Irv Rosen Poop ’12


What I listened to in 2012

I am starting to detect a pattern here: I listen less to, and care less about, music in presidential election years. What does it mean? No idea. But listen I did:

cover of Ry Cooder – Election Special   Buy New or Used via Amazon
Ry CooderElection Special
A more timely, more explicit state of the union statement would be hard to find. Nothing subtle here.

cover of Andy Statman – Old Brooklyn   Buy New or Used via Amazon
Andy StatmanOld Brooklyn
May be my favorite of the year. Bluegrass meets klezmer meets rock. Great end to end.

cover of Bruce Springsteen – Wrecking Ball   Buy New or Used via Amazon
Bruce SpringsteenWrecking Ball
Easily the best in years. Made better by concerts in Tampa and Philadelphia.

cover of Neil Young - Psychedelic Pill   Buy via Amazon      cover of Neil Young - Americana   Buy via Amazon
Neil YoungPsychedelic Pill
Neil YoungAmericana
Two in one year. Better yet, two in one year w/Crazy Horse. Yes I am an old fart, but so what. I actually like American best, giving old folkie songs the Crazy Horse treatment is an inspired idea. Psychedelic is more a nod to old Neil – except for references promoting his autobiography.

cover of Antibalas - Antibalas   Buy New or Used via Amazon
AntibalasAntibalas
Brooklyn based Afrobeat band, much like Fela Kuti’s bands.

cover of Jimmy Cliff – Rebirth   Buy New or Used via Amazon
Jimmy CliffRebirth
Kind of forgot about Jimmy. This is an excellent return to Harder They Come form.

cover of JD McPherson – Signs & Signifiers   Buy New or Used via Amazon
JD McPhersonSigns & Signifiers
As authentic as can be, from the attitude to the vintage instruments. A rockabilly gem.

cover of Dr. John – Locked Down   Buy New or Used via Amazon
Dr. JohnLocked Down
Another Big Mac attack. Never fails.

cover of Norah Jones – Little Broken Hearts   Buy via Amazon   cover of The Little Willies – For the Good Times   Buy via Amazon
Norah JonesLittle Broken Hearts
The Little WilliesFor the Good Times
Another twofer. Like Norah much better now that she is not everywhere, dueting w/everyone. Like the more guitarish sound. And the Little Willies remain fun.

cover of Richard Thompson – Cabaret of Souls   Buy from Richard Thompson
Richard ThompsonCabaret of Souls
Probably the weirdest album from RT. A folk oratorio, an original cast album featuring, among others, Harry Shearer. Very strange.

Bob DylanTempest
Not sure why I like this. But, I really like the 14 minute title tune epic about the sinking of the Titanic.

John HiattMystic Pinball
Another year, another John Hiatt album

Bettye LaVetteThankful N’ Thoughtful
50 years in the biz, mostly hidden away. This is not so much a cover album as an album of interpretations. Glorious.

Mark KnopflerPrivateering
I am still a sucker for his vocals and guitar style. But would have been better as a single disc.

Van MorrisonBorn to Sing: No Plan B
The final old fart curmudgeon. Best in a long while.

Lake Street DiveFun Machine
Little EP from an interesting jazz/doo wop/rock acoustic band. Best seen on You Tube for full effect.

Irv Rosen
Tarpon Springs, the sponge capital of the world