doctorgmb
02-08-2007, 05:34 PM
Well, all of my friends did this, so I thought I'd give it a try. It was next to impossible to actually rank these. The best I could do was a top 7. The rest are in no particular order. I've included a comment here or there, for what it's worth. I think these were all outstanding records and are worthy of a listen. Many of these artists were discovered by me on My Space, which has been a tresure trove of great music. There were lots of other very fine records this year, but these jumped out tonight as I sat down to put this together.
So here goes (beginning with my top 7):
1) Paul Steel-Home Demos:
It still stuns me that this CD remains officially unreleased, and it stuns me even more that Paul sent me a copy of it after I wrote to him on My Space asking where I could buy his CD. I have Nelson Bragg to thank for this one. He has been a huge supporter of Paul's music, and rightly so! This kid is 19 years old and is making music that is lightyears beyond his young age. The only person to compare him to is a youthful Brian Wilson. That's how good this is!!! Go to his page and check it out. You won't be sorry.
2) Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint- The River In Reverse
Okay, there are a couple of New Orleans records on my list, and I admit that I wear my heart on my sleeve for this city, but this one deserves every accolade it's gotten. This is one of America's finest songwriters and he's found as empathetic a voice as his music's ever attracted in Costello. It's obvious that Elvis cares about the man and his city and these performances (predominantly by New Orleans musicians) are stellar. Go out and buy this record and then send a donation to Habitat or some other group working to rebuild America's most unique city!
3) Ollabelle- Riverside Battle Songs
With Levon's daughter in this group, it's inevitable that there will be comparisons to the Band, and I say bring 'em on, cause these guys a (and gals) live up to it. This is a wildly talented group of musicians who all write, sing, and play music that's deeply rooted in Americana. Sound familiar???
4) Darrell Scott- The Invisible Man
Thanks for this one John! This is a remarkable acoustic record by a songwriter that will break your heart with his gorgeous stories.
5) Bill Reveles- Inside Gospel Garage
Okay, technically this is from 2005, but I didn't hear it or find out about it until I discovered My Space in 2006 so I'm including it anyway. I loved this record from the moment I first put it in my player and it has yet to wear thin. Sometimes Bill's vision is a bit dark, but he also brings a good deal of humour to the table too (Hollywood Cowboy would make Warren Zevon proud). Bill is someone to keep your ear out for in the years to come.
6) Roger McGuinn- The Folk Den Project
Again, this is technically a 2005 release that I didn't get until 2006. I must admit that I bought this more out of wanting to support McGuinn and his music than out of a real desire to listen to this collection of folk songs that span the gamut from old spirituals to sea shanties to work songs. But when I put the first of the four discs in my player, I couldn't stop listening! Mcguinn is a great interpreter of other people's music as evidenced by the Byrds success with Dylan covers and this just takes it one step further back into our musical heritage. I am so thankful that he gave me the opportunity to hear so many of these wonderful songs that I would have never heard if he didn't care so much about preserving them.
7) Troy (Trombone Shorty) Andrews- Orleans and Claiborne
I was lucky enough to see this bold group of extremely young musicians play at House of Blues in New orleans during Jazz Fest 2006. As I listened I kept getting more and more excited about what I was hearing. It was this crazy mix of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, funk, hip hop, zydeco, and you name it. It's what makes New orleans such an exciting and vital place for music. This kid and his cohorts know no boundaries. There is nothing they won't play or do in the name of music. I can't wait to hear what Andrews and his band are going to be doing when I get back down for the fest in May!
And now for the rest (in no particular order)
Magenta- Home
This is a prog rock band from Wales that (once again) I found out about thanks to My Space. I really didn't think anyone was making this kind of music anymore. The female singer has as beautiful a voice as Annie Haslem (od Renaissance fame) and the band at times sounds like Steve Hackett era Genesis with a bit of Yes and Pink Floyd thrown in for good measure. Great songwriting!!
Blue Cartoon- September Songs
I generally don't think of Austin, Texas as a place to find great pop music, but here it is folks. Fans of the Beatles, Beach Boys, and Byrds will find plenty to love in this record.
The Bittersweets- The Life You Always Wanted
Fronted by a female voice, this band is filled with fine players. The songwriting is excellent as are the performances.
Vince Gill- These Days
My first Gill purchase (after seeing him on some TV show and having my socks knocked off by his performance). This is a 4 disc set that cost about $25. You won't find a better bargain anywhere. He does it all!
Chris Thomas King- Rise
King was wiped out by Katrina. This is his response---full of the hope and determination that will see New Orleans rise from it's ruins!
Los Lobos- The Town and The City
I must admit that I haven't had a chance to really set down and give this a good, strong listen and yet it still lands in my top 15 of the year. By far the best record they've made in years.
Brandon McGovern and The Scrappers- Pet Food
This guy is one of my favorite finds on My Space (Thanks Rick). Brandon's a bit younger than me, but we obviously both listened to a lot of the same records growing up. Each record he does is progressively better than the one before. Keep rockin' Mr. McG!!!
The Now People- The Last Great Twentieth Century Love Affair
The ubiquitous Nelson Bragg (perhaps deserving of my MVP award for music in 2006) is one of the members of this band, along with his fellow BW Bandmate Probyn Gregory. This band owes more to Burt Bacharach and Jimmy Webb than Wilson and there ain't nothin' wrong with that! A gorgeous debut album.
So there you have it. I'd love to hear any comments, so drop me a note!
-Greg
So here goes (beginning with my top 7):
1) Paul Steel-Home Demos:
It still stuns me that this CD remains officially unreleased, and it stuns me even more that Paul sent me a copy of it after I wrote to him on My Space asking where I could buy his CD. I have Nelson Bragg to thank for this one. He has been a huge supporter of Paul's music, and rightly so! This kid is 19 years old and is making music that is lightyears beyond his young age. The only person to compare him to is a youthful Brian Wilson. That's how good this is!!! Go to his page and check it out. You won't be sorry.
2) Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint- The River In Reverse
Okay, there are a couple of New Orleans records on my list, and I admit that I wear my heart on my sleeve for this city, but this one deserves every accolade it's gotten. This is one of America's finest songwriters and he's found as empathetic a voice as his music's ever attracted in Costello. It's obvious that Elvis cares about the man and his city and these performances (predominantly by New Orleans musicians) are stellar. Go out and buy this record and then send a donation to Habitat or some other group working to rebuild America's most unique city!
3) Ollabelle- Riverside Battle Songs
With Levon's daughter in this group, it's inevitable that there will be comparisons to the Band, and I say bring 'em on, cause these guys a (and gals) live up to it. This is a wildly talented group of musicians who all write, sing, and play music that's deeply rooted in Americana. Sound familiar???
4) Darrell Scott- The Invisible Man
Thanks for this one John! This is a remarkable acoustic record by a songwriter that will break your heart with his gorgeous stories.
5) Bill Reveles- Inside Gospel Garage
Okay, technically this is from 2005, but I didn't hear it or find out about it until I discovered My Space in 2006 so I'm including it anyway. I loved this record from the moment I first put it in my player and it has yet to wear thin. Sometimes Bill's vision is a bit dark, but he also brings a good deal of humour to the table too (Hollywood Cowboy would make Warren Zevon proud). Bill is someone to keep your ear out for in the years to come.
6) Roger McGuinn- The Folk Den Project
Again, this is technically a 2005 release that I didn't get until 2006. I must admit that I bought this more out of wanting to support McGuinn and his music than out of a real desire to listen to this collection of folk songs that span the gamut from old spirituals to sea shanties to work songs. But when I put the first of the four discs in my player, I couldn't stop listening! Mcguinn is a great interpreter of other people's music as evidenced by the Byrds success with Dylan covers and this just takes it one step further back into our musical heritage. I am so thankful that he gave me the opportunity to hear so many of these wonderful songs that I would have never heard if he didn't care so much about preserving them.
7) Troy (Trombone Shorty) Andrews- Orleans and Claiborne
I was lucky enough to see this bold group of extremely young musicians play at House of Blues in New orleans during Jazz Fest 2006. As I listened I kept getting more and more excited about what I was hearing. It was this crazy mix of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, funk, hip hop, zydeco, and you name it. It's what makes New orleans such an exciting and vital place for music. This kid and his cohorts know no boundaries. There is nothing they won't play or do in the name of music. I can't wait to hear what Andrews and his band are going to be doing when I get back down for the fest in May!
And now for the rest (in no particular order)
Magenta- Home
This is a prog rock band from Wales that (once again) I found out about thanks to My Space. I really didn't think anyone was making this kind of music anymore. The female singer has as beautiful a voice as Annie Haslem (od Renaissance fame) and the band at times sounds like Steve Hackett era Genesis with a bit of Yes and Pink Floyd thrown in for good measure. Great songwriting!!
Blue Cartoon- September Songs
I generally don't think of Austin, Texas as a place to find great pop music, but here it is folks. Fans of the Beatles, Beach Boys, and Byrds will find plenty to love in this record.
The Bittersweets- The Life You Always Wanted
Fronted by a female voice, this band is filled with fine players. The songwriting is excellent as are the performances.
Vince Gill- These Days
My first Gill purchase (after seeing him on some TV show and having my socks knocked off by his performance). This is a 4 disc set that cost about $25. You won't find a better bargain anywhere. He does it all!
Chris Thomas King- Rise
King was wiped out by Katrina. This is his response---full of the hope and determination that will see New Orleans rise from it's ruins!
Los Lobos- The Town and The City
I must admit that I haven't had a chance to really set down and give this a good, strong listen and yet it still lands in my top 15 of the year. By far the best record they've made in years.
Brandon McGovern and The Scrappers- Pet Food
This guy is one of my favorite finds on My Space (Thanks Rick). Brandon's a bit younger than me, but we obviously both listened to a lot of the same records growing up. Each record he does is progressively better than the one before. Keep rockin' Mr. McG!!!
The Now People- The Last Great Twentieth Century Love Affair
The ubiquitous Nelson Bragg (perhaps deserving of my MVP award for music in 2006) is one of the members of this band, along with his fellow BW Bandmate Probyn Gregory. This band owes more to Burt Bacharach and Jimmy Webb than Wilson and there ain't nothin' wrong with that! A gorgeous debut album.
So there you have it. I'd love to hear any comments, so drop me a note!
-Greg