a return to form for Cooder. I never miss a release, but the last few records haven't been for everyone. Ry teams up with son Joaquin, and the groove, feel and funk is there. Yea Terry Evans and Bobby King are there-God bless them. Yea Ry's playing is top notch. And yea, this album should be played loud. Kinda reminds me of Ry's "Get Rhythm"/"Borderline" releases a bit. The title track is a keeper, and the subtle delivery of "Living on Straight Street" is the definition of "laying back" but still delivering the soul......
Candi Staton - Unstoppable-
I wanna look that damn good in a leather outfit when I'm 79 years old. I know I won't be singing anywhere near this woman for sure. I'm a big fan of Mavis, but I'm sorry, Candi did a bit of schooling here -and she's sounding pretty damn amazing. Her past couple of records have been great, and while this one runs the risk of getting a bit preachy and syrupy, her delivery of the opening track, her heartfelt delivery of "What's So Funny...." and the overall energy of this record earned top marks in my book......glad this woman is unstoppable.
The Reverend Shawn Amos - Reverend Shawn Amos Breaks It Down-
Producer Shawn Amos's blues persona gives us a pretty interesting album. Some deep songs that wrestle with this country's race problems, some great production, and I love this guy's voice. This album also has a cover of Nick Lowe's tune- so good to see Nick able to generate a few royalty checks. In addition to Amos's own tunes, this record also has a killer version of the Bowie classic - "Jean Genie" - totally worth the price of admission alone.
Amy Helm - This Too Shall Light-
The title cut is hypnotic. The recording is impeccable. Helm sings with soul, sweetness and command. If I had to name a #2, this would be it. She also has an amazing ability to reinterpret songs- her version of "Mandolin Wind" is stunning. The Milk Carton Kids' "Michigan" gets totally owned by Helm. Years ago, Carlene Carter melted my heart. This year, Amy Helm stole it.
Sunflower Bean - Twentytwo In Blue-
Maybe it reminds me a bit of a Bangles album, maybe because the songs are hooky as hell, or maybe the extra bonus of some really great guitar playing caught my ear. A seriously fun powerpoprockandroll record capturing millennial angst without sounding like some weepy ass emo throwback album.
Jim James - Uniform Distortion-
James is in fine vocal form here, singing like only he can-and damn, what a wall of sound this record has......Big, booming, thick and fuzzy, but all wrapped around great songs. If you don't agree that "Throwback" is a great hook, go find a drawer at the local morgue.
Kim Ritchey-Edgeland-
My favorite "songwriter" album of the year. She edged out Grant Lee Phillips by a hair. I don't have any of her other albums, but this one is a pretty good introduction to a brilliant songwriter. Straight ahead lyrics capturing everyday life ("Red Line"), getting old ("Chase Wild Horses"), and the best "I told you so-" song ("Pin A Rose"-one of my favorite songs of the year) are just a few of this collection's highlights.
Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore - Downey To Lubbock-
Dave Alvin has the thickest, ballsiest guitar tone I've heard since SRV. He roars, but roars with control, authority and in perfect harmony with Jimmie Dale, that you can feel and hear the camaraderie these two guys shared making this album. Chock full of great songs, "The Gardens" is a powerful standout.
Three random singles I didn't mind hearing over and over:
"Wide Awake"- by Parquet Courts- a bunch of knuckleheads from Brooklyn.
"Cheers"-Anderson.Paak collab with Q-Tip. The best hip-hop has to offer. This guy is great.
"Mr. Tillman"-Father John Misty-Warren Zevon couldn't have written a better ode to drunkeness.
(and of course, "She Moves Like A Mystery"-thrown in there for good measure!)
That's it.....I would say that is a pretty solid year in music. Go out and buy some music for yourself. You'll be glad you did. So will a musician.
fm
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