My favorites – 2022

It’s been kind of a strange year as golf replaced music as my most common activity.  Not a lot of shows attended and only added 63 albums of which 45 were new releases.  And just a few hit a real nerve but regardless here are my ten favorite as of this morning.  The only real rule is that I have to own the vinyl which eliminated our friends Andrew Leahy and the Homestead and the Broken Spokes since I could only get their CD’s. And I know this list is skewed far more to country than any previous list – getting older kids!

1.       Riddy Arman – self-titled– supposedly this album was released in 2021 but I had never heard of her or the album in 2021 so I am counting it as a 2022 release.  I first heard “Spirits, Angels or Lies” one day streaming on a new release playlist.  It screamed classic country. Her dad is dying and Johnny Cash comes by in the middle of the night and asks him to go with him – he says he has to stay with his family and after he relates this to his wife she goes home and hears Johnny passed away overnight. That hooked me.  Other great songs –“Half a Heart Keychain”, “Barbed Wire” and a great cover of the Sammi Smith hit “Help Me Make It Through the Night”.  Easily the album I have played the most this year.  

2.       49 Winchester – Fortune Favors the Bold - a late addition to the catalog after a couple of songs showing up time after time on playlists.  “Russell County Line” is the song that got stuck in my head for much of 2022.  And the title song ended up being a quote at one of our Board meetings so I had to have “Fortune Favors the Bold”.

3.       Craig Finn – A Legacy of Rentals – The Hold Steady is one of my favorite bands and their albums almost always make this list.  This is Craig’s strongest solo effort by far. You know I like a story in my songs and every song Craig writes is a story.  Now just to see The Hold Steady or Craig live in 2023 – it’s been too long.  

4.       Ian Noe – River Fools & Mountain Saints – another one of those late 2021 albums I never heard of.  Caught “Pine Grove (Madhouse)” early in the year and then when I got the album I became a big fan of “Ballad of a Retired Man” as well as “Appalachia Haze”.  More stories -more happiness for me!

5.       John Fullbright – The Liar – John was probably the first of the Oklahoma guys I listened to back in Austin – far before John Moreland.  Hard to beat “Paranoid Heart” for my favorite song of 2022.  And “Social Skills” is one we can all relate to most days.

6.       American Aquarium – Chicamacomico- maybe the best part of this album is listening to Mojo Nixon on Outlaw Country attempt to pronounce the album title! Still the hardest working band in Americana put out another quality album.  “Built to Last” is my most played song on the album. 

7.       Wild Rivers – Sidelines – This was another of those Artist Discovery albums from the Magnolia Record Club.  Had never heard of Wild Rivers but this album surprised me and got a lot of spins on the turntable in 2022.

8.       Caroline Spence – True North – I think you all know my Caroline story – stumbled upon her opening for John Moreland at Main Street Crossing.  Since then every album has made my Top 10.  Between her songwriting and her voice her albums are my late night reading accompaniment.

9.       Elf Power – Artificial Countrysides – a random release form YepRoc that came from my year-long subscription .  Not sure I can even detail how or why they made the list – I just like the way this album sounds. 

10.   Jamestown Revival – Young Man – saw these guys open for the Wild Feathers a long time ago at the Crocodile Café in Seattle and their albums always sound great.  This one is no different and as a two piece they make some great music.

 

My Favorite Albums of 2021

 

This week while we were in NYC we had lunch with my friend Elliot Wagner (@nowiveheardeverything) who I met at SXSW many years ago.  Like a few of you, Elliot has forgotten more about music than I will ever know – he’s a walking encyclopedia of music.  We were talking about the best albums and he made a great point – any list may not be the “best” but is definitely your “favorite” at that point in time.  And never more true than this year when in the last month my “favorite” albums of 2021 have changed some places – still the same albums just a different order.  So with that said here are my “Favorite” albums of 2021! And the rules remain the same - only 2021 released albums and I have to own the vinyl (sorry Andrew Leahy).

 

1.   1.   James McMurtry – The Horses and the Hounds – I first heard James in 1989 when “Too Long in the Wasteland” came out and I wore out that cassette – yes a cassette which I still have.  Then we moved to Austin and I saw James numerous times including one night at the Cactus Café where he was standing beside me at the bar getting a shot before he played.  James is a true storyteller and you just want to believe they are his stories – guess he learned the storytelling from his dad – acclaimed author Larry McMurtry.  This album opens with “Canola Fields” that leads us from the fields of Southern Alberta to “Brooklyn before it went hipster”.  And a classic line “we were hiding out under my hat, cashing in on a thirty year crush, you can’t be young and do that”.  Lots of references to getting old as in “If it Don’t Bleed” where he writes “there’s more in the mirror than there is up ahead” which is so true for so many of us.  So many great lines and songs on this album!

 

2.   2. The Hold Steady – Open Door Policy – still remember the day at SXSW years ago at Rachael Ray’s party when Jo asked who the accountant in the Twins hat was getting his picture taken and I told her it was Craig Finn, lead singer of The Hold Steady who we would see in an hour or so and instantly became one of our favorite bands.  After a few albums that didn’t hit the mark this year’s release is a home run – right up there with “Boys and Girls in America” .  In “Lanyards” “Everybody’s trying to get the right kind of wristband” – so true for anybody going to a show.  And in “Family Farm” the writer meets a girl and then “She brought me to a fortress she called the family farm, out along the towers there were guards with heavy arms, I guess there was some tension with the neighbors”.  I can’t wait until we actually get to see these songs live in 2022!

 

3.      3. Amy Speace with The Orphan Brigade – There Used to Be Horses Here – It was on one of our lunch time walks in the spring of 2021 when the title track played from a Spotify new releases playlist and I was hooked.  Some research revealed I had a prior Amy Speace CD in the collection.  That song hooked me and led to discover more great songs on this album which became one of my most played in 2021.  The title track is about horses that lived by her dad’s house that are there no more “And I wanted to see them that day in October, running fast up the hill to the sky, I wanted to see them in perfect formation, one more time, one more time.”  What a great picture these lines paint of a fall day with the horses in the fields.  I think we can all see that picture in our minds.  This is still my favorite song of the year.  On “Shotgun Hearts” telling the story about a previous love “Running against our dreams before they could start, With Shotgun hearts”.  Because of COVID Amy didn’t tour this year but we did have the chance for a virtual house show where she played our request list and some of the new songs from her house in Nashville.  One of the highlights of 2021 for sure.

 

4.      4. The Killers – Pressure Machine – This is the most un-Killers like album I’ve ever heard – and my favorite.  I’ve heard it described as their “Nebraska” and although that maybe a stretch it’s terrific.  It’s a story album focused on small town Utah where Brandon grew up.  And for all of us from small towns the stories hit home.  The opener “West Hills” is the traditional small town guy who gets involved in drugs “They got me for possession of them Hillbilly Heroin pills Enough to kill the horses that run Free in the West Hills.”.  And then on “Cody” it’s that kid we all knew “Cody says he didn’t start the fire, His parents know he probably did”.  An added bonus was the great harmonica that Joe Pug (see below) added on “Quiet Town” which is another story of despair in a small town “A couple of kids got hit by a Union Pacific train, Carrying Sheet metal and household appliances”.  The story of small town America!  The most interesting question is how the Killers blend this into a live show with all their anthemic rockers.  Look forward to seeing that in Houston in 2022.

5.     5.  Morgan Wade – Reckless – Another find off of the Spotify Release Radar playlist early in 2021.  I then found out that Sadler Vaden (Isbell’s guitar player) was the producer and played / wrote on this album as well as much the 400 Unit.  We got a chance to see Morgan play these songs live when she opened for American Aquarium in June in the Heights.  It was solo acoustic so the songs sounded different but still very good.  The album opens with “Wilder Days” which is a falling in love story “I wish I had known you in your wilder days, and now here we go You got me falling in love again”.  The title track is a good song as well “Going too fast down the wrong way, swimming out past where the waves break”.  It will be interesting to see where Morgan goes from here!

 

6.      6. Son Volt – Electro Melodier – I wish I had been in to the Alt Country music earlier in my listening life and maybe I would have seen Uncle Tupelo.  It’s not often that a band breaks up and tow quality bands are formed from the parts.  But with Jeff Tweedy creating Wilco and Jay Farrar establishing Son Volt that is a reality. Most of you know I don’t get Wilco and I’ve tried hard to but I don’t get what the songs are about.  Son Volt on the other hand seems to write songs I enjoy.  This year’s release has great songs all over it.  “Reverie” opens the album with these lines “When you fade into a melody, your mind is lost in reverie” and isn’t that what music means even more in 2021 – listening to a song is your escape.  Later on “Livin’ in the USA” Jay writes the existential question facing America right now “Where’s the heart from days of old?, Where’s the Empathy?, Where’s the soul?, livin’ in the USA”.  All appropriate questions for 2021. 

 

7.       7. The Flatlanders – Treasure of Love – I don’t think there is a voice in music I like any more than Joe Ely.  I could listen to him sing just about anything he sings so this album was just about guaranteed to make my list when it came out.  No new songs, mostly covers which I am not a fan of but getting any new music from guys in their 70’s is a bonus.  One of my best Austin music stories was from the security airport when Jimmie Dale Gilmore was in front of me. We were both on the way to Nashville for Americana Fest and I got this story from him “I was over at Joe’s (Ely) house this weekend and we were singing some songs and Robert stopped by and joined in.”  Me – “Robert?” JDG – “Robert Plant” – yeah Robert Plant just stops by my house on a Saturday to sing with us!  Only in Austin, Texas.  Back to this album a great opener with Joe singing “Moanin’ of the Midnight Train” and then Jimmie singing “Long Time Gone” from Tex Ritter.  Later Butch Hancock does a great version of Cash’s “Give my Love to Rose”.  Great to hear these guys taking on some classic songs!

8.     8.  Joe Pug – The Diving Sun – I first heard and saw Joe open for Steve Earle in 2009 in Chicago and then again in 2010 at SXSW.  Since then I have listened to his music and probably more to his podcast – The Working Songwriter where he talks to all musicians on how they write – and mostly the music I listen to.  This release is an interesting format – a 10” vinyl record with 8 songs.  The good news is that all the songs are quality songs – no filler here.  I have worn out the opener “Crescent Bridge” on Spotify with its beautiful keyboard opening.  “I’ve been waiting all night for you to look my way, I’ve been playing with a fire that I can’t explain.”  The third song “Free Rider” starts with “Never once did you stand on your own in the fire” as the writer questions if the other person is a free rider.  And somehow Joe has BJ Barham of American Aquarium playing French Horn on the 4^th song “Deep End”.   Give this record a listen as well as Joe’s podcast, you won’t be disappointed.

9.       9.Rodney Crowell – Triage – Rodney’s catalog has become a recent addition to my collection.  I hadn’t really listened to him but the more I do the more I know I should have earlier.  Another of the great stories of American Music, playing in EmmyLou’s Hot Band and then marrying Rosanne Cash.  And Rosanne sings on this album along with her husband John Leventhal playing on several songs and producing one of them.  The opener is a great song “Don’t leave me now” that opens with “I’ve been a liar, I’ve been untrue, I’ve compromised myself, But I’ll make it up to you”.  I think we can all relate to some part of that statement.  Side one closes with a statement “Something has to change” which is Rodney’s commentary on the U S in 2021 – “we can’t live in fear like this and in trembling rejoice”.

10.   10. John R. Miller – Depreciated – Another Spotify Release Radar find where I first heard “Borrowed time” and then when I found out the name of the album I had to buy it.  Anybody who can use an accounting term for their album title is someone I need to listen to.  Both the opener and the second song “Borrowed Time are terrific songs and I look forward to seeing John R. live in the future.

 

Best of the rest:

The Felice Brothers – From Dreams to Dust – Jazz on the Autobahn is a fun song even though I don’t know why

The Staves – Good Woman – beautiful harmonies

Hanna Enlof – Bare Bones Swedish singer songwriter

Josiah and the Bonnevilles – Motel Mayday – opener is a classic

Moon Taxi – Silver Dream – some great pop songs

Brandi Carlile – In These Silent Dreams – always Top 10 for me – not this one

Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real – sounding more and more like Dad but with a rock band backing

Graham Sharp – Truer Picture – solo album from a Steep Canyon Ranger

Strand of Oaks – In Heaven

Emily Scott Robinson – American Siren

 

 

Ten Years later it’s still great music

When I think of my favorite albums many classics come to mind – but then also a few that are probably not on anyone’s list.  If you go back to my old, old blog posts from 2010 you’ll see one about a great Friday afternoon at SXSW where I found a bunch of new bands that I still listen to.  Right at the top of that list is Lissie.  Back then she was a young 21 year old from Rock Island, Il.  Not long after seeing her I got a copy of her CD at that point – “catching a tiger”.  Early this year I got an email that her label was reissuing it on vinyl for the 10 year anniversary so I obviously had to order it.  It arrived in early April and it’s been great to revisit this terrific recording.  The album starts out with a great opener “Record Collector” which seems really appropriate for me right now.  The album would probably be considered more pop than my normal listening but it just works for me. “When I’m alone” and “In Sleep” are both strong songs and then the terrific “Bully” with the chorus “mama’s here and your papa too and we are so darn proud of you”. Great lyrics abound on this album for a 21 year old who wrote or co-wrote all the songs.  “Little Lovin” and “Stranger” close out a strong A side.  “Loosen the knot” is a high energy opener to the B side.  In reality as I scroll through this album on Spotify to write this there just isn’t a weak song on the entire album.  Definitely in my most surprising albums and probably in my all time Top 25.  Check out Lissie – she is very popular in Scandinavia and has put out several albums since 2010 but this one is still top of the pile to me. Still thankful for that Friday afternoon in the HearYa tent at SXSW!

My first new release of the month was Morgan Wade’s initial release “Reckless”.  The debut album from this 26 year old Virginian was co-produced by 400 Unit (Isbell’s band) guitarist Sadler Vaden and he is co-writer on several of the songs.  In fact most of the 400 Unit plays on the album so the sound is terrific.  We saw Morgan open for American Aquarium in June in our first true post-COVID show but she played as a solo artist.  She definitely has a unique accent and I would not have guessed Virginia.  I had heard the song “Wilder Days” on Spotify which led to the order.  It’s a classic love song with the “bad boy” from Chicago and she wishes she had known him in his wilder days. “Other Side” is one of her songs and it opens with “you knew my skin back before I had all these tattoos” which is pretty appropriate when you look at that album cover.  Not sure what these kids are thinking with all the tattoos – sports, music, etc. but I guess some days I’m just an old guy!  “Don’t Cry” opens with a classic sad line – “I’ll always be my own worst critic” – aren’t we all?  “Northern Air” is another sad song (guess a tour with AA was appropriate with the king of sad songs B J Barham) as the chorus includes the line “Won’t you bring yourself on home?”.  Do yourself a favor and check out this album – definitely in my Top 10 of 2021 at this point.

There may be no bigger character in the Americana music world than Todd Snider.  I think he is hilarious when I’ve seen him on his Pandemic live streams on Sunday mornings or read his writings.  The liner notes to this album are worth the price of the album.  The songs maybe not so much.  The album is called “First Agnostic Church of Hope and Wonder” which is what he has called his livestream.  There is a tribute to John Prine “Handsome John” that when combined with the notes is really touching.  My favorite song may not actually be a song but is titled the “Agnostic Preacher’s Lament” and its basically just Todd talking with some background music.  He is talking to “OH Heavenly Father If you are up there and I hope you are” and goes on with some questions about the “afterthing”.  In normal Todd fashion he says “There are people here that none of us can get along with and we don’t want them at the after thing someone even suggested they should have an after thing that’s worse LOL”.  I first listened to his album “Peace Queer” which I really liked – if you haven’t listened to Todd that might be a better place to start.  What I do know is the Nashville Americana people think he walks on water so definitely give him a listen.

The last two new albums for the month are my Magnolia Record Club album and discovery artist of the month.  When we lived in Austin Shakey Graves was the hot new artist for a couple of years – a lot of it driven by the terrific song “Dearly Departed” that I’m sure you have all heard = 70 million plays on Spotify!  Magnolia re-issued his debut album “Roll the Bones” on it’s 10^th anniversary.  Guess this reissuing on the 10^th anniversary is the theme for the month.  This was recorded when Shakey (Alejandro Rose-Garcia) was still performing as a one-man band. Most of the songs are too sparse and not enough of a story for me – although there is a very unique cover of Bruce’s “I’m on Fire” that I had never heard before so at least I got that out of this album.  The Discovery Artist of the Month was Valerie June and her new album “The Moon and Stars, Prescriptions for Dreamers”.  I had heard a lot of good things about this album and was looking forward to it.  It is a beautiful sounding album and the liner notes have all kinds of suggestions of what each song is for.  For example “You and I” is for sharing friendship, discovery and intention.  I think my biggest struggle is with her voice – just not one I enjoy listening to.  The cover of the album is striking but sadly the music is not to me.

 

The first band I loved!

            This may come as a surprise but Springsteen has not always been my guy.  Growing up in Western PA in the late 70’s we had our own Bruce – Michael Stanley.  Some of you may have never heard of the MSB but they were the first band I ever saw from the front row.  July 14, 1979 at the Warner Theater in Erie, PA with my brother and a few other friends. If you look at my vinyl collection the most albums are Bruce, the Beatles and the Michael Stanley Band.  NJ had Bruce, Indiana had Mellencamp, Detroit had Bob Seger and Northern OH and Western PA had the MSB.  This month brought about those feelings we all know are coming but dread.  On March 5, Michael passed away from lung cancer.  After the band broke up in the 80’s he became the color commentator for the Indians, did lots of solo albums and eventually became the afternoon DJ on Cleveland’s WNCX.  Next time you are streaming check out the live “Stagepass” album with my favorite song “Midwest Midnight” with the classic line “Do you write the words or lyrics first?”. Then listen to the “Heartland” album and the great song “Lover” featuring the late Clarence Clemons on saxophone. “Thank God for the man who put the white lines on the highway”.      

               In order to complete my entire MSB collection I added “You break it…You bought it” from 1975 and the follow-up album from 76 “Ladies Choice”.  It’s my first time using the “Discogs.com” website and I was able to get both albums for $10 or so including shipping.  A great way to fill in your vinyl library at bargain prices.  And both albums sound terrific considering they are 45 and 46 years old.  The highlight of You break it is the beautiful “Waste a little time on me.”  Ladies Choice features two staples from the live Stagepass album “Calcutta Auction” and “Strike Up the Band”.  Do yourself a favor and listen to some old time Midwestern rock and roll with the MSB!

             

   New Releases 2021 - Hanna Enlof, Lake Street Dive and Joe Pug

Hanna Enlof – Bare Bones Late in 2020 I signed up to be a Yep Roc completist.  For a flat fee completists get every Yep Roc Records new release for the year.  Nothing is guaranteed but I already own or buy a lot of Yep Roc records so I thought it would be a good way to find some new music.  Due to COVID early year releases have been delayed so Yep Roc sent us this Hanna Enlof record from one of their friends record companies in Europe.  I had heard the song “Follow You Down” a week or so before on a Spotify playlist.  It was a beautifully sounding song so I looked forward to the album.  Upon arrival I found the whole album carried the same sound.  This is a great album for reading at night as it’s relaxing and definitely calming.  Give Hanna a listen.

Lake Street Dive – obviously I have the 2018 release from LSD and enjoyed it so I was looking forward to this record – so much so that I apparently ordered it twice!  Quirky is the way I would describe this album.  Not really sure it is my cup of tea although they do get points for this lyric “Yeah we’re like baseball and hot dogs,… The E Street Band and the Boss” definitely some of my favorite things.  The single off the record is “Hypotheticals” which highlights lead singer Rachael Price’s spectacular voice.  It’s just a different sound that isn’t really me.

Joe Pug – The Diving Sun Joe is part of one of my all time favorite SXSW days.  In 2010 at the Hear Ya Day Party under a big tent I heard Joe play five songs and say “I’m just living the dream”.  You can see the whole commentary by looking back at the blog from that terrific day.  Since that day I’ve picked up a couple of Joe’s CD’s but most of my interaction has been with his excellent podcast “The Working Songwriter” where Joe and his guest dive into the songwriting concept.  Guests have included John Moreland, Todd Snider, Brandon Flowers from the Killers, Lucero, Dawes, etc. etc. It’s basically my playlist talking about their job, always a great listen.  Joe’s new album is an interesting concept – it’s only a 10” disc but it’s packed with great songs.  The opener “Crescent Bridge” is easily my favorite from the album but it’s followed by strong cuts “Wild Kind of Longing”, “Free Rider” and “Deep End”.  Just a stellar side A.  And interestingly Joe has only released Side A for streaming to begin with.  A benefit for those of us buying the album is we get it all now.  “The Diving Sun” holds down the #2 spot in my 2021 releases at this point.  Check out this new release as well as Joe’s podcast – you will be entertained.

               

    A Little More 2020 Cleanup – Steep Canyon Rangers, The Next Waltz

Steep Canyon Rangers – Arm in Arm Ever since I heard “Honey on My Tongue” I couldn’t wait to get this album. I swore it was Joe Ely singing lead vocals on that song and that is a voice we love.  It’s not Joe but it’s a damned fine song.  This is a fin album and I look forward to seeing these guys live when we get back to going to shows.

The Next Waltz – Volume Th3ee This is the third installment from Bruce Robison’s The Bunker in Lockhart, Texas.  If you don’t know Bruce you need to spend some more time in Texas.  He’s written hits for the Chicks and George Strait amongst others.  And married to one of the best voices- Kelly Willis.  All these songs are recorded with “no digital shenanigans.  It’s a literal who’s who of Texas Americana artists.  Jack Ingram, David Ramirez, Bruce & Kelly, Charley Crockett, Cody Canada and Robert Ellis.  Check out Crockett’s version of “I Can Help”.

              

      Getting Ready for a House Concert – Amy Speace

As you know from separate emails we are hosting Amy in a virtual House concert this weekend in advance of the release of her new album “There Used to be Horses here”.  Ever since I heard that song she is probably my most listened to on Spotify – well close with The Hold Steady.  To better know her entire catalog I picked up 2015’s That Kind of Girl and 2019’s acclaimed Me and the Ghost of Charlemagne.  The 2015 release is filled with great songs – “Nothing Good Can Come from This”, “Better than This”, the title track and of course “In Chicago”.  I don’t know how I hadn’t heard this album in the last six years but I have been making up for lost time.  The title song from “Charlemagne” won the award for UK Americana song of the year in 2019 and it’s a classic.  I wonder if she was sitting beside Jo and I on a flight one day with the appropriately titled “Ginger Ale and Lorna Doones” since those are our drinks and snacks on most flights anywhere in the world!

 

    A few other Additions

The Magnolia Record Store had a sale on slightly damaged albums so I added some quality albums that I can’t really see the damage on:

Robert Earl Keen - #2 Live Dinner – including most of the REK classics live

 Josh Ritter – Gathering – another album with a lot of words – see last month’s blog

Buddy Guy – Born to Play Guitar -still remember that line from Grohl’s Sonic Highways when Buddy said “I came to Chicago looking for a dime and I found a quarter” – it’s how I feel!

Rodney Crowell – Christmas Everywhere – who could pass on a Christmas album in March from Rodney.

I replaced my monthly Magnolia selection with Rhiannon Giddens Freedom Highway.  We saw Rhiannon in Austin when she was in the Carolina Chocolate Drops and this is one magnificent voice.  Now I have an album of just her work and look forward to a new album that is coming soon.

As part of the Yep Roc shipment that had Hanna in it they also included The Autumn Defense’s 2010 release “Once Around”.  I had never heard of this band but it ends up it’s Pat Sansone and John Stirrat of Wilco.  The funny thing is I like this album better than any Wilco album!

 

So a decent month – 15 new albums in the collection.  Look forward to more great music as 2021 develops. Hope everybody is doing well, getting vaccinated and prepared to see some live music soon!

  

 

What the hell just happened – or February 2021

So February started out with great optimism as the first dose of the Moderna vaccine went in my arm on the 4^th (second dose scheduled for this Thursday) but then we had winter in Texas. Like literally WINTER.  We’ve never had power out for 55 hours and water out for days anywhere we have lived. As I learned a long time ago in manufacturing, if you don’t take care of your equipment, your equipment won’t take care of you. All those years of “cheap” electric rates came back and bit us big time. It’s been reported we were within minutes of the entire grid coming down and it would have taken weeks or months to restore. Think about that one kids. All of Texas without power for weeks. We were fortunate that Brittany never lost power or heat so we had grandkid week. Hey, it wasn’t Cancun but we got a lot of time with the 4 and 6 year old grandkids. But no mariachi bands playing outside our house when we did come home. Well on to the albums added to the collection this month – 7 in the 28 days of the month.

 

New releases – four new releases were added in February. 

The Staves – Good Woman That Friday morning New Releases playlist on Spotify always has a hidden gem or two. That is where I found The Staves.  Three sisters from England that I had never heard of.  This is their first new album in 4 years.  It’s just an album of beautiful songs opening with the title track Good Woman into Best Friend.  Its early but this album has a great chance to stick near the top of the best of 2021 list.  Nothing’s Gonna Happen is another of my favorites.  Check this album out especially when you are looking for a relaxing sound at the end of another quarantine day.  I am going to explore the back catalog as well.

Langhorne Slim – Strawberry Mansion We saw Slim a few years ago when he opened foe Lucero at the Ryman.  This month his new release is the album of the month from Magnolia Record Club.  The title comes from the neighborhood in Philly where Slim’s grandpa’s grew up.  These are all songs he has written since COVID hit and you definitely get your money’s worth with 18 songs on the LP.  The songs Colors and High-Class are the highlights to me.  I need to listen a few more times to this album to get the whole story – it’s a fine album and may need me paying some more attention.

Moon Taxi – Silver Dream One of the cool things about the Magnolia Record Club is that each month they have an “Artist Discovery” album where for an extra $20 you get the new album of an up and coming band.  It’s how I found Brian Dunne last year.  This Moon Taxi album is the discovery artist for February.  I have to say it’s a nice find that I may have never heard.  My two fabvorite songs are “Palm of Your Hand” and “Hometown Heroes”.  A good sounding album that will definitely be back on the turntable throughout the year.

The Hold Steady – ODP (Open Door Policy) These guys have been on my must listen list for a few years.  Our nephew Mike shared some CD’s of theirs’ back around 2007 or 8. The album “Boys and Girls in America” was an immediate love and is still on my Top 15 of all time list.  They are involved in one of my favorite SXSW stories from 2009.  It’s the year before Rachael Ray’s SXSW party blew up and it was still under control at Maggie Mae’s in Austin.  After lunch on a Thursday we were taking a break and THS walked by as they were the stars of the afternoon. They were doing some media / photos right across from us and Jo asked me “who is the accountant in the Twins hat” and my response was “that’s Craig Finn who writes and is the lead singer”.  A few hours during their set I went to grab some more food for us and I came back and Jo was gone.  A few minutes later I saw here in the front row with Rachael dancing to the music.  Guess we see where I rate at the show!  Their follow up album Stay Positive is another great album and you could argue it’s as strong as Boys and Girls.  But then after that some albums that didn’t really do much for me.  Their keyboard guy Franz Nicolay left the band for awhile and Craig spent a lot of time on solo work that is similar in lyrics but not in music.  And so I wasn’t sure what to expect with the new album from quarantine.  Well the answer is clear to me – it’s a winner.  Currently sitting at #1 on the Best Albums of 2021 after two months.   There are some strong challengers coming (Amy Speace and Michaela Anne and who knows what Bruce has in store for us) but for now it’s easily the best of the 2021 releases.  The album opens with a couple of songs that could have been on Craig’s solo album but then the rock and roll kicks in on “Lanyards”, “Family Farm” and “Unpleasant Breakfast”.  The next song was the first “single” – “Heavy Covenants”.  Not sure this is related to the Wells Fargo covenants I deal with at the office!  I look forward to seeing these songs live one of these days – maybe Q3.  Take a listen and make sure you stick it out until you get into the meat of the album!

 

Completing the 2020 Catalog – a few albums I discovered late in 2020.

Waylon Payne – Blue Eyes, The Harlot, The Queer, The Pusher and Me You all know Waylon Payne but it may not be from his music.  He played Jerry Lee Lewis in the Cash movie “Walk the Line.” Son of Jody Payne who played in Willie’s band and Sammi Smith of “Help Me Make it Through the Night” fame.  Pretty good lineage but with both mom and dad on the road Waylon grew up (and yes he is named after that Waylon) with his aunt and uncle in Oklahoma.  He put out an album in 2003 and then nothing until this album in 2020.  He talks in the liner notes (which are excellent) about issues with meth and cocaine and drinking problems as well.  But he finally got clean.  Have to say I did not hear of this album until late in 2020 from the Indigo playlist on Spotify when “Santa Ana Winds” played.  After getting this album and playing it a lot in February, if I had got it in 2020 it would have been a contender for a Top 5 spot.  Not sure who it would have pushed out but it would have been in the discussion.  It’s a great country album. As noted music afficionado Jeff Callaway texted me this weekend – “Waylon seems to be who people think Eric Church is.  This is good stuff”.  From the opening song “Sins of the Father”, “What a High Horse”, “All the Trouble” and then “Dangerous Criminal” this could be a Hank Williams (the original) album.  And then “Santa Ana Winds” is a great song as well and got me into the album.  Do yourself a favor and go back and listen to this album if you missed it in 2020.  And it’s always great to read the redemption story – lots of YouTube video with Waylon to check out.

Black Pumas – Black Pumas I read about this Austin band a lot last year and Magnolia repressed their vinyl this year.  It just arrived on Friday and I’ve only spun it once.  It’s a classic rock / bluesy sound.  I need to listen more but it’s definitely a classic Austin rock band sound.  Maybe I can comment more next month!

 

Filling in Holes in the Collection – always looking to get vinyl I love and either don’t have or have it on that dying medium – Compact Discs.  This month I added the reissue of Emmylou Harris’ Red Dirt Girl from 2000.  I know Emmylou is held in the highest regard by the Americana / Nashville gang – hell her Twitter handle is Emmylousongbird.  I have read where a couple of the youngsters have been in awe when they were able to get her to sing backing vocals on their album.  I just have never got her to be honest.  Don’t shoot me – we can’t all like the same thing or we’d never get a ticket or a copy of an album.  I got an email in the fall about this reissue so I ordered it and it came as a beautiful red vinyl.  The album sounds beautiful.  The liner notes say Mr. and Mrs. Springsteen sing backup on one of the songs.  Buddy Miller is all over it musically.  I will listen more but still not resonating with me.  Time will tell!

Coming in March – still waiting on the Steep Canyon Rangers 2020 releases – and the new Amy Speace album as well as new releases from Joe Pug and Lake Street Dive.  I’m sure there will be a few more.  I’ve been on a Joni Mitchell kick lately and I need to add some of her albums to the collection – if you have any favorites please share. Also, highly recommend the new Bill Gates book on the Climate Crisis.  It will scare the heck out of you but we all need to be in this together to make it so my grandkids get to listen to my vinyl!

 

 

 

The beginning of a New Year for Vinyl

January 2021 – a new year but is it any different than 2020.  Still mostly at home, no live shows so hey might as well buy some new albums.  I’ve split this month’s purchases up into three categories.

 

New releases – three new releases were added in January. 

Lucero is one of our favorite bands.  The last two albums were great and we’ve seen them live quite a bit – from the Old 97’s County Fair in Dallas in 2016, at an old Post Office here in Houston with about 50 people right before a torrential downpour, at Numbers, an old Houston club with another 50 – this time disco balls from the ceiling but a packed show and the ultimate at the Ryman in Nashville.  I’m always eager for a new release.  I preordered “When You Found Me” the day it was announced.  Sadly, it’s not very exciting.  It’s pretty dark which is not a problem for me but just not a lot of songs that catch my ear.  In fact the one that does the most, “Back in Ohio”, seems lost in the context of the album.  I’ll keep playing it since we all know it sometimes take time for an album to resonate with you. 

Magnolia Record Club – Spotify Singles – I joined the Magnolia Record Club a couple of years ago when Jason Isbell’s The Nashville Sound came out.  It’s right when my interest in vinyl was restored.  Every month you get an album and the chance to add some new artist vinyl as well.  It’s a great way to guarantee 12 new albums a year and I’ve added a lot of music I may not have bought.  This is an album of covers by Americana artists.  The Lumineers, Phoebe Bridgers, Langhorne Slim, Sarah Jarosz, etc.  I’m not a big fan of buying covers but this album puts am Americana spin on some classic songs – Harvest Moon, Friday I’m in Love, I Won’t Back Down and When Doves Cry.  Definitely an album I wouldn’t have bought but it’s a fun listen.

The War on Drugs – Live My friend Matt in Phoenix is a huge music fan – he has probably forgot more than I know and he is a big promoter of The War on Drugs so I always try and listen to his recommendations.  Live albums often put a different spin on music so I gave this a shot.  It still sounds so much like the studio versions to me.  Of course we all know “Under the Pressure”.  Other than that it’s doubtful this album sees a lot of spins on my turntable.

 

Completing the 2020 Catalog – a few albums I discovered late in 2020 or they just didn’t get delivered in time so they make the 2021 additions list rather than 2020.

Katie Pruitt – Expectations – who knew when we saw Katie open for the Wood Brothers a little over a year ago that her yet to be released album would be so highly thought of.  Of course you have all heard the title song and it’s terrific.  But the album is filled with thoughtful songs about her life and how she has made it to this point.  This is a beautiful album and would have definitely made my Top 25 list for 2020.

Butch Walker- American Love Song – when I did my year-end best of list my friend Kevin in NC sent me some of their other favorites from the year that didn’t make my list.  And thus how I found this great album.  I know Butch from his producing awards- he produced the excellent Elizabeth Cook album last year.  But this album is terrific.  I listened to it again today from start to finish.  It highlights why albums are still important as it tells a story from beginning to end.  Streaming or listening to a song or two doesn’t do it.  It is an album full of sarcasm and as I may have been told I’m sarcastic once or twice.  The entire back of the album jacket is Butch telling the story behind the songs.  And one of my favorite song lyrics of recent history is in the song “Gridlock” – “MAGA sticker on the back of Japanese cars, buddy I’m just as confused as you.”  Think about that one for a second – Make America Great Again on the back of a Japanese car – just great songwriting about the time and place we are in.  Just a plethora of great songs on this album but you have to listen from beginning to end.  And do that.  If I had found this album in 2020 it would have definitely been on my Top 10 list.

Josh Ritter – See Here, I have Built You a Mansion – I bought this special release in mid-2020 but due to production issues it didn’t get here until January.  I have listened to Josh for a long time and his music is exactly like a sticker that was included in with this album – “Rock and roll with lots and lots of words- that is Josh Ritter.”  This is an album of rare and unreleased songs and definitely a great listen.  Includes a nice cover of Brothers in Arms from Dire Straits.  The album closes with a song called “Lawrence, KS” recorded live strangely enough in Lawrence, Kansas!

 

Filling in Holes in the Collection – always looking to get on vinyl albums I love and either don’t have or have it on that dying medium – Compact Discs

John Moreland – High on Tulsa Heat and Big Bad Luv.  I think you all know we love John Moreland.  There is not a better writer of sad songs in America today (sorry BJ Barham) and we see him every time he comes to town.  Tulsa Heat was the first time I heard John and then we saw him not long after we were sold.  Big Bad Luv was next and that tour was special as well as it’s when I first heard Caroline Spence opening for John.  Two of my favorite sad song lyrics are on Tulsa – from “Heart’s Too Heavy” – “I lived inside these melodies, just to make sure I still could.  And later on the album in “Sad Baptist Rain” – “Outside the show, drinking NyQuil and Honey, trying to conjure up some rock and roll.”  If you don’t have John in your library get on the internet and part with some of those stimulus dollars.  He is an American treasure.

Josh Ritter – The Animal Years.  Back in 2005 got this CD and wore it out.  It’s just a great album for all 11 songs.  The first three songs are etched in my brain – “Girl in the War”, “Wolves” and “Monster Ballads” and as the album flips to side 2 you get “Best for the Best” and “Thin Blue Frame”.  This album is in the discussion when I try to narrow down my favorite albums of all time.  Probably not Top 10 but not far away.  Josh has a loyal following and is continuing to create great music and this was my first taste of his songwriting skills. He is a hell of a painter as well.  He shows his work on Instagram frequently.  Maybe I need one of those for my music room!

 

Coming in February – Waylon Payne and Steep Canyon Rangers 2020 releases – more catching up as well as new releases from Langhorne Slim and Moon Taxi and some library catchup from Emmy Lou Harris and Amy Speace.  If you get a chance check out Amy’s new song “There Used to Be Horses Here” from her forthcoming album.  It’s the early leader for my song of the year for 2021.

Stay safe, listen well and as Mr. Springsteen says “Wear a f%#*in’ mask”!

 

The Top Albums of 2020

 

Each year I have historically made a list of my Top 10 albums and shared with others.  As bad as 2020 has been for so much of everything – for music it has been spectacular.  Or maybe I just have had so much more free time to find and listen to new music.  But it has been such a great year of new music that I will write about my Top 12 albums of the year and then list 13 more for a daunting Top 25.  Overall, I’ve added 94 albums to my collection this year and 56 are 2020 releases.  It has been a great year for vinyl at our house!  One of the requirements for this list is I have to physically own the album which in 2020 means vinyl.  I’ve had a hard time obtaining a couple of albums that might have made the list but we have to follow the rules.

 

1.       #1- American Aquarium – Lamentations  This album came out in the late Spring and quickly went to the top of my list.  It had some great challengers (who would think a great Bruce album would not be #1 on my list every time) but at the end of the day it is just a great quality record from the opener to the tenth song.  AA has been a favorite of mine for the last few years but this work is easily their best to date.  Lead singer and songwriter BJ Barham writes great sad songs – to quote from “Starts with You” “I just laughed and said, “Baby, them sad songs is the only thing that makes me happy.”  That pretty much sums it up to me – love those sad songs.  The opener “Me + Mine (Lamentations) tells the plight of the North Carolina tobacco farmer “And then a politician shows up promisin’ that he’ll return the jobs that God himself could not bring back”.  Sound familiar West Virginia Coal Miners?  “Six Years Come September” is a great song about getting sober because you had to.  “The Luckier You Get” will be a great crowd singalong song when we are back at shows.  And “A Better South” was put out before all the Confederate symbol protests and was definitely ahead of the controversy.  “Old men still defend these monuments to treason, to the right side of history we’re always late.”  And then the album closes with “The Long Haul” and the hope that we all stick with it.  AA is one of the hardest working bands in the business and it is great to see that effort rewarded with a great album from beginning to end.  And follow BJ on social media – he has no problem speaking his mind.

 

2.        #2 - Bruce Springsteen – Letter to You Just a great rock and roll album.  When we all heard that a new album was coming I think we all thought it was going to be a protest album as Bruce has been very clear on his feelings toward the current occupant of the White House.  Instead we got an album that feels like the beginning of the last chapter of the E Street Band story.   Heartfelt songs that are just as likely to bring a tear as a fist pump.  The first single was the title track “Letter to You” which is a song about his nearly 50-year conversation he has had with us.  Then “Ghosts” and the feeling that all those before have led to this point.  “Last Man Standing” is easily my favorite song on the album.  The first time I heard it I started out with the goosebumps and ended up with a tear in my eye.  It is the story that Bruce is the last living member of the Castiles – his first band.  The tear was a reaction to the thought of how much joy he has brought to all our lives.  The great music, the great shows and trips and most importantly all the friends we have made due to the love of his music.  We truly have been blessed.  There are a few songs that don’t excite me and I usually hit skip when they come on and that’s the real difference between #1 and #2.  There are three old songs – from the early 70’s with “If I was the Priest” being the highlight to me.  Just the concept of “Now if Jesus was a sheriff and I were a priest” is enough to make this a classic Bruce song in the vain of the great story songs – Jungleland, Incident on 57^th Street, Rosalita (Come Out Tonight).  And it sounds as fresh today as when it was written in the 1970’s.  On top of the great album there is a film of the making of the album that is on Apple+ TV.  The album was recorded in 4 days in NJ in 2019 and the joy on the bands faces is what we have all been missing seeing in 2020.  Hopefully in late 2021 or early 2022 we can all get back on the road.  None of us is getting any younger!

 

3.        #3 - Chuck Prophet – The Land that Time Forgot  I first became aware of Chuck Prophet when he co-wrote Alejandro Escovedo’s 2008 album Real Animal.  After that I listened to and liked several of his albums but nothing hit me like this newest release.  I pre-ordered the album after hearing the first single “Marathon”.  Just a great rock and roll song featuring Chuck’s wife Stephanie Finch and tells the story of a dance marathon.  Other great songs are “Best Shirt On”, “High as Johnny Thunders” and “Willie and Nilli”.  And low and behold a song on Side 2 about Richard Nixon – “Nixonland”.  Who would ever guess that could turn into a great song on a rock and roll album.  The album closes with another great protest song – “Get off the Stage”.  “You got no heart at all, except for your Russian pal”.  Chuck really is one of the most interesting people in music and you can listen to him play great and obscure country music on the “Gimme Country” app.  This is a great album with a terrific mix of rock and pop songs and is easily Chuck’s most accessible recording to date.

 

4.       #4 - The Airborne Toxic Event – Hollywood Park It was early in the lockdown that I got a text from a business associate who has become a music friend asking if I had listened to this album.  I know that there is a part of the Bruce community that likes TATE and I saw them play a few songs at ACL Festival the one time I went /melted at that event.  But nothing ever caught my ear.  Well that certainly changed on my first listen.  I came to find out that this is an accompanying album to lead singer Mikel Jollet’s book of the same name.  It chronicles his life story – from a cult to a strange childhood to say the least to leader of a rock and roll band.  I’ve listened to a lot of interviews, seen some quarantine shows and can’t wait to actually see them and hear these songs live.    Highlights are the title track, “Come on Out”, “I don’t want to be here anymore” and “All these Engagements”.  Reading the book makes the album even better – just not your appetite for rabbit.  Thanks Pat Clark for recommending this album.  It’s a great one.

 

5.       #5 - Lori McKenna – The Balladeer I had heard Lori’s name from a songwriting point of view for a few years – Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush” and the Highwomen’s “Crowded Table” but had not really listened to a lot of her music.  That is not the case any longer.  This has become one of my go to albums to relax at night.  Favorite songs include the title track, “This town is a woman” featuring Little Big Town’s female members and “Good Fight”.  But the best song is “Marie” – Lori’s older sister and she shares a life history in a song.  “Marie turned 13 two weeks after daddy sat us down and said your mama’s died”.  I am always amazed writers can write something so bare and then perform the actual song without breaking down.  I guess that is just a talent you have or you don't.   This is another great production from Dave Cobb and as usual everything he touches is excellent.  Also, by seeing a couple of Lori’s videos I learned of Mark Erelli who plays guitar in her Boston based band and that led me to his album this year which I enjoyed as well. 

 

6.       #6 - Elizabeth Cook – Aftermath I have been listening to Elizabeth on Outlaw Country on Sirius for several years and have heard a few songs that were good.  And once again this album is her best to date.  It’s also nice that our Nashville friend Andrew Leahy plays all the electric guitar on the album.  This may be a “country” or “Americana” album but it’s pretty darned close to a rock and roll album if you ask me.  My favorite songs include the opener “Bones”, “Perfect Girls of Pop”, “Daddy I got Love for you” and “Thick Georgia Woman”.  And then the album closes with the highly entertaining “Mary, the submissing years” in much the same style as the great John Prine’s “Jesus the Missing Years” but from Mary’s perspective.

 

7.       #7 - Amy Macdonald – The Human Demands I’ve been listening to this Scottish singer ever since I found “This is the life” on one of our European trips.  It’s from 2007 and is on my “Deserted Island” list of 10 albums I have to have.  I was able to see her in Hyde Park in London in 2012 when I saw Bruce play that day in the mud.  For some reason she has little to no following in America but this new album continues the great music making she has been a part of for 13 years.  As usual I like the opener “Fire” and then “Statues” and then Side A closes with the two strongest cuts “The Hudson” and “The Human demands”.  From the Hudson, “True love is only something you hear in the songs, it doesn’t really last that long”.  Some more sad songs!

 

8.       #8 - Taylor Swift – folklore I would never ever have guessed that a Taylor album would ever end up on any of my lists but to be honest I can’t say I have ever really listened to one.  I just wrote her off as the Nashville “country” sound that is not really country – just sells albums and tickets.  But this album in none of those things. With the support of Aaron Dessner from the National and Jack Antonoff from Bleachers (or fun) this is an indie record if I have ever heard one.  “the 1”, “cardigan” and “betty” are all songs I liked the first time through.  But “the last great American dynasty” is the best song on the album to me.  “The wedding was charming, if a little gauche” – I always love when somebody gets a word in a lyric that just surprises you as I never expected to hear Taylor Swift sing “gauche”!  We all know Taylor is a powerhouse but give this album and it’s little sister “evermore” a listen.  It’s not the bro country crowd any more that’s for sure.

 

9.      # 9 -  The White Buffalo – On the Widow’s Walk I had seen the White Buffalo open for Chuck Ragan a few years ago here in Houston but have to admit that was my knowledge.  Until this spring when I heard something off this album and it made me listen to it and buy it.  Another Shooter Jennings produced album (also did “Lamentations”) and it’s a really good sounding album.  A lot of interesting stories and lyrics with the whole first side getting a lot of play on my turntable.  “Problem Solution”, “Sycamore”, “Come on Shorty” and “The Rapture” are all great songs but the whole album really flows and is one you should listen to.

 

10.  #10 -  Kathleen Edwards – Total Freedom Kathleen put out an album in 2008 named “Asking for Flowers” that I wore out.  It was my late night listen album for years in the way that “The Balladeer” was this year.  But a few years after that she shut down her music career and opened a coffee shop called “Quitters Coffee” back home in Canada. I was extremely excited to hear earlier this year that a new album was on the way.  There may have been an eight year break but the sharp wit and great songs are still there.  The opener “Glenfern” is one of my top songs of the year from anyone. “Well, we toured the world, and we played on TV, we met some of our heroes, it almost killed me” are such telling lyrics.  I guess making coffee sounds much better than feeling like you are dying playing music.  “Hard on Everyone” and “Options Open” are the other songs that really stick with me and get played often.

 

11.   # 11 - Ray Wylie Hubbard – Co-Starring Such an appropriate name for an album that features Ray singing alongside some big names.  Ringo, Joe Walsh, Pam Tillis, Elizabeth Cook, Ashley McBride and Ronnie Dunn – that’s a pretty impressive list of musicians for any project.  I have enjoyed the last few releases from Ray, the stories he tells in his songs and even better yet the stories he tells on stage.  This album takes the sound to another level which is impressive for a guy who would categorize himself as an old cat.  “Rock Gods” is my favorite with this lyric “Then I was in a studio and once again I broke down and cried, a voice came on my headphones told me Tom Petty died”.  I can tell you exactly where I was when I got the news as well – the 14^th fairway at East Lake Country Club during a charity golf event.  Ray just keeps touring the country and as he says “playing these old songs for people”.  I’ll be glad when we can get back to that.

 

12. #12 -  Otis Gibbs – Hoosier National Another Spotify new release find that I had never heard of.  One Monday this song “Panhead” came on the Spotify Indigo playlist.  I had never heard of Otis but I liked the sound. I ordered the album that day and when it came Otis won me over with the attention to detail. Inside the box was a handwritten note thanking me for my order and then on the album cover this note was handwritten “Hey Dale – Thanks for Giving a Damn! – Otis Gibbs”.  That interaction is enough to get a lot of votes from me.  But listen to “Nine Foot Problem” and “Panhead” – great songs.  “Panhead” tells the true story of his dad building a chopper from scratch and then it gets stolen but he recovers it from a biker bar.  It’s a great Americana story.  Otis also does a great podcast under the name “Thanks for giving a damn” and has all kinds of musical guests and great stories.

 

Numbers 13 through 25 are in today’s order but it changes from day to day:

13.   13 Aubrie Sellers – Far from Home – includes a great duet with Steve Earle on “My Love will not change”

14.   14 Brian Fallon – Local Honey – former Gaslight Anthem frontman – “21 days” is a great song

15.  15 Jamie Wyatt – Neon Cross – title song and “Rattlesnake Girl” are the best songs

16.   16 Drive-By Truckers – The Unraveling – “Thoughts and Prayers” might be my favorite song of 2020

17.   17 Brian Dunne – Selling Things – first time I listened I swore I heard Roger McGuinn singing – not a bad sound to be compared to – thanks Magnolia Record club for the intro

18.   18 Allison Moorer – Blood – another biographical record- “The Rock and the Hill” rocks

19.   19 Arlo McKinley – Die Midwestern – title song is a good place to start

20.   20 Charley Crockett – Welcome to Hard Times – sounds like this album could have been from 1957

21.   21 Waxahatchee – Saint Cloud – “Can’t do Much” is one of my most played songs of 2020

22.   22 Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – Reunions – Jason’s last 3 have been Top 5 – this one just didn’t really hit home with me although I played “Dreamsicle” a lot

23.   23 Brent Cobb – Keep ‘Em on they Toes – featuring former Apache Relay guitarist Mike Harris

24.   24 The Secret Sisters – Saturn Return – Brandi Carlile produced and her fingerprints are all over this one along with great harmonies

25.   25 The War and Treaty – ridiculously great harmonies on their second full length release