What a strange year (and then some). The LPs (I buy mostly vinyl- download a few) I purchased were fewer than ever in number and some might not have “made the grade” in years past. – Mavis Staples // Wet Leg // Taj Mahal/Keb Mo’ // Jeff Tweedy // Tedeschi Trucks Band w/ Leon Russell //
This year I tried something a bit unique for me. Over the years I have never been a fan of “pop” music but recently I have been curious as to “why” some folks (with limited tastes) herald music by one artist, usually a popular artist, over something I personally enjoy. In other words, “Why is the shit I like not on that list?” So, I decided to go “over to the other side” to experience what others consider as “best of the year”. Using a wide variety of polls from various sources I compiled a list (or used their list) and downloaded their choices of albums to listen to. Some choices are pretty interesting (do not mistake interesting with either good or bad). Then, I listened intently to see the “why”, as in Why do folks like this shit?
Another calendar year disappears, while me, still the guy trying to restore my vinyl collection, the one which I lost a few years back during an hurricane, bought only a minimal amount of new music. With that said, this year I’ll make it simple, with minimal verbiage, I submit the following…
Not too hard to choose my “most played” selections for 2022 because each is still near the player be it a CD or vinyl.
Still on my quest to replace most of the (worthwhile) albums I lost during a Long Island hurricane a few years ago. Thousands of albums,45’s, cassettes, magazines, and equipment gone in a flash (flood). Most of my resources are spent on that quest so my purchases to acquire music continue to be somewhat limited to what I know and what I like. Some of my list might be from the previous year or two but so what…
In alpha order my (15) most listened to records/reissues/artists (mostly vinyl) for 2019. Mose Allison Tribute: Various artists IF YOU’RE GOING… The Beatles: THE BEATLES and ESHER DEMOS (box) The Beatles: ABBEY ROAD (box) The Beatles: SGT.PEPPERS Gene Clark: NO OTHER John Coltrane: BLUE WORLD Bob Dylan: w/Johnny Cash TRAVELIN’ THRU (67-69) Rory Gallagher: BLUES (2lp) Chrissie Hynde: VALVE BONE WOE The KinKs: VILLAGE GREEN PRESERVATION…(180) The KinKs: ARTHUR (box set) Mercury Rev: DELTA SWEETE REVISITED Van Morrison: THREE CHORDS and THE TRUTH (white vinyl) Patti Smith: HORSES (live at Electric Lady) Mavis Staples: WE GET BY Tedeschi Trucks Band:…
POOP/1979/2018-Michael C. Hodgkiss Every January since 1965 my brother, KEVIN PATRICK(* See Editor’s Note below) and I would exchange lists of our favorite albums of the year. We both had eclectic tastes for teens. He tried to steer me toward MOTOWN records while I dragged him through Anglophile and English blues related groups. After we secured each others lists we would search far and wide to find published lists to see which of us garnered more points in the standings,that being determined by point values which we made up:eg. 20 points for #1, one point for #20/or no listing at…
The Year 2011 This year’s picks was simple for me. Well only during the last few weeks of the year when true gems “were dropped” onto the market.I would love to put Numbers 1-9 as only one record, EL CAMINO by The Black Keys, as this recording was the” best of the best” by a mile or two. Nothing was even close for me. You knuckleheads might not agree and offer a differing opinion. However, sticking with tradition and so as not to screw up Mark’s method of accounting I offer the following as 1 through 10. Buy New or…
Top Ten for 2010 What a year it has been. I actually have more stuff downloaded on my hard drive this calendar year than all years put together, mostly thanks to my brothers ENDLESS CHRISTMAS COLLECTION. Yet, my BEST OF 2010 comes complete with howling guitars, a few jazzbos with one or two twang thangs, so here I go… Buy New or Used via Amazon 1) The Black Keys – BROTHERS This is the album my brother and I could have made if he would only have let me sing. HOWLIN’ FOR YOU is cool while BLACK MUD has so…
Buy New or Used through amazon Wilco WILCO THE ALBUM By far the best recording of the year,and Wilco’s best not only for this year but in quite some time. Burned a few copies for my car, home, iPod, alarm clock, etc. Had the sucker on constantly and never got tired of listening to it. Buy New or Used through amazon Rosanne Cash THE LIST Geez, I remember getting lists from my parents too, but my album would be filled with songs like MOW THE LAWN YOU LAZY SOB, or the famous MAKE SURE THERE IS GAS WHEN…
Due to numerous computer malfunctions, etc. , I have finally had the opportunity to put this whole thing together. Unfortunately, during the computer crash I lost about 5000 songs downloaded this past year. With that was my playlists and various ways to remember what I listened to in 08. So without my CLIFF NOTES , as best I remember it, here goes… Buy New or Used via Amazon Bob Dylan – TELL TALE SIGNS This double CD set traveled with me during my trip south a few months ago. Played almost exclusively on the 900 mile trek, this collection…
Another year of downloads, mostly singles. So my album collection, due to formatting, is becoming quite limited. Who needs five great tunes and four fillers when you can pick and choose for 99 cents a selection. Best single title- “ME,YOU, AND MY MEDICATION: Boys Like Girls.’ Lots of RIP’s (not just ripped but the dead variety). Too numerous to mention, so I’ll just go on with my selections…and the first one will be an RIP probably way too soon…. Buy new or used through Amazon AMY WINEHOUSE – Back To Black Not just The Rehab song, but this…
Buy new or used through Amazon #l – BOB DYLAN- MODERN TIMES What a great title. This youngster is being touted as the new Woody. Buy new or used through Amazon #2 – ORNETTE COLEMAN – SOUND GRAMMAR First new album in ten years and live in 20. Recording with the best band he has had, this is truly a delight, even for the uninitiated. Buy new or used through Amazon #3 – ROSEANNE CASH – BLACK CADILLAC What an eerie recording. Beautiful, reflective. Her voice, words, raw emotion. Buy new or…
Having a best of list in the age of ipod is hard to do. The mini holds 1000 tunes, so each week is like my own BEST OF, with some not making the cut while others hold on for at least another week. It is truly the audio equivalent of AMERICAN IDOL. Sorry RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS , you didn’t make the cut, too passé, nothing new or original, where is REAL MEN/ COYOTES , sorry you got to go to make room for (fill in artist of the day). As usual I digress…. Here it is THE ONLY LIST…
Johnny Jah – Pooplist 03 As I was thinking of my list I was wondering where did the time go? It seems like only yesterday that I wrote last years’, and the years’ before list. I now have to check for the date of issue on the CDs because some of the material I can’t remember what year it came out. Some times I don’t even know what day of the week it is..but I digress Oh well, who cares? Not you. So here goes. The Best Album Cover. .. Too bad I could not find this sucka in vinyl,…