It was in general a good year for old warhorses, but there were a lot of younger musicians turning out fine music, too.
Associated PressBruce Springsteen performed in South Africa earlier this year.
It’s that time again, for our best albums of the year review. Obviously recent years have seen a major change in the way people buy and consume music, with downloading and focusing on single songs challenging the primacy of the 40-minutes-plus collection of an artist’s work. At the same time more folks listen on their computer, or through earbuds, or through satellite radio. Those are all discussions for another time.
As always, we stress that we don’t get to hear everything released in a given year. Generally we’d estimate record companies are sending out perhaps 30 percent of the review copies they did 10 years ago, either by CD or downloads. But there is a lot of music out there, and our omnivorous taste tries to hear most of it. Keeping the list to a Top 10 is always a challenge, so we’ll mention some near-misses, but because our editor has access to sharp objects, the Top 10 format will be our vehicle. The records are listed in no particular order. It was in general a good year for old warhorses, but there were a lot of younger musicians turning out fine music, too. Please note that next week we’ll endeavor to present a similar list of top Jazz albums.
“THE RIVER AND THE THREAD” by ROSANNE CASH (Blue Note Records)
Such an exquisitely musical work, by which we mean delectable melodies, concise arrangements without a wasted note, a tangible sense of time and place, and of course the gorgeous vocal tones of Cash. Although she’s lived mostly in California and New York City, this album is a look at the Southern roots of her family, a warm and affecting musical travelog. “Modern Blue” could be my song of the year, but “The Long Way Home” and “50,000 Watts” are also indelible gems, and Cash is a virtuoso of vocal control and restraint. The type of transcendent album you can sit and listen, and let the sound wash over you.
“HORNET’S NEST” by JOE LOUIS WALKER (Alligator)
Forget the blues label, this is perhaps the most fiery rock record of the year, with producer/drummer and ex-Boston dude Tom Hambridge having a hand in writing nine of the 12 tunes. Walker wrote or co-wrote four of the songs, and Reese Wynans on keys is a huge factor. The Rolling Stones’ “Ride On Baby” has never rocked so relentlessly. From the slow slide guitar “I’m Gonna Walk Outside” to the roaring rocker “Not in Kansas Anymore,” to the sweet soul “Keep the Faith,” Walker just kicks your butt. (Catch him at the RegattaBar in Harvard Square on January 16, by the way.)
