Travis Tritt - “My Honky Tonk History” (Sony)
The album's opening line “I got these calluses from all those nights I spent playing my Telecaster 'til my fingers bled Bud Lite” say it all. Tritt's unashamedly 100%-proof blue-collar attitude is still intact. One of the few who can belt along at full-crank Southern rock and perform a 180-degree controlled skid straight into a sensitive tear-jerkin' ballad. If you can't afford a Harley, just take this record for a spin – it's goin' the same place. Hell Yeah…turn it up!

Bobby Bare Jr's Young Criminal's Starvation League - “From the End of Your Leash” (Bloodshot)
You can sense Bare Jr. grinning back at you as you listen through this bleak comic trail of situations. “Visit Me In Music City” captures the raw realities of Nashville's music scene more than a whole chapter in a traveller's Rough Guide could ever nail. The inventive melodic hooks aiding the dark-into-uplift alchemy would not be out of place alongside Ryan Adams better work. A wallow in the underbelly-world of Country.

Moot Davis - “Moot Davis” (Lucky Dog)
The ghost of Hank Senior is aglow within this ex-actor who hails-in armed with vibrant, positively-whining vocal projectiles. The sound's more hard and sharp-edged than BR5-49, more subtly hewn than Wayne the Train. Fresh original retro-billy brewed to getcha howlin' at the moon!

Tift Merrit - “Tambourine” (Lost Highway)
The Texas-born/North Carolina-raised singer-writer-guitarist blows away the expectations set with her previous sensitive-song, acoustic-biased Lost Highway debut. A great full-on fix of bar-storming country-soul. Jukebox junkies place your quarters.

Will Kimbrough – “Godsend” (Southbound)
Guitar-ace; 2004 AMA Musician of the Year; Rodney Crowell side-man; Todd Snider's chief musical collaborator - yet Will's awesome writing talent seems to have flown straight under Nashville's corporate radar. With his “Piece of Work” now featuring on Jimmy Buffett's latest release, that injustice could be overturned. Even with this outtakes album, Kimbrough triggers thoughts of what the Beatles might sound like if they were to hang around Nashville's sleazy Printer's Alley. Melody, hooks and riffs galore!

ALBUMS

Close, but no cigars: Jesse Malin, Meister, Air, Chuck Prophet, The Finn Brothers, Tift Merrit, Chumbawamba, Hem and REM.

Gigs of the year (excluding my clients, for political reasons!!)

Albums:

Concerts:

First equal (chosen because they are the 3 CDs I've listened to many more times than any others)

And the others...

And as there were no women in there, my favourite CDs by females are:

Best Gigs

It's been another excellent year for albums, with a good mix of strong discs from established artists and emerging talent - the list below celebrates the best of year and contains some stunning albums. The list is presented in no particular order of preference.

Top Ten Gigs of 2004

1. Seven Swans- Sufjan Stevens.

2. Vultures Await- Will Johnson.

3. Retriever- Ron Sexsmith.

4. Richmond Fontaine- Post To Wire

5. Sunday Shoes- Nels Andrews

6. Around The Sun- REM.

7. Drag It Up- Old 97s.

8. Land Of Milk and Honey- Eliza Gilkyson

9. The Lights In This Town Are Too Many Too Count- Grand Drive

10. Mutual Admiration Society- Same

Gigs of the year

Tracks of the year

Here's to a great musical year in 2005

My favourite ten albums of 2004

Here are my choices for 2004, in no particular order. As usual I have picked my favourite albums from those that I have reviewed this year, despite the year that they were released.

Top 10 Blues Albums Reviewed in 2004

Top 10 Non-Blues Albums Reviewed in 2004.

Top 3 gigs

Albums of the Year:

And my best gigs of 2004 were:

THE TOP XI

Not in any definitive order - tho' if pushed the first couple on the list would be at the top - just a series of signposts / clues for anyone looking for great music in a landscape parched by Busted, Mc Fly, Girls Aloud ... which of course isn't you dear reader so maybe printouts of this page should be fly-posted at every HMV and MVC

1 - MIRACLE MILE - Stories We Could Tell (Miracle Mile) Songwriting that equals the brothers Finn, Paddy McAloon and others in Division One and a vocal performance of Paul Buchanan proportions. Genuinely indispensible.

- DAVID HUGHES - I Can Explain (Folk Corporation) A deceptive album that reveals more and more as you listen and listen. It's also a painfully honest record that I'm sure resonates with many of us in this business. It is also, thanks to David's musical imagination and producer Mark Tucker's prodigious talent and taste an aural delight.

2 - TOM PACHECO - The Long Walk (Halden) / Year Of The Big Wind (Frog) Anthemic rock on the former Scandanavian only release and acoustic on the latter. Either way Pacheco confirms that he's simply cut from the same cloth as Seeger, Dylan and Ochs.

3 - ELTON JOHN - Peachtree Road (Rocket) Amazingly the best in three decades standing tall alongside Tumbleweed Connection and Madman Across The Water, both of which sound amazing in new multi-channel verions.

4 - MARK KNOPFLER - Shangri-La (Mercury) Yes there is fine music in the mainstream. Wearing his J J Cale influences proudly this beautifully written, laid back and organic sounding set is simply wonderful.

5 - SCISSOR SISTERS (Polydor) Sheer joy!

6 - THE FINN BROTHERS - Everyone Is Here (Parlophone) Great songs.

7 - IRIS DEMENT - Lifeline (Flariella) She may well be singing from the family hymnal but with that voice she'll convert more than Billy Graham thought possible.

8 - DAVE ALVIN - Ashgrove (Yep Roc) Beautifully observed songs - isn't Nine Volt Heart one of the best songs ever about the power of radio - and superb playing.

9 - FAIRPORT CONVENTION - Over The Next Hill (Matty Grooves) Best in years. A cohesive collection delivered with musicianship so scintillating you'd never believe the fractured circumstances it was created in.

10 - BRIAN WILSON - Smile (Nonesuch) - A staggering achievement in 2004. Trying to imagine the severity of its impact in 1968 is, well, WOW!!!

Best of 2004 for me...

Also enjoyed this year...Jeffrey Foucault, Slaid Cleaves, Gretchen Peters, Crosby & Nash, Reg Meuross, Pierce Pettis, Karine Polwart, Eddi Reader, Mindy Smith, Beth Neilsen Chapman, Michael Fracasso, Buddy Miller, Iris Dement, Michael Carpenter.

Others that have been bought and played to death this year but technically were 2003 releases include Mark Erelli 'Hillbilly Pilgrim', 'Los Lonely Boys', A.J. Roach 'Dogwood Winter', David Francey 'Skating Rink', Show of Hands 'Country Life'.

Songs of the year:

Los Lonely Boys 'Heaven', David Francey 'Fourth of July, Eliza Gilkyson 'Tender Mercies', Justin Rutledge 'Too Sober To Sleep', Wailin Jennies 'One Voice', Richard Shindell 'Last Fare of the Day', Mary Chapin Carpenter 'Goodnight America' Steve Earle 'Rich Man's War', Anne McCue 'Machine Gun'.

Best gigs of the year..

Best of the rest at the Cabbage Patch...Mark Erelli, David Francey, Andy Irvine, Clive Gregson.

Here are the albums I've played most in 2004

Here are my favourite 10 CD's of the year

I've also included my favourite song:-

10 gigs of the year (in alphabetical order):-

BEST OF THE YEAR RESULTS

Album: (The numbers represent the fact that I couldn't decide what was better. I worked out the top ones and then the rest are tied.)

Single:

Compilation:

Song:

Gig:

Best person standing in line outside a gig eating a kebab:

Albums Of The Year (no particular order but I'd rate Stamey the best of the year)

Reissues

Compilations

I welcome the chance to suggest a personal top ten of both albums and gigs of only for the fact it represents one of the few opportunities to spotlight some of the artists who continue to tour and keep the live music scene alive. That said a couple of the album suggestions here are included solely because eof a wonderful mix of originality and left field whimsy.

While I notice some people don't see 2004 as a classic year, I maintain there were enough great gigs and albums worthy of everyone's attention - even if the mainstream media chooses to ignore them.

On the live circuit, in spite of ridiculously rising fees, and steep ticket prices, some of the shows in the last 12 months really were of the highest order, and in some cases, nothing short of inspirational. Therefore if my lists seem slightly out of kilter with the rest, it merely reflects the life of an independent promoter working on the periphery of what is left of the contemporary live music scene

Happy New Year

Below is my top ten albums in no particular order followed by Top 10 gigs which do reflect my favourite gigs in 1-10 order.

1). Lady & Bird "Lady & Bird" EMI France A kind of ethereal electro trip-hop fairytale, that is best understood in the closing "La Ballade Of Lady & Bird" - essentially a short libretto for two voices - Lady & Bird is a pseudonym for Karen Ann (Leidel) and Bardi Johannson, a Dutch/Icelandic duo. The latter is a big star in his native Iceland with his band Bang Gang, while the former is very well known in France, Holland and Germany as a singer/song writer. Together, Lady & Bird come close to the delicate voiced whimsy of say Beth Gibbons. The duo offer soaring cut-glass harmonies on "Do What I Do", which sets out the notion of Lady & Bird as children in adult bodies, to the following "Shepherd's Song" complete with a Zappa style slowed down basso voice. This is nothing short of a celestial musical journey full of delicate originality.

2). Loserville "Welcome To Loserville" Loserville A kind of audio take on David Lynch style small town Americana, Loserville hail from Sweden, but have honed their cutting edge Americana style on the outer fringes of alt.Nashville. Brothers Paul and Jorgen Paulstrom are a formidable combination who lead a killer 7 piece band through a mix of songs that straddle the best elements of Jason & The Scrochers, The Long Ryders, and REM.

3). Patti Smith "Trampin" Columbia Very few artists successfully combine both a great live comeback with a great album. Patti Smith achieved both with a superb London show (see below) and an album that for once justified the unlikely gushing critical praise. There's politics, passion, frisson amongst her best songs for over two decades.

4). Bobby Strange "Reach Deeper" EP/CD Rising Records The diminutive singer song writer from the Jersey Shore toured the UK twice last year with the wonderfully named Boccigalupe & The Bad Boys. And while the latter were excellent in a Springsteen kind of way, Bobby's songs offer a deeply felt commitment to raw emotional angst that reduced audiences to silence. This EP includes his very best song, the beautiful "Without It Within"

5). Albert Lee "Heartbreak Hill" Sugarhill The wonderfully gifted and hugely underrated Albert, actually won a Grammy last year, and has been nominated for another one this year. After laying down the most impeccable guitar lines for others down the years, Albert has finally cut an album in the company of the likes of Emmylou Harris, JD Souther, Earl Scruggs and Vince Gill, that reflects his true quality. He doubles on piano and guitar and delivers a rocking tinged country album of the very highest order.

6). Roadhouse "No Place To Hide" Blues Matters It may seem strange that two of the most impressive Americana style albums of the year should come from European bands, but as Roadhouse prove there's no better currency than great songs. And guitarist/vocalist and song writer Gary Boner has a truckload. Aside from some scintillating guitar from young Jules Fothergill and fine bv's from Anne Campbell and Lorna Reilly, Boner's songs are a cut above most of the bands that purport to set the standard in the Roots field.Look no further than the title track, or the brooding bluesy style of "Slip Away" or the Jefferson Airplane feel of "Couldn't Get To Sleep" to hear a superb mix of road anthems, crammed full of Deep South imagery.

8). Colin John/Michael Hill "Acoustic Ladyland" WMF Records An unlikely but interesting collaboration sees two of the American blues circuit staple's reaching out to a higher level in an acoustic setting. While both artists have built up their profile on both sides of the pond in a Rocking Blues vein, this album is a stripped down affair Full of inspired playing, and some memorable moments of which Hill's political "OIL", is as hard hitting as the brilliant playing on the Allman's "Whipping Post", Acoustic Ladyland" is probably the leading acoustic blues album of the year.

9) Stan Webb's Chicken Shack "Still Live After All These Years" Mystic Own up time as I've included two albums by my employers, but both are worthy inclusions. Three decades since his chart success with Etta James's "Id Rather Go Blind", Stan Webb has finally cut an album that shows his maturity as a blues guitarist. Championed years ago by the late Freddie King, it took last year's 35-date theatre tour with John Mayall to kick start Stan back into the spotlight, and this album shows why. Together with his current Chicken Shack line-up of some ten years standing, half the album is also boosted by a cracking German horn section, The Shadows. The result is as good as its gets, with Stan's mesmerising "The Sweetest Little Thing" being a highlight.

10). Roger Chapman "Chappo"/"Live In Hamburg" Mystic This double album re-issue pares the former family front man's first self penned solo album with one of the great live albums of our time. Back in the early 80's the fluctuating music scene was not kind to artists of the calibre of Roger Chapman. However, twenty odd years after its initial release, the album has stood the test of time with fine performances all round and a handful of cracking songs including "Who Pulled The Night Down" and "Midnite Child". The "Live In Hamburg" album is quite simply a real, live from the desk document of one of the great tour bands of the time, and quite simply the best vocalist of his generation in top form. The album was a springboard for a decade of major success for Chapman, and you can hear the excitement in both performer and adoring audience.

GIGS OF THE YEAR

2) Patti Smith/Television at The Brixton Academy Armed with her best album for years, and a great support in Television who pushed her all the way, Patti delivered a mesmerising two hour show full of raw emotion, and audio visual antics. A truly charismatic performer, Patti gave it her all, and the packed crowd respnded accordingly.

3). Chuck Farley Re-union Show The Boom Boom Club at Sutton Utd. Fronted by Steve Simpson, Chuck Farley were a beacon on a dim landscape in the early 80's. Best described as an all star Americana style outfit who included elements of r&b, Country, and Rock & Roll, The Chucks 2004 comprised Pat Crumley sax, Pete Stroud on bass, Poli Palmer on vibes, Sam Kelly on drums, Papa George gtr/vox and guest vocalist Val Cowell from Bad Influence. Steve Simpson led from the front with some magnificent slide playinig.

4). Jan Akkerman Band The Boom Boom Club Sutton Utd FC, Surrey Jazz fusion never sounded so good, as the former Focus man mixed some beautifully worked lead runs in between judicious use of loop tapes, and keyboard effects. Jan added a dervish style Eastern feel to his new material and even cleverly reworked "Hocus Pocus" into a funky context.

5). Stolen Bibles The Torrington , North Finchley N12 They may not be the most well known of san Francisco's musical exports but Tony Mattioli's eclectic crew came, saw and conquered this now sadly defunct musical outpost of north London. While Mattioli stole the show with some Steve Miller style west Coast psychedelics, the band including a pithy sax player added touches of soul, swing and steely rock that brought a surprisingly big crowd to their feet.

6). Boccigalupe & The Bad Boys Catford Blues Club, London SE6 You don't get much more down home than Catford Blues Club, but this blsierting blue collar style roots rock band from New jersey made them selves at home with a storming two and a half hour set. Led by the diminutive Boccigalupe on keyboards (Sprngsteen mate Tony Amato), the 7 piece Bocci brought with them their full new Jerswey horn section and a debut album "Its My Turn Now" that I somehow managed to miss off my Top ten Albums of the Year. Best described as having a swagger like Southside Johnny but with better songs, Boccigalupe had the whole house dancing and continued long into the night after the house lights came up. They came, saw, sweated and conquered even the most cynical South London music fan.

7). Bill Kirchen Band Stormy Monday Club at The Bulls Head, Barnes, London SW13 The former Commander Cody man might have expected a low key affair on a Monday night at this intimate South West London venue. But a quick scan round the room revealed several former Rockpile members, and other high profile muso's in the room including Nick Lowe in an outrageous suit. In the event Bill took his time, combining fine playing with humorous songs and tales from the Tex Mex border, worthy of his musical credentials.

8). John O'Leary Band The Torrington North Finchley, N12 One of the venue's last finest musical moments as Savoy Brown founder member and fine harp player John O'Leary brought with him an international blues band of the highest order. With an Italian bass player, German drummer, Belgian keyboard player, and an Allman Brothers style twin guitar attack of Jules Fothergill and Tim O'Sullivan, expectations were high. Happily the material from the band's debut "Sinners" album was as good as the band that played it, with John's earthy harp neatly counter pointed by the twin guitar lines and a swinging rhythm section. File under contemporary blues at its best.

9). Ian Parker Band at The Rayners Hotel, Harrow, Middx On a dark winter's night the songs and the white boy soul of Ian Parker rang out loud and clear. Rarely has such raw emotion been port of a contemporary Roots rock band's repertoire. But in Ian Parker the UK scene has a song writer who has the courage of his convictions to eschew the obvious 12 bar/shuffle format for some of the most impressive self penned material heard for a long time. At time when the band brought things down you'd swear you were in a folk club. And while Ian's own "Awake At Night" is a powerful message of love, he also reworked Davis Crosby's "Almost Cut My Hair". Thrilling stuff.

Joint 10th

10). Roger Chapman & The Shortlist at The Music Box/Ascot, Berks Playing his first electric show for over 18 months, Roger Chapman played this special warm up date to both celebrate his 62nd birthday and to warm up for a month long jaunt in Germany. And the gig proved to be one of his very best, with Micky Moody impressing on slide and Andy Hamilton adding some searing sax. Chappo delivered his unique bleat and the place went wild.

10). Los Pacaminos Boom Boom Club Sutton, Surrey 5 part harmonies, the best of The Texas Tornadoes, Flaco Jiminez, Los Lobos and early Ry Cooder, this was the night when Los Pacaminos finally delivered to their full potential. On previous occasions a mix of good time frivolity, ropy vocals and a drop too much of Tequila had hindered the band, but on this occasion their first Sutton show for a year, everything clicked. Jamie Moses led from the front on guitar, Drew Barfield sang magnificently - especially on "Belle" - Melvyn Duffy's pedla steel was peerless and Paul Young was in top form. In short Pacaminos at their very best

Best of 2004

Cigar Less: Diana Krall: Woman in the Other Room
Jim White: Drill A Hole
Eleanor McEvoy: Early Hours

Best of 2004: Reissues

Best of 2004: Traditional

Best of 2004: Gig