Let’s Make a 2009 Playlist
I’m in recovery mode after a long weekend of travel… which was apparently a weekend of calling me out on my scathing(!?) review of the new Chris Young album here in the topsy-turvy internet world… so bear with me as I get back up to speed. Since there was no Quotable this past Sunday/Monday, we’ll double up on it next week. (The material is collected, but I’d rather get rolling with this week than get bogged down in processing old news. Snarking takes a lot out of you.)
The volume of new music released this year has been a bit overwhelming – to me, at least – so here’s an attempt to cut through some of the chaff: Let’s make a killer 2009 playlist. If you want to pitch in and let your voice be heard, just recommend one excellent track from an album released this year. Feel free to comment on other people’s choices, too, but try to make your pick something from an album that hasn’t already been used, so we’ll end up with a nice, well-rounded list of top-shelf material.
I’ll start with “Taste of the Truth,” the delightful Rebecca Lynn Howard penned title track of Gene Watson’s new album (reviewed by Occasional Hope at My Kind of Country week before last). Watson hasn’t lost a step over the years, and Howard’s weeper sounds like exactly the sort of material he was made to sing. It’s just one of many fine performances on the disc, but it’s my favorite at the moment, so that’s my pick.
Okay, your turn. What’s a great song from 2009 so far? Choose carefully, as you can only name one.
Prefer email? Nothing wrong with that!
Is that a prehistoric iPod pictured above?? I’ll have to get back to you on the song once I go through the list of underwhelming selections released this year …
Great idea, CM!
I’d say …
The Breath You Take – George Strait (Twang)
Actually, I’ll pick Miss Leslie’s “Drunk Dialer”.
I think I will nominate Alecia Nugent, Dying To Hold Her Again.
Steve Martin with Dolly Parton and Vince Gill, “Pretty Flowers.”
“A Million Ways To Run” by Terri Clark- just got her new album, it’s very good. It’s like Fearless, but newer.
“Song Up In Her Head” by Sarah Jarosz
“This Tornado Loves You” by Neko Case
“Everybody’s Here” by Brad Paisley
Those are just a few…
“Paulita Maxwell” – The Lovell Sisters
Hey, Chris D. is cheating! (lol)
I’d go with “Painted Pony” by Aussie artist Harmony James from her new album “Tailwind”. The whole album is full of fine songs but this is one catchy little tune.
(I’d have listed The Tejas Brothers’ “I Can’t Sleep” but that album was released in September of 2008. Darn…)
I’ll go with ‘Where’ve I Been All My Life’ which grew a deeper meaning for me when I saw its co-writer Sherrie Austin perform it at the Bluebird.
‘Hesitation Blues’ from the Willie and the Wheel record is easily my favourite new recording released this year. But if you just mean released this year:
Come Together, a nice little blues-rock number by an old British skiffle band, whose name escapes me for the moment.
Charlie Robison – Down Again
“Moonlight Kiss” – Raul Malo
“Lies” – Martina McBride
“Kick In The Head” – Cross Canadian Ragweed
“I’ll Take The Fifth” – Dallas Wayne
Not many really good albums released this year, but I’d say the song “Cheap Rewards” by The Devil Makes Three is a rather entertaining piece of work.
picking just one is the hard part. But I’m going with a real underrated underdog here:
BettySoo – “Never Knew No Love”
email me for the track if you need
“That’s Life” by Bobby Marquez and “On The Other Side” by Dailey & Vincent.
“Arkansas Dave” by George Strait; “Who Needs a Hummer” by Thom Schuyler; “Midnight at the Movies” by JT Earle; “You Belong With Me” by Taylor Swift; “America’s Favorite Pastime” by Todd Snider.
How’s that for a variety pack?
“I’ll Have What She’s Having” — Reba
“The Guitar” – Guy Clark. The CD won’t be out for a couple weeks…that still counts right?
Let’s see … I think I’ll pick something from Tanya Tucker’s exceptional new album, My Turn, like ‘You Don’t Know Me’. That’s probably my favorite from the album.
No way, the best track from that album is “Ramblin’ Fever”! :)
“Rainy Night In Georgia” – Chris Young
“Where The Truth Lies” – The Parks
Also cannot forget the great “Blame It On New Orleans” from Mac McAnally.
“Dead Flowers” by Miranda Lambert
Not out for another couple of weeks, but the version of “Please Don’t Tell Me How The Story Ends” sung by Ronnie Bowman on Adam Steffey’s new album is absolutely killer.
“Time to Let Me Go” – Gloriana.
“Heartache” – Jack Ingram.
Rose In Paradise : Chris Young
A vocal Masterpiece:
Rainy Night in Georgia: Chris Young
Gettin’ You Home: Chris Young
How can you not LOVE this song??? :)
Just pick ONE? Dude, that is impossible — a lot of good music out there!
Favorite: In The Middle of The Night (from Pat Green’s “What I’m For”)
Alternate favorite: The Shoebox (from Chris Young’s “The Man I Want To Be”)
I have to say the vocal quality on this one gives me ‘goose bumps’ and that is the true test of greatness for me.
Rainy Night In Georgia by Chris Young
Rebecca Jed “Lover” traditional sound and she reminds me of old school Dolly, great on the playlist for a modern classic!
oh, another new one by Carl Wayne Meekins his track “Richest Man Alive” rocks!
“Alone” – Holly Williams. Re: Tanya Tucker’s “My Turn” – I love “Wine Me Up”.
Anything that Jason Aldean sings makes my playlist! every new song he comes out with is better than the last & he has such a wide range!! love him!