Our Best Of 2010

Robert Kinsler's  Top 10 for 2010

10. BigBang, Edendale

My favorite discovery of 2010 was BigBang, a wonderful trio out of Oslo, Norway that mines the territory somewhere between the classic rock of Cream and '70s-era Neil Young & Crazy Horse and modern outfits like Band of Horses and My Morning Jacket. Singer-songwriter-guitarist Øystein Greni delivers the goods on disc and in concert .

Get Edendale here

9. Elton John & Leon Russell, The Union

At a time when both piano men were widely regarded mostly as heritage acts came The Union. From the undeniable lead-off track "If It Wasn't for Bad" to the gospel-fueled "Hey Ahab," this is an achievement I never saw coming.

Get The Union Here

8. Bettye LaVette, Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook
Decades ago British rockers such as the Who, Rolling Stones, Elton John and the Beatles fused American blues and other styles into some of the greatest rock of all time. Now blues great Bettye LaVettereturns the favor in a collection that celebrates the eternal power of rock 'n' roll and the blues.

Get Bettye Lavette Here

7. Jamey Johnson, The Guitar Song
A rich life is usually filled with its share of joy and sadness. Country music hero Jamey Johnsonshowcased that the fullness of life can be translated into a song cycle courtesy of his stunning concept album The Guitar Song.

Get The Guitar Song Here

6. Neil Young, Le Noise
There is a beauty, grace and pioneering spirit to so much of Neil Young's body of work, it's easy to overlook his latest project. Don't. From the introspective and confessional acoustic gem "Love and War" to the aptly-titled "Angry World" where Young's distinctive tenor soars amidst his distorted electric guitar, few artists seem willing - or able - to explore the world with the timeless step of Young.

Get Le Noise Here

5. Jackie Greene, Till the Light Comes
Singer-songwriter Jackie Greene's latest collection of songs magically blends folk, blues, rock, neo-psychedelic and pop in ways that challenge and thrill with every listen.

Get Till The Light Here

4. Band of Horses, Infinite Arms
Hardly a week has gone by since the May release of the Benjamin Bridwell-led North Carolina outfit's latest disc where I haven't closed my eyes while listening to the alt-country kick of "Laredo," Americana ballad "Older" and the haunting title track.

Get Infinite Arms Here

3. John Mellencamp, No Better Than This
Although the T Bone Burnett-produced sessions on John Mellencamp’s latest album were preserved using a single vintage microphone and a 55-year-old AMPEX 601 mono tape recorder, No Better Than Thisexplodes with songs incorporating country-blues, early folk and tinges of rockabilly and gospel. It isn’t music for the masses, but it is truly music that matters.

Get No Better Than This Here

2. Arcade Fire, The Suburbs
Occasionally commercial success and artistic achievement collide. Arcade Fire's third album is intelligent, epic and accessible.

Get The Suburbs Here

1. Jónsi, go
How did the frontman of Iceland's groundbreaking Sigur Rós establish himself as a solo artist? Release the most astounding and beautiful set of songs I heard this year. Go, Jónsi, go!

Get "Go" Here

TJR's Top 10 for 2010

A Few words about my top 10

These are in no particular order.

These are the albums I experienced in 2010. There might be a few titles here that are from 2009. There is always going to be some bleed over as albums listened to over the late end of the year might not get talked about till the beginning of the next year.

Drive By Truckers - The Big To Do

I have yet to hear a bad album from The Truckers and there most recent was no exception. If anything this band keeps getting better and better at what they do. Writing and performing killer Southern Rock songs.

Get The Big To Here

The Raveonettes - In And Out of Control

This was my first Raveonettes album. What struck me about this one was the contrast between the albums wonderfully upbeat shimmering pop sound and it’s very dark lyrical themes. Despite its dark themes though, this is an amazingly enjoyable album from start to finish.

Get In and Out of Control Here

John Legend & The Roots - Wake Up

This album of 70’s soul covers (minus one original song) Just kicked my butt! This musical super team is the musical equivalent of those old 70’s Marvel Comics two in one team ups!

Get Wake Up here

Dangermouse & Sparklehorse - Dark Night of the Soul

I love the fact that this album is impossible to pin down. It is

impossible to play any one, two, three or even four tracks from this album to someone who has never heard them and expects it to sum up the album’s sound. Dangermouse and (the sadly departed) Sparklehourse collaborate with film maker David Lynch (who provides visual images). Guest artists ranging from Suzanne Vega to Iggy Pop make guest appearances on each song (David Lynch provides lead vocals for two of the song on the album)

Get Dark Night Of The Soul Here

Heart - Red Velvet Car

Heart really knocked it out of the park with this one, providing their fans with songs that stand right alongside with the best of their vintage work from the 70’s. The only thing this album lacks is your decades of memories to go with it. If you love 70’s Heart, give it a chance and expand the soundtrack of your life.

Get Red Velvet Car here

Merle Haggard - I Am What I Am

It’s amazing just how much Merle Haggard is able to say with just so few words. The songs on this album reflect a level of quality that only comes with maturity and the wisdom of years.

Get I Am What I Am here

Noisettes - Wild Young Hearts

Yes, there are some serious moments, but this album is FUN! There is a strong 80’s dance pop influence. Albums like this make me feel like a teenager again.

Get Wild Young Hearts here

Broken Bells - Broken Bells

Always give an album at least three full listens before you start to pass judgment on it. Never has this been as true for me as it was with the Broken Bells (The new band formed by James Mercer of the Shins and Dangermouse). I actually almost dismissed this album as nice background music. Luckily I gave this album the required three listens, because it kept calling me back, to listen to it again.

Get The Broken Bells here

Regina Spektor - Far

This is my first Regina Spektor album. I thought this album was beautiful in its composition and lyrically it makes me look at things in ways that I hadn’t before. Like the Broken Bells debut album, this one really snuck up one me. It remains a real favorite.

Get Far here

Jimi Hendrix – The 2010 Re-masters

This year I transitioned from casual fan to fan. And it’s all because of the 2010 Hendrix Remasters. The entire catalog (4 albums if you count the posthumous release of  First Rays of the New Rising Sun) was Remastered in 2010. These CD releases where lavishly packaged in deluxe size 6 panel digipacks that included lavish booklets filled with extensive liner notes, photos, and images of memorabilia (such as Hendrix’s own hand written lyrics) and DVDs that contained “Making of…” documentaries. The sound quality of these re-releases is excellent, and I finally began to really experience Hendrix. One of the nice things about the first two albums is that both, Are You Experienced? and Axis Bold As Love, contained all the song lyrics. I got the chance to see what a great lyricist Hendrix was (Something he never gets any credit for). Why the lyrics for the 2nd two albums weren’tincluded is beyond me.



Are You Experienced?

Axis Bold As Love

Electric Ladyland

First Rays of the New Rising Sun

Recent DVD Releases Celebrate Acclaimed Artists In Peak Form -Robert's Holiday Round Up Part 2

Looking to give the gift of music to some deserving friend or family member. Or maybe even pick up something for yourself?

Many of 2010's finest music DVD titles are out now. And adding to that good news is most of the new releases retail for well under $20.

Artist: The Rolling Stones

Title: "Ladies & Gentlemen...The Rolling Stones"

Worth Buying: You have to ask? Definitely!

You will be interested in this DVD if you are a fan of: The Rolling Stones

Tell Me More: Anyone who picked up the fantastic reissue of The Rolling Stones' "Exile On Main Street" earlier this year will want to get Eagle Rock Entertainment's Oct. 12 release of the British rockers' 1974 film "Ladies & Gentlemen...The Rolling Stones." The band was on tour in support of "Exile On Main Street" when filmmakers captured the Stones over the course of four nights in Texas in 1972.

Anyone who wonders just how great the Stones were during this period need only watch this DVD, complete with a wealth of extras that sheds further light on a line-up that featured singer Mick Jagger, guitarist Keith Richards, drummer Charlie Watts, bassist Bill Wyman, guitarist Mick Taylor along with touring players Bobby Keys (saxophone), Jim Price (horns) and Nicky Hopkins (piano). Whether playing straight-ahead rockers ("Brown Sugar," "Jumpin' Jack Flash"), British blues ("All Down the Line," "Sweet Virginia"), alt-country ("Dead Flowers") or psychedelic gems ("You Can't Always Get What You Want"), watching the Rolling Stones here is a revelation. Particularly the magic that Taylor's flawless guitar work added via slide playing ("Love In Vain," All Down the Line") and fiery lead work seemingly everywhere (notably on "Gimme Shelter" and "Street Fighting Man").

What about the packaging? The DVD version of "Ladies & Gentlemen...The Rolling Stones" comes in a hard shell case with a colorful booklet that doubles as a poster. The release is also available on Blu-ray for under $20.

Get Ladies & Gentlemen The Rolling Stones, Here

Artist: Colin Hay

Title: "Live at the Corner"

Worth Buying: Yes

Tell Me More: When Men At Work disbanded in 1986, many casual listeners may have figured the world had heard the last of singer Colin Hay. Fast forward nearly 25 years later and Hay has created a rich and wide-ranging catalog of strong albums winning him a new generation of fans - particularly via his original songs being featured in popular films ("Garden State") and television shows (notably "Army Wives" and "Scrubs," the latter where he made several on-camera cameo appearances).

But it wasn't until 2010 that Hay released a full-length DVD featuring live performances of his best known Men At Work hits, as well as more recent material. "Live at the Corner" boasts nearly two dozen songs from Hay and his band captured in high definition at the Corner Hotel in Melbourne, Australia. Bonus material provides additional performances, including a duet of "Melbourne Song" with his sister Carol Hay and an extensive interview.

What about the packaging? This colorful, eco-friendly package features the performance footage in high-definition, widescreen format with incredible sound quality.

Get Colin Hay - Live at the Corner - Here

Artist: The Beatles

Title: The 4 Complete Ed Sullivan Shows Starring The Beatles

Worth Buying: Yes

You will be interested in this DVD if you are a fan of: The Beatles, “The Ed Sullivan Show,1960s pop culture.

Tell Me More: With the world having celebrated what would have been John Lennon's 70th birthday this year (and the 30th anniversary of his tragic death this month), now is the perfect time to get back to where it, Beatlemania that is all began. The 4 Complete Ed Sullivan Shows Starring The Beatles is a terrific collection time machine really where everyone can see all four complete episodes (including the original commercials featured on the broadcasts) where the Fab Four unleashed their musical and magical powers across America in 1964 and 1965 on the popular variety show. It is really magical to see the quartet tear through gems like "All My Loving," "She Loves You" and "I Saw Her Standing There" at a moment where nobody knew where it would all lead. Looking at the restored footage on the two-disc set, it's easy to glimpse with 20/20 vision and marvel at the Beatles' still- monumental grasp on popular music. The DVD also includes 13 minutes of behind-the-scenes moments from "The Ed Sullivan Show," including a brief interview Sullivan conducted with John, Paul, George and Ringo in London in 1964 in connection with the release of "A Hard Day's Night."

What about the packaging? The 4 Complete Ed Sullivan Shows Starring The Beatles looks like a small book. When you open the colorful booklet, both DVDs are presented on one panel while the other panel features details on each of the four episodes. Viewers can view the wide-screen episodes and listen using either Dolby Digital Stereo or Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround.

Get The Beatles and Ed Sullivan - Here

Artist: Nils Lofgren

Title: Cry Tough

Worth Buying: Yes

You will be interested in this DVD if you are a fan of: Nils Lofgren, Neil Young.

Tell Me More: Cry Tough is a wonderful collection that features legendary singer-songwriter-guitarist-pianist ace Nils Lofgren at three points in his career, all courtesy of the Rockpalast German TV series. Disc 1 features a lengthy 20-song, 1991 performance with Lofgren playing both emotive solo acoustic material (Sticks and Stones) and assured rock with a four-member band before an enthusiastic audience. As evidenced by his work with Neil Young beginning when he was in his teens and more recently as a member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, Lofgren's guitar skills shine. But what comes across in these three shows is his power as a singer able to tap into the deepest of emotions and weave his multiple gifts into genre-defying songs. His performance of the affecting rocker Keith Don't Go, A poignant Delivery Night  and tender Valentine are highlights on the first disc. Fans of Lofgren's 1970s project will love the

persuasive take on that outfit's rousing and mystical rocker Moon Tears. Disc 2 features two concerts; a 1976 date with nine tracks and a 1979 outing featuring 15 selections. The early concerts are especially revealing, with Lofgren's style a wide-ranging mix of Southern rock,

"Moondance"-era Van Morrison and traditional blues blended into something his own. What do all three concerts have in common? The personable and talented Lofgren sharing real world emotions in song while unleashing impressive solos on acoustic and electric guitar, as well as on piano.

What about the packaging? Cry Tough comes in a hard shell case, with a beautiful colorful booklet with details about the shows and the lineup of band members backing Lofgren at each show.

Get - Cry Tough - Here

Artist: Alison Brown Quartet

Title: "Live At Blair"

Worth Buying: Yes

You will be interested in this DVD if you are a fan of: Alison Brown, Joe Craven, David Grisman Quintet, Django Reinhardt

Tell Me More: Few artists boast the blend of virtuoso chops and wide-ranging influences showcased on the Alison Brown Quartet's new release "Live At Blair." Filmed at Vanderbilt's Blair School of Music, Brown's shining skills on banjo and guitar are one of countless reasons to watch. Her outstanding quartet (which includes pianist John R Burr, bassist Garry West and drummer Larry Atamanuik) is joined for much of the concert by master fiddle-mandolin-percussion player Joe Craven. The release features some of the troupe's best-loved gems, including a jazz-tinged version of Jean Reinhardt's "Hungaria," Brown's beautiful original composition "My Favorite Marsha" and the Celtic-flavored "The Wonderful Sea Voyage."

What about the packaging? The colorful package is a mini-album styled design with colorful photos and details about the selections and artists. The picture and sound quality of the concert is excellent.

Get - Alison Brown Quartet - Live at Blair with Joe Craven - Here

Artist: Roger McGuinn's Thunderbyrd

Title: Roger McGuinn's Thunderbyrd - West Coast Legends Vol. 4

Worth Buying: Yes

You will be interested in this DVD if you are a fan of: The Byrds, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Bob Dylan

Tell Me More: More than 33 years after Roger McGuinn's Thunderbyrd performed as part of the legendary ROCKPALAST television series on Germany's Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR), the classic performance has been released on DVD. The 15-song disc showcases Roger McGuinn's Thunderbyrd as captured in front of a large crowd on July 23 and 24, 1977. Along with band mates Rick Vito (guitar and vocals), Greg Thomas (drums) and Charlie Harrison (bass), McGuinn unleashes a wealth of classics across 72 minutes. Highlights include a version of Tom Petty's "American Girl," Vito providing solid lead vocals and blistering guitar work on the R&B-minded "Midnight Dew," and an exciting run-through of Byrds classics (including "Feel A Whole Lot Better," "Turn, Turn, Turn," "Mr. Tambourine Man" and "Eight Miles High").

What about the packaging? This DVD comes in a beautiful eco-pack with an eight-page booklet. The image quality is pretty good and the Dolby Digital sound is solid throughout.

Get - Roger McGuinn's Thunderbyrd - Here

Robert Kinsler 12/2010