MUST HEAR
you deserve better music
All mp3 downloads are Itunes-, Ipod-, Itouch-, blah-, blah-, blah- compatible and can be downloaded to your music collection or wherever else you direct them.
CD Reviews = great albums that we highly recommend
Must Hear = the very very best of the great albums that we highly recommend
TOP: Martin Sexton, Conor Oberst, Malcolm Holcombe, Paul Westerberg.
BOTTOM: Robert Earl Keen, Leo Kottke, Ray LaMontagne
OK – so Robert Plant has more fame & fortune than any musician needs. And Alison Krauss has won, like, more Grammy awards than any other female artist (26!). But, who cares – this CD is a delight, a fascinating exploration for each of these artists. Plant’s voice blends exceptionally well with Krauss’, who has perhaps the most crystal clear female voice of all time. This recording has an edge to it, almost a pulsing, rhythmical, industrial atmosphere, steering it clear of true contemporary folk or bluegrass. Too good to ignore. GENRES: Mellow Rock, Alt-Folk?
BUY IF YOU LIKE: Good music.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “Killing The Blues,” “Polly Come Home,” “Please Read The Letter.”
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss - Raising Sand (2007)
Their website---->
Quick facts: NRBQ is the best live bar band, ever, of all time. And this is the best live recording of them in their prime. Song selection is primo, with Big Al and Terry living large this night joined by their horn section, The Whole Wheat Horns. There is nothing like a Q show, and their extended hiatus now is truly upsetting. But that’s my own private issue. I can wax poetic about many NRBQ CDs (and DVDs!), but I have to start somewhere, and since these guys are a live band, it should be with their best live CD. Fun, fun, fun…God I miss these guys. GENRES: Rock, R&B, Mellow Rock.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: Foot-stompin' live R&B.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: "Crazy Like A Fox,” “12-Bar Blues,” “Get Rhythm,” "She Got The House."
NRBQ - God Bless Us All (1987)
NRBQ's website---->
The Jayhawks are pioneers of the Alt Country thing (I hate this genre name, but the cat is out of the bag). Ever since first hearing this album over 15 years ago, I viewed it as a nearly perfect. The recording is spot-on for the material – unpretentious, jangly, fuzzed guitars, a real piano - a perfect backdrop to well-written, tightly structured rock songs, with harmonies from Gary Louris and Mark Olson – they were meant to sing together. The Jayhawks pull their songs back to their roots, with hints of old electric Neil Young are in here (ala Zuma). Back-to-basics rock songs – a stellar album that has stood the test of time. Own it! GENRES: Rock, Mellow Rock, Alt Country.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: James McMurtry, Whiskeytown.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “Two Angels,” “Waiting for the Sun,” “Wichita,” “Martin’s Song.”
The Jayhawks - Hollywood Town Hall (1992)
Fanpage website for The Jayhawks---->
As close to a perfect album as I can think of – well-written songs with a humble, down-to-earth recording make this a classic. It has received little fan-fair that we know of, but song-for-song this album captures the relaxed, seasoned depth to Forbert’s music that affirms his well-earned position as an elite songwriter of Folk Rock. The production is respectful of the songs’ strength, with a clean, untarnished and pure sound. Forbert’s voice is distinctly his own, a whisper gravel, and with relaxed poise and confidence. A Must Own if you like Contemporary Folk or Folk Rock. GENRES: Mellow Rock, Contemporary Folk, Folk Rock.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: Steve Earle, John Hiatt, Neil Young.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “Lay Down Your weary Tune Again,” “So Good To Feel Good Again,” “The Trouble With Angels,” “It Is What It Is (And That’s All),” “Is It Any Wonder.”
Steve Forbert - Mission of the Crossroad Palms (1995)
Steve Forbert's website---->
No intro needed here, and we’re keeping this short and sweet. Despite Browne’s popular achievements, this album is beautiful. The production is restrained and honest, allowing the songs to speak for themselves – song-for-song, this album breathes refreshing, elegant, effortless tunes – could “Going Down To Cuba” be a perfect song? Call it Mellow Rock, Adult Acoustic Alternative, whatever. But do yourself a favor – own it. GENRES: Rock, Mellow Rock.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: Jackson Browne, Van Morrison, James Taylor, Steve Forbert.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “Going Down To Cuba,” “Giving That Heaven Away,” “Just Say Yeah.”
Jackson Browne - Time The Conqueror (2008)
Jackson Browne's website ---->
Wilco’s 6th studio release, Sky Blue Sky, is their most easily accessible album yet – song structures are complex and edgy, but recording is pure, warm and soulful. It also sees the debut of current guitarist Nels Cline, a refreshing and welcome addition to the band’s sound. And he is good. Most songs are purely relaxed rock arrangements, but in true Wilco fashion, each is shaken apart at some point with some razor sharp edginess that takes the tune to a new creative realm that reminds me of why I love these guys. Wilco is brilliant. Jeff Tweedy is a masterful songwriter, and this is a truly enjoyable CD. GENRES: Lite Alt, Rock, Mellow Rock.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: Ryan Adams, Neil Young, Son Volt.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “You Are My Face,” “Impossible Germany,” “Sky Blue Sky,” “Hate It Here.”
Wilco - Sky Blue Sky (2007)
Wilco's website---->
SEARCH GOODTUNESHUB.COM
ADDITIONAL "MUST HEAR" RECOMMENDATIONS:
Ryan Adams / The Autumn Defense / Ryan Bingham / Greg Brown / Anais Mitchell / Phosphorescent / Joe Pug / Crooked Still / Lloyd Cole / The Morning Benders / Mose Allison / Ellis Paul / Mavis Staples / Ryan Bingham / Ryan Bingham / Alejandro Escovedo / Eric Lindell / Soul Asylum / Son Volt / John Prine / Heatmiser / Ben Harper / Whiskeytown / The Weepies / Alexi Murdoch / Ryan Adams / Steve Forbert / Mary Gauthier / Nick Drake / Mary Gauthier / Chris Harford / Martin Sexton / Bill Morrissey / Lucinda Williams / Steve Earle / Elliott Smith / A.A. Bondy / Wilco / Devon Sproule / Dave Rawlings Machine / Bob Mould / Pavement / Bright Eyes / Sugar / Lyle Lovett / Steve Earle / Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks / Ryan Adams / the subdudes / David Gray / Beck / Antje Duvekot / The Wood Brothers / Black Francis / the subdudes / The Wailin' Jennys / Iron & Wine / Pete Townshend & Ronnie Lane / Steve Earle / Uncle Tupelo / James McMurtry / The Pixies / Richard Shindell / Heather Masse / Freedy Johnston / Ryan Adams / The Feelies / Robert Plant & Alison Krauss / NRBQ / The Jayhawks / Steve Forbert / Jackson Browne / Wilco / James McMurtry / A.A. Bondy / Al Anderson ("Big Al" from NRBQ)
This CD is a classic, and there are more where this came from from McMurtry – many more of his CDs will be covered on this site in the future. McMurtry is a poignant storyteller, his gravelly, road-worn voice leading songs that range from roadhouse stomps to contemporary folk tales. McMurtry is a talented poet, has a lot to say and he appears to be never far from his Telecaster, thank God. This CD offers a classic sound, no pretension. And you have to love a guy whose road band is called The Heartless Bastards. GENRES: Rock, Mellow Rock, Americana.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: Lucinda Williams, The Jayhawks, Neil Young.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “Rachel’s Song,” “Fuller Brush Man,” “Levelland,” “Iolanthe.”
James McMurtry - Where'd You Hide The Body (1995)
James McMurtry's website---->
The Feelies are long gone – an ‘80s band that stuck to its roots with steady pulsing beats awash in rhythm guitars. It’s hard not to compare singer Glenn Mercer to Lou Reed and the overall sound to old-R.E.M, which makes for a great sound. There are no Dylanesque lyrics here, but that's not the point with The Feelies. A great band, and with only four albums, an all-too small catalogue. GENRES: Lite Alt, Rock.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: (old) R.E.M., The Vulgar Boatmen, Lou Reed, Yo La Tengo, The Velvet Underground.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “It’s Only Life,” “Deep Fascination,” “Higher Ground,” “Too Far Gone.”
The Feelies - It's Only Life (1988)
Unfortunately, you will need to click above and go to the Amazon.com web site to listen to samples of the songs. Sorry - Amazon does not carry this album on mp3.
A.A. Bondy’s first solo release, American Dreams, is a stunning acoustic recording. The production is sparse – mostly solo acoustic tunes, but production is edgy, a bit dark, allowing Bondy to steer clear of anything close to “singer songwriter” status. Instead, songs are quietly led by Bondy’s gritty, yet soothing voice. This guy is new to me, but the CD is remarkable in its simplicity and depth. He’s got a new CD coming in September ’09 as well. GENRES: Alt Folk, Contemporary Folk, Mellow Rock.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: Ryan Adams, Bob Dylan, Wilco.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: "American Heart," "There’s a Reason,"
"No Man Shall."
A.A. Bondy's Facebook page , click here---->
A.A. Bondy - American Dreams (2007)
This CD is so rewarding, it is a pleasure and honor to share it. Only Lyle Lovett can mingle lush jazz vocal tunes with country shuffles with folk ballads, all of which display Anderson’s remarkable songwriting. This is a lush, professional recording, and Big Al (need I even mention Big Al’s 22 years with NRBQ?) shares credit on several tracks, with lead vocals taken on several songs by Tia Sellers and Sharon Vaughn - simply gorgeous tunes that would rest comfortably next to jazz vocals tracks by Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, Lyle Lovett or Steve Tyrell. GENRES: Jazz Vocal, Country, Mellow Rock.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: Lyle Lovett, NRBQ, Steve Tyrell.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “Love Make a Fool of Me,” “Do Nothin’ Day,” “Trip Around The Sun,” “Right On Time.”
Al Anderson - After Hours (2006)
Big Al Anderson's website---->
I spent 2 years listening only to Ryan Adams – downloading free live concerts on Archive.org or ryanadamsarchive.com, all the CDs, whatever. I have easily over 500 Adams tracks in my music collection. Yes, I am a mental patient. (So is Dave! He did the same.) But Ryan Adam’s songwriting and albums are almost universally remarkable, and Gold is, song-for-song, a gorgeous album that offers operatic piano ballads , folky acoustic songs and Stonesesque Rock tunes. This CD includes so many classic songs, it feels like a Greatest Hits CD. Poetic, prolific, soulful, edgy – Adams is all of these here. If you do not know Ryan Adams or do not have the Extended Version of Gold, buy it. GENRES: Contemporary Folk, Mellow Rock, Rock, Alt Country.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: Neil Young, I'm stumped....
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “Firecracker,” “Answering Bell,” “La Cienega Just Smiled,” “When The Stars Go Blue,” “Wild Flowers.”
Ryan Adams - Gold (2001)
This Perfect World is, song-for-song, a robust and generous album – in short, it is awesome! Freedy is a singersongwriter with a well-deserved reputation for tight, smart melodies and lyrics with endless staying power. There is little folkiness to him – as with most of his albums, production on This Perfect World is accessible, offering, first and foremost, easy-on-the-ear rock music with full-band arrangement. Freedy’s music always has a subtle edge to it that at times makes it feel like a distant cousin of Lite Alternative Rock. He is one of the most under-rated, under-appreciated artists I can think of. Fact: This Perfect World earned Freedy the title “Songwriter of the Year” from Rolling Stone magazine. GENRES: Mellow Rock, Rock.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: David Gray, Jackson Browne.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “Evie’s Tears,” “Bad Reputation,” “Two Lovers Stop,” “Delores.”
Freedy Johnston's website---->
Freedy Johnston - This Perfect World (1994)
Ryan Adams' website---->
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST - enter email address below
quality music
for you
