Bob Fino Poop 06


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Bob Dylan – ‘Modern Times’
How does someone who has never had to get up in the morning and go to work, write the painfully accurate and beautiful ‘Workin’ Man’s Blues # 2’? Pure genius. Record of the decade.


 


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Bruce Springsteen – ‘We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Session – The American Land Edition’
‘How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live’ is all anyone needs to know about Bush’s presidency. Folk music hasn’t rocked this hard since Dylan and The Hawks.


 


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Roseanne Cash – ‘Black Cadillac’
A beautiful, sometimes bitter sweet eulogy to her parents. Great production and guitar by John Leventhal.


 


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Michael Franti and Spearhead – ‘Yellfire!’
In 2004 Franti went to the Middle East (Iraq, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories to perform for the soldiers, the people and the peace keepers. He came home with these songs and a great documentary called ‘I Know I’m Not Alone’.


 


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Josh Ritter – ‘The Animal Years’
In my house we kept going back to this cd all year. Great lyrics with an early 70’s singer songwriter vibe. I’d have no problem filing this music with Tumbleweed Connection and Moondance.


 


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Rhett Miller – The Believer
Another cd that was in heavy rotation all year long. These songs were written in the Hudson Valley. The highlight is a gorgeous duet with Rachel Yamagata on ‘Fireflies’.


 


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Carrie Rodriguez – ‘Seven Angels On A Bicycle’
Her 1st solo record after 3 discs of duets with Chip Taylor. However, Rodriguez and Taylor produced this record together and share most of the songwriting, so their amazing partnership continues.


 


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Chip Taylor – ‘Unglorious Hallelujah’
A strong collection of songs with John Platania on guitar and Carrie Rodriguez on backup vocals. You have to love a guy who can write a beautiful song about Yonkers.


 


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Ani Difranco – ‘Reprieve’
Another quiet, reflective record. Great, but I would welcome some noise like the old days.


 


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Paul Simon – ‘Surprise’ – His best since ‘The Rhythm of the Saints’.
I would consider ‘Wartime Prayer’ and ‘Father and Daughter’ essential Simon.


 


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Johnny Cash – ‘American V:A Hundred Highways’
He finished the way he started. Johnny Cash was always the best thing about country music.


 


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Yusuf – ‘An Other Cup
It’s not a return to the majestic ‘Tea for the Tillerman’, but certainly better then anything he did after ‘Foreigner’.


 


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Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs, ‘Under the Covers, Vol. 1’
– Great cd of cover songs, many highlights including The Bee Gee’s ‘Run to Me” and The Mamas and Papas ‘Monday Monday’. Their voices blend beautifully. I hope this is just the beginning of their musical partnership.


 


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Ollabelle – ‘River Side Battle Songs’
Strong group effort with the best songs equally divided. Great production and playing by Larry Campbell.


 


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Drive-By Truckers – ‘A Blessing And A Curse’
Not their strongest overall collection but ‘A World of Hurt’ is the best thing they’ve done so far.


 

Remasters / Compilations /B Sides

The Waterboys – ‘Fisherman’s Blues’ – The additional CD of material is almost as great as the original. A magical period for Mike Scott.
Nina Simone – ‘Remixed and Reimagined’
The Beatles – ‘Love’ – I’m happy to have it (thanks Mike!) but I can’t say it’s essential. I have a feeling it might be more of a summer listen.
Bright Eyes – ‘Noise Floor (1998-2005)’
Ronnie Lane – ‘Just For A Moment’ – A fine compilation of Ronnie’s greatest post Faces songs. The DVD on Ronnie called ‘The Passing Show – The Life & Music of Ronnie Lane’ is also great.
Pete Townshend and Ronnie Lane – ‘Rough Mix’ – Classic


 

Live Highlights 2006

Roseanne Cash – The Egg, Albany
Indigo Girls – The Bardavon, Poughkeepsie
Bruce Springsteen & The Seeger Session Band, Asbury Park
Robert Cray Band – The Bardavon, Poughkeepsie
Jackson Browne, Steve Earle, Roseanne Cash, Nanci Griffith – John Hall Benefit, Town Hall, NYC
Lou Reed – UPAC, Kingston
Rhett Miller – Cannan Hackett Center, Poughkeepsie
Michael Franti & Spearhead – The Chance, Poughkeepsie
Bob Dylan – Agganis Arena, Boston