Archive for December, 2011
Shady Groove’s Top 11 Albums of 2011
Well, well. We’ve come to the end of another year. There were so many great albums to choose from this year. It was not easy narrowing it down to only 11. These are the ones that stood out; that are playable all the way through. These 11 albums were consistently on the playlist, turntable, and cd player. They were played over and over again, in their entirety.
Shady Groove’s Top 11 Albums this year:
11. Tedeschi Trucks Band – Revelator
Derek and Susan have been playing together for years. Now they have a proper name and a sick backing band for the best Husband/Wife duo in the biz. Rock on.
10. Various Artists – Rave On Buddy Holly
I would normally shy away from putting a compilation album, let alone a tribute compilation, on this list of best albums. This one is just too good NOT to put it on the list.
9. Dawes – Nothing Is Wrong
The harmonies and song writing are awesome on this, the 2nd album from Dawes. These guys really embody the Laurel Canyon sound. Neil would be proud. Plays well front to back.
8. David Wax Museum – Everything Is Saved
The mexi-folk wonders are the real deal. This album is a welcome change from the everyday folk album.
7. Wilco – The Whole Love
Hats off to Jeff Tweedy and the boys for coming back with a stellar follow up to 2009’s self-titled album. Great album.
6. The Wood Brothers – Smoke Ring Halo
Gotta love the Brothers down home bluesy sound. It hits home again with Smoke Ring Halo. You’re sure to stumble on some gems as you sit and listen through this one.
5. Blitzen Trapper – American Goldwing
The Portland rockers are back with another killer set of tunes that will make you think you’ve taken a trip back to 1973. But we’re not talking a total throwback here. These guys are doing things Neil Young and Crazy Horse never did.
4. Gregg Allman – Low Country Blues
Man, T. Bone Burnett has an amazing ear for a good tune. When he sent Gregg a playlist of over 200 old blues songs to pick from for their new project, Gregg could tell it was going to be something special. Fresh off a brand new liver, Allman sings his heart out on this solo project. Great tracks from a great blues singer.
3. The Gourds – Old Mad Joy
Not to be confused with Old Man Smell. Austin’s finest alt/county/blues/folk/rock/cajun/gospel/bluegrass band has really got something special with this album, thier 11th. And they’ve done it in fine fashion, recording with longtime dylan bandmate/now fixture in Levon Helm’s band, Larry Campbell up in Woodstock NY at the legendary Barn, Levon Helm’s Studios. Larry pushed the boys to their limits, wringing out some of their best material in 15 yrs. The album rolls from front to back seamlessly. While listening, its hard not to hear sounds of The Band, The Rolling Stones, even the The Who. So crank it up and let it play, you’re sure to enjoy.
2. Hayes Carll – KMAG YOYO (& Other American Stories)
I was hooked when I first heard the Hank Williams style, Hard Out Here. The Texas country rock man Hayes Carll is part of a growing genre of texas troubadour, country/folk outlaws that is alive and well. Some of the songs on this album are so familiar, you’d think you were listening to a cover. But that’s not a bad thing. He has no interest in doing anything different. Carll and his band take the honky tonk, rock n roll to a new level. They have never sounded so good and will even make the biggest Townes Van Zant follower a fan. Have fun with this one.
1. My Morning Jacket – Circuital
Not a conventional rock album by any means, My Morning Jacket follow up 2009’s Evil Urges with a superb set of new songs. Circuital itself means coming full circle, everything starts and ends in the same place. In a way this album does just that. Yim Yames talks about how even the songs have a more circular form, as opposed to the more triangular wave forms on the last album. This album moves you through the songs in a very systematic way. It is very well put together. A listen to it from front to back will reveal endless hooks, ambient jams and great triumphant endings. Well done folks, well done.
Honorable Mention:
The Black Keys – El Camino
The Decemberists – The King is Dead
Cheers Elephant – Time Well Wasted
Those Darlins – Screws Get Loose
G. Love – Fixin To Die
Wanda Jackson – The Party Ain’t Over
Shady Groove’s Top 11 Songs of 2011
The time has come to reveal Shady Groove’s best of 2011. It has been a great year for music and as I look back I am reminded just how amazing a year it was. I was fortunate to be able to enjoy and comment on some amazing tune-age and I am super psyched to bring you my favorite songs.
Top 11 Songs of 2011:
11. Middle Brother – Blue Eyes
10. The Wood Brothers – Stumbled In
9. Florence and the Machine – Not Fade Away
8. Gregg Allman – Floating Bridge
7. The Black Keys – Lonely Boy
6. My Morning Jacket – Circuital
5. Blitzen Trapper – American Goldwing
4. Cake – Bound Away
3. The Gourds – I Want It So Bad
2. Alabama Shakes – Hold On
1. Hayes Carll – KMAG YOYO
Honorable Mention:
Wilco – Dawned On Me
G. Love – Just Right
Dawes – A Little Bit of Everything
David Wax Museum – Born With A Broken Heart
Tedeschi Trucks Band – Come See About Me
Shady Groove’s XMas Show
From Shady Groove to you. Warm up some figgy pudding, fill your glass with holiday cheer, and enjoy our favorite of holiday traditions, the SG Podcast.
The Beatles – 1967 Xmas ++ Bruce Springsteen – Santa Claus Is Coming To Town ++ The Kinks – Father Christmas ++ Mae West – Put The Loot In The Boot, Santa ++ Binky Griptite & The Dee-Kay’s – Stoned Soul Christmas ++ Chuck Berry – Christmas ++ Otis Redding – Merry Christmas, Baby ++ Jack Scott – There’s Trouble Brewin’ ++ Fitz & The Tantrums – Santa Stole My Lady ++ Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings – Ain’t No Chimneys In The Projects ++ Zach Gill – Party Hard ++ David Grisman – Silent Night ++ Kenny Rogers – Kentucky Homemade Christmas ++ Red Simpson – Truckin’ Trees For Christmas ++ Loretta Lynn – Country Christmas ++ Johnny Cash – Blue Christmas ++ Elmo & Patsy – Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer ++ The Ramones – Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want To Fight Tonight) ++ The Ventures – Sleigh Ride ++ Hayes Carll – Grateful For Christmas
Download Shady Groove Podcast #45: SG Xmas Show
Festival of Light and Dark
^ Mason Porter – Dark As A Dungeon ^
A Celebration is in order! For 2 reasons:
1. Hanukkah!
First of all, Hanukkah begins tonight at sundown. That being said, we should all be ready to light those candles at 4:37pm. The funny thing is that we’re gonna need all that candlelight, being that for this year, the special holiday begins on the 2nd shortest day of the year. A significant event indeed.
2. Winter Solstice
We have come to the darkest days of the year folks, the winter solstice. One might also say that we are entering the 2 longest nights of the year. For these next 2 days, Dec 20 and 21, everyone on earth will experience what it is like to live in Greenland during the winter. Today, we will have 9 hours and 19 minutes of daylight. Tomorrow will be 4 seconds shorter, clocking in at a whopping 9 hours and 18 minutes and 56 seconds of daylight.
So, here is the real kicker. After tomorrow, we begin the long awaited climb towards summer. Lighter days are on the way! Just to give you an idea of how fast we’ll be gaining light, by January 30 we will already have gained an extra 20 minutes. Let the light shine.
So, from The Shady Groove to you, keep the light shining. Have a great Hanukkah, and enjoy the solstice.
SG Podcast #44
Hey Hey, just dropped in to say, enjoy the funky fresh tracks. Podcast 44 was brought to you by your local record store and “songs made famous by Kenny Rogers”. Play it loud.
Traffic – Medicated Goo ++ Eric Clapton – Blues Power ++ The Wood Brothers – Glad ++ Those Darlins – The Whole Damn Thing ++ Blitzen Trapper – Might Find It Cheap ++ Cake – Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town ++ Sharon Jones & The Dapkings – Just Dropped In To See What Condition My Condition Was In ++ The Black Crowes – Thorn In My Pride ++ Amos Lee – Sweet Pea ++ Bob Marley – Rocking Steady ++ Aretha Franklin – Rock Steady ++ The Rolling Stones – Beast Of Burden ++ Bob Dylan – Maggie’s Farm ++ Ween – Roses Are Free ++ Ronnie Hawkins – Don’t Tell Me Your Troubles ++ The Gourds – Moon Gone Down
Download Shady Groove Podcast #44