Favorite Music Of 2008

Tons of great music this year as usual.  These albums are just some of my favorites and are in no particular order.  If you haven’t bought much music lately, take some of that Christmas cash and treat yourself to some new music.   Look for my Best of 2008 show on Saturday Dec. 27th from 12-2pm on 89.1 WEMU and streaming live at wemu.org.  Enjoy and Happy New Year!  Jeremy

The Sacred Shakers-The Sacred Shakers (Signature Sounds)
I totally dug this little Country/Gospel project featuring as Eilen Jewell as just one member of a talented Boston based supergroup.

Holly Golightly & The Brokeoffs-Dirt Don’t Hurt (Transdreamer)
2nd Album from the Holly & The Brokeoffs (who are just Holly and Lawyer Dave). This was recorded in Spain and may even be better than their first record.  Apparently these two have relocated to rural Georgia so I expect eevn more weird Americana from them in the future…

Otis Taylor-Recapturing The Banjo (Telarc)
Sort of a concept album about reclaiming the Banjo for the African American musical tradition. This is more of an ensemble record than a true Otis Taylor album with it’s frequent guest appearances by Alvin Youngblood Hart, Keb Mo, Corey Harris, Guy Davis, Don Vappie and Taylor’s daughter, Cassie. It all sounds cool though.

Justin Townes Earle-The Good Life (Bloodshot)
I was totally ready to not like this album as I am naturally suspicious of sons and daughters of established artists, but I was wrong about Steve Earle’s son, Justin Townes Earle. This is a great album that stands up to some of his old man’s best work and his other namesake, Townes Van Zandt as well (Note: That is extremely high praise coming from me).

Steppin in it

Steppin’ In It-Simple Tunes For Troubled Times (Fox On A Hill/Earth-Work)
These guys are sort of unknown outside of Michigan, but they shouldn’t be. They should be playing stages all over and especially at the major Roots festivals like Merlefest and Bristol. This is their third album and their masterpiece as far as I am concerned (at least so far). Every song is fantastic. I really can’t get enough of this one.

Joe Ely & Joel Guzman-Live Cactus! (Rack ‘Em)
Just a live album, but a great one featuring Joe on guitar and vocals and Joel Guzman on accordion running through a set of Joe Ely classics.

Mudcrutch-Mudcrutch (Reprise)
Tom Petty’s pre-Heartbreaker band from Florida reunites and create the best Tom Petty record in many years. Tom and Mike Campbell seem more relaxed and willing to experiment in this context. A great Rock record that critics seemed to overlook. They also put out a live EP from their extremely short California tour. I hope 2009 brings a longer tour and more live cuts.

Feufollet

Feufollet-Cow Island Hop (Valcour)
Band of child prodigy Cajun players grow up and produce their finest work to date and one of the most important Cajun records in some time. Steeped in tradition, but somehow not bound by it at all.

Various Artists-Ribbon Of Highway, Endless Highway: The Woody Guthrie Tribute Tour (Music Road)
2-disc live document of the celebrated tour of the same name featuring Sarah Lee Guthrie, Johnny Irion, Jimmy LaFave, Eliza Gilkyson and more. This features great renditions of Woody songs and spoken word passages about his life. A great introduction or reintroduction to an American hero.

Bob Dylan-Tell Tale Signs: The Bootleg Series Vol. 8 (Columbia)
Probably my overall favorite music released this year, although some of it is from almost 20 years ago. This 2 disc set showcase studio outakes and live cuts by Dylan dating back to the Oh Mercy sessions from the late 80′s up until 2005. The 3-disc version is overpriced as hell, but features even more essential listening. Maybe you can check it out at the library.

Chatham County Line-IV (Yep Roc)
A short step away from the more traditional sounds of their earlier albums, but not too big of a step. These guys are craftsmen as instrumentalists and songwriters. Never boring and always reaching further. I hope they make 50 more albums.

Old Crow Medicine Show: Tennessee Pusher (Nettwerk)
Enter Don Was as producer and what do you get? Another great collection of songs from Old Crow. Admittedly this one was a bit of a sleeper for me, but it grew on me like no other album of 2009. Spend time with it and it’s rewards will become clear. The slower stuff which might take longer to absorb is the best stuff on here.

Mavis Staples-Hope: Live At The Hideout (Anti-)
Fantastic live slab from a living legend recorded at the intimate Hideout in Chicago. Mavis is the reason to buy this album, but West Coast guitarist Rick Holmstrom is her secret weapon.

The Joel Paterson Trio-Steel Is Real (Ventrella)
Joel Paterson (also of Devil In A Woodpile) plays all manner of steel guitar on this all instrumental album that sounds timeless and refreshing at the same time.

Willie Nelson & Wynton Marsalis-Two Men With the Blues (Blue Note)
A fine live collaboration from Willie and Wynton that is just another feather in the cap of Willie Nelson who turned 75 this year. A swinging conglomeration of Jazz, Blues, Country and more. You can’t go wrong with this disc, but I am also looking forward to Willie’s upcoming Western Swing album with Asleep At The Wheel due early in 2009.

Emory Joseph-Fennario:Songs By Jerry Garcia & Robert Hunter (Iris)
I haven’t heard Emory Joseph’s 1st album, which is all original material, but his take on these Grateful Dead chestnuts is inspired to say the least. He clearly loves the material, but is also not afraid to twist the arrangements around (sometimes drastically). Great singing from Mr. Joseph and a great backing band including Larry Campbell.

The SteelDrivers-The SteelDrivers (Rounder)
This is Bluegrass music, but with some very non-Bluegrass sounding vocals. Great songwriting doesn’t hurt either. These guys seem on the verge of big success.

The Gibson Brothers-Iron & Diamonds (Sugar Hill)
I am a sucker for brother groups, especially with great vocals and this Bluegrass outfit from New York State fit the bill.  Great singing, songwriting and some well chosen covers frrom the likes of  Tom Petty and Steve Earle.

Cephas & Wiggins-Richmond Blues (Smithsonion Folkways)
A great Cephas & Wiggins disc to pick up, especially if you want a good introduction to their style. When it comes to acoustic, Piedmont style Blues these two are the modern masters.

Belleville outfit

The Belleville Outfit-Wanderin’ (Self)
This self released debut from the Belleville Outfit out of Austin, TX was one of my favorites. They seem to have appeared on the scene virtually fully formed. Their style encompasses Swing, Bluegrass, Country and Rock. An auspicious debut.

Calexico-Carried To Dust (Quarterstick)
Weird, dreamy and singular. In short, another great Calexico album. This is another record that bears more fruit upon repeated listenings.

B.B. King-One Kind Favor (Geffen)
I have nothing but respect for B.B. King, but many of his recordings have left me wanting more. This new album does not fall into that category. Produced by T. Bone Burnett, it features B.B. in a stripped down setting covering songs that inspired him from early on including classic material by The Mississippi Sheiks, Lonnie Johnson and Blind Lemon Jefferson.