Wow! 3 of the top 5 this year for me were women. I believe that’s a first ever since I began tracking best of the year lists. And believe me, these are some fine CDs by some amazingly talented women……
1. Janiva Magness – The Devil Is An Angel Too
2. Carrie Rodriguez – Love and Circumstance
3. Caleb Klauder – Western Country
4. Eden Brent – Ain’t Got No Troubles
5. Deadstring Brothers – Sao Palo
6. Stone River Boys – Love On The Dial
7. JJ Grey – Georgia Warhorse
8. Mavis Staples – You Are Not Alone
9. J Shogren – Bird Bones and Muscle
10. Earl Pickens and Family – Gathering
11. AJ Downing and the Buick 6 – Way Back Home
12. Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings – I Learned The Hard Way
13. Yvette Landry – Should Have Known
14. Reckless Kelly – Somewhere In Time
15. Peter Wolf – Midnight Souvenirs
16. Patty Griffin – Downtown Church
17. Drive-By Truckers – The Big To Do
18. Andre Williams – That’s All I Need
19. Carolina Chocolate Drops – Genuwine Negro Jig
20. Whitey Morgan – Whitey Morgan and the 78’s
Honorable Mentions:
Elvin Bishop – Red Dog Speaks
Brian Setzer – Don’t Mess With A Big Band
Ryan Bingham – Junky Star
The Sadies – Darker Circles
Shelby Lynne – Tears, Lies and Alibis
New Heathens – Hello Disaster
Water Tower Bucket Boys – Sole Kitchen
Tokyo Rosenthal – Ghosts
Lynne Hansone – Once The Sun Goes Down
Bettye LaVette – British Rock Songbook
Robert Plant – Band of Joy
The Black Keys – Brothers
Johnny Cash – American VI Ain’t No Grave
