Author: falconi5

A place for musically minded folk to get together and share ideas, reviews, and basically spread the word.

Rock is the New Roll: The Top 100 Albums of 2019 (100-91)

Here it is, the long-awaited list of the best albums of 2019. It has been a really great year for music. We heard from a couple of deceased legends in Harry Nilsson and Leonard Cohen, were treated with new records from Texas Honky Tonk legends Jack Ingram, Corb Lund, and Dale Watson, and bright lights shone for the first time with a bevy of new artists to discover including the one name wonders Lizzo and Yola.

Rock is not dead with White Reaper, Drugdealer and Balck Country Communion all inviting us to a party like it’s 1979. And of course, the singer-songwriter is back. The Boss, Bruce Springsteen, is back and better than ever and Rock is the New Roll favorite Tom Russell gave us a history lesson in 11 songs with October in the Railroad Earth.

This year we will be releasing our top 100 list 10 tasty gems at a time, so sit back, grab your favorite beverage, and enjoy the ear-pleasing top 100 records of the year.

100. Pip Blom – Boat

Fervent fans of the Indie Rock scene of the ’90s, the Dutch band Pip Blom has released their most fully realized effort to date. Sonically excellent lead singer Pip Blom sounds a bit liked an escaped Runaway. The guitar pop on this one is the next level. If you are looking for a rambunctious romp through a 90’s Post Punk garden this is your jam.

99. Liz Brasher – Painted Image

This one is likely to be on the list of best debut albums of the year. With vintage Dusty Springfield, old school grooves mixed with contemporary Blues swirling throughout there is a definite new age feel to the record to complement the vintage sounds. “Cold Baby” sounds like Otis Redding’s long lost sister.

98. The Steel Woods – Old News

This Americana and Outlaw Country by way of Southern Rock band is the real deal. The opening couple of riffs on the lead-off song, “All of These Years” will have you digging out your old Lynyrd Skynyrd records, and if that’s not enough, their cover versions of “Whipping Post” along with Petty’s ” Southern Accents” will direct your attention to the music that these guys discovered when they were growing up.

97. Justin Townes Earle – The Saint of Lost Causes

Steve Earles’s Son Justin Townes Earle is back with another solid set of introspective songs. This time, turning to more expansive road themes instead of the deeply person familial portraits he shared on his last two records, the results are equally impressive.

96. Joan Shelley – Like The River Loves The Sea

This record is a slow burn. After one listen you will go, ok, Joni Mitchell for the new millennium. After a second listen you will think there is something a bit deep going on here. And, after a third listen, you will be putting this record on your own personal best of the year lists. This record is sensual, provocative and alarming all at the same time.

95. Madison Cunningham – Who Are They Now

It seems appropriate that Madison Cunningham would eventually land on the Verve record label. Her nuanced and sophisticated guitar playing, as well as her vocal delivery, will remind you of Joni Mitchell in her prime. The songwriting and pop sensibilities are pure Karla Bonoff.

94. Garrett T. Capps – All Right, All Night

If Townes Van Zant was just a little less screwed up and depressed, he might have been Garrett T. Capps. All killer, no filler the title track is great, and songs like “Sunday Sun” and “Babe, I’ve Got To Go” are quite possibly even better.

93. Samantha Fish – Kill or Be Kind

Six albums in, and her first on Rounder Records, Samantha Fish is still somewhat of an unknown quantity. Whether she is laying down a greasy blues riff or belting out a Soul screamer, Samantha is a Swiss Army knife of talent. And, and if there is a musical God, her new record should land her on the music radar right alongside Beth Hart and Bonnie Raitt.

92. Elles Bailey – Road I Call Home

Finally, Elles Baily has a proper release under her belt. Part Blues, some Country, all very cool, Elles Bailey is on the verge of stardom. After touring with Eric Gales and garnering high billing on several festival circuits this one just might be the breakthrough she so richly deserves.

91. Daddy Long Legs – Lowdown Ways

If Little Walter was in the Stray Cats you might get Daddy Long Legs. Just listen to “Mornin’ Noon & Night” and tell me I’m wrong. This record is a smasher from “Pink Lemonade” all the way to “Ding Dong Dang.” Old-School meets New-School in all the best of ways on this one.

 

 

The Top Songs of 2019 (20-16)

There have been a lot of really great songs released in 2019. This year, we will be revealing our top 100 songs five tunes at a time all the way to number one. Here are our picks for 20-16

20. Weyes Blood – Everyday

Titanic Rising is one of the best records of 2019, and the single “Everyday” is sort of Bob Seger meets Enya.

19. Bill Callahan – What Comes After Certainty

If Neil Diamond and Leonard Cohen had a love child that was produced by Rick Rubin, this is the sort of beautiful noise that the offspring would share with the world. Willie’s guitar even makes an out of nowhere appearance on this one.

18. Rodney Crowell – Deep In The Heart of Uncertain Texas

We could have picked any number of tunes for this list from Rodney Crowell’s Texas L.P., but we are contractually obligated to mention Willie Nelson at least one time per post, and the more the better. Here, along with Ronnie Dunn, Willie is in perfect hippy form.

17. Elles Bailey – Road I Call Home

The heir apparent to Bonnie Rait who sounds like she could be the daughter of Melissa Etheridge with better chops, Elles Baily is really coming into her own with her new record, Road I Call Home. The title track shows an artist that, by all rights, should not be as good as she is.

16. Garret T. Capps – Sunday Sun

There is an old school outlaw troubadour ethos that generates through every pore of Garrett T. Capps that draws the line from Hank to Kris to Townes all the way to Garrett T. Capps without missing a beat.

 

The Top Songs of 2019 (25-21)

There have been a lot of really great songs released in 2019. This year, we will be revealing our top 100 songs five tunes at a time all the way to number one. Here are our picks for 25-21

25. Sheer Mag – Hardly To Blame

A singalong chorus enhances the bounciness on this Rocker of a song from the Philly based group.

24. Leon Bridges and Khruangbin – Texas Sun

Two soon to be Texas legends, Leon Bridges from Fort Worth and Houston’s Khruangbin team up on a classic sounding single.

23. Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – When a Cowboy Trades His Spurs For Wings

The undeniable chemistry on this stand-alone (so far) single from Gillian Welch and David Rawlings makes for sweet harmony filled listening, courtesy of the San Saba Songbird from The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.

22. Yes Factory – Radio Waves

Some Matthew Sweet vintage Power Pop for the new age. The band is from Rockford Illinois and features Ian Zander, son of Cheap Trick’s Robin Zander. This apple falls not so far from the Rock tree.

21. DeWolff – It Ain’t Easy

One of our more pleasant Rock and Roll finds from 2018, it took us a bit to get used to the Jamiroquai vibes on this one from their latest two-song E.P. but after a few studious listens of this one, the mid-song guitar noodling sold us big time.

 

 

 

 

The Top Songs of 2019 (30-26)

There have been a lot of really great songs released in 2019. This year, we will be revealing our top 100 songs five tunes at a time all the way to number one. Here are our picks for 30-26

30. The Highwomen – The Chain

This Fleetwood Mac classic comes alive again in the hands of the Highwomen, 2019 Supergroup of the year. This cover song is from the Melissa McCarthy movie, The Kitchen.

29. Lucy Dachus – Fools Gold

He’ll blame the alcohol and you’ll blame the full moon pretty well expresses this lovely ode to The New Year.

28. Laura Stevenson – Living Room, NY

Laura Stevenson was in Australia when she wrote this song to a flame she was missing. You can feel the longing in every breath she takes here, and you will find yourself longing for the sequel to this stunner of a song.

27. Drugdealer – Honey

From Raw Honey, Drugdealer’s highly excellent 2019 release. This one sounds like it could have been on side 2 of George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass.

26. Purple Mountains – That’s Just The Way I Feel

This is hands down the saddest song of the year given that Dave Berman took his own life shortly after recording his Purple Mountains album. There is a Harry Nilsson vibe to this one, but don’t let the bouncy tenor fool you. There is an underlying sense of despair running through the core of this poignant swan song.

 

 

 

Cover Song of the Day: Marcella and Her Lovers – I’d Rather Go Blind (feat. Spooner Oldham)

One of the many great bands from the Memphis music scene. I Listen to Memphis is a great Youtube site to jump on the Memphis music bandwagon. Take a listen and you too will be walking in Memphis.

The Top Songs of 2019 (35-31)

There have been a lot of really great songs released in 2019. This year, we will be revealing our top 100 songs five tunes at a time all the way to number one. Here are our picks for 35-31

35. Cheap Trick – Gimme Some Truth

Pressed on red vinyl this 7″ pressing is Cheap Trick in their never wavering glory.

34. Cowboy Diplomacy – The Get Down

Their first single since 2017, they have a new record that is due next year, Cowboy Diplomacy has been kicking around Austin for some time know delivering country grizzled Rock & Roll. If Waylon Jennings fronted Lynyrd Skynyrd this is what the band would have sounded like.

33. Dori Freeman – That’s How I Fell

With an Americana tinged voice that whippoorwills between Linda and Joni, her calming vibrato “That’s How I Feel” from her highly excellent new record, Every Single Star, features a collaboration with British Folk-Rocker Teddy Thompson.

32. Hector Ward & The Big Time – Whiskey Pants

These guys have been around enough and are so diverse they have opened for the likes of Gary Clark Jr,. The Zombies, Christopher Cross, and Ian McLagan. Put on your whiskey pants and head-on into the night.

31. Lillie Mae – You’ve Got Other Girls For That

Touring with Robert Plant and The Raconteurs, there is no sophomore slump for Lillie Mae, her latest release, Other Girls, is one of the best Americana records of the year. “You’ve got other girls for that. I just came to play.”

 

 

Five Cool Ones: Five New Albums released this week (November 29, 2019)

Since we are contractually and philosophically obligated to steer away from covering any Christmas releases, the pickings are a bit slim this week. But, fear not fellow music aficionados, there are a couple of cool ones along with some spicy reissues that are deserving to be heard.

Mapache – Mapache

A stripped down version of their laid back Laurel Canyon ethos, this one is carries so much ’70s DNA it could be dating Linda Ronstadt.

If You’re Going To The City: A Tribute To Mose Allison

Mose Allison is one interesting dude. A unicorn of sorts, he plays well in the worlds of Jazz, Blues, Folk, and Americana. Here, Iggy Pop, Bonnie Raitt, Chrissie Hynde, and even Richard Thompson makes an appearance on this one. “Stop This World” and “Parchman Farm” are both pretty special, but the entire set is ear-worthy.

Shawn Lee – Rides Again

Shawn Lee has been around a bit, since the late 80,s and with his vibe of Pop, New-Soul, and 60’s Motown Groove, his latest effort has a distinct retro feel that is cleansing to the palate.

Willie Nile – Beautiful Wreck of a World

Willie Nile, the king of New York, has been creating pretty great music since the 70’s. Sort of a mix of Mink DeVille and Lou Reed, this reissue from 2004 is is a great primer to learn more about an artist that very much should be on your radar.

Jack Green – Humanesque

Known mostly for his work with The Pretty Things, Jack Green has reissued his first solo release, Humanesque, from way back in 1980. Power Pop in the Greg Kihn mold, “I Call No Answer” features Ritchie Blackmore before before he went all Renaissance crazy.