OFF THE RACK
This is it, a real dream come true for me. You see I think that the best job in the world is a music critic. Really, all you have to do is give your opinion on music and people read what you write. Well, I buy a lot of CD’s, and download even more. It is an addiction really. Then as I was sitting at my computer reading my favorite online music magazine, I thought, “Wait a sec, I got my own website. I can do this too!” Each month I will be bringing you a little of what I think is going on in the music world. So here, it is the very first installment of my OFF THE RACK column. What good is a music critic if he does not release a best of list? Therefore, that is where I am going to start, the Best of 2006.
Duane “DewGills” Gills
Duane.gills@theAWPT.com
The Best CD’s of 2006
20. Sacred, Los Lonely Boys
This disc is a great follow-up to their major label debut, (which included some song “Heaven” that you may have heard a million times). This disc really shows them off for who they are PART Allman Brothers and PART Stevie Ray Vaughn. The three part harmonies and bluesy guitars rock right from track one. On the best track of the CD, the Garza brothers bring in their Daddy and the great Willie Nelson to sing with them, to create an instant classic.
MUST DOWNLOAD: Outlaws
19. The Little Willies, The Little Willies
The wonderful Norah Jones must have gotten bored playing piano ballads all the time, so she hooked up with some of her friends to create this great Jazz/Country/Blues/Post Modern Americana CD. 13 strong tracks grace this CD, and make listening from start to finish a real pleasure. Norah shares lead vocals with writer Lee Alexander, (who also produced this). Covers of an Elvis tune, a Willie, and a Kris Kristofferson, gives this CD depth and more warmth than imaginable.
MUST DOWNLOAD: I Gotta Get Drunk
18. Live in Brooklyn, Phish
This is a massive 3 CD set of Phish, recorded live in Brooklyn, on their very last gig. The great thing about this band is that I was never into them, until I heard this concert live on XM Satellite radio, in June of 2004. As I listened to that show I realized that they were nothing like I thought, they were not JUST stoners who played long jams, (they are that) but these were some real good musicians who loved their craft and sounded great. The longest jam, 18 minutes, (Suzy Greenberg).
MUST DOWNLOAD: Free
17. The Crane Wife, The Decemberists
You have never heard of these people, but you will soon enough. This CD is generally number one on most music geeks list of 2006, however this music geek made it 17. These people sound like the Fray, but more intelligent. Soft powerful guitars lead you into believing that this band is seasoned and mature. Yet you realize this is their major label debut.
MUST DOWNLOAD: The Crane Wife 1 & 2
16. Victory Garden/Permafrost, Bill Mallonee
The old Bill is back! With a new CD, a new wife, and what sounds like an old attitude. This person is the greatest songwriter you have never heard about. In the 80’s his band Vigilantes of Love and a couple radio hits, but then faded into a black hole. This is a great way to get to know him, part Bob Dylan and another part Tom Petty.
MUST DOWNLOAD: FLOWERS
15. Face the Promise, Bob Seger
The last time something new from Seger came out, I was still in high school. Now I have a ten-year-old boy, so it has been awhile. I think it was worth the wait. Duets included on this CD are with Kid Rock, and Patty Loveless, so I think that says quite a bit. Pianos and guitars respond wonderfully with the backing vocals that we grew to love in the 80’s. Is this just a throw back CD???? No way! This stands alone and is a valid rock CD for the 2000’s.
MUST DOWNLOAD: Wait For Me
14. Modern Times, Bob Dylan
Another Bob. This one comes out with two classic country guns blazing. This release also seems to be a bit more spiritual than his last couple CD’s. With that being said, it is still as punk as anything else. Therefore, he can really be all things to all people. At his age, he continues to write all the words, all the music and play the guitar, harmonica and piano. Can you imagine?
MUST DOWNLOAD: Someday Baby
13. St. Elsewhere, Gnarles Barkley
Danger Mouse mixes and produces this great R &B, Hip Hop, funk album by Gnarls Barkley. Not sure that you can really leave this in the rack under rap, it is just so much more. Well worked, well produced and yes “Crazy” was well OVERPLAYED. However, thank God, that is not the best track on here. Could it be the cover of the Violent Femmes song, “Gone Daddy Gone”? Maybe…
MUST DOWNLOAD: Go-Go Gadget Gospel
12. Live At//Willow Creek. Chicago. U.S.A., delirious?
The second live CD on my list also comes with a DVD of the show. It is also the only European band on my list. These people have had radio hits in the EU, played shows with U2 and here in the states remain stuck on Christian radio stations. They really do not seem to mind, as they just keep cranking out great tunes. This live CD, harkens back to their beginnings as a live band, and shows them in their truest form.
MUST DOWNLOAD: Paint the Town Red
11. The Seeger Sessions, Bruce Springsteen
This is a wonderful throwback CD to some of the greatest public domain, Pete Seeger tunes that ever existed. This shows of the BOSS’ bluegrass/country side. The musicians on this CD are amazing. Fiddlers….Accordions….Trombones….and much more. The eldest tune on this CD is from 1549!!!!
MUST DOWNLOAD: O Mary Don’t you Weep
10. Pearl Jam, Pearl Jam
These veteran rockers have continued to evolve into GREAT ROCKERS! Gone are the grunge years, and in 2006 they are making some of the best rock of their lives. The package that this CD comes in is impressive and beautiful. Eddie Vedder has written some of the best songs since Vitology. Surely the most rocking.
MUST DOWNLOAD: World Wide Suicide
9. Reckless Kelly Was Here, Reckless Kelly
This is a two CD, and one DVD set from one of my favorite Alt-Country bands. This live disc really is a live greatest hits disc, with a brand new song on it, Wiggles & Ritalin. The Braun brothers lead the party for our ears with Cody’s fiddle and Willy’s vocals and guitars.
MUST DOWNLOAD: Wicked Twisted Road
8. The Information, Beck
I have been a fan of every incarnation of BECK. From the early Mellow Gold BECK to the Alt-Country Sea Changes BECK. However, I did get a little lost on 2005 release of Guero. Therefore, it sure was nice when I heard the first track of this CD and knew that BECK was BACK. Fans of the early stuff will love this new CD. The packaging is the BEST PACKAGE OF THE YEAR. You get to design it all by yourself. There are 16 brilliant tracks on this, as well as 16 music videos, for each of the songs.
MUST DOWNLOAD: Think I’m In Love
7. High and Mighty, Gov’t Mule
This is the best BLUES CD of the year, yet many people would rather call it Southern Rock. Well, whatever you would like to call it, it is their best CD ever. Their story is well documented; members of the Allman Brothers band depart, for some side project work. Then the bass player they bring in dies. Years go by with recording with ALL-Stars, and then they find the puzzle piece. Andy Hess. With Andy, the band is really a band again, and you can really tell.
MUST DOWNLOAD: Mr. High and Mighty
6. The River in Reverse, Elvis Costello and Allen Tousaint
What collaboration, the vocal of the “Other” Elvis, with the piano and writing of Allen Toussaint. This CD just smells the smell of a New Orleans music hall in the middle of summer. From start to finish this CD is an explosion in Modern Jazz and Blues. This is the kind of CD you can put in and just melt away in the bottom of a glass of red wine.
MUST DOWNLOAD: Six-Fingered Man
5. Highway Companion, Tom Petty
So many years ago, the CD Wildflowers came out and blew my mind. Now some years later Tom does it again. Produced by fellow Traveling Wilbury, Jeff Lynne, the CD has a real modern feel, yet reminds us why we have loved Tom for so long. Jeff, by the way also contributes the bass playing. This truly is a great listen while cruising the highway, and looking for your lost love.
MUST DOWNLOAD: Square One
4. Testify, P.O.D.
The heaviest CD on the list this year also marks the end of POD’s time at their record label, Atlantic. Not only that, but they got rid of their replacement guitarist, and replaced him with the person he replaced. So what happened? They put out the best, most versatile CD of their careers, then THEY DROP THE LABEL. This CD is all over the place, and best of all POD’s reggae grove is back. To help with the reggae, the wonderful Matisyahu makes appearances on a couple tracks. I have a special love for this band, because I have been listening to them since their first indie release, “Snuff the Punk”. However, I worry what about what is coming.
MUST DOWNLOAD: Strength of My Life
3. Back to Tulsa, Cross Canadian Ragweed
This is really a greatest hits; (of their new stuff) LIVE double disc collection, (really does it get any better than that). I love this CD for many reasons, the biggest reason, these guys a re a great LIVE band. That is what they do, TOUR TOUR TOUR! Therefore, this CD catches them at their best. The coolest thing about this CD is that the fans picked the songs that were going to go on the CD. There really is no better rock and roll band out there right now.
MUST DOWNLOAD: Dimebag
2. This Old Road, Kris Kristofferson
This is a very stripped down CD. For the most part, it is just a 70-year-old man, his harmonica and his guitar. Some of you may think that is a bad thing, but let me tell you there is no better way to hear the songwriting genius that he really is. Part folk, rock, country, and punk. No flair, no smokescreens or overdubs. Just the BEST WRITTEN CD OF THE YEAR.
MUST DOWNLOAD: Pilgrim’s Progress
1. Torch, Devon Allman’s Honeytribe
This is it, the best CD of last year. Do you recognize the last name? Of course you do. Devon is the son of the GREAT Gregg Allman, and the nephew of Duane Allman, (who I was named after). So his pedigree is pure southern rock, but would he turn a blind guitar to his Georgian roots like little brother Elijah Blue Allman, (listen to any of Deadsy’s CD’s to see what I am talking about)? The answer is NO! There are some great instrumentals on here like Mahalo. Also a good cover, in No Woman No Cry. This band will be HUGE, (Think Billy Fuccillo right now).
MUST DOWNLOAD: Mahalo
I am a new Wilco fan, having just got into the band upon their 2 CD release of Kicking Television. Therefore, as a new listener of the band, I am not sure exactly where they have been, but I do know where they are headed. Grammy please! If only a real band could win one, (that is a topic for another day). This CD is dominated by great guitars and great lyrics. The guitars are lead by writer and Wilco founder Jeff Tweedy. Jeff is often joined by both Nels Cline and Pat Sansone for the great guitar battles. Pat also joins Jeff on the track 2, “You Are My Face” for a great harmony with bass player John Stiratt. The CD starts out upbeat with the song, “Either Way” and the lyrics, “Maybe the sun will shine today.” Then ends on an upbeat note with, “On and On and On,” a song sung apologetically until the guitar break then it kicks your butt. The song with the most commercial appeal is, “What Light”. While “Hate it Here,” offers a most depressed look at keeping yourself, busy after a nasty break up. The song then turns on you and with a Beatles style guitar break down that wakes you up and says that it may just be ok. If you love great music, then you must have this CD. 
