Peter Ostroushko - Heart of the Heartland

This song, originally written by Peter Ostroushko for his album of the same name, was first imprinted on my brain about 12 years ago when watching Ken Burn's great documentary about Lewis and Clark.  Heart of the Heartland being one of many originals and traditional folk tunes that are on that soundtrack that I've been addicted to ever since.  I actually just ordered a dirt-cheap mandolin, in part just so I can learn to play this song - oh and other tunes I guess...

Solomon Burke - Greatest Hits

I just recently was introduced to Solomon Burke's music.  I have never really gotten into classic R&B, just kind of admired it from afar.  But that was a mistake.  Hearing one of the kings of soul music at the top of his game is like a breath of fresh air.  This is the kind of music that will put a smile on your face, just good old-fashioned rythym and blues.  Take a listen to some of his most well-known songs below, and then go and get his greatest hits album.

This first one you will recognize from the Blues Brothers cover...

Time out of Mind - Bob Dylan

 

So in yesterday's post I talked about my favorite movie of all time, and it got me thinking that I have never talked about my favorite musician, or my favorite album for that matter.  So it's Bob Dylan, and the album is Time out of Mind, hands down.  Some Dylan fans, when they think Dylan they think the classic 60's acoustic stuff.  They think Freewheeling Bob Dylan, or his self titled debut, or the many bootlegs from that era and stop there.  Of course, most also love his early electric albums (definitely some of his best) like Blonde on Blonde, Blood on the Tracks, Highway 61.  But many fans see his religious albums (a post for another time) in the late 70's early 80's and his later drought in that decade and go no further.  But my interest in Dylan really begins with 90's Dylan.  There is something so perfect about an aged Dylan.  Because he spent his entire youth trying to sound old, trying to be that weathered, beaten down drifter that he sang about in all those early folk tunes.  But how could he really reach his potential until he truly became that old man, with most of his life in the rear-view?

His very best in my mind, yes better than those 60's classics is Time Out of Mind from 97'.  I'm not gonna try and describe how good it is, or why I love it so much, that may be nauseating.  Basically, it combines some of Dylan's best poetry of his career with the swamp beat rhythm of sound inspired by producer Daniel Lanois.  It's dark: like death is on his doorstep and he is letting out all the pain and regret and heartache that he has accumulated his entire life.  So, it's not a cheery album.  If there ever was the perfect rainy day album this is definitely it.

And after listening to the album countless times over a decade I thought the story was written on Time out of Mind until Dylan's 8th bootleg recording came out, Tell Tale Signs, in 2008.   Amazingly, 2 songs which could easily have been considered the album's best, Dylan axed for the final album cut.  One of them, Mississippi (My favorite song of all time), he included in his 2001 album Love and Theft and different cuts are also included in the bootleg album, and Red River Shore (worth the price of the album alone) are included in the bootleg release.  So, he makes an album (in my opinion his best) that went on to win album of the year at the Grammy's, and he didn't even include arguably the 2 best songs.  Crazy.

I wish I could post every song here but the copyright police would come calling.  Below are a couple of videos with songs from the album.  Forget the videos, just listen to the songs.  These are probably the most well known songs from the album (and it's probably why they are on youtube).  The first one you may have heard in a number of different movies, and the second one Dylan let Victoria Secret famously use in an ad.  If you are interested at all after listening just go buy the album.  Then dim the lights, put on the headphones and enjoy, maybe with a dark beer to drink (but that's just me).

Helplessness Blues - Fleet Foxes

Great new single released by the Fleet Foxes.  Their new album will be released May 3rd.  Listen Here

Adele - 21

Holy shit, I am blown away by this album, especially the first couple songs.  This type of music is definitely not normally my cup of tea but this is some powerful stuff.  And created by a 21 year-old...wow.  You can listen to the whole album here for free.

The Decemberists - The King is Dead

I haven't really gotten into The Decemberists previous albums much, not sure why.  And except for their really great opener Don't Carry It All my first listen of their new album The King is Dead didn't really blow me away.  But something made me listen to it a few more times and it really has grown on me.  Enough to make me think I should go back and listen to their older stuff more.  This new album has an upbeat and folksy (in a non-Palin way) feeling about it which I like.  And the best thing is you can preview the entire album here!

My Favorite Albums of 2010

The Black Keys - Brothers.  A bluesy, gritty album that delivers song after song of searing vocals, catchy lyrics, and irresistible pounding rythym.  And all of this coming mostly from it's two band members, guitarist/vocalist Dan Auerbach and drummer/producer Patrick Carney.  The first 5 songs on the album alone are so good, you can't imagine they can keep it going for 11 more songs but they do.  Many of later songs, though slower tempo, have some of most insightful lyrics and best vocals of the album, my favorites being Unknown Brother and These Days.

Band of Horses - Infinite Arms. Clearly the best thing the Band of Horses have going for them is the soaring vocals of Ben Bridwell.  And this album definitely highlights his talents with melodic tunes featuring some amazing harmonies.  This makes for a very easy listening experience, when you're not in the mood for the heavy beats of the Black Keys.  It definitely seems like they were inspired by The Beach Boys Pet Sounds, but were still able to make something fresh and unique of their own.  My favorite songs are Blue Beard and Infinite Arms. 

Arcade Fire - The Suburbs.   Everything that Arcade Fire does is BIG: at least 7 band members, big rock anthems, grand statements in their lyrics.  Just look at the list of instruments they play: guitar, drums, bass guitar, piano, violin, viola, cello, double bass, xylophone, glockenspiel, keyboard, French horn, accordion, harp, mandolin and hurdy-gurdy.  And this is the main reason I can't wait to see them live, what a show that must be.  I would rate this one a close second to their debut album Funeral, but an improvement from their second attempt Neon Bible.  Like always there are some great anthems here: Ready to Start, City with No Children, Half Light II, and Sprawl II we'll get you going.  Then some great quieter, more introspective songs: The Suburbs, Modern Man, and Wasted Hours.  The only negative for me is that by the end of the album I begin to think "Yeah the suburbs suck, but they're not THAT bad, are they?"  Either way, musically another great Arcade Fire record.

Don't Say Oh Well by Grouplove

This was today's top tune on KCRW the other day and I've played it many times since then.  Don't know much about the band except that they're new and have an album coming out on Jan 25.  Hopefully it's as good as this song!
Listen Here