2023 was a good year for new records. It seemed like themes and topics were no longer dominated by pandemic-induced experiences, and writers felt free to explore the entirety of their experience again. There was a good mix of new and old, both in terms of songs and artists. There’s the usual caveat that what I managed to listen to was but a drop in the ocean. Having said there, here are my top 23 records of 2023.
1) Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives – Altitude
Stuart has always been known as someone who could go deep on a subject, whether with contributions to his museum of country music or his collection of Nudie suits. He delivered more of that on Altitude, a love song to 60’s and 70’s California country rock. It’s 50 years old and completely fresh at the same time.
2) Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway – City of Gold
An outstanding follow-up to last year’s Crooked Tree, Tuttle again enlisted the help of Jerry Douglas to produce a record that showcases the tremendous talent of the band as much as the more-well-known front woman. She also manages to get a couple of political barbs in along with her recollections of life growing up in a musical family.
3) Robbie Fulks – Bluegrass Vacation
Another trip back in time, this time to some of Fulks early musical influences. There are also a few poignant recollections of life’s harder times. Taken together it’s an aural Kodachrome album of a songwriter’s life, most of it to a toe-tapping beat.
4) Jason Eady – Mississippi
A little greasier and grittier than Eady’s earlier stuff, this focuses on stories of the Delta. If not exactly dark, there’s a seriousness to them that’s palpable. With lots of layers, at some point you really need to listen to this in good headphones.
5) Larry & Joe – Nuevo South Train
Featuring Che Appalache’s Joe Troop and Venezuelan musical icon Larry Bellorin (now seeking asylum in the US), this is mashup in the best possible way. Between Bellorin’s mastery of South American folk music and Troop’s journeys through North and South American traditional styles they manage to put a spin on songs like almost nothing you’ve ever heard.
6) Brennan Leigh – Ain’t Through Honky Tonkin’ Yet
Last year Leigh did an immersive treatment of early Texas swing, and it was addictive. This year she turned her sights on the country roadhouse and dance halls across rural America. If you love twang in your guitars, this is definitely for you.
7) The Wood Brothers – Heart is the Hero
Once again Chris and Oliver Wood, and their spiritual brother Jano Rix, put together a record of rhythm and funk and syncopation. If you’ve ever seen them live you know how high the bar is when they perform, but here’s a studio effort that meets that standard.
8) Brit Taylor – Kentucky Blue
Not exactly country and not exactly bluegrass, Taylor was a flash in the dark for me. One of several new(er) artists from the Bluegrass State, she keeps her roots and just uses Nashville for the technical stuff.
9) Steep Canyon Rangers – Morning Shift
After a surprising shift in personnel, the Rangers stepped away from their bluegrass roots, venturing into California country and Southern rock. They look good in their new threads.
10) Tyler Childers – Rustin’ in the Rain
Speaking of Kentucky souls, how can you top Childers. Having taken the Americana world by storm a few years back, he hasn’t let up since. Although barely longer than an EP, this record packs a lot of good songs into a short space.
11) The Band of Heathens – Simple Things
12) Margo Price – Strays
13) Alice Howe – Circumstance
14) The Furious Season – Every Morning at Five
15) Tim O’Brien – Cup of Sugar
16) Son Volt – Day of the Doug
17) Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit – Weathervanes
18) Logan Halstead – Dark Black Coal
19) The Shootouts – Stampede
20) Robert Rex Waller, Jr. – See the Big Man Cry
21) Mighty Poplar – Mighty Poplar
22) Smith & Tegio – Can’t Stay Here
23) Lydia Loveless – Nothin’ Going to Stand in My Way Again
About the author: I've actually driven from Tehatchapee to Tonopah. And I've seen Dallas from a DC-9 at night.