Voted Albums of 2000
BOB PATERSON's Top 5 of 2000:
"Windmill Bob" or "BP" found music very early on in life. He grew up in rural Surrey and gained a lot of his music taste from his elder brother who introduced him to Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and The Beatles.
He discovered radio presenting when he started college at UEA in 1990. His radio heroes include Johnnie Walker, Bob Harris (both of whom he has worked extensively with in the past), Andy Kershaw, John Peel, Tommy Vance and Annie Nightingale (when she had the "Request Show"). He presented his first radio show on Livewire 945AM in January 1991 and since then has presented shows on Cracker FM (Norwich), London Network Radio, CMR, Radio Avalon (Glastonbury Festival Radio) and currently on SpydaRadio (Internet Radio) and Ritz 1035AM.
With Johnnie Walker and Bob Harris he has researched for shows on Radio 1, Radio 2 and GLR (RIP).
He likes good music - whether it be country, rock, folk, reggae or indie music - hence the title and content of his SpydaRadio show "BP's Good Music Guide 2001".
Outside of radio, Bob runs a live music booking agency (eastcentralone) and maintains this website. For three years previous to this he promoted live music in several London venues.
He loves curry, drinking, going to gigs, women, relaxing, being outside - cycling, swimming and walking (not necessarily at the same time). Heroes include John Cleese, Ian Botham, John Lennon, Lucinda Williams and Meg Ryan.
He lives in Highgate and enjoys life to the full.
Bob Paterson website: http://www.bobpaterson.com
eastcentralone: http://www.eastcentralone.com
Net Rhythms: http://www.netrhythms.co.uk
SpydaRadio: http://www.spydaradio.co.uk
NetRhythms editor. Journalist and member of the Music Managers Forum.
Oooh difficult - 10 would have been easier! Also I would have included Tandy's Lichtenstein's Oriole, Cindy Bullens' Somewhere Between Heaven And Earth and Ramsay Midwood's Shootout ... if they hadn't actually been 1999. Bubbling under for me now is the new PJ Harvey.
For those of you who are into lists, here's a Borderline list. No particular order but they were all great great shows shows here in 2000
..honourary mentions must go to VOL's Audible Sigh, Don Henley, Todd Thibaud & UnAmerican.
www.tapecircle.co.uk
http://www.bobharris.org
http://www.mediatel.co.uk
Well, it seems I have only bought 3 2000 releases!! Bought loads of other stuff but not many 2000 releases! Will definitely be remedying that next year! So, for what it's worth, here they are:-
About me - Manager of American rock band Nadine... www.nadinemusic.com
I'm a fan of american folk music [I wrote in a webzine for 2 years], I like to take black & white pictures, I like to take pictures of concerts and I would like to help some bands I like with hinah.com.
A micro-label - http://www.hinah.com
http://lorseau.free.fr
Willard Grant Conspiracy - http://wgc.hinah.com
Lose's list
What is important to me right now is that somehow I seem to have come full circle---- from my Folk Club days in the UK as an adolescent, to singer/songwriter now. Perhaps now with a more country influence though. Bob Harris's and your (Bob Paterson) shows are my joy and inspiration.
Also
EMMYLOU HARRIS - RED DIRT GIRL
JUDE COLE - FALLING HOME
Nick West is Co-editor of Bucketfull Of Brains. Sometime writer for CMI, the BoB. Sometime DJ at The Borderline. Hopes to launch new club in the New Year. No current website. Information usually on Flyin' Shoes. Contact at nickwest@zoo.co.uk.
Send bribes to
Nick West
Me And My Uncle
Publishers of Bucketfull Of Brains
PO Box 11301, London WC1H 8HF
44(0)207 916 4661
bucketfull@zoo.co.uk
bucketfullofbrains@hotmail.com
Sara manages Cheese Cake Truck www.cheesecaketruck.com. My top 5..hhhmmmm....
Me I'm a 43 year old father of two children aged 11 and 2. Work in an American Investment Bank in the City. You know about the Newcastle United FC stuff. I love music, and like you have a very ecclectic taste, so I drop by to listen to the show whilst tinkering on the PC. I also change my mind regularly, so drop Mark Knopfler and insert Steely Dan - Two Against Nature. It was a hard choice picking only 5, and I agree with you about the Bill M. & The Vig's record, it's a really good.
All time favourites:-
Santana
Steely Dan
10,000 Maniacs
Jackson Browne
Genesis (back in the older catalogue)
Paul Wood, singer/songwriter/guitarists, electronics and audio engineer located in London. Paul has recorded and produced 6 albums of his own material to date. Also involved in audio and electronics, he owns and runs his own studio. For Paul's information on band stuff and studio recording, visit: http://www.cuenet.co.uk
PS, RadioHead's Kid 'A' is definitely NOT on my list - it's total crap and a waste of good plastic.
The passing of another year and the ushering in of a new millenium has brought a plethora of music, the likes that I have never witnessed before. The sheer amount of artists and bands is a positive sign that music is in a healthy state. The only problem is having the time to seek all of it out! I have decided to give up sleeping in order to do so. The past year was an extremely successful year for Compass Records by any standard. We began the year with a Grammy nomination. We went on to have five Top Ten releases on the Bluegrass, Jazz, Triple A and Celtic charts with records by Alison Brown (Fair Weather), Steve Masakowski (For Joe), Robbie McIntosh (Emotional Bends), The Poozies (Come Raise Your Head: A Retrospective) and Catriona McDonald (Bold) respectively. Compass welcomed new artists; Hamish Stuart, Paul Carrack, Robbie McIntosh, The Vigilantes of Love, Fairport Convention, Swan Dive, Cathal McConnel, Michael McGoldrick, Ian Carr and Ben Demerath to its roster and saw critical acclaim for the new releases from our artists Alison Brown, Judith Edelman, Colin Linden, Steve Masakowski and The Anger-Marshall Band.
The year 2001 is shaping up to be even more promising. Compass is certainly a label to keep at least one eye on, if not both!. We are dedicated to quality and our releases live up to the statement. It was certainly a great year for music and these are the records which spent the most time in my music player, exempting our releases from the choices of course! Nice work Bob and thanks!
Quite diffult to keep down to 5.
Me I'm the head of marketing at V2 Records, ex punk, ex xfm dj, enjoying the new rock revival, and loved every page of Q Dylan Special.
Our website at V2 is www.v2music.com - some good Stereophonics exclusives on there (veering towards Dylan and away from AC/Dc this time, think you might be surprised)
.....Spends way too much time listening to music and going to gigs and not enough time riding his bikes. Part-time reviewer for Music 365 as well as Comes With A Smile magazine. Always trying to find a reason to go back to Seattle and get cake and tattoos. Has been known to have a hair cut, sometimes more than once a year. Likes cats, but hasn't got one, same with girls. Is friends with a few musicians. Is currently saving up for another bike.
DJ on SpydaRadio
Calliope and Jurado are probably tied for best of the year.
No particular Order.
My main interests are woodcarving, music & mushrooms (wild & preferably edible - not magic!)
My top 5 albums, at this point in time (could be different tomorrow) are:
Emmylou comes top by a long way.
Rick Cornell hosts a roots rock/alt-country radio show called Border Radio in Durham, NC, and he's also a regular contributor to NO DEPRESSION, AMPLIFIER, the Miles of Music MoMZine, and central North Carolina's weekly SPECTATOR.
www.nodepression.net
www.twomp.com/amplifier
www.milesofmusic.com
www.spectatoronline.com
1. Marah - KIDS IN PHILLY (E-Squared)
The wide- and wild-eyed twin-guitar rock'n'roll on this Philadelphia band's
sophomore release pairs Mummer's Parade banjos with percussive horns
to back up songwriting that's equal parts street-level reporting and
street-corner serenading.
2. Ryan Adams - HEARTBREAKER (Bloodshot)
On his solo debut, Whiskeytown wunderkind Ryan Adams demonstrates why a
whisper is always more passionatel and articulate than a scream.
3. Phil Cody - BIG SLOW MOVER (Tiny Head)
On this long-time-in-coming second album, harmonica-led power-folk gems
("City of Destruction"), sprightly, Poguesy tunes ("Joyride"), and moving,
fact-based songs ("Orphan Train" and "Spencer's Song") all share space.
4. Trent Summar & the New Row Mob - TRENT SUMMAR & THE NEW ROW MOB (VFR
Records)
Whether singing about stock cars ("Paint Your Name in Purple"),
second-generation flower children ("Starletta"), or the joys of fistfuls of
"New Money," Summar and his roots-rocking crew - showcasing hot-shot
keyboardist Jerry Dale McFadden and hot-shit guitarist Kenny Vaughan - are
never less than smart and always tuneful.
5. Chuck Prophet - THE HURTING KIND (Hightone)/HOMEMADE BOOT (Corduroy
Records)
The fifth solo album from this criminally underrated
guitarist/songwriter/vocalist finds him blending bluesy guitar-rock with Dan
Penn/Spooner Oldham/Donnie Fritts-style roots-soul, and periodically spiking
it with the atmospheric turntable adventures of DJ Rise; and, damn, if we
didn't get a live album from Prophet this year too.
5 Honorable Mention:
Dolly Varden - THE DUMBEST MAGNETS (Evil Teen)
Beaver Nelson - LITTLE BROTHER (Black Dog)
Will Kimbrough - THIS (Waxy Silver)
Kelly Hogan and the Pine Valley Cosmonauts - BENEATH THE COUNTRY
UNDERDOG (Bloodshot)
Chris Mills - KISS IT GOODBYE (Sugar Free)
I'm old enough to remember the sixties and spent my wasted youth idolising the three Bs: The Byrds, Beatles and Beach Boys. The Byrds turned me onto country-rock with their Sweetheart Of The Rodeo album and I've been an American roots-rock fan with regular helpings of jangly power-pop ever since. My passion for music has been inherited by my three kids and its not unusual during the holidays to hear four separate sources of music emanating from the house. While they are all encouraged to find their 'own' music, its gives me great pleasure when the eldest two come home with a Dylan, Petty or Neil Young album.
I fancy myself as a musical journalist but I have neither the imagination or work ethic and apart from a couple of Buried Treasure features in Mojo and a few album reviews for seventies West-Coast fanzine Dark Star, I haven't made much headway. I guess that I'll have to stick to growing plants, listening to all the wonderful music that's constantly coming out of the States and soaking up even more useless info that comes with the records. Contact: Trevorhards@lineone.net
1. Transcendental Blues- Steve Earle
This album contains every genre of music thats ever been worth listening to in my humble
opinion - melodic Beatley country-rock, rockabilly, bluegrass, Celtic diddly-dee, the sounds of North Africa and the Townes Van Zandt inspired folk ballads. My initial concern that it was too poppy to have lasting appeal was unfounded and I'm still enjoying it as much as I did back in the Summer when it was released. Very few artists have ever had the nerve or the ability to encompass so many styles in one album but Earle makes it sound so easy and his melodies just get stronger. El Corazon might be Earles benchmark but this comes pretty close in my book.
2. Bellwether - Bellwether
Nothing original or new but while most of the alt.country heavyweights head off in a pop direction, Bellwether from Minneapolis stick to harmony rich country-rock. This is their second album and if you liked the Eagles first record
and the banjo rhythm tracks, then I'm sure you will like this. I can hear the spirit of Peaceful Easy Feeling and Take It Easy on a number of tracks and while its impact wasnt immediate, I have grown to love it. A word of caution though, I have Malcolm to thank for a very reasonable purchase price and he found it OK but uninspired if my memory serves me correctly. Another case of one mans meat......
3. McGuinns Folk Den Vol 4 - Roger McGuinn
Bit of a dodgy selection this. I am totally obsessed with anything Byrds related. Now Mr. McGuinn has been recording a traditional folk song and posting it on his website every month for the past 5 years in an effort to ensure that these songs that were passed down through the generations have a home in perpetuity. The earlier recordings were pretty good but with very basic arrangements so it was with some surprise that I got this and found multi- layered harmonies
over banjos, fiddles, electric 12 string etc. I think is wonderful - if you don't believe me, access
www.mp3.com/mcguinn when youve got a spare moment over Xmas and download either Faithless Flora or East Virginia.
4. Somewhere Near Paterson - Richard Shindell
New name to me until Gerry introduced him through the Tape Circle. In a better world, this guy would be enormous, he has so much talent. I love his world- weary voice, his haunting melodies and the small but powerful use of 'new-age' instruments to create atmosphere and give his songs a setting. Gerry thinks I'm barking mad but the nearest
equivalent for me is Dave Cousins and From The Witchwood period Strawbs. His earlier albums must be worth checking out. Whether singing about stock cars ("Paint Your Name in Purple"), second-generation flower children ("Starletta"), or the joys of fistfuls of "New Money," Summar and his roots-rocking crew - showcasing hot-shot
keyboardist Jerry Dale McFadden and hot-shit guitarist Kenny Vaughan - are never less than smart and always tuneful.
5. Enjoy The Melodic Sunshine - Cosmic Rough Riders
Beach Boys vocals over early Byrds instrumental tracks, the albums title says it all. Lyrically its not for those looking for the next Bob Dylan but who cares when you can glide around the house with a big smile on your face singing along. This album should be mandatory for anybody suffering with depression.
6. Inside Job - Don Henley
7. Red Dirt Girl - Emmylou Harris
8. Western Electric - Western Electric
9. Big Tobacco - Joe Pernice
10. Smile - The Jayhawks or One Endless Night - Jimmie Dale
Gilmore
An honourable mentions to Matthew Sweet whose In Reverse would definitely have made my top 5 if it had been released a couple of months later.
In no particular order...
Kathryn Williams - Little Black Numbers
Dido - No Angel
Eels - Daisies of The Galaxy
Coldplay - Parachutes
O Brother Where Art Thou? Original Film Soundtrack
p.s. Moby and David Gray were the runners up
I used to write features and conduct interviews for Later With Jools (www.bbc.co.uk/later) where you'll find me talking to Peter Gabriel, Eels, Moby, Bob Harris.
I was a fan of Mr E's (Eels) first two albums. Dido I got into via Later & Eminem, Coldplay - another Later connection and Kathryn was booked for one of her first sessions on our Radio 2 show from Cambridge last year, plus very happy to have her on the Radio 2 playlist. I really love the Coen Brothers films, especially the music in "Raising Arizona", "Big Lebowski" and "O Brother" which includes Miss Krauss & Gillian Welch.
I have worked for Ken Bruce, Johnnie Walker, Janice Long, Billy Bragg, Tom Robinson, Lynn Parsons, Sarah Kennedy & Richard Allinson on Radio 2 as well as being involved with OBs from Cambridge, Glastonbury, Nottingham, Music Live, Guildford, Celtic Connections.
Turn ons of 2000
ESW is currently enjoying the blissful state of motherhood to the Supreme Babe whilst editing the Country Music pages of The Listening Post Magazine (great music via mail order, small prices - tel:- 08 702 407 407) and chilling out in the exquisite Devon country/seaside before returning to the fray in 2001. Yes, it's true folks, she'll be back!
The other one I truly adore is Peter Ostroushko Sacred Heart - quite beautiful. Also liked VOL Audible Sigh lots.
Oliver Gray is a publisher and writer of language text books, as well as writing about music for many publications and dabbling in most areas of the music business. His critically-acclaimed memoir VOLUME can be ordered from any bookshop, or through the REVILO website http://www.revilolang.demon.co.uk Oliver now has his own music site on http://members.aol.com/venue10436/k.htm
MUCH ENJOYMENT DERIVED FROM EVERY GROOVE
Honourable mentions for.....
Charlie Piggott & Gerry Harrington - The New Road
Ralph McTell - Red Sky
Greg Browne - Covenant
Terry Clarke - The Sound of the Moon
ACE - 25th Compilation
Best of Broadside
Steve Gardner is the host of Topsoil and Haywire, two wildly different radio shows on WXDU in Durham, North Carolina. Topsoil is a two-hour Americana show, while Haywire is one hour of free-format radio where anything can, and does, happen. The shows run concurrently and start at noon Eastern US Time. Check out Steve's website at http://www.topsoil.net where you will find a link to WXDU where they broadcast live on the internet 24 hours a day.
1. John Hartford "Live From Mountain Stage" (Blue Plate)
[I think John Hartford is a God. If you don't believe me, check out
this article I wrote for Jeff Wall's Twangzine
(http://www.twangzine.com/art/art-hartford.html.) Jeff successfully pulled me out of my article writing sabbatical by offering up a chance
to write something about one of the greatest musicians/lyricists/men
to walk the planet. Let's hope he'll be here for many years to come.
This album is perfect. An easy choice for #1. In fact, it was such
an easy choice I debated not having a #2, just to prove my point.]
2. Ass Ponys "Some Stupid With A Flare Gun" (Checkered Past)
[The Ass Ponys are back and have put out what I think is their best
album ever. They remind me of some of the great bands from what I
think was the golden age of college rockthe late 80ssuch as the
Pixies. Age hasn't made them less odd, either, which is nice.]
3. Clem Snide "Your Favorite Music" (Sire)
4. Neko Case and her Boyfriends "Furnace Room Lullaby" (Bloodshot)
5. Kasey Chambers "The Captain" (Asylum)
[Clem Snide is one of the quietest rock bands I've ever heard. Their
music has an edge even when it threatens to completely fade away. The
voice reminds me of Joel RL Phelps (if you don't know him, and you
like rock music, go get "Blackbird" now!) and the music reminds me of
Josh Rouse. Lyrical and subtle rock at its best (well, this year at
least.
[I liked Neko's first album as well, but I always skip a few tracks
when listening to it. This one, though, I listen to straight
throughhappily. Her writing has improved and dammit if she doesn't
sing even better than before.]
[Kasey comes from a land Down Under. Think Men At Work, but good and
sounding nothing like them at all. Ok, scratch that. Think of Iris
DeMent, Julie Miller, and Nanci Griffith if they met in church but ran
away during communion and now sing only in bars. Then they met a
young, cute, Australian gal and taught her everything they knew.]
Tim Perry writes for The Independent, Uncut, No Depression and bol.com and plays country and hiphop records every Sunday night at Twisted am Lounge, down at the wonderful Windmill in Brixton. www.twistedamlounge.com