Top 23 Albums For 2023
In No Particular Order, No Particular Place To Go
Top 23 Albums For 23-In No Particular Order
The Wood Brothers-Heart Is A Hero-Groovy vibes from the musical collaboration of these brothers, who decided to make magic together in 2001 after years of individual pursuits.
North Americans-Long Cool World- The project of Los Angeles guitarist Patrick McDermott and Portland’s Barry Walker on pedal steel. Relaxing and intimate and gorgeous.
Rose City Band-Garden Party-West Coast jam band alert! Cosmic country porch music that'll make you want to kick back, soak in the sun, and question the very fabric of the universe. Note, Barry Walker on steel again.
Bella White-Among Other Things-White has a unique country twang and is an excellent songwriter. This is her sophomore album, there is no sophomore slump, this is a treasure that was produced by Jonathan Wilson, who will also be on this list with a record of his own.
Nichols and Phillips-Three Fools-Let the Welsh gold flow as Jeb Loy Nichols and Clovis Phillips serves up tunes perfect for your summer holiday escapades. Light that fire and let the golden vibes wash over you.
Fraternal Order Of The All-Greetings From The Planet Love-Ever wondered what it's like to trip through time with Sgt. Pepper's fabulous headphones? Gold's got you covered with an album recorded in '97 that's a rollercoaster of influences. Best re-release? Damn right.
Cian Nugent-She Brings Me Back To The Land Of The Living-Music from Dublin. The album cover is a painting by Nugent’s Mom, Kathy, she made while in hospital recovering from a stroke. Nugent moved back to his family home in 2020 to become her caretaker and as he has said that lifestyle change helped conceptually form this record.
Tay Oskee-Keepers Of The Morning—An Aussie troubadour's debut record that demands your attention. Keep an ear out, and let the musical journey unfold. G'day, mate.
Saltwater Hank- G̱al'üünx Wil Lu Holtga Liimi- Born in Prince Rupert, BC and a member of the Gitga’at community, Tsimshian folk artist Saltwater Hank resurrects stories of the land, loss, and absurd circumstance and shines them through a sepia lens, witnessing ageless characters with hearts and lives on the line. All songs sung in his native language with a honky tonk feel.
The Pink Stones-You Know Who- Athens, Georgia, delivers a rockin' dose of country. If you're into guitars that twang and boots that stomp, these boys are your new best friends.
Nat Meyers-Yellow Peril-Meyers describes himself as “a young Asian cat playing old Black music.” Hailing from Kentucky, Meyers was a highlight on tour in Australia this year. Delta blues are all recorded in Dan Auerbach’s studio in 3 days on one guitar.
Muireann Bradley-I Kept These Old Blues- 16-year-old based in Ballybofey in County Donegal Ireland. Playing old-time blues like they should be played, just her and the guitar and a microphone. Recorded live to tape in the studio. Simple. Beautiful. This young woman is going places.
Wilco-Cousin-Give it a few spins; it's like a fine bourbon. Wilco's guaranteeing it'll grow on you. They're headed to Australia in 2024. I will be there for 3 nights straight at The Forum.
Do not miss Wilco.
Jonah Tolchin-Dockside-Co-produced by Luther Dickinson, Tolchin swaps his acoustic roots for a bluesy river ride. This ain't your grandma's blues; it's spiked with tabasco and sunshine.
Last Birds-Endless Turn Of Day Into Night- Mike Davis and Lindsay Arnold serve up prairie melodies that'll make you weep with joy. This treasure belongs right next to your Gillian Welch and David Rawlings classics.
Jonathan Wilson-Eat The Worm-Uncut magazine says it's "weird, but oddly wonderful." Strap on those headphones; it's a journey that'll take you places you didn't know existed. Eat the worm, my friends.
Lonnie Holley-Oh Me Oh My-Musician, artist, poet, and he has released a beauty and added in Michael Stipe for one track and that is always a bonus.
The Freedom Collective-Songs For Freedom- Big hART presents an uplifting collection of songs that'll stir your soul. It's a creative force of nature, featuring Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi artists. Produced by Lucky Oceans – it's a symphony of freedom.
The Silversound-The Silversound-Melbourne's underground psych warriors, The Silversound, are a gurgling juggernaut of dreamscape lyrics. It's a deep psychedelic trip; don't forget your psychedelic goggles.
Jeffrey Martin-Thank God We Left The Garden- Recorded in Portland, Oregon, with guitars and vocals that'll haunt your dreams. Beautifully written songs that'll make you believe in magic. Love this record.
Daniel Donato-Reflector-Nashville's cosmic cowboy, Daniel Donato, whips up a frenzy with his Cosmic Country Club. It's beautiful chaos, Deadheads approved.
Garret T. Capps and NASA Country People Are Beautiful-NASA Country? Yep, that's Garrett T. Capps. Get ready for a trip through the cosmos – cowboy style.
Zach Bryan-Zach Bryan -The revelation of the year, Zach Bryan, is selling out shows and hearts across the globe. Join the road trip, roll down the windows, and let the music break down the decades. Let’s hope he rolls into the 'ditch now and again, safely that is.
“I’d say I’ve seen some beautiful days
I’ve walked countless coastlines
Awoken on mountain tops
I’ve seen death and birth and kissed good lips
I don’t need a music machine telling me what a good story is
Matter of fact I’ve never asked nothing from nobody
I’ve taken my motorbike down the pacific 101
And I have stood atop the Empire State Building with my father
I have ridden in fear, although, I was afraid every single time
I’ve learned that every waken moment is enough and excess never leads to better things
It only piles and piles on top of the things that are already abundantly in front of you
Like breathing and chasing and slow dancing and love making and fighting and laughing
I am unhinged, unworthy, and distasteful to mostly everyone I meet
However I am loyal to a fault to anyone I find kindness in
I do not and will not fear tomorrow because I feel as though today has been enough
And I got no hate in my heart for anything, anywhere, or anyone
And I think fear and Fridays got an awful lot in common
They are overdone and glorified and always leave you wanting
Yeah, I think fear and Fridays got an awful lot in common
They are overdone and glorified and always leave you wanting”-Zach Bryan-Fear And Fridays
And if that ain't enough for your musical appetite, here's a lightning round of honorable mentions:
Patrick Wilson-It’ll Be Alright
Cat Clyde-Down Rounder
Cindy Wilson-Realms
Stephen Stills-Live At Berkeley 1971
Joy Oladokun-Proof Of Life
Jenny Lewis-Joy’All
M.Ward-Supernatural Thing
The Minus 5-Calling Cortez
Watty Thompson-Watty Thompson
Bonnie Prince Billy-Keeping Secrets Will Destroy You
Son Volt-Day Of The Doug
Dope Lemon-Kimosabe
The Malpass Brothers-Lonely Street
Bob Dylan- Fragments-Time Out Of Mind Sessions-The Bootleg Series Vol 17
Various Artists-Long Story Short-Willie Nelson 90 (Live)
Horse Drawn Cadillac Live @ El Horses Bootheel Discs Vol. 1
Have a wonderful end of 2023 and may 2024 be filled with love, connection, and music.
Love ya!