Santa's got his list in his pocket and he's reelin' down the old skyway.
In the past year, between the news of economic uncertainty, extramarital affairs, celebrity facelifts and yet another insipid reality TV show, there’s always an old reliable method to escape. No, I’m not talking about self flagellation (sorry Dan Brown fans) I’m talking about great music. So in short, 2009 was no different than any other year. In order to quench your spirit, you had to do some digging to find the gold. Here are some of my favorites, in the proverbial no particular order:
Allen Toussaint: The Bright Mississippi (Nonesuch) – What can be said about this legendary jazz / soul figure from New Orleans. Toussaint, having had a career that has spanned over 50 years, comes back with an album that exemplifies the musical heritage of the Crescent City. Produced by Joe Henry, Toussaint recruited clarinetist Don Byron, guitarist Marc Ribot, pianist Brad Mehldau, Saxophonist Joshua Redman and many more A- List musicians for this album. If you love Dr. John or Tom Waits get this, you will slobber over it!
The Stooges: You Don’t Want My Name, You Want My Action 4 CD (Easy Action) – The folks at Easy Action really created a major stir with this release in 2009. And justifiably so, this 4 CD set is chock full of essential Stooges live shows from 1971 at their primal proto-metal peak. Taken from audience recorded cassettes, you get two shows from the Electric Circus in New York, one from the Factory in St. Louis, and one from the Vanity Ballroom in Detroit (the first show of the tour). In addition, the attention by the Easy Action staff placed on the packaging / artwork is top shelf.
Wooden Ships: Dos (Holy Mountain) – What’s not to like about a band that has soaked up the outsider sounds of the past forty years (i.e. Suicide, Faust, Velvet Underground, Stooges) and in the process produced a mind blowing disc that validates the replenished fertile soil of independent music.
Assemble Head in Sunburst Sound: When Sweet Sleep Returns (Tee Pee) – Yet again, more outsiders from the Northern California Bay Area announcing their presence in 2009. Melodic yet heavy, introspective but in your face, the band’s sound is a study in immaculate point – counterpoint.
James Blackshaw: The Glass Bead Game (Young God) – Signed to Young God records by Mr. Gira of Swans fame, this English virtuoso has created a haunting disc that allows you to relax but still wants to challenge you. In a certain way, Mr. Blackshaw has picked up the mantle left by John Cale, in creating traditional music with that edgy hint of experimentation.
Sonic Youth: The Eternal (Matador) – Countless albums, countless tours, and naturally you are left asking yourself “is this band still relevant” Well, the answer is a resounding “yes”, as evidenced by this 2009 release. The band returned with an unbridled ferocity on this disc, a collection of hard edged tracks. As a result, the band seemed revitalized (case in point: “Sacred Trickster” and “What We Know”) with a new bassist in Mark Ibold, leaving Kim Gordon to guitar and vocals, where she offers her best offering on disc.
Mondo Drag: Holy Spirit (Self Released) – Awesome psych / hard rock. On the CD, tracks such as “Autumn Sun”, Through the Eyes of the Serpent” and “Apple” reek of late 60’s – early 70’s hard rock experimentation (i.e. Funhouse, Sir Lord Baltimore, Hawkwind, The Groundhogs). The band themselves recognize this and state on their Myspace webpage that their sound fits “somewhere between garage, psych, space, sludge and stoner rock”. Either way, I am eager to hear more from this the band on their expected January 2010 release on Bomp / Alive.
The Dynamites featuring Charles Walker: Burn It Down (Thirty Tigers) – Heavy, sweaty soul / funk the way it is supposed to be. In a career that has seen him open for such as Etta James, James Brown, Wilson Pickett and Jackie Wilson, Charles Walker is paired with a deep funk band intent on keeping the spirits of those heavyweights alive, but also creating some of their own magic.
Baby Woodrose: Self Titled (Bad Afro) – Got to hand it to Lorenzo Woodrose, he just keeps writing memorable tunes that stick with you for days. Now that some of Scandinavian heavyweights have either disbanded (The Hellacopters, Gluecifer), or still in the process of recuperating (Turbonegro) maybe Mr. Woodrose will receive some credit due.
Lastly, the tenth spot goes to….numerous releases / reissues / live shows.
The Nerves: One Way Ticket (Bomp) – Powerpop at its finest
Death: For The Whole World To See (Drag City) – Unbelievable Detroit angst
Sugar Knives: Self Titled (Self Release) – another solid effort by Paul Stinson, and Leo K
Primal Scream: Live March 2009 – Whatever the reasons that prevent this band from touring that Little Steven commented on with this band in the NME, he is right on one count – they are fantastic live.
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