Best Music for Boomers of 2010

Best Songs

Best Albums

Live - Ray Montagne & the Pariah Dogs - Rock - even though I have heard all of these songs, great band live and great live versions of some of his best.

Farmer's Daughter - Crystal Bowersox - Rock - She shows why the winner of "American Idol" is not always the best. When they do not overproduce her, she shines. Title cut is a killer.

Band of Joy - Robert Plant - Rock - Plant delivers another stellar album showing that old rock n' rollers can continue to develop.

Lonely Parades - Dodd Ferrelle - Rock - one of my favorite albums of the year. Dodd is a singer-songwriter who can rock - he hails from Georgia which is not all bad. Highly recommended.

Hollywood - Michael Buble - Pop - an excellent EP from the Sinatra of our time.

The Incredible Machine - Sugarland - Country - I am not a big fan of country, however once in a while comes along an artist that crosses over into my listening area. Such is Sugarland, great vocals and superb songs and not that whiny country.

The Suburbs - Arcade Fire - Rock - This band caught fire a couple of years ago, however in my opinion, this is their best effort.

World Gone Crazy - Doobie Brothers - Rock - Is it 1970 again, old time band releases a total surprise - this album could have been a hit back in the day of Top 40 - if you like the Doobies, you will love this!

Clapton - Eric Clapton - Rock - Clapton's first album of original material in awhile, worth the wait.  As with all Clapton, there are great songs and some ok, however the album does not disappoint, especially for the Clapton fan.

Guitar Song - Jamey Johnson - Country - If you like old time acoustic country, you will like this album. It grows on you.

Wreck Your Wheels - Kim Richey - Rock - I have always been a fan of Richey, however on this album, she softens the sound and there is not a bad cut to be had - very enjoyable.

Listening Booth 1970 - Marc Cohn - Acoustic Rock - Cohn normally releases albums of original songs, however on this album he covers some great hit songs of the 70's - he makes every song his own. This album may be the best of the year for us grown ups. Highly, Highly Recommended!

God Willin and the Creek Don't RIse - Ray LaMontagne & The Pariah Dogs - Ray has added a great band that really adds to his sound. Some super LaMontagne songs, but the band is what makes this special.

Dream Attic - Richard Thompson - Rock - Another stellar release from one of our best singer-songwriters. He stretches out on guitar on this one, which is different for him.

Laws of Illusion - Sarah McLachlan - Pop - Another collection of McLachlan songs performed in her inimitable style.

Reckless - Steel Drivers - Bluegrass/Country - The Steeldrivers are one of my favorite bands - bluegrass with a rock n' roll soul - this is their second album and just as good as the first. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up.

Alison Moorer - Crows - Country/Folk - One of the better albums of the year - more torch than twang - not to be missed.

Peter Wolf - Midnight Souvenirs - Rock - Best album of the year to date - also contains best song - Tragedy - not to be missed.

Straight No Chaser - With A Twist - A Capella Rock - 10 member group doing fabulous covers of some great songs in a wonderful a capella fashion. One of the best new releases of the year.

Sharon Jones and Dap Kings - I Learned the Hard Way - R&B - this is old school R&B, Jones vocals are gospel based, the band is pure R&B horns, backup singers and all. What keeps this from being a truly great album is the songs. This is a really good band - need stronger material, however if you like old school R&B - you will not be disappointed.

Joe Bonamassa - Black Rock - Rock - Not your typical Bonammassa album, in fact the first five songs - you will wonder who this is, then the balance of the album is typical Bonamassa screaming guitar.

Lady Antebellum - Need You Now - Country - If you do not know this group, do you yourself a favor and check out this release - some of the best vocals in a while. Not just for country fans.

Matt Wertz - Everything in Between - Pop - this is a 4 cut EP - every song is a delight.

Mindy McReady - I'm Still Here - Country - Even if you are not a country fan, do yourself a favor and check this out, very good album, good production, vocals and songs - not typical country.

One Eskimo - One Eskimo - Rock - Delightful EP - great little band with some great hooky songs.

Alejandro Escovedo - Street Songs of Love - rock - Escovedo just keeps getting better, every release rocks a little more - if you do not know this artist, do yourself a favor and check him out, you can start with the latest and then add more/

Tom Petty  - Mojo - rock - I did not expect to like this album as much as I do, every song is good, this is classic Petty.

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals - rock - just a great album, potter has a great set of pipes and the band is right where they need to be, every track is a winner.

Indigenous - the acoustic sessions - acoustic/rock/blues - one of the better blues bands (love the lead vocalist) performs some of their better songs acoustically - a sonic treat.

Bettye Lavette - Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook - female vocal/rock/R&B - Bettye covers some of the better rock songs from the 70's and each gets a very unique treatment. This album just grows on you.

The Black Keys - Brothers - Rock - Hard to describe the sound of the Black Keys - cross between blues and rock - however, everyone I know who has listened to this album - likes it.

Widespread Panic - Dirty Side Down - rock - this may be my favorite panic to date. Great songs and great playing - rock on.

Love is Strange - Jackson Browne/David Lindley - rock - another live Jackson Browne - who needs another one? You do, this album is sensational, David Lindley's playing adds so much to Browne that the songs seem new.

James Taylor/Carole King - LIve at the Troubadour - rock - two of our generation's classic artists team up for a very intimate fun evening. If you were lucky to catch this duo live - this is a must, if you were not so lucky, this is as close as you can get.

Mary Chapin Carpenter - The Age of Miracles - folk/country - one of the better songwriter-performers releases another winner, great songs and her band is always first class.

Eric Clapton - 461 Ocean Boulevard - rock - live versions of some of Clapton's best known songs in versions never released - if you like Eric, then this is a must.

Anders Osborne - American Patchwork - rock - on this album, Anders is showing more rock than his New Orleans sound. Excellent songs, one of Anders better albums.

Vintage Vinos - Keith Richards - Rock - Yes, it sounds like the Stones, however Keith delivers a fun rock album.

Jazz Albums

Jazz at the Lincoln Center - Portrait in Seven Shades - Written as a companion piece to viewing art with titles like Matisse, Monet et al. Excellent jazz recording of original works.

Silver Pony - Cassandra Wilson - Jazz vocals - Wilson continues to show why she is considered one of the best of today's current jazz vocalists. Just a superb outing.

Crescent = Mike Mainieri - Jazz - great vibes and silky sax make for a very listenable experience.

Down with It - Dimitry Baevsky - Jazz - New artist from Russia - sax player who plays really fast and very enjoyable.

reVisions - Jen Chapin - Jazz vocals - Jen (female) delivers a fabulous album of reworked Stevie Wonder songs. Her vocal delivery is very interesting and the arrangements and side musicians make for a re-discovery of some of our generation's favorite songs.

James Carter - Chasing the Gypsy - This album was actually released in 2008, however I just discovered it. And I have to tell you this is one of the best jazz albums of all time. Definite not to be missed, the guy can play - just that good.

Lee Ritenour - 6 String Theory - jazz - maybe the best jazz album so far this year. Lee is joined by lots of guests and the playing is just superb. A must!

Steve Gadd - Live at Voce - jazz - another well know jazz musician (drums) joined by a great list of players - live - cooking - highly recommended.

Dr. Lonnie Smith  - Spiral - jazz - one of jazz best organists turns out another stellar release, the entire album just cooks.

Keith Jarrett/Charlie Haden - Jasmine - jazz - a great pianist coupled with a great bassist - just mellow - you just get lost in the notes.

Moody 48 - James Moody - New outing from this great tenor sax player. Just straight ahead jazz quartet.

Music Redeems - The Marsalis Family - Live outing from all the Marsalis family - a treat.

Another Night in London - Gene Harris Quartet - One of my favorite pianists releases a wonderful live album.

Cycle of Love - Maurice Brown - One of the best of the new trumpet players releases another gem of original songs.

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