Irv Rosen Poop ’12

Posted By: IrvR January 23, 2013

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 Cooder – Election 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 Statman – Old 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 Springsteen – Wrecking 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 Young – Psychedelic Pill
Neil Young – Americana
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
Antibalas – Antibalas
Brooklyn based Afrobeat band, much like Fela Kuti’s bands.

cover of Jimmy Cliff – Rebirth   Buy New or Used via Amazon
Jimmy Cliff – Rebirth
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 McPherson – Signs & 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. John – Locked 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 Jones – Little Broken Hearts
The Little Willies – For 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 Thompson – Cabaret of Souls
Probably the weirdest album from RT. A folk oratorio, an original cast album featuring, among others, Harry Shearer. Very strange.

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

John Hiatt – Mystic Pinball
Another year, another John Hiatt album

Bettye LaVette – Thankful 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 Knopfler – Privateering
I am still a sucker for his vocals and guitar style. But would have been better as a single disc.

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

Lake Street Dive – Fun 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