My Favorite CD's of 2014

1.  Hal Ketchum - I'm the Troubadour (Music Road) - I first heard Hal's music in late 1990 or early 1991.  I was working for a country radio station in Grayling.  I didn't really think of myself as a country music fan but driving around Northern Michigan I had lots of time to listen to our music.  I hadn't listened to his music since the early 90's but his latest came in the mail from the very cool Texas label Music Road and I made a point to take it home for a listen.  This is his first album in six years and his first non major label release.  I was hooked with the first listen and new it would be one of my favorites this year.  Little did I know that it would top the list.  Hal seems very comfortable with music that brings together country, rock and soul influences.  It really is sad that articulate artists like Hal, Vince Gill, and Lee Ann Womack can't find a place on country radio anymore.

2. The Choir - Shadow Weaver (Galaxy 21) - These indie rockers continue to put out great music 30+ years after their first album.  Shadow Weaver is among their best bringing together Steve Hindalong's thoughtful lyrics and Derri Daugherty's ethereal yet edgy guitar playing.  My favorite song is "Everybody's Got a Guru" with the alnum's lyrical highlight:

Living in the heartland

or in Islamabad

The voice of fear and hatred
It is not the voice of God
You can grease the hand
Of the preacher man
Who sees it like you do
I'm taking a big step backward
To expand my point of view

3.  Over the Rhine - Blood Oranges in the Snow (GSD) - This is Linford Detweiler and Karin Bergquist's third Christmas album, and I'm hoping they have several more in them.  This time around it is nice to hear more of Linford's singing.  His voice provides a nice harmony vocal to Karin's voice and he even steps out for the lead vocal on "Another Christmas."  My favorites include the soulfully sad take on Merle Haggard's "If We Make it Through December" and "Bethlehem."  But there's not a bad one on this disc.  This is the perfect soundtrack for late nights with the lights dimmed.

4.  Steve Taylor and the Perfect Foil - Goliath (Splint Entertainment) - The 20+ years between this and his previous album had some wondering if we would ever hear new music from him again.  Any new music will be compared with his career best with Chagall Guevara and Goliath stands up nicely.  "Only a Ride" kicks the album off in true rock fashion.  Thankfully they are already talking about doing another album.

5.  U2 - Songs of Innocence - I remember being amused by the reaction people had to how they received the album.  I'm not an I-Tunes person so my first thought was, "I'll take it off your hands."  After all, U2 is one of my favorite groups and Songs of Innocence is a nice step forward after the misstep of No Line on the Horizon.  There are lots of songs to like and my favorites include "The Miracle (of Joey Ramone)", "Song for Someone", and "Iris."  Next time around I think they should drop the worries of commercial relevance and just put out music that moves their soul.  After a certain point you've earned the right not to worry about hit singles.

6.  St. Paul and the Broken Bones - Half the City (Thirty Tigers) - My friends Ron and Erin turned me on to this band.  They deliver Southern Soul with lots of horns and a singer that can grab you by the heart. You can tell Paul Janeway has spent time listening to soul greats like Otis Redding and Al Green, and to my ears you can't go wrong with that as your frame of reference.

7.  Bill Mallonee - Winnowing (Independent) - Winnowing fits in well among Bill's best and that says alot when you're talking about someone that Paste Magazine called one of the top 100 living songwriters.  Even with great critical acclaim he continues to make music in relative anonymity.  If you're not familiar with his music do yourself a favor and dig into his catalog.  The first thing I noticed about this disc is that his voice is weathered and weary.  He has a voice that owns songs like "Those Locust Years" and "From an Old Beat Up Ford" because you can tell he has lived what he sings.  The realness of his voice and music continues to draw me back for repeated listens.  

8.  Damien Jurado - Brothers and Sisters of the Eternal Son (Secretly Canadian) - I have one or two of Damien's previous discs and first heard this new one when NPR played "Silver Timothy."  I was hooked and made a point to look for it the next time I was at a record store.  This album brings together Indie Rock, Folk and Psychedelic influences that creates an album that is haunting.

9.  Bruce Springsteen - High Hopes (Columbia) -  This album brings together outtakes, covers and new versions of previous songs.  Springsteen draws creative energy from his collaborations with guitarist Tom Morello, who brings a renewed creative verve to songs like "The Ghost of Tom Joad."  I'm a late coming fan to Bruce's music but he definitely has me for any new music he'll put out.

10. Jonathan Rundman - Look Up (Salt Lady) - Jonathan was focused on the Finnish American Folk of his duo Kaivama, but with the demise of the group he has returned with his first singer songwriter album in ten years.  I especially enjoyed seeing that he enlisted Brent Bourgeois to sing on "Northbound Traffic."  The CD won't officially release til this month so it may find a place on my 2015 list.

11.  Rodney Crowell - Tarpaper Sky (New West)
12.  Walter Salas-Humara - Curve and Shae (Sonic Pyramid)
13.  Parker Milsap - Parker Milsap (Okra Homa)
14.  Gavin Mee - Mee Mantras (Birthings)
15.  Scott Musick - Americana Gold (Independent)
16.  Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis - Our Year (Thirty Tigers)

17.  Switchfoot - Fading West (Atlantic)
18. Lone Justice - This is Lone Justice: The Vaught Tapes (Omnivore)
19.  Wussy - Attica (Shake it Records)
20.  Sinead O'Connor - I'm Not Bossy, I'm the Boss (Nettwerk)

Honorable Mentions
Appleseed Collective - Young Love
The Blueflowers - At the Edge of Disaster
The Gaslight Anthem - Get Hurt
Jon Brooks - The Smiling and Beautiful Countryside

David Olney - When the Deal Goes Down
Flying Colors - Second Nature
Transatlantic - Kaleidescope
Matisyahu - Akeda

Claudia Schmidt - New Whirled Order
The Call - A Tribute to Michael Been
Billy Brandt and the Sugarees - The Time is Now

Funeral Bonsai Wedding - Funeral Bonsai Wedding
Stewart Francke - A Familiar Fire
Lindsay Lou and the Flatbellys - Here Between

Mary Gauthier - Trouble and Love
Nickel Creek - A Dotted Line
Lac La Belle - A Friend too Long
Need to Breathe - River in the Wasteland

My Top CD's of 2013

I listen to quite a bit of music each year through my work at Trinity House Theatre, WHFR.FM, and 88.1 The Park. Here are the CD's and songs I enjoyed the most.

Albums
1. Joshua Davis - A Miracle of Birds (Earthwork) - Amazing songs from the lead singer of Lansing's Steppin' In It. They were birthed out of a trip to Palestine. Song after song is great but "Waiting on the Dove" is a song above songs.

2. Jars of Clay - Inland (Independent) - This CCM band broke away from their Nashville label and created the best album of their career. I also had a chance to see them live with about 100 people at the Crofoot Pike Room and it was one of my favorite shows this year.

3. Jason Harrod - Highliner (Independent) - Jason created his most complete album yet. Poetic songwriting with great musical twists. I've seen him perform many times and his live show has gotten stronger and more confident.

4. Daniel Amos - Dig Here Said the Angel (Stunt) - I'm always glad to see new music from Terry Taylor and his cohorts in Daniel Amos. This fits in well with the rest of their albums and is one of their best.

5. Over the Rhine - Meet Me At the Edge of the World (GSD)- This is one of those albums that you need to live with for some time. I hear new things with each listen. It is especially cool to hear Linford's harmony vocals on so much of the music.

 6. The Civil Wars - The Civil Wars (Columbia)- I wasn't sure this would be in my top 10 but as I came back to it I was struck by how strong it is.

7. Jason Isbell - Southeastern (New West) - The former Drive by Trucker member comes into his own with this CD. I liked bits and pieces of his former band but this album tops them all.

8. Court Yard Hounds - Amelita (Columbia)- New music from 2/3 of the Dixie Chicks is always good. This is their second album as a duo and big step forward from their first disc. Right away you notice much stronger songs that should be on pop radio if there was any justice in the world.

9. Harper and Motor City Josh - Bare Bones (Blu Harp)Harper sets aside the didgeridoo and as he and Josh turn to an acoustic blues focus. I'm glad someone brought them together through a live performance because this duo should make plans to record and perform more.

10. Blue Rodeo - In Our Nature (TeleSoul) - I've always been aware of Blue Rodeo and I really liked their classic song "Lost Together" but I've gotten more into their music over the last several years. I'm looking forward to the chance to explore their past catalog in a more serious way.

11. Dolly Varden - For Awhile (Mid-Fi) - I got this CD early in 2013 and knew it would be among my favorites of the year. This Chicago based roots rock/Americana band deserves more acclaim due to the strong songwriting of Steve Dawson and the excellent musical performances.

12. Mavis Staples - One True Vine (Anti) - Mavis has a voice that demands to be listened to. She totally owns these songs with one strong performance after another. This is the second disc that Jeff Tweedy (Wilco) produced.

13. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Specter at the Feast (Vagrant) - Fuzzy rock and roll influenced by bands like The Jesus and Mary Chain. I became a fan after their CD Howl which had more of an Americana influence. I love their cover of The Call's "Let the Day Begin."

Honorable Mentions
Audrey Assad - Fortunate Fall (Fortunate Fall)
Sam Baker - Say Grace (Independent)
Slaid Cleaves - Still Fighting the War (Music Road)
Ryan Dillaha - Awful Blue (Independent)
Eels - Wonderful Glorious (Vagrant)
Gifts or Creatures - Yesteryear Western Darkness (Earth Work)
Gungor - I Am Mountain - (Hither and Von)
Haim - Days Are Gone (Columbia)
Emmy Lou Harris and Rodney Crowell - Old Yellow Moon (None Such)
Jan Krist and Jim Bizer - Too (Yellow Room)
Graham Parker and the Rumour - Three Chords Good (EMI)
Pinnick/Gales/Pridgen - Pinnick Gales Pridgen (Magna Carta)
Red Tail Ring - The Heart's Swift Foot (Earth Work)
Brion Riborn - Don't Look Back, Never Look Back (Independent)
Stryper - No More Hell to Pay (Frontier)
Switchfoot - Fading West EP (Atlantic)
Robert Randolph and the Family Band - Lickety Split (Blue Note)
Richard Thompson - Electric (New West)
Brooks Williams - New Everything (Red Guitar Blue Music)
Holly Williams - The Highway (Georgiana)

Songs
1. Slaid Cleaves - Still Fighting the War
2. Joshua Davis - Waiting on the Dove
3. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Let the Day Begin
4. Haim - The Wire
5. Harper and Motor City Josh - Why Can't We All Just Get Along
6. Daniel Amos - Forward in Reverse
7. Emmy Lou Harris and Rodney Crowell - Open Season on My Heart
8. Jars of Clay - Reckless Forgiver
9. Over the Rhine - Earthbound Love Song
10. Court Yard Hounds - Sunshine

The Lost Dogs - Old Angel

I’m not sure it’s fair to call the Lost Dogs a side project anymore. The band that began as an opportunity for four talented songwriters to work together has in many ways become their main gig. Sure you might still get a new release from one of their original bands but they’ve been much more prolific as the Dogs; which is great news for anyone who enjoys their take on Americana.

Their new CD, Old Angel, was inspired by a road trip they took on Route 66. The band started in Chicago and crossed eight states on their way to California. They brought long time friend and fellow musician Jimmy Abegg along to film and photograph the tour for a DVD release.

Old Angel holds its own among the best music the Lost Dogs have released. Terry Taylor wrote seven of the songs outright and co-wrote five others. His poetics talents can be heard throughout the record. In my opinion he is one of the most underrated songwriters making music today. His writing holds its own with the best of the best. The same can be said for the lyrical and musical contributions of the other Dogs. Mike Roe’s guitar work is impeccable. I could listen to Derri’s sweet voice sing the phone book and Steve Hindalong brings such beautiful touch to the percussion work. Together they create music that demands repeated listens. I found myself listening over and over to many of the songs throughout this album.

The CD opens with “Israelites and Okies.” The lush, beautiful music reminds me of “Broken Like Brooklyn,” which began their last CD, The Lost Cabin and the Mystery Trees. The lyrics are propelled by the subtle yet stunning guitar work.

I caught myself thinking that “The Glory Road” would fit perfectly on a Daniel Amos CD. Then I realized it was written by Terry and longtime DA collaborators Greg Flesch and Tim Chandler. After a little more digging I found that it was on a Daniel Amos album. It is great hearing it on this new recording with Mike on the vocals.

“Traveling Mercies” is a beautiful showcase for Derri Daugherty’s charming vocals. I loved the EP he released several years ago and I’m excited to see that a new disc from the Choir is in the works. I only hope he will take the time to record a full length solo album. “Traveling Mercies” will also serve as the perfect send off for those who are planning road trips this summer.

One of my favorite songs on the disc is “Pearl Moon (Hooverville Camp, 1932).” I knew from the title that this had to be based on a historical reference. Hooverville Camps were depression era shack towns built on the edge towns during the Great Depression. They provided a home for the down and out. This is one of those beautifully sad songs that you can’t help listening to again and again.

“Wicked Guns” provides a rocker for Mike Roe to showcase his wicked guitar work. It wouldn’t be a Lost Dogs record if Mike didn’t have a chance to rock out.

My one complaint is with the art work. Don’t get me wrong, Jimmy Abegg’s photography and art work is beautiful. But this is the type of album that demands a much more expanded booklet. I would love to see more of the photos Jimmy took. It would have been great to see them create an expanded disc and booklet for fans that want to pay more.

I could go on and on about Old Angel. This is an album that deserves much greater attention than it will receive, but the band will most likely continue to record in obscurity.
That is an injustice.

Amy Grant - Somewhere Down the Road

I have been horrible about writing in my blog consistently. It figures that it would take a new Amy Grant CD to get me to write.

Her new CD Somewhere Down the Road is amazing. I've been a fan since high school, maybe even earlier. Her albums Lead Me on and Behind the Eyes are among my favorite albums ever. But I have to admit I get nervous when I hear there is a new CD coming from Amy. Though she can be brilliant she can just as easily put out something that falls flat (Simple Things). She also has a way of putting out way too many Christmas albums. They are always enjoyable listens but I've always been hoping for something that reaches the artistic heights of Behind the Eyes.

Somewhere Down the Road does that. It makes sense that it includes two songs from Behind the Eyes (Somewhere Down the Road and Every Road). But fear not, this is not just a repackaging of her past music. It has four brand new songs along with some previously unreleased tracks. All the music blends together like it was created just for this CD.

The lead off track, Better than a Hallelujah, stops me in my tracks. I can listen to this song over and over again.

We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful, the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah

The song was written by Sarah Hart and Chapin Hartford. I'm not familiar with Chapin but Sarah is a wonderful songwriter worth checking out.

Amy also has a chance to sing with her daughter Sarah on the song Overnight. Their voices blend together beautifully in this wonderful duet. She said she has been looking for just the right song to do with her daughter and she found it with this one.

It is always interesting to see who Amy is collaborating with on her songwriting. Usual suspects like Wayne Kirkpatrick and Chris Eaton are on this album. She also took time to write with Mindy Smith and Ian Fitchuk and Justin Loucks. Ian and Justin produced Mindy's latest CD and the three of them were excellent choices for Amy to work with. I read that she also cowrote some music with Jon Foreman, though none of that made this CD. Hopefully it will be on another one soon.

One of the centerpieces of this CD is the rerecording of her song Arms of Love which she slows down for this take. The new version makes it beautifully reflective.

In a fairly daring move Amy included Come Into My World which features just her and a guitar. That's not something you typically see from most pop singers but the song fits beautifully with the overall theme of the album.

It is has been seven years since her last album of new songs (Simple Things). Behind the Eyes was six years prior to that. Hopefully this album will rekindle a passion for recording new music. I personally don't want to wait another six or seven years for new music from Amy.

I noticed that she is coming to the Detroit area this summer for a concert with Michael W. Smith. Until I heard this new music I was probably going to miss it. Now I have to get off my butt and look into tickets. I can't wait.

Cheap Trick is my Fave of 2009

Some people smile when they see Cheap Trick "The Latest" at the top of my 2009 faves. I think some people just don't take them seriously. There is probably good reason since so many classic rock bands are relegated to the nostalgia tours and repackaging their greatest hits.

I've always loved Cheap Trick when I heard them on the radio, well except for some of the late 80's stuff they put out. Great rock songs from a band that doesn't take themselves too seriously. But my love of Cheap Trick was limited to hearing them on the radio, until their last CD "Rockford" came out. I read a few reviews that praised it and said it was among the best that year. That was all it took for me to check it out. Sure enough, Cheap Trick had produced a gem and I was hooked.

It took me several months to pick up "The Latest." I wanted to but I kept putting it off. Finally I saw it on a few end of the year best of lists for the Metro Times and that put me over the edge. After one listen I knew why these critics ranked it as their favorite of the year. It has great rock songs filled with hooks that bring you back to them hours later. They also avoid any calculated attempts at radio airplay. You get the sense that they set out to please themselves, and in the end they created a CD that holds its own with their best albums.

So far my favorites are "Miss Tomorrow", "These Days", and "Sick Man of Europe."

Interesting note, this is their first CD that they self released. I guess that saves them any arguments with the record company about what songs to include. I was also interested to see that in addition to a vinyl version they also released it on 8 Track Tape. Too funny. They even have a You Tube commercial on their website for one of their shows. It says "The Latest" is the number 1 selling 8 Track of 2009. Imagine that!

I have a dream that sometime they will play a show at the Salem High School Auditorium as a benefit for the high school radio station I manage. I know, it won't likely happen. But WSDP could use the money, and I'm sure they would come away with quite a few new fans. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Cheap Trick Tops My Best of for 2009

I'm a little behind on getting my best of 2009 together. I wrote a list of CD's that I picked up throughout 2009 and mulled it over for a few weeks. I thought Switchfoot would be my top choice and then I picked up both Cheap Trick and Rosanne Cash at the end of the year and they changed my opinion.

I've been very negligent about writing in my blog this past year. I hope to spend future blogs writing about some of my favorites of 2009. Hopefully I will get started on it before May. There's a resolution for me.

1 Cheap Trick - The Latest (Independent)
2 Rosanne Cash - The List (Manhattan)
3 Switchfoot - Hello Hurricane (Atlantic)
4 Drew Nelson - Dusty Road to Beulah Land (Waterbug)
5 Buddy and Julie Miller – Written in Chalk (New West)
6 Derek Webb – Stockholm Syndrome (INO)
7 Over the Rhine – Live From Nowhere Vol. 4 (GSD)
8 Need to Breathe – The Outsiders (Atlantic)
9 Sara Groves – Fireflies and Songs (INO)
10 Jen Sygit – So Long Pollyanna (Earthwork)
11 Sam Baker – Cotton (Music Road)
12 Susan Werner – Classics (Sleeve Dog)
13 Pierce Pettis – That Kind of Love (Compass)
14 Wilco – Wilco (The Album) (Nonesuch)
15 U2 – No Line on the Horizon (Interscope)
16 Transatlantic – The Whirlwind (Radiant/Metal Blade)
17 Rachele Eve – Mouth of Feathers (Independent)
18 The Mountain Goats – The Life of the World To Come (4AD)
19 Jars of Clay – The Long Fall Back to Earth (Gray Matter/Sony)
20 Mindy Smith – Stupid Love (Vanguard)
21 Chris Richards and the Subtractions – Sad Sounds of the Summer (Gangplank)
22 The Ragbirds – Finally Almost Ready (Independent)
23 Mark Olson and Gary Louris – Ready for the Flood (New West)
24 Michael Miller – I Made You Up (Shiny Shiny)
25 Tinted Windows – Tinted Windows (S Curve)
26 Keri Noble – Keri Noble (Telarc)
27 Jo Serrapere – Love Going South (Detroit Radio Company)
28 Gurf Morlix – Last Exit to Hollywood (Independent)
29 Mayer Hawthorne – A Strange Arrangement ( Stones Throw)
30 Serena Ryder – Is It OK (Atlantic)