Albums of ‘09

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

By Aaron Davis

Jackson Hole, Wyoming - By Aaron Davis

There are only so many new albums that can funnel their way into your listening space. This week I devoted a lot of time to listening, both revisiting albums that were new to me six months ago and the ones that had escaped me until now. Here are my Best Releases, Best Discoveries and Biggest Disappointment of 2009.

Best Releases of 2009 (in no particular order):

Willie Nelson and
Asleep at the Wheel
Willie and The Wheel
    Wow. Why they didn’t cut this album 20 years ago is questionable, but thank goodness they did ‘cause it’s a swingin’, hollerin’ swig of dancin’ juice with classic songs put through the Western swing mill.

Justin Townes Earle
Midnight at the Movies
    Yep, Steve Earle’s son with Townes as a middle name is a lot to live up to. It grew and grew on me.

The Avett Brothers
I and Love and You
    As a piece of work, it can’t touch their last album, Emotionalism, but still proves that these fellas are some of the most crafty singer-songwriters with hearts of rare gold. If big label syndrome doesn’t squash their rawness completely, they will continue to soar.

Old Crow Medicine Show
Tennessee Pusher
    When are they going to make a bad album?
M. Ward, Hold Time. I dig his style, and the hooky songs on this disc represent his most mainstream album to date … much more enjoyable than the hyped release from Monsters of Folk, his folk super-group with Jim James of My Morning Jacket and Conor Oberst.

Derek Trucks Band
Already Free
    You wouldn’t immediately consider Trucks as a great songwriter, but you may after listening to this album. The country-blues, gospel, and R&B-laced gem has grit, fire and energy. And of course, rippin’ slide guitar throughout.

Dan Auerbach
Keep it Hid
   The Black Keys frontman has stepped out on his own, gathered a six-piece band, and his solo debut is a perfect progression for the six-string badass.
   Or, the Whale (self-titled). Four different lead singers and strong harmony keep your senses brimming over mostly downbeat tempos on this sophomore release. Definitely the most indie of the list, don’t be scared to track down this Bay area seven-piece.

Ben Winship
and David Thompson
Fishing Music II   
   A follow up to the first release in ’03, this eclectic roots product of Winship’s Henhouse Studio once again features top-notch acoustic players—Tim and Mollie O’Brien, Rob Ickes, and David Grier, as well as Jackson native Margo Valiante and Dubois resident Mike Dowling.

David Rawlings Machine
A Friend of a Friend
   Mostly known as Gillian Welch’s secret weapon, Rawlings’ debut is feel good roots music with some strong co-writes, and long overdue.

Biggest Disappointment of 2009:  Phish -  Joy

Best Earlier-Release Discoveries: Sam Winch, The Lullabadeer (2005); Cannonball Adderly, Somethin’ Else (1958), Benyaro (self-titled/2008), Bonnie Prince Billy, I See a Darkness (2002), Memphis Minne, Crazy Crying Blues (1930), Todd Snider, East Nashville Skyline (2004). JHW

Image: Cover photo Fishing Music II


PERMALINK:
Albums of ‘09 | Planet JH News Article: Music Box

Leave a Comment