Best Recordings of 2020: Lori McKenna - The Balladeer

 

Lori McKenna has progressed from singing open mics in her hometown of Stoughton, Massachusetts, to writing hits songs for Tim McGraw (“Humble and Kind”), Little Big Town (“Girl Crush”), and others. Her success has pushed her to the top of sought after songwriters. Meanwhile, she has released her own recordings that have improved with each release. In 2020 she released her best record thus far with The Balladeer (CN Records).

These songs explore the experience of middle age with reflection and appreciation of what has been and what it is still to come. She writes from a refreshing point of view, that of a middle-aged woman who lost her mother at an early age, has been married to her childhood sweetheart for thirty years, and watched her own children grow into adulthood. This is not the usual subject for the often inane topics of commercial country music. Her music falls more into the singer/songwriter genre than country. There are no wailing pedal steel guitars or fiddles on The Balladeer. Acoustic guitars and piano lead the way, allowing the songs themselves to be the center of attention. Dave Cobb, celebrated Nashville producer, has kept the arrangements simple but appropriate to each selection. McKenna has an understated, empathetic tone to her voice that perfectly suits these songs.

There are many well-known songs that have dealt with friendship, “Lean On Me,” “You’ve Got a Friend, and countless others. It’s a challenge for any writer to deal with a well-worn subject, but she adds her own spin to “Uphill.” 

“Marie” is a touching song inspired by her sister, and “When You’re My Age” is a heartbreaking look at a mother worrying about her children in an ever changing world. Her voice soars in the chorus of “Two Birds” and finds the right touch of tenderness in “The Dream.” Lori McKenna has achieved a near perfect album with The Balladeer.

Best Recordings of 2020: Ray Wylie Hubbard "Co-Starring"

 

Ray Wylie Hubbard was destined to be remembered as the author of “Redneck Mother” that appeared on the late Jerry Jeff Walker’s best-selling Viva Terlingua. But somewhere  along the way he reinvented himself by embracing the blues influenced finger picking guitar style of legends such as Sam “Lightnin’ Hopkins. He subsequently produced several impressive recordings, The Grifter’s Hymnal and The Ruffian’s Misfortune’s among them. His 2020 release Co-Starring is his first release for Big Machine Records and is one of the finest releases of 2020.

Major labels don’t sign too many 74-year-old artists, especially someone who has never had a hit record. One might assume that teaming Hubbard with several well-known artists was a scheme hatched by the record company to gain a wider audience for a deserving artist. Regardless of whose idea it was or its motivation - it works. 

Ringo Starr, Joe Walsh, Ronnie Dunn, Chris Robinson, and several more well-known musicians lend their talent. The results are impressive. This recording touches on several musical styles, including the rock and rolling “Bad Trick” featuring Ringo on drums and Joe Walsh on slide guitar. Ray Wylie will never be accused of taking himself too seriously, as evidenced by the honky-tonk classic “Drink ‘Till I See Double,” a duet with Elizabeth Cook with additional vocals by Paul Nelson. He also pays homage to a late blues legend with the gospel influenced “Mississippi John Hurt.” Ray Wylie Hubbard is included on the list of those labeled “Outlaw Country” and “Outlaw Blood” is a good example. He’s joined on the track by Ashly McBryde, another artist who possesses the ability to produce quality music and achieve commercial success.

Ray Wylie Hubbard is an Americana artist, blues, country, soul, and rock-and-roll to think about, to laugh and to dance along with. Co-Starring in a highlight of 2020.

Dion - "I Got Nothin'" featuring Van Morrison & Joe Louis Walker - Offic...

  

As we head into the last months of 2020 and look back at the year in music, several of the year’s best releases were from artists who reached their commercial peak decades ago. And while they may not sell millions of records anymore, many have put out the year’s best music. Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen produced widely heralded new music in 2020. But one artist whose career dates back to the early years of rock-and-roll made one of  2020s very best recordings. Dion DiMucci, the Wanderer himself, released Blues with Friends (KTBA) a collaboration with many top blues and rock musicians including Springsteen, Jeff Beck, Sonny Landreth, Van Morrison, Billy Gibbons (Z.Z. Top), Brian Setzer, and many more. 

When an artist releases an album full of guest stars, it’s often an attempt to add commercial appeal and move some units. It can lead to a mishmash of songs that don’t add up to a cohesive recording. That is not the case with Blues with Friends. 

Dion co-wrote every song here and the results reveal a songwriter who perhaps hasn’t gotten the credit he deserves. Produced by blues guitar slinger Joe Bonamassa, this record has been in regular rotation since its release in June. There are traditional sounding blues numbers here along with a couple of gorgeous ballads, notably “Can’t Start Over Again” with Jeff Beck adding an appropriate bluesy lead guitar. In addition, Dion who always stood out from the crowd for his gifted voice sounds fantastic in this set.

Van Morrison, an old friend, lends a vocal to “I Got Nothin’” and sounds right at home trading verses with Dion while Joe Louis Walker provides lead guitar. Paul Simon, fellow New Yorker, adds harmonies to “Song For Sam Cooke (Here in America), a definite highlight. 

Dion’s career has included his initial success as a leader of Dion and the Belmonts, dozens of solo hits in the early 1960s including “Runaround Sue,” and “The Wanderer.” After the British invasion changed the landscape of popular music, he struggled to find his place in a changing marketplace. He revived his career in 1968 with “Abraham, Martin and John.” He released several albums of singer/songwriter material but never regained commercial success. 

Recent years have seen the release of several blues based recordings, but he has reached new heights with “Blues with Friends.”

Best Recordings of 2020 - Jamie Wyatt Neon Cross

 

As 2020 mercifully staggers to an end, it’s time to decide the best releases of the last year. Marred by a global pandemic and the loss of several musical icons, including Jerry Jeff Walker, Billy Joe Shaver and John Prine, great music continued to be released by emerging artists. I listened to Jamie Wyatt’s Neon Cross (New West), constantly since its release on May 29. Never heard of her? Neither had I prior to this release. Produced by Shooter Jennings, son of Outlaw country music legend, Waylon Jennings, this is her second full length recording and it’s stunning.

It’s dominated by Wyatt’s unique voice and a healthy dose of pedal steel guitar. At times this is reminiscent of Tammy Wynette and old school "heart on your sleeve" country music. The quality Wyatt’s singing and songwriting sets it apart and rises above the rest.

Despite being her first release for New West records, she doesn’t play it safe. The up tempo title song would have made a great opening track, instead she opens with the gorgeous ballad, "Sweet Mess.” That’s followed by the intense and galloping beat of the title cut. Every song here is memorable and includes a duet with producer Jennings’ mother, Jessi Colter on “Just a Woman."

Great country music has always included an element of pain and struggle, and Jamie Wyatt bares it all. Addiction and even jail time are further evidence she has paid her dues. The rasp and pain in her voice makes it plain she that has lived these songs. Listen to the moaning pedal steel guitar that accompanies the heartbreakingly desperate plea in “Mercy.” Like any survivor, there is plenty of hope and even humor sprinkled through the eleven songs on Neon Cross.

Shooter Jennings does an excellent job of directing the songs and adding his vocal to “Hurt So Bad.” This a recording that will be remembered as one of 2020’s musical high points.[

Best Recordings of 2020: Arlo McKinley - Die Midwestern

 

Everyone loves an underdog. So the chances of a 40 year old singer/songwriter from Cincinnati releasing one of the best recordings of 2020 should be a cause for celebration. Most musicians have given up any hope of a career in music at 40. Fortunately, Arlo McKinley persevered and became the last artist signed by John Prine to his Oh Boy label prior to his death. Die Midwestern is one of the finest collection of songs in 2020. If McKinley was around in the 1980s, he would fit right in with mainstream rock-and-roll artists like Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Tom Petty or Bob Seger. 

“Bag of Pills” has rightfully garnered attention as one of the standout tracks and was the song            that     convinced Prine to sign him. Selling pills so he can afford to take his girl out drinking is not the type of song you're going hear on commercial radio. This is old school, meat and potatoes music. These are not songs about driving a pickup to the beach. These are familiar subjects: love lost and found, pain and redemption, and the need to pick and leave in the hope of better things. But throughout is an underlying sense of hope and a search for something better. Die Midwestern immediately places Arlo McKinney among the more gifted songwriters on the Americana scene.

 

Jerry Jeff

It must have been 1984. Rick was a friend from work who was a little on the crazy side. He was a couple years older, and we shared a fondness for beer and good music. He lived in a double-wide out where the Play Land Amusement Park used to stand. It was there on a Sunday afternoon we were draining a 12 pack when he put on Ridin’ High a Jerry Jeff Walker record. I’ve been a fan ever since.  He wasn’t a what you would call a gifted singer, but he had his own unique persona. He wrote “Mr. Bojangles” which has become a standard in the repertoire of folkies everywhere, and a hit for The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. It fascinated me the more I learned about him and his story. Born Ronald Crosby in New York state he eventually moved to the Austin, Texas where he played a key role in the growing “Outlaw” country music scene. He was known as a man who rarely passed up a cold beverage, and his records were often wild affairs with songs that sounded like they were made up on the spot. Viva Terlingua is the best example of Jerry Jeff and The Lost Gonzo Band letting loose. In the middle of “Sangria Wine” his voice cracks while straining to reach the notes in the chorus, but records were not note perfect, but the spirit was there. He championed other talented songwriters by recording their songs. In the years since that Sunday afternoon, Jerry Jeff’s music has been a constant companion. Rick and I lost touch as friends sometimes do, and then I heard that he has passed away. I never found out why. And now Jerry Jeff has passed. But the music remains. 

My favorite Jerry Jeff story is told by fellow musician Todd Snyder. It’s on YouTube if want to track it down. Snyder had opened a show for Jerry Jeff. After closing a hotel bar, they were walking back to their hotel room at around 3:00am. Lo-and-behold, they heard someone on the deserted street playing “Mr. Bojangles.” They walked up and listened to the street performer while Todd Snyder debated on whether to tell this old man that the guy who wrote that song was standing right there. He decided not to. Jerry Jeff complemented the man and dropped a few bills into his guitar case.

 

https://youtu.be/m-CVpY4jRYI 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT6BzKftZkE

Overlooked Gems: John Stewart's The Phoenix Concerts

 

 

 

I don’t remember when I noticed John Stewart, but I know I waited far too long. About ten years ago, I bought California Bloodlines and experienced an incredible sense of discovery. Some have credited Bloodlines with being the first Americana record. I’ll leave that subject to others; I just want to let people know that if you love brilliant songwriters, and you haven’t done so yet, then check out John Stewart. While Bloodlines is an acknowledged classic, The Phoenix Concerts is an outstanding example of his early solo career and contains selections from Bloodlines.

John Stewart was already a veteran of the folk scene when he replaced Dave Guard, in The Kingston Trio in 1961. He brought with him proficiency on guitar, banjo, and the group recorded several of his original songs,. As the Beatles arrived and changed the musical landscape, the popularity of folk groups such as The Kingston Trio declined, and Stewart worked as solo artist. It was during this time that he wrote “Daydream Believer,” which became a smash hit for The Monkees. Commercial success eluded him, and he recorded for several major labels. 

It was on RCA he recorded The Phoenix Concerts. Live albums are hit and miss affairs. They rarely contain the best versions of an artist’s songs, but this is an exception. The applause is unobtrusive and the between songs patter is kept to a minimum. If this was the only recording John Stewart released, his reputation would have been etched in the pantheon of talented singers/songwriters. The sheer number of memorable songs is stunning. You’ll find no filler in this double album. The band is flawless, and the arrangements never get in the way or overwhelm the songs. 

And there are so many memorable songs. There are too many to go into detail here, but have a listen to “Runaway Fool of Love.” It rocks with an infectious opening guitar lick and rolls into a sing-a-long chorus. How wasn’t this a chart success? Others are the touching “Last Campaign Trilogy,” "The Oldest Living Son" and the stunning “Kansas.” Stewart passed away in 2008, but left a rich catalogue of great songs they deserve a wider audience.

https://youtu.be/ObiX_v-R4HE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4z7f_jx1jM 

 

 

Over Looked Gems: Great Songs That Deserve an Wider Audience

 

                                                 

 

Tom Rush began his career playing folk clubs in the Boston area in the mid-60s. He grew into an accomplished songwriter as well as an unusually gifted interpreter. He’s credited to be one of the first to record songs by unknown artists such as James Taylor, Jackson Browne, and Joni Mitchell. His landmark album The Circle Game, released in 1968 includes songs by all those aforementioned artists. In 1970, Rush released a self-titled record that included his stunning recording of David Wiffen’s “Lost My Driving Wheel.” The recording features David Bromberg on dobro and Paul Griffin's haunting organ. 

It’s been said that all stories lead back to The Bible or The Odyssey. “Driving Wheel” owes a nod to its Homeric narrative of a man desperate to be with the one he loves. As with many great songs, it leaves a lot of the details for the listener to fill in. But this track has a profound feeling of pain and loneliness. It uses every instrument to augment the narrator’s plight. Bromberg’s dobro is spare, but each phrase is necessary. This could be the hungover character from Kristofferson’s “Sunday Morning Coming Down” facing another night of wondering why things lead to his painful plight. Rush’s vocal says so much yet manages to between being understated yet intense. A classic.

 

https://www.tomrush.com/
 

 

In Memory of John Prine

 

Last April a friend texted me the news that John Prine was dead. The Chicago area weather dawned gray, overcast, chilly morning. It has amused me in the past, at the grief expressed by members of the public, at a celebrity’s death. But this felt personal. I considered him a hero. He who grew up a few miles away. I bought every album, saw him live several times, and became frustrated at his lack of new material. He was admired by his peers who seemed more popular than ever. The Covid pandemic had brought the country to a standstill, I was frustrated by the new reality of working via Zoom, and outside the chilly winds of winter lingered, and John Prine was dead.

 Christmas, 1973, and I got what I had asked for - the new John Prine album, Sweet Revenge. My sister bought it for me, but not before she let me know how difficult it was to find. “Why couldn’t you have asked for the new Paul Simon album?” Why? Because everyone listens to Paul Simon. I wanted a John Prine record. I grew up on Chicago’s South side reading about the local folkies and singer/songwriters in the pages of the Sun-Times. Steve Goodman, Fred and Ed Holstein, Jim Post, and Bonnie Koloc were rising stars on the local scene. Then along came Prine.

I waited until everyone was in bed that Christmas night and huddled on the floor against the stereo console in our living room. I turned the balance all the way to one channel and listened to Sweet Revenge. And I listened and listened. While others my age were listening to Led Zeppelin, I set out to wear out the grooves of  Sweet Revenge. A Good Time was my favorite. There were so many..."Mexican Home," “Christmas in Prison,” “Please Don’t Bury Me.” I soon got hold of his first two records. I would play “Hello in There” just to hear those opening finger-picked chords. 

It’s been several months since his passing. Months filled with violence in the streets, leaders who have failed us, and the growing acceptance that our daily life will never quite be the same. More than ever, the world could use a little John Prine.