Last year I picked five albums I considered the best of the year. This time I’m upping it to 10 with a few bubbling under and some added tidbits.
1. Already Free, The Derek Trucks Band: Traditional blues with modern sensibilities and influences from jazz, roots and world music, all played by an array of accomplished musicians and one of the best slide players of our time.
2. The Deep End, Christine Ohlman and Rebel Montez: Stellar songwriting, impassioned vocals and infectious grooves highlight Ohlman’s fifth album, which also features an impressive roster of guests. Her best yet.
3. Electric Dirt, Levon Helm: On this electrified followup to his comeback album Dirt Farmer, Helm blends traditional roots music with elements of folk, blues, soul and gospel. The mix of new original material and classic covers works perfectly. The arrangements are clean and to the point and musicianship impeccable.
4. Middle Cyclone, Neko Case: A wonderful concoction of folk, rock, country and pop interlaced with enigmatic lyrics and penetrating melodies. All topped with Case’s crystal clear voice.
5. All In One, Bebel Gilberto: Her best since Tanta Tempo in 2000, this work is alive with beautiful songwriting and Gilberto’s gorgeous, hushed, cool vocals. Aided by her pals Carlhinos Brown and Didi Gutman among others.
6. Soul On Ten, Robben Ford: A ripping, rocking live set with two live-in-the-studio cuts, filled with Ford’s interesting blues-based originals, some classic covers and his unique take on blues, rock and jazz playing.
7. The List, Rosanne Cash: A love letter to her father Johnny and her audience, giving back songs from his list of 100 that he gave to his teen-age daughter. Arrangements and execution by Cash and husband John Levanthal are enthralling.
8. Horehound, The Dead Weather: Jack White emerges with yet another project that looks like it will stick for a while. Driving, heavy songcraft, led by Alison Mosshart’s rock-steady vocals and White’s creative drumming.
9. Bossa Nova Stories, Eliane Elias: Brazilian singer-pianist on standards from her home country and the U.S., designed to show off her attractive and proficient voice and inventive keyboard work.
10. Just Roll Tape, Stephen Stills: Fascinating archive material from tapes recorded on the spur of the moment during the middle of Still’s amazing creative streak in the late ’60s before CSN.
Bubbling under: Secret, Profane & Sugarcane, Elvis Costello; One Old-Fashioned Donut, Orange Television; Ray Guns Are Not Just The Future, The Bird And The Bee; Live From Madison Square Garden, Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood; A Man, A Woman Walked By, PJ Harvey and John Parish.
Best box set: Neil Young Archives Vol. 1.
Best reissue: The Beatles Stereo Box, remastered.
Most surprising release of the decade: Don’t Press Your Luck, The In Sound Of 60s Connecticut (Sundazed), Various Artists, including Bram Rigg Set and The Shags.
Top three concerts: The Derek Trucks Band at The Waterbury Palace; Jeff Beck at the MGM Grand; Robben Ford at The Infinity Music Hall.
Best concert venue: The Infinity Music Hall, Norfolk, CT; Fairfield Stage One (a close second).
Best new artists: Kala Farnham; Coryell Auger Sample Trio; Alexis Babini; Orange Television.