Best Songs of 2007

I must be honest. I thought 2007 was a pretty shit year for music. Saturated by a proliferation of Pro-Tooled, juvenile electronic crap and overrated 'rock' acts. As usual however, there are always diamonds to be found in the rough and without further ado, these are my favorite songs of 2007.
(In order).

1. 'Dress Blues' - Jason Isbell
From his first solo album, Sirens of the Ditch, the former Drive-By Truckers singer/songwriter/guitarist wrote, in my humble opinion, the song of the year. Inspired by a friend of his who died whilst on duty in Iraq, this is a subtle anti-war song that never once gets sappy or overtly sentimental. The hook, the voice and the chorus are simple but beautiful.

2. 'Two' - Ryan Adams and the Cardinals
The second track from the excellent Easy Tiger album is good old fashioned country rock with a wonderful, subtle harmony vocal from Sheryl Crow. In fact it is so subtle that you cannot tell that it's her.

3. 'Driving Wheel'- Chris & Rich Robinson (Brothers of a Feather)
A cover version of the old Tom Rush tune from the acoustic Live at the Roxy album. Showcases the Black Crowes duo's fine appreciation of 1970's folk tunes. Chris Robinson's always excellent voice seems to best suit an acoustic environment these days.

4. 'White Light' - Wilco
Jeff Tweedy & co going back to mellower days with this track of their Sky Blue Sky album. Twelve string guitars, sweet harmonies and a perfect summer feel.

Led Zeppelin: London O2 Arena (December 10th, '07)

By all accounts, Led Zeppelin were magnificent during their two hour set in London last night. Reuniting as part of a benefit for the late Atlantic records founder Ahmet Ertegun, this was their first full show since drummer John Bonham's 1980 death. Check out rollingstone.com for David Fricke's excellent review.

Set List:
'Good Times Bad Times'
'Ramble On'
'Black Dog'
'In My Time Of Dying'
'For Your Life' (First time played live)
'Trampled Under Foot'
'Nobody's Fault But Mine'
'No Quarter'
'Since I've Been Loving You'
'Dazed And Confused'
'Stairway To Heaven'
'The Song Remains The Same'
'Misty Mountain Hop'
'Kashmir'

Encore:
'Whole Lotta Love'
'Rock And Roll'

The Black Crowes: David Letterman Show 1994

Between 1993 and 1997, The Black Crowes were simply unstoppable. In Chris Robinson and Marc Ford, they had, at that time, the best lead singer and lead guitarist in rock n' roll. They released classic albums such as Southern Harmony and the Musical Companion, Amorica, Three Snakes and One Charm and eventually from that period, Tall and The Band. All these recordings mixed rock n' roll, blues, country, and soul and remain some of the best records of the 1990's.
Take a look at this clip from the Letterman show in 1994. They are playing a cover of Traffic's 'Feelin' Alright.'
Afterwards, you will be...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NohMVqECIc4&feature=related

Gary Louris solo album Vagabonds

Former Jayhawks vocalist/guitarist Gary Louris releases his first solo album entitled Vagabonds on February 19, 2008. This is exciting news for the Grassman, particularly as the Jayhawks were his favorite band before they disbanded in 2004.
Produced by Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes, it features vocal assistance from such luminaries as Jenny Lewis, Susanna Hoffs, The Chapin Sisters and of course, Chris Robinson.
You can check out two of the songs 'True Blue' and 'She Only Calls Me On Sundays' on his MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/garylouris
As expected, they are excellent, acoustic folk/rock songs with lashings of pedal steel guitar. Wonderful stuff indeed.

Lost Classics (No.1)

GENE CLARK
Gene Clark (Aka White Light) A&M 1971
Gene Clark was best remembered for his association with the Byrds between 1964 and 1966. He wrote most of The Byrds' best-known originals, including: "Feel a Whole Lot Better"; "Set You Free This Time"; "Here Without You"; "She Don't Care About Time"; and "Eight Miles High" and was the group's strongest vocalist. But there was much more to his body of work than this legacy. He was a prolific songwriter and a singer with a highly distinctive baritone voice who created a large catalogue of music in several genres but failed to achieve great commercial success. He was one of the earliest exponents of psychedelic rock, baroque pop, newgrass, country rock and alternative country. However, no one bought any of his records and he died on May 24, 1991, aged 47, as a result of many years of drug and alcohol abuse.

Allmusic.com wrote such a great review of this album, one that echoes my sentiments exactly, that I have decided to reproduce it here.

Gene Clark's 1971 platter, with its stark black cover featuring his silhouette illuminated by the sun, was dubbed White Light — though the words never appear on the cover — and if ever a title fit a record, it's this one. Over its nine original tracks, it has established itself as one of the greatest singer/songwriter albums ever made. After leaving the Byrds in 1966, recording with the Gosdin Brothers, and breaking up the Dillard & Clark group that was a pioneering country-rock outfit, Clark took time to hone his songwriting to its barest essentials. The focus on these tracks is intense, they are taut and reflect his growing obsession with country music. Produced by the late guitarist Jesse Ed Davis (who also worked with Taj Mahal, Leon Russell, Link Wray, and poet John Trudell, among others), Clark took his songs to his new label with confidence and they supported him. The band is comprised of Flying Burrito Brothers' bassist Chris Ethridge, the then-Steve Miller Band-pianist (and future jazz great) Ben Sidran, organist Michael Utley, and drummer Gary Mallaber. Clark's writing, as evidenced on "The Virgin," the title cut, "For a Spanish Guitar," "One in a Hundred," and "With Tomorrow," reveals a stark kind of simplicity in his lines. Using melodies mutated out of country, and revealing that he was the original poet and architect of the Byrds' sound on White Light, Clark created a wide open set of tracks that are at once full of space, a rugged gentility, and are harrowingly intimate in places. His reading of Bob Dylan's "Tears of Rage," towards the end of the record rivals, if not eclipses, the Band's. Less wrecked and ravaged, Clark's song is more a bewildered tome of resignation to a present and future in the abyss. Now this is classic rock.
Kindly reproduced from allmusic.com, written by Thom Jurek

FURTHER LISTENING: Gene Clark's 1974 album NO OTHER on Asylum Records.

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Wembley Stadium 1974

Check out Neil Young's unreleased gem 'Pushed it Over the End'.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-sYYZghvk0
The lyrics, which flew in the face of the the then growing Women's Lib movement, are typical acerbic Neil. For some reason, the track has never appeared on any of his albums and I wonder just how many of these songs Neil has in his archives? As for the performance, Neil is on form as usual and the rest of the band, especially Stills, just may have ingested a little cocaine before show. And why the hell not? On this tour, legendary promoter Bill Graham decked out the whole backstage area in white. White walls, tables, curtains, absolutely everything. Everything that is except the tables that were made of glass and strewn with razor blades. His cut noses off rubber masks and attached them to the walls and played a loop tape of people sniffing.
Ah the 70's...

Albums I can't live without

My favourite albums in no particular order.
JACKSON BROWNE
Late for the Sky (Asylum) September 1974
Jackson Browne's third album and masterpiece. He'd recently taken voice lessons and it shows. The tile track and "For a Dancer' are perfect and David Lindley's guitar playing is the epitome of tasteful.

THE JAYHAWKS
Hollywood Town Hall (American) September 1992
A little bit country, a little bit rock n' roll. Containing sublime harmonies, the twin voices of Mark Olson and Gary Louris complement the succinct, fuzz-toned Gibson SG guitar solos.

LITTLE FEAT
Dixie Chicken (Warner Bros.) 1973
Illustrating the genius of the late Lowell George, this is an irresistible record. Although they made other great albums, this is definitely their crowning glory. 'Roll 'em Easy' and Allan Toussaint's 'On your way Down' are the highlights for me.

FOTHERINGAY
Fotheringay (Hannibal) 1970
Sandy Denny post Fairport Convention, puts together her most consistent record. Arguably the finest female vocalist ever to emerge from the UK, her voice, as ever is impeccable. Could have been the UK's answer to Joni Mitchell if she had the confidence.

STEPHEN STILLS
Manassas (Atlantic) 1972
A sprawling tour de force. Rock, folk, country, blues and bluegrass. This album has it all. Three day cocaine-fuelled recording sessions did not hinder the songs or the musicianship. This albums confirms Stills' genius.

JONI MITCHELL
Blue (Reprise) 1971
The quintessential confessional singer/songwriter album. Most people's favourite Joni Mitchell album and who am I to disagree? With sparse backing from James Taylor and Stephen Stills on bass the Mitchell's acoustic guitars and piano playing are exemplary. The song 'River' breaks my heart.

GRAM PARSONS
Grievous Angel (Reprise) 1973
Country music as it should be heard, soulful and passionate. With Elvis Presley's Las Vegas band, including the great James Burton, the playing is tight and professional. Add to the mix Emmylou Harris' jaw dropping harmonies and Gram's best songs, the album is killer.

NEIL YOUNG AND CRAZY HORSE
Zuma (Reprise) 1975
It just shades After the Goldrush in my opinion. 'Danger Bird' and 'Cortez the Killer' contain two of his best guitar solos and Crazy Horse are as sloppy and complimentary as ever. 'Through My Sails,' a CSNY out take that ends the record, epitomizes the 70's Southern California sound gloriously.

FREE
Free Live (Island) September 1973
One of the great live albums of the 1970's. Vocalist Paul Rodgers always sounded better in Free than in Bad Company and the late guitarist Paul Kossoff's stunning vibrato and sustain will always remain unique. Listen to 'Be My Friend' and you will understand.