Hey Everybody,
As always, the following is a link to ITunes to download a playlist containing a song from many of the records I reviewed below: BOBBY K’S 2008 PICKS. I took great care in arranging this playlist, which I think you’ll enjoy as a CD in and of itself. If you click on an artist’s name below it will take you to his/her web site. Clicking on the title of the record will take you to a site to buy the record.
I think we can safely declare that 2008 has been the most unusual year we have experienced in decades. We have witnessed two wars that have drained our economy; we have seen our standing as a moral leader in the world deteriorate, as well as the demise of America as the central economic power; we have experienced the deepest of recessions; we have witnessed the worst side of capitalism; we have hopefully seen the last days of arguably the worst President in our history; and we have experienced the best of the American dream with the election of the first African American President. Yes, this has been quite an unusual year.
So what will we experience when our country emerges from the economic trough we are in? Will we be a consumer nation like we were before? Will we be interested in more meaningful pursuits? Will our music listening habits change? In the early years of the Great Depression, people listened to music that conveyed a time when there were few troubles. Music was used as a form of escape. Songs like It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) and Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries were popular. But then as the 1930’s progressed, music started to change and tell stories of hardship and despair. Mister Can You Spare A Dime was a hit song in 1935. Artists like Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger and Lead Belly started to sings songs of the poor and downtrodden. Two great examples of the writing in heart of the depression are Woody Guthrie’s I Ain’t Got No Home and This Land is Your Land, the latter of which was a cry that all people are created equal, that all people had the same rights to our great country.
While there has been so much good music produced over the last decade, popular music has been horrid. I attribute this to the fact that when people are successful, music becomes less important because people fill their time with pursuits and luxury items other than music. During the last three decades music has taken a back seat to other sources of entertainment (movies, computers, golf, shopping, restaurants). Maybe as our country changes, people will start get back to the basics and realize that music can lift spirits and change the way people feel without a large expenditure of money. As Tim Robbins said in Shawshank Redemption as he was emerging from two weeks of solitary confinement: “Easiest two weeks I ever had. . . . I had Mr. Mozart keep me company. Hardly felt the time at all. The music was here [he points to his head] and here [he point to his heart]. That’s the one thing they can’t confiscate, not ever. That’s the beauty of it.“ I think that apply describes the magic of music.
In last year’s Newsletter I wrote that I might not write a Newsletter in 2008 so I wouldn’t feel the pressure of finding new music to review. I wanted to listen to older records. I wanted to listen to Van two weeks in a row . . . to listen to Creedence’s collection from start to finish. Explore older artists that I never really listened to, like Little Feat. Well, . . . I did that. I bought a bunch of Little Feat records. I listened to Dylan over and over. I rediscovered Abbey Road for the first time in 25 years. But I soon realized, I am addicted to finding new music. So unfortunately for my budget, the Newsletter continues for one more year. So here goes with my review of the best of 2008:
ANDERS OSBORNE – COMING DOWN What a record. If I wanted to listen to Van this year, all I needed to do is listen to this record over and over again. This record is mellow, soulful and full of quality songwriting. Although this record was released late last year, somehow I missed it. But thanks to my good, good friend Doug Mangel, I discovered it a couple of months ago. Anders is a musician living in New Orleans that has been releasing his own records and writing music for other musicians for years. He’s won Grammys, had his songs in movies and recorded by other musicians (Keb Mo and Tim McGraw who had a number 1 hit with his song Watch the Wind Blow By which sold 3 million copies). After all these accomplishments, Anders finally blessed us with a near perfect record. It even has only ten songs (I love shorter CDs as they remind me of old vinyl records). This record is more than a little reminiscent of Van’s style. I hear heavy references of Astral Weeks (Back on Dumaine) and Saint Dominick’s Preview (Summertime in New Orleans). Does it bother me that Anders is borrowing so much from Van? Not really, since there is no better person to lift a style from. The beautiful thing about the mellow, soulful vibe on this record, is that it fits so many different moods. You can listen to this record first thing in the morning and feel so good. Yet it has a soul and sexiness that fits really well in the nighttime. Any record that can fit equally well in the morning and the night is a winner and that’s what this record is. This is a great addition to my catalog, a record that will give me joy for years to come.
RYAN BINGHAM – MESCALITO. Maybe my favorite record of the year. There have been some great young artists from Austin over the last few years (Hayes Carll in particular), but this 26 year musician with a voice that would make Tom Waits proud is the best I’ve heard in years. The production on this record is alarmingly good. The first song, Southside of Heaven, has so many different layers of instruments weaving in and out. Listen to the guitar fillers, the mandolins and the pedal steel guitar that sounds like a train. Overlay that with an emotive, road weary voice that pierces right into the soul and you have a force that is hard to find. In reality, this record is not for everyone. But those who will be hit by this record . . . will be hit real hard. This young kid knows how to write songs and make a beautifully produced record. Ryan is clearly a student of Springsteen as the second to the last song, Sunrise, is very reminiscent of Bruce’s outtake, Bishop’s Dance. Throughout this record Bruce fans will hear underlying similarities between these artists. The last song on this record (For What Its Worth) is my favorite. This is a rolling, ethereal ballad that I could listen to repeatedly for hours. As I’m writing this review, I’m listening to this song and it fills my soul. This is a special, special artist. Once again I have to give Doug Mangel credit for turning me onto Ryan. Doug, you were clearly my MVMP (Most Valuable Music Person) this year. Thanks buddy. You gave me the gift that keeps on giving.
JACKIE GREENE– GIVING UP GHOSTS The best record to date made by this rising star. As many of you know, Jackie played my house in the summer of 2007 and blew everyone away. This wunderkid (now a ripe old age of 28, with 5 records already under his belt) went on to play with Phil Lesh’s band and was immersed in Dead music. This experience has really helped stretch Jackie as a musician. Another factor in changing the direction of Jackie’s music is the producer of this great disc, Steve Berlin (a member of Los Lobos). As many of you know Los Lobos is one of the more creative and unique sounding bands around. Mr. Berlin surrounded Jackie with first class studio musicians who helped create different styles on this record (soul, rootsy, blues, folk, r-n-r) that are very compelling. Although Jackie is so close to stardom, in no way did he go for the commercial brass ring on this record. The textures and atmosphere on the disc are phenomenal. From top to bottom, this record is consistently great. I’ve admired everything Jackie has done the last five years; but to me this record is his high-water mark. I just don’t know how he is going to top this one. By the way, this is another record whose last song is my favorite. The song Ghosts of Promised Land is just everything you want in a rock-n-roll song. As I’m writing this newsletter, I’m realizing with the first three records I reviewed so far, 2008 was a great year for me musically. I could stop writing right now and be satisfied. But, I have a bunch more to review, so I will plow on.
VAN MORRISON – KEEP IT SIMPLE Van is 63 years old. I don’t know how many official releases Van has, but Keep It Simple is the 38th Van CD I have in my collection. 38!!! Ever since his back to back classics in 1978 (Wavelength) and 1979 (Into the Music), every ten (10) years or so, Van releases a five star record. In 1986, Van released the beautiful No Guru, No Method, No Teacher. In 1997 it was the dynamic Healing Game. Now 11 years later, he releases another one, Keep It Simple. The first track on this record How Can A Poor Boy? is a regular blues song, that does nothing for me. But beginning with the second track the record just gets better and better, ending with my favorite song on the record, Beyond the Ritual. (I didn’t know that 2008 was the year of the “last song†until I wrote this Newsletter). A little story about this song, Beyond the Ritual. Before Graham Parker played my house in February, everyone was seated ready for Graham to come on. I played this song at top volume and over 100 people just sat there, not talking, but swaying to a classic Van groove, with trumpets, guitars and Van’s mumbling intertwining with the music. This is a moment that I will remember for the rest of my life. Van fans, if you missed this one, just buy it. You have my Bobby K money backed guaranty on this one. As Van says, “beyond the ritual . . you will find the spiritualâ€. Hallelujah, brother.
EZRA FURMAN AND THE HARPOONS – INSIDE THE HUMAN BODY Alright . . . I need to shake-up this Newsletter a little bit. EZRA FURMAN AND THE HARPOONS. This band is a group of college kids from Tufts University. I visited Tufts last year with my son Brandon and found a lot of studious kids, but no Ezra! Well boy did I find him this fall. Most of you guys are going to hate the whiny vocals of Ezra, but there is something so off-key and alive in his voice that it digs deep into me (kind of like Paul Westerberg from the Replacements). These guys are just so f—king alive. Imagine a cross between the Violent Femmes, the Talking Heads and the Replacements. Every track on this record (other than the Sex Pistols type song Big Deal) is just terrific. When they slow the tempo down (The Stakes Are High and If I Was A Baby, which sounds like a Willie Nile song), they sound so beautiful. One prominent magazine (Paste) wrote that this record is “frightening and brilliant, a real 5 star record.†Well I agree. When I heard this record I just got so excited. It’s the type of music I would have loved back at Emory University in 1979. The beautiful thing is that I’m not yet dead and it hit me just as hard today in 2008. How cool is that. Thank you Ezra for making me feel so young. I hope that a few of you out there listen to this record and get a little of this fountain of youth.
ERIC LINDELL – LOW ON CASH, RICH ON LOVE Another vet of the Klausner concert circuit. Eric and his mates pitched in this year when Will Hoge (my scheduled show) got into an unfortunate car accident and had to cancel at the last moment. Eric put on a show that was much more polished than 2 years ago, but just as exciting and entertaining. This is another New Orleans artist that continues to grow and appears right on the cusp of stardom. I hear Eric on Satellite Radio all the time. Low On Cash is a fine record that can be broken up into two categories of songs, the groovy soul sound (again reminiscent of Van) and Eric’s brand of funk, which can really rock a joint. So many people have compared Eric to Van throughout the years, but Eric really didn’t listen to Van growing up. The story goes that Eric finally listened to Moondance (Van’s classic 1970 record) and was so impressed with the sound and horns on the record that he brought in a horn section for Low On Cash. The results are outstanding. The horns just add to the soul groove that Eric established on his debut record. In fact, this record is more cohesive then Eric’s debut Change In the Weather and his songwriting continues to sparkle. A real fine record. It appears that Eric is a real prolific artist as he is about to release another record in the near future. It wouldn’t surprise me if Eric breaks on through and has some commercial success in the near future as he has a great catchy sound.
RAILROAD EARTH – AMEN CORNER This Stillwater, New Jersey band has the “blue grassy feel†of the Grateful Dead. This sound has made them a favorite of the Dead crowd and the Jam-On station on Sirius Radio. I was originally introduced to this band by Daran Rubin a couple of years ago, and reintroduced to them this summer by my cousin Steven. When I listened to this record, not only did I love the sound, but I was impressed with their improved songwriting. Particularly, Hard Livin (track 2) and Right In Tune (Track 5). Amen Corner is the band’s fourth studio album. This is just quality, interesting music that is easy on the soul and mood. It’s Americana music at its finest. Fans of The Band and the Dead will really enjoy this disc.
GRIFFIN HOUSE– FLYING UPSIDE DOWN A beautiful, mellow record from a promising singer-songwriter. Those of you out there that are paying attention will remember that I gave this record a brief review last year. This record was released late last year by Griffin only through the Internet. I listened to it a few time and was very impressed, so I included it at the end of last year’s Newsletter. Early this year the record was released in CD format. In past Newsletters I have carried on about the terrible sound of MP3 downloads. Well this is a perfect example. When I finally heard the CD version of this record it came alive for me. While Griffin is a pretty mellow singer songwriter who depends upon strong melodies and hooks, he does pick it up on a few songs on this record (Lonely One and Hanging On in particular) with fabulous results. This record is very consistent with great songwriting. My favorite tune on this record is the atmospheric When the Time is Right, which I’ve been listening to this record for over 12 months and have not tired of it yet. I know a real lot of you out there will enjoy this disc.
SHAWN MULLINS – HONEYDEW A fine mid-tempo folk record from a great songwriter. The songs on this record are interesting with some real notables that raise it to a must buy. Shawn has developed into one of the better songwriters around. The first song on this record is a classic mid-tempo rock-n-roll song with a great hook and melody. Once again, sticking with the newly discovered theme of this Newsletter, the last song on this record Rewind is one of the best songs of the year. Great record from this underrated artist.
LANGHORNE SLIM – LANGHORNE SLIM For some reason I want to categorize this record as a mid-tempo folk record, but it really is a slightly punkish form of folk. There is great dynamic range on this record, but the songs are constructed as traditional folk songs. There has a very heavy Dylan feel to me, sort of like The Rolling Thunder Review period Dylan. Very interesting lyrics and eclectic folk music. Langhorne is only 28, but this kid is showing signs that he can be real special. Listen to his song on the attached ITunes Playlist and you will understand what I mean. I saw Langhorne in a dingy bar in NYC about 3 years ago. There was something about this guy that was interesting. I don’t really remember what . . . maybe it was his name, but I ended up buying his CD that night. Although I really never listened to it much afterwards, I did remember his name. Recently I happened to notice that he released a new record. I bought it and have been so impressed with his growth as an artist. Paste Magazine recently named it the 14th best record of the year.
MY MORNING JACKET – EVIL URGES This record is a real mix of styles (country rock, indie rock, southern rock, psychedelic rock). In fact, the song I’m Amazed is a weird combo of The Allman Brothers and Aerosmith’s Sweet Emotion. That is a real weird combo, but interesting. My Morning Jacket had some commercial success in 2006 with the release of the disc Z. They became a favorite of the indie-college scene on the basis of Z and their great live shows. I gave this record a listen and really had a tough time getting into it because the vocals on the first song are so weird and the third song absolutely sucks. But beginning on the 4th song the record just takes off and is so beautiful with fabulous harmonies. This disc is the surprise disc of the year for me. Track 5 (Thank You Too), sounds like a Neil Young song, and Track 9 (Look At You), sounds like it is sung by John Lennon); both are beautifully written songs. Really nice disc that I will listen to for years to come.
OTHER NOTABLE RELEASES
TRACY CHAPMAN – OUR BRIGHT FUTURE Another Tufts alumni. Who would of thought? A sweet record from one of the most beautiful voices around. Quite a few memorable songs on this one. I’ve been listening to this record quite a bit lately.
SCOTT KEMPNER – SAVING GRACE A really good record from the ex-Del Lord’s front man. This record sounds like a record made by a mix of Link Ray and Dion. A lot of doo-wop background vocals give this record a real nice old feel. The songwriting on this record is very strong from a very underrated artist.
ELI "PAPERBOY" REED AND THE TRUE LOVES – ROLL WITH YOU Anyone that likes good old 60’s soul, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Sam and Dave will love this kid. While James Hunter has been garnishing the headlines this year as the second coming of Sam Cooke, this kid is really the king.
ERIC HUTCHINSON – SOUNDS LIKE THIS A happy light Billy Joel sound with good melodies and hooks and a lot of clapping in the background. This is just fun, alive music. Kinda like popcorn, tastes good, but no nutritional value.
LUCINDA WILLIAMS – LITTLE HONEY Really good Lucinda record. It isn’t great, but very enjoyable. While it has about four or five great songs, the record dies at the end and just doesn’t flow really well. There is nothing bad I can say about Lucinda, except that her last few records are definitely overrated by the press. This record is worth buying for the 5 songs. Tears of Joy, If Wishes Were Horses and Knowing are Lucinda at her best.
AMOS LEE – LAST DAYS AT THE LODGE A really good record. The first 6 songs are strong (actually more than strong), but thereafter the record fades for me. Amos has one of the best voices around, and when he hits which is often, he’s incredible. I don’t know why this album didn’t get me like his last record Amos Lee, but it just missed . . . just a little. There are enough great songs to really enjoy this disc.
DANIELIA COTTON – RARE CHILD Another great effort from this extremely talented singer. The only issue I have with Danielia is her propensity for heavy rock. Of the 10 songs on the record, 6 of them are great. The other 4 are a form of heavy rock that I just can’t listen to and enjoy. I had the same issues with her first record. Normally if a record has 6 out of 10 songs of this quality, it is in my top category for the year. However, the other songs just really don’t work for me and they totally break the whole flow of the record. One day she’ll shed her hard-rock edge and produce an album for the ages. For now we have 6 tracks to listen to which are of the highest quality.
SUSAN TEDESCHI – BACK TO THE RIVER Very similar to the Danielia Cotton record, except that the songs that miss are more of a heavy funk variety. This record has 7 extremely strong songs out of 11. The 5 tracks that don’t work for me once again break the whole flow of the record. I would suggest buying this record just for the number of great songs. It was inevitable that Susan couldn’t produce a record as good as her last one (Hope and Desire) which was an all-time favorite of mine.
SHELBY LYNNE – JUST A LITTLE LOVIN’ When I think about female country soul there are two names that pop into my mind, Dusty Springfield and Shelby Lynne. Not many female singers have the guts (or the voice) to make a whole record of Dusty Springfield covers, but Shelby pulls it off beautifully. This is definitely the quietest record of the year. The production is superb by the great producer Phil Ramone. In fact, I bought this record on vinyl just to have the most optimal sound possible for this beautiful collection of songs.
SHERYL CROW – DETOURS Best record from Sheryl since her marvelous debut record. Sheryl finally made a record, in my humble opinion, that is cohesive from start to finish. Sheryl’s writing is as good as ever and her lyrics are clever. The topics on this record can be broken into two categories, relationships and politics. Her song Diamond Ring about the end of her relationship with Lance Armstrong is sung with such pain and emotion that it is chilling. Fans of Sheryl will not be disappointed.
OKKERVIL RIVER – STAND INS Interesting Americana Band from Austin Texas. How can so many great bands have their hometown in Texas? This is dramatic roots rock with just a sprinkle of psychedelia. I’ve only listened to this record about 2 times, but I really like it. The lead singer Will Scheff has a great operatic, baritone voice. The instrumentation on this record is also beautifully arranged. Listen to it and decide if it is for you. I have a feeling I might review this record again next year if it really grows on me. Lou Reed is a big fan of this band, which in my book says a lot.
SHE AND HIM – VOLUME 1 The atmospheric M.Ward teams up with actress Zooey Deschanel to produce a sweet little folk record with sounds of the girl groups from the early 60’s. Nice addition to any collection.
RYAN ADAMS– CARDINOLOGY A good record from one of the most overrated artists around. The funny thing is that critics are panning this one and I actually like it.
Well, that’s it for this year. There sure was a lot of great music released. I hope you buy and enjoy the music reviewed above and I wish you and your families a happy, healthy and peaceful upcoming year. Rave on.
Bobby K
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