Hello all,
It's been a pretty good year for me. Highlights include releasing the second Walker Diver album "Junior Blues" and getting great reviews, which was just as well: the damn thing took nearly three years to make so it would've been a bummer if nobody liked it. Recruiting a few fine musicians was a big stimulation to keep doing the band thing. I know, we haven't exactly played a lot of shows, but I intend to make up for it in 2008. Anyway, thank you Jelmer, Mathijs, Ferry and Rinse for helping me out and for inspiring me to write songs worthy of your talents.
I've just recorded two new songs at Studio 195: Johnny King and Waiting For You, both of which will appear on the next album which is scheduled for release just before hell freezes over. Just kidding. The way things are going, I actually think there's a good chance I will finish it before the end of 2008.
A couple of weeks ago I played at Borra in Amersfoort. The show itself seemed an unintended tribute to Murphy's Law, what with strings breaking, cables malfunctioning and me forgetting the words a lot, but fellow singer-songwriter Alex Akela was at the show and managed to capture a few decent moments on his video camera, which he posted on YouTube. The videos are right here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2edeX232_Bw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MsNLEYfaKc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyG9r5fH3e0
Finally, as usual, I would like to share what I've been digging in 2007….
Top 10 Albums of 2007
1. Chris Knight – The Trailer Tapes. This is just a stunningly beautiful collection of songs. Just vocals, guitar and songs that will blow your mind. His style is reminiscent of both Steve Earle and Fred Eaglesmith, but neither of them have made records as good as this for a long time.
2. Nick Lowe – At My Age. The last couple of Nick Lowe records have been absolute career milestones, and this one is no exception. Anyone who can write a song like Love's Got A Lot To Answer For is a hero in my book. When he played this at the Paradiso earlier this year (easily the best solo performance I've ever seen), I cried. It's that good.
3. Betty Lavette – The Scene of the Crime. A soul veteran backed by alt.country heavyweights Drive By Truckers. An unlikely combination? Not when you hear this record. It sounds totally natural and, more importantly, it has some killer songs on it.
4. Lucinda Williams – West. For some strange reason, I never really "got" Lucinda Williams. I was at a record store, killing time (I was waiting for the book store to open). And I can't just be in a record store and not buy anything. It's just not in my nature. Anyway, not knowing what to buy, I was browsing around and I can't for the life of me remember why, but somehow I walked out with this record in my hands. And it's fantastic. How could I not have fallen in love with this beautifully ragged voice before? It's just one of life's little mysteries, I guess.
5. Mavis Staples – We'll Never Turn Back. Ever since I saw them in The Last Waltz, I've been a big fan of the Staples Singers. Their unique take on gospel was so refreshing, so raw and soulful, it kills me every time I hear it. Lead singer Mavis never stopped making records and this latest album is one of the highlights of her long career. Social commentary that is still as relevant as ever, set to a mix of old-time gospel and modern sounds, beautifully produced by Ry Cooder.
6. The Horse Company – S.T. This Dutch band features ex-members of 16 Down and Prodigal Sons. Their impressive debut album has traces of Whiskeytown, The Replacements and The Drive By Truckers. After the demise of The Yearlings, we needed a new band like this and here they are. Go see them live if you can – they rock!
7. Steve Earle – Washington Square Serenade. I had sort of given up hope that Steve Earle would ever make an album as strong as I Feel Alright or El Corazon again. I thought his last few albums were a bit disappointing, but this new one shows him in excellent form. Don't be alarmed by the hip hop influences mentioned in various reviews – I don't really hear it. What I do hear is a couple of new masterpieces in Earle's oeuvre, like Tennessee Blues and City of Immigrants.
8. Malcolm Middleton – A Brighter Beat. I'd be lying if I said I was a big Arab Strap fan – I'm not. But Middleton's solo work is so far removed from that (or maybe I don't know Arab Strap that well…but I saw them on their farewell tour and almost fell asleep). This album is not your typical singer-songwriter stuff, it has influences of folk, punk and indie pop. The title track alone is worth getting the album for. What a great song. And I just love his thick Scottish accent!
9. Wilco – Sky Blue Sky. I had almost forgotten about this… I thought it came out in 2006. But it is really good. This time around It's folky pop songs rather than the experimental, droney stuff of the last two albums (which I loved, by the way) but in a way that's irrelevant. Jeff Tweedy's songwriting can take on many forms, but it's always fascinating stuff. I saw Wilco three times in the last eight years and each of these shows belongs in my top 10 of best shows I've ever seen.
10. Robert Wyatt – Comicopera. Probably the least accessible album of the bunch, but nevertheless a joy to listen to. Wyatt's fragile voice and jazzy, atmospheric, somewhat nostalgic songs are perhaps an acquired taste, but I love it. I'm not sure I like it as much as Cuckooland, but that took me a couple of months to really get into, so who knows.
So, all there's left for me to say is: have a great 2008!!!!