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In Closing - The Best Of '06 By Jim Moulton, CSO Staff Journalist Looking back at all of the albums I reviewed this year, it seems like such a long year. Had some health problems and never thought I would get around to doing so many reviews. But, I must say, I think it was a great year for music, especially what I like, Americana, Alt-Country and Bluegrass.
Bryan Sutton made a brilliant recording visiting many of the great bluegrass pickers with his portable recording rig and doing a song at their house or even motel room. A couple of the artists are Doc Watson, Tony Rice and Earl Scruggs. Not Too Far From the Tree.
A great group from Canada, The Duhks , actually released two discs this year, a re-release of their first disc and an incredible new CD called Migrations, which was one of my favorite discs of the year. A Sugar Hill group, produced by Steve Buckingham, Migrations was just ear candy with some great Alternative Bluegrass, this group is incredible.
Capitol Records re-released four of Linda Ronstadts' early albums on two CDs and really did a great job of remastering it. I really enjoyed listening to fresh versions of these records plus some bonus songs were included.
Sugar Hill Records released a four CD box set of their first twenty five years. Great job of production and a pleasure to listen to, thanks to Airshow mastering. It's called Sugar Hill Records- A Retrospective.
Jim
To visit Jim Moulton's website click here.
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Indie
Artist Lori Willcuts CD Black-eyed Susans was an unexpected
delight. This gal is good and her warm disc was a great start.
Marty
Stuart released an awesome live CD, Live At The Ryman which was a
great impromptu recording . His Fabulous Superlatives are a great band.
Another
surprise indie artist was Tresa Jordan with a self-titled debut. Just
some great refreshing country.
Radney
Foster released a great disc This World We Live In, Radney is the
consummate singer-songwriter. His song "Kindness Of Strangers"
made me cry, just great stuff.
A
favorite of mine, Mindy Smith, released her sophomore disc Long
Island Shores. Got to see her last year, quite a good live
performer, loads of emotion. Her new disc is not as intense as One
Moment More, but it is very good and a very personal reading. A bit
more pop leaning than her first disc, but some great new material. Also
produced by Steve Buckingham.
An
Alternative artist, Joan Osborne, released a very country sounding CD
called Pretty Little Stranger, another favorite of mine. Great
material and reminds me of seventies country.
Well,
I've left some space for my favorite new project of the year, Vince
Gill's These Days, an extremely well done four disc box set of
all new material. Each disc has it's own theme, a rockin' disc,
traditional country disc, acoustic country disc and a duets disc. What a
great list of guests. Vince Gill and Patty Loveless in my opinion are
easily the two best country artist at the top of their game who don't
get the recognition they deserve.
Well,
Hillbilly music and my Lord keep me afloat. Music is a big part of life
to you too, if you are reading this. Since I wrote this article, I must
mention that Kellie Pickler's new CD Small Town Girl is very
refreshing. Well, may you have a great Holiday Season and the Good Lord
Bless You.