December 17, 2017

It was strange to be asked for my Top 10 albums of the year by the folk I write for. I’ve spent a lifetime poring over various lists every Christmas and now I had to submit mine! What is clear then you are conflicted as you compile the list: do you pick the most worthy, adventurous and surprising releases or something, a little more honest, that you’re likely to play again?

For me I decided to pick two lists. One is the stuff I enjoyed from 2017 releases. I think I can explain why I liked them so much and you may find it somewhere as a ‘Record Of The Week’ on the blog. The other list is a list of albums that I have bought and become absorbed with in 2017. Although you’ll note they are old; most are vinyl which were a complete pleasure to track down. Revisiting old albums and or artists is a joy – like meeting up with old friends. 

Eternal gratitude to Calvin Powers, The Mighty Jessney (Steve) and Duncan Warwick who gave me so much music that it was nearly overwhelming. With what I bought and what I received then I listened to circa 210 new albums (to me) this year. That’s in addition to my usual listening to older stuff. I seldom passed a charity shop or HMV in York without buying something. In addition I bought albums this year in Leeds, London, Vancouver, Calgary, Stuttgart, Helsinki, Nuremberg and I looked in every other holiday destination I visited!

Streaming doesn’t work for me with poor internet in Acaster Malbis and I have to admit to being a ‘collector’.

2017 Releases

1.          John Moreland                                                   Big Bad Luv
2.          Tyler Childers                                                       Purgatory
3.          Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters
4.          Courtney Marie Andrews                                    Honest life                                      
5.          The War On Drugs                                             A Deeper Understanding
6.          Lukas Nelson & The Promise Of The Real                                            
7.          Miranda Lambert                                               The Weight Of These Wings
8.          Lee Ann Womack                                                The Lonely, The Lonesome & The Gone
9.          Hurricane Ruth                                                     Ain’t Ready For The Grave
10.          Zephaniah OHora With The 18 Wheelers       This Highway                           

Bought & Enjoyed In 2017

1. The Rolling Stones                                            Exile on Main Street (1972)
2. Millie Jackson                                                   Just A Lil’ Bit Country (1981)
3. Humble Pie                                                       Smokin’ (1972)
4. 10cc                                                                   The Original Soundtrack (1975)
5. Candi Staton                                                     Music Speaks Louder Than Words (1977)
6. Vinegar Joe                                                       Rock ’n Roll Gypsies (1972)              
7. Cat Stevens                                                       Tea For The Tillerman (1970)
8. Marcia Ball                                                         Live! Down The Road (2005)
9. The Average White Band                                 Put It Where You Want It (1975)
10. Carlos Santana & John McLaughlin               Love, Devotion & Surrender (1973)