Johnny Cash ~ American VI: Ain't No Grave
Probably only for die-hard Cash fans, this album is pure emotion.
John Hiatt ~ The Open Road
This album should be the soundtrack to your next road-trip.
Graham Parker ~ Imaginary Television
An interesting concept album. The theme songs for T.V. shows that don't exist.
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings ~ I Learned The Hard Way
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings make the best Soul music since the 1970s.
Carrie Rodriguez ~ Love & Circumstance
An album of covers that doesn't sound like an album of covers, all the tunes sound fresh.
Band Of Horses ~ Infinite Arms
"Laredo" may be one of the best songs of the year.
Bettye LaVette ~ Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook
Her version of “Love Reign O’Er Me” from the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony sparked the idea for this album. the highlight for me is "Wish You Were Here", she now owns this song.
Paul Weller ~ Wake Up The Nation
Alejandro Escovedo ~ Street Songs Of Love
Rock & Roll is alive and well on these two discs, turn it up!
Ryan Bingham - Junky Star
The best country music around today.
Mavis Staples - You Are Not Alone
The combination of Gospel, R&B and Jeff Tweedy...say what...it equals awesome.
Robert Plant - Band Of Joy
Elvis Costello - National Ransom
The best Americana records this year came from a couple of Brits...go figure.
Re-issues and Archival
Elvis Costello ~ Live At Hollywood High
Originally a three song EP that came with Armed Forces (I still have mine) it's great to hear the whole concert.
Otis Redding ~ Live On Sunset Strip
Parts of this have come out on other records but this is all of the recordings made live at The Whisky-A-Go-Go...60s Soul perfection.
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