Albums
1. The Feel Trio (Cecil Taylor) — 2 Ts for a Lovely T. 10 CD set that sold for well over $200 when it came out. I don’t ever do this, but I’ll admit, I burned my copy. Recorded live in the early 80s I think. I’m not going to claim that I know this music inside and out, but I’ve probably played each at least once. Some – 1, 6 and 10 especially – quite often. I like 1 so much that it is hard for me to reach for anything else by Taylor. There’s plenty of the “dense clustering,” the “thunderous ostinatos,” the intense attacks, and the note barrages, but by God, these three are so in sync more often than not. They are in relative sync often enough that you wonder if they are looking at scores (egads!). William Parker’s bass erupts and coalesces with Taylor’s left hand. Oxley’s pitter/patters are constantly surprising and accompany the sometimes raucous, sometimes gentle proceedings to a “T”. There may be better Taylor out there. I’m not an expert. I’ll admit to remaining somewhat partial to the early trio stuff with Niedlinger and Charles and having a tough time with the no holds barred trio stuff on Akisikila and that era. Just so you know where I’m coming from – the more tender side of the Taylor discography. You’ll have a tough time convincing me that it gets any better than this trio for Taylor.
2. Joni Mitchell–Travelogue.
3. Meredith Monk–Mercy. Includes probably my favorite “song” of the year: Core Chant. Featured in True Detective.
4. Songs: Ohia–Didn’t It Rain. About what I am and, in some cases, love. Blue Factory Flame. I strum along to this album every time I play it.
5. Beck–Sea Change.
6. Tim Berne–Science Friction. It seems I’m doing my best to have Berne prominently featured over there in our wordle. I don’t think this is nearly as good as the live versions released the following year as part of “The Sublime And…” but still.
7. Iron and Wine — The Creek Drank the Cradle. I’m not a big fan of his, but it seems to me that he was really on during this time period. Especially: Upward Over the Mountain. Among the top ten songs in terms of times I’ve sung and played. Funny listening to this again, as my version has become so different.
8. Steve Earle — Jerusalem. Includes the great “John Walker’s Blues.” How many people would have the guts to write and release this in 2002. What a songwriter. Lots of other great stuff on this record.
9. Sigur Rós–(). Just so pretty.
10. Roxy Music–Live at the Apollo. I know we don’t usually include live albums, and especially not cash-in reunion albums, but damed if this isn’t close to perfect. In fact, I can’t imagine that this kind of thing has ever been done better. Ordinarily I wouldn’t even think about buying something like this. I didn’t give the VU, Pixies, Genesis, Sex Pistols, Who et al comebacks a second thought, figuring them for lame excuses to make some money on nostalgic oldsters. Some of ’em were probably ok; I guess the Pixies probably summoned some energy and excitement.
So, I’m trying to figure out why I’d have thrown down $20 or so for this. I can’t explain it other than that this band of musicians deserve it. They are so well-suited for each other and so damned earnest, that it just seems impossible for them to do anything wrong when they get together. I’m sure if I gave it any thought at all I’d think of some favorites they missed, but it is hard to complain about the selections: 22 of their greatest cuts, spanning their career. One of the very greatest bands enjoying a little nostalgia, yes, but also getting inside these songs again and recreating the excitement of their initial discovery and blossoming oh so many years ago.
And some songs:
1. Masha Qrella–I Want You to Know (Luck). Another Tim rec from a previous theme that has become a regular listen. Love these songs that I’m sure were all written with an acoustic guitar.
2. Queens of the Stone Age–No One Knows (Songs for the Deaf). Damn good album, especially the first five or so songs, any of which could appear on this list. With the incomparably heavy Dave Grohl on drums. God can he play em.
3. Muffins–Walking the Duck (Bandwidth)
4. Spaceways, Inc.–Back of a Cab (Version Soul)
5. …And you will know us–It Was There That I Saw You (Source Tags and Codes)
6. The Flaming Lips–Do You Realize. I agree with Tim about them, and also love this song. Actually like this whole record quite a lot.
7. Mark Knopfler–Why Aye Man (Ragpicker’s Dream)
8. Archer Prewitt–Tear Me All Away (Three). Another album and song that are dominated by great acoustic guitar licks (see Qrella above for another example).
9. Christina Aguilera–Beautiful. Something about it.
Music Corner w/ Archive 