What I remember listening to in 2006
Randomly ordered using sophisticated sampling techniques:
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Orphans – Tom Waits
A great set from one of rock’s great curmudgeons. Thematically arranged. Carnival sounds, love songs, even a protest or two. Magnificent.
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Nashville – Solomon Burke
Country as it should sound. Soulful, with the distinct Buddy Miller influence. It’s a shame he was MIA so long.
Buy new or used through AmazonThe River in Reverse – Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint
I admit that Elvis has been hit or miss. Some of his efforts baffle me. Not this time. A perfect combination of Elvis singing at his best, singing great songs written by/with Allen and Elvis. Great Toussaint arrangements –especially the horn sections. (Tip: See the video)
Buy new or used through AmazonGloryland – Anonymous 4
Kind of a (mostly) a cappella folk mass of Americana. Rootsy as can be. Minimal accompaniment. Folk songs, spirituals, gospel hymns.
Buy new or used through AmazonComplete Recorded Works 1939-1947 in Chronological Order – The Dixie Hummingbirds
Among Philly’s finest – at least after 1942 when they moved here. The sound quality varies from awful to passable but the singing varies from inspired to other worldly.
Buy new or used through AmazonPeople Gonna Talk -James Hunter
Why do the Brits do American soul better than Americans?
Buy new or used through AmazonLive and A Portrait of Howard Tate – Howard Tate
Actually, Americans do soul better than Brits. Too bad “bad habits” cost Howard the prime of his career.
Buy new or used through AmazonLove – Beatles
The pre-sale hype scared me. With fear and trepidation, I bought it. What the hell, a new Beatles album!! And it is new. Even the least tampered with songs are a sonic revelation. Sir George Martin and son can rest easy.
Buy new or used through AmazonThese Days – Vince Gill
Qualifier: this budget 4 disc set can and should be edited and burned onto 1 or 2 discs. Vince can sing, and sing with integrity.
Buy new or used through AmazonWonder Wheel – Klezmatics
Lyrics by Woody Guthrie. I guess Nora Guthrie has more artists getting ready to release what are apparently 1.2 million songs. Much preferred to Billy Bragg et al.
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American V / Personal File – Johnny Cash
A twofer. V is as sad as can be – the most honest confrontation of mortality. Personal File shows Johnny at his visionary best – doing in 1973 what Rick Rubin put forth as original in the 1990’s.
Buy new or used through AmazonThe Town and the City – Los Lobos
Muscular sounding record, back on track after artsy missteps.
Buy new or used through AmazonBronx in Blue – Dion
I wonder why I love this like I do. Dion as acoustic traditional blues singer. If you like the soulful Dion voice (which I definitely do), this is great.
And then there were:
Good God – A Gospel Funk Hymnal
Taking the Long Way – Dixie Chicks (You go girls!!)
West of the West – Dave Alvin
Death Songs for the Living – Gob Iron – at least the vocal selections